The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-10-10

doctor approoatlon WOuiu Suggest anu
prepare simple remedies that experience
had pointed out in similar cases. But
knowing how and when TO talk, and when
TO keep silent. careful nursing and cares
full aud strict dieting was her fort, and
the blessings of the sick always followed
her from their bedside
Her charity was co-extensive with her
means to all who were really deserving.
Every day of her long life seemed but to
increase her veneration for that Provi-
dence which had crowned and crowded
her life and her country with such in
Vulnerable blessings. aud it really seemed
an extension of that providential care to
call her hence ere that beloved country
was marred by its blind fratricidal strife,
There was little of interest known of
Thomas early youth, except that he
Joined the Methodist church while quite
a boy, learned the blacksmiths trade,
and lived with and worked for his fathers
family until near thirty years of age,
without wages or pay. He also was
licensed a locsl. preacher at an early age
Carried away by the wonderful stories Of
the far west, he followed his father and
kindred and landed in the Green River
country on the eve of a great religious
revival, that soon swept over the land,
and, though be never joined the itinera-
cy, and never asked or accepted dollar
from his church or any of its members,
he devoted his whole energies and
strength until enfeebled by age in advo>
eating and defending the religion he pro-
iessed
1t was the rarest occurrence. for hih to
spend Sabbath at home. No hovel
was too humble, no neighborhood too
poor for him to visit. Nor did he con-
fine himself to a small circle. A file Of
old family almanacs are still extant, in
the columns of which can be found mem
orandums OF his appointments to preach.
Bacon Creek, in Hardin, Sugar Run, in
Breckenridge, and Bowders. in Hopkins,
frequently occurred, besides numerous
other places IN Grayson, Muhlenberg,
Mclean and Davies counties.
1t was quite common occurrence with
him to labor hard until noon on Sstur-
day, mount his horse and start TO his APP
pointment some twenty or thirty miles
away. and again be at home by noon on
monday.
Yet amid all this devotion to the cause
OF the church, his children were never
heard to cry for bread, never suffered for
apparel, hut Jared equal to any i" the
land, for he was a man Of the most un-
firing physical energy, industry and en-
durance. To work hard all day on his
farm, 90 TO his blacksmith shop at night,
and work until all the family were asleep
ard again awake them in the morning
with the sound of the bellows and ham
mer, was his almost daily course during
the prime of life.
As a preacher, his sermons were al
ways Of practical nature, never partak-
ing Of that wearisome rehash, heard and
reheard for the hundredth time, but some
thing not only practical hut original.
No startling crime, no new vice or folly
escaped his whitening satire or startling
denunciation no new doctrine but he
met at the threshhold.
There was one doctrine especially
against which he wsgcd war of exter>
minaiicn; a doctrine then professed by
all denominations in these parts except
his own. He seldom preached a sermon
without giving it blow. He contended
that it was doctrine tending to hold out
no encouragement to virtuous action, and
to license all crime, and to fill the land
with insanity. The way he sometimes
handled the advocates Of this doctrine
without gloves, is recollected as occur
ring one night at his own house. Alter
a wearisome days labor, while the old
gentleman was sitting in his porch. a
stranger rode up about dusk, and re-
quested nights lodging, and was re-
quested to alight, and his horse was taken
and provided for. The stranger seemed
fluent and communicative but did not re-
fer to his calling as a preacher until
after supper, when he developed himself
as a preacher of the strongest Calvenis
tic faith. The old gentleman at last re-
marked: "You say you are preacher,
and you really believe that certain por-
ton of mankind were decreed from all
eternity to be saved, and portion lost p
Most assuredly do" was the unhesi-
tating reply. well, for what must
take you, q knave or a tool, to be SPEND
ing your time in riding about preaching
the gospel to human beings. whose ac-
tons and fates are inevitable. and you
cannot change a hair on their heads7"
This was such a home thrust that the
stranger jumped to his feet, declaring that
he would not stay in a mans house that
would SO insult hin. "Ii all things are
decreed, | suppose your horse will come
to you at the appointed time, but am
pretty certain that it is not decreed for
me to 60 after him."
He was equally severe and sarcastic
in bis reproof for any disorderly conduct
during. preaching and many were the
horse~whippings he was promised, but
none never dared to carry their threats
into executions His courage was never
disputed, and a smiths arm was consid-
cred formidable. He never encouraged
that wild enthusiasm and shouting which
was so common in early times Although
a man Of the most lively sensibility and
L.