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diff --git a/old/62648-0.txt b/old/62648-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 764650e..0000000 --- a/old/62648-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5201 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Experiences of Uncle Jack, by W. Ed. Snyder - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Experiences of Uncle Jack - Being a Biography of Rev. Andrew Jackson Newgent - -Author: W. Ed. Snyder - -Release Date: July 14, 2020 [EBook #62648] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EXPERIENCES OF UNCLE JACK *** - - - - -Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWGENT - -Latest Photograph.] - - - - - THE EXPERIENCES OF - UNCLE JACK - - Being a Biography of - REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWGENT - - BY - REV. W. ED. SNYDER - a Minister in the United Brethren Church - - [Illustration] - - _Nineteen Hundred and Eleven_ - - _United Brethren Publishing House - W. R. Funk, Agent - Dayton, Ohio_ - - _Printed by - United Brethren Publishing House - W. R. Funk, Agent - Dayton, Ohio_ - - - - -PREFACE - - -That which requires an apology should be left undone. Hence, the author -of this humble work offers no apology in sending it forth. If it finds -favor in the sight of those into whose hands it may fall, he will -appreciate it. If not, it is confidently assumed that the world will -pursue its wonted course, and no one will be the worse, if not the wiser. - -No special literary excellence is claimed for it. It is a feeble, though -honest, attempt to preserve from the cold, merciless realm of oblivion a -life story that is well worth preserving—the life story of one for whom I -have come to have the profoundest reverence and affection. My only regret -is that it has not been done better. - -Its chief value consists in the fact that it reveals the fundamental -elements of true character and true success. The life of “Uncle Jack” -Newgent is a conspicuous illustration of the fact that each individual is -the architect of his own fate or fortune, that the conditions of success -are internal and not external. This has been his life philosophy and has -been abundantly vindicated by his life record. His right to a proper -regard among his fellows rests upon his sterling qualities of manhood, -devotion to a great purpose, and personal achievements that have added to -the sum total of the world’s weal and worth. He belongs to a worthy line -of foundation builders whose work underlies the great superstructures of -both church and state of the present day. - -Hence, two purposes have been kept in view in the writing of this -sketch—to acknowledge, if not to pay, a debt of honor and gratitude the -Church owes to a worthy man; and by giving special attention to those -personal qualities that make for success always and everywhere, and which -were so strikingly exemplified in his character, to preserve the lessons -of his life to the present and future generations in the hope that they -may thus contribute to the further progress of righteousness. If in this -unpretentious little volume these purposes are in any degree fulfilled, I -shall be abundantly satisfied. - - W. E. SNYDER. - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -The pleasing task of writing an introduction to the life of my noble -friend, Rev. A. J. Newgent, has fallen upon me. The intimate association -which I have had with him for many years gives me a peculiar pleasure in -seeing the record of his splendid life placed before the Church. - -Biography is one of the most important departments of literature, and Mr. -Newgent is eminently worthy of the permanent place in history which this -volume accords him. I feel that fitting tributes in historic sketches -should not only be paid the men of God who have planted the Church in -this nation, but posterity should come and say over their graves, as -Pericles did over the bodies of his fallen fellow soldiers: “You are -like the divinities above us: you are known only by the benefits you -have conferred.” It is of such a man, though still living among us, -that Dr. W. E. Snyder gives the accurately drawn portraiture in the -chapters of this well-written biography. The work has been prepared -with good judgment and much skill. The incidents of his life are given -in sufficient detail, and make the volume exceedingly interesting and -instructive. Such a publication is of great value, not only to those -who enter the ministry, but to the whole Church, and especially to the -young. To study the career of one, who, by fortitude and zeal, has -carved his way from humble surroundings to a high place of honor among -his fellow-men—passing through varied and striking vicissitudes in the -struggle—can but inspire and ennoble other lives. - -Entering the ministry before our pioneer style of life had passed away -in the west, Mr. Newgent adapted himself to the humblest conditions of -society. The fields of labor which he occupied in those early years -of his pastorate were sufficient to remind him of the privation and -hardships of those who had preceded him; but no condition was humble -enough or severe enough to deter him from the work to which his young -life had been consecrated. He could lodge in the loft of the lowliest -cabin and subsist upon the cheapest fare. In quest of souls he thought -little of anything else. Living among the people, a very small salary -would suffice for him. He knew what it was to live on a moiety of one -hundred dollars and less. There have been no dangers or hardships, no -toils or privations, no suffering or sorrow sufficient to daunt his -heroic spirit. Fortunately, Mr. Newgent is so constructed as to see the -bright side of every difficulty, and his inimitable humor has made his -family and friends laugh in the darkest hours of his ministerial life. - -Unflinching loyalty to the Church has ever marked the career of Mr. -Newgent. Though he has been peculiarly free from sectarian prejudices or -bitterness, his attachment to his own people has been conscientious and -unwavering. All his energies have been devoted to the advancement of the -Church of his choice. He has stood for the defense of its doctrines and -polity, and those who have drawn him into debate over any feature of our -system have not challenged him a second time. In the earlier days of his -ministry he was many times called in debate with the strongest men of -other denominations, and has proved himself equal to any antagonist who -has met him in discussion. Many have gone down before his unanswerable -arguments, and not a few have been driven from the contest because they -could not stand before the torrent of his eloquence and the indescribable -power of his wit. In all his ministerial work these qualities have -often been of great advantage to him. Few men could possess such wit -and eccentricities as Mr. Newgent commands, and use them to advantage -without some objection by the people. But like all his other gifts, these -peculiar qualities have been consecrated to the service of doing good, -and in their use he has maintained his ministerial consecration and -influence with never a breath of suspicion cast upon his good name. - -It is gratifying to his many friends that Mr. Newgent, though retired -from the active work of the ministry, is still in possession of all -his mental powers, and no doubt will live to read his own biography. -Few men have been so fortunate. To have spent his long and useful life -in the most interesting period of the history of the Church, and then -remain to read the part he has played in the making of that history, -is a privilege that most of Christ’s embassadors have never enjoyed. -Back when the Publishing House was struggling for existence, he loyally -supported the little plant, and never failed to circulate our books and -push our periodicals in every charge he has filled. When our institutions -of learning were in their infancy, and much opposition was brought -against education, he was a friend of the schools, and again and again -has gone into the field to raise money for their support. He has seen the -great benevolent boards of the Church and nearly all our connectional -institutions come up from the smallest beginnings, and has never failed -to espouse the cause of these important agencies for the promotion of -Christ’s kingdom. Even the conference in which he began his ministry has -grown in his day from a handful to a host, and no man has watched its -growth with deeper pride or more anxious concern than himself. - -I could write much more in the line of these thoughts, but the chapters -of this volume will give in clear light the characteristics which can -only be hinted at in the limits of an introduction. The skilled pen of -the biographer will bring out in forceful and charming manner the noble -traits of the gifted brother whose career he has studied with great care -and painstaking interest. Let the book have a wide circulation, let the -youth read its inspiring sentiments, and the horizon of their thoughts -will be enlarged and the desire to be loyal to God and to every good work -will be stimulated and strengthened. - - T. C. CARTER. - -November 27, 1911. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - Preface 3 - - Introduction 4 - - CHAPTER ONE - - Ancestry—Picture of pioneer life—Imprisonment and release - of Pompey Smash—Little Jack’s short-cut in the study of - astronomy—The fate of his first pair of breeches 9 - - CHAPTER TWO - - The tragic death of the father—Removal to Parke County—School - Days—Conversion—Change of church relationship—A remarkable - providence 23 - - CHAPTER THREE - - Call to the ministry—First sermon—The boy preacher—Answering - a fool after his folly—Turning a camp-meeting tide—Quieting a - skirmish—Takes a wife 39 - - CHAPTER FOUR - - Conference membership—Brulitz Creek ministry—The modern - knight and his steed—Abrupt closing of family devotions by - a dog-on-the-preacher—An original marriage ceremony—A case - of mistaken identity—A banner missionary collection—Shawnee - Prairie pastorate—A cold day in April—The redemption of Hell’s - Half Acre—Baiting for a perverse fish—An experience in the - whisky business 51 - - CHAPTER FIVE - - Six months at Rainsville—A hot-bed of Southern sympathizers—A - mix-up with saloon men—A sermon on slavery—Fire and - brimstone—An antagonist outwitted—A sermon from the book of - Newgent—Can any good thing come out of Rainsville? 70 - - CHAPTER SIX - - The war spirit in Indiana—Breaking up a traitorous plot—Narrow - escape from enemies—Assists in securing recruits—Becomes - chaplain of his regiment—Exchange of courtesies with a - Presbyterian minister—An embarrassing predicament—Saves his - regiment from capture—Organizes military church—Chased by - Johnnies—An exciting homeward journey 80 - - CHAPTER SEVEN - - Plants the United Brethren banner in Terre Haute—Prairieton - pastorate—Difficulty with the sons of Anak—A prayer without an - “Amen”—Another community redeemed—Going to the wrong doctor—A - perverse colt—An unintentional immersion—One sermon that was - not dry 98 - - CHAPTER EIGHT - - The New Goshen pastorate—An old grudge healed—Dry bones - revived—Memorable year at “Dogtown”—“Death in the pot”—The - Hittites captured—The “Jerks”—Other remarkable demonstrations—A - rooster in the missionary collection—First debate—Unpleasant - sequel to a horse trade 111 - - CHAPTER NINE - - Labors at Mattoon, Illinois—A persistent campaign and a great - victory—Second New Goshen pastorate—A coincidence—Success at - Prairieton—Laboring in the shadow—The death of Mrs. Newgent—A - bishop’s tribute to her character 131 - - CHAPTER TEN - - First great debate—The debate as an institution—The - challenge—Opponents get weak-kneed—Prolonging maneuvers—A - hungry multitude unfed—Battle begins—Questions discussed—An - improvised creed for his opponent—A premature baptism—An - opponent’s tribute to his genius—Crowning the victor 138 - - CHAPTER ELEVEN - - Subsequent debates—The Owen contest—He got his - “Treat”—Opponent’s confession—Dressing “Stone”—A scared - Baptist—Invades the Lutheran ranks—Measures steel with Doctor - Ingram—Dissertation on infant baptism—Opponent’s early - flight—Concludes the debate alone—The Haw debate 155 - - CHAPTER TWELVE - - Perrysville and Centerpoint—Industry rewarded from an - unsuspected source—A “slick wedding”—Fruitful labors at - Centerpoint—A one-sided union meeting—The doctrine of the - resurrection again demonstrated 171 - - CHAPTER THIRTEEN - - Becomes a missionary superintendent—Second marriage—An - unexpected welcome—Forms a Quaker friendship—The Spirit moves - in a Quaker meeting—A Quaker’s prayer answered—Builds a - college—Shows what to do for a dead church—Another tilt on the - doctrine of baptism—Conversion of a Dunkard preacher—Turns a - great movement in the right direction 180 - - CHAPTER FOURTEEN - - Autumn—The fading leaf—Fruit in old age—His later - labors—Present home 196 - - CHAPTER FIFTEEN - - A Character Sketch 202 - - CHAPTER SIXTEEN - - “Lights out,” a dirge of the war 219 - - - - - -CHAPTER ONE. - - _Ancestry—Picture of Pioneer Life—Imprisonment and Release - of Pompey Smash—Little Jack’s Short Cut in the Study of - Astronomy—The Fate of his First Pair of Breeches._ - - -Once upon a time, so long ago that the chronology of it has become hidden -in the mists of historical uncertainties, a man with his family emigrated -from the hill section of northern Ireland to the vicinity of Dublin. What -his real name was also belongs to the realm of the unknown, but among -the unsophisticated rural inhabitants with whom he had cast his lot he -was characterized simply as the “new gentleman.” In course of time, the -somewhat cumbersome title became abbreviated to “new gent,” the original -appellation finally passing from common usage entirely. That this new -gentleman was a person of some force of character may be inferred from -the distinction he seems to have achieved among his new neighbors and the -fact that the name has been honored by men of rank and eminence among his -descendants, a conspicuous example being Lord Robert Newgent (or Nugent), -the celebrated Irish scholar and statesman. - -Among the later descendants were three brothers who decided to cast their -fortunes with the land of dreams and fancies across the Atlantic. Their -names were Edward, William, and Thomas Newgent. On reaching America -Edward directed his course toward the sunny South, William remained -somewhere in the East, while Thomas struck out toward the vast region of -unbroken forests on the western slopes of the Alleghenies. His pilgrimage -terminated somewhere in the bounds of Kentucky. He secured a tract of -land near Cincinnati, and in process of time met, wooed, and won a -wealthy daughter of Virginia. He was contemporary with the Boones in -reclaiming this great region of possibilities for civilization; helped -to survey the State; taught school on both sides of the Ohio River, -winning for himself the title of “Irish Schoolmaster,” which, in this -case, carried with it no small degree of distinction. He was a soldier in -three wars, that of the Revolution, of 1812, and the Blackhawk War, for -which services he received a pension from the Government. He professed -religion at the ripe age of eighty, and was spared to redeem in part his -long neglected opportunities by spending almost a quarter of a century in -active Christian service, his long and eventful life closing, according -to an uncertain tradition, in the 103d year of his age. He was the father -of Charles Newgent, who was the father of Andrew Jackson Newgent, the -hero of this simple narrative. - -In Charles Newgent the elements of character peculiar to his race were -exceptionally strong. A most marked propensity was his fondness for a -joke. He would take more interest in concocting some new trick to be -played on a neighbor or in devising a scheme for merrymaking than in a -critical study of the Sermon on the Mount, or in solving an intricate -theological problem. But while the religious faculty remained somewhat -dormant, he was warm-hearted and generous, a good neighbor and citizen, -according to the simple requirements of the times. In educational -attainments he was far above the average. He was a prominent figure -in local political circles, being a Jeffersonian Democrat of a rather -emphatic type. His ever ready wit and fluency of speech made him a -master on the stump and a formidable antagonist in political debates. -The ability to give a humorous turn to any remark or incident served -him well upon such occasions. His peculiar temperament gave him special -aptitude as an auctioneer, in which capacity he had no superior. People -would attend his sales as much to be entertained by his witticisms as for -the bargains he might have to offer, and those who came to laugh often -remained to settle a bill for something they had no thought of purchasing. - -At the age of nineteen, in the year 1825, he was married to Mary Pugh, -of Shelby County, Kentucky, his native county. Her parents had come from -Scotland and were substantial citizens. - -Soon after their marriage they moved to Parke County, Indiana, and -settled on a tract of land which the wife had received as a dower from -her father. - -Pioneer life in Indiana need not here be enlarged upon. A solitary -dwelling in the interminable and trackless forest; the building -consisting of a single room built of unhewn logs, roofed with hand-split -clapboards; the chimney covering one entire end of the building; the -rough doors swung on wooden hinges; the small windows with greased paper -or the tanned skins of animals through which a bit of daylight finds its -way with difficulty; the huge fireplace used for both cooking and heating -purposes; the few pieces of hand-made furniture—these were some of the -outward aspects of domestic life out on the ragged edge of civilization. -The cabin of the Newgents was typical of those of their neighbors, the -nearest of whom lived some fifteen miles distant. The larger wild animals -were frequent visitors and the war whoop of the Indian had scarcely died -away. - -After a brief residence at this place they moved to Sullivan County. -Here, on Saturday, September 15, 1838, the subject of this sketch was -born. He was the youngest of seven sons. Subsequently the family circle -was enlarged by the addition of two daughters. The father’s political -bias was again asserted in the name, Andrew Jackson, assigned to this -youngest son, after the great hero of early Democracy. The name often has -given occasion for humorous touches by the owner, especially in referring -to his early life. By the neighbors and older members of the family, he -says, he was dubbed General Andrew Jackson. Later the military title was -dropped and he became plain Andrew Jackson, and by successive stages the -name was further abbreviated until the boy was doomed to answer to the -simple cognomen of “Jack.” Whether this was a process of evolution or of -degeneration, he was destined to win for himself a title that would stand -for real worth and attainment; that would represent the love of little -children, as well as the esteem of men and women, when the affectionate -appellation of “Uncle Jack” would become a household term in multitudes -of homes. - -Perhaps it is to the Scotch blood of his mother that he owes the more -solid elements of his character. The Scotch character stands for thrift, -energy, and integrity, so that wherever the hardy Scotchman goes he -carries with him the best elements of citizenship. These combined with -the quick wit and genial temperament of the sons of Erin produced in our -subject a personality rich in depth and resourcefulness. - -The emigration instinct, always strong in the pioneer, again became -active, and the family set out for a new destination. This time it was -Paw Paw Bend in Knox County, Indiana, so named because of its location in -a bend of White River, and the prolific growth of paw paw trees for which -the fertile lands were especially adapted. Our subject was then about -eighteen months old. Here he spent the years of early childhood. Some -incidents numbered among his earliest recollections and which serve to -illustrate the home life and social conditions in which these years were -passed, will not be out of place in this connection. - -During this period religious services were practically unknown in Paw -Paw Bend. The chief diversions were such social functions as shooting -matches, wood choppings, log rollings, husking bees, and dances. The -spelling bee was still of too intellectual a character to win popularity. -At all such gatherings the familiar demijohn of corn whiskey was -considered an indispensable adjunct. - -Hence, the announcement of a preaching service to be held at the Newgent -home on a following Sunday morning was hailed throughout the settlement -as a new thing under the sun. Of course everybody would go. The preacher -was to be Rev. Nathan Hinkle, a Methodist itinerant. It was out of no -particular religious scruples that the host, Charles Newgent, volunteered -to entertain the assemblage on this occasion, yet he had no aversion to -preachers or churches, and in common with his neighbors, he was always -ready to encourage anything that would break the monotony and afford -social diversion. - -It so happened that on Saturday evening before this memorable day, Pompey -Smash, a negro fiddler, was passing through the neighborhood and asked -to stay over night at Mr. Newgent’s. He was informed by the head of the -house that he would be furnished lodging on condition that he dispense -music for a family dance. The terms were accepted and there was a sound -of revelry by night as the little company beat time on the puncheon floor -to the droll tunes of their musical guest. - -Early next morning the congregation began to assemble for worship. The -presence of the fiddler led to the suggestion that the time spent in -waiting for the arrival of the preacher be used to the best possible -advantage. Accordingly the Ethiopian turned his fiddle—for it was before -the violin was invented; the familiar demijohn was set in a conspicuous -place, and the gentlemen chose their partners. Lest the preacher’s sudden -arrival in the midst of such hilarious scenes be the occasion of a shock -or an offense to his ecclesiastical dignity, a member of the party was -dispatched to do picket service. The watchman, having imbibed too freely -of the contents of the jug, fell asleep at his post. The dance had gone -on merrily for some time in its rapturous excitement; the preacher and -church service were utterly forgotten. When, lo! the alarm was sounded. -The faithless watchman had allowed the company to be taken by surprise. -The approach of the reverend was discovered in the nick of time; the -dance came to an abrupt stop. To prevent the minister from “smelling a -rat,” a puncheon was removed hastily from the floor, and the fiddler, -the fiddle, and the whiskey jug were thrust unceremoniously through the -opening into the cellar excavation below. And the people put on their -Sunday faces for church. - -After the services a part of the congregation, including the shepherd -of the flock, remained for dinner. This necessarily prolonged the -imprisonment of the negro, but when it is recalled that the whiskey -jug was a prison companion, we may surmise that the hours were not -so “tedious and tasteless” as otherwise they might have been. The -solemnities of the day came to an end with the departure of the minister; -the prison was then opened and the prisoner released. An “after service” -followed, which, it may be conjectured, was more in harmony with the -tastes of the congregation. - -While unlimited resources lay at the very doors of these pioneer cabins, -the backwoodsmen lacked the facilities for developing them. Their tastes -were not so exacting as in later days, and beyond the sheer necessities -and comforts of the household, ambition did not spur them on. While -ordinarily the family dined on homely fare, the industrious housewife -often became so proficient in the culinary art as to be able to concoct -most tempting dishes with the raw products that nature placed in easy -reach. The sap of the maple tree, wild grapes, paw paws, and persimmons, -as well as the products of garden, orchard, and field were utilized -in providing for their physical wants. Persimmons ripened with the -early frosts, and when put up in maple syrup, became a staple and most -delicious article of diet. By the addition of the proper quantity of -whiskey, the standard remedy for most of the ills the flesh is heir to, -the mixture afforded in addition to its other virtues, a sure cure for -ague, commonly called “ager.” This led to an episode in which little -Jack and three older brothers were the leading figures, and which he -facetiously labeled “a short cut in the study of astronomy.” - -The children were left alone one afternoon. The oldest of the quartet -was familiar with the process of preparing the common ague antidote. The -necessary ingredients were, as usual, within easy reach. So he proceeded -to administer the remedy to his younger brothers on the principle that -“if a little did good, more would do better.” The bearing of this -procedure upon the science of astronomy becomes apparent when we -remember that among the unschooled of that day it was a mooted question -as to whether or not the world is round and revolves upon its axis, as -the geographies teach. Jack declared that after taking a few doses it -was painfully evident to him that the world did turn round and turned at -such a rapid rate that he found it difficult to keep from falling off. -When the mother returned she found the three younger boys lying on the -floor unconscious, and the author of the mischief sitting astride a joist -overhead the unceiled room in a hilarious condition. By the free use of -sweet milk the younger boys were restored to consciousness, but a special -treatment was reserved for the one who led them into temptation. However, -Jack found this short course in astronomy sufficient for all practical -purposes, and he has never had the occasion or inclination to extend it. - -His early years were as happy and free from care amid these primitive -surroundings, as childhood life could well be, even in what might be -considered more favorable circumstances. Life was simple in the extreme, -even crude, but it was the best he knew. There was nothing in the lives -of his associates calculated to excite envy or cause discontent with his -own lot. But in this connection one incident stands out in bold relief to -mar the picture of boyish contentment. - -A single garment of homespun, or “tow linen,” was all that was considered -necessary in the way of clothing under ordinary circumstances for a boy -of that age. It marked a new era in his life when the loose garment which -covered the anatomy down to the knees was supplemented by a pair of -breeches of the same material. Upon one occasion as Jack stood watching -his mother as she was measuring the material for the older boys’ winter -suits, he heard her remark that there would probably be enough scraps -left over to make him a pair of breeches. With emotions alternating -between hope and fear, he waited impatiently for the outcome. His joy was -unbounded when he found that his hopes were to be realized. His mother -laid him on the floor and thus marked the pattern. It was seen that the -closest economy had to be used to make the goods hold out; so instead of -the regulation number of two suspenders which were one piece with the -breeches, the material would only warrant the making of one. By extending -it from one side on the back diagonally across the shoulder, making -connection on the opposite side in front, the new habiliment maintained -its balance and no special inconvenience was suffered. - -But alas! his rejoicing was soon to be turned into mourning. A few days -later, clad in his new outfit, he went with his brothers to the woods -to gather pecans. It was a warm autumn afternoon, and in climbing and -clubbing the trees and picking up the nuts, the boys found it convenient -to cast off unnecessary articles of clothing. As Jack had scarcely become -accustomed to more than one garment, he could easily dispense with the -breeches for the time. Accordingly they were removed and hung on a bush -near by, and for a time forgotten in the fascination of nut hunting. When -the party was ready to start home with the fruits of their toil, he was -alarmed to find that his cherished breeches had disappeared. The boys -searched diligently but found them not. When about ready to give up in -despair, they chanced to observe, a short distance away, a mellow-eyed, -crinkly-horned, brindle cow making a meal off the lad’s wearing apparel, -or perhaps using it for dessert, as though it were a dainty morsel. And -the last Jack saw of his first pair of breeches was the lone suspender -dangling from the innocent old brindle’s mouth, the major part of them -having been engulfed in her capacious maw. And to the sorrow of his -heart, his wardrobe for another year was limited to the single piece of -homespun. - - - - -CHAPTER TWO. - - _The Tragic Death of the Father—Removal to Parke County—School - Days—Conversion—Change of Church Relationship—A Remarkable - Providence._ - - -Thus far our narrative has covered the childhood of our subject up to -the ninth year of his age. At this juncture occurred an event that cast -the first real shadow over his youthful pathway. It was the death of -his father, the tragic nature of which and the subsequent effect it -was to have upon his career, made the shadow all the deeper and more -significant. Charles Newgent went with a company consisting of sixty -adventurous spirits, upon an expedition to the West, the real object -of which seems to be somewhat indefinite. The restless and venturesome -spirit of the pioneer, a curious desire to penetrate the mysteries of the -great western world, the dream of untold treasures that nature had in -store for those who dared to conquer the dragons that guarded them—all -may have figured in this ill-fated enterprise. However that may have -been, while crossing the western plains the company was attacked and -massacred by a band of hostile Indians. As in the calamities that befell -Job’s household, one of the number was left to tell the story. This one -was supposed by the savages to have shared the fate of all the rest, -being left on the field for dead; but it so happened that in his case the -weapon of death did not do complete work. He was picked up the next day -by a party of hunters to whom he was able to give a vague account of the -preceding day’s terrible tragedy. - -After the father’s death, the mother with her nine children moved back to -their former home in Parke County. Life then took on a sterner aspect for -the boy. His tender hands must perform their part in the maintenance of -the family. Accordingly he hired out to Mr. Jesse Maddox, a neighboring -farmer. His wages the first year were to be a pair of shoes, ten bushels -of corn, and the privilege of attending the district school. The market -price of corn was ten cents per bushel. Even at this modest stipend -he admits that he made money, “though not very much.” While in after -years of fruitful labors in the ministry he often remarked that the -question that most perplexed him was how to earn what he received, it -is not probable that the question at this time had assumed very serious -proportions. - -The most important stipulation in the contract was the privilege -of attending school. But even this is subject to shrinkage when we -recall that the school system of Indiana was then in its first stage -of development. It afforded no royal path to learning, and the common -thoroughfare was neither smooth nor flowery. We would scarcely expect to -find in the schoolroom comforts that the home itself was a stranger to. -Strikingly suggestive of the interior aspect of those primitive seats of -learning are the lines from Whittier’s “In School Days”: - - “Within, the master’s desk is seen, - Deep scarred by raps official; - The battered seats, the warping floor, - The jack knife’s carved initial. - - “The charcoal frescoes on the wall, - The door’s worn sill betraying - The feet that creeping late to school, - Went storming out to playing.” - -To fit the particular building in which our subject first tasted -the fruit of the tree of knowledge, the picture needs but slight -modification. If anything, it should be made even more simple and -primitive. The “battered” seats were made of puncheon. Since this word -is passing from common usage, it may be well to explain that puncheon -is made by splitting a small log in two equal parts. The split edges -are then trimmed down, and the pieces thus treated served as a rough -substitute for sawed lumber. To make them into seats, two holes were -bored near each end in the unhewn side. These being at proper angles, -wooden pins were inserted into them for legs. The rude seat was then -ready for service. It is not to be taken for granted that these seats -were always made perfectly smooth. What was lacking to smooth them down -by the workmen was expected to be completed by the pupils. They finished -the task, but often it was a long and painful process, with many a -protest from a new gown of homespun or a pair of “tow-linen,” home-grown -breeches. Thus, with no rest for the arms or the back, with one side -scorched by the heat from the great fireplace and the other chilled by -the winter winds creeping through cracks in floor and walls and roof, -the children wore away the dreary hours. The floor, being composed -of this same puncheon, did not easily warp. The recess recreation -consisted mainly in carrying fuel from the surrounding forest to feed the -every-hungry fireplace. - -Whatever dignity the schoolmaster may have possessed in the eyes of his -pupils, certain it is he was not the original of Goldsmith’s creation in -the “Deserted Village,” of whom the wonder was “that one small head could -carry all he knew.” Beyond the traditional essentials of scholarship, -consisting of reading, writing, and ciphering, with a specially intimate -acquaintance with the spelling book, he did not pretend to lead. His -chief business was to govern the school. He proved his divine right -to his throne in the schoolroom by his ability to handle the most -obstreperous cases the district could produce. The scholars were on hand -as a challenge to his generalship. The hero of the school was the one who -held out longest against his despotic authority. To lick the teacher was -the height of his ambition. This realized, his place in the local hall of -fame was secure. According to the philosophy of the times “lickin’ and -larnin’” went hand in hand, lickin’ being essential, while larnin’ was -incidental. - -The school house was three miles from the Maddox home. The school was -maintained on the basis that “whosoever will may come.” There was no -penalty for tardiness or absence, but as young Newgent possessed a -real thirst for knowledge and was in the habit of making the most of -whatever he undertook, his attendance was more regular than the average. -However, the sum total of his schooling was limited to three terms of -about three months each, an aggregate of nine months. Meager as were his -school advantages, they were well improved and furnished a foundation -for self-culture upon which he built as only a genius can. He learned -to read in less than four weeks, and his progress was correspondingly -rapid throughout. His real school was not bounded by the walls of the -log school house; it was rather the great school of life with its harsh -discipline and inexhaustible curriculum; and in this he grew to be the -peer of the ripest products of educational institutions. “Opportunities,” -he says, in his characteristic way, “the woods has always been full of -opportunities. I had splendid opportunities when I was a boy, and so did -my companions; but many of them, like some young folks now, failed to see -them.” He saw what many fail to see, that opportunities are not so much -in our environment as in ourselves, and that success is not determined by -outward circumstances, but by one’s own will and energy. - -A habit early formed was that of turning everything to account in the -pursuit of knowledge. Mrs. Newgent, anxious to encourage her children’s -propensities for study, furnished the home with such reading matter as -her means would permit. Though the family were separated most of the -time, they came together at frequent intervals. On these occasions the -time was well spent in reading and in discussing current topics. Whatever -was read became the subject of conversation. These conversations often -took the form of argument, in which the various sides of a subject were -presented and zealously defended. Thus, he early displayed and developed -an aptitude for argumentative discussion, which made him a master in -debate, and is a strong element in all his public discourses. - -His conversion occurred when he was about ten years old, while still in -the service of Mr. Maddox, a benefit which was not considered in the -contract with his employer. This took place during a gracious revival -at the Canaan Methodist church, of which his employer was a member and -was serving at the time as class leader and janitor. The meeting had -been in progress for a number of days; many had found the Savior, and -the community was deeply stirred. He had been sent to open the church -and build the fire for the evening service. While going quietly about -his duties, all alone, the impression came to him quite vividly that he -ought to be a Christian, and he resolved to go to the “mourner’s bench” -that night. He was never long in making up his mind, and when a decision -was once made, it was as a law of the Medes and Persians. So he went to -the altar that night and each succeeding night for more than a week. One -evening as he was listening to the sermon, conviction became so intense -that in his extremity he left the house. Though it was a cold night and -the ground was covered with snow, he stole out in the woods. Kneeling in -the snow, this youthful Jacob wrestled with God in prayer. How long he -tarried, he could not tell, but faith triumphed, and the next he knew -the woods were resounding with his shouts of victory. Rushing into the -church while the preacher was yet talking, he put an end to the sermon -by his shouting and praising God. The congregation was electrified. Soon -the demonstration became general, and for a time pandemonium held sway; -but it was of a sort in which there were both method and meaning, for its -source was from above. - -Like God’s servant of old, he could say, “My heart is fixed.” He joined -the church and from that time never missed an opportunity to pray and -testify in public or private. At that time children did not receive much -attention from the church. Churches were strong on saving souls from -damnation, but the idea of saving the entire life for service had not -taken deep root. As a result of the revival there was a large class of -“probationers.” When the period of probation had expired, according to -the church law, and they were to be admitted into full membership, his -name was not on the list. He was not considered a member; at least that -was his version of it, and the only logical conclusion the case would -warrant. It was a sore disappointment, but of too delicate a nature to -mention to his elders. So he kept his feelings to himself. - -Thus matters stood for little more than a year, when he learned that -there was to be a quarterly meeting at the Otterbein United Brethren -Church a few miles away. This church belonged to the Rockville Circuit -of the Wabash Conference. Rev. William Sherrill was the pastor. The -presiding elder, who was to hold the quarterly conference, was Rev. -Samuel Zuck. Both were strong and good men. Jack had never attended a -United Brethren service. What knowledge he had of the Church was gained -through conversations overheard in the Maddox home. Ministers being -frequently entertained there, conversation at such times naturally took -to religious channels. As this was an age when churches did not entertain -the most fraternal feelings toward one another, these conversations were -not calculated, as a rule, to produce a favorable opinion of a rival -denomination. His interest in churches and religion was genuine, born of -a desire to know the truth. Hence, is was not mere curiosity that led him -to obtain his employer’s permission to spend Saturday and Sunday with a -neighbor in the Otterbein community so that he might attend the services -of the quarterly meeting. - -The Church proved to be his affinity. Whatever misgivings he had, -vanished one by one. The general atmosphere of the first service -harmonized with his temperament. There was spirit in the singing. His -heart burned within him as he listened to the eloquent sermon by the -presiding elder; and when the pastor followed, as the custom was, with a -warm exhortation, he was enraptured. He resolved to join the Church. As -usual, the decision was made without much preliminary. He knew where he -stood, and stood there with both feet. When he returned, his employer, as -well as his own folks, was thunderstruck to learn that he had become a -full-fledged United Brethren. Having put his hand to the plow, he never -turned back. “I have been so busy,” is a common saying with him, “that I -have never had time to backslide.” - -It should be said in justice to the church where he first joined, that -his name had been entered upon the book, but by mistake it was placed -in the list with the full members. This accounts for his not being -received with the probationers, to which class he belonged, and led to -the conclusion that he was not considered a member. Thus an apparently -insignificant thing may prove to be a matter of vital importance. - -As a boy he possessed pronounced convictions and a keen sense of -religious obligation. This is demonstrated by an incident which occurred -while he was in the employ of Mr. Jerry Rush, a short time after leaving -the service of Mr. Maddox. Mr. Rush was a well-to-do farmer and stock -dealer. Neither he nor his wife made any profession of religion, though -their lives were regarded as exemplary and above question in other -respects. Some of the men who worked on the farm, however, were of the -baser sort. It seemed strange to young Newgent that a man of Mr. Rush’s -habits would surround himself with men who were utterly destitute of -moral scruples or of the commonest decencies. To him their vulgarity -and profanity were a source of constant annoyance. At one time as their -coarse jests were grating on his sensitive ears, he was impressed with -the idea that this uncouth crowd afforded him a field for missionary -work. The impression was not long in taking definite shape. It came with -the force of a challenge, a bugle call to duty, a call that he never -failed to heed. His mind was made up that he would offer prayer with -these men before they retired that evening if Mr. Rush would grant him -the privilege. - -It was a bold resolve, an ordeal from which a braver heart might well -have shrunk. Let eloquent tongues proclaim the praise of those who face -death at the cannon’s mouth, or the inspired pen immortalize the hero, -who, amid the applause of admiring multitudes, imperils his own life to -save another; but who would not count it a worthy act to place a laurel -wreath upon the brow of a fourteen-year-old lad who dared to face, not -one Goliath, but a company of Goliaths, with the simple weapon of faith, -and demand that they bow before their God while he offered a petition in -behalf of their needy souls? Yet this resolute purpose was to undergo -a severe test. The fiercest battles are fought in our own hearts. As -the time drew near, he felt his courage slipping away. He stole out to -the barn for a time of secret prayer, that he might be equal to the -emergency. Feeling comforted and strengthened, he started to the house to -execute his plan. On reaching the yard gate his courage seemed to take -flight, and he could go no farther. He went back to the place of prayer. -On the second venture he got as far as the door, when his strength again -vanished. Not to be beaten, he went back to the barn to fight the battle -to a finish. The third effort won the day. He hastened to the house, -determined not to give the enemy a chance. The men were sitting about -the fire. Without a word by way of preliminary, he stepped up to Mr. -Rush and asked permission to kneel with them in prayer. The permission -was granted, and a solemn hush came over the startled company as they -listened while the boy, with trembling voice and stammering accents, -poured out his soul to God. He then sought his bed with the consciousness -that he had done his duty. A sweet peace filled his soul and he lay for -hours in ecstacy of joy. - -The next evening the family devotions were repeated. But on the third -evening the prayer was forestalled by a preconcerted plan on the part of -the men. As the time for prayer approached, one after another, they arose -and stalked out of the room, and the victor in two hard-fought battles -was left alone—defeated and dejected. His spirits dropped down to zero. -The fiery dart had pierced him through and through. In agony of soul he -sought his bed, but not to rest. Out of the depth of his troubled heart -he called upon God for comfort. But the fury of the storm seemed only -to increase. In his desperation he felt that something must be done. -So, about the hour of midnight, he arose, dressed himself, and left the -house to go—he knew not where. Through the remaining hours of the night -he wandered, directing his course toward the West. Daylight came, the -sun rose above the horizon and pursued its course toward the zenith, -but his pilgrimage continued. At noon he found himself in the city of -Terre Haute, then a mere village. Here he tarried for a time to seek -employment. Failing in this, he resumed his westward journey. He asked -for work at the various farm houses which he passed. While he found kind -hearts who, touched by pity for the youthful pilgrim, gave him food and -temporary shelter, he found no man to hire him until he reached Mattoon, -Illinois, nearly a hundred miles from whence he started. Work at that -season of the year was scarce, and his term of service at Mattoon was -brief. At the end of three days his employer gave him his wages with the -intelligence that his services were no longer needed. - -He now decided to go back to Indiana. With his three days’ wages in his -pocket, with which he expected to pay for his transportation at least -part of the way, he set out upon the return journey. Within the vicinity -of Terre Haute he succeeded in finding steady employment and a congenial -home. - -There were two sides to this story, and some months after Jack was -settled in his new home he learned the other side. It was glorious news -to him. The sequel was that Mr. Rush was converted, joined the Baptist -Church, and became a zealous leader in religious work. It came about in -this way: When Mr. Rush found that Jack had disappeared and diligent -effort failed to solve the mystery of his disappearance, a feeling of -remorse over his unchristian conduct so possessed him that for days he -was almost in a state of frenzy. Remorse took the form of spiritual -conviction and genuine repentance which led to a glorious conversion. - -On learning of the whereabouts of his young benefactor, Mr. Rush at once -went to see him, and told him his side of the story. He confessed to -Jack that he was a guilty party to the scheme the men had used to defeat -him. The boy’s awkward prayer together with their own antipathy for such -pious exercises was a source of embarrassment to the men, and they agreed -among themselves to use the method described to rid themselves of further -annoyance. Little did Mr. Rush realize that those awkward prayers were to -be the means of his salvation. - - “God moves in a mysterious way, - His wonders to perform, - He plants his footsteps on the sea, - He rides upon the storm. - - “Judge not the Lord with feeble sense, - But trust him for his grace, - Behind a frowning providence - He hides a smiling face.” - - - - -CHAPTER THREE. - - _Call to the Ministry—First Sermon—The Boy Preacher—Answering - a Fool After his Folly—Turning a Camp Meeting Tide—Quieting a - Skirmish—Takes a Wife._ - - -Providence seemed to ordain that there should be one preacher in the -Newgent family and that that one should be Jack. As has been observed, -his religious zeal from the time of his conversion at the age of ten, -was exceptional. Just when the first impression looking toward the -ministry came to him he could scarcely tell, such impressions having been -associated more or less with his religious experience from the beginning. -By the time he was thirteen the conviction that he had a “divine call” to -preach the gospel became clear and definite. And the conviction deepened -with the passing of time. Of course, no one dreamed of the emotions that -were stirring the boy’s breast, and to him the ministry was so high and -sacred a calling as to seem infinitely beyond his possibilities. Hence, -he dared not express his feelings to even his most intimate friends, and -so received no sympathy or encouragement from any human source. He went -about his Father’s business in his own way, rendering such service to -the cause of his Master as a boy of his years was capable of. His zeal -knew no abatement, and such diligence is sure to lead to recognition and -reward. - -The minister who first took a special interest in him was Rev. Ira Mater, -an able preacher and a sympathetic discerner of the thoughts and intents -of the heart. Between the man and the lad there sprang up a beautiful -friendship, suggestive of that between Paul and Timothy. Rev. Mr. Mater -frequently invited his young friend to accompany him to his appointments, -and by way of stirring up the gift that was in this prospective Timothy, -sometimes called upon him to open the service, to exhort after the -sermon, or perform such other public ministrations as were convenient. -Rev. Mr. Newgent has always gratefully acknowledged his indebtedness to -this spiritual father. - -This association with Rev. Mr. Mater was during his sixteenth and -seventeenth years. He was small and rather delicate for one of his age. -His entire youth was a continual conflict with disease, the entire -category of which seemed to try their hand upon his slender frame. -But while his body was frail, his mind was strong and alert. That -his positive temperament and seeming disposition to never give up had -somewhat to do in staving off the grim monster, death, is not at all -unlikely. - -His first regular discourse was preached at the Stedd School House -near Fontanet, in Clay County, Indiana. The school house was used as a -preaching point and weekly prayer meetings were maintained. He was a -frequent attendant at these services, and one evening, on entering the -house, he was met by the leader who said, “Jack, the people are expecting -you to preach to-night.” That he was to preach was simply a surmise, his -association with Rev. Mr. Mater being the probable foundation of it. -But some one surmised out loud and the rumor gained currency. Observing -his surprise at this intelligence, the leader continued, “You had -just as well begin here and now,” in a manner that indicated that it -was a foregone conclusion that preaching was to be his life business. -And Jack preached. At any rate, if the effort could not be classed as -preaching, it was a splendid substitute for it. He announced as a text, -“If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the -sinner appear?” The congregation was visibly affected by his fervor and -earnestness, some of the more demonstrative ones giving vent to their -feelings in shouts of praise. He was urged to preach the next night, and -the meetings were continued for more than a week, being held at various -private homes, Newgent preaching at each service. The divine seal was -thus placed upon his ministry, and the meeting marked the beginning of a -new epoch in his career. - -A few weeks later the Rockville quarterly conference granted him a -license to preach. The action was taken in his absence. J. P. White -was the preacher in charge and Thomas M. Hamilton was the presiding -elder. The action of the quarterly conference was almost a superfluous -formality, as he was now so greatly in demand that he could not well -avoid preaching. - -The boy preacher was a popular character. To see a man on the _ante -meridian_ of life in the pulpit was at that time quite unusual. The -popular prejudice was in favor of men who had spent the major part of -their lives on the farm or in business, thus acquiring a competence -that would enable them to proclaim that salvation is free without being -embarrassed or embarrassing their congregations on the money question. -Hence, a diminutive lad of seventeen, weighing only about eighty pounds, -exercising the ministerial function was in itself sufficient to attract -the multitudes. Wherever he preached he was greeted by immense audiences. -By many he was regarded as a prodigy, though he could not be classed as -such, prodigies seldom accomplishing more than to afford amusement for -curious spectators. It is true, however, that he displayed qualities -unusual for one of his years, though it must be admitted that the greater -part of his power lay in his intense religious zeal and earnestness. - -Some characteristic incidents in this part of his ministry will not -only be of interest in themselves, but will at the same time serve to -illustrate his unique individuality. He went on one occasion to fill -an appointment at what was known as the Rough and Ready School House. -The name was justified by the prevailing social conditions. Like Paul -on Mars Hill, he found that at least some of the people were very -religious, though their religious energy was not always directed to the -best advantage. Not infrequently does it transpire that men will fight -for their religion even when they are utterly averse to the practice of -it, a fact which had a forcible illustration in this particular service. -He preached with his usual energy. The house was crowded and the sermon -seemed to be well received. There happened to be present a minister of -what was designated as the Campbellite persuasion. Evidently the sermon -did not coincide with his theological bias. He asked permission to -say a few words as the speaker took his seat. The permission granted, -he sallied forth with a tirade of abuse and denunciation of the young -preacher and his theology in which his passion played a larger part than -either his judgment or his conscience. When he finally ran down, Newgent -arose in a calm manner and said, “Brother, with your way of applying -Scripture, I can prove that Eve was the mother of a turkey buzzard.” -“Prove it, then,” shouted back the irascible theologue. “Well, the Bible -says that Eve was the mother of all living, and that includes turkey -buzzards. Let us be dismissed,” and calling the audience to their feet, -he pronounced the benediction before his assailant had time to reply. - -At another time, with his brother, John Newgent, he happened to drop -in at a Methodist camp meeting in Sullivan County. They arrived just -in time for the morning service. A number of ministers were seated on -the platform, among them being Rev. Hayden Hayes, the presiding elder. -Rev. Mr. Hayes had met Newgent on a former occasion, and as soon as he -saw him enter the camp, rushed back and taking him by the arm, led him -to the platform. Hayes was a strong, portly man, and the delicate lad -was helpless in his grasp; thus he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, -and was informed that he must preach. Though he vainly sought to be -excused, yet he was equal to the emergency. He had proceeded about ten -minutes with his discourse, when a man sitting a few feet in front of the -platform was converted and began to shout. He continued, and four others -in the congregation broke loose in like manner, all of them having been -converted through the effect of the sermon, and the discourse disappeared -in a whirlwind of praise that completely drowned the speaker’s voice. Up -to that time there had been no move in the meeting. - -John Newgent was imbued with the old-school Baptist doctrine and had not -sympathized with his brother’s preaching propensities. After resuming -their journey they rode for a time in silence. Finally the older brother -said, “Jack, you know I have always opposed your preaching. But I want to -say that I have no further objection to it; but,” he added with quivering -lips, “I want you to pray for me.” The sermon had touched his heart. - -Though urgent demands were made upon the boy preacher to stay and assist -in the meeting, he was unable to do so, and heard nothing further from -it until after he had returned from the war, when by chance he again -passed through the vicinity. He stopped at the home of a Mrs. Mayfield, -on whose farm the camp was located, to get his dinner and his horse fed. -As he was taking his leave, having paid his bill, he chanced to observe -the camp ground a short distance away. Up to that time he was not aware -that he was in the immediate vicinity of it. He inquired of his hostess -concerning the camp meetings. She told him that but one such meeting had -been held, though the intention was to make it a permanent institution. -The unsettled condition of times during the Rebellion prevented the plan -from being carried out. - -“How was that meeting?” Newgent asked, as one who had a peculiar interest -in it. - -“Oh, it was a grand success. There was a little Baptist preacher from -near Lafayette happened in and preached one morning, and just set things -on fire. From that time on the meetings were powerful.” - -“What was the fellow’s name?” he asked, but she could not recall it. - -“Was it Newgent?” She said that sounded like it. - -“Well,” he said, “I know him. He isn’t considered much of a preacher up -there where he lives, but,” he added, “you are mistaken about his being a -Baptist. He is a United Brethren.” - -She looked at him curiously for an instant and said, “I believe you are -the fellow.” And his smile told that she had guessed aright. - -His money was returned at once, and she insisted that he stay and preach -at the Methodist church near the camp ground that night, assuring him -that he would have a good hearing as there had been much talk about the -little preacher who had “set the camp meeting afire.” This he was unable -to do, but promised to return at a later date. - -A short while after the camp meeting, he filled an appointment for his -pastor, Rev. J. F. Moore, at the Leatherwood church, which was a part -of the Rockville charge. The pulpit arrangement of this church was in -strict harmony with the fashion of the times. It consisted of a sort of -wall which shut the preacher in almost completely from the congregation, -suggesting a military fortification. Newgent, being small of stature, -could with difficulty peer over the top of the ramparts. He was led to -believe, however, that the fortification was a necessary precaution, -for his artillery had been turned loose but a short time when it was -evident that there was a hearty response. Bang! Some sort of a missile -struck the rampart just in front of him with a loud report. It was -followed immediately by another, and the bombardment, continued until -six discharges were fired. The preacher withdrew within the breastworks -that small fraction of his anatomy that was exposed, and waited for -hostilities to cease. The congregation was at once thrown into a -state of confusion and excitement. When the preacher finally surveyed -the situation after the heavy batteries were silenced, he saw that a -hand-to-hand skirmish was on between two men in the rear of the room. -One was making a desperate effort to get the other to the door and out -of the house. With the help of the congregation, he succeeded in putting -down the rebellion, and going back to his fortifications he finished -the discourse and the service was concluded in fairly good order. The -difficulty was only a side issue, the culmination of a grudge between -a couple of natives. The missiles were not aimed at the preacher, but -were fired from ambush through the open door; the man for whom they were -intended happened to be sitting in range with the pulpit. - -Rev. Mr. Moore resigned the Rockville charge during the year and Newgent -was appointed to serve the unexpired term. This was his first experience -in the pastorate. His brief term of service here was characterized by a -revival of extraordinary results at Otterbein, his home church. Converts -were numbered by the scores and the community was shaken by such a -spiritual upheaval as it had never known. - -[Illustration: REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWGENT - -When he traveled his first circuit.] - -Another adventure should be chronicled here. It has been said that there -are but three real important events in a man’s life, namely, his birth, -his marriage, and his death. The second of this great trio in the life -of our subject occurred during the period embraced in this chapter. It -is a common saying with him that he does not believe in early marriages, -hence, he deferred this important step until he was eighteen years -old. And on the seventh of January, 1857, he took to himself a wife in -the person of Miss Katharine Copeland. She proved to be a worthy and -sympathetic companion, heroically assuming her part of the burdens and -responsibilities that belong to the family of an itinerant preacher. -That her lot was not an easy one may be readily assumed when we consider -what the ministerial calling involved in that early day. Its peculiar -hardships fell most heavily upon the wife, yet these she endured without -protest. Brave in heart, gentle in temper, and in heartiest accord with -her husband’s interests, she proved to him a real helpmeet, and an -inspiration to his loftiest endeavors. - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR. - - _Conference Membership—Brulitz Creek Ministry—The Modern Knight - and his Steed—Abrupt Closing of Family Devotions by a Dog on - the Preacher—An Original Marriage Ceremony—A Case of Mistaken - Identity—A Banner Missionary Collection—Shawnee Prairie - Pastorate—A Cold Day in April—The Redemption of Hell’s Half - Acre—Baiting for a Perverse Fish—An Experience in the Whiskey - Business._ - - -Rev. Mr. Newgent was received into the Upper Wabash Conference at -Milford, Indiana, in the spring of 1859. Bishop David Edwards presided. -The Conference had been formed the preceding year by a division of the -Wabash Conference territory. As a matter of coincidence he was ordained -four years later at the Conference in session at the same place with the -same Bishop presiding. He was now in his twenty-first year, having been -quite prominent in ministerial labors for about four years, and had a -record for zeal, earnestness, and success in revival work that commended -him favorably to the Conference. - -He was appointed by this Conference to the Brulitz Creek Circuit, which -gave him an unlimited field for the exercise of his zeal and talents. -The circuit consisted of eighteen appointments, only two of which were -at church-houses; the others were at school houses and in private homes. -With little or no competition, the circuit-rider was monarch of all -he surveyed, though in most cases when he received his appointment he -found enough already surveyed to tax his time and energy to the limit. -Preaching services were not confined to the Sabbath, but would fall upon -any day of the week, and even then the intervals between appointments, -except during the periodic “big meeting,” were usually not less than five -or six weeks. - -The standard mode of travel was by horseback, and the circuit-rider, -in addition to his other qualifications, needed to be efficient in -horsemanship. This was scarcely necessary in Newgent’s case, however. Not -being able to own a horse at this time, he secured the loan of one from -an accommodating neighbor. The horse was as accommodating as its owner. -It was quite well “broke,” having endured the rigors of some nineteen -winters, and was experienced in the various departments of farm work. -It had sowed and reaped—and eaten—its wild oats, and was absolutely -reliable, at least to the limit of its physical endurance. At any rate -the horse had many acknowledged good points, as a faithful portrait -would have demonstrated. While it may not have been in its real element -on dress parade, it served the more practical purpose of locomotion—to a -somewhat limited extent. - -As the rider weighed scarcely a hundred pounds, the horse had no cause to -complain at his burden. And when it came to matters of appearance, the -odds were not so unevenly balanced as might be supposed. The spare-built, -smooth-faced youth, clad in his suit of homespun, which was made with a -reckless disregard of the lines and proportions of his anatomy, might -well have recalled the lines of Shakespeare: - - “Would that he were fatter, but I fear him not; - Yet if my name were liable to fear, - I know of no one whom I would so much avoid.” - -Thus, mounted upon his trusty steed, armed with all the weapons of -spiritual warfare, this modern knight errant of the saddle-bags rode -forth valiantly to the scenes of the year’s conflicts and triumphs. -En-route to his first appointment, he found an opportunity to do some -pastoral work which led to an episode, without mention of which these -chronicles would be incomplete. Passing by the home of one of his -prominent members, he stopped for a brief call. The house stood on the -side of a hill, some distance from the road. A flight of steps led up to -the front door. Ascending the steps, he rapped at the door and was kindly -admitted by the good housewife. All went merry as a marriage bell and the -time of his departure was at hand all too soon. He asked the privilege of -bowing with the family in prayer before going, which was freely granted. -The weather was warm and it was not thought necessary to close the door, -though had it been done in this case, it would have prevented a bit -of embarrassment and incidentally spoiled a good story. As all was so -congenial within, the pastor anticipated no molestation from without, and -so injudiciously knelt with his back to the open door. - -As he warmed up to his devotions, he aroused from his slumbers a large -Newfoundland dog, that had evidently not noticed the approach of the -stranger, and up to that time was unaware of his presence. The aroused -canine at once began an investigation, and when he saw what was going on, -seemed much offended that he had not been consulted about the matter. -He bounded up the steps into the room, and, seizing the preacher by -the luxuriant growth of black hair that covered his dome of thought, -affording an excellent hold for his teeth, he zealously set about the -task of removing the supposed intruder from the premises. The preacher -was taken unawares. Before he could assume a defensive attitude, he and -the dog were rolling pell-mell, higgledy-piggledy over each other, down -the steps, and landed in a confused heap on the ground. Devotions thus -came to an abrupt close; the family came to the preacher’s rescue. All -formalities were dispensed with for the time. By the united efforts of -the family, the dog and preacher were finally separated without either of -them being seriously damaged, and the new pastor of Brulitz Creek Circuit -went on his way to face new adversaries and new experiences. - -[Illustration: Family Devotions Interrupted.] - -He reached the home of Mr. Jacob Wimsett, in Vermilion County, on -Saturday evening as the sun was dropping below the horizon, and there -put up for the night. This was in the vicinity of his Sunday morning -appointment. It was an old-fashioned home even for that day; the home -atmosphere was more hospitable than conventional. As the preacher himself -was quite democratic in his temperament, no formalities were required. -He noticed among the various members of the household a young man and -a young woman who seemed as unobtrusive and as awkward as himself. No -introductions being given, he took it for granted that they both were -members of the family and so gave them no particular thought until he was -ready to start to church the next morning. As he was about to take his -leave, the young man approached him rather diffidently and requested him -to wait a few minutes. - -“Me an’ the girl,” he explained, pointing to the blushing lass on the -opposite side of the room, “are a goin’ to git married, an’ we want you -to say the words for us before you go.” - -“All right,” said Newgent, in a manner that left the impression that he -understood the situation all the while, “give me your license.” - -The document was produced and the twain took their place in front of the -preacher, while the rest of the company looked on. Up to this time he -had never served in that capacity and had not the slightest idea of a -marriage ceremony. Examining the document in a seemingly critical manner -for an instant as if to make sure that it conformed to all requirements, -he looked gravely at the trembling young couple. “If you are agreed -to live together,” he said so rapidly as to render his words scarcely -intelligible, “according to the marriage covenant, join your right -hands.” Scarcely had they time to heed the injunction when he continued, -“In the name of God I pronounce you man and wife.” And the twain were -made one. - -He then hastened to his morning appointment, reaching the church before -the people began to gather. This was one of the two church-houses on -the circuit, and was called Nicholls’ Chapel. “Father” Nicholls, one of -the wheel-horses of the church, and in whose honor it was named, was -sweeping the floor and putting the house in order. His task completed, -he went home to get ready for the morning service, without making the -acquaintance of the young stranger. Ere long the people began to arrive. -By the time Sunday school commenced the house was quite well filled. -Newgent took his seat in the rear of the house and received no particular -attention. He was not even invited to a place in a Sunday-school class. -However, his presence _incognito_ gave him a good opportunity for taking -notes. He overheard frequent remarks concerning the new preacher. The -people had heard nothing of him and were expressing doubts about his -being in the neighborhood. And when Sunday school closed without his -presence being made known, their doubts seemed to be confirmed. - -Rev. William Jones, a retired preacher and a member of the local class, -came in just as Sunday school was closing and at once made inquiry -concerning the pastor. - -“We haven’t seen or heard anything of him,” was the information he -received from Father Nicholls. - -“Why, there he is now,” and Rev. Mr. Jones pointed to the diminutive lad -near the door. - -“That fellow?” Father Nicholls was dumfounded. “That fellow has been here -all morning. I supposed he was some hired hand in the neighborhood that -had just happened in.” - -Explanations and apologies were freely indulged in, the supposed hired -hand entering heartily into the joke. He was introduced to the astonished -congregation, and the service proceeded to their entire satisfaction -and delight. Father Nicholls treated him kindly; he piloted him to the -afternoon appointment, introducing him to all whom they chanced to meet, -invariably accompanying the introduction with the story of the forenoon -experience. - -“If I had been out hunting for preachers,” he would say, in telling the -story, “I would not have snapped a cap at him.” - -The year’s work on this field was a most fruitful one. The membership was -doubled, and though the charge was not above the average in financial -strength, he received the largest salary of any member of the conference. - -Little attention was given, at this time, to the cause of missions. Money -was not generally recognized as a vital factor in Christian service. -Salaries were meager and often consisted in provisions rather than cash. -In many places a strong sentiment prevailed against a paid ministry. -Poverty and ignorance were considered necessary prerequisites to -ministerial piety. The General Missionary Board was only about nine years -old, and missionary sentiment had not taken deep root. But Newgent sowed -missionary seed with a lavish hand, and had the pleasure of reaping at -least part of the harvest. His ability to lead men to loosen their purse -strings even then began to be asserted in a marked degree. More than half -of the missionary contributions of the entire conference that year was -reported from Brulitz Creek Circuit. - -His report attracted attention and won him considerable distinction -at the annual conference. According to custom each pastor reported in -person in the open conference relative to the different interests of his -charge. When asked about his missionary offering, Newgent replied, “Here -it is,” and taking a woolen bag, commonly called a sock, from his pocket -he emptied its contents on the table. The contents consisted of coins -of various denominations just as he had gathered them to the amount of -$33.40, the small change giving it the appearance of a larger sum than -he actually had. However, this was considered remarkable. Most of the -pastors reported nothing. Dr. D. K. Flickinger, the first missionary -secretary of the Church, was occupying a seat on the platform near the -Bishop, and joined heartily with him in applause at the splendid report -and the unique manner of presenting it. - -The year’s work placed the “boy preacher” in a most favorable light, and -led to his appointment to the Shawnee Prairie Circuit, the strongest -charge in the Conference. The charge had had the pastoral service of -Rev. Thomas H. Hamilton, a mighty man who stood high in the counsels of -the denomination. It was characterized by more than the usual amount of -wealth and culture, and withal an air of aristocracy that led to demands -upon a pastor that were most exacting. Rev. Mr. Hamilton was a favorite -on the circuit, and the people had no thought of losing him. His election -to the office of presiding elder, however, necessitated the change, and -when the awkward, and, as they thought, inexperienced lad came among -them, they felt that their aristocratic tastes were outraged. It was a -wet, chilly day in April when he arrived, and the crestfallen spirits of -the people made it still more chilly for him. And when he learned that -the matter of rejecting him was being seriously considered, the situation -was anything but cheerful. - -He told the people he would remain until the first quarterly meeting, -when the presiding elder, Rev. Mr. Hamilton, would be present, and that -he would willingly abide by their decision at that time. This was a -judicious step, as it gave him an opportunity to prove himself. So he -went to work with his usual zeal and by the time of the quarterly meeting -he had sixty conversions with about an equal number of additions to the -church. All thought of rejecting the pastor had completely vanished. In -fact they would not have swapped him off for the “biggest gun they had -ever heard fired.” Such success as the charge had never known crowned the -labors of that year—great revivals at all the appointments, the circuit -more than doubled in strength, and enthusiasm at high tide. Thus their -mourning was turned into laughing. A unanimous demand was made for his -return for another year, but his restless spirit sought new worlds to -conquer. His motto has always been that it is better to go to a needy -field and build it up than to go where further advancement is impossible. -On this ground he asked to be sent to a new field. - -One experience on Shawnee Prairie Circuit is worthy of special mention. -Contiguous to the circuit, near Attica in Fountain County, was a section -of country known as Hell’s Half Acre. Its leading spirit was an infidel -doctor. His influence and teachings had so dominated the community that -it was found impossible to maintain religious services there. Ministers -were considered proud, indolent, and altogether an undesirable lot. -Newgent determined to do some missionary work in that benighted place, -though repeated efforts to that end had been made in vain. - -In order to make a favorable impression and avoid the imprecation of -being proud, he dressed in his everyday clothes and visited the district -school, which was the geographical and social center, and the only place -where meetings could be held. He announced that there would be services -at the school house that evening, to be continued indefinitely, and urged -the children to spread the news. - -The announcement, however, did not produce satisfactory results. The -attendance the first three or four evenings did not exceed a half-dozen. -The atmosphere was rather chilly and the spiritual barometer did not -indicate an early change. It soon became apparent that the old doctor was -the key to the situation. If the people were to be reached, it must be -done mainly through him. How to capture this Goliath was now the problem, -and this problem Newgent set about to solve. - -The Sunday services having been no better attended than the preceding -ones, he decided upon a bold move. On Monday afternoon he called at the -doctor’s home. The doctor answered his knock at the door in person. The -old fellow’s rough demeanor and uncouth appearance, his ancient cob pipe -that had long been entitled to a superannuated relation, the musty, dingy -room which the half-open door disclosed—all seemed in striking harmony -with his attitude toward religion. The preacher introduced himself and -explained that he was holding a revival over at the school house. The -grizzled old sinner looked him over from head to foot, but said nothing, -though the expression on his sin-hardened face seemed to say more plainly -than words, “Well, you little rascal, you had better be at home with your -mother.” - -“I understand,” persisted the preacher, ignoring the old gentleman’s -contemptuous frown, “that you are a good singer and a prominent citizen, -and I would like to consult you about the work and get you to help me.” - -“Help in a revival? Why, don’t you know that I don’t believe in the Bible -or churches, or religion of any sort?” - -“Well, that needn’t stand in the way. The evenings are long and the young -people want somewhere to go. You can do the singing and I’ll do the -preaching.” - -[Illustration: The Boy Preacher Visiting the Infidel.] - -That put a different complexion on things. Here was a chance for some -fun, and incidentally an outlet for his musical propensities, for he was -well versed in music. The idea seemed to take hold. The grim features -began to relax. The boys were called and told to “put up the preacher’s -horse,” and the preacher was invited into the house. The invitation was -heartily accepted. Newgent understood fishing; he had fished before. -The hook was baited and he now perceived that he had got a nibble. The -afternoon was spent to a good advantage. Conversation flowed in various -channels, but fought shy of religion—no time for that yet. He waited for -his fish to take the cork under before pulling in. The doctor had a large -family of children, and their appearance bore testimony to the fact that -they were strangers to church and Sunday school. The boys spread the -startling news that “dad was goin’ to help the boy preacher in the big -meetin’.” And such news traveled as it were with seven-leagued boots. - -That was all the advertisement the meeting needed. The infidel -accompanied the preacher to the meeting, taking his place up front, and -led the singing after the droll manner then in vogue. An earthquake or a -man from the dead would not have created more excitement or comment. From -that time the little school house did not accommodate the crowds. - -The sermon that evening was not calculated to create a very profound -impression. It was more saturated with Irish humor than with real gospel -truth. The time for seriousness had not yet arrived. But the axe was -laid at the root of the tree, and the kingdom was nearer at hand than any -of them supposed. As a fisher of men, the preacher was still baiting for -the fish. - -The next night he took for his theme the Judgment. This was the occasion -for solemn and serious facts. He turned loose all the artillery at his -command in storming the batteries of infidelity and sin, and felt the -presence of the Spirit in directing the message. As he neared the close -of his discourse, he turned to the doctor. The wind had been taken out -of the old man’s sails; his face was in his hands and he was weeping -bitterly. - -“What’s the matter, doctor?” he shouted, in a strong, firm voice, -striving to make his words as impressive as possible. - -The doctor did not answer. - -“Get down on your knees,” he commanded as one who spoke with authority. - -And the great exponent of infidelity went down, and his example was -followed by a number of others. He wrestled in agony and prayer until -near midnight, when the light broke in upon his long benighted soul—and -the fish was caught. Such demonstrations had never been seen in Hell’s -Half Acre as took place in the rude school house that night. The tide -had surely turned and the redemption was at hand. - -As he dismissed the service, Newgent announced that he was ready -to go home with the first man who invited him. A tall, threadbare, -weather-beaten fellow accepted the challenge. But when the preacher -started to go, he explained that he didn’t mean it. “I can’t take care of -you; I haven’t any room,” he protested. - -“Go ahead,” said the preacher, “I can sleep on dry coon skins and eat -roasted potatoes.” And he went in spite of the protests of his host. - -The man was surely honest in his protest. He dwelt in a hut built of -round poles. In one corner was a badly cracked stove that had long -done service for both cooking and heating purposes. Two large box-like -arrangements partly filled with leaves gathered from the forest, together -with some ragged covering, served as feeble apologies for beds, and -between these beds was a barrel of whisky. Though it was past midnight, -the wife was sitting up. She was scantily clad, yet her face, though -careworn, revealed a high degree of intelligence, bearing evidence that -she had seen better days. Two little girls whose appearance harmonized -only too well with their wretched surroundings, completed the family -circle. As Newgent entered this hovel his eyes rested upon such a picture -of destitution as he had never seen. The whisky barrel, however, told the -whole story. - -Newgent soon had the entire family feeling perfectly at ease. He played -with the children and proved himself a most congenial guest. But he was -there for their spiritual good. That night the wretched home, for the -first time, became a house of prayer. Before the light of a new day -dawned the light from heaven broke in upon the sad heart of that wife and -mother, and a new day dawned in her life. The next morning the husband -likewise found the Savior, and the whisky barrel, the cause of so much -misery and poverty, vacated its place in the home, for old things had -passed away and all things had become new. Another stronghold was lost to -the enemy. A glorious night’s work it was, and a mighty step toward the -final conquest of this spiritual Canaan. - -The man asked Newgent to roll the barrel of whisky into the river. But he -said, “No; let us sell it to the druggist. We can use the money to a good -advantage.” So he borrowed a team and wagon, and hauled the whisky to the -nearest drug store, and received eighteen dollars for it. With the money -he bought some much needed clothing for the wife and children. It was his -first and only experience in the whisky business. - -The entire community was swept by the revival. Multitudes were converted, -a church was organized, and a church-house built. The whisky man and the -ex-infidel became pillars in the church, one serving as class leader -and the other as steward. Never was a work of grace more complete, -or the power of God more wonderfully or graciously displayed in the -transformation of a community than in the case of Hell’s Half Acre. - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE. - - _Six Months at Rainsville—A Hotbed of Southern Sympathizers—A - Mix-up with Saloon Men—A Sermon on Slavery—Fire and - Brimstone—An Antagonist Outwitted—A Sermon from the Book of - Newgent—Can Any Good Thing Come Out of Rainsville?_ - - -In 1861, the time of holding the Upper Wabash Conference was changed -from spring to fall. Hence, two sessions were held that year with an -interim of but six months between them. This period was spent by Rev. -Mr. Newgent on the Williamsport Circuit in Warren County, Indiana. He -moved with his family to Rainsville, a village of about one hundred and -fifty inhabitants, located on Vermilion River. The town was still in the -rough, its chief activities centering about two rival saloons. As it had -no church and not a single inhabitant who professed religion, the saloons -had things pretty much their own way. The Newgents occupied part of a -building that formerly did service as the village inn; the rest of it was -occupied by one of the saloon keepers. The two families, however, did -not have undisputed possession of the place, as it seemed to have been -preempted by bed bugs and fleas, which were no inconspicuous feature of -life in Rainsville. While the saloon keeper and the preacher maintained -peaceable relations with each other, these aboriginal neighbors -maintained an attitude of hostility with a persistence that was worthy of -a better cause than they represented. - -Another thing that made life in Rainsville interesting during this period -was the war which was then in its first year of progress. The sympathies -of the inhabitants were decidedly with the South. But one man could be -found who claimed to be loyal to the Union, and as might be expected -under such circumstances, he was not very enthusiastic about it. They -could safely be counted on the off side of any question or movement that -involved a moral element. With the war agitation to stir their blood, the -well patronized saloons doing business seven days and nights in the week, -and the absence of any religious institution or influence, Rainsville -might well have served as a basis for the doctrine of total depravity. - -The Williamsport Circuit, like most of the country parishes of its day, -afforded a man plenty of room to grow in. If a pastor rusted out it was -his own fault. But Newgent, with his active temperament and fondness for -adventure, was not the man to rust out. Not only the Sabbath, but most -of the evenings between Sabbaths were taken up with preaching services. -Each alternate Sabbath during the Williamsport pastorate he preached four -times, which entailed forty-two miles of travel by horseback. The day’s -program was as follows: Leaving home at daybreak, he rode twenty miles -to a ten o’clock appointment. After the service he would get a “hand -out” for dinner and reach the next appointment at two o’clock, then to a -4:30 service, and on home for meeting at night. Life was both simple and -strenuous in the extreme. - -The first Sunday in this village was a memorable one. Leaving his plucky -young wife to hold the fort, the new pastor made his forty-two-mile -round, reaching home about sundown. No provision had been made for -preaching in town, but Newgent resolved to give the inhabitants of this -inferno a chance to hear the gospel. A rowdy mob was collected about -each saloon. An air of general lawlessness, recklessness, and cussedness -prevailed. Games and sports of various sorts were maintained on the -streets. Horseback riders were galloping here and there, firing pistols -and performing various stunts in imitation of life among the untamed -cowboys and Indians. Their boisterous talking and hollowing, with here -and there a man staggering under his load of Rainsville’s chief product, -all combined, might well have led to the conclusion that the demons of -the lower regions had been liberated and were holding high carnival in -celebration of the event. - -When Newgent told his wife that he had decided to preach at the school -house that night, she tried to dissuade him, fearing for his safety. And -well she might after what she had seen of life in Rainsville that day. -But he gloried in heroic tasks and heeded not her wise counsel. He at -once set about to publish the appointment. In order to find the people -he went to one of the saloons. The saloon was full of men, and the men -were full of the saloon. Stepping up to the bar-tender he told him that -he was going to hold a religious service at the school house at 7:30. “As -there are no church services in town,” he said, “I am sure you will be -willing to encourage such a movement by closing your place of business -and attending.” - -“You can preach all you d—— please; I haven’t been to church for twenty -years,” answered the booze dispenser with a look that seemed to add, -“and I don’t propose to commence now.” - -“But I am a stranger here, and you don’t know but I am the smartest man -in the country, or may be the biggest fool. You had better come and find -out for yourself.” - -The idea of a church service struck the saloon patrons as a desirable -innovation, and as they were in favor of anything that promised a -diversion, they began to take sides with the preacher. Their enthusiasm -waxed intense, due mainly to the reflex influence of tarrying long at the -grog shop. They were unanimous and emphatic in demanding that the saloon -be closed and that all go to church. - -The proprietor finally said that he would consent on condition that his -competitor would do likewise. - -“All right, I’ll see him,” and Newgent broke for the other saloon where a -similar situation prevailed. Several of the men volunteered to accompany -him and assist in enforcing the demand, so that an ambassage that carried -with it no small authority presented itself before the high priest of -Gambrinus of the rival saloon. A delegation from one saloon to another, -headed by a preacher, was an uncommon sight, especially in Rainsville, -but it had the desired effect. For once the saloons were closed and -the center of interest transferred to the school house. News of the -meeting spread in short order. The new preacher made himself an object of -curiosity and comment by his establishing diplomatic relations with the -governing bodies of the village, and everybody was anxious to see more of -him. So all Rainsville turned out to church—men, women, boys, girls, and -dogs—all entering heartily into the novelty of a religious service with a -real, “sure enough” preacher at the head of it. - -Newgent prudently made the service brief. The sermon was not as spiritual -as it might have been under different conditions, as the congregation was -quite sympathetic and responsive, and he considered it injudicious to -encourage their emotions at that time. He was more especially concerned -about laying plans for the future. How to get them back was the question, -which he sought to solve by a bit of strategy. So, in addition to giving -them a few morsels of wholesome advice, well sugarcoated with his native -good humor, he made the startling announcement that at the next meeting -he would preach on the subject of slavery. If anything were calculated to -bring them back, surely that was. - -It was taken for granted, of course, that he was an Abolitionist and -would denounce the South. The blood of those southern sympathizers at -once began to boil. Everybody anticipated a lively time, and interest -became intense. All felt that the foolhardy young fellow did not realize -the danger to which he was exposing himself. An old gentleman, the -village blacksmith, whose father had been a United Brethren preacher, -felt it his duty to warn the reverend gentleman and have him to call -off the entire proceedings. As usual, Newgent was firm. He told the -gentleman, however, that he wanted to be fair to both sides, so if those -who disagreed with him desired, they might get a man to follow him and -present the other side of the question. - -This they were only too anxious to do. When the time came, they had their -man. By the time Newgent and his wife arrived at the little school house -that evening it was completely packed and an immense crowd was gathered -on the outside. It was with the greatest difficulty that they forced -themselves through the anxious throng and made their way to the front of -the building. The opponent was on hand, ready to take his measure and -smash all of his arguments. As might be surmised, sympathy was plainly -and emphatically with the southern advocate. If he could not demolish -the frail Abolitionist, there were enough present who were ready to lend -all the assistance he needed. The smell of brimstone was in the air, -indicating the presence of that commodity in unlimited quantities. All -that was lacking for a real conflagration was something to touch it off. -And that something was momentarily expected. - -After a brief preliminary exercise, the preacher opened the discussion. -Like the great apostle on Mars Hill, he complimented his hearers on their -seeming interest in the subject at hand. “As the subject of slavery,” -he said, “is stirring our country from one end to the other, and as it -is a subject of such vital importance, I take pleasure at this time in -presenting one phase of it. - -“I wish to observe in my remarks, First, the slave; Second, his master; -Third, the law by which he is held in bondage; Fourth, how he is to be -liberated; Fifth, where he is to be colonized.” Thus far, well and good. -These were familiar topics, and had been discussed pro and con even -by the school children. Hence, his opening remarks were according to -expectations, and breathlessly they awaited what was to follow. - -Their consternation and chagrin can only be imagined when he proceeded -to state that the slave is the sinner; his master is the devil; the law -by which he is held in bondage is sinful lusts and habits; he is to be -liberated through the blood of Christ; and heaven is the place of his -colonization. Around these propositions he built his discourse without -any reference to slavery as a civil institution. It was strictly a gospel -sermon, and his antagonist had no disposition to reply. - -“Well, we are beat,” said the old blacksmith after the service was -dismissed, “but the boy is the sharpest fellow that ever struck this -town.” And he was not alone in his conclusion. - -With a view to holding the audience for the next appointment, he -announced that he would preach at that time from the Book of Newgent, the -twenty-eighth chapter and thirty-third verse, “Can any good thing come -out of Rainsville?” - -A few days after this announcement, he received a call from an old -gentleman. The unsuspecting brother had been having trouble over the Book -of Newgent. He stated that he and the old woman had been searching the -Bible all week and were unable to find it. He was kindly urged to be -present at the preaching service and assured that his troubles would all -be cleared up. Presumably the matter was explained to his satisfaction, -as he was not heard from again. - -The Rainsville pastorate, though brief, was full of thrilling interest, -and was not without substantial results for good. He won the respect and -confidence of this uncouth people, and had the satisfaction of seeing -many of the grosser evils disappear under his ministry. Before he left, -the signs of a brighter day were plainly discernible. His influence with -them was turned to good account, as will be seen in the next chapter. - - - - -CHAPTER SIX. - - _The War Spirit in Indiana—Breaking up a Traitorous Plot—Narrow - Escape from Enemies—Assists in Securing Recruits—Becomes - Chaplain of his Regiment—Exchange of Courtesies with a - Presbyterian Minister—An Embarrassing Predicament—Saves - Regiment from Capture—Organizes a Military Church—Chased by - Johnnies—An Exciting Homeward Journey._ - - -Indiana was a storm center during the Civil War. Her position was a -strategic one. She was regarded as the keystone of the North. With Oliver -P. Morton, “Indiana’s great War Governor,” at the head of affairs, -she was held firmly to her moorings, and furnished a larger number of -soldiers for the Union Army in proportion to population than any other -State. Yet the State was constantly harassed by citizens who were -unfriendly to the Union cause, and who secretly or openly sympathized -with the South. Secret organizations for the purpose of aiding the -Confederacy were common. Conspicuous among these was the Knights of -the Golden Circle. Yet many not identified with these traitorous -organizations were utterly disloyal. Hence, much bitterness and not -infrequently bloodshed prevailed. It was not unusual for men in official -position to use their influence against the Government, or even to join -the army with traitorous intent. - -Rev. Mr. Newgent was serving as pastor for the second year on the Clark’s -Hill charge, when in the fall of 1863, he was “persuaded,” as he said, -“to go into the army for safety.” With his wife he was paying a visit to -his father-in-law in Parke County. In the neighborhood lived a man who -was captain of Home Guards, but whose loyalty was strongly suspected. A -small brother of Mrs. Newgent sometimes visited with his children, and on -returning from one such visit, incidentally mentioned having seen some -pretty guns in the barn where they had been playing. Newgent understood -the meaning of these guns secreted on the premises of this traitorous -man, and telegraphed the news to Governor Morton. A squad of soldiers was -dispatched to the place and some three hundred guns were found. They were -confiscated and a traitorous scheme was thus frustrated. - -Newgent at once became the object of a great deal of attention. That he -was responsible for the exposure, was generally surmised. A plan was -formed to do away with him. On Sunday evening following the episode he -was to preach at the Oak Ridge United Brethren Church in the community. -In the midst of the service, by a preconcerted plan, the lights were -suddenly extinguished, and his adversaries were about to execute their -design. He succeeded in making his escape in the darkness by the -assistance of an uncle. The outlook seemed rather stormy, and he was -convinced that it was safer in the army than out of it. Leaving his wife -in the care of her father, he hastened to Lafayette where a regiment, the -116th Indiana Infantry, was being formed by Colonel William C. Kise. - -At that period recruits were hard to get and the work proceeded slowly. -Newgent asked the colonel what the chance would be for him to get the -appointment of chaplain. - -“What church do you belong to?” the colonel asked. - -“I am a United Brethren,” was the answer. - -“I am sorry,” said the colonel, “I like the United Brethren Church and -would like to give you the appointment; but this is to be a Methodist -regiment; all the officers are to be Methodists, and it is understood -that the chaplainship is to be given to a Methodist preacher up in the -city.” - -“Will you take me, then, as a private?” he asked. - -“Certainly,” was the eager reply, “we shall be glad to take you, for -recruits are coming in awfully slowly.” There were then only seven -companies started. None of them were complete. Newgent offered to assist -in raising recruits. - -“If you will give me transportation papers,” he said, “I think I can get -some men over in Warren County.” - -“Warren County!” exclaimed the colonel in disgust. “It’s of no use to go -there for recruits. I have had a couple of good men over there for three -weeks and they have got only four men.” But Newgent insisted that he be -allowed to try. He understood those people and felt that he knew how to -approach them. The papers were finally given him, and he set out for -Rainsville in this doubtful territory. - -Rainsville, it will be remembered, was a headquarters for southern -sympathizers, where little more than a year before but one Union man -could be found. The task was a challenge to Newgent, the kind of a -task he delighted in. Taking a boy with a drum and flag, he went to -the village and nearby points, and soon had the inhabitants inoculated -with the war microbe. The prospects of a draft about this time proved -an effective argument in favor of enlistment, which was used for all -it was worth. After an absence of six days he returned to camp with 104 -men, which was the first full company in the regiment, this, too, from -territory that was as completely southern in sentiment as though it had -been in the very heart of the Confederacy. - -The march to camp was a triumphal procession. The company of volunteers -was accompanied by several hundred men and boys who fell in on the way. -As they came into camp about twelve o’clock on Saturday night with colors -flying and giving vent to their enthusiasm by singing and hollowing, it -had the effect of a small army, not unlike that of Gideon’s band, when -they multiplied the effect of numbers by noise and enthusiasm and scared -the Midianites out of their wits. The colonel met them with a drum corps -and the company was welcomed amid the most extravagant expressions of -delight. The fact that recruits were coming in so slowly gave increased -cause for demonstration. When the general hubbub had somewhat abated, -the crowd demanded a speech from Newgent, and the demand was imperative. -Though worn by physical exertion and hoarse from much haranguing, he -gave a brief talk, at the close of which, amid great applause, some one -moved that “Rev. Mr. Newgent be made chaplain of the regiment.” It was -heartily seconded, and shouts of approval burst from every section of the -camp. So, by general consent the rule to make it a Methodist regiment -was waived, insofar as it related to the chaplainship, much to the -satisfaction of Colonel Kise, and Newgent became their spiritual adviser. - -The Methodist brother, who, it was understood, was to receive the -appointment, came out the next afternoon (Sunday) to preach to the -boys and get acquainted; but on being apprised of what had taken place -the night before, he quietly withdrew, leaving Newgent in undisputed -possession of the honors which his tact and energy had won. - -The regiment was finally completed and mustered in for a term of six -months, though it served considerably over time. Its first service was -rendered in guarding the U. S. Armory at Detroit, Michigan. The armory -was threatened by General Vallandigham, who had been banished from the -United States because of treasonable expressions, and had placed himself -at the head of a force in Canada with the purpose of threatening the -Union from the north. The regiment was later sent to reënforce General -Burnsides in east Tennessee. - -This was during the terrible winter of ’63 and ’64, when Burnsides was -besieged by Confederate General Longstreet and was shut up in Knoxville. -The hardships suffered by the Union soldiers during that memorable siege -are matters of history and need not be recounted in detail here. Among -the foremost of the sufferers was Newgent’s regiment, the 116th Indiana. -All supplies having been cut off, the boys for many weeks had a hard -struggle to keep from succumbing to hunger and cold. For a time they each -had but one ear of corn a day; no tents, and not sufficient clothing -for protection even under favorable circumstances. In the midst of the -severest winter weather, over three hundred of the men were barefooted. -Newgent was the best dressed man in his regiment, and it was with -difficulty that he got his dress coat to hang together at the collar; -and he suffered no little uneasiness lest his trousers would dissolve -partnership with him. - -A few characteristic army experiences will suffice in this connection and -occupy the remainder of this chapter. - -On reaching Tennessee, the regiment was stationed temporarily at -Greenville. The care-free boys attended services the first Sunday -morning at the Presbyterian church in the city. The pastor, Rev. Samuel -McCorkle, treated them kindly. They were delighted with the reception -accorded them, and on the following Sabbath a large part of the regiment, -including the chaplain, turned out to worship at Rev. Mr. McCorkle’s -church. When Newgent appeared in his chaplain’s uniform, McCorkle -at once led him up to the pulpit and insisted that he preach. The -chaplain was never averse to preaching whenever there was occasion for -it, and so consented, under slight pressure. He observed the pastor’s -manuscript neatly tied up with red ribbon, which told him he had barely -escaped listening to a manuscript sermon. Newgent had little sympathy -for a written discourse and took advantage of the situation to indulge -in some pleasantries at the learned parson’s expense. He told the -congregation, the greater part of whom were soldiers, that he had no set -discourse, and that he never tried to palm off a written sermon upon a -helpless congregation, as such a procedure was “like a doctor writing a -prescription before examining the patient.” Rev. Mr. McCorkle accepted -the criticism good-naturedly and invited Newgent to take dinner with him -after the service. After several weeks of army rations, the dinner at -Rev. Mr. McCorkle’s home was a most delightful change. - -He returned the courtesy that had been accorded him by inviting his host -to preach to his “boys” in the afternoon. The invitation was accepted. -McCorkle did not deem it judicious to use his manuscript after the -episode of the forenoon, and was visibly handicapped and embarrassed in -his attempt at extemporaneous delivery. He talked but a few minutes and -turned the service over to the chaplain. - -After the service the two men had a heart-to-heart talk. McCorkle -confessed his chagrin at not being able to preach without his manuscript, -and expressed a determination to cultivate the habit of extemporaneous -delivery. That the determination was carried out was seen in the fact -that he became a leader in this method of preaching. And the two -preachers continued fast friends. - -An incident more pleasing to relate than to undergo occurred at Tazewell, -Tennessee, where Newgent’s regiment had been dispatched with twenty-four -others to check a Confederate force that was approaching from that -quarter. They went into camp, building temporary fortifications with -the grave stones of a nearby cemetery. About midnight the army was -surprised by the sudden arrival of a force of Confederate cavalry that -captured some of the outposts. Newgent, with some of his regiment, was -garrisoned in an old building that had been used for a granary. As the -fire was opened he caught up his clothes in his arms, and, mounting -his horse, started down the hill for a more healthful location. The -horse stumbled over some rocks, throwing the rider to the ground and -scattering his precious wearing apparel to the four winds. There was no -time for trifles, and the clothes were abandoned for the time. They were -recovered about nine o’clock the next morning, much to the relief of the -reverend, whose situation in the meantime was as embarrassing as it was -uncomfortable. - -On one occasion his coolness and ingenuity were the means of saving -his entire regiment from capture. The regiment had been ordered across -the Clinch River in east Tennessee to guard a narrow passage in the -mountains at what was called Bean’s Station. They had gotten across and -were camping in a bend of the river when news came that the rebels had -superseded them, and three brigades were between them and the gap. They -might easily have retreated, but the river became swollen from heavy -rains, and to cross a swift, mountain stream under such circumstances was -practically out of the question. - -Newgent was sick at the time, being cared for at the colonel’s -headquarters. During the early part of the night the colonel came to him, -trembling with fear, and said, “Chaplain, what on earth is to be done? -There is a strong rebel force on one side of us, and an unfordable stream -on the other. If we are not out of here by morning every one of us will -be captured.” - -The rebels were confident that they could not get away and so waited -until morning to bag their game. - -“Bring six or seven of the boys here,” said Newgent. The boys were -brought. He told them to go down to the river where they would find an -old canoe partly filled with water. “Build a fire on the bank so that its -light will shine across the stream, bail the water out of the canoe, put -it in as good shape as possible, and then report.” - -They followed his instructions, after which they came back to -headquarters, and the sick chaplain got out of his bed and went back with -them to the river. Though it was a perilous undertaking, the men got in -the water-soaked canoe, and by the uncertain light of the fire, made -their way to the other side of the angry stream. They went to General -Curtain’s headquarters, related the situation, and procured a supply of -cannon rope. With the rope they made a cable across the river. They thus -devised a rude ferry by means of an abandoned and partly submerged barge -which they raised and repaired for the purpose. The barge would carry -about twelve men or one horse at a trip. It was propelled by the men -holding to the cable and thus laboriously working their way from one side -of the stream to the other. Through the dark, stormy night they toiled, -and before daybreak the entire regiment with all appurtenances was out of -reach of the enemy. When the rebels reached forth their hand next morning -to bag their game, lo! it wasn’t there! - -It was a terrible night’s work, however. The sick chaplain stayed with -the barge until the last man was saved. He was twice thrown into the -water, and ran a fearful risk in thus exposing himself at so critical -a time. After the excitement of the night, by which alone his physical -strength was sustained, he suffered a serious relapse. He was confined to -his bed at General Curtain’s headquarters for about two weeks, when he -again reported for duty. The men regarded him as their deliverer, and the -satisfaction of having saved his comrades from the horrors of a southern -prison compensated for all he suffered. For this heroic deed he was -complimented on dress parade by a special order from the general. - -The following reference to this incident is found in the “Official -Records of the Army,” Series I., Vol. XXXI.: - - Tazewell, Tenn., December 14, 1863. - - Major-General Foster, Knoxville: - - General: I have the honor of reporting that I arrived here this - evening at about dark, having left Rutledge at 9:00 a. m., and - Bean’s Station at 1:30 p. m.... At the crossing of the Clinch - River (Evan’s Ford) I found a sufficient guard, under the - command of Colonel Kise. The river was rising quite rapidly, - but the guard had raised and repaired the ferry-boat, which was - crossing successfully, being pulled back and forth by hand upon - a cable stretched from one shore to another. I think that it - would be well, as a matter of security, to have another boat - built there, and will so notify Colonel Babcock.... - - I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, - - O. M. POE, - Captain and Chief Engineer, Army of the Ohio. - -As a means for the spiritual welfare of the “boys,” he conceived and -carried out the idea of organizing a military church. Though there were -various religious organizations among the soldiers, and some doubtless -on similar lines, yet this was an entirely original conception with -him. His church took no denominational name, but was made up of all -who were willing to become members. It was completely officered, and -maintained prayer meetings and church services at stated intervals. Two -special revival meetings were held in which about 250 of the “boys” were -converted. - -His spiritual ministrations were not limited to the soldiers. Whenever an -opportunity presented itself he would hold services at nearby churches -and school houses. On one such occasion he incidentally, to use his own -expression, “chased seven Johnnies for three and a half miles.” It was -a merry race; like Jehu the entire party rode furiously. But as the -chaplain had more at stake than his companions in the chase, he managed -to maintain his position well in advance of the seven, and was quite -willing to abandon the chase by the time he reached camp. - -Not least among the interesting army “experiences” was the homeward -journey. As previously stated, the regiment served over the time -for which they enlisted. The men were impatient and homesick. Their -destitute condition rendered many of them almost desperate. Almost half -of them were barefooted and all were weakened by hunger and exposure. -The morning on which they were to start home the colonel announced -that they would proceed to Barbersville, Kentucky, and that there they -would find a supply of much-needed clothing and provisions. This was a -two-days’ march, which, in itself, was no pleasing prospect under the -circumstances. The promise of food and clothing, however, nerved them for -the ordeal. It was midnight when Barbersville was reached, and to their -utter consternation the promised supplies were not there. - -Things were looking blue. The colonel said to Newgent, “You have the -best horse in the regiment. Take a couple of the boys and get out and -find something to feed these men before morning.” He started, not to -forage, but to beg. At the first house he came to be was met by a woman -to whom he stated his mission. She showed him a blood spot on the floor -where her husband had been killed by the rebels, and said that all she -had was a half-bushel of meal, but she was willing to divide. It was all -he secured, though he continued the search until daylight. Returning -to camp, he threw the bit of meal at the colonel’s feet, and fell down -exhausted, dropping at once into a deep sleep. - -What happened during the time he slept, when the real situation dawned -upon the men, he could only surmise. The next he knew, the colonel had -him aroused and was ordering him to ride ahead of the regiment to a -little water-mill about twelve miles distant to see what could be found -there, and to arrange if possible to feed the men when they arrived. He -found a few bushels of grain, most of it in a bad condition. When ground -into meal it made just one pint each for the men. After they had eaten -their morsel, the colonel made them a little speech in which he told them -that the next objective point would be Camp Dick Robinson, and for every -man to look out for himself until they reached the camp. This they were -quite glad to do. And when in a few days they met at the camp, they were -in better spirits, and were pretty well supplied for the rest of the -journey. - -The next way station was Camp Nelson. Here they were met by the Provost -Marshal who declared the regiment under arrest for pillaging, and ordered -them to stack arms. While the authorities were arranging the details -for taking care of them, the colonel took advantage of the delay. -“Attention, Battalions,” he shouted, “Shoulder arms—forward march—double -quick!” The order was eagerly obeyed. A “double-quick” march was made -to Nicholasville. This was a railroad town. Here they ordered a train -for Cincinnati. The train steamed out of the station with its load of -animated freight just as the Marshal with his guard galloped in sight. - -The authorities at Cincinnati were notified by wire to arrest the -regiment on its arrival there, but this was anticipated. So they got off -the train at Covington, crossing the Ohio River by ferry to Cincinnati. -There they got a train for Indianapolis without being detected. The -train was pressed into service to convey them on to Lafayette, the home -of the regiment. They reached the city on Sunday evening, as the church -bells were ringing for the evening services. Newgent, as his custom was, -went to church. Possibly he felt the need of it after what he had gone -through. He went to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and at the -urgent request of the pastor, delivered the evening discourse to the -delight of the splendid audience. - -It should be said in justice to Rev. Mr. Newgent that he was not a -party to any of the irregularities that almost brought his regiment -into disrepute after it had acquitted itself so well on the field. He -remonstrated with the men and exhorted them to better conduct, but when -the pressure of army discipline was removed, the pent-up energies of -these raw backwoodsmen were turned loose along various channels and -could neither be suppressed nor regulated. The officers of the regiment, -with the exception of Newgent, were summoned before the proper military -tribunal at Indianapolis, to answer for their depredations. They were -acquitted, however, being ably defended by Lieutenant-Colonel G. O. Beam. -Whether or not the verdict was a just one, is of no special concern to us -here. Suffice it to say that our subject, though a young man, so ordered -his life as not only to keep himself unspotted from the world, but at the -same time to win for himself the confidence of even the most hardened -sinners. He was exonerated from all blame in advance, and his name was -not brought before the court. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN. - - _Plants the United Brethren Banner in Terre Haute—Prairieton - Pastorate—Difficulty with the Sons of Anak—A Prayer Without an - “Amen”—Another Community Redeemed—Going to the Wrong Doctor—A - Perverse Colt—An Unintentional Immersion—One Sermon That was - not Dry._ - - -It was in April, 1864, when Rev. Mr. Newgent returned from the war. -His own conference did not meet until fall, but the Lower Wabash -Conference met in its annual session in Vermilion, Illinois, about -the time of his return. With the view to getting back on the firing -line at once, he attended the latter conference, and was appointed to -Terre Haute (Indiana) Mission. This was strictly prospective work, as -the mission was projected at this session. The conference at the same -session, following the example of the Upper Wabash Conference, decided -to change the time of its annual meetings from spring to fall, hence -the appointment was made for a period of only six months. During this -time Rev. Mr. Newgent devoted himself with characteristic zeal to laying -broad and deep the foundations of his church in this new Macedonia. That -his labors were fruitful is seen in the fact that he reported to the -fall conference an organized church on Second Street, with splendid -prospects of a prosperous future—prospects which subsequent history has -abundantly fulfilled. To him belongs the credit of first planting the -United Brethren banner in this thriving city, where the Church has since -steadily grown to a place of prestige and influence. - -The Terre Haute pastorate was followed by a year at Prairieton, in Vigo -County, Indiana. Some experiences on this field are worthy of note. A -revival meeting was held in an unevangelized community at what was known -as the Battle Row School House, near the Wabash River. The school house -was a primitive log building with plenty of ventilation. The wide cracks -between the logs in the walls not only admitted a sufficiency of fresh -air, but were a source of temptation to the untamed sons of the natives -who were wont at critical times to inject missiles of various sorts -through them into the midst of the congregation, causing more or less -uneasiness and often confusion to the worshipers. It was not a place -where one could worship under his own vine and fig tree with no one to -molest or make afraid. During the early stage of the meeting reapers were -scarce, and to all appearances, were wholly inadequate to the demands -of the great, over-ripe harvest. The sons of Anak seemed to have a -perpetual title to the place, and showed no intention of evacuating it. -At one time, as Newgent was making an earnest plea for penitents to come -to the altar, he observed a company of ruffians in the rear of the room -in a rather impenitent condition, bantering one another to go forward to -the mourner’s bench. The quick wit of the preacher frustrated their evil -designs. Constant vigilance had to be exercised to prevent outbreaks and -demonstrations of a similar character. As the meeting proceeded converts -multiplied and the odds became more and more to the advantage of the -faithful. - -There was one wheel-horse who was the pastor’s right hand man in the -great conflict with primitive elements. A splendid man he was, though his -droll manner was a subject of sport for the lewd fellows of the baser -propensities. A characteristic attitude when he offered public prayer was -to kneel facing the wall, with his back toward the congregation. Then -with his eyes closed and oblivious to all his surroundings, he would -soar to a high altitude in his eloquence and fervency of spirit. In such -surroundings, however, it would have been better had Father Scott, as he -was affectionately called, not forgotten his relation to this mundane -sphere, for the situation surely demanded watching as well as praying. -Especially would it have prevented an awkward hitch in the services one -evening when the interest and enthusiasm were at their greatest height. -Intense conviction was capturing and humbling proud and defiant hearts, -and victory was perching upon the banners of the loyal band. - -But, as in the days of Job, when the sons of God went to worship, Satan -went also. Battle Row School House furnished a good demonstration of the -fact that, - - “Wherever God erects a house of prayer, - The devil’s sure to build a chapel there; - And ’twill be found upon investigation, - The latter has by far the larger congregation.” - -While the worshipers were in the midst of great rejoicing, Satan’s hosts -were holding high carnival on the outside. Father Scott was called upon, -as he frequently was, at the most critical stage in the meeting, to lead -in prayer. As his custom was, he knelt with his face to the wall, and by -chance his mouth was dangerously near a huge crack. While sailing away -in the ether world, and the people were hanging breathlessly upon his -earnest and eloquent words, all unexpectedly, for some strange reason, -the machinery stopped. It was unusual for a prayer to be terminated so -abruptly without the conventional “amen.” All eyes were fixed upon Father -Scott. What could have happened? It was painfully apparent that he was in -distress. He was making a desperate effort to clear some obstruction from -his throat, get his breath, and regain his equilibrium. - -The proximity of Father Scott’s mouth to the opening in the wall was too -great a provocation for the unregenerates on the outside of the house -to forego. One of them had prepared a ball of mud, and with accurate -aim, threw it through the crack into the brother’s mouth, putting him -temporarily out of commission. There was, of course, confusion in the -midst of Zion, but Father Scott, whose battery had been silenced by this -unexpected maneuver, was soon able to resume operations, and the battle -was pressed with increased vigor. - -[Illustration: A Prayer Without An Amen.] - -There was another neglected community adjacent to this charge. It was -entirely without church services or religious influences of any kind. In -the community lived a well-to-do gentleman of the name of Owen, whose -wife was an invalid. Being of a religious turn of mind, and deprived of -church privileges, she desired to have a meeting held at her home mainly -for her benefit. Rev. Mr. Newgent was invited to conduct the service. -His Sundays being taken up by his regular work, the meeting was held -in a forenoon during the week. A goodly company of neighbors gathered -out of respect to the dear sister, and she enjoyed the occasion so much -that she invited them all back for a service in the evening. The evening -meeting proved still more interesting, and it was decided to continue the -services indefinitely. It developed into a grand revival which resulted -in many conversions, the organization of a church, and the building of -a church-house. Among the first to come to the mourner’s bench was Mr. -Owen, the generous host. He “came through” shouting and became a strong, -staunch, and stormy defender of the faith. - -Among attendants at the revival were two brothers, “Dave” and “Joe” -Walker, notable characters in a local way. Both were proficient in the -use of the violin, or, in the vernacular of the day, they were great -fiddlers. Even if there was nothing else to place them under the ban -of pious sentiment, this in itself would have been sufficient, for the -fiddle had been so exclusively associated with bad company that it -was supposed to have absorbed something of the evil spirits of its -companions, and in the superstitious imaginations of many it possessed -invisible hoofs and horns, and a strange, infernal power that was to be -zealously avoided. Hence, Dave and Joe were regarded as typical “hard -nuts,” and it cannot be denied that they made an honest effort to live up -to their reputations. They were more familiar with the conventionalities -of the country “hoe-down” than with the atmosphere of a “big meetin’.” -Until the revival at the Owen home attracted their attention, they had -not been present at a church service since they were boys. They became -fairly regular attendants at the meeting, and in consequence, both got -sick. Their illness seemed to be of a peculiar character, as neither of -them could explain his symptoms or give any clue as to the seat of the -trouble. - -Joe became much worse one evening and by midnight he began to think he -was being beckoned across the border. Dave, whose condition was not so -critical, was dispatched to Prairieton for medical aid. While he was -gone, Joe got religion. This proved to be all the treatment he needed. -All unfavorable symptoms disappeared, and he set out post haste to meet -his brother. Just before he reached the village, he met Dave on his way -home, when the following colloquy took place: - -“Oh, Dave, I’ve got all the medicine I need. It ain’t pills we need, but -religion.” - -“Bless the Lord, I’ve took the medicine, too,” said Dave. He had also -been converted on his return from the doctor’s office. It thus became -apparent that their malady was spiritual rather than physical, but being -unfamiliar with symptoms of that character, they were unable to diagnose -the case until the remedy had been applied. The two brothers were made -every whit whole, soul and body. They hung up “the fiddle and the bow,” -and their talents and energies were turned loose along more legitimate -channels. - -Vermilion Circuit, in Illinois, was the scene of the next pastorate. Here -a memorable experience took place as he was making his second “round” -on the charge. Newgent, like other strong men, has always had some -hobbies, legitimate hobbies in his case, however, that were elements of -strength in his ministry. One of these is punctuality. He has always -been scrupulously punctual in meeting his engagements. He never misses -a train from the fact that he is far more likely to be at the station -three-quarters of an hour ahead of time than three-quarters of a minute -late. He is a strict believer in the maxim of the muse, - - “Better be an hour early and stand and wait, - Than to be a moment behind the time.” - -In filling appointments he observes the same rule. He finds it helpful to -be on hand sufficiently early to meet and shake hands with the advance -guards of the congregation. It affords a tonic for his wits and puts him -in a mood to be at his best. - -On his new charge was a church known as Prairie Chapel. As usual, in his -introductory services he exhorted his people to be punctual in their -attendance, stating that he made it a point to be on time, and that if he -at any time was not strictly “on the dot,” they might know that something -was wrong. It so happened that at the very next service the scrupulously -punctual preacher was behind time, and it also happened that something -was desperately wrong. - -As a sort of background to the scene to be here presented, it would be -well to state that he was clad in a new suit, as preachers usually were -at the beginning of the year. The new suit consisted of a complete outfit -from boots to hat and gloves, including also that luxury which not every -circuit rider could afford, a fine shawl. It should further be explained -that he was riding a colt, not the nineteen-year-old variety with which -he traveled his first circuit, but a genuine three-year-old, with all the -fire and perverseness of its kind. It might also be in order to add, by -way of parenthesis, that the Illinois roads after the rains and frosts of -September began their maneuvers, were no respecters of new clothes. - -Just before reaching Prairie Chapel, the road crossed a slough some three -hundred feet wide. At this point the road was covered by about three -feet of water, or perhaps, as it was difficult to tell just where the -water left off and the mud began, it would be more exact to say that -it was three feet from the top of the water to the bottom of the mud. -It was covered with a thin coating of ice. Newgent, being the first to -pass that way on that Sunday morning, had to break the ice as he went. -The colt did not like the task to begin with, but as this was the only -road to the church and was fenced on either side with a picket fence, a -straightforward course was the only alternative. - -The colt proceeded reluctantly until it reached the middle of the slough. -There it became possessed with the spirit of Balam’s beast and refused -to go farther. Its purpose seemed to be fixed as all the entreaties of -the rider were unavailing. The church was in plain view, and, like the -wedding guest of Coleridge’s immortal “Rime,” the preacher could see -and hear the people as they were assembling, while he was transfixed to -the spot. Finally giving up hope of going forward, he tried to turn the -colt’s head in the opposite direction, when, lo, he found that it was as -averse to turning back as it was to going forward. Just what the beast’s -plan for the future was, could not well be divined, for, to be in the -middle of a lake with no purpose of going either forward or backward was, -to say the least, a position difficult to explain or defend. The final -bell rang for the morning service, and the preacher began to realize that -his reputation for punctuality was in danger of being water-soaked. A -final desperate effort was made to induce locomotion, but to no avail. - -It was a real Slough of Despond. The reverend’s heart sank to the bottom -of his new boots when he found that his only chance was to dismount. This -he proceeded to do, supposing that he could at least lead the beast out -of the water. The water was by no means comfortable, the mud filled his -boots, and apprehensive thoughts concerning the unpresentable appearance -he would make at church, and the damage being done to his new suit, and -at the same time the humiliation of being beaten out by a perverse colt, -all together did not tend to a devotional frame of mind. - -[Illustration: An Unintentional Immersion.] - -Taking the rein, he waded forward, expecting the colt to follow, but it -had no disposition to be led; he gave the rein a sharp pull, but the -animal also had scruples against being pulled. He then gave the rein -a jerk, putting all of his physical strength, and possibly a bit of -his temper into the jerk, when, lo! the rein broke, and the preacher, -not thinking of such a contingency, went splash into the water, being -completely submerged. Things were rapidly going from bad to worse. It -was of no use under the circumstances, to try to maintain ministerial -dignity. Gathering himself together, he made his way to the fence, and, -loosing a picket, he got behind the animal, and with a few strokes where -they would do the most good, and unministerial maneuvers, he got it -started, and by an aggressive follow-up campaign, they reached the shore -without further ceremony or delay. - -He hastened on to the church. The people were waiting for the belated -pastor, and when he arrived, they saw at once there had been a valid -excuse for his tardiness. There were four other ministers present, -and Newgent tried to get one of them to preach in his stead, but all -declined. So he went on with the regular program, and preached with his -usual zeal while the water was still dripping from his new suit. It was -one time at least when the congregation was not bored with a dry preacher. - -After service he went home with one of his members, borrowed some dry -clothes, and proceeded to fill his other appointments for the day. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT. - - _The New Goshen Pastorate—An Old Grudge Healed—Dry Bones - Revived—Memorable Year at “Dogtown”—“Death in the Pot”—The - Hittites Captured—The “Jerks”—Other Remarkable Demonstrations—A - Rooster in the Missionary Collection—First Debate—Unpleasant - Sequel to a Horse Trade._ - - -Following the Vermilion pastorate, two years were spent on the New -Goshen Circuit in Vigo County, Indiana. This circuit had ranked among -the best in the conference, but unfortunately had become weakened and -despoiled through internal dissension. A chronic grudge between two of -the most prominent members had leavened the whole lump with its unsavory -effects. It was one of those situations that afford a pastor a splendid -opportunity of losing his ecclesiastical scalp, the very thing that -happened to a number of former pastors who undertook to heal the sore. -It was not Newgent’s policy to take a hand in neighborhood broils, or -to break to the woods in the face of such contingencies, but rather to -“stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” - -His presiding elder told him that his first duty on going to the circuit -would be to get the difficulty adjusted. It was suggested that as he -was a stranger to both parties, he would be the proper one to do it. He -replied that God had not called him to fix up old grudges between church -members, but to save sinners. - -“But unless you get this done,” he was told, “you had as well not go, for -you can never accomplish anything until the difficulty is removed. He -said he would not bother the old grudge directly, and that if there were -sinners who wanted salvation, he was sure God could save them in spite -of old, grouchy church members. He proceeded at once to plan a revival -campaign. It is part of his philosophy that if a pastor’s first revival -effort is a success it begets confidence on the part of the people and -paves the way for other victories. It is, therefore, the part of wisdom -to choose the easiest place to begin with. Accordingly, he began a -meeting in the latter part of September at the Rose Hill class, where he -thought there were the fewest hindrances. But the people were still busy -with their farm work, and with the old trouble still visible around the -edges, producing a melancholy Indian summer effect, he had very little -encouragement. Two weeks passed and only four persons could be mustered -for day services. He preached to this quartet of faithful souls, held -prayer and class meetings with them, and encouraged them in every -possible way. - -“Tell the people to come,” he said to his little band one day, as if -seized with a sudden revelation, “for we are going to have the biggest -revival they have ever seen. If you can’t tell it on your own faith, -tell them the preacher said so.” They perhaps half-way believed what he -said. At least they did as they were urged, and the crowd was slightly -increased the next day. And with that service the revival really did -begin. The prophecy was fulfilled. It was by far the greatest revival -the community had ever known, abundantly demonstrating the preacher’s -philosophy that when folks want salvation, a few backslidden church -members, even with their bristles up, cannot prevent them from getting it. - -New Goshen Class was the head and heart of the circuit, likewise the seat -of the trouble that had been its thorn in the flesh. Newgent proceeded -to carry out his policy of capturing the outposts before storming this -stronghold of opposition. The plan worked admirably. Three meetings were -held, each of which resulted in a sweeping revival. He was now ready for -the Herculean task, the final charge, New Goshen itself! - -Here it was seen how God moves in mysterious ways, using the weak things -to confound the mighty. Some two miles from town lived a family, all of -whom were utterly irreligious. The father was a drunkard and a notably -rough character. The oldest daughter was an invalid, but on learning -of the meeting, she was taken with a keen desire to attend. So she -went to visit with a family who lived just across the street from the -church, so that it would be convenient for her. In the first service she -attended, she went to the altar, and was not there long until she fell -into a trance. This was repeated the second and third evenings. One of -her brothers was present the third evening, and when he saw his sister -so strangely affected, conviction seized upon him so intensely that he -likewise fell over in an unconscious condition. When he “came through” he -was a new creature in Christ. One after another of this wicked family was -taken captive by the power of God until all were graciously saved. - -By this time the church began to rub its eyes and take notice. The dry -bones were surely beginning to shake and show signs of life. One evening -as the power of God was moving upon the people, the two brethren who were -responsible for the old trouble on the circuit, were seen edging toward -each other, and when they got together, they threw their arms around -each other’s necks and wept like children. The mother of one of the men -was present and when she saw what was taking place, she sent up a shout -that really did wake the dead—the spiritually dead of the congregation. -Walls of opposition suddenly gave way. The fire from heaven fell as it -fell on Sodom and Gomorrah, not to destroy, but to wipe out old scores -and to make men and women alive to God. The fortified city was taken. The -victory was complete. - -During this pastorate of two years, over four hundred persons were added -to the church. - -One of his most successful and memorable pastorates was that on the -Charlestown Circuit, in Illinois. The circuit had a very unsavory -reputation at the time. It was commonly known by the undignified and -uncomplimentary name of “Dogtown.” Newgent had asked to be sent to the -worst charge the conference had, and the reputation of Dogtown made this -a matter easily determined. His predecessor had been egged and otherwise -badly handled. - -It was a serious question with the conference as to whether a pastor -should be appointed to it, as it had proven itself so unworthy. Besides, -it was a proposition that few men were willing to face, Newgent being the -only aspirant for the situation. The salary the preceding year was $180, -and there was not a church paper taken on the entire charge. - -Dogtown, the place which gave the name and largely the reputation -to the circuit, was a straggling village noted only for its general -cussedness. Newgent declared that it had never been named after a good -dog, but more likely after the lowest bred cur in the country. The name, -however, was partially a corruption of Diona, by which name the town -had been christened; but the appropriateness of the former name was so -evident that it naturally stuck, and the original name was well nigh -forgotten. Though the place was utterly fallen from righteousness—if it -ever possessed any—and was inclined to evil and evil only, it had the -one advantage of being well churched. It had two church-houses, each -serving as the home for two denominations. Thus, four denominations -were diligently casting their pearls into this swine-wallow only to -have them trampled under foot. The Methodists and Baptists occupied one -house, and the Cumberland Presbyterians and United Brethren the other. -They suffered no inconvenience through lack of room, as the combined -membership of the four churches numbered only fourteen, seven of whom -belonged to the United Brethren. - -It was one of those melancholy days, a Sunday afternoon in September, -when the new circuit rider arrived to fill his first appointment at -Dogtown. Of course the seven members of his flock were present to take -his measure. The task was soon done. They were crestfallen when they -saw as their spiritual advisor an unpretentious, boyish-looking fellow, -somewhat below the standard size, and possessing little of the air and -dignity and gravity of a ripe circuit rider, according to their staid -notions. The faithful seven, like the proverbial birds of a feather, -occupied a portion of the house to themselves; their long faces turned -full upon the pastor, added to the melancholy of that autumn afternoon. -Nor did the small sprinkling of stray sheep throughout the plain old -building serve to any considerable extent as a counter-irritant. - -Newgent was keeping a “stiff upper lip” as he introduced the services. -The preliminary exercises were about finished, and he was about to begin -the sermon; the congregation was droning out a familiar tune when a raw, -strapping native came stalking in. He presented a unique appearance. He -was barefooted, his trousers were rolled up to his knees, he wore no -coat, and his checked shirt was unbuttoned at the collar. No sooner was -he seated than another in exactly similar manner and costume followed. -One after another followed until upwards in thirty came in, all dressed -exactly alike, and so timing their movements as to give time for each -to be seated before another followed, making the procession as long as -possible—to the amusement of the pastor and the stray sheep, and the -utter consternation of the faithful seven. - -It struck the witty Irishman at once that they were not trying to install -him as the Presbyterians do their pastors, but rather to forestall -him after the manner of Dogtown; and he made up his mind not to be -forestalled. He was certain they did not want any religion and he had -no religion to throw away. He had his subject in mind, but he thought -it best to select a more appropriate one. Accordingly, he announced as -his text, “Oh, man of God, there is death in the pot.” He talked about -twenty minutes, putting in the entire time telling his funniest stories, -and pouring in one broadside after another of his Irish wit and humor. -It was a diplomatic move. All seemed heartily to enjoy the “sermon,” -except the seven members of his own congregation. The proceeding was -most too irregular for their conventional tastes. The members of his -uniformed guard were especially delighted. Every witticism was greeted -with vociferous applause, by the stamping of their bare feet, clapping of -hands, and unrestrained, boisterous laughter. - -“I would not black my boots to hear a long, dry sermon,” said the -preacher by way of conclusion. “You are a fine looking set of fellows. I -have been sent by the conference to preach to you, and I am sure we will -get along well together. Now, if you see me at any time looking hungry, -or if it is near night, take me in. I am an Irishman and easily pleased. -And if I see any of you near my home, I will treat you the same. But, -gentlemen, I have the most beautiful little wife you ever set eyes on. -Now, I expect to bring her with me the next time, and you must be sure to -put your boots on and fix up a little.” - -When he dismissed he went back among this raw element, shaking hands -and talking freely with each one. Much of his time between that and the -next appointment was spent studying “mischief”—loading up for the next -discharge. His second talk was even more humorous than the first, having -been prepared especially for the crowd and the occasion. In the meantime -his fame had been spread broadcast, and an immense crowd was present to -see and hear the “wild Irishman.” A number were congregated at the door -for the purpose of greeting him upon his arrival at the church. - -At the third appointment he had an overflow crowd. As he was walking down -the aisle to the pulpit, a brother whom he recognized as one of the true -and blue seven of the first service, plucked him aside and whispered: - -“Parson, you’ve got ’em. You’re the smartest feller that ever struck this -place. These fellers say you’ve got to have order if they have to fight -for it.” - -“That’s what I’ve been fishing for,” said Newgent. He began a revival -at this time. Ere long the great, rough fellows who laughed so heartily -at his jokes were crowding to the mourner’s bench, shedding tears -of penitence, crying for mercy, and piercing the air with shouts of -victory as one after another emerged into the light and liberty of God’s -children. A marvelous work was wrought in that sin-polluted community. -As the lives of these hardy backwoodsmen were transformed by the power -of Christ, they became as potent for righteousness as they had been for -evil. Just how many were converted could not be definitely ascertained. -One hundred sixty-one members were added to the United Brethren Church, -besides those that joined the other churches of the town. - -There was an appointment some few miles from Dogtown named Liberty. It -was practically dead as a church, there being but five names on the -roll, and they represented very little in spiritual assets. He began a -revival campaign here immediately following the meeting in town, which -proved even more far-reaching in its results. He has always regarded it -as the most remarkable revival in his entire ministry. The power of God -in the conviction of sinners was irresistible. Strong men and women were -stricken unconscious in almost every service. As many as fifty persons -could be counted lying in an unconscious condition at one time. - -A peculiar feature of this revival was the presence of that strange, -nervous phenomenon among the people, known as the “jerks.” This strange -manifestation prevailed in many of the early revivals where unusual -power was displayed. It was especially prevalent in what is known as the -great Cumberland revival which swept over the eastern part of Kentucky -and Tennessee. Whatever the explanation of this phenomenon, it usually -accompanied a deep emotional state, saints and sinners alike being -subject to it. The mystery of it and the fact that it often became -quite violent, especially on persons who resisted the influence of the -meetings, gave it much weight in these early revivals. Peter Cartwright, -in his well-known autobiography, describes the physical effects of the -jerks as follows: - -“No matter whether they were saints or sinners, they would be taken -under a warm song or sermon, and seized with a convulsive jerking all -over, which they could not by any possibility avoid, and the more they -resisted, the more they jerked. If they would not strive against it and -would pray in good earnest, the jerking would usually abate. I have -seen more than five hundred persons jerking at one time in any large -congregation. Most usually persons taken with the jerks, to obtain -relief, would rise up and dance. Some would run but could not get away. -Some would resist; on such the jerks were usually very severe.” - -The meeting was accompanied by a variety of spiritual demonstrations, -remarkable both in their character and extent. It was entirely beyond -human control. It continued four months, day and night. Most of the -time there was no preaching, for there was no opportunity for a sermon, -and none was needed. The people would gather, singing and shouting -as they came, and the singing, shouting, and praying would continue -spontaneously. Penitents would go to the altar without an invitation, -often as soon as they arrived. - -The entire community was charged with a peculiar spiritual atmosphere, -the limit of which seemed distinctly drawn. It was termed the “dead -line.” On reaching this line the individual, whether a Christian or not, -would at once be seized with intense religious emotion. On passing out of -this region the change was as distinctly felt as on entering it. - -So great was the interest in the surrounding country that six schools -were closed. One teacher sent to the church for help. Some brethren went -to see what was the matter, and found the entire school practically -prostrate with conviction. School was turned into prayer meeting. -A number, including the teacher, were converted, and school was -indefinitely suspended. - -The pulpit and platform were smashed into kindling wood at one of the -services. People performed physical feats utterly impossible under -ordinary circumstances, such as walking across the house on the backs of -the pews with their faces turned straight upward. Late one night after -the service had closed, a family in the neighborhood heard singing in the -direction of the church. Not knowing what it meant, they investigated. -But on approaching the church they noticed that the singing was overhead -as if produced by an invisible choir in the upper air. - -Whatever question may enter the mind as to the nature of these phenomena, -there is no question as to the genuineness of the work of grace wrought -in that section of country. It was swept as completely by the revival as -a prairie is swept by fire. And the effects were abiding, even the more -extraordinary forms of spiritual fervor continuing indefinitely. - -This was a season of strenuous physical activity on the part of Rev. -Mr. Newgent. This meeting lasted four months, and for three months in -addition he was in revival meetings continuously. - -From being the worst circuit in the conference, Dogtown suddenly became -the best. It reported the largest salary. And that year it led the entire -denomination in the number of church papers taken. Prizes were offered -by the publisher for the largest club in any conference, and also a -sweepstakes prize for the largest club in the Church. Newgent won both -the conference and the sweepstakes prize, which was the more remarkable -when we recall that there was not a paper taken on the charge when he was -appointed to it. - -Near the close of his memorable meeting at Dogtown, he announced that -he would take a missionary offering the following Sunday, and urged the -people to come prepared. The missionary meeting was full of enthusiasm, -as all his meetings were when a collection was involved. As he was -exhorting the congregation to give freely to send the gospel to the -heathen, the door opened and a boy bearing in his arms a large rooster -came walking down the aisle. As an evidence that the old-time Dogtown -spirit was not wholly dead, some mischievous fellows planned to have some -fun at the preacher’s expense by putting a rooster in the missionary -collection. The bird was not only large, but also quite game, and was -almost too much for the lad who was to do the presentation act in behalf -of the gang. As he proceeded toward the pulpit, his courage began to fail -and he hesitated, possibly waiting to see what sort of effect he was -producing. The preacher took in the situation at a glance. - -“Come on,” he said to the half-frightened lad, “I’m the fellow who likes -chicken.” - -With this encouragement the boy went forward and placed his gift in the -hands of the preacher, who received it smilingly and thanked him for -his generous contribution to the missionary cause. He asked one of the -brethren in the “amen corner” to care for his charge while he finished -the service. He kept the rooster until fall and took it to the annual -conference. In presenting his report, he related the incident and asked -in a jocular vein what should be done with the rooster. A dignified, -sober-minded brother moved that the rooster be sold and the proceeds be -reported to the missionary fund, and that the undignified proceedings be -closed. The motion carried. - -“All right,” said the wiley Irishman, assuming the pose of an auctioneer, -“how much am I offered for the rooster? How much do I hear? How much?” -Some one ventured a bid. “Sold,” said the preacher-auctioneer amid a -roar of laughter, and the conference proceeded to more serious matters. - -[Illustration: A Unique Missionary Offering.] - -It was on this charge that he had his first debate. His popularity -and success in winning converts led to a challenge from a brother in -the Christian (Disciples) church, who was then serving as pastor at -Charlestown, Illinois. The question discussed was the divinity of Christ. -Newgent took the positive position, affirming that “Christ is the very -and eternal God apart from his human nature.” The debate was held at -Salisbury, Illinois, creating a great deal of interest and attracting a -large crowd. That the contest resulted in an easy victory for our subject -was attested by the fact that he received an offer from the elders of -his opponent’s church of fifteen hundred dollars a year to become their -pastor, which, at that time, was considered an enormous sum. - -“I would not preach your doctrine for fifteen hundred dollars a year,” he -said, “to say nothing of losing my time and self-respect.” - -“We are not asking you to preach the doctrine,” they said, “all we ask -is that you become our pastor; you are at liberty to preach your own -convictions.” But he was not on the market. - -Another interesting experience during this pastorate came as the sequel -to a horse trade. One of his neighbors, a brother in the Church, coveted -his fine driving horse, and bantered him for a trade. “I have the very -horse you need,” he urged, and offered what seemed to be a fair bargain. -And after the usual ceremonies and preliminaries, the deal was pulled off. - -The next day being Sunday, the pastor hitched up his new horse early, and -taking his wife and babe, started for his appointment. The animal soon -showed signs of treachery, arousing the suspicions of its owner, but they -went on. They got on quite well until they came to a low swale in the -road over which the water stood several inches deep. When they were about -half-way across, the horse stopped and looked back to see if they were -coming. But they had also stopped. Newgent, who had some knowledge of -“horseology,” saw that they were in for it. It being a warm, summer day, -an innumerable multitude of mosquitoes soon collected to express their -sympathy and to divert the attention of the unfortunate family from their -troubles. - -“Here’s a chance to show that we can keep sweet,” said the preacher to -his wife, “even under trying circumstances.” - -The circumstances were indeed trying, for he spent a couple of hours -trying to argue the horse out of his position, but the horse was not open -to conviction. At the same time he was making a desperate effort to keep -sweet, which, with the mosquitoes diligently plying their trade—as it was -too good a business opportunity for them to let pass—and the hour for the -morning service passing, was not as easy a task as it would have been -under less trying circumstances. - -“Well,” he finally said to his wife, sweetly, “we are going out of here.” - -“When?” was her meek reply. - -“Just as soon as possible.” And removing his boots and some other parts -of wearing apparel that could be temporarily dispensed with, he got out -of the buggy and carried the baby to a dry place. He then removed his -wife to the shore, after which he proceeded to unhitch the horse from -the buggy, or rather to unhitch the buggy from the horse, as the buggy -was movable and the horse was not. A strategic plan was then inaugurated -by making a natural appeal to the animal’s stubbornness. This was -done by hitching the horse to the rear axle-tree of the buggy, which -proved a decided success, at least to the extent of getting both the -horse and buggy out of the water. Newgent then hitched up according to -the conventional style, and with his family started homeward in deep -meditation. He filled no appointment that day. He found it difficult to -see the point in his neighbor’s argument that “this was the very horse -he needed,” unless it was to stimulate the grace of patience, which is a -much-needed quality in a preacher. Since then he has stoutly maintained -that it is a bad thing for a preacher to swap horses—unless he is sure he -can make a better trade. - - - - -CHAPTER NINE. - - _Labors at Mattoon, Illinois—A Persistent Campaign and a Great - Victory—Second New Goshen Pastorate—A Coincidence—Success at - Prairieton—Laboring in the Shadow—The Death of Mrs. Newgent—A - Bishop’s Tribute to her Character._ - - -The scene of his next labors was Mattoon, Illinois. This was a city of -some ten thousand inhabitants. It had been marked by a mushroom growth, -having sprung from a small village within a few years. More attention, -however, had been given to its material development than to its moral and -religious welfare. It had eleven churches, but what members they had, -were received mostly by letter. Like the city itself, the churches were -made up of a conglomeration of heterogeneous elements. All were lacking -in efficient organization, stability, and vital godliness. - -Rev. Mr. Newgent’s church, the United Brethren, like most of the others, -was new in the city. It had but twelve members when he took charge. He at -once conceived the idea of enlisting the various churches in a great and -much-needed revival campaign. He met the local pastors and proposed that -all join in a concerted, evangelistic effort—each to begin a meeting in -his own church on the same date and continue until victory was achieved. -The plan was unanimously agreed to, and on New Year’s Day the campaign -began. - -It was a stubborn fight. The bombardment was kept up by all the churches -through the entire month of January with no apparent results. One after -another of the pastors then became discouraged and hauled down his -colors. By the end of February all the batteries had ceased except two, -one of them being Newgent’s. Some of his members, convinced of the utter -futility of the effort, counseled him to quit. But he was determined to -fight it out on that line if it took all summer; and it looked as though -it might take several summers. The largest congregation he had during -those two months numbered twenty-four. - -With the beginning of the third month there were unmistakable evidences -of a thaw. Interest was awakened, congregations increased, and on the -fifth day of March the ice gave way completely. At the morning service -the altar was crowded with anxious penitents, and twenty-one were -graciously converted. The news was heralded throughout the city. It was -as though a mighty miracle had been wrought. Newgent’s church became the -center of intense interest, the subject of conversation in the stores -and shops and on the streets. At night it seemed as if all Mattoon was -seized with a sudden impulse to go to church. The house was filled long -before the appointed hour for worship, and the sexton reported that over -five hundred people were turned away. The few days following witnessed -stirring scenes in that church. Multitudes were converted; no definite -account could be taken of their number. One hundred and twenty-eight -members were added to the United Brethren Church, and other churches of -the city profited largely from the fruits of the meeting. It was the -first genuine revival Mattoon had ever enjoyed. - -“What I lacked in sense, I made up in holding on,” was Rev. Mr. Newgent’s -modest comment on the situation. But in this case holding on was only in -keeping with his usual good judgment. It was a case where not only prayer -and fasting, but also perseverance were required. Perseverance, however, -is one of his strong points. As a pastor he made it a rule to continue a -meeting until success was realized, a rule that seldom had to be waived. - -His labors at Mattoon were followed by a pastorate of two years on the -New Goshen charge, making, with a former pastorate of the same length, -an aggregate of four years of pastoral services on this field. During -these four years he received over six hundred members into the Church and -built two church-houses. His work here was also made memorable by what -might be termed his first great debate, the details of which are reserved -for the next chapter. - -The year following was a dark year in his experience, made so by the -failure of his wife’s health, which resulted in her death. He was -serving the Prairieton charge, a charge he had served some years before. -His labors here were attended by the usual success—gracious revivals, -increased spiritual life and activity, churches thrilled with new zeal -and power. A coincidence worth noting in this connection is that his two -terms of service on this field resulted in an equal number of accessions -to the Church, 203 in each case. “I do not think,” he quaintly remarked -concerning his second pastorate, “that these were the same 203 that I -received when I was there before.” The sorry experiences of many pastors -with vacillating church members occasioned and justified the remark. - -A great meeting at Prairieton stirred up the congregation and led to -the rebuilding of their church. It was, however, a great struggle. The -church was not strong financially, and the task almost overtaxed their -resources. Rev. Mr. Newgent labored unceasingly to pull the enterprise -through to a successful consummation, contributing of his own scanty -means over three hundred dollars, which necessitated the selling of some -of his household goods. - -And now, to add to his already heavy burdens, came that which for some -time had been recognized as inevitable, and under the deep shadow of -which he had been laboring with a heavy heart—the death of his companion. -“Kitty” Newgent, as she was affectionately called by her husband and -intimate friends, was never strong in body, and for many months she had -lingered near the land of shadows. On the day set for the dedication of -the church, for the success of which they both prayed and toiled and -struggled so heroically, she passed triumphantly to her heavenly home. -“Her sun went down while it was yet day.” - -She died about eight o’clock in the morning. Bishop Jonathan Weaver, -who had been secured to dedicate the church, was on the ground for that -purpose. When it was learned that the pastor’s wife had passed away, the -Bishop and members of the church suggested that the dedicatory services -be postponed. But as she had helped to plan the day’s program, and was so -anxious for the success of the occasion, Rev. Mr. Newgent urged that the -plans be carried out. So the program of the day was carried out tenderly -and lovingly, the church set apart to the worship of Almighty God, while -he and his three motherless little ones remained in their sad home by the -silent form of the precious wife and mother. Bishop Weaver remained to -conduct her funeral. The following account and worthy tribute from his -gifted pen was published at the time in the _Religious Telescope_, the -official organ of the United Brethren Church: - -“Some time ago I arranged with Brother Newgent of the Prairieton Circuit, -Lower Wabash Conference, to attend the dedication of a church on his -field of labor. Accordingly I left home on Saturday, June 13, and reached -Prairieton late in the evening. Upon my arrival there I learned that -Brother Newgent’s wife was very ill; yet I supposed she might recover. -Sunday morning the bell tolled and I knew that some one had passed away. -I immediately started for Brother Newgent’s home, and on reaching it -learned that his wife had just died. It was, indeed, a sad sight. For -seventeen years they had shared the sacrifices and trials incident to -the life of an itinerant. Now he was left with the care of three little -children to fight the battles of life alone. Brother Newgent, as he is -wont to do, labored hard to get the church in readiness for dedication, -anticipating a good time. But it was a sad day. We attended to the -service and dedicated the church with feelings of deep sympathy for the -pastor, who, with his little ones, sat beside the earthly remains of a -beloved wife. - -“Sister Newgent was a patient, kind-hearted Christian woman. She had -been in delicate health for a number of years, but neither murmured nor -complained. And when the end came, she quietly fell asleep in Jesus. On -account of her delicate health, Brother Newgent, for a number of years, -seldom remained away from home over night. He would fill his appointment -and ride home after services. But no matter how late at night he would -return, he would always find a light burning, and usually she would sit -up until he returned. But the light is gone out—no, it is burning still. -‘There’s a light in the window for thee, brother.’” - - - - -CHAPTER TEN. - - _First Great Debate—The Debate as an Institution—The - Challenge—Opponents get Weak-Kneed, Prolonging Maneuvers—A - Hungry Multitude Unfed—Battle Begins—Questions Discussed—An - Improvised Creed for his Opponent—A Premature Baptism—An - Opponent’s Tribute to his Genius—Crowning the Victor._ - - -In the earlier days of the church great stress was laid upon matters -of doctrine. Mooted theological questions occasioned much controversy -among the “brethren.” Preachers gave special attention to the particular -tenets of their respective churches, often decrying with heavy hearts the -doctrinal shortcomings of sister denominations. While this was a fault -of the times which a broader Christian spirit is overcoming, yet it had -its compensating features. In an age of controversy it became every man -to have some knowledge, not only of his own church, but also of other -churches. It is a fact that people generally were better informed on -doctrinal lines than in these latter days when the church is swinging so -near the opposite extreme. The doctrinal sermon was then the order of the -day, while now it is the rare exception. - -The public debate was a popular means of testing the merits of rival -religious systems, though in reality it was more a test of the men -engaged than of their theology. Nor was the debate confined to matters -religious. Its field was unlimited. In politics it was a favorite method -of testing political issues and leaders, and of spreading political -information. The great Lincoln-Douglas debate is a notable instance. -Hence, while it has lost prestige somewhat, the debate once was an -honorable and powerful institution. The victor in such a contest was -regarded much as the ancient Greeks regarded the winners in the Olympian -games. And he was greatly in demand to defend the doctrines of his church -against their adversaries. Every pastor needed to cultivate the debating -faculty to some extent, at least, for self-protection, just as it was -necessary for the early New Englanders to carry their guns with them to -church. - -It was during Rev. Mr. Newgent’s second pastorate at New Goshen that he -had his first great debate, and was thrust by force of circumstances into -the debating arena. Among his numerous converts were a large number who -held the faith enunciated by the Rev. Alexander Campbell, and commonly -designated as “Campbellites.” This stirred the controversial fires, -and in consequence he received a challenge from members of that body -to debate publicly certain questions on which the two churches were, -perhaps, more content to differ than to agree. - -He was quite content to promulgate his faith in the ordinary way, feeling -that the results of his work were sufficient proof of the genuineness -of his theology. Hence, he sought to avoid being pressed into this sort -of contest, even proposing to secure a man to represent his church. But -they regarded him as the high priest of his profession, and as they -had suffered at his hands, they demanded that he represent his side in -person. Seeing there was no honorable way of escape, he reluctantly -consented, and preliminaries were arranged. - -His opponent was a Rev. Mr. Price. The place selected was a beautiful -grove near the village of West Liberty, Vigo County, Indiana. A vast -throng of people were present the day the debate was to open. But they -were doomed to disappointment. Just as they were getting ready to begin, -representatives from the opposition approached Rev. Mr. Newgent and asked -if they might be permitted to let the Rev. William Holt, D.D., champion -their side instead of Mr. Price. Doctor Holt was a recognized giant among -the Campbellites. He was a veteran of thirty-two battles in the debating -field, and was one of the foremost expounders of the tenets of his church. - -Whether or not it was the wish of Mr. Price to be relieved, it was quite -evident that there was a lack of confidence somewhere. At any rate the -opposition felt more secure with their cause committed to the hands of -their great captain, armed, as he was, with education and eloquence, and -skilled in the art and science of debate. All felt that it was to be a -great contest, significant in its results, and that no chances should be -taken. - -Rev. Mr. Newgent consented to the change on condition that the debate -be postponed a couple of months to afford time for further preparation. -The condition was accepted, and the multitudes were sent away hungry, -disappointed, and dejected. The responsibility was thrown upon the -Campbellites, as their unwillingness to let Mr. Price champion their side -was the cause of the postponement. For the Irish circuit rider it was a -diplomatic stroke, a bloodless victory to begin with. - -The two months were well spent by Rev. Mr. Newgent in preparation for -this greater contest. The delay only seemed to increase popular interest -in the affair; and when they again met, the crowd was even larger than -before. The discussions consumed eleven days. However, the time was -divided into two sections with an intervening period of four or five -weeks. It was estimated that from eight thousand to ten thousand people -attended daily throughout, among them being a large number of ministers -of various denominations. Six boarding tents did a thriving business. In -fact, the debate was the great event of the year. A political campaign -could not have created more interest and excitement. - -The discussions covered six propositions, as follows: - -1. The church of which I, William Holt, am a member, is identical in -doctrine and practice with the Church of Christ, as revealed in the -Scriptures. Holt affirmed. - -2. Jesus Christ is the very and eternal God, separate and apart from his -human nature. Newgent affirmed. - -3. Water baptism is for the remission of the past sins of the penitent -believer. Holt affirmed. - -4. The Holy Spirit bears a direct, immediate, and personal testimony to -the believer of his pardon. Newgent affirmed. - -5. Immersion is the only act of Christian baptism. Holt affirmed. - -6. After a person is sufficiently instructed in the written Word, the -Holy Spirit operates directly upon the heart in regeneration. Newgent -affirmed. - -In most respects the two men were well matched. Holt was a man of -scholarship, a deep, logical thinker, and possessed oratorical ability of -a high order, which, with the practice afforded by thirty-two debating -bouts, rendered him an antagonist not to be despised. Newgent, then in -his prime, possessed a splendid physique, a strong, musical voice that -seemed never to tire, which was especially adapted for out-door speaking. -Though not a product of the schools, as was his opponent, his mind was -strong, clear, and alert. He was ever a close student, not only of books, -but of human nature. He could readily analyze a proposition as much by -intuition as by logic, and discern at a glance the weak places in his -opponent’s position. His wit and humor served him well in such matters. -When he turned the shafts of ridicule upon a weak point in the position -of an opponent, it was as though all the batteries, field pieces, grape -and canister, and every other instrument of destructive warfare had been -turned loose at once. As there were none of the scholastic or bookish -elements in his style, he invariably had the sympathy of the masses. - -Doctor Holt made the opening address, affirming that his was the only -true church—“identical in doctrine and practice with the Church of Christ -as revealed in the Scriptures.” He referred to various doctrines held by -his church and supported them by Scriptural authority. In most cases they -were doctrines accepted by all evangelical churches, affording no ground -for controversy. The address was eloquent and logical. - -When Newgent arose to reply, he complimented the brother’s address and -expressed his approval of much that was said. “But now, Mr. Moderator,” -he continued, “I would like to know what church my brother belongs to -when he asserts that they believe thus and so. He frequently referred -to ‘My church.’ If he belongs to a church, how are we to know, in the -absence of a written creed, what the doctrines of his church are? Shall -we take his statements? That would not be safe, for I find that they -differ among themselves on various important points. - -“According to Mr. Webster, he has no church. Webster says, ‘The Church of -Christ is the universal body of Christ.’ Paul speaks of the ‘whole family -in heaven and earth.’ All saints in heaven and on earth belong to the -Church of Christ. This includes the children. When the disciples asked -Jesus who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, he ‘called a little -child unto him and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say -unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall -not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ - -“Hence, his church is not THE Church of Christ, neither is it A church -of Christ. Again, according to Webster, ‘A church of Christ is a body of -Christian believers, observing the same rites and acknowledging the same -ecclesiastical authority.’ It denies all creeds and all ecclesiastical -authority. Hence, it cannot be A church of Christ.” - -He then appealed to the president, urging that, in the absence of a -written creed, they should take the writings of their recognized church -leaders to ascertain what the doctrines of his opponent’s church—granting -that it was a church—were. The president so ruled. It then became the -duty of Doctor Holt to show that the doctrines indicated were the -doctrines of his church according to the church authorities, and also -that they were Scripturally sound; and furthermore to prove that other -doctrines promulgated by the church leaders, which he had not mentioned, -were in strict harmony with the Word. - -This opened up a bigger field than even the great high priest of -Campbellism was prepared to occupy. Newgent was as familiar with the -teachings of his opponent’s church as Doctor Holt was himself, and had -foreseen and prepared for this emergency. - -“I knew you would not be prepared for this, so I thought I would be good -to you,” he said in a manner suggesting a cat’s habit of playing with -a mouse just before crushing its bones, “I have, therefore, prepared a -creed from the writings of Mr. Campbell and other leaders of your church, -which will enable us to ascertain what your church teaches.” - -He then read the following improvised creed, the different items of -which were based upon statements cited in the writings of recognized -authorities of the church Doctor Holt was so zealously defending: - -I. We profess before all men that we believe in water baptism by -immersion; that it is the great panacea for all spiritual maladies. - -II. Immersion is the line between the saved and the lost. - -III. Immersion is regeneration, conversion, and the new birth. - -IV. Immersion is obeying the gospel; it alone is the act of turning to -God. - -V. Repentance, pardon, justification, sanctification, reconciliation, -adoption, salvation, a good conscience, a pure heart, love to God, saving -faith, acceptable prayer, the reception of the Holy Spirit, and the -intercession of Christ for us, all depend upon immersion. - -VI. Immersion is the converting act, and is the most important of all the -commandments. - -VII. The water is the mother of all Christians. - -VIII. We further believe that the Apostles set up the kingdom of Christ -on the Day of Pentecost. - -IX. That the gospel was first preached by Peter, that the first Christian -baptism was administered, and that the reign of grace began on the Day of -Pentecost. - -X. That the kingdom of Christ has apostatized and become totally corrupt. - -XI. That the meaning of the Christian institutions was lost in the Dark -Ages, and that no one pleaded the true cause of Christ from the great -apostasy until Mr. Campbell’s day. - -XII. That the true foundation of the millennial church was lost, and that -it was laid again in the present century. - -XIII. That we have restored the ancient gospel. - -XIV. That Mr. Campbell, with others, has from nothing reorganized and -established the kingdom of Christ on earth. - -XV. That salvation is alone in the society to which we belong, and which -was established in the present century. - -XVI. We believe in a reformation produced without the Holy Spirit, -without godly sorrow, or mourning, or prayer, or any act of devotion -whatever. - -XVII. That a mere persuasion that the gospel is true is all the faith -required. - -XVIII. That even a believer is not pardoned, born of God, or in -possession of spiritual life until after immersion. - -XIX. That no sinner has a right to pray before immersion. - -XX. That in regeneration there is no change of the moral powers or inward -evidence of the same. - -XXI. That sinners are buried in the water in order to kill them to sin. - -XXII. That salvation is by works. - -XXIII. We deny the divine call to the work of the ministry. - -The foregoing propositions had been carefully selected with proof -statements by Rev. Mr. Newgent. To square them by the Word of God was a -task that even a greater than Doctor Holt might well have shrunk from. -And the opening battle which was to decide the question as to whether -or not the church of Doctor Holt’s choice was identical in doctrine and -practice with the New Testament church resulted in a decided advantage in -favor of the Irishman. - -Among the amusing incidents connected with the occasion was an attempt on -the part of the Holt allies to create a demonstration favorable to their -cause. On the day when the subject of baptism was up, a rumor came to -Newgent’s ears that a pretended convert to his opponent’s doctrine would -present himself for admission to the Campbellite Church at the evening -service. A baptismal service would then be held the following morning in -a nearby creek in the presence of the crowd, affording ocular evidence -that the champion of immersion was gaining ground. This, attended -with all the pomp and display necessary to make it impressive, it was -expected, would prove a staggering blow to Newgent, from which even his -wit and humor would not enable him to rally. - -He did not give much credence to the rumor, scarcely believing that any -one would resort to such tactics, but thought it best to keep at least -one eye open. The evening services were held in the churches, both -denominations being represented in the village. Each church would have -preaching by a visiting minister of its own faith. Ordinarily those who -cared to attend would go to their own church, the champions themselves -remaining at home to rest and gird themselves for the next day. Newgent, -however, curious to learn whether there was any foundation for the rumor, -on that particular evening attended the service at his opponent’s church. -To his surprise, he saw Doctor Holt there. He then smelled a rat. At the -close of the sermon, Doctor Holt arose, delivered a brief exhortation and -opened the doors of the church. And the rat smelled stronger. - -All doubts were dispelled when an old, rusty-looking gentleman limped -forward and gave the preacher his hand. This was the convert that the -eloquence of Doctor Holt had won to the standard of Campbellism—an old, -decrepit man, by no means distinguished for learning or intelligence, who -had been imported from an adjoining county for the occasion! - -[Illustration: REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWGENT - -At age of forty.] - -The doctor was, of course, glad that one penitent was making the “good -confession,” and announced that on to-morrow morning at eight o’clock, -just before the day’s exercises would begin, they would repair to the -creek and “baptize the brother into Christ.” - -At this juncture Rev. Mr. Newgent arose and asked if he might say a -few words. The permission was granted. “Doctor,” he said, “I have been -taking it for granted that you were sincere in advocating that the -penitent’s sins were pardoned only in the act of baptism. Now, here is -a dear brother desiring to flee the wrath to come. Suppose he should -die before eight o’clock to-morrow morning, and thus be lost. Who would -be responsible? He is getting old. Aren’t you running an awful risk in -exposing his soul to eternal death until to-morrow? Doctor, don’t you -think it would be safer and more consistent to take this brother at once -to the creek and baptize him into Christ?” - -The doctor admitted that he was right, and ordered the candidate to -be baptized immediately. A small bodyguard took him to the creek and -reluctantly performed the task. Thus evaporated the scheme from which the -opposition had hoped to reap so largely. They did reap largely, but not -what they expected. In his opening remarks the next morning, Newgent -recited with dramatic effect the story of the exploded plot, taking -ample time to do it justice. The story was told with many a humorous and -oratorical flourish, producing roar after roar of laughter from the great -audience. The house thus built upon the sand fell upon the heads of the -unwise builders with most disastrous effect. - -As an illustration of his peculiar power over the minds of his hearers, -the following tribute from a titled minister of the Campbell faith will -serve well. He was taking his usual rest during the noon intermission, -when the reverend gentleman who wore a D.D. and a silk hat, approached -him, and after introducing himself, said: - -“Rev. Mr. Newgent, they have told me that you attended school but three -months in your life, and also that this is your first debate. I am -convinced that in this you have been misrepresented. I heard Doctor Holt -deliver his opening address to-day, and I thought no man on earth could -answer his argument. But when you got up to speak, you had not proceeded -five minutes until the people had forgotten all he had said. The same was -true of the second address, and I saw at once that our man was beaten.” - -Newgent told him that he had had but meager school advantages. In a -former chapter it is stated that he attended school three terms of three -months each. But as school attendance then was very irregular at the -best, the gentleman’s information was not far from the truth. He informed -his friend, however, that he had always been a hard student, and thus had -atoned in some measure for the meagerness of his school advantages. - -“Well,” said the doctor of divinity, “I expected to remain until the -close of the debate; but I see that our man is fighting a losing battle, -and I do not care to stay and see him defeated.” And after a few further -remarks, he bade Rev. Mr. Newgent a courteous good by and left the -grounds, not desiring to see the end of a contest that boded no good -thing for his cause. - -The gentleman’s unwilling prophecy was fulfilled, no doubt, to a larger -degree than he himself anticipated. Newgent seemed to gain power and -momentum to the last. When the great contest closed, defeat was plainly -written upon the countenance of every Holt sympathizer, while Newgent -was showered with compliments and congratulations from his admiring -friends. A delegation of Baptist brethren, headed by the pastor of -the First Baptist Church of Terre Haute, rushed forward and placed a -ten-dollar hat on his head in behalf of that denomination. Commendations -and substantial tokens of approval came from representatives of a number -of denominations. And the occasion ended pleasantly for all, except the -number whose theological bias was plainly and painfully indicated by -their crestfallen spirits. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN. - - _Subsequent Debates—The Owen Contest—He Gets his - “Treat”—Opponent’s Confession—Dressing “Stone”—A Scared - Baptist—Invades the Lutheran Ranks—Measures Steel with Doctor - Ingram—Dissertation on Infant Baptism—Opponent’s Early - Flight—Concludes the Debate Alone—The Haw Debate._ - - -As the preceding chapter has shown, our subject was not a debater from -choice. He was thrust into the debating arena by circumstances. His -memorable victory over Doctor Holt placed his name in big letters among -the leading debaters of the time, creating demands for his services in -this capacity that could not well be resisted. Besides being in constant -demand to expound and defend the doctrines for which he stood, by his -own, and other denominations of a kindred faith, he figured in some -thirteen debating bouts, a detailed account of which would of itself -make a good-sized volume. Hence, a few passing references to some of -these contests, with some characteristic incidents, is all that will be -attempted here. - -Shortly after the debate with Doctor Holt, he received an urgent appeal -from Rev. James Griffiths of the United Brethren Church at Potomac, -Illinois, to come over to his Macedonia and help him. Controversy between -the Christian and United Brethren churches of that section was at white -heat. The Christian Church, under the leadership of a Rev. Mr. Owen, -was pressing the battle to the gates and making things unpleasantly -interesting for Rev. Mr. Griffiths, who was not of a controversial turn -of mind. He felt, however, that the safety of his cause demanded that -his adversaries be met upon their own ground with their own weapons. His -presiding elder, Rev. J. W. Nye, joined in the request that Rev. Mr. -Newgent go to the rescue. - -Accordingly, a debate between Owen and Newgent, covering the usual mooted -questions between the two denominations, was arranged. Rev. Mr. Owen -was scholarly and serious, but utterly lacking in the humorous element. -His dry logic was no match for the fiery eloquence and quick wit of his -Irish antagonist. Like the bridegroom at a wedding, he was a rather -inconspicuous figure, except that his part was necessary to the carrying -out of the program. It was an easy victory for the United Brethren and -their allies, resulting in a cessation of hostilities and a reign of -peace in that section of Zion. - -A more notable contest was that with Dr. W. B. F. Treat, then president -of Indiana State University, at Bloomington. Doctor Treat, as his -position would indicate, was a man of fine scholarship. He was a minister -in the Christian Church, zealous in the defense of its doctrines, and had -won many trophies as a debater. - -The preliminary arrangements for this debate were made by a couple of -ministers, one a representative of the Christian Church, and the other a -United Brethren. Newgent and Treat were secured by the two churches as -their respective champions. - -As the two champions were introduced on the occasion of the debate, -the following bit of repartee was indulged in by Newgent, who had been -suffering from some slight temporary ailment: “I am sorry you are not in -good trim,” said Doctor Treat, “I had hoped to find a man who would be -able to put up a good fight.” - -“Oh,” said Newgent, “I think I’ll feel better when I get my _Treat_.” - -In his opening remarks, Doctor Treat again indulged in some pleasantry -at Newgent’s expense. He referred to his opponent as having been born -in Green County and cradled in a sugar trough. Newgent replied that he -had missed it four miles as to the place of his birth. The sugar trough -part of it, however, he did not deny; but as the trough had served well -to cradle the different members of his mother’s small family of nine -children, he was quite sure the rude cradle suffered no violence at his -hands. - -The learned doctor further tried to discount the scholarship of his -opponent by referring to a postal card received from him on which -there were two words misspelled. To this Newgent also had an answer. -“Great speakers,” said he, “are usually deficient in other lines. I now -understand why the doctor is short on debating; all his strength has gone -into his spelling.” - -The usual questions were discussed, six in number, the same as in -the great Holt debate. The arguments were listened to by thousands -of interested and enthusiastic spectators, among them ministers and -dignitaries of various denominations, and persons of prominence in -educational, political, and professional circles. As to the result of the -contest, Doctor Treat’s own confession, as brought out in the following -incident, will suffice: - -A debate between Newgent and a Rev. Dr. J. W. Stone, of St. Louis, -Missouri, also a minister of prominence in the Christian Church, was -scheduled to take place a few weeks later. In the meantime Doctor -Stone, anxious to learn all he could concerning his opponent, sought -an interview with Doctor Treat. He met him at a church dedication at -which Treat was officiating. The two men, with others, were entertained -for dinner at the same home after the morning service. At an opportune -time, Doctor Stone introduced the subject in which he was especially -interested, and the following conversation between the two men took -place, being overheard and reported to Newgent by a gentleman who leaned -toward his side of the question: - -“Are you acquainted with a United Brethren preacher in Indiana of the -name of Newgent?” Doctor Stone inquired. - -“I am,” was President Treat’s answer. - -“Did you not debate with him some time ago?” - -“I did.” - -“Is he a scholar?” - -“I do not know.” - -“Is he logical?” - -“I cannot tell. He claimed that he went to school only a few months.” - -“How long did you debate with him?” - -“Six days.” - -“What?” said Doctor Stone in astonishment, “You debated with him six -days, and could not tell whether or not he is educated?” - -“Well,” continued the university president, in a meditative mood, “I will -say that he is—_forceful_.” - -Doctor Stone looked blank for a moment, and then ventured with a smile, -“May be he whipped you?” - -“I don’t know,” was the guarded answer, “but I am inclined to believe -that my people thought he did.” Observing that Stone was intensely -interested, Treat inquired: - -“Are you thinking of debating with him?” - -Stone answered in the affirmative. - -“Can’t you get out of it in some honorable way?” - -Stone replied that he was not wanting “out of it.” - -“But you may want out of it,” was Treat’s not very assuring reply. - -“Why, is he not fair in debate? Is he not a gentleman?” - -“Yes,” answered Treat, “so much so that all your people who know him -love to be with him and hear him talk.” And the conversation drifted -into other channels. But Doctor Stone, being from Missouri, waited to be -shown. And the debate was held according to schedule. - -About this time Doctor Stone was enjoying no small degree of notoriety. -He had debated with a Methodist minister in southern Illinois, and so -completely mastered him that he acknowledged his defeat in sack cloth and -ashes, and joined the Christian Church. Stone was taking advantage of his -newly-acquired popularity in waging a relentless war against the “sects,” -as he termed them, when some of the Pedo-Baptists secured Newgent to meet -him in debate. And the challenge was brought to the great, self-important -Doctor Stone. - -“Newgent!” said this supposed Goliath with a contemptuous sneer. “He -can’t debate. He’s an Irish peddler who used to sell table-cloths in my -father’s neighborhood.” The committee informed him that they were willing -to risk their case with the Irish peddler. However, Stone’s visit to -Doctor Treat to get information concerning the Irishman would indicate -that his contempt was more feigned than real. - -The debate was held in a small town in southern Illinois, where the -doctor had been making havoc of the “sects.” The table-cloth story became -current, and much speculation was indulged in concerning the supposed -vender of household commodities. His coming to the village was awaited -with intense interest. When the train on which he was scheduled to -arrive pulled in at the station, a curious and enthusiastic crowd was -waiting to get a view of the man who dared to dispute the wisdom of -Doctor Stone. As he stepped from the car, a gentleman who knew him said, -pointing him out, “There’s the table-cloth peddler.” - -A hearty salute was given by the crowd. Newgent, having been apprised of -the story, was equal to the occasion. As soon as the hubbub ceased, he -addressed the crowd, turning the table-cloth story against his opponent -in the following speech: - -“Gentlemen, if you have come here to buy table-cloths, you will be -disappointed. I have changed my occupation. I have been informed that -there is some fine stone in southern Illinois, so I have come down here -to set up my shop and spend a few days dressing Stone.” - -The “Stone dressing” joke superseded the table-cloth story and became a -catch phrase throughout the debate. - -It is likely that Stone often called to mind the friendly advice of -Doctor Treat, and regretted that he did not take it. He could cope -neither with the argument, the quick wit, nor the physical endurance of -his opponent. His voice failed completely, and the last two addresses -of Newgent were unanswered. The Stone-dressing business proved eminently -successful. - -An amusing incident occurred in connection with a debate in Kentucky -with a Doctor Fairchilds, an eminent Baptist minister. A story came to -the ears of Doctor Fairchilds after he came on the ground, to the effect -that Newgent was a man of extraordinary scholarship, that he was master -of some thirteen languages, etc. The doctor was visibly disconcerted by -the story, and after hearing Newgent’s first address, was fully persuaded -that it was true, especially the part relating to the thirteen languages. -He was quite nervous, and utterly broke down about the middle of the -program, leaving the supposed master of thirteen languages easily master -of the situation. - -While on his official rounds as superintendent of the Tennessee -Mission Conference, he once chanced to invade a Lutheran community, -which set in motion a train of influences that terminated in a debate -with a representative of that body. This was about eight miles from -Greenville. He was visiting a United Brethren family that had moved into -the community, and in company with his host, called at the district -school, and made a talk to the pupils. Through the influence of his -host, the school house was secured for a preaching service that evening. -Other influences then began to be felt, and the meeting was continued -indefinitely, resulting in a sweeping revival, the organization of a -United Brethren church, and the building and dedication of a church-house -within two months from the close of the revival. - -This occasioned great concern among the Lutherans who lost quite heavily -as a result of the United Brethren invasion. To regain their lost ground, -they challenged Rev. Mr. Newgent to debate certain doctrinal questions -with a representative of their church. Newgent was then in his element, -in the debate, and answered that he would be ready at any time to -accommodate them. - -The Lutheran champion was Dr. J. C. Miller, president of one of their -church schools. The much-mooted question as to what body constituted -the true church was the first taken up, Doctor Miller posing as the -representative of a church whose doctrines and usages are identical with -those taught and exemplified in the New Testament. - -This placed upon Miller the Herculean task of defending the various -tenets and practices peculiar to his church. Among other specimens of -Lutheran creed, Newgent read the following: “The infant’s heart is -corrupt, and it cannot be saved unless baptized by a Lutheran minister -with heavenly, gracious water.” When asked if his church taught that, -Doctor Miller admitted that it did. - -Newgent showed this bit of dogma up in a bad light by the use of an -object lesson. Borrowing a baby from a mother in the audience, he held -it up before the crowd, stating that the “little rascal’s” heart is -corrupt and its only chance for salvation was by being baptized according -to the Lutheran formula. “Now,” he continued, “I want this brother to -demonstrate to this audience how a baby must be saved. I want him to -change this baby’s heart from a state of corruption to a state of purity. -I want to see how a baby is saved, for, according to his theology, I have -three babies in hell.” - -The brother winced under this outburst of sarcasm. He refused to baptize -the child, which, had he done so under the circumstances, would scarcely -have made his doctrine appear less obnoxious. Other peculiar Lutheran -tenets appeared to the same disadvantage under similar treatment, and -the church’s hope of gaining its lost ground completely vanished. The -debate popularized the United Brethren Church, giving it a strong hold -in the community. Flag Branch, a flourishing rural church, stands as a -monument to Rev. Mr. Newgent’s labors in that section. - -Another contest worthy of special note was with a Baptist minister -at Blue Springs, Tennessee, in 1882. The mode of baptism was a live -question throughout that region. The battle line was drawn by the -Baptists and Pedo-Baptists. They finally agreed to have the question -discussed in a public debate, each side to furnish its champion. Three -churches were represented on the immersion side, and seven on the other. -The immersionists secured as their representative, Doctor Ingram, a -prominent Baptist divine of Virginia. Newgent was selected by the -anti-immersionists. The debate was to cover six propositions and to -continue six days, one subject being slated for each day. - -The Baptists were very desirous of including infant baptism in the list -of subjects to be discussed. This was a question that Newgent had never -debated, and in which he had very little interest. But to accommodate -the Baptists, he consented to defend the practice of infant baptism. His -opponent proposed the question, stating it as follows: “_Resolved_, That -infants are fit subjects for baptism.” Newgent consented to affirm it. - -It was slated for the second day. In his opening remarks, Newgent said: -“Mr. President, this is a peculiar question; but my brother wrote it and -insisted that I affirm it. It is peculiar from the fact that I am not -to prove that the child needs baptism, or that there is any command for -infant baptism, or that there ever was an infant baptized. I am simply -asked to prove that a child is a fit subject for baptism.” - -At these remarks a storm of protest arose from the immersionists. They -expected him to defend the vast array of teaching that the various -Pedo-Baptist bodies had put forward on the subject. - -“Keep cool,” he said to the immersionist part of the crowd as they -were clamoring for a hearing and creating no little confusion. “Doctor -Ingram and I signed these papers, and we agreed to be governed by the -board of moderators. This question simply deals with the child’s fitness -for baptism. I appeal to the moderators.” The moderators sustained his -position. - -He then asked his opponent whether or not the Baptist Church would -baptize a subject until he was converted and became as a little child. -His opponent stated that it would not. This gave him a splendid -foundation for his address, and, at the same time, removed the last -foundation stone from under his opponent, so far as infant baptism was -concerned. He made an earnest and eloquent address, showing that the -child is a type of the heavenly citizen, and as such possesses special -fitness for all the sacraments of God’s house. - -While he was talking, his attention was called to Doctor Ingram. The -doctor, grip in hand, was making rapid strides toward the railroad -station. His moderator and some friends were accompanying him, trying to -persuade him to remain. But he could endure it no longer. - -The doctor’s retreat caused a great sensation, relished immensely by the -Pedo-Baptists, but a bitter dose to the immersionists. There were yet -four days of the program remaining. Newgent’s side demanded, as they were -paying him for his work, that he remain and carry out his part of the -program. This he did, but as the debate had only one end to it during -those four days, it spoiled the excitement, though it served well the -purpose of those who had employed him. - -Among his later debates was one held in 1898 at Mechanicsville, Indiana. -Dr. J. W. Haw, of the Christian Church, was his opponent on this -occasion. Doctor Haw had been holding revival meetings in that part of -Indiana, and being dogmatic in style and controversially inclined, was -unsparing in his denunciations of other denominations. His aggressions -and criticisms were disturbing the equilibrium of some of the brethren -whose churches were being used as a target by this ecclesiastical -Nimrod. They wrote to Newgent, then in Tennessee, urging him to champion -their side against Doctor Haw in debate, offering him fifty dollars -per day and expenses for his time. He consented on condition that the -propositions were fair and that the reverend gentleman in question was a -representative man in his church. - -He was referred to a two-column article in a current number of -the _Christian Standard_ relating to Doctor Haw. The article was -extravagant in the use of adjectives describing the doctor’s ability and -achievements, stating that he was the leading debater in the Christian -Church, having had more such battles than any other man in it at that -time. This was quite satisfactory to Newgent, as at that period he did -not care to waste any shot or shell on small game. - -In this, as in all other such contests, Newgent abundantly sustained -his position and satisfied the expectations of his supporters. His -experience, self-control, complete mastery of the subjects in hand, -humor, and physical endurance made him an antagonist that even the -greatest debater in a debating church could illy cope with. The general -verdict of even Doctor Haw’s own sympathizers was that it was decidedly a -one-sided affair. - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE. - - _Perrysville and Centerpoint—Industry Rewarded from an - Unsuspected Source—A “Slick” Wedding—Fruitful Labors at - Centerpoint—A One-Sided Union Meeting—The Doctrine of the - Resurrection Again Demonstrated._ - - -A year on the Perrysville charge in the Upper Wabash Conference, followed -by a year at Centerpoint, in his own conference, the Lower Wabash, -covering 1874 to 1876, closed Rev. Mr. Newgent’s work in the pastorate -for a season. It was from the latter charge that he received his -appointment from the Home, Frontier, and Foreign Missionary Society as -Superintendent of the Tennessee Mission Conference. From thenceforth he -was destined to serve the Church in a larger capacity, though there is no -work that he regards as more exalted or more vital to the progress of the -kingdom than that of the pastor. And it is but just to say that there is -no work in which he has been happier or more in his element. The pastor, -he regards, as the pivotal man in the church militant, around whose -personality must revolve all the machinery of its organized life. Hence, -in whatever position he has been placed, he has ever been in fullest -sympathy with the men on the firing line, and has sought in every way to -encourage and magnify their work. - -His going to Perrysville was in response to an urgent appeal from his -intimate friend, Dr. J. W. Nye, then a popular presiding elder in the -Upper Wabash Conference. His work here was fruitful and congenial, and -marked by some rich experiences, which he carries with him as refreshing -memories. One of these teaches a practical moral lesson, namely, that -honest industry has its reward in more ways than one. - -It need not be explained here that industry is a part of his religion. -He believes with Paul that it does not injure, or lower the dignity of -a minister to labor with his hands. In this, as in other respects, he -made himself an example to the flock. Odd moments are always occupied -in diversions of a practical character. The outward appearance of the -parsonage never failed to testify to his thrift and good taste. A garden -served as an outlet to his surplus physical energies as well as a means -of supplementing the usually modest income. Under his skillful hand it -invariably became a thing of beauty and an object of just pride. - -Some five miles from Perrysville lived a horny-handed son of the soil, a -man who made industry not only the chief element in his religion, but -the sum total of it. He was an infidel in his belief—or disbelief—and -regarded the church as an imposition, and preachers as an indolent, -worthless lot. Passing through the village one day, he noticed Rev. Mr. -Newgent’s garden. It was by far the finest he had seen. His surprise can -only be imagined when, upon inquiry, he learned that the owner of it was -one of those lazy preachers. - -A few days later he drove up to the parsonage with a barrel of flour, -which he unloaded and unceremoniously rolled upon the porch. This time -the surprise was on the preacher, as a reputation for benevolence was -a thing of which, up to that time, the infidel could not boast. He -explained that ordinarily he had no use for preachers, but as he had -found one that was not lazy, he “wanted to help him.” The donation was -an expression of his regard for the minister who showed a willingness, -according to the infidel’s conception of the term, to earn his bread in -the sweat of his face. - -Another incident, picked up at random, occurred one cold day during the -winter of his stay at Perrysville. A couple whose appearance did not -indicate a superabundance of worldly prosperity, came to the parsonage -to be married. They had come from the adjoining county, the boundary -between the two counties being the Wabash River, on the bank of which -Perrysville was located. The river was frozen over. The couple traveled -afoot, having crossed the river on the ice. The preacher explained -that they would have to recross the river before the ceremony could -be performed, as the law required that marriages be solemnized in the -county in which the license was issued. So he conducted the matrimonial -candidates to the river. - -When the preacher was satisfied that they had proceeded beyond the -half-way point on the river, he ordered the couple to halt and join -hands. By this time their presence had attracted the attention of the -young people who were out on the ice in large numbers enjoying the -fine winter sport of skating. As the wedding was a public function, no -restrictions being placed on attendance, the ceremony was performed in -the presence of an enthusiastic multitude. - -The service completed, the groom, who was unacquainted with ministerial -usages, inquired as to the amount of the fee. To save him the -responsibility and further embarrassment of determining the sum to be -paid for the service, the preacher suggested that a dollar would be -sufficient, fearing lest he might set the price too high for his purse. -Even at that it was painfully evident that the young man’s financial -rating was overestimated. After nervously fumbling through his pockets he -was able to produce but fifty cents. In his dilemma he found it necessary -to call upon his bride for financial assistance. Happily she was equal to -the emergency, and supplied the deficit from her own purse. - -[Illustration: The Young Man’s Financial Rating Was Over-estimated.] - -“This is the fairest wedding I have ever seen,” said the preacher. “It -has always been my opinion that the lady ought to help pay the preacher, -and she receives as much benefit from the ceremony as does the man. I -hope you will always share each other’s burdens in this way.” And wishing -them happiness and prosperity, he sent them on their way rejoicing. - -The local paper gave a flowery account of the wedding that took place -on the ice, stating that it was the “slickest” wedding that had ever -occurred in that section. But the minister’s fee and the manner of paying -it was not allowed to become public, lest it should become a troublesome -precedent in matrimonial circles. - -The following year, which was spent on the Centerpoint charge, was -a most fruitful one. Here, as in so many other places, he found a -splendid opportunity of demonstrating his favorite doctrine of the -resurrection—the resurrection of dead churches. The spiritual life -of the churches at Centerpoint was at ebb tide, and had been for an -indefinite time. Soon after his arrival the Methodist pastor, who was -also new in the town, called upon him to confer as to their plans for -revival work. As workers were scarce, it was thought best to plan their -meetings so that they would not conflict. Rev. Mr. Newgent, Abraham-like, -let his brother do the choosing, and the brother, perhaps as anxious -as Lot to get in on the ground floor, decided to commence a revival at -once. Newgent began a meeting at the same time some few miles in the -country. Newgent’s meeting immediately developed into a revival of so -great proportions that it became the one overshadowing event of the -whole country, drawing the Methodist pastor’s congregation from him and -rendering it impracticable for him to continue. His situation was a -rather lonely one. In his extremity he sought another interview with his -fellow pastor, proposing to close his meeting at once if Newgent would -join him later in a union revival effort. - -This Newgent consented to do on three conditions, as follows: - -1. That the meetings be held in the United Brethren church. - -2. That the United Brethren pastor do all the preaching. - -3. That the United Brethren pastor do the managing. - -Hard as the conditions seemed, the brother agreed to them. The -conditions, in fact, look egotistical and perhaps selfish on the surface, -but when the United Brethren pastor explained his reasons for them they -were seen to be neither. On the contrary they were meant for the highest -good of both churches, and were abundantly vindicated by the outcome. -He was intensely anxious that Centerpoint have a genuine revival of -religion. To promote such a revival at any cost was his purpose. That -this purpose might be realized he would not permit modesty, formality, or -any other creature to stand in the way. - -The United Brethren Church was the more commodious and had the advantage -in location. This was the reason for the first condition. The reason for -the second and third conditions was that Centerpoint had been preached -to death. A change of methods was imperative if the people were to be -reached. He wanted a meeting without preaching, without too much human -agency, but where God himself might control to his own glory. Only by -having the management left to him could he apply the remedy needed -according to his diagnosis of the case. - -His plan was now to be put to the test—a revival without preaching, the -laity to do the work as they felt divinely moved. The meeting began on -a Friday evening. But with no life there could be no real activity. -The chariot wheels dragged heavily at the first. On Sunday morning he -announced that at four o’clock p. m., a children’s meeting would be held. -Aside from selected helpers, only children within a certain age limit -would be admitted. Such meetings even at that date were quite uncommon. -The announcement, therefore, aroused a great deal of curiosity. But that -was one point in the announcement. Something must be done to stir the -people. There must be a new avenue of approach to their cold hearts. - -The children’s service produced the desired effect. At the appointed -hour the house was filled to overflowing. There were three helpers, -all ministers, present, who did their part according to Newgent’s -directions. Songs were sung, prayers offered by the ministers as they -were called upon, a brief talk by the leader, some simple propositions, -and the meeting closed in less than a half-hour from the time it began. -But that half-hour turned the tide in Centerpoint. The children became -the vanguard in a religious movement that was to shake the town from -center to circumference. Many of them went home weeping to speak of the -longing of their tender hearts to fathers and mothers, who, in turn, were -awakened to a consciousness of their own need. - -At the evening service which followed, seventy-five persons came to the -altar, most of whom professed conversion. The revival was no longer a -problem. It spread throughout the town and community like fire in dry -stubble. The church arose from the grave of lethargy and formalism, cast -off her grave clothes—and the doctrine of the resurrection was again -abundantly demonstrated. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN. - - _Becomes a Missionary Superintendent—Second Marriage—An - Unexpected Welcome—Forms a Quaker Friendship—The Spirit Moves - in a Quaker Meeting—A Quaker’s Prayer Answered—Builds a - College—Shows What to do for a Dead Church—Another Tilt on the - Doctrine of Baptism—Conversion of a Dunkard Preacher—Turns a - Great Movement in the Right Direction._ - - -In the fall of 1876, Rev. Mr. Newgent entered upon his duties as -Superintendent of the Tennessee Mission Conference, under appointment of -the Home, Frontier, and Foreign Missionary Association. In the meantime -he had married Miss Annie Crowther, of Terre Haute, Indiana, who, under -the divine blessing, abides as the companion of his joys and sorrows amid -the lengthening shadows. She is a woman of rare and excellent qualities, -which especially fitted her for her position as the wife of an active -and ambitious minister. She is in fullest accord with her husband’s -ambitions and tastes, and has contributed her part toward the success -of his career. He freely accords to her this credit. With this queenly -woman ordering its affairs, the Newgent home has ever been a haven of -real rest, a retreat for God’s servants especially. It extends a welcome -and hospitality—a true home spirit—that at once makes the wayworn pilgrim -feel at ease in body and mind, and charms the hearts of the young as well. - -At the time of their removal to Tennessee, the United Brethren Church -was new in the South. Its attitude of open hostility to slavery largely -shut it out of regions south of Mason and Dixon’s line. The Tennessee -Conference then had less than four hundred members, with only six houses -of worship. So a great field spread out before the new Superintendent, -taking him back to conditions in many respects similar to those in which -he began his ministerial labors. It was still a time of reconstruction -in church affairs as well as in matters political. But his was a work of -construction rather than of reconstruction. - -Aside from the need of laborers and the vast opportunities afforded for -building up the church in this section, one reason he had for accepting -this appointment was the condition of his own and his wife’s health. Both -were threatened with failing health, and a change of climate was advised, -the high altitude of eastern Tennessee being recommended as especially -adapted to their physical needs. - -They arrived at Limestone, Tennessee, on a Friday evening in September. -Here was illustrated how his fame as a genial, good humored personality -had spread throughout the Church, so that the people felt that they were -acquainted with “Jack” Newgent (later Uncle Jack) even though they had -never met him personally. Arriving at the city some time after dark, worn -by the long journey, the discomforts of which were aggravated by their -poor health, they little dreamed of finding in that particular realm an -acquaintance or anyone who had any concern for them. - -Great indeed was Newgent’s surprise when, as he alighted from the train, -a gentleman, a total stranger, with a lantern on his arm, stepped up and -in a familiar manner accosted him, “Hello! Is this Jack Newgent?” - -He had been so familiarly known as “Jack,” that he had resolved to be -known by the more grave and dignified appellation of Andrew J. Newgent -when he came into his new kingdom. But his expectation perished, as it -would have done even had the circumstances been otherwise. A man’s name, -like his clothes, is a part of him, and if it does not fit, his friends -will persist in trimming it until it does. The personality and the title -cannot be unequally yoked together. - -“Well,” said the reverend gentleman from the Hoosier State, “I suppose if -I should land in the heart of Africa, some Hottentot would come rushing -out of the jungle and say, ‘Hello, Jack Newgent!’ Who are you, anyway?” -The stranger was Mr. W. C. Keezel, a prominent layman in the conference, -who had been advised of their coming by Dr. D. K. Flickinger, Secretary -of the Missionary Society, and was there to take them to his hospitable -home. It was a pleasant surprise, and they felt at once that they were -among friends whose hearts God had touched with his spirit of kindness -and tenderness. Their anxieties were dispelled, and they felt as near -heaven in Tennessee as in Indiana. - -Next day his host took him on a ten-mile ride by horseback over a -mountain road to a quarterly conference, where he met a number of -ministers, and began to get acquainted with his new co-workers. His -presence filled the little band of faithful toilers with new hope and -courage. He preached the following day (Sunday) at a neighboring church -to an immense crowd. Here he met Rev. Eli Marshall, a minister of repute -in the Quaker—or Friends—church, with whom he was destined to form a -close friendship, a friendship which revealed later to both of these -servants of God how mysteriously God moves in answer to the earnest -prayers of his faithful children. - -Rev. Mr. Marshall was not only an able minister, but was also a -successful business man, being the owner of several plantations. He took -Newgent to his home, and later showed him a congenial cottage on one of -his plantations. “This is at thy disposal,” he said, “if it suits thee.” -Newgent replied that it was just such a place as he was looking for, -as it was but a short distance from town and the railroad station, and -inquired as to the rental value. - -“Just move in,” said Marshall, “we will talk about that some other time.” - -But when Newgent insisted, he set a nominal price, which indicated -that he was not especially concerned about the financial side of the -transaction. He furthermore insisted on transporting Newgent’s household -goods from the station, but this privilege he was compelled to share -with Mr. Keezel. While they were moving his goods from the train, his -Quaker neighbors set to work and filled the smoke-house with provisions, -and supplied sufficient fuel to last him through the winter. Such -expressions of kindness and generosity seldom had been seen. - -The fourth week in October was the time for the Quakers’ yearly meeting, -to be held at Rev. Mr. Marshall’s home church. He had issued an order -to Newgent to have no engagement for that time, as his presence and -help were desired at the meeting. Under the circumstances there was but -one thing to do, and that was to respect the order. These meetings were -matters of no small significance in that denomination. They usually -lasted several days, and were great seasons of fellowship. They were very -largely attended so that the program sometimes had to be carried out in -several sections. Newgent had never had the privilege of attending a -Quaker meeting, but his appreciation of the Quakers by this time knew no -bounds. - -He first went to the meeting on Saturday morning and was surprised to -find more than a thousand people on the ground. His friend, Rev. Mr. -Marshall, met him immediately and said, “If the Spirit moves thee to -preach to-day, we want thee to preach in the church this morning.” Some -one was to preach in the school house nearby. The Spirit moved, and -Newgent preached. - -In the afternoon he was “moved” to preach again. He was urged to preach -again at night. This time the Spirit was not consulted, but his preaching -had touched a responsive chord in the Quaker heart, so it was taken for -granted that the Spirit would be favorable. An out-door service and a -service in the school house besides that in the church were required in -order to accommodate the crowd. Newgent declined to preach at this time, -not wishing to usurp the honors that belonged to the Quaker preachers. -But the Quaker “Spirit” refused to let him off. He was even urged to -sing a special song, which was a great departure from Quaker usage in -those days. While preaching with his usual power, it was evident to him -that great conviction prevailed in the congregation. As he had been -invited to depart from one of the Quaker usages, he now felt bold to -depart from another. Indeed he felt strongly moved by the Spirit to give -an invitation for seekers to come to the altar. The invitation given, -the altar was soon crowded with anxious penitents. He then called upon -the Quakers to come forward and to sing and pray with the seekers. This -a considerable number did, casting aside all reserve, and the meeting -became a typical United Brethren revival. It was one time when the -Spirit “moved” beyond question in a Quaker meeting. - -He was given right of way in the church on Sunday morning, Sunday -evening, and Monday evening. A new element was thus diffused into -Quakerdom. He held a meeting in that same community a few weeks later, -in which the Quakers took a leading part, and which resulted in about a -hundred conversions. - -The best part of the whole procedure came to light when Newgent called -to pay his landlord the small pittance that was due on rent. Rev. Mr. -Marshall refused to accept even the nominal amount that had been agreed -upon. - -“Let me explain,” he said, “I have never told anybody what I am going to -tell thee—not even my wife. Some three months ago I moved my foreman out -of that house, and began to pray for the Lord to send us a good, live -preacher from the North. I had got tired of these slow-going Southern -fellows. But I forgot to tell the Lord to send a Quaker. So the Lord -was free to send whomsoever he pleased. And the first time I heard thee -preach, I said, ‘There is the answer to my prayer.’ Now, it would not do -for me to charge rent of the man the Lord sent in answer to my prayer, -when he is living in the property I vacated for him when I besought the -Lord to send him. That house is for thee as long as thee wants it.” - -When this noble soul was called to heaven some years later, Rev. Mr. -Newgent was called from a distant State to preach his funeral. Truly, he -was a man of God. - -When the conference projected a college enterprise at Greenville, Rev. -Mr. Newgent took up his residence at that place so as to give personal -attention and encouragement to the institution. This college was -afterwards moved to White Pine, Newgent being the leading spirit in the -matter of relocation. He served as financial agent and supervised the -construction of the building. Through his personal efforts the building -was erected and paid for. - -The evangelistic gift and executive faculty, both of which were prominent -in our subject, peculiarly fitted him for the duties of Missionary -Superintendent amid such conditions as the Tennessee Conference -presented. Much incipient work had to be done. The routine work of his -office required only a small portion of his time, leaving him free to do -the work of an evangelist, to encourage weak churches and to survey new -territory to conquer. This narrative has already afforded many examples -of his constructive work along these lines. One more characteristic -incident may not be out of place. - -Near Limestone, Tennessee, was a church which was so unpromising that the -quarterly conference seriously considered abandoning it and disposing -of the property. It was well located, but there were strong churches on -either side, and the little church, overshadowed as it was by these older -organizations, had never been able to gain a proper standing. - -“Let us give it another chance,” said Newgent, who was presiding at the -meeting. “I will hold a meeting there at the first opportunity, and -we will see if it can be saved.” He held the meeting accordingly and -received ninety-seven members into the church, and the little, struggling -church was lifted to such a position of prestige and prominence that it -overshadowed its rivals, becoming a strong center of religious influence. - -But it was not enough to merely get people converted and brought into the -church. They must be taught in the doctrines of the church, so as not to -get their doctrinal ideas from other sources. - -One of the strong churches of this community was of the Dunkard order, -and mainly through its influence a strong immersion sentiment prevailed. -At the close of the revival there were a large number of applicants for -baptism. According to prevailing custom, all expected to be immersed. -It was in order on such occasions for the baptismal service to be -prefaced by a sermon on baptism. Rev. Mr. Newgent took advantage of the -opportunity to make some remarks on the mode of baptism, which was the -one live subject in religious circles. In his discourse he said: - -“We often hear people say, ‘I want to be baptized as Jesus was.’ I do not -share this sentiment. For in one essential respect Jesus’ baptism was -different from ours. It was for a different purpose. He was baptized to -fulfill the law; we, because we are sinners, either for the forgiveness -of sins or because they are forgiven. - -“But we may be baptized in the same manner in which he was baptized, and -if you wish, I will tell you what that was. Paul said, ‘He was made a -priest like unto his brethren.’ Jesus said, ‘I am come, not to destroy -the law or the prophets, but to fulfill.’ He fulfilled every jot and -tittle of the law. The law required a priest to have the water of -consecration sprinkled upon his head when he was thirty years of age. -Hence, if Christ was made a priest like his brethren, it is easy to see -that his baptism was the same as that of the priests, his brethren, -and that the water was sprinkled upon his head at the age of thirty; -otherwise he would not have fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law.” - -A prominent Dunkard preacher present made a public statement at the close -of the discourse to the effect that, while he had always believed and -taught that Christ was baptized by immersion, he was now fully convinced -that he had been mistaken. When they came to the baptismal service, -all the applicants chose the mode of sprinkling, though they had come -prepared to be immersed. - -Under his capable and aggressive leadership the conference maintained a -steady growth. At first its territory was confined to the eastern part -of the State. But in the early nineties he, with some other ministers, -advanced to the central and western parts of the State on a sort of -missionary-evangelistic campaign. They held a number of meetings and -were successful in winning quite a sprinkling of converts. The work thus -accomplished made possible the organization of what was then known as -the Tennessee River Conference in 1896. - -One of the most important events in connection with the Tennessee -Conference, and which was brought about mainly through his influence, -occurred in 1895. It is referred to as follows in Berger’s History of the -United Brethren Church, page 614: - -“About two years ago a movement which had been for some time in process -of development, began to take definite form, resulting in considerable -additions both of ministers and laymen to the United Brethren Church. The -greater number of these came from the Methodist Episcopal Church, some -from the M. E. Church, South, and a few from other denominations. Those -coming from the Methodist churches were attracted chiefly by the milder -form of episcopal government in the United Brethren Church. There was -for them no possible inducement in material or worldly considerations. -They could not look for larger salaries or easier fields of labor or -lighter sacrifices, nor was the prospect of official promotion better -than in the churches from which they came. Nor could they bring with -them any of the church-houses or other property which they had aided in -building. No thought or hope of this kind was entertained; much less was -any effort made to do so. Influenced by principle alone, and in the face -of present loss, they chose to cast in their lot with us, and they have -addressed themselves earnestly to the work in their new relations. About -twenty-five ministers in all, with a considerable number of members, have -thus connected themselves with the United Brethren. Among the leading -ministers of the movement are: Dr. T. C. Carter, Rev. W. L. Richardson, -J. D. Droke, and others. They have been given a cordial welcome by -the United Brethren Church, not in any spirit of proselytism, for no -proselyting was done, nor from any desire to reap where others have sown, -but with an open heart and door to receive any persons who love our -common Lord and desire to cast their lot with us.” - -It seems a pity, however, that church history is so silent in regard to -Rev. Mr. Newgent’s connection with this event, for it was he who turned -this movement toward the United Brethren Church. Those who refused to -tolerate what they considered abuses of episcopal supervision in the two -great Methodist bodies were in the very act of forming a new church. In -this movement Dr. T. C. Carter, now Bishop Carter, occupied a conspicuous -place of leadership, as he did in every great religious movement in that -part of the country. His name was a household word in all that realm, -and when he spoke, multitudes reverently listened. Rev. Mr. Newgent met -him, and showed him a Discipline of the United Brethren Church, believing -that it set forth the very principles of church government for which -these great souls were contending, and thus presented the alternative of -connecting themselves with a denomination that afforded what they wanted, -or of adding to the number of denominational organizations which many -believed were already too many. Doctor Carter suggested that Disciplines -and other United Brethren literature be sent to the leading ministers of -the movement. This was accordingly done; and as a result they decided to -connect themselves with the United Brethren Church. - -They were formally received in a special conference held in Knoxville. A -number of the Bishops, general officers, and leading ministers and laymen -throughout the denomination attended this conference, which was presided -over by Bishop Weaver. One of the leading ministers of the movement, -in delivering the welcome address on that occasion, made use of the -following language: - -“I am certain that one-half the membership of both churches (the -Methodist bodies) heartily prefer a church government of the people, by -the people, and for the people, to their own.... In view of these things, -I may venture to say that a strong church that will fill the valleys and -mountains of this country with a religious paper devoted to Arminianism -and liberty, and will follow up this plan with men and with churches may -expect a glorious welcome.” - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN. - - _Autumn—The Fading Leaf—Fruit in Old Age—His Later - Labors—Present Home._ - - -“We all do fade as a leaf,” was the lamentation of an ancient prophet in -a melancholy mood. The fading leaf speaks in sad but beautiful language -of waning vitality. It is the harbinger of autumn, telling us that nature -is getting ready to close her books for the season. It brings with it a -tinge of sadness mingled with sweetness; for there is compensation in -even the saddest experiences. What would the year be without the pensive -days of autumn? They are the golden fringes of the bounteous summer -season. Sad, indeed, would they be if the summer has been ill spent. Then -might the melancholy wail arise from the forlorn heart, “The harvest is -past, the summer is ended.” - -But when autumn looks back upon a springtime of bountiful seed-sowing, -and a summer of bountiful reaping, it becomes the year’s climax of joy, -the beneficiary of all its blessings. Enriched by the summer’s heritage, -it is beautiful and peaceful and happy. - -“We all do fade as a leaf.” May it be said philosophically. The fading of -the leaf reveals more perfectly its innate qualities, and rounds out its -brief existence. The red or brown or yellow, in mute language, tells its -life history and closes the book. - -It is said of the aged, sometimes, “They are set in their ways.” That is -because in them character has become a finished product. The incidentals -and accidentals have become eliminated, and the accumulated results of -years of striving and hoping, sorrow and pain, defeats and victories are -plainly discernible. Personal traits stand out in bold relief so that all -may fittingly say, “Behold the man.” - -Thus, Uncle Jack—for we may now use this affectionate designation, having -passed his three score and ten, is now in the autumnal glory of a life -beautiful and bountiful in its fruitage. And so the autumn of his life is -enriched and made fragrant by the year’s benedictions. Blessed, indeed, -is he to whom it is given to enjoy a long period of service, and who can -then gracefully let his mantle pass to others whom God has called and -prepared to receive it. To grow old sweetly, to let the sun go down amid -the splendors of an unclouded evening sky, is the crowning glory of old -age. - -Blessed, indeed, then, is Uncle Jack. He approaches this period in life, -not only in the spirit of a true philosopher, but in the spirit of a true -Christian. He still lives in the sunshine, he keeps the windows open -to the breezes that bring to him the fragrance of flowers, the song of -birds, and the “music of the spheres.” The world smiles upon him and he -returns its smile. - -He has lived in an active, changing age, but has always kept up with the -procession. He performed a vital part in the changing order in which he -lived and moved and had his being; and he who helps to fashion events, -who has a part in directing the movements of progress, is not likely to -be left behind or to be trampled under foot. He not only kept pace with -the world, but with a prophet’s vision, he anticipated the course of -human events. So, as great changes approached, he was ready to march out -to meet them. Like a true prophet, he had a message for his own day and -generation, but the message was more potent because he had a vision of -things yet to be. - -In him is illustrated the Psalmist’s observation concerning the children -of God, “They shall bring forth fruit in old age.” For him there is -no “dead line.” The body may lose its agility; it may fail to do the -bidding of the mind properly, but the mind and heart remain abreast of -the times. The dead line means more than physical infirmity, and it often -occurs that the mind lingers near that dread spot while the body is in -its prime. The dead line belongs to the mind and not to the body, and -hence, taking that view of it, there is no dead line for Uncle Jack. - -It is given to but few men to continue in the public ministry until they -pass their three score and ten. Uncle Jack had never been out of the -active connection in some form from the time he entered the ministry -until his seventy-third year, giving more than a half-century of unbroken -service to the public work of the Church. - -In the interest of accuracy and completeness, more specific mention -should be made of his later work. After spending eleven years as -presiding elder in Tennessee Conference, he returned North for a -time, serving as pastor at Veedersburg, Indiana, as college pastor at -Westfield, Illinois, as pastor at Olney, Illinois, and three years -as presiding elder in Upper Wabash Conference. His work as pastor at -Veedersburg included two periods, one of three years’, and the other -of four years’ duration. This was one of the wealthiest and most -influential churches in Upper Wabash Conference. - -Returning to Tennessee—now East Tennessee—Conference, he was again -elected to the presiding eldership, serving five years in that relation. -Altogether he spent twenty-one years in the Tennessee Conference, serving -five years in the pastorate besides sixteen years in the presiding -elder’s office. - -His last work in the pastorate was at Clarinda, Iowa, being called from -there to the field agency for Indiana Central University at Indianapolis -by the trustees of that institution. He has always been interested in the -educational work of the Church. In his varied experience in religious -work he has seen demonstrated in so many ways the need of an educated -ministry. So he entered upon this latter work with a deep conviction of -its importance, and with the earnestness and zeal which characterized his -labors all through life; but finding his physical strength insufficient -for its taxing demands, he was compelled to relinquish it. - -In the fall of 1910 he again attended the East Tennessee Conference -session, desiring only to enjoy its fellowship. He had no thought of -assuming again an active relation in the conference, but his brethren -were loath to let him escape. When the election of presiding elder was -called, their minds once more centered upon him, and he lacked but four -votes of being the unanimous choice of the conference. This, however, -brought him to face a delicate matter which set a task for his tender -conscience. Seeing that his election meant the crowding of a worthy young -man out of an appointment, he very generously resigned the office with -instructions to the Bishop that this young man be given the place. - -His present home is at Odon, Indiana. Here he finds himself among -sympathetic friends, and is near the scenes of his early childhood. -He takes pleasure in doing what he can in the local church, setting a -wholesome example to the membership by his faithful attendance at all -the services and by loyal and liberal support of all its interests. Here -he enjoys the hearty good will of old and young alike, and has frequent -calls for addresses at various functions, where he is always greeted with -unfeigned delight. - -While not employed in a regular way by the Church, an appreciative -public will continue to recognize his worth, and keep ajar the door of -opportunity for rendering valuable service to his fellow men. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN. - - _Character Sketch._ - - -The analysis of a flower is the work, not of the florist, but of the -botanist. The florist sees in the combination of the various parts the -beauty of a perfected whole, while the botanist sees the parts separated -and classified but loses sight of the flower itself. The florist’s -viewpoint is preferable to that of the botanist. This is no less true in -dealing with human life than in the treatment of a flower. However, in -the interest of thoroughness, some attention should be given to a study -of the particular elements of character which give to our subject his -peculiar individuality and made possible that degree of eminence which -he has won for himself. The task is not an easy one. This is true in -the case of all men of superior strength. The sources of power are so -embedded in the depths of one’s personality as to make them difficult to -trace. In the presence of such men we are instinctively aware of their -superiority, but if asked to give a reason for our impressions we would -be unable to do so. The power of a personality is to be felt rather than -explained or analyzed. It is this invisible, undefinable something -that lifts the man above the level of the commonplace and gives him a -commanding influence among his fellows. - -The strength of some characters is due to one or two exceptionally strong -traits, while in other particulars they may be correspondingly weak. The -world sees only the mountain peaks of strength and upon them it builds -its estimate of the man. To this rule Rev. A. J. Newgent is one of the -rare exceptions. “Like a tree planted by the rivers of water,” the -distinctive feature of his life is rather in the full and symmetrical -development of the various qualities of mature and well-rounded manhood. -Hence, he is essentially a man of the people—not a man of one class, but -of all classes, the embodiment of the true spirit of democracy. Like -Paul, he can be all things to all men without sacrificing principle or -dignity or losing the respect of any of them. His sympathies are broad -and deep, and go out to all alike. There is no assumed or conscious -superiority to create a barrier between himself and the humblest soul. -He observes no arbitrary distinctions. Whoever he chances to meet is -at once a friend and brother. He possesses in a large degree the rare -faculty of making people feel at home in his presence. Fads and snobs -and artificiality he hates as he hates sin. The glitter and tinsel show -of life are counted as dross, but the pure gold of human character that -needs no outward adornment is his delight. - -His well-balanced temperament enables him to so adjust himself to -different conditions, that he is invariably master of the situation -in which he may be placed. In the home, whether marked by riches or -poverty, culture or illiteracy, he is always the same genial guest. To -the children, young people, and old folks alike, the presence of “Uncle -Jack” is always welcome. In his public ministry, whatever the demands of -the occasion, he is ready to meet them. Never is he at the mercy of his -surroundings. Not many months ago, while doing service as field secretary -for Indiana Central University, he was secured by the pastor of a country -church to hold an all-day meeting. The morning program was interfered -with by a severe rainstorm, so that besides himself and the pastor, -only three persons were present. Yet, he preached to his small audience -with his wonted zeal and earnestness, the effort being pronounced by -those who heard it superior to the one in the afternoon, when he had the -inspiration of a full house. - -He never follows the beaten paths simply because others have walked -therein. The fact that some one else did a thing in a certain way is not -sufficient reason why he should proceed upon the same plan. He imitates -no one and it is safe to say no one imitates him, for the reason that he -is so intensely original; the processes of his mind are so completely -his own that no one could well repeat them. Bishop Edwards once said, -“There is one man whose sermons no one has ever tried to copy; that man -is Newgent.” This originality has been a valuable asset in debate. His -opponent might come with his mind well furnished with all the laws of -logic, the tactics known to debaters, and the arguments on both sides -of the question well in hand, only to find his materials practically -useless. Rev. Mr. Newgent’s method being so unique, his approach to the -subject from such unexpected angles, and his presentation of unheard-of -arguments in defending his position, while transgressing no valid law -of debate or of logic, made him a law unto himself. The opinions of -other men rather than being accepted as authority, only serve to quicken -his thought and incite to investigation. In preaching he is purely -extemporaneous, often deferring the selection of a text or theme until -after he enters the pulpit. But his resourceful mind, well stocked with -information, the result of general reading and observation, and his -aptness at illustration, rendered safe for him what to some men would be -a hazardous undertaking. - -While original in his thinking, he never discredits the opinions of -others, no matter how widely they may differ from his own. Honesty and -sincerity he regards as superior to articles of faith. “If no one gets to -heaven except those who believe as I do,” he often says, “the audience -there will be rather small.” David said, in his haste, “All men are -liars.” If Rev. Mr. Newgent should err in his judgment of mankind, it -would more likely be in the opposite direction. A source of strength -is his faith in men, their possibilities and aspirations for better -things. To be a leader of men, this faith is imperative. Beneath the -surface shale of human differences, selfishness and error, may be found -a sub-stratum of genuine manhood. And upon this the true builder must -build. He must recognize that he is dealing with intelligent beings who -can think and feel, and who are possessed with a sense of honor and -self-respect. The man who would inspire others to higher things must not -despise or ignore these vital factors of individual consciousness. There -are sacred precincts in every life which the owner has a right to guard -as with a flaming sword, and which should not be approached except with -unsandaled feet and sanctified hands. That there is more real incentive -to noble effort in a vision of the possibilities and beauty of a noble -life than in the lash, is a prominent article in Rev. Mr. Newgent’s -faith. The spirit of “anti-ism” and the methods used by a certain type of -evangelists of pouring out the vials of their sarcastic and vituperative -wrath upon men and things in general are offensive to him in the extreme. -Hence, the positive note is always dominant in his preaching. - -The secret of getting on with men is in knowing what chord to strike to -get the desired response. That he knows well the secret, the achievements -of his career bear ample testimony. An incident in his boyhood may not -be out of place here, as it illustrates the principle by which he has -been actuated throughout his entire life in his relations with men. He -was employed at a saw-mill. The logs were hauled from the forest to the -mill with oxen. That an ox team is no friend to grace, is the general -verdict of those who have experimental knowledge of ox-driving. One -large, burly team in particular that was noted for obstinacy and general -degeneracy, had defied all the skill and whips and profanity the driver -could produce. He repeatedly had gone to the woods for his load and -returned with the empty wagon. At a critical point in the road the team -would balk and refuse to budge until the wagon was unloaded. It became a -standing challenge to the entire crowd, different ones of whom accepted -the challenge, with the same result. Finally Jack, as he was then called, -asked permission to try. He was only a spindling lad of a hundred-weight -avoirdupois, and the very suggestion was met with jeers. “Have you ever -driven oxen?” he was asked. “No,” was the reply, “but I think I have ox -sense.” They finally consented, but no one expected anything but another -failure. The driver offered him the whip. “I don’t need the whip,” he -said, and started for his charge. He made friends with his dumb servants, -rubbed their ears, spoke to them coaxingly, and soon had them on the way -to the woods. He took the precaution to provide himself with a small bag -of corn. He succeeded in getting the log on the wagon and again patted -the oxen, and as a reward of merit, gave them each a nubbin, letting -them see that there was more in the bag that would be available if they -proved worthy. Thus, as he said, he “sooked” them along, and to the -astonishment of the mill hands, arrived in an unusually short time with a -large log. It was not only a lesson to the men, but to himself as well, -by which he has profited throughout his entire life. He has verified the -fact many times that “sooking” will succeed with men as well as oxen when -the whip will fail. - -There are two kinds of leadership among men. One is the arbitrary -leadership of the boss; the other is natural, a true leadership, which -has for its basis personal strength and merit. The former is transient, -having no real place among thinking and liberty-loving people. The other -is abiding, for the true leader is ever in demand. - -This latter type is quaintly set forth in Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha”: - - “As unto the bow the cord is, - So is unto man the woman; - While she bends him, she obeys him, - Though she leads him, yet she follows.” - -It is the woman’s leadership—controlling by obedience, leading by -following. A paradox, perhaps, but supported by the logic of actual -achievements in every realm of human endeavor. The workman controls the -force of a stream by obeying that force. Should he plant his turbine -on the hilltop and command the water to flow up the hill and turn the -wheel, the stream would only laugh at his impudence as it rippled on its -way. But when he plants his wheel in the current, the stream at once -becomes his servant. It is the principle observed by the engineer, the -sailor, the electrician, or the aviator in harnessing and utilizing the -various forces of nature. The same principle lies at the basis of all -true leadership in society, church, or state. The strict observance of -it has enabled Rev. Mr. Newgent to touch the motive springs of character -by means of which men are aroused to action. His close sympathy with -men ever gives him an unconscious, commanding influence. And this -influence is always turned to account in their own uplifting and in the -advancement of righteousness. Out of over a half-century in the public -ministry, about one-half of his time has been spent as presiding elder. -This official relation does not afford the opportunity for evangelistic -and other forms of direct church work as does the pastorate; so that -definite, visible results cannot readily be computed. Yet, few men have -built for themselves greater or more enduring monuments in the line of -tangible results. More than six thousand members have been gathered -into the denomination through his labors. Thirty church-houses stand to -his credit as a church builder. He has officiated at about one hundred -dedicatory exercises, a recognition of his ability as a money-getter. -On Chautauqua platforms and special occasions of both a religious and -semi-religious character he has been a prominent figure. And his advice -is always at a premium in the counsels of the denomination. - -It has been well said, “When God made wit, he pronounced it good.” -Rev. Mr. Newgent has demonstrated the practical utility of sanctified -wit and humor. It is possible, however, that his humor has led to -more misconception of his character than any other thing that could -be mentioned. The trait that touches the most popular chord is likely -to be so magnified as to shut from view others of equal or greater -significance. The fame of an author not infrequently rests upon a -single production, and that by no means his best. Edward Eggleston did -not regard the “Hoosier Schoolmaster” as the best of his works, but -multitudes who have been charmed by that simple story will never know -that he ever wrote anything else. - -That Rev. Mr. Newgent has in some degree suffered in a similar manner -is, therefore, nothing more than might be expected. Yet, if his humor, -in the minds of some, would reduce him to the level of a mere jokesmith, -to him it has been an invaluable asset. It has served to open the way -for the assertion of the more substantial and practical qualities; it -has enabled him to capture hostile and even riotous audiences; with it -he has battered down strongholds of opposition; it has been an effective -weapon against false doctrine, hypocrisy, and deep-seated vice in its -various forms; it has served as the sugar coating for truths that were -unpleasant because of a perverted taste; he has found it a splendid tonic -to dispense with more solid food to aid the digestion of mental and -spiritual dyspeptics. His humor is of the spontaneous sort, ready to boil -over whenever the lid is removed. It flows out through his discourses and -conversations as naturally as the stream gushes from the fountain, and is -always mellowed by tenderness and a deep human sympathy. - -“Where dwellest thou?” was asked of the Son of Man. The question was of -greater significance than the interrogator supposed, and the answer was -even more significant. The Savior did not say, in Galilee or Palestine, -or Nazareth, but simply, “Come and see.” A man’s habitation is not a -matter of geographical boundary. Should the question be addressed to Rev. -Mr. Newgent, he would say, “I live on the sunny side of the street.” A -critic of Emerson said that because of his unorthodoxy he was doomed to -go to hell. A contemporary who was acquainted with Emerson’s kindly and -genial disposition remarked that if he did, he would change the climate. -Rev. Mr. Newgent not only lives on the sunny side of the street, but -he carries sunshine with him. He has a knack of distilling sunshine -from every circumstance of life. He changes the climate to suit his own -temperament. With Solomon, he believes in the medical virtues of a smile, -that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” - -He was once called to visit a woman in the mountains of east Tennessee, -whom he had never seen. She was supposed to be dying of consumption. It -was late at night when he arrived and the weather was inclement. The -physician was leaving the house as he approached. On learning who he was, -the physician told him he was too late; the lady was dying. He went at -once to her bedside, and found that the death sweat had begun to gather -and the death rattle was in her throat. He lifted up her head gently -and spoke to her. Her face brightened, and presently she began to talk. -She told him that she was glad he had come, that she must soon die, and -feared she would have to go without seeing him. - -But in a voice tender but cheerful, he told her he was glad to do her any -favor, and added, “But don’t be in a hurry about going. I wouldn’t go -to-night, if I were you. The night is dark and stormy, and you might get -lost in these mountains. You had better wait until morning. It will be -so much better to go in the day time.” She smiled at the eccentricity of -the remarks, and seemed to make up her mind to take the advice. Morning -found her much improved, having apparently decided to postpone the matter -indefinitely. And contrary to the predictions of her physician and -friends, she recovered to thank the preacher rather than the physician -for prolonging her days. - -To him there are “sermons in stone, and books in the running brooks.” He -finds in the commonest things and most commonplace occurrence of everyday -life, lessons of practical truth that enrich and adorn his discourses. -Once while in his company we were stopping at a hotel for dinner. While -we were seated at the table, some one dropped a coin in the slot of an -automatic music machine, at which it began to grind out a familiar tune. -Rev. Mr. Newgent on observing the operation, quoted the language of Job, -“I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy,” and added, “Don’t you -suppose that was Job’s way of making people sing for joy—with a bit of -money?” And subsequently the illustration was used with fine effect in a -discourse on benevolence. - -Underlying all, and harmonizing all the elements of his personality is a -firm and abiding faith in God. It is doubtless easier for some persons to -be religious than for others. In this respect he has been favored. The -natural bent of his mind from earliest childhood was toward religion. -Converted at the age of ten, his entire life has been controlled by a -strong and steady devotion to religious ideals. His faith is broad and -well balanced. Religious affectation and fads have no part with him. -His religious character was formed amid the strife and controversies of -various creeds in a day when creed was everything. These controversies -drove him to a critical study of the various systems of theology in the -light of the Bible. He made the Word of God his sole authority in all -doctrinal matters. That which he recognized as supported by the Book, he -made his own. That he defended without apology or compromise. While he -is dogmatic to a large degree, his dogmatism is of a practical sort. He -believes that there is a vital relation between doctrine and Christian -character. A true life cannot be built upon erroneous or crooked -theology. He often deplores the fact that the church has swung away from -the strict, doctrinal teaching of the past, believing that in consequence -it has suffered the loss of spiritual vitality and zeal. - -His faith is as simple as it is broad and deep. The essentials of -religion are few and easily comprehended. The simplicity of gospel truth -when properly presented is one of its strongest attractive elements. -In many instances the simple gospel has been complicated and obscured -by a mass of theological rubbish heaped up by men more interested in a -creed than in the ultimate truth. If the rubbish is cleared away, the -truth will shine forth clear and distinct in its beauty, and men will -accept it. To remove the rubbish and give a clear setting to the simple, -vital elements of Christian faith seems to have been a large part of his -appointed task. This is among his chief contributions to the cause of -pure and undefiled religion. - -To the simplicity of his faith should be added another quality, perhaps -best described by the word “practical.” With him faith is an intensely -practical thing. The faith that expresses itself merely in stock phrases, -articles of a creed or church membership is, to say the least, a base -counterfeit, a useless commodity. Nothing seems to him more irreligious -than the religion that begins and ends in noise. Genuine faith has a -personal, spiritual, and commercial value. Its highest expression is in -doing something that ought to be done. It crystallizes into character, -and contributes to human welfare. It places its possessor upon the broad -highway of the world’s need, bringing him into sympathetic touch with the -throbbing heart-life of humanity. Thus he maintains the sound Scriptural -philosophy that faith is to be tested by works. - -The church has profited largely from his beneficence. A habit which he -has followed throughout his ministry is, as he says, “to live like a -poor man and give like a rich man”—that is, like a rich man ought to -give. He never turns down a worthy call for help. Even should there be a -question as to the merit of the call, he usually gives it the benefit of -the doubt. “His house is known to all the vagrant train,” and, to borrow -another quaint phrase from Goldsmith, “even his faults lean to virtue’s -side.” The tramp that comes to his door gets with his dinner a genial -smile and wholesome words of admonition, even though the dinner, the -smile, and the admonition are lost upon a worthless subject. - -In dedicating churches he has made it a general rule to give his own -subscription for an amount equal to the largest on the list. On a number -of occasions, under pressure of a great need, he has pledged more than -he was worth, in the faith that God would open the way for meeting the -obligation. And his faith in every such case has been vindicated. His -life illustrates the Bible doctrine of increasing by scattering. He -surely has scattered with a lavish hand. He has not only observed the -Lord’s tithe in his benevolence, but has gone quite beyond it, even to -the giving, in some instances, of the greater part of his income to the -Lord’s cause. Yet with it all, he has increased in temporal possessions. -He has honored God with his substance, and God has smiled graciously upon -him, so that with David he can well say, “I once was young, but now am -old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging -bread.” - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN. - - _“Lights Out”—A Dirge of the War._ - - -A marked characteristic of Uncle Jack, as these pages have shown, is -his peculiar ability to establish and maintain strong ties of personal -friendship. This has been evident even from his youth. He has gathered -friends from all walks of life, and their name is legion. The list -has always been characterized by names that were written large in -the annals of Church and State. Conspicuous among these is the late -Lieutenant-Colonel James T. Johnson, of Rockville, Indiana, a man -distinguished for talent and achievement in various fields. The twain -were boys together, and the friendship thus early formed continued until -severed by the death of Johnston in 1904. When Newgent was first winning -laurels as a boy preacher, Johnston often walked five miles to attend his -services. They were young men, mere youths, when the Civil War broke out. -Both heard and responded to their country’s call at that dark time when -not only the country’s honor, but her very existence was at stake. Both -served under General Burnsides, and both held official positions in the -army, Newgent as chaplain of his regiment, and Johnston as lieutenant, -later lieutenant-colonel. After the war was over, each won honors and -served well his generation in his chosen profession, the one as a -minister of the gospel, the other as a lawyer and politician. Johnston -found room near the top in the legal profession, and at the same time -represented his district three successive terms in Congress. He ranked -high as an orator, and, like his clerical friend, was much in demand at -reunions and other gatherings of the soldiers, the two men frequently -dividing time upon such occasions. Had Newgent chosen politics as a -career, he would doubtless have become a political leader. Had Johnston -turned his attention to the ministry, he would have taken rank in all -probability among the leading preachers of his day. - -But there was one sad difference between them—Johnston was skeptically -inclined. While the two men maintained the highest regard for each other, -and frequently were associated together in their work, the subject -of religion was one point on which, to the regret, possibly, of both -parties, they were not in accord. Johnston’s skepticism however, was not -of the positive sort. He represented the honest doubter rather than -the avowed disbeliever. His wife was a devout Presbyterian, and while -he could not subscribe to the tenets of the church, he never disparaged -the church or its work. Every worthy cause found in him a sympathizer -and liberal supporter. His honor and integrity were never questioned, -and he enjoyed the full confidence and esteem of his fellows. It is a -matter of satisfaction that such a life was not permitted to go out in -the dark. And Newgent had the joy of finally leading him, just as his sun -was sinking below the horizon, to a simple faith in Christ and a blessed -assurance of his acceptance with God. - -During his last illness, which covered a period of six months, the -colonel was visited frequently by local ministers, but owing to his -reputed skepticism and his high professional standing, the subject of -religion was not pressed upon him. There is a tendency to fear big men -in matters of religion not easily explained and not easily overcome, -and it is quite probable that many a great life has ended without the -consolations of religion that, were it not for this tendency, might have -been led into the light as readily as a little child. Oh, how Christians -fear the logic of the world, and yet, the sword of the Spirit is a -greater weapon than all the world’s artillery! - -Newgent visited him almost daily during this time, and on one occasion -determined to broach the subject of religion. “Colonel,” he said, in his -usual tactful manner, “while you are shut in here, would it not be a fine -opportunity for you to read the Bible through?” - -“Well,” he answered, “Laura and I tried it; we took it up by books, -but we got stalled.” It was, of course, the colonel himself who “got -stalled.” Laura, his wife, was a Christian, as has been noted, and her -faith was not shaken by Scriptural difficulties. - -“What was your trouble?” Newgent questioned, with a view to encouraging -conversation along that channel. - -“Well,” he said, “we got to the book of Job. I could not reconcile the -book of Job with the idea that God is our Heavenly Father, full of love -and mercy. If Job was God’s child and a good man, as the Bible says he -was, how could a loving father allow a loving, obedient child to be so -abused and tempted by the devil? I can’t see through it.” - -After he had delivered his speech on the difficulties of the book of Job, -and unburdened his mind somewhat, Newgent drew near to him, and speaking -very simply but earnestly, said: “Colonel, you are a great lawyer, but -you are only a child in the Bible. Your trouble is that you commenced at -the wrong place. When, as a little child, you started to school, your -teacher did not start you in the advanced studies. She put you in the A, -B, C class. Now, don’t be in too big a hurry to get out of your A, B, C’s -in the study of the Bible, for there is where you belong. I have been -making a study of God’s Word for many years, and I want you to listen to -me a while. I think we can get over the rough places after a while. Do -you have any trouble with Jesus Christ? He was God’s dear son, yet he -had to suffer more than any man, but his suffering was for others. So we -learn from Job’s sufferings that he has helped millions to trust God in -the dark.” - -This was the colonel’s A, B, C lesson in religion. The visits and -conversations were continued day after day, until a couple of days before -his death, when the truths of the preceding lessons were clinched in the -following conversation: - -“Colonel,” said the preacher, resuming their lessons, “you had one of the -best mothers in the world, did you not?” He admitted that he had. - -“She taught you to say your little prayers?” - -“Yes,” said the great man, as the tears started from his eyes. - -“And you never doubted her word?” - -“No—never.” - -“That was simple faith in mother. Now, in your mind go back to mother, -and though she is dead, look up into her face as when you were a child, -and trust her as you did then. That will represent the soul looking up to -Jesus and trusting him for salvation. That is all Christ requires of a -sinner.” - -As the preacher finished this little homily on faith, the colonel was -weeping like a child. “Jack,” he sobbed, “is that all there is in coming -to Christ to be saved?” - -“That is all there is,” and before the preacher could continue the -discussion further, the light broke in upon the humble and contrite -heart. “I’ve got it,” he interrupted with much emotion, at the same -time grasping the preacher’s hand with all the strength his six-months’ -illness had left him. Thus, the man who all the years of his eventful -career, by his own wisdom and logic and learning knew not God, was at the -last critical moment melted and transformed by the light from Calvary, -and a great life was snatched as a brand from the eternal burning. The -lawyer, the statesman, the scholar, the orator received the kingdom of -heaven on the Savior’s easy terms, “as a little child,” and two days -later his soul passed into the presence of Jehovah. - -Rev. Mr. Newgent delivered the funeral oration. Men of prominence from -various parts of the country helped to swell the vast throng that was -present at the funeral service. The story of the colonel’s conversion -from skepticism to simple, saving faith in Christ was related by the -speaker, and produced a profound impression. - -The paper with which this chapter is concluded refers to the life-long -association of the two men, Johnston, the “young cavalryman of Indiana,” -and Newgent, the “boy chaplain.” It was read before a special meeting -of the Steele Post G. A. R., and auxiliary orders of Rockville shortly -after Johnston’s death by Mrs. White, the wife of Judge A. F. White of -that city. Judge White was also a soldier and a life-long friend of -Johnston and Newgent. The doctor referred to in the paper had served as a -physician in the Confederate army, but afterward took up his residence in -Rockville, where he built up a large practice. The three men were present -with the wife when Colonel Johnston died, and helped to make up the -scene in the death chamber so dramatically described in the paper. - - “LIGHTS OUT.” - - “It is midwinter in east Tennessee in 1863. The rivers are - flooded, the valleys desolate, the mountain gaps gorged with - snow. It is the home of mountain patriots; it must be held at - all hazards to the last. This is Lincoln’s solemn wish; it is - a part of Grant’s giant plan when Mission Ridge is stormed. - A young cavalryman of Indiana is one of the ten thousand who - keep freedom’s vigils along the Clinch, the Holstein, and the - French Broad. He munches his meager rations of parched corn; he - rides the wild mountain roads night and day; he obeys to the - letter his orders to hold to the last man the ford of a remote - mountain stream. A buckshot buries itself in his wrist, making - a wound which heals long after the war and a scar which he - carries to his grave. The old flag stays in east Tennessee. - - “He has a comrade from a neighboring county who shares with him - the suffering and sacrifice of that desperate campaign, he is - the “boy chaplain” of the brigade. - - “It is the same winter along the Rappahannock and the Rappidan. - The snow, like a measureless shroud, covers the numberless - dead of the debatable land between the Potomac and the James. - There is another soldier, a mere boy, a young artilleryman from - the Shenandoah, who is one of the thousands who hold Lee’s - unbroken lines. His battery long since won its title to glory. - It helped to clear the mountain gaps of the Blue Ridge; its - red guns helped feed the fires which lighted up the valley of - death for Pickett’s dauntless charge. Ill fed, ragged, but - inbred with the chivalry of the South, he is in it all. There - is victory at Chancellorsville, but defeat at Gettysburg; but - St. Andrew’s cross still gleams blood red on the breast of the - South, The Stars and Bars still flash defiance from Marye’s - Hill. - - “The young artilleryman also has a comrade from the valley, a - young trooper who rides with Ashby’s cavaliers in all their - wild forays. - - “Two flags, two oaths of allegiance, the culminating hates - of a hundred years, separate these two young soldiers of the - North and the South. But they are not alien in blood, they are - brothers of the same race, Anglo-Saxon from the first Americans - to the last. They speak the same tongue, their mothers read the - same Bible, prayed to the same God; their forefathers fought - for the same country—Nathaniel Greene at Yorktown, Washington - on Cambridge Heights. - - “It is midsummer of 1904. The cavalryman of ’63 is dying; - not in the weary hospital of pain; not on the perilous edge - of battle. More than forty years have passed since the grim - midwinter of east Tennessee. - - “It is the home he has made for his declining years. The rooms - are cool and sweet, a broad porch looks down a quiet street, - familiar books are everywhere; his escutcheon over the mantel - shows his soldier record from ’62 to ’65—the old, old story - of duty and glory. A blue book on the table tells briefly - his struggle from the farm to the halls of Congress; the - faces of statesmen, kinsmen, and friends look down from their - appropriate places on the walls. - - “The good right hand of the veteran lies in that of another; - grief-stricken she keeps her vows, ’till death do us part.’ - - “A grey-haired man holds the other. It is the soldier of - the Rappahannock. Lee’s battery boy of ’63 is the trusted - physician, the medical confidant, and ministrant of the Union - soldier. With all the knowledge of a learned and skillful - physician, he has fought the common enemy for the life of - his dying friend. But the odds are too great. Old pains, old - ailments, old wounds of ’63 outmatch the medical arts of 1904. - But the doctor has known the grief of defeat before. Once a - long time ago he yielded to the inevitable in the orchards - of Appomattox. He lays his ear close over the failing heart - to catch, if he can, its last lingering drum-beats in the - battle of life. He places his fingers on the pulseless wrist, - searching for its last faint throb—and they rest motionless for - a moment on the old scar of ’63. ‘It is over,’ he says very - softly. - - “A low word of prayer for the widow and fatherless falls - from the lips of the grey-haired minister at the foot of - the bed. It is the ‘boy chaplain’ of the dead veteran’s - old brigade—youthful to the end. Another man beside him, - thin-visaged and bent. It is Ashby’s old trooper, and his eyes - are full of tears as he walks slowly out of the room. - - “‘Lights out.’ ‘The bands in the pine woods cease. A robin - sings close by, as they will in summer evenings; the fragrance - of old-fashioned flowers steals in through the white window - curtains. The sun sinks behind the church across the street, - the shadow of its belfry coming in at the open door. And over - all, Lincoln’s worn face looks down from its place among the - pictures on the wall. Even now with the hush of death upon us - all, we hear his plaintive prophecy of long ago: ‘We are not - enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may - have strained, it cannot break the bonds of our affection. The - mystic chord of memory, stretching from every patriot grave and - battlefield to every living heart and hearthstone all over this - broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when touched - again, as they surely will be, by the better angels of our - nature.’” - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Experiences of Uncle Jack, by W. Ed. 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