The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-03-01
Rev. peter Cartwright

TEE FATHER or METHODIsM IL THE WEST.
The telegraphic announcement of the
serious sickness OF this venerable man eX-
cites the sympathies and regrets of thcus-
ands who know him only by name. but who
know what a useful, Jealous and indetati-
gable servant he has been for some sixty
ears IN the cause of religion. lie was
striker down by paralysis at his home i'm
Pleasant Valley, Ill. His great age. nearly
eighty eight and his extreme bodily de-
bility fer several years, precludes the
hopes of final recovery but ne see by "a
later dispatch that the patriarch has so far
recovered as to recognize his friends. sitting
uD at table and conversing. He is cheer
FIJI and resigned.
From cur exchanges we cOndeuSc sketch
o. Father Cartwright's biography:
He was born on the banks of the James
River, in Amherst county, Virginia, on the
1st of September, 1888 and shortly there
alter removed with his parents 10 Logan
county, in the Cumberland circuit, Ken
lucky district, in the Western Conference
- the seventh Conference which the Metho-
dists had organized in the United States
While here. .he seeds OF his future useful
ness We're undoubtedly planted during re-
1issious services held in his fathers cabin by
celebrated travelling preacher named
jacob Lurton. The seed fell upon stony
ground, however. and for time took no
root. From nine years of age to sixteen
there was hardly q wilder boy in All
"Rogue's Harbor,' than young Peter Cart
wright He found his boon companions
anoung the rough and dissipated men that
infested that district. and his greatest de
light, according 20 his own words, was i'm
s'horse-racfng and gambling"
de says in his own biography Il was
naturally q wild wicked boy, and delighted
In horse racing. card playing, ana dancing
nv father restrained me bur little though
my mother often talked 10 me. and prayed
for me, and often drew tears from my eyes;
andthough l often wept under preaching,
and resolved to DO better and seek religion,
YET 1 broke my vows, went into young
company, rode races, played cards and
danced"
ia 1901, however. a change passed over
his home. The desperadoes had been driv-
en- away by the efforts of vigilant com
mite and in their stead came the infiu-
ences of the Methodist Church. At vast
camp meeting continued for many weeks
anti bringing together nearly twenty five
Thousand people. the young Peter saw the
error of his ways, made a profession OF re-
hgion. and entered the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
In May, 1902, Peter CARTWRIGHT was Ii
cersed as an exhofter. In the autumn OF
the same year the Cartwright family moved
down the Cum berland River into Lewiston
county. Immediately after Peter was au-
thcrlzed by Prexding Elder Page to travel
through the desSlate country about. hold
ing meetings, organizing classes. and form
fnQ a general circuit. His educatjon had
been necessarily detective ana he passed
some time at the best school accessible IN
remedying its shortcomings. lie then went
actively 20 work in the ministry. and in IS06
wa duly ordained deacon BY Bishop AS
bury. On the 18th of August, lS0S he was
married to Frances Gaines, and in the fol-
low ing October was ordained an elder by
Bis iop Mekendree. In 1872 he was APP
pointed by Bishop Asbury Presiding Elder
Of he Green river District. in Tennessee
Fro m that time until IN 1869 he was dis
abled BY the infirmities OF age from active
dutVs he lived and labored in the Western
sect on of the country with characteristic
energy and with remarkable success. He
had jurisdiction, at different periodS. over
thir cen districts in Kentucky and Illinois.
witt additional regular labor in Virginia. |
Ten lessee, Indiana and Ohio.