Smyrna times., 1902-03-12

6OAhS Oh hhOCA lhC PeobOAobO VI ANONs
Vaughan S. Collins at Asbury NJ. E.
Church and resulted in over 200 con-
versions, has revived the history of
other revivals which have been famous
in Smyrna, namely the "Stubbs' Re-
vival" of rs, at which over 325 were
converted, and the "Revival of 80"
The former is within the memory of
many of our citizens, but the purpose
of this article is to review the "Great
Revival of 1S29," which incorporates
much of the history of early Metho-
dism in Smyrna. The late Rev. John !
A. Roche, d. D.. well-known to many
in Smyrna, who passed to his reward
some four years ago at the age of 8j, |
was a convert of this revival and it was
one of the pleasures of his later life to
visit Smyrna and renew the associa-
tions of his boyhood days. In his
Autobiography and Sermons" COM
piled by his children, which was issued
last year by Eaton & Mains, of New
York City, we take the following ex-
tracts:
Dr. Roche on the Great Revival.
''In my fourteenth year 1 thought it
time to engage in some kind of busi
ness for self-support, and went to
Smyrna, Del, and entered as a clerk
in the store of Messrs. William L. Du-
hamel and John S. Lambdin. [ re-
mained there some ten months, but
felt desire to learn trade; and not
by mothers dictation, but by her con-
sent, bound myself to Messrs. Ben
son and Cats, large coach makers, to
learn harness making and trimming.
It was from no lack of ability that
left the store. Young as L was, 1 had
an opportunity of going into the best
store of the town, that of John Cum
Minis. But wanted trade.
''This was the epoch of my life.
While there, in June, 1929, there broke
4 out in Smyrna one of the greatest re-
=ss=zls of religion that I have ever
known, and was one of the early con-
verts; and both my sisters then in
Smyrna, Sarah Ann and Ellen Maria,
were numbered with the saved.
Solomon Sharp and Henry King.
''At the time named, Solomon Sharp
and Henry G. King were the preachers
of this circuit. What laws the wisdom
of the episcopacy recognizes in making
men colleagues we cannot always
Judge. 1t may be a question whether
contrasts or resemblances exert the
greater power. AS a rule, a married
and single man were associated, to
prevent too much expense to the
charge. As rule, young and mex
perienced man was placed under one
whose age. experience, and wisdom
in the administration of our economy
made him the proper instructor and
guide of the Junior in his studies and
mipistrations. Colleges were unknown
as preparations for our work. Theo-
logical seminaries did not much more
than exist in even the strongest de-
nominations. When spoken of as in
stitutions of the Old World it was with
derision, as manufacturers of preach.
ers.' the Methodist ministers were
supposed to be God made We were
known as graduates of Bush College.
The country was sparsely settled. Vii
lagos were small Towns were few
and far between. The fields and the
forests, the swamp and the wilderness!
constituted much of the ground W.
travelled. Thence came many of tn,
people to whom we preached the word
Solomon Sharp was one of the hon
~ad fathers of the former century
Henry G. King had been a preache
for nine years only, but had alread,
made for himself a name. He haC
filed charges of interest and response
bility in city and country. In hi
earlier ministry one was brought t,
Christ upon whom the eyes of tn
Church were at once fixed, and who il
short time filled some of the first sta
tions in American Methodism, ant
who, while yet young, was called t
the professorship of our first univer
sity, and was then elected correspond
ing secretary of the American Bibl
Society, and for about a generatlo
served with highest honor in that res
ponsible position. What minister ths
has labored among us awaits richie
jewel for his crown than Henry c
King, in that precious seal of his mil
istry, DR.. Joseph Holdrich?
''Bnt with all the reputation and e,
perience of King, by the fact that /
had lost his wife, he was placed as I'll
Junior, because he stood as a sing
preacher.
Were Religious Powers Ia Smyrna.
"a greater contrast, in some of the