The National tribune., 1903-06-11

namely, Bible, Hymn Book and Discipline,
he started, and with a text that never wore
out or grew pale. he cried. Behold the
Lamb Of God, that taketh away the sin
of the world"
In this way he went through storms OF
wind, hail, snow and rain; climbed hills
and mountains, traversed valleys; plunged
through swamps; swan deep streams; lay
out all night, wet. weary and hungry
held his horse by the bride all night, OF
tied him to limb; slept with his saddle.
bags for his pillow, and his old big coat
Often he slept in dirty cabins, on earthen
floors, before the fire; ate roasting ears
for bread, drank buttermilk for coffee. OF
sage tea for imperial; took with hearty
zest venisOn. bear meat or wild turkey, FOL
breakfast. dinner and supper, il he could
get it. His text was always ready, and
his sermons were emphatic. This was old
fashioned Methodist preacher fare and for
tune, an equipment very different from that
of our present 10th century graduate who
goes forth with the love of souls in his
heart, complete set of theological exeget
les in his head and a full line Of Battle
Creek cereals in his stomach.
Although he had no use for theological
schools, in training preachers for his kind
of work, Cartwright favored education in
general and was the ardent friend of acad
cial visitor to McKendree College, Illinois
the Oldest institution Of his denomination
in the West, and once served as President
Of its Board of Trustees. He was an edu.
Gated man-self-educated, like Lincoln and
most of the other strong men Of that region.
But he gave to his own children, and ad-
vised for others all the school advant-
ages the better, later days afforded.
sELF-sACRIFICING BUT THRIFTY.
That Cartwright should have left an es-
tate valued at $4,000 will prove a sur
prising statement when set over against
the fact that in but three instances of his
long ministerial history was his annual sal
ary, parsimOniOusly estimated, paid to full
ness. In explanation Of this apparent par
adox we have furnished sde-light on
the character Of the man showing how ef-
fectually, from the beginning Of his set
tied work, he provided against contingent
cies which might thwart the all-absorbing
purpose of his soul. With his qualifica-
tions as preacher, evangelist and admins
traitor, his church recognized his added eff
ficiency as financier. He constantly i'm
pressed upon his parishiOners the import
ance and duty Of meeting with punctuality
the appointed appointments for the va
rious benevolences of the church, but never
pressed his own claims in the matter of
salary. He merely took what was given
him by those charged with making the
collections. His economical habits and the
judicious investment of his small savings
enabled him to thus make provision for
his widow and family.
Cartwright was five feet nine inches in
hight, weighing In his prime about $50
pounds. He was muscular and erect, with
dark brown hair, dark-gray eyes, we'll
poised head and frm-set lips, denoting
great resolution.
As a preacher, his latest eulogist, DR..
NJ. III. Chamberlin, President of McKen-
dree College, claims that he was "logicaI.
forcible and convincing, his audiences be-
ing Oft-times moved to tumultuous excite
ment. AS n debater he had few equals.
and on the floor Of the General and Annual
Conferences his intellectual strength was
conceded by both colleague and compel
itor."
That Peter Cartwright, aside from the
spiritual influences Of his long missionary
service, performed a most useful work in
softening the rudeness Of Western frontier
life and preparing the way for the won
derfully advanced civilization which imme-
diately succeeded it, no one familiar with
the facts will venture to deny.