The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-14
THE SADDLE BAGS HERO
BY JOHN J. LAFFERTY, D. LIT.

Bancroft. in the latest edition of his history of the United States, gives chap ter to the debt this republic owes to the Methodist ministry. These apostolic men, on horseback, tra, eled from the land or the frost in the north to the settlements in "the clearings" on the edge Of the hunting grounds of the red savage in the south and west. proclaiming the sospei throughout the entire country.
 The worldly goods of these consecrated men were often contained in the saddle baps astride their steeds. Their remun- eration in money was meager. There has been preserved an itemlzed account or the annual salary of one of these heroic and devout men. The total sum runs beyond $11 by a few cents. The pay of bishop was fixed at s6o year. His duty demanded that once, at least, within twelve months he should make a tour of course. on his horse, from the St. Law renee, through colony, commonwealth and territory, till he saw the utmost mission- ary, preaching to the people fringlng civ ilization, bordering the warpath of the ln- dian on the Ohio and along the Missis- sippi The first bishops were styled gen eral superntendents," which title fitted their functions as inspectors general and chief managers. They usually rose at dawn, rode in snow and sunshine twenty miles to breakfast, then tlll mid day, when they preached, then hurried on till "candle-lighting." and gave anoth- CT sermon These 'dates'' had been made months ahead. It was rare that bishop failed to ride up to the place of service at the exact hour He must travel through storms, swim swollen rivers pick his way across forests by woodmans craft or compass. At times. he was 'lost' and slept in the woods. He shared in the rough life of the people. If the highest dignitary endured this hard fortune. how narrow and rude the daily toll and fare of the average circuit rider?" To evange- lize the people, they must go to the plain people and live like the people.
 The phlosophic statesman well values the worth of such a permeating and per vasive influence during the raw and fer menting unsettled conditions of the early years of our country Bishop Madison is on record as saying that nearly every collegebred man he met at that period was infected by the infidelity that ragged in France. inoculating our cultured class. And worse, our army 'swore an octave higher" than another army did fin Elan ders." The disbanded troops poisoned the entire land with profanity and bad be- havior Few of the historic men, the chief warriors and statesmen, were Chris tians Jefferson was more than tainted The diary of Franklin contains such filth and foulness that it cannot be printed without omissions. Hamilton confessed to social vice in the Reynolds affair.
 It is conceded that without these self sacrificing ministers summoning men to better moral living, visiting every nook in every state, evoking dominating re- ligous enthusiasm, which drew together even In sparee regions, like 'Cane Ridge in Kentucky. twenty thousand people without such a masterful force, restrain ing fierce passions, orderly freedom, reg ulated liberty, balanced society would have been impossible. The republic does indeed owe a deep debt to these noble spirits. No newspaper, as now, gazetted their elouuence, No historian preserved their achievements and adorned his pages with their portraits. Their tireless exer- tions in hail, under hot sky, across vast mountains, knowing no rest, consumed the juices of life at early age. They were withered veterans at forty. Their home less careers forbid marriage. The favor of friend gave a roof and a pallet to these exhausted pioneer preachers till death furnished couch of clay for the repose of their wasted bodies. Wherever their pathetic dust rests, hero and a patriot has consecrated that spot. It is holy ground.