Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-06-25
MY DFFENSF.

nlcation appeared in the CHRONICLE
sometime since, in which the writer
alluded to my former pastoral rela-
tions, accompanied with the state
ment, "and he yet keeps a Bible in
his house" Whether this stateme nj
was intended as a thrust at my relig-
lous standing, is not easy to say. The
impression however seems to have
obtained in the minds of some mot
intimately acquainted) that have
become so abandoned to all religious
principle, and so reckless Of divine
truth that the Bible scarcely finds q
lodgment in my house. 1 feel it a
duty therefore which I owe to N.Y.
selfand to the cause of truth to say a
few words in defense. That 1 may
not have been as diligeDt Bible stu
dent, and may not have become so
thoroughly versed in Bible knowl-
edge, nor may not have reached so
high plane in the Christian life as
the author Of the article alluded to, is
quite possible, still love to read the
''old family Bible" which has been
clamp unto my feet and light un-
to my path" Without the Bible all
is dark and doubtful beyond the
tomb. Through it, "life and immor-
tality are brought to light" Nor
have 1 at any time during my relig-
lous experience, period of over for
ty-two years ever, doubted its divini-
ty. 1 believe the Bible to be divine
revelation in which the characteran
will of God is revealed to man and
his duty to God and his fellow man
clearly made known. The Bible is
the book of books, the book of Cod
1t is our chart, our infsllible guide,
our true unerring compass pointing
from this world of sin, of sorrow, and
of death up to Heaven and to God its
author. Respecting my pastoral re-
lations 1 would say, at the age Of
twenty-five years 1 entered the sacred
Though weak and treInb-
ling I engaged in its high and holy
duties with zeal and christian fideli-
ty and God saw fit to use the feeble
in reclaiming wanderers
and leading sinners to the fold Of
Christ. Eighteen years of the best of
my life was spent in preaching "the
riches of Christ" Ia
bored faithfully and hard; not un-
frequently speaking three discourses
on the Sabbath and riding twenty
andtwenty-five miles after an even
ing meeting. 1 travelled and preached
over portions of Ohio, Pa, N. Y. and
West. Saw great display Of
the goodness and power of God was
often made unspeakably happy and
Joyful and was permitted to draw rich
iraughts from the wells of salvation.
Nor did / retire from the ministry
from choice. 1t was one of the most
severe trials Of my life. But spend
ing most Of my time as an itinerant,
often travelling tin regions beyond"
where Free Will Baptists were little
known and less cared for, my salary
was consequently extremely limited
only receiving such presents as indi-
Yiduals saw fit to bestow, by no
means adequate to the wants of a
growing family. 1 had become ex-
embarrassed. My worldly
prospects were dark and gloomy
IA the extreme, and there
seemed to be no alternative but to
my labors in the ministry
and engage in other pursuits in or
Ter to meet my pressing liabilities
md the wants ofmy family. Though
.rying in theextreme I considered it
ustifiable. -.. -'--aa..-i.
Though for many years my path
way has seemed to lead through the
1 have never quite lost
light of the ''Star of Bethlehsm."-
Ny hope and trust has been in the
Rock of Ages" When the waters
# affiiction have nigh overwhelmed |
ne and the waves of sorrow and
rouble have rolled high and dashed
FER my frail bark, God has been my
trength and Christ my shield. In
ny darkest hours 1 have been ena-
lied to say of Christ, "This is my be
owed and this is my friend. AS the
pple tree among the trees Of the
rood soEis my beloved among the
ons. 1 sat down under his shadow
With great delight and his fruit was
weet to my taste. He brought me
D the bsnquetting house and his BAN
er over me was love-" Christ has
cen to me as the SHADOW of a great
oek in q weary land" I most hum
ly hope and trust through free, rich,
inherited grace that when the battle
f life shall have been fought, and 1
N called to lay down my armor and
i've an account of my stewardship,
nat my lamp may be found trimmed
nd burning and 1 be permitted to
nj home with the blest, where
le wicked shall cease from troubling
nd where the weary shall be at rest.
ID. K. BARTLETT.
GREEEsRIJRG. June 20. 1873.