INCIDENTS AND CHARACTERS OF EARLY METHODISM IN CHARLESTON, SC AND
ALABAMA

By

The Reverend John Elmore DuBois

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

[Ed. note--The following series first appeared as newspaper articles
published in the Alabama Christian Advocate sometime around 1885.  Only
the headings have been edited.  The above title appeared at the
beginning of each newspaper article.] 

PROLOGUE

        Thrilling incidents, reminiscences, sketches, etc., have created
of
late quite a thirst for this kind of literature among the readers of
Methodist journals.  As the gratification of this desire can only result
in good, it may be well for those who possess the facts and data to
gratify it.

        Nothing is more pleasing to the patriotic and chivalrous youth,
than to
listen to the stories of gallant heroes and the adventures of the
returned soldier; and a similar sentiment seems to possess the heart of
the young Christian in relation to the heroes of an earnest faith and
the veterans of the cross.  Let this sacred sentiment be nourished and
strengthened and it will result in the productions of an intelligent
brotherhood.

        By the common consent of mankind, it is agreed that old men may
relate
incidents of the past without being called arrogant.  If this is so, I
certainly have the right to speak, for I am an old man, standing midway
between the eighty-sixth and eighty-seventh mile post on the journey of
life.  It is a long way to look back to my childhood, and as I do so a
very checkered panorama unfolds itself to my faded vision.  But it is
only life--human life--varied, mixed and mangled, as it always is.  I
wish to speak of one or two things, not foreign to my purpose before I
begin my narrative.

        Some months ago, in conversation with Dr. Meek, of the
University of
Alabama, I chanced to remark that I had heard his father, Rev. Dr. S.
Meek preach in Charleston, SC in 1813, while filling that important
station.  Just here I hope the doctor will pardon me for saying that it
fills my heart with gratitude to God to know that the memory of this
noble father has been honored by a son so distinguished as a scholar and
a Christian gentleman.  

        During this pleasant interview, Dr. Meek proffered me the loan
of a
small volume called "Methodism in Charleston," by Rev. F.A. Wood, A.M.,
and edited by Thomas O. Summers, D.D., who says it will not only be
interesting to the reader in its present form, but will be also
available to the future historian of the Church.  This little book has
furnished me with valuable information, and I heartily commend it to the
careful perusal of every Southern Methodist, and thank Dr. Meek most
cordially for his generous kindness.

[to be continued...]

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