"We have reason to believe that his sun went down in peace-that he died in the faith."

We devote so much space to Mr. Haw, because the truth of history demands it. However much we may lament his departure from primitive Methodism, we rejoice in that grace by which he maintained a Christian character and found sweet consolation in the hour of death.

As yet, we had but two circuits in Kentucky. The Danville Circuit included one-third the entire State, while the Lexington embraced the counties of Fayette, Jessamine, Woodford, Franklin, Scott, and Harrison.

Among the ministers whose labors contributed so much to the advancement of the cause of truth during this year, the name of James O'Cull ought not to be omitted. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and by birth and education a Roman Catholic. When quite a young man, he attended a Methodist meeting, and was awakened under the preaching of the gospel; and, immediately upon his conversion, began to persuade others to seek the salvation of their souls. In 1789, he came to Kentucky, a local preacher, and traveled two years under the Presiding Elder. In 1791, he joined the Conference, and was appointed to the Cumberland Circuit as colleague to Barnabas McHenry. Naturally of a feeble constitution, he was unable to endure the privations and perform the labors required of him

*

Quarterly Review of Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Vol. III., p. 416.

on that circuit, and before the close of the year he was compelled to retire from the work, to enter it as an itinerant no more. In Kentucky, however, as well as on the Cumberland Circuit, he was successful as a minister. Through his instrumentality, many souls were awakened and converted to Godamong whom was the husband of Mrs. Jane Stamper, referred to in a former chapter. As a preacher, Mr. O'Cull stood high. His sermons were not only distinguished for their zeal and fervor, but also for their strength and discrimination. To the doctrines and economy of the Methodist Church he was deeply attached, and to vindicate them, whenever assailed in his presence, was the joy of his heart.

Subsequent to his labors on the Cumberland Circuit, his health was so feeble that he could preach but seldom, and frequently in only a whisper, yet a peculiar unction always attended his ministrations. One who knew him well gives the following account of a sermon he heard him preach :

"I once heard him preach a characteristic sermon on the parable of the Prodigal Son. He brought the whole subject simply but forcibly before the congregation. First he described the prodigal leaving home, thoughtless and gleeful-the very expression of wealth and fashion. He followed him to the resorts of pleasure and dissipation, where he was surrounded by flattering sycophants, who complimented his person, his talents, and, above all, his liberality. He sailed on a smooth sea while his

*Rev. Jonathan Stamper.

permanent form. The experience of Poythress and of Haw-the sound and logical preaching of McHenry-the persuasive eloquence of Wilson Lee, and of Brooks, with the holy zeal, the pathos, and the tears of Peter Massie, and the earnestness of James O'Cull, under the blessing of Heaven, invested Methodism with a commanding influence. At the close of the year, they report one thousand and ninety members, being an increase of two hundred and twenty-seven.

During this year, the support of the preachers was very defective. Small as the allowance was, the people were unable to meet it. Hence, at the Conference held in Baltimore on the 6th of September, we have the following record: "At the Baltimore Conference, there was a collection of £72 9s. 6d; and, as the brethren in the Kentucky and Ohio Districts happened to be in the greatest need, the Conference generously voted two-thirds of the said sum as a partial supply for the preachers in the Ohio District, and one-third for the brethren in Kentuckythe whole to be sent in books."*

It was truly fortunate that the support of the preachers at that day did not require large amounts. They were all, then in Kentucky, unmarried men, and their appointments were so remote from each other that they could have no settled home, but lived among the people.

*General Minutes, Vol. I., p. 39.