THE LIFE

JOHN WESLEY REDFIELD, ! D.

REV. JOSEPH GOODWIN TERRILL

"\Y VITH FOLLOW."

CHICAGO, ILL. Published by the Author, 104 Franklin Street,

THE LIFE

OF

REV. JOHN WESLEY REDFIELD, I, D.

-BY-

REV. JOSEPH GOODWIN TERRILL

""WHOSE FAITH FOLLOW."

CHICAGO, ILL.

Published by the Author, 104 Franklin Street.

COPYRIGHT BY

REV J. G. TERRILL, MAY, 1889.

TO ALL THOSE, who, with evangelical faith,

and fervent love, by their prayers, means and personal efforts,

are engaged in the glorious work of leading souls from sin and the world

to partake of the peace and joy that springs from that

"HOLINESS WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN CAN SEE THE LORD,"

these pages are inscribed by the

AUTHOB.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Introduction, by Rev. B. T. Roberts 1-6

Author's Introduction 7-i6

CHAPTER I. Birth — Early Impressions of Being Called to Preach — Conversion —

First Religious Labors, etc 17-24

CHAPTER II.

Fighting against God — Running from Duty — Strange Experiences 23-28

CHAPTER III.

Settling the Controversy — A Long and Hard Struggle- The Vic- tory Gained 29~33

CHAPTER IV. Starting Out to Preach — First Field of Labor — Successful Efforts —

Incidents, etc 34~3^

CHAPTER V. The Old Struggle Renewed— Call to Preach Confirmed — Determined

Rebellion— Off the Track 87-39

CHAPTER VI.

Acting Jonah's Part — Turns Infidel— Studying Astronomy — Investi- gates Natural, Mental, and Moral Science — Escape from Atheism — A Presumptuous Marriage Engagement .... 40-44

CHAPTER VII. Reaping as He Sowed — Bitter Consequences, of His Presumptuous '

Marriage — His Own Story 45"54

CHAPTER VIII.

Respite from Trouble— Dawn of Better Days — His Own Story Concluded — Respite from Domestic Difficulty Followed by Sad Bereavements 55-57

CHAPTER IX.

In Lockport, N. Y. — Keeping Bachelor's Hall — A Strange Impres- sion— AVOWS Abolition Principles — Licensed to Preach — Goes to Cleveland, Ohio 58-61

CHAPTER X.

A Winter in Cleveland — Lectures against Slavery — Forms the First

Anti-Slavery Society — Story of a Fugitive Slave 62-78

CHAPTER XI.

Returns to Lockport — Seeks Entire Sanctification — Erroneous Seek- ing— House to House Visitation — Incidents — Revival Work . 74-80

(v)

vi. CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER XII.

Serious Illness— A Winter in New York City— Wasting with Con- sumption—Healed on Consenting to Take Up the Work of the Ministry— Preaching in New York— The Great Night— A Strik- ing Coincidence . . . . , 81-87

CHAPTER XIII.

Great Revival in New York — Wonderful Manifestations of Divine

Power — Assaults of Temptation — Seeking Holiness Again . 88-89

CHAPTER XIV.

Still Seeking Entire Sanctification — Encouraged by a Father in Israel — Hears of Dr. and Mrs. Palmer — Prejudiced against Them by Evil Testimony — Goes to Camp Meeting — Seeking Amiss — Attends Another Camp Meeting — Meets the Palmers — Mrs. Palmer Shows Him the Way of God More Perfectly — En- deavoring to Enter Beulah — Yielding All — Taught of the Spirit — Tempted — Triumphs by Faith — Jumps the Chasm — Sanctified Wholly— Abiding Joy 90-101

CHAPTER XV.

Mr. Redfield's Pastor— Mr. Redfield as a Class Leader— Appoints Holiness Meetings — A Hundred Persons Sanctified — Many Sinners Converted — Church Membership Greatly Increased — Two New Churches Formed — Opposition to the Holiness Movement — Mr. Redfield's Determination — Severe Tests — Victory Gained — Invited to Labor in Another Church — Ac- cepts the Call — Successful Labors 102- 108

CHAPTER XVI.

Change of Pastors — Mr. Redfield Still Engaged in Revival Work — Charged with Heresy by the New Pastor — Vindicates Him- self— License to Preach Renewed — Opposition to the Holi- ness Teaching of Mr. Redfield and Others Continued — Bishop Hamline — A Defender and Promoter of the Holiness Work — Becomes Mr. Redfield's Confidential Adviser, etc 109-113

CHAPTER XVII.

Urged to Unite with the Conference — Considering the Matter — Reasons Which Determined Him Against It — Becomes an Evan- gelist— Contemporary with Cnughey, Finney, Burchard and Knapp — Twenty Miles Above New York — Successful Labors — A New Church — The Dedication — A Convert's Exhortation — Good Results 114-116

CHAPTER XVIII.

Laboring in a Mission Church in the Suburbs of New York — Method with Proselyters — A Powerful Revival — Incidents — The M is sion Church Made Self-sustaining — Proselyting Ministers Dis- missed from Their Pastorate— The Sequel— Mr. Redfield's Re- flections Concerning Opposition to the Thorough Work of God — More Incidents — Achans Discovered and Disposed of — Strange Experience of a Colored Woman 117-121

CONTENTS. vii.

PAGE. CHAPTER XIX.

Goes from New York to a Neighboring City — His Way to Success in One Church Blocked — Goes to Another Church — Great Suc- cess Attending His Labors — Hopes for a General Revival of the Doctrine and Experience of Holiness — Disappointed by Hostil- ity Among Ministers — Encouraged by a Bishop — Opposition to His Revival Labors Continues — Open Doors in Mortgaged Churches and among Demoralized Societies — Cause of the Op- position to Holiness Discovered — Laboring in the Church of a Sick Pastor — Opposed and Slandered by the Sick Man — Mr. Redfield's Prediction Concerning Him — The Prophecy Speedily Fulfilled— A Class-leader Sanctified — Turns Exhorter and Addresses the Employes in a Factory — The Class-leader Shouting— Mr. Redfield Called For by an Excited Church Member — Joins the Class-leader in Praising God — Visits a Lady Dying of Consumption — She is Saved and Healed at the Same Time — Instances Illustrating Victory Over Death . . 122-128

CHAPTER XX.

A Summer on Long Island — Preaching in the Villages on Sundays — Personal Experiences — Called to Occupy a Vacant Pulpit until the Time for Beginning His Revival Work — Condition of the Charge — Beginning His Labors — Visiting One of the Prin- cipals in an Old Church Quarrel — Visits an Old-time Method- ist— His First Sabbath on the New Charge — Efforts with Sin- ners— Repulsed — The Second Sabbath— Sharply Criticised — A Week of Desperate Struggling for Victory — The Third Sab- bath— Victory and How It Came — Goes on Invitation of Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Ministers to Labor in Another Place — His Method of Work — Strong and Persistent Opposition — Baptist and Presbyterian Ministers Start Separate Services — Opposition Overcome — Glorious Results of Fidelity to God — Preaching Holiness Conducive to the Awakening and Conversion of Sinners — A Tea Party Turned into a Re- vival 129-138

CHAPTER XXI.

Leading a Brother Minister into the Experience of Perfect Love — An Illustration of His Method with Seekers — Invited to Labor on the Minister's Charge — How to Get Ready for a Revival — The Sanctified Minister Preaching Holiness — Many Sanctified — Mr. Redfield Goes to His Aid — Conversation with the Pastor — Revival Efforts Begin — Visitation — An Infidel and His Wife Converted — The Whole Town Awakened — Many Converted — Nearly all Testify that Their Convictions Dated from the Time

the Pastor Began to Preach Holiness — Mr. R goes to Labor

in Another City — Proselyting Ministers Oppose His Work — Wicked Persecution from a Universalist Preacher — The Perse- cuting Preacher's Death from Delirium Tremens .... 139-147

CHAPTER XXII.

Overworked — Severe and Protracted Illness — Going Home to Die— His Sickness Not unto Death, but for the Glory of God

viii. CONTENTS.

PAGE

— His Own Account of This Experience— A Remarkable Vision — Tells of the Triumphant Death of Two Sisters— Recovering From His Illness — Preaches in New York City — Dines at Dr. Palmer's — Relates an Account of the Vision He Had Dur- ing His Sickness — Mrs. Palmer's Opinion of Such Experiences — Death-bed Incidents Related 148-152

CHAPTER XXIII.

Entering the Evangelistic Field Again — Hope for the Church Re- vived— Invited to Labor on the Charge of a Brother Minister Where a Revival Wasin Progress — The Revival Stopped — Leav- ing the Place Under Divine Direction — Cause of the Work Ceasing — Visitations of Judgment — Goes to Another and a Pe- culiar Field — Incidents in Visitation — Method of Work — A Minister's Oppositionand Discourtesy — Favorable Results — At- tending a Camp Meeting — Counseled by Worjdly-wise Preach- ers— Adopts their Counsel — Shorn of Strength — Plain Dealing by a Godly Colored Man — Power Restored — The Lesson Learned — Another Field — A Clergyman Invested with Authority to Use the Rod Attempts to Intimidate the Young People, and so Deter Them from Attending Mr. Redfield's Meetings — Opposi- tion Overruled for Good — Visits the Charge of One of the Min- isters Who Counseled Him at the Camp Meeting — State of the Work — Mr. Redfield's Exercises — Leaves the Place under an Impression that God Had Withdrawn from His People . 153-161

CHAPTER XXIV.

Called to Middletown, Conn. — Dreading the Conflict — State of the Work and Character of Mr. Redfield's Labors Described by Su- perintendent Roberts — The Work Endorsed and Aided by President Olin — Three Hundred Students Converted at the Church — They Form Praying Bands and Carry on the Work in the College — President Olin Undertakes to Give a Ten Minutes' Address to the Students — The Minutes Run into Hours — The Address Published as One of Dr. Olin's Most Masterly Intellec- tual Productions — Four Hundred Conversions in All — Twenty- six of the College Students Become Ministers — William C. Ken- dall Here Learns the Art of Soul-Saving — Mr. Redfield spends a Sabbath in New Jersey and Preaches for an Absent Pastor — Goes to Labor in Another Church in the Same State — Effects of His Preaching — Embarrassed by Questions Concerning His Domestic Trouble — Requests an Interview with Two Presid- ing Elders — Counseled to Get a Divorce — The Divorce Ob- tained 162-166

CHAPTER XXV.

Mr. Redfield's Pastor Opposing Him— A Faithful Presiding Elder Takes His Part — Character ofThose Who Opposed the Holiness Work — Features of the Holiness Revivals — Laboring to Main- tain Himself and Preach the Gospel without Charge — Invited to Assist Caleb Lippincott — Opposition from Universalists — Slandered by Their Paper— Defends Himself— The Tide Turns — Returns to New York City — Successful Labors — A Prosper-

CONTENTS. ix.

PAGE.

ous Revival Killed by an Untimely Marriage Ceremony — Labors in Another of the City Churches — Five Hundred Added to the Church — Encouragements — Peck's "Central Idea of Christiani- . ty" — The Men Enlisted in the Holiness Controversy — Mr. Red- field Goes to Philadelphia — Laboring in St. George's M. E. Church — The Pastor Enters Heartily into the Work — Another Minister Opposes — The Truth Triumphant — Invited to Another Church to Preach on Holiness — A Great Work — Wonderful Scenes — Meetings Abruptly Closed by the Frightened Pastor — Preaches in Two Other Churches — Meetings in Private Houses — A Glorious Work — Visits Many Places Briefly — Many Saved . 167-175

CHAPTER XXVI.

Mr. Redfield Visits Long Island Again — Revivals Break Out in Various Places — Visits the Former Home of Freeborn Garrett- son — Meets Mr. Garrettson's Widow — A Token of Friendship

— Fifty Saved — Revival in C In the Suburbs of New York

Again — Leaves After a Comparatively Barren Season of Labor — Peculiar Leadings toward Cincinnati — Goes to Goshen — Op- position from the Leading Church, the Secular Press, Rumsell- ers, and Infidels — Opposition Checked by the Interposition of Providence — Proselyting Efforts and How Mr. Redfield Dealt with Them — Incidents — Holiness Tested — Triumph in Suffering and Death — Mr. Redfield Proceeds to Another Field — Dealing with Rowdies — One Hundred Conversions — Visits Long Island Again — Disturbed by Rowdies — Demands and Secures Order — Disturbers Converted — Holiness Meetings — Many Saved . i76-l8$

CHAPTER XXVII.

At Chelsea, Mass.— Waited Upon by a Committee — Unitarians and Universalists Offended — The Methodist Church Rid of a Unitari- an and a Universalist Class-leader — The Work Progressing in the Face of Strong Opposition — One Hundred Converted — Goes to Boston — An Embarrassed Pastor — No Opening in Boston — Returns to Chelsea — Invited Back to Boston — Small Beginning — Enlargement and Success — Strong Endorsement — Invited by the Clergy to Spend a Year in Boston — An Engagement calls Him Away to U , — Great Interest Awakened — Many Con- versions— Proselyters and How They Worked — A Local Preach- er Who Preached Regularly in His Sleep 186-190

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Goes to Newburgh — Preaches the Truths of Early Methodism — Epis- copalians Shout Over the New Found Joy of Holiness, While Methodists Get Angry and Oppose the Work — Newburgh Camp Meeting — Mr. Redfield's Labors Crowned with Wonderful Suc- cess— One Hundred Converted in a Single Night — Incidents Il- lustrating Mr. Redfield's Method with Seekers .... 191-196

CHAPTER XXIX.

Visiting a Village Near Newburgh — The Sabbath Services Conduct- ed by the Pastor — Mr. Redfield Exhorts in the Evening Serv- ice— An Influential Citizen Reproves the Pastor — Mr, Redfield's

x. CONTENTS.

PAGE

Reflections ami Discouragements — Rev. Fay H. Purdy — A Man alter Mr. Redfield's Own Heart — A Camp Meeting Incident — War Against Holiness— The Sad Results Described— Mr. Red- field at Peeksk ill— Successful Labors I97-/99

CHAPTER XXX.

At the Marine Hospital in New York — Method with the Sailors — Favorable Results — The Lesson Learned — Invited by the Chap- lain to Visit Sing Sing State Prison — His Own Account of His Labors in the Prison — Incidents of Prison Visitation — Obtaining Pardon for a Prisoner — Holds a Series of Meetings at Sing Sing — Opposition— Victory — Many Saved 200-203

CHAPTER XXXI.

At Bridgeport, Conn.— A Church in Debt Twelve Thousand Dollars for Pride — Desire a Revival to Help Them Out of Debt — Faith- ful Work— A Frightened Pastor — Fay H. Purdy Assists in the Meetings — Mr. Redfield Accused of Bigotry by Pastors of Other Churches — Meets the Accusation Wisely — Proselyting Cured — Five Hundred Converted — Mr. Redfield Requested to Receive the Converts into the Church — Address to the Candidates — Re- ceives One Hundred — Four Hundred More Soon Unite — The Debt Paid— Another Church Built— Plain Dealing Makes Good Methodists — Anecdote of Bishop Hedding 204-211

CHAPTER XXXII.

Invited to New Haven — Great Spiritual Conflict — Deciding to Go — His Reception and Introduction — Defines His Purpose in Plain Terms — Begins His Work — Frightened Methodists — Waited Upon by a Sensitive Class-leader — Encouraged by an Ex-Mayor — Endorsed by a Lawyer — The Pastor's Fears Allayed — A Mocking Rabble— Preaching Wholly to the Church— The Offi- cial Board Requests Him to Change His Course and Labor for Sinners — The Reply — Mr. Redfield's Manner of Convincing the Critics — Meetings Appointed for Seekers of Holiness — Believers Sanctified — The Revival Breaks Out in Power — Hundreds Con- verted—The Work Spreads into Other Churches — One of them Receives Four Hundred Accessions — The Revival Reaches the College — Many Students Converted — Fruits of the Revival — Fif- teen Hundred Converted 212-217

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Invited to Stamford, Conn. — A Conversation with the Pastor — Be- ginning His Work— The Pastor Criticises and Objects to His Method — Allowed to Go on in His Own Way — Testimonies En- dorsing the Work — A Doctor Offended — Advising that Mr. Redfield Be Shut Up— The Work Goes on in Power . . 218-220

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Attending a Camp Meeting — Remarkable Illustration of the Power of Grace to Save — Experience of an Indian Preacher — Story Re- lated by the Son of an Indian Chief— Mr. Redfield Attends An-

CONTENTS. xi.

PAGE

other Camp Meeting — Meets the Converted Son of a Jewish Rab- bi— Story of the Converted Jew — Method with a Man in De- spair Over the Doctrine of Election — A Holiness Meeting in a Private House — Strange Conduct of a Gentleman Boarder — A Man Forsaken of God 221-225

CHAPTER XXXV.

Invited to Return to Stamford — Condition of Methodism in That Vi- cinity— Meetings Forced to a Close — The African M. E. Church Opened — A Glorious Work — Returns for One Service to the Closed Church — A Young Preacher Seeks Holiness — Invites Mr. Redfield to Visit His Charge Five Miles Away — A Conversa- tion Between Them — The Invitation Accepted — The First Serv- ice— The Young Preacher Seeking Holiness — A Time of Won- derful Power —Skeptics Awakened — Glorious Times — Mr. Red- field Goes to a Small Village to Help a Conference Preacher — Bad Condition of Affairs — A Short Stay — Attending a Camp Meeting in Central New York — Opposition to Holiness — A Sermon Against the Wesleyan Doctrine Introduces Much Con- fusion— A Speech from Rev. Hiram Mattison — Sanctified by Progression — Brother Purdy Endeavors to Calm the Storm — Purdy's Test and How it was Received- -Mr. Redfield's Reflec- tions— Seeking Greater Power to Fit Him for the Work to Re Done 226-230

CHAPTER XXXVI.

A Visit to Syracuse, N. Y. — Re-appearance of His Old Sign — This Regarded As a Sure Token of a Gracious Revival — Returns to New York — Soon Re-called to Syracuse — Experiences a Singu- lar Manifestation on the Way — Meetingsat Salina — State of the Work — Strange Phenomena — Mr. Redfield's Study of These Exercises and His Method of Dealing with Them — His Advice Concerning Them — Reflections 231-237

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Labors at Salina Continued — Preaching Holiness — Discovers That the People Are Not Ready for That Experience — Preaches on Justification — Finds That He Has Made a Mistake Again — Be- gins to Preach the First Principles of the Kingdom of God — Burdened for Souls — Demonstrations — The Curious Investigating the Strange Phenomena, and Endeavoring to Account for Them — Attempting to Imitate the Demonstrations — Experience of a Unitarian Lady — Mr. Redfield's Thoroffgh Dealing — Conversa- tion with a Unitarian Minister — The Unitarian Minister Pub- licly Endorsing the Meetings — Mr. Redfield Exposes His Infidel- ity— Results of the Salina Revival 238-242

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Requesting the Privilege of Holding Meetings in the Church of a Methodist Pastor in Syracuse — The Denial — A Call from Pal- myra— Incidents on the Way — Stops at the Residence of Fay H. Purdy on Reaching Palmyra — Purdy's Account of the State of

xii. CONTENTS.

PAGE

the Work— Mr. Rcdfield at His Boarding Place— Meets Brother B Brother B 's Devotions — Mr. Kedficld goesto Morn- ing Service to Hear the Pastor Preach — Hears a Commotion in the Basement of the Church— "Awful Times"— The Pastor Tried Over Brother B 's Exercises — A Conversation with the Pas- tor -Mr. Kedficld Goes with Him to Dinner — Further Conver- sation about Brother B 's Exercises— The Pastor Agrees to

Stand by Brother B Endorses Him at the Evening Serv- ices— Greatly Blessed — Loses His Strength — War Begins in the Church — Attendance Increases — The Work goes on in Power — Thirty Converted in One Meeting — Five Hundred Conversions in a Few Weeks — Other Fruits of the Revival 243-249

CHAPTER XXXIX.

A Call from a Congregational Church in Syracuse — The Call Ac- cepted— Visits Two of the Deacons — Conversation with the Deacons — Beginning the Work — A Deacon's Protest — Mr. Red- field's Answer — The Congregation Vote to approve Mr. Redfield's Measures — The Deacon Renews his Opposition — The Congre- gation Again Sustain Mr. Redfield — The Work Goes On — The Deacon Makes a Startling Confession — Two Presbyterian Elders Prostrated by the Power — A Young Lady's Confession — Remark- able Conversion of a Unitarian Lady — The Unitarians Alarmed —They Send for Theodore Parker— His Stay Cut Short by a Storm Which Greatly Damaged the Unitarian Church — Fruit Re- maining in After Years , . - 250-253

CHAPTER XL.

Invited to Albion, N. Y.. by Rev. Wm. C. Kendall— Well Received at First — Marked Manifestations of God's Power — Prostrations — Commotion in the Congregation — Some Frightened and Some Angry — Mr. Redfield Charged with Mesmerizing the Prostrate Ones — Similar Phenomena Occur Outside and Miles Away from the Church — Mr. Kendall in Full Sympathy with the Work — Wonderful Success — An Incident Illustrating Clerical Hostility to the Work— Mr. Redfield's Feelings Described by Himself— A Searching Sermon — Slandered by a Brother Minister — The Minister's Evil Designs Exposed — Mr. Redfield's Observation Concerning Opposers of Holiness — The Origin of the Free Methodist Church — Further Account of the Minister Who Op- posed the Albion Revival — Incident Illustrating the Thorough- ness of Mr. Redfield's W,ork — Color Distinctions Done Away — A Letter from Mr. Kendall — A Letter from Dr. Redfield . 254-261

CHAPTER XLI.

Goes to Bridgeport, Conn. — Burdened for the Work — A Baptist Deacon Sanctified — A Great Ingathering of Souls — A New Church Built — Incidents of the Revival — Visiting and Laboring Amid the Scenes of His Childhood — A Prosperous Beginning — The Meetings Abruptly Closed by the Pastor — Visiting the Graves of His Parents, and Other Sainted Dead — Weeping Over the Desolations of Zion 262-265

CONTENTS. xiii.

PAGE CHAPTER XLII.

Invited to Henrietta, N. Y. — Meets the Presiding Elder on the Way — The Elder's Questioning and Remarks — The Pastor, Rev. J. K. Tinkham, an Agreeable Co-laborer — Thorough Work — Church Members Confessing their Delinquencies — Two Infidel Sons of One of the Members Converted — They Work for the Conversion of Others with Marked Success — A Minister Oppos- ing the Work — Mr. Redfield's Method Brings the Opposition to a Close — The Opposing Minister Saved — The Sexton's Ex- perience— Mr. Purdy's Assistance in the Work — An Interesting Letter — Mr. Redfield Goes to Work in Another Field at the Request of the Presiding Elder — A Desolate Field — Work in the Presiding Elder's Family — A Trifling Pastor — An Old Min- ister of the Right Stamp — Consecrating for Faithful Work — Urging Inconsistent Church Members to Take a Stand — Accused by a Local Preacher of Insulting the People — Another Public Denunciation — The Local Preacher Accused of Crime — The Proof — The Congregation Vote in Favor of Having the Plain Truth Preached — Urging to Action — Appealing to the Sense of Honor in Inconsistent Professors — A Tempest — Mr. Redfield Newly Commits the Work to God — A Night of General Awakening in the Community — A Large Ingathering of Souls the Result 266-273

CHAPTER XLIII.

Another Field — The Melodeon and the Choir — Beginning at the Foundation — Waited Upon by a Committee — Informed of Re- ports Concerning His Great Wealth, etc. — His Answer — The Work Deep and Extensive — Five Hundred Converted — A Yogng Lady Is Converted and Leads Eleven Others to Christ in Less Than an Hour — The Pastor Seeking Holiness — After- ward Compromises — Mr. Redfield Goes to Bath — Raising the Standard of Holiness — The Work Breaks Out in Power — Satan's Device to Bring it into Disrepute — Strange Actions of a Doctor's Wife — A Converted Jeweler 274-278

CHAPTER XLIV.

At Buffalo, N. Y.— Labors in the Niagara St. M. E. Church— Rev. B. T. Roberts, Pastor— State of the Work— The Re- vival Begins — Incidents — Mr. Redfield Talks with One of the Bishops — The Bishop Unfavorable to His Work — Dr. Stevens' Views of Luxuries, etc. — A Sharp Conflict in the Genesee Con- ference over the Holiness Issue — Position of Mr. Roberts, W. C. Kendall, and Eleazer Thomas — A Lawyer's Interference with Mr. Redfield's Work— The Work Forced to a Close— The Niagara St. Church Sold for Debt — Becomes First a Jewish Synagogue, then a Masonic Temple — Interesting Letter from Dr. Redfield — Leaving Buffalo for Townsendville — Assisting J. K. Tinkham — A Glorious Revival — From Townsendville to P B Revisiting Syracuse — Building a Church — Op- position— Endorsed by the Presiding Elder — The Third M. E. Church Organized — The Presiding Elder's Administration Criticised — Conference Appoints a Preacher to the Third

2

xiv. CONTENTS.

PAGE

Church — The Conference Preachers Oppose the Freedom of the Spirit — A Noble Layman — History of the New S«»ciety — Finally Becomes Attached to the Free Methodist Church at Its Organization — Mr. Redfield in Burlington, Vermont . . . 279-284

CHAPTER XLV.

Great Revival in Burlington — Mr. Purely Prepares the Way — The Pastor Favorable to Old-time Methodism — Opposition from Other Churches — The Work Spreading — More than One Thousand Converted — A Second Church Organized — Attempts to Impair Mr. Redfield's Influence — Slanderous Reports- Mr. Redfield's Influence upon the Second Church — A Letter from Rev. R. B. Howard in "The Congregationalist," Referring to Dr. Redfield and His Work — A Letter from the Same Writer, in the "California Christian Advocate" — Rev. Howard and Dr. Goodell Both Converted under Mr. Redfield's Labors at Bur- lington—Letter from Mr. Redfield to Rev. W. C. Kendall- Engaged with Another Physician in Establishing an Infirmary — A Letter Concerning this Enterprise — Another Letter Concern- ing the Revival in Burlington, and a Branch Infirmary Estab- lished There — Comments on the Foregoing Letters . . . 285-291

CHAPTER XLVI.

Second Marriage — One of His -Reasons for Marrying — The Lady Who Became His Wife— Married at Keesville, N. Y.— Influ- ence of His Marriage upon His Work — In the Evangelistic Field Again — At Lima, N. Y. — A Letter Concerning the State of Things at Lima and the Character of the Work — Leaving Lima — A Card from Rev. Woodruff Post — Genesee Conference Troubles — Opposition to Messrs. Kendall, Roberts, Stiles, M'- Creery, and Others — The Laymen's Camp Meetings at Bergen, N. Y.— Hostility of the Church Authorities— The Church Takes Advantage of a Technicality in the Article of Incorpora- tion and Wrests the Camp Ground from those Who Paid for It— Before the Litigation Is Ended the Trees Cut off— Mr. Redfield Suffers from this Persecution 292-295

CHAPTER XLVII.

Labors in Rochester, N. Y. — A Presiding Elder's Opposition — The Pastor Takes His Stand Against the Elder — Scenes of Primi- tive Methodism Re-appear — The Pastor Frightened — Says the Meetings Must Stop — Other Methodist Pastors Opposing the Work — Three Thousand Dollars Subscribed toward Building a New Church — Mr. Redfield Requested to Become Pastor of the New Society — Mr. Redfield Declines the Proposal— An Invitation to St. Charles, 111. — Meetings in Rochester Attended and Endorsed by President Finney — Results of the Work in Rochester — Mrs. James Vick — Mr. Redfield Writes and Addresses to Samuel Huntington a Sketch of His Life — First Attempt at Self-vindication — Another Letter to S. Huntington — Leaving Rochester — Visiting William C. Kendall — Their Last Visit, and Last Earthly Parting — Persecution of Mr. Redfield's Friends — "The Christian Advocate" Becomes the Organ of the Opposition — "The Northern Independent" Opens its Columns

CONTENTS. xv.

PAGE

in Defense of Primitive Methodism — William Hosmer — Rev. B. T. Roberts Writes on "Old School Methodism," and "New School Methodism" — Charged with Unchristian Conduct Because of Having Written those Articles — His Trial — The Sentence — Appeal to The General Conference — Mr. Roberts Expelled, the Following Year, on the Charge of Contumacy — Proved Innocent — A Minister's Testimony Impeached — Mr. Roberts Joins the Church Again on Probation — The Minister Who Received Him Expelled for So Doing — Other Ministers Ex- pelled for Allowing Mr. Roberts to Speak in Their Churches. 296-301

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Mr Redfield Goes to St. Charles, 111.— Rev. David Sherman— A List of Worthies — Results of the Work — Forty Sanctified — Clear Conversions — Experience of Charles Elliott Harroun — "The St. Charles Pilgrims" — Letter to Samuel Huntington .... 302-308

CHAPTER XLIX.

Still at St. Charles — Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, Giving a View of the General State of the Work — Mr. Redfield in Aurora, 111. — A Goodly Number Experience Perfect Love — Recruiting at Mackinaw Island — Another Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Kendall — Mr. Redfield's Views Concerning Separation from the Church — Goes to Fond du Lac, Wis — A Glorious Work Begins — A Pas- tor's Jealousy and Opposition — Mr. Redfield under Temptation to Return to His Old Profession — Providentially Restrained — Goes to New London — Many Blessed — From New London to Jefferson, Wis. — Labors Attended with Blessed Results — Hears of the Grievous Fall of One Who Had Been a Strong Advocate of Holiness — Labors at Waukesha — Many Saved — Visit to Appleton, Wis. — The Seat of Lawrence University — Professor Blair and Rev. Wm. McDonald — An Infidel Sentiment in the Community and in the University — Incidents of the Work — Many Saved — Mr. Redfield Revisits St. Charles — Attending the St. Charles Camp Meeting — The Presiding Elder Friendly — Mr. Redfield Preaches on Perfect Love — A Remarkable Night — An Impromptu Preachers' Meeting for Holiness — Fifteen Ministers Enter into the Experience During the Night — Results — The Work in "The Fox River Region" 309-319

CHAPTER L.

Letter to the Kendalls — A Letter from W. C. Kendall — Conspiracy of Persecutors — Kendall, Roberts, and M'Creery the Victims — Scene at the Reading of the Conference Appointments — Letter from Kendall to Roberts Describing His New Circuit — Letter to A. A. Phelps — Mr. Kendall's Last Appointment — Account of His Death — Scene at the Funeral — Sketch of His Character — Testimonial from Father Coleman 320-327

CHAPTER LI.

Mr. Redfield Again in St. Charles, 111. — Letter to Brother and Sis- ter Kendall — Plan for Forming a Methodist Colony in Texas — Goes to Elgin, 111. — The Elgin Pastor — Method of Conducting the Work — Results — Invited to Marengo, Ills. — Deciding to Go — A Telegram Announcing Wm. C. Kendall's Illness — Letter in

xvi. CONTENTS.

PAGE

Reply — At Marengo — State of the Work — Communication from Su|>criiUcudent Hart — A Wonderful Work — KourorFive Hun- dred Converted — Whisky Shops Closed — Many Sanctified — Con- version of a Village Drayman — A Physician Sanctified and Enters the Ministry— "Mother Cobb" — "Mother Combs" — The Moth- er of .Superintendent Hart — The Pastor of the Church — Holi- ness Meetings at Brother Bishop's — Mr. Redfield Receives Tid- ings of Mr. Kendall's Death — Letter of Condolence to Mrs. Kendall — Extiact from a Letter — Fruit of the Marengo Revival Not Properly Cared For 3^~Z37

CHAPTER LI I.

At Woodstock, 111. — Condition of the Work — Strange Experience at an Altar Service — Determined Opposition to the Work — Methods Employed to Obstruct the Work — The Pastor Brought into Close Quarters — Takes His Place Asa Seeker of Holiness — Kffect upon the People — A Wonderful Work of Grace — Results — Mr. Redfield Drawn toward St. Louis — Planning to Go — At Queen Anne Prairie — St. Charles Camp Meeting — Witness of Perfect Love Raised Up by Mr. Redfield's Labors — Liberty Given Mr. Redfield at the Camp Meeting — Sanctification the Keynote of the Meeting — An Anti-Rum, Anti-Tobacco, and Anti-Holi- ness Sermon — The Beginning of Hostility to Holiness on the Fox River District , 338-342

CHAPTER LIII.

Mr. Kedfield Visits Western New York — Attends a General Quarter- ly Meeting — Encouragement— Returns to Illinois — Letter to Mrs. Kendall — Attending Camp Meeting at Coral, 111. — Presiding Elder Crews — Holiness Work the Prominent Feature of the Meeting — The Sunday Afternoon Services — The Presiding Eld- er Sanctified — Preparing to Visit St. Louis — Visits St. Charles on the Way South — Letters to Mrs. Kendall 343~3So

CHAPTER LIV.

A Farewell Prayer Meeting — A Stop at Princeton, 111. — Another Letter to Mrs. Kendall — A Week at Burlington, Iowa — Reaches St. Louis — Boarding at Hotels — Looking for a Northern M. E. Church — Goes to the Ebenezer Church — Presents Letters of In- troduction and of Membership to the Pastor — Preaching in St. Louis — Pawning His Watch to Pay a Board Bill — A Jew Acts the Part of the Good Samaritan — Way to Public Labor Hedged Up — Visitation — Good Results — Invited to Preach in a Colored People's Church — Labors Greatly Blessed — Preaching Occasion- ally in Ebenezer Church — Conversation with the Pastor — Invit- ed by the Quarterly Conference to Hold a Series of Meetings in Ebenezer Church — Beginning the Work — Checked by the Pastor — A Telling Sermon — Letter from the Official Board Re- questing Mr. Redfield's Dismissal — Conversation with the Pas- tor— Suspicion on the Part of Many That the Pastor was Re- sponsible for This Action of the Board 35'-359

CHAPTER LV. Dr. and Mrs. Redfield Take Their Letters from Ebenezer Church—

CONTENTS. xvii.

PAGE

Resolutions Passed by Ninety Members — Calling for Church Letters — After Granting Twenty Letters the Pastor Refuses to Give More — Confesses Himself the Author of the Letter Pur- porting to Come from the Official Board — A Ministerial Fraud —Comment on the Resolutions — Letter to "The Northern Inde- pendent"— Comments on This Letter ^60-365

CHAPTER LVI.

Mr. Redfield Asked to Become Pastor of the Ninety Members Who Had Seceded from Ebenezer Church — The Keply — Efforts to Organize with the Presiding Elder's Sanction — Disapproved by the Elder — Mr. Redfield Charged by the Pastor of Ebenezer Church with Splitting the Church — The Reply — Letter Request- ing an Interview with Mr. Redfield at the Office of the "C. C. Advocate" — Mr. Redfield's Letter in Reply — Another Letter from M. E. Pastors — Pastor Williams Declares War — Rumors of Mob Policy — Mr. Redfield's Illness — First Attendance at Church on Recovering — Resuming Work — A Methodist Church on the Congregational Plan: — New Appointments — Visitors from Abroad and Their Reports — The Conflict in St. Louis — Mr. Redfield's Correspondence — Mental Conflicts — An Incident in Mr. Redfield's Personal Experience 366-380

CHAPTER LVII./

Tidings from Western New York — Resolutions of the Laymen's Con- vention Requesting Mr. Roberts and Mr. M'Creery to Labor as Evangelists — Mr. Roberts Invited by the New Church in St. LouistoTakeMr.Redfield'sPIace, That He Might Be Free to Go Elsewhere — Mr. Roberts in St. Louis — New Organization Per- fected— The Rule against Slavery — Joseph Wickersham, Who Had Freed $30,000 Worth of Slaves—Plea for Toleration of Slavery Baseless — Another Resolution Passed by the Laymen's Convention — Reading Members out of the Church — Resolution of the Convention Concerning Its Attitude toward the Church — Mr. Redfield's Description of the State of Affairs at This Time in St. Louis — The New Society in St. Louis Pass Resolutions Concerning Mr. Redfield — The Editor of " The Central Chris- tian Advocate " and the Pastor of Ebenezer Church Secure a Promise from Dr. Redfield not to Have the Resolutions Pub- lished, at the Same Time Agreeing to Publish Nothing Them- selves Concerning Their Troubles — A Slanderous Article Which Soon Appeared in the "Advocate" — A Reply Prepared by a

Committee— The "Central Advocate" Refuses to Publish It

The " St. Louis Christian Advocate," Organ of the M. E. Church South, Publish the Reply — A Copy of the Reply as Published — Mr. Redfield Starts for Quincy, 111. — Soliloquizing on the Way — Arrival at Quincy-*-The Publication Preceded Him — Requested to Deposit His Lettei and Stand a Trial — His Reply— President and Agent of the College Go to St . Louis to Ascertain the Facts — They Confer with None but Mr. Redfield's Accusers, and Are Convinced That He Is in the Right — The Way Open for Work — A Lady's Experience and Dream — Beginning the Work in Quincy — A Baptist Minister Sanctified — An Incident — Letter to Brother and Sister Foote 3^1-395

xviii. CONTENTS.

PAGE CHAPTER LVIII.

Wisdom of Mr. Redfield's Refusal to be Tried by the Ebenezer Church— Policy Pursued in Other Trials— Mr. Redfield Takes His Letter Again and Temporarily Deposits It in the Southern Church — Accused of Compromising His Anti-slavery Principles — Staunch Friends Desert Him — Ex-Bishop Hamline's Attitude — Mr. Redfield Goes East — Hand-bills Charging Him and the New Society with Being Slave-holders — Rev. Seymour Coleman — Camp Meeting Near Sycamore, 111. — Holiness the Theme — Father Coleman's Preaching — Holiness Testimonials Referring to Dr. Redfield's Labors— The Presiding Elder Hurt— Reproves These Testimonies — The Elder's remarks Published in the "N. W. Christian Advocate" — A Conversation Called Forth by the Elder's Testimony — A Camp Meeting near Aurora, 111. — Benja- min Pomeroy — Father Coleman at His Best — Dr. T. M.Eddy — Father Coleman on Sunday Afternoon — Hon. Benjamin Hack ney Experiences Entire Sanctification — His Testimony — Another Camp Meeting near Coral, 111. — Mr. Redfield Present — Results of the Camp Meetings — E. P. Hart and J. H. Richardson Recommended to the Conference by the Rockford District — Presiding Elder H. Opposes Their Reception on the Ground That They Are ''Tainted with Redfieldism" — Mr. Hart Admitted and Mr. Richardson rejected — Richardson Gpes to Minnesota on a Presiding Elder's Invitation, and Becomes a Successful Minister —Mr. Hart Still "Tainted with Redfieldism," and Spreading It in His Labors as a General Superintendent of the Free Methodist Church 396-403

CHAPTER LIX.

The Author, Then a Local Preacher, Invited to Hold Meetings on Mt. Pleasant Circuit — The Invitation Accepted — The Work Moving — Help Needed — Mr. Redfield Sent for — Conditions on Which He Would Come- -ConditionsAccepted — Beginning His Work — Man- ner of Procedure Described — A Powerful Sermon on the Judg- ment— Eighty Seekers at the Altar — The New Pastor Introduced — Sunday Services — Results — Preaching Prematurely on the Way of Faith — Going Deeper — An Eloquent Discourse on the '•Final Catastrophe of the Earth" — Mr. Redfield returns to St. Charles— The Work Continues Three Weeks Longer— A Presi- ding Elder's Instructions as tq How and When to Shout — Results of the Meetings — One Hundred Converted and Seventy-five Sanctified — A Sunday Night Scene in the Church — The Pastor's Confession — Asking the Prayers of the Congregation — A Terrible Struggle with Conviction — Rendering a Wrong Decision. . 404-412

»• CHAPTER LX.

Return to St. Charles — Attitude of the Preacher in Charge — Sent to Guard the Pulpit against Redfield and Coleman — Sacrificing Men for the Good of the Church — Mr. Redfield Invited into the Bap- tist Church — Beginning His Labors — The Church Closed Through the Influence of the Methodist Pastor — The Universal-

CONTENTS. xix.

PAGE

1st Church Opened — Reading Members Out of the Methodist Church for Going to Hear Mr. Redfield Preach — New Way of Conducting a Methodist Prayer Meeting — Trustees Read Out of the Church — False Swearing — Prayer Meetings at Brother Foote's — Letters Written by Mr. Redfield 41^-418

CHAPTER LXI.

Dr. Redfield Returns to St. Louis — Spends an Evening with the Writer before Starting — Reviews His Life Work — Painful Sur- prise on Reaching St. Louis — The New Society Greatly De- pleted—The Causes— Effect of This Disaster upon Mr. Redfield — Suffers a Paralytic Stroke — Ceases from Public Labors During the Winter — Under Medical Treatment —Able to Preach Again in the Spring — State of the Work in Several Places- -Mr. Redfield Consulted as to What Should Be Done with Converts — His Views as Given by Himself — Mr. Redfield's Encourage- ments— Mary Ferguson — Correspondence. 419-430

CHAPTER LX1I.

Laymen's Convention at Olean, N. Y. — Every Charge in the Genesee Conference Represented by a Delegate — The Free Methodist Church, Which Had Been Organized, Represented by a Delegate, Who Was Invited to a Seat in the Convention — Petitions to the General Conference — Resolution Endorsing the "Earnest Chris- tian"— Report of the Committee on Resolutions — A Resolution Concerning Adherence to the Church — Remarks by J.M'Creery, T. B. Catton, Wm. Hart, B. T. Roberts, S. K. J. Chesbro and J. W. Reddy — Mr. Redfield Watching Genesee Conference Pro- ceedings from St.* Louis — Letter from St. Louis 43I-439

CHAPTER LXIII.

Dr. Elias Bowen's Account of the General Conference of May, 1860, and Its Treatment of the Appeal Cases — Review of General Conference Proceedings by Wm. Hosmer in the "Northern Inde- pendent"— Difficulties in the West — Preachers Shut out of Churches and School-houses — Severe Persecutions — Trial and Ex- pulsion of the Bishop Family — An Impromptu Love-feast — Mon- day Night Holiness Meeting at Father Bishop's, Led by Father Coleman — Advice Concerning the Church Troubles — Failure of General Conference to Re-instate the Proscribed Ministers — Deci- sions against Bishops Who Presided at the Trials — Laymen's Con- vention at St. Charles, III., in July, 1860 — A Similar Convention Called for the Same Object in Western N. Y. — Minutes of the Illinois Convention — A General Laymen's Convention at Pekin, N. Y. — Organization of the Free Methodist Church, and the Adoption of a Discipline — A Laymen's Convention at Aurora, 111. Adopts the New Discipline — The Preachers Go Forth to Or- ganize Free Methodist Churches — Mr. Redfield's Identification with the Organization of the New Church a Necessity. . . 440-452

CHAPTER LXIV.

Mr. Redfield Returns to the West — Zealous Labors — Tour of Visita-

xx. CONTENTS.

PAGE

tion among the Scenes of His Former Labors — Rev. E. P.Hart Withdraws from the M. E. Church and Takes Work under Mr. Redfield— Mr. Redfield at Aurora, 111.— Stricken Down with Paralysis — Weeks of Severe Suffering Follow — The Trial of His Faith — A True and Faithful Fiiend — Improved Health — A Trip East — Holds Meetings in the Free Methodist Church in Buffalo — Correspondence — Return to Illinois — Attending a Quarterly Meeting — Outline of a Remarkable Sermon — Quar- terly Meetings — St. Charles Camp Meeting — Hoping for Divine Healing — Mental Conflicts — Leaves Off Preaching Entirely — A Letter Written in Great Weakness of Mind and Body — Mr. Redfield's Plan for a Pilgrims' Home — Attending a Camp Meeting in Ogle Co., 111., in 1862 — A Scene of Confusion — Mr. Redfield Equal to the Emergency — A Visit to Buffalo and Syra- cuse— Looking to Be Healed in Answer to Prayer — Failing in Mind — Returning to the West — Attends the Illinois Annual Conference— The Last Letter of His Life — A Third Stroke of Paralysis — Rapid Ebbing Away of Life — The Death Scene — The Funeral — The Epitaph 453-464

The Conqueror Crowned 465

INTRODUCTION.

BY REV. B. T. ROBERTS.

DEAD trees can be made into blocks, or boards, of the same. length, and breadth, and thickness. But plant two seeds from the same tree, in the same soil, exposed to the same influences, and they will grow up resembling and yet unlike each other. You can easily tell them apart. Life abhors uniformity.

In a dead church, ministers may be essentially alike. They may all go through with the same routine duties, in the same manner, and with the same results. But let spiritual life get into a church, and men are raised up to do ministerial work outside of the regular ministerial channels. The church itself may recognize but one class of ministers — it may insist upon their absolute equality, and require of all the same service; but when life divine comes thrilling through its members, some will break through all their regulations, and exercise the functions of an office which the church does not recognize. And thus in face of all human provisions to the contrary, the Scriptures are fulfilled, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." — i Cor. xii. 28. The phrase hath set denotes a permanent arrangement. In the original it is a word frequently translated "ordained." It does not refer to a short-lived plan that was to last for but

a single generation. So the error is apparent, of the assump-

(i)

2 INTRODUCTION.

tion that there were but twelve apostles, and that the apostleship ceased with these. In fact the New Testament speaks expressly of other apostles besides the twelve. The Church of England has an order of ministers which it calls "priests," for which order the gospel of Christ makes no provision. Not once in the New Testament are any pf the ministers of the gospel called priests. They are called l>y a great variety of names, but this is not found among them. A priest is one that offers sacrifices; and in Christ, the High Priest of our profession, the priesthood as a ministerial order ceased. James is nowhere in the New Testament called a priest, nor is Peter, nor Paul, nor any other minister of the gospel. The term priest is applied in the New Testa- ment to all of God's people. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." — i Peter ii. 5. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood." — v. 9. So Christians are required as priests to present their bodies a living sacrifice. ( Romans xii. i.) To present to God broken hearts and contrite spirits, — for these are sacrifices which he will not despise. (Psalm li. 17.) To abound in good works. "But to do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (See also Phil. iv. 1 8. ) To offer praise to God. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." — Hebrews xiii. 15. But none of these things can we do by proxy. No priest can step between us and God to do them for us. If not done in our own proper person, and from our own free will, they are not done at all. Others may persuade us; but

INTRODUCTION. 3

any other sacrifice than that which Christ has made for us once for all, we ourselves must make. So those who would be real Christians must reject all assumptions of priestly authority.

Though the Church of England does not recognize the order of apostles as still in existence; yet from the ranks of its ministry, John Wesley stood forth before the world an apostle sent of God.

The Methodist Church of to-day acknowledges no apos- tles, yet William Taylor has shown himself to be as truly an apostle, as was St. Paul or John W^esley.

Among Independents, Dwight L. Moody has shown himself to be an evangelist, though the Independent churches know no ministers but pastors.

So John Wesley Redfield stood forth in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the most wonderful evangelist of his day, though that church makes no provision for evangelists among its ministers.

He went into the work, because of an overwhelming con- viction from God that this was his calling. Like Paul, his "own hands ministered to his necessities"; and when he felt called of God to go to a place to hold meetings for the salva- tion of souls, he never stipulated that he should receive any- thing for his services, or even that his traveling expenses should be paid. But where he went without the promise of purse or scrip he never lacked-anything. The Lord, in one way or another, provided for his wants.

I first became acquainted with Dr. Redfield when I was a student at Middletown, Connecticut. He held a protracted meeting in the Methodist Episcopal Church. There was a

4 INTRODUCTION.

large society, but a low state of religious experience. He preached in the afternoon to the church, in the evening to sinners. A great excitement was soon stirred up. Such preaching and such praying had never before been heard in that city. Many of the most prominent members of the church went forward for prayers, and obtained a new experi- ence of entire sanctification. A spirit of opposition was manifested, and it seemed doubtful for a time how the tide would turn; but Dr. Stephen Olin, president of the University, who was suffering from a general nervous pros- tration, got up from his bed and went out to hear him. He gave the work his strongest endorsement, saying in substance, "Brethren, this is the work of God and you must stand by it."

The college faculty, and the church generally, did stand by it, and a revival remarkable for its depth, and for the number of its converts, was the result. Some twenty-five young men who afterwards became preachers were convert- ed. The whole city was in commotion and the country for miles around. The influence of that revival is still felt, not only in this country, but also in Europe, and Asia and Africa. No mortal can tell where a mighty wave of salvation once set in motion will end.

The following pages, written by one who was converted under Dr. Rcdfield's labors, will give the reader a correct idea of the wonderful work which God carried on through the instrumentality of his devoted servant.

We have heard many able, distinguished preachers, but we never heard another who would stir the human conscience to its depths like Dr. Redfield. His statements were clear,

INTRODUCTION. 5

his descriptions vivid and eloquent; but his appenls to the conscience were overwhelming. He made those who would not obey God feel that they were utterly without excuse.

Those who were justified or sanctified wholly under his labors were not easily drawn away unto the gospel of expedi- ency. They were governed by principle rather than by poli- cy. Time-serving preachers did not like his converts. They had no relish for religious theatricals or church festivals. They were hard to manage. Hence, Dr. Redfield generally encountered, wherever he labored, fierce opposition from ecclesiastics. A whole city would be moved by his preach- ing, while the presiding elder, and such as he could influence, were doing all they could to destroy his influence. But when once started the work went so deep and so strong, that no degree of violence permitted under our laws could kill it out. All through the land are still to be found those who were saved through his instrumentality, and they are generally characterized by their uncompromising opposition to sin in all its popular forms; by their firm belief in the power of the Holy Ghost, and by their clear, strong, definite testimony.

We trust that this book will be extensively read, and that it will carry a saving influence into thousands of fami- lies.

3

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

IN THE month of January, 1858, a rumor reached the neighborhood in which the writer lived, four miles west of Elgin, Illinois, that a remarkable preacher was holding re- vival meetings in the Methodist church in town. Their curiosity being greatly excited, a wagon load of young peo- ple, myself among the number, started out one evening for the place of meeting to hear the great preacher for them- selves.

Though we arrived at an early hour, we found the house then partly filled, and long before the time for the service to begin, it was filled to its utmost capacity. Our company found seats well forward, and my own was where I could see every one who came in at the door. A few minutes before the appointed time of service, a man entered, whose personal appearance instantly commanded my attention. He was small of stature, with a massive head, pale, delicate countenance, and lustrous eyes. Softly and quietly he moved along the aisle toward the pulpit which he reverently entered. He laid aside his wraps, and as though shrinking from the gaze of the assembled multitude, he knelt for a few moments in silent prayer. His presence and manner thrilled me though he had not yet spoken a word. The congregation had been hushed into perfect silence by the same subtile in- fluence. At this time I was unconverted, and I had not time, nor did I care, to analyze my impressions of the man; but from that moment, however, I was ready to listen to him with the profoundest attention.

He arose and gave out a hymn with clear and distinct enunciation. The reading of the hymn was peculiarly im- pressive. Though a familiar one, each line of it took on a

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S AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

fullness of meaning which it never seemed to me to have before. He expressed its meaning, not only by the intona- tions and modulations of a remarkably sweet voice, but by his countenance, which seemed quietly, but forcibly, to utter the same sentiment.

The prayer which followed was more impressive still. The deep reverence with which he uttered the names of the divine Being, the clearness and simplicity of the language he used, the definiteness of his petitions, and the humble con- fidence of his manner, completely charmed me.

The text for the occasion was, Mark viii. 36: "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?"

At this point the preacher's manner entirely changed. His style became abrupt, startling, and was characterized by great clearness and strength. He chose the most forceful and expressive words. His sentences were short and crisp. His dialect, that of the common people. His method, declarative and descriptive.

His first few sentences were the following:

"There are persons in this congregation who will sell their immortal souls for two-and-sixpence. Before they will lay aside a galvanized pewter ring they will run the risk of losing heaven. There are others here who will sell their immortal souls for some picayunish office, and they'll never get as high as constable."

There seemed to be two general divisions to his discourse — the value of the soul as estimated ( i ) by what it can be purchased for; (2) by what it cost. About half of the time was spent in elaborating each point. On the first he gradu- ally rose higher and higher in the estimate; but when he reached the second, his eloquence became overwhelming. One of the closing passages in this part of his discourse was as follows:

"The angels of heaven were grouped together, endeavor-

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 9

ing to estimate what would be the cost to redeem a human soul; but all in vain. The red-fingered lightning played around the rocks of Mt. Calvary, endeavoring to trace it in letters of fire there; but all in vain. Only one thing could express it, and that was the dying groans of the Son of God."

My most vivid recollections of the man are as he appeared in the pulpit that evening. In one of his most impassioned utterances, he stood, with both hands raised above his head, his face shining as with a halo of light, and his whole soul thrown into the eloquent thoughts that came like a torrent from his lips.

The preacher to whom I listened that evening, and whose eloquent words and impressive appearance I still recall as vividly as though what I have described occurred but yester- day was the

REV. JOHN WESLEY REDFIELD,

whose biography is recorded in the following pages.

The impressiorr produced upon me that evening made this man of God, to me, an interesting study during the few years of my personal acquaintance with him, and while pre- paring these pages for publication.

His mental characteristics were peculiar. The intuitive faculties predominated. He did not reason to conclusions like most men. He saw, instantly, what many strong minds would require much time to reason out. This, doubtless, was an element of his strength and success as an evangelist. Difficulties had not time to develop and ripen before he was prepared to meet them.

He read men. He knew what were the determining in- fluences upon them. This gave character to his style of preaching. His first sermon in a place was with the confi- dent positiveness of long acquaintanceship. This thrilled men. They knew that he knew them. When this is as-

io AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

sumed by the weak, it is repulsive and disgusting, and men will not listen to it; but when one speaks from this intuitive knowledge, with the unction of the Holy One, their respect is challenged. This is because they recognize the message to be truth.

Another element of his character was that of experiment- al conformity to the divine will. He utterly abandoned him- self to the known will of God. There was no reserve in his consecration. Whether in the light or in the dark, favored or frowned upon by men, to his advantage or disadvantage, in peril or in safety, he aimed to do exactly what he thought God wanted him to do. One of his peculiar phrases was, "the exact right" He dealt with men, from the pulpit, in the altar, and in private, on that principle. " Calling things by their right names" was another of his peculiar phrases. He did not

"Smooth down the stubborn text to ears polite, And snugly keep damnation out of sight."

With him, there was no seeking for "honeyed phrase." He used but few large words, and those such as were in com- mon use. He aimed to be understood.

Whether naturally or acquired, he had all the elements of the orator. His imagination was fervid, quick, broad, and accurate; this made his mental pictures vivid and true to nat- ure. He never lacked for the right word; this helped him to express himself clearly. His elocution was perfect. The framing of his sentences, the order of his thoughts, his gest- ures, the modulations of his voice, the expression of his face, and his manner, all, were in harmony. All these made it possible for him to transfer his thoughts to the minds of oth- ers with accuracy and power. So complete was this, that sometimes his audiences forgot themselves, the place and the speaker, in the vividness of the truths to which they were listening. This was the result of his naturalness. He felt what he thought, and expressed what he thought and felt.

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. n

It will be noticed where he is quoted in the following narra- tive, that he often says, "I felt," where others would have said, "I thought."

Another element in his character was his implicit faith in God. No doubts respecting God's word made their ap- pearance in his discourses. With him there was no apolo- gizing for the facts or the truths of the Bible. Like Abra- ham of old he "believed God." In his public addresses he seemed to take it for granted that all men believed God. Such faith begot faith; and the discouraged became hopeful, and the weak became strong in his presence. A minister, while severely criticising his methods and labors, admitted that he would rather trust his own child under Mr. Redfield's preaching than under that of any minister he knew.

Another element of his character was his great sympathy. Suffering in others he could not witness, unless he could as- sist in relieving it. When visiting among the farmers, the killing of animals, though for food, greatly distressed him. He would walk his room in agony until informed that it was over. He shrank from inflicting mental pain, and only from a sense of duty could he bring himself to do it.

One of the hardest things for him to do was to bid fare- well to his friends. He has been known to take a night train to avoid this. This trait made him apparently a cow- ard. It was only when convinced that duty demanded it, that he could do the severe and faithful work that he some- times performed. This accounts for many strange passages in his life which are recorded in these pages. Those who knew him only as he appeared in public, supposed him brave to a fault.

Doctrinally he was in accord with the standards of Meth- odism. He often called upon his enemies in the church to show wherein he was unsound in the faith. Only once was this attempted, and the result was in his favor, and against his opposers. In his work as an evangelist, he recognized the

12 AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

office of the truth. He believed that men were born again by the word of God ; that they were sanctified by the truth. He was careful as to his teachings, especially so with seekers for salvation. In altar services he often took more time to explain the way than he did for the season of prayer. He held his prayer services to definite work. The nature and fruits of repentance were kept clearly before the minds of those seeking pardon. The nature and the details of entire con- secration were kept clearly before those seeking for perfect love. He believed in, and taught, an itemized dedication of all the seeker possessed, or hoped to have, to the service of God. Before he attempted to present the way of faith, he would, in individual cases, carefully test the purposes, and motives, and desires of the seeker. All these he would bring1

* O

to the standard of God's word. That standard, he taught, is the absolute and unconditional surrender of the soul to God. He taught that there is no hope of reconciliation with God without perfect renunciation of sin, and acceptance of Christ. He taught that there is no hope of attaining perfect love while there is the least reserve in the aims, or desires, or affections from the will of God. This thoroughness with the seekers often caused them great mental suffering. There was no attempt to shield them from feelings of despair while there was rebellion existing in the heart, or any doubt of surrendering all to God. This was what made those who were saved through his instrumentality so definite and clear, and, consequently, strong. The transition from the agony of surrendering to the peace of believing, was usually so marked that it thrilled all who were looking on. This en- couraged even the impenitent to believe that if they started to seek Christ they would succeed. It was not unusual for seekers to make that transition before they reached the altar of prayer. One result of this was that the many were saved soon, and but few came to the altar more than once. In his preaching, he was careful in his enunciation that every word and syllable

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 13

should be heard and understood. If there was the least dis- turbance in the congregation, by the moving of persons, the crying of children, or the shouts of the saints, he would wait in silence until all was quiet before proceeding. He aimed to present the truth which the people mostly needed. He had no time to spend in idle speculations or fanciful interpre- tations of the word of God. He waited before the Lord, in prayer, until he felt satisfied that he knew the mind of the Lord. The consciousness that he had made a mistake in this gave him intense pain, and caused him to humble him- self before the Lord. When duty became clear, whether the truth to be preached was popular or unpopular, accepta- ble or unacceptable, he went boldly forward, trusting God with the results. This was not unattended with suffering, for his shrinking, sensitive nature was often put upon the rack by it. Coarse natures who have no care how they make others feel can have no appreciation of his feelings at such times.

But while he gave the truth its proper place, in his work, he did not ignore the offices of the Holy Spirit. He believed it the work of the Spirit to make the truth effectual. He believed the Christian minister might have his immediate presence and aid. He gave him free course in his meetings. He would not labor, nor dared he to try, where this was not allowed. He was more particular about that preparation for his pulpit efforts than he was about the sermon. The Spirit's dispensation was illustrated in his labors. Many and varied were the manifestations of this. There were often mixed with these that which was merely human, springing from the weakness of human nature, and which called forth the tenderest sympathy for the subjects of them, and the most careful dealing with them. There were often, also, those which seemed to be Satanic. He believed in a personal, intelligent, powerful devil. He expected every possible resistance to the truth and the Spirit of God. But he

14 AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.

believed himself too weak to contend against the devil. When such manifestations appeared, instead of warring against them, he prayed for more of the Holy Spirit's presence. He believed in the all-conquering power of the truth and the Spirit; and that where victory for Jesus is complete, poor human nature will act properly, and Satan's power is broken.

Because of this recognition of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual among God's people were greatly enlightened, strengthened, and often wonderfully moved under his preach- ing. Such people understood him when others did not, and were among his best and firmest friends. His enemies were among the worldly and time-serving. He was accused of dividing the church in his later years, but it was because he left no middle ground. The spiritual became more so, and they who would not yield wholly to the Lord went to the other extreme. No matter what the opposition or prejudice in the way, where the church authorities gave him freedom, almost invariably, he was victorious; for the truth and the Holy Spirit conquered all.

He was developed by the circumstances and experiences of his life. The rebellion of his early days, the providen- tial difficulties which grew out of this, and the mental strug- gles through which he passed, were used by God to prepare him for his great work. In the following narrative it will be interesting to trace the process by which this was effected.

The most of the matter for this volume is from his own recollections, as penned by himself, in the last days of his life, after having been disabled for active labor by the palsy. He knew he was rapidly approaching eternity. With the most solemn feelings, he carefully reviewed his life and labors. It would have been pleasing to have given these recollections in his own words; but whether it was natural with him, or caused by the paralysis from which he was suf- fering, his style of writing was so unlike that of his preach-

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION. 15

ing, that his friends would have doubted the genuineness of them, if they had been published as he left them. Again, for some reason, he omitted dates, and all but the initials of proper names. It has, for this reason, been very difficult to verify some of the most interesting details of his labors. I have been greatly assisted in this by his friends, who have contributed much that is valuable, which had been overlooked by Mr. Redfield, and who have also loaned me the use of many letters written by himself during the later years of his active ministry. This has made it necessary to change the style from the autobiographical to the biographical. I am much indebted to the assistance of these friends, and espe- cially to Mrs. M. F. La Due, for valuable recollections of her own, and to Rev. W..T. Hogg for his assistance in the finish- ing touches to the work.

The beautiful steel engraving which faces the title-page is- contributed by Rev. B. T. Roberts, editor of the Earnest Christian, and senior-general superintendent of the Free Methodist Church. The engraving represents Mr. Redfield as he appeared in the days of his strength.

In hope that the following narrative may perpetuate the influence of this remarkable man of God, and that through it, though dead, he may still speak, I send it forth upon its mission, commending it to the kind recognition and devout perusal of the Christian public.

CHAPTER I.

JOHN WESLEY REDFIELD was born in Clarendon, New Hampshire, January 23, 1810. On the night of his birth an esteemed Christian woman dreamed that she was visited by an angel who told her to go to the home of the Redfields and she would find there a new born son; and that she must announce to the mother that he must be named John Wesley. She was also informed that this would be assented to imme- diately by the mother, who would respond, "That is his name." This woman did as she was bidden, and all came to pass as she had dreamed. In mentioning this in his journal, Mr. Redfield says, "By that unlucky name was I baptized and have been known through life."

So strongly was he impressed with his call to the minis- try that when only eight years of age, and just able to write legibly, he attempted in secret to compose a sermon. When it was completed he borrowed a volume of Wesley's sermons that he might compare his production with them. When he saw the great difference between them, in perplexity and sadness he exclaimed: "Oh, I can never preach! I don't know anything about religion. I am sure I never can preach."

So persistently did the impression of his call to preach follow him in his childhood that, in mature years, when attempting to run away from it, he was inclined to consider it an " antenatal mark."

When about twelve or thirteen years of age he was in- formed of his mother's impressions concerning him, and the dream already related. So great, however, was his aversion to the work of the ministry that he studiously contended against his conviction by concealing his feelings and avoid- ing all conversation concerning the matter.

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i8 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

When between thirteen ami fourteen years of age he had such alarming views of his sinful state that he feared he was past all hope of mercy. This fear became so intense at one period that he was tempted to provoke God to destroy him, that, without the guilt of self-murder, he might learn the certainty of his fate, and, by the shortening of his sinful course, render his doom less aggravated. He had been seek- ing the favor of God in a secret way for some time, but in vain. He now gave up hope, not knowing any other way than that which he had followed. His distress of mind con- tinued without abatement until he overheard some Christian friends speak of a contemplated camp meeting, which they trusted would result in the conversion of sinners. At this, hope revived, and to himself he said, " If I go, I too may be converted."

He obtained permission from his parents to go, and when the time arrived he was on the campground. His attention was directed to the altar before the stand, with the remark, " There many were converted last year." Almost instantly his heart rebelled against the thought of going to such a place. Even in his last days he would express his astonish- ment at that manisfestation of rebellion against God.

In due time a goodly number of tents had been erected, and an old gentleman invited him to a prayer meeting about to commence in one of them. He went and was asked to kneel writh the company. He did so, but soon felt greatly mortified at the thought of its being in sight of every passer- by. The praying seemed childish, if not ludicrous. He made up his mind that it would be impossible to find salva- tion there.

In process of time the erection of tents was completed, and the congregation gathered before the stand for the first preaching service. The sainted Wilber Fisk was in charge of the meeting. The preachers were called into the stand, and the service commenced. At the close of the sermon

His CONVERSION. 19

seekers were invited into the altar, and the troubled boy was found among them. The same good old man who invited him into the prayer meeting was now by his side, and tried to instruct him in the way of salvation. There was quite a number of seekers and all were praying lustily. This com- pletely absorbed his attention. As many^ others have done, he began to criticise, instead of praying. In relating this ex- perience he says, " I thought, this cannot be the way to seek religion ! Why can't they be more calm and rational about it? Certainly they will never be able to think their way through amid so much noise and confusion! At least I can do nothing without a quiet time to think." Speaking of this in his last days, he said, " How little did I understand that all reasoning or human planning was useless here!"

But he soon saw that this apparently irrational way and this vociferous manner were successful; for some of the seekers were getting saved. As every other way with him had failed, he at last thought he would try this one. So he cried aloud, " Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner." But he was shocked and mortified at the sound of his own voice. He did not find salvation in loud prayers, nor was he finally converted while praying. This effort to pray proved a good thing to him, however, in one respect; he was now fully and publicly committed to seek the Lord, his pride was humbled, and he was fast getting down where Jesus could help him. He gave up all his experimenting and reasoning, and deter- mined to take the narrow way at every cost.

He soon left the altar and went out into the woods alone. Under a large tree he knelt and vowed to take Jesus for his only Saviour. Speaking of this experience, he says: "In- stantly, as I ventured on Jesus, my burden was gone. I was filled with inexpressible delight, and before I was aware of what I was doing, I was on my feet and shouting, 'Glory to God'! Shocked at this strange and almost spontaneous ut- terance, I said to myself, 'What does this mean? I have

20 LIFE OK JOHN W. REDKIELD.

heard the Methodists say, "Glory to God," but I don't know what it means!' My burden was all gone. Everything around seemed vocal with the praises of God, and as the Indian said in similar circumstances, 'The trees looked glad, and the birds sang glad, the world looked glad, and I felt glad.' All nature seemed in harmony, like a beautiful and well-tuned harp, and sang praises to the Most High. My heart could now beat time to the heavenly music I heard around, above, beneath, and within. But I had not the most distant idea that this was conversion. I thought some strange thing had happened to me. I had been sure that I would know when I was a Christian by a peculiar gloom that would settle down upon me. I had thought that a peculiar desolation of the heart and of the appearance of all things would attest that I had obtained that for which I sought. I was desirous of attaining such an uncomfortable "state, that I might be saved from the doubts and despair that hung over me. Bewildered at what had now taken place, and wishing to know what to do, I returned to the campground and asked an elderly lady who professed to be a Christian, 'What do you think is the matter with me? My burden is all gone, and I can't feel bad if I try; and I love God and everybody. I don't know but I'll have to be damned after all; but I can't feel one fear.'

" 'Why,' said she, 'you are converted, and this is religion.' " 'But I thought that religion would make me feel gloomy !' "'Oh no!' said she, 'it makes people feel happy.' " 'Well,' said I to myself, 'if this is religion, the world will now soon be converted ; for I shall tell it so plain that every- body will certainly believe and seek, and find it.'

"So exalted did salvation seem, and so valuable, and so ar- dently did I desire the salvation of those around me, that I felt I could have laid down my life to impart salvation to the world. I now found elements in my soul, which by their aspirings, and exalted perceptions, and appreciative powers,

His ESTEEM OF SALVATION. 21

showed me to be in family alliance with the great Father. I would often say, 'I am a child, an heir of God !' How as- tounding was the thought! How overwhelming! When I passed along the streets, after my return home, every sound and sight seemed written all over and vocal with, 'Glory to God in the highest, forever.' "

He immediately went to work for others. Full of the hope of success, he approached a young man of his acquaint- ance and spoke to him on the subject of salvation. He says, " I expected to see his eye flash with hope, and to hear him exclaim, 'Where! where! where may I find it?' and to find him ready to do anything to obtain it. But he turned upon me with a look of unutterable scorn, which seemed to say, 'What! have you become a Methodist fool? Away with such stuff ! I don't want to hear a word about the silly subject.' I was taken all aback. I had expected the same kind of a reception that I would have had if I had brought to him the news of a gold mine, or that he had been selected for one of the highest officers of the state."

After the camp meeting, young Redfield started for his home. He visited some relatives on the way, told them what the Lord had done for him, and urged them to seek the same salvation. But he seemed to them like one that mocked. Ho obtained permission to pray with one large family, and a short time after was made happy by the news that all had been converted. On the way home he told a young man who had also been converted at the same meeting, that for a long time he had desired that he would make a start, that it might be easier for himself to do the same, and was surprised to find that this young man had experienced the same feel- ing with respect to him.

When he reached home he set up the family altar in his

father's house. This, by some, was thought to be going too

far; but the importance of the matter, and the danger in

which he saw sinners, swallowed up all false propriety. In

4

22 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

a little while he had the privilege of seeing a large number of acquaintances starting out to go with him.

He now began to go from house to house and from town to town, to carry the glad news of a Saviour. While engaged in this work he learned what he had not thought of before — that the human heart hates God and dislikes those who love God; but he resolved to be the friend of God if it made every one his enemy. Referring to those labors, he says:

" I came to a house in my journey, and went in and asked of each inmate their religious state. The woman ordered me to leave. As I left, I said, ' I am clear from all further obligation, and now I shake off the dust of my feet against you. I will meet you once more, in the judgment of the great day.' I left, as I felt forbidden of God to stay. But the woman came to the door, and, until I was out of hearing, called for me to come back. But I followed my own impression and went on."

In the house of a Universalist he pressed the matter of personal and immediate salvation until the man's patience gave out and he threatened him with violence. Being only about fifteen years of age, his youthful appearance made him friends who protected him. He here learned a lesson — the people were forsaking their sins and seeking the Lord, and the Universalists were made angry by it, notwithstanding their boasted religion of love.

CHAPTER II.

DR. WILBER FISK, who was a familiar guest at the home of the Redfields now began to take a great interest in this young worker, and suggested to his parents that he be sent to the Wilbraham Academy. The young man saw that the old subject of preaching was at the bottom of this; and that the course he was even then pursuing would lead him into that work sooner or later. Then all his old abhorrence and dread of that calling revived, and he resolved to quit the field at once. He says, " I had such views of the awful responsibility of a Christian minister that I dared not under- take it without the most positive evidence of my call. If I could have had that I would not have stopped to confer with flesh and blood. I felt, as it seems to me, like a man igno- rant of navigation would feel if sent to take charge of a vessel freighted with human life, and liable to run into danger, not knowing when or where. This sense of responsibility was to me overwhelming."

This feeling never left him. Even in the days of his greatest success and pulpit power, he has been known to be unable to eat his breakfast when he was to preach, in the morning; and he usually did not partake of supper until after preaching at night. The reader will see more and more how this feeling evoked his rebellion against God, and was the occasion of the most terrific mental sufferings. If his friends could have foreseen the fearful results of their anxiety and haste in reference to this matter, probably they would have taken a different course. How often is the same mistake made with the young and inexperienced !

In the state of mind which has just been described, he returned home; but his peace and power with God were

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24 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIKLD.

greatly diminished. He began to try to settle the question by mere reasoning. His youth, his limited knowledge, his want of means for acquiring knowledge, and his sense of the weakness of all human effort, took on an importance in his consideration of the matter which, for the time, overshad- owed the promises of help held out in the Bible. His Chris- tian friends still unwisely beset him with their impressions of what his duty was. He says, " My own earlier impressions and those of my mother and the talks I had from time to time with Dr. Fisk, made me perfectly miserable. I think it was these influences, at this time, more than the voice of God, that caused it. My whole nature shrunk from occupy- ing a position so sacred as that of the Christian ministry. Without the sanction of God, to me it was sacrilege. I now reasoned that my first impressions in this matter were the re- sult of the influence of others upon me, and resolved to go among strangers, that I might be beyond the reach of this influence; and, further, so to commit myself by contract to the service of another, and he a stranger, as to make it im- possible for me to engage in religious work. It seemed to me that I might, at least for a time, in this way secure a set- tled state of mind."

The gentleman whom he sought was an artist by pro- fession, and noted for his proficiency. Without giving his reasons, young Redfield obtained the consent of his father to go, but hid the matter from his mother.

He started on his journey, and when beyond the limits of his acquaintance was thankful to feel secure from the beset- ments of other people's impressions. He called at the home of a minister to leave a letter that had been committed to his care. The minister was away, but his wife was at home. As he handed her the letter she looked him in the face and said : " Tell me, are you not running away from God ?"

To this he replied: " I think, madam, that some one has been writing to you concerning me."

RUNNING AWAY FROM DUTY. 25

" No," she replied, " I never saw or heard of you before ; but as soon as I saw you I was impressed that you were run- ning away from your duty." She then asked: "Will you please bring me a pail of water from the spring?" He could not well refuse to do this, but when it was done she asked him to cut her some wood. Before he was through with this an old man came into the yard, attended by a girl he had seen in the house when he first came. He was now invited into the house and introduced to the old man, who, he found, was a minister of the gospel. Now he saw that the woman had detained him purposely until this man could be brought. The minister was introduced as Father Liscomb. The old man informed young Redfield that he was holding a revival meeting in a little hamlet a short distance away, and desired him to go and see the young converts. To avoid any talk on the subject of duty he instantly said, " I will go," but he secretly determined to leave the old gentleman at the first convenient opportunity.

They soon started away together, and as they walked

along he inquired the way, and the distance to W , his

place of destination. This was given him, and they walked on until they came to a house. The old man knocked at the door, and was bidden to come in. As he passed in, young Redfield turned and ran towards some woods that lay between him and the place he desired to reach. It was a beautiful afternoon in September, the sun was about two hours high,

and it was only five miles to W , by the woods road.

About eighty rods brought him to the woods, and he entered them with congratulations at his nice escape. He lost his way and wandered about until night came on. His experi- ence on this occasion is best related in his own words.

He says: "I could not tell East from West, nor North from South. Soon I was wading in mud and water, stumb- ling over logs and running against trees, scaring up squirrels and wild creatures until I seemed to be surrounded by ani-

26 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

mals and reptiles which I could hear, but not see. I at last felt I was contending with a power that was stronger than myself. My fears were so greatly aroused that I promised God if he would lead me out of the dreadful place I would take any course he might direct. In a moment I felt a gen- tle pull no stronger than a hair leading me, but I could not tell the direction. Soon I perceived I was out of the woods. I fol- lowed that leading until I found myself against a fence. I got over, crossing several fields and climbed as many fences, until I perceived by the feeling of my feet that I was in a road. While stopping to ascertain my whereabouts, I saw a light in a window a short distance away, and it proved to be at the very house where I met the old minister. The thought came in a mo- ment, if I return to the house the lady will only distress me by pressing upon me her convictions of what my duty is, and that I cannot bear. The next thought was, this is the

direct road to W , and it is only seven miles there. There

is now no fear of my getting lost, for the fences will guide me, and possibly by morning I may reach the place. By go- ing to-night I shall avoid any further annoyance from the preacher's wife. As I turned to go I saw the woman in the road as plainly as I had seen her the day before in the house.

I asked, 'Mrs. B , what time of night is it?' But she

gave me no answer. Again, I asked, 'Did you feel alarmed at my absence? and have you come out to look for me?' Still she did not answer me. I then told her I had been lost, and was just out of my dilemma. I also told her that I de- sired she would say no more to me of duty, for I was too agi- tated to hear it. Yet she did not speak, and I thought, she is trying to frighten me into obedience to her opinion of what is my duty. I then said to her, 'You will not frighten me for I am resolved never to preach until I am positive that God says, Go. I am going this night to W ; so good- night.' As I started she stepped in front of me. 1 turned to pass by her, and she stepped in front of me again. Again

ALL PLANS THWARTED. 27

I endeavored to pass by her, but again she stepped in front of me. I then said, 'Madam, I thought you were a professor of religion. What will your neighbors think when they know of your conducting yourself in this manner?' Still I got no response from her. 'You need not think to crowd me to the course you think I ought to go, by tricks of this kind,' I continued. Still she was silent. I was then seized with such fear that I turned and ran to the house; and as I entered, she sat there as if waiting for me. She immediately said, 'I expected you would come back ; for I prayed God to put my image before you as the angel appeared before Balaam.' 'Well I thought it was you] I said, and with this one sentence I exposed all the facts.

"On looking I found it was twelve o'clock. I asked her for a place of rest for the remainder of the night. She gave me a light and told me where to find a room. I now resolved to get up and be off for W— - before she could have a chance to annoy me in the morning. Notwithstanding the remarkable character of this experience, it seemed to me I was enduring- great hardship.

" I arose early as I had determined, but when I stepped into the sitting-room, which it was necessary for me to pass through, there she sat in a chair. I spoke first, and said, 'Don't say a word to me about duty, for I am resolved that no human influence shall determine my course. I shall go

to W to-day. I dare not allow myself to be prevailed

upon to take so fearful a position as that of a gospel minis- ter. So good morning.'

"On attempting to open the outside door, I felt the force of a hand on the latch outside. I stepped back, and when the door opened, there stood a man, who, putting his hand upon my head, said to me, ' Stop, Jonah ! for you are run- ning away from God.'

"Said I, 'You are in the secret, too! are you?'

" ' I never saw or heard of you before this moment,' he

28 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

replied. * I live four miles from here — I am not a believer in dreams, but I had one last night, in which I was told to come to this house, and here I would find a young man who was trying to run away from God. And I was told to tell you to go and preach the gospel or you would be damned. I have come four miles to stop you.'

" But I broke away and went on my journey.

" I found the artist. He was willing to enter into a con- tract with me, but while I was talking with him, I was again seized with such fear, and with such a sense of guilt, that I dared not say a word more. I went out and left the place, nor dared look back until sure that I was out of sight of the town."

CHAPTER III.

RETURNING HOME, young Reclfield now resolved to live religion, but to abandon all thought of preaching, unless God by unmistakable signs should reveal it to him as his will. He passed the winter and the following summer in a restless and uncomfortable state of mind. He was continually mourn- ing over his sad condition, and wondering why he should be the victim of such impressions, and yet have no certain evidence to settle the matter. He would allow none to speak to him in regard to it, and would seek counsel from, none.

Late in the fall he saw, in the western sky, an indescriba- ble sign. The impression made upon him by it was, "That hangs over where God would have you go to labor." But this distressed him still more. The thought of following such a sign was contrary to all his ideas of propriety in mat- ters of such great concern. He reasoned that in a matter of such importance, where there is possibility of making a mis- take, and that mistake liable to be a fatal one, he had aright to expect of God a reasonable and unmistakable evidence of his will. But in spite of all, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel," continually rang through his heart. Still, also, that sign hung in the sky, with the same impression of its import. At last he determined to ask for another to corrob- orate the first, but none came. His appetite and sleep forsook him, until in two months he was very much wasted. Hebe- came afraid that he might become insane. He had asked that an angel or a bird might come to him as an assurance that the sign he continually saw in that place in the sky was from God, or that an audible voice might speak to him, then he would obey it. Still the answer did not come. He at

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30 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

last resolved to seek for it by fasting and prayer. He set the day for the struggle, also determining to follow it by a watch- night. He expected that by twelve o'clock at night, a bird or angel, or voice would settle his doubts. The hour came, the town clock struck; he counted the strokes; it was twelve; but no bird, nor angel, nor voice came. He said to himself, "I am glad that I have gone through with my fast and watch-night. Now I can go to rest, and drop this terrible subject. The absence of the testimony I have asked for is sufficient to satisfy me that my impressions as to preaching, and that sign, are unreliable. I have been the dupe of hallu- cination."

An impression now came to him to open the Bible and see what light he could get from that. He says: "I opened it at random and let my finger touch without knowing where. On looking I found it on the words in Genesis 17:3: ' There- fore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I com- mand thee.' For a moment I was disturbed; but soon I rea- soned: that was purely a happen so; I will try once more; I'll reach far enough in opening not to touch the same spot again. I next put my finger on Deuteronomy 28: 15: * But it shall come to pass if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee.' I reasoned this away and tried again. This time my finger fell upon Jonah 3: 2: 'Arise, 'go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.' This shook me greatly and well nigh upset all my hopes of finding relief ; but I reasoned: we are not under the Old Testament dis- pensation. I will venture to open in the New Testament. My finger now touched the quotation by the Saviour, * The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel,' etc. Filled with fear, I begged the Lord not to be angry with me, but to let me try once more,

CORROBORATING EVIDENCES. 31

and I would not ask again. I opened and touched the words, ' Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'

" Thus five times in succession did I touch upon the words that corroborated my impressions, and the impressions of others, but which were opposed to my opinions and desires. My soul was now upon the rack worse than ever. I could not rest, I could not sleep. It was in midwinter and very cold; but I went forth into the fields and woods to try anew place, in hope that God would send me a bird or angel or voice. I knelt in the snow and pleaded with God as a man would plead for his life to grant me such an answer as I desired ; but no answer of that kind came. I went from place to place until I reached the top of a hill in a grove. Here I knelt once more. While pleading there I had such a sense of the awful majesty and near approach of an offended God that my agony of body and soul became extreme and I thought I could not live. Instantly I cried out, ' O God, re- move this from me and I'll go.' Immediately I was relieved; but soon my doubting heart said, ' I've seen no bird, nor angel, nor heard a voice ; how can I go?' I went to a hill- top farther on, overlooking a swamp, knelt down, and con- tinued in prayer for some time. When I tried to rise I found my clothing was frozen to the earth. So great had been my agitation that I had not thought of the cold. I pulled my knees loose, but found I could not rise until I had rubbed my limbs warm. At last, with great difficulty, I arose and started towards the house. I passed the spot where I felt the presence of God so painfully, and went down into a valley, and sat down on a log. Though still in great distress of mind, the impression came: 'Stand still and see the salva- tion of God.' The next moment a bird came and alighted on my shoulder. I shook it off, but it came again. I then thought: I may be in its way. I arose, went to the top of another hill, and knelt in prayer again, under a pine tree.

33 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIKI.D.

While thus engaged, a sound passed through the tree like that of a stiff breeze, but no wind seemed stirring. I listened and looked, but saw nothing. I arose and went home. It was morning, and my father, after building a fire, had gone to the barn. When I entered the room and came in contact with the warm air I became so faint that I dropped into a chair by the door, pale, haggard, and weak. My mother came into the room that moment, and seeing my distressed look, was frightened, and exclaimed, • Why, John! what's the matter?' I made out to answer, 'Nothing, mother '; but perceiving my feelings about to betray me, I arose and went out into the cold again. When beyond hearing I gave vent to my anguish in loud sobbing and weeping.

" I now determined to spend this day also in fasting and prayer, and conclude it with a watch-night. When twelve o'clock at night came again, it was with the same results. I then thought: I will turn to the word of God again. I opened to the words, " There shall no sign be given." As this spoiled all prospect of sleep, I went out into the fields again. I said to myself: There is that sign §till in the sky. Reason says: I must be under a religious hallucination; but, true or false, I cannot settle the matter of duty or shake it off. My body is worn down; my mind is almost distracted. I must either go deranged or die. There is but one thing I can do, that is, to go to the place and test the matter. I had no sooner resolved to go than, cold as it was, I was all in a glow of warmth, and as happy as I could bear.

" I could not tell any one my feelings. I returned to the house. It was now daylight. I entered the parlor and went to a bureau in which my linen was kept, and commenced to pack a small bundle to take with rr.e. While thus engaged, my sister Mary, then living at home, came into the room and with streaming eyes handed me a Bible and hymn-book, and said: 'Brother John, the victory is gained.' I could contain no longer; I broke forth in convulsed sobbing and weeping,

SECRET PRAYER FOR HIM. 33

but said not a word. She afterwards told me that she knew at this time, all about my struggle, and was engaged in secret prayer for me all the time; and also that she knew the very moment when it was over, though she was in the house and I quite a distance away. I had supposed all the time that none but God and I knew anything about it."

CHAPTER IV.

TAKING only a small bundle with him, and without saying farewell, he started out to seek the place designated by the sign. He intended to take a straight line to the place, re- gardless of roads. His joy was now unspeakable. When he opened the door to start, a young man stood before it, who asked, "Where are you going?" He could only say, "I am going west." Said the stranger, " Wait a minute and you can ride with me." The invitation was accepted, but with the determination to ride with him only as long as his course was toward that sign. All day they rode in a westerly direc- tion. Just at sundown, as they reached the bottom of a hill, the driver turned to a road leading south, and the sign disap- peared. Young Redfield said not a word, but thought, "The mystery is solved. I have been following a phantom." He asked the young man to stop and let him get out, as he desired to take the road to the right. That led to the west. The stranger answered: "You had better go to the top of the hill, and stop there at the house of an old minister until morning, as it will be a long way before you will find a stop- ping place on that road." He accepted the suggestion and went on. When they reached the house the young man knocked at the door and they were bidden to come in. The minister and his family were standing around the table and had been about to say grace over their evening repast, after the manner of that day. As the old man looked upon young Redfield the tears filled his eyes, and it was some moments before he could control his emotions. At last he said, "This young man must stop with me. God showed me in a dream

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SOME WORK AMONG UNIVERSALISTS. 35

sometime ago that you were coming to help me on my cir- cuit. I never saw you before except in my dream, and when you came I instantly recognized you." On taking a seat Mr. Redfield opened his hymn-book to the verse,

"Master, I own thy lawful claim,

Thine, wholly thine, I long tube; Thou seest at last I willing am,

Where'er thou goest to follow thee. Myself in all things to deny,

Thine, wholly thine to live and die."

He says, "I now felt myself fully committed to do God's will, although I kept and pondered these things in my heart. The heavenly sweetness and calmness which took posses- sion of my soul, I have no words to describe."

The old preacher took him on to a part of his circuit where Universalism was a great obstacle in the way of the work. He commenced his work here in the same way in which he had previously labored, by visiting from house to house. He met with opposition and threats of personal vio- lence, but the more he labored the more he felt the value of souls, and the importance of his mission. When threatened, he would reply, "My message is from God to you, and I shall not, I dare not, disobey him. It is at your peril if you do not heed it," and with tears running down his face he would insist upon a definite answer to his appeals. Some- times amid threats he would kneel and pray, presenting the case of each person present to God. On rising he would take them by the hand, when they would allow it, and tell them, "I am here in the name of the great God. I have done my duty faithfully. Farewell, I will meet you again in the judgment."

He would leave them in various moods. Sometimes penitent and sometimes in a rage. "Yet," he says, "I do not remember a single instance where they did not send for me within twenty-four hours, to come and pray for them."

36 LIFE OF JOHN VV. REDFIELD.

One afternoon, two Methodist ministers called and asked

him to visit a Mr. B , a Universalist, by whose influence

the revival was much hindered. They had both been to see him, but could not convince him of his error. One of them said, "I have used the arguments of Fisk and Fletcher, and yet nothing shakes his confidence in Universalism." Young Redfield said, "I will ask the Lord about it."

"That night he was instructed in a dream to visit the Universalist, and also as to how to approach him, and by what method he should endeavor to draw his attention to the great importance of attending immediately to the matter of his personal salvation. The next morning early, he pro- ceeded to the man's house, and, on entering, said to him: "I have a message from the great God to you, and that is, you must repent and seek salvation or you will be damned."

Said he, "I don't believe in your damnation doctrine."

Without attempting to reply the young man asked, "Will you obey God and shun damnation?"

Again Mr. B tried to avoid answering, but young

Redfield said, "My message is from God; will you obey it?"

At this the man became very angry and ordered him out of his house, threatening him with a beating if he did not go.

Mr. Redfield replied: "You strike me at the peril of God's displeasure ; for the God who has sent me on this errand of mercy will certainly stand by me and defend me. So touch me if you dare. I am on God's business."

The Universalist's wife now exclaimed, "Oh! will you pray for me?" with tears. He instantly knelt, and both the man and his wife knelt with him. God so far broke his op- position that his influence for evil from this time was checked. The work of God soon broke out with power, and swept over all that section.

CHAPTER V.

AFTER a short time, the sign appeared again, directing him to another field. Yet he secretly resolved to go home. Carelessly he signified this intention to one who immediately said : " I should think you would be afraid the judgments of God would follow you." The following morning, as he was making preparations to go home, he was suddenly seized with great pain, and to find relief, he consented to obey God. As soon as the pain was gone, however, he made another attempt to return home. He finished dressing, and reached the top of the stairs, when the same agony of body again came on, and with it the impression, "If you do not consent, you will die and be lost." He says: " I then told the Lord if he would relieve me, I would go, and instantly I was free from pain, and as happy as I could be."

" After breakfast," he continues, " I started. It was very cold, and the snow was deep, but I went on, singing, 'De- cember's as pleasant as May.' I visited every house as I went, warning the people to flee from the wrath to come. My name and manner of work had gone before me, and some were so much afraid of me that they left their houses at my approach.

"When I reached the place of my destination, I was led to go to the class leader's first. The day had been too severe for the children to attend school, and they were all at home. I asked the father and mother: * Are you on the way to heaven ?' The father replied : ' We trust we are.' Said I : * God has sent me to tell you that you are on the road to hell, and you will certainly be lost unless you repent and seek the pardon of your sins.' I had no sooner spoken than the tears began to stream down my face; but my words aroused a turbulent spirit within him, and with vehemence he ordered 5 * <37>

38 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

me out of the house. I told him I could not go until I had obeyed my instructions from God. « Then,' said he, * I'll use means to get you out,' and he seemed about to raise a chair to strike me. I said to him: 'You will strike me at your peril while I am delivering God's message to you.' I then turned to the children and asked them: 'Do you wish to go to hell with your father and mother?' With tears, they said: 'No, sir.' I asked: 'Will you kneel down while I pray for you? You need not fear that your father will hurt me, for God will defend me.' Down they knelt, and that brought their parents to their knees, and they began in good earnest to seek God. When I arose, the man and his wife began to confess their backslidings, and invited me to stay for the night. This I did, but feeling in the morning that my work was done in that place, I returned. The class leader went to work for God, and was the means of reviving the work of the. Lord in that neighborhood."

Soon after his return, he met the preacher in charge, who informed him that it was the desire of the presiding elder that he unite with the church, be licensed to preach and take regular work on a circuit. To this he finally consented, and went to the next quarterly meeting. The elder preached as usual at the Saturday service, and held the quarterly con- ference -immediately after. While the congregation was passing out, and the members of the conference were wait- ing for it to become quiet, the elder related a ridiculous story that produced boisterous laughter, in which he joined; and when it was at its height, he said, "Let us pray," and imme- diately led in prayer. The effect of this upon young Red- field can best be given in his own words:

" This was too much for my sensitive conscience, and the devil took the advantage of it by setting me to reasoning thus: 'Does this man believe the Bible? Did Jesus set such an example of trifling in the presence of a perishing world? Is it true that sinners are now passing away, every hour, to

MISLED BY INCONSISTENCY. 39

the judgment? Is this like Paul, who for the space of three years, night and day, with tears, labored for the salvation of sinners? Ami in a hallucination? Am I wild, or blind? Be it as it may be, all I can see from my standpoint is the Saviour of the world, staggering under a world's sin, while its masses in proud procession are on their way to eternal night. If the Bible is true, the world is on the eve of a terrible catastrophe, and about to pass into eternity unpre- pared. I can hardly stop to sleep lest men be lost while I am at rest. There must be a mistake somewhere, and it is quite probable I am the one that is mistaken. The elder is a man of years, and in all probability when young was as zealous and ardent as I am, but he has found that religion is a sham, and now continues to preach for the profit it is to him. I will never accept of a license until I settle the ques- tion for myself of the truth or falsity of the Christian re- ligion.'"

He refused the license, and after the quarterly meeting went home to his father's house. In after years he could look back and see that here was the great mistake of his life. He says: "Little did I dream that I had undertaken one of the most absurd tasks imaginable. I might as well have attempted to solve a question in algebra, by the prin- ciples of music, or the science of astronomy by the rules of grammar, as to attempt to solve the problems of religion by the light of reason. However, I began the attempt. But I again found myself beset with people who would urge upon me their impressions of my duty to go into the gospel field. To get rid of this annoyance, I again resolved to go where I was not known. My motives for going I kept a secret, lest I should involve others in my perplexity."

CHAPTER VI.

IN THE peculiar state of mind described in the foregoing chapter, young Redfield again left home, going about a hun- dred miles from where he was known. In less than a fort- night after his arrival at his new destination, however, he was questioned about the duty of preaching. This caused him to leave again. This time he chose a place where he felt sure he would not be annoyed by anything of that kind, but here he found old acquaintances who raised the question, within a week. Then he left again, resolved not to profess religion at the next place, nor to have anything to say on the subject, thinking in that way to avoid the annoyance. Soon after this he found himself beset with infidel notions; and at last his faith in Christianity utterly gave way. He could now get along comparatively well in the daytime, but his nights would be filled with dreams of preaching, and so overcome in his feelings would he be, that on waking he would find his pillow wet with tears. He now began to believe that he had been the dupe of deception through all his strange course. To end the matter once and for all he finally resolved to ask God to take away the conviction of duty, even if it was from him. He had heard of a man who did that, and who was instantly relieved, never to have the feeling come back. He now experienced the same relief. In after years, when looking back with horror upon this passage in his life, he could only account for the after return of the Spirit by refer- ring it to the prayers and intercessions of his mother. He says :

"I felt the Holy Spirit leave me as plainly as I ever felt the taking off of my coat; and yet with no greater alarm than at the loss of a penny. To me, now, infidelity was a

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THOUGHTS ox ANNIHILATION. 41

fact, and right in its wake c.ime downright atheism. For as soon as I resolved to settle all theological questions by my external senses, a vague uncertainty came over everything. Nature's laws were all the God I could find, and the mere notion that a given system of religion might be true was the utmost my reason could conjecture. It now seemed to me that all the phenomena of religious emotion, of mental and moral changes, were due to laws within us, and beyond our control. Now, the funereal pall of annihilation settled down upon me, and I could see nothing but darkness and desola- tion. Man and earth seemed orphaned. I sought in anatomy, physiology, and philosophy for testimony to clear this up, and, if possible, give me a single fact to settle my distracted mind. One favorite haunt of mine during this period was an ancient Indian burying ground. Some of the graves were entirely gone, washed away by the high waters of an adjoin- ing stream; others were partly gone, the dark sands of which gave traces of the bodies which had been laid there to rest several hundred years before. A few sea-shells, flint arrow- heads and hatchets, and beads were all that bore testimony that these bodies had ever lived. In contemplation of these things my whole soul would cry out, while the suffocation of death seemed to be upon me, ' O God, if there be a God, send me to the hell of the Bible, but don't annihilate me.' It seemed to me at such times that I could have died a hun- dred deaths if that would have made the Christian doctrines true, and have run my chances of heaven or hell.

"I now commenced the systematic study of anatomy, for the purpose of ascertaining whether man had a conscious, thinking, acting, soul, independent of the body, or whether a fortuitous combination of matter in conjunction with material laws might not produce the phenomena we observe; and therefore these phenomena cease with the combination. Among other works, treating upon this subject, I met with Paley's Natural Theology Illustrated, which gave a sober,

42 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

common-sense, bias to my mode of reasoning. As a result of this I was cured of atheism and infidelity. I now saw the fogs of doubt all clear away, and the doctrine of the nat- ure, operations, independence, and perpetuity, of the human soul, redeemed from all doubt, and established upon solid foundations."

While he was passing through all this, his mother, hear- ing of his infidelity and abandonment of religion and all thought of entering the Christian ministry, became very sad and would not be comforted. Not only were her hopes, but her faith also was involved with his. In his failure, she saw all her hopes concerning him, from his infancy, dashed to the ground. She pined away, and nearly lost her mind in mourning over him. She became so weak, that she would stop strangers as they passed her door, and ask them in plaintive tones, "Have you seen my son, John? Where is he? and what is he about?" Only as a pious mother could, she kept his case before God, and quite likely it was in answer to her prayers that he was finally brought back not only to Christ, but into the work of soul-saving, for which he be- came so eminent.

He says, "During the period of my infidelity, I saw and believed that human nature needed some kind of religion to restrain it from injuring society. For this reason I would at- tend church, read prayers with the congregation, to cultivate a moral tone. I reasoned: 'If there be a God, and the Bi- ble proves true, it is best to be fitted for any possible emer- gency that may arise, even if not contemplated by the Bible. If there is no God, or only such an one as the deranged con- dition of nature reveals; if we have nothing to hope beyond the grave, not even the guarantee of an abstract existence, the uncertainty is terrible."

In after years, he would say, "Men may talk of annihila- tion as a possible fact, and regard the theory as a light affair; but let them stand where I have stood, by the graves of the

His NATURAL POWERS TO REASON. 43

fong forgotten dead, and in imagination pass down the vista of coming time, and think: 'With all my longing for life, I must lie down in the dust and darkness of the tomb, and let the rusty centuries fold over my head, till ages have passed and gone, and I sleep on still as these have slept, who now lie here in a common ruin, forgotten and forever gone ! Poor name- less dust, who lived, hoped, feared ; made as they thought ample provision for life in the spirit land; yet all in vain!' and they will cry out, as I have cried, 'O God, spare me at least a bare existence.' No! I would know the truth, however unwel- come it may be."

His study of anatomy, under the tutorship of an eminent physician, was continued after his return to faith, and laid the foundation for his future practice of medicine. This struggle with unbelief, and the various lines of investigation that it led him to undertake, in mental and moral philosophy, as well as in the physical sciences, was a valuable training for the especial work to which he was called. Every phase of un- belief, mental and moral difficulty seems to have been re- viewed by him, not simply by reading, but by personal investigation, until it seemed that no obstacle of that kind could stand before him. "Questions of magnetism, clair- voyance, and much of what now passes for spiritualism," were carefully studied by him at that early period (between 1830 and 1840). The perfect ease and simplicity with which, in the days of his power, he would remove the difficulties of doubt and solve the problems of conscience, was an astonish- ment to those who listened to him. From the foregoing account may be seen how these problems were 'worked out in the fierce struggles of his own early experience.

Concerning the period in which he was pursuing these studies he says: "During this period my former experience in the Christian life was not taken into account. It furnished me with no help whatever. And even after this struggle was over, and I began to seek my personal salvation again,

44 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

at first it did not occur to me that I had once been a Chris- tian. I commenced entirely anew. When I set about it in good earnest I purposed to do it among a people that I thought would not annoy me about preaching. But here I found myself mistaken again. Scarcely had I obtained a little light on experimental religion before the minister whose church I attended, met me in the street one day and made an appoint- ment with me to meet him at his house at a certain time. When the time came, fearing it was the old subject that was coming up, I did not go. When I met him again, he expressed his disappointment at my failure to come, and set another time for me. When the time came I went, and my fears proved true. Said he: 'I have little confidence in im- pressions, but I wish to know for my own satisfaction if you have ever been called of God to preach. I wish you to give me a direct answer.' In my soul I cried out, 'My God! am I found out here also?' I then frankly answered: 'I have.' But I stated to him that there were barriers now in my way, the principal one of which was a promise to marry. This barrier I had placed in the way some time before. My object was to create an obligation that would prevent me from enter- ing the ministry. This proved to be another great mistake of my life. I was soon made to know how surely God could confront me, how terribly he could chastise me, and how intensely I could be made to suffer."

CHAPTER VII.

THE BITTER and sorrowful experience occasioned by his rash marriage engagement will be related in Mr. Redfield's own words. Speaking of this matter, he says:

" Gladly would I suppress this chapter of my life, were it not for the fact that the cause of Christ has suffered from the misrepresentations of it that have gone forth to the world. I might have told my story long ago and saved myself much misunderstanding, but I wished not to appear as the revealer of my family soivows. If I had spoken, my enemies would have made capital of that, as they have made capital of my silence. Now at the close of my life I feel free to speak. I shall withhold much of the worse, and only state enough to give a specimen of what I have suffered. I ask the candid reader to make the case his own, and then ask himself if he would have done better. I have not borne all this in silence and alone, refusing to accept of that relief, which making known the facts would have given me, and making them known now in order to gain sympathy. It is too late for that; my only object is to correct unjust imputations on the cause for which I have labored. I must, as a last act of my life, do this. What I now give to the world of this unfor- tunate affair, is all that it will ever get, unless circumstances shall compel me to give more.

" I married one whom I thought would make me a happy home. I hired me a house at the desire and with the ap- proval of my wife, but within three weeks was compelled to abandon it. I found she was no more fit than a child to take an interest in or care for a home. I saw no other way than to board. I could find but one place where I thought it at all proper to board, and that was at her own father's home. Put he soon told me I must take her away for he

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46 LIFE OF JOHN- W. REDFIKLD.

could no longer endure her. I hired another house. To make it at all possible to keep house I was obliged to hire housekeepers, but it was only to have them turned away as fast as I could hire them. In one week I hired six in succes- sion and all were turned away within that time. I next sent for my sister, who came and tried to make my home tolerable; but in a few days I was compelled to permit her to go else- where to board until she could arrange to go home.

"I next tried to get along by doing the housework myself and hide from the world my misfortune; but neglecting to keep my doors fastened, I was caught doing my own cook- ing. When asked of the whereabouts of my wife, I could not tell, for I did not know. The fact of my being alone and doing my own cooking soon reached the ears of her parents, who, mortified by their daughter's conduct, attempted to bring about a reform. I had kept all this to myself, not even telling them. Her father, learning that she often came to his home, and left me to do the work in mine, forbade her coming again without me. Of this I was ignorant for a long time.

" Late one night she told me she was going home and I must accompany her. I replied: 'It is late, and your people will be in bed. I cannot go and disturb them, as there is no urgent need.' I then locked the door, put away the key and went to bed.

" I was soon aroused by the fall of a window. I imme- diately arose, and saw she was out of the house, and with a light in her hand was passing through the back way, going to her father's house. I knew now there was fresh trouble for me. So, I staid up awaiting the results. I soon heard a heavy knock at the door. I went to it, opened it, and asked who was there and what was wanted. It was her father. Said he, <I will see if you are going to turn my daughter out of doors.' 1 had no light, and he tried to find me in the darkness. I knew by the tone of his voice that he was

FAMILY TROUBLES. 47

greatly exasperated, and determined to commit violence upon me. I ran into the parlor, and he followed. 'Be quiet and calm, until I can explain to you,' I said. But he was too excited to hearken to reason, and only knew my whereabouts when I spoke. I could hear his footsteps and thereby I kept out of his way. Thus I continued to avoid him until he so far cooled down as to pass out and go home. I then closed and fastened the door, fully resolved that I would never submit to have her return until the matter was fully understood and settled. 1 cooked my breakfast when the morning came, and went out to my business.

"About 10 o'clock she came and asked my forgiveness, and desired me to give her the key to the house. 1 told her she could not have the key until the last night's difficulties were settled. 'Well,' said she, 'go down home with me and I will confess it all.' So down we went to her parents' house. We found them in a very unpleasant mood. I spoke to her mother, calling her by that title. She said, 'Don't you call me mother as long as you treat my daughter as you have.'

" I replied, ' Let your daughter tell her' own story then.'

"I then asked her, 'Did I turn you out of doors?'

" She answered, ' No, sir.'

" 'Did you not leave the house when I was asleep?'

" ' Yes, sir.'

"'Did I know you were going?'

'" No, sir.'

" 'Did you not climb out of the window as still as possible, so as not to awaken me?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"'Then', asked her parents, 'why did you say to us, that he turned you out ?'

"She answered, 'Because you told me never to come home again unaccompanied by my husband, unless he should turn me out of doors. I made up the story so you would let me stay.'

48 LIKE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

"Now the whole indignation turned against her, until she called upon me to protect her. I felt sorry for her father, for if he got the right of a matter he had generosity and Christianity enough to induce him to do right. I could but feel that through this whole affair he was an honorable and right-minded man.

''I now permitted her to return. But the same state of things continued.

"Next I was suddenly called upon by a church committee to investigate matters that could not be tolerated longer. I said to them 'Go on and find out all you can, for I am igno- rant of the object of your investigation.'

"I permitted her to tell her own story uncorrected. They found it entirely a matter of misrepresentation. She con- fessed the whole to be false. She had reported that I would not make any provision for her wants. That I had starved her by not providing the necessaries of life. When the com- mittee found plain bread, meat, and all kinds of provisions in abundance, her mother greatly mortified, asked her how long these things had been in the house, she answered,

"'I have never been out of them.'

" 'Then, what could you mean thus to report what is false?'

"'Oh!' said she, 'I wanted some oysters, and he said he could 'not find them, and I didn't believe him.' The commit- tee knew it was the season when there were none in the mar- ket.

"Again, her mother, deeply mortified, upbraided her se- verely, when she turned to me for protection, saying, 'I won- der how you can live with me?'

"I was exonerated by the committee of course, and one of them said to me, 'No one can blame you if you leave that woman, for such conduct is past all forbearance.'

" But all I could do was to wait for deliverance in God's time. Nothing but the consciousness that I was enduring

FAMILY TROUBLES. 49

the result of my own disobedience made my case endurable. And my conscientiousness would not allow me to take legal steps to get rid of her.

"I was now taken violently sick, and was brought nigh unto death. It was the first of the cholera season, and I was the only one afflicted with the disease in that section who survived. I passed into what is called the stage of collapse ; but I felt, I have not yet done my work, and I cannot die. I then felt, I shall not die. Shortly after this I was restored to health.

"Stilf my family trouble continued. Now and then my wife would have a religious streak. One night after making a great disturbance and giving me a terrible scolding, she suddenly turned upon me and commanded me to pray as her father prayed. To this I replied, ' I cannot think of mock- ing God by any mixture of prayer with such wicked and violent manifestations of temper.' I saw she took it in ill part, but I thought it best to drop the matter and go to rest, still keeping a disguised but vigilant watch of her. When she supposed me to be asleep, I saw her come near enough to me to get a clear view of me and how and where I lay. She then took the light and set it back so it would not shine in my face. I could see her movements, however, all the better. She then went to the fire-place and took up a pair of heavy brass-mounted tongs, and taking a good hold of them with both hands, she came softly within a few feet of me, and then darted upon me with great fury and began to strike with heavy blows at my head. Having seen the whole operation, I was prepared for it; and by holding the bed- clothes over my face and head, I received the blows upon my arms.

" For some time after, I felt I had reason to fear much more violence from her. I kept up a vigilant watch, but unbeknown to any one else. I could not inform even her own parents of this, much less others.

50 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

"Several times, by accident or intentionally, she burned up her dresses, and then came to me and demanded more. I think her mother must have known that she burned them; for once she came to me and asked me to furnish her with one or two cheap ones to keep peace. Then when I did this the mother made a fuss about it, and went among their relatives with a subscription to buy her daughter a more ex- pensive suit, declaring that I refused to dress her in a becom- ing manner.

"When my friends came to see me she would tell them to leave for they could not be harbored there. My troubles had now become so great, and having none to whom I could tell them, I cried, 'O Lord, my punishment is greater than I can bear.' I was unfit for business, and in short was so broken in spirit that I could not attend to business as it was necessary to do, and was obliged to fail. I gave up all I had to the last chair and spoon. I had nothing left. I could not hire a room, nor would my wife stay if I did. There was only one place where I could procure shelter for the night, and that was her father's house. What to do or where to turn was more than I could tell. I might have found some employment, but no place for permanent board, as no one would board my wife. Her father would only engage to board her until we could leave town and rid them of the mortifica- tion to which they were subject on her account. I believe they felt truly sorry for me when they saw me in this dis- tressed condition. They advised me to take up some busi- ness with which I could travel and hoped that my wife being among strangers might do better. I borrowed money enough to get out of town, and went where she was not known, and soon procured a place to board; but shortly I saw from the deportment of the people that something was amiss. I knew my only way was to keep perfectly still and wait for matters to develop. We had staid in this place about four weeks when the lady of the house informed me that we could

FAMILY TROUBLES. 51

not stay longer. I found this had come from misrepresenta- tions of me. I had known it was going on, but I had thought it best not to attempt to correct it until I was compelled to; for I utterly despised the man who would reveal the afflictions to which he was subjected by a bad wife. When the truth came out the lady of the house expressed her sympathy for me, and said 'You are welcome to stay as long as you please, but I cannot have my house so disturbed by that woman; you must take her away.' I secured another place but could stay only one week. I then procured a team and took her some thirty or forty miles away among strangers again. I found a place in a genteel family. Here we staid twelve weeks.

" I soon saw that something was going wrong, but waited again for developments to indicate my course of action. It continually became more evident that my time was coming to a close. One day the lady said to me: 'Such has been the reports by your wife concerning you that I have believed you to be a bad man. But I have found out where the trouble lies, and though I deeply sympathize with you in your afflic- tion, yet, we can endure her no longer.' Of course I expected this, and I could not blame them for turning me into the street. What to do I could not tell ; houseless and homeless, and almost without money and'no place to get board where my wife was known, I must leave town to find a place for shelter. So we took stage to a place about fifty miles away. Here we got board in a public house ; but after only a few hours she positively refused to stay a day or a night. Now I did not know what to do. Finally I said to myself: 'I will try one more experi- ment; I will take her to my father's house; her own father will not take her, and every boarding house refuses to keep her or bear with her. I took the next stage and brought her to my father's. I went on some fifty miles farther, and here my funds were exhausted and I was in great distress of mind though I managed to hide my sufferings from

•J2 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

others. I soon found that my good old father and mother

could not endure her conduct, and they told me I should not

live with such a woman. I felt this was my last experiment

and if this failed the Lord knows I don't know what to do

next. I saw nothing but agony and the poor-house as the

final winding-up of my calamity. My spirit utterly sank

within me. I was advised to leave her and get a bill of

divorcement from her; but while I was in this suspense, and

wondering what to do next, all at once she resolved to go

home to her father's house and demanded the money to go

with. My funds were exhausted, but she insisted on going,

and actually started on foot for a hundred miles through mud

and snow. When I found she was fully bent on going I

went after her, and promised to see if I could send her in

any way. So I sold my watch to pay for the hire of a horse

to carry her home. I took care not to go myself. Now I

felt a little relief at being free for a short time of my trouble.

Very soon, however, a letter came from her father saying

she was very penitent and sorry for having left me, and

would promise to change her conduct if I would take her

back. I wrote back that I had suffered enough, and tried

experiments enough, and I could do no more. I felt that

the last bond of attachment had snapped, and that if the

offense of not living with her should bring me to the state's

prison I would go there.

"In the spring I started for the West. I passed through the place where her father lived, and where she then was; but I could not bear the thought of seeing her. So I passed on about three hundred miles, and located in Lockport, N. Y. After I was settled, I wrote to her father, to let him know where I was, and to inquire after the wretched woman. And now he beset me to take her back, saying he believed she would behave herself. I wrote back that I had no confidence in her reform, and could on no condition take her back. I was finally overcome by his entreaties, however, and thought

WORSE AND WORSE. 53

•

it might be possible after all that she would do better, as she had professed to become religious. So I wrote him that he might bring her about half way, and I would meet him and her there, and would make one more trial. I went in due time to the place and found them there. I took her to my place of residence and to make all as favorable as possible for a successful trial we went to a first-class hotel to board. We staid one night only when she point-blank refused to stay any longer. So off I went and found a private board- ing house. Before the week ended she was turned out into the street. The lady of the house forbade her returning on any terms. She said to me, 'You are an unfortunate man, and are welcome here as long as you wish to stay; but that woman must not come in at all'. A lady of the place helped us to obtain another boarding place, and we found shelter for the night. We had staid here but a few weeks when I was again warned to leave. I pleaded to be permitted to stay from day to day until I could write to her father and ask what could be done.

"The lady of the house told me she was a bad woman, for she had seen men follow her off into by-places. I could not say anything in her defense for I had found her once in the embrace of one of the boarders, and another who thought me to be "away came in the night to my room. He tried to excuse himself as best he could, but I believe him to have been none too pure for the commission of great evil. I told her how improperly she was acting, in taking such liber- ties, when she gave me to understand that she should do as she pleased without my consent.

"Not knowing what to do or where to go, I was nearly distracted. I was again informed that she must leave the house. Suddenly she said she would go home to her fa- ther's; and I must take her to the boat, about fifteen miles away. I did so, but when we arrived at the place the boat

was gone and no other would go until the next week. I 6

54 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIEI.D.

• must take her back; but there was no place to stay for a sin- gle night, except at a public house. I thought I will at least have one more night in which to contrive what course next to take. In the morning we started back to the place we had left, and she promised to let me take a room and keep house, and she would not leave me; but just before we entered the village, she suddenly resolved she would not stay, but would go home at once, and I must take her that night to Rochester where she could take the cars. I knew it was useless to at- tempt to persuade her to stay even for the night. So I bor- rowed the money and we left that night in the stage. When we arrived at Rochester, I gave her the money to pay her fare all the way home. As soon as she had gone I felt such a sense of relief that I fainted, and could with great difficulty stagger along to a place where I could lie down. A high nervous fever set in, and for fifteen days I was not able to be moved. A physician, like a good Samaritan attended me faithfully, whom I owe a debt of gratitude which I can nev- er pay. I sank lower and lower until I was near death. Two consulting physicians came to visit me. They told my nurse I must die, and they must make ready to bury me in two days. They also told the people where I was staying that my sickness must have been caused by some deep trouble. I knew not their decision, but I saw them leave me t6 my fate.

"The old subject of duty now came up, and I inwardly felt, God will not permit me to die; I shall live to preach the gospel. At once I began to mend. In a few days after they left me to die I walked into the doctor's office. They stared at me as though I had come out of the grave. They then told me the conclusion of their council."

CHAPTER VIII.

No way is so long but that it has an end, and no night is so dark but that the dawn of day at last dispels the dark- ness. Even so the end of some of Mr. Redfield's sorrowful experiences was drawing near, and better days were soon to "dawn upon his pathway, as the sequel, related in his own words, will show. Continuing the narrative, he says:

" When I was able to ride, I returned to the place of my late residence. My long absence had induced the people to believe that I had run away, and the man with whom I boarded had taken all my possessions, with an absconded debtor's writ. When he learned the cause of my prolonged absence, however, he returned me all my property without cost. Next I was waited upon by a committee from the church to know how my moral character stood. I learned that I had been accused of keeping a bad woman in town under pretense that she was my wife; that I had never been manied to her; and' that I knew her to be corrupt. But I was able to convince the committee that I was indeed un- fortunate but not criminal; that I was indeed married. I was at once restored to the confidence of the church.

"A lawyer learning the circumstances of my misfortune, came to me and offered to procure me a divorce free of ex- pense. But my lacerated, timid spirit could not consent to go through all the details of litigation.

"Now that I was free from this great trouble, my former impressions of duty came upon me with redoubled force, and I longed for an abode away from the busy world of man- kind, and resolved to find me a home like a hermit in the wilderness, where I might serve God, commune with nature, and at last lay my bones to rest in some lonely place unseen and unknown by man. I did go into rooms by myself, and

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56 LII-K «>!•• JOHN \\'. KIDIIII.D.

but for lu-^k-cU'd duty, which it seemed to me must now be forever abandoned, I should have been comparatively happy; but it seemed to me that my afflictions must prove an obstacle in my way. I thought, everybody will find out that I have had family trouble and will feel at liberty to make out of it what capital they please; and how can I preach when I am thus marked with suspicion? I could have set all things right in the eyes of the honest air.1 well-meaning, but I could ' not bear to go over the facts of my sufferings for that pur- pose. No! I must forever abandon the idea of preaching. Yet, I must meet God at last and answer for the neglect of duty. Night and day, for a number of years, I silently brooded over my sad state, and tried all means in my power to banish the scorpion stings of a guilty conscience. * You knew your duty but did it not,' constantly rang in my ears. A large portion of my time I spent in the grove near by weeping before God.

"I would sometimes go to the church on Sunday, but the sight of a gospel minister would make me writhe with agony, and compel me to leave. I would then resort to the woods and there weep and pray for deliverance. Yet I kept this all buried in my heart. If I saw a minister in the street my eyes would follow him as long as I could see him, and, choked with emotion, I would sigh over my own unhappy state.

"I began to be impressed atone time that I should never see my father and mother again in the flesh. So strongly did this come that I shrank from going to the post-office for fear of finding the sad tidings that they had passed away. On going and finding no letters at all, it would be with a sense of relief. I prayed that I might be permitted to see them again. An answer seemed to come, 'You shall.' The fall came and I went to the city of New York to spend the win- ter. I procured my winter quarters and began a course of study in the fine arts. I now felt a strong impression to go immediately to my father's home. I had felt perfectly at

DEATH OF FATHER AND MOTHER. 57

rest as to the health of my parents from the witness I received that I should see them again. I promised myself that I would take the steamboat the last of the week, and go home. It was about two hundred and fifty miles. But I was so urged by my impression to go that I decided to start a day earlier than I first intended. Still that did not seem to be satisfac- tory, and finally I resolved to take the first boat. I did so and arrived home just one clay before my mother died. Her last rational word was, in effect, "I could die in peace if my son would do his duty." She was then dying of apoplexy. I watched my opportunity to go to her dying bed when we could be alone, and tried to arouse her, but I got no response. I took hold of her, and said, 'Mother, do speak to me once more.' I wanted to tell her I would obey the call of God to preach the gospel ; but she was too far gone to understand me. Ten days later my dear father fell sick and passed away.

"I followed them to the tomb, but oh! how my heart did sink on leaving them in their last resting place. Memory with a thousand tongues spoke of the anguish I had caused that sainted mother. I had so often heard her prayers as she pleaded with God to spare her boy and fit him for the mission that was awaiting him. I found myself at home after father's funeral, by the desolate hearth-stone, but so sad at my loss that I have never been able to call to mind any of the circumstances.

"I went almost immediately to visit one of my sisters who lately had lost her husband. She was glad to see me, but began at once to urge me to promise that I would go and preach the gospel. She said: 'You know, brother John, that mother has gone to her grave broken-hearted over your neglect to obey God. And now this is the last time that I shall ever see you on earth, and I want you to promise me that you will do your duty, and let me carry that promise to mother.'

58 LIFE OF JOHN W. RBDFIKLD.

"'But,' said' I, 'I shall visit you again next week.' " 'No,' she said, 'this is the last time we shall meet on earth, so you must promise.'

" Her appeals in mother's name broke me down, and to get rid of her importunity, I made a promise which she con- strued to mean all that she desired, and then she said: 'Come, brother, let us get down and ratify it before God.' Of course I knelt, and she poured out her soul for me in tones and words that stung me to the quick. We arose, and I left her house expecting to visit her again the next week; but on going to the post-office I found a letter calling me to go im- mediately six hundred miles away as an important witness in court. I obeyed the summons, and my sister's words proved true. I never saw her again. I learned in about a month from the time I. saw her last, that she, too, had passed away to the spirit land.

" I was very sad because of these repeated desolations in the loss of my dearest earthly friends, but conscience bade me be still and know that God was dealing with me in mercy in permitting me to live, and that in view of the pos- sibility that I might yet do my duty."

CHAPTER IX.

MR. REDFIELD soon returned to his bachelor's hall again. It must have been a curiosity shop indeed. Shelves covered the walls on all sides. These shelves were loaded with geological specimens, freaks of nature in wood and stone, Indian relics and mechanism of his own invention. Two mice, bound with delicate chains of his own manufacture, which fed and sported and slept at their pleasure, were his only companions.

Here he secluded himself from the world and Christian friends lest some of them should mention the subject of preaching the gospel. Neither he nor they could let the sub- ject alone. His presence impressed them with the subject, and his sore heart kept it upon his own mind whether sleep- ing or waking.

One day he met the Methodist preacher in the street, who began immediately to urge him to consent to go to work in the vineyard of the Lord. He tried to avoid it by arguing both himself and the minister to another conclusion. He had held an exhorter's license for some time, which had been crowded upon him against his will, but he had never used it. The minister now asked that he might present his Case to the leader's meeting for a recommendation for a license to preach. A strong and abiding impression seized him that unless he consented he would be killed by lightning. It seemed to him utter foolishness to allow himself to be swayed by any such thing; especially in a matter of such moment. His past experiences of a similar nature helped this impression to take the firmer hold upon him. It haunted him day and night for a long time. When the terrible thun- der storms which frequently passed over would arise, and especially in the night, all his peace and rest and sleep would be at an end until the storm ceased. He would resort to all

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6o LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIEI.D.

the precautionary measures that his knowledge of the laws of electricity would suggest to him, as opening the windows and giving a free circulation of air through the room, setting a chair in glass tumhlers and sitting in it with the feet upon the rounds, and then pray and tremhle until the storm was over. The familiar acquaintances of the man can fully appreciate this.

This state of mind lasted for some weeks, when one night his fears became so great that he promised most fervently, that if God would relieve him, he would present his case himself to the leaders' meeting on the first opportunity to do so. In an instant, when the storm was at its highest, his re- quest was granted, and he went to rest and sleep, as calmly as ever in his life.

The Friday evening after, the leaders were to meet, and he went to redeem his pledge. The meeting was held in the basement of the church. When a suitable opportunity came, he arose and stated his feelings. He was about to retire as usual in such cases, when he was stopped by one of the mem- bers and asked how he stood on the question of abolitionism. This question was then greatly agitating the Methodist Episcopal Church. He answered, " I am an abolitionist of the strongest tvpe."

"Then I shall oppose the recommendation." said the brother.

lie earnestly hoped they would not grant the recom- mendation, for that, he thought, would release him ; and to make it doubly sure, he now said, " I wish it distinctly under- stood that if I am granted a license to preach, and that shall add anything to the influence I now possess, I shall certainly use it for God and the slave. So now your eyes are open and you know what I am and what to expect."

Again it was remarked, " We shall contest the matter."

lie retired, and immediately the vote was taken, and the recommendation was granted. The meeting adjourned, and

URGED AGAIN TO TAKE A CIRCUIT. 61

before they had hardly reached their homes the church was struck with lightning. This made a profound impression upon him, and when soon after, the quarterly conference convened, he was ready to be examined according to disci- pline. The license was granted, but when it was handed to him, he felt he could not use it.

He was in constant dread of his wife's returning, for he believed he could do nothing with her. He was also in con- stant fear that the tongue of slander would break out upon him in regard to his family matters, and that the more cer- tainly if he began to preach. He used the license for a few times, and was urged to go upon a circuit as a supply. He consented to this for a short time, and though pressed to con- tinue, he refused. He also refused to accept of any com- pensation for his services. He not only shrank from the responsibilities of the sacred office, but also from the very name of a Christian minister, and pay for his services implied that. He finally gave up preaching altogether, and went to Cleveland, Ohio, for the winter.

CHAPTER X.

IN CLEVELAND, Mr. Retlficld engaged in his chosen profession — portrait painting. He gave in his letter to the church, and was enrolled as a local preacher. Now and then, he preached as called upon by the pastor, and during the fol- lowing winter assisted in a protracted meeting. His labors were owned of God in the conversion of souls.

By invitation he supplied the pulpit of the Seaman's Bethel one Sunday in the absence of the stated preacher. When the hour came he found the house full. He resolved to do his whole duty. While speaking against gambling, swearing, horse racing and drunkenness, one cried out from the congregation, "Do you mean me? Do you mean me?" He instantly replied, "If that is your case, I certainly mean you." When the services closed the deacon who had in- vited him to preach said to him, "That was a very sad mis- take, and you have done us a great wrong." And then, as if to spare his feelings, he excused the matter thus:

"Our minister, I don't think is quite right. He knows they will do these things of which you spoke, but he never reproves them, or speaks against such conduct, and they are all bound up in him. Sometimes I think he does not go far enough, but you went entirely too far. And besides this, many of these are rough sailors and they will not bear re- proof."

Shocked at this, Mr. Redfield turned away with a thank- ful heart that he was not more closely identified with such a state of things, and resolved that what work he did for the Lord should be faithfully done.

Soon after this his pastor asked him for his views on the slavery question. The answer was, "I am an abolitionist from head to foot."

"Then," asked lie, "would you be willing to give us a lect-

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AN ABOLITIONIST. 63

ure on the subject? Our hands are tied by a vote of the conference which forbids the preachers meddling with the question; yet the colonizationists make it a point to create all the prejudice against us they can, until some people think we are the vilest disorganizers in the land. I am not allowed to speak for the poor dumb slave under pain of conference penalties. And it does seem that those who dare should be permitted to speak the sentiments of the anti-slavery part of the church. There are a number of strong abolitionists in the city who would be glad to stand by any one who dares to take a firm stand; but they have not the courage to take a stand themselves unless some one takes the lead and meets the brunt of the opposition, which is sure to come, when an anti-slavery society is started."

Mr. Redfield promised the preacher to lecture, feeling glad that he had nothing too good to sacrifice in such a cause.

The appointment for the lecture was made. When the time came, a mob had collected, nailed up the doors of the building in which the lecture was to be given, and were wait- ing for the lecturer himself. He felt it was no compromise of right or conscience to avoid an infuriated mob, when by no possibility could he get a hearing.

His quiet retirement aroused the better element of society, who were not prepared to surrender the right of free speech in a free state to a mob. A demand was therefore made that the house be opened, and Mr. Redfield given an oppor- tunity to present the views of the abolitionists. The plea was made that the colonizationists had free opportunity to misrepresent the abolitionists, and it was no more than right that the latter have an opportunity to reply. Another ap- pointment was then made.

Before the time came round, Mr. Redfield had the opportunity to prepare himself more perfectly for the occa- sion. The opposition to the first meeting created a deeper

64 LIFE OF JOHN VV. REDFIEI.D.

and wider interest to hear him. It also aroused him to see more clearly the terrible sinfulness of the slavery feeling in this country, and to make the stronger effort against it.

Mr. Rcdfield's lecture gave a synopsis of the slave codes in each State; the attempts of humanitarians in these states to ameliorate the condition of the slaves; and the facts recited in the preambles of the bills presented in the different legis- latures for this purpose. These referred to the taking of the lives of slaves; robbing female slaves of their virtue; and the overworking and starving of field hands. He then called attention to the extent and the manner in which these laws were disobeyed, and the advantage that masters took of their legal powers. He read extracts from Southern papers to illustrate the foregoing, one of which was as follows:

"RAN AWAY FROM THE SUBSCRIBER.

"My slave, Sally, who, without doubt, is lurking about the plantation of Mr. - — , in Georgia, as I sold her hus- band to that gentleman about eighteen months ago. She has been very sullen ever since. She will try to pass herself off as a white woman, as she is very white and beautiful spoken, and very capable of putting on the airs of a white lady. Fearing she might run away I took the pains to mark her by knocking out two of her front teeth and branding her on the buttocks with the letter S. She is likewise much scarred with the whip on her neck and shoulders. Her legs are torn by the dogs, done in catching her fifteen months ago. Her left thumb has the mark of a rifle ball where I shot her be- fore she would surrender."

This was followed by recitals of cruelty, blood-curdling to read at the present day.

Mr. Rcdfield's audience was large and many present were members of the mob which gathered at the time of the other appointment. He observed before he was through that the opposition began to yield, and the mob spirit to quiet

FORMING AN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. 65

down. He had expected that an attack would be made upon him before he was through, but all remained quiet.

He finished the lecture with a picture in which the actors were reversed. The scene was in Algeria. The slaves were Americans. The same scenes were enacted as read from the Southern advertisements. He then appealed to their sense of justice and honor. He finished by representing himself as hazarding his reputation and life by pleading for those supposed Americans in Algeria, and asking his audience if now they thought him worthy of tar and feathers and other maltreatment. He waited for the mob to make a demon- stration, inviting them to do so if they thought it right, but all remained quiet. He then said: "If you think the cause is worthy of support, we will form an a^iti-slavery society." Nearly all present were then enrolled as members. This was the first organization of the kind made in the city.

Soon after the lecture and the organization of the society, he was called upon to put his principles in practice. Cleveland was a point on the under-ground railroad where many fugi- tives from slavery took their departure from the United States, where they were unsafe, to the Dominion of Canada where they would be safe. It was a criminal act, according to the law of the land, to harbor or assist a fugitive slave.

One Sunday evening he observed in the congregation at church a tall, straight, well-built and genteel appearing man, who, with hymn-book. in hand, took part in the worship. The hue of his skin and the wavy ringlets of his hair showed him to be one of the despised race which the law of the land and the unwritten creed of some of the churches had de-

•

clared had no rights that white men were bound to respect.

Shortly after night-fall the same manly form came to Mr. Redfield's lodgings, and in great agitation said: "O sir, save me! I am in great trouble! Will you help me?"

"I will, if I can," answered Mr. Redfield, "but tell me first what is the matter."

66 LII-K OF JOHN W. RKDKIEL.D.

O sir," said the stranger, "I am a slave. A large re- ward has been offered for me; and I learn that there is a man in the city looking for me to take me back into slavery."

"Come in," said Mr. Rcdfield, "and you will be perfectly safe. My windows are all shut, fastened and blinded, and I will fasten the door."

"But what if they break in?" the fugitive asked.

"I will do the best I can at all cost to defend you," replied Mr. Rcdfield; "sit down and tell me your story. Why did you run away? Were you badly treated?"

"Oh, no!" he answered. "In the first place, I belonged to a man who died some years ago. His widow married again, and before the legal heirs could put in their claim to their por- tion of the estate mv new master desired to sell me. Of all i*

this I knew nothing until one day while I was working in the tnnyard cleaning out a vat (I had been hired out to a tanner, for L was a tanner by trade,) shoveling out the old bark and singing a Methodist hymn as I worked, I thought I heard a voice saying, 'You are sold.' I straightened up and looked around, but saw no one. I went on with my work again, still singing a favorite hymn. The same voice came again, 'You are sold.' I sprang out of the vat and looked for the author of the dreadful sound, but in vain. I went to work again, determined to banish my fears. But the same voice said again, 'You are sold.' I looked again, and at a distance I saw my master in company with a stranger walking leisurely around the lanyard. I knew Ihen that voice was correct. The thought, I will be torn and forever separated from my wife and child, now rushed upon me, and with it a sense of the wrong about to be perpetrated on us. I instantly resolved: «I will die first.' I kept an eye out, and went on with my work. They gradually drew nearer and nearer until they stood at my back. As I lifted a shovelful of bark one of them asked, 'Shall I nol help you lifl il out?' Instinctively

A FUGITIVE'S SAD STORY. 67

I knew that this meant to tie my hands while I was holding them up. Blind to all consequences, and with the nerve of a madman, I sprang out of the vat and raised my shovel in self-defense. Instantly they both drew pistols, and bade me surrender or die. I cared not a fig for death, I was so aroused by the sense of the wrong they were doing me. But the thought came, *It is no use to contend ; they have the law on their side and can do what they please with me. I must sub- mit like my Saviour. I must resist not, but endure for his sake.' It was my conscience and not my fear that subdued me. It told me to look to the future and to God for the settlement of my troubles. I then let them tie my hands behind me with a long rope. They then gave a loud whistle which was answered by a man coming to us, to whom they gave me in charge. He took hold of the rope and commanded me to walk on. He took me to a place by the roadside where there were about fifty more slaves, tied together, pre- paratory to being taken down the river to be sold again. When we had got away from the two men I asked the one who had me in charge to let me go and see my wife and child before I was separated from them forever.

"'No,' said he, with a terrible oath, 'you shall not. Your

wife would make a fuss, and you will feel a great deal

worse. You had better make up your mind never to see them again.'

"Oh, I was so heavy with grief that my feet seemed to slump into the ground at every step. Suddenly, with all my might I gave a wrench to the rope, and so loosed my hands, and, being much stronger than he, I pulled him right up to me, and then said, 'I shall go and see my family be- fore we are parted forever.' When he saw I had him in my power, with another oath, he said, 'Well, you may go, but it will be the worse for you.' "

While thus narrating his story, this noble specimen of man would falter, choke, and struggle with the grief which

68 LIFE OF JOHN W. RHDHEI.D.

was yet rending his heart. Then again he would nerve him- self to continue the narration.

"Finally," said he, "we reached the cabin of my family, and as soon as my wife saw me, with a shriek she fell upon the floor, and my poor heart seemed to break worse than before. As I was compelled to hasten, I picked up a few articles of clothing, tied them up in a bundle, and kissed my wife and boy for the last time. Oh! how my brain reeled as I turned to leave them, forever. I felt that sense of my feet sinking into the earth again, at every step, as I walked away. I was now hurried back to the coffle of slaves, and was soon bound by one of my wrists to the chain, which ran the whole length of the gang. The driver being in a hurry urged us on, to the top of our speed. My rough old shoes that I wore in the tannery soon so galled my feet that the blood ran out at every step. We reached the river that night and were taken into a tavern at the landing. We were all put up in the garret, which was made like a jail, with grated windows, for the accommodation of slave-traders.

" Soon the whole gang were asleep. Some cried them- selves to sleep, some were sullen and apparently careless as to what became of them, for the last tie had been broken and the last hope had fled. Others were so gross and stupid that they fell asleep from want of energy and life to keep them awake; like beasts when out of reach of the hish, they were at rest. It was raining hard without, and the patter upon the roof and the splashing upon the ground, made it difficult to hear other sounds. When I thought all were sound asleep, I walked carefully around the room. I put my hand upon a rope, which I found to be a clothes-line, for the family used the garret to dry clothes in when not in other use. I went to a window, and with an old jack-knife which I had to use about the lanyard, I dug out of the wall one end of an iron bar, and that made a place just large enough for me to squeeze through. I then fastened one end of the clothes-

A WONDERFUL ESCAPE. 69

line to another bar, threw out my little bundle of clothing, carefully climbed out, and ventured my weight upon that frail rope. I heard one of the strands break, and expected to fall to the ground the next moment; but it held me until I reached the end. I had not reached the ground by a num- ber of feet, when, as I hung there, I saw a door open and some one passing in. For a moment all my fears were aroused, thinking I was discovered. But they did not see me in the darkness, and I only saw them by the light of the open door. The rain was still pouring down. I now let go my hold and dropped to the ground. I carefully felt around until I found my bundle, and then made my way to a stream of water near by, and waded it a long distance, that the hounds might be unable to follow me. The stream led me in the direction from whence I came. I followed it until about daybreak, and then hid in the woods until night, when I started again for home. The succeeding morning I came in sight of my little home again. From fear of frightening my dear wife, and arousing some slaves who slept in part of the cabin, 1 went cautiously to a little window, and in a low tone of voice, called:

"'Liza!'

" With a scream she cried out, 'O my God ! that's my Thomas! O Thomas! Thomas! the patrol will kill you!'

" I said, 'Hush! Liza, keep still, and we will manage some way.'

" I went into the cabin and climbed up into the little gar- ret through a hole over a door between the two rooms. My wife put up a box on to the door casing to hide a part of the hole through which I had passed. When it was fairly daylight, the patrol, who had heard of my escape, came to the cabin and asked Liza if I had got back. She answered, 'No! I have not seen him since he left with the slave- trader.' This was literally true, for it was dark when I came.

70 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

44 The patrol kept such a close watch that I dared not go out anywhere. So I concluded to change my place of con- cealment, and started in the night for my mother's, some four miles away, where she was owned. Lest I should startle her, I went to her window, and in a low voice, asked, 4 Aunt, is uncle at home?' She knew .my voice, and knew I had run away, and that the patrol was after me. She cried out, 'Oh! it is my poor boy, Tommy! O Tommy! Tommy! the patrol will kill you!' She let me into the cabin, and we took up a board of the floor, and I laid down on the ground, and she put the board back again. Here I could stay until the patrol would pass on to the next beat, and then I would come out and stretch myself.

44 My wife's and mother's cabins were watched closely. I changed my hiding place from under the floor to the garret, which was reached by a ladder. As my mother could have my boy with her without suspicion, I had the mournful con- solation of caressing him often.

44 1 resolved at last that I would come North as soon as I could with safety; but so closely was I watched, that I was compelled to hide under the floor and in the garret, at mother's, for thirteen months. By this time I was so com- pletely bleached out, and my skin was so fair, that after mother got me some women's clothes, I was able boldly to take the stage as a white woman and make my escape with- out detection. When I had reached a section where I was not known, I got out and went into the woods and put on my men's clothing. I then traveled nights and slept day- times until I reached a free state. I lived on corn, fruits and such other things as I could help myself to. After a long time I found myself in this state.

"I now felt so badly about my wife and child that at last I ventured to get a white man to write to my master for me, that if he would allow me to live with my family I would go back and give him my labors for the rest of my life. He

HIDING FROM THE PATROL. 71

wrote me in reply that he would have me any way and he would do as he pleased. When this hope failed I resolved to go myself and by some means bring my wife and child away. So I turned my face toward the land of bondage again. I traveled nights and slept daytimes in the woods, until I came in sight once more of my little cabin. When I got inside I found my little one was dead and buried. My heart was nearly broken again. With my wife I started again for the land of freedom. We passed the patrol and entered the woods. It was night; but my poor wife had be- come so nervous and broken by the long struggle with her wrongs that the least unusual sound or the breaking of a twig would cause her to cry out, 'The patrol is coming! the patrol is coming!' I carried her in my arms until I saw I must give up the effort, as her fears would be our betrayal, and we should both be taken back to bondage. I was obliged to let her return, while I turned my steps toward the North again. And now they have got track of me, and are in the city after me."

Mr. Redfield had the privilege of learning that this suf- fering man landed safely in Canada, where colored people had equal rights with white people. He knew he was making himself liable to church proscription by aiding such suffering followers of Jesus, but he told the authorities that he should stand for God and humanity. The laws of the state would have sent him to the state's prison for ten years, and made him pay a fine of five hundred dollars for sheltering and aid- ing that poor man if his offense had been known ; but to use his own words, "What had I to do with protecting my own freedom and rights when there stood my suffering Jesus in the person of this poor outcast. I seemed to hear his voice ringing in my ears, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me.' Yes> and I would have done it again if I had known that I cer-

72 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

tainly would have had to suffer both the imprisonment and the fine."

Mr. Redfield lived during the period of the great anti- slavery conflict in this country. All the different phases of it passed before him. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member, and within whose pale he performed nearly all his ministerial labor, and which he loved as he loved his life, he saw hesitate and cringe before the slave power, and at last become an agent of persecution against such as could not refrain from lifting up their voices against the gigantic wrong. His sensitive soul listened with horror to the accounts of proscription against such men as Orange Scott, Cyrus Prindle, Luther Lee and others of its most de- voted ministers. He lived to see a combination formed in the General conference of that body, in 1860,* that prevented the redressing of the grievances that resulted in the organi- zation of the Free Methodist Church, and that also prevented the change of the -general rule on slavery until 1864, when there were no more slaves within the bounds of the United States.

He did not live to see that change of the rule. If he had, the act coming at such a time, would have appeared so ungracious to him that it could have afforded him no pleasure. If he had lived several quadrennials longer, he might have been gratified by witnessing the adoption of a resolution by the General conference of that body, removing a censure passed upon Orange Scott, by the General conference of 1836, for taking part in an anti-slavery meeting in the city of Cin- cinnati, during the session of that conference. Orange Scott had passed into the eternal world, however, long before this relief to his memory.

It is hardly possible for the present generation, though little more than a quarter of a century has since passed by, to conceive of a state of society in this country such as has

•Rev. William Hoemer, in the "No*hern Independent," editorial.

THE PICTURE NOT OVERDRAWN. 73

•

been illustrated in this chapter; but many there are who have outlived the generation in which these cruelties were perpe- trated, and who, vividly recalling those exciting times, will testify that the picture is in no wise overdrawn.

CHAPTER XI.

MR. RKDFIELD had now passed one winter in active serv- ice for God and humanity. Many had been converted, an efficient anti-slavery society had been organized, and nearly fifty fugitives from bondage had been assisted in their efforts to reach Canada. He now determined to return to Lock- port, N. Y., the scene of some of his severest conflicts, and where he consented to accept a license to preach the gospel. On his return, he was urged to take the place of a preacher who had made himself unacceptable by his anti-slavery views. He accepted the position, but soon was equally as unaccep- table as his predecessor, and for the same reason. He gave up the charge and returned to his bachelor's quarters. He now despaired of doing his duty acceptably to God, and satisfactorily to himself. The summer was spent in study- ing- into the works and ways of God as seen in nature. He gave up the idea of going into the work as a traveling preacher. He thought to content himself with preaching occasionally, but giving his time mainly to business. When he did preach he refused to receive pay for his services The hand of disease had fastened upon him, but still he endeavored to keep his conscience free from condemnation, by visiting and praying with the people, and exhorting sinners to seek Christ. In this he saw some success, but so little was he satisfied with his labors, that he was in great distress of mind.

He was under conviction for and began to seek the ex- perience of entire sanctification.

He says: "I thought that experience would empower me to do my duties with greater success and satisfaction. , In my ignorance of the true way, I wept and mourned before God, and wished to meet with some one who could instruct me. I finally became desperate, and resolved to make a busi- ness of seeking it. I began with a day of fasting and prayer. This was followed with a watch-night. I resolved never to

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SEEKING ENTIRE SATISFACTION. 75

close my eyes or leave my knees until I could claim the bless- ing ; but nature sank under the burden, and I fell to the floor and went to sleep. When morning came, I awoke to find myself exhausted and on the floor. When I remembered the vows and resolutions I had made the night before, and how poorly I had kept my promise, I blamed myself for faithlessness, and in tears asked God if I must live another day in this condition. Can I be no more like thee than this? I could say from the depths of my heart:

'"'Tis worse than death my God to love, And not my God alone.'

" Again I fasted and kept watch-night. I resolved not to move until I either died or gained the great pearl; but being still more exhausted, I again sank to the floor and went to sleep, and awoke the next morning to upbraid myself for my broken vows. All these struggles only proved to me how useless were human plans and will-power to gain what I afterward learned must be obtained by faith alone. By the Holy Spirit I was led to make a thorough search of self and find to what extent my will was in harmony with God's will. Now my mind was brought to face the great ques- tion with me. I said to myself, how can I think of preach- ing after my troubles with that unfortunate being who has blasted every hope of my life! I cannot attempt to regulate public opinion by a narration of my sorrows! I shall be misunderstood, and my misfortune will be the foundation of a large amount of slander, which will hedge up my way. 'No, Lord,' I said, 'I cannot go. I might once have gone without impediment, but that day has passed forever. I will do the best I can in a private way, but to devote myself to the work of the ministry is impossible until I have an honor- able discharge from the woman who has embittered my life.'

"I now resolved to spend my time in active service for the Lord, but in a private way. I commenced visiting the sick, praying with them, and pointing them to the Lamb of

76 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

God. I went to see a young man who was very sick, and who had been given up by the counseling physicians, who had just left him. While at prayer for him an impression came upon me that the young man would not die, and I in- stantly gave utterance to it. I then arose, and taking him by the hand, said to him, 'You will not die. Now give your heart to God and live for him.' This he promised to do, and I left the house. Two or three brethren who were present and heard me make this declaration were distressed at it, for fear of the consequences in case it should not prove true. I felt the same, nor was I relieved until a short time after when I saw the young man walking the street in comparatively good health.

"Soon after this I was asked to visit another man who had been given up to die by his physician, who said he could not live through the night. The man insisted that I should be called, and declared he would take no medicine from any hand but mine, or by my direction. He had heard of the case just narrated, and as soon as I approached his bed he said to me, * Don't pray for me to get well, I prefer to die.' But the impression came to me, and I said to him, 'I can pray in no other way, for you will certainly get well.' The sequel justified this prediction, for he did get well.

" I was called upon by a class-leader to visit a member of his class, then apparently dying with the consumption. It was a cold night in March. We found the windows and doors open to give her air. The physician had just left, after declaring that she was dying. While I was praying with her, as in the other cases, the impression came that she would recover. It came this time in such power that it was with difficulty that I could repress the utterance of it. On leaving the house I said to the leader what I thought. To this he answered, * It is a good thing you did not say so, for she is certainly dying. If you had said what you felt, the cause of religion would have been greatly injured.' To the astonish-

INSTANCES AND IMPRESSIONS. 77

ment of all she was able to walk the streets in a very few weeks, and lived for a long time after.

"Another instance, but with a different result, occurred soon after. One of the class-leaders was taken sick, and to all appearance the sickness was unto death; but the sugges- tion came to me with great power that the prayer of faith would save the sick. The leader was a man of great value to the church, and I felt that he could not be spared. I shut myself up in my room, determined if possible to prevail with God to raise him up to health. I continued in prayer until the same impression came with a slight shade of difference, that the leader would live, and not die. But that slight dif- ference in the impression made me hesitate to declare that the sick man would recover. Soon after the man died."

These instances made a profound impression upon Mr. Redfield, and led him to do some very careful thinking upon the general subject. He says, " I then saw that none of these cases were restored by faith. In the first three the result was intuitively perceived as a coming fact. In the last the im- pression was on the imagination, prompted by strong desire. This experience has been of great benefit to me since then, as a guage by which to test the strong impressions, and to distinguish between faith, fancy, and intuition."

It is difficult to account for these peculiar manifestations and successes upon any other ground than that the Lord was preparing him for future usefulness by the study which these facts induced. He was still bent on compromising the mat- ter of his call if he could. He resolved to pay the preachers more; he denied himself all luxuries of the table, and lived for a season on roast potatoes cooked by his own hand that he might give more.

In the midst of this two young men came to his apart- ments, and the three bound themselves together to pray for a revival of religion. One night when they were engaged in prayer the village band met in the adjoining room for

78 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

practice. They each prayed that the music might be stopped, and held on until each felt that he had received an answer. Soon the music stopped, and they heard the members of the band pass down the stairs from the room. This encouraged them to ask for greater things. They held on until they each received an answer that God would revive his work in the place. The next day they learned that several members of the band were awakened the evening before and had been inquiring the way of salvation. Soon after the minister commenced a protracted meeting, and before it closed about two hundred professed conversion. Mr. Redfield now had his hands and heart full, in laboring in prayer meetings, and in personal effort with souls. He tried to think that he would not have to preach if he proved faithful in this manner.

He became much concerned for the gentleman with whom he boarded before he went into bachelor's hall. He was an infidel Sabbath breaker. Mr. Redfield had often rec- ommended religion to him in a general way, but now he felt that he had not been sufficiently in earnest about it. He resolved to do his whole duty at all hazards. The man came into Mr. Redfield's room one day, and he took him by the hand and said, "I have tried to recommend religion to you by my life and gentleness, but I see and feel I have never done my duty to you as I ought, and now I will never let go of your hand, nor let you go, until you cither repulse me or give your heart to God." With deep emotion he said, "The last obstacle is now removed. I was a disbeliever in religion until I became acquainted with you. 1 have watched you, and could find but one fault in you, and that was, if you really felt friendly to me as you seemed to, I could not see how you could believe my soul in danger and not compel me to seek religion. But this removes that ob- stacle. Now," said he, with tears in his eyes, "take me to some of your prayer meetings."

"There was another gentleman," says Mr. Redfield, "an

PERSONAL WORK WITH FRIENDS. 79

acquaintance and friend, whom I had often tried to lead to Christ, but who, with his wife, still remained impenitent, and whom I now resolved to visit and talk and pray with. I sent word to them that I would come at a certain time, and that my object was to talk with them on the subject of their soul's salvation. When the time arrived I went to their home and found it closed against me. To all appearances they were not at home. Again I appointed a time, and and again I found the house shut against me. After this the gentleman came to my apartments one day, and I stepped to the door and locked it, and said, 'I will never let you leave this room until you promise to seek salvation, or utterly re- fuse me.' To this he answered, 'I appreciate your motives, but if it has come to this I must tell you distinctly, I shall not make you any. such promise.' 'Very well, Lyman, an impression comes to me that God will now visit you with judgments.' Shortly after this I was called to go to his house to see his dying wife. The violence of her disease ended in mortification while she was yet living, and had now reached its crisis. When I reached the house groups of neighbors were standing here and there talking in low tones, and whose manner indicated that the subject was more than ordinarily distressing. I passed them, approached the door, opened it, and in the first room sat others in melancholy mood. They were talking in the same manner as those out- side. Now and then a cry of agony came through the closed doors of the sufferer's room. The door opened, and the eyes of the dying woman met mine. Hers flashed with a gleam never to be forgotten.

"She cried out, 'Oh! why did you not come before?'

"I drew near -her and replied, 'I have tried, but you closed your door against me.'

" ' Well, then pray for me now,' she said.

" I knelt and tried to pray, but it was in vain ; I could not get hold. She called upon her attendants to remove her

8o LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

to another room. This was done by moving the cot on which she lay. When they set her down she raised her mortifying arms toward heaven and uttered the mournful cry, 'O God! for a few hours to get ready for this awful change.' Her arms fell and she ceased to breathe. I then approached her distracted husband, and asked, * Lyman, will you now yield to God?'

"He answered, 'I cannot now as well as I could before.'

"I replied, 'Then God will come again.'

" In a very few days one of his children was called to pass away suddenly. I was called again to visit the house of mourning. The father was convulsed with grief. On be- ing approached and asked, 'Has God done enough? Will you now yield ? ' he answered as before. I then said, ' Well, God will come once more.'

"In a few days I was called to visit Lyman himself. He appeared to be rapidly passing into eternity. He now seemed to have given up the controversy and professed to have yielded his heart to God. Still a doubt hung over the case that eternity alone can clear up."

CHAPTER XII.

MR. REDFIELD was now conscious that disease had fast- ened its grasp upon his own frame. To all appearances he was rapidly sinking under that fell disease, consumption. All remedies seemed to fail. He had but one hope left, and that was to escape the rigors of winter by going to one of the Southern states. A few remedies that he still thought of using were packed with his clothing and books, and with a limited purse, he started for New York city to take a steamer for the South. On arriving at the city, and while waiting for the day of the steamer's departure, he met an old friend, who insisted upon his stopping with him during the winter. It was urged that there would be sudden changes of weather in the South that would seriously affect him; that he might have a room at the home of this friend, where he could regulate the temperature as he pleased, and he need not go out until spring. He finally accepted the kind offer, and soon went into most favor- able winter quarters.

Here he wasted fast with hectic and cough. He was soon so weak and emaciated, that he was obliged to lie upon the bed most of the time. His room was opposite a Methodist Episcopal church, with a public cemetery and vault in the rear. Every day, and sometimes twice and thrice a day, funeral processions would pass in and leave the bodies of de- parted ones. In his morbid state of feeling these scenes had a strange fascination for him, and he would gaze upon them and think, " Thus it will be soon with me."

On bright and pleasant Sunday mornings he would wrap himself and cross over to the church and listen to the ser- mon. He did not give in his church letter, for that stated that he was a local preacher, and he might be called upon to preach. His disease gained rapidly and soon it was doubtful whether he would live to see the coming summer. His mar-

181)

82 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

vclous imagination would picture to him scenes of decay, as he looked upon his colorless and emaciated hands and his conscience goaded and upbraided him because of neglected duty. lie often would ask himself, "What can I do to soften this terrible punishment, or to appease this God who has borne with me so long?" His room often resounded with his sobs and crying. He appeared to himself to be too far gone with disease to be ever able to perform the duty that lay so heavily upon him; yet to die, he felt he could not, he dare not. These struggles of mind would bring on prof use sweat- ing, and that would be followed with chills, and all seemed to aggravate and hasten the work of disease. Yet he was powerless to shake off these thoughts and feelings.

One day his mind recurred to the fact that four times he had been raised from the borders of the grave, as he thought, that he might preach the gospel, and weak as he was, he im- mediately knelt and pleaded with God for his life. Days went by in which he spent much of his time in this manner, but all seemed in vain. At last, despairing of help in any other way, he vowed again to do the work God had called him to do. He spent the most of one night in prayer, weeping, promising and pleading. About three o'clock in the morning the answer came, clear and distinct, "You may live while you preach, but no longer."

From that hour, as we shall see, that declaration was the inspiration of his life. Many times, when heart and hope had failed, that assurance nerved him to go forward in the conflict. He says, "This single sentence has kept me moving for more than twenty years at my own expense to toil in the face of all opposition, and hold my tongue and let God who sent me settle up all in the final day of reckoning."

On the Friday evening after receiving this answer to his prayer, he was able, by carefully wrapping himself, to attend a love-feast in the church across the way. He went design- ing to present his letter. He had been seated but a short

AGAIN FORCED TO PREACH. 83

time when the minister came and spoke to him ; and, though they were strangers, asked, "Have you a preacher's license?"

Mr. Redfield answered, "I have."

"Well, you must preach for me in this church next Sun- day morning," said the pastor.

"But, sir, you must excuse me," rejoined Mr. Redfield.

The minister would not excuse him, and Mr. Redfield found himself in trouble again. All his old questionings arose once more. Some of his wife's relatives lived in the city, and they might make him trouble. Still there was his promise made to God, and the answer, "You may live while you preach, but no longer." At last he answered, "I will try." Yet he secretly hoped that he might make so bad a failure of it that he would never be called upon again. If anything could happen to cause this, for which he would not be responsible, and the cause of God not be injured by it, he felt he would be thankful. He had yet to learn that the callings of God are without repentance.

Saturday morning came, and with it the thought that he must try and preach on the morrow. He was in a tremor accompanied by alternate sweats and chills all day. He begged of God to be released. Thus the day was passed. The night came on, with no alleviation to his feelings. In speaking of it, he says, " I have often thought I could ap- preciate the feelings of a man about to be executed; how the very hours were given tongues to distress his spirit with their suggestions. I went to bed, but not to sleep. Occa- sionally I would begin to lose rmyself, when it would seem to be screamed in my ear, 'Preach to-morrow,' and I would spring up in the bed, and the cold sweat would start all over me. Thus the long night passed by."

Daylight brought him no relief. Sunrise succeeded the dawn, and in due time the church bells began to ring. He looked out upon the street and saw the people gathering in large numbers to the church. All seemed to conspire to

84 LIFE QF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

make him as miserable as possible. The moment came for him to walk over to the church. He started, but with his heart crying out, " I cannot." Again the Voice said, "Live while you preach." He reached the pulpit, in great distrac- tion of mind, and made some mortifying blunders. He arose to give out a hymn, but was too weak to hold up the book. He clung to the desk to keep from falling, and had to sit while the congregation sang. The prayer over, the lesson read, and another hymn sung, he arose to announce his text. An unearthly power seemed to sustain him; he had volume of voice, readiness of thought, and freedom of utterance. He concluded, but was ashamed of himself and his effort, and thought, "This will put an end to invitations to preach." To his surprise, however, the preacher said to him, "You must preach again," naming the evening when his services would be expected. Mr. Redfield pleaded to be excused, but the minister was unyielding. Said he, "If you refuse, I must lay my commands upon you." Had it not been for falling into the hands of such a man, it is quite probable that the church would never have been stirred by the mighty eloquence of Dr. Redfield.

On Friday evening, he was again at church. The minis- ter said to him, "You must preach Sunday night." Again his soul was on the rack. Saturday night was spent in pray- er. If he must preach, he must have a text and subject. About two o'clock Sunday morning the answer came; but with it, another of his strange impressions. The substance of it was this: "I will be with* you in awful power; but you must open the service with the declaration that this night there will be such a display of divine power as they have never witnessed; and further, that eternity will reveal the fact that the probation of one soul in the congregation ends this night, so that it is salvation for that person now or never." He well knew that no one who would be present could sym- pathize with him in making such a statement; that it would

"THE CHEAT NIGHT." 85

probably shock the church, and if it proved a failure, be dis- astrous to the cause of Christ. He prayed to be relieved from such a duty; and was instantly thrown into great dark- ness and distress of mind. His text and subject seemed all confusion, as well as his own relation to Christ. This he could not endure. He now pleaded with God to show him what he would have him do, and promised to yield all his objections to the divine will. Then the answer came again as before. Again he shrank from taking a position that seemed so full of presumption ; but only to be instantly over- whelmed in darkness, and distress of soul. He finally prom- ised to obey.

He went to the Sunday morning service. The noted Dr. Luckey preached. When the congregation rose to sing the first hymn, the thought came home to him with great power, the doom of one soul will be eternally fixed to-night. Such was the intensity of his feelings he had to sit down, and hold his hand over his mouth to keep from screaming aloud. The natural impropriety of making such a declaration as he felt he must make to please God, made his entire nature shrink from the purpose of doing it. Thus he alternated be- tween the resolve to do so, and drawing back from it through

the entire day. In the afternoon Dr. P preached.

The work of the evening was to fall upon him. These great preachers occupying the same pulpit, both the same day, did not make his cross lighter.

At the appointed hour he walked over to the church. The house, a large one, was densely packed with people, gallery, standing-room, vestibule and all. At the last moment he made up his mind to venture all, and leave the results with God. At the proper time in a firm, clear voice, he said, "You may prepare for the greatest display of God's power that you have ever witnessed in this church; besides there is one soul here whose probation ends to-night, forever. With that soul it is salvation this night or never. I may not be able to prove 8

86 LIFE OF JOHN W. REDFIELD.

this true, but that soul will tell me in the judgment that this Sunday night, in the year of our Lord 1841, was the last of its probation." As soon as he had uttered these words he was perfectly relieved. The members were shocked, and so great were their fears, as they afterwards confessed, that they prayed God to overrule his presumption.

He then gave out his text and began to preach. An awful sense of the divine presence pervaded the congrega- tion. To use his own words, "An unearthly power so lifted me up that it seemed to me that my feet only touched the earth, while my whole head, heart and body were above the skies and in heaven. The thrills of heavenly power which I then felt I can never describe. It was a power given me for the occasion, and it seemed to me that it could move a nation, or shake a world."

He had not finished his sermon when, without an invitation, the congregation arose and many flocked to the altar, screaming for mercy. When all the space around and within the altar was crowded with seekers, the preacher in charge asked all in the house who desired to become Chris- tians to arise, when it was thought that five hundred more arose for prayers. The number afterward converted justi- fied that estimate. For many years that night was commonly referred to as '''-the great night"

About a month after this an old class-leader asked Mr. Redficld if he remembered making the statement on "the great night" that the probation of one soul would end that night. On being answered in the affirmative, he went on to say that a lady converted that night, and who afterwards joined his class, had told him that six weeks previous she dreamed three times during one night that in just six weeks her probation would end. That night the six weeks were ended and she was happily converted.

Though this incident is given by Mr. Redfield himself in this connection, it is not designed to teach that probation

PREACHING IN NEW YORK. 87

ends with conversion. He was the furtherest from teach- ing any such doctrine, as his experience herein would show. The account is related because of the remarkable coinci- dence in the events described.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE great awakening with which the last chapter con- cluded continued without interruption for fourteen months. Mr. Redfield was invited to preach in different churches in New York. His health rapidly improved, and he consci- entiously used it for God's glory. Many remarkable inci- dents occurred during these labors. Great manifestations of divine power often attended his ministry. Persons under conviction would sometimes fly from the house to avoid yielding to Christ, and afterwards be found lying upon the walks, helpless. At first, the policemen would take them to the station house, and lay them side and side upon the floor, and watch them until they "came to." The first night this occurred it created no little excitement. Quite a number had thus been gathered in, and a large crowd stood around the door wondering what it meant. While they were gazing and commenting, and endeavoring to account for the strange phenomena, the head of one of the prostrate ones raised, and a shout of "Glory to God!" came from his lips. Then, an- other, and another, and another, did likewise, until all of them were at it at once. The station was made to resound with unaccustomed noise — the praises of God instead of curs- ing and blasphemy. When it was discovered that such per- sons were neither harmed nor harmful, the officers ceased to take them to the station, but watched them where they fell, until they "came to" and were able to care for themselves.

Singularly, this timid, shrinking man, who dreaded the responsibilities of the Christian ministry so much, was provi- dentially thrown into the great metropolis of the nation to commence his work; where the people, gathered in such masses, made the responsibility so much the gi eater.

In the midst of this great victory, Mr. Redfield was not without temptation. His clear perceptions of what was meet

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GOADED BY TEMPTATION. 89

and right, sharpened by his struggles with unbelief, the rough handlings of providence, and the rougher handling of his fellow-men, made him feel intensely his weakness and his dependence upon God. Above all, the constant dread of his wife making an evil use of the facts of his family life, and of evil-disposed persons making a worse use of what they did not understand, kept him in the dust at the foot of the cross. Now and then he seems to have had a glimpse of the benefit God was making these things to him, but gener- ally this fact was hid from his mind. His greatest fear was concerning the harm they might work to the cause of Christ. He resolved to say nothing about his matters, except when asked, and then to be perfectly frank with all who sought for information. But he soon learned that a story once out was likely to grow into untruthful details. At last he came to the conclusion that this was to be his "thorn", and his best way was to bear it in silence and alone.

He now instinctively turned toward the mercy-seat, and asked for greater grace to meet his great responsibilities. To fit himself especially for the work before him, he once more began to seek the experience of holiness. The next chap- ter relates this experience in his own words.

CHAPTER XIV.

MR. REDFIELD relates his experience in the matter of seeking holiness