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

poles. This was their bedstead. Some bedding, such as it was, formed all the sleeping place I saw for
the man and his wife. The little Negro boy slept on the ground floor with a deerskin under him. I saw
no cupboard furniture, excepting some earthen bowls of inferior quality. The woman of the house
was badly crippled. I felt rather melancholy, and my mind began to run back to days of other years,
when I was dwelling among my own people in ease and plenty; here I was in a strange land, without
friends or money. The squalid appearance of the inside of the house made an impression on my mind
that never can be erased. Surrounded by these gloomy circumstances, I had no friend to fly to but the
Redeemer. I kneeled down and prayed, and the Lord blessed me. I felt happy and resigned to my lot.
The next thing was to make my bed, and lie down to sleep. I spread, for my bed, a blanket that I kept
under my saddle, and took a stool for my pillow. I had another blanket on which I rode; this I used
for a sheet. My saddle-bags on the stool made my pillow soft, my overcoat became my covering. I
thanked God that I had a pretty comfortable bed. I thought within myself, I am better off than my
Saviour was, for he 'had not where to lay his head;' and far 'happier than the rich, who roll on beds
of down, and enjoy all the luxuries of life. I had a comfortable night's rest, and rose in the morning
much refreshed, and prepared for my day's labor. Breakfast was soon served up on a board bench.
It consisted of corn and milk, but no spoons. When I turned up the bowl to drink, a black ring would
make its appearance from the sediments in the bottom. Breakfast being over I retired to the woods,
and spent the forenoon in reading and praying till preaching time. Returning, I saw the cabin pretty
well filled with men and women. Although it was late in November, many of them had neither hats
nor bonnets on their heads, nor shoes on their feet. I took my stand opposite the door, read a hymn,
began to sing, and while I was singing, a remarkable man made his appearance. He was so
distinguished from other men, that I will give some account of him. He was very large, with
strongly-marked features. From the muscles of his face I perceived that he was a man of strong
natural courage. He had a high forehead, very wide between the eyes, with a broad face; his whole
form was well proportioned, his eyeballs remarkably large, showing a great deal of white. He fixed
his eyes upon me, and looked as if he were scanning my whole person. Had I not been used to seeing
rough men on the frontier of Kentucky, I should have been frightened. I looked him full in the eyes,
and scanned him closely. His hair appeared as though it had never been combed, and made me think
of old Nebuchadnezzar, and his head 'like eagles' feathers.' He wore no hat; his collar was open, and
his breast bare; there was neither shoe nor moccasin on his feet. I finished my hymn, kneeled down
and prayed, and took my text to preach. The man looked for no seat, but stood erect, gazing on me.
Before I was half through I saw the tears roll down his rough cheeks. I closed, and told them that on
that day four weeks I would be there again. I rode away, but could not forget the big man. I was sure
he had distinguished himself some way, which made me anxious to find out his history. I soon
learned that he was brother-in-law to the famous robber, Micajah Harp, a character so well known
in the history of the West. No doubt they had been together in many a bloody affray. On my next
round he joined the Church, and soon afterward became a Christian. He could neither read nor write.
I procured him a spelling-book. His wife taught him to read, and he soon learned to write. On my
third or fourth round I appointed him class-leader. He trimmed off his hair, bought a new hat, clothed
himself pretty well, and became a respectable man. I heard of him several years afterward, and he
was still holding on his heavenly way."
Such facts show the times, and the manner in which Methodism met them, better than could
whole chapters of dissertation. In almost all the settlements Young had similar adventures and
success, and left them, followed with the blessings of the people, who were hungry for the word of