Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-03-08

many weil-read men are not even aware OF hls
existence.
Asbury had some striking poculiariiies.
Among other things. ho was never married.
lndeed, like many Of the early Methodist pio-
neers, he was a decided advocate Of the celiba-
cy Of the clergy. One Of the three rules LAID
down for the guidance Of the young preachers
was 10 The eflee, that they must be very spar
ing in their conversation with women Con-
sdering the iiinerani life they were to lead,
and the scanty amount VI their salary which,
in those days, was fixed al maximum Of six
ty.four dollars a year, all presents they might
receive included-celiblcy seemed 10 manner
forced upon them. Indeed il was generally
understood that when young brother was 20
unfortunate as 10 link himself with female
companion, he must leave the ranks Of the III
neranis aud locate : preaching when he could,
but deserving no susienance from the church.
Asbury himself said that he could form no ties
that would interfere with the prosecution Of his
duties, and he had found no woman who would
be content with the society of her husband for
but single week in the year, and II he should
fluid such an one he would not marry her. Still
he maintained it To be the duty Of every man to
support u woman and he, accordingly, devot-
ed a large share Of his scanty income to the
maintenance Of a kinswoman in England, and
when she at length died he bestowed it upon
another.
These early Methodist preachers were not
learned men. Their Libraries not seldom cou-
sisted Of but two books-lhe Bible and the
Hymn Book bat the contents or these they
mastered, as well as the grea, book Of human
nature. Far ou, upon the lonely prairie, where
they had passed the night with the earth for a
mattress, and the broad sky for a covering, and
their saddle for pillow, when they awoke in
the early morning, cold and hungry, their first
duty was to read. upon their knees, few chap
ters from the little pocket Bible, often bedew-
ing the pages with their tears; and then com
mending themselves 10 the care uf their IIeay-
enly Father, they would saddle their horses,
and proceed on their solitary way. Their
hymn book was their great armory-furnshed,
they believed, with every needed spiritual wea-
pom. They were, almost to a man, great sing
ers-snd this accomplishment often stood them
in good stead, as the following anecdo,e Of one
of them viii show, hesides illustrating some
olNtt luiule III
! Among the mos, noted of these early preach
ers was jameson. as he was usually called,
Jimmy Iaxley. In 1906 or 1907, he was sent
as a missionary TO the Aitakapas country. in
[ Louisiana, region chiefly inhabited by French
Catholics. He had i,ile comfou to expect
Z from unpaid kindness, and be had no money
with which TO purchase il. At one time he
was reduced 10 The very verge Of starvation. -
| Tie had passed the previous night 10 the open
swamp. Towards evening, cold. wet and hun
gry--for he had eaten nothing for 36 hours
he reached plantation. lie entered the house
and petitioued for food and lodging The mis-
tress Of the house, widow, with sundry
daughters and several negro children playing
about, recognized his calling, aud refused his
request she would have no such cattle about
her. The most thar he could gain was per.
mission 10 warm himself by The FIRE, before he
set out into the cold and darkness. As he sal
warming himself, he thought Of his sad plight
and OF his empty stomach. He thought Of an
other night in the swamp. lie thought that il
might be his last night upon earlh. lie thought
Of the dark, rolling river, and Of the Celestial
city beyond. His heart swelcd with gladncss
and his emotion found vent in one Of his favor
ite hymns:
o..
The Great Prnr,der | s,t stiIl n 4 near ~ 's"'
ie sang "'e wnO'e uymn' ,neh ah''ne'' an'
sun ano'"e' hooN'ns ro"nd a. 'ne elose n' m
saw mo.na' anu ususn'e's, ana negroes all u
'eals. mere 9a''y' ee' INC p,eacne' s'o'
supper ana re'e, 70" Pu' up MS morse nc
snah say week II nc P'eases' saia 'ne ~'a
ow' 90 Jimmy pau iof ms supper WIN
song
"A"s y."'s -"s'' 'A'"e, iiaN'ey a"en"e'
S So, ''~ ' s"a.;s,aI ~ " ,-."an - III 49," -
.hnr.b Ua rpso "a .,;ned, 10 &C., Sarss =
,hs srno W. M ,h. sS "h"ir s ,".o ~ 80 s;ns - =,
,hs .Yd;sn.a ,,rned ronnd 90 ,hen, n,..ao,;n,
,hs;r hacLs 70 ,hs ,rsseh., I;mnr ,s.s as
,o,"laa IT. Lsa -. 80, .,',h ooaad
n. and !, anDe,rsa 10 him hrs,cb Of ooo,
rnsoosrs ,ha, dasa,.ad rah,,Lo wh.s h,
was .hor, 20 oiva on, ,hs sscond .,,nz. n,
.,a;an.o ,,,..,9 ..,,,d .,,,i, - III, ,nJ ,ha,