>INCIDENTS AND CHARACTERS OF EARLY METHODISM IN CHARLESTON, SC AND >ALABAMA > >By > >The Reverend John Elmore DuBois > >Edited by Elizabeth A. DuBois >(c) 1998 DuBois Publishing Co. All rights reserved. > >[Ed. note--The following series first appeared as newspaper articles >published in the Alabama Christian Advocate sometime around 1885. Only >the headings have been edited. The above title appeared at the >beginning of each newspaper article.] > >PROLOGUE > > Thrilling incidents, reminiscences, sketches, etc., have created >of >late quite a thirst for this kind of literature among the readers of >Methodist journals. As the gratification of this desire can only result >in good, it may be well for those who possess the facts and data to >gratify it. > > Nothing is more pleasing to the patriotic and chivalrous youth, >than to >listen to the stories of gallant heroes and the adventures of the >returned soldier; and a similar sentiment seems to possess the heart of >the young Christian in relation to the heroes of an earnest faith and >the veterans of the cross. Let this sacred sentiment be nourished and >strengthened and it will result in the productions of an intelligent >brotherhood. > > By the common consent of mankind, it is agreed that old men may >relate >incidents of the past without being called arrogant. If this is so, I >certainly have the right to speak, for I am an old man, standing midway >between the eighty-sixth and eighty-seventh mile post on the journey of >life. It is a long way to look back to my childhood, and as I do so a >very checkered panorama unfolds itself to my faded vision. But it is >only life--human life--varied, mixed and mangled, as it always is. I >wish to speak of one or two things, not foreign to my purpose before I >begin my narrative. > > Some months ago, in conversation with Dr. Meek, of the >University of >Alabama, I chanced to remark that I had heard his father, Rev. Dr. S. >Meek preach in Charleston, SC in 1813, while filling that important >station. Just here I hope the doctor will pardon me for saying that it >fills my heart with gratitude to God to know that the memory of this >noble father has been honored by a son so distinguished as a scholar and >a Christian gentleman. > > During this pleasant interview, Dr. Meek proffered me the loan >of a >small volume called "Methodism in Charleston," by Rev. F.A. Wood, A.M., >and edited by Thomas O. Summers, D.D., who says it will not only be >interesting to the reader in its present form, but will be also >available to the future historian of the Church. This little book has >furnished me with valuable information, and I heartily commend it to the >careful perusal of every Southern Methodist, and thank Dr. Meek most >cordially for his generous kindness. > >[to be continued...] >