West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-09-13
SKETCH
OF che Lifc of smith Crnne.

AhNcC N0NNc hVNAAO NAl( AlAt VI
very uncommon man. He came of a
substantial family which settled in New
Jersey before the Revolutionary War,
and from there was spread into almost
every northern and western State. His
grandfather came to Preston county
nlnety-three years ago aud made home
on the waters of Muddy Greek, in what
is now Pleasant district. Here Smith
Crane spent the first twenty three years
of his life, working ON his fathers farm
in summer and attending school, at in-
tervals, in wloter. In the autumn of
lsSs,h was sent 10 Brandonvillo for fow
months TO attenda select school taught by
Joseph Uncles. This, his flrstprolonged
absence from home, brought n crisis In
the life of the growing boy. Not only
was he then, for the first time, under
the care of superior teacher, but he
was also thrown into the society of
earnest Christians of his own AGE.
Through the influence OF the Rev. Viii
liam Cox, until lately distinguished
member of the Pittsburgh Conference,
he was brought TO begin public relig-
ious life. MIR. Crane dated this begin
ming nom Sunday evening, january s,
1889. But he did not fix the time OF his
conversion nearer than TO say that at a
prayer-meeting during the early months
oil 1889, Christ "spoke peace TO my
troubled heart.n At that time he united
with the Methods { Episcopal Church on
probation.
After live years more on his fathers
farm, MIR. Crane came TO Kingwood to
write IN the clerks Office under John u.
Byrno, Esq, as deputy clerk. Here his
religious life began In earnest. He
took up his public religious duties
promptly and actively. Near the close
OF 1874, under the stimulus of sermon
preached by the Rev. ID. Il. Mitchell, he
formed the resolution of reading the
Bible through once year, according to
plan made by Edward or Samuel Frey,
OF Baltimore. About the same time he
began to keep weekly journal of his
Christian experience. At protracted
meeting, which began at Kingwood In
November Of that year, his brother, A.
ID. Crane, was converted. This event
produced deep impression on the heart
OF the subject of this sketch, and he re-
solved to devote himself entirely to the
service of God, and TO make religion the
chief business of his life.
In December, 1874, though still only
a probauoner in the church, ho was APP
pointed leader of Methodist class
meeting which was held every two weeks
at what was then William Morgan's
school-house, near the present church at
Snider's, two miles and three-quarters
southwest of Kingwood. In view of
his new responsibilities, he adopted for
his guidance twenty-five simple, search
ing and practical rules. Among these
was the purpose never 10 be worth more
than fifty thousand dollars, and until
that sum should be reached, 10 givo lib
orally what he could spare for the cause
OF Christ and charitable purposes. These
rules, which appear to have been pre-
pared originally by Mr.. Cobb, were
recorded by Mr.. Crane in his journal in
the form of resolutions, and after APP
pending the solemn formula, $50 help
me God" he signed his name to them.
On the 18th Of February, 1S45, he was
baptized at the Mount Morris meeting
house, in Barbour county, by the .Roy.
William Swazey, then Presiding Elder
OF the district, and formally received
into full membership in the church after
a probation Of more than six years. In
explanation Of this long delay, Mr..
Crane writes IN his journal that he left
Brandonville before his probation ex-
pred and that during the next few years
he was where there were but few relig-
ious privileges. In consequence he be-
came cold and unworthy TO take upon
him the solemn obligations Of church
membership. From this time on, for
nearly twenty-five years, we have full
and satisfactory Information concerning
Mr.. Cranes religious life. The journal
above referred to, was written up very
regularly for five years, and afterwards
with less regularity until the 9Th Of Sep
TENDER, 1869. Then without any inti-
nation ofhis purpose TO do so, he ceased
to write it. He did not lose his interest
in what he had written, az is shown by
his carefully preserving the loose sheets
OF paper and the blank book which he
had filled. Moreover, in tho latter part
OF 1888, he put in order the sheets above
referred to, and began to copy their con-
tents into book especially prepared for
the purpose, prefixing to the Journal a
brief sketch OF his earlier Christian ex-
perience. This copying was continued
at intervals up to May 81, 1887, when IL
Cranes purpose TO publish narrative Of
his life or not is only a matter Of infer
ence. Inasmuch as il was usually writ
ten on Sunday, this journal contains
only brief notices OF current events.
Besides, it was 10 be expected that n
man whose life became so Accordingly
religious would write his spiritual ex-
perionces rather than what was only
secular, and his opinion comparatively
unimportant.
In Mr.. Byrne's Office, Mr.. Crane
served IN a subordinate capacity for eight
years, mastering tho details Of the
county business. Although his Origi-
nal agreement was for ouly three years,
he did not complain Of his prolonged ap-
premiership, but remained heartily faith
ful 70 his employer aud his interests TO
the last. When his promotion TO the
clerkship finally came Il was the result
OF simple and general recognition Of
his fitness for the office. From the time
when In 1852 he was elected clerk Of the
county court, until bis death, he was
constantly in the service OF TIE county
as clerk Of one or both Of the courts.
His FIRST election 70 Office, though mati-
flying, did not unduly elate him. His
journal contains q simple reference 10
H. H.. III HM