INCIDENTS AND CHARACTERS IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF METHODISM

By

The Reverend John Elmore DuBois

Edited by Elizabeth A. DuBois
(c) 1998  DuBois Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

FOUR (cont.)
Hog's Fat and Molasses

        But again to my story.  Once in the midst of a sermon, one of
their
preachers in dealing the Methodists a blow said, "It is as impossible to
mix faith and works as it is hog's fat and molasses."  Among their
ministers was one extensively known as "Club-axe Davis."  He was as
eccentric as rational humanity can be, if not a little more so, and
while he possessed a warm and genial nature, he hated Methodism
earnestly, and was often heard to say he "did not like a bone in a
Methodist's body."

     On another occasion one of them arose to preach.  Standing under a
tree, he said, "I know no more about what I am going to say than I know
what is inside of this tree."  The impression of the congregation when
he got through was that he knew no more when he closed than when he
began.

 But, say what we may about this people, they had many virtues.  Many of
them were good and pious Christians, and their actions were consistent
with their professions.  In many of the practical virtues of life they
put to blush their more enlightened brethren of other sects, and have
ever held at premium honor and integrity.  The lamented Bishop Marvin
once lecturing a congregation on the subject of debt, said, "I wish
Methodists had more of the hard shell spirit of debt paying.  And in
saying this of a much ridiculed sect, I pay them one of the highest
compliments that can be paid to a Christian denomination."

Jno. DuBois
Eutaw, Ala.

[To be continued]

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