Part 5

I was informed that he was going that day to close a mortgage and take a widow's farm from her. His last words to his wife, who cautioned him to beware of the cars at the crossing, were, "I was not made to be killed by the cars." This is like one who said to his soul, "Thou hast much laid up for many days; eat, drink, and be merry." But God said "Thou fool! this night shall thy soul be required of thee." He said "I was not made to be killed by the cars." But God said, "Thou fool! this day shalt thou be killed by the cars." His brains were dashed out and strewn along the road. His body was much mangled. But his poor soul has gone with all its guilt to where another rich man opened his eyes in torment.

The entry for the 24th, which was Sunday, records his preaching a farewell sermon to the congregation at New Washington, and also his reference to the revival held there in February, 1871. He had had the care of the congregation there.

=25.= I and Bro. S. Kline came to Conlay's, near Annapolis, Crawford County, Ohio, and began my first protracted effort in the name of Christ. Preached from Psa. 85:6,7. A good interest was manifested. Oh that God would visit the place in power, save many precious souls, and raise up a people for his name!

=27.= Started early for Bucyrus on our way to the Standing Committee at Rock Run. Took train at 10 A. M., arrived there at noon. I was chosen to fill a vacancy on the committee. Upon us devolved the solemn and responsible duty of trying and dis-fellowshiping Elder L. E---- for immoral conduct. Oh, what a pity! May the Lord have mercy upon him and help him to repent and be restored to the confidence of the people. May he be saved in the day of wrath. Oh, how careful the man of God, especially the minister of the gospel, should conduct himself in this wicked world! Lord, deliver us from temptation.

The meetings referred to in the next few entries were a protracted effort at the Conlay Bethel, near Annapolis, now called Sulphur Springs, Crawford County, Ohio.

=Dec. 4, 1872.= Visited a sick saint, J. McEntire, who has been afflicted for many years. He was near his last. Oh, what a happy soul. The night before he was almost gone. Said he, "I saw a convoy of angels around my bed waiting to carry my spirit home. I thought I was going home. Here I am yet lingering on the shores of time." Then a brother came in, to whom he remarked, "Sister Polly has gone home. I thought I would beat her, but I am left behind. All summer I and Cousin Patrick and Aunt Polly have had a hard race, but they have both crossed over and I am left to struggle on; but every gale wafts my little ship nearer the shining shore." "Oh!" said he, "It is all bright ahead, not a cloud do I see." After a little rest he remarked, "Oh! Brother, I know that my spirit will not go down into forgetfulness until the resurrection; but I am going to Jesus, which is far better. Oh, how sweet the name of Jesus!" I spent the day with this brother, sang and prayed with him. Eve, preached from Acts 3:19.

=9.= Spent the day in fasting and in much wrestling and prayer for poor souls under the guilt of sin. Preached from Luke 13:6-9. One young lady came to the altar.

=10.= Under much discouragement during the day. Evening, while singing the opening hymn I was greatly refreshed at the coming in of Bro. William Burchard, from Auburn, who was converted under my labors and baptized by me last winter. He was a very wild, wicked man, but has become a model of piety and earnest devotion. He has a brilliant intellect and has already made great proficiency in preaching. Thank God for such men of holy zeal. He being tired with the walk of eleven miles, I preached, from Ezek. 33:11. The penitent of the previous night came out and soon the good news went to heaven that another soul was saved by grace. It was a glorious meeting. One sister shouted. I got a great victory and was very happy. Likewise testified the convert and all the rest who spoke.

=17.= Good day meeting. Rebuked a boy for trying to pollute the house of God by spitting tobacco juice and quids on the floor. I said nothing to him, knowing that I should be insulted in return. But being filled with the Spirit I tried to encourage the three little mourners (girls who had come to the altar) and then addressed the brethren upon the importance of laboring for the early conversion of children, stating that it is enough to make the angels in heaven weep to see how the devil is leading even the children to wallow in sin and "glory in their shame." "Now, look at that poor boy," said I, pointing to him. "Ever since he came in here he has been doing his best to defile the house of God with his filthy tobacco. It was once said that 'He that doeth evil cometh not to the light lest his deeds be reproved,' but the devil has so polluted poor souls that even children in broad day-light do not blush to do such evil and dirty work for the devil as that. Christ said, 'That which cometh out of the mouth defileth the heart.' How defiled that heart must be, all that stench having come out of his mouth! A few nights ago a dog was accidentally shut in here and remained until the next evening, but did not pollute the house one half as much as that boy has done in half an hour." At this he grabbed his hat and, "being convicted in his own conscience, went out." God pity that boy and help older people to take a hint.

=18.= A. M., wrote most of the time. P. M., visited Brother McEntire. Found him much cast down and depressed, being overanxious to be absent from the body, in which 'tabernacle we groan, being burdened.' I told him that he ought to wait patiently till his "change cometh," knowing when he got home once he would have long time to stay there, even through all eternity; and the longer he should be tossed about upon the dark and tempestuous sea of this troublesome life the greater would be his joy when at last he should land in the peaceful harbor of the great city of God. After reading and singing and praying with him, he had great peace and perfect resignation to God.

=25.= Another Christmas is here. O thou Child of Bethlehem, may we this day bring the offering of a grateful heart! May every tongue on earth and all the angels in heaven join together to spread the glory of Jesus' name! Dear Lord, we thank thee for the unspeakable gift of thy Son to man. Oh, may every heart prepare him room! Dear Savior, draw poor sinners to thee. Show them thy bleeding hands, temples, and side. Oh that the star of hope would this day guide many poor wandering souls to thee!

=28.= Came to the place of meeting. Distance thirteen miles. Schoolhouse was full. Good attention. Went to Solomon B----'s, an infidel. Talked till twelve at night.

=29.= Sabbath. Talked with Mr. B. until 10:30 A. M. He is a very smart man. Has his excellent memory stored with the writings of almost every wretch that ever dared to attack God and his holy religion. He is one of the best readers I ever met. What a pity that this noble intellect should be so basely employed! His horrid utterances are enough to chill the blood and heart of man and cause the angels of heaven to weep. He claims to be "a smarter man than Christ." "The devil is a gentleman compared with God." "Your God is not fit to be worshiped by a dog." "All professors are either hypocrites or fools." Oh, that God would pity that poor wretch who in the blindness of his depraved heart dares to rush with violence upon the Almighty!

=30.= Spent the day in reading, writing, and prayer, at Brother Conlay's. Eve, preached from Rom. 2:4. Good congregation. Saw some omens of good.

=31.= This is the last day of another year. How swift the years roll around and each brings us nearer eternity! Lord, help us to redeem the time and so "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom," that at last it may not be said of us that "we spend our years as a tale that is told." Oh that each hour of my short life may bring some good account at last, when life's conflict is o'er! Great and many have been the changes of the last year. Yea,

"What countless millions of mankind Have left this fleeting world! They're gone, but where? oh, pause and see, Gone to a long eternity!"

One there was, the dearest of my earthly friends, who a year ago stood by my side, the joy of my life, the sweet, innocent object of my fervent love. But she is gone, that dear companion upon whose rosy cheek and harmless lips I used to impress the kiss of burning, never-dying love. O Tamzen! thy heart and life, as pure as the white and fleecy snow that this morning covers thy peaceful resting-place, has reared an everlasting monument in the hearts of all that knew thee on earth.

I have now seen thirty years pass into eternity. Not quite eight years have been devoted to God. The year has been one of God's goodness to me, notwithstanding the loss of my blessed wife, which is her gain and God's glory, and therefore I am willing to travel on a lone pilgrim in search of souls for Jesus' sake.

'Twas very stormy. Wrote and read. Preached from Psa. 90:9, "We spend our years as a tale that is told." Tried to show the folly of living in sin.

=Jan, 1, 1873.= This is the first day of the year. O my soul, set out afresh for heaven! Lord help me to spend the year all to thy glory if we live to the end. But if it is said of me, "This year thou shall die," may I be ready to enter into rest.

=7.= Preached from Rom. 6:1. Told my dream, the subject of which I thought was in the way of a score of souls.

=8.= Fasted today. Very solemn meeting at Brother Crim's. All wept for poor sinners. O Lord, hear the prayers and groans and bottle up the tears of thy children and bring thy salvation nigh! Preached from Heb. 2:3. The meeting has received a great backset. I fear the whole work is killed. Before I came here I had a peculiar dream in which I saw a face that was strange to me. There was much confusion in those features, as in the midst of a council it stood out conspicuous, and there was something in the position of the person that pierced my heart. Last night I announced that I had recognized these features since I came here. Mr. B., the infidel, arose and asked whether he were the man. I said no. Tonight Esq. K., a poor blind Lutheran, came to meeting, and before I closed he arose and enquired if he were the man. While I was talking, I was powerfully baptized by the Spirit of God and replied, "Thou art the man." He was daunted, but stammered out a denial; but before I had time to ask a question he confessed that he had forbidden his family to come out to the altar. They are five young men and one daughter, three of them were under deep conviction and others serious. One of the boys is married and his wife and all their associates were serious and some anxious to come out, but all were prevented from coming to Christ by this poor wretch, whose form of religion fitted him to do this work for the devil.

In this attack I realized the fulfilment of the promise of Christ. 'In that same hour it shall be given you what ye shall answer, for it shall not be you but the Spirit that speaketh.' I warned him of the fearful account he would have to give at the judgment-bar of God.

=9.= Meeting at Samuel Shell's. We were all cast down and felt the Spirit of God had been grieved out of the community. Eve, preached from Jer. 28:16. Gave a farewell address and closed the meeting because, first, the work was so stagnated that nothing could be expected to be accomplished without a longer effort than I could devote to the place and, second, because it was highly probable that as soon as the work should break out again Satan would stir up trouble again from some source. I gained many warm friends and sowed seed which I trust will bring fruit to God. Some of the young men that desired religion I think will not give up the struggle. They sent me some money and word that if I would hold a meeting somewhere in reach that they would attend and seek religion, but there they had not the heart to come out.

=25.= Visited Brother and Sister Chapman. She is an excellent saint. Found her much afflicted. Brother C. had for many years been a skeptic and Universalist, but a year ago he came out at a meeting held by Bro. T. James and me. He is a faithful brother. A neighbor of his by name of L----, who was the means of breaking up the fore-mentioned meeting, dropped dead in his tracks a few months ago.

=Feb. 28, 1873.= Good day meeting at Brother McClintock's. [near Larue, Marion County]. Eve, preached from Eph. 2:2. Four came to the altar and were blessed, one of whom had been an avowed Universalist. Others doubtless would have come out but the house was so densely filled that we could not crowd the people back to get more room for penitents.

=Mar. 1, 1873.= Spent the day at Mother Melvin's. Wrote an article for the Advocate. Brother Burchard preached. Four at the altar. All were blessed, I think. House crowded and many outside.

=2.= Sabbath. Speaking at ten. Preached on Church of God, Acts 20:28. Eve, the house was packed and all the windows were crowded on the outside. Preached, Jer. 13:16. By hard work we got a little space at the altar and four presented themselves for prayer.

=5.= Meeting at Brother Deen's. Fellowshiped twelve. P. M., because of the immense crowd that thronged the schoolhouse we divided the meeting. I preached at Windfall, from Job 22:15-17. Several rose for prayers. Brother Burchard preached at the Ellen Schoolhouse, one and one half miles north.

=9.= Sabbath. Brother Small and I went to the Shertzer Schoolhouse, where he preached at 11 A. M. on church matters, after which we received in fellowship eleven members, most by letter from the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches. After taking a hasty dinner we mounted our steeds and rode four miles, partly through a woods, in the midst of a rain and severe storm. Reached Windfall at 2:30 P. M. Eve, preached on Acts 26:18. One at the altar.

=10.= Prepared a dam to baptize. Eve, Num. 10:28.

=11.= A. M., preached on sisters' right to speak and pray in meeting, after which we had a speaking-meeting. Fellowshiped fourteen members. House crowded and many on the outside. One brother who was always opposed to women's speaking arose and confessed his error. We then proceeded to the water, where I baptized twenty-two converts in eleven minutes. It was a glorious and beautiful baptismal service. All came out shouting and praising God. Eve, preached on Luke 13:6-9. Several rose for prayers, some of whom were old in sin. We had a speaking-meeting. All that had been immersed said that it had been a happy day for them and that they had turned a new and brighter page in the history of their pilgrimage. Oh how good it is to obey God! A good part of the number had been sprinkled, some after making a profession of religion in adult years. Great God, what a pity that the world is cursed by an unholy sectarian ministry "who teach for doctrine the commandments of men!"

=12.= Eve, preached on barren fig-tree. Matt. 21:18-22. Four came to the altar, one blessed. Went home with Mr. William Riser, who brought a horse for me to ride. It was a beautiful light night, and a ride of some two miles winding through the woods was somewhat pleasant. Did not retire until twelve o'clock.

=13.= This morning I spent an hour rambling far out in the dense, rolling forest to breath the pure air and to hold communion with my God. At ten William Riser's house was filled with brethren and sisters. We had a glorious meeting. All were happy, many shouted. It was something very strange to have a meeting in this house. All remarked that it was something they had never expected to see. Mr. R. is a man of nearly fifty years and a great sinner. His wife has been converted and I think the Lord is striving with his heart and his brother's, who is still older. Oh that God would raise them up as monuments of his mercy! Eve, Luke 19:10. Two at the altar.

=14.= A. M., meeting at schoolhouse. P. M., just before preaching I met with a few brethren who had been at variance, and helped to form a reconciliation, which was a perfect success. Preached on Matt. 22:21.

=16.= Sabbath. Preached one and three fourths hours on Ezek. 43:10,11, after which we fellowshiped and then baptized three. Eve, Brother Crawford, Baptist minister preached. Closed the meeting. Result, thirty-five converted, twenty-five immersed, church formed of thirty-three members. Expect more additions soon.

=20.= Eve, met the church at Windfall. Decided to build a meeting-house. Preached on church officers. Elders and deacons elected.

=Apr. 3, 1873.= Came to New Haven [Huron County]. Eve, met a number of my dear spiritual children in prayer-meeting. Had a good time and they exhorted me to meet them in heaven.

=4.= Beautiful day. How bright the sun shines! How the heart is gladdened at the return of warm and sunny days after such a long and hard winter as we have passed through! Oh, how I appreciate the Savior's beautiful metaphor in the Song of Solomon, where the present state of the church is represented by the winter with its dark clouds and howling winds, fierce with cold and hunger and hardship! But glory to God, the spring will come; already the fig-tree is putting forth her leaves, the turtle dove is heard in the land, and soon we shall hear the voice of the bridegroom calling, "Rise up, my beloved, my fair one, and come away; for the winter is past, and behold, thy beloved has come for thee." What a happy time that will be when, rising from the grave, we shall meet our dear friends and our Savior!

I am writing these lines in the beautiful cemetery near New Haven, Ohio. Before me is the little mound which shows the resting-place of my three little infants who a little over a year ago passed in a few hours through this vale of tears, and their little spirits are forever at rest with Jesus; and in one little box their bodies await the Savior's coming. What a glorious morning when all these graves shall burst open and the bodies shall come forth! they that have done good to the resurrection of life and glory, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of shame. Oh, may I be among the former class! Lord, make me a good man and keep me pure in heart. Farewell, sacred spot. Farewell, little tomb, with thy three-fold treasure.

=16.= Went to Bryan [Williams County] and ordered a tombstone for my wife's grave. The one selected cost fifty dollars, has a Bible lying on it, and I gave the following epitaph:

How sweet and pure in social life, As daughter, sister, friend, and wife! Now done with cares below the sun, She shines before the snow-white throne.

=18.= Came home. Found Father and Mother and Brother well.

=23.= Commenced an editorial on Islamism.

=24.= Wrote and studied phrenology alternately.

=26.= Sent my article on Islamism. Brother Cassel and other preachers in Illinois send an urgent invitation for me to come to that State.

=27.= Sabbath. Preached today from 2 Pet. 1:10 in the Cogswell Schoolhouse [near his father's home], where I made my first effort to preach the gospel, on Easter night, 1867. 'Twas in a Methodist Episcopal protracted meeting. The text was Acts 3:18. Never preached there since. In those six years I have preached all over northwest Ohio and some in two counties in Indiana, in all 1241 sermons. The number of converts 508, about the same number fellowshiped, some less baptized. Thanks be to God for his blessings and his presence! Though always of weak lungs, thought oft to be consumptive, yet my health has been better since in the ministry than ever before. Bless God for his goodness! I have never missed but one appointment on account of health. The years have swiftly passed, but, thank the Lord, I have enjoyed great peace and many rich blessings from the Lord.

=May 13, 1873.= Visited Tamzen's grave. Disappointed in not finding the monument up. Visited D. W. Dustin, one of my scholars. Exhorted him to give his heart to Christ.

=15.= Prepared a sermon on the evidence of the divine origin of the Bible.

=16.= Argument with Mr. Butler on the soul.

He attended, from the 21st to the 23rd, the meeting of the Board of Missions. He does not indicate where this meeting was held, but says in connection that he "preached in the Smithville Bethel" and "had very poor liberty, owing perhaps to the presence of many eastern ministers." It was at this meeting of the Board of Missions that he received his appointment to the mission in Nebraska, of which he thus speaks:

=23.= Beautiful day. Business finished up at 5 P. M. Brother Small was appointed to Chicago, I to Seward mission, Nebraska. Again I lay all upon the altar of God. It is very hard for me to leave my dearly beloved brethren of West Ohio. Thank God, for the great Head of the church is with them and his cause is greatly prospering here, and I must go help the cause in the far West. We parted with tears and many farewells.

=24.= Brother Small and I took train at 7:14 A. M., he for Marion, I for Larue, which I reached at 12 M. Received a letter from my beloved brother Sol. Kline. All our dear spiritual children are yet doing well on Seneca circuit. Wrote two letters. Preached at Windfall, 2 Pet. 1:13. Great row after meeting.

=28.= These days I have been low spirited and much cast down. It is the first anniversary of the death and burial of my blessed companion. How lonely I feel! My bereavement comes with all its weight upon me. Lord, be thou my comforter in all my loneliness. In eve, preached in Larue on the Church of God. Text, Eph. 1:10. I treated it as follows:

1. Notice the purpose of God. 2. "One" church. 3. Extent--heaven and earth. 4. Provisions for oneness: (a) One church typified. (b) One, bought, sanctified, made, built. (c) One faith. (d) One spirit to animate it. (e) One head, Christ. (f) One name, Church of God. (g) One law to govern it. 5. Standard of oneness--"As I and the Father are one." 6. Time of this oneness. 7. To be visible, "That the world may believe," etc. 8. Object of oneness. 9. Apostasy and restoration of the church. 10. Illustrations: (a) Paths, Jer. 6:16. (b) River. (c) House. (d) Corner stone.

The Lord gave me great liberty and boldness. Thank his holy name!

=29.= Staid last night with Bro. L. Orr. Sister O. is afflicted; prayed to the Lord for her recovery. Preached in Larue, eve, Ezek. 43:10,11.

=30.= It had been announced in the Larue Citizen that I would speak on the Church of God. This brought out quite a large congregation. Both nights I spoke plainly and boldly against the evil of sectarianism and other abominations. Many were ill at ease. Some preachers were present. The Lord gave me good liberty. Last night I diagramed my subject with chalk upon the blackboard. 2 P. M., took train for Pentecost meeting at Pleasant Hill.

Brother Warner became a strong exponent of the prophecies. Note his reference to some reform near at hand. This meeting was held at West Auburn, Crawford County, after his return from Pleasant Hill.