ing-house was built, at the dedication of which the small Church in that part of the wilderness was blessed by the labors of our beloved M'Kendree, of precious memory, and brother William Burke, who was then presiding elder of the Ohio district, together with brothers Amos and Patterson. I believe brother Burke preached from 2 Corinthians iii, 18: 'But we all with open face,' etc.; and brother M'Kendree followed with, 'Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty'-17th verse. The anointing of the Holy Spirit appeared to be upon them; 'the power of God was present to heal;' the slain of the Lord were many; the cry of the wounded, and the shout of them that were made whole 'was heard afar off;' and, blessed be God! I expect to meet some in heaven that were converted to God at that meeting. I will here say, those were the happiest days of my life-log-cabins to preach in, puncheon floors to sleep on, long rides, corn-bread and milk to eat, a constant succession of kind friends to make welcome, and the love of God in the soul, a home high up in heaven in prospect, and the blessed promise of, 'Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,' gave the mind a most pleasing variety, and caused our time to move on most agreeably. But where have I wandered from what I intended when I sat down to write?

"But to old Hopewell log meeting-house. I will say to brother Simmons's inquiry, a log meeting-house was erected in West Wheeling circuit, on Indian Short creek, called Holmes's meeting-house, some time in the year 1803, in the immediate neighborhood of which there followed one of the most powerful revivals of the work of God, in the awakening and conversion of sinners to God, that I recollect ever to have witnessed; and I think I will be safe in saying, that from the time that Holmes's log meeting-house was erected, more than one hundred

souls were happily converted to God, and on their way to heaven, ere Hopewell meeting-house, of which my beloved Simmons speaks, was ever thought of. And in the year 1804 there was a log meeting-house commenced, raised, and covered at old brother Thomas Odle's, a local preacher, on Eagle creek, in Scioto circuit, though it was never finished. So you see the pioneers of the Miami were not the first in Ohio to build meeting-houses."

CHAPTER XIII.

SAMUEL PARKER.

THAT eminent servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name stands at the head of this chapter, in consequence of his relation to the west and the labors and privations he endured in planting the Gospel from the Muskingum and Ohio to the Missouri and Mississippi, deserves a prominent place in the annals of western Methodism. To give our readers a sketch of his laborious and useful life is the object of this chapter.

Samuel Parker was born in the state of New Jersey in the year 1774. His parents were religious, and, of course, respectable. Indeed, none need wish to trace their genealogy to a higher or more honorable source; for a Christian is emphatically "the highest style of man," and the only respect of persons with God himself is that which has for its basis a religious character. Young Parker was early put to a trade, that he might learn, by a lawful and honorable employment, to gain a respectable living in the world. It is said he possessed a remarkable natural genius, and made great proficiency in the mechanic art in which he was employed.

The most remarkable event that transpired in relation to him, in the days of his youth, was his conversion to God, and the sudden abandonment consequent thereon of his wicked practices and ungodly associates. Among the young and frivolous, in scenes of mirth and revelry, his presence was always the most agreeable, and his company was sought for on all occasions, being a general

He had a voice of unusual

favorite among all classes. sweetness as well as of compass and power. Added to this peculiar gift, as a child of song, was an urbanity of manners and a suavity of disposition that prepossessed all hearts in his favor. When he joined the Church and broke up his old and wicked associations, of course his former wicked friends forsook him. The line of demarkation was much more strongly marked between the Church and the world then than at the present time, and professors of religion were distinguished by peculiarities which made them known and read of all men. One has said, in speaking of the wonderful similarity between the most of professors of religion at the present day and the world, that it would take the eye of an angel to distinguish them; but it was not so then. A profession of religion created a chasm between the professor and the world, which, though not as broad and deep as that which separated Abraham from Dives, yet was impassable to all but those who would willingly take up their cross and, despising the shame, enroll themselves under the banner of the Prince of Life. Young Parker had deliberately crossed over to the Lord's side, and was ready, having counted the cost, to "hail reproach and welcome shame" for the sake of Jesus and his cause. continued a private member of the Church, faithfully devoted to all her interests, and ready to work that his Master might assign him. work, however, concerning which he had much solicitude, and that was the fearfully-responsible work of the ministry. During all this time he was greatly exercised in mind in regard to his call. He would not rush suddenly into a place where angels are not permitted to enter, nor would he shrink from a responsibility clearly imposed, however great. He wanted full proof that he was called of God to proclaim salvation to his dying fellow-man, and

For twelve years he

engage in any

There was one

having that he was ready to give up all for Christ, and enter whatever field of labor might be assigned to him.

We are of the number of those who believe that there are more who refuse to yield to this divine call to the ministry than of those who presumptuously rush uncalled into the holy place, and that the providence of God has much to do, not only in preparing the way for the one but in restraining the other. Fully impressed, after years of conflict, that he had a call to preach the Gospel, and that if he did not yield the Divine displeasure would resţ upon him, he at length gave himself up wholly to the Lord in the work of the ministry, and in the year 1800 was duly licensed as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. While he continued in this relation he exercised his gifts at every opportunity, and engaged in a course of preparatory study, the more effectually to prepare himself for usefulness, should Providence open his way into the itinerant field. During this time he made rapid progress in literary and theological knowledge, and was thus enabled, in the year 1805, to enter the itinerant ranks with advantages of literary and theological training vastly superior to many of his cotemporaries. His, however, was not that knowledge that puffeth up. He brought all his literature, and science, and theology to the foot of the cross, and there had his attainments and himself baptized with the meek and holy spirit of his Master. He was received on trial, as a traveling preacher, in the Western conference, held at Mt. Gerizim, Kentucky, in the fall of the year above specified, and was appointed to Hinkston circuit, where he remained traveling from appointment to appointment, doing the work of an evangelist and striving to make full proof of his ministry. In the year 1806 he was appointed to the Lexington circuit, and the year following to Limestone circuit, both in the state of Kentucky. In