The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15
DRS. DURBIN AND BASCOM.
Two of the Greatest Preachers in the
History of American MethOaism.
Both of Them Of Kentucky Birth and Train
ing-How They Rose from Humble
Life to Eminent Distinction.


Life to Eminent Distinction.
''The Methodist Episcopal Church." said the
| venerable DR.. Thomas Ell. Lynch to the reporter,
| "has, perhaps more than any church during the
past100 years inspired young men to great endeay-
or Young men, without the advantages of birth
or wealth, have, in this church, by the force OF
character it stimulated and the energy it encour-
| aged and developed, become eminent in scholar
ship. notable instance of this fact is the late
DR.. John P. Durbin. / knew him we'll He
was native Of Bourbon county, Ky. When
| quite youth he was put to learn the cabinet
business. In the meantime, he made profession
| of religion, and joined the Methodist Episcopal
Church. His education was very limited. In a
short time about the age of eighteen, he re-
ceived a license to preach. He was first en-
| ployed as supply on what was called the Lime
stone circuit. His circuit embraced the town OF
Augusta. afterwards the site of the Augusta Col
ege One of his preaching places was at the dwell
| ing of Abraham Baker, two miles from Augusta,
on the river hills. He was directed by the pre-
siding elder to preach at Bakers, but not to go
| into Augusta, as he was not considered suff-
l
| heard DR.. Durbin say, In reference to that in
| junction, L have often stood upon the summit OF
| those Kentucky hills, and looked down upon the
town Of Augusta, which, Moses like. I was not
| permitted to enter.
my personal acquaintance with this great di-
| vine began in the fall of 1921, when he was APP
| pointed to his first station, in Hamilton, o. 1t
was at quarterly meeting held in that place
when John Strange was his presiding elder.
Strange had preached and Durbin had made a
| few remarks announcing some appointments
| After service, recolect, ait dinner table the
relative abilities of Strange and Durbin were the
| subjects of conversation. Some greatly admired
| Strange; others thought Durbin was rather
awkward and would never succeed, as he had a
drawing habit of speech. A lawyer of consid-
cradle distinction, who was present, made the re-
mark that that young man, Durbin had in him
| the elements of greatness and would become dis
| tinguished. That year Durbin began the study
of Latin, which he pursued with great diligence,
and overcoming many difficulties he lived to be-
come professor of the Greek and Latin languages
in Augusta the town which he was not to enter
was associated with him in the college, there
| for four years l have sat with him when he
| was student porting over his books. He lived
to become the editor of the New York Christian
| Advocate, and for twenty or twenty-five years
| was the corresponding secretary of our mission
| airy society, and had charge of the great inter
ests of that organization, remaining IL that work
until his death
Henry B. Bascom was the finest looking man,
| I think, ever saw He was of very humble
! parentage, and lived at home on the Ohio side
of the river, opposite Maysvile, KY, working
for his father. At about sixteen years old he
| joined the Methodist Church. He was lofty in
| his carriage, and had the general appearance Of
| proud-spirited man. Many thought him proud
| and imperious, but know no one had kinder
heart or was more accessible to the humblest
person than was Henry b. Baseom. / believe ii
was in the year 1912 or 1915 he was brought for
ward for admission to the old Ohio annual con-
| ference. Some one objected to him on the
| the ground that he was lacking in common sense.
| Bishop Asbury made the remark: Give me that
| young man; he is not person of common sense,
but of uncommon sense
HE was received into the conference and for
| several years was appointed to some of the most
laborious circuits in the connection. Among
these where what was known as Brush Creek
circuit in Ohio and circuits in western and east
ern Virginia, among the mountains. He lost his
hat on one occasion while crossing a stream in
the Guyandotte country, and as there was
no place within reach where he could get hat
within four weeks, he had to travel the circuit
for that time with a red bandanna handkerchief
round his head | was member of the faculty
OF Pennsylvania College when he was president
of it. and before that in the Augusta College,
where he was professor of moral science By
close application to study and industry in his
ministerial duties, he was chosen chaplain in
Congress. He was much admired by Henry
Clay, who recognized him as man Of wonderful
eloquence and power. The last position filled by
Henry b. Bascom, was that of Bishop of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church South. He died in 1850,
at Louisville, returning from St Louis, where
the annual conference had been holding. On his
way to his home at Lexington, Ky. His life goes
to show what great hearted man may accom-
plish under adverse circumstances AS for DR..
Durbin, he studied English grammar while trav-
cling the Greenville o., circuit. L was there
some time ago, and saw the old dismantled church
in which Durbin preached and first attracted
notice. From Greenville he went to Lawrence
burg this State, thence to Hamilton O.
"Durbin and Bascom were entirely unlike.
Bascom in his oratory could best be compared
to grand and rushing torrent. like Niagara.
When Durbin announced his text he began in
slow and labored way, laying down his premises
and reasoning with great calmness until sud
denly, and without any premonition, he would
burst forth. 1t can best, perhaps, be compared
/ to flash of lightning which followed by
mighty reverberations. He would then come
down and pursue his speech with calmness and
again suddenly lift you to great height
that you seemed placed upon q noun
tain top where, looking down, you could be-
hold the land you had passed over. Bascom
was perfect torrent Of word and thought from
the beginning of his discourse to the end. He
was full of imagery. while simplicity and plain
ness characterized Durbin. except. as said, dur
ing his sudden bursts of power, when he held
his audience as in a spell. DR.. Durbin died
about 1876"