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

HISTORY OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
By Abel Stevens
CHAPTER X
METHODISM IN THE WEST, CONTINUED: 1804-1820
John Strange -- His great Eloquence -- Russell Bigelow's Character and Eloquence -- Bishop
Thomson's Account of one of his Forest Sermons -- Sketch of Henry B. Bascom -- Of Thomas A.
Morris -- Of John P. Durbin -- Advance of Methodism in the Southwest -- Elisha W. Bowman In
Louisiana -- His Explorations and Hardships -- Scene between Asbury and Jacob Young at Governor
Tiffin's Home -- Young in the Southwest -- Lorenzo Dow there -- Axley's Sufferings and
Achievements -- Sketch of William Winans -- Other Southwestern Itinerants
John Strange, a Virginian, born in 1789, was one of the most successful evangelists of Methodism
in Ohio, whither he went in his twentieth year. He commenced preaching in 1811; in many parts of
the northwestern territory he labored powerfully, though oppressed with chronic disease, down to
1882, when he "died in great peace," at. Indianapolis, while at the head of the Indianapolis District.
"He was," says a fellow-laborer, "one of the brightest lights of the American pulpit, in the Valley of
the Mississippi, in the early part of the present century. He was formed by nature to be eloquent. He
was tall and slender, and stood remarkably erect. His bearing was that of one born to command; and
yet combined with this there was a gentleness and softness of manner that never failed to win the
hearts of those with whom he came in contact. His hair was raven-black, and his eyes blue and
generally mild; but, when he was animated, they became remarkably brilliant and penetrating. His
voice was unsurpassed, as far as my knowledge extends, for its compass, and the sweetness, richness,
and variety of its tones. He could elevate it, without apparent effort, so as to be heard distinctly
twenty or thirty rods in the open air; and yet it would retain all its melody. He could sing, pray, or
preach for any length of time, without becoming in the least degree hoarse. Such was the power and
attractiveness of both his matter and manner, that, when he could ascend the stand at camp-meeting,
many who were scattered through the surrounding woods would hasten with all possible speed to
the camp ground, that they might lose nothing that he should say. There were times when his
audience were held spell-bound by his eloquence, and sometimes they were even raised 'en masse'
from their seats. Few men were ever more devoted to the interests of the Church, or more habitually
under the influence of an all-pervading sense of duty, than John Strange. When, in 1814, he traveled
White Water circuit, then a sparsely settled frontier, he would go from one block-house to another
in the exercise of his ministry, while he was actually obliged to carry his gun from his shoulder, to
defend himself from the Indians. Such self-sacrificing efforts greatly endeared him to the people, and
his monthly visits to the block-houses and forts were hailed with delight. Language cannot describe
the pathetic and impressive manner in which, on such occasions, he would sing the hymn beginning,
'And are we yet alive!' The hymn itself was most touching; and, taken in connection with his manner
of singing it, and the circumstances which it so aptly described, it was quite irresistible." [1]
A bishop of the Church describes his appearance in the pulpit as "peculiar, most angelic." He "had
a certain ethereal expression of countenance. When he opened his lips you heard a voice, clear and
shrill, of immense compass and perfect melody, that well-nigh entranced you. Presently the spirit