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

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of his decease, sent home for publication information of his fate. "He fell," wrote his friend, "in
the wilderness, on his way to this country, in the month of June, 1812. His grave is in the woods, in
the state of Pennsylvania, near the shore of Lake Erie, between the states of New York and Ohio. As
I came through that part of the country I made inquiry respecting the sickness, death, and burial of
our once beloved fellow-laborer in the cause of Christ. An intelligent friend, who said he had
frequently visited and watched with him in his last sickness, and attended his funeral, gave me, in
substance, the following circumstances. When he came into the neighborhood where he died it was
a new settlement, where there was no Methodist society, and but few professors of religion of any
name, he preached on a Sabbath, and at the close of the service stated to the strangers that he was
on a journey, that he was ill, and unable to proceed, and desired that some one would entertain him
till he should recover his strength sufficiently to pursue his journey. There was a long time of silence
in the congregation. At last one man came forward and invited him home. At that house he lingered
many weeks, and finally expired. The accommodations were poor for a sick man -- a small
log-house, containing a large family, consisting in part of small children; but doubtless it was the
best the place could afford. In his sickness (which was a pulmonary consumption) his sufferings
were severe but his patience and his religious consolations were great also. He frequently preached,
prayed, and exhorted, sitting on his bed, when he was unable to go out, or even to stand. And so he
continued laboring for the salvation of men while his strength would permit, and rejoicing in the
Lord to the hour of his death. The above-named eye and ear witness informed me that he frequently
said to him, 'It is an inscrutable providence that brought me here to die in this wilderness.' 'But,' said
the witness, 'that providence was explained after his death; for, through the instrumentality of his
labors, his patience, fortitude, and religious joys in his sickness, a glorious revival of religion shortly
after took place, a goodly number of souls were converted to God, other preachers were invited to
the place, and a large Methodist society was organized after his death.' That society continues to
prosper, and they-have now a good house for worship. After the soul of our brother had gone to
heaven, his body was conveyed to the grave on a sled, drawn by oxen. The corpse was carried to a
log building in the woods, called a meeting-house; but the proprietors denied admittance, and the
funeral solemnities were performed without. As I came through the woodland in company with a
preacher, having been informed where the place of his interment was, leaving our horse and carriage
by the road, we walked some rods into the forest, and found the old log meeting-house, which had
refused the stranger the rites of a funeral; but it was partly fallen, and forsaken. Then following a
narrow path some distance further through the woods, we came to a small opening, which appeared
to have been cleared of the wood for a habitation for the dead. After walking and looking some time,
a decent stone, near one corner of the yard, under the shade of the thick-set, tall forest, informed us
where the body of our dear departed friend had been laid. A large oak tree had fallen, and lay across
two of the adjoining tenants of that lonely place. We kneeled, prayed, and left the quiet spot, in joyful
hope of meeting our brother again at the resurrection of the just."
Thomas Branch was an able preacher. His old fellow-laborers spoke of him, in their Conference
obituary, with unwonted emphasis: "An Israelite indeed, in life, and in death. Who ever saw him
without the gravity and sincerity of a Christian minister? always apparently collected and recollected,
a child of affliction, and a son of resignation; how loved and honored of God and men! For several
years a member of our connection, and secretary of the New England Conference. Rest, rest, weary
dust! Rest, weary spirit, with the Father of spirits, and live forever!"