History of the M.E. Church, Vol. IV - Media Sabda Org

living; I have outlived every member of the class I joined in 1800; I have outlived every member of
the Western Conference in 1804; I have outlived nearly every member of the first General
Conference that I was elected to, in Baltimore, in 1816; I have outlived all my early bishops; I have
outlived every presiding elder that I ever had when on circuit; and I have outlived hundreds and
thousands of contemporary ministers and members, as well as junior, and still linger on the mortal
shores. Though all these have died they shall live again, and, by the grace of God, I shall live with
them in heaven forever. Why I live God only knows. I certainly have toiled and suffered enough to
kill a thousand men, but I do not complain. Thank God for health, strength, and grace, that have
borne me up, and borne me on; thank God that during my long and exposed life as a Methodist
preacher, I have never been overtaken with any scandalous sin, though my shortcomings and
imperfections have been without number."
He has received into the Church some twelve thousand members, and led into the itinerancy
scores, if not hundreds, of preachers. Rough and hardy as the oak; overflowing with geniality and
humor; a tireless worker and traveler; a sagacious counselor, giving often in the strangest disguises
of wit and humor the shrewdest suggestions of wisdom; an unfailing friend, an incomparable
companion, a faithful patriot, and an earnest Methodist, Peter Cartwright has been, for nearly three
generations, one of the most noted, most interesting, most inexplicable men of the West and of
Methodism.
David Young's labors, especially in Ohio, were long and successful. He was born in Bedford
County, Va., was well trained at home, where he had the then rare advantage of a good library, and
by becoming a studious youth, prepared an intelligent and effective manhood. From his seventh year
he was seldom without religious reflection. In 1803 he emigrated to Tennessee, where he taught a
grammar school and in the same year was converted, and became a Methodist. The next year he was
"exhorting," and in 1805 joined the Conference. His appointments were for some time in Tennessee;
but in 1811 he was sent to Ohio, where he labored, with commanding influence, down to 1849, when
he was placed on the "superannuated list." He suffered from disease most of his life, the effect of his
early itinerant exposures. His self-education, improving good natural powers, secured him "the first
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rank among his brother ministers." He was always master of his subject. "His logical method,
associated with fervency of spirit, enchained his auditory. Sometimes his pathos was overwhelming,
for he was often a weeping prophet. Fond of reading, he had in store a large amount of general
literature, which gave great interest to his preaching. His voice was pleasant, though sometimes shrill
and penetrating; his gesticulation graceful, and his whole manner peculiarly solemn and impressive."
He led into the communion and ministry of the Church its present senior bishop, who describes him
as "tall and slender, but straight and symmetrical. His step was elastic. He wore the straight-breasted
coat, and the broad-brimmed hat usual among early Methodist preachers. His yellow hair, all combed
back, hung in great profusion about his neck and shoulders, giving him an imposing appearance. His
blue eyes were prominent, and exceedingly penetrating. I heard a Virginia lawyer say that he could
withstand the direct contact of any preacher's eye in the pulpit he ever saw, except David Young's;
but his always made him quail. In manners he was a finished gentleman of the Virginia school. He
abounded in incident, and had a rare talent at narration, both in and out of the pulpit. Yet, as a
minister, he was grave and dignified. No man conducted a public religious service more solemnly
or impressively than he did, especially in reading the scriptures or in prayer. His deep religious
emotion was always apparent in his prayers and his sermons. On special occasions, while applying