23. Spent the day at home in reading, meditation and prayer. Brother Jenner preached in the evening. I labored hard to bring penitents to the altar. Three came out, two of whom were old acquaintances of mine, for whom I had felt a deep interest. One found peace.
After meeting was dismissed we heard that Ezekiel R——, an old man eighty-two or eighty-three years of age, who lived one mile and a quarter east of the schoolhouse, had that day been killed by the cars in crossing the track at Shelby. I knew the man from my boyhood; he bought out my father in that country in 1853. He was very wealthy. God had blessed him with long life, prosperity, and good health. But he had no thanks to offer to his divine Benefactor, having set his whole heart upon the god of this world. There was no place for Christ in his heart. He leaned toward Universalism, because congenial to the carnal mind. He was filled with skepticism and was always in the habit of speaking lightly of preachers and professors of religion. I visited him twice during the meeting at Auburn last winter and conversed with him on the subject of religion. He acknowledged that there is one thing in the Bible that caused him to study a good deal, and that is the new birth, which he said, was perfectly dark to him. He told of having once gone to hear one of the greatest champions of Universalism preach on the subject. "But," said he, "I received no light whatever." His case was a clear fulfilment of 1 John 2:11, "Darkness hath blinded his eyes," and 2 Cor. 4:4, "The God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." He had a very large development of brain, of which firmness was the largest developed organ. What a pity that the devil perverted these faculties!
I was informed that he was going that day to close a mortgage and take a widow's farm from her. His last words to his wife, who cautioned him to beware of the cars at the crossing, were, "I was not made to be killed by the cars." This is like one who said to his soul, "Thou hast much laid up for many days; eat, drink, and be merry." But God said "Thou fool! this night shall thy soul be required of thee." He said "I was not made to be killed by the cars." But God said, "Thou fool! this day shalt thou be killed by the cars." His brains were dashed out and strewn along the road. His body was much mangled. But his poor soul has gone with all its guilt to where another rich man opened his eyes in torment.
The entry for the 24th, which was Sunday, records his preaching a farewell sermon to the congregation at New Washington, and also his reference to the revival held there in February, 1871. He had had the care of the congregation there.
25. I and Bro. S. Kline came to Conlay's, near Annapolis, Crawford County, Ohio, and began my first protracted effort in the name of Christ. Preached from Psa. 85:6,7. A good interest was manifested. Oh that God would visit the place in power, save many precious souls, and raise up a people for his name!
27. Started early for Bucyrus on our way to the Standing Committee at Rock Run. Took train at 10 A. M., arrived there at noon. I was chosen to fill a vacancy on the committee. Upon us devolved the solemn and responsible duty of trying and dis-fellowshiping Elder L. E—— for immoral conduct. Oh, what a pity! May the Lord have mercy upon him and help him to repent and be restored to the confidence of the people. May he be saved in the day of wrath. Oh, how careful the man of God, especially the minister of the gospel, should conduct himself in this wicked world! Lord, deliver us from temptation.
The meetings referred to in the next few entries were a protracted effort at the Conlay Bethel, near Annapolis, now called Sulphur Springs, Crawford County, Ohio.
Dec. 4, 1872. Visited a sick saint, J. McEntire, who has been afflicted for many years. He was near his last. Oh, what a happy soul. The night before he was almost gone. Said he, "I saw a convoy of angels around my bed waiting to carry my spirit home. I thought I was going home. Here I am yet lingering on the shores of time." Then a brother came in, to whom he remarked, "Sister Polly has gone home. I thought I would beat her, but I am left behind. All summer I and Cousin Patrick and Aunt Polly have had a hard race, but they have both crossed over and I am left to struggle on; but every gale wafts my little ship nearer the shining shore." "Oh!" said he, "It is all bright ahead, not a cloud do I see." After a little rest he remarked, "Oh! Brother, I know that my spirit will not go down into forgetfulness until the resurrection; but I am going to Jesus, which is far better. Oh, how sweet the name of Jesus!" I spent the day with this brother, sang and prayed with him. Eve, preached from Acts 3:19.
9. Spent the day in fasting and in much wrestling and prayer for poor souls under the guilt of sin. Preached from Luke 13:6-9. One young lady came to the altar.
10. Under much discouragement during the day. Evening, while singing the opening hymn I was greatly refreshed at the coming in of Bro. William Burchard, from Auburn, who was converted under my labors and baptized by me last winter. He was a very wild, wicked man, but has become a model of piety and earnest devotion. He has a brilliant intellect and has already made great proficiency in preaching. Thank God for such men of holy zeal. He being tired with the walk of eleven miles, I preached, from Ezek. 33:11. The penitent of the previous night came out and soon the good news went to heaven that another soul was saved by grace. It was a glorious meeting. One sister shouted. I got a great victory and was very happy. Likewise testified the convert and all the rest who spoke.