Toils and Struggle of the Olden Times AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ELDER SAMUEL ROGERS EDITED BY HIS SON, ELDER JOHN I. ROGERS. STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY, 180 ELM STREET. CINCINATTI, OH. 1880 This edition of the autobiography of Samuel Rogers has been corrected, updated (mostly spelling), and completely re-formatted for a more pleasant reading experience by Bradley Cobb, 2013. Toils and Struggles of the Olden Age: The Autobiography of Elder Samuel Rogers (Revised Edition) is copyright 2013 Bradley S. Cobb, all rights reserved. Published by Cobb Publishing, McLoud, OK. INTRODUCTION Brethren of superior wisdom, and on whose judgment I rely, having urged me to give the world the benefit of my father‟s autobiography, I have endeavored to answer their wishes, though in an imperfect manner; and in the form of this unpretending volume to give mankind a part of the experiences of one whose toils and travels in the cause of his Master began almost with the beginning of the present century, and have continued well-nigh to the present day. Abundant material has been at hand, in the form of letters, and articles from our periodicals, to make a volume twice as large as this; but we have chosen to give his own account of his work, and as nearly as possible in his own language, leaving men to form their own judgment concerning his eventful life. We regret that the plan of this volume has made it necessary to cut off so many chapters and parts of chapters of his autobiography, which might have been interesting and profitable to the reader. Doubtless there will be found many errors in the book, but we think they are not of a nature to impair its usefulness. As it is, we commit it to the world, praying that it may be as good seed sown in good ground, bringing fruit abundantly to the praise of God. The concluding years of my beloved father were his happiest. Being quite deaf, and almost blind, he gave himself to meditations upon things divine. His hope grew brighter every day. He conversed as one whose home is beyond the clouds. He dwelt by faith in regions so sublime, that he was enabled to see all things, even the darkest clouds, from the heaven-side. When anyone inquired of him if he were not lonesome, being in his room so much alone, he answered promptly, “No, for God is always with me." He retained his mind and memory in full vigor to the last moment of life. When informed that he had but a few moments to live, he was exceeding joyful; and turning his almost sightless eyes upwards, he said, “Is it possible that the old pilgrim is so near his journey‟s end? O, to think that in a few minutes I shall meet my Father, who has led me all the journey through; and Jesus, my blessed Savior; and that I shall so soon be with the soldiers of the cross who have gone before; and then to meet your mother, and your little children [addressing me]— this is joy too great to express!”— and closing his The Autobiography of Elder Samuel Rogers | 5 own eyes, he slept the blessed sleep. May such an end be mine, and yours, dear reader, is my prayer. John I. Rogers. Cincinnati, August 12, 1880. 6 | Toils and Struggles of the Olden Times CONTENTS. CHAPTER ONE 13 Birth in Virginia.—Emigration to Kentucky.—Settlement near Danville in the year 1793.—Removal to Clark County.—Manners and Customs of those times. CHAPTER TWO 19 His father makes a prospecting tour Westward.—Passes O‟Post, now Vincennes.—Crosses the Mississippi at Paincourt, now St Louis.— Purchases land on the Missouri, twenty miles above St. Louis— Removes with his family to his new home in 1801—He is pleased with his new home—Fertile lands.— Wild game and fruits.—The first water-mill—Night overtakes him in the forest.—He is pursued by wolves.—Makes a narrow escape.—Fishing and swimming his delight. CHAPTER THREE 25 The cession of the territory to the United States in 1804.—Lewis and Clark.—They winter in the vicinity.—Emigration is stimulated.—The dawn of civilization.—The first preachers.—His father sells out and returns to Kentucky.—He settles in Bourbon, now Nicholas County.—Marriage.—A grateful tribute to his wife and mother-in-law.—Conversion under the preaching of Stone and Dooley. CHAPTER FOUR 29 Declaration of war.—He enlists under Metcalf.—St. Mary‟s.—Fort Defiance.—Meigs.—Dudley‟s defeat.—Sickness.—Left to die in a blockhouse.—His friends save him.—His arrival at home.—Recruiting service—End of the war.—Demoralization.—Fortunate appearing of Reuben Dooley—Revival at Old Concord.—Habits of the young converts.—All pray.—Most of them exhort.—Views in regard to conversion and the call to the ministry.—Strange notions concerning Providence. The Autobiography of Elder Samuel Rogers | 7 CHAPTER FIVE 37 Trial by the Shakers—Preaching in Lewis County.—Disgraceful scene—His opinion of those who misbehave on occasions of baptism.—A tour.—The preacher and the horse cared for.—The King‟s Bounty, a cut nine-pence.—The wife‟s parting words.—At Falmouth.—Shaking hands.—In Preble County, Ohio.—The Dooleys and others.—Meeting in the woods.—Scores of mourners.—Mourners‟ benches abolished. CHAPTER SIX 43 Going to William M. Irvin‟s.—Misdirection.—A strange Providence.— Robert Long.—Development of God‟s purpose.—A great meeting in the woods.—He sees the band of God, and determines to move with his family. CHAPTER SEVEN 47 Removes to Clinton County, Ohio.—Birth of John I. Rogers in 1819.—Organization of the congregation now called Antioch.—His ordination.— Sister Worley assists.— Return home.—Forty persons immersed at the first meeting.—The Macedonian cry—Night baptisms.—Harvey‟s dream.—His conversion.—Mrs. Hodson‟s dream and baptism. CHAPTER EIGHT 53 Building a house of worship—He names it Antioch.—A few do the work.—Grateful tribute to the people, and especially to his wife. CHAPTER NINE 57 Call from Missouri.— He and James Hughes start together.—They camp out.—Cook their own meals on the way.—How they made a fire.—He goes alone to Howard County.—Wild beasts—Glorious sunrising.—A. burning prairie.—Awful reflections.—The contrast.—Finds Thomas McBride, who was overcome with good news.—Return—Stayed all night with a colored man.—Was happy.—After severe trials and dangers arrived at home in safety, having been three months out. 8 | Toils and Struggles of the Olden Times CHAPTER TEN 65 Wentworth Roberts baptized for remission in the year 1821.—Stone on baptism for remission.—David Jamison baptized for remission.—George Shideler a like convert. -—Dr. B. F. Hall.—Talbert Fanning.—James E. Matthews. CHAPTER ELEVEN 71 Tour with Hughes to Missouri—Cummins Brown.—Louis Byram.— Conversion of Elijah Goodwin, then a small boy.—Cast the net for a fish and caught a frog.—The frog‟s revenge—The home of Kincaid.—Swimming rivers by day and camping out by night.— Springfield, Ill.—Lost in the night.—Crossing the Snigh and other bayous.—A severe chill— Recovered—Meeting at Ramsey‟s Creek, Mo.—The last fall of the wrestler.—Franklin County.—Boone.— Howard.—Taken sick.—A hymn, etc. CHAPTER TWELVE 77 A tour to Virginia.—Almost without food for two days.—A witch converted.— She surprised the superstitious mountaineers by sinking.—A triumph for truth.—Home again. CHAPTER THIRTEEN 81 Our mode of worship.—No choirs, nor tuning- forks.—Acre.—Shick. —The runt calf.—Conferences in Ohio.—Our blunders.—Working a miracle.—A disappointed enthusiast. CHAPTER FOURTEEN 85 Call to Virginia.—Counter-call to Missouri.—Doubts and perplexities.— Hamrick, Hughes and Dooley.—At Indianapolis.—Horses escape.—The pursuit.—They give up the tour and return home.—Moss saddles.— Backgirths and stirrups.—Sad disappointment.—Faith shaken as to the call to the ministry.—The visit of the Muse.—The poetical effusion.—The ministering angel-wife. The Autobiography of Elder Samuel Rogers | 9 CHAPTER FIFTEEN 91 Preaches in Highland County.—Baptism of a cripple. --Treatment by a preacher.—Attack by a ruffian.—The ruffian flies.—Does not accept fully the doctrine of non-resistance. CHAPTER SIXTEEN 95 Still despondent.—Advice to young soldiers.—Tour to Missouri with his brother John.—Lexington.—Dover.—Mixing things.—The rattlesnake.— Howard County.—Fall from his horse.—Raccoons.—Safe at home.—Lungs involved.—No lions in those days.—All praise to God.—Why not? CHAPTER SEVENTEEN 101 Starts in company with John Rogers for Virginia,—Churches visited by the way.—Need of caring for weak churches.—Visit to their uncle, John Williamson.—Parson Mitchell‟s attempt to immerse.— A Calvinistic argument.—Great awakening in Pittsylvania County.—The O‟Kelly-ites. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN 107 Meeting at Charlotte Court-House.—Clopton and Alexander Campbell.—Conflicting views about Alexander Campbell in Virginia.— Meeting at Fredericksburg—Brother Fife.—Visit to Washington‟s tomb.—Baltimore and Harford County.—Judge Norris and wife.— A model family.—Reflections on Female Education.—The Creed question.—Salem and Hanoverton, Ohio.—John Secrist and John Whitacre.—Home again.—Reflections on the support of preachers. CHAPTER NINETEEN 115 A desire to see and hear for himself.—He hears Alexander Campbell for himself.—His opinion of him.—Reflections.—Attempt at schism.—The church had rest—Walter Scott.—Aylett Raines.—The Mahoning Association. 10 | Toils and Struggles of the Olden Times CHAPTER TWENTY 125 Our worship then and now.—The contrast.—In bondage.—Sighing for freedom.—The bait of the enslaver.—Had the right creed.—Our advantage.—Rebaptism. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE 131 Brother Campbell misunderstood.—Compelled to seek a new home in the West.—Stars falling, description of.—The journey.—The safe arrival.