The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-07-03
SKETCHES
FROM THE LIFE OF a WEST vIR-
GINA METHODIST PREACHER
WORTHY OF PERUsAI.
Rev. Dr Fullerton Reviews Through
the Columns Of the Telegram His
Thirty Years Work in the West
Virginia Ministry.
sketcll al.

Sketch XII.
During the summer months the super
intendent Of schools held a normal in.
stitltte for the benefit of teachers and
other students of Bloundsyille and Mar
shall county. Mr.. Fullerton added 70
his other duties The pleasure Of deliver.
ing a morning lecture from . to 10
o'clock five days in the week. These
lectures were on two subjects, "AIorl
Philosophy" and Mental Science" They
numbered in all fifty addresses. The
only attempt that was ever made to
convert this preacher to belief in psirft.
ism, or spiritaulism us some call it, was
during this pastorate. The atciye agents
were two First highly cultured min
lister of another denomination, who had
himself been carried awuy by this strange
doctrine while going through college and
who was evidently sincere in his opin.
ions; and secondly woman, whose mind
was not Of the strongest, thought she
had special call to act as a medium of
strange revelations. This latter person
wrote numerous letters ito her pastor, in
which she made some communications
of a startling character, both in regard
ito the spirit world and the world in which
we live. Mr.. Fullerton escaped unharm.
ed from these missionaries and declined
the study of the mystic science of dar.
kcned rooms, Many and varied are
the ludierious events occurring in Il min
ister's career among the people.
The presiding elders during the pasto
raj term were William Coleman Wilson
and L. w. Ryan, the former afterwards
moving to Los Angeles, Cal, and the
latter to Detroit, Mich. Both are kindly
remembered by u host Of people in West
Virginia. Mr.. Wilson was u courteous,
genial Christian gentleman Of splendid
physique and commanding presence. His
social qualities made him welcome every
where and largely formed the secret of
his success as a preacher His ability
was not marked, belonging TO that class
which we usually designate as moderate.
DR.. Ryan was also a delightful asso-
eiate. His disposition was also Of the
the very genial order, general favorite
wherever he went, a popular preacher Of
graceful pulpit manner, eloquent, i'm
pressive and thoughtful. His sermons
were always good and his congregations
large. DIR. Ryan never forgot the names
Of the young people whom he met. He
could call every boy and girl by their
first names, even after an absence of
months. The very dogs would rcmcm-
Der him and he had always a kindly
word for them. These few words of
tender mention are due the persons nam
ed for many kindnesses received by Mr..
Fullerton during this busy period in his
ministry. He is also glad to record that
in all the time Of ministerial life he has
never had quarrel or controversy with
any of his presiding elders.
Mr. Fullerton's next station was State
Street church, Charleston, where he serv-
ed the full term, lsS2.lss5. He had nc,
ceptcd an invitation to this stallion dur
ing the psrrgliug year, Of course, sub
aprpoal Of the presiding
bishop The conference that year was
held in olarksburg, Bishop anhcws pre-
sided. What changes since then! How
different is Clarksburg Of today! One
could not recognize the place by the old
landmarks. 1t was a quiet, casy-going
old place then, sIumbcring very peace
fully in its beautiful gardens and com
Portable residences. No special desire to
be awakened then. Everything was
good enough. What a change has been
wrought in the Clarksburg of todayl
The coming central and leading CONNER.
cial city of the state, possibly the fti'
ture capital OF West Virginia, a city Of
splendid homes and prosperous progress.
i've people. At that time tlSs2l Uncle
Nathan Golf, as we called him, was the
leading figure of the NJ. Z. church Of
Clarksburg. He attended The session Of
the conference and some Of the preachers
styled him The vice president. Metho-
dism here owes much to this rugged old
pioneer. He gave literally to its sup
port for that day, and he was always
the pastors friend Mr.. Fullerton was in
Mr.. GofT's home but twice, and yet he
was treated on those occasions as il he
had right 10 anything the house vi.
forded. 10 these worthy old patriarchs
who have passed away it is pleasure
to bear tribute of praise and apprccio-
tion,