[[20/21]] and winding the bridle up around the head of the horse he lead + him along as near as possible to the edge of the ice, and giving him a sudden & violent push plunged him into the water. The horse, finding himself so unexpectedly and unceremoniously immersed on coming up, made for the shore, where the good brother was waiting to receive him, Bro. Boothe was left to return home alone, which he did in safety, loaded with thanks for his efficient aid. The preacher mounted his horse, reached his appointment in time, thanking God for his deliverance and fully resolved not to visit Wheeling again that season, at least not to cross again on the ice.
He laboured on untill + the close of the year with some success, and made some improvement in preaching, being much encouraged in <the> hour of trial, by the kind counsels of his Presiding Elder and the Senior Preachers of the Circuit, and also by the kind attentions and prayers of the aged members, and hosts of friends who took a deep interest in his welfare, and whose kindness will never be forgotten, and doubtless they will have their reward.
As the Ohio annual Conference met that year on the 7 th of [[21/22]] <In +> August (1818) in Steubenville, he laboured on till the Conference assembled, and remained there, at the seat of the Conference, during its session, but never was in the Conference room during the time of its sitting (since none but members were then admitted) but attended regularly at the Church where a gracious revival was in progress, some thirty souls being converted during the session. On the morning of its close he, with others was called in to hear the appointments read. [He del] <Rev. C. W. Ruter & Jno Stewart (father of Rev W. F. Stewart, now stationed in this (14) City), > was [corr were] appointed to the charge of the Mahoney Circuit, {with Rev Jno. Stewart, as his colleague} {After visiting for a few days his aged Mother still living in Athens County}, The two young men started, and travelled in company to their field of labour. This was a large four weeks Circuit, in {what is now} that beautiful portion of the State of Ohio, known as “New Connecticut” or Western Reserve. This was then a new country, the lands, being very level and mostly covered with a dense forest were [illegible], The rides were long, and in the winter & Spring especially, the travelling exceedingly bad, and the swamps, at times, almost impassable. [[22/23]]
They spent their first night on the Circuit together, in the town of Canfield, at the hospitable mansion of Dr Shadrach Bostwick, then a local, formerly a travelling Preacher of deservedly high Standing in the M. E. Church. In him they found a valuable friend, wise in counsel, prudent in action, and deeply devoted to the interests of the Church. The Preachers who travelled this Circuit the previous year, were [both del] able & efficient ministers, but they had laboured and left the circuit under much discouragement, yet, as {our young Preacher always believed and <often> said}, they had sown good seed which, when they left was just beginning to vegetate. They had closed their labours early in July with a Camp meeting, at which, apparently but little good was effected, perhaps but one soul professed conversion, yet others were awakened, the Church revived, and in the society at this place, (Deerfield in Portage County,) had kept up prayer meetings, and when our young Preachers reached there, they found the kindlings of a reformation, they at once commenced, by divine aid, rousing up the fire, and the revival influence increased, and the religious [[23/24]] interest extended and it was not long till they could with propriety sing “See how great a flame aspires, kindled by a spark of grace.” (15) The good work continued to spread, till the whole Circuit was visited and wrapt in the sacred flame, and scores, yea happy hundreds were converted and brought into the fold of Christ.
After a few months, Bro. Stewart was taken by the P. Elder to another field of labour, and Dr Samuel Adams, an aged man, though young in the Ministry, was sent to supply his place. Our [del] <The> young itinerant <left in charge> had some fears for the result, but the old Dr. did well, and the good work continued to spread {and increase} thro the entire year, and at the close he left this field and his aged colleague with much regret, for although this had been a year of great toil and exposure, it had been a year of great success and much enjoyment.
During the winter and spring, the roads were exceedingly bad, where there were roads at all, yet he generally succeeded in reaching his appointments, Sometimes the swamps were frozen so that the ice would bear a man, but not sufficiently strong to bear [[24/25]] a horse, hence he would sometimes walk, holding by the end of the bridle, while the horse following would break the ice, sinking to the knees and often to the girth among broken ice, in water & mud, Thus he would press on, and in a warm religious meeting soon forget his toils, and during the year he took in several new appointments, established preaching, and formed classes where there had <been> no Methodist preaching before. {In these new places he met with little opposition, except where there were some small churches of Congregationalists, and though this <opposition> was sometimes quite determined, and <even> violent at first, it generally soon died away and all would, (appear at least to) sanction the good work.}
At these new points he witnessed many stiring + scenes, and sometimes <scenes> not a little amusing. - . When passing for the first time around the Circuit, he fell in company with a gentleman, with an intelligent countenance and venerable appearance. The stranger kindly accosted him, and enquired, “Are you the young Preacher lately come to this Circuit?”
I am.
Is your name Ruter?
It is.
Did your Parents once live in the State of Vermont?
Yes, when I was a child. [[25/26]]
Did the Methodist Preachers often visit and preach in your Father’s house?
O yes it was a regular place for Circuit preaching, from my earliest recollection.
Do you remember a local preacher who sometimes visited at your father’s by the name of B------
I do.
Do you think you would know him?
I presume not, I was but a child, and recollect of his being there but few times, though I have often heard my Parents speak of him.
“Well” said the Stranger, “I am that man.”
Is it possible? Why Brother B. I am truly glad to see you. It is cheering indeed, and unexpected. to meet with an old friend of my Father, here in this strange land; How long have you been in these western wilds?
The time was named by Brother B. He had been in the Reserve several years.
Do you live in the bounds of this Circuit?
No, I did live in <the town of> P____ for several years; but last year I moved a little farther West and do not now reside in the bounds of your Circuit, yet not very far from some of your appointments,
Well I am sorry you are not in our bounds, but I shall hope to meet with you frequently during the year, I suppose that you still Preach to the people in these regions? [[26/27=”1”]]
O yes said Bro. B. I still try to preach, I can’t give that up.
Well Bro. B, What is the state of religion in this new country, Is the church in a prosperous condition?
“No. I think not,” said he, “times are rather dull there is not much doing.”
Many kind enquiries were made of [our del] <the> young itinerant concerning his parents & relatives, especially an elder Brother ([Rev deI] M<artin> Ruter) with whom Bro. B. was well acquainted. Thus in pleasant conversation the time passed [pleasantly del] speedily away while they traveled a few miles in company. At length they parted with mutual expressions of regard & Brotherly affection, [our del] <the> young preacher urging Bro. B. to come into his field as often as he could, as he felt the need of the counsel and aid of men of age and experience, as he was young and had little knowledge of preaching and managing the affairs of the church and he hoped his elder Brethren would feel free to come and direct, and trusted that they would ever find him willing & even anxious to learn.
Bro. B. left him with a few words of kindness, and he went on, rejoicing in heart. That, he had found such an able divine, in his new field, and blessed himself with the reflection [[27="1”/28= "2”]] that he should find in him a wise & able counsellor in time of need. Judge then of his surprise and disappointment, when, on stating to the kind family, where he lodged that night, his interview with the venerable Bro. B. who had preached in his father’s house when he was but a child, he was informed by his kind host that Mr B. was indeed a strong man, a good speaker and the ablest champion of Universalism (16) in the Reserve, That he had come into that region [a del] [f del] several years ago as a Universalist Preacher, had settled in P[all but initial scored through] & gathered a large congregation, which had supported <him> for some years, and that most of the people of that town, and the surrounding country still belonged to his church, but as they had, of late, become a little less liberal in supporting him [of late del], he had been induced to change his location, & was building up a congregation where he now lived, but still preached part of his time, perhaps once in two or three weeks in P[all but initial scored through]. [[28=“2”/29=”3”]]
[The young Preacher del] <Mr Ruter (17)> was greatly astonished at this information, and some little alarmed, He secretly hoped that he should meet with the man no more, as he dreaded to come in contact with one opponent so formidable, and trembled for the honor of the Church, should he be called to defend the truth against the attacks of one so well skilled in theology as Mr B. He flattered himself however with the idea that they would probably not meet during the year, as he had no appointment in the immediate neighborhood of any of Mr B’s congregations, and determined that he would not purposely throw himself in the way of so formidable a foe.
He passed on to his appointments, and in the labour and excitement incident to his station, soon forgot the interview with the Universalism Preacher. The revival influence continued <to> spread, so that in a few months the whole community appeared to be worked up, and many were enquiring what do these things mean? The congregations continued to increase as many from distant Towns & settlements [[29=”3”/30=”4”]] would flock out to see, and hear for themselves, and those who came careless often returned serious and reports (sometimes greatly exaggerated) were circulated concerning the great things performed, and wonders wrought at these meetings, so that curiosity was much excited, and very many became desirous to hear and he had calls from various parts to come and preach with most of which he readily complied, indeed always, so far as practicable.
In the early part of the winter he received a message from a Mr T—a wealthy and respectable citizen of the town of P--. requesting him to send an appointment and Preach in his house. The messenger was authorised to inform Mr T—that on a day specified (Thursday at 2 oclock + P.M.) about three weeks in advance he would be there and preach if a congregation should be in attendance. This appointment was made without reflecting that he was going directly into the way of a man who at least he was not anxious to meet. -- When the day arrived he went to the town, and was directed to the residence of Mr. T, (a large building in the pleasant Village ([called Town del]) where he was met and cordially welcomed by the Lady of the house, who informed [[30=”4”/31=”5”]]