The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1848-05-03
From the Southern Christian Advocate,
MY FIRST YEAR AS AN YTINERANr.

MY FIRST YEAR AS AN ITINERANv.
There 10 no part Of a travelling Me,ho.
dist preachers life Of more interest, and ia
which ne recurs more often, than HE frs,
wear. All tae incidents connected with il,
have fastened themselves upon his hear,
and made an indelible impression upon hi,
mind. This 10 natural, if we take into con
sidefation. that then, the responsibilities,
ssA~s.- ~dsf';o",';es sod siDos, evsry.hioo
connected ~ith his vocation, present them.
s 81 ,,na ior The first time. He has entered
:" o"@AP'oieo ue'o - >-.--,a III =:
mountains rise where he snllc Ipated plains.
and SO important is this year to him, that
his fitness for the work is generally deter.
mined by lie fruits. For If he encounter
successfully tic tolls, i. is generally con.
Guided, tdisciplinary regulations complied
With that he viii do for the "travellino
connection" N firs, year is foil of inter
eel to me, and often discover myself trav.
cling back to ils incidents, recoun,ine
them over in my mind. Though no. IN
the habit OF wr.'n. for the public eye,
have thrown together q shor, sccount of
my introduction into iiinerant fields, which
II you think worthy Of the space il will fll I
IN The Advocate. 10 at your disposal. Per.
haps II may encourage some "aet.er out
IN the iilnsrancy." My acquaintance with
Methodism, and Methods. preachers. be. i
Iote my Conversion was very limited, nv
parents, and indeed nearly all my friends
we're instructed in the doctrines and usapes
nf another persuasion. had heard some
ew preach, and short acquaintance with
IS many. made up my knowledge respect.
ns them and their economy. By the prov.
dence OF God, ! attended camp.meetinp
q lS42 where | was awakened and con.
'eried through the fundamentally Of a
Methodist preacher where also became
member Of the Methodist Church. Nv :
vas pungen,, repentance thor.
ugh, and conversion clest very soon the .
was created in my mind, tina, il .
rae my duty 10 "cali sinners TO repen. !,
ance." From my qualifications in every =.
aspect (havlng been taught the opinions :.
'at only learned men were qual,hed) :
ndesvoured to bring myself to the more :,
sssonabls conclusion that il was no, so. !"
After shor, time began 10 look a, the o.
latter in proper light, and treat il with =
'at, Importance which its dignity and 90. ~
edness required. For twelve months no ~
10 knew the state Of my mind 10 the :.
can time my peace was disturbed, nv !.
ind restless, and | became dissatisfied "'
lth the business pursued by me. final
opened my hear. upon the subject to
70. d., Who IVES then Presiding Elder Of ,
e dlslric, IN which my residence was, and y
him ! ain under many obligations, for -
: interest in my behalf. My call TO the 20
Inislry vas then made Z matter of spe. "
al prayer for six months ct the end Of o "
,ich time my mind became satisfied in VI
|s'ion to my duty, made up my mind ' =.
to "lesve all and become Wv
itlneranl, and commenced the necessary
spars,iou, and 40 | stepped, the "~sy III.
ened." | knew no, how my parents H.,
'uld receive my determination; after -.
seral attempts made il known; their ,.d
swer still lingers upon my sar, aud is ~
pressed upon my heart though they are
III gone to their reward. !" Nv son. il
y feel il your duty 10 90. We will help
. to prepare" Ny father relieved me IN.
my business, BY taking j, of my hands, en-,
in shor. time wss according 10 die ,hs
line. recommended to the So. ca. Con. %,
'ncs, ~hoss approaching session wss to
held 10 G. The necessary arrange.
nss being made, | took leare Of home, the