About this time Universalism began to attract public attention in Western New York. As usual, the old established sects waged an unrelenting war against it, and persecuted its followers. One winter where young Peebles was teaching school, notice was given that Rev. N. Doolittle (Universalist) would preach in that locality the next Sunday. If interest be wanting, curiosity may bring us. Always defending the persecuted party, he resolved to attend. When Mr. Doolittle rose to speak, our "infidel" noticed a becoming modesty and sincerity in his countenance, which charmed him to strict attention. The text was, "The Lord is good unto all, and his tender mercies are over all his works." The delivery was easy, the style poetic, the inspiration fervent. The purpose was to show the harmony of the God of nature with the God of the Bible, when interpreted in the light of reason. It made a happy impression; a ray penetrated the inner darkness; a more charitable spirit sprung up in his heart. He now read the Bible with candor; read "Ballou on the Atonement," and other Universalist works, and. within a year, became a convert to the "new faith." This time he was drawn by what both reason and religious sentiment could accept as truth. In those days the Universalist denomination contained some able and persuasive speakers. The orthodox considered them heretics and infidels. James availed himself of all the meetings and Universalist conventions that came within his reach, and often thought he would like to take a hand in demolishing old ecclesiastical dogmas and theological errors. On one occasion Mr. Doolittle left his desk, came direct to young Peebles's seat, took him by the hand, and looking deep into his soul, said: "My young friend, you have a fine forehead; you should make your mark in the world; you have an important work to do." This speech sank deeply into the young man's heart, and kindled the fires of inspiration and ambition. He now resolved to prepare himself for a public career. When the soil is once properly prepared, it is truly wonderful how a single sentence dropped from a sage of wisdom will kindle aspiration and become a source of inspiration for the execution of a life-long work. All life is from within. God creates from spiritual centers. That speech touched the inner fountains of this youth, and the living waters came forth to gladden human lives and restore hope in the breasts of the sorrowing. Scholarship now became James's immediate aim - a means to an end. Teaching a high school at Upper Lisle, N. Y., he was flushed with hope and courage. For several successive spring, summer, and fall terms he was a close student at Oxford Academy, N. Y. By persistent application to books, while yet teaching, he kept along with his classmates, who were not compelled to provide for their own physical needs. Here, though poor, boarding himself, he studied the higher English branches, Latin, and Greek. Charmed with classics, he secretly resolved that some day he would visit those far-off lands of art and heroism. Nor should it be omitted to mention that through all these early years young Peebles included medicine among his studies, commencing with the well-known Dr. O. Martin, of New Braintree, Mass., and keeping this up with his other studies. Subsequently he attended the prescribed courses of medical lectures, and graduated from the Philadelphia (Pa.) University of Medicine and Surgery. A Universalist church was established in Oxford, over which the Rev. Mr. Goodrich presided. James was a constant attendant upon his ministrations. At last his parents became identified with the rising Star of Universalism, and added greatly to his enthusiasm. He frequently walked ten or fifteen miles to a Universalist meeting, esteeming it as a delight. He was often ridiculed and upbraided by pleasure-seeking young men, who would have been glad to have him join them in their night revels their drinking, smoking, and fast lives; but he had neither time nor inclination for these. He was not living alone for the present, but working toward an ulterior end. Where are those "Young Americans" now? Dissipation sapped their young manhood, and at the end of their days, one word will sum up their life-work Failure!" The few who are left linger in obscurity; but the student, James, frailer in constitution, by a life of temperance, industry, and with a high life-purpose to work out, became confirmed in health, and has devoted a vigorous prime to useful labors for the benefit of mankind. Our inspired Belle Bush fortells the harvest: 66 Sow ye on earth the blessed seeds, That, springing up and whitening in the field, Of fruits for human needs; And men will bless you for those golden seeds, "When Life came to this man with gifts, holding in the one hand Freedom, in the other Love, and said, 'Choose!' he waited long, but at last said, 'Freedom.' And Life said, 'Thou hast well chosen. If thou hadst said "Love," I would have given thee that thou didst ask for; and I would have gone from thee and returned no more. Now, the day will come when I shall return. In that day I shall bear both gifts in one hand.'"- Olive Shreiner. About this time he had occasion to play the part of the lawyer. Two lads were arrested for disturbing a revival meeting. James volunteered their defense, partly because the boys were orphans; partly too, because from past experience he did not feel very friendly toward revivals. Addressing the court, he said, "These boys are orphans, deprived of parental counsel. They are not naturally bad. They have good hearts. They were thoughtless rather than malicious. This is their first offense. Justice may condemn, but mercy and forgiveness are more beautiful; for we are commanded to forgive even seventy times seven to save a brother." The plea was effective. After reprimanding, the justice. dismissed the boys, who felt a lasting gratitude to the young attorney for the valuable services he had rendered. In the summer of 1841, a student came to the Oxford Academy, between whom and young Peebles a lasting friendship sprung up. His name was J. H. Harter. Being poorly dressed and having a Germanic accent, the students made fun of him. But he, too, was seeking an education as a means to an end, and came only with such equipments as he was able to command. His clothes were dusty and seedy. James gave the young student his hearty sympathy and encouragement, introducing him to his school-fellows. He made rapid progress with his studies. This young man possessed an inexhaustible fountain of tact, wit, and humor, which subsequently became his most effective weapon in public life. Through James's influence young Harter became interested in Universalism, and later became an efficient minister in that denomination. As Mr. Harter says in a letter touching their friendship: “We roomed together, studied together, slept together, prayed together, wept together, worked together in reforms." Revs. J. B. Gilman and J. J. Austin were associated students at Oxford during these years of studious application. Later young Harter attended the Clinton Liberal Institute, and finally entered the Universalist ministry, serving with marked ability. His ready wit always made him a welcome guest in social circles. He became interested in Spiritual Philosophy soon after the Rochester knockings startled the world, and thereafter largely spiced his sermons with the gospel of angel ministry, for which he suffered much persecution by his sect. Many Universalists are consummate bigots. Though they reject the dogma of an endless hell, some of them carry about a little pocket hell to persecute those more liberal than themselves. About 1869 he resigned his Letter of Fellowship and became a free man. In a letter to J. O. Barrett concerning those school days, there is contained an affectionate testimonial of his early and lasting friendship with Mr. Peebles: 66 Rev. J. O. Barrett. "AUBURN, N. Y., April 8, 1870. 'DEAR BROTHER: I first made the acquaintance of Mr. Peebles in the summer of 1842, when we were both students in the Oxford Academy at Oxford, Chenango Co., N. Y. "We soon became warm friends, and have been so from that time to the present, and, without doubt, will so remain throughout the endless ages of eternity. During an intimate acquaintance of nearly thirty years there has never anything arisen to darken or stain the bright chain of friendship that has bound us together. We have both passed through bitter and severe trials, but have been mutual aids to each other. He is one of the most genial, companionable, and conscientious men I ever knew; strictly honest and upright; and, to be fully appreciated, he is to be fully known. "He was popular as a man and a minister, when among the Universalists, as our papers and periodicals abundantly show. I hope he may long remain on earth to benefit and bless mankind. Many years subsequently 1879- these two friends met. in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Peebles had recently returned from his second voyage around the world. They were both lecturing in Cleveland, and both had rooms at the house where the writer was stopping. The dark shadow of poverty had settled heavily upon Mr. Harter. He was then identified with a church which had a large geographical area, but of which he was almost the sole minister. He called it the "Church of the Divine Fragments." The criminal, the intemperate, the fallen, the sorrowful - these were the unrecorded members of his Great Church. Notwithstanding his unremitting labors in behalf of this church, Mr. Harter's salary was entirely inadequate for the support of his little family. He was the friend of the prisoner and the outcast, and made common cause with those who suffered by reason of oppression, injustice, and fraud. On one occasion he petitioned the authori |