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Life and Travels of William Conrad
Chapter XVI - Tour to Western Virginia
I left home on the 4th day of October, 1871, to fill a short tour in Ohio and Indiana. Thursday and Friday I tried to preach at Scippio Meeting House, to the church at that place. Brother Thurston was with me both days, and their regular preacher at the church. On Saturday morning, Brother Oliver took me to Big Cedar Meeting House, where the church called Big Cedar meet to worship steadily. There I tried to preach again, Elders A. L. Thurston and Kingham with me. After the church done their business, we went to Brother Bradey's; I think Elder Thurston and wife also. And after resting under his kind and hospitable roof Saturday night, we went again to Big Cedar Meeting House, and after again trying to preach to the Baptist Church and large congregation at that place on Sunday, and after some remarks by Elder Thurston, we then break bread, and then ate of the loaf, after entreating the blessed God to bless such portions of the bread as may be needed to show forth by the emblem, our Lord's broken body; and also by the cup a like blessing of God-His blood, shed for the remission of sins.
It was a pleasant meeting of the brethren and kind friends. For my own part, I felt to thank God and take courage. From there, that evening, I think we went to Brother Jones'. After enjoying his kind hospitalities and resting until morning, we went to Indian Creek Church of Old Baptists, where I felt to enjoy rather more than ordinary liberty in trying to preach Jesus to an attentive congregation. After dismissing the congregation, I went with Sister Marsh, in her buggy, and after dining with her, I spent the evening with her and husband pleasantly. Her husband had made no profession of religion whatever; was quite dull of hearing. His wife told me that, at her request, Mr. Marsh, her husband, would read a chapter or two, and then the Sister fall on her knees and try to pray, her husband bowing with her. She said when she laid the books on the stand, that he would hesitate to read for the preacher or brethren present; he wished the reading to be done by the individual who went to prayer. This dear sister's course, in attending to prayer in her family, struck me with much force, and to find Sister Marsh thus attending to praise, as well as reading and prayer, every night, and she the only professor in the family, while there is such a shameful neglect of prayer for and with one another's family, and especially in our own family; and more, to find so much spiritual-mindedness as was in all her conversation during the evening until the family retired to bed-and in the morning, until I had to bid farewell to the kind friends with whom I had rested the past night.
This occurrence I, for a length of time, adverted to in my exhortations to the dear brethren, as I would quote Jesus' words to the disciples, bidding them to "watch and pray always, lest they should enter into temptation," and that "men should always pray, and not faint" and I often would say, "O, sisters, if husbands fail to call in the family and friends that may be with you, O, do not forget you should take the Book, read and try to pray the blessed Lord to conduct your husband and dear children through the shades of night."
This sister's course was and is enough to stir the dear brethren to reflect on the subject of prayer in their families, and moreover I pray God that they may become so to reflect and see how specially that of prayer is commanded us by the great head of the Church of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And, that brethren and sisters too might find in their hearts a deep solicitude of soul to search the Scriptures thoroughly and learn what repeated and general commands is written in the Scriptures for the service of prayer, claimed at the hands of God's children, and besides, I do greatly desire that God's dear children everywhere may see as presented in God's word the power of prayer and victory of faith over the world.
And do pray that wherever these lines are read, as they may travel along in this mournful vale where we dwell, that at least Sister Marsh's example of prayer in her family may so far claim the readers notice if even after reading of her pious course they should fail to patronize her example.
Thus, on Tuesday morning, the 10th of October, I bid the sister and family farewell, and started on my journey to Western Virginia, but owing to the heavy fires in the North I failed to find the cars on which to get onward to the junction of the Marietta and Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, from the fact of the fires on the prairies, so that the trains were greatly behind time. After I reached Hamilton, Ohio, I was there detained so late in the evening that when I got to the junction of the Marietta Railroad at Spring Grove (I believe), that it was about 11 o'clock in the night before I could get on the train to Parkersburg, West Virginia, reached the above place about six o'clock on Wednesday the llth; the train stopped a few minutes for passengers to take breakfast; I had only time to wash and then get on the cars; that evening I reached Clarksburg, one hundred miles beyond Parkersburg, passing through twenty-five tunnels in going to Clarksburg. After some inquiry I reached the hospitable family of Brother James H. Robinson that evening at their dwelling, and rested with them that evening and night.
Next day, Thursday the 12th, in the evening, Elder Joshua S. Corder came in, and in him I found as well as in Elder Robinson, the gracious marks and signs of the true minister of Jesus Christ. Brother Robinson and Corder had some business over in Clarksburg, some quarter of a mile off, to attend by arrangement. I remained with Sister Robinson and family until they returned. After which we with Brother Robinson and family spent the moments up to the time of night; we retired to rest our poor wearied bodies in that way that our words were only such as become the Gospel of Christ. And the next morning, until Elder Corder had to leave for home, having a sick daughter that claimed his attention, being Friday the 13th .
I still think of and look on the moments that passed over the evening and night and next morning so harmoniously, and as I trust profitably to each other in the things that make for our peace, so that I look back on the time spent that evening with complacency and delight, although far from home, for the Lord was with us of a truth, so that we felt joined in heart and our souls fired with love to God and love to each other, although up to that time we had not seen each others face; but Brother Joshua Corder and myself parted to meet again after dinner. Same evening, Old Elder Dennison's grandson came for me, and he also dining with Elder Robinson's family. After taking leave of Elder Robinson's Family and traveling some twelve to fourteen miles over quite a rough road, we reached Elder Dennison's dwelling before sundown; found Brother Dennison quite poorly, and his wife, Sister Dennison, also complaining; the rest of his family well as usual. Unworthy, poor and helpless sinner as I felt myself to be, yet, notwithstanding all, the dear old brother and sister received me cheerfully under their kind and hospitable roof, and amid the pleasant countenance of their kind family we had heard of each other by the hearing of the ear, but that blessed Friday evening we could all say, now mine eye seeth thee-yes, face to face for the first time in the flesh. After using the moments as best we could, between sunset and the time to retire to rest for the night-the first night with his dear brother and sister and their family-having for a length of time desired greatly to see them, even from the first that I heard from them; of course in that matter my desire of seeing my Brother Dennison face to face is granted the unworthy writer; the blessed Lord had conducted me thus far through a strange land to the house of my Father's kindred, and now lay me down to rest for the night, and held in life by the same power that first wrought me in all the powers of this well wrought man-once good but ruined by the fall in our earthly and apostate head Adam. And being thus held in God's hand of amazing mercy, this Saturday morning, the 14th of October, finds me rested and much refreshed and ready to say, "Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me praise the Lord," for his goodness and follow his wonderful works to the children of men. This blessed morning finds both-myself a spared monument of God's amazing mercy, and my dear old Brother and Sister Dennison walking about, for which I trust I felt to thank God and take courage.
For a time I forgot my native State, the land of my birth, and that I was connected to a kind and affectionate friend, the wife of my youth, and the five sons she bore me, and their companions with their families; yes, all else, while my busy thoughts was in contemplation of my dear Father's sheep, with whom I had already, in the persons of Elder Robinson and Sister Elder Corder, and the dear family now in my presence, and of God's dear children I was wont to meet in West Virginia. It was soon arranged for me to preach at the meeting-house used by Liberty Church of Old Baptists, at 2 o'clock this evening, being as above, the 14th day of October, 1871. And, at the hour named we met. I there made my first effort to preach Jesus, the way to God, the way to heaven, in West Virginia, to the little congregation that met with us that evening. I felt rather shut in and could not come forth as at other times. I suppose I done the best I could. But, O if it had been Jesus in me so I could hear him, then it would have been a blessed time to the few there of God's circumcised children and the little congregation, and should of course felt it was good for us to be there.
However, after meeting, I went with old Brother Robert Romine home, spent the evening and night with him and the dear old sister, found them as I trust, truly Old Baptists; spent the evening and a portion of the night quite pleasantly, conversing on the subject of the religion of Jesus Christ; then read a portion of God's word; then engaged in prayer to God, after which we retired to rest until morning light, which we greeted, I trust, with gratitude and thanksgiving to Almighty God for his great mercy and preserving care over us for the night that had just past.
After the morning's enjoyment of interchange of conversation on the rich dispensations of God's grace abounding to us, the chief of sinners, we returned to same house of worship at 11 o'clock and 15th day. After preaching we had an appointment to fill at Tassy Romine's at 3 o'clock the same evening; and a pleasant meeting; the blessed Lord seemed present with the poor dust in trying to preach Jesus, as well as with the congregation, and we trust to give them the hearing ear. O that we might always behold the face of our Father, which is heaven; then, indeed we poor servants would feel it was good for us to be there, and in the midst of God's dear children, and in the assembled congregations, publishing the good tidings of the Gospel of their salvation through a crucified and risen Jesus; the only way to God; the only way to heaven; the blessed home of sweet repose and eternal quiet; the home of the just.
We returned same evening back to (our home at) Elder Dennison's, where I tried again to preach with candle light. After thus making an effort to preach three times that day and night. I felt like and did rest well the remainder of the night, and felt I trust thankful to my gracious Lord that I was so refreshed in body, and raised from bed to see the light of another Monday morning, the 16th. On that evening I visited and took supper with Old Sister Dennison's widow-sister, whose daughter and son-in-law lived at with her. We spent the evening pleasantly in speaking of Jesus' worth and worthiness and ability to save poor sinners of Adam's apostate race with an everlasting salvation, and safely moor them in heaven, there forever to abide.
On Tuesday, 17th, we spent the after part of the day with young Brother Lorenzo Dennison, Elder Dennison's son, then living near his father, where, if my memory serves me, I again took up some time talking to the kind family and friends, trying to present to their view the lovely Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. That world Jesus came not to judge, but to save. After which we took supper with our kind young brother and family, and returned to our home, old Brother Dennison's.
Wednesday morning, the 18th, finds me at my dear Brother E. Dennison's, still partaking of his kind hospitalities, the good creature comforts of life, as well as that wholesome conversation that tendeth to Godly edification, and so "follow after the things that make for peace, and things whereby one may edify another."
In the evening we all walked some mile and a half, to an appointment, at a little village called Rockford-Elder Dennison's office of address is kept there. While I was trying to preach there that evening, as best I could, to the few that met at that place, Elder Hezekiah N. Dennison came in, being on his way to a three day's meeting in Randolph county, West Virginia. He made but few, if any, remarks after I stopped speaking at Rockford. And Brother H. N. Dennison came on with us to his Brother Edmund Dennison's that evening. We, Elder Dennison and myself, having intended (the Lord willing) to go to the same three day's meeting, we three, soon after breakfast on Thursday morning, took leave of the old Sister Dennison (Elizabeth) and the rest of his kind family, his widow daughter, a member of the church, and several grandchildren, and another son, who lived some distance off; also a member, who had come over to visit his father and mother, also to take the parting hand of the son and wife that lived near by, on the side of the hill-yes, to bid them, as I thought, a final farewell, no more to meet, nor ever to see their faces in this world of woe. I felt in heart, as I bid each member adieu, to say, "O, happy day when saints shall meet to part no more." The thought is sweet; no more compelled to take the parting hand, or say, dear friends, farewell. And onward we went, with 38 to 40 miles before us, and I, for myself, from the description given me of the country, felt quite sure the trip on horseback, and on a hard saddle, would be a full match for one in my advanced age, and withal, still that much farther from my family and companions and friends in old Kentucky. But the hope of meeting with God's dear circumcised children further on in the interior of the State of Western Virginia, whose faces I had not seen; and as, for many long years before this I had, yes, for more than a half century, my busy thoughts and deep solicitude was, and yet is, in stretch after and to find more and more of the Lord's hidden ones, as I journey from place to place, from one State to another, and from one county to another, struggling to publish to poor sinners that Jesus Christ bath done all things well; that He hath conquered death and hell; as I would fain have the perishing and faint to let all holts go, and look to Jesus, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world-that world Jesus came not to judge, but to save. And fully I remembered Jesus' words, as "First seek ye the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." The more freely I sped over hill and dale to publish the good news that Jesus hath done all things well, and so, with them join to trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay upon our God.
Hence, onward we went, busied, as we rode along mostly a quiet, narrow valley, crossing some small streams. We reached Elder Joshua Corder's, three miles this side of Phillippi, county seat of Barber County. It was fully noon, for we had traveled from, perhaps, near the middle of Harrison County, as I suppose, near the interior or center of Barber County. After taking dinner with our dear Brother and Sister Corder and family, our horses fully cared for and we refreshed by the partaking of their kind entertainment, not only for our bodies, but, our spirits revived by the fruits of their Godly conversation, we bid them all farewell for the time being. Brother Corder could not go with us, on account of his sick daughter and engagements, so the two brethren and myself went our way, passing on through Phillippi some nine miles, to Brother Isaac Matthews'.
Just after sunset, unlooked for by Brother Mathews, there being several of his neighbors, as well as several children in with some portion of their families, who had just, supped, ready to depart to their several homes, and late as it was, we were called on by Brother Matthews and friends to preach there that night, saying they could gather a few more of the neighbors, which they did. Elder E. Dennison soon answered some of us would try to preach, as they wished it. I soon found that, as a stranger in that quarter, more than the other two preaching brethren, who had before passed and preached among them, that the lot would fall on me first to address the little company, hastily gathered together to worship the Lord God of the holy prophets. While engaged preaching unto them Jesus, I did and yet feel on every remembrance of that night's worship in Brother Matthew's house, that surely the Lord was with us; that there at least two or three had gathered in Jesus' name, and if so, the promise of Jesus is, there am I in the midst of them. One of the brethren made a few telling remarks, and so closed the night's service with the dear family, and the people dismissed; but they generally seemed loath to leave, and of course while they remained and seemed willing to hear, we endeavored to spend of the fleeting moments that remained before retiring to bed, to fully set forth the doctrine of God our Savior in the salvation of sinners, all flowing to us under the ministration of the Spirit of God by and through grate's lovely channel of mercy and grace abounding to the chief of sinners. And, as I was from Old Kentucky, they of course, were anxious to hear from me how God saved poor sinners in Old Kentucky. My poor heart was open and free to tell as best I could, for I had before learned I had a home in every clime and in every country since my Lord is omniscient, ever present, beholding the evil and the good; and besides, nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure; having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his. But the moments passed quickly and must lie down to rest for the night our frail tenements of clay. So we may, under the blessing of a Covenant God be refreshed so as to pursue our journey on the morrow. The morning light found us much refreshed, and after thanksgiving to the Lord for the good creature comforts of this life, we ate breakfast; with the dear family, after which we bid them adieu for a few days, expecting to see them again on our return. Thence, Friday morning, the 20th, we addressed ourselves to our journey to pass Laurel Mountain. We took the route through the Gap of this mountain so to reach in due time the same day the Church of Old Baptists, called by the name of Leading Creek Church after the name of the creek whose channel was close along and in sight of Cheat Mountain. I need not try to give a full description of all we beheld of the route through the Gap, for we should fail, suffice it to say, the way was rough and rocky for man or beast, all the way over Laurel Mountain. I know some in the country that call it a hill; the apparent size of the rock over which we traveled, in many places, the brethren reported to me, was in length and breath covering, in some instances, as much as ten acres of ground or surface, and on which there was a light shrubbery supported by the moisture about the shells and apparent crevices of the rock. And the scenery all along mostly through that State, as well as along through the Gap, and as far as I traveled was entirely new to me, but enough; "the Lord hath crested the heavens and the earth." We reached Elder David P. Murphy's in Randolph County near the meeting-house of Leading Creek Church, rested a little, after which we reached the meeting-house in full time. The meeting opened at the hour appointed, and I being a stranger, they put me forward first that morning to preach to quite a large congregation, who gave me their full attention while I struggled to publish salvation through a crucified and risen Jesus to my dying fellow-men, forgetting wife and family, brethren and sisters, with the friends and all besides whom I left behind in Old Kentucky. I truly felt it was good to be at Leading Creek Church of Professed Old Baptists.
That night we walked to the meeting-house from Elder D. Murphy's. Brother E. Dennison preached quite an interesting discourse; after which a young preacher, Jas. Murphy, son of Elder David P. Murphy. I felt, while the young brother was speaking, full of hope that God had called him to the ministry of His word, and if so, he would prove a blessing to the Old Baptists of West Virginia.
Saturday, the 21st, at same place, I opened meeting by praise and prayer. Then Brother Elam Murphy preached a discourse. I think he is a cousin to Brother Jas. Murphy. I felt, also, under his preaching, that he also was quite a hopeful gift in the ministry of God's word.
I know, while I thus write, I have always been rather hasty in my decisions as favorable to young gifts. It may have been that such decisions grew out of an over-desire for the Lord to raise up and send laborers into the harvest.
And another thing may have led me to those favorable conclusions; I was alone for so many long years, and having no father near me in the gospel of Christ to cheer or counsel me, and seldom any to travel with me or cheer me on my way from place to place, except God's servants in the ministry of His word, as their tours were through my own district or region of country. And then I felt to serve God and His servants and the brethren and sisters among and to whom they preached, as a guide to meet them at a distance, before they came to us, and after they had filled their appointments among us, then to pilot them on among the churches and brethren onward, passing into the interior of the second county; while I felt always ready to serve my ministering brethren, to let them through the bars and gates, that labor was sweet to me while I felt that in this course of esteeming, as well as sitting at their feet, I ever have felt to esteem them very highly for their work's sake, and regarded my course as above toward them, as well as all else of the dear brethren and sisters, not only sitting at, but washing of their feet, as our Lord has said, "Ye ought also to wash one another's feet." That is to say, in those works of faith and love which are the most low and soul-humiliating, the performance of which works is more humiliating than simply or literally washing my brother's or sister's feet, and, in that respect, is the substance of the example set forth, by the Savior when He washed the disciples' feet, and saith unto Peter, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."
But to return again to my narrative. After the young brother, Elam Murphy's discourse on Saturday, old Elder Dennison preached a discourse, after which the brethren and sisters of sister churches, who have fellowship for us, the church of Old Baptists at Leading Creek and the doctrine we hold, are cordially invited to seats with us around the table, on which will be found the bread and the wine, an emblem of Jesus' broken body, and the wine an emblem of His shed blood for the remission of sins. Which ordinance of the supper was administered by Elder Dennison and myself, to quite a goodly number of Old Baptists-quite a number of the brethren and sisters present from sister churches-some had come quite a distance to see Elder Dennison and hear him preach, as he was expected that meeting.
This was quite a blessed season to me, and so, doubtless, to others, as in many instances, made manifest; and doubly so to me, a poor dust from afar, allowed thus to meet such a number of strangers in the flesh, ready to approach me, amid all my unworthiness, with kind salutation and countenance, which, to me, loudly told that they had one Father God in heaven.
At night I made another effort to preach at Brother Chinnoth's, to an attentive audience. After much talk on the subject of God, our Savior, and the doctrine, we retired to rest for the night.
Sunday morning, the 22nd of October, 'the brethren put me forward at 10 o'clock, to preach to a very large and attentive congregation, assembled at that early hour. I felt greatly blessed of God for the liberty I enjoyed while trying to preach Jesus to my dying fellow-dust, and evidence, as seen on their countenances, and so frequent mark of assent. After which, Elder E. Dennison followed and, after preaching about one hour, he was taken with a sick or fainting spell, and had to stop preaching. After which, Brother Hezekiah Dennison made a few remarks and then dismissed the congregation, which closed our meeting at Leading Creek Church.
Alter which, we went to Brother Dolebear Kelly's; remained with him and family until next, morning, Monday, the 23rd. We then, soon as we breakfasted, bid Brother Dolebear Kelly and family adieu and made our way, halting but a few minutes at Elder Murphy's, and then bid the old brother and as many of the family as were present farewell, for aught we knew, to meet no more in this sorrowful vale where we dwell.
Elder E. Dennison by this time so far recovered that he could travel along with his Brother Hezekiah and myself quite pertly, toward Brother Isaac Matthews', the place of our appointment for that day at 11 o'clock. But we did not reach our appointment at Brother Matthews' until near 12 o'clock, being but little this side of Laurel Mountain. Neither of the brethren seemed disposed to preach or go forward. I felt, as the people had been some time waiting, would not do to delay any longer. I again went forward and tried to preach. After which, Brother E. Dennison closed by making a few telling remarks, and dismissed the people.
Then after taking dinner we had but little time more to stay and soon bid our kind and hospitable brother and Sister, with their dear family farewell. On my part it was a long farewell; and then felt, as at other times heart to say: O happy day when Saints shall meet to part no more.
Hence, we traveled onward aiming to reach in due time appointment for Phillippi at early candle lighting, the county-seat of Barbary County, West Virginia. The congregation met at the court-house that night, where I again made au effort to preach the Gospel of Christ. I must say now as then, it was a time the Lord surely did provide matter and manner, and wrought for me as I used these words: "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God;" 12th verse of Second Chapter Corinthians, and many of its kindred passages. I felt as if in the presence of the God whom I serve, forgetting all else besides the dear congregation to whom I was preaching. O how I wished to thank God and take courage; and still remember to the credit of that large congregation, the quiet and attention given; and trust from the manifestation and appearance that the dear circumcised children of God that were present felt it was good to be there that night. Brother Joshua Corder made a few very appropriate remarks, after which he and the congregation sung a hymn and dismissed the people.
We rested all night or rather the remainder of that night-long to be remembered by the writer-in the same little town with Elder Henry Thompson and wife, a precious sister in the Lord. Elder Thompson was at that time much afflicted with rheumatics, and numbered among old men. The next morning after breakfasting with a kind son of Elder Thompson's and his kind wife and family, Tuesday morning, the 24th, we left Phillippi for Mount Olives Church of Old Baptists. After reaching their meeting-house, some three miles from Phillippi, at which place I again at 11 o'clock tried to preach to the small number that met that morning for worship, and a pleasant time it was to me at least, being still much blessed of the Lord with more than usual liberty in speaking. After which Brother Edmund Dennison preached an able and interesting discourse. It was a precious meeting surely to the dear children of God that were present. After dismission we went with Elder Joshua Corder to dinner, rested until late that evening with him and family. And from thence same evening to Brother James W. Corder's family, dwelling there after the lighting of the candle. As their custom was with me at almost every appointment to set me forward first, so this evening I read the 13th verse of Second Chapter of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians: "Which things also we speak; not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual," which compelled me to quote over several times the preceding verse; being the 12th verse. I had not long, however, been speaking, when the subject, to me, seemed to grow in its dimensions, so as to almost astonish me in view of its heights and depths, as well as its lengths and widths; even like a sea, so that I could not pass. So I quite soon came to a full pause, frankly owning that preaching the gospel of Christ to the dear congregation that night was too much for me, and so gave place. Elder E. Dennison then followed and preached about one hour, quite to the satisfaction of those present; and before dismission, I arose and let the congregation know that my effort that evening, or night, although greatly to the mortification of my pride, had shown, not only my own weakness and ignorance in and of myself to preach the gospel to the glory of God and to the comfort and edification of my hearers that evening, but was an evidence to them and to me that, without Jesus. We can do nothing; and more, it is so far an evidence that the Lord hath committed to me a dispensation of the gospel of God; otherwise I should have had no changes-always a like liberty in preaching of the word; "but tonight it is manifest to both you and myself that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; that the minister of God's appointment is, and always was, subject to great and many changes as regards his liberty in preaching from time to time, no matter how long he may have been engaged in preaching," &c.
The congregation was then dismissed, and after a quite short interview with Brother Jas. W. Corder and kind family and friends present, I bid them a long adieu. My dear old brother, E. Dennison, followed me to the stiles at the gate of Brother Jas. W. Corder's yard; and about half-past nine o'clock in the night I took leave of Elder E. Dennison, to meet no more, for aught we know, until the last trump shall sound; yes, to part with those we love in the Lord Jesus calls all our fortitude into action; and even then, we often feel as though we cannot bear up so as to be still and know the Lord God omnipotent reigneth; for, hard as it was, we had to part in body no more to see each other's faces in the flesh.
I went that night, with Elder Joshua S. Corder, to his house, and rested under his kind and hospitable roof the remainder of the night.
Next morning, Wednesday, the 25th, after early breakfast, Brother Corder took me to the road where the two-horse hack would pass, on its way to Webster, a small village and station on the railroad leading to Clarksburgh; the cars, or train due at 5 o'clock in the evening; took dinner with Mrs. Adams; paid 50 cents; reached Clarks-burgh about 6 o'clock; Brother Jos. H. Robinson was there, waiting my arrival; I went with him home. After supper I once more, and for the last time engaged in preaching to Brother and Sister Robinson and family, and also the friends that came in that night. I felt then, and yet feel, as often as my memory is carried back to that blessed Wednesday evening, greatly humbled before God while preaching, and sure I am if I ever was helped of God in speaking, it was that night; and more, if ever I was sensibly in the presence of God while preaching, and trying to honor and exalt the "high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity; whose name is holy; who saith, 'I dwell in tile high and holy place with Him, also, that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the hearts of the contrite ones,'" it was that night; for it seemed as though the candle of the Lord shone around me, and his rich, full and free salvation was, on that night, the joy of my heart and the boast of my stammering tongue; and beside all this, the dear little congregation seemed to take such an interest on that occasion.
Dear reader, how far I was and am deceived, if at all, the Lord knoweth, and, of course, I leave the whole matter with God, to dispose of as seemeth good to Him. I only copy from my little and short-written diary these few words more expressive of my feelings, written out next morning: "It was a pleasant time indeed to me, and also to those present, as reported to me. I shall, I apprehend, never be more favored with matter and manner and demonstration of God's spirit while trying to preach, while my poor heart was stirred, as I trust, with love to God and poor sinners." Never before during my ministry and labor in the gospel of God's dear Son, did I retire for the remainder of the night with a more humble and contrite heart; all I felt to be at Jesus' feet. With thanks to His holy name, that in my advanced age, the Lord had conducted me all along my short tour, and in my last effort in Western Virginia, manifested to me a very present help in my farewell discourse. That I felt, and still must say, as in the 107th psalm, "O, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! for He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
So after my pleasant repose, I arose next morning, the 26th of October, quite refreshed, and after partaking with Brother Robinson and Sister and kind family, for breakfast of the good creature comforts of life, I gave the benediction of kind heaven with my parting hand, and addressed myself to my journey homeward, to my dear family and friends in old Kentucky. Brother Joseph H. Robinson accompanied me to the cars track in Clarksburgh. I bid Brother Robinson farewell with a thankful heart for his kindness to me, all the while present with him and family, at the commencement and at the close of my tour. But it was so that the cars were from two to three hours behind their usual hour. I could not leave until after 12 o'clock, and owing to a casualty on the road, we did not reach Cincinnati until half past 6 o'clock in the morning, instead of half-past 7 o'clock the evening before; and so, under the good providence of God, I reached home after nightfall on Friday evening, the 27th of October, 1871; found all well as usual, for which, I trust, I felt thankful to God.
THE WRITER'S APOLOGY.
Here the writer wishes to make his apology to the reader for his irregularity in not giving his tours to the far West one after another, as he made them, and cannot say how or why his mind was turned to and passed his history as thus far written; nor did he discover that the tours in the fall of 1855 and 1865 were not first written before his tour in June, 1870, until he had already began and written quite a portion of' his last named tour in Missouri.
The above is one of the many irregularities in the writer's biography or history, for which the writer humbly asks the reader's forbearance-unless it shall be regulated and a more perfect index made by the printer. And now, as he anticipates the reader's spirit of forbearance, the writer hastens to give the other two as they occurred, as there were, in all, five tours West-two of same on horseback, the other three on the cars.
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