The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-06-27

those at Goshen, Bethel, No Creek,
Thompson's, Duncan's, and Lewis, be-
sides the labors of the travelling preach
era, there were quite an array of Jealous,
local preachers, among them Ohio Will
liams, Daniel and John Pinkston, Lodo-
wick Davis, John James and Thomas
Taylor. Several Of these names are wor-
thy OF more than mere mention, and
sketches oftheir lives and characters may
hereafter appear.
For many years the Baptists and Meth
odists were the only churches of any note,
but in after years the Cumberland Prts-
byterians made their appearance. backed
10y preachers OF most decided talent and
energy. Among these we're the Barnetts,
! Chapman, Harris, and Hunter. Old Mr..
Chapman, especially. was model for a
christian, and that nobleet work of God,
an honest mani One manly christian act
is worthy to pass down the eide oftime."
His negro man killed the negro man of
his neighbor, and was tried, condemned,
and executed for the crime. As our laws
then stood, Chapman was entitled to, and
drew from the State Treasury the full
value of the slave executed. No sooner
had lac received his money than he
mounted his horse, rode to his ncigh>
hor's house and counted out TO him one
half OF the money lie received 1t is
needless TO comment on this noble act
it speaks for ITSELF
a great popularity, or rather mystery,
attended a great REVIVAL of religion in
those early times called the Jerks. Per
sons would, to all appearance. be seized
with an involuntary jerking and nervous
or muscular excitement. throwing their
heads and limbs in every direction with
the utmost rapidity and force A lady
would sometimes spring from her seat,
and in an instant every fastening of her
hair would be thrown from her head,
and the long tresses from the rapid motion
VI heE Hcau NOhlu Icociholci IH eOuuui
the cracking of whip. Men would
spring to their feet, plunge over beaches
or any other obstruction around the
camp-ground ; seize upon trees aud sap>
lings, apparently endeavoring to hold
themselves steady, but all the time APP
parently convulsed in every limb. Their
countenances, so far from indicating that
pleasing. hopeful enthusiasm. which is
Indicated ia extreme religious excitement,
rather betrayed pain and suffering at
least, if not horror. This excitement U.s.
aally continued until the persons sank in
a apparent exhaustion. The subjects of
this peculiar excitement always profe-sed
that the whole thing was involuntary aud
beyond their power OF resistance.
The whole subjects of Jerks WAS the
source OF much annoyance; and gave
speculation among the more sedate and
pious members and clergy. Some mems
bers whose piety seemed beyond question.
was affected in this way, and their ac>
tons SEEMED almost supernatural; at
least &c it was mere pretense, it far ex-
ceeded any acting that had ever been
performed upon the stage. So the whole
thing was permitted to take its course.
with approval-or condemnation, and fin
ally died awsy an unexplained mystery
The preachers and church members Of
early times would suffer nothing by
with those of the present day.
1t is true, that they, too, were human be-
ings, and it is humanity's fate to err.
Some of them fell by the way, but
backwoods lite, untrammeled by the fol>
lies of fashion and allurements OF wealth,
has a natural tendency to give strength,
SIgor and originality OF thought to the
intellect. and force and simplicity to lap-
yuage.
In the present day We hear from the
pulpit much learning, much metaphysical
display, great historical research. but
seldom see a congregation moved TO tears.
Our old.fashioned preachers preached
he gospel in all lite native purity and
No theatrical swagger. no
after loud-sounding, euphone-
ous words. They poured forth ideas
truly original and sublime in good old>
fashioned Saxon phrase; and we even
BOW remember the very looks and feat
lres of the old brothers and sisters of the
churches, who, in their clean, neat,
homespun. filled their seats at church as
regular as their preacher filled his app
faces beaming with
pious devotion. which was not left at the
church, but accompanied them to their
homes. where they lived peaceable, or
ierly lives, and died as only christians
ian die. From such recollectious even
IN infidel might exclaim LET me die
he death of the righteous, and let my
last end be like his"
TO BE coNTISUED.