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

the momentous truths of the gospel, he stood on his knees in the pulpit, and, with many tears,
entreated sinners, as in Christ's stead, to be reconciled God. Among the most celebrated Methodist
preachers of the great West fifty years ago were William Beauchamp, Samuel Parker, and David
Young, each of whom excelled in his own way. Beauchamp was the most instructive, Parker the
most practical and persuasive, and Young the most overpowering. Under the preaching of
Beauchamp light seemed to break on the most bewildered understanding; under that of Parker,
multitudes of people melted like snow before an April sun; while, under the ministry of Young, I
knew whole assemblies electrified, as suddenly and as sensibly as if coming in contact with a
galvanic battery. I have myself; under some of his powerful appeals, felt the cold tremors passing
over me, and the hair on my head apparently standing on end. On camp-meeting occasions, where
the surroundings were unusually exciting, it has sometimes happened that vast numbers of persons
have simultaneously sprung from their seats, and rushed up as near to the pulpit as they could,
apparently unconscious of having changed positions." He died at Zanesville in 1858. His descent to
the grave was like a serene going down of the sun. "I am calmly," he said, "though through great
physical suffering, nearing my better home." [16]
John Collins has already appeared in our pages as founding the Church in Cincinnati. He was born
in New Jersey in 1769, and was of Quaker parentage. When very young his attention was drawn to
religious subjects by hearing a hymn sung as he passed the house of a neighbor. For several years
he struggled against his convictions, living a moral life, but attaining no rest for his soul. He went
to Charleston, S. C., in order to escape his local associations, and, if possible, become a more
decided Christian away from the observations of his acquaintances, but failed, and, returning home,
was converted in 1794. He soon began to preach, but with much self-distrust, and doubt of his divine
call to the ministry. Learner Blackman, his brother-in-law, was saved by his first sermon, and Collins
now hesitated no more, especially as he further ascertained that ten or twelve of his kindred were
[17]
awakened by the same discourse. His word, even his casual allusions to religion, seemed to have
remarkable effect. He had been appointed major of militia, but now resigned the office, and sold his
inform to his successor, saying to him, "My friend, when you put these on, think of the reason why
laid them off." The brief sentence was "a nail fastened in a sure place." It so impressed the young
officer that he also resigned the post, and became a Methodist. [18]
Blackman went to the West, where, as has been noticed, he became a champion of the itinerancy
from Ohio to Louisiana. Collins followed him in 1803, and located his family in Clermont County,
about twenty-five miles west of Cincinnati. He thus became a co-laborer with McCormick, Gatch,
Tiffin, and Scott in founding the denomination in the Northwestern Territory.
In 1807 he joined the itinerancy. His appointments, with two intervals of "location," were all in
Ohio for thirty years. In 1837 his infirmities required him to retreat into a "superannuated relation."
He lived yet about seven years a serene Christian life, venerated by the Church, beloved for his
memorable services, his gentle manners, his catholicity, his pathetic eloquence, and his cheerful
piety. He died a blessed death, in 1845. "Happy! happy! happy!" were his last words.
The fruits of his ministry abounded in all parts of Ohio, for his superior character and talents gave
him extraordinary influence among all classes of the population. Among other eminent citizens he
led into the Church John McLean, afterward judge of the Supreme Court of the nation, and the