The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1905-11-09

as seekers, without conversion.
AS they used to say they "never
let fellow up till they put him
through" These were string
times in the church and nation.
While ] wac here the first gun
of the Civil War was fred on
Ft. Sampler. Here / preached my
first war sermon and did my first
military duty by standing guard
for time musket in hand. The
church was constantly in revi-
val state, and the pastorate closed
with more than two hundred ac-
cessions to her mem bership, and a
large increase in all benevolences.
The r. v. Levi Cunningham, n
noble man, genial companion and
a good preacher, was my Presid-
ing Elder.
My next charge for two years
was Spencer Chapel, Portsmouth.
Brother Cunningham was still my
Presiding Elder. While / was
here the Morgan raid occurred,
FOR a time great excitement pre-.
vailed but he was headed off by
the Union forces.
At that time also, Morgan, the
Union general, abandoned Cum
berland gap, and stopped at Ports
mouth about a week, horses, mules
and troops were in sad plight
and most destitute condition.
But during their stay, the citizens
feasted them on the fat of the
land. Portsmouth is beautiful
city and a pleasant place to live,
the people are social, friendly and
generous, and church goers, the
Ministers preached to large and
attentive congregations. The
Ladies Aid Society and festivals
were well patronized and a great
financial help to the church, the
receipts of single social often
footed up thirty or forty dollars.
In the two years the society can
celled debt of fifteen hundred
dollars on the parsonage.
The pastoral term closed pleas
antly, with an increase Of over a
hundred to the membership, and
good collections for the benevo-
lencss and paid up salary.
From Portsmouth l was trans
ferred to Gallipolis and served
that charge for three years. The
last year of my pastorate here the
Lord favored US with the most
wonderful revival of my ministry.
During a protracted meeting
three hundred and twenty-six were
received on probation, most of
whom were converted, and the
church was greatly revived. Here
was large hospital for soldiers,
during the Civil War Gallipolis
was a depot for supplies and
troops. Soldiers were here from
different states, 1t was a favor
able time to hold a protracted
meeting, there were local preach
ers, exhorters and class leaders
among the soldiers full of religious
zeal and fervor and who were will
ing and efficient workers. We had
proved the Lord by prayer, and
faith, and he gloriously fulfilled
his promise and "Opened the win
dows of heaven, and poured out
blessing till there was not room to
receive it," For weeks each even
ing the church would be crowded
long before service, SO eager were
the people.
The altar was crowded with
penitents night after night and
the shout Of many saved souls
would go up in praise to God.
One evening a touching scene oc-
Cured. Two soldiers came for
ward, each had lost leg, drop
ping their crutches they fell at the
altar crying for mercy and soon
found it. Willing hands assisted
them while thsy praised God
standing on one leg.
Thus for ten weeks the glorious
work went on. The "fallow
ground had been broken up and
God came and reigned righteous
ness upon the people,"
These were years of temporal as
we'll as spiritual prosperity to the
church. Aided by the people out
side, as we'll as in the church, we