Autobiography of Rev. J.B. McGehee, of South Georgia Conference / John Boykin McGehee

REV. J. B. McGEHEE. D.D.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
Rev. J. B. McGEHEE, D.D.
OF
South Georgia Conference
WEAVER PRINTING CO.. BUCNA VIITA. *.
GENERAL LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY or GEORGIA ATHENS. GEORIA

SALUTATORY.
In presenting this remarkable (?) book it is in place to give some account of its origin, aims proposed, and methods pursued. At the session of the South Georgia Conference, November 2, 1915. Bishop Candler presiding, the following resolution offered by Whitley Langston was adopted by a rising vole.
"Whereas. Rev. J. B. McGehee, D.D.. a greatly beloved and highly esteemed member of the South Georgia Con ference, has rendered a long term of successful service as a pastor and has made a record which, in some respects, is without a parallel in Southern Methodism.
"Be it resolved that this Conference now in session at Dawson respectfully request Dr. McGehee to write and pub lish an autobiography and a number of his sermons."
A. M. WILLIAMS, WHITLEY LANGSTON. W. A. BROOKS, W. N. AINSWORTH.
I thank and salute these signers, and every member of the Conference. They have paid me a compliment prized above thousands of gold and silver. "A good name is more to be desired than great riches." In the absence of earthly entailment. my children and grandchildren will find a helpful, sufficient substitute in these printed pages. We regret that .circumstances forced us to decline the lib eral proposition of our publishing house and omit the ser mons requested.
As to mode of procedure, style, etc.. it is eminently original, decidedly unique. Facts have been recognized, figures, dates, statistics largely discarded. The slow plod ding through 82 years, and the sines and cosines of Calcubus. completely disinclined us to the slow, monotonous methods of a few illustrious Biographers. If, here and;
GENERAL3 LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY err GEORGIA ATHENS.

there, a classic allusion or small poetic strain ventures to

bubble in, let them bubble. If, now and then, rhetorical

flights, glimpses of discussion profound, scintellating elo

quence, "flashed in the dim distance, no attempt was made

to curb or confine, conscious that these were "like the

snowflake in the river, a moment white, then gone for

ever." My books of reference are few in number, but the

truest, wisest, best in the world, to-wit: the Bible, Discip

line, Websters Blue Back and J. Smith Year Book. As we

are writing not alone for Methodists, but pro bono publico

we visited other communions and other popular assemblies.

About the war. New York and Georgia tragedies we have

maintained a rigid, silence. "Let the dead bury their dead,"

said the Christ. We have not avoided all spice. By turns

the reader will laugh and cry. There is no other book like

it, and will not be until I write again. Be sure to make

purchase.

.j

Cordially,

J. B.McGEHEE.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
REV. J. B. McGEHEE
CHAPTER I.
It was in the town of Perry, Houston County, Georgia, near the junction of Big Creek and Fannie Gresham that I made my debut. At that time Perry was a small place noted chiefly for clever, upright citizens, and distant from all other sections. Remote from railroads, its growth was not rapid, and its existence a problem that nothing but time could solve. To its court house, central location, and products from a surrounding country celebrated for a soil rich and generous, Perry owes its larger dimen sions and present citizenship surpassing in culture, moral ity, refinements.
At the time of my debut I was considered like every other boy (not red-headed and freckled), a bright, beauti ful boy to be sought after in course of time by "the fairest maids of Saxony." Some no doubt predicted that I was on way to senatorial and presidential eminence. It was amusing to see aunts uncles, neighbors discourse about "the coming great man." Little did they dream that the little stranger was greatly amused and experienced a rising am bition, as grandmothers and aunts would point out resem blances that never resembled. If I was "a thing of beauty" I deserved no credit, just couldnt help it. To the best of my information the morning of my birthday, September 6, 1833, felt no earthquake tread or tremor. If prior to that, overhead sky marked a star, that signaled the near approach of a Perry prodigy historian, robbing me of rights, failed to record. I shall ever be grateful that my parents never

cahuu me oam, iviieu, Peieg oi1 Alexander. Julius Goesai\

iSapoieou ttonapai-ie, Jjut coatenieu tneimeives with simple

Joim ttoyKui Mcuehee.

The John was after my maternal grandfather, Jack

Owens, of Houston. Tne boykin was after an Alabama

Baptist family. My mother, Clara Apperson Owens, 1 must

say the Baptists consenting, was bom a Baptist. During

her school days away from home at a Methodist camp

meeting she experienced a second "birth" and forthwith

united with the Methodist Church. It is not astonishing I

am so fond of "the old camp ground."

My mother was a small lady weighing eighty-five

pounds, dark hair, broad forehead, exceedingly active, and

maintained her agility as long as she lived. Though living

" three miles from Wesley Chapel near Hendersonville. she

walked, when transportation was demoralized, to the Sat

urday service, with the new pastor, gave him words of en

couragement, and a five dollar bill as she said, "to start him.

off.:: I have known many people richer and younger than

she not half so thoughtful. The secret of her life is found

in a well-founded Christian experience. She never pro

fessed much, but she never doubted a consecrated soul,.

Christ was ever present, "a well of water springing up to

everlasting life." There was no occasion for her to realize-

joy by attending theaters, balls, clubs and such like. She

was "in the world, but not of it." Eminently practical she

laid small stress on jewelry and costly attire. Open-heart

ed, free of hand, friendly to all class commonwealth, she

was beloved by old, young, rich and poor, white-and col-

f

ored, knew how to be at home with all the saints, attended

i

her own church when open; when closed she attended

,

those of different faith and order, rather than spend the

\

Sabbath at home, or worse than that profane the Holy Day

by visiting in the country or excurting to the city or fash

ionable resorts. To be plainer she was endowed with

great common sense and Holy Ghost religion.

!

ILLUSTRATION.

I

Several years ago, say 1904, I presided over the Jay

:

Bird camp meeting at the springs, eight miles from Helena^



My staff consisted of preachers distinguished as were

6

Charles W. Snow and Tom Ed Davenport for sweetness of spirit and love of God and winning souls. One day two of the preachers said to me. You have been remarkably pre served, will you give us the secret of your longevity?"
I replied when I was fourteen my weight was seventyfive, pale and sicklied over. About that time my loving, practical mother said to me. John I think a moderate use of tobacco would help you."
I replied, "Very well; and at it I went. Many and violent were my writhings. No one who never had a like
experience, will ever know. My will-power triumphed of course. My brethren asked me if the use of tobacco was responsible for my preserved blond complexion and huge avoirdupois.
To this I readily replied, ;I will not say that;" we are speaking of the secret of my long life, I speak not after the scale but the Scriptures. Is it not written among the Ten Words: "Honor Thy Father and Mother that Thy Days May be Long on the Earth?"
As the brethren had profound love for the Bible they laughed and said, "Do you go ahead; well never tackle you again."
It is needless to say that as my mother never modified
her advice. I never antagonized her authority, and am still indulging moderate respect for the weed.
As I was not a member of the last General Conference when the grave and reverend brethren imposed restric tions on the younger preachers which neither their fathers or they were called to bear. I think the" seniors ought to get under the yoke, lest they illustrate the text of Dr. T. O. Summers: "The Nobles put not their necks to the yoke." Without putting in a defense of "the filthy,
expensive" habit; waiving the example of some great and good men who used "the vile-stuff" in moderation without questioning the sincerity of the late legislation. I will add
I have pursued the even tenor of my way unconscious that tobacco ever added to my physical or intellectual strength, but very conscious that I was following my mothers advice.
She was my one only mother. Her memory is precious to me. Her precepts and Godly life will be prized here, hereafter, forever. When God took her she was as calm

as a babe nestling on a mothers bosom, as Enoch when God said, "You have walked long enough; letls go up higher." I reached her ere she lost lifes last warmth. "Tell my boys," she had said, "Ill meet them in the City." Her mortal remains rest in the cemetery of old Henderson. The last trumpet will find her; the angels will bear her ta her immortal home. Yes. yes, dear mother. We are striv
ing to join you. and through the grace which God supplies through His eternal Son, we confidently expect to succeed.

To say nothing of courtesy every devout person in

imagination revisits Bethlehem, filled with joy and thanks-

[

giving. He gazed on Mary, the mother of Jesus, the worlds-

i

Saviour sleeping at her side. Of Him it is written "Born

<

of a woman. He who made the world was in the begin-

j

ning with God, was God, wrapped the drapery of hu-

|

manity about Him; been made (manifested) under the law

j

that He might redeem those that are under the law that

;

they might receive the adoption of sons, heirs of hope and

eternal life. Standing in the midst of this "mystery of god

liness" adoring God, not the virgin, for His unspeakable

i

gift, seeing what has come to a lost world, more than was

j

lost through the first great mother of us all, we can but

^

find within us admiration for every succeeding mother.

Studying the counsels of the everlasting Father, enter ing His great heaving heart, viewing the fading flowers of Eden. I see our first parents as through Eden "they hand *n hand take their solitary way," casting a backward gaze on hope, seemingly forever buried. Hark! the gate open* and closes and they pass on. but all is not lost, for ringing in their ears is the cheering note, "the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpents head." Through patriarch and prophecy priests and sacrifices, the stream of redemption rolled freely flowing on to the Judean home. Now it reaches Egypt, then through the wilderness it rolls. At last the fullness of the time comes. Anna is in the temple; Simeon enters, sees the mother, and pressing the Child to his bosom, shouting, "Now Lord lettest Thou Thy servant de part in peace for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation."

When Alexander Pope said, "It is the mind that makes the man," he was indulging poetic license he would have
8

been nearer the truth had he said the mother makes the man.
Great are the opportunities and responsibilities of motherhood. To discard motherhood is to prevent it to prevent it is to contravine the divine order to do that ceteris paribus. is sinful, Satanic." God in the equal divis ion of sexes, calls men and women to abstain from poly gamy and licentiousness and in the construction of the race would have all enter the holy estate of matrimony. God setteth the solitary in families and for noble ends. All efforts to repeal His laws or make sterile His garden is at the peril of our souls, and the good order of a world He fills and seeks to save.. Children are born to glorify God and ignorance or neglect on the part of motherhood is doomed to sorrow and disappointment. A wicked, slothful, skepti cal, vain, foolish, airy, runabout mother, spending little time . at home, neglecting the proper provision physical, mental, religious of her offspring, is not worthy to be called mother. "Where then is her life, though she be called to high position, a queen, an empress, she has descended from her highest, proudest pedestal thrown to the winds her costliest jewels?
Throughout the states wide spead and spreading a famine prevails. Tis not a famine of money, cotton, bread, schools, churches, organizations, orders, clubs, operas, conventions, dance halls, of office holders and seekers. Oh no! In these we are supplied. We need men men rocked in cradles like those of Hannah, the Epworth Rec tory, Mrs. Washington and thousands of other unknown to luxury and learning, but thrilled by a mothers love, and trained by her tender touch. Yes, we need men. "Men in whom the elements so combine that all nature stands up and says, he is a man." After all the world, stupid, sensual as we are, can and does distinguish a man from a monkey, a make shift, a moving picture, moulded mind, reclining against a wall, a blatant skeptic cursing the church, and corrupting youth. And the world not only sees it; it says, when sane and sober with honest Cowper. I venerate the man whose heart is warm, whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and life coincident give lucid proof he is honest in the sacred cause."
9

i .
x

THE PATERNAL SIDE.
My father, Dr. Edward T. McGehee, was born and reared in Jasper County, Georgia. He often made reference to Fishing Creek. There he attained distinction in the angling art. When he moved to Perry he was industrious enough to spare some time to the refreshing recreation. My brother E. H. gained some distinction with the hook and line. I never did. At that time creeks and branches abounded with fish, the woods rang with the whistle of the quail, the chattering of the squirrel, and white and black lined the shores and roved the forest; "fields were scarce and partially patronized. I can never forget the day when brother and I sat face to face, a plate of fried horny-heads between us. when lo! he lost his sitting, fell to the ground and broke his" arm. Serenely I finished a full meal. To this day I can say not a bone has been broken. That, however, was not the only day I profited by brothers broken bones. Am now wearing a pair of shoes sent me by the younger brother when a runaway horse dashing him to the ground, near Smithville. caused his ankle to be too large for the shoes. As I hope to wear these until the war in the Orient is over, I hope all my brethren in the flesh and the Lord will beware of homey heads and horses.
Looking back and around I can but contrast former days with these. Then everything was open and unfenced. Now every thing is fenced or locked or posted. Then laws were few. industries few. license almost un known. Then we had birds, no game wardens. Now we have game wardens and no birds. Then few things were sold taxed, or stolen. Then boys climbed palings, filled hats with peaches and armed with melons retired without hinderance. Then little was said about taxation and reve nue Now taxes are thick as autumn leaves in Valanbrosa, and revenue runs rampant. Well did the worlds greatest poet sing. "0 cursed lust for Gold, what canst thou not in fluence the hearts of men to perpetrate."
With the date of fathers birth, how long he remained in Jasper, we are not familiar. It is known that his par ents died when he was quite young and that he was com mitted to the keeping of an uncle who furnished food,
10

raiment and such educational advantages as limited means, and the state of society allowed.
Settling in Perry, he associated himself in merchandise with Samuel Felder. Soon he engaged in the healing art, and ere long assumed the proportion of a respectable farmer. He seemed to have taken the advice of Dr. Adam Clark, "put all the irons in the fire, shovels, tongs, poker, stand over them and see that none of them burn." At the ripening of the Civil (?) War he was the owner of some pretty property.
In his mercantile management he had as a clerk John Valentine Price, a boy of 15 years. Instigated by the devil, some one had grievously slandered the daughter of an old citizen, who. without investigation, mere suspicion, loaded his gun and traversed the town declaring he would kill Price at sight.
As a matter of prudence -and conscious of inocence Price stayed in the store day and night. Finally father and Felder handed him a well charged gun and instructed him to walk out. and if the old citizen approached him, take good aim and bring him down. He followed instructions to the letter and the game fell. Fortunately the wound was not mortal, but Price resumed his normal punctuality at the dining table. He grew up to be a stalwart, sober, enter prising citizen. Stewart and Sumter counties loved and honored him. I found him when I went to Americus a steward in the Methodist church. Everybody loved John V. Price. Americus never witnessed a greater funeral. Felder & Co. had given him employment and innoculated him with right principles. The best investment any man can make is to assist poor girls, educate or find employ ment for worthy young men.
\fv father was well grown and married before he made any profession of religion. The famous Houston re vival which was conducted by the circuit rider, Rev. Sam uel Anthony, added about fifteen hundred recruits to the ranks of Methodism. Among these was Dr. E. T. McGehee. He was genuinely converted. In the language of those days he was. "converted with a witness. His religion grew cleaner, stronger, sweeter the longer he lived. Why not so in these days? The Bible and God being the same,
11

reader have you the witness?

Where, when, how, he was called to preach I dont

attempt to recall. Obedient to the Heavenly call he entered

the ministry with an enthusiasm and energy, two promi

nent characteristics of a successful preacher, and so con

tinued as long as his health allowed. Not confining his

labors to Houston he entered adjoining counties. He had

regular appointments, and never allowed business or pa

tients to leave his pulpit empty. Though his practice, even

large as it was, his custom on Sunday mornings was to be

in his saddle before day and his faithful Ratler Charlie or

Robertson rarely failed to place him at the church on time.

He had a good library and used it. He loved preachers and

loved to preach. His home was always open to them. They

,

loved to come and my mother, as John Knight told the

,

Lord about the LaGrange sisters, would kill the last chicken

;

in the coop for them. As the house of Onesiphorus often

refreshed St. Paul and profited by his prayers, the McGehee

home refreshing preachers like the Pierces, Borings, An

thonys, Paynes, Glenn, Lewis, Evans; Smiths; Hibbeard;

Bussy; Birch, Baggerly. Mims, Wiggins and others, received

benedictions richer than earths crowned heads could be-

I

stow.

j

ON TRIAL.

After ordination to the office of an Elder, having ac quired property sufficient to provide for mother and edu cation of the children, Dr. E. T. McGehee. always a lover and defender of Methodism, decided to try the life of an itinerant. The Annual Conference received him oh trial, he took it in the same way. and was appointed to th& Vienna charge. Finding the charge more than he relished he excused the conference from assigning him to another field, and honorably returned to local ranks. He always said that a pastorate was a "pint up utica", Dooly county, his only charge, did not furnish sufficient territory he wanted to go preach the gospel. Methodism furnished no place for his burning love for souls. The circuits were too small. He was not ready for the Episcopacy or Pre siding Eldership. Evangelism was not yet born. It waa a case where local itinerancy seemed to be larger than
12

itinerant assignment, and where the referendum and re call gave ho space for a diminution of labor, decline in godliness. As long as his health admitted he preached the Word walking with God, greatly beloved by his family, almost universally beloved by preachers and people.
At last, at the early age of 62, he "went up with joy the shining way to see and praise his Lord." He and moth er now rest and rejoice together their bodies in the city of the dead, their spirits "in the land fairer than day."
The following are the names of the children, order of births, marriages, deaths:
Mrs. Sarah L. Coleman, died at Henderson full of years ripe for heaven.
John B., married, serving a charge, writing a book. Charles Eugenius died in infancy. Martha, married Rev. E. J. Rentz, he died and she married Rev. George Citizen Clark; both are dead. Indiana^ married George Clark, brother of Rev. John D., all dead.
E. H. McCtehee now pastor at Lumpkin.
Mrs._3farga*et_Lane, afterwards Tucker. Sophia Pool, afterwards Houser.
Mrs. Eliza Holmes, Mrs. Clara Marr, of these only one daughter, Mrs. Houser, and two preacher boys, remain until this day. Their combined years in the ministry amount to 120 years.
Before leaving this chapter I recall one incident of my early childhood. It is fresh in my memory its influence, doctrinals and physical, abide with me. A man was once counted famous if "he digged a well". According to the Psalmist there were those "who passing through the Valley of Baca made it a well." The prophetic eyes of Isaiah saw the saints "as with joy they drew water out of the wells of salvation." At Sychar, Samaria, Jesus "sat on Jacobs well" and delivered a beautiful discourse to a lost soul, opened her eyes, changed and organized her into a mis sionary society. In much less than a day the woman left her water pot and went unlo the city, gathered a large concourse of listening hearers, and said now we believe because we have heard Him, and know that He is indeed
13

the Christ the Saviour of the world." And Jesus accepted

their invitation ,abode in that city two days. The great

Head of the church found his way to the hearts and hos-

pitality of the.Samaritans by preaching the gospel rather

than scientific, rationalistic, ritualistic, discourse and the

early missionary society without press, program, conven-

tions, or collections, realized results that startled and still

startles the world. Would it not be wise for our ministry

and boards to make an occasional visit to Jacobs well?"

One other leaflet "taken from the sacred Scriptures:

And David, faint and weary, said, "oh that one would

give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem," 2nd

Samuel, s&rd chapter. 15. 16 and 17th verses. We do not

linger to discuss the symbolic nature of the passage or

draw the practical saving lessons that distilled from the

lips of the royal prostrate speaker. It is more than history.

It is a "well of salvation" and not one of St. Peters "wells

without water. It was forty feet deep, rapidly looking for

the fountain of living waters. As the famous digger Wright

Ivey was dealing stroke after stroke a voice from above

shouted Look out; look out!" His answer was a bowed

head, thrown up arms, a receptive shoulder, on the latter

landed a boy of. my size who through curiosity went a lit-

tie too far. lost his living perpendicular. I will not disap-

point my readers by denying that the over and under flight

left me witphut belongings such as nails and breath. When

I was windlassed out how poor Wright was bruised, how

nigh deaths door I lingered for days. I will not say. Of

course the fall affected my nerves, and instilled into me. as

I expected to. be drowned, a deep-seated aversion to plunge

baths, sea rides and all such. To this day I tremble at the

well, indulge no desire of crossing the ocean, and am far

away from a liquid theology. I was not baptized by immer

sion. To say nothing of Bible teaching, the well left me

physically and doctrinally disqualified for the pooT and

plunge process.

___

CHAPTER II.

HOUSTON COUNTY.

As already stated my boyhood days were marked by a scarcity of inlets and outlets. A call to Maeon. Augusta

14

or Marthasville (uow Atlanta) was either by stage line, buggy, or horseback. Our cotton was wagoned to the Bibb city over as bad roads as Georgia ever saw, the Macon and Clinton excepted. We usually stopped at the Hardeman warehouse, a great singer, the father of Hon. Thomas Hardeman. The boys used to say that the elder Hardemaa, a great camp-man, sang thousands of bales into that ware house. During my early ministry it was my good fortune to make annual visits to my fathers house, and generally took time to visit the venerable James Dunwoody, who though an itinerant, made his home in Houston and traveleJ circuits and missions adjacent and afar, leaving "Aunt" Duuwoody, the sons and daughters, to run the home and small farm. Bating naught of my convictions that a Metho dist itinerant should give himself wholly to his work a man of one work thereby leaving the appointing power untrammelled, and appropriating precious IIOURS to pas toral visitation, and personal, mental improvement, still there may be some cases, there were more "of them in the days" when parsonages were scarce and preaching pinchingly cheap, where a pastor does well not to disturb his family or lead himself into temptation by annual re movals. He thai, does the best that circumstances will allow does well, acts nobly; "angels could do no more." The saintly James Dunwoody was ever ready to respond even down to old age to every call of the church. How ever distant the field, dismal the swamps, debilitating the rides, diminutive the salary., he mounted the old bay and striking the usual gait, a walk, onward went the Christian soldier. He was an almost angel. I always loved to hear him preach. Though not as oratorical as some men. he always did what some essayist and declaimers failed to do he told me something preached the gospel. Among his last sermons was one preached before the Perry Annual Conference at the request of Dr. John B. McFerrin.
"Servant of God, well done, Rest from thy loved employ
The battle fought the victory won, Enter into thy Masters joy."
15

LOCAL PREACHERS.

The children of our day know, but little of these hon

orable and honored men. Even adults are disposed to un

derrate their labors and achievements; and regard them

:}

perhaps as a contentious, sensitive, useless class. This is

}

a grave mistake. Taking Methodism in its incipiency, and

|

development, it is doubtful if any class of men ever paid



larger dividends than this branch of the service. It is dif-

i;

licult to see how Methodism could have rooted, fruited and

jl

expanded without them. They composed our earliest

[

Church Extension Society. While our itinerants traveled

. j

large circuits looking after and training the classes ...

|1

local preachers under the oversight of the pastor, held

!

meetings in the by-ways and paved the way for the organi-

. j

lion of churches. That fact leads too many to conclude all

\j

too early, that the local preacher was admirably adapted

i

to a new country but not needed in older conferences. As

this specious reasoning being seemingly strengthened by

.

the reduction of circuits, multiplied stations, parsonages,

:

larger salaries, brought on some adverse legislation that

i;

has served to lessen the number and usefulness of our local

brethren. In the South Georgia Conference their number

is less than two hundred and twenty, less than the roll call

of the Annual Conference. In a Quarterly conference of the

Carrol!ton circuit during the civil war. eighteen of the

fifty present were Local preachers. Referring to Houston

county in 1805 1855 inclusive I find over twenty. Among

them were E. T. McGehee. Howel Cobb, J. Rufus Felder,

father of Rev. H. R.. S. H. J: Sistrunk, father of a Florida

itinf-rant. Dr. Wm. Hollinshead. Dr. Wm. Green, Professor

T. B. Russell., Dr. Patillo. father of Rev. George W: Per

sons. Thomas Speight. John D. Clark, father of Rev". Charles

E. J. Rentz. Aenas Young. John Humphries, Quincy Jacobs,

and others.

Most of fhese were educated and faithful. They kept up regular appointments, loved the pastors, gave liberally
of their substance, received no compensation for their la
bors. wrongM well and true and brought many to their Lord.

To speak more specifically. Howell Cobb was neTer a

16

i

"United States Senator or General. He preached, practiced
law. was the author of legal forms and "Cotton is King."
.His chief distinction is found in being the father of Mrs. Mary Culler, the grand-father of Mrs. J. B. Cobb. arid Mary Culler White, ladies prominent in the great work of Chris
tian missons. Thomas Speight. though not educated, and considered
. slightly eccentric, carried about a striking personality, al
ways sound on speech, and at times eloquent arid over whelming. Dr. Lovick Pierce denominated his a "Spir itual Steamboat." At times his scriptures on the church, baptism, communion, would move some of his audience
toward the front door, and they left declaring they would
.never return, but they did. On a given.Sunday morning he appeared before a Mul
berry Street. Macon. congregation we cannot give his text, but every hearer wondered at his unusual toilet. If he ever wore a vest, a coat with skirt, a cravat, he left them at
home. The absence of these articles, his rounded form, his little gray eyes, full face and high forehead caught -and held the audience. On and on he went dealing out the torments of the lost until checking himself he drew
the lapels of his coat together and jumping up. turned his back to the people, exclaiming "some of you expect to hide behind my skirts in the day of judgment but Ill have you to know I will wear a round-about on that occasion. I leave my reader to study the picture and conjecture the results.
When George W. Persons and Uncle Tommie Coleman traveled the circuit one of them said at first we received little- encouragement. Finally a good lady said we are
very fond of our preachers. Asked why? she added. "Most of our preachers seem to dislike our poor food, but you brethren eat and eat. and eat like you loved it you eat a great deal." That is one road to distinction. If not the royal one tis better than a hasty meal preceded by sour glances and succeeded by soda, paregoric, pills and postum.
J. Rufus Felder and Dr. W. I. Green could sing and
pray and get happy. They had voice but not vox ?! nihil .for they stirred the masses. Russel. Hollinshead. Sistrunk.
17

were logical and practical. Old Hayneville, now extinct,, was once a garden spot, noted for intelligence, wealth and sobriety. The Tookes. Pitts, Morelands. Wimherlys, Everetts, Browns, Lawsons, Hudsons, were in and around the village. On Sundays the hill was covered with carriages, horses, and people. Brother Sislrunk and the congre gation composed a mutual admiration society. On a given Sunday they thronged him and praised him while he was joying within "if you call that preaching come back next month and Ill give you something."
At the next appointment they were there in great shape. The preacher announced his text, soon left it. beat the board and brush, was overcome with mortification, sailed out.
To his colored drivers inquiry. "Mass Sam. where are you going?" 1 his only reply was, "Drive, boy. drive/ That was so natural. Happy the preacher that knows where to quit and quits ringing out. shouting out. or sailing out on the wings of brush, consuming flame kindled by the answer to prayer by the amen corner.
Aenas Young sometimes forgot his sermon but always remembered his song. "I really do believe just about the end . of time Ill hear the trumpet sound in that morning, in that morning, in that morning; Ill hear the trumpet/ How I long to hear the trumpet. I wish Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts could have heard Uncle Aenas.
I am not well up on music. Cant say that I have a high appreciation of solo, duet, quartette rather think George F. Pierce suggested something when he said I have never known many people converted by singing bass. The ser vice of song is a delightful part of public worship when it is intelligible, when we sing unto the Lord, sing in the spirit and understanding. Some things tolerated in a club or opera house smack of the superfluity of rough times if made prominent in the midst of public worship.
An ancient writer. St. Matthew, gives us a picture of Jesus and the disciples. Jesus took bread, etc. And Jesus took the cup. And when they sang a hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives. The "Agony" was before them. Gethsemane was throwing its shadow about their path..
18
I

Who can describe the awful solemnity of the time that -elapsed between the anointing of Jesus and the hour when Jesus cried "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death?" And when they had sung a hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives. The name of the hymn is not given. The presumption is that it accorded, as did the character of the music, with the solemnities of the occasion. It is certain that the singing of the sacred scriptures, is very unlike much of that published in papers to attract jpeople to the Sunday service. I have naught against a religious choir nothing against praising Him with the harp, and the high sounding cymbal, if God is praised, and spiritual power is not sacrificed.
It is a good rule to let well enough alone. Who .that ever heard Bishop Warren Gandler sing, "Jesus, the name high over all. Children of the Heavenly King," was sorry that his instruction in a do, ra, me singing school was, as Simmon said about the career of John the Baptist. -brief but short. The brief biography of Uzzah, acting chauffer of Israel, while the oxen and cart bore the ark to the City of David, fills me with sorrow. Had this well meaning man not put forth his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it, it would have reached the City of David, the chauffer would have been spared and not Perez-uzzah had a place on the worlds map.
It is infinitely wise to leave the reins in the hands of God. State, national, church constitutions, institutions, us ages, may be so flooded with ammendments as to submerge all individuality save an empty hat flooting on the surface. The Methodist dont sing as (well as) they did seventyfive years ago. We have exchanged the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heavi ness. Old Jacobs household committed a capital offense in consenting that their daughter, Dinah, might attend a "house party" in the home of a Cananite. Methodism is at its best in its own soil. Transplanted too often it may remain "a thing of beauty." but not "a joy forever."
MEN AND MATRONS.
Prominent among the former were Drs. A. T. Holmes, .nd B. Y. Tharp. missionary Baptist clergymen. Rev.
19

Story, an influential Primitive divine. Charles Rice, Frank Jobson. Gen Eli Warren. Judges Jill and Sam Giles, Drs.
Culler, Harris. Smith,, Mann, E. J. McGehee, Grawford of Byron. Glint Duncan, F. U. Houser, senior and junior, T. J. Cater, Hugh Dennard. Sam Felder, Dr. Wm. Matthews,.
James Postell, the Browns, father and sons. Will Wright,. Geo. Green, Charley Gray. Frank Miller, Col. Lon Riley, Alien Wiggins, Rev. Thomas Lane, Joel Walker, Mark
Kunz, Judge Holtzclaw and sons. David M. Brown.

Alien Wiggins was a man of fine character and an old time Methodist exhorter. He could grip a sinner and
hold him over the pit until his cold was cured and his nails almost crisp.

Among the matrons I recall Mrs. Mary Gutter, Elizabeth

i

Mann. Mrs. Dr. Matthews, mother of our George and Judge

j

Henry. Mrs. Miles and Wm. Green, Mrs. Royal, Mrs.

Dasher, Mrs. Helen Wright, Mrs. Troutman. Aunt Peggy

Mann. Aunt Townsley, Aunt Polly Nelson, and Mrs. Harris.

Mrs. Dr. Matthews was a pillar in the Ft. Valley Meth

odist Church. When I was leaving that pastorate sho

said "you have served us two years and weve not had a

fair, tea or other entertainment."

I answered we have done better than that. We have-
had a revival, paid preachers, lifted the collections and paid off that fifteen-year-old church debt taught you a better way.

She smiled and said "Yes.:>

Mrs. Elizabeth Mann, wife of Joel W .Mann, was a. pillar in the Perry Methodist Church, and so were Mrs. F. M. Houser and daughter, Mrs. Nunn, Mrs. Cox and Mrs. Susan, the wife of Col. Lott Townsley.

Aunt Polly Nelson lived three miles from Perry. Her industry and devotion to God and the church saved her home and husband. It was Uncle Alfreds habit to walk,
to town every day. His other habit was to linger until he^ was loaded and then go home "to see. his Polly." For a long time, forty years or more, he made his trips, kept in a good humor, and never failed to find a drink on his-
way home. His Polly looked after home, watched expensesand always met him with a smile. She was not a suffragist.

20

II

In 1879, my second year in Perry. Uncle Alfred, known and loved by everybody, attended my meeting, became in terested, walked in every day, asked for prayer, was con verted, and joined the church. The town believed in him and rejoiced with his Polly. Two of the most delighted persons next to Aunt Polly were Gen Eli Warren and Mark Henry. The conversion of an octogenarian is a rare signt.
"Such trophies God can raise,
His hand from crumbling dust
Erects His moumnents of praise."
Passing Charles A. Fulwod. who wrought well, trans ferred to Florida, and died during a session, I place John W. Domingos at the head of the column. This is his fortythird effective year. He was raised a poor boy, ploughed an ox. and studied by a pine-knot. He is a master in English, and came dangerously nigh being a great man. Some me ndo, others under do, others over do. All of us have limitation. The falling short of J. W. is found in over doing. Dr. J. 0. A. Clark, the scholar and able expounder, over did in argument and illustration. He pos sessed an exubrance of Ossa and Pelion, and, never tired himself, in "pilling Ossa on Pelious." Suggestive pulpiting is the highest type of preaching.
It .was my pleasure to hear Dr. Buckley at an Emory commencement. His subject was. "Job", a favorite theme with my old friend Uncle Robert Williamson (now dead.) At the close I said. "Doc, I thank you; not for what you said, but for what you suggested.".
George W. Matthews, an Emory boy from Fort Valley, has passed manhoods middle age. He married the daughter of Rev. G. G. MacDonel, and like his father-in-law, is al ways absorbed in the spread and success of the gospel. May he long be spared.
Hamblin R. Felder was genial, graceful, and godly. His going away was universally lamented
D. D. Bateman preached a few years and located. Frank Riley continued in service as long as health would permit. Charlie Clark is doing a good work. James A. Foster, large of body, brain and voice, is now
21

I

1

stationed at Vienna. He ought to be mounted, two or three

thousand miles a quarter.

Houston borrowed our Uncle Pleasant Grumpier from

Dooly. He has seen much service, is still ready.

John JB. Culpeper is now living at Smyrna, Florida. He was born, if I mistake not. in Macon County, traveled a long while. To educate his children he took up the work of an Evangelist. I think he made a mistake. As good a man. as strong a preacher as he is. will do best, in the run of life, to stick to the regular work. While the publC esteem him a consecrated man. sincere and single-eyed in all his plans and movements, they regret his absence from roll call. Through his ministry and writings he has lead hundreds to Christ, and age fails to abate his quenchless zeal. From the soul of this old friend and ardent admirer there rises a prayer that the good God will greatly refresh the home and abundantly bless the labors of John B. Cul pepper. -

CHAPTER III.

BOYHOOD, SCHOOLS, COLLEGES. UNIVERSITIES.

My boyhood proper was spent in Perry and Henderson. I have spoken of Perry; Henderson is a rising village that didnt rise.
When I study my escape from the well, and other re markable deliverances from death. I realize, gratefully I trust, that Gods providence is more than theory or tenet.
"When a mans ways please the Lord He maketh even his enemies be at peace with him." These enemies may be in the shape of railroad wrecks, steamboat explosions, swamp fevers, battle and bullet, lions dens, standing to gether. It matters not; "God is able to deliver and He will deliver." Happy illustrations have been mine. "Now that I am old and gray-headed forsake me not."
Of my first school I have no recollections. Who was my first teacher, who taught me the alphabet? I dont know. I woke up at ba, bi, bi; my eyes opened wider when I reached the baker lesson and a mighty speller I was when I compassed incomprehensibility. Of course the schools used the Blue Back Speller, Smiths Grammar
22

Geography and Arithmetic. In "the three R"s:i we were rooted and grounded.
To this day I retain my admiration and affection for these old books. Very recently I purchased a Webster Blue Back. It has the place of honor on my study table. I love to read the simple reading lesson, "She fed the old hen." If I am dull of spelling a glance at the blue book serves to sharpen me. If my fondness for fruit says climb your neighbors apple tree I read the bad boy who laughed at soft words and tufts of grass but climbed down when the stones began to fly and I remember the old maid when the pride of life starts me to calculating what an impres sion I can make on my day and generation if I will ex change the old gospel for speculations, compredunetions,5 clear as mud I study the face of "the country maid and the milk pail." On her way to town Miss Simmens decides to buy her a green gown, twill suit her complexion best, and best attract the young fellows, all of whom I shall refuse. Transported with the thought she tossed her head, and too, away went the pail milk, gown, fellows and all. "When men suffer their imaginations to amuse them with the prospect of distant and uncertain improvements of their condition, they frequently sustain real losses by their inat tention to those affairs in which they are immediately concerned." The "green" gowns are along the line of Pauls admonition to the Colossians, "As ye have received, so walk, beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men, after the rudi ments of the world and not after Christ."
A few days ago one of Georgias best men and most distinguished educator, Uncle Rufus Smith," president of LaGrange Female College, "went up with joy to see and praise his Lord " To me he sent the message I now send to my brethren, "stick to the old gospel." Uncle Rufus was wise and good.
A. HARD BEGINNING.
A real scholar must have the foundation laid in the primary department. Teachers there should be the best whatever the cost. A mistake there misses the flood the
23

flood that leads on to fortune. The fundamentals must be mastered. It is a mistaken notion that everybody can teach small children. The practice all too common reminds me of an administration that finds presiding elder timber in every preacher obviously to "pass it around." There is a fitness in this, or should be. Once in the history of Georgia Methodism, a kind bishop appointed a fine-looking singing brother to a presiding eldership. It waked criti cism. One brother asked can he hold a quarterly confer ence? And received the charitable reply, "he can ask the questions." Our school rooms need teachers that will do more than ask questions.
Well chosen books, few in number, in the hands of a teacher that leads a boy to study, or makes him study, are worth more to the cause of education than all the boards, classification, units, grades, curriculum, crammed examin ations and brilliant commencements that eat up our sub stance as did the locusts turned loose on Egypt.
Our early teachers were laborious. Men like Dunham, Crosland. Burbank. Beman and Doyle rarely failed to instil studious habits. In the event of a failure, they imitated the immortal Ichabod Crane, who, with birch in hand, urged little and larger fellows along the flowery paths of knowledge always adding "youll thank me bye and bye."
In an age like ours we cannot expect without a radical reformation an abundance of exact, thorough education. Specialism, dissipation and demoralization seem to be wag ing a war against wsdom. justice and moderation. The "world is in a hurry. We have little time to study, think, rightly attend to business "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods."
In my younger days children went to school now they are chiefly absorbed in athletic match games, mov ing pictures, tennis, rook, tango, turkey trot, grizzley bear, and other close corporations that the old plantation darkies would turn down with a grunt.
We repeat let. the beginnings be simple and easy. There is a story of a tender-hearted woman who. seeing within the cocoon the struggle a butterfly was making to free itself, thought to help by breaking the meshes and
24
-l.il

letting the silk-winged creature free. The butterfly thus released was too weak to lift itself, too undeveloped to enjoy or utilize life. Such the fate of countless thousands crushed in lifes early dawn.
ACADEMIES, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES.
With absolute indifference to criticism, and exemption from all desire to provoke controversy, I wish to say:
First. That I favor all education but would not waste time or taxes in seeking to bring everybody blue, black, white, brainy or brainless to the highest culture. The compulsory path would be but brief. Some would reach the academy, some the college, some the university. A peck is a peck, a bushel a bushel. Since the world began nobody, but excepting Solomon. Solan, Socrates, has suc ceeded in putting the latter into the former. If capacity is considered environment, conditions will not be overlooked, and all these entering into the calculation will materially modify methods, and wonderfully return revenue into channels more conducive to the public welfare.
Secondly. Schools like plants may be too thick to thrive, so numerous as to prevent the development of those that would otherwise grow to perfection. Schools and churches should never grow too large as to place professois and pastors out of touch with students and members, and lodges, orders, clubs, teas, sociables, and should be careful not to degenerate into sound and fury signifying nothing. Granting the inculcation of some high, moral principles, the distribution of needful charities, they should observe charities, they should observe proper meter and bounds. Failing in this, entering into competition with higher essentials, eternal things, they sink to the insigni ficance of nuisances.
Third. Education should have a flavor that will make it accepted of God as well as approved of men. Running my eye down a line of seventy years I note Franklin, now the State University, Mercer. Emory, Oglethorpe and Wesleyan. A little later LaGrange, Andrew, Collinsworth, Gordon Institute, Mt. Zion. Later still we have McRae, Sparks, Wrightsville and many others in north and mid-
25

die Georgia that are doing splendid work. Most of these are denominational. Emory has felt the refining touch of Few, Longstreet, Luther and 0. L. Smith, GeorgeJF. Pierce, Atticus G. Haygood, Warren A. Candler, Isaac Hopkins, and Charles E. Dowman, Dr. James E. Dickey, noble son of a sainted father, now presides over that great and growing institution. Dr. G. R. Jenkins presides at "Wesleyan. His five brothers are giving like promise; with such parents as theirs and such a grandfather as Leonard Rush it could hardly be otherwise. Leonard Rush ranked with J. B. Jackson. Lewis J. Davis and Jackson P. Turner. PO men ever "have greatness thrust upon them?"
MY COLLEGE DAYS.
These were divided between Emory and Franklin Col lege. At the close of my second year I changed from the former and graduated at the latter. There was no expul sion or compulsion, nor did it involve any comparison of the merits of the respective institutions. Up to that time I had had no idea of preaching the gospel. If I had ever indulged such a thought my backslidden condition would have sent it into exile. My commencement address shared the fate o f my semi-centennial sermon written but not delivered. But for a reason unsaid for the present I would have taught, read law, and gone into politics. Tis a wonder I didnt. My taste, and some qualification seemed to lead in that direction, and my friends especially when I had slightly developed, often said "You ought to have been a general or judge." Athens has supplied the state with lawyers and politicians was never formed as a mill for school teachers or as a school of the prophets.
I have never regretted my change of vocation. The sixty-two years of my ministry, humble as it is, are far more precious to me. have brought more comfort and last ing good to my soul and the souls of others than the riches of Croesus, the hosannas of multitudes and the applause of listening Senates could have possibly conveyed. I have never had a passing tempation to abandon my calling to secular ambitions and suggestions, and they have been repeated and assuring, I have turned a deaf ear. Now
26

thai my eyes are dim, ears dull, steps unsteady, day of dissolution not distant on the top of-the mountain I join the reclaimed apostle and shouting "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath begotten us from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away."
CHAPTER IV.
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CONTINUED.
Before bidding adieu to schools. I desire to express my appreciation of faculties and courses at Franklin and Emory. The former chief was Dr. Alonzo Church, amiable and able. His assistants, Drs. Brantley, Lecohte, McCoy, were gifted. At Emory Geo. F. Pierce, Dr. A. Means, Sasnet Bonner and G. J. Orr; Geo. F. Pierce afterwards bishop, was unsurpassed in the pulpit and the best great man I ever saw. Dr. Means could climb the stars and carry his audience with him.
Dr. Sasnet was a logician, Dr. Bonner a great teacher, G. J. Orr was a mathematician, took his time, went all the gaits, looked logarithans, subsisted on sine arid cosine. The young Sophomore boarded with him and hold his wife and classmate, A. M. Orr. in grateful remembrance. All of this occurred when scholars went to school to be educated, and faculty and boards prepared curricula that required study and left no place for inter-collegiate games that sometimes rob hard-working parents, and ruin their boys That was a proud day for Emory and education wher the standpattery routed the progressives and waved thei- banners bearing the inscription t:No inter-collegiate *ran>es for this Institute."
My longer stay at Emory and the size of the village gave me an opportunity to make acquaintances I lovingly cherish to this day. In Major Harper, keeper of the Brick Hotel, since destroyed by fire, I found a man of God and a personal friend. Society there was select, sober, religious. Snares and diversions to entrap and demoralize youths were exceedingly scarce. Remote from the dissipation and de-
27

struction of a great city, a boy had golden opportunities for application and every incentive to a life of devotion. In laying the foundation and carrying on the work at a spot secluded yet accessible, beautiful and blessed by God, the fathers acted wisely. In my day the buildings were few, the teachers up-to-date and poorly paid but God has opened the hearts of men like Searcy and the people rallied until Emory has become a thing of beauty. May it be a joy forever.
To say nothing of Lamar, Young Alien Key, Haygood, Candler, the Lovejoys, the North and South Georgia con ferences in filling their chief charges have been largely dependent on instruction at Emory. Her sons like the Lovetts. Ainsworth, Ellis, Jenkins, Anthonys Johnstone, W. F. Smith, Christian, Thomas, Brooks, Chester and a host of others, either occupy the larger centers or cultivate sections that yield an annual harvest equally promotive of Gods glory and the extension of our beloved Methodism. Denominational education is a great success.
SECULAR OR RELIGIOUS.
In the light of the above and other facts to be grouped such as furnishing teachers for schools and colleges, filling other professions, fitting the laboring masses to their fields of toil and responsibility, we propound two questions:
First. Granted that the great question of education should be conducted by capable judicious hands, ought it to be left wholly to the conduct of parents or private in dividuals, turned over to State, orcommitted to the keeping of the church of God? Secular or Religious?
On the face of these propositions I see features that demand co-operation, concession, compromise. Starttng with the thought that every child must be educated, and that many children have no living parents, and many pa rents are too uninformed or poor to rely on parental or private education, it is clear there must be co-operation. This being so, eliminates the Irst by pothesis and narrowthe issue to State or church, or maybe to both acting in harmony.
If the issue is narrowed to one, I have no hesitancy 28

in declaring in favor of religious education. It is right to define terms. Secular regards body and brains, books and benches. Beyond that secular does not go. That far an animal can go. If we go no further we educate ani mal and not child. A child goes beyond the animal and demands more than secular education. Secular education ignores the fundamental part of a man, the soul spiritual immortal. It is written "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Education solely secular may develop a calf or lamb, but cannot afford the development that mans con stitution demands, mans earthly welfare and Gods glory requires.
In a child, a youths impressible period, the doctrine of God, the accountability of man, his need of a Savior must be impressed not only in the home and Sunday School but on week days when he is subject to the wiles of bad association and the witchery of Satan. This does not inter fere with the pursuit of knowledge, classical or scientific. Pure religion, real science, high culture are not aliens but allies.
It is difficult and disastrous to commit the cause of education mental and spiritual to the State. The State has its sphere the church its sphere. The State boldly declares it will have nothing to do with a childs religious belief but rather risk the certainty of the child imbibing skepticism than bias the child mind in favor of God and fundamental credenda. The church would make a certain ty of fastening as "with hooks of steel" child faith to the knowledge and love of God rather cut down, the original forest and sow it with tested seed, than leave the virgin soil to become the camping ground or the green pastures of thorns and thistles.
We are not ignorant of the answers to our theory but we have yet to learn that a continent of metaphysics or an ocean of sophistry is more valuable than a thimble full of common sense.
Government is a great necessary thing but it is human without soul, body-or spirit; it is more crafty than consci entious, political everywhere, religious in spots, respon-
29

sible to the people but rarely ever arrested, imprisoned^

"

executed. Its purpose is protection, its aim extension, its-

\

true riches revenue. Platos republic is not yet in sight

j

until it comes I cannot willingly consent to run mad pa

j

ternalism. If the government will own and operate all

I

the shops, railroads, mines, factories, fields, dry goods and.

drug stores and sink all the individuals out of sight, I beg.

to reiterate government is great but God is greater. Wood

men spare the homes, the church, the children. We would,

render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God-

the things that arcGods.

i

.

So far we are grateful and proud of what the denomi-

{

nations have done and are doing for the education of Geor

|

gias sons and daughters. What we have done has come

|

largely from the pockets of church. Methodist, Baptist.

!

Presbyterian, have wrought well. We have asked nothing

j

from the State. Our schools, churches and membership

t

have submitted to taxes levied to build up -schools as-

feeders of State institutions. Candor compels me to say

that it would be a graceful thing in the coming Igeislature

to repeal all laws taxing the denominational schools in the

State. They are not run for money. They do not make

money. They are stirctly benevolences.

Had the children of light been as wise as the men of" this world they would have made greater progress; I well. remember the call of Emorys President of the Board, G. F. Pierce, to the Presiding Elders to meet there on a com mencement occasion. Responding to the call I stopped at Dr. Smiths and on Saturday morning attended the session of the Board. Little as I was, and not an Alumnus of Emory. I felt secure under the wings of two presidents.It was not long when the strongest man in the body launched a resolution intended to overthrow the District School designed in part to act as feeders of church institu
tions. It was a crucial period as the speaker in voice sten-torian and otherwise at his best, belched for hailstones but no coals of fire. Being fresh from the.field but no mem ber of the body. I asked and obtained permission to reply. In a few modest, well chosen words I filed my objection to the resolution concluding with: "Brethren, granting all

30

that has been said the method is anything but healing an old inspired book speaks to you as follows: Brethren, if a man be mistaken in a fault, ye that are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness." As 1 took my seat a tall, thin man arose and in a tone sepulcral and spiritual made a one minute speech in these words: "Brethren, these are wise words to which you have just listened. I beg that you give heed to them." The speaker was Bishop E. M. Marvin, who preached the commencement sermon from the text "When I consider thy heavens." As he preached I listened, looked, wondered what was about to happen. All of a sudden he turned, took Bishop Pierce by hand and they were off touring the siderial heavens. Of course we ploddmg pedestrians adopted the policy of Presi dent Wilson "watching and waiting.
As for that resolution it was killed, but disastrous was the results. A keen eyed Georgia politician saw the point and soon State schools, not feeders of Emory and Mercer, were organized in the various congressional districts.
One result of my visit was than Dr. Jas. E. Evans; hav ing transferred, the brethren kindly forgave me for leav ing Oxford, and voted me a trustee to fill the vacancy. That occurred just after the close of the:uncivir war. and I am now the oldest living trustee and nobody expects me to resign.
EMORY AND A PREACHERS SON.
I recall these facts to show what a boy may become, and the shifting yet merciful providences that hover over homes.
Robert W. Dixon was years a member of our confer ence. A more amiable, sweet, faithful servant of God we never had. A lovable man by everybody beloved. For a time the Bishop did not rank him high as a preacher. To Dr. Key and myself he would say "I am afraid he is not preacher enough for a district." In those days Bishops classed preaching ability above social qualities and ability to report "collections all in. Bishop." When the conferonce was in Talbotton I appointed Dixon to preach the opening sermon and the bishop being unwell appointed
31

Dr. A. T. Maun to go out and hear him and report; the Doctor returned and reported the sermon as marvellous^ Tvvas enough, Key and McGehee carired; Dixon was mad& a presiding elder. He was popular, useful and so continued, until an insidious disease carried him away. He left a. widow, two sons and a daughter the family settling in. West Point.
One day President Haygood said to me, "Gan: t South, Georgia send Jim Dixon to Emory." Returning home hewrote the mother, asking her to send Jim. Her reply was"he ought to go but she was unahle to send him. To this. I replied: "The Lord will provide, fix him up, send him.. Look to me." Jim went applied himself and in a class o. twenty-nine bore away the first hoonr. The next year he married my youngest daughter and the next year he lost his sight totally blind and no means but he did. what he could. Moving to my home we bought the paperand made him editor and manager. Returning to West.. Point those good people rallied around. By turn he taught school, was made president of the board, elected mayor, served as steward, introduced meeting speakers, was elect ed a delegate to the annual conference.
Bishop Candler once said Jim Dixon is the best man inGeorgia.
His faculty of finding things, crossing the long bridges and railroad tracks without accident was a study. At home he helped his wife read new books and kept abreast, with the current literature of the day.
One day he said: "Father, have you read such a book?" I answered "No."
He said "I have."
To my inquiry How do you read?" his reply was "Mamie reads to me. When you have leisure I will give
you an analysis." I had leisure and the blind man gave an analysis as
clear and as fully forcible a sthe book contained. Now for another turn of the wheel. At the Geneva
Camp ground, Sunday I preached to two thousand people. Text. "Render Unto Caesar." It was a time of great politi cal excitement. I was anxious to stay the tide of corrup tion labor and help save the country. It was not partisan!.
32

but I hewed to the line. The masses endorsed, a few in "bitter terms denounced. Seeing the feeling I decided to publish and so I did, sending copies here and there. One was sent to Minister Buck, at one time minister to Brazil.
A few days later I wrote him a letter; had no personal acquaintance with him. giving the condition of Dixons family, stating my son-in-laws politics (Democrat), my daughters qualification for conducting the postoffice, and asked that she be appointed post mistress.
To this Mr. Buck replied: "I read your sermon and so did Judge Bleckley. and its agreed that any man preaching such a sermon in times like this ought to have all he asks for. I have made out the application and your daughter will receive her commission in a few day-s." He did. She received it. Jim soon died and went to Heaven and Mary is postmistress until this day. My small investment for a poor boy paid and still yields a large dividend. The an nouncement that Caesar and God were on top silenced the guying and I went on my way believing as I will ever believe "When a mans way pleases the Lord He maketh even his enemies be at peace with him. "Cast thy bread on the waters and thou shalt find it after many days."
EDUCATION AND EMORY UNIVERSITY.
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." So said the Christ. To be developed reference must be had to His trepartite constitution. Were a boy a mere animal, a calf say. he would require some education in a primary de partment. As he become capable of expansion he should enter preparatory department. As he admits of wonder ful enlargement he should have the benefit of college and university. If a human being did not have more than a physical and intellectual nature I would have small use for every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. No education is rational that closes its eyes to mans spirit ual immortal organism. Tis idle, tis trifling with God. time and eternity to divorce education and Christianity. The State could not rightly conduct the educational inter
ests of the country and would not if it could. Education and the Bible must walk and work together.
There science and religion are not aliens but allies. As
33

soon thin k of committing a youth to the tender mercies of a catamount as to turn over his training to ungodly, wayward dissipating men and women.
Speaking of Emory University leads me to say I have never regretted the loss of Vanderbilt. There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them as he may. For awhile I held Vanderbilt in high esteem but when tempted by the alluring bait of "The Foundation" it ignored right ful authority and bartered a heaven-born birthright for a mess of pottage, my love declined. Its going was sad but it opened a door for something better something that will allow our Methodism to impart the highest culture with out sacrificing its faith on the altars of Materialism, ritual ism, rationalism. The charter of Emory University will forever regard the constitution of man the chief-end of remedial agency God has given for his restoration, the seats of power and the pews of praise in the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled.
As I look afar, around. I think I see the wisdom, the finger of God. in the selection of Atlanta and Dallas and making them centers for the education of the worlds fu ture leaders.
Looking afar the Orient, the worlds greatest war has closed many colleges and universities. If they ever met. the worlds wants, and they didnt, it will require years to rehabilitate them. Their youths will go somewhere. Where? Why not in the Sunny South?
We call attention to a press dispatch: "Cambridge, Mass.. Jan. 23. The Harvard University corporation has set aside $100.000 to aid refugee Belgian professors. This is the result of action taken by President Lowell who cabled that Harvard would care for some of them." Thoughtful people." says Bishop Gandler, "will do well to consider its significance." The Bishop adds as another evidence that the education center of the world is shifting from Europe to America. "A few months ago it was announced that the most largely attended university on the planet is in Ameri ca. This was never so before the year 1914." Thoughtful people will ask where? and what are its theological tenets?
We have read with interest the thrilling appeal of ex-Board Missions of the South Georgia Conference, W .N.
34

-Ainsvvorth. president. It is based on the presumption that missions and education are inter-dependent. Stagnation in one spells stagnation in the other, and so with progress
it urges pastors to action and churches to self denial and larger contributions.
AS tlie Appeal says "This is an hour when great issues are at stake civilizations are breaking up, Christian peo ple must make decisions." The next ten years, said the Edenberg conference, may be of more importance in de termining the spiritual evolution of mankind than many centuries of ordinary experience.
When the telephones of the world echoing the times, call us to the right hour and place, it is time for the M. E. church, south, to arise and build. As a nation we are rightly located. We are at peace; have a generous soil, furnishing a wonderful variety of products, our barns are full, our credit good, we are the richest nation in the world. The riches of America says our report will become the worlds curse unless consecrated to its salvation. While others are paralyzed this is the time for American Chris tians to put themselves on a war basis for the kingdom of God. rather than allow our cotton to go to rot or sacrifice; Georgia roads, and those of -Alabama. Mississippi. Texas, Carolinas. etc., should be well nigh congested with bales 10 50 1000 on their way to Dallas and Emory University.
Let us stand by the noble Asa Candler and Chancellor W. A., the brainy leading Bishop born and reared in Geor gia. Great as their contributions are the gifts should come by other millions if we would wisely build, endow and equip. My appreciation of their service to Georgia and Methodism is almost unbounded. We admire, love, honor them here. Hereafter the streams of the South and the sons far away will join in the chorus and
Each little rill, each mountain river Will roll, mingling with their fame, forever.
CHAPTER V.
CONVENTION, CALL, EARLY CHARGES.
In the summer after my graduation I gave myself to 35
GENERAL LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
ATHENS.

leaching a small school iu the neighborhood of Henderson, Houston county. This was the town of my parents who were yet living. The church was called Wiley chapel. This church has sent out a number of preachers, and still has stated services.
I attended a revival held in August, my father and J. Rufus Felder doing the preaching. For a time I took no in terest, rejected all propositions, resented all approaches, left the meeting, went to the village hard and seemingly hopeless. Mine was the sad state of the man "who had known the ways of righteousness but turned from the commandments. The backslider in heart and life, was filled with his ways.
While crossing the street I suddenly paused and in a voice audible to myself said. "Where am I going? What am I doing but resisting the only power that can save me?" And then I prayed. "God forgive me, and I will serve Thee the balance of my days." Then I rushed to a secluded place, prostrated myself and wrestled with God until the Holy Ghost descended.
"I rode in the sky fully justified,
I now did envy Elijah his seat
My soul mounted higher iu a chariot of fire
And the moon it was under my feet.
Jesus all the day long was my song,
O, that all His salvation might see;
He both loved me, I cried. He has suffered and died
To redeem a poor rebel like me".
I often think of St. Paul and his Phillipi convert the jailer Ananias was sent to one Paul directed and re ceived the other. In my case a divine influence sent me in search of a preacher and without song o rchorus in the street I gave myself to the church. Before I was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
This time I joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South. My early experience satisfied me that a man hav ing a desire and a determination to "flee the wrath to come and be saved from his sins" should come out from the world aad join the church. That loose miscellaneous way of saying a man can be as good out of church is repugnant to
36

sound thought and the sacred Scriptures. The church he joins should be the one where he feels he can be the best man and do the greatest good.
CALLED TO PREACH.
At one lime I had an essay called a "Semi-Gentennial Sermon." It was never said: :Tis folly to invest pick and spade in search of a dead pet. Requiescat in pace. Some post mortem may find Saul among the stuff. If so, I shall not arise to a question of privilege.
Three things, the church a man joins, the woman he weds and the business he follows largely determine his success and happiness. They lack little of saying whether he will be with the damned, cast out, or numbered with the blest. In these it is wise to study ones adaptations and limitations and Divine leading. In the matter of ministry, St. Paul allows God, untrammeled by church, parental re quest or personal suggestion, to have dictation.
Speaking of himself, Paul adds. Woe is me if I preach not the gospel."
It is safe to say that God makes no mistakes it is not heresay to affirm that a man called of God may pursue such a course, be so fettered by the ambition of life, the lust of the world as to be forceless, fruitless, useless sink to scandal and shame. May I not add he may be so superencumbered by the demands of laborious, luxurious, legislation as to rob him of that strength of soul, that enthusiasm, necessary to secure that chief end of his ministry the glory of God in the conversion of souls bought by the blood of His Beloved Son?
Among the chief qualifications for a successful preacher, supposing him to be divinely called I would reckon a knowledge of Gods word and ability to rightly apply the same. It goes without saying ttiat inter meddling with all knowledge brings a valuable ally. A preacher must know something everything within reach. His education at school is not the most educative. The fields from which he gathers are around, under, above far away vast and varied. The students will find the staple and rich fruits of St. Pauls ministry in research of his life from the day he entered the desert of Arabia to the hour of eventful life.
37

Our Lord, earths greatest teacher, saw society in its. simplicity; nature attired in springs threadless toilet of
green, children playing in the nearby parks calling unto, their fellows, proud Pharisaism as it sought to entangle him in his speech, and lo! What tenderness, what honeyed sweetness, withering sarcasm, thoughts majestic, dropped from his lips!
How the enemies of God and men were routed when the widow, as her Lord owned the magnificence of her gift, as he said "this woman hath cast in her two miles," was crowned queen of the assembly.
i see her going down to her home everything gone but not disheartened. She looks upon the sparrows that ilit by the wayside; she sees them bathing their beaks in the tiny tank prepared for the smallest fowl and then gather ing their breakfast from the crumbs that await their com ing I hear her sing:
The birds without barn or storehouse are ied, From them let us learn to trust for our bread; Aot fearing, not doubting with Chirst on our side. We hope to die shouting, the Lord will provide."
Pauls sermon at Athens was great. Christs sermon on the mount mark its introduction its progress its wonderful conclusion. These were never surpassed by Chalmers, Ghrysostom, Watson. Wesley, Whitfield, Jonothan Edwards, Enoch Marvin. G. L. Pierce. Haggard or Wilson.
Pew men ever approximate this eminence. The few that do have been men who placed their heavenly vocation above all secular seeking and none of them were million aires. Bating a few high steeple churches in the world, most of the praying and salary paying follow closely and successfully the formulae of an old brother whose stereo typed petition was "Lord bless the preacher: keep him humble and well keep him poor."
"They that preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. In the days of Asbury, Lovick Pierce, T. G. Coleman, Al fred Dorman, Morgan Bellah, the "oxen" were not stall fed; salaries were small. The church plowed a single ox.
Later it found the wisdom of using a yoke. Then as
38

buggy retired gig and parsonage was substituted for the small stall or wayside country shed room, living improved.
Methodism, like most infants, learned to crawl before it learned to walk and we sometimes think it crawled far better than it walked. In many respects the church has made rapid strides; in some it bas lost ground.
While I canont "in hoc loco" indulge in an induction necessary to the solution of the problem, I readily consent ihat present day Methodism is superior to the past in tumbers. in missionary zeal, in education and Sabbath schools and then give it as my firm conviction that neither our ministry or membership are as spiritual, inwardly and outwardly, as were our fathers.
We have the same doctrines, but they are not so con stantly and courageously taught; the same general rules, but they are hastily read and then partially retired in bet ter church buildings costing thousands, but they are griev ously neglected. The same Bible, the same closet, the same family altars, but where are the sacrifices of daily devotion?
The world has come in like a flood. We are too worn, busy, sick or something to closet with God, search the Scriptures or attend Sunday school with much regularity. The flood of worldliness is rapidly sapping our strength the superfluity of naughtiness largely retires our former simplicity and sincerity and we are ceasing to exhibit the old time power. I write these things with a trembling hand and a tearful eye.
As a refuge I dare not flee to the empty senseless cry for a new gospel; be chloroformed by the din of "great is Diana of Ephesus," swell the procession of thousands of tramping faddists who would have us believe that we are all right with God and if we are not. a little scientific relig ion will heal soul and body and in the event eternity ex poses the fallacy, the love of God, should we decline eter nal punishment, will compromise on a hell made of a small handful of sulphur and a few poor pine shavings thai will soon evaporate into smoke.
I admit I am somewhat exercised and the fact that all the denominations are as fearfully bombarded by the world, the flesh and the devil and are as ready to captitulate as
39

are the people called Methodists, fails to relieve the situa tion.
I am not establishing a censorship, rather diagnosing the case seeking to learn whether heartache, grip, cold feet, or pain in the head causes the congestion. It appears to me that the church. I mean the general, original church,, is suffering from a blockade that excludes the amount of power needful to compass the ends of the earth. .
In the days of Wesley. Asbury, Soule, Andrew, or ganization was simple, and nobody dreamed of organizing "the world and the fullness." Preachers preached, held class, received members on probation and drilled them. jMow we are organized until we are well nigh paralyzed. In the plentitude of pity and wisdom our General Assembly has loaded us with lay delegations, deacounesses. secretar ies, presidents, editors, what not. professedly to relieve the over-loaded pastor and liberate him for his one great work. That was kind, too kind. By the time the pastor has la bored at these things, studied, preached, visited the sick and well, called on the visitors, and attended all the con ventions and many social functions, collected the monies and reported all up to the Bishop, he finds himself spavined while a few good men and more good women are almost ready to faint. If he fails, the dear elders who are well organized and ha-ve launched bulletins (I didnt say bul lets) and otherwise urged until we are ready to say "mighty good men. but we do wish they would put Christ and soul winning above table serving. We are glad our Beloveds are sane men, good men, who will not afflict men in th& Cabinet but the old elder is human, wants to succeed, and rather naturally seeks to get rid of a brother whose report, albeit he did his best, does not make my district*
average up. it takes a good many things beside license, ordination,
education to make a successful preacher. The fond mother who said, "Well. I have tried James at everything else. Ill make a preacher out of him," was far afield. Lewis B. Paynes Irish may have been nearer the mark. Irishman "Mr. Payne. why dont you send us a preacher?" Payne "I did send you a preacher." Irishman "0. Mr. Payne, that man cant preach, he was called to split rails. We
40

need a mam that can preach, who knows sometning, thats like yourself, thats drank at the branch but who didnt drink it dry." When a young preacher applied to Andrew Jackson, Old Hickory asked him about his calling. To this he replied, *I am a minister." Then the president said. "Young man, go back to your business; you have a higher position than I can give you." Any man unsettled in his convictions, ever dissatisfied with his appointment, never having sufficient salary, ever looking for an oppor tunity to return, does well to change his place of business. He is a failure abinitio and will be ad finis.
Personality, toilet, carriage and character count for much. I had a friend a very dear friend. His character was 24 carats; his education so complete as to make Hon. Walter Hill say, "He writes the purest English of any man in Georgia." He was small and bent and slow.
After sending him to an appointment in an aristo cratic city, I said, "When you put on a beaver, boots and your wifes corset and when you strike the sidewalk, throw up your head, accelerate your speed and let your feet make music as they take your measure; those people size up a man before he reaches his pulpit. Verburn sat.
In giving that advice I was seeking to change the brothers carriage personality, not clothes. Both of these
may be carried to excess.
Here the old ladys happy "mejum" is golden. There is more in our general rule, putting off gold and costly ap parel than we preachers clearly see or studiously observe. In the midst of a tirade against the lovely women for failure to observe the inspired injunction, I have sometimes thought that the vain pomp and glory of this world re nounced alike by men and women found shining illustra tions in pulpit as well as pew. In the outer world over dress is in bad taste in the church circle it is still worse than that; in the pulpit an apostle may be a fool but not a fop, for Christs sake.
In the earlier stages of my ministry, as was the cus tom and by the way in the wake of our Lord I was ap pointed to a circuit with Brother_--_-_-_-__----_ for my junior. I withhold his name and am silent as to the cir cuit. Of the circuit I shall speak hereafter. My junior was
41

a fine Christian and had a fine wife and a fine gentle horse. I loved them all, the horse included, because he responded to good grooming and seemed to begrateful enough to be considerate of the good womans safely. Lest some may think his name was withheld because the junior could outpreach the senior no hard job for one less classical than he I acknowledge my obligation to a college friend called Plantus and fill the blank with "Thesaurorysonicochrysides." That is name enough; if the bishop had read it that way our excellent secretaries W. F. and J. A. Smith would have been wider awake than usual., There now, I am in trouble again. Rallying my memory I call up some Smiths, for the poor and the Smiths we have always with us, although these Smiths had not yet arrived.
On with my story. My junior was educated, consecrat ed, good looking, gave great promise; I was conscious of many defects, but the junior had but one. Nobody save one, dared say him, "You are capable of being a fine success, but you must refrain from excessive criticism. Let me give you some advice. Before you go to your next charge, buy a lawyer, a doctor, a blacksmith, a shoemaker and carry them with you."
"A pebble in the streamlet scant, Has turned the course of many a river; A dewdrop on the baby plant May warp the giant oak forever."
As the prosperity of the church, speaking from a hu man standpoint, hinges largely on the character and quali fications of the ministry. I have purposedly dwelt on that subject. Two things I would impress:
First. A minuter must be called of God. The best method of settling that question can be found in our ex cellent Book of Discipline. Three marks have they gifts? Do they know God? Have they fruit?
Second. They must make full proof of their ministry by study, and prayer, giving themselves wholly to these things. In this great work, as in personal salvation, God and the ministry are co-workers. If I should place any one thing above another, I would say, "Let him be born of the Holy Ghost, be filled with the Spirit.
42

1 believe in the Holy Ghost should attend us in se lection, exposition and delivery of our discourses. It has occurerd to me that the absence of fruit, superficial con versions, after indisposition to service, have their origin it may be, in the lack of Holy Ghost conversions and that our slowness to restore the whole is pretty attributable to an absorption HI it-ui-iiiag dead languages, relying on or ganizations, trusting in conventions, programs, rather than the arm of the Lord of Hosts.
"The wind bloweth where it listeth." -Ye shall be endowed with power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you/ So said the Christ, so He speaks today. So will He ever speak. If the impedimenta of Caesars soldiers de layed the day of victory, the conquest of the world may be postponed by too strict a relianceon what we call busi ness, which, reduced to its lowest analysis, may be a great glittering aggregation of forces and philosophies gathered from houses and not from the gospel of the Crucified Son.
When the eye is single the whole body is full of light. The faith of the church should give God the right of way. When God would deliver Israel He took Moses from the little ark; when He would have a judge He went to the home of Hannah. When He. would refresh and comfort His people with music sweeter than an Aeolean harp. He took David from the sheepfold. When He wanted a prophet that could call down fire from Heaven, put Ahab and Jeze bel to flight and overthrow the altars of Baal, He took Elijah from the plough. "Gods ways are not our ways."
Sam Jones, J. B. Culpepper, Jim Bass, and Radcliff are specimens of Gods ability to save when men go forth un der a commission prefaced by all power in their hands and concluded by the unfailing pledge, "I am with you always."
"His hand from crumbling dust, erects his monuments of praise."
CHAPTER VI.
LICENSED.
On the morning of November 7, 1852, John D. Clarke. and I left Henderson en route to Andrew Chapel four miles
43

above Perry. We were not looking for a district but a quarterly conference. At that time district conferences were unknown. Prior to the district conferences, persons desiring license to preach were recommended by the church and licensed by the quarterly conference now
they are recommended by the quarterly and licensed by the district conference. Whether the change was best is not for me to decide. Under theoldplan. the examination, same as now, was conducted by the Presiding Elder and the license granted by those who knew him. Under the new rule, the examination is conducted- by the committee and license is granted, by those who know him not. Really the representation by the pastor usually amounts to a de cision.
One of the most useful men in the present Columbus
district would have been turned down but for a timely suggestion by a visiting brother. The committee had re fused to recommend because he was "short on history." The suggestion ultimated in reference back to the com mittee result, recommendation and license. One of the chief demands of our Methodism is an abridged discipline that admits the ordinary intelligence and average moral honesty of pastors, removes the mistletoe from the tops of tender trees, liberates the pastorate from the galling yoke of overmuch machinery borrowed up North or over the sea, decapitates a few public functionaries and econo mizes our finances. I dont know that I shall live to wit ness these things. My chief hope is in some general confer
ence sufficiently broad, courageous and Methodic to beat a retreat. Should that body attempt the task, it might adopt an enabling act. or better still, as it has a committee on appeals, it might have one on repeals. If so, I would be glad to be a "looker on in Venice."
In my imagination I witness the first session of the duly raised committee. Order of business: First a me morial to ressurrect the life of our class meetings, the cradle of our old-time power Christian experience, the
base of all successful evangelical campaigns, the cradle has been long embalmed. After discussion and prayer, "The committee recommends that the class should hold its
place and receive more respectful consideration.
44

Second. The church conference, under the logical plea that preachers and preachers and church can do better without than with it, is respectfully retired.
Third. Duties of a quarterly conference. Here there
was a pretty thorough trimming. Finally it was recom mended by a large majority that a few questions be elimi nated.
Fourth. Observance of "days". This discussion was highly amusing". One brothei- believed in "days 1 every
thing a "day" the pastor and committee providing a suit able program and be certain to provide for a collection.
Another brother argued that every cause ought to have
at least two days and the pastors be requested to give a Sunday. A third argued that if Methodism ever kept step with Catholicism and Episcopalism. it must move up in the observance of "days" As he sat down, he regained the floor and added, "Mr. Chairman, I move that we recommend the creation of four bureaus a hog and hominy bureau, a
boll weevil bureau, a mosquito bureau and a millinery bu reau. Oh, that was an hour eloquent and pathetic! After
repeated addresses, it was agreed that instead of a millinery bureau, our men be and hereby are referred to the general rule on "costly apparel" and our women to Peters message in Holy Writ.
When it reached the Hog and Insect bureaus, our com
mittee was at its best. On the first, one speaker said that as this was a repeal and not a refilling, relumbering body, he was decidedly in favor of the leniency clause as to the
animal part and he would vote "no", especially after read ing St. Paul on eating meat and the decision handed down by the council at Jerusalem "For it seemed good to the Holy
Ghost and to us that we lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats
offered to idols and from blood; from which if ye keep yourselves ye do well."
The Insect Bureau seems to have been overlooked, ex
cepting a bare suggestion that possibly the church could better exterminate boll weevils, mosquitoes and red bugs by mobilizing the forces of the church and state.
The calendar being crowded, it was unanimously
agreed that the Oklahoma conference did a great thing
45

when it delivered us from the deadly grasp of an education purchased by money, conditioned on pledges to retire church ownership and cancel or paralyze conference con trol, and provided for a great central Methodist Emory Uni
versity. I had expected them to offer a bill repealing the small
enactment that requires young preachers to abstain from the use of tobacco. I am not advocating the use of the weed, but I cannot see how the grave and reverend seniors waxed brave and could conscientiously pass a measure that might be construed as "class leglislation." Maybe it is well enough, but if the young preachers, acting under the advice of parents or physicians, could conclude to use a little for his healths sake, I am not lawyer enough to draw the indictment nor would I wish to serve as juror or witness in case of arrest and trial. The "repealing"
committee finally adjourned "sine die." It is pardonable in an au thor to make an occasional
digression, especially if it is an autobiograph. He is writing, as Vergil puts it, "for posterity." He has a small subject, himself, but the book must be made of suf ficient size and attractiveness to compel a healthy circula tion. In the pulpit, the speaker is expected to have three diversions take a text, stick to it, quit. Few of them with the vast world before them ever attain to the scrupulous regard for the second and third diversions. Most of us orate, dilate and elaborate until we find ourselves "in wondering maze", lost, and find ourselves by an abrupt conclusion, alias a "burst."
During the Civil War a pastor from east Tennessee gave me a bit of his experience as follows: "One day, having to receive a probationer into full connection, I call ed the long, lank, sockless brother to the front of the pulpit, whose towering- top was midway between floor and roof.
Taking my position in the stand. I proceeded as follows: Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin I beseech you to call on God, that He would grant to this child here I was slightly confused seeing it was a man. but I read on until reaching, grant that the Old Adam in this child may be so buried here though worse confused, but seeing there was small prospect of
46

getting him in. I used up the entire form, paused a moment, drew myself up, looked squarely in his face, pointed my finger at him and shouted, You are in". I had digressed, but the brother believed he was in and took his seat highly satisfied." Brother R., if yet alive, will please forgive me.
Returning to the Quarterly conference at Andrew Chapel, November 7th. 1853. It was a large intelligent body. Rev. Josiah Lewis presided. He was a stern looking but gentle and kind man. a good judge of law. a very strong preacher when he tried. A few years later we were neighbors in Sparta. His wife and two daughters were amiable and bright. His oldest son, George, fell in the war. I never knew a dull Lewis. The Secretary of the Conference, Alexander Smith, held his office forty years and never missed a conference. George T. Feagin, father of Harmons wife, listened with many others to the exami nation, and kindly voted us a license. Bro. Clarke did not apply for recommendation to the Annual Conference. I did.
We are passing away. Of that large crowd few. if any, remain to testify to the proceedings of that day. Of the written license, certificates of ordination, a few early sermons, my use of them has been limited. They were cremated when the Thornton Hotel in Talbotton went up in smoke. When they ascended I neither triumphed or wept. I was saved the trouble of keeping the parchments. As to the sermons. I was reconciled by the reflection that a sermon was better cooked than uncooked.
THE ATHENS CONFERENCE.
This was the old Georgia Conference some years be fore the division. In the absence of a Diary Minute, etc., I will not be specific. I remember that George F. Pierce, then president of Emory, made a speech for me and I was received on trial. I know I was a good listener and was on my best behavior, studying the situation .of course, and received an appointment.
Once at a dining with Bishop Cranberry, Dr. Dowman and J. B. Johnston. I recited the advice I once gave a young man who was going up for admission. It ran thus: "As you enter the Conference door take off your hat. walk lightly, take a seat, bow your head in prayer, keep still,
47

and be sure to study the situation. Bishop Cranberry ask ed, "what is the situation?7 I answered, pointing my fing er at him. "The Bishop is always the situation at an Annual Conference."
I confess that my early good behavior at an Annual Conference, especially my silence on the floor, was natural timidity, coupled with a consciousness that my store of knowledge was quite limited. I observed also that men like Joseph S. Key and J. W. Hinton gracefully allowed men like Josiah Lewis. J. E. Evans, J. G. Simmons, Samuel Anthony, J. W. Glenn, Wm. J. Parks and Alien Turner to take the lead.
At the proper time Key and Hinton broke the silence. One a fine business man. sweet in spirit, in personality charming, in policy religious and princely, rose to the office of a bishop. The other rhetorical, logical, climbed to the top of the mountain, surveyed the promised land, but didnt enter. They that desire the office of a bishop desire a good thing 7 for Methodism, the kingdom of God, the world.
I am glad that Methodism has ever enough good and true men to keep the office from going a begging, and the bench from any collapse. And I am glad that the church has always had a reserve force men like Evans, E. H. Myers. Hinton. I. B. McFerrin, Boring capable of filling any position.
"CALLED BUT NOT CHUSEN."
After the war I was riding one day with a young ne gro man who had been a faithful servant and a pious, ac tive Christian. In the course of our conversation he gave me his method of collecting, for he was "a stewart." I said "Why didnt you preach? 7 His reply was, Mass John. I was called but not "chusen.77
Lest some one should think of "sour grapes7, I will say that during a General Conference a distinguished layman, ex-Georgian, said to me. "We want to run for a bish My answer was. "Thank you. I do not aspire to that dis tinction." To this he answered, "If you will consent, I will bring you five delegations7. He named the delega tions. I was called, but not "chusen."
48

^HAPTER VII.
My first appointment read, Vienna circuit. W. T. Norjnan, J. B. McGehee. I could easily locate it. for it was in the State" of Dooley. I was glad to be associated with .Bro. Norman, my senior, and Wiley G. Parks, presiding el der, and to be close to Father. Mother and the children.
In those days the attractiveness of Dooley was not so ample as its area. Its soil was thought to be thin, its nat ural products pine trees and wiregrass. Now and then the mounted itinerant would chase the fleeing deer, or pause to study the sturdy carriage of the crawling gopher. Here and there one welcomed the frame of a church building and the hopeful, helpful school house made of logs and .boards. Around these were clusters of clever, hardwork ing, God fearing citizens, cleaving to the faith, modes and manners of their fathers. The people, though poor, dwelt in .habitations hospitable, open to the world and wind and were mindful of strangers and usually had a small room known a"s the prophets chamber. At that time the standard of morals was low so low that a profane old man who lived ieyond the line was heard to say. "If God should give me my choice to move to Dooley or , I would ask three weeks to consider." Since then wonderful changes have God and man wrought. The Dooley of today is one of the thriftiest, most desirable counties in the State. Blessed is that man that lives in Dooley, if he fears God and behaves himself.
Fortunately for me. the young itinerant fresh from col lege and the refined associations of Oxford arid Athens, was in search of work, of souls and fortunately he "forgot those things that were behind" and entered upon his work with Bible in hand and quite oblivious to the fact that he was the princely proprietor of a "sheepskin."
That charge was large enough for two preachers and -kept us agoing Sundays and ofher days. Our business was not to run all the departments of State, gather guanos, analyze and cultivate the soils, establish saw mills and factories, dive into metaphysics, or become experts in games like golf, tennis, base ball and other functions of polite so ciety. 0 no! Not that. In those days we went out as
49

ambassadors for Christ and in His name prayed men to be reconciled to God. May I say, it had been better for the church and the world had the ministry learned a lesson, from Ephraim and Judah and not allowed the. frontiers of Egypt and Assyria to pervert their understandings until their sole business was to teach that "Getting right about God" should substitute "Getting (right with God" that erecting dance halls for the capering of the young saints becoineth godliness? May verily early Methodism kept far away from contact with Egypt and Assyria. Her the ology was not after the "silly dove," "morning cloud," "half baked" pattern, t>ut after the pattern seen on the mount, given by the ascending Christ, proclaimed by apos tles, martyrs, fathers, God also working in and with them-
With somewhat of these convictions. I entered on my
work, mounted on my sorrel, with the world before me and fond parents breathing the "God help you my son," I rode to Vienna. It was a glad yet sad day. At nightfall I reined up at the home of Judge Munger. an old Houstonian, and was warmly welcomed. Blessings ever be on the house of Onespihorus.
On Sunday morning a half mile ride brought me to Vienna. Of the morning service I have no recollection. The evening service was an assault with attempt to preach, text. For the Lord God is a sun." I was greatly impress ed by the lights on the walls and the swine under the house. They had taken refuge from a passing shower, and had complete control of speaker and audience. After deciding to quit that text, there and ever. I went to my room and fell on to sleep.
After supreme efforts on Sunday. I rested Monday and received congratulations that I was alive. Tuesday I made my way to Sandy Mount. My traveling companion r. an Irishman, was entertaining and inquisitive. He asked me if I was traveling for Griswolds Factory. I was glad he didnt ask me if I was a preacher. Really I wanted another chance before I committed myself. It was a great surprise to me and to him when he walked into the church and heard me as I expounded, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament. To the best of my recollection. I showed my appreciation of the text bjr
0

using it Wednesday at Wesley, Thursday at Smyrna, Fri
day being close to home, at Snow Spring, I repeated "And they that be wise." It was gratifying to hear from an old sister, though I knew it was not true, that I could beat my father and give him two in the game. Time confirms me in the belief that I never was guilty of so rash an act. On :that partial round I met at Vienna Rev. John K. Moss, the Lassiters. Mongers, John Bottoms. Since that visit Vienna has greatly expanded, and is now a good station, with J. .A. Foster, one of our best preachers, for a pastor. Sandy Mount never was a mount nothing there but sand. Wes ley Chapel was always noted for a crowd men. women, children and dogs were ever on hand. The children were .generally placed on pallets with heads turned toward pul pits. I like that Cradle Roll Department wish we had one in Buena Vista. Their rolling and squalling never unnerv ed me, as did my choir under the Vienna sanctuary.
Smyrnas bow still abides in strength. Dave Harvard was then a boy of fifteen, looked well to my horse (?), and God honored him by giving him a godly companion and a lovely daughter, now the charming wife of E. Clements, Missionary to Cuba.
Snow Spring is a famous church, made up of Har-
vards, Crumplers, Justices. Clewis, Martins, Roberts and many others. There was the famous spring watering the hundreds attending the camp meeting. Years before I was a junior preacher my father tented on the old camp ground and Sam Brown would move in from Pulaski thirty miles away. The good done by these meetings can never be told. There I saw intelligent people so filled with the spirit that their own spirit seemed to have departed and, boy like. I gazed upon them as they lay and looked like -cold, beautiful, breathless marble. The scene has followed me all my life and no arrow "from the bow of Paine, Voliaire, Ingersol has pierced the fortress of my faith in a religion born of the Holy Ghost.
I am sure that the Dean of an Atlanta church, from whom Bishop Nelson withheld endorsement, never wit nessed these pictures of my child life. I rejoice to say that Dooley County has never surrendered its camp meeting .privileges. Its grounds are nearer Vienna and more beau-
51

tiful its tents, more numerous and better equipped. Passing a night at home, I started for Friendship
(Byromville), Zoar, Varnadoe and Drayton. At that time Revs. E. J. Rentz, J. D. Clarke, Arch Gunn, the Pages, Swearingens and the Byroms, excellent people, lived at and near the small village. Friendship, is now a flourishing church, good building, capital parsonage. Blessed is the pastor of that charge. Well nigh all that met me have crossed over. Their children and grandchildren are true to the faith and traditions of their parents. Zoar was three miles from. Friendship. It was short-lived but the Johnsons cling to the God. Varnedoe and the church of the Varnadoes and the Rev. James Spivey have passed away. Brother Varnadoe went to heaven; Brother Spivey went West; some of the girls are still holding fast to the profession of faith. Thanks to God and the grand women, old Drayton has taken on new life. Johnson and Gaines abide. Two prec ious old sains. Sisters Gaines and Tinsley. are jn the better country.
I ought to say that Cordele. now of Crisp, then in the woods, was in my territory. It is not a "coming city/ It has already come; has just completed a splendid church; will entertain the next annual conference and is served by a brother who preaches, like the Anthonys. It is also the home of one of our "Beloved." whose genial face sel dom fails to rivet the attention of passing gentlemen and ladies Rev. J. P. Wardlaw.
I should have added that Charles Powel was a power in establishing Methodism in Dooly County.
MOVED FOR CAUSE.
The cause of the change from Vienna to Sandersville after three months service was that the Presiding Elder needed me to fill a vacancy in Washington and could easily transfer Rev. J. V. Morris to my place in Dooley. Bro. Mor ris, who still lives, was an original preacher, consecrated, and endowed with decided muscular ability. Later in life he made a Georgia statesman relax his hold and throw away his horsewhip by catching him by the collar, giv ing him a shake, and commanding him to abandon his. sworn purpose.
52

WASHINGTON.
Reaching Washington County, I was domiciled with my senior. Rev. M. G. Smith, and his lovely Baptist wife. The surface of Washington was broken, the soil strong and productive. It required time to pulverize it, and much -patience and prayer to pulverize the strong hearts of her people. Rev. Dr. Smith, of Sandersville, rendered fine ser vice, and so did Brother Parker. He gave-two sons to the Conference. Down at Bay Springs matters were encourag ing. It was there Rev. John G. Harrison found the woman that helped him make lifes rough pathway full of smiles and flowers. Sandersville is the home of Georgias Junior Senator, Hon. T. W. Hardwick, an able fighter and a de cided Democrat, and the home of Judges Evans and Rawlings. It was a long time the home of Rev. J. D. Anthony, a royal preacher, author of "The Life and Times of Rev. J. D. Anthony," a book that should be read by every young preacher. He was justly styled "The Bishop of the Wiregrass." He was dear to me. If his distinguished son. Bascom, sometimes called "Sorrel-top," ever surpasses "Uncle Jim." he will have to soar beyond mountains and moons and revel in the light of the most distant star.
MOVING AGAIN.
Finding my presiding elder embarrassed by a. desire of the Irwinton pastor, who had recovered, to resume his work. I suggested to the elder to return him, and return Bro. P. C. Harris to his place, adding, "They have no homes. I can go to my fathers and linger until Conference." He "thanked me for the suggestion. Thus early was I practic ing the art of making appointments.
Away backin the history of Methodism the pastors changed at the end of six months. It was reserved for me, a junior, that was never received into full fellowship be fore one conference licensed and another gave me a charge, to serve two charges in six months and wait for a third. That was alertness and it may be the reason why I have ever been a stickler for the old two years pastorate and fought the extension to four. I have never seen a reason for Methodism going beyond the four, or seeking to do so
. 53

under a plea of leaving it entirely with the Bishop. Possi bly if the Bishop could appoint everyone to places where milk and honey flow, it might aliect enough to favor an unlimited pastorale. Dont say, barely suggest, the possi bility of such a catastrophe to our Methodism.
MY FIRST VACATION.
At that time I was released from special ministerial care and had an open door to tour the world. Strange to say, it never suggested itself to me, nor did anyone offer to foot the bills. While I had traveled two circuits, unfor tunately, or fortunately (which?) I had no bank account. My sorrel I had traded for a little gray, but no money passed either way. At that time we had no First Churches and never heard of fat salaries. Good, strong circuits were in demand. Then cotton was not king, just a puny prince in short pantaloons, but corn, wheat, peas, potatoes, chick en p*es, with whole chickens in them, abounded. Money we had but little. When the Elder and Seniour were handed their prorata, the small Junior having neither home or family pocketed a few thrips supplemented by beautiful bouquets and hearty invitations to come and see us.
I am grateful that I never wanted and never complain ed. Methodism is a great institution. In a financial sense, the fathers were in the apostolical succession. "Silver and gold they had none," but such as they had eyes for the blind, feet for the lame, soundness in Jesus name, they were anxious, ready to communicate. Had the world been doomed to wait for the glorious gospel until the whistle of car. automobile, steamship, aeroplane broke the slum bers of sleeping ambassadors, what had become of the "wilderness and solitary places?"
"VOX ET PRETEREA NIHIL."
This classic quotation must not be translated too lit erally. There are in the world denominations by the hun dred and most of them are in many respects "good to the use of edifying." Some of them, according to our judgment, greatly impair the*r usefulness by failing to scale the heights of St. Pauls confident statement, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." It is far better for any
54

church, any man, to exhibit,the sympathy, love, self-deny ing labors, agonizing death of Jesus for every creature, than manufacture exclusive claims for recognition as the whole, sole body of Christ. The. latter course is nothing but "hot air." The former the "marks of the Lord Jesus," are proofs incontrovertible of a real church of member ship that cannot be disputed.
Unless these marks appear, whatever the age, cere monies, culture, claims of a church, intelligent Bible reading people looking for Gods elect, will be slow to cata logue them as "the whole family of God in earth." They will naturally classify them as "vox preterea et nihil." "By their fruits shall men know them." This is true of trees, towns, corporations, churches, Christians everywhere, in all ages, till times last thunder shakes the world."
FIRST AND OTHER PRESIDING ELDERS
This is not the time to discuss Districts and the Presid ing Eldership. I pause long enough to say the office has been or great service to the church, and the selection of them wisely placed, and there it should stay, in the hands of the Episcopacy.
A wise, godly, Presiding Elderships worth to the church, especially in training young men and general over sight, has not received the high appreciation which, by every token, it justly merits.
Owing to my long connection with the office, I have had very few Presiding Eldersi Josiah Lewis. W. G. Parks, J. W. Glenn, J. E. Evans. Walter Knox. G. C. Clarke. Charles R. Jewett. J. Blakely Smith, T. T. Christian. Geo. McDonnell, J. 0. Clarke, K. Reid, J. A. Thomas, J. P. Wardlaw, A. M. Williams, fifteen during my ministry of sixty-three years bore with my infirmities. Good, better, best. All loved me. I loved them. For their generous forbearance I subscribe my everlasting gratitude.
Of several of these I have already spoken. Rev. Wiley G. Parks was a preacher that attracted large congregations and always gave them something for future consumption. I attribute this to his training at the bar, his popular style and his faith in God. As a man he was eminently social, greatly beloved. As a Christian mid all the changing
55

scenes of life, he "preferred Jerusalem above his chief joy," and left this world conscious of a crown about which he so often preached.
Rev. john Walker Glenn, father of Rev. W. F. Glenn, was a man of stern visage, physically strong, highly en dowed mentally, tender as a child. He had great gifts as a defender, of our economy, a debater, and rarely failed in deciding intricate questions of law. Had he turned his attention to that, he could have gone to the Chief Justice ship of the United States.
K. Read was with us a few years. He too delighted in expounding Methodist doctrine. We greatly regretted his transfer to North Georgia. He is now formulating plans for the spiritual elevation of the City of Commerce.
Charles R. Jewett in his preaching often reminded me of Henry Melville. Sometimes his imagination bore him to dubious heights. Sometimes mountain scenery decided the selection texts. It was dangerous for him to cross the mountain from Brother Clements, his father-in-law, to old Bethel 5n Harris. I heard him that day on "Thy rightousness is like the great mountains." He failed to dive into the subject, and didnt rise high above the mountain.
There is much in the selection of texts. George C. Clark, my brother-in-law, preached "There is a cause." Though a good preacher, his sermon was not as brilliant as it was brief. Once he inquired, "Who art thou, O great mountain, before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain." He would have had greater success had he preached his strong sermon on Infant Church Membership.
George MacDonnell was our missionary leader in South Georgia. Splendid Christian gentleman he was.
I am almost ready to say the scholarly Dr. J. 0. A. Clarke was jn some respects our best preacher. All he . lacked was a flute like voice and contentment with one or two illustrations that sufficiently illustrated.
What shall I say of J. Blakely Smith, long Secretary of Conference and father of our present Secretary? Well, he was well rounded in body, soul and spirit, and succeed ed as pastor, Presiding Elder. Agent. His last charge was the Americus District. Out on Sumter circuit, at the home of Prof. W. A. Wilson, he walked out, and to the surprise of
56

all. his life closed without a struggle. "Absent from the body, present w>th the Lord." The South Georgia Confer ence loved and honored him. He certainly knew how to exhort and was at home in a revival.
T. T. Christian was my Presiding Elder at Thornasville. Pleasant the recollection of those days. He was em inently a man of affairs. Whether in Cabinet, General Conference, or Business Manager of Wesleyan Advocate. W. F. Glenn being Editor, people knew that his tactful hand was being felt. He was a better financier for the Church than he was for himself. His valuable life had been longer had be taken less medicine. A little learning is a dangerous thing a little medicine is a life preserver. It was a sad day to me when I was called to Lake Park to funeralize my old friend. In his life he turned many to rightousness in h>s last combat, more than conqueror.
CHAPTER VIII.
MY SECOND CIRCUIT.
The close of my first year found me rested and ready for an examination. Of course I passed. Study of course is very important, but next to that is the art of exhibiting your wares to the best advantage. Wishing to make that clearer, my readers, granting that one is entitled to the use of "mother wit," I studied the books, and my committee. A conference is composed of logical, anecdotal, singing, weeping and poetic prophets, and every committee repre sents one or more of these classes. That being premised, any studious man that can readily frame a syllogism, sing a song, or quote Shakespeare, Milton, Tennyson, is fairly furnished for an examination.
How the plan can be adjusted to latter day examina tions, that are virtually taken out of the hands of an annual conference. I cannot say. My old field ideas will influence, more or less, my views of today.
I heartily subscribe to the fact that a hungry man and a good dinner should get very close together, and a mar rying man and a blushing, expectant woman should live on the same side of the sea. Entering the holy estate of
57

matrimony by telegram or telephone is sometimes adopted by romantic youths void of reason and rhyme it is not the good old way. To make scholars and to conduct examina tions, contact, inspiration and perspiration must be en listed. The setting up of a correspondence school did but IHtle more than insert a small wheel, requiring men and money that cannot well be spared. Ruling passion strong
in death, You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round it still." At the Annual Conference I was appointed preacher in charge of Dublin Circuit, Wiley G. Parks, presiding elder; Brother Parks has married Miss Tabitha Guyton and made his home with Moses Guyton near Dr. Tucker in Laurens County. My home was in Dublin, at that time a small village. Since then it has grown to a place of considerable propor tions. Then it didnt own a church building. Our "Bap tist brethren kindly gave us the use of their house of worship. Now the Methodists are well equipped, have a large, strong membership, and Dublin is now justly con sidered one of our best stations, and has for the pastor one of our strong men, Whitley Langston. Mine was no small circuit. Parts of four counties, Laurens. Washington. Montgomery and Pulaski claimed my oversight. Indeed churches were so numerous, ridings so long, territory so large, that H was difficult to suppress the idea that I needed a traveling companion. To be prefectly candid, the idea was not suppressed. There were many things in that charge well suited to piy taste. The Guyton neighborhood made me feel easy. So it was among the Blackshears, out among the Sanders and Flanders, the Hicks, Holmes and Arlines. The chief drawback was, as I saw it, a goodly number needed better preaching than I could furnish. My headquarters were in Dublin, a boarder with Tom Guyton and his excellent Methodist wife, Elvira. Dr. Guyton, Judge Rowe, the Dashers, Cochrans and others I can not now recall, helped to impart interest to the struggling village and encourage the young shepherd of the small Methodist flock.
58

Down on the Ohoopee I found Snells Bridge Church. Higher up was Masons Bridge. At the first was George Smith, one of the best men I ever knew. How his face and prayers helped me to preach. There the Flanders paid their devotion. Uncle Frank was an exhorter. Later Fred, W. J. and yet another who is doing active service today. W. J. Flanders studied from two angles body and brain was a big man. Had he been educated he would have been great. As it was, he was popular with the masses and ap preciated by the cultured. With his faithful wife and loving children, we cherish his memory.
At that time Wrightsville, now in Johnson County with a strong church and the Nannie Warthen Ilnstitute, wras not on the map. Later, my visit to their District Con ference, at the invitation of Dr. Williams, was to me a luxury. I was at home with the widow and sons of Rev. R. B. Bryan, talked and prayed with Rev. Chas. Moore, then on his last bed. Bryan and Moore were choice spirits.
"And if our fellowship below, In Jesus be so sweet,
What heights of rapture shall we know, When round his throne we meet."
Will God give us the joys of heavenly recognition? Most assuredly He will.
The lower part of this charge was in Montgomery, for farming purposes one of the best in Georgia. On one oc casion I left Dublin on my way to Lowry church. Finding a bridge down, I plunged into a creek deeper than Jordan and reached the bank in safety. Some people divide the Methodists into Episcopal and "Projecting." That was my last effort at "projecting." For two hours I pursued the little trail without seeing a man, animal or bird, and be gan to decide I would have to imitate the heroism of the fathers stake out. At sunset I found a driver and ox carL To his question, "Where are you going?" I replied, "I dont know." He learned where I wanted to go, began to tell of the various roads. I threw up my hands and assured him, "I am lost right now/ After dark I reached Mr. Bs. He and wife were gone. but his newly acquired son-in-law, in a voice long drawn out. said. "We dont take in travelers."
59

Then I waxed eloquent for once in my life, but all to no purpose. Then I reached the climax of my great argument by saying, "I am sent to preach to you and will go no farther." By that time he gripped me and said, "Come in, we never turn off such men as you." If that was a great triumph for a. beginner, I will say that ever afterward I succeeded in getting board and bed.
My sleep was sweet. Next morning about a mile and a half awa ythe groom and bride leading the way, we overtook an opossum pursuing his solitary way. "A penny for your thoughts" say, well keep your money and give me your ears while I say this graduate of a Georgia college said to himself, This certainly is a dark country, seeing opossums usually retire before day." There is a sermon in every tone and there was one for the young alumnus. It was this young preachers should get rid of starch, vain thoughts and superfluity of naughtiness as early as pos sible.
We reached Lowry; I preached, held class and got my dinner. Years after I returned and Lowry still lived. Maybe I did some good.
Leaving that community, I found my way to Jacob Gays. I was enroute to Dorsey on the old Chicken road from Dublin to Hawkinsville.
When I reached Gays at sunset, I found them at the cowpen, and myself wearied, worn out, ready to retire.
I ought to say the atmosphere from that section drew largely from ponds and was well charged with malaria, mosquitoes and chills. To the latter I was subject at least four years, but I never applied for a higher climate. Several times I went into the pulpit and had to suspend. My general health was greatly impaired. At night I could not sleep, so terrified was I by frightful dreams. For a while it looked like I could not live. Indeed it went out, more than once during my earliest ministry, that I was dead and one dear brother took a collection, but the money failed to reach me.
I shaH never believe that I died never declaimed against medical science nor do I give Christian Science the credit of my recovery. Of two things I am sure. These are. first, there are some excellent mistaken people asso-
60

elated with the cult, that it contains one small thread of

truth known to Plato and thousands of plain people, that

it has no articles of faith, save those inspired by Mrs. Eddy.

I speak kindly and advisedly. The idea of pulling down

established churches to frame a church on one thread of

truth, a physical fact, known and believed by thinking peo

ple everywhere, is the absurdity of the present century.

Let me say that after medicating and reading how Lady

Maxwell was relieved from those tormenting dreams,

sent as she believed from the pit of darkness, I was re

stored by divine aid in answer to prayer "And Jesus sad,

the whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."

I frequently stopped with my friend Gay. His wife

was a Hudson, sister of Rev. John Newton Hudson, father

of Rev.

Hudson, of our conference, and my class

mate at Emory.

- While at college he was a good churchman, studious,

carried off first honor. On leaving he gave himself to

trading horses, a business that has wrecked Methodist

preachers and is hazardous when pursued by clergymen

clothed with the imputed rightousness.

To be nice I will say that my friend quit the church

and led a wild, reckless life. I met him in the Mont

gomery camp meeting, preached on the Rich Man and

Lazarus. God owned the word, my friend was reclaimed,

licensed to preach, served his country and church wall and

died in the faith. Years after, when I was Presiding Elder,

I held a camp meeting at that sacred spot. J. D. Anthony,

Dr. Bowman, E. H. McGehee, Captain Day, Eli Wilcox,

Clements, PHtman, were on hand.

At 11 oclock Sunday I preached on the Great Com

mission. While stressing the missionary feature, I was

much perplexed about the salvation of the opposition. To

solve the problem I invented a cannon larger than the

county, first rammed down the Methodists, placing them

near the fire, because they professed to believe in missions

and gave so grudgingly. Then followed the Missionary

Baptists, too slightly inoculated with the idea then the

Antis and others filled my gun, pointed it to the New

Jerusalem and prayed that God wonld shoot the entire

charge away into the city, adding, "Good Lord, it seems

61

lhat there is no other way for them to make the landing."" I cannot speak of tne execution. 1 remember that when I faced the platform the preachers were roaring and Uncle Anthony had his hands up and shouting, "Don't shoot this, way."
CHAPTER IX.
MY THIRD CHARGE.
To quiet the fears of my readers, who by this time are tempted to think that as three from sixty-two leave fiftynine, and tiiat possily they will have to be tortured to a great and almost measureless extent, I intimate a change of method--and perhaps something both solid and spicy.
When the Bishop read, "Starkville Circuit, J. B. McGehee," I wondered, where? What is it? How shall I go? Like Moses, I said, "Who will go with me?" I had read that the Lord God said it is not good for man to be alone; also that marriage is honorable in all men; that our 24th Article of Religion teaches that ministers of Christ are not commanded by God's law to cling to the state of single life. I concluded it was lawful for me and all other Christians to marry at their own discretion. WHh this grant before me, I generously excused St. Paul and Asbury and decided it was best for me to go in pursuit of some fair maiden just suited to my mind and my life work.
Being an Armenian in faith, I readily subscribed to the "asking," "seeking/' "knocking" policy. There is a watch ful waiting policy that works well when we are diplomating with Mexico and Europe. In religious arid matrimonial matters the "up and doing" policy, prefaced and pervaded, ty prayer, is decidedly in order. A man gets religion and a good wife very much in the same way. They ask, seek knock. My friend, Timothy Doolittle, informs me that he was converted by simply waiting "God's good time, and that his courtship was conducted on the same general lines. If he will pardon me, I will give his courtship. "I was living alone--bachelor of course--not far from -------- Mill in ---------------- District, ----------------County. My house consisted of one room, a round table, a bed, two-.
62

*hairs, and a few cooking utensils. Ploughs, hoes and harness found a place under the bed. Peas, potatoes and shucks deposited in the corners, furnished resting place for the mouser and faithful dog. My company was never more than a neighbor boy, who always nestled near my side. "One day,'7 said Timothy, "I was sitting on the pond's edge, watching my cork. Feeling the pressure of a hand "on my shoulder, I looked up and saw H was Judge A. He thus addressed me: 'Timothy, I have a daughter, beautiful and highly educated, and when she marries I will give her a cool hundred thousand. Looking around I have se lected you for her husband. What say you?' I never said a word, made a call, proposed or purchased a license, com mitted myself in anyway. One day I found myself unus ually dressed, at a church, fronting the pastor with a beau tiful girl he called Maria, by my side. In slow and solemn tones he uttered a few words and then addressed me as fol lows: 'Timothy Deolittle, wilt thou have this woman for thy wedded wife?' I said nothing. Then he addressed Maria and pronounced us husband and wife. If I was married, and I suppose I was, it would take all the courts to find a verdict to that effect."
In getting married and getting religion the lines are parallel. Religion and marriage, like every good gift, are from above. God gives a man religion and Gd gives a man a good wife--but in both cases consent, choice, thought, action are necessary. A man is never converted until he says, "I will," and one can as truly say. "I was born again from the foundation of the world," as he can say. '1 was married before the morning stars sang for joy." There is no philosophy in heaven or earth that garners grain, mar ries a man, saves a soul again, before he is born.
Thus persuaded, I proceeded to make a selection. The wife of a Methodist itinerant should be a Methodist. The color of her hair, eyes, complexion, are not so material-- these can be "treated." In body she should be strong and tall, but not too thin. In brain she should be well endowed and well cultivated, in appearance attractive and winning; in earthly possessions not too rich; in poverty not exces sive. Such a woman, well born, well reared, well related, with the grace of God in her soul and love for her husband,
63

is a treasure richer than rubies and far surpasses in beauty,, wealth and moral worth all the gold of Ophir. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and. call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
I .have said nothing about accomplishments (?) that
would make a preacher's wife shne in the "society" cir cles, the clubs, the dance hall, or keep her ever going tour ing, taking in towns, soft drinks, harangueing the public about woman's rights and governmental affairs, always happy when away from home. Oh, no! Had I inclined that way, won a prize like that and led her to the altar, L would have felt much like the Irishman who saw h's com panion lift her hair, remove her false teeth, unbuckle a cork limb, and not being able further to endure other dis placements, fled crying, "I am cheated, I am cheated."
Speaking seriously, "Veni, vidi, vici"--"I came, I saw, I conquered."
Adjoining my father's farm were the land and home of Sanders Lane near Hickory Grove, Houston County, in sight of Rev. James Dunwoody. Brother Lane was a Metho dist class leader and a model planter. He stood for every thing true, honest and of good report, was highly respected and greatly beloved. His wife was a chaste, sweet old lady! his boys died in the army; his daughters were conse crated women. Mrs. Speight, Mrs. Means, Mrs. Davis and. one other still survive.
Toward the other, Miss Lucretfa, my heart strangelywarmed. Close seated by her side I indulged no flattery, opened no candy box, painted no pictures, just simply told her of my love, and published my strong desire to have heras my companion for life. Strange that a woman so young knew what to say and said it so well! No, she didn't say "Yes"--she beat that--she looked "Yes."
"The happy day at length arrived when Rupert was to wed." It was December 26th. 1854. The' guests arrived. Rev. John Bright made us man and wife. Of course we had a regular old-style supper. It was under an awning in.
64

the yard. My wife was fifteen years and three months old. I was twenty-one years and three months old. More than, 64 years have passed. The large company has dispersed, dissolved--for the most part dead. As I look back to that I am lost in wonder as I see my God-given, loving com panion still standing with clasped hands, almost alone. I cannot attribute it to our unusual physical strength, to any extraordinary care of ourselves, or superior goodness. By every token there must have been some invisible hand guiding us; some divine power preserving us for a mission in which our every ransomed, consecrated thought should be given to liberating lost men and women for whom Christ died, "that God through Christ might be glorified in us by us and through us." In prosecuting our mission, we have been of one mind and heart. Like Zacharias and Elizabeth we have walked together blameless in the com mandments and ordinances of the Lord. Our servants giv en us by the Lord and good parents we loved and never fell short in care for their physical and religious well being. Unless I could see the end from the beginning, I am not prepared to say their freedom was best for them or for us. In what God did, much or little. I acquiesce. In man's work, patriotic or political arid religious or selfish. I don't know-- and not knowing I refer to the great assize.
For these and other reasons, such as failure to indentify for lives sacrificed, property sold or burnt, impoverished condition of the South, methods of reconstruction, I have been slow to throw bouquets to the leaders of the liberators and so far have not contributed a penny to erect a monu ment to perpetuate their superior wisdom, patriotism, orfolly.
BACK TO THE TEXT.
I am fully persuaded I married in the Lord and strong ly believed that if the eyes of parents, young men and women were less fixed on things material, we would have fewer desertions, murders, divorces, unhappy fruitless un ions to distract, tax and shame the world. With my ex perience and observation, if I were to marry a hundred times I would go to the home, the church, camp and class meetings to select a wife, rather than popular water re-
65
L

sorts, moonlight picnics, fashionable clubs or tango, grizzly bear performances. The life of my wife has been all I could have desired. At my appointments she was never displeased; at our parsonage and its furniture she never complained; when company arrived she made them happy, never quarreled with me after their departure. In sick ness and health she has regarded my comfort. Even now, she prepares our meals, looks after garden, yard, flowers and fowls, keeps house and finds time to attend the Mis sionary and midweek prayer meetings. To her more than to me is the church indebted for services rendered during my ministerial life.
I sometimes wonder if death, not far away, will dis solve the silken, tender cord that now binds us together. Will she be mine over yonder? I don't know--I will not speculate. While I live I believe God will forever grant us all that is necessary to our highest happiness.
''Then shall I see and know All I desired or wished below,
And every hour find sweet employ, In that eternal world of joy."
My faith looks up and says, "The darling of earth will be at your side."
OUR BRIDAL TOUR.
My ideas of a bridal tour may astonish some people-- especially those who faU to know I am "unique." I think a trip of that kind should be simple, inexpensive, and through the woods, if your work is located on the other side of the woods. My work. Starkville in Lee County, was such a charge. As there were no railroads to Starkville, or near there, and no automobiles or aeroplanes, we made for the Muckalee village in a new buggy moved by horse power. Passing through Dooley we invaded Lee, and after a while, without accident or incident, found ourselves at the home of Brother Probus Ployd in the suburbs of the little city.
Brother Probus had married a Houston county girl, knew their worth, and he and the good wife were perpared to give us a warm welcome. In Starkville I found a small membership. The Munros, Warrens, Judge Wyche and
66

others lived there. Judge Wyche. though a Mehodist and a county officer, had never built a family altar, and never has. What a pity! Years after, then I was presiding Elder of that district and the railroad was nearer, I found him at the railroad station. When the time for family worship arrived, I read and tried to pray, but was hindered. Hear ing an unusual voice in the house, the Judge's hound dogs had rushed in and endeavored to take part, barking and jumping as though they would quite consume me. The Judge scolded, but didn't stop the music. Reaching around he gathered his cane and used it vigorously. That chang ed the tune, but didn't stop the music. However, they went out and the Elder went on. When the performance was over, I said, -Judge. I see you have never erected that altar --if you had your dogs would not have been so howling and belligerent." It does not take a class meeting to inform a thoughtful pastor. The behavior of the children, barking dogs and guineas cackling under the house, as they did at an up country home, tell a true story.
At that time Starkville was more critical than relig
ious, but they were clever to the young preacher and his bride. The circuit was well supplied with churches and had membership, in point of religion and earthly belong ings, above the average. Gilbert Stokes and wife, excel lent Presbyterians, materially aided me. Probus Floyd, a man of God. opened his house to me "Without money and without price." The Venerable Thomas Speight, about whom I have already written, did the same. John Moreland, one of the best men I ever knew, attended Bethel, four miles from Dawson. He also opened his door, and we had homes and companionship as good as Georgia furnished-- and not a cent did we pay.
They were not rich, but they were religious. If any circuit in North Georgia, or South Georgia can excel that, I hope they will forward for my Second Edition. I say nothing about assessments, receipts--money and all that we had enough and rich as Georgia is today, I would travel a good ways to spend a night with three men in the same charge who would make such a proposition to its pastor. That was a good sample of old Methodism.
At Union the pastor and church had a friend in John
67

Jordan, who lived nearly a hundred years and died recently in Atlanta. He was the father of Rev. John Jordan and Rev. Thomas Jordan, who died in Savannah. He was one of the brightest young preachers I ever heard.
Over at New Hope, now in Terrell, we had Murrays, Sessions, Hayes. Moomaughs, Wickins, Lees, a good com munity that. John Sessions and John WUkins were local preachers. That section abounded in corn, meat, milk and honey. It was far away, but when you reached it you were in Canan. The other churches were Chickasawhatchee, Wesley Chapel, Coney Head, Harmony and Pine Knot. Gader Hayes looked after Pine Knot; Breedlove cared for Harmony; Judge Leonard Woolbright, Pearce Wilbur, Myron Weston and Morgan Hall served the other churches. The descendants of the converts are still in line. I can't recall any remarkable revivals during that year. We always held continued meetings. I usually appointed four days meetings and protracted if we "struck oil." If we didnt. I folded my tent. Of our camp meetings men tion has been made.
A PROPOSITION.
While on this circuit a minister of Calvinistic persua sion suggested that jf I belonged to his church I would find it remunerative. To that I replied that I preferred preaching Methodist doctrine and short rations to giving myself to the narrowness of "his church and increased revenue. So be it then, thenceforth forever.
During the year Webster supplanted Starkville, then Leesburg supplanted Webster. At the latter place, it be ing a political year. Judge Herschel V. Johnson, one of Georgia's great men, met ex-Rev. Jonathan Davis. The eloquent Judge, by a master stroke, lamed the ex-Reverend and he was never able to recover.
CHAPTER X.
FORT GAINES CIRCUIT.
I am on purpose omitting place of annual conference, by whom held, how the Bishops preached, etc. At that
68

time we had tewer bureaus, fewer distinguished visitors. The preaching was done chiefly by the older preachers. It was eminently practical, directed largely to the Timothys. If everybody will forgive me, I will say that it was an im provement on that of the more recent decades.
With Houtson county for my ad interim headquarters, we had a long, tiresome trip to Fort Gaines. There we found a charge that had churches located in what is now Randolph, Clay, Galhoun, Terrell and Webster counties. The Venerable Ira Potter, author of "Sermons Pronounced by Dr. T. N. McTyere, good "meat and green discourses11 (wish we had more l*ke them) had served it the year be fore and was then dishing out staple diet to the good deni zens of Stewart.
It was well for me and my charge to have Rev. J. T. Ainsworth, a preacher of one year, as my assistant. He always stood still and said something. I did the jumping up and racket making.
J. T. Ainsworth, father of Dr. Will, was the salt of the earth and the 1'ght of the world. As we had small families, we rented the home of Rro. Potter and lived on the hill, half a mile from the little city. Packing sand and climbing steep hills made our trips to town tedious, tasteless, tire some, more so as that year, fifty-six, gave us a long summer ushered in about the first of April. Neither of us very heartily enjoyed that April fool.
Owing to circumstances, our living was not over-lux urious. At home we scripped and scrapped it. When we wanted a change for our brides we took them out to tour our vastly expanded territory--one church in Webster for ty miles away. I do not mean to say our people were stingy--up to that time they had not learned to relax the clinch which they had inherited. It was in a fine farming section and they were the owners of their homes, out of debt, counted their negroes by the thousand--and were al ways glad to see us.
Fort Gaines had belonged to the Florida conference. Judge Graham, the Browns, Slaytons, Weavers were there-- and always ready to help. Dr. Pauline, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Dill, Flem Law added to the attentions and interest of the place.
69

I enjoyed preaching to those people. They were churchgoing folk.
At Lowell, ten miles up the river, we had a good church. Old Brother Sweat was a Christian and a philoso pher. He was always present, took excellent care of the preachers, and his wife, daughter of Judge Kaigler over at Mt. Z.ion, was nearly angelic. Captain Walsh and family
were genuine Methodists and given to hospitality. On that river lived a number of wealthy families. On Sunday* they appeared in force.
Around Ebenezer and Cotton Hill we had the Sealeys,. Fosters, Holmes, Swindals and others. Brother Holmes gave two boys to the Conference. All went West. The Sealeys that live are still doing work for God in Randolph.
The church at Shellman, composed largely of Crittendens. was at that time located on a creek not far from ita present site. Brooksville, Haddox church was above, John Fulton's below, and Miller's Chapel not far away.
Wesley Chapel, where a camp ground was located, stood seven miles from Fort Gaines. Philadelphia, the home of Henry Hayes, was down on Pachitta.
Uncle Sammy Jones, his son-in-law, Crkidle, the Greensmade things interesting about Wesley Chapel. On one oc casion Uncle Alien Turner made us a visit. He was a good man and given to having things his own way. Brother Sam Anthony told me that at a meeting held at McDonough, then a hard, tough place, Alien Turner charged an old sinner and called him to kneel. Instead of kneeling, he drew back his stout right arm to strike. The preacher was a man of faith and courage. Instead of quailing, hecried, "You can't strike me, my God won't let you strike me." As he stood crying, "Pray, brethren, pray," the man's arm relaxed. That was a great meeting.
On one occasion Uncle Alien met with defeat at a camp meeting conducted by George F. Pierce, Presiding Elder. When Uncle Alien arrived he said, George, what have you done?" To George's reply, "Very little", he inquired, "Have you charged, George? You ought to charge." Uncle Alien took the pulpit and while preaching and charging he suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead, caught up his hat and made for the preachers' tent. When
70

George joined him he said "Uncle Alien, is that what you call charging?" The reply was, "Hush, George, didn't you see that old wasp sting me?" That was not the only time wild beasts, birds, wasps, yellow jackets, red bugs and other bugs have materially retarded the progress of truth. During my Eldership a good, shouting sister mightily stir red herself and the congregation by a shout early in the meeting. As they rushed to her to rejoice with her, she said, "I am not happy, I just got into a nest of yellow jack ets."
Well, the Psalmist said, "Cry out and shout, thou in habitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Praise is comely for the upright." Shout ing is scriptural and has a wonderfully stimulating effect on a poor, dry, dead pulpit. I have known congregations and preachers that needed a nest of wasps or yellow jack ets where they contemptuously refuse to give the Lord the right of way "to make their feet like hinds' feet" to ele vate them to the dignity of a moderate size grunt of Amen. II might be well to establish a bureau charged with vials of insects to be uncorked and fired at the place there the "amen corner" used to be. We certainly need moving pic tures of some kind in all our charges. I am ready at any time to exchange "Hark from the tombs" for a small vial of rapid firing movies.
At that time, 1856, Dawson was located. Dr. Cheatham, a splendid Christian gentleman, and his excellent family were among the first settlers.
Near there was Trinity, one of our churches. Rev. Wm. Hayes was there Jn force and ready to help. He was an iron faced looking man, strong in body and brain, de cidedly so in defending the doctrine of Methodism. To him our church is largely indebted for its early planting, rooting, spreading in that section.
At a quarterly meeting held at Gethsemane, the Pre siding Elder ordered me to prepare charges and proceed against him. Though a young man, I examined the law and gave it another direction. At the next Conference the name of Rev. Wm. Hayes was called and pastor called to report. I made a brief statement to the intent that I had examined the case and administered a gentle reproof, which
71

was properly received. Here the Elder broke ja with a strong voice saying. "Did you do that'"? I wouldn't have done it for my right arm." Instead of arguing the case, I meekly moved that his character pass. It was passed with out a dissenting voice. At the Annual Conference I pri vately inquired of some of thejegal brethren if my course was right, and they answered that it certainly was. I wasnot looking for an Eldership--never did, but my decision and course in that case paved the way.
.While I have always favored a prudent administra tion of law. even to expulsion if necessary, it always struck me that there, as elsewhere, pastors should be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves". From grave mistakes made in grading offenses, the parties and churches are sometimes affected for years. The church I am now serv ing still need another generation to recover from a sad mistake I would have made had I blindly followed the in struction of my ranking officer. Would it not be well for our bishops to go very cautiously in selecting his advisory council ? Owing to the accumulated business of our annual conferences and the method adopted in answering the ques tion "Are all the preachers blameless in life and official administration?" the mailer receives a very superficial in vestigation. The statistical report is a very poor substi tute. It amounts to very little. By bringing in trained help, and money will bring it, the Bishop is impressed with, the wonderful powers of a brother who. if the facts were known, to use the figure of a great Georgia politician, is "as. weak as tavern coffee." These considerations are repeat edly referred to our honored Bishops who ardently desire to do right. It is nothing against them to say that all of them have not the faculty of looking through preachers (aa transparent) as we are. Bishop McTyere had that rare gift.
OUR FIRST BORN.
During our stay on this circuit it pleased God to Mess our union by giving us a sweet girl. We called her Clara in honor of my mother. On the eighth day after she waa dedicated to God in Holy baptism, the Yen. James DunWoody officiating. In 1874 she married Mr. E. T. Harris a.
72

Culumbus merchant. Mr. Harris was a member of the Baptist church. After a happy union of twenty years God gave them a daughter. Charlie Hurt, who married Mr. Hal Lambden, of Waycross. Mrs. Harris wa sa bright Christian woman and did not live to old age. Her husband, Tom Har ris, was greatly loved by us all. While visiting his daugh ter at my Oglethorpe home, he was called to the great be yond.
As I have alluded to the baptism of my first child. I will say that we have never failed to keep up this spiritual, wholesome practice. Years ago I published a sermon on Infant Church Membership. Before leaving the Fort Gaines circuit I baptized one hundred negro children at a Sunday afternoon service. I doubt if the champion child christenei1, the Venerable R. M. Booth, ever exceeded that figure. As I grow older I wax stronger in that faith. The study of the two testaments satisfies me that God in seek ing to establish h*s kingdom throughout the world would attain that end by binding the cradles of the world to the cross of His only begotten son. our Lord Christ.
- CHAPTER XI.
Before leaving this section for a higher latitude. I will, for the sake of variety, speak of Central and Southwest Georgia.
I have known Macon. usually called the Central City, all of my life. When a small boy living in lower Houston, I attended the cotton wagon to the coming city. At that time it was a small place and few thought of it ever be coming he home of Governors and distiguished priests. We had one business street, a college. Wesleyan Female, and one Methodist church, Mulberry street. The building looked small and smoked. The membership, few in num ber, was composed of families as fine as any in the State. Mulberry Street, our only church, has wrought well. It now ranks with the best in Southern Methodism. It has enjoyed the ministry of many able pastors, some natives, others transfers. None of them has had a better hold on the city than its present pastor, Dr. W N. Ainsworth,
73

Methodism is very strong in the city. At present we have Vineville, First Street, Centenary, South Macon, and East Macon charges, served by John Seals, Herman Jones, Loy Warwick, W. E. Arnold, and --. --. Christian, Jim Cobb, Dr. Charles Lane, T. E. Wood, Judge Miller, W. C. Wade, --. --. Jones, Will Means, Benson Merritt, are valuable
citizens. Wesleyan Female College and the railroads have aided
largely to the culture and growth of Macon. We would be glad to chronicle the influence and achievements of many good people who are now on the other shore--men like E. H.-Myers, Cosby Smith, W. C. Bass, John W. Burke, Dr. George Smith, the Hardemans, Rosses. Cobbs, Rylanders and many others who have left their "footprints on the sands of time". For about twelve years, more or less, I served them as Presiding Elder, and will carry into another world admiration and love for their worth and co-opera tion.
If I had ever wanted a city charge, it would have been one in Macon and I could have had it. At a certain con ference the Elders agreed to assign Dr. Hicks and myself to Macon and Americus. Leaking a little they said, "Your choice will be regarded". My reply was, "Give me the smaller town," and so it was. In that respect, the only one perhaps, I resembled that magnificent man, Dr. George F. Pierce. He loved scope, verge, and country air.
OUR ORPHANS HOME.
This great institution is located in Vineville, Rev. J. A. Smith, agent. He is able, indefatigable, successful. To
Rev. Jesse Boring and Samuel Anthony belongs the credit of founding this priceless boon to the State.
It-required more than one Annual Conference for them' to place its feet. The battle opened at Fort Valley and closed at Thomasville. Men like Drs. J. S. Key and J. W. Hinton, strong in every sense, were not prepared to endorse the institution as presented for our adoption. All of us agreed on the necessity of providing for the orphans.
My own little influence went to the opposite side, as led by Key and Hitnon. To me the question had a domes tic side. I wished to see the children collected and dis tributed throughout the conference in families where a
74

c-hild would get the benefit of being and feeling at home. As I saw H, a wise agent, assisted by a competent secretary and superintendent in every church would find and dis tribute the orphans ifi every corner of the conference. That plan, to my mind, was preferable to segregation. It would be simple, more like a home, required less machinery and would have been attended with less expense and would have given to every congregation the reflex religious bene fit of participating in dispensing a conference wide charity. Concerning the home, I have never changed my views. I rejoice at the success of it.
While I am in full sympathy and co-operation with success attained, reserving the right to believe that a wise distributing plan, connecting every child with a faithful agency, superintendency, secretaryship, is decidedly pre ferable and as feasible as the one adopted.
Our legislation has crowded our ecclesiastical work shop with bureaus until the situation is becoming embar rassing. Too many of our trained men are taken from the regular work; too much revenue is withheld from the more important interests, and as a consequence, the congestion is such that wheels and men move very slowly, the yield a minimum and the dividend declared but the fraction of a unit.
Now that a Dean has favored the erection of a dance hall, to be used in attracting and confirming fresh recruits, how would it do for the Methodism of old John Wesley to look to the absorption of the W. C. T. U., D. A. R., U. D. G., Baracas. Philatheas, Woodmen, Elks. K. P's., Capital City Club and all the other clubs?
Before leaving the Orphans Home, we wish to note the obligations of the church to St. Anthony, L. B. Payne, W. E. Mumford, J. G. Harrison, J. D. Clark, Dozier, J. P. Wardlaw, F. A. Branch and W. A. Huckabee, for services rendered as agents and superintendents. May other Graces and Stricklands remember these dear "little ones."
TWO CONVENTIONS.
One of these was held at Milledgeville, the capital at that time. While I never was a delegate to a political body, or took any part in a political meeting, I never concealed my views. My father was an old time Whig. I
75

cast my first vote for a Democrat and remained steadfast, provided the candidate was sober, decent and trustworthy.
Georgia was at that time wonderfully stirred. We stood face to face with great national issues. Owing to certain decisions of the courts, and the bearing of one sec tion that had introduced slavery into the South, thereby enriching themselves, and afterward refused or was slow to protect these innocent purchasers in their rights, the feeling of the North and South grew to be exceedingly bitter. For years clouds of war mingled with occasional flashes, appeared on our national horizon. The South, numerically feeble, without trained troops, and without money or munitions of war, made haste to demand or en force her rights at the cannon's mouth. We waited pa
tiently, but time brought no relief. To account for. the call of the M;lledgeville, or Seces
sion Convention, properly interpret the spirit of the South, exonerate them from the illogical and base charge of be ing a class of thoughtless, hot headed hair triggered_ fa natics, and to trace the war to its real cause, posterity should familiarize itself with events that demanded a con vention, at least some action, if the South proposed a self respecting existence.
The present war in Europe is a puzzling problem. It was not the product of a day--it was years aborning. No one word spells the cause of either the European war or the War Between the States.
Speaking for the first "low ambition and the pride of kings, militarism, commerce, revenue, empires command
ing overshadowing aid the historian if he would rightly ac count for the waste, wretchedness, the unpardonable atroci ties of that cruel war.
So in the case of our War Between the States. It was not slavery that brought on our war. Slavery had existed for years and nobody was religious, rash, rampant enough to effect its elimination. It was not slavery that fired the . tongue of Wendall Phillips, enlisted the eloquence of Plymouth pulpits, sharpened the pen of Greely, kindled the hellish hate of Sherman, Beast Butler and old John Brown. If. was not love of the negro that inaugurated the inspired reign of Gen. Meade and the atrocious acts of Carpet Bag
76

Gov. Bullock. Oh, no! they never loved the negro, or did half so much for him as did the bleeding spoiled South. Slavery was but a pretext, a breastwork behind which they held sweet conclaves, and sent out death dealing missiles.
The debate of the General Conference over the resolu
tion that sought to humiliate Bishop J. 0. Andrew, because of a slave or two, by inheritance and not "buying,"' e.'ided in a division of the church, was but one incident or" episode that satisfied the South that the peace and pros perity of Zion was best conserved by peaceable separation from those who were willing to see the South utterly de spoiled. They evidently saw that the South would become a formidable compeiitor, thought they knew that their fa natical course would fire the souls of Hessians, perfect a blockade, exhaust our supplies, conquer our armies and ao down to posterity as the liberators of the slave.
Thus trading 1 rejoiced at the division of the dnroh and Urns believing. I espoused the cause of secession.
That was a great convention--great interests vvei-o at stake and Georgia's great men composed the body. As ti-e proceedings were behind closed doors, those of us 0:1 the outside heard under difficulties.
I didn't ehar Robert Toombs, A. H. Stephens. They were on the opposite sides. Dr. Alexander Means plead for a continued union. Francis Bartow, T. R. Cobb, Rause Wright urged to action. Benjamin H. Hill made a very great speech calling us to wait--and assigned his reasons. All did their best--all were alike true to the South. Never did I hear or will I hear such impassioned eloquence through the narrow aperture of the keyhole.
The ordinance was passed, and here I pause to say I never joined the army. Three times I made application and was refused on (he ground of physical disqualification. That war is over. I have never been able to say that its end was exactly suited to my mind. I am in the United States because I was not allowed to get out. I am in the Methodist church South because the plan of separation al lowed me to go out. I propose to abide as I am. I have no hatred against living or dead. Am happy to know that "disintegration and absorption" failed to capture and car ry me back. In the Kingdom of God a ma nis better than
77

a sheep and in the same kingdom a -sovereignty is recog nized, which in matters of State is liable to be slaughtered by blockaded submarines, hired forces and battles in the air. Time serves to satisfy us that the action of :44 wa1* wise and wholesome.
THAT OTHER CONVENTION.
This was a political convention held in Macon August, 1914. The object was to nominate men for governor, State House officials, and fill the vacancy made in the U. S. Sen ate occasioned by the death of Hon. A. 0. Bacon. As I was in the city on business, I decided to see the lions and hear them roar. At first the police kept the visitors in the rear and I heard at a great disadvantage. Watching my opportu nity, I seized upon recess, caused by a maneuver to allow the members to get' their wind and strengthen their lines, and found myself on a comfortable seat at the front.
I soon learned what I knew before, that there were two factions contending for the loaves and fishes and that the battle would be long and somewhat fierce. So I fixed my self, abolished dinner and supper, and was there for a large part of the night. As these gentlemen were there in the interest of the commonwealth, were the flower of Georgia, and I had quit the circus sixty years ago. quit moving pic tures, quit theaters and dance halls, quit professional base ball games, and even quit coca-cola and other soft drinks, and well nigh quit buttermilk. I needed something nourish ing and stimulating, so I compromised on a single glass of coca-cola and with that and ''the feast of reason and flow of soul", I easily shouldered the burdens of eighty years and enjoyed every passing moment.
I failed to see ex-Governor Brown, who had served the State well, that bright man, Thomas Watson, who saw his principles adopted by the Democratic party, but by some peculiar aberrations or tergiversations failed to draw any public rations. I remembered Judge Hines, who (I think) was once elected governor, but like my negro could only say, "I was called but not chusen." The Pottles, Dupont Guerry. Judge Lambden. Judge N. E. Harris. Dr. Hardeman. Gov. J. M. Slaton. the two Toms, Felder and Hardwick, occasion ally uncovered themselves. Hoke Smith, Georgia's giant
78

Senator, was not far away. The body kindly consented (?) to allow Gov. Slaton to fill out his term. Tom Hardwick,
a real democrat and friend of the President, was named for Junior Senator. Tom Felder made a great race and was booked for future reference. Judge Hutchins (?) got the floor occasionally (?) but never succeeded in convincing the body that he expected anything or was in the race. How ever, if a few more could have held some counties as well as the Judge. Georgia would have lost her Governor Hu-,i and there.
It is now known that Judge Harris made a fine race and that Dr. Hardeman was a close second. It is also known that Judge Lambden won his spurs and is worthily wearing them.
When the convention ended, as is always the case, some were pleased and others displeased, indignant, almost "fitaeious."' So far as I could see the convention was or
derly and very courteous, if we remember that it was made up of politicians, poles and persimmon seekers. So far as I knew, there was no profanity, gambling, drunkenness, fighting or killing. All sides did their best and the long est poles got the persimmons. So much for a man over
eighty, who never went to war, never mustered, or worked the road, never was on a jury, never" sued anybody or was sued, never testified in a courthouse, has high regard for lovely females, the right ordering of home and offspring, fountains whence spring domestic peace, stable govern ment, national prosperity, and forge the weapons that si lence the batteries of our hardy adversaries, and mightily extend His ever enlarging empire. I would not see her dethorned or debased. Let her alone. Leave her where God has placed her. Leave her as God has made her. Seek not to unsex her. Lay no weightier burden on her shoul ders. In civilized. Christian countries, woman has all the rights, privileges, fields to develop and be developed, that God and nature designed. If school, home, children, the church with its various fields and functions, the communi ty with its wants, the sick, the poor, widows and orphans, can't sufficiently dignify and employ her. the trouble is not in the paucity of opportunity, but in unlicensed aspira tion that caused angels to lose their first estate. There
79

are women and women in Georgia, as there are chickens, ducks and guineas. It is risky to wake up and start to cackling the worthiest, most intelligent hens. In a mo ment the guineas and ducks would begin to quack and cackle. What then? With all the colors represented at the polls, the dinner will spoil, the children fall in the fire, good women vote at the dictation of ruffian husbands, rude, soiled women would take advantage of their rights--curs ing, fighting, blood would foul the atmosphere and stain the streets.
We do not say that these things enter into the minds of many thousands of pure, patriotic, noble women who clamor for the ballot. That be far from us. Thousands now clamoring for the ballot are as high, holy, just as the Lord ever made. They need that which fhuy honestly believe they have received--vision. At the present crucial period the world is sufficiently aflame. A hasty step, a community, a Georgia Legislature, may kindle a fire that a state cannot extinguish.
Before leaving Macon, I would pay my regards to the Macon Telegraph and the Evening News. They are able, well edited: have done much for the city, deserve a liberal patronage.
The institution you see in the distance is Mercer L'niversity. Our Baptist friends in moving it from Penfield to Macon acted wisely. I can't see what that great church would have done without Mercer. It has done for them what Wesleyan and Emorv have done for our Methodist folk.
Down the railroad, twelve miles from Macon, I am once more on Houston. That bald spot marks the resting place of a once flourishing camp ground called Echeconnie. While it lived it was largely attended, well supported, and accomplished great good in that section. It deserved a place among "the immortals". Its patrons, Willis, Holmes, Vincent. Avant. Kilpatrick, Dunbar, Jones, composed a tenthood seldom surpassed. Some scenes I can never forgrt. Among them was a storm that fell on us one Sunday a buut the time I read the text, "Be ye also ready". The rain was furious. The flood swept through the altar. I put on my hat. raised my umbrella, preached twenty-five
80

.minutes, called for mourners. Oh, that was an hour. The Holy Spirit used the flood. Men and women waded to the altar, prayer was made and a number added to the church.
There was a peculiarity about that service, I had no ticed at the Pentecost. As a rule we expect to indoctrin ate people by preaching the Gospel, Sunday Schools, cate chisms, magazines, etc. That occasion taught me that God sometimes dispenses with the study of languages, sermons, essays, maps, charts, long waiting, and cut short the work in righteousness by blending indoctrination, conversion, hallelujahs, in a single Holy Ghost service.
t
I say this because that congregation was trained up un der a Calvinistic faith, and. many of the converts were from Primitive homes. If asked were they driven by the storm from their lifetime teaching, and did they abide in their new formed faith. I answer the first with an emphatic 'No'', the second by a positive affirmative. In point of in telligence, wealth, social standing, they were equal to the .best citizens in Houston. Bibb and Crawford. Were they baptized by pouring or immersion? I answer, by pour ing. Of their own accord? Yes. Did their parents ob ject? I have never heard of a complaint or criticism. Did they make good members? They certainly did. My con clusion is that Methodism needs Holy Ghost indoctrina tion, conviction, conversion: that a Holy Ghost revival is a great need of this age of speculative preaching and of worldly wise methods. Bring back old time gospel pro bation system, class and camp meetings. Christian ex perience emphasized, and you restore the old time power.
In all that is essential to the salvation of souls and a world-wide evangelization, we had it in the principles and practice of Wesley. Asbury. McKendree and Joshua Soule. Our Methodist attire in those days was simple, secure, spiritual, "after the pattern of one made on the mount." The coat in which we were first clad has been gradually patched, so much removed by inserting bits out from the clothing of other communions, until it is difficult to know whether we are (propria persona)--ourselves or the other fellow.
81

THE PEACH BELT.
This begins at Byron, is at its best at Fort Valley, holds its own to Marshallville. The lands are level, strong,--the peach industry very lucrative. Churches and schools aregood and well sustained. Their citizens high-toned, re fined, religious. Rev. Harraon holds the fort at Fort Valley, Rev. Darley, the forces at Marshallville. Their offi cial boards are capable and co-operative. Marshallvill& has an excellent hotel managed by Mr. Coffee.
Mrs. Cornwall, an aged, elect lady, died early in 1915I was her pastor at Hillsboro in 1857 and placed a high estimate on her noble Christian character. Rev. W. A. Branch and Donald Frederick were Christian gentlemen of the highest type. How we miss them!
"Earth has no sorrow,
That heaven cannot heal."
Montezuma is a plucky, succeeding town- I have known it over sixty years. It has some live men. The church a live pastor, Rev. Guyton Fisher. The Baptists are well served by my young friend. Rev. Clark, a genial, ca tholic, successful minister.
Oglethorpe is just across the river. Here I spent four of the happiest years of my life. Like Buena Vista, Oglethorpe had grace and sense sufficient to appreciate an old pastor. "The Lord is my shepherd" and the best steward in the world. I never wanted. This is the capital of Macon coun ty. Of course the officers, Sheriff Hicks, Clerk Powell. Tax Collector. W- C. Johnson, one of the best in Georgia; Treas urer, w. G. Griffin; the Ordinary, the Elder Felton, Judge R. L- Greer. Bull & Son, Perry, have offices. Guerry and Moore are frequent visitors on legal business. Dr. Charles Greer is mayor. The Stewarts. Shealeys, McBrides, Murrays. Dr. Stephens, Major Black, the Gardners, AllisonsBushes. J. P. Nelson, are prominent citizens. The town has two banks, a flourishing school. --. --. Martin, principal^ Lastinger serves the Methodist. Greer the Baptist churchThe Lutherans, a new church, has fair prosperity. They are largely indebted to Rev. Elmore and a noble Christian woman. Mrs. Coogle- Luke Shealey now dwells in the-
82

City of New Jerusalem. Judge Fish was reared In that town, also Capt. Willis, Elisha Keen, Charles Greer, Sena tor, and Dr. W. M. Grumley. All these, except Judge Fish, have passed away. Revs. Tpoke and McMahon are local Baptist divines. I never knew a more modest, meritorious capable Christian gentleman than Robert L. Greer. He is easily classed among the best guberntorial timber in Geor gia. He or Judge Felton would well fill the circuit judge-hip or serve the congressional district, should death re move the present very acceptable incumbents.
I acknowledge my inability to pay the deserved tribute to the ladies of that town--old and young. With my wife's permission. I will "rest the case with Tom Moore or Lord Byron."
" 'Tis said that Berenice's hair and stars, Adorn the vault of heaven.
But they would ne'er permit thee there, Thou wouldst so outshine the seven."
During a part of my pastorate I served Ideal, the only ideal town in Georgia. I was glad to mingle with them once a month. My sympathies went out to them, as calami ties for a time checked their progress- They now have three good churches. The young pastor. Ethridge and .good wife, are pleasantly domiciled and scoring a success. My old friends, the Johnsons. Brooks, Wiley Smith, Gard ners, cling to the church. Rev. Pilcher, a former pastor, is developing and being developed at Omaha. My English associate for a time, Rev. Walter Williams, left the Dawson Conference in health, but in ? few weeks God called him to 11.e belter, higher kingdom. Williams had some peculiari ties, but was endowed with pulpit power. I always en joyed his s-ii'vieft to my people and his visits 10 my pars'mage.
"Servant of God, well done,
Rest from thy loved empldy. The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter into thy Master's joy."
83

CHAPTER XL.
MIDDLE GEORGIA.
My readers will see that I am giving no attention in my methods to chronological order. This is done to furnish them with some rest by bringing forward some innocent diversions. Of course they know the difference between di version, recreation and dissipation. John Wesley knew when that wholesome General Rule touching "books.71 "songs," "diversions," was imbedded in the book of discip line. Early Methodism understood the Rule and conformed. Modern Methodism is fast losing the faculty of right inter pretation. Loving their offspring, wishing to furnish suit able recreation, intent on the greatest many-sided develop ment, thoy set-in to forget their vows to "renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of this world," and much of the development is carnal, sensual, devilish.
With prominent clergy in one city advocating dance, halls for the dissipation of the poor, and another city con verting its streets into a revel, where boys and girls not allowed to attend a mid week prayer service, are seen by the score, it is painful to think how far these days will go and what the harvest will be.
The situation of the church now calls to mind its con dition when Israel was environed by Amalikites, Hittitesand Nevites. In those days God raised up a deliverer and none but God can deliver- We praise Him for the noble stand taken by a Baptist minister in the largest city. Let the church pray for him and pray that every Baptist, Metho dist. Presbyterian minister in every city will be found at the front.
MONTICELLO CIRCUIT, JASPER COUNTY.
It is some distance from Fort Gaines to Monticello, Ga.. It was a change from Wiregrass and sand to rocks, hills,, vales and red mud. With a good horse and buggy, wife, babe and a small inherited nurse, we reached Macon fordinner- In the afternoon we started for Clinton twelve miles away. I cannot describe that road. Allow me to say it had never heard of "a. good roads movement." It was horrible, as the girls say. "awful", the worst the good Lord ever did
84

or didn't make. Nothing terrified by these adversaries, we pressed on and after nightfall were welcomed to the home of Sister Lowther. I shall always believe that the good God saved us from the ditches by the way.
Next morning, Sunday, the appointment at Hillsboro, fourteen miles away. We started to church. The evening before Providence kept us out of the ditch. That morning God allowed us to go in and then showed us how he could lift us out. There is a special providence of "provenient" grace keeping us out of ditches. There is another "of grace to help" when we are under mud and water-
The latter was after this fashion. we had gone about seven miles, a short distance beyond Sunshine church, where Gen. Stoneman was captured by the Confederates, when we entered mud and water, well mixed, for a hun dred yards. About the center the single tree broke and we were fixtures, with a restive horse. Up to our left on the hill was the cottage home of Mr. Frank Haskel, who mar ried Miss Hunt. Directed by Providence, their eyes took in our situation, and feet and hands hastened to our relief. The balance of the day was passed under that hospitable roof. The next morning friend Haskel supplied a single tree and we prosecuted our journey. Hillsboro was one of my numerous churches. It was a small town, inhabited by a few elegant Christians, such as Mrs. Reese and daugh ter, Mrs. Cornwall, John Welden and wife, hotel keepers; Tom MsKissick and the Stubbs brothers and a number of citizens as tough as rocks and as adhesive as mud- Evil communication had done its work--the "Devil's Half Acre" was distant only ten miles and the Gospel's course was not very rapid. By the grace of God. agreeable bearing, and brave talk, I managed to escape the interference and pranks meted out to some of my predecessors and passed many happy (useful) hours with that people.
Arriving at Monticello, I found arrangements made to board us with brother Thomas Jefferson Smith. That was admirable for us. A neat office near the dwelling made us convenient to meals and saved them annoyance of a cry ing child. Jeff and his wife were so pleasant, so ready to co-operate with us in every good work, that we easily lov-
85

ed them and their boys, E. B. and T. J. Surely the Lord was directing our steps.
Monticello was a town of fair proportions and good business. It had good churches and schools, and a circle of refined, cultured people. Cols. Bartlet. Anderson, Lofton, Drs. Maddox and Broadus, Majors Burney and Meriwether, the Penns, and many other first-class folks, dwelt there.
There was one source of embarrassment in the fact that my predecessor. ''Uncle Billy Florence,' was so far ahead of me in the pulpit that it was hard for my people to know they had a preacher. One fact saved me. Uncle Billy was remarkably stout, and his snoring qualities so well developed, that they seemed to be setting bass to thun der, started the dogs to howling around the house and kept the unchloroformed inmates awake during the greater part of the night- As my corporosity was not developed at that time. I slept like a babe on its mother's bosom. I have not dealt in hyperbole. Years after that at the Hayes House in Cuthbert some of the preachers went out to see the cloud. They declared the terrible thunder betokened a coming storm and out they went to study Ihe cause of their con sternation. They soon learned that a couple of other preachers had carried the sleeping noise beyond the limits of Uncle Billy.
Though I remained two years, the time limit--pity the limit was disturbed--I cannot report any great suc cess.
In addition to Monticello and Hillsboro, I served Shady Dale. Concord, Sardis church. Prospect and New Hope. Revs. Wyatt. Cook and Spearman were local preachers, true and tried.
Shady Dale was in a fine community. Harmon Geiger, Hawks, Leverett. Louie Pou, Prestons were equal to mid dle Georgia's best. Matthew Whitfield was not a member. Unlike the original Matthew, he continued to sit at the re- . ceipt of custom. **is good wife was ever in her place. Un cle Matthew allowed me to say grace and lead in prayer. It was not because of sancity on my part that he declined the privilege to others and extended it to me. To use his language, "I like to have McGehee about me. He is -well posted about the mule. meat, corn and cotton markets and
86

keeps me posted." The compliment, though doubtful, had the merit of gratifying and encouraging good sister Whit-
field. Midway, near the Newton line, had a large member
ship. The Shys swarmed up there. Revs. Aiken and Spearman helped at Midway. Revs. Wyatt and Cook as sisted. Sam Smith was the steward at Concord.
At the Prospect church the Aliens abounded. Dr. Campbell often gave them a word of exhortation.
Sardis was an hour's ride from Monticelto. The Maddox family and Pritchets were strong spokes in that wheel. One day a strong, handsome young man, acting on convic tion that he ought to be religious, deliberately stepped out and joined the church. His name was Darden. He entered the army and fell in a battle.
I must not forget New Hope. It was. up on the river.
It always furnished a good congregation and made a repu tation of being slow on entertaining the preachers- In fact, I was advised to carry lunch. To this I said, "No, forewarned, forearmed"'. Service being over, I announced that I would be glad to dine with some brother on the Hillsboro road. Everybody moved away from me, so I mounted a pew, stopped them, and again announced with emphasis, but they again moved away from me. I looked around, selected my man, and shouted, ''Yes, Bro. ----------, I thank you. I'll go with you." The remedy worked like a charm-- and New Hope was ever after given to hospitality. That year we had a great revival. For the first time I went "down into the water." The subject was Mrs. D. F. Holloway, her being a very stout lady made the brethren doubt my ability. Their fears were groundless--but I have never yet desired to reach the eminence of an expert.
My two years were greatly enjoyed, having that grand old Roman, John Walker Glenn. for Presiding Elder- In those days the '"beloveds" could preach. Later on the office in that respect experienced a shrinkage- In my first year with them I had a severe attack of pneumonia. The sec
ond year we occupied a newly purchased parsonage near the church. In the spring the measles left me very feeble.
Before a full recovery we rode to Macon. spending Sun day in the city. Dr. Jesse Boring, that wonderful pulpit
87

man, was pastor. He kindly invited me to preach. My re ply was, "please excuse me," and I told him of my recent illness. He said, "You are doing right," and added. "A young man through timidity may stand aside and allow many of less merit forge to the front. For a time they will pass him without remark. After awhile they will say, "You are in the right place." I needed that. ''A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
HANCOCK CIRCUIT.
Sparta was one of our few stations, if I ever had any special desire to be a station preacher (I never did), I was in sight, but Rev. J. H. Caldwell was in the city I occupied the circuit parsonage. It had two, only two, redeeming fea tures. It was opposite the home of Rev. Josiah Lewis, and brought me in contact with as noble, refined, Christian peo ple as the world ever reared. Enough to say the Sasnets, Turners. Littles, Harrises. Pendletons were among them.
Bishop Pierce lived between Sparta and Culverton-- at Sunshine. His family worshiped at "Piney Woods." It was a great privilege of mine to be associated with him and Dr. J. E. Evans. Presiding Elder.
My first appointment at Piney Woods filled me with fear and I must confess to relief when Sister Pierce walk ed up and said ''The Bishop wants to preach at Culverton, publish him this afternoon, and be sure to come to our home for dinner." The invitation was accepted and I felt re lieved. When I reached the home, he said, "I stayed at home, because I knew you would insist that I should preach and wanted you to have a fair, free opportunity." My re ply was, "That was so thoughtful and kind in you--just like you, Bishop."
I have preached when I thought my sermon was not worth an invitation to dinner and that might have been the situation that day- I greatly enjoyed my visits to the Sunshine parsonage. Splendid wife, mother, hostess, was sister P.
Hancock county is noted for fine folks and first-class farmers. Among the latter was David Dickson, who made large crops on land originally very poor. He told me he

always wrapped up enough rain in winter and in spring
to last him through the summer. Culverton was on the road to Warrenton between
Sparta and Rock Mills, where we had a strong church-- the Culvers, Basses, Masons. Middlebrooks, Medlocks, Birdsongs, men with whom Bishop Pierce associated, loved, ever trusted. They were Methodists to the core and some of them had the gift of prayer wonderfully developed. I rather think that their consciousness of closeness is God accounts for such rare gifts in prayer and exhorta tion. This is a distinct loss to the church. Laymen do not pray, or preachers sing as the fathers did. The old time fa so la singing for a week dinner on the ground, the musi cal facilities of religious institutions and trips to North ern and Eastern conservatories to perfect the voice brought nothing of the melody, fire, force, of an old time camp meet ing. A day of mocking bird music is worth an age of jab bering, squealing, "jay bird sitting on a hickory limb." Tis said, practice makes perfect. One Monday a certain excellent choir leader asked my opinion of the Sunday sing ing. I answered, "I guess it was fine, I failed to catch what they were singing.' I afterwards learned it was that grand old song, "Jesus, Lover of my Soul." I have some times wondered if they had 'practiced'" to conceal from the congregation the great comforting facts the congregation needed to know. If they did, the practice was a howling success-
At that time Reynolds Chapel and Old Zebulon were near the homes of Judge Thomas and his son-in-law, Hon. Linton Stephens. Dr. Sasnet had a farm, but engaged in teaching. It was current in the community that the Dr. wrote two letters, one inquiring afer books, the other seek ing an overseer. By an oversight, the one seeking an over seer was sent to Thomas 0. Summers. D. D.. L. L.D. It was the Summers that once preached, "The nobles put not their necks to the yoke." He immediately wrote his friend, stat ing. "I am not for hire."
Some of my readers will remember Mt- Zion .a village, that had a famous school conducted by Dr. Beman. Gover nor Northern was in charge during my visitation. Metho dists were scarce. Their church had'gone down and out,
89

At the suggestion of Bishop Pierce, I took them into the circuit. They were nice people and gave me a ready hear ing and a royal entertainment. The Hunts lived there.
During the year, the school in session, I opened a meet ing. The different churches gave me cordial co-operation In a short time God uncovered His mighty arm and the slain were many. Pungent convictions, clear conversions, rejoicing saints, were manifest in church, school, homes. For a time text-books were retired. Towards the close the doors of the different churches were opened, forty uniting with us, among them the son of Hon. Mark A. Cooper and the brother of Gen. Gartrell. Twelve joined the Presbyter ian, among them a splendid daughter of Dr. Beman. Two months after she was buried. Four united with the Bap tist. Together with Rev. Harley I went down into the wa ter and immersed four of my young men.
I had but a scant water practice, but with the advant age of location in the stream (it was full of leaves) and Bro. H. had the disadvantage of a cork leg, my skill didn't suffer by the comparison of the curious, critical, multitude. Worthily wearing my honors, I have largely retired from modes unknown to the Judaistic times, greatly prefer and practice a mode more in keeping with the teachings of the mild, merciful, climatic conditions and method practiced by the Apostles and early church.
Judge Bryan. of Mt. Zion, was reared a Presbyterian and he and wife had been members about fifty years. When he married, as he told me, he said to his wife, now we are married we should set up an altar. The judge was right. It is beautiful, befitting, blessed in Zachariah and Elizabeth to "walk together blameless in the command ments and ordinances of the Lord." A prayerless home is a poor place for "olive plants round about the table."
"Blessed is the house
Where zeal and friendship meet,
Their songs of love and hymns of praise,
Make their communion sweet"
In every place where a dining table furnishes food for the children, a family altar should supply the bread of life for their famishing souls. At the next Presbyterian service the Judge and his wife united with the church.
90

CLINTON CIRCUIT, JONES COUNTY.
Two or three years had passed; the war was raging and I was sent to old Jones, just above Bibb. Again in middle Georgia, the world's garden spot. Revs. T. T. Christian and E- H. McGehee had held a great meeting and built a church at Gross Roads, nine miles from Clinton, and named it Pitts' Chapel. Peyton Pitts was an eminently useful and greatly beloved citizen. Jeff Stewart, the Slocums, Balkums, the Roberts and others made up a large, interesting congregagation. During my stay Bishop Pierce dedicated the church and another good meeting followed.
Clinton, where the parsonage was, gradually ceased to control a large trade, but retained very many families of wealth and influence. Among them were the Hardemans, Hutchins, Johnsons. Bowers, Childs, Morgans, Lowthers, Lowes. Pritchets, Barons and others. Some of these were in the war. Isaac Hardeman was a gallant soldier in the 12th Georgia. God shielded him. He returned, moved to Macon, practiced law and lived many years to serve God and be a leader in the church, which delighted to honor him. Richard Bonner saw service. He too moved to Macon and practiced law. He rendered me and the church great service. I would be glad to mention others.
I did not go to war; made three efforts, was adjudged physically disqualified. Our teacher in Clinton, Mr. Mitchell. enlisted, leaving fifty children without instruc tion. By an arrangement I found myself Principal of thti school and pastor of seven churches. By using myself nights, Saturday and Sunday, I kept up my seven churches and taught the school. This taxed me more than the Presi dency of Andrew Female College. Before reading me out to the thrSe charges given me the Presiding Financial Agent, Pastor at Georgetown, Bishop Marvin, asked me if I was able to undertake so much. That was light compar ed with the Clinton school. In this were scholars well ad vanced and all the teaching was done by one who was decidedly rusty in text-books--but the sole teacher had to be UP in every department. My double duty neither killed c madtt me very lich.
While in this section I attended the famous Putnam
91

County camp meeting nc;>r Ea'.onton. That was before the
did ijeorsia Conference was divided. I do not readily re call all the tent holders, but those people are noted for good
style, good living and good religion. 1 remember DeJarnet Adams, Arnold, Mother Collins-
\vo."fh, widow of him after whom was named the Talbot
I'otinty Institute. The preachers I do not readily recall. Judge James Jackson, who, like Lovick Pierce and Bishop Candler, placed a high estimate on gospel preaching, was
present and filled with the spirit. One day the Lord won derfully helped me as I preached "All flesh is grass, and glory of man is as the flower of the grass: the grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of the Lord endureth forever." I don't think I preached a great sermon--few men ever do. It often happens that
very ordinary preachers, baptized with the spirit, preach extraordinary sermons, transcending themselves and pulpit masters, and causing the multitude to say, "He outpreached them all-" The comment of Judge Jackson was, "I wouldn't take five hundred dollars for that sermon." I can't reproduce it. It was not written. Very few written sermons delivered verbatim et literatim ever reach the
stars or set all the saints to shouting. The old time camp meetings did much for Methodism. They were wonderful as Dostrinaires and wonderful in increasing and strength ening Zion. If I was allowed and empowered to amend the Apostle's Creed, I would add, "and in camp meetings."
My junior preachers in Middle Georgia were Rev. T. A. Pharr and Bailey. I think the former went to the Gongregationalists. the latter to Heaven. Both were brethren be loved, above reproach.
The reader will see they kept me traveling and be sor ry to learn that my splendid horse died the night after campmeeting, and that Jasper, purchased by the people, and the gentlest I ever had, ran away and killed himself. "A horse is a vain thing for safety." As for that, engines, automobiles, airships, often leave us on terra firma--dead.
After all, there is no transportation so economical, so safe, so sure, so healthy, so lasting, as a preacher's original out fit--his own personal two footed, two wheeled bicycle. In my old age I travel that way- It gives me time to write a
92

>ook. I escape oil buying, punctured tires and collisions. Ability to stay at home, or disability to go from home, is often a blessing in disguise. It enables one to enjoy "otium cum dignitate." It gives time for reflection to catch our breath. It obviates the necessity of costly toilets, conceals from eyes and ears thousands of airy, empty "trifles, light as air", enthrones the priceless habits of an uniform, use ful systematic, satisfied existence--and thus reserves and preserves a fund that can be invested in relieving conditionsa round us, and giving to those far away a knowledge of God's greatest gift to every creature.
CHAPTER XII.
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
Long ago a wise man wrote "Much study is a weariness to the flesh, and of making many books there is no end." As I can't disprove either proposition for I have never been very studious or made a book. I allow the two-fold state ment to pass unchallenged. So I endeavor to treat all un inspired announcements..
In approaching this subject, I congratulate myself that having something beside the everlasting or continuous Ego to write about, this autobiographer and his constituency will enjoy relief. We premise that the church of God has an antiquity, an origin, coeval with the Divine Founder, God the Father. Jesus, His only begotten Son. and the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and Son, and being of one substance with the Father and Son, is very and eternal God--thus these three persons in the unity of God make one living and true God, without body or parts, infinite in wisdom, power and goodness, maker and preserver of all things visible and invisible.
As I may present points in my own original style. I will not be deemed or doomed a heretic whether I consider the subject from the angle of the Sacred Scriptures or that of our own excellent Book of Discipline. If I am not mistaken, I heartily subscribe to every one of the twenty-five articles of the M. E. Church South. *
I have quoted from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd. 4th. 5th Articles-- the 2nd, 4th, 5th not so fully.
93

Our Article No- 1 announces one God, without body or parts, the Maker and Preserver of all things. In the unity of the Godhead are three persons of one substance, power and eternity, Father, Son, Holy Ghost. This Article de clares "our faith in the Holy Trinity".
In Article No. 2 we find it developed and applied. There the Son is the Word of one substance with the Father,, taking man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin,, thus uniting Godhead and manhead in one person, so that Christ is very God and man. Thus developed, Article 1st lays the foundation for a suffering of crucifixion, "cleatb. and burial and has a sufficiency of merit as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, for original guilt, and for the actual sins of men.
The third Article clearly teaches the resurrection, as cension and return of Christ to resurrect and judge all men at the last day.
The fourth Article distinctly and emphatically an nounces the Holy Ghost as one in substance with Father and Son--"very and eternal God.?
In the 5th we have "the sufficiency of the Holy Scrip
tures for salvation." Whatsoever is not read therein nor may be proved thereby is not required of any man as an article of faith, nor is it necessary to salvation." By way of definition, the canonical books are given.
In fashioning the articles, the framers of Methodism made liberal use of the thirty-nine of the established church--cutting off fourteen of them. This excision wasin the intent of doctrinal truth, loyalty to government. They could have gone further and eliminated others, seeing sev eral of them are of a negative nature, mere protests against the absurdity and abomination of Rome.
If we include five and exclude the balance, we certainly have truth enough to save the world. If anywhere our out fit were insufficient, we could have recourse to the article affirming the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, and thus, find a ready refuge-
We are firmly of the opinion that the Kingdom of God will ever need credenda--and agenda. Inwrought is the persuasion that those truths set forth in the first five articlesare wise, solid, broad enough to support the weight of a.
94

world of repentant, believing souls, but we heartily accept
the twenty-five.
If I was seeking the origin, progress and unfailing suc cess of soul seeking salvation, I would write it "Repent and believe the Gospel," but back of that would be Paul's mas terful statement, "He that cometh to God must believe that God is that He is a rewarder of all those that diligently seek him". In creation, preservation, redemption, regen eration, sanctification, God in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself is the Alpha Omega--the first and the last. In creation and re-creation, that name appears as a frontis piece over a world struggling for existence and soul thirst ing and crying for immortal hopes.
The Book of Genesis opens with the beginning. God is the basal-fact of all things animate and inanimate. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What fitness in that introduction! There is a God. There is but one living and true God. Atheism has no God. Polytheism ntne. Pantheism, now a myth, an attribute, none. Love is of God, but "love is not god" as Mrs..Eddy vainly asserts.
God is a self-existing, spiritual, real, all-knowing, ev erywhere dwelling, in every creature interested, from ever lasting to everlasting, thou art God. "Thou openest thy hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing-" "The same Lord over all is rich in mercy to all that call upon Him." "0, Lord! our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations."
As God is the great central fact, the first, the abiding fact, the Father of all truths and things, I am glad it is the initial statement in the Sacred Scriptures and that the fathers logically and wisely gave it first place in the credenda of Methodism.
The fathers obligate us to no theory of creation. A few scientists moving read the start, or walking read the different geological formations return to tell us of an earth and hoavon revolving--'age on age unfolding'. Semi-
scientists (so-called) ambitious to appear scholarly, affili ate with the former-. In the two classes are a few philoso phers, truly great and devout beyond all dispute.
We have not as yet enrolled--simply because we find
95

it safe to cling to the principle involved in a Pauline Epis tle - Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into the heav ens to bring Christ down, or into the depths to bring Him up." We rather incline to involution than to evolution. Evolution has the appearance of a God going abroad to find material, as did Solomon in building the temple, oi wait ing on pre-existent (eternal) matter waiting thousands of years to multiply, solidify, shake itself before it filled the measure of the word employed by the inspired Moses-- created, CREATED the heavens and the earth. "He spoke and it was done. He commanded and it stood fast." I love science--but above it I place inspiration. In the texts of
Moses I anchor my little bark. Dr. Lovick Pierce, the great American Exegete used to
say, "I always take the soundings1 '. Had men st-udied the soundings as he did. flights to the sun had melted waxen wings and deposited them in the depths of the Aegean. Moses employed well chosen words., and didn't revise be fore he left the world, or when, with Elias, he returned a witness to the transfiguration of Christ. The full scope of the visit to Tabor I attempt not to disclose. It is safe to say that for hundreds of years he was among intelligent, glori fied spirits--in heaven--saw and learned much. If his first edition in Genesis was not correct, on Tabor he had an opportunity to correct. Had he done so he would have spared the world of what may justly be denominated "vain laughing." "superfluity of naughtiness". After all, Moses is a pretty safe guide. "Had ye believed Moses," said Christ, "ye would believe me. for he wrote of me." I great ly prefer the school of Moses and the Prophets to that of "Jannes and Jambres."
The above thoughts have had precedence because of the custom on the part of some to place the Church aboveeverything--to substitute the church for everything. This originates in a want of clear conception of the nature of the church. Some there be who leave the world churchless until those days when John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea. In his going down into Jordan they find the open door into the church. They named it theRaptist church after John the Baptist, a man whose siaple doctrine was repentance; whose open door was baptism;-
96

whose baptism Was a rite knowing nothing of the baptism with fire and the Holy Ghost, as preached by Jesus and th& Apostles. Notwithstanding the protestations of this gre"at and good man declared by Jesus to be the least in the king dom of God, though "but a voice in the wilderness," these honest, good, mistaken people persist in saying the Baptist church is the only, only church of God in the world. Thi is in their literature, taught in their Sunday Schools, heard when they immerse a candidate, seen and felt when Christ is remembered at the table, where one would think all God'schildren should sit or kneel together.
For zion's sake we would be glad to see our Baptist brethren see these things as seen by Charles Spurgeon,. Robert Hall and Christ the Master Church Builder.
If the church would but hear the Chrit when he callsus to "search the Scriptures," the Old Testament, when, he presents the genuine tests of trees and time, Christians and churches, "by their fruits ye shall know them," when He says, "I am the door, by me if any man enter he shall go in and out and find pasture," worldwide, glorious would be the results.
We have particularized the Baptists, not because of hostility, or want of appreciation, rather because we seek the origin of the church ages before the coming of John or the birth of Jesus. If this is established, it follows that the church of God was not built at Pentecost, at Antioch, Rome, in Great Britain. Germany. Scotland, or the United States of America. We are now searching a point where definition is necessary.
ARTICLE 13--THE CHURCH.
"The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in the which the pure word of God is preach ed and the sacrements duly administered, according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity arerequisite to the sam.e"
ARTICLE 16.
There are two sacrements, Bapiism and the Supper of the Lord. Sacrements are badges, tokens of Christian men's
97

profession and certain signs of grace and God's good will toward us.
ARTICLE 17--BAPTISM.
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from oth ers that are not baptized, but it is a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The baptism of young children is to be re tained in the church.
ARTICLE 18--THE LORD'S SUPPER.
The supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to an other, but rather is a sacrement of our redemption by Christ's death, the means whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten, is faith.
ARTICLE 20--OBLATION OF CHRIST.
"The offering of Christ once made is that perfect re demption, propitiation and satisfaction for all the sins of the world, both original and actual, and there is none other satisfaction for sin."
We have found the foundation facts for the salvation of a whole world,--consisting of Father, Son, his humanity and divinity, his teaching, suffering, crucifixion and resur rection, and the Holy Ghost proceeding from Father and Son, of equal majesty and poser with them, three persons, one God. The article on Christ's oblation throbs with love, grace, power sufficient to save any creature.
Wtih the poet we sing,
"Lord I believe were sinners more than sands on ocean shore, Thou hast tor all a ransom paid, for all a full atonement made."
These are doctrines contained in Sacred Scriptures and wonderfully used by Methodism to pulling down of strong holds and setting up the kingdom of God in the world.
The church, like its Christ, is both human and divine, --divine, spiritual, invisible. It carries in its soul right eousness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost- Human it furnishes apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists for the work of the ministry and spreading the glad tidings of salvation from all sin.
98

The visible side of the church is meats and drinks. Sacrements are not saving. Men are not saved by joining the church, "Salvation is of the Lord." The sacrements have their use as pipes conveying the water of life. There is noother name given under heaven whereby men may be sav ed, but the name of Jesus. Popes, priests, cardinals, arch bishops, lifting up mass laying, on of hands for conveying grace and confirmation of subjects belong to neither side of the church of God, divine or human, but a figment of tha brain of Roman heirarchy.
THE CHURCH--ORIGIN AND RISE.
In the reception of members, our Discipline says: Brethren, the church is of God, and will be preserved to the end of time for the promotion of His world and the due administration of His word and ordinance the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, the edificat'on of believers and the conversion of the world.
One must travel a long way to find the beginning of the church, but with the film of prejudice gone and the two. Testaments in hand, he will not fail. Right reading and a little logic annihiliates thousands of years before we enter the sacred precincts of the one spiritual, the oldest and best constitution of the world. For one I cannot conceive of a world saved without a Christ, or of a churchless world.
Man is not what he was when he came from the hand* of his Creator. The fall is-a fact--it did not surprise God. There were no ages, years or days between fallen man and the platform of recovering mercy. As through Eden Adam and Eve took their solitary way and the gate was closed, "The seed of the woman sholl bruise the serpent's head." They passed" the guarding angel and found the promise, "Men began to call on the name of the Lord." By faith Abraham offered up Isaac. By faith Xoah built an ark. By faith Enoch was translated. By faith Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. This is that Moses says, Paul which was in (Ekklesia) the church in the wilderness. Surely Dvaid was a member of the church. "One thing," says he, "have I de sired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold
99

the beauty of the Lord and inquire in his temple." Surely Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel. Micah, these holy men who wrote and spoke a sthey were moved by the Holy Ghost, belonged to the church--were in the church. They conformed to our definition, "congregation of faithful men," pure word of God preached and sacrements administered. If Moses was in the church, the churches existed in the wilderness. If a child is in a cradle, the cradle i sas real as the child.
It was ever a matter of surprise that good people could read the Old Testament and not see the antiquity, origin, oneness, mission of the church--that they wait thousands of years and must needs travel to Jordan before they find a
church, and when they have found it, they believe they are the one only true church. The strange part is that their claims separate them from their neighbors and exclude children whose parents God commanded to teach these things and Christ folded to his bosom and said, "Suffer the little children to came unto me. and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
We have dwelt on the Old Testament. Really there is but one. the New is the expansion, enlargement, fulfill ment of the Old. "Christ is all in all" in both. God never sundered the one strong chain in Egypt, Rome, Jerusalem or Jordan--and never will- "One Lord, one faith, one bap tism" holds good in the Book of Books.
Jesus said little about the church. His statement to Peter and allusions t the little children, together with ref
erences to the Kingdom of God, embody His views. St. Paul writing to the Ephesians says. "Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ him self being the chief cornerstone--in whom all the biulding fitly framed growth into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom ye also are a habitation of God through the spirit." The "bringing inn" 'of the Gentiles was a wonderful episode in the economy of Divine Grace. Scanning the passage closely one discovers that Hie building (the church of God) was not a separate apartment disconnected from what ex isted in Abrahamic and Prophetic days, but it was built to
gether and was so well laid on Christ the chief corner-
100

slone; aud so admirably fitted together by the Divine Archi tect, the Holy Ghost, as to justify the statement that the oneness seen in the uplifted hand making all worlds, ap pears in the world-wide redemption of the arce, in the Mos aic ritual, in the teachings of Prophets and Apostles and in the method of recovering our lost estate, and securing an abundant entrance into the heavenlies.
On these points, the origin, antiquity, unity, identity of the church in all ages, we refer the reader to the Epistle to the Romans. There he will find the figure of a wild olive tree grafted into the original stock, tt seems plain enough but despite facts that corroborate, such is the power of prejudice, race, denominational, personal, that even after the coming of Christ, the pentecostal baptism, the conver sion of Paul and his wonderful ministry, many have been slow to see. Even Peter, who states that he was called to enter the doors', antagonized Paul, who says, "I withstand him to his face". Had Peter prevailed, no man unwilling to become a Jew could have been admitted, the grand mis sionary tours of Paul had perished, the fullness of the Gen tiles never been witnessed, the Great Commission unsaid.
Two events served to give the Gospel its heaven design ed direction. One was the judgment of the Council at Je rusalem; the other the vision that appeared to Peter when he was at prayer on the housetop of one Simon the tanner. Peter evidently had more than a mild attack of Primitism.
He was manifestly in favor of circling on and around Jesrusalem, thoroughly honest, profoundly mistaken. I never read of that mysterious sheet containing animals, fowls, fish, gathered from earth, sea. let down by the mighty hand of God, and study Peter's ready acquiescence, without wanting to accompany him on his journey to Caesarea, study the preacher, analyze his congregation, take in the matchless sermon and witness the wonderful results. That was a signal triumph for the church and the great missionary cause-
A PITCHER OF WATER.
One hot day in August I was preaching the above out line in Trinity, Waycross. Reaching the baptism of Cor nelius and his house I sad^give me some water". The

pastor. Rev. Henry Brewton, supposing I was exhausted,, jumped off the platform and was in the act of handing me a pitcher. To his surprise I said, "I am all right, I just want to baptize these, candidates". I say nothing about the effect on the congregation.
I cannot follow Peter--will add that great, good mea are sometimes w.ofully mistaken, but when they get fully right, whether a once, twice or thrice born man (I do not. say) they are full of praise and fully effective. The after life, his epistles, so practical, his death for principles heonce opposed are great as he writes to the strangersthroughout Pontus.
I join in his wonderful ascription. ''Blessed be -the God and father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who of his abund ant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inherit ance incorruptible, undefiled and fadeth not away-"
APPLICATION.
It is often asked why do persons of like intelligenceand Christian character reach conclusions so dissimilar.
Answers (a) They contend for their opinions instead of the "faith once delivered to the saints." . (b) They "search the Scriptures" fractionally, practically disregard the Analogy o fFaith. (c). Man is a limited creature. So long as he travels with God. he moves on right lines. When he begins to fall back, or diverge, his limitations get the advantage and his absurdities are made manifest.--in his creeds, conclusions, character, conduct. John Calvin and" James Arminius. great men, represented different schools of theology. They saw God from different angles. Calvin taught a sovereignty not without love and provision for the souls of men, but a sovereignty that actually and un conditionally saved some men, angels and elect children before the foundations of the world, these to the praise of his grace,--the balance He allowed to be born, live and die without a chance 'and linger in eternal pain.
Calvin's theological sovereignty narrowed down to "squatter" rather than divine sovereignty.
If the reader will apply these views to the atonement
102

--to the unchristian habit of unchurching other churches

that "bear the marks of the Lord Jesus" to the rightful sub

jects of baptism, and to the painful separation that takes

place at the Table of the Lord, he will see why good men

differ.

~

CHAPTER XIII.
WHY AM I A METHODIST?
I believe i nthe church of God. I belong to the church. Every man should go that far. Considering his high de scent, the Redeemer that atoned for him, his call, capacity, helps to worship and his endless future, no creature, using the word of Christ, has a right to lead an unchurched, undedicated, outdoor, wilderness life. There are far away and home heathen- Church buildings, colleges, higher, edu cation, the highest civilization, clubs, orders, never change the classification. Rome, Athens, Babylon, abounded in these and in heathen. To change the classification, man must cast away their idols, believe in God, accept Christ, come out from the world and let their lights shine by unit ing with "the children of day", observing the Sabbath, "al ways abounding in the work of the Lord." I thank God I am not a heathen in China or California, in Atlanta, But ler, Buena Vista or Columbus.
I belong to the church and still strive to lead a sober, godly, active life. Many companied with Christ, but "went back and walked no more with him". Many think they have joined the church and belong to it. As a matter of fact, they didn't enter, but sat down on the steps,--and many others belong, to no church. These need to look upon the downcast countenance of the Son of God and listen at the logical words of Peter as he exclaims, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Reader, to what class do you belong? "who will this day conse crate his service to the Lord?"
A SMALL THING.
Solomon taught us to use small things, ants, locusts, spiders, coneys. A clever man once said: "A------------is
103

the biggest thing in the world." Premising thai he wasnot a Methodist, i leave the blank unfilled. 1 am glad I be
long to a church sound in faith, correct in sacremeuts, seek ing to evangelize the world, not boastful, reaching back,, but not before the foundation of the world, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone, antedating John Wesiey, Luther, Paul,. John the Baptist and Moses. I am no man worshiper.--
have a high regard for granitic principles, but small es teem for a church census and conference statistics--am. content to spend the evening of my life in the Plains of Mamre with Abraham, and grateful to know that millions not called Methodists are in the same church not catalogued by earth, but calendared in heaven. For them God has. provided ''some better things" when the day dawns. It will dissipate the darkness and banish the bigotry of some excellent people who seem to have lit on this plan
et the wrbng foot foremost. I reverence a venerable old tree, school, cathedral, for
est, think little of names, titles, numbers, and love to godown to the roots, but was not baptized in the name of Apollos, Cephas or Luther. Wesiey or John the Baptist- A rose, if it remains a rose, would smell as sweet by any other name.
"And John said. Master, we saw one casting out devils, and we forbade him, because he followed not with us. And Jesus said, Forbid him not, for no man that worketh a mir acle in my name can lightly speak evil of me." Verily,. High church and web footed faith have need to sit at th& feet of our Lord.
It is now evident that I am a Methodist. I ascribe to the teachings, Articles of Faith, of the M. E. Church South. To these I have already made reference.. As. a teacher I would not teach a text-book, an astronomy, biology. Geology, that conflicted with established fact. Asn Christian man to be dovMopod. and a minister sent to disciple nations, it would be a fraud to subscribe articles and so teach men, if I preached another gospel. Then said Jesus. "If you continue in my word, then are ye my dis
ciples and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall neake you fi-oe."
104

A young preacher said in my hearing, "I care nothing about my belief--had as soon preach one thing as another." The last I heard o fhim he was over the hills--had desert ed his charge and was louring for something larger. It is often said, "It doesn't matter what church we join; one church is as good as another'. These statements are idle and absurd. There is a difference in soil, seed, tempera ment- A successful man in one church may be a failure in another.
A friend of mine graduated, was converted, joined a church, noted for its aggressive force, its zeal, success in soul getting. Licensed to preach by a church other than that of his parents, his eloquent tongue dwelt on Christ tasting death for every creature, and kneeling at a table over which was written "Not meats and drinks, but right eousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. " For he that in these things serveth Christ is accepted of God and ap proved of men."
Alas! What a pity the Jordanites beset him, front and rear, right and left and my friend had a new name and preached another gospel. His after life fell short of early promise. "Take heed unto thyself and the doctrine: con tinue in them, and thou shalt save thyself and them that hear thee. It is truth, not our opinion about truth, that makes us free." "Men do not gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles." I never say I am a Methodist because my parents, relatives, wife were Methodists.
My second reason is that I heartily endorse the govern ment of the M. E. Church South.
The necessity of law calls for the remark. While no form of government is enjoined by the Scriptures, all citi zens are called to obey them that rule over us and pray foithe rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. The same obtains in the kingdom of God. The form may be Episcopal, Congregation, Presbyterial, connectional or in dependent. As long as it conforms to certain great inspir ed principles, it meets divine requirements, r'ghtly calims the approval and receives the benediction of its Great Head-
But God has not limited it to these narrow bounds. With God-given constitution and world-wide mission, it is
105

legitimate to most by-laws, conformable to tbe age of the world, its civil government, its climate and peculiar insti
tutions.
True to these guides, Methodism has gradually formu lated her Book of Discipline. Without claiming perfec tion in every part, it has happily blended executive, legis lative and judicial functions, calculated to preserve the rights of its members, promote personal piety, supply each church with a pastor, give the Gospel to the poor at home, and evangelize the world.
This is done through a chain of conferences, general, annual, district, quarterly, church. These make, distribute, continue or discontinue officers as occasion may demand. In this way every member is enlisted, has a voice in mak ing and shaping the policy of the church.
In a Methodist church, every member, however humble, has a right to be tried by a jury composed of his peers. If dissatisfied with the finding, he can appeal. This is a priceless privilege. In a Congregational church where ev ery member, regardless of age or relationship to accuser or accused, ilis difficult to see how an innocent member can be acquitted--and if found guilty how he can be re stored in the absence of appeal. It will astonish some good people familiar with "The Great Iron Wheel", a book that abounded, as long as it lived, with shameful asperations of the character and administrations of Method's! Bishops, to know that a Bishop, if found guilty, has no right of appeal. We have been signally blessed in the selection, of these servants. While we make no claim of infalli bility for our Bishops, we are glad to say they are all able Christian gentlemen, consecrated to their work. Taken as a whole, they compare well with the great men that grace the Parliaments and professions of Europe and America. In my ministry I have not found one that would knowingly afflict the humblest minister or member committed to his care. They need a little more power--the restriction imposed by the last General Conference, not to mention the precedent established, was not for fV hr*. The original law was less liable to abuse than the law as amended. Hear! Hear!
106

THE GENERAL RULES.
This constitutes an important part of church govern ment. Before admission one is baptized, solemnly engag ing to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same and carnal desires of the flesh, so that they will not follow or be led by them. As tests of our loyalty and as means of grace to assist in working out our salvation, we subscribe to the rules and agree to be subject to the dis cipline, attend upon its ordinances and support its insti tutions. f these rules it is said, "all of which are taught of God even in his written word, and all these His Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts." How high their origin! How helpful their observance! How daring, deleterious, destructive their everyday violation!
That we may better retain them, they are divided into three grand heads. It is expected of all who continue there in that they continue to evidence their desires of salvation. First. By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced such as the taking of the name of of God in vain, the profaning the day of the Lord; drunkenness or drinking spirituous liq uors, unless in case of necessity.
''Taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus."
The name and day of the Lord are especially mention ed in the Decalogue. They are as binding as they were when given amid Sinaitic thunders and lightenings, unrepealable as God is unchangeable. The former is com mitted rashly in the heat of passion, or jocosely in a spirit of levity, idly, indifferently, thoughtlessly. They are alike reprehensible. To swearing men and cursing women (?) Jesus said "Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne, nor by earth, for it is his footstool; neither by the head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black." For the swearer there is no standing ground in heaven or earth. As there is but one other place of abode, he must either forsake his way and return to the Lord, or be with the damned, cast out. A fisherman without bait may angle, a roving, careless trout, but a swearer catches, changes
107

nothing,--is without reason, rhyme or religion.
In every age God for wise and holy purposes, that men may rest from labor, assemble in the sanctuary, hear the words of life, offer unto God prayers and thanksgivings, renew their physical and spiritual strength, has called us to remember the Sabbath--profane not the day of the Lord.
There is something so sane in the requirement, so solid and safe to society, so helpful to persons, young and old, so agreeable to God, that the world en masse should be seen welcoming this great, restful heaven-ordained day. It. would seem that this commandment would remain invio late--especially should this be the case among those bless ed with broad culture and highest civilization. Alas! what is our astonishment t oknow that the opposite is painfully true.
It is fearful to consider the disregard of the day. It was not always so. To our mind the most potent argument for the depravity of man is seen by their persistence in shunning Sabbath observance. "God made man upright, but he has sought out many inventions", and these ivnentions are not evil per se, but because they are unchristened, un confirmed, unsanctified.
In days of yore life had a charming simplicity. Then towns and cities were few and not so accessible, farmers numerically strong and lived on the increase of their crops and the labors of their slaves. Their children loved their homes and took delight in the companionship of parents and neighborhood. Tramping, trading to towns, touring day or night were comparatively unknown, were not in vogue. Men gave themselves to labor and business, were content to follow legitimate channels. While the roads were poor, the people managed to make and market their crops--and so things moved on.
With the emancipation of the negro--out of the civil war came new devices, new transportation facilities. The cities to regain their lost estates held out new inducements and spider like, they wove their webs to catch the country cousins, gradually with operas, chautaquas. conventions, street dances at the dead hours of night, charity balls, they lead captive the silly flies.
108

The spider's palace substituted the sanctuaries of God and the Sabbatah was gradually suspended. The demoraliza tion brought in by the War Between the State s\vas given a fearful impetus by the war in the East. Men are learning to climb the clouds, sail under the seas, and by the aid of aeroplanes, submarines, bombs, gases, torpedoes, in nocent women and childern, cathedrals and millions of treasures that should be dedicated to God and hu manity have been sacrificed. Between the lust for terri tory, gold and pleasure, the sacredness of treaties, the rights of humanity, the claims and commandments of Him \vho owns the "earth and the fullness thereof are, putting it mildly, in great peril. It is time for the few that "grieve for the afflictions of Israel" to ponder the question propounded by the world's greatest Teacher, ''When the Son of Man cometh, will he find faith in the earth?" If the present sad picture darkens through the next decade, what will be left to us? Our country? Our churches? Our children?
Touching the end of the war. we have ceased to prophe sy. The solution of the problem staggers the wisdom of the world. If it has passed beyond mortal ken. if God intends to hinge the solution on great moral changes that will radi cally reform the greed and diversions of country, city and church, and make our nation a people prepared for leader ship in establishing a real, perpetual Hague, so that the future will sheathe the sword and speed the ploughshare, wouldn't that please God. be helpful to humanity and set up the kingdom of our Lord in the uttermost parts of the world, and start all the angels to shouting?
Our contention is the war in Europe is a war for Amer ica--to purify and preparea a mission of peace and reign of holiness throughout the world. This seems to be the contention of our great President. Woodrow Wilson. Oth er contentions that never look out beyond our borders, nev er see higher than corn and cotton fields, stocks, bonds, iron and steel, silver and gold, railroads, recreations, are sons of Jingo, devilish, destructive.
We believe that this is God's way and He will have it though Europe be blotted out.
In that event what would become of America, it as
109

God's chosen Israel, raised up to effect a world-wide peace and set up His own kingdom, American by jingoism, or by and set up His own kingdom should follow the footsteps of Ancient Israe? Ask Jerusalem, Babylon, Tyre. To all patriotic, praying people, I again say we are confronting a condition--one that calls us to study our country, our churches, our children, from the proper angle. This will not minish but multiply our substance, not pervert or pois on, but sanctify our legitimate pleasures and profits.
Verily the Lord is not ''asleep, dead, nor has he gone on a journey" 1 . Through the mouth of Moses he asks, "Who is on the Lord's side?" and adds, ''Let him now come unto unto me." He still speaks to kings and princes, rulers, say ing, '-The Lord shall laugh at them". ''Be wise, therefore, 0 ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little."
EXPLANATORY, NOT APOLOGETIC.
From what we have said about Sabbath observance and intimated concerning diversions, some may write us down, as an old sour divine, thoroughly pessimistic, ever croaking, with a mission to make people miserable--and never has heard of a harp of a thousand strings. In part we plead guilty and pray every day "Now I am old and gray headed, forsake me not." We own two or three harps --each one is gold--each has a single string. Our first harp, God. It is single-stringed. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." Our second is the Bible (King Jame's version). It is like unto the other. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." one string but millions of melodies. Our third harp. "The glorious Gospel." These are suffi cient to keep me humorous, hilarious, happy and give me & new sermon every Sabbath. A harp with a thousand strings and yet but one. They are excellent. Whether I presiding elder, pastor or evangelist, be it in the coun try or city, I carry the same old golden Gospel harp. In need of it they all stand--and God helping. I will allow no show of scholarship, no fear of skeptics, no desire for large positions, to allure me from the truth as it is in Jesus. For fuller explanations of the above, the reader may call
110

on Bishop Candler and Dr. George Yarbrough. They know something about music.
To think I am a fogy, a .foe to all progress and every division, is unthinkable and unjust. I love to ride on rail roads, but don't use them on Sunday, business or visiting trips. I am trying to. be religious--and who knows that God will reckon men guiltless who own and run them sev en days in the week?
I am fond of the modern highway, wide, clayed, hard. I certainly enjoy the automobile when it is not on a tare. Run for pleasure at a proper hour, run for business on business days, they are wonderful, helpful inventions; but run on the Lord's day, solely for pleasure, run in a hole, run in debt, run as were those that deprived the Lord of the sanc tity and services of the Lord's day, albeit the companywere ladies and gentlemen, it was a terrible affront to the God of this so-called Christian civilization. Of course then the editors blowed and bowed and smiled and a great many watchmen on the walls of Zion were struck speechless-- and will so continue.
"The poor ye have always with you,'' and proper atten tion to their real wants, food, raiment, health, work in mod eration behind the counters, in factories and fields, work shops and necessary opportunities for needful educational and religious uplift, this an exhibition of piety's purest type.--but desciples of Christ can renew their own spirit ual strength, and furnish sane and safe, all round develop ment for the poor without substitutes that ore doubtful substitutes of rank and growth--substitutes that finally abolish the Sacred Sabbath. Whither are we drifting? What about New Orleans, San Francisco, other cities, your town and mire? There is a better way. Robert Mclntyr& and John Houston of Savannah gave much of the Sabbath in looking up the poor, reading the Bible and praying with them and otherwise administering to their wants.'
Touching things lawful on that and other days--and answer and gide for all that cannot "see any sin in this, and and the other", I refer to St. Paul. "Abstain from all ap pearance of evil." Don't weaken, waste, imperil any good thing. Some things ihat may not seriously hurt you may
111

forever wreck mother's son and daughter. Your homes should be religious. As you screen them against rats, flies,

mosquitoes, see that trashy books and games that allure

not to bright worlds on high be put away. The Methodist church 'stands, as it should, for prohi

bition. Its rule "forbidding drunkenness, or drinking spir-

itou.s liquors, unless in cases of necessity", is concise, clear, comprehensive. As a prohibition 'measure it has never b. <}' surpassed. It gives to personal liberty all the freedom it is capable of controlling, but checks itself when it would

rend itself or the peace and good order, safety of society.

But for legislation allowing near beer and locker clubs, our temperance law would be similar to that of the church.

For years I worked with the various temperance orders.

Judge Joseph Henry Lumpkin, Dabney P. Jones, the Rev.

Sam P. Jones. Charles R. Pringle. Walter Hill, A. J. Hughes,

Dr. Gambrell. Dr. Nunnally and many others wrought with

I

great success. M. J. Gofer and w. P. Lovejoy were invincible

champions of the great cause. The memory of the noble



women, the W. C. T. U.. will grow greener down "to the

last syllable of recorded time/'

All eyes were turned. June 1915. to the General Assem

bly. What will be the action of that honorable body? The

1.

solons should be "wide awake and duly sober." Much leg

islation will not be wise. If our present prohibition law is

'

not sufficiently strong, let it be strengthened. If it is not

1

enforced, it should be. There is a way--and it will leave

f

no place for its infraction in any locality. There is a grow-

's

Ing disposition in this country--in church, in congress,

j

courts, schools, legislatures, homes, to interfere with the

';

operation of (he law. The people by lobbying, petitions,

a,

money, seem to have forgotten the sacredness of the law,

|

that it has "its seat in the bosom of God." They need to be

j

reminded that the wisdom of the State is not alone in build-

|

ing great cities, amassing great wealth, casting up proper .

J

public highways, pandering to ambitions--but is found in

'4

wisdom, justice and moderation. All honor to Beavers,

j

Atlanta's consciencious, chivalric chief, for the noble

,;

stand which he has taken for the enforcement of law.

1

Greater would be his success, and greater would be At-

^

lanta. if more of her intelligent, honorable citizens, some

' ..

112

-of them leaders in First Churches, had given him a saner -support in his efforts to administer law, check and cast "Out those who luxuriate in the violation of law. Atlanta _is rapidly enlarging her area. She has thousands of -first-class citizens. If she succeeds, as she desires, in . -climbing the towers, she must beware of the towers.
In our second and third sections of the General Rules,
"doing good to the souls and bodies of men," and ''dilli.gence in .the use of the means of grace, searching the Scrip tures, attendance on public worship, family and private _prayer.', we need not long delay' They are unequalled. -One cannot sincerely and systematically observe and keep them without becoming '"strong in the Lord and in the power of His might". "They that wait on the Lord shall -renew their strength." Attendance on public worship is no feeble exponent of saving grace--an index of spiritual con dition. ''I was glad", says the Psalmist, "when they said
to me let .us go up to the house of the Lord." Seest thou a man. sound in body, with no taste or ear for the Gospel, lounging about parks, reading newspapers, riding over -farms, seeking recreation and society, visiting fashionable .resorts and Sunday Lyceums, never frequenting God's house unless attracted by -a sensation--albeit he is a churchman, you have in him the smallest specimen of the Royal Family. The Pharisee went up to the temple to pray. The benighted heathen of the old world worship their idol ,gods. but the heathen of America, of Georgia, in city and -county, are rapidly learning to pervert the ways of the Lord. If God lives, and the Bible is true, it is time to pray .for all men, and for all men to pray, for parents to lead the way and carry their children, for children to learn that right living, by inspired rule, is the royal road to npbility -of character and everlasting blessedness. When Christ blesses children, they are blessed. When He said, "suffer them to come unto me." He opened the door of His great
heart and all the doors of every Christian church as well as "the doorway to glory. In substance He bound the cradles of the world to the Cross of Christ and said, "In this way I propose to people the everlasting kingdom". That is still His way. Shortsighted, disobedient to the heavenly call ing, is the parent that allows a child to attend the Sabbath
113

School and does not insist that the child re.uain to en gage in the public service. In this way I account i'or the comparatively small number of church-goers. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he wilL not depart from it." Train him up to go home when th Sunday School is over and when they are 14 or 16 they will go home and stay there, unless they play ball or go fishing, or join the roughs and toughs in hotels, drug stores, on streets, or blind tiger alleys. This is a fearful picture. What will this country and the church be in ten decades? We answer, largely what we make it, what right living and the product of rules like our General Rules make it.
Living by right rules, walking in the ways of God, i the one mighty magnet that draws a sinful world to Christ, the great center, the soul Saviour of a sinful world. It is injustice to our Lord, a fraud upon a redeemed world rush ing to the wide-open jaws of the bottomless pit, if the church of God, commissioned to rescue these souls, folds her arms, arrays herself in the vain pomp and glory of this world, declines service, simply says. "He can offer nothing but an annual sensational convention.--help yourselves, wo are confirmed." Verily, it is not astonishing that the sons of light make slow progress against the cohorts of dark ness. ''0, ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity and seek after leasing?"' "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. Offer the sacrifices of righteous ness and put your trust in the Lord." ''I beseech you there fore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrfice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Jhaf ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

THE BEST EVANGELISM.

As a third reason why I am a Methodist. I prefer its system above all others. This statement is based on thecommission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Methodism is essentially, radically, thor-

5

'

114

-oughly permeated with the Spirit of our Lord. It cannot be otherwise and exist. An anti-missionary Methodist -church would be a misnomer. Every church, whether call-
-ed and organized as such or not. is a missionary church. To
the exltent it goes and the amount of gospel it preaches, it .is missionary. Every soul genuinely converted finds his
brother Phillip and says, "We have found him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write, Jesus of Nazare'h. the King of the Jews," and he brought him to Jesus. What
these people need is not criticism or censure, but an or ganization that will thrust them out of .Jerusalem and Ju-dea and send them to the uttermost parts of the earth and what Methodism needs to fulfill its mission is a thorough transforming power, renewing them in the spirit of their minds and thereby calling their affections, activities and -accumulations from the sordid treasures of time and cent
ering 'them on the salvation of souls Jesus came to save.
The world needs the Gospel. Ere this its saving light should have reached the dark places filled with the habita tions of cruelty. Why the delay? Is it to be found in overorganization, in excessive reliance on presses, training schools, clerical help? For what are we waiting? "And when they had prayed, the ground was shaken."
I have often wondered what the children of this world would accomplish had they the arms, the lofty aims, the living "All power" of 'the souls of light. Groping in the dark, groveling in the dust, minding, using earthly things, the nations of the earth mobilize millions of men and mon ey, and on land, in the air, under the sea, wave a blood red banner with aquenchless .enthusiasm, sublime courage, tremendous, iterrible tread that shakes the world. What a pity that all the churches, especially the best equipped -and especially called, and with best equipment for this great end, need to be provoked to honest, higher endeavor by such ignoble, murderous example,--and the greater pity is that the example should its purpose fail, may provoke God to visit us with "a fear thai cometh as desolation and -destruction that wasteth at noonday". For one I care not
long to linger 'to look upon the boasted civilization of a land when it advertises its atheistic audacity to the world l>y asking "What is the Almighty that we should serve
115

I'

him, what profit shall we have if we pray unto him?"

):

Our contention is that with all its defects Methodism,

j;

is the best type of evangelism known to the church world..

ji

The golden thread of soul winning is stamped on every

I'1

page of our discipline. This monument of wisdom is based-

I:

on every page. Beginning with Articles it advances to its.



mission to spread scriptural holiness, runs through all its

I

agencies and finds its lofty climax in "Thy kingdom come,.

|

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." Every con-

i

ference, preacher, layman, however assigned, has this em-

j

ployment to occupy his hand, his head, his heart. Our-



bishops, pastors, laymen, men, women and children, are-

1;

called, organized, instructed, to do the .work of evangelists.

;

The record of the past discloses the fact that the fields of'

I

labor, however distant, however poor, infested by hostile

savages and wild animals, thirsting for blood, on mountain

<i

top or in plague stricken cities, has found men ready to go-

,

--and they have gone. With us no chruch is without pul-

!

pit and pastor. With present facility for communication.

i:

' and transport a pulpit made vacant can be filled in less-

I

than a week.

|

CONFERENCE EVANGELISTS.

I

Methodism has been very fortunate in escaping the

' '

rocks and reefs and torpedoes as she sailed the great sea

I

of multiplied experiments. The praise is due to God, our-

grea't. Commander.

We have secured the services of our sisters--always at our command, with no serious result. The Holiness As
sociation produced no schism, because every religious per
son in our body believed in holiness, as does every regener ate soul in every church. The brethren of second blessing-
persuasion looked for it through agony of soul. The breth ren born into the kingdom were so wonderfully changedT that they received the implanted germ and were content
to wait until small seed should become a great tree. Thus we were admirably fitted to avoid schism and to be rooted" and grounded in strong love.

I am not yet prepared to say that distinct action which* crowned the sisters, organized a Holiness Association, call-

116

ed men to evangelistic work, was eminently wise. : realm of grace, under our economy, all are ready to work, all going on to perfection, all preaching the grand old Gos pel of former years--''all are ours and we are Christ's and Christ is God's. For every one I have the highest regard and rejoice that they are accomplishing, as we trust we are, something for our common Lord.
It is a good rule not to exercise ourselves overmuch in seeking to bring every good thing into the church. The cost and increased friction of multiplied machinery may in the end minish the products of the machine. Baracas, Philatheas, add but little to the working force of the church. Restaurants, lodges, divers clubs, dance halls are inconsequential annexes to Zion. The church should go into the world, the world linger at the door of the church, but not enter. Seeming victories often end in disastrous defeats. With Methodism as with the world's greatest Apostle. "The Gospel of Christ should ever be the power of God unto salvation."
BISHOP J. C. KILGO.
The following letter taken from the "Raleigh Advo cate" is sound, sweet, safe and timely, that without con sultation, we give a place in this modest volume. It is a reply to a young man. and reads as follows: "My Dear Harry:
"You wish me to suggest to you two or three of the best books on evangelism. Do not think me unpardonably ignorant or disreputably belated when I tell you I have very limited knowledge in this particular field of literature. When I entered the ministry I was sent to a large circuit as junior preacher to one of the saintliest and wisest men I have ever known, and he took great pains to impress on the conscience of his young junior the truth that saving sinners is the sole aim of the Christian ministry, and its success in this one work is always the test of its efficiency. He succeeded in fixing this permanently in my mind and on conscience, and now that more than thirty years of wide, severe and varied experiences have given their ampler op portunity to judge the wisdom of my senior preacher, and
117

he has gone to the Heavenly home about which I so often

ieard him preach with eloquence, I say to you. a gospel

pieachers one business is to save sinners, and by his suc cess in his minislij must be judged as to whether it is a success or a failure. And this is true, whether he is a jun ior preacher, a preacher in charge of a circuit or station, a presiding elder, a college agent, professor or president.

or a bishop. In all these fields I have been called to labor,

but I found in every one this to be 'the single purpose of the

ministry.

f

''You will not think it improper in me to say I rejoice

K

with great joy that ft has pleased God to seal my ministry

jj

with the conversion of manyhundreds of souls, not allow-

f

ing a year to pass without the heavenly joy of seeing some

f.

persons turned to God under it. This is strange. What am

jj. .

I that God should do such wonderful things through me?

|

My sainted senior preacher used to say to me when talking

ij

about the making of sermons and preaching them, "Never

S

forget. John C.. when you are making sermons and preach-

:;

ing them that you aim then and there to save people; eith-

I

-er to get sinners converted or saints edified, or both. Keep

this in mind, my boy." I have :tried during these thirty

and more years to observe the wise advice of this con secrated man of God. who first had the task of teaching me the meaning and work of the Holy ministry. And what he
told me to do he did before my eyes and made me serve along with him. It was a great year I spent with him. More than three hundred people were converted. For ight consecutive weeks we were in revivals. The people
quit their work and came long distances and mighty was the power upon all. I never heard my senior say anything about methods. He preached, or made me preach, and then
we exhorted and called mourners to the bench; they came, and \ve. with many others, talked to them, directing them

in the way of salvation through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and they were converted. This was about all there was to it, save that we prayed and fasted much; for my senior preacher was a man not only mighty in prayer, but

mightily disposed to be at prayer. I tell you all this as something of an apology for being behind on the literature
of evangelism. My ministry was cradled in revivals, and

118

I never heard of the "literature" of them, and \Vith the
traimng I got, I frankly say to you. I never felt the need of studying books abo.ut them. You may pity me. but none of us in those days read books on evangelism.
Now, I do not under-rate such literature. While I never read Wesley's Journal or Asbury's Journal for infor mation on "evangelism", yet I never read them without feeling a longing to hold a meeting and call penitents to. the altar. The life of Whittteld will stir the same feeling. And I suppose the life of any deeply consecrated preacher whose ministry was marked'with the conversion of sin ners will create in an earnest preacher a passion for sav ing sinners. But my soul is stirred far deeper by reading the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles than by any other reading. The ministry of St. Paul simply appeals to me. But these, Harry, were living men of marvelous power, doing wonderful things, not experts in the history, theory and forms of an ism. The minutes of Early Methodism, either in England under the leadership of Wesley, or in America under the leadership of Asbury. do not record any discussions of evangelism or the mention of the "Commit tee on Evangelism." But 1hey do tell of the wonderful signs and works which God showed forth through those consecrated men who went forth and preached salvation through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is true, as you may say to me. that was not a scientific period, but now everything should be reduced to scientific forms and meth ods, that is. be known as an "ism". Perhaps so. yet has it ever occurred to you that in this "new age" Satan and infi delity and sin are no't the least concerned about bringing themselves into any new scientific forms. Will it not be time enough to manufacture a new religion when \ve find a new sin'not anticipated by the cross of Christ? I con fess I do not like "isms" which signify abstractions, theor ies, discussions. You will not save many sinners at the debating society. You will do far better with them at the prayer meeting.
"I may as well say to you frankly that I do not believe you can reduce the activities of the Holy Spirit to a science. Jesus declared 'the utmost freedom in His movements when He said to Nicodemus. "The wind blovveth where it listefh,
119

and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence i't cometh or whither it goeth,--so is every one that is born of the Spirit. He will not be confined to any pro gram of human arrangement, not even a ritual of the loft
iest type. Do not fall into the notion that there is a fixed science of "evangelism" which, when we truly understand
we can apply as we do any science. There is no such thing in the economy of God. There is such a thing as arousing a psychological concentration of interest in church organi zations, and this may be done by the ordinary .methods of
worldly advertisements, but the absence of the Holy Ghost .from such endeavors will be the most distinct aspect of them, and this dreadful absence. There is no such thing in "the conduct of the many new recruits brought into the membership of the church, and as the years go by, in the steady decay of piety and the deluge of worldliness in the church. Be sure you can have no revival of religion with out the present and active power of the Holy Ghost, and He is a personality to be invoked and not an influence to be turned on. He will be no part in mere inventions, shams, hyprocricies. ecclesiastical schemes, unsound doctrines or anything out of accord with the. written Word of God. You
may have a campaign without His presence, and by urgent efforts get folks, even many folks to join your church, and these will help bear the financial burden of your work, but when you ask them about the witness of the Spirit, you will find that you have imposed a crowd of aliens on the church. The revival we need most in these days is a revi
val to save the unconverted folks in the church, folks who have been brought in under various influences and allowed to drift along without any spiritual knowledge of God. And. the worst peril in this country is an unconverted church which has a form of godliness, but denies the pow er of it, a church which has staged religion in grand forms,
but which knows nothing of a vital knowledge and com munion with God. Such a church is an agent of death in any age.
Let me exhort you against a multitude of fads which crowd our times. Do not mistake them for a new and high er expression of faith. They change; faith abides. True many of these fads have strong resemblances to faith, so
120

strong that the very elect may be easily deceived by them. Recall how many of them have been prominent within the last decade, but have passed away for others to take their places. They come in the form of slogans which catch the ear because they sound well. Study to know them and to avoid them. The sum of the advice given to me by my old senior preacher was "Keep close to God,--preach the Gos pel, work hard and God will bless your labors." "I hand this on to you with a prayer that you may be kept in con scious fellowship with God. teaching your people to ob serve whatsoever things Christ taught His desciples and. your ministry will be blessed."
My last reason for being a Methodist is that upon ma ture investigation I couldn't be anything but a Methodist. This is not saying that no other would have me, or that I am wiser or better than everybody in any church not call ed Methodist. Not that.
It is something like this: Some churches are narrow, exclusive, refuse fellowship to all that do not pronounce their Shibboleth, repel Christian people from the table of the Lord feel called to proselyte those that decline to be dipped. Their course is not logical and lovely when they resort to expulsion of any who. in search of a large fellow ship, dare to commune with others not called by theirname. They seek justification by saying, "It is not close communion, but close baptism," and that in face of the fact that they admit the experience, but will not submit totheir mode of baptism. Their logic is not good.
It seems to us that our exclusive, immersion, closecommunion churches ought to cease calling it "close bap tism," for truth's sake, and consistency's sake admit that they believe that they are the only church of God beneath the stars. A gentleman of good standing in a close com munion church, having been immersed by a minister him self immersed, communed of course with his own church as long as he remained with them. When he left themand joined another, he was not a proper subject to com mune. Why is he denied the privilege? Is it because hehas not been, baptized? He was baptized by them. Is it' because the pastor was not a proper administrator? No, not that. The real reason was he had quit what they called;
121

the only one church and joined something they are fond of calling "A mere 'society." I say these things because they are so and ought to .be said. What a pity a great church persists in a course that separates a household at the Supper of the Lord, alienates nearest of neighbors, di vides communities, prevents many hearing a Gospel as true, comforting, saving, if it be the Gospel, as any in the world.
LOST MY SWEETHEART.
When I was a young preacher I loved roses, pinks and pretty young ladies. I didn't go "crazy,"' if I may copy from modern maids, but more than once I reached the bor der line. Their number of names I withhold. Suffice it to say they were close communists--their parents "double and twisted and dyed in the wool."
I attended their meeting and found everything nice-- no explosion, for the time of turning loose torpedoes was not yet. That was reserved for the last service--as is usu ally the case. Accepting a usual courtesy, I was in the pul pit. When the pastor finished his discourse about the ap proaching burials by baptism and expressed his great joy that his Pedobaptist brethren would enjoy com munion with them in the land fairer than day, I arose in the pulpit, and, permission granted, turned loose a second torpedo. Amid the roar I heard as I escaped the sinking craft, these words? "I am so glad to witness the broadness and brotherly kindness of our brother--glad that he admits that there are good people in other church es and hopes to commune with us in the "sweet by and by." I see a brighter day for this community. Now, if the brother will only admit there are some open communion churches and they will receive heavenly recognition, I will give bond that these people, good enough for heaven, but not good enough for his church, will keep the peace." The pastor hoisted on his own petard, hastily said the benedic tion, the storm broke loose and I retired to count "the kill ed." I never succeeded in finding my close communion sweethearts.
122

THE LORD REIGNETH.
Now I found another sweetheart just suited to mymind, in full sympathy with my life work. How often have I been reminded of H.Kirke White's sublime hymn, found in our collection:
Rebel ye waves, and o'er the land With threatening aspect roar;
The Lord uplifts his awful hand,
And chains you to the shore.
Ye winds of night, your force combined
Without his high behest,
Ye shall not in the mountain pine
Disturb the sparrow's nest
THE LORD WILL PROVIDE.
Rev. John Triggs, an old-style Methodist preacher,, was at a Georgia camp meeting. Bro. Triggs was very simple in dress--never cared whether his under or overwaistcoat was longer at times he furnished a comical picture. What he lacked in style and personal beauty was supplemented by Spiritual power.
In those days the sleeping apartment for men and v.omen were separated by counterpanes fastened to poles, and reaching to the straw. One night after service the girls by turns as custom was, discussed the preachers andexpressed a preference. On reaching the name of Brother Triggs, a chorus of voices sang out, "We can't have him. He is too ugly." The old preacher, equal to the occasion,, slowly lifted the counterpane, injected his head, and sweetly said: ''Never mind, sisters, Jesus will have me." My own case was a parallel one. While my close com munion sweethearts decided adversely because I declined to "take water." the Lord looked me up another sweetheart, an open communicant, just in her teens, united us in mar riage, and has graciously spared us to see our eighty-sec ond and seventy-sixth birthdays. In every way He has protected and preserved us.
My former flames, for whom I always entertained the highest regard, have crossed over the river. I do not say-
123

that their early demise is attributable to their views, it is safe to affirm, however, that less exclusiveness and larger love contribute to the world's longevity. Maybe the epi sode, in its entirety, is a type of a golden day when Ephraim and Judah shall no longer vex each other, when the angel of love, no longer impaled on the diminitive point of a cambric needle, will hush the speaking voice of "close baptism." and assembled Israel, holding to Christ, the Head, will be seen commemorating the death of Him who washed us from our sins in His own blood and made us kings and priests unto God." God hasten the day when a paralyzing churchanity shall pale before the day when a loving Christianity, as darkness before the expulsive power of a rising sun.
Aga'in, second. I could not join a church that ac knowledged Christ's greatness, but denied that He was co equal and co-eternal with God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. A sinner seeking salvation needs not to comprehend the mystery of a Triune God, but he must be anchored in the faith of one who contained all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Having a stormy sea and a long voyage before me, I declined to take passage on a ship whose captain was less than a "King eternal, immor tal, invisible." So I could not be a Unitarian.
Again, third. In Universalism I found nothing but a few nice, moral essays and a comfortable salary. They were not engaged in the work of saving sinners, for all of them were already saved. According to them,
"Judas was not a. wretch abhorred,
For rebel sins accursed,
He by a chord outwent his Lord,
And got to Heaven first"
Despite their theology, I knew I was a sinner, and turn.ed to other doors for salvation.
AGAIN.
Others examined, though desirable in some respects, were undesirable because they were charged with the pois on of Calvinism, declared the infallibility of their leader, or licensed a worldliness of living incompatible with the spirituality of Christ's Gospel. At those churches there are
124

few that are guided more by sincerity of purpose than every day well established principles of reasoning. I didn't
ring the door bell.
The last one I examined critically, if it existed, was that of Pastor Russell. He calls to remembrance the re port made of the sermons at the old Munroe county campmeeting years ago. After telling of Geo. F. Pierce. J. E. Evans, and others, the Macon editor mentioned another, adding "this is the best I can do--he pied the type."
That editor was almost as happy as was my friend, the Presiding Elder, Rev. W. M. Hayes. Reporting the Echeconnie services, he exhausted the adjectives, with a brother still on hand. This he remedied by saying, "Ed. McGehee got the gray mule out of the well."
HAMILTON CIRCUIT--GREENVILLE.
It was my pleasure to serve Hamilton, Bethel, Waverly in. 1860. Charles R. Jewett, of whom -I have already written, was my beloved Presiding Elder. In the person of his wife, sister of Rev. Stephen Clements, he received a distinct blessing. At Bethel, a country church, we had the Bridges, Hortons, Millers, Roberts. Barnes. Rev. J. J. Ansley. one of our reliables, found his companion in the Barnes home. Together they sweetly walked for years. After much suffering, God took this intelligent Christian lady to himself. Bro. Milton Roberts, a large hearted Baptist brother, went home a few days ago. Miss Mollie Trussel, a school teacher, rendered me fine service in the community. Waverly was noted for its wealth and hospitality. The Whiteheads, Pitts, Owens, McGulIoughs, Turrentines, and Bro. Foster and his excellent daughters, laid a good found ation. The church under the ministry of Rev. Paul Muse prospers.
Hamilton was rather tough in those days, held its own sometimes; finally God came to our relief. It was my good fortune to board in a hotel run by F. M. Brannon. one of the best men I ever saw. Here I kept in touch with the righteous and unrighteous of the town. Here the boys could find and flog the preacher. But for friends, these would have been many.
125

Un one occasion Col. James M. Mobley and Prof. G. A.. Nunnally and others, by request, issued an address to the: county. To a clause these gentlemen excepted, but yield ed on my pi-oinioti to assume the responsibility of that, clause. Hearing the noise on the street, I said, "They are after Mobley and Nunnally. I must go." Reaching them, I said, "Gentlemen, hold up, don't curse the Colonel and Teacher--I wrote that--you ought not to curse anybody-- but if you will, curse me. I am the author. However, let's, have a right understanding. I will take your cursing, but, you will take the consequence if you lay a hand on me." The noisy mob scattered. Did they see my pistols? No,, never carried one. Cowards carry pistols. Did they see my heavy hickory cane? No, I kept that in my room to sober men that would forget their number and try to force theirway into mine.
In the late summer God came to our relief. One Sun day night I preached on "There is joy in heaven over onesinner that repents," closing with his sentence, "There will be joy in heaven this night." Then followed a. scene. A. beautiful little nine year old girl, daughter of Col. Mobley, a steward, and sister Mobley. a very prominent Baptist,, rushed forward to join the church and she was quickly fol lowed by Her mother. At that meeting there were fiftyprofessions and conversions of the genuine ring. Three abandoned the.route that runs through "Jordan's yielding wave" and hit the trail,
"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from ImmanueFs veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood,.
Lose all their guilty stains,"
This was one of the most fruitful years of my ministry. My association with the Mobleys, Parleys, Kimbroughsy Kings. Lovelaces, Brooks, Westwoods, Reeses, Doziers, Ellisons. S. M. Brannon, McGehees, Bros. Bruce and Stanford, Cols. Pike, Hill. Kenan and Stanford ,will long be remem bered. Most of them are gone. Two years ago I met Miss. Lula Mobley and her sister, Mrs. Gamble. They are filling the vacant seats of their parents, seeking to join them in-, the skies.
126

I now pass to the North Georgia Conference.
GREENVILLE CIRCUIT.
This was the last circuit I traveled. It was the best. 1 ranked it as the Mulberry street of the old Georgia Con ference. Hope the pastors of Columbus. Savannah. Americus, Dublin and Buena Vista will not become jealous through my ^figurating", as old Bro. Isaac Heard (Augusta) was wont to say.
The State of Georgia is largely indebted to Meriwether county. Its soil was generous; its climate healthy :its population refined, religious, industrious and thrifty. The incomparable jurist, Hiram Warner, Hon. H. R. Harris, Hon. Warner Hill. Governors Atkinson, Terrell ,Slaton. cit izens of Greenville, are not unknown to fortune and to to fame. I often found Judge Warner at class meeting. Henry Harris wrought wel lin Congress and ably helped me in church work. The other gentlemen, like Dr. W. P. Lovejoy Rev. H. J. Ellis, and J. W. McGehee belonged to the "cradle roll" department.
REVIVALS.
In those days, through stress of war, scarcity of trans portation, and judicious exercises of strong mother wit, people had a wholesome habit of staying at home, minding their own business. Alas! How different that day from the present. People seem to have lost the joy of homeslaying. Their own husbands, wives, children, books, flower yards, business, have lost their charm. Conven tions, programs, moving pictures, operas, have quite ab sorbed their time and cash. "Having a good time" is rap idly converting us into a nation of tramps. We are becom ing too fidgety,-frolicsome, know-it-all, fool hardy, to ac complish much or attain to anything worth while.
We are greatly in need of training schools,--schools that educate and develop,--instead of dissipate and diabolize. The time will come, if we expect security in our Godgiven heritage, when pulpit, school and church must call' a halt--and head the procession. We are heading the wrong way. The world's greatest need is the kingdom of God set up in human souls, and the swiftest way to realize
127
L

that lofty end is to set up a house party" iir e"verynome? and see that, Sabbath excepted. they are held three hun-. dred and sixty-five days in tne year. Parents should cut out tango, card-playing and teach fidgety, fast, ever-going offspring by precept and example, that Mother, Home and. Heaven are still the sweetest, dearest names to mortal-
given. My first year was spent in Greenville. My charge con
sisted of a number of churches. J. T. Payne, Jr., Rev. J. Blakely Smith, P. E. He was greatly beloved and very successful. During this year the Lord gave us a meeting of great power, a revival, that lasted. For. nineteen days I did most of the preaching (chiefly exhortation), Hon. Henry Harris powerfully aiding.
At the close the entire community was under the in fluence of the Holy Spirit. Considering its cultured citi zenship, Greenville was more in line with the royal edict, "cry out, shout thou inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One in the midst of thee," than any town I ever saw.
"The Word of the Lord endureth forever." Revival* born of pungent conviction need no committee to inform the public of their presence felt, seen, heard. Statistical revivals resulting from conviction, pungent as the bite of a red bug. like the morning cloud and early day serve some good purpose, but they are not the kind the church must have if she is not paralyzed by the deadly poisons exhaled from the cess poole of the God-defying, worldly spirit that that now pervades all commerce, and threatens the progress and very foundations of Christs kingdom.
Pardon me for saying that on this day, June 28, 1915, I see the necessity for the greatest revival that ever visited our world. It will take something like that to tide over the rapids, the Dardenelles through which we are nowpassing. "This kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fast ing."
SECOND YEAR, GREENVILLE CIRCUIT.
As the war was still progressing, Gen. Sherman. com ing. I rented a small farm in Redbone, near Chalybeate, a "fall back" and gave the year to preaching, growing cornr . wheat, potatoes, and of course servants not yet free, fur--
158

nished the labor. In many respects that was a delightful year. We could easily reach Greenville, Trinity, Bethesda, Concord, Prospect, Mt. Carmel, and the other churches. With such neighbors as old Bro. Willis, Rev. Tom Maddoxy the Bowdens, Gampbells, Pless, J. L. Dixon, G. Ghiinnr "Crooknecked"' Williams and families we would not have bartered our two-roomed log cabin for the palace of a Prince. Those dear people I shall never forget.
Over at the springs around Trinity lived the Stinsons, Ogletrees, Crowders. Tuckers, Jacksons, Uncle Tom McGehee (Rev.), father of Rev. John W. McGehee, Tigners and others as clever, hospitable people as ever breathed. To go among them, preach to them, made one think of "Paradise restored." Speaking of Meriwether saints reminds me of Paul's enumeration of the valiants. After quite a list he said but time would fail to tell of--
Time would fail to tell us of the Fletchers, Clements, Parks, Martin, Rev. William, a veritable Prince, Kendals, Freemans. Ellises. Simontons, Dr. Clark Williams, at Mt. Carmel, J. P. Atkinson, father of ex-Governor W. Y. Sewels, Garters, Gulpeppers, (Bishop) Nat Justice and many others whose names--are they not written in the book of life?
At that time the support of our soldiers and of the "hired Hessians" that invaded our lovely Southland began to make the situation serious--prices of meat and bread, sugar and coffee, were soaring skyward. In one section, never too loyal to the South, my people needed help. One day a letter reached me from the venerable Dr. McAnally saying, "I have shipped you sacks----of corn and meat. Suppose you need help. The friends in Missouri bear them in mind. Distribute according to your judgment." To the charge of obeying orders I plead guilty, socially, morally, politically. That mission of supplies did service, helped humanity, strengthened the weak-kneed, and administered confirmation to the wavering.
ANOTHER LETTER.
This was received a year after, when my field was larger. The South had lost, negroes gone, Church discour aged, nothing but land, confederate money left us--but honor and God still dwelt among the homes and tabernacles
129
K-------

of the South. On leaving home one day I asked my wife if she and the children could live so many days. Her sup plies were short. I had no money--not enough to float me over the river. She said, "Go, we will do our best."
I went expecting to get a little "pro rata". I got noth ing. Great and many were my musings. as on my favorite horse I made my way to our home. On arrival the good woman handed me a letter. It read in part as follows:

Louisville, Ky.

"My Dear Bro. McGehee:

When I was a wounded soldier boy and fell back to

Dr. Deering as he told me how God had spared his wife

Georgia, you found me. opened your doors in old Redbone

and ministered to my wants. During the year you gave me

license to preach and married me to Miss Fannie Covin,

one of Meriwethers fairest daughters and the best woman

the good Lord ever made.

I write to say I send you for your family use"--(The

reader must excuse omission).

I read, I cried, I thanked God and am still crying as

I call up the variety, abundance, elegance of that shipment.

He continued.

These supplies are contributed largely by my Louis

ville friends, who so highly appreciate the aid you and

wife extended to Kentucky's wounded soldier boy."

"I know," said he, "that Georgia was plundered. We

have a plenty in Kentucky. Keep us posted as to your

wants. We will never forget our Redbone friends.

(Signed)

JOHN R. DEERING.

At this distance, a period of fifty years, I am seated on my veranda thirty feet from my church, "The First' Second and Third Methodist of Buena Vista, Ga. As I re called the Deering letter, the joy and thanksgiving of that day, I began to cry, for a good brother, husband of Sister Love, had placed a package of supplies at my feet in the request that I relegate to the pantry. This and other merojfs that come troopine up overpowered and unfit me for anything but my town camp meeting that opened the next Sunday.
Quietly 1 laid aside my manuscript and the package.
130

Some of my readers will remember John R. Deering. At the close of the war he joined the Kentucky Conference, increased in favor with God and man, rose to places of dis tinction and responsibility. It was my pleasure to sit with Dr. Deering in the General Conference and in our secluded moments listened to him as he told me how God had spar ed his wife and given them sons that followed in the foot steps of the parents. John preached many years and is now a superanuate. "Cast thy bread on the waters: so shall thou find it after many days." My Kentucky board of stewards was the best I ever had. No sickness, storm, sea, clubs, conventions, suspended or delayed. It looked after the singing shepherd as he moved beside the still waters and luxuriated mid the green pastures. It took the Tishbite by the hand, hied him away from his country station, hid him from the wrath of Ahab, gave him drink from the brook Cherith> with raven wing brought bread and flesh morning and evening. As the brook disappeared it trans ferred him to Zarapath, where the prophet brought back the spirit of the widow's son with power so divine that the widow said, "Now we know thou art a man of God, and that the Word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth". Reader, that board was a good one--it was the mighty God, pres ent at the heart pulsations of each expiring, listening to the lonely chirpings of the mountain sparrow, and leading the invisible, angelic hosts as they "go forth to minister to the heirs of salvation". Elijah needed no board to fix or collect salary, no conference to renew his license. The former God looked after,--the latter was renewed by daily demonstrations of miraculous power attending the proph et's ministry. "Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."
In our day the Lord uses Bishops, Boards, Agents. Edi tors, secretaries. There may be some vital connection be tween crowded churches and constant conversions, and a large, hearty, singular, loving contribution to the support of the Lord's servant. I can scarcely conceive of a long, lank, lean, half starved pulpit bending beneath the burden of souls now.
131

ANOTHER KENTUCKY BOY.
Robert Afton Holland, Deering's friend, was a bright, particular star. For rhetorical elegance of expression, he was hard to excel. Georgia gave him license and he re ceived one or more appointments. At Fort Valley he mar ried Miss Everett, a lady of charms and wealth
At a wonderful district meeting, though a preach er of some months. Holland first experienced the joys of pardoning love.
It was a great day and a great crowd. At that time Fort Valley was noted for its hospitality, and is yet, if not dulled by climbing peach trees. At eleven George Pierce preached. There may be many that will say, "Who will show us any good". At three. Dr. Myers--parable of the talents. These were great sermons. At night a younger man read out, "Work out your own salvation". His first sentence, "Brethren, Tarn afraid of God.' That sentence went home, interest increased, altars and aisles were fill ed, penitents were converted and the happy saints swelled the wondrous anthems to the skies. Holland was among the shouters. One brother from Twiggs or Pulaski ran out of the house and on he went through a cotton patch, leaping and praising God. It was not a great sermon (I have never been guilty of such an act) it was a great hour, a greater Fort Valley I never saw.
1 loved Deering and Holland. The former held on to the faith of the fathers; the latter left us for another commission able to furnish large remuneration--albeit literally buried the shining talents of my young Mend, R. A. Holland.
LAGRANGE DISTRICT, J. B. McGEHEE, PRESIDING ELDER.
To me that was a very startling-announcement. Had I been left to myself, I would have had a circuit throughout my ministerial life. I have never served anything better. I was content. Appointments were not talked as they are now. If I had ever been discussed, if I desired or dreamed of LaGrange District, or any other, I was profoundly ignorant of that experience.
What fitness Bishops like Pierce, Paine, Marvin. Mc-
132

Tyler, found in me I failed to see. Trained by men like J. W. Glenn, W. J. Parks, Samuel Anthony, J. E. Evans, I
had an idea that presiding elders were men of legal mind, sound in doctrines, and able to discuss and defend with business ability, able to lead camp meeting charges. Men of deep spirituality and somewhat of a distinguished ap pearance. I don't know how I got that impression. In some way I never dared to inquire. Once when I ventured to ask Bishop Pierce to take me off--just after a conference tilt with Drs. Pierce and Myers, he said, "No, I need you to put on the breaks."
My removal from a log house country home to the city of LaGrange was hazardous. I was in danger of "being exalted above measure." To prevent this the Lord merci fully gave me a "thorn in the flesh." If unlike that of St. Paul, it was wisely selected and had the desired effect.
My toilet was in keeping with the (war) times. The olerical suit was fresh from a Georgia loom, cut and made by a Georgia seamstress. To add to my discomfort and dis figuration, the rats invaded my room, ate every gourd but
ton from my coat and turned me over to a pulpit debut that attracted marvelous attention, that quite forgot "the dis tinguished appearance"--but I was presiding elder.
To this day the wonder is that I reached the city and was domiciled near E. W. Speer, the pastor. Rev. J. J. Pearce, and Hon. Benjamin Hill, a confederate senator, and a great in brain, wonderful as an orator and liberal enough to furnish, (without pay) a home for the elder. Thus set
tled I made my dash in a buggy in keeping with my ward robe, harness decidedly stringy, and a horse that to all appearances had seen long service and little corn.
Such was my adornment and equipment. Perilous
days were those of my first Presiding Eldership. Of text and sermon I have 110 recollection. The best that I can say is that it was not written or borrowed. It was mine. Not being an ape or the descendant of one, my early resolution was to study, pray, think, arrange, stand and deliver. And while I was never oratorically endowed, I never conscious ly imitated my college president, the old elders, Drs, Pierce, Speer. Boring, Marion, or Demosthenes or Cicero. Fortu nately for me, the LaGrange congregation was educated,
133

religious and Methodist to the core, indulged no adverse criticism so far as I know. Moreover I was helped by thefact that it was summer before Hon. Mr. Hill, my great hearer, could give me a hearing.
ONE GREAT SERMON.
I confess to that but have never put it to print. Speak ing of it the following week, Mr. Hill being asked his opin ion, said, "He knocked the back out of every fire." This was kindly reported to me by G. J. Pierce, who kindly add ed "You can cease to fear Mr. Hill.'
JUST ONE MORE.
That was one in the presence of Rev. Leonard Rush,, known to be a great thinker, a Marten in the pulpit. With out placing myself in the calendar of great divines--for accidents might occur in the pulpit. I am content to abide the verdict of those two eminent judges. They will never know the exhilrating effect of their decisions--albeit they may not have been perfectly free from bias or prejudice toward the prisoner at the bar.
It is not safe for a preacher to sing the doxology over every compliment. All are no! saints or judges that go to church. In the country the danger is smaller. They havenever graduated in the art of flattery and sometimes give themselves to Bible reading, while others hang around in groups discussing Harry Thaw or Leo Frank. A small bou quet tied with a single gospel thread quite metes the meas ure of their capacity. I have seen some denominations never have a poor preacher. If they are not born great, nor achieve greatness, they blow greatness into them. AsI have preached two great sermons--quite an achievement for a small man in orders only sixty-two years--I shall be content to remain with the "society" who has shown some ability along the line of clerical development. To speak: the whole truth, I have never had much fondness for extraclose corporations; never thought I would realize largespiritual dividends from .any church that never knew where they found religion nor when they lost it.
Troup, in which LaGrange is located, is easily one of Middle Georgia's best--far enough from Atlanta and West
134

Point to escape vital competition. Had it employed At lanta's methods of stimulating growth, it would have in creased its population at the expense of its self-respect. Columbus and Americus seem to have adopted Aiit..
plans, but have been partially disappointed in their ex pectations. In the long run. even cities reap what they sow. Throwing open the doors of a city to everything that will attract a crowd, is dangerous. The odor that lingers
"smells to Heaven." These midnight street dances, amid a mixture of mud and weal, men and women, soiled and un-
soiled, are pictures too dirty to be patronized by people that descended from a paren'rasre of high typed civilization and culture. Toe picture fills me with grief.
LaGrange, so far as 1 know, has always stood for high morals and been content with legitimate gain. Her schools have done much for the States. The college over which Uncle Rufus presided has been worth untold thousands, as it has sent out its refining and religious influence through the States and helped to Christianize the foreign fields. President Rufus W. Smith, now in heaven lies, was not on ly at the front as a teacher, but as a man, citizen, Christian, gentleman, was so well rounded that the world almost for got to call him great. But great he was and great he will be reckoned by generations to come. Upon his family who ably contributed, and the large hearted citizens, the college, and Miss Davies, successor to Pres. Smith, we invoke the blessings of larger success, and worldwide influence.
West Point, a busy, hustling city, is divided by a stream and requires parts of two states to shelter her population, push her industries. Mrs. J. T. Dixon, assisted by son Rob ert, looks after the business of Uncle Sam. Dr. Patillo leads the Methodist flock in green pastures--and Rev. Forrester,
the Baptist sheep beside the. still waters. Prof. Thomas superintends the school situation--is endowed with staving ' qualities. The Messrs. Lanier, W. Thorxton Bankslon and Mrs. Higgenbottom are active, enterprising, valued ciH/ens.
Time would fail me to tell of the Long-Wane com munity, the homes of John Hill, Staughton, Mrs. Potts and of Bethel, here Revs. Palmer and Sappington worshipped and wrought. Are they not in the book of life?
Passing over the river a few miles brings us to old
135

Carroll. This with Troup, Meriwether, Harris, Heard, Haralson, Paulding, (in part) Coweta and Campbell comprised my district.
In a short time I superanuated my wheels and substi tuted a saddle. That though not friendly to foraging, I. found both healthy and wise.
THE GOLD MINE.
That was in demand. It was operating, when operat ed, by Captain Bonner. The quarterly meeting at hischurch (his wife's) was wonderful in quality and lasted not quite three mouths. It had just closed when I finished, my first round and returned to them. When I was a small, boy I had seen first-class people apparently happy enough, to die. Stealthily I approached them, but discovered nosigns of life. To me it was a revelation. It discovered to me the blessings and power of "old time religion." How that picture and great revivals answer infidelity, and lead, us to expect great things of God. It is ever present to con firm and comfort.
My gold mine meeting discovered no symptom of death.. It was a resurrection rather than a crucifixion. It was live ly and something anticipated the scenes of a moving pic ture show. There is a time to dance. God made the Proph ets feel "Like hinds feet." On this occasion He took full possession of the feet of two lovely women. While hand in hand they gracefully moved to the sweet strains of "I am bound for the promised land," or "Canaan, Sweet Ca naan."
That was not tango or turkey trot; neither was it in a. parlor, dance hall or acted in a large city. It was a holy dance, such as Mirarn. David and the fathers indulged in..
It is sanctioned by the Scriptures and not forbidden by the Methodist discipline.
Would that the mothers of this fair land and fairerdaughters would make them more worthy of matrimonial alliance and motherhood, by calling them off from theheathenish, dangerous dances of the present day, and com mitting them to the dance as practiced by the saints.
A TRUE STORY.
On the banks of the Chattahoochee in Columbus, Ga.,.
136

dk:%s a lady fru-ii'l of nune wl.o was anxious to ivicntl a Holy Roller ivuvling. in/spite her husband's objections. u !ic
diked hersei 1. in a new bat and toilet to correspond and sailed out--maybe I should say sailed in. As the meeting proceeded my friend's interest increased. When the women
began to grow drowsy, fall on the floor and roll around, the curious worshipper, intent on learning, rushed to the middle of the scene, where she was seized by stalwart sisters, beaten in the back, and seemingly roughly handled. When it was over, an inventory taken of stock on hand was not
a new convert, a valuable accession. To shorten the story,
my friend's new hat had caught on fire and the roller sis ters were seeking to save the expiring hat and extinguish the flames that had invaded her beautiful clothes. In quite a crude state my friend returned home with curiosity and confirmation satisfied, and with thanks for the ladies that aved her.
That occasion was funny. It would have made Alien "Turner laugh. All assemblies furnish--here and there-- .some ludicrous mirth making sayings or doings--but there is nothing wrong in "holy" God. The angels, the prophets, holy men are what they are by virtue of the touch of a holy hand. If that hand could" touch all life--men, women, bus iness pursuits, pleasures, it would exalt and enrich them all. While I never dance or roll to excess, I hope to keep far away from ridiculing those who see proper to follow
what the world pronounces common. If God cleanses, it is genuine. Why should I call it common or unclean?
Carorllton, the county site of Garroll, has grown to be a
place of considerable importance. It is now a desirable station. At that time it was in a circuit, having more than a dozen churches and over fifteen hundred members, and was served by Rev. W. G. Dunlap. To know him was to ^ove him. To follow him successfully his successors need ed added steps. Professor Reese. Griffin, Powell, and oth-
er local preachers furnished valuable ministerial aid.
A quarterly conference in Carroll was an occasion in those days. Once fifty responir-J lo roll call, and twenty
of them were local preachers. 1 nave never failed in my appreciation of that stiong arm of the service Due re gard to our requirements of the law, and proper pastoral
137

backing can, in this age of "essaying" the Gospel, bring in an element of Godliness which town and city churches sometimes fail to furnish. "Vei'bum Sat". At the risk of repetition I wax bold to affirm that the Methodist pulpit and pew have not increased in saintliness or strength by adopting a policy that substituted small, feeble stations for large prosperous circuits. We have no training school for preachers equal to those furnished by the Greenville, Garroll and Talbot circuits of 1850. By imitating other de nominations, Methodists never made anything but figures.
1 confess to an admiration of a young preacher, who in his haart prefers a magnificant mountain or wiregrasscircuit to a "pent up Utica". Should automobiles and air ships reduce the present untoward tendency, it would re store Methodism to its normal temperature.
VILLA RICA.
It is hard to think of that Carroll village without re calling the venerable, sainted Glairborne Trussel, whor though not reckoned great as a preacher, calls to mind the old prophet, who, from the lips of Zarepath's lovely wid ow received this immortal compliment that enrolls air such preachers in the Hall of Fame. Address'n ghim. she said, "Now, by this we know that thou art a man of God, and that the Word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth."
I would be glad to hear Bishop Kilgo expound that passage at the Cordele session. Should he so decide, hemight include John W. Knight, Alfred Dorman and Alien Turner.
A FAMOUS QUARTERLY MEETING
It was held in the Villa Rica church where a family named Candlerwere wont to go. At that time the father was inclined to skepticism. The Villa Rica Quarterly meet ing will long be remembered. It was a meeting of great power. When the house was full they girdled it with bug gies and convicted men climbed through the windows and prostrated themeslves for prayer. The slain of the Lord were many. Among these was the Gandler father, who united with the church, and was quickly followed by the mother, a devout Baptist lady.
138

In that home and at the meeting was a small boy nine years of age named Warren. At that time, though en dowed with brain characteristic of every Gandler, he gave no remarkable promise of personal charms that would en able him to lead captive one of LaGrange's lovely daughters, or attain to an acquisition in literature, statesmanship and pulpit ability -that has made him justly renowned. "A pebble in a streamlet scant, has turned the course of many a. river." But for that meeting the good mother might have remained a Baptist. Warren might have been schooled at Mercer instead of Emory, never been licensed by a Metho dist conference, traveled a circuit, never ordained a Bishop, never presided over Emory College, or been Chancellor of Emory University--nor would I have received that letter from Andalusia addressed to Bishop Gandler and beginning "Dear Chancellor." It was written by Dr. George W. Yarbrough--a man who knows a good thing and writes as well as he knows. It is a rich letter. When I found out that I was not "Dear Chancellor". I instituted a search and soon found these words: "I send you a letter from Dr. Y. It will interest you. W. A. C."
That was so thoughtful in Chancellor Candler. I lift . Unfortunately the letter my hat to him and Dr. George was misplaced and must await a second edition, should that materialize into a link in the chain of human events.
Before leaving Carroll I take pleasure in saying Garrollton is the home of Hon. Adamson, the able representa tive of the 4th district, It would be well for church and state to dismiss the pie policy. Brain and success are stronger arguments for continuance than those urged by small men, who chiefly rely on geography combines, blow ing of horns and beating of drums. There is a slight dif ference in state and church politicians. The former want office and go for it. The latter never "want office, wouldn't have it, are ever running from it." These are they who retreat forward. We are saved by the hope that their tribe will grow less .
COWETA AND CAMPBELL.

The second year of my presiding eldership found me domiciled in the Newnan parsonage. Peter A. Heard and
139

his excellent wife preferred boarding to housekeeping. I regard my association with this couple as one of the green est spots in my long life. Around me were Col. Wright, John Hill, Major Grace. Dr. Calhoun, Uncle Battie Mitchell, the Dents and Rev. J. A. Stacy, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Below was Grantville, with its Morelands, Smiths,. Rev. Robert Jones. Here I assisted in a gracious revival which contributed to the growth of the church. Above mewere Palmetto, Campbelton, Fairburn, Alien, Turner, Dabney P. Jones, the Johnsons, Abraham Miller, Uncle Ben Camp were among the prominent and striking personali ties of that section. Since that time Wm. J. Cotter, a vet eran in the North Georgia Conference, and a contributor to the Wesleyan Syndicate, has identified himself with them. Carey and George Yarbrough will long live in the hearts of their brethren. I wish George Yarbrough would write a book.
A GREAT REVIVAL.
This was in Newnan. Bishop Pierce was on hand,-- and it was preaching. As the other preachers were back ward, I gave the Bishop the 11 o'clock hour, and I took thenight service. I knew he could fill the house in the morn ing but I couldn't, but I could at night. So we agreed and at it we went, seeking to save souls. The arrangement suited me. I never did like to beg a man to preach. When we had gathered many into thefold, some of them leading men, the Bishop, knowing my quarterly meetings werefar away, said, "John, I must leave, but you must stay here and push this meeting. I saw the wisdom of the great man's advice, and submitted as an obedient son in the Gos pel. I knew that his sermons had, in a sense, buried mine, but I knew the people were too sensible and gracious toexhume mine in order to institute a comparison. More over, as a small engine makes reputation, however great the smash-up, by colliding with a large one, so the small preachers gather force by associating with men of world wide .renown. That Pierce. McGehee, Peter Heard meeting; was great.
140

ANOTHER REFLECTION.
Bishops, in selecting the Presiding Elders, sometimes make mistakes. This is often the case where there is no personal knowledge of the man, or where friends biased by personal affection make injudicious recommendations and use improper methods. The Newnan meeting gave the Bishop an opportunity to study his appointee as to his assidiousness, for the Presiding Eldership includes that article, which, however, defiined. means more than filling appointments, asking the questions and getting up the fi nances. It was at Newnan that my regard for my best friend who succeeded Bro. Heard was put to a severe trial and my "gift, grace and gumption" didn't fail. Failing to cure the brother, I moved J. H. G. to a small mission in the district and placed another in charge. Bishops note things and discuss them in their annual meetings. My long pre siding eldership more than thirty-seven years may be due to facts our Bishops gathered in Coweta. LaGrange district.
TRYING TIMES.
k
To say nothing of war, its concornmitants and se quences, as soon as Sherman and his kind had swept the field, and our armies had surrendered, foreigners, carpet baggers, flooded the field and visited our churches, to dis rupt, "disintegrate and absorb" Southern Methodism. We were supposed to be an easy prey. With winning words they invaded my district. They were mighty friendly, loving folks--are yet. These with honey on their lips and poison under their tongues had to be met, and the Presid ing Eldor was called to take the field. Those campaigns I conducted against our saintly, savage invaders were more dangerous than a modern political pitched battle in old Georgia. Without aircrafts or submarines to locate or si lence, I met in remote corners these South lovers as they met me in more than single combat. I cannot say they ever entrapped me. I am sure they never alarmed me or frightened me from the field. Neither the situation in Newnan, the order to arrest me, the word debates in Gampbell and Haralson. or the soldiers in Macon. as they stood around the Conference in City Hall assembled, sent any
141

panic to my soul, or tremor to my limbs. These were days that tried men's souls. I am glad the church has learned to appreciate our sub-Bishops. Methodism cannot act well her part without them. If this continues, and I believe it will, our Bishops should exercise great care in selecting the cabinet and should not allow continuance or non-con tinuance to be affected by anything save the law of the church and the merits of each individual case. The laws of the church make no provision for keeping men in in ferior positions until they are 30 or 35. The law of the church gives no continuance to the crude, cruel idea that has gone abroad, that no man "is worth more than $1,000 after he is 65 or 70 years of age." Those statements are born in a lunatic asylum, or in a political ward as bad as any in the City of New York. If fostered they would deprive the church, from Episcopacy to the lowest official, of sound judgment in matters of gravest import.
SALARY.
Any attempt to equalize salaries of traveling preach ers is quixotic. There is a margin, however, that makes allowance for homes and traveling expenses. Beyond that boards should not go. All agents, secretaries, editors, col lege presidents and professors, presiding elders and pas tors, are Methodist preachers and subject to our laws. The disparity in their support argues unwisdom in law or its application- In days of yore Elders, without parson ages, railroads, automobiles, traveled large districts on half the salaries received by our modern "Beloveds'" who are centrally located and enjoy well furnished homes. How did that happen? Have the salaries of other pastors save a few in large cities realized a corresponding increase? If not. why not? Another trouble along this line is that a brother who was taken from a small station or circuit serves his' four years and must needs come off to make way for green timber (the woods are full). The strange thing to me is that the brother's salary went so high--the stranger thing is that he developed so rapidly--but the stranger thing is thtit lie must be sent to one of the very hesi charg es. May I say that a stranger thing than :he strangest gen-
142

erally obtains--he makes it. These thoughts, though slight ly caustic, have the savor of our Methodist economy, sound reason and the broadest brotherly kindness.
I have said these things with no disposition to hurt anybody, with no hope of reward, or fear of punishment-- said them because they ought to be said, and but few men dare to say them. The Methodist church is not the place for a pompus. place seeking, money loving, speculating ministry.
At the Quitman session I asked to be relieved of dis trict work and sent to a certain smaller town that I might correct a pending trouble. I knew that I was not specially wanted, that the salary was only $1,000 and they say too that was slow and through great tribulation. When I had accomplished my purpose at the end of one year. I pocketed my cash*and experience and pulled out to a town of same salary but small dimensions. They treated me royally. Surely the Lord was in all this. As to the Cabinet, it was supremely satisfied that the grand old veteran was having a glorious sunset. One larger place was left for others and themselves. So it was with my next charge, where the angels fed us as they did Elijah. All this is nice. While I firmly believe in angelic ministrations, am prepared for anything of nothing, it would do my old sunny soul good, ere I depart, to know that other brethren gifted in climbing would imitate the example set them by this octogenarian who was as alert in climbing down as he was in climbing upward.
Happy is fie man that early learns to find his level. Above, that in all pursuits men are liable to grow bilious, become dizzy, tumble from mountain heights and crawl in tangled thickets.
I am about to bid adieu to my first district. Bishop McTyre. a charming man in every sense, presiding. We were assigned without regard to the division, the under standing being at the next session at Savannah each man would select his conference. J. B. McGehee, J. W. Hinton,
Geo. G. Clarke, fell in North Georgia, the first in LaGrange district. At the next, he, Hinton and Clarke. selected South Georgia and McGehee was sent to Americus district.
I do not propose to discuss that year or the next, or my
143

station life in Americus. When Bishop Pierce and Samuel Anthony selected me for Andrew College, I consented. There I spent two years and was rapidly building up, when a scourge, meningitis, struck the city in January, killing my son, Pastor Breelove's boy, and many others. The town was utterly demoralized, the girls scattered, the President left to pocket all losses and run the college. I lost all but honor, hope and God. As commencement approached, I felt it my duty to resign, and so did--and rested until con ference.
During my presidency I learned to love the work, the
college, the city of Cuthbert. Since then I have officially and otherwise supported the institution. Andrew was founded in 1854. Mid storms and fires God has wonderfully preserved the college. Dr. J. W. Malone, is now doing great service. Now tlnii 1 ;un "in the sere and yollow leaf" J find pleasure in saying that parents make no mistake when they send their daughters to Cuthbert. With this and oth er splendid Methodist colleges in the South in the sight of our children going beyond the State, or crowding to suffo cation schools Jhat lay little stress on creed, and less on religious character, is a picture painful to contemplate. We are expecting our solons now in legislature assembled, to show some appreciation of the good service denominational colleges are rendering to the State. By every token that tax on endowments should be removed. A refusal to submit it to the people of this Democratic State would find an adver tising board at every cross-roads in the State--and gentle men that can see "union of church and State" and don't see that will be relegated to the rear.
Our districts are for the most part well officered. Changes in that department are with the Bishop. With
out mentioning ex-Presiding Elders, he can increase the number of districts, remove all the present board and fill every vacancy with men decidedly fresh, but by no means green. What is the matter with Drs. Ainsworth and Sruggs? If they are to be called higher (I don't mean the City of the King) a little piney-woods presiding eldering would be of service. What's the matter with Chester, Sentell. Christian. N- A. Williams. W. L. Wright, J. G. Lang, J. W. Arnold. T. W. Darley, J. A. Foster, J. W. Don-
144

ingos, W. D. McCregor. Huckabee? Are they not sufficient ly aged and able? So you see I have found a new cabinet, omitting all the Ex's and a crowd of younger men capable of filling their places.
That would vacate some of the larger churches, but that would be cured by the conueciionalism and flexibility -of our economy.
Judge Longstreet's boy in the woods pelting his pros trate imaginary fellow foe and mixing in salutory appeals was not actually fighting, only showing how it could be done. I am not making appointments, but suggestions.
To be very serious, I do not admire the ante-confer ence cabinet meetings. I have always recommended "say ing grace" before we begin to eat. Bishop Candler once -said "Making appointments in dog days never does well." That was in answer to an elder who was taking a running start. However, I am as fond of that as I am numberless .bulletins, or substituting statistical tables for the examina tion of character. After all we boys haven't made a great improvement on the Fathers as we sometimes think.
CHAPTER XIII.
HERE AND THERE.
When we were in Cuthberl we were near Quitman county, the early home of Rev. T. D. Ellis, D.D., consider ed by many a venerable preacher, variously endowed. Presiding Elder of the district and chief of the cabinet. All they say good about him I heartily believe. His district be.gins with Andersonville, extends down the railroad as far as Georgetown. Dawson is his capital, Being a very active, inventive man, I was not surprised to learn that his rural .Saturday quarterly conferences had an agricultural depart ment that gave itself to killing boll weevils. If anybody can check them at the Alabama line. Dr. T. D. and the Athens professor can. At any rate. I am willing to risk him. If the army of weevils is not submarined as they cross the Chattahoochee, they will soon find themselves confront ed with a bond issue As chiefs, Dr. T. D. and Beavers are
145
t

hard to excel. May the former not find the unjust, cruel
fate of the lattetr. I hope these rather amusing and somewhat serious,
statements will not encourage younger brethren to divert their minds--or absorb hours and occasions set apart for worship in the minor work of exterminating mosquitoes,, ants, red bugs, etc. Science can kill bugs--the Gospel alone can save a sinner.
TRIP UP THE ROAD.
Beginning at Georgetown, Dr. J. VV. Mercer, Robert. Morris, and the Guerrys were easily among the first citi zens. Robert Reeves, the Sealeys, Rev. J. R. Owens, the Moyes, Worrills, and others equally effective, contributed largely to the erection and success of Andrew Female Col lege.
The Crittendens are still building Shellman. Rev. N.. A. Williams, the intellectual, and Rev. R. E. Bailey, the amiable, are leading the devotions of these appreciative au diences. What a loss to Dawson and South Georgia Meth odism when N. A. Do/ier went to Heaven. Fortunately, W. P. Hornady and Col. Parks abide with them. John Outler, the pastor, is a strong tower. It is difficult for me to pass Oglethorpe, Montezuma and Ideal. How I miss Mrs. Gaines,. Mrs. Tinsley, once my next door neighbors, then 85, now safely housed in the home of many mansions. McLendon,. Clerk Powell, and the companion of Montezuma's Mayor have passed over.
Montezuma is a thriving town. With such people as Richardsons, McKenzies, Hayes, Jule Felton and others,. Methodism should be a power in that section. Very near them is the small ideal city named Ideal. Right bravely are they asserting their claims to existence. S. K. John son, the veteran camp meeting man and his children stilL love 'he church. "Uncle Brooks' 1 and George P. (Professor)
Nelson, son of Commissioner Nelson, and good women not a few. cling to God and truth. They are blessed in having the leadership of my much loved friend. Rev. Herbert Ethridge.
We hear good things of Guyton Fisher and T. W. Darley. the former pastor at Montezuma, the latter at Marshall-
146

ville. Take it all around, size it up, and one would travel -a great way before finding a community so refined, orderly, religious, better lands and finer preachers than those in and around Marshallville, Macon county, Georgia.
Perry, Hawkirisville, Gordele, Fitzgerald and Qcilla are in the Gordele district. Next session at Gordele. By await ing until that time Anthony, House, Matthews, Tommy Thompson will give a rosy report of their splendid sections. As they are not in much danger of being moved, they would not shrink from a reporter in the early dawn of the session.
My amiable, well preserved friend, Rev. J. P. Wardlaw, is chief of that district. "And the Lord God said it is not good for man to be alone." For Wardlaw, Johnston. R. Reid, Warwick and Joyner, we are indebted lo North Georgia Conference--and we are doing well for them. We mourn K. Reed's return to North Georgia. If rightly studied, he was one of the most chivalrous, conse crated men I have ever known. It takes a first-class, com munity to fully appreciate such men as Reed and Artemus Lester (another North Georgian). I know but one man in Commerce, Reed's present charge. He is a Baptist, but that is not against him. Had "Uncle Nat" been out of the way I would have given the Commerce man my cordial =">-
Turning to Thomasville, Valdosta, Waycross. McRae, ;and Dublin districts with their chiefs, generous soil, grow ing churches, pastors, laymen and laywomen. I find invit ing fields; responsive to the tiller's tools.
At a number of these, including also Eastman. Candersville. Brunswick. Hawkinsville, Bainbridge. I have at tended Annual Conferences, Bishops Pierce, Key. Wilson, Candler, Atkins. Calloway. Duncan, Ward, Morrison presid ing. All did well, good and true. All were great, but all were not born bishops. It happens here as elsewhere, those that are not born bishops and fail to achieve, have "bishop" thrust upon them.
I shall not stop to make any Bishops. As we need them God furnishes. We have material in North and South Geor gia conferences--and elsewhere.
Waycross is fortunate in having Mrs. J. H. Scruggs and Mrs. Tison. Eastman is the home of'Mrs. Mary Armour, -Mrs. Harrell. Mrs. --------------. For several years I have
147
.

enjoyed the acquaintance of Mrs. Armor. She knows things says them well, and does them successfully. I have watch ed her church work and know her to bring things to pass when the stronger sex failed- I once asked her if she thought the church would pull through. Her ready reply was, "Yes, if I have to sell my piano". Her faith in God, her intellectual brightness, her oratory, and queenly per sonality have crowned her with more than national fame.
Mrs. Dr. Felton is a lady of piety and power. She is confessedly one of the greatest Georgia ladies. Mrs. J. B. Cobb has done much for the State and church. Too much cannot be set down to the credit of the State's mothers and daughters. They are the lights along the shore. Burden bearers at home, hope of the country, "a thing of beauty and a joy forever". They are far, far in advance of the men, studied from all the angles. They are the church-goers, supporters of the mid-week prayer services, teachers in the Sunday Schools, leaders of missionary thouglit and pro gress, active, successful supporters of every genuine re form, ready, liberal contributors to all the charitable instistutions of the day. Leave her to revolve in her God-given sphere. Honor, praise, help her as she discharges duties and meets responsibilities already sufficiently multiplied-- but let no legislation stultify itself and dishonor Heaven's primal design by dragging lovely, exalted womanhood into the filth, fraud, slime of dirty politics.
MACON AND SAVANNAH.
Without knowing it. Macon is quietly forging to the front. Among the dead I miss and mourn the loss of Col. Isaac Hardeman, Dr. George Smith, Dr. W. C. Bass, John W. Burke. Among the living are Col. DuPont Guerry, W. F.. Burden, Benson. Cobb, Judges Miller and Matthews, CoL Felder, T. E. Wood, and the popular Mayor, Bridges Smith. Mercer and Wesleyan. and the respective pulpits madt; for order and steady growth.
SAVANNAH.
When I think of the great number of first-class citi zens in the City by the Sea, and the shiploads of undesir able folks that are constantly landing, I feel keen compas-
148

sion rise. The finest citizens of that fair cuy, the sermons striken, the ascending prayers, the exemplary lives of men like Houston Neidlinger, the Carsons, Judge S. B. Ac"ams, Coi. W. B. Stubbs and others, remind one of pearls cast be fore swine. Savannah is full of shrewd ,sharp politicians eviT ready to do the biddings of their masters,--the rabble. "When the wicked wnJk on every side, the vilest men jre exalted". I had expected much from the son of the gallant Colonel, my old neighbor at Guyton. My expectations are not fully realized, and it now seems that reforms must come ab extra and ab intra. Here is hoping that the earnestness of genuine reformers, the extra session, the near future will r deem every foot of Georgia soil from the woe, lamenta tions, crimes, curses of the death dealing whiskey traffic. Such a consummation will be worth more to the State men tally, morally, materially, than the much talked of Western and Atlantic railroad. It would fill thousands of homes with joy and gladness, and climbing the stairway of the celestial city, call forth higher notes from the glorified spir its of Dabney, Sam Jones, G. R. Pringle, and Walter Hill,-- and such would have been the case but for the unfortunate selection and election of Mr. Speaker. Rally, boys; rally! "Onward, Christian Soldier. Let the world see'that you have studied values."
ATLANTA.
I knew this great city before it was christened. The Kimball and Piedmont had not appeared--the Lloyd and Trout Houses furnished lodging. Their churches and sen sations were few--their worship simple and spiritual. Their songs had much of the ''Children of the Heavenly King" ring, less of the operatic strut, and concluded as did their prayers, with mellow, snappy amens. Accent on the first syllable. During my trusteeship at Emory, 47 years, I made frequent visits. Emory has expanded into a great university, leaving a better Emory for the Methodists of Georgia. Their newspapers at that time were few, not so pictorial, sensational, more under the watch-care of the church, and less biased by the jingle of whiskey corpora tions. A quiet, well governed, enterprising town, Atlanta gave promise to her guests of protection by day, sweet rest
149
.

by night, and a future rosy, refreshing, free from wrangle,
crime and death. So it was in 1854. at their Annual Conference, when
Bishop Caprers ordained me a deacon, taking for his text, "Feed the Flock." I remember one simple, brief, admoni tion. "A Little Bread by the Wayside, Brother"--it has
touched my entire ministerial life--when I would "make up my dough," discuss excursions, dissipate at moving pic tures, base ball, etc. The little statement has checked my wanderings and called me to a wiser use of life's golden moments--and so I am now enjoying my first vacation, not in the mountains or famous watering place, but on my veranda, with pencil preparing to "cast my bread on the waters."
To be candid. I never enjoyed gossip going, globe trot ting, fiddlings. dancing all rounds, or "touch me nots."
Thirty-seven years ago I was a delegate to the Atlanta General Conference, guest of Mrs. Fannie Harris, Kimble and Walter Branham, pastor of St. Paul. Though absorbed in church work, I saw evidence of city enlargement.
At this writing Atlanta's condition puzzles and pains
me. Despite her increase in population, trade, sky scrap, era. churches, schools, faithful, forceful ministers, her
thousands of men women noble and pure as the world af fords, there is a growing public sentiment that the city (shall I say!) is incapable of self-government, a Mexican muddle where Garranza and Villa defy and dethrone the "powers that make for peace,"--and the end is not yet.
Tis a pity that great builders, study so little the ma terials that go to make up a lasting foundation. Ancient literature is ever ready to impart valuable information. Webster's Blue Back, The Moral Probe, the old family Bible, would bring knowledge to the brain of not a few architects of not a few "small potato politicians", who seem to think they were there when the foundations of the heaven and earth were laid. They have never learned that "woe unto
.him that buildeth a town with blood and establisheth a city with inquity. Ingersol said of alcohol, "It murders the soul; it is the sum of all villanies. the father of all crimes, mother of all abominations, the devil's best friend and God's worst enemy."
150

In the face of these facts, men model their cities after New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris--and expect them to live forever green and growing. The theory that wide open doors, inconsiderations, indiscretions, indiscrim inate immigration will overthrow any organization, repub lic, city, church on the face of the earth, Heaven itself, pardon the thought, could not stand a strain so severe.
I am glad to see that Atlanta is trying to wake up. The recent call of the Mayor Pro Tern is a bugle blast. I am also glad that three able representatives who figured so fiercely in the late filibuster, that delays for a time the re moval of Atlanta's greatest foe, and leaves about seven counties and twenty-five per cent, of the territory to govern, control and curse this grand old iron ribbed democratic State, approved a get-together meeting to revive the old "Atlanta Spirit."
It is to be hoped they will open with an old time song, "How Firm a Foundation,11 read the Scriptures, "Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the Spirits that they be of God." The representatives could expound the lesson and. catalogue the various spirits that have gone out into the world. It will be a frightful conglomeration.
That the "harmony meeting" may be productive of moral and material fruit, we suggest that the Press, usually on the money rather than the moral side, the amiable coun cil that ejected Beavers in the absence of evidence.. the Capital Club and the saloons, the direct foes of State-wide prohibition, and the short-legged aspiring prohibitionists that fell between (and made an extra session necessary) because they couldn't straddle all the horses--all these would be in the great getting-together.
As the meeting is to promote harmony, wipe away stain, and rescue the prosperity of the city, the doorkeeper should be instructed not to admit anyone that belonged to the "Men's Religious. Forward Movement" or is willing to give them any sympathy for good intentions.
If Georgia proposes to be ruled by a hand full of bond holders, saloon men and city clubs, instead of the great Democratic party, it will be well to issue tickets to that ex quisitely temperate Temperance Committee that lost their
151

hats, heads and reports and thereby relegated their meas ure to the rear.
As to the ''Committe on Rules," Atlanta is well repre sented, picked, poisoned, and prepared to see that the great Democratic majority is not allowed to vote on any measure that will minish the gains of the Great Diana, albeit reve nue they deirve go to penitentiary purposes. We recom mend an extra dash of fritters and molasses be provided for obstructing undemocratic committee on rules, and that over the door of the Temple of Harmony be the superscrip tion "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
PERSONAL.
Before leaving the city, I would send kind regards to Gov: Harris, Rev. J. A. Mather, and one of the best preach ers in Georgia. Drs. Lovett and Eakes, able editors of Hie Wesleyan, Asa Candler. W. S. Witham, B. B. Crew: Howard Palmer, Muse, McCord. Col. Greer, the Dennises arid Bald wins whose names I trust are written in the Book of Life.
CHAPTER XIV.
FINIS.
I have devoted considerable space to Atlanta, lh,i chief city of Georgia, and the South, and is destined to exoivise a commanding influence in shaping the character of i*nerations unborn. If she "rises to the height of the grand argument" and "thinks on things true, pure, honest, lovely and good report," multitudes will rise up to call her blessed."
There is yet another city, Columbus, head of the Co lumbus District. In this sooner or later I expect to see my last sunset. At the age of twelve I rode my grey pony through the city, crossed over and spent the night with Uncle Isaac McGehee in Girard. My ride prepared me for supper. We called it that instead of "tea", but the tea was all right for channel cat taken from the Chattahoochee found a place in the elegant menu.
In 1854, in company with my father and Rev- R. B. Lester I visited the city and was royally entertained by Mrs.
152

Hatcher, who was a McGehee, and the mother of Col. Sam Marshall, and Benjamin Hatcher. The Hatchers, except Col. Sam and the MGcehees, excluding Rev. Jacob McGehee, a local preacher and father of Mrs. McPhail and Williams of Ellaville, have passed to the great beyond;
Of course I was there not as a delegate--just to look on and learn. At that time it was composed of preachers, and I thought the ablest body I had ever seen. I am still of that opinion and inclined to believe that de partures from John Wesley, except, as it gave us Episco pacy, have seldom been for the best. They knew how to de bate and preach. On Sabbath at St. Luke's, at eleven, I heard David S. Dogget on Apostolic preaching, at three Dr> J- B. McFerrin. new birth, and at eight Dr. Whiteford Smith on "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises-" The last, though good, failed to carry the audience. Geo. F. Pierce and Kavanaugh were made Bishops, Wightman failing be cause one enthusiastic brother wrote "W. M. Bishop" in stead of W. M. \Yijhtman. Subsequently he attained to the dignity and was oiu; of the best.
lu 1874, 1875, 1876 and 1877 I was Presiding Elder of the district following Rev. T. T. Christian, who had done a great work and was sent to Ame icus. Very naturally I settled in Columbus. Rents being high, assessments onethird lower than the present, and no district parsonage, I moved to Talbotton in the fall of 1875. leaving my daugh ter, Clara, who had married Mr. E. T. Harris in the city, and carrying little Joseph Key, who was born to us at the Hardaway home. In making our move we were assisted by Frank Lloyd and son. John H. McGehee, now an attorney in Talbotton. Frank was a genuine white boy about 17 years old. He afterward developed into Rev. W. F. Lloyd, D.D., a .presiding elder, president of a college, and preacher of nomean ability, greatly loved by South Georgia Conference. I found Frank at Butler. Their Quarterly Conference declin ed to give him license to preach, giving as reasons that he had incipient big-headism- Seeing that they had failed to diagnose the case, I asked this widow's son if he would like to go to school. To this he said, "Yes, but I have no money." To this I answered, "You'll need no money. Pack your
153
L

trunk, come to my house in the city. Bring your church
letter and all will be met." Frank promptly did as I requested. We took care of
him, sent him to school, put his certificate in Broad street, was licensed and recommended to the Annual Conference. So the boys drove the cow and at the next Annual Confer ence Frank Lloyd was sent to Glen Alta, Columbus district. Ke lived long and well, died triumphantly and entered into
restI never did a better work nor made a wiser investment
than this case furnishes. Presiding Elders and pastors do well to search out bright, poor boys and girls and see that these flowers are not born to "blush unseen and waste their fragrance on the desert air". And laymen can lay up treas ures in Heaven by relaxing their grip on hoarded stuff and applying it to the intellectual, moral, spiritual uplift of boys and girls whose parents are either dead or too poor to give their children anything to fit them for here or here
after. I have always been especially interested in two classes
of preachers, the younger and older. Deeply to my regrjt the Sustentation Association though triumphing on the floor of the Conference, yielded and dissolved rather than perpetuate factional differences.
The South Georgia Bible Institute intended to train our young preacher in proper studies in the Sacred Scripturs and literature, pursued its quiet, successful course for sev eral years. Though personally favoring the single Con ference Institute. I yielded my preference and sougth to unite NorJh and South Georgia, at Chalybeate Springs, the boundary of the conferences. For some reasons my propo sition, though backed by Mr. Grant's offer to donate fifty acres holering on the Springs, land and improvements would now be worth one hundred thousand dollars, was not accepted. The committee, strange to say." agreed to lo cate at an inaccessible point in North Georgia, far away from South Georgia. Once started our South Georgia Insti tute for training our young men aspired to things larger, connectional, more remote, and landed at Juna Lusta. N. C.
It is needless for me to say success to every purpose, place, person, whose aim is high. As to climatic condi-
. 154

tious, social enjoyment and hours of orating about thingsnobody understands, Juna Luska will be a success. Forthe ends contemplated by a Bible institute, Juna Luska is.
a small failure on a large scale. We are glad to know that roving season has returned.
to South Georgia and that young preachers and older ones. can reach these "Pierian Springs",--and that those with plethoric purses will also have an opportunity to travel mountain heights where the acquisition of knowledge is, made easy, I am in hearty accord. Sorry the untoward cir cumstances caused a lapse in 1915. Let 1916 find us ready and eager for the South Georgia Institute.
During my three "ridings" of the Columbus district I was associated with many pastors, of great moral worth,, and laynu-n first-class in every particular. Joseph S. Key, now bishop, and Sims, tue Branches, R. W. Dixon, John W.. Simmons, A. Wright, Walter Knox, J.B. Culpeppera ( great e\ angelisl) W. M. Hayes, J. P. Wardlaw, T. Clark, Geo. G. Clark and E. J- Rentz were among the clericals.
Among the laymen and lawyers in city and county were men like A- M. Brannon. G. J. Peacock. Dr. Tigner, Dr.. Urquhart, Dr. Flewellen. Dr. Banks, T. W. Harvey, Tom Pearce, G. T. Porter, Tarver, Walton, H. Johnson, Herring,. Phillips, Bartlett, Gibson, W. A. Martin, Judges Henry Mar tin. Crawford and Willis, T. W. Kimbrough, J. W. Biggers, Marchant. Dozier, Chancellor, Boothe, Venable and Mark. Blandford, ex-Gov. J. M. Smith, and the Hunts.
Judge Mark Blandford was a lawyer of decided legal, ability. On one occasion, in company with Judge Martin Grawford and other lawyers, we traveled in hack from Talbot court to Geneva. It was kind in Judge B. to entertain the crowd. Among other things he said the preachersdidn't preach as in old times, a hell of fire and brimstone,, and asked me to account for the change. To this I pleas
antly replied, "Judge, in former days you attended church, now you do not. On the ground that hearsay testimony is. not admissable, I ask your Honor to rule out this evidence." My reply convulsed the crowd and caught the court, and Judge Crawford's ruling was. "Mark, I think it is time tobring out old raw head and bloody bones."
I have often wondered why lawyers who read the Bibla-
155

and make large use of it in their pleadings are, as a class,
non-church-goers. Without charging these intelligent gen tlemen with atheism or skepticism, I refer this beautiful habit to the custom of opening courts, on Monday morning. Preparing papers and traveling on the Sabbath are not cal culated to strengthen devotional habits. If the pulpit is not always orthodox or outspoken, it is not because God or the Bible has changed. "Forever, 0 Lord, Thy Word is Settled in Heaven."
I would not neglect to mention, among the controlling influence8 of Columbus, Judge Price Gilbert, G. Gunby Jor dan, 0. S. Bullock, John Hatcher, J. B. Key, the Millers, the Woodalls, Dudleys, Pages, Howards. Judge Gilbert owns and conducts the "Enquirer Sun" and presides over the ju dicial circuit. As a judge he is affable and able, gives great satisfaction. His paper, like the Ledger, is now published in the afternoon. Both of them are usually on the right side of moral questions. Success to you, gentlemen--seeing you
have returned to the Mosiac method of expression "and the evening and the morning were the Qrst day." My young friends, Judges Austin, Col. Gozart and Gol. Fort are climbing. Drake, Olif Sentell, Christian, Chester are hold ing llita- "vvn--fine men, well married--they iaa- pass with present possessions at Gordele. Revs- Young Tigner, Joe Tooke and Leonard Bush were strong characters, more Biblical than classical.
I would make a special mention of one of the cleverest, most upright, generous citizens of Georgia. I refer to Hon. Walter H. Johnson. On my removal to Talbotton, I decid ed to buy a home. This I did by applying rents to pur chases. The purchase money was loaned me by Walter Johnson and as I was out of debt, the home given to my wife, who still owns the place. And so preachers are not always poor financiers. True the education of our chil dren and children of others leaves us like the Apostles, "without silver and gold"--and an automobile--but I thank God we have an humble home, always open to our friends. I hope every purchaser of this book will come to see us, but not all at the same time.
Talking about financiering, I may render the preach ers a service by giving a Columbus incident. One day I
156

said to J- S. Key, "I wish you would look around for a four or five gallon cow for me." Pretty soon I bought one giv ing two and a half gallons for twenty-five dollars. Soon thereafter Bro. Key reported he had found one giving five gallons a day and I could buy her for fifty dollars.. I at once
went down, looked at the animal, and promised to pay the sum if she was delivered. All cash transactions, and I had no bank account. So I went to the bank, borrowed the money and the cows were mine. With milk at 40 cents and 6 gallons a day, I readily met my bank engagement, and the 5 gallon cow was the one Lloyd and John drove to Talbotton. This is no fish or snake story.
At the Dawson conference, November. 1914, Dr. A. M. Williams was returned third year as presiding Elder. At that lime none of us anticipated his going away at so early a day. Soon after frequent occurrences created lively ap prehensions that his days of active service were number ed. His first round was made in much work and great de bility. In the spring he was taken to a Macon sanitarium in charge of his brother, Dr. Williams, and everything done to check the relentless malady--but the time of his depart ure was at hand, and early in July, with mind unclouded, and eye fixed on the crown of life, he left us with assur ances that he had fought the good fight, finished his course and kept the faith. Though not a great preacher, Dr. Wil liams was a great and good man. His conference will miss him,--his brethren of the Columbus district especially mourn his loss. Our parsonages were ever open to him-- we welcomed his coming and wished his stay could be longer.
We were glad that the Bishop promptly filled the va cancy, sending as his successor "Rev. J. P. Chatfield. He has entered on his work- We hear well of him and bespeak for him the warmest reception and the most cordial co operation.
In this district churches make slow advance. While the preachers, especially the younger ones, are alert and aggressive, it is difficult to make much progress. The de cay of camp grounds, the felling of tall timbers, the skin ning of saplings, the superficial character of our revivals, sending the women to war while the men stay in the
157

camps, the rush for riches, the rage for riding._ the oft re curring, everlasting world without end "functions"--how
they divide our wavering minds and leave not half for God. We need some greai revivals--we mean revivals that
revive. Uolumbus had a great one in the fifties under A. M.
Wynn. Talbotton had one when I assisted Walter Knox in "i 875. We have heard of showers in the annexed terri tory, three charges in Stewart county. Meetings have been held in most of the churches with some good results, but few of them meet the demands of the times. "One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His temple,
for in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the secret of His tabernacle will He hide me." "If I pre fer nut Jerusalem above my chief' joy--above theatres, house parties, dance halls, pleasure rides--let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth."
Taylor county has three charges, Butler, Reynolds and Mauk. Harris has Hamilton, Cataula, Midland, Waverly
Hall. Chattahoocb.ee one. All of these are served by young men. Talbot has four charges, Talbotton. Woodland, Talbot circuit, Geneva circuit. With the first I am intimately
acquainted- It has been my pleasure to know and highly esteem Judges Leonard and J. M. Matthews, Capt. Persons, John Leonard, T. A. Brown, Simon Bickley, W. H. Ellison,
Dan Owens, the Woodals, T. Bailey, Forts, Jacksons, Gapt. Thornton, Elbert Williams, John McGoy, Trussels, Wimberleys. Dr. Matthews, Turner, Charlie Smith, Zach Steven son, Dr. and William Searcy, and Roland Mullins, Rowland and Tim Willis. P. E: Dennis ,Judge Weeks, and many oth ers who like these splendid citizens, but have now crossed over. Among the living are Drs. Bardwell, and Douglas, Spivey, Persons brothers, Kimbrough brothers, Tom Bell, R. Leonard, McGehee brothers, Perryman and Sons, Wes-
tons, Smiths. J. B. Parker, J- Jordan, Jamerson, Dr. Black, Mahones, Wilkerson, Couch and Sons, P. Garraker, Ben Smith, J. Andy Smith, Editor, H. P. McDaniel, Sheriff Gra
hams, J. M. Heath and J. H. Alien, Pastor Methodist church, Tinsley Ragland, representative.
158

Rev. Brewton, like all the Brewtons, and Ms kinsmen, Saunders and Sons, is doing well. Wall, a young preacher at Geneva, has had a prosperous year. Rev. Geo. Acre, an other young preacher, attended my town camp meeting, preached three times, made a profound impression. Rev. John T- McLaughlin, long a teacher at Gollinsworth, is still vigorous. 1 have lived longer in Talbot than- any other county. Some of these days 1 may again enjoy their fel lowship, and then "wrap the drapery of my couch about me, and lie down to pleasant dreams."
Before, enjoying that fellowship or entering that dreamland, I would express my high appreciation of that elegant charming woman, Mrs. Lynda Lee Bryan. The public will recall her beautiful writings and the service rendered by her deceased husband, once the hustling agent of the Atlanta Journal.
It is also proper that I return to Stewart and say my visit to Lumpkin was delightful. It has realized solid growth in the last twenty years. While many have died, her citizens as a rule live long and die well. 1 visited Ivirs. Singer, who, though nearing her hundredth mile post, is stout, healthy, cheerful. I would not think of repaying their hospitality or that of the pastor, my brother, by seek ing to supplant him. He ought to be willing to enjoy that place long enough to bury Sister Singer--provided it would not change the time limit.
My respect for this county is increased by the recol lection that it is named for the "Swamp Fox of South Caro lina," who was patriotic enough to fight f.>r liberty on meals made of "roasted potatot?".--Gen. Francis Marion. The Twiggs town named for him has about faded from the map--the county is here to stay--provided courthouse and s-quuro receive eai-.'y attention Ii is hoped the Hon. May-.>>\ Col. Rainey, County Commissioners and our new editor of the "Patriot", T. A- D. Weaver, will flolow in the wake of the retiring editor in the advocacy of the aforesaid im provement. We are pleased to know that the retiring edi tor will continue his citizenship, and that the spicy cor respondents--especially Plow Boy and the Preacher (0. E.
159
^

Evans) will be on their jobs. Plow Boys seems to be an admixture of ortliodbxyy
philosophy and spice. Rumor has it that On hearing of the sale of the paper he asked the retiring editor to what place he would go next, and the editor promptly replied, "My next move will be to heaven," and to this Plow Boy aspromptly replied, ''You will be with us some time." The: preacher contributor should look well to his laurels.
On the whole, Buena Vista, the capital city, is well lo cated, well builded. high, healthy, beautiful, well populat ed. I could live here all my life and be happy. I neverfound but one place, Oglethorpe, where I was so content..
We have a fine school. Hoke Smith Institute, superintended, by Prof. Rob. Drane. Our churches, Methodist, Missionary Baptist, Primitive, are fairly attended. This fair attend ance is largely credited to ladies and children, with a fewsplendid exceptions, the men of our town are largely ad dicted to reading newspapers, sitting about the corners,, or making trips to the country in their splendid auto mo-biles- We have about forty-seven. This is a great inven tion and admits of varied service in building business,., helping humanity and glorifying God. Innocent pleasure,., though right if taken in the regard to ability, time taken for use, and moderation, is allowable and well, but any thing that that amounts to a craze, even riding, ought to be
thoughtfully considered by a civilized, Christian citizen ship.
Brantley, Tazewell. Doyle, Union, make up the Marion, circuit--Rev- 0. E. Evans, the pastor. He has done then* profitable service for three years. His parsonage is in our town--all of us enjoy him. Should the conference return him, Marion county would give him a cordial welcome. Rev. Jo. Short, John Short, Bedford Short, Burts, Goodrows, Parkers, Crawford, Wells, Upton, Jo. Rogers, Stevens, Wiggins, Ed. McMichael, Persons, are among his prominent supporters.--and they make it a desirable charge.
The Financial Board of our Methodist church is con
structed of such men as J. L. Williams, Turner Williams, Rob Drane, Tom Rogers, R. Hair, Robert Clements, W. B, Wells, E. Hornady, J. E. Moore, Dr. McMichael, W. B. Butt, H. D. Mauk, Sunday School Superintendent and cashier-
160

bank, assisted'by Robert Stokes, and Wm. Wooten, cashier
of the other bank, assisted by Brown Reese. For general cleverness I have never seen it surpassed. On their system atic activities in church work I presume not to speak. Their
well founded boast is that they always pay the preachers. It is fortunate for Buena Vista that the town is full of AngelsThese, are as real as those that looked after Elijah at the in-ook Cherith. They look after Sunday Schools, mission8, prayer meetings and parsonage pantries. Though with these, their domestic cares and a few select social func tions, they seem to have no anxiety to be presidents, sena tors, commissioners and coroners- This is one town where men seem to have married above themselves. Two of the remarkable men the ladies allow to assist them are Uncle Guthrie of the Missionary Baptist church and Uncle Short of the Brantley Methodist church. These are remarkable old men, ages 83 and 78. They have never been known to lose an eye or limb in feeling their way to a mid-week prayer service--nor do the labors of the day suspend the regularity of attendance. Captain and George Lowe are clever men, faithful in office, true to the Primitive church, and often attend the others. The other Lowes, there are stacks of them, have stores and hotels. The Clements, a few of them are among us and look well to business. Love
Guy makes and buys cotton. Dr. Foster looks you in the
eye. Dr. Pay practices the dental art. Wilson is ready to sell or repair trinkets, jewelry, etc. The younger Wilson, the widower, Judge Sheppard, Belk, W. T. Weaver. Minter and McMichaels, take daily rides into the country supply ing our friends with letters, parcel posts, newspapers arid other literature not contraband. How we miss Judges Butt and Lowe and Malcom Hair. Among our merchants are A; C- Duncan, the Hairs, Cook and McCrarys. Mrs. Chapman runs the postoffice. Browning and Daniels run automo biles. A few have clerkships. Loafers are scarce. Ex-Edi tor Hirshburg retires on profits of the "Patriot" with "otium
earn dignitate", for a second course. Young Hirshburg
remains with the "Patriot". Our insurance and traveling
men are kept busy--hunting security for their friends and bread for their homes. We miss Dr. Weaver.
I must not forget to say we have a sufficiency of doc- .
161

*;.
tors and Jawyers. Dr. Drane and Son, McMichael, O'Neal, . Rainey, Jefferson, either cure you or make exit as easy and painless as possible. Colonels Munro, Crawford, Short,Rainey, Butt are in their offices. Miers, Willi8, fielk, Smith are about the courthouse ready to serve-a paper, arrest, hang, or take your tax. Neal Stokes and Mulkey keep drugs for life and death purposes. J. E. Moore and Charlie Clem ents can dress, incase, hearse you- to the grave. The Steeds have a general business- Avarit dwells on the city's ex treme limits, lives well and comes to Sunday School. My immediate neighbors, Peacock, Jowers, Peddy, are ever employed in making an honest living. We are sorry Anderson Hogg has moved to Richland. We are glad that J. P. Hogg represents the county in the State Legislature. He is generally on the right side of moral questions. He is en rolled with the immortal "97". Our State laws on.prohi bition, the greatest issue of the hour, need strengthening. For five years the legislature has yielded to the literature and money of the whiskey ring, to the whims, demands, of a half dozen cities, to committees on temperance and rules selected for a purpose. As a result, our prohibition laws are paralyzed and most of our State is largely at the mercy of moonshiners.
Now that the. Democratic State of Georgia, acting through her representatives, has spoken, will the people of the democracy longer submit to the outrageous tactics that forced self-respecting prohibitionists to adjourn the body before passing appropriation bills, rather than sacri fice their own respect or that of their constituents. We boldly declare they did right to adjourn. What next? Will they act as "dumb cattle driven?" Should the Governor include prohibition in the call, they should respond and promptly pass appropriations measure. If he does not in clude, the manly course would be to meet and adjourn at once. The democracy of the country is on trial. Mr. Speaker's explanation does not explain.
162

VALEDICTORY.
In the "assault with attempt" to_ write a book satis factory to myself and helpful .to church and State, I am not conscious of a swimming success- I have done what I could. Here and there I have flanked some fields lest I violate good taste or sin against tfae Sons of Light. If the book' transcends, equals, or disappoints the expectations of my readers, it is my, yours, everybody's book. It con tains the Best of me-mind, body and soul--all of my earth ly treasure--and is entitled to a generous support and a thoughtful perusal. So far the prospect is that my au dience will be composed of Bishops,- Congressmen, Lawyers, Teachers, Preachers, Politicians, Ploughmen, men of busi ness, men, women, children. The first edition will be soon exhausted. "What thou doest, do quickly",--and tell your neighbors. Thanking you in advance, we speak the "vale". God be with you 'till we meet again.
THE AUTHOR. Buena Vista, Ga.. June 16, 1915.
,