A Missionary in Jefferson County, 1843

The Presbyterian missionary who gave this account did not provide his name and disguised the name of the neighborhood in which he spoke. But it gives a view into how proselytizing worked before the Civil War.

The Missionary Chronicle: Containing the Proceedings of the Board of Foreign Missions and of the Board of Missions Presbyterian Church: and a General View of Other Benevolent Operations. Vol. XI 1843. New. York, Philadelphia.

INDIANA. FROM A MISSIONARY IN JEFFERSON CO. Protracted Meetings — Revivals of Religion. I have been much encouraged in my labours at S**'** Although I spent but one Sabbath in the month with them during the year, yet I uniformly met with them on the Saturday preceding, catechized the young people, and closed the exercise with a sermon, so that they have had two days' preaching every month.

There was a growing seriousness, and frequent additions were made to the church up to the month of August, when we commenced a protracted meeting, which was continued for eight days, and resulted in the addition of thirty-eight persons on examination, to the communion of the church. I was aided by two neighbouring brethren, and as it may be interesting to know something of our mode of conducting the meeting, I will briefly state it. We had a uniform course of services throughout the meeting; — prayer meeting at 9 o'clock in the morning; preaching at 11 o'clock, and, after an intermission of half an hour, a second sermon.

The congregation was then dismissed to return to their homes for refreshment; and after taking a meal which served for both dinner and supper, they met again between five and six o'clock for prayer; and at candle lighting we had another sermon. The evening exercises were usually closed by 9 o'clock and the people returned to their houses for rest. From the commencement of the meeting the assembly was characterized by great solemnity, this grew into deep feeling, manifesting itself usually by silent tears.

There was no outcry, no disorder but the Spirit of the Lord was manifestly carrying on his gracious work in the hearts of the people; and I have seldom found more satisfactory evidence of a gracious change, than was presented in most of the cases. A deep conviction of their lost and helpless condition, as sinners and an entire and cheerful surrender of their hearts to the Saviour, together with an unreserved trust in him as their prophet, priest and king, was characteristic of almost every case.

Eight of the number were heads of families; the others were principally those who had been members of the catechetical class, and children of the church. The state of feeling in this little church seems still to be good, and they are very anxious to secure one half of my ministerial services, but they are poor and burdened with a debt contracted for building a house for worship; when they get clear of this they hope to be able to sustain themselves.

May the Lord reward the Board a thousand-fold for their labors of love.