The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-06-04

slams whom General Washington had cap
tured in that engagement, in their passage
through Pennsylvania, young Davis, among
others. was drafted for that purpose.
Upon his return to York he found the
people in a wonderful state of excitement
on the subject of religion. They that turn
the world upside down had come thither
also.' Freeborn GarrettsOn had, in the
course of his itinerancy, visited York, and
pr sached the doctrine of the new birth; but
reference to spiritual things that when he
told them from the Scriptures that 'old
things must be done away, and all things be-
come new" they understood him literally,
and some of the awakened did actually set
about destroying their old apparel and fur
tent did this strange infatuation proceed in
one family that the physician was sent for;
but his boluses were all unavailing: the
patient became no better until an old Quaker
lady called in, and seeing how matters stood,
and, perhaps 81 having d more perfect under
for the man who put them So" Garrett
son came, explained to them more perfectly
the way of life, and even to this day it is
believed that not a few of the most impor-
tant members of our church in that section
of country are descendants of that once in l.
fatuated family.
The circumstances connected with this
great excitement doubtless had much serious
influence upon Mr.. Davis mind, but he
does not appear to have made any decided
effort in reference to his souls salvation
until after his removal to New Holland
Lancaster county, Pa, where the care.-
reading of his Bible wrought upon his mind
a conviction of the absolute and indispensi
bic necessity of a change OF heart. With
such lights as be had he set about seeking
this great blessing, and by reading the word
of God, fervent prayer, and faith in the
YGod ho Cd in fha two NV
ninth year of his age, to call the worlds
Redeemer his, and to rejoice in the assurance
that God, for Christ's sake, had pardoned his
sins. His next care was to find people
with whom he might associate, but this was
difficult. He visited the various churches
within his reach, but neither their preach
ing nor their conversations conceded with
what he had felt. At last the same sect that
had created the "uproar" at York came to
New Holland also; he went to hear them,
and, to use his own expression detailing that
event, "they preached my experience ex-
actly," and, pursuing, the noble, genuine
impulse of his new-made heart he chose
them as his people through veal and
through woe, nor ever, during the lapse of
more than half a century, amid all the vi
cissitudes and storms through which she had
to pass, did his attachment to the Methodist
Episcopal church waver for moment, but
in the dark hours of her trials, when other
hearts failed, John Davis was ready, not only
to stand by her, but to peril fortune, charac-
ter, life, ALL for her defense.
Having selected his people, he felt it to be
his duty to use his influence and means for
their spread. Hence, though unmarried,
and keeping what is termed bachelors hall,
he invited the ministers of Jesus to his
board, and was favored to entertain such
angels as Ezekiel Cooper, Thomas Ware, Dr..
Chandler, etc. He soon became a class
leader and exhorter, and, not long after, a
local nraacher. and Qr1ant hnr no
was his zeal for souls that the people of the
town said, John Davis has gone crazy"
During these days sect arose called ''The
Allbrights," known now as the Evangelical
association, q German sect very much re-
sembiing the Methodists, and now of con-
siderable importance, both in regard to num-
bers and spirituality. 1t is believed that Mr..
d. was as familiar with the origin of that
people as almost any one else.
The writer has not been furnished with
the date OF Mr. Davis marriage. It must
have taken place, however, during his resi-
dence IN New Holland, and he was particu
larry favored of God in that he was enabled
to select a partner OF no common worth. In
1905 he removed to the place of his nativity,
Sheppensburg. where, as before, his house
became the welcome home of the weary
itinerant, and all his energies were directed
to the building up of the church. In 1907
Bishop Asbury ordained him deacon, and
several years afterward he was ordained
elder by Bishop Mckendree. The people of
his native county considered his services
necessary in civil as we'll as religious life,
and, therefore, in 1916, elected him to the
Legislature of Pennsylvania, where he
served for four years.
In 1914 he gave his son Samuel to the
work of an itinerant preacher, and in giving
such son to that work he did what not
often falls to the lot of fathers to do. Sam
uel Davis was star of no ordinary msgni-
tude. An able and successful minister OF
Jesus Christ, many hundreds were given
him IS seals to his ministry. / can not
write his eulogy. That is best done by the
grateful and pious regard in which mis- mem
Pittsburg. Baltimore, Washington, and those
other fields where he successfully "cultiva
ted Immanuers land"
Perhaps the solicitude of the fathers hearl
was more exercised in behalf of another
son bearing the venerated name of Wesley.
That son, Hon. J. w. Davis, late speaker o.
| the House OF Representatives OF the United
States, and now minister to China. had in
early life, removed to Indiana, and thithel
the affectionate heart of the father followed
him. Several times did he make the (tc
hlm) long and tedious journey to that dis
tant State, that he might 1npart counsel to-
and offer prayer for, his darling son.
An only daughter had been given him
and she was left to cheer the gloom OF the
| household in the dark and mournful day
when the mother was removed by the hand
of death. None but those who were or
terms of intimacy with the father coul6
know the deep anxiety which he felt for hel
conversion. But she grew to womanhood
an amiable, kind and affectionate, but ir
religious. and apparently thoughtless yount
woman. At a camp-meeting held on Car
isle circuit, in 1927, it pleased God to reach
her heart and to bring her as penitent tc
the mercy seat. Then she "gave up all fol
Christ" and was adopted into Gods family
Then was the fathers cup of joy full to over
flowing; from tent to tent he went tellinl
the glad news, while tears of gratitude ant
JOY rolled down his manly cheeks. Many
many, of the good people on that camy
ground entered into the fathers Joy, anl
rejoiced with him with full hearts.
1 should love- if could do so In proper
terms. to speak of his son Lemuel, whom
felt it a privilege to call my friend. n,
| was q man of much more than ordinar,