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LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 REV. A. CROOKS, A. M. 
 
 WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY HIS WIFE, 
 
 MRS. E. W. CROOKS. 
 
 " Servant of God, well done ; 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ ; 
 The battle fought, the victory won ; 
 
 Enter thy Master's joy." 
 
 SYRACUSE, N . Y.: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY D. S. KINNEY, WESLEY AN METHODIST 
 PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
 
 18 7 5. 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 ^ 
 
 The present work is issued to perpetuate the precious 
 memory of Adam Crooks, as well as respond to the gener- 
 al demand of a stricken people. Thrown upon the stage 
 of action when the world of morals was being shaken in 
 Church and State by priests and politicians, who held that 
 the right of American Slavery was not to be questioned, 
 the subject of this memoir, though still in his youth, 
 withstood the baseless claims of this vaunting Goliah. 
 
 This early stand for God and humanity started him upon 
 the pathway of independence of thought and actioD, which 
 
 N characterized all his after life. 
 «U His sense of honor, his dignified manhood, his fidelity to 
 
 C)q the truth, his fai f h in God, his deep piety, his practical 
 ^ common sense, his unflinching fortitude, his tender sympa- 
 thies, his breadth of thought, his care for the common weal, 
 and his philanthropic spirit made him a natural leader. Men 
 
IV INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 felt like trusting him, and no man ever felt that trust be- 
 trayed. 
 
 This memoir has been prepared, for the most part, by 
 her whose journey for nearly twenty-two years has been at 
 his side. That her deepest interest has entwined around 
 the objects of his toils and fortunes, it is eminently fitting 
 that to these pages should be given that careful and truth- 
 ful expression of the facts of history, which her intimacy 
 with him will warrant. 
 
 And now that his dust so quietly rests in his hillside 
 home, no one will wonder that she feels deeply bereaved 
 as she still takes up the burden of life, and walks the 
 rough ways of the world all alone. Still anxious for the 
 dear people whom he loved so much and left so soon, 
 with his companions in arms, we know she still prays that 
 each may be loyal to duty, until one by one all may join 
 him again in the Paradise of God. 
 
 L. N. S. 
 
TO THE 
 
 FAITHFUL SOLDIERS IN THE MORAL 
 
 CONFLICT;— HIS ASSOCIATES IN 
 
 THIS HOLY WAR :— 
 
 TO THOSE 
 
 WHO FELL AROUND HIM, AND TO THOSE 
 
 WHO SURVIVE, AND UNTO 
 
 HIM 
 
 TO WHOM WE DEDICATE OUR SABBATHS, 
 
 OUR SANCTUARIES, AND OURSELVES, 
 
 THIS VOLUME 
 
 IS FAITHFULLY AND LOVINGLY 
 
 INSCRIBED. 
 
LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 REV. ADAM CROOKS, A, M, 
 
 EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 Adam Crooks was born in Leesville, Carroll 
 County, Ohio, on the 3rd of May, A. D., 1824. He 
 was the son of William and Elizabeth Crooks, and 
 the fourth child of a family of thirteen. His father 
 was a man of the world, but taught his family the 
 strictest honesty and truthfulness. But that blessed 
 gift of Heaven, a godly mother, by her uniform pie- 
 ty and the agency of the Holy Spirit, often awak- 
 ened in him the most pungent convictions of sin, 
 and led to secret prayer and solemn promises of 
 reformation, but nothing further. 
 
 When some fourteen years of age, a singular in- 
 cident occurred, which was destined, under Divine 
 Providence, to shape his future course. His broth- 
 er William, some four years his senior, was some- 
 
o THE LIFE OF 
 
 what skeptical as to the divine origin of Christianity, 
 remarked, in a careless manner, " I do not believe 
 in religion. I believe those who profess it are 
 hypocrites ; but if I should ever go to the altar for 
 prayers, I should never leave it until I knew for 
 certain." Although not a Christian himself, yet 
 Aclam secretly prayed with all the fervor of his 
 heart that William might be constrained to go to 
 the altar. For he thought his brother's conversion 
 a thing very desirable, it was not an hour until 
 William was most deeply convicted, and at the 
 altar the next evening he found salvation. He be- 
 came an exemplary Christian, and a devoted min- 
 ister of the Gospel; and on February 14th, 1847, 
 went up to glory. 
 
 From the hour of his brother's conversion, Adam 
 became a secret seeker of personal salvation, fre- 
 quently praying twenty times a day, but seemingly 
 to no effect ; for he thus wandered in darkness for 
 months. But the blessed hour of deliverance came. 
 It was one Spring morning, he was returning from 
 his place of secret prayer, across his father's farm* 
 Just as the sun spread his golden mantle over field 
 and forest, and saluted his eyes, his faith took hold 
 on G-od, and the Sun of righteousness poured in His 
 rays upon the new-born soul. Nor was this light 
 evanescent. It was the incessant dawn of an eter- 
 nal day. Prayer was almost momentary; spirit- 
 ual communion was constant ; stated hours of 
 prayer were observed, and with his brother William 
 he fasted every Friday. The genuineness of early 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 9 
 
 piety and the conversion of children is illustrated 
 in his conversion, which occurred at the age of 
 fourteen years, and might have been earlier j his 
 convictions and knowledge being equal to it. 
 
 The early educational advantages of this promi- 
 nent Christian worker, like that of many before 
 him, were only medium. Attending school during 
 the Winters, and working hard on his father's farm, 
 of which he had principal charge from unusually 
 early years, he became inured to hard-handed toil. 
 But he had an insatiable thirst for knowledge j sel- 
 dom in the house, if only for a few minutes, with 
 hands empty of a book, and often arising before 
 day to master some difficult lesson. When about 
 twenty years of age he spent two Summers at an 
 academy under the auspices of the Presbyterians, 
 some two miles from home. 
 
 Among his papers is found a report of his stand* 
 ing while at this school. 
 
 " STUDIES. 
 Arithmetic, English Grammar, Geography, ' Watts on 
 the Mind/ and Ancient History. 
 
 Absent from Prayers — Never. 
 
 " " Kecitation — . ^ Never. 
 
 Application — ...* Excellent. 
 
 Improvement — Excellent. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 Anything that may he said by us of Mr. Crooks, must be 
 of a commendatory character. His course, while with us, 
 has been that of a gentleman and of a Christian. His tal- 
 ents are good, and his promises of usefulness are flattering. 
 Jas. Mathews, 
 
 A. SWANEY, 
 
 > Instructors." 
 
10 THE LIFE OF 
 
 But having been a student through life, he has 
 mastered a thousand lessons to which many a col* 
 legian has failed to give his attention. The " di* 
 vine desire to know" will convert field, or forest, 
 or lake, or landscape, or island, or ocean, or conti- 
 nent into a university. 
 
 He united with the Methodist Protestant Church, 
 of which his parents were members, while his 
 brother William joined the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. He was much the youngest of any in the 
 Church, yet willing thus early to walk alone, so 
 long as it appeared to be the path of duty. Always 
 generous toward other denominations, and willing 
 to point sinners to the Cross at any altar where 
 Christ appeared, he attended religious meetings, 
 far and near, irrespective of denominations. He 
 deeply deplored the want of spirituality among his 
 own people. 
 
 When about sixteen years of age, he deeply felt 
 the need of a more thorough Christian experience. 
 He was greatly profited by reading the " Life of 
 William Carvosso," and sought, with ceaseless anxi- 
 ety, the blessing of entire sanctification. He sought 
 it as distinctly as justification. He trusted fully in 
 Jesus as a Savior from all taint of, and tendency to 
 sin, and realized the speechless joy of complete sal- 
 vation. This, like conversion, was effected when 
 alone, and free from the pressure of external ex- 
 citement. 
 
 Convinced of the complicity of the Methodist 
 Protestant Church with chattel slavery, it ceased to 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 11 
 
 be a congenial home to one who had nothing in 
 view but God and his glory, and man's well-being. 
 The heart longed for an opportunity to free itself 
 by change of church-relationship. This opportuni- 
 ty was presented when the venerated Edward Smith 
 organized a Wesleyan Methodist Church in his na- 
 tive village, July 25th, 1843. That day Brother 
 Crooks was elected class-leader. This change of 
 church-home, and open antagonism to slavery, no 
 perils nor privations ever caused him to regret. 
 
 EARLY MINISTRY. 
 
 His call to the Gospel ministry was an ever-liv- 
 ing and ineffaceable conviction. Yet it greatly 
 distressed his mind: First, by fears that it was 
 a fire of his own kindling. Second, by an oppres- 
 sive sense of his own incapacity ; hence, for years) 
 it was the subject of earnest solicitude and prayer. 
 These embarrassments were held in abeyance by 
 the firm purpose to do every duty at whatever cost, 
 and the assurance that God would call to no duty 
 in which he would not, in some way, supply all de- 
 ficiencies. But his soul found complete rest only 
 in the settled purpose to await and cheerfully con- 
 form to the opening of God's providence. And 
 this became the key to his entire subsequent life : 
 to, in all things follow the united leadings of God's 
 providence, Spirit and Word. 
 
 The 4th of May, 1844, being just twenty years of 
 
12 THELTFEOF 
 
 age, he accepted license to exhort. Under this - , 
 however, he always took a text and preached, as 
 systematized thought was more natural and easy to 
 his type of mind. 
 
 August, 1845, he joined the Allegheny Confer- 
 ence, and went as junior preacher to the Erie cir- 
 cuit. Here came a trial to his Christian fidelity. 
 The headquarters of the Erie circuit was Erie city. 
 There was not a white member in the Church, and 
 this feeble colored Church was the only one on this 
 circuit of two preachers. The prospect was forbid- 
 ding, indeed. The first Sabbath morning in Erie 
 made a deep impression. Thoughts of u Sweet 
 home," and pleasant social position there, and of 
 the intense prejudice against any white man, whose 
 motives, however Christ-like, showed practical 
 sympathy for the then hated colored race. A pain- 
 ful sense of isolation caused tears unbidden to flow- 
 But thoughts of Jesus — the mockings, scourging 
 and cast-off purple, and forsaken in that dreadful 
 " hour of the powers of darkness," dried them all 
 away. 
 
 He found them very poor — many of them fugi- 
 tives from slavery, and very ignorant. He consent- 
 ed to become one of them, to lift them up.. He es- 
 tablished a night-school, for their instruction — was 
 earnest in arousing their ambition to become in- 
 telligent as well as good. They were very grate- 
 ful, and thought they never before had found such 
 a friend. His stay among them was brief, as at the 
 expiration of six weeks he was called to Allegheny 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 13 
 
 City, to labor in concert with his brother William, 
 then in the second year of his ministry, boarding 
 with Rev. B. Loughead, who long has been a mem- 
 ber of the Allegheny Conference. This became a 
 pleasant and profitable year. 
 
 On the following year he went as junior preacher 
 to the Zanesville circuit, in company with Rev. G. 
 Richey, preacher in charge, and now President of 
 the Central Ohio Conference. 
 
 Brother Richey, in a funeral discourse preached 
 at Leesville, the home of his boyhood and youth, 
 says : " He was my co-laborer on the Zanesville 
 circuit. My house, during that year, was his prin- 
 cipal home. I knew him well and loved him much. 
 Indeed, it was only necessary to know him well in 
 order to love him. He was not only an amiable 
 Christian, but an affable gentleman. He seemed to 
 possess the /wisdom of the serpent, and harmless- 
 ness of the dove.' In morals he had the innocence 
 of the lamb, and the courage of the lion. This year 
 his brother in the flesh, in the Lord, and in the 
 ministry — "William — loved more than life itself, was 
 called from earth to heaven. 
 
 CALL TO THE SOUTH. 
 
 " The Allegheny Conference, held at Mesopota- 
 mia, Ohio, September, 1847, received an urgent 
 letter from North Carolina, asking for a minister* 
 Every eye seemed to turn to Brother Crooks as the 
 
14 THE LIFE OF 
 
 man for that place. After a season of devout, earn* 
 est, silent prayer, in which the entire Conference 
 engaged, Brother Crooks arose—his cheeks pale as 
 marble — and said, ' I will go, sustained by your 
 prayers. In the name of my Savior I will go to 
 North Carolina.' " 
 
 He has often said, " The question presented 
 itself to me, can you give your life for the cause ? 
 I felt that I could, and went." He gave his life 
 when he consented to go. 
 
 He was ordained Elder at that Conference, Sep- 
 tember 21st, one year in advance of the rules, in 
 order to fit him for the work on his mission. His 
 parchment is signed, " T. Guy, President of Con- 
 ference." 
 
 Four years of toil, self-sacrifice, peril and success 
 ensued. By the close of the first year, an opening 
 in Grayson County, Virginia, called for another 
 man. Jarvis C. Bacon responded. The work ex- 
 tended both in Virginia and North Carolina. New 
 doors opened, calls to " Come over and help us,' 
 multiplied, and at the expiration of the second year, 
 Jesse McBride took the field already opened^ leav- 
 ing Brother Crooks to go more deeply " into the 
 regions beyond." The history of these years will 
 be given in extracts from letters to the Wesleyan } 
 written on that moral battle-field. 
 
 More fitting than anything we can present are 
 the following pen pictures drawn by himself, of his 
 journey south, and his labors amid the scenes of 
 slavery with its Bibles and whips and slave-pens. 
 
REV. ADAM BROOKS. 15 
 
 Circumstances not unfrequently contribute large- 
 ly in rendering recorded events interesting. The 
 circumstance of my appointed field of labor being 
 in a slave-holding State, may give importance to a 
 few notes by the way. It would be in vain to es- 
 say to give a description of the deep emotions that 
 thrill the soul when taking the parting hand of an 
 affectionate father, a kind mother, dear brothers 
 and sisters, and friends beloved; when bidding 
 adieu to the hills, valleys, and streamlets, that were 
 the associate of one's juvenile sports, and childish 
 perambulations,- the most vivid imagination and 
 nervous language, are utterly inadequate to the 
 task.— Such reflections as these are very natural. 
 Am I looking upon these people the last time ? — 
 Shall I ever again meet a father's smile, or have the 
 seal of maternal affection stamped on my cheek? 
 May I ever again drink the sweet waters which 
 flow in the channel of the society of those endear- 
 ed by the tender ties of consanguinity ? With 
 these peculiar feeliags and cogitations, on the 
 morning of the 1st of October, I turned my face 
 to go to the far South, to pronounce that Gospel 
 which proclaims liberty to the captive, and the open- 
 ing of the prisons to them that are bound. 
 
 I must needs go through Zanesville for my books 
 and clothes, (it being my former field of labor.) 
 
 On Saturday evening I arrived at Zanesville, 
 was kindly received by brother J. and family. On 
 Sabbath evening spoke a short time from viiith chap. 
 ter, 9th verse, second Corinthians. In improving 
 
1 6 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the subject, I tried to show that Christ is our ex- 
 ample — we must have His spirit if we would be 
 His — it is a spirit to labor, suffer, for the good of 
 man, — we must be willing to sacrifice property ; He 
 became poor. Reputation, He made Himself of no 
 reputation; and person, He was wounded, bruised? 
 chastised, and all for man, yea, for His enemies. 
 He suffered patiently, suffered not unnecessarily, 
 but in harmony with the will of His Father. Those 
 who do not imitate Him are not Christians, whether 
 individuals or organizations. Dear reader, how 
 much are you willing to sacrifice ? How much have 
 you suffered in property, reputation or person, for 
 the good of your race ? Wherein have you denied 
 yourself daily ? — of what to-day ? 
 
 I was detained till Thursday, waiting for a boat. 
 As none came, I mounted the stage on Friday morn- 
 ing for M., a town at the juncture of the Muskingum 
 and Ohio rivers, sixty miles below Zanesville, The 
 day was wet, cold and gloomy, and the road 
 rough. But as it followed the river, a person hav- 
 ing large individuality, would delight himself in ob- 
 serving the flowing river ; its little islands, adorned 
 with the waving willow ; the fading foliage bedeck- 
 ing its bank; together with the craggy hills, the 
 rolling forest, the rich fields and green meadows, 
 which variegate every succeeding prospect, Who 
 can witness such a scenery and not mark the foot- 
 steps of the power, wisdom and goodness, of Him 
 who bridles the waters, plows their channels, and 
 determines their courses ? 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 1? 
 
 I arrived at M. about 9 o'clock, P. M., and not 
 wishing to travel on Sabbath morning, I sought out 
 the residence of Brother P., where I was made very 
 welcome, and was able to feel at home, Brother 
 P. is an efficient agent in the underground railroad. 
 M. is the oldest town in Ohio ; it is beautifully situ- 
 ated, built (in some respects) after the eastern style. 
 There are a great many anti-slavery Methodists in 
 this place, but they do not seem to see the incon- 
 gruity of coming out of a pro-slavery political 
 party, and remaining in fellowship with a pro- 
 slavery Church. The Methodist Episcopal friends 
 had their Quarterly Meeting on Saturday morning 
 at 10 o'clock, M. T. Young, Presiding Elder, 
 preached from Matthew xiv: 23. Subject, Private 
 Prayer. In descanting on what we should pray for, 
 he named the prosperity of the Church. On this 
 point he manifested great earnestness,, referred them 
 to the past prosperous condition of the M. E. 
 Church, compared it to the stone of prophesy cut 
 out of the mountain, it had rolled on gloriously. 
 That evening I had the happiness to see Ephraim 
 Cutler, the only man living who helped to frame the 
 Constitution of Ohio, He claims the honor of mak- 
 ing it a free State ; he sat up a whole night to frame 
 arguments to accomplish that object. Honor to his 
 life ! When dead, peace to his ashes ! 
 
 Sabbath, 11 o'clock, A. M., preached in town hall 
 of Harmer, (H. is on the other side of the Musk- 
 ingum from M.,) from Matthew vi: 9. After meet- 
 ing, a Mr. S., Presbyterian, accosting me, said I 
 
18 THE LIFE OF 
 
 must have the Methodist house that evening. It 
 was obtained for 4 P. M. I spoke from Matthew 
 vi:10. Here I tried to make it appear that the 
 means ordained by Heaven for the establishment of 
 Christ's kingdom were, the preaching of the Gos- 
 pel, the whole Gospel, the practice of every duty, 
 the right and faithful exercise of discipline, by 
 which every sinner, of whatever kind, would be kept 
 out of the pale of the Church ; and those organiza- 
 tions which do not use those means cannot effect the 
 object for which they organize. This was my last 
 Sabbath in Ohio. I then waited (though very im- 
 patiently) for a boat, which did not come until 
 Tuesday morning, 11 o'clock. In a very few min- 
 utes I was sailing down the beautiful Ohio. The 
 day was wet and cold, a great many passengers, 
 and an amount of vanity displayed, though I was 
 pleased by the order observed. 
 
 On Tuesday night we were landed on the Vir- 
 ginia shores, at the mouth of the Great Kanahwa ; 
 here again we were detained until Thursday morn- 
 ing for a boat to go to C, sixty miles up this rapid 
 river. 
 
 Thursday night got to C. in time to give our- 
 selves to the faithful keeping of Morpheus, at 
 about 1 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Friday took stage for Lewisburgh, one hundred 
 miles from C. After riding about thirty miles over 
 a good road we found ourselves at the base of the 
 Green Briar Mountain. The prospect now be- 
 comes indescribably romantic. The traveler seems 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 19 
 
 to be environed at every point of the compass, by 
 great piles of earth, covered with pines, which lift 
 their hundred arms on high, as though they would 
 grasp the clouds, or sweep the sky. The complete 
 symmetry with which these piles are formed, com- 
 ing to a peak with the order of a pyramid, will 
 strike the admiration of every beholder. I would 
 advdse every one who travels this road to visit the 
 Hawk's Nest, a precipice of rock piled on rock, to 
 the height of nine hundred feet. Here you will 
 fancy yourself at the jumping off place. To look 
 down you seem to be lifted far above the earth, the 
 head reels. The country is under very poor 
 cultivation, and the minds of the inhabitants are 
 no better. An old revolutionary soldier, bend- 
 ing beneath the weight of time, and trembling 
 with age, got in to ride a few miles; he stated 
 that they are beginning to raise wheat. (They 
 formerly lived on bear's meat, and pone.) I 
 remarked to the old gentleman, it was a long- 
 road from C. to L., one hundred miles, without 
 any towns or villages; he replied, there was no 
 place to put them. We lodged a few hours fifty 
 miles from C, and by 1 o'clock, A. M., was in the 
 stage again. 
 
 To-day, Saturday, feelings of deep sorrow, min- 
 gled with emotions of profound indignation, swell 
 my bosom, while surveying the fallen and corrupt 
 state of the Churches of our land, while I see them 
 chattelizing humanity, and driving the iron chariot 
 of oppression over her breast, while its massive 
 
20 THE LIFE OF 
 
 wheels squeeze hissing streams of blood from the 
 tender cords of her great heart. 
 
 Saturday evening arrived at L., where we spent 
 the Sabbath. In the morning I attended meeting 
 at the Methodist Episcopal Church ; listened to 
 a sermon from John 1st chapter, 38th verse.— 
 The body of the discourse was very well propor- 
 tioned, but if I am a judge, the body was all there 
 was of it j I do not think it had any soul. 
 
 Monday morning, 1 o'clock, took stage for Fin- 
 castle. Our road was over the Allegheny ridge of 
 mountains. |The scenery was magnificently sublime. 
 The air is highly salubrious, and the mountaineers 
 are the Goliah's of the land. We had a few hours 
 rest, about 12 o'clock mounted the stage for Lynch- 
 burgh. We crossed the range called the Blue 
 Ridge, before day ; here the sun rose on us in Old 
 Virginia. The peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge, 
 are the highest of the Allegheny; being four 
 thousand, two hundred and sixty feet high. A 
 circumstance transpired here worthy of note. A 
 colored woman was put in the stage at F., who 
 said she was on her way to L., a town about thirty 
 miles from F. On being interrogated, she in- 
 formed us that she had been sold to a negro trader 
 in L., her former master lived in F. She was 
 leaving a husband, a mother, brothers and sisters, 
 and the grave of a child. Are not such acts of 
 cruelty enough to make us " sick of humanity, and 
 blush to know ourselves men." She was a member 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he, the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 21 
 
 man who sold her, of the Episcopalian Christians 
 (by profession) selling God's own image, the pur- 
 chase of the Savior's death, and the temple of the 
 Holy Ghost, as beasts in market. Oh Shame, 
 where is thy blush ! I asked her if she did not 
 mourn the loss of her babe ! and the emphasis with 
 which she responded No ! made my blood run 
 cold. She continued, I am glad it is gone, for it 
 is a stranger to my sorrows. 
 
 What a horrible comment, this, upon the cruel- 
 ties of slavery. The slave-mother's joy begins not 
 like that of other mothers ; " when a man is born 
 into the world;" but when her infant is hurried 
 out of existence, and its first faint cry is hushed in 
 the silence of death ! Why this perversion of 
 nature? Ah! that mother knows the agonies, the 
 torments, the wasting woes of a life of slavery, and 
 by the bowels of a mother's love, and the yearn- 
 ings of a mother's pity ; she rejoices to know her 
 babe shall never experience the same. 
 
 But will God be avenged on such a nation as 
 this ? The withering displeasure of heaven can be 
 seen standing out in bold relief upon the whole 
 face of the country. Their soil is rendered sterile 
 by the burning foot of slavery. — Their fields are 
 converted into forests; their fences, their houses and 
 their bams, are dilapidated, and the very air 
 poisoned with the effluvia from the mangled body 
 of humanity which lies bleeding on every planta- 
 tion. In a word, slavery, like the mighty incubus, 
 standing with one foot on the neck of the master, 
 
22 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and the other on that of the slave, crushes them 
 physically, intellectually and morally into the very 
 earth, and leaves them — leaves them, did I say ? 
 No ! keeps them there struggling for life. 
 
 The'evening of October 23d, I found myself at 
 Indiana, having terminated a fatiguing journey of 
 six hundred and fifty miles. I rested till Sabbath ; 
 in the evening, preached in the Methodist Episco- 
 pal house; I tried to enforce the doctrine of 
 universal love and the duty of doing unto others 
 as we would have them do to us, without reference 
 to class, color or condition, etc. Some of them 
 said " That was just what they always believed. '» 
 There is much more anti-slavery sentiment in this 
 part of North Carolina than I had supposed. 
 This is owing, in a great measure, to the influence 
 of the society of Friends. It is said the treatment 
 of the slaves is much modified by their presence j 
 and as they are numerous in this community, 
 slavery is seen in its mildest form. It is some- 
 what amusing too, that I am taken for a Quaker, 
 go wherever I will. I attended their meeting 
 Sabbath morning, after my arrival, and even the 
 Friends themselves, thought I was one. After 
 hearing me preach in the Methodist Episcopal 
 house, some of them asked if I was not a Friend. 
 I went to Toledo last week, lectured on temper- 
 ance, and there, again. I was thought to be a 
 Quaker. This, I suppose, is owing some to the 
 doctrine I inculcate, and partly to my plain coat. 
 Upon the whole, the prospect is pretty encourag. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 23 
 
 ing; the hearts of many are open to receive the 
 truth, and by the help of God's grace, I mean to 
 sow the *seid of the word, praying that the great 
 head of the Church may give a large increase. 
 And now, at the commencement of my labors, let 
 me call upon the whole Church, and every lover of 
 God, and friend of man, to send up their earnest, 
 faithful, importunate and prevailing prayers, that 
 Heaven would smile propitiously upon the cause in 
 North Carolina; the good of our common Christi- 
 anity and common country ; the sacred demands of 
 the trembling, weeping, bleeding, perishing slave, 
 and the high and holy claims of the Holy One 
 require it; yea, and future posterity will say, 
 Amen. 
 
 It is not a little interesting, and amusing, to 
 trace the rise and progress of the Church, in our 
 state. Dr. Stanton, a Quaker, brought into this 
 country some pamphlets, containing the address 
 delivered by brother E. Smith, in the Sixth 
 Presbyterian Church, in Cincinnati, March 19? 
 1843. from Rom. xiii, 10, — two thousand of which, 
 were printed at the expense of the Society of 
 Friends. The printer neglecting to state the office 
 in which it was printed, Mr. C, the Methodist 
 Episcopal preacher then traveling the Guilford 
 Circuit, (who was silenced by a Conference, held 
 at G. a few weeks ago,) faithfully charged his 
 hearers not to read them, or even suffer them to 
 come into their houses. He stated they contained 
 no truth — were a mass of pernicious errors — were 
 
24 THE LIFE OF 
 
 anonymous, and that it was not known where they 
 were printed, etc. But alas ! for him that he was 
 not a Pope, for then would his Bull, have been 
 Law. Nor would he have resuscitated these per. 
 nicious errors, and buried himself in the tomb he 
 intended for them. What he said served to excite 
 the curiosity of his hearers, which led mauy of 
 them to procure the interdicted pamphlet, before 
 they went home. They were read with avidity, 
 and circulated with industry. The result was, 
 they aroused the public mind with all the potency 
 of truth, and many who had defended Slavery from 
 the Bible, changed their language, and said, "No 
 Slaveholder can be a Christian !" Brother Smith 
 said, at Conference, he wished himself young, that 
 he might go to N. C, but he was here several 
 years before me, through the agency of his address. 
 The next circumstance leading the way to 
 secession here, was the division of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. The delegate from N. C, to 
 the Southern Convention, was instructed to oppose 
 a split, but he was influenced by the members of 
 said Convention, to vote with the South, — so that 
 the N. C. Conference was voted into the southern 
 division, contrary to her wish, and instructions. I 
 have been told the feelings of this Conference were 
 so exasperated, that it refused to submit, and could 
 not hold its succeeding session. Be that as it may, 
 one thing is certain, it tamely consented for Bishop 
 Andrew to preside at its last session. But when 
 the division took place, the cherished -hopes of 
 
REV ADAM CROOKS. 2£> 
 
 many, that the Methodist Episcopal Church would 
 eventually free herself of the sin of making mer- 
 chandise " of slaves, and souls of men/' were 
 completely blasted. Their first expedient was, to 
 join the Northern Division, but soon found it im- 
 practicable. They then resolved, (some of those 
 many,) to form a third Church, which they did, and 
 called it the Free Methodist Church. 
 
 " Up to this time, they had no knowledge of the 
 existence of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection. 
 By some unknown agency, (perhaps an angel of 
 mercy,) they became apprised of it, — sent for our 
 Discipline, — met in Convention, — read, approved, 
 and adopted it, and at their request, came under 
 the supervision of the Allegheny Conference. 
 Since then, they, like an ocean rock, have stood 
 unmoved, while the mighty waves of opposition 
 have spent their furious power, in vainly essaying 
 to overwhelm them ; and blessed be God, they still 
 stand, or rather move forward, despite of all that 
 would oppose. On my arrival, the cry of ' amal- 
 gamation, nigger-thief, abolition,' which are synon- 
 omous terms here, went careering in frantic alarm 
 through the entire community ; but that has measur- 
 ably subsided. On the whole I cannot complain, 
 other churches have been pretty courteous, in 
 opening their pulpits, especially the Protestant 
 Methodist. Calls for me to preach are numerous — - 
 Congregations generally large. I seldom preach 
 without denouncing the peculiar institution ; mostly 
 
 I have slave-holders to hear. We held our first 
 2 
 
26 THE LIFE OF 
 
 quarterly meeting on the third Saturday and Sab- 
 bath in December; congregations full, and very 
 attentive. Sabbath morning at 11 o'clock we had a 
 meeting, weeping and rejoicing time. It was the 
 first communion held by the Wesleyans in North 
 Carolina. The Lord strengthened and comforted 
 our hearts. 
 
 " Last Sabbath I read our general rules, to a 
 large and deeply attentive concourse ; indeed it was 
 affecting to witness the profound interest with 
 which young and old stood and listened for near 
 two hours ; 1 say stood, for there was room for 
 only about half of the congregation in the house ; 
 so that I was under the necessity of standing in 
 the door to be heard by those out as well as inside 
 the house. When I read our rules on slavery, 
 I pledged to prove before I took my seat that 
 the Wesleyans occupy the platform erected by 
 primitive Methodists, on the subject of slavery, 
 viz. : that they made slaveholding a test of member- 
 ship. To prove which I read from Robert Emeroy's 
 History of Discipline, stating the authority I gave 
 was written by a Methodist Episcopal hand, printed 
 on a Methodist Episcopal press, published under 
 Methodist Episcopal authority, and issued from 
 a Methodist Episcopal Book-room. After having 
 shown from that, the action of the Church, before^ 
 at, and after, its origination, I claimed to have 
 redeemed my pledge, with the clearness of demon- 
 stration, and if the countenance is to be taken as 
 an index to the mind, I think the congregation was 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 27 
 
 ready to give a verdict in our favor. We have 
 subscriptions for the erection of three houses of 
 worship ; the parcels of ground on which they are 
 to . stand, are donated, and I think the prospects 
 for success encouraging. It is the opinion of some 
 of the most intelligent men of North Carolina that 
 she will be a free State before many years ; and 
 that in the event of a dissolution of the Union, 
 North Carolina will go with the North. The great 
 spirit of Liberty is beginning to breathe upon the 
 people. If her hosts but rally under her standard, 
 inspired by a generous patriotism and noble 
 philanthropy, resolved with the Spartan soldier, to 
 return ' with our shields, or upon them,' the day is 
 not far distant, when, under the smiles of the God 
 of Liberty, her fair tree will shoot its top to the 
 sun, and cast its cooling shades over the oppressed 
 of every land. We believe the death warrant of 
 American slavery is sealed in heaven, and the 
 angel of mercy commissioned to execute it speed- 
 
 iiy- 
 
 " I think I never enjoyed more deep and constant 
 communion with my Savior than since I came to 
 North Carolina, ? Jesus all the day long is my 
 joy and my song.' My daily prayer is,—' 0, Lord, 
 revive thy work.' I long to see the pillar of 
 divine glory rise, and the ark, and people of the 
 covenant move forward. May the Lord speed the 
 day. 
 
28 THE LIFE OF 
 
 DEDICATION OF THE FIRST WESLEYAN METH- 
 ODIST CHURCH IN NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 " "With grateful emotions, I take my pen to give 
 the readers of your excellent sheet, a statement of 
 the dedication of the first Wesleyan Methodist 
 Church in North Carolina, with a brief history of 
 our success. Our Second Quarterly Meeting, which 
 commenced the third Saturday in March, was held 
 in a new house erected for the worship of Almighty 
 God, through whose sovereign clemency, and the 
 liberality of the friends of God and ' Man, in the 
 community, it was completed. The dedicatory 
 discourse was pronounced from 1st Tim. iii: 15. 
 The use made of the text was, to show The office of 
 the Church, — viz. first, to support as a pillar, — ■ 
 secondly, to elevate, — and thirdly, in times of trial, 
 to stay, ihe truth. This is to be done, first, by 
 not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God, — 
 secondly, by the practice of all Christian duty, — 
 thirdly, by the faithful execution of Discipline,— and 
 lastly, if need be, meekly and patiently suffering, 
 for so doing. 
 
 " The position was taken, that an ecclesiastical 
 organization, not maintaining the whole truth, must 
 support some error, there being no neutral ground 
 on any moral question. ' He that is not for, is 
 against me. He that gathereth not with me, 
 scattereth abroad,' said Jesus. From all this, the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 29 
 
 following conclusion is unavoidable : That it is the 
 imperative duty of Christians, to disconnect themselves 
 from corrupt Churches ! To be in connection with 
 such a Church, is to support it,— to support it is to 
 support error j for it is the pillar and stay of error: — 
 hence, the solemn command from Heaven contained 
 in Rev. xviii : 4. 
 
 " The Quarterly Conference gave me leave to vis- 
 it Virginia, some time this Summer, as I received a 
 call from the mother of Presidents to that effect. 
 Sabbath, I spoke to a large, attentive, and deeply 
 affected concourse, from Isaiah xxv, 1 : — I am told 
 it had the happy effect of killing much prejudice. 
 We were favored with the acceptable labors of our 
 worthy brother, D. Wilson. He is one of the 
 Spartan-like band, who dared to brave the popular 
 current, and boldly fling the Wesleyan flag to the 
 breeze, and manfully maintain its claims. Brother 
 W. preached on Sabbath night, when the Lord 
 graciously poured out His Spirit and dedicated 
 the house, by filling it with His glory, and one 
 professed to find peace. The meeting was pro- 
 tracted ten days. I have no recollection of having 
 witnessed such displays of the virtue of love divine? 
 to subdue the carnal mind. An incident occurred 
 on Wednesday, worthy of note. A woman, who 
 had belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 a number of years, became so deeply convicted at 
 home, she had to quit work — sent for her neigh, 
 bors to pray for her — said she had been trying, 
 for a long time, to get to Heaven in her own way? 
 
30 THE LIFE OF 
 
 but saw she could not succeed. She came to meet- 
 ing that night, and as I arose to preach, her feelings 
 so completely overcame her, that without regard 
 to the order of the meeting, she arose and made 
 her way to the altar. I invited the mourners for- 
 ward, stating the Lord would not let me preach 
 that night. The house and surrounding country 
 was soon rendered vocal with the cries of seekers, 
 and the shouts of saints. During the meeting? 
 twelve touched by faith, the sceptre of mercy and 
 were at peace. The same number joined. — nine 
 from the world, two from the Primitive Methodists; 
 and one from the Episcopal Methodists. All glory 
 to Him whose wing of love overshadowed us. 
 
 " On last Sabbath I formed a class of twelve 
 members in R. county, which promises an abundant 
 increase. Father Briles, who has been a standard- 
 bearer in the Methodist Episcopal Church for 
 about forty years, said, 'we must build a large 
 church, — oh ! I feel such an interest I could almost 
 build it myself.' An old gentleman, who had seen 
 me but once, rode ten miles to hear me preach, 
 gave us his name. I asked him if he enjoyed the 
 comforts of religion, — he answered satisfactorily. 
 Are you coming from another church ? — I inquired. 
 ' No,' said he, 1 I never could join in consequence 
 of war and slavery !' There has been thirty-two 
 accessions this year. We have raised the walls of 
 a second church. It is not yet covered. Blessed 
 be Israel's Keeper, while watering others, I have 
 felt the refreshing showers of grace in my own 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 31 
 
 soul. I want to bo more and more given up to 
 Ood, — more and more conformed to his likeness 
 every day. The opposition is great, but He that 
 is for us, is greater than all that can be against us. 
 He that binds the mighty deep with sand, saying 
 thus far shalt thou come, and here shall thy proud 
 waves be stayed, has decreed that the wrath of 
 man shall praise him, and the remainder of that 
 wrath he will restrain. I would earnestly call on 
 the readers of this, to join with me in praying for 
 our enemies, and. blessing those who curse us, — 
 remembering the prayer that went up from the 
 €ross, Father forgive, they know not what they do. 
 I subscribe myself, the servant of God, and friend 
 of Mam 
 
 OPPOSITION. 
 
 " I need not say that the opposition to my course 
 is great. My image was tarred and feathered in 
 this town. [Jamestown.] I saw it the next day 
 as I rode by the place. It was leaning up against 
 the fence. Some of my friends are beginning to 
 tremble for my personal safety^ but my trust is in 
 the Friend of the poor, the Deliverer of the op- 
 pressed. 
 
 " The law is very strict with regard to the circu- 
 lation of papers, etc. Efforts have been made to 
 put those laws into execution on me, but failed. 
 Meeting-houses are generally closed against me? 
 unless it is the Friend's, I have received upwards 
 
32 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of fifty members. We now number between nine- 
 ty and one hundred. I expect to visit Grayson 
 county, Ya., in a few weeks. 
 
 " I will tell you a little about the pious slave- 
 holders. One man, a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church, said he would shoot his slaves before they 
 should be free. (See how these Christians ( ?) — 
 lov^e Slavery.) A Methodist preacher tied up his 
 slave, whipped him a while, and then prayed for 
 him } then whipped and prayed for him, whipping 
 and praying alternately. (His name is Lumsden.) 
 Another by the name of St. Clair took his wife and 
 child with him around his circuit, and his slave 
 girl must frequently run through the mud and jcold 
 barefoot, in the Winter. Another instance of cru- 
 elty : A slave-trader was passing through this 
 county last Winter with a drove of negroes. One 
 of them, (a man,) got an axe and cut his hand ; 
 several licks drove the axe through it, thus ren_ 
 dering it useless, doubtless, for ever. For this he 
 was beaten and kicked without mercy. These 
 things transpire where slavery exists in its mildest 
 form, and if this is its little finger, what are its 
 untold horrors ? It seems to me I hate slavery 
 more every day. 
 
 " Let the note of ' The Clarion' wax louder and 
 louder ; and as the walls of Jericho fell by the sound- 
 ing of rams' horns, so by the proclamation of the 
 truth lay the walls of slavery to their foundations^ 
 
 "As I write on business, I would say for the 
 satisfaction of our Zion, and in Reform generally, 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 33 
 
 that the state of our work, in these parts, is en- 
 couraging. Our Third Quarterly Meeting was 
 held last Saturday and Sabbath. We had a ' feast 
 of fat things.' Two joined. One was Wm. An- 
 derson, a licensed preacher from the Primitive 
 Methodists, the other from the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church. The meeting was held at Flint Hill 
 School-house, where a Church of twenty-three 
 members has been recently formed, and trustees 
 elected prospectively, I think the circuit is in 
 the most prosperous condition it has experienced 
 since its formation. We number about one hun- 
 dred members, fifty-eight of whom have united this 
 year. The harvest is great, but the laborers are 
 few. My exertions have been more than my 
 physical abilities justify, and yet calls for service 
 are multiplying. Some think there is a field for 
 two or three active men. 
 
 " I propose visiting Virginia next week, and may, 
 perhaps, stay a month. If I succeed in forming a 
 circuit, or mission, in that part, (Grayson county,) 
 of the Old Dominion, it will greatly advance the 
 cause here, by having two fields sufficiently adja- 
 cent, to enable the preachers to visit and assist 
 each other in holding meetings, &c. 
 
 VISIT TO VIRGINIA. 
 
 On the morning of the 17th of June, I set out to 
 plant the standard of reform, on the tops of the moun- 
 tains of Grayson County, Virginia. It is one hun- 
 
34 THE LIFE OF 
 
 dred miles from this. The journey was somewhat 
 lonely, having no company, but it is good at times 
 to be alone. I passed at the base of Mount Ararat, 
 or the pilot mountain. This is North Carolina's 
 greatest natural curiosity. It is not attached to 
 any chain of mountains— is near a mile in height, 
 and on its brow, is a stupendous rock, rising near- 
 ly perpendicular to the height of three hundred 
 feet. It is a matter of surprise to look to the tops 
 of the loftiest peaks which seem to touch the sky; 
 and find them under cultivation. The daring 
 mountaineer builds his house where the thunder's 
 fiery bolt leaps in sportive vengeance from brow to 
 brow. The evening of the next day found me com- 
 fortably seated in the very hospitable residence of 
 Isaac Moore. I need scarcely say the sparkling 
 eye, beaming countenance, and warm embrace of 
 the old veteran for truth, almost made me forget 
 the fatigue of my journey. I here obtained the fol- 
 lowing information, viz : When the question of the 
 division of the Methodist Episcopal Church was 
 pending, the preacher in charge of Grayson Circuit 
 gave the members liberty to vote to which party 
 North or South, they wished to belong. The Pre- 
 siding Elder on hearing this, and that many were 
 opposed to the separation, issued his l bulV interdict- 
 ing such procedure, thereby disfranchising those 
 who had not voted. I am not sure that such a 
 course is in strict accordance with ' Neither be ye 
 lords over God's heritage.' It produced a shock 
 from which many never recovered. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 35 
 
 "A goodly number believing that slavery was the 
 great wedge that split the Church, resolved to be 
 disconnected from all Church organization until 
 they found one free from the wedge of gold and 
 Babylonish garment. The majority of the Hope- 
 well Church took this stand. Here I organized a 
 Wesleyan Church, first numbering eight members* 
 During the next week, there were six accessions ; so 
 that when I left it numbered fourteen members, 
 one of whom, (Isaac Moore) is an Elder. During 
 my stay which was sixteen days, the spirit of the 
 Lord was poured upon us, the Church was revived, 
 and six professed to have found peace in believing. 
 To God be all the praise. 
 
 "I am much pleased with this people. Their 
 hearts, houses, and purses are open. Indeed, their 
 kindness borders on enthusiasm. But the best of 
 all is, they are full of faith and the Holy Ghost 
 A preacher is asked for the coming year. This 
 will be a pleasant field in which to operate. My 
 faith is strong that a glorious harvest may be reaped 
 from these mountains. 
 
 " We held our fourth Quarterly Meeting, com- 
 mencing on the fourth Saturday of July. I was un- 
 der the necessity of leaving on the Tuesday morning 
 following. At that time five were hopefully convert- 
 ed, and twenty-one had joined : ten from the world, 
 and eleven from other Churches. Bless God, the 
 bright rainbow of promise still spans our horizon. 
 At the commencement of the year, there were four 
 Churches, and forty members in North Carolina. 
 
36 THE LIFE 05* 
 
 At present there are eight Churches ; and including 
 Virginia, one hundred and forty members. We 
 have an increase of one hundred. I calculated when 
 I came, if we held our own the first year, we would 
 do well; but instead of the waves of opposition 
 beating us back, the Lord has more than trebled 
 our number. May we not join with the Psalmist ?— - 
 and say, ' By this I know that thou favorest us, be- 
 cause our enemies do not triumph over us.' " 
 
 " As you are reappointed to the editorship of our' 
 Church organ, and I to my previous field in Caroli- 
 na, I am happy in the anticipation of extending my 
 acquaintance with you as an editor j and while I re" 
 turn you my hearty thanks, for former indulgence 
 extended to a young correspondent, I would beg 1 
 the continuance in future of the same indulgence 
 promising to aim at improvement, 
 
 "Brother Bacon and myself left our friends on the 
 morning of the 2nd of October, to go to our re- 
 spective fields ; Ms in Grayson County, Virginia, 
 mine in Guilford, North Carolina. We came by pri- 
 vate conveyance, and found it much more pleas- 
 ant and less expensive than by public ; although 
 not so expeditious. After having contended 
 against hills, mountains and distances for fifteen 
 days, on the evening of the 17th of the above writ- 
 ten month, we had the gratification of being seated 
 around the familiar hearth of the hospitable resi- 
 dence of my good friend Richard Mendenhall, 
 in Jamestown. The same evening we visited 
 our worthy brother John Sherwood, (also of 
 
HEV. ADAM CROOKS. 37 
 
 Jamestown,) and found him over his press, laud- 
 ably employed in printing Free-soil Tickets. The 
 following Saturday, we commenced our first Quar- 
 terly Meeting (in the first Wesleyan Methodist 
 church built in the State,) and protracted it six 
 days. The congregations were large and deeply 
 attentive. Brother Bacon preached with great 
 power and acceptability. While breaking the 
 bread of life to others, his own soul feasted on the 
 rich blessings of the Gospel. During the progress 
 of the meeting, the spirit of the Lord was gracious, 
 ly poured upon the people ; ten professed to obtain 
 peace in believing, and seven joined. On the next 
 Saturday, we proceeded to Sandy Ridge, Here we 
 held a few days' meeting, at which we were favored 
 with the presence and labors of our good brother 
 Amos Moore, from Virginia. The meeting resulted 
 in the hopeful conversion of five, and addition of 
 seven to the Church. To God be all the glory. In 
 a sermon preached on Monday from John xv : 5, — 
 "For without me ye can do nothing," Brother Ba" 
 con, in a very lucid light, showed up the grand in- 
 consistency in which those involve themselves who 
 say of a practice it is sinful, and yet claim that it is 
 proper to acknowledge the Christian character of 
 persons living in the habitual indulgence of that 
 sinful practice. It was a most happy effort ; which 
 with his other labors of love here, will not be soon 
 forgotten by us. While he was here, which was 
 thirteen days, he delivered fourteen sermons which 
 were crowned with fifteen conversions and fourteen 
 
38 THE LIFE OP 
 
 accessions. I think the prospects for our future sue* 
 
 cess good ; and that we may bless G-od and take 
 
 THE CAMP-MEETING. 
 
 " With grateful emotions, I lift my pen to in- 
 form the friends of Zion of what great things the 
 Lord has done for us, that we may be thankfully 
 glad. In harmony with the expressed wishes of 
 our third Quarterly Conference, we appointed a 
 Camp-meeting to be held at Union Meeting House, 
 Guilford County, in conjunction with our fourth 
 Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 " In a little time there appeared many prophets in 
 the land, who were Wroth, and mocked the Wesley- 
 ans, saying, 'What do these feeble Wesleyans? 
 Will they fortify themselves ? Will they sacrifice ? 
 Will they make an end in a day ? Even that which 
 they build if a fox go up, he shall even break down 
 their stone wall.' 
 
 "But we prayed to our God, (for we were de-^ 
 gpised) and built our tents, and all the tents were 
 formed together unto the half thereof, for the peo- 
 ple had a mind to work. Our meeting was to 
 commence on Friday evening, 10th of August, at 
 candle-lighting. By sundown, Brothers J. C. Bacon, 
 Amos Moore, from Virginia, and myself arrived at 
 the place of our feast of Tabernacles ; found a good- 
 ly number assembled for Divine worship. Brother 
 Bacon preached to an attentive and deeply affected 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 39 
 
 congregation. Saturday 11, A. M., I tried to 
 preach oil the subject of prayer. At the conclusion, 
 the congregation, by rising to their feet, pledged to 
 pray for a glorious revival during the meeting. 
 
 " Five, P. M., the rules for the government of the 
 Meeting were read, and the entire congregation, 
 and all succeeding ones, appointed a committee to 
 see that they were strictly observed ; (and I must 
 give honor to whom honor is due.) So faithful 
 were they in the discharge of their official duties 
 that I had no cause to reprove an individual during 
 the whole meeting. This was most agreeable. At 
 candlelight, Brother Bacon delivered a solemn dis- 
 course from 2nd Peter, iii and 9, ' The Lord is 
 not slack,' <fec, to a serious congregation, after 
 which the good work begun. A number came for. 
 ward for prayers, and some professed to obtain mer- 
 cy in believing. The meeting increased in interest 
 as it progressed. More or less present for prayers 
 every opportunity. The Angel of Conviction and 
 voice of pardon went from the stand to the tents, 
 from the tents to the houses, and from the houses to 
 the fields and gold mines. What was it but heaven 
 in miniature ?-— for the voices of old and young, male 
 and female, fathers and mothers, husbands and 
 wives, parents a,nd children, neighbors and friends, 
 to go up in bursts of hallelujah to God and the 
 Lamb, Sweet was our camp-meeting, which lasted 
 from the evening of the 10th till the morning of the 
 20th inst, during which about one hundred and fif- 
 ty professed to be converted and seventy-six joined. 
 
40 THE LIFE OF 
 
 This was the best meeting I have ever attended, It 
 was characterized throughout by large and atten- 
 tive congregations, by far the best order I have ever 
 seen at camp-meetings, deep and general convic- 
 tions and clear and numerous conversions.- — The 
 conclusion was awfully impressive. A people about 
 to part who will not all meet again in time !*H 
 The congregation assembled at the stand. Brother 
 Bacon delivered a benedictary from Thessalo- 
 nians. Brother Moore followed in some feeling 
 appeals. The congregation in tears. The wrL 
 ter occupied a few minutes in returning his com* 
 pliments to the audience for their good conduct 
 through the meeting, to brothers Bacon and Moore 
 for their attendance and labors at the meeting, and 
 thanks to God for the out-pouring of his Spirit on 
 the meeting, made allusion to Brother Bacon's trial 
 which was to come in a few days, requested the au- 
 dience to acknowledge their obligations to the 
 brethren from Virginia, by promising to pray for 
 them, which they almost unanimously did, with 
 great feeling; then forming a procession, the 
 preachers in advance, marched around in front of 
 the tents, singing an appropriate hymn. The 
 preachers halted at a specified spot, and received 
 the hand of, and pronounced their blessing on all 
 and parted, to meet not again, till we pass the por- 
 tals of death, when we hope to strike glad hands 
 and tune our harps to immortal songs, in the sweet 
 grove of heaven, no more to sigh nor shed a tear, 
 no more to suffer pain or fear, but sing anthems of 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 4 1 
 
 praise, and doxologies, glory to God and the Lamb. 
 Amen. It is reserved for the light of eternity and 
 disclosures of judgment alone, to reveal the good 
 done at the first Wesleyan Methodist Campmeeting, 
 held in North Carolina, but I think we may safely 
 conclude that the gospel has been preached, sinners 
 have been convicted, mourners have been comfort- 
 ed, believers strengthened, the cause of reform ad- 
 vanced prejudice crucified, (died a most ignomini- 
 ous death,) Christ to some extent has seen of the tra- 
 vail of his soul and is satisfied, pious intelligence 
 gratified, and God's name glorified. The cause has 
 been prosperous from its commencement. The in- 
 crease of its membership the first year from forty 
 to one hundred and forty, including fourteen who 
 joined in Virginia last Fall, when brother Bacon 
 took charge of Grayson Circuit. It reduced the 
 Guilford Charge fourteen, leaving one hundred and 
 twenty-six. There has been an increase this year 
 of one hundred and forty-nine ; so that, at this time, 
 there are two hundred and seventy-five members on 
 Guilford Circuit. Brother Bacon's Charge, last 
 Fall numbered eighteen. It has increased to one 
 hundred and eleven ; so that the Wesleyans in the 
 South, two years ago, counted forty, all told, enjoy- 
 ing the labors of one man the first, and but two the 
 second year, now number three hundred and eighty- 
 six, giving an increase of three hundred and forty- 
 six. What now becomes of the objection that we 
 can do no good in the South ? Echo answers, 
 what ! And this is our infancy, while the Herods 
 
42 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of the South have been trying to murder us» 
 Blessed be the Most High, the Wesleyan Ship still 
 bears up against wind and tide. 
 
 "I know I do not write with the feelings of a 
 proud boaster, or unkindness for such as oppose 
 our progress, but with sentiments of the greatest 
 respect for all men, and of the most profound grat- 
 itude to God, the God in whom David trusted? 
 when he encountered Goliath of Gath. And I 
 write for the purpose of convincing our foes, that 
 they have judged us wrongly, and treated us ac- 
 cordingly ; and of inspiring in our friends a confi- 
 dence, which the correctness of our principles, the 
 rectitude of our procedure, the holiness of our 
 cause, and the certainty of its triumph, through the 
 omnipotence of truth, would warrant, and courage 
 in proportion to that confidence ; that they may 
 lift their standard anew, unfurl its bright banner 
 along the sky, with this glorious motto written in 
 blazing characters of Love, glowing on its ample 
 folds, ' Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, 
 and good will to man.' That, under Jesus, the 
 Captain of our Salvation, we may travel to certain 
 victory, with the panoply of heaven to cover, and 
 glory imperishable to crown us." 
 
 TROUBLE. 
 
 "It is among the probabilities that the readers 
 of your luminous periodical begin to inquire, 
 'What has become of our missionary at the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 43 
 
 South? Is he dead? Has he left his post? 
 Why does he not write ?' &c. He is yet at 
 his post. His reasons for not writing sooner 
 are part for want of matter, and part, perhaps, 
 from neglect. I will take liberty to say some- 
 thing of Guilford Circuit, under the zealous 
 and very efficient labors of brother Mc Bride. 
 It is, and has been, in a very prosperous state. 
 During this Conference year, quite a number 
 have professed to obtain peace in believing, and 
 seventy-four have joined the Church. The pros- 
 pects for a rich harvest this year are flatter- 
 ing. The heart and hands of its pastor are full of 
 hope and of work. 
 
 " A few words relative to the mission, and only 
 a few. As I accompanied brother* Mc Bride in 
 his first visit round the Circuit, I did not strike 
 out till the first of January. I have not as yet 
 organized any Churches but expect to soon. 
 There are six appointments which we will call 
 regular, and several incidental. The extremes 
 are about eighty miles apart. 
 
 "I am extending my operations Southward. 
 Numerous are the misrepresentations ; the opposi- 
 tion is violent, and some threats are being made. 
 I will give you an instance : — On the evening 
 of the 11th instant I preached in Montgomery 
 county. After the benediction, a couple of notes 
 were given me. One signed by B. W. Simmons, 
 stated that the writer had just returned from 
 the courts of Montgomery and Stanly counties, 
 
44 THE LIFE OF 
 
 % 
 
 and was requested to say to Die by many citi- 
 zens of those counties that should I attempt to 
 preach at or near Lane's Chapel, in Montgome- 
 ry county, my person would be in danger, as 
 it was understood in those counties that I am 
 an Abolitionist and Free-soiler. The other, written 
 by the same hand and signed " Many Citizens 
 of the counties of Montgomery and Stanly," reads 
 as follows : 
 
 Key. Mr. Crooks : Sir — 
 
 u I have heard that you are out preaching the True 
 Wesleyau doctrines. I doubt it not, though am fully un- 
 formed that you are acting behind the curtain — a u wolf in 
 sheep's clothing" — that you are preying upon the minds of 
 the weak and innocent, and inducing them to believe that 
 slave- holding is not only an oppression to the slaves, but to 
 all those who do not hold slaves. The slaves hereabout 
 are in much better condition than their masters or other 
 citizens! Your doctrine, if carried out, would bring down 
 vengeance upon the heads of your followers by amalgama- 
 tion and otherwise. 
 
 ' ' Our different denominations here are at peace with 
 and among themselves. We do not believe you to be sound , 
 but conscientiously believe you to be worse than a traitor. 
 We are in hopes you will return from whence you came, or 
 you will be dealt with according to the dictates of our con- 
 sciences.' " 
 
 " The above needs no comment. Suffice it to say 
 that by il wo arc reminded of the charge preferred 
 against our Savior, of casting out devils by Beelze- 
 bub. In harmony with the wishes of many in that 
 community, I left another appointment. The lan- 
 guage of my heart is, 'The Lord is my light and 
 
RET. ADAM CROOKS. 
 
 >*ny salvation; who shall I fear?' 'TheLord God 
 is a sun and shield.'" Truth is mighty and must 
 prevail, though its enemies may triumph for a little 
 season. 
 
 •'My earnest prayer is that the Greal Head of 
 the Church may guide us unto truth. Brother Mc- 
 Bride and myself start for Virginia next Monday, 
 to brother Bacon's trial, which comes on .the first 
 of April, and his third Quarterly meeting, which 
 commences the first Saturday of April. Your 
 readers will be advised of the result of the trial as 
 soon as practicable. 
 
 IN BONDS. 
 
 " A few days since brother Mc Bride advised 
 your readers of his arrest and my indictment. 
 Another step has been taken. 
 
 " As the writer left the pulpit, the second Sab- 
 bath of this month, he was introduced to two men, 
 one of whom informed him that he must consider 
 himself his prisoner, until he gave security in one 
 thousand dollars for his appearance at the Superior 
 Court of Forsyth county, on the second Mon- 
 day after the fourth Monday of September next. 
 Though in a community where my acquaintance is 
 limited, the Lord raised mp friends who gave bonds 
 for my forthcoming at the above written time and 
 place. 
 
 " The charge is Misdemeanor. I do not know 
 what is the specification — I presume it is for being 
 
46 THE LIFE OP 
 
 in company when brother Mc Bride gave the ' Ten 
 Commandments' to the little girl. What the sequel 
 of these things will be, is for time, the great advo- 
 cate and publisher of truth to tell. It will do to 
 say, I have labored to live in all good conscience 
 before God until this day. This being the case, I 
 am ' careful for nothing, but in all things make 
 my request unto God.' Thanks to his name, my 
 mind has been kept in perfect peace. We may be 
 condemned by wicked men, our backs given to the 
 scourge, our joints to the pillory, and our persons 
 to a gloomy cell, and it matters but little, it matters 
 nothing — prisons would palaces prove, for Jesus 
 would dwell with us there. Let our destiny be 
 what it may, the bonds of our habitations be where 
 they may, the cause of God will be advanced. The 
 wrath of man shall praise Him. Let the potsherds 
 of the earth strive with the potsherds of the earth ; 
 but let not man contend with his Maker. The 
 Psalmists prays, 'let not man prevail.' But shall 
 man prevail ? What says reason ? Reason answers. 
 Not until he clothe himself in thunder, and make 
 the lightning his girdle ; till he wear the sun for a 
 crown, the moon for a breastplate ; the stars costly 
 jewels encircling his brow, and the rainbow as his 
 phylactery ; not until his ipsedixit cause the immove- 
 able pillars and imperishable foundations of the 
 throne of the universe to crumble, and his breath 
 extinguish the fires of immortality which glow in 
 the bosom of Diety. 
 
 "You have been advised of our arrest under 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 47 
 
 charge of Misdemeanor, for giving the ' Ten Com- 
 mandments ' to a little girl in Liberty, a village on 
 the suburbs of Salem, the capital of Forsyth county. 
 
 " To answer the above charge, accompanied by 
 Bro. Bacon, Bro, McBride and the writer made our 
 way to Salem Forsyth county, on the 7th inst. This is 
 a Moravian town of a population of perhaps fifteen 
 hundred — rather a beautiful place for this country. 
 The inhabitants are generally of Dutch descent. 
 Though the Moravians, and even this Church in Sa- 
 lem, were once opposed to the peculiar institution 
 of the South, many members of Salem Church are 
 slave-holders. We had been in the place but a 
 short time ere the news took the wings of electrici- 
 ty, and flew through the entire town, ' The preach- 
 ers have come I ! The abolitionists are here ! ! ! ' 
 Great was the excitement among the people. Some 
 said, i They ought to be lynched 1' others, 'They 
 ought to be hung!' and other some, 'No attorney 
 ought to appear for them,' &c, &c. 
 
 11 Perhaps it would be interesting to the reader to 
 have an introduction to his Honor, the judge who 
 presided, and the lawyers who plead at the trial. 
 
 "The judge (Manly) is of medium size, elegant 
 form, slightly round-shouldered, perhaps about 
 forty-five years of age, bright keen eyes, large 
 intellectual faculties, has great self-possession, and 
 presides with dignity. From his decisions and 
 charges to the jury, &c, the reader is left to infer 
 his sense of justice. 
 
 "Messrs. Gilmer and Waddell were employed on 
 
48 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the part of the State ; the prosecuting attorney, Mr* 
 Pondeqter, did nothing but assist in managing. 
 
 " The defendants employed two attorneys — Messrs 
 Morehead and Mendenhall — the largest slave-hold- 
 ers in Guilford county. Mr. Morehead is brother 
 to Ex-Governor Morehead, of N. C, fs rising six 
 feet in hight, a very giant-like man ; a full brain, 
 gigantic mind, great courage, and is said to be the 
 best judge of law in the State. 
 
 " Mr. Mendenhall is a little over six feet, well pro- 
 portioned, very straight, has a round, high head, 
 light auburn hair, mechanical and intellectual pow- 
 ers large ; is a good reasoner, and quite gentle - 
 manly in his manners. 
 
 THE INDICTMENT. 
 
 "Contains two specifications. The first charges 
 1 Jesse McBride and Adam Crooks 9 of, with force 
 and arms, knowingly, wickedly and unlawfully, 
 with intention to excite insurrection, conspiracy, 
 and resistance in the slaves or free negroes and 
 persons of color within the State, bringing into the 
 State with intent to circulate, a printed pamphlet 
 named and styled the 'Ten Commandments,' the 
 evident tendency of which pamphlet would be and 
 is to excite insurrection, conspiracy and resistance 
 in the slaves or free negroes and persons of color 
 within the State, containing, with others, the follow- 
 ing incendiary clauses : (Here are inserted some 
 extracts from the pamphlet) . . Contrary to Act of 
 Assembly, &c and against the peace and dig- 
 nity of the State. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 49 
 
 "The second specification charges the said 'Jesse 
 McBridc and Adam Crooks' of, with force and arm; 
 wickedly, seditiously, knowingly and intentionally 
 circulating said pamphlet within the State, with an 
 intent to incite insurrection, conspiracy and resist- 
 ance in the slaves or free negroes and persons of 
 color within the State; which pamphlet, with other 
 seditious teachings and doctrines, contains the fol" 
 lowing: (Then follow various extracts from the 
 pamphlet) which taken separately, or with the bal- 
 ance and other parts, have an evident tendency to 
 
 excite, &c against the Act of Assembly, &q.j 
 
 and against the peace and dignity of the State. 
 
 WITNESSES 
 
 " On the part of the State (the defendants had no 
 witnesses) sworn and testify the following : 
 
 Washington Kenedy. - That defendants stayed 
 over night at my house in Liberty. I left early in 
 the morning; returned in the evening and found 
 the pamphlet at my house. They behaved like 
 ministers. 
 
 Lora Kenedy. — McBride gave me the pamphlet 
 in the absence of Crooks. He said nothing to me 
 when he gave it. I think this is the one he gave 
 me ; I put no mark on it by which to distinguish it 
 from any other pamphlet of the same name. I go 
 to Sabbath School ; there, are no colored persons at 
 school or at home. 
 
 Just here, by permission from the Judge, Wad- 
 dell read the pamphlet in open court. This was 
 done to identify it. 
 
50 THE LIFE OF 
 
 " Mr. Shore. — 1 1 saw this book at rny house. I do 
 not know who brought it. I did not read it or 
 mark it. James Kenedy came to my house one 
 morning and got it. I think this is the same. 
 
 "James W. Kenedy. — I sawMcBride give a little 
 book to my sister Lora. I was in the yard. Crooks 
 was not in the house. My father sent me to Mr. 
 Shore's after it. I brought it to Belo's store. 
 
 " Edward Belo. — I got this book of James W. 
 Kenedy, It is the same ; I put my name on it. 
 
 " Henry Marshall.— I heard McBride preach at 
 . He said he was not in favor of amalga- 
 mation or insurrection; was opposed to war of all 
 kinds; would not have the slaves take swords and 
 guns and murder their masters; he was the friend 
 both of the slave and his master. And he invited 
 us to come to his trial at Salem ; he was indicted 
 for giving a little white girl the ' Ten Command- 
 ments.' 
 
 " David Idle. — Never had got a book, pamphlet, 
 or tract from either McBride or Crooks. 
 
 " Smith's testimony about the same as Marshall's^ 
 
 "George Fulk knew nothing definite. 
 
 " Newel Sapp.- — Heard McBride say he would 
 preach the truth independently, and Crooks that 
 he would suffer his right arm to be cut off rather 
 than with-hold the truth. 
 
 "Witnesses through; go to dinner; return; now 
 pleading commences. 
 
 ME. MOKEHEAD, 
 
 u In behalf of the defendants, commenced his lum* 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 51 
 
 inous plea by raising the following point of law^ 
 Though the indictment charges us with Misdemean- 
 or, the statute makes it a Felony. Now in misde- 
 meanors all are principals ; but this is one of those 
 felonies which admits of accessories. On this 
 ground I demand an acquittal of Crooks. In order 
 to convict him as an accessory, you must not only 
 prove that he was in company at the time the pam- 
 phlet was given, but also that he was employed in 
 advising or assisting to give it ; but the very con- 
 trary is proven. This is necessary to make him an 
 a ccessory, but he is charged of being a principal. 
 But, gentlemen of the jury, the State has made a 
 complete failure in point of sufficient evidence to 
 convict McBride, It has not been proven that the 
 pamphlet was brought into the State by McBride, 
 so that it is impossible to convict him on the first 
 charge, 
 
 "I now institute a question. It is this : — What 
 constitutes a violation of the Act ? I maintain the 
 pamphlet must have been given with "a wicked in- 
 tent. If this is not so, then the lawyers, etc., who 
 have been handing this pamphlet to and fro to each 
 other are every one subject to indictment. The 
 jury cannot convict McBride, unless it is in testi- 
 mony that he gave it with an intent to bring about 
 the evils which the law is intended to prevent. To 
 prove this I refer you to the very familiar case of 
 the law in England as to blood-letting. The law 
 required that every man who let blood in the streets 
 of London, should be hung. Now. though the de- 
 
52 THE LIFE OP 
 
 sign of the law is plain, that it was to prevent mur- 
 der which so much prevailed in that populous city, 
 yet there were actually three physicians hung for 
 letting blood in the streets in order to save the lives 
 of persons who were thrown from their carriages. 
 This led to a change of the law, so that it required 
 a compound offence, or the overt act with a crimi- 
 nal intent, to violate that law. I hold that this case 
 is precisely parallel. Now, what is the evidence 
 that McBride gave the pamphlet with a wicked 
 intent ? It was not given to a child whose par- 
 ents held slaves, or where there were slaves. 
 Lora Kenedy did not go to school where there 
 were slaves; no slaves or colored persons about. 
 McBride did not advise Lora to make an improper 
 use of it. 
 
 " But again : if the pamphlet is an exposition of 
 the 'Ten Commandments' then, sirs, the defendants 
 are innocent. All Churches have an absolute right 
 to publish their sentiments to the world. The pam- 
 phlet is not addressed to slaves, but their masters 
 and freemen. (Here the speaker's manner grew 
 quite animated.) The Constitution of the United 
 States, and of this State, secures to every man the 
 right to worship Almighty God according to the 
 dictates of his own conscience. All the Churches 
 but one of which I have any knowledge are, or pro- 
 fess to be opposed to slave-dealing — some more, 
 some less, between the two extremes. Why toler- 
 ate all others and proscribe this ? He showed, in 
 a strong and happy light peculiar to himself, the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 53 
 
 glorious advantages of free discussion \ said it had 
 saved our necks from the galling yoke of the Church 
 of Rome, Without free discussion we have no 
 Protestant Church ; we have no America. 
 
 "■ The 'Ten Commandments' is innocent in a politi- 
 cal point of view. The liberty of speech and of 
 the press are and ought to be tolerated. Upon 
 this proposition the speaker mesmerized the tre- 
 mendous concourse who were listening with mouth 
 and ears. (Brother McBride at my side, whispered, 
 1 What a pity he is not a preacher.') 
 
 " Mr. M. said witnesses were brought as a kind 
 of key to show the intent of the circulation of the 
 pamphlet, and they all show Mr. McBride to be an 
 innocent and prudent man. Every man is an abo- 
 litionist who dare say one word about slavery. I 
 have been called an abolitionist because I dared 
 present a Quaker petition to the Legislature of this 
 State, though every man is sworn to present every 
 petition sent him. Slavery is a question we have a 
 perfect right to discuss. Strange, indeed, if we 
 dare not speak our sentiments. Not one of these 
 men had at any time conversed with slaves in a low, 
 sneaking way. Mr. M.'s speech occupied about an 
 hour. 
 
 MR. GILMER 
 
 " Said he did not arise out of antipathy to the de- 
 fendants, but from a sense of duty, &c. Said we 
 had a right to speak of slavery privately, but never 
 in the presence of slaves ; that " knowingly " made 
 the design of the law obvious ; that Post Masters 
 
54 THE LIFE OF 
 
 might hand out an anti-slavery document ignorant- 
 ly, but the design of the law is to prohibit any 
 and all circulation of anti-slavery publications, eith- 
 er among white or colored persons ; that the law 
 was established just after the Southampton insurrec- 
 tion, and was made with great care and caution ; 
 that these men certainly brought the 'Ten Com- 
 mandments' into the State. McBride was recently 
 from the State of Ohio, and the fact that he had it 
 in his possession was legal evidence that he brought 
 it into the State. A man found in possession of 
 stolen goods was in law considered the thief, until 
 he showed how he came by them. So, unless they 
 show how they got this book, they must be consid- 
 ered the guilty persons. 
 
 "But it has been argued that the pamphlet was 
 not given with an evil intent. The law supposes 
 a man to intend all that may legitimately flow from 
 his conduct. Look at the manner in which the 
 pamphlet was given the child. That he did not 
 say one word to her shows clearly his intentions in 
 giving her the book. He did not ask her to read 
 it when he gave it to her, nor did he on his return, 
 at the time of giving the pamphlet to the other 
 children, say, u Lora, have you read your little 
 book ? — how do you like it ? " or anything of the 
 kind. No ! — but in a sneaking and sly way, when 
 all were out but the little girl, slips to his trunk, 
 and hands her this little book. Crooks, in order 
 that he might appear innocent, stepped out of the 
 house. No doubt but he was knowing and con- 
 
BEV. ADAM CROOKS. 55 
 
 Bentive to It all, and hence accessory. The fact of 
 their having two buggies and separate trunks does 
 .not clear him. They travel together; what one 
 does the other agrees to. (With great emphasis.) 
 McBride says he will go ahead independently, law 
 or no law. Crooks says he will suffer his right 
 arm to be cut off before he will give up circulating 
 such pamphlets, 
 
 " The speaker, rising in feeling, spoke of the dread- 
 ful consequences of circulating such incendiary pub- 
 lications^ of McBride's preaching, said it would 
 bring on insurrection. Knives, guns, swords, burn- 
 ing houses, cruelties and barbarities, were largety 
 and fearfulty described. Spoke about forty-five 
 minutes. 
 
 ME. H. VADDELL 
 
 " Said — I have often stood in defence of criminals, 
 but never felt so awfully as I do at this time. I 
 am not defending one life, but thousands of lives. 
 I am pleading for my country, for the security 
 and safety of our wives and children The 
 northern people are the last men to teach us mor- 
 als on the slavery question, since many of them 
 have got rick by selling their slaves. The aboli- 
 tion of slavery has been put off by Northern fanat- 
 ics. I have heard a Rev. Mr. McDonnell give a 
 full description of the Southampton insurrection 
 a day or two since. He witnessed this horrible 
 scene; at least he saw mothers and innocent 
 babes lying in their blood, exposed to the flies, too 
 numerous to bury. I think, said Mr. W., Nat 
 
56 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Turner must have been a Wesleyan, and felt lie 
 was commissioned from on High to deliver his breth- 
 ren. Read from Webster's Dictionary the defini- 
 tions of the terms insurrection; conspiracy, and re* 
 sistance ; commented largely. Said though slaves 
 were not in the pamphlet, advised to resist, yet, to 
 let a slave know that he had no right to have 
 his sweat and blood extracted, was calculated to 
 make him resist. 
 
 « Why do we want men from Ohio to come and 
 teach us morals ? We have preachers enough of 
 our own. Ohio is nearly or quite as bad a place 
 on account of abolition as New England. Paul 
 sent Onesimus home, but McBride would not, 
 McBride called people cowards. What language 
 for a preacher ! ! He (McBride) is a bold man. 
 
 " Here some pretty strong epithets were used, E. 
 G. In speaking of anti-slavery doctrines, the speak- 
 er called them hellish principles, &c. The sympa- 
 thies and fears of the jurors were loudly appealed 
 to. Mr. W. said — if these men may go unpunished 
 then have no law against the midnight assassin. 
 The speaker called attention to, as supremely ex- 
 ceptionable, the words of Rev. John Wesley, in the 
 pamphlet where he speaks as follows : ' Whatever 
 it costs put a stop to its cry before it be too late — 
 instantly.' The word instantly , Mr. W. thought 
 was very significant. It seemed to be the Speak- 
 er's misfortune, during his entire speech of about 
 an hour, to be so much excited as not to be able to 
 
rev. ADAM CROOKS, 57 
 
 master his feelings, arid of course neither the jury, 
 the audience, nor his subject. 
 
 G. C. MENDENHALL- 
 
 " Arose with a countenance bespeaking mingled 
 feelings of a profound sense of responsibility, and 
 a deep determination to discharge his duty with 
 firmness and integrity. Spoke of the great ex- 
 citement and even prejudice against the defend- 
 ants — even counsel is denounced within this bar, for 
 appearing for them. Said Mr. M., with thrilling 
 emphasis— God forbid that the time should ever 
 come that a man, an American, arraigned before a 
 court in North Carolina, shall appear without coun- 
 sel because no man at the bar will open, his mouth 
 for him. The man who has license in his pocket, 
 or at home, and when called upon refuses to step 
 forward in behalf of a criminal, and demand the 
 court to show cause why he should be convicted, 
 ought to be denounced everywhere, and scouted 
 from the North Carolina bar. 
 
 " In the discharge of my duty as an Attorney, I 
 appear to see that these men have a full, fair trial. 
 Nor do I arise to try and please those around me, 
 or to make half a plea. Said Mr. M. — Even 
 this jury has been threatened, provided they did 
 not convict these men. Mr. Waddell informed you 
 that ' if you clear them, you may see the day you 
 will bitterly regret it.' It has been charged upon 
 them that they have come into our midst unasked 
 for. Why, does not that gentleman know they are 
 here as regular ministers of the Gospel ; that they 
 
58 THE LIFE OF 
 
 were sent for by your own citizens ; that one has been 
 here three years, and the other not quite so long ? 
 They preach against intemperance, and the Morav- 
 ians ought not to oppose them on this ground ; and 
 against war, just as the Moravians once did. The 
 Quakers, from which I sprung protest, and have for 
 a hundred years, against slavery. 
 
 " For doing nothing more, these men must be 
 dragged up before this court as felons, and com- 
 pared with Nat Turner. I am sorry that a man 
 (alluding to Waddell) who ventured to bring so 
 large a book as Webster's Dictionary before this 
 court, to teach us the meaning of words— and we 
 acknowledge ourselves duly informed — knows no 
 more about modern history than not to know the 
 defendants are ministers of the Church organized 
 in 1843. Here was given a short history of the 
 Wesleyan Church. 
 
 "Is it in testimony that these men have at any 
 time interfered with slaves ? Where is the man 
 who gave such evidence ? Let us look at the in- 
 tention of giving the pamphlet. By raking and 
 scraping their Camp-meetings, and McB ride's meet" 
 ing at Bethlehem, not one word has been brought 
 to show that they have any sympathy with insur- 
 rection, but right to the contrary. Is it in testi- 
 mony that the pamphlet was circulated with an in- 
 tent to have it get among, or into the hands of 
 negroes ? No such advice was given the little girl, 
 who was herself a white girl ; her father held no 
 slaves and there were none about the house. These 
 
IltiV. ADAM CROOKS. 59 
 
 men have a right to use means to gain proselytes ; 
 and believing, as they do, that slavery is sinful, 
 they have a right to convince masters and freemen 
 that it is wrong. Mr. Waddell says, 'such a hell- 
 ish firebrand as the 'Ten Commandments' was never 
 circulated in this country.' I'll show him that oth- 
 er ministers have brought and circulated things as 
 bad as this little pamphlet, and that every intelli- 
 gent Methodist minister keeps and circulates books 
 equally as strong against slavery. Presbyterians and 
 Quakers do the same. And I'll show, too, that 
 none of them are incendiary. 
 
 " Here, by permission of the court, Mr, M. read 
 and commented on extracts from the writings and 
 sayings of the following distinguished statesmen 
 and divines, viz., Patrick Henry and Thomas Jeffer- 
 son, 'the brightest stars which Virginia has pro- 
 duced : The narrative of the doings of the North 
 Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends on the subject 
 of Slavery within its limits^ Husbands separated 
 from their wives, parents from their children 
 ■—printed in Greensboro' in 1848: Wm. Pinkney; 
 Clarke's Commentary on 1st Cor., vii:23; — Peti- 
 tion of the Presbyterians to their General Assem- 
 bly — printed in Washington and circulated every- 
 where, and equally as strong as the ' Ten Command- 
 ments ; ' John Randolph ; Wm. West ; Dr. Paley ; 
 Dr. Burgess ; Bishop Horseley ; John Jay ; Broad- 
 nax, of Virginia; Clark's Theology; Governor 
 Swain, of North Carolina, scorching; Digest of 
 the Presbyterian General Assembly, as strong as 
 
60 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the English language can make it j Address' of Hog,- 
 Wm. Gaston, before the students at Chapel Hill, 
 N. C— clear, masterly, and pithy— circulated every- 
 where, admired by everybody. Fourth edition, 
 printed at Kaleigh, capital of North Carolina. 
 
 'Now, gentlemen of the jury, I have not read these 
 things to convince you that slavery is wrong, but to 
 show you that if the 'Ten Commandments' is incen- 
 diary, then these are equally so 7 and to show you 
 that the defendants have done nothing more than 
 other ministers do. 
 
 'But it cannot be that these men design to raise 
 an insurrection ; for they are here to suffer with us ? 
 and for what have they come ?'— to set the slaves 
 at butchering their masters ? No ! But having* 
 brought all their earthly crowns and laid them at 
 their Master's feet, have come here as humble min- 
 isters of the Gospel of the meek Redeemer. Why, 
 it is plain this pamphlet was not intended to 
 go among slaves; for it is not addressed to 
 them, but their masters. Again, the slaves can 
 not read, and there is no evidence that McBride 
 advised the little girl to read it to them, but dL 
 rectly the contrary. I venture the assertion, that 
 if this pamphlet had been given out by a Metho- 
 dist Episcopal preacher, there would not have been 
 one word said about it. And why is it, gentlemen 
 of the jury, they have indicted Crooks ? There is 
 not one particle of evidence against him. Not any, 
 I fear the object was to influence the jury to com- 
 promise, acquit one and convict the other. I have 
 
RftV. ADAM CROOKS. 61 
 
 seen too many such compromises. Where is the 
 witness to testify that either of these men brought 
 the pamphlet into North Carolina? The State 
 would have you believe that we must prove our- 
 selves innocent ; that the fact of possession is evi- 
 dence. Have they nothing ?— did they never have 
 any thing but what they brought into the State ? There 
 is something remarkable about the prosecution ; — 
 here are three of the wealthiest men in Salem, pro- 
 secutors. Was not one enough ? But that would 
 not give sufficient character to all this excitement. 
 I fear, and I awfully fear, there is too much ground 
 of fear, that there is a design in all this, to force a 
 conviction on these men. Mr. Wacldell, with the 
 appearance of sincerity, told you not to suffer your- 
 selves to be influenced by any appeals which had 
 been made or which may be made on either side. 
 No, no ; that gentleman would not have you become 
 excited. I bring up burning houses, streaming- 
 blood and dying men, women and children, but 
 don't suffer yourselves to be excited.' " 
 
 "Mr. M. after reading from his notes fifteen reasons 
 why the defendants should be acquitted, about 
 8 o'clock at night concluded his last manly de- 
 fence of three hours and a half, which was deliver- 
 ed in a clear, dignified, and masterly manner : and, 
 notwithstanding its length, was heard by all with 
 the most profound interest and breathless attention. 
 The pleading closed; the Judge delivered his 
 
 CHARGE TO THE JURY, 
 
 which was as follows :— after reading the law, 
 
62 THE LIFE OP 
 
 the Judge observed, — The indictment contains two 
 charges. The first, of bringing into the State, with 
 intent to circulate, a printed pamphlet, the evident 
 tendency of which, would be to excite insurrection, 
 conspiracy, and resistance in the slaves. The 
 second charge is, of circulating said pamphlet with- 
 in the State, and so on. We will reverse the thing, 
 and take the latter charge first. You will first consid- 
 er the contents of the pamphlet. Has it an evi- 
 dent tendency to excite insurrection, or is it 
 an argument couched in respectful language as to 
 the morality of slavery, or of the best method of 
 doing it away. 
 
 1 You will then consider the evidence in regard, 
 to circulating the pamphlet. Did he give (lifting 
 the 'Ten Commandments') this pamphlet to the lit- 
 tle girl ? Next, is this the same pamphlet? As 
 to the contents of this book, after the most serious 
 and critical examination, I give it as my judgment, 
 that it does have an evident tendency to excite in. 
 surrection. As to the question of his giving 
 the pamphlet to the girl there can be no doubt. 
 It is not my opinion that to violate the law, is nec- 
 essary to circulate incendiary publications among 
 the blacks. The design of the Legislature, no 
 doubt, was to prevent the circulation of such things 
 among the white, as well as the black portion of 
 the community. Such productions tend to excite 
 the master to treat his slave in such a manner as 
 to create dissatisfaction in the slave with the treat- 
 ment of his master. That this is the same pain- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. bS 
 
 phlet which McBride gave the girl, seems to be 
 clearly proven by all the witnesses, who testified 
 to that point. # 
 
 'If Mr. Crooks was present and advising, or aid- 
 ing Mr. McBride to give out the pamphlet at the 
 time it was given, ho is equally guilty, but I be- 
 lieve the testimony is, he was not present. If from 
 the evidence you think the defendants brought the 
 pamphlet into the State, say so, and if not, say so. 
 Giving the jury the papers he ordered them to be 
 conducted to their room.' " 
 
 "The court arose, to sit next forenoon at 10 o'clock. 
 Bro's Bacon, McBride and the writer retired to 
 our lodgings j committed ourselves to God ; slept 
 securely till morning; at ten o'clock returned to 
 Court: the Judge in the chair; the Jury report 
 they are agreed upon a 
 
 VEKDICT 
 
 That ' Crooks is not guilty. McBride not guilty 
 of the first,- but guilty of the second charge, and 
 ask for him the mercy of the Court.' The sentence 
 was not immediately pronounced. About eleven 
 o'clock Bro. McBride's counsel, Mr. Morehead 
 moved for a new hearing, and required the State 
 to show cause why it should not be granted. A 
 new hearing being refused, the Judge passed 
 
 SENTENCE 
 
 That Brother McBride shall stand at the pillory one 
 hour, receive twenty stripes, and be imprisoned in 
 the county jail one year, and that the Sheriff pro- 
 
64 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ceed to inflict the penalty immediately. Where- 
 upon an 
 
 " APPEAL 
 
 was taken to the Supreme Court of the ' State, 
 which holds its session at Raleigh, on the 30th of 
 December next. 
 
 GROUNDS OF TEE APPEAL, 
 
 " We think the court erred in the following :— 
 
 1st. The court permitted the whole of the pam- 
 phlet to be read in evidence, when only a part of 
 it was set forth in the indictment. 
 
 2d. That giving the little book to a child was 
 not putting the same into circulation under the act 
 of Assembly. 
 
 3d. As a matter of law, the evident tendency of 
 the book was not to excite to insurrection, conspir- 
 acy, and resistance. 
 
 4th. That the penalty of the Act was incurred 
 by circulating the book among white persons, with- 
 out reference to an intention that it should be cir- 
 culated among persons of color. The appeal being 
 entered, 
 
 A MOTION TO FORBID PREACHING AND CIRCULATING 
 BOOKS. . • 
 
 "By Mr. Waddell it was moved that the court for 
 bid Mr. McBride to preach or circulate books till 
 the next session of the court 3 or for six months, on 
 which he made a fiery appeal to the passions of the 
 court, and ad captandum vulgus, 
 
 "Followed by Morehead in a thrilling address, in 
 which he commenced by saying, ' Surely we have 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 65 
 
 got into strange cities/ spoke in a pathetic manner 
 of McBride's innocence, of his great loss and sore 
 affliction in the death of his companion ; of his sep- 
 aration from a lovely daughter; called upon them 
 to point to an immoral act of his life, or an improp- 
 er word from his lips. 
 
 "Mr. Waddell was very reluctant to protract 
 this unhappy discussion, but he had been called up- 
 on to < point out an immoral act.' The speaker 
 referred to the meeting in Jamestown, published by 
 Montgomery. McBride might be honest— he was sure 
 he was misguided. 'I,' said W./ revere the holy re- 
 ligion of the Bible as much as any man ... .1 know 
 no master but the law, and that we make ourselves/ 
 &c, to the end. The court decided it was not 
 proper to forbid McBride from preaching as he 
 had not been tried for that ; but he should consid- 
 er himself $1000 in debt to the State of North 
 Carolina, if he did not appear at this court at its 
 next session, or did circulate the l Ten Command- 
 ments/ or anything similiar, between this and then. 
 Securities given. We went out from Salem, pray- 
 ing God's blessing upon His enemies and ours, and 
 if not rejoicing that we were counted worthy to 
 suffer for his 'name's sake/ at least. 
 
 ' Submissive, I trust to the will Divine.' 
 
 "The moral elements are in commotion, but God 
 rules the storm, bless His name ! He has thus far 
 said to our hearts < fear not.' Let all who truly 
 fear God and love man, join us in praying and la- 
 boring, and if need be, suffering, to bring on that 
 
66 THE LIFE OF 
 
 happy day, when every system which arrays one 
 portion of the human family against the other shall 
 be extinct, and love's golden chain bind all in its 
 sacred inclosure. 
 
 OTHER PERSECUTIONS. 
 
 "Ecclesiastical history not {infrequently furnishes 
 matter alike interesting to the Christian and lovers 
 of the novel. The following may to some extent be 
 of this character. 
 
 " Meetings are held in this State under the inno" 
 cent name of Fairs, at which pilgrims from various 
 parts of North and South Carolina assemble ; some 
 for the laudable purpose of selling various articles 
 of food, and other some for the less praiseworthy 
 motive of gambling, horse swapping, trafficing and 
 drinking intoxicating liquors. At these almost 
 every thing is fair. 
 
 " On one of these noted occasions, in Montgomery 
 Co., a council was held to fix upon some plan to 
 stay the progress of Wesley an ism in these parts? 
 which resulted in the appointment of a Committee 
 to wait on the writer, and request him to absent 
 himself from the State of North Carolina by the 1st 
 of February next. Accordingly, on the 27th of 
 December, eisrht souls, the number saved in the ark 
 
 7 O 7 1 
 
 sought, but found not the object of pursuit, he not 
 being at his usual boarding-house; so they left a 
 letter, stating if they did not get an answer they 
 would meet me at one of my appointments. The 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 6? 
 
 following is a copy of their letter, including orthog- 
 raphy and prosody. 
 
 "'North Carolina, Montgomery Co. 
 1 We the undersigned Committee having been appointed, 
 by a large meeting of the citizens of Montgomery, and the 
 adjoining Counties, to wait Oq Adam Crooks, abolitionist? 
 and request him peaceably to leave the State of North Car- 
 olina, by the 1st of February next, and we demand posi- 
 tive answer from the said Crooks whether or not he intends 
 to comply with the requirements of these few lines, this 
 27th of December, 1850.' [Signed by eleven names.] 
 
 " An answer was prepared, but not being sent, on 
 Sabbath, the 12th inst., six men came to the meet- 
 ing-house just as services commenced, but did not 
 come into the house. Meeting being concluded, 
 Mr. B. desired Mr. Byrns to introduce him to the 
 preacher. 
 
 ' I'll do no such thing ; why did you not come in- 
 to the house like a man ?' 
 
 1 Is your name Crooks ?' 
 
 \ That is my name.' 
 
 I My name is Bright. I wish to have a word 
 with you. We are appointed by a meeting of 
 Montgomery county, to request you to leave the 
 State of North Carolina. We think you are doing 
 no good, and for the sake of the peace and harmo- 
 ny of the community, we desire you to leave.' 
 
 < I received a letter to that purport a few days 
 since. ' 
 
 ' Yes, but we got no answer.' 
 
 I I prepared an answer, but had no opportunity 
 of sending it. I am of the same mind as when I 
 wrote it; and in it I decline complying.' 
 
68 THE LIFE OF 
 
 1 Then you do not ask any set time, only till you 
 see cause to leave ?' • 
 
 'All I ask is the rights of any other preacher of 
 the Gospel. All we ask is the rights of the State. 
 I have not, nor do I have any disposition to violate 
 these rights. Good da} 7 , gentlemen.' 
 
 "All left, but Mr. 0., the writer of the above note. 
 
 1 Mr. 0., I believe you are the writer of the let- 
 ter received.' 
 
 'Yes, sir.' 
 
 ' I have written an answer, and as I hold your 
 letter, you can have the answer, if you desire it.' 
 
 ' I should like to have it.'" 
 
 " Whereupon the following was given. 
 
 " Valentine Moore's, Mont. Co., Jan. 6th, 1851. 
 
 " To the Committee appointed by a large meeting 
 of the citizens of Montgomery and adjoining coun- 
 ties, to wait on Adam Crooks, abolitionist, and re- 
 quest him peaceably to leave the State of North 
 Carolina, by the 1st of February next. 
 
 " Sirs : — Your by no means polite note, bearing 
 date of December 27th, is before me, which I will 
 endeavor to answer, in the meekness of humility, 
 and kindness of charity, as well as in the frankness 
 of honesty and plainness of sincerity. 
 
 "And 1st: — As to the language of your letter, it 
 is well calculated to extort the exclamation, Mirabile 
 dictu ! You begin with a request, and conclude 
 with an absolute demand, which your own good 
 sense must teach you had not the least shadow of 
 a right to make. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. G9 
 
 " 2d : — To the implied charge of abolitionism, T am 
 free to acknowledge, I believe with Benjamin Frank- 
 lin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick 
 Henry, William Pinkney, John Wesley, Richard 
 Watson, Adam Clarke, and others, philosophers, 
 statesmen and divines, to whom the world owes a 
 large debt of gratitude, and to whose names poster- 
 ity will gladly pay its devoir, of a place on the fair- 
 est page of fame, on the subject of American sla- 
 very. In the fullest sense, I subscribe to that ever 
 memorable instrument, the Declaration of Independ- 
 ence ; written, using the language of figure, with 
 the point of the sword in the blood of the heroes of 
 seventy-six, who appealing to the Searcher of hearts 
 to witness the rectitude of their intentions, with 
 the American flag majestically floating in heaven's 
 free air over their heads, and the watchword liber- 
 ty, blazing in capitals from its ample folds, nobly 
 wrote : ' We hold these truths to be self-evident, 
 that all men are created equal, and endowed by 
 their Creator with inalienable right to life, liberty, 
 and the pursuit of happiness; that to maintain 
 these rights, governments are instituted among 
 men, deriving their just powers from the will of 
 the governed.' 
 
 " And is this, in the estimation of their sons, an 
 offense, a crime meriting exilement ? If so, as Croe- 
 sus cried out, ' Solon ! Solon ! Solon !' may not 
 we with equal propriety, though opposite emotions, 
 exclaim l Fathers of the revolution ! Fathers of 
 the revolution ! Fathers of the revolution !' 
 
70 THE LIFE OF 
 
 "3rd. With regard to your request, for three rea„ 
 sons I can not comply. 
 
 " First. There is no insignificant number of as loy- 
 al citizens, and some as orderly Christians as crown 
 this or any other State, desire my ministerial ser- 
 vices ; and because I can not be false to these, false 
 to myself, false to my office, to the Church, and 
 above all, false to God, I can not comply. 
 
 " Second. As an American citizen, pursuing a 
 laudable, not to say charitable occupation, to a 
 self-constituted tribunal, recognized by no law-gov- 
 erning civilized nations, I can not yield the right to 
 try without notice, convict without a hearing, and 
 banish without crime. To do so would be to offer 
 a base indignity to our nature as men, and charac- 
 ter as Americans. 
 
 " In the third place, I can not comply with so 
 unreasonable a request, because as a Christian and 
 Christian minister I will not surrender to any 
 earthly power, and more especially to illegally as- 
 sumed authority, the right given by our Almighty 
 Creator, and secured by the government under 
 which it is our privilege to live, to worship Al- 
 mighty God according to the dictates of conscience. 
 
 u I am bold to declare that no true American or 
 genuine Christian, will either make or submit to 
 such demands. The pen which recorded the sur. 
 render, would be quite as dark as the page which 
 chronicled the requirement. What would such 
 precedure be, but a re-establishment of Inquisitorial 
 Councils ? — the re-kindling the consuming fires of re. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 71 
 
 ligious intolerance ? — the annihilation of the Protes. 
 tant reformation and all its glorious blessings, and 
 the resurrection of all the bloody cruelties of the 
 Papal persecution ? Would you have the ignomini. 
 ous tragedy of the reign of Henry VIII, Queen 
 Mary, and James II — the reign of terror — re-acted 
 on American soil ? If so, who will tell the mourn- 
 ful catastrophe ? Who will give assurance that 
 your children's children will not drink the fatal 
 dregs of the poisonous cup first presented by their 
 erring fathers ? If there are such things as weep- 
 ing in heaven, and sorrow in the tomb, might not 
 sainted spirits find occasion here to drop a tear 
 over the grave of slaughtered freedom, and the 
 bosoms of illustrious dead to heave a sigh for de. 
 parted glory ? 
 
 " Than that such should be the case — that the 
 clarion of freedom should cease to whisper in our 
 breezes, and murmur along our stream s, the free 
 born conscience enslaved; liberty's self murdered- 
 in the house of her friends, and by hands which 
 should cherish her; her garments stained, and home 
 drenched with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus ; 
 the name of our loved, our idolized America, should 
 be written on the page of infamy, and be a hissing 
 and by -word among kings, princes, and autocrats ; 
 every man's hand of the American people be turned 
 against his fellow, and they fall victims to the evils 
 of intestine broils, and the ravages of international 
 wars ; — I say, before these things come upon us, let 
 the sun refuse to look upon us; the stars repre- 
 
72 THE LIFE OP 
 
 sented on our country's flag, withdraw from the 
 firmament ; let the American name be blotted from 
 the archives of nations ; the American people fall 
 beneath the devouring pestilence from God; our 
 fair cities, flourishing towns, and peaceful hamlets* 
 become one unbroken desolation; and fruitful 
 fields, green meadows, and majestic forests, a thea- 
 ter of the sports of wild beasts, and return to the 
 uninterrupted dominion of the untutored savage. 
 
 " Permit me to ask, in all kindness and candor, 
 may not your procedure, if prosecuted, prove to be 
 the precursor and even the prelude, to all these 
 dreadful calamities ? 
 
 " That the above indifferently described evils be 
 averted, and their opposite blessings secured, may 
 the American people, ever proverbially sensitive to 
 the least seeming encroachment on their individual 
 or national rights, isnure their enjoyment to them- 
 selves and posterity by uniformly respecting, as no 
 less sacred, the rights of each other ; worshiping as 
 seemeth good unto them, and allowing their neigh- 
 bors the peaceable enjoyment of that exalted privi" 
 lege. And if at any time they differ in opinion, as 
 in our imperfect state we will be certain to do, let 
 us pray for and reason one with another ; thus at 
 once obeying the heavenly command, and imitating 
 the glorious example of Him who causes His sun 
 to shine on the evil and the good, and rain to bless 
 the just and unjust, and died for us when we were 
 enemies, remembering that if any man have not His 
 spirit he is none of His. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 73 
 
 u I will conclude this scroll, the length of which 
 please excuse, by referring you to the wise advice 
 of Gamaliel, Acts v : 33-39 ; the woe pronounced 
 against the offender, Matthew xviii :1~7 ; please 
 ponder well Matthew xxv:31— 46. 
 
 " We have erected two meeting-houses this Win- 
 ter, one in Montgomery and the other in Randolph 
 Co. We anticipate a visit from our deeply injured? 
 hut highly esteemed Brother McBride on the first 
 and second Sabbath of the next inst., at which time 
 we purpose holding protracted meetings. May the 
 Lord greatly revive his work, Amen." 
 
 It was during this visit of Brother McBride's, in 
 February, 1851, that, as they were going from one 
 appointed place of meeting to another, each in 
 his own carriage, as they came to the top of a 
 high hill, they saw in the valley below, three men, 
 armed with guns, standing across the road. Evi„ 
 dently they were waiting for them. Brother 
 McBride said, 
 
 " Crooks, do you see those men ?" 
 
 Mr. Crooks answered, " Yes." 
 
 That was all that passed between them, but 
 their hearts were lifted in silent prayer to One 
 who is ever ready to help his children in time of 
 danger. When they came to the place where the 
 men stood, two passed to one side of the road, and 
 one to the other. 
 
 Mr. Crooks said, " Good morning, gentlemen." 
 
 The men answered, " Good morning." 
 4 
 
74 THE LIFE OF 
 
 As they ascended the opposite hill, before they 
 passed out of sight, they glanced back, and saw two 
 other armed men coming. They heard afterwards 
 that five men had pledged themselves to meet there, 
 and waylay and kill Mr. Crooks, as he regularly 
 passed that way to attend his appointments. Two 
 of their number were tardy. McBride was a 
 stranger. The three probably feared to act alone 
 and through Providence their plans were brought 
 to nought- 
 
 KELIGIOUS INTGLEEANCE IN NOETH CAEO- 
 LINA. 
 
 " Nothing in all the book of common sayings is 
 more true than that ' Coming events often cast their 
 shadows before them.' " In nature the morning star 
 proclaims the approach of the superior splendor of 
 the solar orb. The semi-decomposition of his rays 
 forming divergent milk-colored lines in the vapory 
 air, precedes the darkening heavens, the red light- 
 ning, roaring thunder, dashing rain, and the sweep, 
 ing tornado. The rumbling of the volcano is pre- 
 cursory to the vomitings of the clouds of smoke and 
 ashes, showers of burning stones and rivers of 
 fiery lava. 
 
 "In the progress of human affairs, circumstances 
 intrinsically of little or no importance, in their re- 
 lations to mighty movements, are fraught with in- 
 terests boundless in extent and endless in duration 
 
 " The fact that pieces of carved wood, a canoo 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 75 
 
 and two human bodies differing in complexion Irom 
 Europeans, had been driven by westerly winds up- 
 on the shores of islands contiguous to Europe, was 
 important only as to its influence upon the observ- 
 ing mind of Columbus, in leading to the discovery 
 of an unknown hemisphere, 
 
 " The falling of an apple is a simple and common 
 occurrence, yet it taught Newton, priest of nature, 
 the great law of attraction by which the mighty 
 God governs the grand machinery of the heavens. 
 
 u The burning of Andrew Oliver in &ffHgy, in Bos- 
 ton, on the 14th of August, 1765, and the break- 
 ing open of three hundred and forty-two chests of 
 tea, and emptying their contents into the ocean 
 the 18th of December, 1773, trifling a.s they are, 
 serve as a thermometer to indicate feelings which 
 throbbed through the veins and arteries, and nerv- 
 ed the arm of the United Colonies — feelings which 
 brightened till they produced throes which shook 
 the foundations of the mightiest throne on earth, 
 and gave birth to a nation no less powerful. 
 
 "And the formation of the Jacobin club in France 
 in 1790, in itself appeared unimportant,* yet it was 
 the shadow of coming events which convulsed the 
 world. Considered as the unobserving eye of the 
 multitude beholds human transactions — separate 
 and disconnected, uninfluenced and uninfluencing, 
 the subject of this communication is comparatively 
 local and unimportant. But viewed as the true 
 philosopher, wise statesman, and enlightened Chris- 
 tian are wont to look upon passing incidents con- 
 
76 THE LIFE OF 
 
 nected, linked, bound to, influenced by, and influ- 
 encing all the movements of men ; and as a mile- 
 stone marking the progress of civilization, and en- 
 lightened liberal and Christian principles, or of 
 political and religious degeneracy, it is infinitely 
 otherwise. 
 
 " It is the seizure and forcible commitment to 
 prison, in Montgomery Co., North Carolina, on the 
 Sabbath, by professors of Christianity and officers 
 of the law, without the torms of law ; refusing bail 
 of a free born American and Minister of the Gospel 
 uncondemn ed, which it is the painful task of my 
 pen to record. 
 
 " The morning of Sabbath, the 15th of June, as if 
 unwilling to be a spectator of the transactions of 
 the day, the sun arose behind a cloud. The air 
 was cool, as if chilled by the inhospitality of the 
 hearts of the oppressors. 
 
 "The rumor that a mob was to be at the Lovejoy 
 Chapel, to transport him beyond the limits of the 
 county, induced him to leave his horse at Brother 
 Y. Moore's about a mile from the Chapel, and go 
 to meeting early before the mob could arrive. By 
 ten o'clock quite a number of the loyal band land- 
 ed, and fifteen minutes to eleven, the balance, num- 
 bering in all according to their supposition one 
 hundred and seventy-five ; ten of whom were magis- 
 trates. The preacher was sitting in the pulpit, 
 when the mob, headed by S. Christian, a "Justice 
 of the Peace" and a negro-trader as their orator 
 approached and accosted him with : — 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 77 
 
 u Is your name Crooks ?" 
 
 " That is my name." 
 
 " My name is Christian. The Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church North and South are divided. They 
 have agreed on a line, and this very subject of 
 slavery has divided them. The North would not 
 have a slave-holding bishop. Andrew, being a slave- 
 holder, was deprived of his office, and on this ac- 
 count the Church split. The slavery question is 
 agitating this whole nation." 
 
 u Yes," said Crooks, " it is convulsing it from 
 center to circumference." 
 
 " And you have come amongst us preaching 
 against slavery — violating our laws — breeding dis- 
 turbance. I have no doubt you preach the Gospel, 
 but we are not heathens, we are a Christianized 
 people. You are making interruptions in families, 
 in neighborhoods, and Churches, (wonder if he is 
 not a regular descendant of some chivalric knight,) 
 and causing us to abuse our servants; for they 
 have got to know you are preaching that they 
 ought to be free, and it makes them unruly ; so that 
 they have to be abused. And now, what we want 
 of you is a solemn promise that you will leave the 
 county forthwith, and never preach in it again." 
 
 " You, Mr. Christian, are mistaken as to Bishop 
 Andrew being deposed. He was a bishop at the 
 rise of the General Conference of 1844. In an- 
 swer to three questions it was ordered that his 
 name should remain with the other bishops — he 
 should receive a bishop's pay ; the work he did to 
 
78 
 
 THE LIFE OF 
 
 be subject to his discretion in view of the action of 
 that Conference. But that matters not, it being 
 merely a fact of ecclesiastical history. As to my 
 having violated your laws, your conduct to-day vin- 
 dicates me from that charge." 
 
 " I think not." 
 
 " Evidently/' continued Crooks, " for had I brok- 
 en your laws, you would not have been under the 
 necessity of violating them and adopting the sub- 
 lime modus operandi of Mob Law to punish me." 
 
 " Some of the company. — ' We did not come here 
 to have a debate.' " 
 
 " Certain charges have been preferred, and it is 
 the undisputed right of every man to be heard be- 
 fore being judged; and I am going to be heard. 
 As to breaking the peace ; you have acknowledged 
 I preached the gospel. As to your not being heath- 
 ens but a Christianized people,- your conduct in 
 trying to drive out of the county a man for preach- 
 ing the gospel, is more like that of heathens than 
 of Christians. Not a drop of blood warms my 
 heart, or courses my veins in favor of insurrection. 
 Were you to take my advice there would be no 
 danger of such an event," 
 
 " What would that be ? " 
 
 "Do by your slaves as you would they should do 
 to you," 
 
 "Explain." 
 
 " It needs no explanation. It is so plain a way- 
 faring man though a fool shall not err therein." 
 
 li Now, see there !" 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 9P 
 
 ** With regard to leaving the county, etc., it is 
 my right, in common with American citizens, to 
 come and go at pleasure. The Constitution of the 
 United States says, the citizens of each State shall 
 have all the privileges and immunities of the citi- 
 zens of die several states." 
 
 " Mr. Cogins, [a magistrate and slave-holder, was 
 once class-leader in the M. E. Church, is not now 
 a Church-member.] " Did you not agree to leave 
 Guilford, and never return?" 
 
 " Mr. Cogins, I do not wish to be interrupted, 
 tout I answer, I did not." 
 
 " I am informed you did." 
 
 "I know what I did, — and I know I did not 
 To give a promise never to preach in this county, 
 is a demand you have no right to make, and one to 
 which I as a Christian minister have no right to 
 submit. I trust I shall ever be ready to go where 
 God commands, and should I feel it my duty to 
 preach in Montgomery County, by His grace as- 
 sisting I shall try. The right to worship accord- 
 ing to dictates of conscience, with other rights, was 
 purchased at the expense of blood, lives and treas- 
 ures, of our revolutionary fathers, and should not 
 be surrendered but with life. The Constitution of 
 North Carolina, which some of this company have 
 taken a solemn oath to support, secures this right. 
 Here a number of persons commenced asking ques- 
 tions at the same instant, having one employed iu 
 penning down the answers given." 
 
 T. Halton— « Brother Crooks—" 
 
 * 0, don't call him brother." 
 
80 THE LIFE OF 
 
 "Yes, let us call him brother. Brother Crooks, 
 did you not preach to servants not to obey their 
 masters ? " 
 
 "I did not." 
 
 " I did not hear you, but heard you did." 
 
 H. Hulen to Haltom — " Don't you interrupt the 
 man," 
 
 " Haltom, much excited, shook his fist, stamped 
 his foot to the floor, and striking the book-board, 
 declared he was at home on his own premises. 
 
 Crooks, — " O, men ! — keep calm !" 
 
 O. Hulen. — " Men, are we in Court? If so let 
 the judges call the court to order; and if we came 
 to worship God, let us do it." 
 
 Mr. Bright. — " 0, men, do your duty for which 
 you come here." 
 
 Mr. Christian. — " Well, can you comply with our 
 request ? " 
 
 " I have answered that question." 
 
 " We have extended the olive branch of peace to 
 you, and if you do not receive it, you must abide 
 the consequences." 
 
 " Crooks now for the first time rises from his 
 seat; — "I extend the olive to all men. I have 
 lived in all good conscience to God and man since 
 I came amongst you — feel resolved despite of all 
 opposition, to do the will of G6d and make my 
 home in the cloudless regions of undying delight." 
 
 Mr. Cogins — [in an excited tone.] " Who ar@ 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 81 
 
 you — what were you before you come here, — have 
 you papers to show ?" 
 
 "I have." 
 
 " By whom are they signed ; — the Governor of 
 the State ? " 
 
 " By members and ministers of the Methodist 
 Episcopal and Methodist Protestant Church, and 
 the treasurer of the County Court. I have them in 
 my pocket, if you wish you can see them." 
 
 " Who knows by whom they are signed." 
 
 " Mr. Christian : — Aaron Burr was once a good 
 man and afterwards guilty of treason." 
 
 " Crooks .-—Aaron Burr was once a good man 
 and afterwards guilty of treason, therefore, 0. 
 Hulen is a bad man, Aaron Burr was once a 
 good man and afterwards turned traitor, therefore 
 S. Christian is a bad man. Is not that strange 
 logic?" 
 
 "Mr. Bright:— men, perform the- duty for 
 which you came !" 
 
 " Mr. Cogins : — Were you sent for to come to 
 this*State ?" 
 
 " I was." 
 
 " By whom ?" 
 
 u Forty persons in Guilford." 
 
 " Name some of them." 
 
 " Well, Mr. John Sherwood of Jamestown, and 
 Rev. D. Wilson of Guilford." 
 
 " Was Wilson a preacher in the Methodist 
 Church." 
 
 " He was." 
 
 4 # 
 
82 THE LIFE OP 
 
 Mr. Bright :- — " Did he not apply for license, and 
 it being refused, get mad and leave the Church ? " 
 
 " He was a preacher of the M. E. Church." 
 
 " I heard it otherwise." 
 
 Mr. Cogins: — "Did not the Annual Conference 
 pass resolutions condemnatory of your course ? " 
 
 " Yes sir. The North Carolina Yearly Confer- 
 ence of the Methodist Protestant Church did pass 
 sentence of condemnation upon us." 
 
 " No, but one of the Northern Conferences of 
 the Wesleyan Methodist Church." 
 
 " No sir." 
 
 " The papers say they did." 
 
 " If they do, they say that which is untrue," 
 
 " Did you not write to the editor of the Wes- 
 leyan, that 0. Hulen told you of a man in this 
 county tying up his slave, putting a log of wood 
 between his feet and whipping him to death? " 
 
 " I wrote no such thing." 
 
 " No, not that he whipped him to death, but 
 gave him five hundred lashes." 
 
 "If you, Mr. Cogins, have a paper having ^such 
 an article, and my name attached to it, perhaps I 
 wrote it." 
 
 " Now, just see there." 
 
 "One of the crowd; — "0. Hulen is here, he can 
 speak for himself." 
 
 "0. Hulen, did you give Mr. Crooks such in- 
 formation ?" 
 
 " Are we in court ? — Who is the Judge ? " 
 
 " One says, " Christian ; — let him show his au- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 83 
 
 thority. Oil — we have nothing against Mr. Hulen." 
 
 "During a miscellaneous interchange between 
 the contending parties. Mr. Crooks, resuming his 
 seat, seemed to lift his heart in devout but silent 
 prayer. 
 
 " As the preacher had but one answer to their de- 
 mand, four men were ordered to take him from 
 the stand. Orders were instantly obeyed. 
 
 " 0. Hulen. — Men, take notice who takes hold of 
 <*that man by violence." 
 
 " Crooks wished to get his hat and books. 
 
 u From the crowd. — ' Yes, let him get them.' " 
 
 " As they descended the pulpit, Win. Hurley 
 wished to know what they were going to do. 
 
 " Oh, get out of our way !" 
 
 "But stop, you don't run over me. What are 
 you going to do with the preacher ? " 
 
 " Going to take him to Troy." 
 
 " Well, can't you take bail ? " 
 
 " We want no bail." 
 
 " Crooks is led or rather dragged from the pul- 
 pit into the yard. All is confusion. Some are 
 rushing for their horses, others are screaming, and 
 still others prostrated, motionless and speechless. 
 
 " Where is Crooks' horse ; where is his horse ; 
 where is your horse ? " 
 
 " Where I left him, I expect." 
 
 u Where did you leave him ? " 
 
 " Where he is welcome." 
 
 " Has any person a horse and buggy to take 
 this man to Troy ? " 
 
84 THE LIFE OF 
 
 " He is taken to Luther's vehicle. Luther is ss 
 magistrate, a slave-holder and one of the brave 
 four. 
 
 u Let us have help to put this man in the buggy." 
 
 " Oh, he will get in !— Get in !" 
 
 Crooks remaining motionless and silent. 
 
 " Let us have help to put this man in the buggy." 
 
 "Oh, he'll get in,— he'll get in !" 
 
 " Crooks remaining motionless and silent. 
 
 " Let us help to put this man in the buggy." 
 
 " Oh, he'll get in,— he'll get in !" 
 
 " With emphasis and anger — -* Get in, get in I 
 Come here, some four or five men and help to put 
 this man in the buggy !' " 
 
 " He is hoisted to a seat. 
 
 " O. Hulen. — l Men, take notice who forces this 
 man into that buggy.' 
 
 " Mr. Cogins, — - k I will help to put him in, now do 
 your d — ndest.' " 
 
 " Said Crooks, — is there no means of conveyance 
 for S. W. L., my friend from Randolph ? None be- 
 ing obtained, in company with three brethren, L. 
 walked to Troy, a distance of six miles. But one 
 of Crooks' friends (0. Hulen,) in company from 
 the Chapel to Troy, those on foot taking a shorter 
 way. 
 
 [" Conversation on the way.] 
 
 " Crooks. — There is a day approaching when 
 there will be an account to meet for this day's 
 work. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 85 
 
 "Luther. — Yes, and you will have to answer for 
 your conduct. 
 
 " C. I hope I shall be prepared to do so. 
 
 "L. Those who have taken you have done God a 
 service. 
 
 "C. Our Saviour has told us the time would come 
 when those who kill his followers, would think 
 they did God serdce. But that question will be 
 settled at the Judgment, and the Judge will con- 
 sider treatment to his servants as done unto Him. 
 Now if he were on earth again would you drive 
 Him from the county ? 
 
 " L. 'I don't know what we might do, if he were 
 an abolitionist. We are going to have perilous 
 times, and we are bound to keep them off as long 
 as we can. You would bring them on before the 
 time.' " 
 
 " C. 'That's what the devils said to Jesus — "Thou 
 art come hither to torment us before the time.'" 
 But if you would take my counsel all clanger of 
 perilous times would vanish. Your conduct to 
 your slaves make them your enemies. Were you 
 to treat them with justice and kindness they would 
 become your friends. You remind me of the say- 
 ing of a heathen philosopher. ' Whom the gods 
 would destroy they first make mad.' To prevent 
 an insurrection you banish a man for advising you 
 to pursue the only course which can secure you 
 against such a disaster. 
 
 " Nothing can be more certain than that slavery 
 will prove fatal to the South if it is not peaceably 
 
86 THE LIFE OP 
 
 abolished. The war between the antagonistic prin* 
 ciples and interests of liberty and slavery, is bound 
 to go on till one destroys the other. As well at- 
 tempt to reconcile God and the devil, as to estab- 
 lish peace upon a permanent basis between liberty 
 and slavery, and it is for every man to say which 
 side he will take in the contest. Slavery will de- 
 stroy the country if the country does not destroy 
 slavery. 
 
 "L. I have some slaves, but I wish there was not 
 one in the United States.' " 
 
 U C. And yet you will drive from the County a 
 man for advising you what you wish was done. 
 But I notice when a slave concludes to leave, you 
 do all in your power to bring him back. 
 
 "L. The slaves of the South in general, are much 
 better off than the free niggers of the North, and 
 men of intelligence and candor from the North ad- 
 mit it. 
 
 " C. Perhaps these intelligent and candid gen- 
 tlemen are not competent judges ; — one thing is un- 
 deniable, and that is, there is not a single instance 
 of a negro's fleeing from liberty to slavery, while 
 there are numerous cases of an opposite character. 
 
 " L. I treat my slaves as well as I could wish 
 them to treat me. 
 
 " C. Were yon a slave, would you not wish to 
 be free. 
 
 " L. Yes. 
 
 "C, Why, then, do you say you use them as you 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 87 
 
 Would be used, while you refuse them their free- 
 dom ? 
 
 "L. 0. If I were black, I don't think I would wish 
 to be free. Your preaching makes the slaves dis- 
 satisfied, [They are wonderfully well satisfied] — 
 we have the gospel preached by others. 
 
 "C. Well, it has been admitted that I preach the 
 gospel. Why punish me for doing that for which 
 you honor others ? 
 
 U L. They preach the gospel of peace. 
 
 U C. If they do you have a poor way of obeying 
 them. 
 
 " Christian, with an aifected smile, I heard quite 
 a good joke the other day about you and myself. 
 
 "Crooks, very seriously— ' Ah ! what was that ?' 
 
 Why, I heard that you are in my employ ; preach- 
 ing against slavery, that I may purchase below par ; 
 and then we divide profits. 
 
 " (7. That is doubtless as true as many other 
 things you have heard. 
 
 " Now, Mr. Crooks, you must know that your 
 preaching is contrary to our laws, for they are in 
 favor of, and you preach against slavery. 
 
 " Not any more contrary to law, Mr. Christian, 
 than for temperance lecturers to proclaim against 
 the license law, and for Whigs to denounce laws 
 enacted by Democrats, or vica versa — -the law does 
 not enjoin but permits slavery. 
 
 " But you violate the law by disturbing the peace 
 of Churches. 
 
 " You, Mr. Christian, cannot be ignorant of the 
 
88 THELTFEOF 
 
 fact that the law establishes no form of Church 
 government. 
 
 " C. Yes, it does. 
 
 " Show the chapter, section, and paragraph. Our 
 laws allow all Churches the privilege of fixing their 
 own terms of communion and membership., and 
 every individual the right to worship according to 
 the dictates of conscience. You say you believe 
 slavery is right. I believe it is wrong. The law 
 allows us an equal right to our faith. 
 
 "You know your course is contrary to law, for 
 McBride was convicted of a violation of law. 
 
 "True it is, a jury of twelve men gave it as their 
 opinion that McBride had broken the law, but an 
 appeal being taken to the Supreme Court, his pros- 
 ecutors unwilling to abide its decision, raised a 
 mob and drove him from the State. They knew 
 right well he was an innocent man : — the leaders 
 of the mob acknowledged they believed him to be 
 a gentleman and Christian ; and one of them said, 
 as soon as he saw the grounds of appeal, he knew 
 they could not convict him by law. The means 
 you adopt to support your cause is a virtual ac- 
 knowledgement. You must not be offended, Mr. 
 Christian, at me a prisoner, for talking so plainly 
 to you, for really I feel I am conversing with an 
 equal, and nothing more. 
 
 "C.- No, not at.all ; I travel a great deal; I have 
 been in almost all the States in the Union. Don't 
 you believe George Washington is in Heaven ? 
 
 " Well, what if I do ? 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 89 
 
 "Why, he was a slave-holder. 
 " George "Washington willed his slaves their 
 freedom. 
 
 " C. No, he did not. 
 
 " He most certainly did ; I know whereof I af- 
 firm. 
 
 " Are you in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law ? 
 
 u I am not. Now, you see that was passed by 
 Congress, and it is the best thing that has ever 
 been done; had not that law passed, the Union 
 would have been dissolved, and if it is repealed it 
 will be dissolved. 
 
 " That is a matter of opinion, and I very much 
 differ with you. I have never been able to per- 
 suade myself, the South is so foolish as to dissolve 
 the Union. I would be opposed to the Fugitive 
 Bill, if for no other reason, because it does not re- 
 spect the rights of conscience. 
 
 "[Luther. — Mr. Christian, where will we stop? 
 Mr. Crooks says he is hungry, and I wan't my 
 dinner. 
 
 " Christian. — Well, he must have dinner, Where 
 do you usually stop ? " 
 
 " Where it happens." 
 
 " The prisoner was taken to Luther's, and after 
 washing himself, was desired to read from two 
 papers relating to the notorious abolitionists, Mc- 
 Bridc and himself, one of which articles was head- 
 ed in large letters, " Damn Crooks," — which he did. 
 
 " C. I had noticed how that was headed ; it must 
 be by mistake. 
 
90 THE LIFE OP 
 
 " Prisoner. — I suppose it was intended for a bur* 
 lesque, but it matters nothing. 
 
 "Seated at the table, Christian requests Crooks 
 to ask a blessing, which he did. 
 
 " Dinner over ,Mr. J., an official member in the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the mob, 
 thought it a reasonable request which had been 
 made; wished to know the meaning of abolition; 
 was informed by the prisoner it was a derivation 
 from abolish, which means to destroy, to do away, 
 and is most commonly applied to slavery. 
 
 " Sheriff Sanders. — (also a member of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church, and one of the mob.) " Yes, 
 that is its meaning." 
 
 " C. You, Mr. Crooks, must know that your 
 Church is contrary to our laws, for they favor slav- 
 ery, and your Church opposed it. 
 
 " C. As before stated, Churches are at liberty to 
 make any terms of membership they see proper, 
 •and individuals to worship as they may deem is 
 right. If you believe it right to hold slaves, there 
 are Churches where you will be readily received. 
 We believe we are equally entitled to a Church 
 whose doctrine and discipline prohibit slave-hold- 
 ing — a Church according with our religious convic- 
 tions. 
 
 li But if the Wesleyan organization is contrary to 
 your laws, because it makes slave-holding a test of 
 membership, what will you do with the Quakers' 
 Church which does the same ? 
 
 " 0. Oh ! — the Quakers hold slaves. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 91 
 
 u Under what circumstances ? Dying persons 
 sometimes make them their agents in securing the 
 freedom of their slaves ; this, at times, proves the 
 occasion of law-suits j they hold them till the suit is 
 decided, and if in favor of the slaves their liberty 
 is given them. 
 
 " C, If it is right to hold them a little while, it 
 is right to hold them always. 
 
 Sanders. — [spoke in the positive] " Almost 
 all the Quakers hold slaves. They are in favor of 
 slavery." [A strange declaration for a professed 
 Christian to make.] 
 
 " C. I stayed over night with Mr. H., a Quaker, 
 and he said they were as much opposed to the 
 Wesleyans as to any denomination; that he be- 
 lieved there are many slaveholders good Christians, 
 and that he would advise e^erybody to keep the 
 Wesleyan preachers out of their houses. [It is 
 never necessary to make false statements to sup- 
 port a righteous cause.] 
 
 " C. Why do you not go to South Carolina. 
 
 " I have never been invited, nor have I felc it my 
 duty to go. 
 
 " You talk about duty. What if you should feel 
 it your duty to tell my slave to kill me. 
 • " C. Should you find me about your stables steal- 
 ing your horses, or about your kitchens, or any 
 where else violating the law, I refuse not to suffer 
 in a legal manner. You talk of violating your laws, 
 and you have every one broken your own laws 
 
92 THE LIFE OP 
 
 this very day, and you know it, and you know that 
 I know it. 
 
 " Sheriff Sanders.— If we have we are willing to 
 abide the consequences. 
 
 « Crooks,— So I say." . 
 
 " To Win. Hurley. — What is the reason you 
 could not stay in the Church you first joined ? 
 
 " Why, I have ever been opposed to this thing. 
 
 "What thing? 
 
 a Why, slavery ; but I wished to belong to some 
 Church, and as there was none in my reach that 
 suited me better, I joined the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 " Well, if you believe slavery to be wrong, you 
 need not hold them, it does not hurt you. 
 
 "Well, but for me to support a thing I do not 
 believe in would not be right. And you can have 
 your privileges and let us have ours. 
 
 " Would you receive a slave-holder into your 
 Church. 
 
 " No, that is not our way. 
 
 " Well, would you receive a slave ? 
 
 " Yes, if we believed him to be a Christian. 
 
 "What ! — receive a nigger and not a white man ? 
 That is a grand insult depriving us of our rights. 
 
 " Not at all. We do not say you shall not hold 
 slaves ; all we want is to keep clear of supporting it. 
 
 " Well, if that is your principle you ought to 
 leave the State. 
 
 " I was born and raised here — pay for my privi-* 
 
REV. ADAM CIIOOKS. 93 
 
 leges under the law, and it is a hard case if I am 
 to be deprived of them. 
 
 "(To S. W. L.) — Well sir, where are you from. 
 
 " Randolph County. 
 
 " What business have you here ? * 
 
 " I thought I was a freeman. 
 
 " Sheriff. — Well, but you are here violating o :r 
 laws. 
 
 " I am not convinced of having violated your laws. 
 
 " Bo you ever preach ? 
 
 # No sir. 
 
 "Do you exhort? 
 
 11 1 never have. 
 
 "Do you ever hold meetings ? 
 
 " No sir. 
 
 " Squire Harris. — Well, you pray for him some- 
 times when he asks you to, don't you ? 
 
 " I have done the like. [What an incorrigible 
 sinner.] 
 
 "A voice. — He came to see Crooks out; we will 
 serve him the same as we do Crooks. 
 
 " During the foregoing there was much anger as 
 well as insolence exhibited. 
 
 " Well, Mr. Crooks, will you give us a promise 
 that you will leave the county and never preach 
 in it again ? 
 
 "That question has been answered. When you 
 found me, you found me a free man ; when you 
 leave me, you will leave me either a tree or 
 a dead one. 
 
94 THE LIFE OP 
 
 "Christian. — [to mob] Well, it will not do to 
 commence a thing and not go through with it. 
 
 -'After a few minutes consultation, four magis- 
 trates ordered the Sheriff to take the preacher 
 to jail. 
 
 11 The Sheriff. — I command all present to assist 
 me. 
 
 " (To L.) Do you wish to go to jail ? 
 
 " I believe not. 
 
 " Orders are immediately obeyed. 
 
 " The Sheriff. — We are not going to allow bail ; 
 this case is too bad for that." 
 
 " Well, Paul was imprisoned. 
 
 " Yes, but them times was different from these. 
 
 " And these times are no less different from 
 those. 
 
 "After ascending a pair of stairs. 
 
 " Sheriff. — [to jailor.] Where shall I put him? 
 
 "Put him where you please, I will keep him where 
 you put him. [Hesitating a few minutes whether 
 to commit him to the dungeon or debtor's room.] 
 
 " Well we will put him in here, [the debtor's 
 room. | 
 
 "Introduced to Mr. Gad, a young man awaiting 
 his trial for assault and battery. How do you do, 
 Mr. Gad? A hissing sneer, such as devils use 
 when they receive to their dark abode a lost spirit, 
 was indulged in by the rabble. 
 
 " The doors are locked, Crooks is confined in a 
 gloomy prison. 
 
 " Now we have got him and we arc going to keep 
 
REV. ADAM CMIOOKK. 95 
 
 him, and North Carolina, not Montgomery County, 
 will have to pay the expenses. 
 
 u L. is left to choose between leaving the place in 
 fifteen minutes and going to jail. As he had noth- 
 ing to detain him he chose to [pave. 
 
 " The room in which the preacher was confined, 
 is about 9x13 and 7 ieet to theceiling above. His 
 fare, or more properly his foul, was, for bedding, 
 some blankets directly from the dungeon, which 
 were ponderous with dust, and so offensive as to be 
 sickening; these spread upon the floor. His por- 
 tion was two meals per day; breakfast and dinner. 
 The food was passable, the floor was his table, 
 his finger served instead of a fork, and pocket- 
 knife for a table-knife; a plate and bowl his dishes. 
 His friends miuht furnish him with superior if they 
 saw proper, which they were going to do, 
 
 "A committee was appointed to read any and all 
 writings which passed between him and his friends, 
 who were not permitted to visit him. 
 
 " None but his enemies could enter that sanctum 
 sanctorum. The committee was further instructed 
 not to release their prisoner till he signed a bond 
 like McB ride's. 
 
 "Monday, a. m., the jailor, or rather his deputy, 
 who was one of the mob, and addicted to habits of 
 inebriation, entered the jail about 7 o'clock. 
 
 " Good morning, Mr. Crooks. 
 
 " Good morning, sir. 
 
 " How r does your pulse beat by this time in regard 
 to leaving? 
 
 " As it did on yesterday. 
 
96 THE LIFE OF 
 
 " You had better leave ; they are determined you 
 shall not preach any more in the county. 
 
 " Ah, indeed ! 
 
 "Nine o'clock, some seven or eight persons among 
 whom were Mr. L., a merchant in the place, and 
 Mr. H., a Baptist, both slave-holders, and principal 
 men in the mob, visited Mr. Crooks ; were very 
 sorry to see him in that unhappy situation ; had 
 no doubt that every man of honorable feelings and 
 and honest heart was sorry. 
 
 " Mr. C. No doubt of it at all. 
 
 "You are being imposed upon by your professed 
 friends ; you are a stranger and they pretend they 
 will do a great many things ; but they are not to be 
 depended on ; they are the very dregs of the coun- 
 ty. You cannot get them to be any thing that is 
 good ; those who are against you are the best men 
 of the county. They are determined you shall 
 preach no more in the county. There is no more 
 possibility of success; you can't get justice, and 
 you had as well attempt to set this jail on fire with 
 cold water as to accomplish any good. 
 
 " You say I cannot get justice ; I will be convicted 
 whether there is anything proven or not; will not 
 men respect their oaths ? If my friends are as 
 ignorant and wicked as you say, they are the very 
 people who need preaching. What I wish to know 
 is, what is my duty ; at present I do not think I 
 can ever say, I will never preach in Montgomery 
 County, or any where else. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 97 
 
 " You will have to come to that at last. Well, 
 good morning, 
 
 •■ Good morning. 
 
 "After remaining from Sabbath till Tuesday P. M,, 
 consulting his friends, who advised him to do all 
 his conscience would permit to get his liberty, and 
 being fully convinced that his rights would be pro- 
 tected neither in the court, or out of it, he desired 
 an interview with the committee appointed by the 
 mob, which was readily granted. 
 
 " Dr. C. — I am very sorry, Mr. Crooks, to see a 
 man of your profession and qualifications for use- 
 fulness in your situation. 
 
 " To be taken from my work, my friends ; my 
 liberties taken from me, and I confined in this 
 gloomy cage, is sir, by no means congenial to my 
 feelings. But here I have been put, and here it 
 appears I must stay. 
 
 " Dr. C. — Oh, we would be happy to release you ; 
 it can be a pleasure to no one to see you here. 
 
 " Nor can it be a pleasure for me to remain ; nor 
 would I do so, were I permitted to leave upon con- 
 ditions not involving a surrender of my liberties as 
 a man but more especially as a Christian minister. 
 
 " Of course we will require nothing unreasonable. 
 
 " It has been done. 
 
 "Well, we will ask nothing that we Carolinians 
 consider unreasonable. 
 
 u I have been trying to look at things as they are, 
 and to invoke the Divine guidance, and have come 
 to the conclusion thai; I can be more extensively 
 
98 THE LIFE OF 
 
 useful elsewhere than in this county, and hence to 
 
 leave, intending not to preach in this county 
 
 again. 
 
 " We were instructed to require a bond. 
 
 "[I do not believe the bond, if given, would be 
 worth a u fig. Nor should I consider any instru- 
 ment of writing more binding than my word. 
 
 " We believe you will do anything you promise, 
 but we must go according to orders. 
 
 " I should like to assist in wording the bond. 
 
 " We will write the bond and ihen you can see 
 if you can sign it. 
 
 "Very well. 
 
 Whereupon the following was drawn : 
 
 "Now the condition of the above bond is such :— 
 That, whereas the above bounden Adam Crooks has 
 been advocating and preaching abolition doctrine 
 contrary to our laws and institutions, and this hav- 
 ing been made known to him and strictly enforced 
 on him to desist and leave this county and never 
 again to preach in said county, and he having 
 agreed to do so * *_ * to be done in ten days. 
 
 " After the reading of which, Crooks stated that 
 two things must be changed before he could sign 
 the bond. 
 
 " First : You say, I have advocated and preached 
 abolition doctrine contrary to our laws and institu- 
 tions; laws must be struck out. I do not believe 
 I have violated your laws, and a man is judged 
 innocent till proven guilty. 
 
 " Dr. C. — I suppose he does not like to leave the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 99 
 
 county under the stigma of having broken the law. 
 
 " That is not the point with me, doetor. It is a 
 matter of veracity. Not believing I have violated, 
 I cannot say I have. 
 
 " William McKay — the [jailor, and he who 
 drew the bond.] We think you have. 
 
 " I do not ask you to say I have not, but to re- 
 lieve me from saying I have. 
 
 " Being put to vote, all but one voted not to 
 have it erased. 
 
 " Well, said one, we can discuss the question. 
 
 " Crooks.— The question being decided, is no 
 longer open for discussion ; to bring it before you 
 for that purpose a motion to reconsider must be 
 made by one who voted with the majority. 
 
 " The matter dropped here, and 'laws' struck out. 
 
 " The second change which must be made before 
 I can sign this bond is, the conjunction " and " 
 must be erased, and the participle " intending " in- 
 serted, so as to read k 'and leave this county in- 
 tending never to preach in said county again,' in- 
 stead of " leaving this county and never," &c. 
 
 u My reason for asking this is, because, as a min- 
 ister called of God to preach his gospel, I have no 
 right to, nor can I say 1 never will preach any 
 where. 
 
 " Believing I can be more useful elsewhere than 
 in this county, it is my present intention to leave in- 
 tending not to preach in it again; this I can say, 
 or have it written down. Duty may require, and 
 
100 THE LIFE OP 
 
 things may so change as for it to be desirable that 
 I should preach in the county. 
 
 "This change also being made, the bond was 
 signed, and Crooks permitted to go forth again to 
 mingle in the mighty conflict which now convulses 
 the moral world. His heart was deeply pained to 
 leave the Church in Montgomery ; nor would he 
 have done so, only from a clear persuasion that he 
 would not have been permitted to be useful to it. 
 
 " I was released from confinement in the Mont- 
 gomery jail, on the evening of the 1 7th of June. 
 While visiting and bidding adieu to the much 
 injured friends in that county, there was an in- 
 stance of moral heroism which it affords pleasure to 
 record. After taking my leave of Brother V. 
 Moore's family, I was called back to write in the 
 class-book, the name of his daughter C, who be- 
 longed to the Methodist Episcopal Church, but 
 would continue such connection no longer — joined 
 the Wesleyans, though deprived of the privilege of 
 preaching, and threatened to be of holding prayer 
 and class meetings. 
 
 " On the ensuing Saturday and Sabbath, I had 
 meeting at Bethel, in Kandolph Co., a mile or two 
 from the Montgomery line. The congregations 
 were large, and appeared to be deeply afflicted; 
 one brother joined the Church. 
 
 "A portion of the Montgomery mob, met some 
 distance from the meeting, but concluding they 
 were too few, disbanded. Being invited, I agreed 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS,- 101 
 
 to attend a funeral in Davidson, to be preached 
 the following Sabbath, by B. L. and A. K., Baptist 
 ministers, I too preached after them, and before 
 the congregation dispersed. This meeting was to 
 be held in a neighborhood where I had never been. 
 Threats were made if Crooks came he should be 
 tarred and feathered inside and out, and such 
 like. 
 
 " The hour for meeting arrived, and with it an 
 overwhelming congregation j two officers were on 
 the ground to see that the laws were respected, 
 and the rights of the writer protected. The mob 
 did not appear. While speaking from 2d Cor. 4th 
 and 5th, a glorious unction rested on the audience. 
 
 " By this time, a feeling of deep indignation and 
 strong opposition towards the conduct of the mobs 
 began to develop itself; indeed, ere I came out of 
 prison, without my agency, or even knowledge, 
 a company was being raised to get me out peacea- 
 bly if they could, forcibly if they must. Forcible 
 resistance or violence I felt it my duty to discourage. 
 
 " Tuesday, had a meeting in Davidson, but about 
 a half mile from the Montgomery line. Violent 
 threats were made on both sides. One party swore 
 if Crooks attempted to preach so near to Mont- 
 gomery, he should be taken back to Troy. Anoth- 
 er, if they come for that purpose they should have 
 hot shot. This meeting also passed 'without 
 interruption. 
 
 - "Next day, meeting at Union, in Randolph Coun- 
 ty. There Z. N. made an effort to get up a riot> 
 
102 THE LIFE OF 
 
 but failed. Thank God, his royal presence was 
 signally displayed. 
 
 " The following Saturday and Sabbath, meeting at 
 Franklinsville. Saturday a Doctor from Chatham 
 came to town for the purpose of raising a mob ; but 
 not succeeding, he came to meeting and appeared 
 during the sermon, to be much agitated with men- 
 tal agony. 
 
 " From the 17th of June to this, the 6th of July, 
 I traveled alone. Brother William Yestal now, 
 became my traveling companion. 
 
 " Tuesday, we had a precious tiine at Freedom 
 Hill, in Chatham County. Two joined the Church, 
 whom may God bless. The house at this place 
 was threatened, but I guess it stands yet. 
 
 "Wednesday, I had the pleasure of meeting Broth- 
 er Wilson, who is employed on Guilford circuit, 
 with whom, we went to 'Cool Spring,' in Randolph 
 County, preached a funeral sermon to a large and 
 deeply attentive auditory. The funeral was of a 
 child, a namesake. 
 
 "Thursday, Brother W. preached (I was sick and 
 unable to preach) at Craven's School-house, where 
 some months since my buggy was much abused. 
 A good sermon and a good meeting. 
 
 "Sabbath, meeting at Caraway. Text, "Finally, 
 brethren, farewell." A large and tender con- 
 gregation. 
 
 " Report said, the Guilford mob was going to be 
 there, and join a wing from Randolph, but to the 
 credit of Randolph, I will say it was not disgraced 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 103 
 
 by a mob, nor did, it to any considerable extent, 
 sympathize with mobocracy. No interruption, ex- 
 cept some conversation during worship outside of 
 the house. 
 
 " Wednesday evening, we went to Abel Guarde- 
 ner's in Guilford. 
 
 " Thursday, went to Jamestown. News is im- 
 mediately conveyed to Greensboro, that A. Crooks 
 is at Jamestown. Here I saw and conversed for a 
 few minutes with G. C. Mendcnhall, our counsel, 
 who informed me he could not get McBride's case 
 before the Supreme Court. One man gave me 
 quite a philipic, on learning that I was a preacher, 
 and taking it for granted that I was a pro-slavery 
 one, but on learning wlio I was, offered his ser- 
 vices to head a company of armed men, and pro- 
 tect my person wherever I might wish to go. This^ 
 of course, I did not wish to encourage. 
 
 " We, Vestal and myself, left town, the sun about 
 fifty minutes above the horizon ; thought of lodg- 
 ing with Mr. B., about a mile from town, but con- 
 cluded my property, if not my person, would be in 
 danger that distance from town; went three miles 
 to Brother P's., did not yet feel satisfied, and trav- 
 eled eight miles to Brother W.'s. and in Randolph 
 staid till next evening, when we went to Wm. L.'s* 
 
 " Saturday morning, went eleven miles to T. P.'s, 
 in the neighborhood of whom, on the Sabbath, I 
 organized a Church of ten members. 
 
 " Monday, I went to the S. W. part of Randolph 
 County, to my post-office, and got a letter from 
 
104 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Brother Bacon, stating that all things were peace- 
 able on his charge, and that he expected to remain 
 another year, etc. 
 
 " Tuesday morning, early, received by private- 
 conveyance a letter from G. C. Mendenhall, Esq., 
 urging me for my own sake, for the sake of my 
 friends, the public peace and of religion, to desist 
 attending a Quarterly-meeting which was to be 
 held at Union, Guilford County, the following' 
 Saturday and Sabbath ; a meeting which that gen- 
 tleman knew I designed attending; and if I enter- 
 tained any doubts as to my duty, to come and see 
 him forthwith. If I desired he would come out 
 of Guilford, the county in which he lives, into Ran- 
 dolph to see me, etc. I started immediately to see M. 
 u Mr. Mendenhall assured me that such was the ex- 
 citement in the public mind, that my presence in 
 Union, on Saturday or the Sabbath would be the oc- 
 casion of bloodshed, that there were two parties 
 equally determined, one that I should be arrested, 
 and the other that I should not. That no pains- 
 had been spared in making preparations for my ar- 
 rest, that the probability was, there would be thous- 
 ands from Alamance, Chatham, Randolph, David- 
 son, Forsyth, Rockingham and Guilford counties 
 for that purpose, that not a few looked upon the 
 conduct of the mob as contrary to law, in violation 
 of the Constitution and their rights as citizens, 
 which the Constitution and those laws were de- 
 signed to protect, and who were determined to die 
 in their defense ; that these were not Wesleyans^ 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 105 
 
 and iii order to prevent the most sanguinary scene 
 that has ever transpired in the county, it was the 
 wish and request of my friends for me not to come 
 to the meeting. 
 
 " I suggested that perhaps the Constitutionalists 
 might be dissuaded from their purpose to resist. 
 
 " All present agreeing with Mendenhall that if I 
 were at Union no earthly power could prevent the 
 effusion of blood, and that I ought not to go. I 
 gave Mr. Mendenhall leave to make it known that 
 I would not be at the meeting, and of my purpose 
 to start for Conference shortly. 
 
 u On receipt of this information, Mr. Gilmer de- 
 clared I should not be interrupted according to law 
 or otherwise till the 10th of August, and that he 
 would make every possible effort to prevent the 
 meetings from being interrupted. In view of every 
 circumstance, I thought it would not be amiss to 
 let my whereabouts remain a secret, which I did. 
 I was confirmed in this belief by information from 
 a friend on Friday, that the day before ; some men 
 came to Mr. L.'s, inquired for Crooks, said they 
 had a warrant, and it was their business and duty 
 to arrest him, made search, and left " without aid 
 or comfort." 
 
 " Saturday morning, ten o'olock, a company num- 
 bering about three hundred, came from different 
 counties armed with clubs, pistols, dirks, etc., not 
 expecting, as they said, to find Crooks, but they 
 heard that Bacon would be there, and were re- 
 
 5* 
 
106 THE LIFE OF 
 
 solved that no Northern Abolitionist should preach 
 in the Country. 
 
 "A company was also there armed with guns, etc. 
 determined that Bacon, nor any orderly man, should 
 be abused if they could prevent it. Besides these 
 there was a large congregation who had come with 
 other intentions from different parts of the circuit. 
 
 " Before separating, the mob arranged to have a 
 circular printed and scattered broadcast, in which 
 they entered into a resolution to give their con- 
 tinued and united efforts to expel Adam Crooks 
 and J. C. Bacon from our State— peaceably, if we 
 can, and forcibly, if we must. — And to affix a reward 
 of two hundred dollars ($200.) for their apprehen- 
 sion, or one hundred ($100.) for either of them, if 
 taken anywhere in the State, after the 5th of 
 August. 
 
 " On Monday morning I commenced getting ready 
 to depart for Conference ; took my buggy to R.'s, 
 about five miles from Greensboro, to get it repair- 
 ed; staid at R.'s till Tuesday, a.m.; then started 
 for my trunk in the south-west of Randolph. On 
 my return, when passing a house, I spied Mr. Stead, 
 making towards his barn, which is about eighty 
 yards from the road, as I came opposite which, 
 from behind a stack issued stones which fell around 
 but did not hit me. These were hard arguments, 
 but are never needed in defense of a good cause. 
 
 "When I landed in Guilford, I was informed that, 
 notwithstanding the mob had entered into resolu- 
 tion to give me to the 5th of August to make my 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 107 
 
 arrangrnents to leave, and that I should not be in- 
 terrupted according to law or otherwise, till after 
 the 5th, an effort was made to raise a company in 
 Greensboro, on Monday night, to take me at R.'s, 
 and that on Tuesday morning a slave came to R.'s 
 shop, inquired if he had a large two-horse carriage 
 for sale, a thing never made in that country unless 
 ordered. Seeing me, the boy asked if that was 
 Crooks ; was answered in the affirmative. About 
 an hour after, the officer in company with the slave, 
 his master, and others, rode up to R.'s, inquired if 
 Crooks was there. William R.'s son answered, 
 <* He is not." This seemed to cause great surprise ; 
 and the officer manifesting a disposition to search 
 the house, was told if he attempted it without a 
 search-warrant he must kill or be killed. He did 
 not insist. William told the truth; I was not 
 there, being on my way after my trunk j a happy 
 escape from officers of injustice, while disappoint- 
 ment was the reward of their faithfulness to their 
 own resolution. 
 
 " The object in getting out the warrant was not to 
 give me the benefit of a trial according to law, but 
 •as a pretext why I should be taken without resist- 
 ance, and when they once had me in their power, 
 they could do as they pleased with me. Some 
 threatened to hang, and others to tie a rope around 
 my neck, fasten me to a buggy, and take me where 
 I could be transported to an uninhabited island, 
 from whence I would never return to North Caro- 
 lina, No doubt they intended not to let me leave 
 
108 THE LIFE OF 
 
 without at least entering into bonds not to return. 
 But they did not get me, and may I not say with 
 the Psalmist, c By this I know thou favorest me, be- 
 cause mine enemies do not triumph over me.' 
 
 " Saturday evening the second of August, left 
 B's., a distance of about nine miles, for my buggy; 
 got to R's. by twelve at night, and deeming it un- 
 safe to remain, accompanied by my friends, I started 
 for J. Stanley's, a distance of thirteen miles, where 
 we landed all in safety at break of day, and from 
 which on the morning of 4th., of this instant, I 
 started for this place, where I landed after a lonely 
 journey of five hundred miles, performed in eleven 
 and a half days — and was cheered by the smiles of 
 my relatives and friends, among whom, besides my 
 parents, and brothers and sisters, I will name Rev. 
 J. Phillips, Rev. J. McRride, and Rev. A. R. Demp- 
 ster. 
 
 " As this letter is already too lengthy, I forbear 
 indulging remarks as to the happy effects the con- 
 duct of the mobs has had in directing the public 
 eye to the enormities of a system which has long 
 warred against the throne of God, and rights of 
 man. They intended to prevent investigation, but 
 God, who causes the wrath of man to praise him, 
 and taketh the wise in their own craftiness, has 
 caused it to have the very opposite effect. Never 
 did the Carolinians think as much on that subject 
 as they now do. Never did they hate Slavery as 
 they do now. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 109 
 
 "I entertain the confident hope, that ere long* 
 American Slavery will expire amid a nation's joy." 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Mr. Crooks finished his Conference year fully. 
 During all his difficulties, he never neglected one 
 of his own appointments. Those meetings he was 
 persuaded not to attend, were upon brother Mc- 
 Bride's work. He had numerous calls, which he 
 did not and could not obey. During those four 
 years of arduous labor and almost constant danger, 
 his mother fasted twice a week and prayed for the 
 advancement of $he cause, and the preservation of 
 her son. He left North Carolina with sorrow and 
 sadness, feeling that the friends of Jesus and suffer- 
 ing humanity were left as slieep without a shep- 
 herd, and among wolves. He left many warm 
 personal friends. Among them he counted one of 
 the lawyers employed in his trial, George Menden- 
 hall, Esq., and his estimable wife. They were ex- 
 tensive slave-holders. Their slaves came into the 
 family by a former wife. The present Mrs. Men- 
 denhall, was a Friend, and opposed to chattalizing 
 human beings. As soon as they could do so they set 
 their slaves all free. Their riches consisted in 
 slaves and land. The earnings of the slaves were 
 carefully saved, and as soon as enough money was 
 accumulated, a company was started for Ohio and 
 Indiana. Thus they liberated nearly eighty thou- 
 sand dollars's worth. They were years in doing 
 the work, and it was not all accomplished when the 
 
110 THE LIFE OP 
 
 South seceded at the commencement of our last 
 war. The last load was ready and started, hoping 
 to be allowed to cross the lines, but they were sent 
 back. They were in the care of Mrs. Mendenhall. 
 We received a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Menden- 
 hall, when we were living on Delaware Circuit, 
 The journey from the South was made in carriages 
 and- covered wagons. When at our house they 
 had about twenty slaves, old and young, with them. 
 Several years before the work was all accomplished, 
 Mr. Mendenhall was drowned while attempting to 
 ford a swollen stream. When found his arms were 
 thrown upon the bank, and in hfe hands he held 
 his satchel containing manumission papers for all 
 his slaves, who were still in the South. The fami- 
 ly were very great sufferers during the war. When 
 Mr. Crooks bade them farewell, to come North, 
 Mrs. Mendenhall placed in his hands a paper, con- 
 taining the following poem, beautifully engrossed. 
 
 May He whose care 
 Surrounds the little sparrow when it falls — 
 Who hears the nestling raven when it calls, 
 
 Still prompt thy prayer ! 
 
 For He will own 
 All that His holy Spirit inly breathes — 
 That through the windings of the heart enwreathes 
 
 A sigh — a groan. 
 
 Look round and see 
 The passive dew-drop on the lily rest ; 
 The active lightning flash from east to wes*> ) 
 
 So may'st thou be. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. Ill 
 
 So be thou taught — 
 il Install <; in season, out of Beason" too, 
 Vocal like thunder, silent like the dew 
 
 With blessing fraught. 
 
 ! let thy will, 
 Thy all of self upon the cross be slain, 
 That all of death may die,— that Christ may reign, 
 
 And man ' be still ! 7 
 
 Words may not tell — 
 Not e'en the unseen, silent, parting tear, 
 How earnestly we bless thee — brother, dear ! 
 Farewell! Farewell! 
 
 D. E. M. 
 Guilford, N. C, 7th mo., 1851. 
 
 FURTHER ACTIVITIES. 
 
 The first year after his return, he was appointed 
 to Zanesville Charge. As the membership was 
 small, they were not able to support even a " single 
 man." He told them if they would board him, he 
 would teach school, in order to earn enough to 
 defray his other expenses. He commenced a pri- 
 vate school. Very soon he gained such a reputa- 
 tion for managing bad boys, that his school was 
 largely composed of boys who had been expelled 
 from the public schools of the city. He was very 
 much interested in the teacher's work. 
 
 In August, 1852, he was appointed preacher in 
 charge of Medina, or what was called the Granger 
 and Huntington Circuits. Rev. George W. Bai- 
 num was his assistant. He was also elected one 
 
112 THE LIFE OP 
 
 of the delegates to the General Conference, which 
 held its session in Syracuse, within a few weeks. 
 The appointments on his charge were many 
 miles apart, making long, hard rides. His home 
 was at River Styx, Medina County, in the family of 
 brother Turner. He could be there but little, as 
 the work on the different parts of the field re- 
 quired his presence. During the Winter, they 
 held several protracted meetings, with good suc- 
 cess. At Lodi there were numerous accessions, 
 and in the Spring following, a new edifice was 
 built. 
 
 HIS MAKRIAGE. 
 
 The third of May, 1853, he was married to Eliz- 
 abeth Willits, student and teacher of Leoni Insti- 
 tute. In a book presented to his bride, these lines 
 are written : — 
 
 A HUSBAND'S GIFT 
 
 TO 
 MRS. E. W. CROOKS, 
 
 Presented on our wedding-day, 
 
 Which as you see, 
 Is the third of May, 
 
 Eighteen fifty- three. 
 
 And as my parents say 
 The same is my birth -day, 
 In eighteen twenty -four. 
 Which makes me one score, 
 Plus nine, and no more. 
 
 As the gentle shower 
 Descending from above, 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 113 
 
 Cheers the bright May-flowers ; 
 So shall I, my dear, 
 Seek thy heart to cheer 
 By kindnesses of love. 
 
 For eight years he had been a traveling minister 
 without home or home-comforts, literally fulfilling 
 the injunctions — "Take neither purse nor scrip, 
 for your journey." "Eating what is set before you 
 asking no questions." Sometimes faring sumptu- 
 ously, and sometimes otherwise; meanwhile labor- 
 ing hard in the vineyard, and resting wherever 
 night, overtook him. 
 
 In speaking of this experience he said, " He 
 learned to call each l sweet spot' a home, and 
 every man a brother." He always said he never 
 felt like complaining, for he fared better than his 
 Master, who had not where to lay his head. He al- 
 ways found a friendly roof to shelter him. Though 
 at times very poor in this world's goods, yet the 
 kind Father always provided for his necessities. 
 
 At the Conference held August, 1853, he was ap- 
 pointed to Huntington Circuit alone. Here, the 
 last of September, his own humble home was first 
 established. Here his own family altar was first 
 erected, upon which ever since, continually have 
 been offered sacrifices to the Most High — the fire 
 upon that altar never grew dim. — The house-keep- 
 ing was commenced, as a light purse would dictate — 
 very plainly. It was a settled principle, " There 
 shall be no debts." If there was not ready money 
 to get all we wanted, we denied ourselves, or waited 
 
114 THE LIFE OP 
 
 until means were given. He remained on this cir- 
 cuit two years. Quite a number were added unto 
 the Lord, and a new church-edifice was built at 
 Huntington. We found many devoted friends ; 
 among them were Timothy Burr and wife, of pre- 
 cious memory. It was hard to leave them ; but as 
 there was some difficulty in supplying the work of 
 the Conference, and this Charge could be supplied 
 by those who lived near, and did not wish to move, 
 we were appointed to Delaware Circuit. Here 
 three years were spent pleasantly, and with profit. 
 Several new appointments added to the field, and 
 some of the old ones were greatly enlarged. 
 
 TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS . 
 At Bennington, the house of brother Marcus 
 Philips was used for service. The congregation 
 was small, but they had precious meetings. Not 
 far away, at the corners, stood an old, dilapidated 
 Methodist Episcopal meeting-house. There had 
 been some difficulty. The ministers had left, 
 taking the church records — even the class-book. 
 For eighteen months the house had been opened 
 only for funeral services. Some of the Christians 
 in the neighborhood sent an invitation to Mr. 
 Crooks to come and preach to them. A pro- 
 tracted meeting was held, souls were saved, Chris- 
 tians were encouraged. By request, the appoint- 
 ment at brother Philip's was changed to the church. 
 The membership greatly increased. By this time, 
 the Methodist Episcopal brethren thought the peo- 
 ple ought to be looked after. - They sent a preacher 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 
 
 115 
 
 once in two weeks, and where there was no 
 service at all, now the pulpit was supplied every 
 Sabbath. They reorganized their class, and some 
 thought should close their doors upon us ; but we 
 had sympathy of the community, and they waited 
 until they thought it would be safe. When there 
 was a change in the pastor, they shut their house 
 against us. The result was, we were able to 
 to build a beautiful new church. 
 
 A meeting of great interest was held in a uew 
 place, (Fairview,) lasting seven weeks. There 
 was a Presbyterian church in the village, and not 
 far away a Baptist, but no Methodist. There had 
 been no revival there for many years. Eighty 
 professed to find the Savior. There was scarcely 
 a family in the whole neighborhood, but were 
 subjects of the Spirit's influence. There were 
 many heads of families. Many homes were 
 changed. The world had held sway, but now 
 God was worshiped. Fourteen were sprinkled, 
 and seventeen immersed in one day. A class was 
 organized, and a church built. Some of those 
 brought to Jesus then, are now singing his praise 
 around " The great white throne on high." 
 
 The woodland home of the Rev. Edward Smith 
 was near Bloomfield, where his remains are now 
 interred. We visited him several times. During 
 his last sickness, we spent three days with him. 
 He sent word to the brethren, that " If I die of 
 this attack, all is well." He died July 6th, 1856. 
 Mr. Crooks preached his funeral discourse from 
 
116 THE LIFE OF 
 
 2 Timothy iv : 6, 7. 8. The sermon was repeated 
 by request during Conference, at the memorial 
 service. In his death, the cause of reform lost one 
 of its most fearless advocates, and the Church of 
 God one of its strongest pillars. Mr. Crooks was 
 one of the delegates to the General Conference 
 held in Cleveland, in the Fall of 1856. 
 
 At the Conference of 1857, Mr. Crooks was 
 Chairman of Committee on Reforms. This is what 
 he wrote then, eighteen years ago. 
 
 ON SLAVERY. 
 
 "Resolved, — That all our former declarations of hatred 
 and opposition to the system of American Slavery, are by 
 us most emphatically re-affirmed. We still believe slavery 
 to be evil, and only evil, opposed to the well-being of the 
 enslaver, as well as the enslaved ; opposed to the prosperi- 
 ty of the nation, to the spread of the Christian religion, and 
 to the salvation of men. 
 
 Resolved, — That there is a oneness of sentiment, on 
 the subject of slavery, among the Wesleyan Methodist 
 Churches ; that we have peace in all our borders, while 
 other denominations are convulsed throughout, in conse- 
 quence of this accursed system having a place within thei r 
 pales. 
 
 Resolved, — That we deeply sympathize with our much 
 beloved brother, John G-. Fee, of Kentucky, in the recent 
 outrages that have been committed upon his person ; and 
 shall most earnestly pray the God of Daniel to keep him 
 from the power of the enemies of truth and righteousness, 
 while thus pursuiug his labors of love, in planting the 
 standard of the Redeemer in that land of bondage. 
 
 Resolved, — That the receDt decision ol the Supreme 
 Court of the United States, in the Dred Scott Case, in 
 which it is declared that ' the Negro has no rights that the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 117 
 
 white man is bound to respect,' is a disgrace and a burn- 
 ing shame to the nation, at war with the Christian religion, 
 and strikes a blow at the rights of man, and should there- 
 fore be disregarded and scouted by every lover of the Bible. 
 
 ON SECRET SOCIETIES. 
 
 Resolved, — That w T e will firmly maintain our disciplinary 
 rule against the admission or retention in our Churches of 
 persons holding connection with secret oath-bound socie- 
 ties. 
 
 Resolved, — That we believe the principle of secrecy, a3 
 developed in the various secret organizations of the day, 
 to be fraught with evil, dangerous to political purity, to 
 national virtue, to the rights of man, inimical to the cause 
 of liberty to the oppressed millions of our land, and above 
 all, opposed to the spread of that light which is the life of 
 men. 
 
 OX TEMPERANCE. 
 
 Resolved, — That we are as much as ever convinced of 
 the great evil of the sale and use of ardent spirits as a 
 beverage — And 
 
 That we will oppose it in every reasonable, and lawful 
 way. We will lecture, preach, pray, and vote against it, 
 and recommend to all those over whom we may be able to 
 exert an influence, to forsake, and oppose these evils. 77 
 
 About this time be furnished a number of articles 
 for the Wesleyan, on " True Politics j" also, took 
 some part in a discussion upon the question, — " Is 
 the Twenty-first Section of Discipline, on Secret 
 Societies, law ?" He was present at the General 
 Conference when this subject was discussed, passed, 
 and by a majority declared to be law. He took the 
 position in his argument, that if it was not law, we 
 should spend our time and talents in making it 
 such, not in attempting to prove it a nullity. 
 
118 THE LIFE OP 
 
 The next Conference year was spent on Licking 
 Circuit. The friends were very pleasant, but 
 during the Winter, the Small Pox raged in the 
 village where we resided. Great fright. prevailed, 
 and there would have been great suffering, only 
 that Mr. Crooks, (who had this disease while in 
 Allegheny City) spent a part of each day visiting 
 the sick, burying the dead, and encouraging the 
 living. A number said they believed they should 
 have died of fright, if it had not been for his 
 words of comfort and hope. As a matter of 
 course he could not attend his appointments, for 
 the inhabitants of the country and towns adjacent, 
 would not attend Church, Thus the year passed 
 without any marked revival, yet the children of 
 God seemed to gain strength and grace. During 
 this year, Mr. Crooks spent all his leisure time in 
 reveiwing President Finney's Systematic Theology. 
 Afterwards, parts of this review were given in the 
 Wesleyan. He has since said that " this close 
 consecutive thought was a school to fitlrim for his 
 work years after." 
 
 LABORS AT CLEVELAND, OHIO. 
 
 In the fall of 1859, he left Licking Circuit to 
 become pastor of the Church in Cleveland, Ohio ; 
 five years were spent with this good people; 
 true hearts were found — noble men and women ; 
 those who for the right and truth were willing to 
 be "little and unknown," if the cause of God and 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 119 
 
 humanity could only be advanced. For years, 
 this Church had stood a moral " beacon light" to 
 all other Churches in the city. Here the first 
 church edifice was built by the " people called 
 Wesleyans." When it required moral stamina to 
 bear the name Abolitionist, here was a band of 
 braves, who boldly flung to the breeze the banner 
 of liberty to all alike. 
 
 Soon after we arrived in Cleveland, John Brown 
 made his raid into Virginia, was taken prisoner, 
 and the 2d day of December, 1859, witnessed the 
 death of this earnest friend of enslaved humanity. 
 We assisted in the preparations for appropriate 
 memorial services. The following is an extract 
 from a daily paper of the times : — 
 
 "IN ME MORI AM. 
 
 EXERCISES COMMEMORATIVE OF THE SACBIF1CE 
 OF 
 
 JOHN BROWN." 
 
 " Across Superior Street, from the Bennet House to the 
 Rouse's Block, was stretch a banner deeply bordered with 
 black, with the words of Brown, J I do not ihink I can 
 better honor the cause I love than to die for it. ; 
 
 " Several places of business in the city were closed dur- 
 ing the day. 
 
 " Melodeon Hall was draped in mourning for the meet- 
 ing held there in the evening. The- stage was hung with 
 heavy folds of crape caught up with white rosettes. 
 Around the gallery were folds and festoons of crape with 
 white rosettes. Festoons of crape hung from the walls, 
 the girders and the chandeliers, while the pillars were 
 wound with the insignia of mourning. 
 
120 . THE LIFE OF 
 
 "Over the center of the stage hung a large and fine 
 photograph, of the Hero of Harper's Ferry, encircled with 
 a wreath. Above this was the motto : — 
 
 "'amaricus humanis generis,.' 
 
 "On the left of the picture was — 'John Brown, the 
 Hero of 1859/ and on the right — ' He being dead, yet 
 speaketh.' Still further to the right were the following — 
 'The end crowns the work.' f If I had interfered in be- 
 half of the great, the wealthy and the wise, no one would 
 have blamed me.' — John Brown to the Court of Virginia ; 
 and on the left the following — ' Remember them that are 
 in bonds as bound with them.' { His noble spirit makes 
 despots quail, and freedom triumph.' 
 
 " The whole was arranged with fine effect, and showed 
 that the ladies had been in no wise inattentive. 
 
 " The Meeting. — The number of persons present, and 
 the character of the meeting is stated as follows by the 
 Cleveland Morning Leader : — 
 
 " ' As early as half-past six o'clock the dense throng 
 crowding into the "Melodeon" testified the universal interest 
 felt in the nature and objects of the meeting, and at seven 
 o'clock there was not a vacent seat in the Hall, and the 
 standing places were all occupied. There were not less 
 than 1400 persons in the Hall, about one-third of whom 
 were ladies. The strictest attention was given to the 
 exercises throughout — deep, earnest attention. 
 
 " ' J. H. W. Toohey called the meeting to order, and 
 introduced tie Rev. Mr. Brewster, of the Weslejan 
 Church, who read the following passages of Scripture — 
 " Epistle of James, v : 1 to 18; First Timothy, iv : 10 to 
 18 j First Corinthians, xv : 19 to 34." 
 
 "The Throne of Grace was then addressed by Rev. Mr. 
 Crooks, in an eloquent prayer, acknowledging the hand 
 of God in all the events of life, and his dealings with the 
 children of men. We, as a nation, the ministers, the 
 Churches and people, are guilty of the crime that has 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 121 
 
 tliis day been done, in the execution of him who, respond- 
 ing to his promptings of conscience, endeavored to set the 
 bondmen free. He closed with the prayer that all pres- 
 ent might so live that they might die in the hope of the 
 Gospel.' " 
 
 Mr. Crooks was one of the speakers of the eve- 
 ning. He also prepared a sermon to be delivered 
 to his own people the next Sabbath evening, but 
 was invited to use the hall, which he did. There 
 was a full house, and close attention. His text 
 was — " He that departeth from evil maketh him- 
 self a prey" — Isaiah lix: 15. From this sermon, 
 the following are a few extracts : 
 
 " Again, how are we to honor Lafayette, who, from pure 
 and unselfish devotion to the holy cause of human free- 
 dom, left the security and quietude of a princely home, 
 came to a land not his own, and threw himself into all the 
 dangers and hardships of tent and field, that he might be- 
 stow upon an oppressed people, the priceless boon of free- 
 dom ; and then brand with " traitor' 7 an American citi- 
 zen for a devotion no less pure, and a bravery and a mag- 
 nanimity equally exalted f Why cry a crown for one, and 
 a halter for the other? Or, how are we to transmit to 
 posterity, as worthy of imperishable glory, the names of 
 Eaton and Decatur, who displayed such distinguished 
 bravery for the rescue of enslaved American citizens, from 
 Tripolitan masters ; aod then, upon the same page, seek 
 to couple the name of Brown with lasting infamy and 
 substantial disgrace ? Or, how lavish our sympathies 
 upon Poland, Hungary, or any of the European nations 
 struggling for freedom, and then unsparingly censure 
 Brown for his more practical sympathy for the oppressed 
 millions of our land V 
 »'•*.*.■# *.*'#*# 
 
122 THE LIFE OF 
 
 " He had seen that the purpose of the party dominant 
 in the nation is to, as tar as possible, enlarge the area of 
 slavery, legislate directly for its protection in the Territo- 
 ries, and to re-open the piratical foreign traffic in human 
 "beings. He had seen the ermine of the Supreme Federal 
 Judges stained by a decision which would have shocked 
 the moral sensibility of even the Jefferies — making the 
 administration of justice depend upon complexion ! He 
 had seen that slavery is an element of discord and strife 
 in the bosom of this Nation, and the mortal foe to the 
 prosperity and even the perpetuity of this Confederacy. 
 He had seen that there is no political party, of any con- 
 siderable numerical strength f which even professes to 
 seek the overthrow of this monster iniquity. And last, 
 but not least, he saw that the vile man -thief enjoys unob- 
 structed access, to even the "high places" of our popular 
 Zion, and that the oil o.f our incense is largely mixed with 
 the sweat, blood and tears of the poor oppressed. Know- 
 ing and seeing all this — as a last forlorn hope, he and his 
 less than Spartan band, made deadly assault upon the 
 myriad robbers of their brothers' right. And, like Leoni- 
 das, he fell a sacrifice to his native bravery and noble love 
 of liberty; and like him, he fell to be loved and honored. 
 Henceforth let Harper's Ferry be styled the Thermopylae, 
 and John Brown the Leonidas of this nation. 
 
 "But the truth, alike shameful and apparent, is unde- 
 niable ; that it is owing to the pro-slavery character and 
 action of this Government, together with the faithlessness 
 of the popular Churches, that John Brown, and his unfor- 
 tunate coadjutors died upon a Virginia scaffold. 
 
 But American Slavery cannot be eternal. .God's justice 
 will not sleep forever; aid God is against slavery. His 
 word is against it ; His government, both moral and provi- 
 dential, is against it ; the prayers qf his people are against 
 it; the common, unperverted conscience of mankind is 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 123 
 
 against it; and the cry of the poor oppressed is going up 
 continually against it. It is doomed to a speedy, and, 
 possibly, violent dissolution. 
 
 " The iron chariot of oppression is not always to roll its 
 ponderous cylinders over the prostrate but sacred form of 
 humanity, squeezing hissing streams of blood from the 
 life-cavities of her great heart. God is already shaking 
 the nation, and the pro-slavery Churches, from center to 
 circumference. Speaking from his throne, ere long, he 
 will say, as anciently : ' I have seen ; I have seen the 
 affiictions of my people, and am come down to deliver 
 them.' 
 
 "And when that time comes, as come it must, the 
 names of Pierce, Douglass, Buchanan, and H. A. Wise, 
 together with all those of the servile tools of the Slave- 
 power, will be but synonymous with ( cruelty,' 'infamy, 7 
 and u misanthropy," and suggestive of whatsoever is 
 odious ; while that of John Brown, associated with the 
 names of those who have been distinguished for fidelity 
 alike to G-od and humanity, will be resplendent with the 
 imperishable honors of Corinthian Laurel." 
 
 At no time during his labors in Cleveland was 
 there a great revival; yet there was a steady 
 growth, both in spirit and in numbers. Souls were 
 converted, and there were quite a number of ac- 
 cessions to the Church. The church-edifice was 
 removed, repaired and refurnished. The congre- 
 gation was much increased. All seemed to have 
 renewed zeal to labor for God. A prayer and 
 class meeting was established in the suburbs 
 where a number were converted, An appoint- 
 ment, five or six miles in the country, for preaching 
 Sabbath afternoons, was added to the work. 
 
 Several of the early supporters of this Church 
 
124 THE LIFE OP 
 
 have received their " summons to the mansions 
 above." They have laid aside the weapons of 
 warfare, and have gone to that home where the 
 11 wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are 
 at rest." Their record is on high. In that great 
 day of final account, Jesus shall say to them : 
 " Well done. Enter thou into the joy of thy 
 Lord." 
 
 During our residence here, our Nation became 
 involved in our last " terrible war." All loyal 
 hearts were burdened for the salvation of our 
 Country. Our sympathies were greatly enlisted 
 for our " brave boys in blue," and for their dear 
 ones at home. A number of those dear to us 
 were called to sacrifice their loved ones for their 
 Country's good. With aching hearts and tearful 
 eyes we carried them to their last resting place. 
 
 Many tokens of kindness and sympathy were 
 received from the friends here, and it was with 
 sorrowful hearts we left them, knowing little of 
 the trials, burdens, and conflicts before us ; but the 
 path of duty seemed to lead us away. 
 
 In July, 1863, Mr. Crooks received the follow- 
 ing letter from Adrian College : — 
 
 Adrian, Mich., July 3, 1863. 
 Rev. A. Crooks, Cleveland, Ohio : — 
 
 Dear Brother : — At the late Annual Meeting of the 
 Trustees of Adrian College, you were regularly elected to 
 the honorary degree of " Master of Arts," together with 
 Rev. L. C. Matlack, W. W. Lyle, and Jas. J. White, of 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, which was duly announced by the 
 President at our recent Commencement. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS, 125 
 
 The Board is pleased to tender this expression of es- 
 teem for yourself personally, and to convey to the public 
 this assurance of confidence in your literary and moral 
 standing in society. Respectfully and Truly Yours, 
 John McEldowney, Sec'y. 
 
 ELECTION TO THE EDITORSHIP. 
 
 The General Conference, held at Adrian, Mich- 
 igan, June, 1864, elected Mr. Crooks Editor of 
 the American Wesleyan. Had he felt free to 
 follow his own preferences, he would have still re- 
 mained a pastor. His heart was in that work. He 
 had been told that in all probability he would be 
 one of the candidates for the office of Editor. He 
 did not believe it would result in his election. Among 
 his last words, as he left for the Conference, were 
 these :- — " Do not feel troubled about this matter, 
 for I am confident that there are those who will 
 stand before me in the minds of our people. There 
 is no danger of my being called upon to occupy 
 that position." He stated to the Conference his 
 preference to remain in the pastoral work. But 
 the Conference decided to elect him Editor. He 
 always made it a principle to follow the leadings 
 of Providence — to walk in the path opened before 
 him. He accepted the position, returned to Cleve- 
 land, and commenced arranging his affairs, prepa- 
 ratory to leaving, as he was needed at the office 
 immediately. His Church and congregation were 
 wholly unprepared for this change. Some of them 
 felt that it ought not so to be; and to human eyes it 
 
126 THE LIFE OF 
 
 seemed to require great self-sacrifice. The Church 
 was in a prosperous condition, spiritually and tem- 
 porally. The house of worship had been put in 
 good repair. All was pleasant between pastor and 
 people. " Peace was in all her borders, and pros- 
 perity within her walls." But God, who sees the 
 end from the beginning, and judges righteously, 
 knows what is best for his children, and where he 
 can use them for his own glory, and the upbuilding 
 of his cause and kingdom on the earth. It is his 
 prerogative to guide, and ours to follow. 
 
 June 23d, he left Cleveland to commence his 
 duties in the office of the American Wesleyan, in 
 Syracuse, N. Y., and on the 28th of June appeared 
 the following : — 
 
 " SALUTATORY." 
 
 " In entering upon the untried duties of his of- 
 fice, the ' new Editor' will be expected to state, at 
 least in general outline, his views of the objects to 
 be secured, and of the principles and policy which 
 should govern, in the performance of those duties. 
 As this expectation is most reasonable, it shall be 
 met at once. Then, 
 
 " 1. Being the organ of a Connection of Chris- 
 tian Churches, the primal objects of the American 
 Wesleyan should be the success of Christian 
 enterprise — 'the spread of scriptural holiness, 
 over these lands'- — consisting in piety and purity, 
 correct faith, genuine experience, and correspond- 
 ing practice. ' Holiness unto the Lord' should ra- 
 diate from ever issue. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 127 
 
 "2. As the organ of the Wesleyan Methodist 
 Connection of America, the paper should more im- 
 mediately serve the interests of this particular 
 Christian denomination, promoting its peace, puri- 
 ty, unity and prosperity, advocating its doctrines, 
 propogating its principles, and chronicling its 
 triumph. Yet at the same time, as a public re- 
 ligious journal, it will take pleasure in recording 
 the acheivements, moral and spiritual, of sister 
 denominations. It should be a medium for the 
 diffusion of general Christian intelligence. 
 
 " 3. The organ of a denomination eminently 
 reformatory, as heretofore, so in time to come, the 
 American Wesleyan should speak no ambiguous 
 language respecting the great reforms of the day. 
 As our Connectional banner — battle-torn though it 
 be — it must continue to float from the foremost and 
 highest battlements of Zion, defiant of all sin, as 
 when first given to the breeze. These are not the 
 times in which to haul down our flag, use Quaker 
 ordnance, fire-blank cartridges or offer truce or 
 amnesty to rebels in arms against any claim of 
 God or interest of humanity. Slavery must not 
 be allowed to revivify. Its utter extinction must 
 be rendered certain. Unrelenting warfare must be 
 waged against the monster iniquity — Intemperance. 
 The spirit of violence must be rebuked and checked 
 — the arbitrament of the sword, treated as a ca- 
 lamity finding its dreadful necessity only in sin, 
 and to be remedied by the Gospel; and all 'mifruit- 
 
128 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ful works of darkness' must be ' reproved/ All 
 this means work and conflict. The apostolic or- 
 der, ' First pure, then peaceable/ is not to be es- 
 teemed either obsolete or inappropriate. 
 
 " Most obviously, dissensions and needless divi- 
 sions among Christians are to be deplored as de- 
 pleting, uneconomical and schismatic. From tlie- 
 first, our existence as a distinct organization was 
 felt to be a painful necessity. Union, both in fact 
 and form, among the disciples of ' one Lord,' is to 
 be encouraged and promoted. Yet it should not 
 be forgotten that true Christian unity- — ' the unity 
 of the spirit'— -is accordant with, and tolerant of 
 variety, and hence, in some sense, of dissimilarity. 
 At the same time it should be remembered, that 
 any real union between moral opposites is not pos- 
 sible; and if even possible, yet not desirable. 
 Our motto shall be, — Union at the expense of right? 
 never ; hut for the sake of right, always and every- 
 where. 
 
 " The loyalty of the American Wesleyan shall 
 be unconditional. Committed to the support of 
 no political party, merely as such, it shall yet not 
 be indifferent to ' that part of ethics which con- 
 sists in the regulation and government of a nation 
 or state for the promotion of its safety, peace and 
 prosperity; comprehending the defense of its ex- 
 istence and rights against foreign control and con- 
 quest, the augmentation of its strength and re- 
 sources, and the protection of citizens in their 
 rights, with the preservation and improvment of 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 129 
 
 their morals.' (See Webster 1 's Definition of Politics.) 
 It shall oppose as destructive of the interests ol 
 the Nation, all corruption, whether of private mor- 
 als or in public life ; and inculcate, as a Christian 
 duty, the exercise of the elective franchise for the 
 elevation to positions of honor and trust ' men 
 who fear God and hate covetousness.' It shall 
 seek to fan the fires of intelligent patriotism — 
 strengthen the hands of the Government in its ef- 
 forts to suppress rebellion; and especially a re- 
 bellion having fur its object the establishment of a 
 government, the chief corner stone of which, is 
 the iniquitous system of human chattelization. It 
 shall denounce, as taritors to God and enemies of 
 mankind, all, of every latitude, who either openly 
 or covertly sympathize with the present rebellion. 
 And it shall seek to nerve the heart and arm of 
 the living, and speak words of comfort to the 
 dying patriot soldier j and bestow upon his friends 
 at home, its warmest and most Christian sympa- 
 thies. Most happily, in all these respects, the 
 Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America, is a 
 unit. Thank God, there is not a traitor in the 
 entire body. 
 
 " The principles governing in the composition of 
 the American Wesleyan, shall be such as most 
 fully accord with the foregoing objects. 
 
 " Its spirit and policy shall be liberal. Both 
 sides of all questions proper to be considered 
 shall be heard at reasonable length. This being 
 6* 
 
130 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the case, the Editor is not to be held responsible 
 for any sentiment which he does not personally en- 
 dorse. Christian courtesy must characterize style 
 and matter. Investigation, rather than disputation, 
 shall be encouraged. General interests, and not 
 individual wishes, are to be consulted in determin- 
 ing what shall be admitted and what excluded. 
 The rule shall be to disallow the discussion of all 
 merely local and personal differences. The door 
 may not readily open for the admission of careless 
 writers. Records of grace victorious, whether as 
 seen in marked conversions, beautiful lives, or 
 triumphant deaths, are insured a hearty welcome. 
 "It is with great diffidence and self-distrust 
 that the new Editor assumes the duties and re- 
 sponsibilities to which he has been called, and es- 
 pecially so, in view of the corps of able editors 
 preceding; Scott, Lee, Matlack, and Prindle. But 
 when he remembers that the inexperience in the 
 chair is fully atoned by the large experience of our 
 excellent Agent, Bro. Prindle ; that, adopting mili- 
 tary phraseology, he is to be supported by such 
 staff officers as Dr. Lee, W. W. Crane, W.H.Brew- 
 ster, L. C. Matlack, W. W. Lyle, and H. B- 
 Knight, as Corresponding Editors, together with 
 many competent field officers in the form of con- 
 tributors; and that his readers are too intelligent 
 and liberal minded to either require or expect per- 
 fection in any human production, his heart is more 
 than doubly assured. For mere frigid critics, he has 
 neither fear nor fellowship, but only indifference. He 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 131 
 
 £an promise only to do his best to send to its readers 
 the American Wesleyan laden with ' food con- 
 venient' to make them intelligent, hopeful, happy, 
 zealous, efficient, and mature Christians. Then, 
 trusting not to his own, but to Divine wisdom, and 
 asking and expecting the sympathies, counsels, and 
 above all, prayers of his readers, the new Editor 
 assumes the duties and responsibilities of his 
 office." 
 
 The work was new, and his duties arduous from 
 the first; for in connection with his editorial 
 work, he had all the proofs of the two papers to 
 read and correct. Very soon calls to attend Quar* 
 terly Meetings were received, to which he respond- 
 ed. He and Dr. Prindle together supplied the 
 pulpit at Seneca Falls, for a number of months. 
 
 His heart was alive to the condition of our 
 Nation, For years, dangers had threatened on 
 every hand; traitors were at home and abroad^ 
 Only confidence in the wisdom and power of that 
 God who never fails, kept up his courage .From an 
 editorial, published July 20, 1864, we give a few 
 leading heads :— 
 
 " 1. A primary demand of the times is, that the 
 masses be made to comprehend the events tran- 
 spiring, 'to know in this our day, the things 
 which make for our peace.' In times of such 
 weighty significance, this is often important even 
 in a Monarchical Government ; in a Republic, it is 
 absolutely indispensable. Ours is a government 
 
132 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of the people, and the hands of the people must be 
 made skillfal to guide the Ship of State amid rocks? 
 and darkness and tempest. They should be made 
 intelligent not only in history, and the philosophy 
 of history, but in the rich and deep philosophy of 
 the eventful present. They should be made intelli- 
 gent as to the wicked moral forces which have 
 caused this rebellion, the hellish purposes of its 
 guilty leaders ; and its inevitable results if success- 
 ful, upon their position, pecuniary and social, and 
 even liberties for generations to come. And that 
 the people may be thus instructed, the very air 
 should be rendered vocal with truth uttered from 
 street, and cottage, and counter, and platform, and 
 pulpit, and press. This is no time for either indif- 
 ference, silence, or inaction. 
 
 " 2. The popular conscience needs to be enlight- 
 ened. The nation needs to be taught the inviola- 
 bility of the Divine law — that ' though hand joined 
 with hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished '/ 
 and that no nation can long survive persistent de- 
 parture from the eternal principles of rectitude. 
 Upon this subject we must have ' precept upon 
 precept, precept upon precept ; line upon line, line 
 upon line," until this truth permeates the national 
 heart, and becomes a sovereign sentiment. 
 
 " 3. The times imperatively demand that posi- 
 tions of public trust be filled with men of incor- 
 riipt ible patriotism, broad, enlightened and states- 
 mi. -like views, and of inflexible integrity; while 
 all unprincipled demagogues and political gam- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 133 
 
 biers, of whom it may well be said, as of Leo X., 
 that they ' get into office like a fox, rule like a lion, 
 and die like a dog,' should have their part in the 
 place kept for the burial of strangers. They 
 should be esteemed the Nation's worst enemies, 
 and treated accordingly. 
 
 " 4. An all-ruling and undying patriotism, a 
 patriotism which 'endureth all things, 1 is another re- 
 quisite of the times. The rebellion with which the 
 Nation is grappling in life struggles is of unprece- 
 dented proportions. Hundreds of thousands of 
 lives; husbands, fathers, sons, brothers — and hun- 
 dreds of millions in money have already been given, 
 and the end is not yet. Hundreds of thousands more 
 of husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers, and hun- 
 dreds of millions more of money may yet be re- 
 quired before we realize the right solution of 'the 
 grave problem — If the Nation is to live ; if Free 
 dom is to die ! Heaven grant that our integrity to 
 the interests involved may abide the seven-fold 
 heated furnace. 
 
 u 5. The times demand a United North. " Di- 
 vide, and conquer' was the motto which shaped 
 the policy of ancient Rome. United, Carthage 
 and Syracuse would have been invincible against 
 Rome, but enemies, and divided, they fell victims 
 to their common foe. For the last fifty years, the 
 South has practiced this policy against the North, 
 and in the interests of slavery. The political 
 parties have unwittingly been our Carthage and 
 Syracuse. 
 
134 THE LIFE OF 
 
 " There are those in our midst, whose names 
 need not be written, but who share the protection 
 of our laws, enjoy the immunities and benefits of 
 our liberal institutions, and subsist upon the 
 bounties of our plentiful Country, who nevertheless, 
 like ingrates, prove themselves enemies in this, the 
 hour of our Country's peril. To us, these are far 
 from being an element of strength, but like others, 
 they can expect to stand only upon their good 
 behavior. For the Nation's sake, for the sake of 
 the blood and treasure already expended ; for the 
 sake of coming generations, and for the sake of 
 the dearest interests of humanity, ' as far as lieth in 
 us,' let there be a United North. Let not the pro- 
 phetic words of our Washington be unheeded, that 
 'United, we stand, divided, we fall. 1 
 
 " 6. Another demand of the times is continued lib* 
 erality. We say continued — for in the past, in the 
 form of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, 
 and the numerous other concerted and individual 
 schemes for the protection and comfort of our 
 brave soldiers, say nothing of what has been done 
 for their families at home, there has been a munifi- 
 cence of liberality displayed, for which the history 
 of the world has no parallel. This should not be 
 allowed to suffer any abatement. 
 
 " 7. The times demand an unfaltering faith in 
 God, and in the final triumph of the right. ' This 
 is the victory that overcometh, even your faith,' 
 In the absence of faith there can be neither cour- 
 age, nor purpose, nor endurance nor efficiency. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 1 35 
 
 The times require that in all these respects we 
 ' show ourselves men.' 
 
 "8. Our manifold sins of profanity, pride, self- 
 adulation, worldliness and oppression, together 
 with the fearful retributions of Heaven, call loudly 
 for deep humiliation and true penitence, including 
 a purpose and determination to ' break every yoke 
 and let the oppressed go free.' 
 
 " 9. Last, but not least, the demands of the 
 times must fail of being met, without a stronger 
 faith, more fervent piety, more all-consuming zeal, 
 and a deeper baptism of the Holy Spirit." 
 
 In an editorial, written after our national skies 
 were brightening} giving our position as a 
 nation a few years before, and our then present 
 prospects, he says : 
 
 " MORAL PROGRESS OP THE NATION." 
 
 " Through our highest .courts we had declared 
 that a ' man of color has no right which a white 
 man is bound to respect;' and in violation of 
 plighted faith, we had opened the virgin soil of 
 Kansas to the ingress of slavery, and persistently 
 employed the powers of the Government for the 
 infliction of slavery with all its untold horrors 
 upon an unwilling people. And with but few noble 
 exceptions, the religious bodies of the land were 
 acquiescent. Thus both Church and State were 
 criminally in the interests of slavery. Here is 
 where we were when the present war commenced. 
 But we thank God, a brighter record awaits us. 
 
136 THE LIFE OF 
 
 " Maryland has enrolled herself among the Free 
 States ; Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama 
 are moving in the same direction. The Metho- 
 dist E. Church has closed its communion against all 
 slave-holders; other Churches are uttering words 
 of denunciation against the system, merited and 
 distinct; and as a crowning act, by a large ma- 
 jority of both Houses of Congress, the infamous 
 Fugitive Bills of 1793 and 1850 are wiped from 
 the statute books of the Nation, and the repealing 
 act approved and signed by the President. Three 
 years ago, in the eyes of the Nation, slavery was 
 legitimate, petted and defended ; now it is well 
 nigh esteemed an outlaw and rebel against God ; 
 the Nation, and the interests of humanity. 
 
 "More than twenty years ago, Orange Scott ? 
 and other true prophets of the Lord, clearly saw 
 and foretold, that ' the days of American Slavery, 
 were numbered ; that its death-warrant was sealed 
 in Heaven.' We had hoped, however, to bring 
 about the work of repentance to the extent that 
 its execution would not subject the Nation to pun- 
 ishment, nor -peril its existence. But in this re- 
 spect our hopes were not to be realized* We were 
 doomed to disappointment, sad and grievous. 
 God be praised that we are learning obedience by 
 the things we suffer. Fruitless regrets aside, God 
 does not needlessly afflict the children of men- 
 < True and righteous are his judgments.' May we, 
 as a nation, speedily show mercy to all the afflicted, 
 that mercy may be shown us. Amen !" 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 137 
 
 Later he said : — 
 
 " The dark clouds are fast lifting from our 
 Country's horizon. Victory seems to crowd upon 
 the heels of victory. Let grateful thanksgiving 
 continuously go up to God for benefits bestowed, 
 together with fervent prayers for the speedy be- 
 stowal of a righteous and perpetual peace." 
 
 Still later he wrote, as follows : — 
 
 " HOPE FOR THE NATION." 
 
 "Watchman, what of the night? Is there hope 
 for the Nation ? After all that has been expended 
 in blood and treasure must we still perish ? We 
 have survived the conflict of arms; shall we be 
 adequate to the perils of peace ? These are 
 questions of appalling significance. Our enemies 
 in Europe answer, No ! Is the wish parent to the 
 prediction ? We believe that the lap of the future 
 is freighted with good for our Country. Reasons : — 
 
 " 1 The Nation is forever redeemed from the 
 curse of slavery. The war, the Proclamation, and 
 the Constitutional Amendment settle that question 
 beyond all peradventure. Liberty is now and 
 ever shall be in the ascendant. Thank God, in 
 this Country she has secured a continental home. 
 We shall never have another rebellion in the in- 
 terest of slavery. The body politic is forever re- 
 lieved of this great element of unrest. 
 
 " 2. The Nation is likewise purged of the es- 
 sentially disintergrating element of the doctrine of 
 State Sovereignty, in its perverted application. 
 
 " 3. The aristocrats, anti-republicans and fac- 
 
150 THE LIFE OF 
 
 tionists of the South, who have ruled the Country 
 for the last half century, are forever dethroned. 
 
 " 4. In this Country patriotism is no longer to 
 be an empty name ; but is to be a living sentiment 
 forever entempled in the Nation's heart. 
 
 " 5. In our own eyes, in the eyes of the world, 
 and in reality, we are stronger to-day than ever 
 before. Stronger, because relieved of those inter- 
 nal elements of revolt, slavery, perverted state 
 sovereignty, and their fruits and necessary ad- 
 juncts; pride, contempt for honest toil, impatience 
 of restraint and the spirit of domination. 
 
 " 6. It is to be hoped that politicians have learned 
 a lesson of prudence and caution. Hereafter, let 
 political leaders adhere to the truth, address rea- 
 son, and not appeal to blind passion. 
 
 " 7. Not only has the Nation been purged, poli- 
 ticians taught wisdom, but we rejoice to believe 
 that our religion and our Churches have been im- 
 proved. Thank God, that at last the distinct ut- 
 terances of the Pulpit, the religious Press, Doctors 
 of Divinity, and ecclesiastical assemblies, are no 
 longer in the interest of the wealthy and proud 
 oppressor, but unqualifiedly in favor of the poor 
 and oppressed. This single truth lights the whole 
 national heavens with a glow of promised good ! 
 Let heaven and earth rejoice at once over a disen- 
 thralled Nation and Church. 
 
 "Finally, There is hope for our Counrty, because, 
 as our national currency attests, ' In God we trust.' 
 He has not put us in the furnace for destruction, 
 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 139 
 
 but for purification. A brighter era is just before 
 us ! This glorious truth murmurs in every brook 
 and streamlet, whispers in every breeze, and makes 
 glad music in the interior of every soul. God has 
 great thoughts and purposes of good for this Na- 
 tion. There is hope for oar Country, for our chil- 
 dren in coming generations, and for liberty in all 
 lands ! 
 
 DENOMINATIONAL UNION MOVEMENT. 
 
 Mr. Crooks had not been in the chair editorial 
 many months, before the subject of our union with 
 some other denomination began again to be agi- 
 tated and as the prospect of our Nation's final 
 release from the " sum of all villainies" became 
 more and more apparent, the matter was urged 
 more and more earnestly. When freedom to the 
 millions of slaves was proclaimed, the friends of 
 the " union movement" said : " Slavery, the primal 
 cause of our organization as a body of Churches, 
 is dead, and there is nothing to be gained by our 
 continued existence. We can now disband con- 
 sistently." They forgot that in destroying our 
 little Zion, they were destroying the religious 
 home of our people, the most of whom had never 
 known any other. For this cause they had fought 
 "many a battle sore," had " many atrial," "made 
 many a sacrifice," and the little home, though hum- 
 ble, was very dear to their hearts. Many could 
 not, in conscience, go to any other, and would be 
 
140 THE LIFE OF 
 
 left homeless and uncared for during their journey 
 to the better land. 
 
 It was asserted, time and again, by those who 
 ought to have known the truth, that " Our people, 
 as a mass, are ready for the change." Under these 
 circumstances, Mr. Crooks could do nothing but 
 " let the people speak for themselves, and decide 
 for themselves." 
 
 The battle raged long and fiercely. Many 
 seemed to forget that Jesus taught: "And unto him 
 that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the 
 other." Some of us then learned the lesson — If we 
 hope to be forgiven we must forgive. 
 
 He stood between the two fires, and tried, with 
 constant, unceasing prayer to God for help, to hold 
 the balances. If ever man soughttodeal justlyin 
 this matter, he did. God alone knows the trials 
 of those days and months ; God alone knows the 
 heavy blows which fell upon his devoted head, and 
 burdened heart. When I remember those days of 
 conflict, I am filled with wonder ; how could he 
 have borne all be did ? He could not, only God 
 was with him. 
 
 In looking over files of letters, I find copies of 
 some of his replies to those who wrote him on the 
 subject of the " Union." I give a few extracts to 
 show his spirit : 
 
 June 8, 1869. 
 11 Wholly aside from any conviction of right and wrong 
 in the case, I cannot but regard it [the ' Union Move- 
 ment 7 ] as unfortunate at this time. Keasons : — 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 141 
 
 "1. It is not spontaneous with our people. It origi- 
 nates with the few; hence, the many are nut ready for it. 
 
 "2. It involves a question which has heretofore dis- 
 tracted us, and conceruiug which many of our people are 
 strongly bouud in conscieuce. 
 
 "3. This being true, it puts the unity of our own 
 people in imminent peril. Unless the greatest prudence is 
 exercised, we are to be exploded, and with all the prudence 
 possible, we are to be distracted and alienated. This at a 
 time when we should be joyful over past achievements, and 
 active in doing the work of the hour for the freedmen. 
 
 " 4. It puts Adrian College, now in its infancy, in jeop- 
 ardy, when it needs all the help of all the people. W hen 
 our attention should be eminently fixed upon it, we are oc- 
 cupied with this ' Union 7 matter. Thus our people are 
 distracted, and in suspense, and indeed, being alienated, 
 when they should be a unit, both in heart and effort. 
 The Convention (Cleveland) must not ignore the voice of 
 the people, and Adrian College must act so as not to lose 
 the confidence of our people. 
 
 "5. Five years ago, when every prominent man among 
 us favored the ' Union, 7 it could not be effected. These 
 facts have their significance, and on these accounts I 
 tremble for results. God help us all to act wisely." 
 
 July 24, 1865. 
 " I shall be as prudent as possible, but violate my con- 
 science, or be dishonest I will not. The Lord helping me." 
 
 March 21, 1866. 
 " God is witness, I have tried to be impartial. If I am 
 supposed to be opposed to the publication of anything on 
 either side calculated to throw light on the subject of duty 
 as to this matter, I am the worst misunderstood man in 
 the Connection. I have been pained ten-foldmore be- 
 cause of the profound silence of the authors of the ' Union 
 Movement, 7 on the subject in its moral aspect, than by all 
 other considerations combined. No, I shall most gladly 
 
142 THE LIFE OP 
 
 welcome truth from either side. My heart has "been as a 
 furnace, because of the aforesaid silence. I wish you would 
 immediately send a statement of facts as to what was done 
 respecting Adrian College. If anything decisive has been 
 done, it looks badly. 1st, — Because of profound silence. — ■ 
 2d, — It looks like an attempt to almost force '-Union' mat- 
 ters, and 3d, — To make the College practically sure to 
 those who go into the l Union,' and as a denominational 
 enterprise lost to those who do not go in. It has a terrible 
 bad countenance. If a full statement of the facts will 
 satisfy our people, you do yourselves and them great wrong 
 in withholding it. If it will not, then God help us. 
 
 11 Another point : — Our people are far from being ready 
 for concerted action. Not a few are opposed to the 
 ' Union' entirely ; others favor a union of all Methodists, 
 and others of only non -Episcopal bodies. In a very few 
 years lay delegation will be incorporated into the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church. This will make the existence of 
 the new body either sickly or temporary. 
 
 " In view of all these facts, is it wise to press the 
 ' Union Movement' to a speedy consummation ? I cannot 
 so regard it. Rocky roads require slow and careful driv- 
 ing ; rapid driving w y ill be damaging, may be fatal to the 
 vehicle. There are times when it is the dictate' of the 
 highest w T isdom to ' make haste slowly.' Delay may se- 
 cure concert; haste will surely be fatal." . 
 
 May 10, 1866. 
 
 11 You know my heart in relation to this great question f 
 how I desire that God should guide you and me and all 
 of us in the right way. . . As to our ' fate being sealed' 
 — that ' we cannot live' — I do not believe a word of it. If 
 w r e but do the work of a Church of Jesus Christ, we will 
 be subject to the law of increase. 77 
 
 March 27, 1867. 
 
 " By some I may be judged as self-seeking. God for- 
 bid ! I do not seek ease, nor shun toil. Following the 
 pillar of God's providence, I went and remained in North 
 
EEV. ADAM CROOKS. 143 
 
 Carolina at the peril of my life, and now I am where God 
 and the brethren have put me. I never sought position, 
 and I shall antagonize nothing nor any one, hut as duty 
 may seem to impel. 
 
 u I would not let myself think otherwise of thee, my 
 brother. His will as known, to be our law, may He 
 keep us ever in this spirit. -With you, I do not know 
 what I shall do, only that I shall seek to please God." 
 
 Also, in another of the same date, but to an- 
 other person, he says : — 
 
 tl In an emergency it is no time to seek new friends, 
 but to depend upon old ones, true and tried. When those 
 who have been sapping the foundation of confidence in 
 our perpetuity, get through with that kind of work, if 
 they ever do, then we may hope to succeed in enlarging 
 our list. You say you ' want the Wesleyan to live.' 
 Those with whom you are in correspondence, boast that 
 ' the Way of Holiness has gone down, and the Wesley- 
 an soon will. 7 If I wanted a house to stand, be assured, 
 I would not keep incessantly digging away its founda- 
 tion. 
 
 "Keverse our position and relations, and let me pursue 
 the course you have and are pursuing, and as a man of 
 sense, I ask you what you would think of me ? [Would 
 you still think me acting the part of a brother?] 1 allude 
 both to your conversation and correspondence.' 7 
 
 In October, 1866, Dr. Prindle resigned his po- 
 sition as Agent, at the meeting of the Book Com- 
 mittee. At the same meeting, Mr. Crooks was 
 appointed Agent. His first editorial after his 
 agencj' commenced, was 
 
 " EARNEST WORDS TO WESLEYANS." 
 
 "Beloved Brethren and Sisters: — Just at 
 this point in our history there are evils to. which 
 
144 THE LIFE OP 
 
 we are greatly exposed and against which we 
 should be strongly fortified. We will name some 
 of them. 
 
 "With us as a denomination, the last twenty 
 months have been months of earnest, and in some 
 instances, we are sorry to say, caustic controversy. 
 As in the case of Paul and Barnabas, the conten- 
 tion became ' sharp.' There is danger of pro- 
 tracting these contentions to our own injury, as also 
 of fostering feelings not compatible with Christian 
 charity and fraternity. Having been thoroughly 
 canvassed, may not these questions of controversy 
 be profitably dismissed, at least from the field of 
 disputation? W^e are confident that this is in- 
 tensely desired by a large majority of our people. 
 And awarding integrity of motive to all, shall we 
 not rise to an altitude of Christian charity and 
 magnanimity which will keep our hearts united in 
 unabated Christian fellowship and esteem? We 
 are brethren. Wesleyans must not fall out by the 
 way. In matters of such vast moment, blind pas- 
 sion may not innocently be consulted. Let us 
 earnestly covet and devoutly pray for the ' best 
 gift' — that without which by the verdict of inspira- 
 tion, we are nothing. 
 
 "We should give noplace to needless discourage- 
 ments. We cannot free ourself from the conviction 
 that undue emphasis has already been given to dis- 
 couragement. We have even heard it more than 
 whispered, that our continued existence as a sepa- 
 rate organization is not possible. Duly sensible 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS, 145 
 
 as we believe we are to all that tends to discourage, 
 our faith in the possibility of a continued useful ex- 
 istence has never for one moment faltered. Viewed 
 and judged from a merely human stand-point, our 
 prospects are vastly better than were those of Isra- 
 el at the Red Sea, or the disciples after the Cruci- 
 fixion, or of Luther at Worms, or yet of the Wes- 
 leys when they first entered upon their career of 
 grand spiritual achievement and triumph. What, 
 if for some years past we have been under the law 
 of diminution : the same is true of larger, sister de- 
 nominations. These have been years of special 
 trial to all Churches. Moreover, there is a dimi- 
 nution which contributes to strength and perpetuity. 
 All new bodies are less or more the victims of a 
 kind of floating capital, to be relieved of which is 
 a real deliverance. Of this class of character, Wes- 
 ley ans have had their full share. If we will but 
 faithfully do the work of a Christian Church, multiphj 
 converts and build up believers in all the Christian 
 graces, we will quickly pass from under the law of 
 diminution and come under that of increase. Our con- 
 tinuance and growth under G-od, therefore, is with 
 ourselves. If we deserve an existence our extinc- 
 tion is not possible. 
 
 "As in former times, God has made us his van- 
 guard in his great battle for the temporal deliver- 
 ance of his oppressed poor, may he not have in 
 reserve for us a future of a still higher and more 
 glorious significance; the calling of his people to 
 
146 THE LIFE OF 
 
 a larger spiritual liberty ? For years there has 
 been imbedded in the Christian consciousness the 
 conviction that the Churches are signally failing 
 to fulfill the great mission of evangelizing the 
 world. We have churches and pulpits, and preach- 
 ers, and learning and talents and sermons enough, 
 but conversions are few, and in too many instances 
 only partial. A higher and better state of things 
 must be inaugurated, or otherwise the conversion 
 of the world is not even the subject of reasonable 
 hope. What is the great defect ? The ready an- 
 swer comes, Want of the spirit of power on the 
 part of God's minister's and people. Other rea- 
 sons there are ; but the great foundational and all 
 comprehensive reason is found here. ' Not by 
 might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the 
 Lord.' God will not share his glory with another. 
 In the work of saving men too much must not be 
 awarded to human, nor too little to Divine agency. 
 Hence, in his great wisdom God chose the ' foolish 
 things of this world to confound the wise; and 
 God hath chosen the weak things of the world to 
 confound the things which are mighty j and base 
 things of the world, and things which are despised, 
 hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, 
 to bring to naught things that are.' Hence, too, 
 men of great power with God, are invariably men 
 of much prayer. To us it was cause of exceeding- 
 joy as we visited the Conferences at their recent 
 sessions, to find that many of our ministers are 
 coming to the apprehension of this great and vital 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 147 
 
 truth. It was in harmony with this apprehension, 
 that having resolved to continue its present eccle- 
 siastical relations, the Iowa Conference immediate- 
 ly adopted the following : ' Here and now, to the 
 glory of God and for the salvation of souls, we 
 consecrate ourselves renewedly to the work and 
 service of Christ, trusting not in forms or usages, 
 but in the Holy Ghost, for success.' Also many 
 of the members of the Michigan Conference re- 
 newed their ordination vows; and the gracious 
 influences of the Holy Spirit descended and rested 
 richly upon them. Yet as it respects this subject, 
 we only see men as trees walking. May the entire 
 ministry renew their covenant vows; and may 
 Heaven bestow upon us and upon all the Churches, 
 abundantly, the baptisim of zeal and of power ! 
 And let all the people say, Amen !" 
 Part of editorial, January, 1867. 
 
 "'UNION MOVEMENT' CALLED CONFERENCE. 
 
 "From the first we deprecated the ' Union 
 Movement,' so called ; fearing it could only work 
 disaster. The sequel proves that these fears were 
 well founded. But we supposed that in the ab- 
 sence of general harmony, the enterprise would be 
 abandoned. In this we were sadly disappointed. 
 Opposition soon began to develop. Both sides 
 were allowed an impartial hearing. For many 
 months the contest raged around our head, and we 
 remained silent. It becoming apparent that op- 
 position was formidable, Conference after Confer- 
 
148 THE LIFE OP 
 
 ence resolved, 1st. Not to compromise any of our 
 positions on moral questions ; and, 2d. Not to de- 
 stroy our own denominational unity. Hence, we 
 were confident that the Cincinnati Convention 
 would meet, consult, and pray over the general 
 subject of Christian union, and part, leaving each 
 denomination with integrity unimpaired ; just as 
 brother Matlack afterwards said he advised. But 
 as is well known, this was not the policy adopted 
 by the Convention. Soon it became apparent that 
 in the Convention there was disagreement on 
 moral, and even patriotic questions. We believe 
 that no single paper introduced by a Wesleyan on 
 either of these subjects, passed in the Convention 
 without encountering opposition. As must have 
 been the case, Conference succeeding Conference 
 which had hitherto favored the movement, now 
 withdrew that favor. Some individuals still felt 
 themselves bound in honor and in conscience to 
 press the measure to consummation. As a con- 
 certed movement it is now abandoned. This move- 
 ment was for a union of all the non-Episcopal 
 Methodist bodies in this Country. 
 
 In this issue of our paper will be found a Call 
 for a Conference of all Wesley ans in favor of 
 uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church. We 
 give the Call insertion, not because we can go into 
 such Conference, but for the reason that we regard 
 religious -denominations as voluntary associations, 
 and for the further reasons, that however regretful 
 we may be, yet we are willing that all those whose 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 149 
 
 tastes or convictions of duty would lead to the 
 Methodist Episcopal, or any other Church, should 
 conform to those tastes or convictions. 
 
 " What we would desire, is that those who go 
 out from us do it quietly and peaceably. There is 
 no beauty in, nor just occasion for distracting or 
 mutilating. The Methodist Episcopal Church 
 needs neither our ministers nor members. And on 
 the other hand, we would have no one, minister 
 or member, leave the Connection as the mere re- 
 sult of panic. ' Stand still, and see the salvation 
 of the Lord.' There is no necessity for haste. 
 Do nothing now which may lay the foundation for 
 future fruitless regrets. Let no Church, minister, 
 or private member leave, merely because they hear 
 that others in other localities, are going to do so. 
 Such rumors may or may not be true. Let every 
 one be fully persuaded in his own mind, and act 
 out his highest convictions of right. And let no 
 one fear to do right. A religious denomination 
 fully devoted to the edification of its members in 
 all the Christian graces, and in the salvation of 
 sinners, may duplicate in three years. ' Trust in 
 the Lord, do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, 
 and verily thou shalt be fed.' ' They that trust in 
 the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, that cannot be 
 moved.' The Lord give us the victory of Faith. 
 
 " In these days we are ever and anon reminded 
 of the appalling report by the spies sent by Israel 
 to spy out the land of Canaan. There were great, 
 walled cities. There were giants in the land. 
 
150 THE LIFE OF 
 
 They said ' we were in our own sight as grass- 
 hoppers, and so we were like grasshoppers in 
 their sight ; we had better return to Egypt.' Also 
 are we reminded of the mockings of Sanballat and 
 Tobiah — ' What do these feeble Jews? will they 
 fortify themselves ? will they sacrifice ? will they 
 make an end in a day ? will they revive the stones 
 out of the heaps of rubbish which are burned V 
 'That which they build, if a fox go up, he shall 
 even break down their stone wall.' The sequel of 
 both of these cases is well known to the Biblical 
 student. But we confess that we are growing 
 weary of hearing our own funeral sermon repeated 
 so often. The good folks will please desist, and 
 neither administer upon our estate, nor any part of 
 it ; nor yet observe our funeral rites until our de- 
 mise is officially announced. 
 
 * Men and women of God, the world is before 
 us. Souls are perishing all around us. In many 
 places Zion is a waste. Life is but brief. Time 
 is swiftly passing. What we do to rescue the 
 perishing, or edify the Church, which is the body 
 of Christ, must be done quickly. Then l rich in 
 faith,' strong in purpose, and led by the great Cap- 
 tain of our Salvation, 
 
 'Indissolubly joined, 
 To battle all proceed : 
 But arm yourselves with all the mind 
 That was in Christ, your Head.'" 
 
 " And if, in the providence of God, our forces 
 
 are in the future to be united with other cohorts, 
 
&EV. ADAM CROOKS. 151 
 
 we should hold ourselves in cheerful readiness for 
 such event But Providence should never be an- 
 ticipated j only patiently awaited." 
 
 THE RALLY AND RESTORATION OF CONFI- 
 DENCE. 
 
 The people rallied bravely. Expressions of 
 confidence were given. Every man who remained 
 seemed to feel he had something to do. His 
 labors were very arduous, having all the editorial 
 and publishing interests to care for, and at the 
 same time, be prepared with weapons furnished by 
 faithful brethren, and his own, to meet all the 
 attacks made by those who had said we must dis- 
 band ; and of course we would have to do so, if 
 they, by any possibility, could bring it to pass. 
 In connection with all the rest of his labors, he 
 served the Church in Syracuse as pastor, one year, 
 and at the same time, attended regularly a tem- 
 perance meeting, held on Sabbath afternoon, in 
 one of the Halls of the city. This last organization 
 being in its infancy, he was anxious that it should 
 be a success. He often addressed it, and served 
 it one term as President. He continued to meet 
 with it until his frequent absences from the city 
 made it impossible to do so longer. 
 
 He seldom rested one Sabbath, for his calls to 
 the Churches became more numerous than he 
 eould respond to. Far and near he went to at- 
 tend Quarterly -meetings, and encourage weak 
 
152 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Churches to rally to the work. Of course, this 1 
 made extra work — requiring very much night, or 
 early morning work. He would not write even- 
 ings, because so weary. After a few hours sleep, 
 he would awake refreshed, and could accomplish 
 much more in a short time. Many mornings he 
 has arisen at one o'clock to write, or prepare 
 " copy." Indeed, nearly all his editorials during 
 these years of conflict, were written by lamp-light,. 
 in early morning. The matter for the paper 
 must be furnished in time — the affairs of the Office 
 must be attended to, supplies must be kept on 
 hand. Thus the dollars must be made to go as 
 far as possible. Retrenchments in every way must 
 be made. All his energies, all his time and talents 
 were given to the cause. He could talk of noth- 
 ing, think of nothing beside, and the burden of his 
 prayers was for direction and help in the work 
 before him. Memory brings to mind seasons of 
 earnest pleadings for wisdom, for a constant guid- 
 ance, for he did not want to go forward except he 
 heard the command " Go forward," from his 
 leader, God. 
 
 During one of the sessions of the Allegheny 
 Conference, the way seemed blocked. The pow- 
 ers of darkness for a time appeared to prevail. 
 He felt that he could not go forward unless he 
 had some token, that it was Lord's will. He 
 spent the entire night in prayer. Alone, nearly 
 all the time with God, like one of old, he felt he 
 could not let him go except he bless. His prayer 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 
 
 153 
 
 Was, " Oh Lord show me the path of duty. Give me 
 the light to walk in. If it is thy will that »we, as a 
 denomination, should disband, make it plain to me ; 
 if not, open the way. 1 cannot give it up — I must 
 know thy will. I cannot— I will not go forward 
 unless thou dost direct the way." All night was 
 spent on his knees pleading. Just as daylight 
 appears to drive away nature's darkness, so the 
 " light of God" shone around him, making duty 
 plain. Almost an audible voice said u Go for- 
 ward ; I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." 
 From that time, no matter what the opposition, or 
 how great the obstacles, he felt the calm assur- 
 ance that God was with us, and " who can be 
 against us." He walked constantly in " that light," 
 feeling that " one with God, is a majority." He 
 would often hear of unkind letters having been 
 written, unkind personal remarks having been 
 made, but I never knew him to manifest a spirit 
 of retaliation. He almost always used to say " I 
 am so sorry for them, they are not happy, or they 
 would not say such things." Many times he used 
 this language in his prayers, " Lord, bless our 
 enemies, if we have any. Touch their hearts, 
 change their language and save their souls." 
 
 One who left the Wesleyans during this move- 
 ment, said to him, " Now, brother Crooks, you are 
 ambitious, and you can take a high position in 
 other Churches, and why do you remain with those 
 
 who are left. They are poor, illiterate and hum- 
 
 7* 
 
154 THELTFEOF 
 
 ble, and you cannot expect eminence if you remain 
 with them." His answer was, — u I am ambitious 
 only to do God's will. I want 10 fill the place he 
 has for me ; to do the work he gives me to do. 
 God will take care of me and my reputation/' 
 
 When our people took courage, and began to 
 build churches, he was sent for, far and near to 
 dedicate them. I think it was in the Winter of 
 1867, he went to Iowa. It was extremely cold. 
 He had to work early and late, to be able to leave 
 the Office. He was gone six days, of which he 
 rode five days and nights. He took his luncheon 
 along to save expenses, as they were not able to 
 do more than barely defray his expenses. In 
 1873 he went to the same State, was gone seven 
 days, and rode five days and nights. He never 
 spared himself if he thought the cause of God 
 needed his labors. If expostulated with, he would 
 say, " It is labor here and rest hereafter." There 
 was so much to be done — so much that would 
 have to go undone, if he did not step forward and 
 do it, that he could not rest. It is easy to stand 
 and look on, and enjoin care of self, but it is hard 
 for an earnest worker to see the cause of Christ 
 suffer for the want of efficient laborers, or for the 
 want of means to pay others for doing the work a 
 Many, very many times he stepped forward to lift 
 the burdens for others, when he ought to have been 
 relieved. During his ten years and over, of hard 
 labor at the Wesleyan Office, and his attention to 
 the interests of the Connection, he never had one 
 
R.EV. ADAM CROOKS. 155 
 
 Week's rest; not one week in which he could lay 
 his cares aside and seek repose. When the pastors 
 of the various Churches of this city would be tak- 
 ing their Summer vacations among green fields and 
 pleasant surroundings, it was a heavy cross for me 
 to see my precious one toiling on, regardless of 
 heat or dust— weariness of body or mind— every 
 day using all his strength. Sometimes it seemed to 
 me that ail the change for him was added care, or 
 a little more work. 
 
 At the General Conference held in Cleveland, 
 Ohio, in the fall of 1867, he was re-appointed 
 Editor and Agent. For more than five years 
 he had the entire charge of the Connectional inter- 
 ests. He was editor of two papers ; manager of 
 finances, both of Publishing Association and Mis- 
 sionary Society. He also carried on an extensive 
 correspondence with all parts of the work. He 
 was ready to entertain all who came, and had a 
 cheerful, hopeful word for every one. During 
 these years he often had ague and fever ; also, was 
 subject to attacks of billious colic, when, for a few 
 hours, he was a terrible sufferer. He did not take 
 much medicine; for rest of body and of mind was 
 what he most needed. He could not believe that 
 his constitution was being undermined ; that the 
 seeds of disease were being sown, which would 
 destroy his strong, healthy body. His heart and 
 hands were so full of "labors more abundant," 
 that he did not take time to realize his danger. 
 
156 THE LIFE" OF" 
 
 When sick, his greatest anxiety was to get well 
 for fear the work would suffer. 
 
 In the spring of 1868 the first National Anti- 
 Secret Convention met in Pittsburg, Pa. He wa& 
 a delegate, and in 1869, a State Convention of the 
 same kind was held in Syracuse, over which he 
 presided. I give the resolutions passed by the 
 State Convention held in Rochester a few days 
 after his death; also a few of his reasons why 
 Christians should oppose those societies. 
 
 PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 a Whereas : — In the midst of our rejoicings in prosperi- 
 ty, the pall of an inexpressible sadness has been recently 
 spread over us, in the event of the death of Kev, Adam 
 Crooks, one of the most able and efficient members of our 
 State Association, --^And, 
 
 " Whereas : — In early life Brother Crooks identified 
 himself with the cause of reform, and with heart, and 
 pen, and voice, has ever stood in the forefront of every 
 great moral conflict, battling for God and the right ; and 
 he attended the first National Convention Opposed to Se-< 
 eret Societies, held at Pittsburgh, Pa., and was elected 
 one of the officers of the National Association then and 
 there organized, — And, 
 
 11 Whereas: — From his early association with this 
 work of reform, and the great abilities and devout piety 
 he brought to the work, we had learned to look to him 
 as one of our most honored and trusted leaders, — And, 
 
 "Whereas : — A God of infinite wisdom and unbound- 
 ed goodness has called our dear brother from the conflicts 
 of earth to the rest of heaven, your Committee have ap- 
 pended the following resolutions — if it please the Conven- 
 tion for their adoption : — 
 
 " Besolved— 1. That in the death of Rev. Adam Crooks, 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 157 
 
 from his great force of personal character, his superior 
 abilities, the efficiency of his pen, we feel deeply, as a Con- 
 vention, oar great loss. 
 
 " Resolved — 2. That inspired by the example of Brother 
 Crooks, and others who have fallen at their posts, we will 
 close ranks, lock shields, and press in the name of God to 
 victory. 
 
 "Resolved — 3. That our warmest sympathies are tendered 
 to the widow of Brother Crooks, and all afflicted in the 
 death of members of this association during the year last 
 past ; and we do most earnestly pray that Divine grace 
 may prove their sufficient support and consolation. 
 '• All of which is most respectfully submitted. 
 
 N. Wardner, CWn Com. 
 
 D. Kirkpatrick, Pres. 
 
 Edwin Barnetson, Serfy." 
 
 EXTRACT FROM SUPPLEMENT TO " AN INQUI- 
 RY INTO FREEMASONRY AND ODDFEL- 
 LOWSHIP." 
 
 "The Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America 
 does antagonize those fraternities. In all kind- 
 ness, yet with much plainness, the following pages 
 set forth some of the prominent reasons for such 
 attitude. We write with the single object of 
 serving the interests of Christ's kingdom. Read 
 and ponder with the candor of Christian honesty. 
 
 " I. In its pretensions to great antiquity as also 
 in the history of its degrees, Masonry evidences a 
 criminal disregard for truth. Instance a few ex- 
 amples ; and only a few. As every person intel- 
 ligent upon the subject knows, Masonry professes 
 to date back to the days of Adam and Enoch, and 
 narrates how by the agency of the latter its 
 
158 THE LIFE OF 
 
 1 precious jewels' were preserved through the 
 flood.— That it has its A. L.— Year of Light, dat- 
 ing back 5874 years, — That it teaches that Solo* 
 mon and cotemporaries, Hiram Abiff, the widow's 
 son, and Hiram, King of Tyre, were three Grand 
 Master Masons, — That Hiram Abiff was cruelly 
 murdered by three Felloe Crafts, Jubela, Jubelo, 
 Jubelum, for firmly refusing to give them the Mas- 
 ter's word, and for which they respectively suffered 
 the dreadful penalties of the first three degrees of 
 Masonry, — That anciently the Word of God was 
 preserved from being lost through Masonry, — -That 
 the omission of the name of Jesus in the Blue 
 Lodge prayers is owing to the fact that Masonry is 
 more ancient than Christianity,— That the two 
 Saints, John the Baptist and John the Evangelist 
 were patrons ol Masonry,-— and very much more of 
 like character. 
 
 u Speaking in unvarnished terminology, the Editor 
 of the American Freemason, a Monthly, published in 
 the interest of the Fraternity, said of the story of 
 the murder of Hiram Abiff, parroted as history in 
 the lodges every week, that its ' every sentence is 
 a lie.' And as every scholar knows, Jubela, Jube. 
 lo, Jubelum, who according to Masonic lore murder- 
 ed Hiram Abiff, are not Tyrean but Latin names, 
 and that the Latin language did not have existence 
 till some three hundred years after Solomon and 
 the two Hirams ; and that therefore the story is not 
 only false, but ridiculous. But in the presence of 
 such boastful pretensions to antiquity, what are we 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 159 
 
 to think of the following confessions to the recent 
 nativity of Masonry ? Steinbrenner, an able Ma- 
 sonic historian, admits that Speculative Freema- 
 sonry dates no further back than 1717 — less than 
 160 years. Now what becomes of the stories 
 about Enoch, and Solomon, and Hiram Abiff, and 
 Jubela, Jubelo, Jubelum, and the preserving the 
 Word of God from being lost, and of the omission 
 of the name of Jesus because of the superior an- 
 tiquity of Masonry, and of the two Saints John, and 
 of its ' Year of Light ?' But Dr, Dalco, compiler 
 of the book of Constitutions for the State of South 
 Carolina, meets these pretentious claims with a 
 direct contradiction. He says, 'Neither Adam, 
 nor Noah, nor Nimrod, nor Moses, nor Joshua, nor 
 David, nor Solomon, nor Hiram, nor St. John the 
 Baptist, nor St, John the Evangelist, were Free- 
 masons. Hypothesis in history is absurd. There 
 is no record, sacred or profane, to induce us to be- 
 lieve that those holy men were Freemasons j and 
 our traditions do not go back to those days. 
 To assert that they were Freemasons may make the vul. 
 gar stare, but will rather excite the contempt than the 
 admiration of the wise.'' 
 
 "II, Profanity is specifically forbidden in the 
 Word of God. ' Thou shalt not take the name of 
 the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not 
 hold him guiltless who taketh his name 'in vain.' 
 Ex. xx : 7. Jesus is very specific and minute. 
 'But I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by 
 heaven, for it is God's throne ; nor by the earth, 
 
160 THE LIFE OP 
 
 for it is his footstool ; neither by Jerusalem, for it 
 is the city of the Great King ; neither shalt thou 
 swear by thy head ; because thou canst not make 
 one hair white or black. But let your communica- 
 tion be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is 
 more than these, cometh of evil.' Matt, v : 34, 35, 
 36. And St. James emphasizes this prohibition in 
 the words following : l But above all things, my 
 brethren, swear not; neither by heaven; neither 
 by the earth ; neither by any other oath" Jas. v : 
 12. The duty of the Church to prohibit profanity 
 no person of common intelligence can doubt. But 
 Freemasonry is built upon swearing. Every dis- 
 tinct obligation in every degree is taken by swear- 
 ing. In the first seven degrees there are over 
 half a hundred distinct oaths. And this terrible 
 swearing is going on throughout the Country in all 
 the Lodges, every week ! Every person must know, 
 upon a moment's reflection, what must be the in- 
 fluence of such familiar use of the name of Deity. 
 With so much swearing in the Lodges, no marvel 
 that the earth almost groans beneath abounding 
 profanity. Hence, in-so-far as it is the duty of 
 the Church to prohibit profanity, it is her duty to 
 protest and oppose Freemasonry ; seeing that eYery 
 stone in this superstructure, from foundation to 
 cap-stone, is laid in profanity — swearing authorized, 
 by no law," either human or divine. 
 
 "III. The obligations of Freemasonry are taken 
 in ignorance, and under circumstances which pre- 
 clude the possibility of the due consideration of 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 161 
 
 their character. Still further : The higher degrees 
 rest upon and are supported by the lower ; and the 
 members of the lower degrees are assumed to be 
 in utter ignorance of the obligations of the higher. 
 Thus, by the very organic structure of the institu- 
 tion, the members of the lower degrees are sup- 
 porting under oath and death-penalty, they know not 
 what. That the Church cannot innocently tolerate 
 such reckless disregard of the sacred obligations of 
 morality and the valued interests of mankind, is 
 self-manifest. 
 
 " IY. But not only are the obligations of Free- 
 masonry assumed and supported in ignorance, but 
 some of these obligations are essentially criminal. 
 We instance the obligation to keep the secret of a 
 brother Master Mason, communicated as such, as 
 inviolable as in his own breast, murder and treason 
 only excepted; and in the Royal Arch degree, 
 ' murder and treason not excepted,' — that to flee 
 to the relief of a brother Master Mason giving the 
 sign of distress, at the risk of life ; and this wholly 
 irrespective of what may be the occasion of his 
 distress — and. that to espouse the cause of a com- 
 panion Royal Arch Mason engaged in any difficul- 
 ty, so far as may be necessary to rescue him there- 
 from, whether he be right or wrong. [See Morgan's 
 Expose of Freemasonry, pp. 74, 75 ; Light on Ma- 
 sonry, pp. 74, 75; Finney's Letters, pp. 90, 91. 
 Also xiii Wendell, pp. 9 — 26.] Palpably, such 
 obligations are alike incompatible with the duties 
 of the citizen and the Christian, obstructive of the 
 
162 THE LIFE OF 
 
 just administration of civil and ecclesiastical law; 
 and therefore essentially subversive of both Church 
 and State. Civil Government is as really ordained 
 of God as is the marriage relation ; and hence, it 
 is as much the dnty of the Church to maintain the 
 former as the latter. Therefore, by all that binds 
 the Church to maintain its own purity and life, as 
 also the integrity of the State, it is bound to an- 
 tagonize Freemasonry. 
 
 " V. Everywhere the Scriptures teach to hold in 
 sacred regard, human life. But everywhere Masonry 
 pawns the lives of its votaries. We enumerate 
 some of its horrid penalties. — The throat cut 
 across — -the tongue torn out by the roots — the left 
 breast torn open and the heart and vitals' taken 
 thence — the body severed in the midst and the 
 bowels burned to ashes — tongue split from tip to 
 root — the skull smote off, &c, &c. No reflecting 
 mind can fail to see how essentially anti-Christian 
 and barbarous are such penalties ; nor yet how 
 barbarizing the influence of making the mind fa- 
 miliar with such monstrous mutilations. What 
 kind of imprecations are these for civilized men ; 
 saying nothing of Christians and Christian minis- 
 ters ? Thus while Christianity enjoins love, bless- 
 ing, and forgiveness of enemies, Freemasonry 
 binds to vengeance and murder 1 
 
 " VI. But this thought gathers additional empha- 
 sis from the well-authenticated facts of history that 
 Secret Societies have been the foster-nests of Jacob- 
 inism, Communism, Political Revolution and every 
 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 163 
 
 form of Skepticism. Read Barruel's four volumes, 
 and Robinson's Evidences of Conspiracy against 
 both Civil Government and the Christian Religion. 
 Hence, naturally enough, Voltaire, D'Alambert, Did- 
 erot, Condorcet, Robespierre and fellow conspira- 
 tors, called into requisition secrecy, for the effectu- 
 ation of their diabolical purposes. Even Commun- 
 ism is but Freemasonry gone to seed. For, from 
 the Masonic position of a belief in some God, but 
 utter indifference as to which, there is but a single step 
 to the position of no God. Hence, to an extent 
 which the masses but little suspect, Freemasonry 
 and free thinking (Skepticism) are confederates. 
 And this connection is both philosophic and historic. 
 Hence, too, Communists are Atheists of the coars- 
 est type. Only think ! — in his great work on Mod- 
 ern Doubt and Christian Belief, page 30, Christ- 
 lieb makes note of a Secret Society in a Prussian 
 gymnasium, consisting of boys between thirteen 
 and fifteen years of age, the very first paragraph 
 of its rules commencing with — ' Any one believing 
 in a God is thereby excluded from this society.' 
 Thus, boys in their first teens are committed to 
 the dogma, fatal as it is senseless, of ' no God !' 
 But none can doubt that this society is modeled 
 after one whose initiates are ' boys of larger 
 growth.' Hence, as the divinely appointed con- 
 servator of all interests sacred to either God or 
 humanity, it is the high duty of the Christian 
 Church to antagonize such fraternities . 
 
 " VII. Again : As Secret Societies are organized 
 
1 4 THE LIFE OP 
 
 favoritism, which ever <and anon pushes justice 
 from her throne ; puts one up, and another down 
 not because of personal merit, but the. senseless^ 
 figments of grips, signs and pass-words 5 thus un- 
 settling the eternal sub-basis of the whole social 
 fabric — community, Church and State; and, as 
 the God-appointed work of the Church is to ' es- 
 tablish judgment in the earth,' in the very nature 
 of the case, her divine mission cannot be accom- 
 plished without the overthrow of these societies. 
 This single fact makes her duty plain. 
 
 " VIII. The Bible teaches everywhere the insep- 
 arableness of purity and acceptable worship. If we 
 regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not 
 hear us, ' Holiness becometh thine house, Lord, 
 forever.' ' Worship the Lord in the beauty of 
 holiness.' 'He that turneth away his ear from 
 hearing the law, — even his prayer shall be abomi- 
 nation.' But aside from its caricature of the Bi- 
 ble narrative of Moses and the burning bush, where 
 puny man is heard saying, ' I am that I am,' as in 
 the Royal Arch degree ; aside from their mixing 
 repeated falsehood with the exclamation — ' Holi- 
 ness unto the Lord !' as in the pretended finding 
 of the Ark of the Lord containing the Law, the 
 manna and the rod that budded ; from the admix- 
 ture of prayer and unmanly mummery ; and aside 
 from the mimic performances of the visions of the 
 Revel ator, as in Rev. v, vi, and vii : in which four 
 old men with inflated bladders, represent the four 
 angels of God, having in command the four winds 
 
165 
 
 of heaven, and worthy Masons in white robes, 
 coming up to the throne, ' having washed their 
 robes in their own blood !' — Aside from all these 
 performances, revolting to every sentiment of rev- 
 erence, these secret orders divorce, in the sanctu- 
 ary of the soul, the divinely united ideas of purity 
 and worship, by frequently appointing lips notori- 
 ously profane to parrot prayers into the ears of 
 Jehovah; thus perverting the heart and mind in 
 their deepest fountains — obliterating all just con- 
 ceptions of acceptable worship. This single fact 
 might well cause holy angels to weep, and suffi- 
 ciently defines the duty of the Christian Church. 
 
 " IX. By all its multitudinous oaths, frightful 
 death-penalties, and tormenting dread of the vari- 
 ous vengeance of the Craft, Freemasonry seeks to 
 bind the soul for life, in the holy sanctuary of its 
 convictions of right. It may be filled and thrilled 
 with horror in view of its obligations and associa- 
 tions, and yet find itself fastened to f this body of 
 death' by cords of more than steel. This lament- 
 able truth addresses itself not only to the con- 
 science of every Christian, but also to the heart of 
 every true American. The true Church every- 
 where cries out — l Loose the human conscience, 
 and let it go free.' 
 
 " X. While seeming to reverence the Bible, as 
 containing the revealed will of G-od, Freemasonry 
 in reality degrades it to a level with the 
 Veda, the Shaster, the Koran, the Zen Davesta, 
 and the sacred books of all nations. In this re- 
 
166 THE LIFE OF 
 
 gard, no distinction is made between the true and 
 the false, the clean and the unclean. With this in- 
 stitution, all are of like authority ; or rather want 
 of authority, as having the Divine sanction. Proof: 
 - — Chase's Digest of Masonic Law, page 207: ' In 
 fact, Blue Lodge Masonry has nothing whatever to 
 do with the Bible.' Of course he means, as of di- 
 vine authority. In Masonic Jurisprudence, Mackey 
 laj s it down as a fundamental Landmark in Masonry, 
 that a l Book of the Law' shall constitute an indis- 
 pensable part of the furniture of every Lodge.' — 
 That is, ' that volume which, by the religion of the 
 country is believed to contain the revealed will of 
 the Grand Architect of the universe.' — Pages 33? 
 34. Mark — believed ' by the religion of the 
 country' — not by the Masons. To tamely acquiesce 
 in this degradation of God's Holy Word to the 
 level of the Hindoo Shaster, the Zen Davesta of 
 the worshipers of fire, and the oracles of all the 
 false religions would outrage even manly honor, to 
 say nothing of Christian consistency. 
 
 u XL The religion of Freemasonry is a rival to 
 Christ's religion. That it intrudes upon the do- 
 main of Religion is manifest from its creed, altar, 
 prayer, priesthood, &c. Chalmers I. Paton, an 
 English Masonic writer says : ' It needs little 
 proof to show that Freemasonry is essentially and 
 thoroughly of a religious nature.' ' Religion is 
 inwrought into the whole system of Masonic cere- 
 monies.' Again: — * It everywhere exhibits the 
 same religious nature.' [See his work on its 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 167 
 
 i Symbolism, Religions Nature and Law of Per- 
 fection,' page 447, and first paragraph in Preface.] 
 Rev. Geo. Oliver, Lieutenant Grand Commander 
 of the Supreme Grand Council of the Thirty-third 
 Degree for England and Wales, says — ' Freema- 
 sonry was revealed by God himself to the first 
 man.' ' Masonry, in the first ages of the world, 
 was therefore a pure religion.' l The Order of 
 the Royal Arch is founded exclusively on religion.' 
 Star in the East, pages 2 and 8. Now, if a reli- 
 gion at all, it must be a rival religion — (1) By 
 claiming time, attention, money, devotion. (2) By, 
 in some sense, ministering to man's religious na- 
 ture and thus tending to satisfy it. (3) By 
 claiming to do for man all that Christ proposes — 
 found a universal brotherhood — establish univers- 
 al peace— regenerate — free from sin — insure a 
 passport from the Lodge below to the Grand 
 Lodge above. We have room for but a few 
 quotations. Mackey in his Lexicon of Freemasonry, 
 page 16, says thus: i Acacian — A term derived 
 from ajiauia, ' innocence,' signifies a Mason, who, 
 by living in strict obedience to the obligations and 
 precepts of the fraternity, is free from sin.' In a 
 recent work by L. E. Reynolds, P. M. 7 and P. H. P., 
 and recommended by the Masonic Trowel of June 
 15, 1870, as 'void of ostentation, candid in state- 
 ment, and worthy the study of every Mas.on who 
 desires to take a comprehensive and philosophical 
 view of great principles, and all students and rea- 
 soners will be delighted with its unfoldings and 
 
168 THE LIFE OF 
 
 processes,' we find the following remarkable avow- 
 als : ' Masonry does not deal with the perversions 
 of things, but is only illustrative of the regenerate 
 man.' ' A Lodge in general signifies heaven, or 
 the dwelling-place of the Lord, and includes all on 
 earth who are being prepared for heaven.' 'Each 
 man who is about to be regenerated, is led by his 
 guardian angel to the door of the Lodge, of which 
 it is said, ' Seek and ye shall find ; knock and it 
 shall be opened,' ' Regeneration or Masonry 
 proceeds in progressive order or states' (degrees.) 
 ' Man cannot work or correct the irregularities of 
 life, until he is clothed with innocence or the badge 
 of a Mason.' He then becomes a divine, spirit- 
 ual man or Master Mason.' pp. 101, 237, 188, 
 219, 214, 131. Now, is not this very candid, and 
 unostentatious, and philosophical ? And in his ' Sys- 
 tem of Speculative Masonry,' page 79, Salem Town 
 says : l Then (in die fourth degree) the Freemason 
 is assured of his election and final salvation. 1 But 
 (4) It claims superior merit. Steinbrenner, in 
 Origin of Masonry, pages 13, 14, styles it ' that 
 higher religion, which indeed embraces the lower 
 religion of creeds and sects ;' and in the category 
 of sects, it places the Christian religion. And Re- 
 bold, in the History of Freemasonry, decries the 
 Christian, Jewish, Mohammedan, and all other reli- 
 gions, and extols Masonry as destined to supplant 
 them ail, and become the ' Universal Religion.' 
 And finally : As a matter of positive experience, in 
 both Germany and France, the Lodge is largely 
 
&EV. ADAM CROOKS, 169 
 
 •supplanting the Churchy especially in the larger 
 towns and cities. Thus ; just as the Lodge goes 
 up the Church goes down. And John D. Caldwell, 
 4 Grand Secretary' of ' Select Masters' in Ohio, 
 frankly avowed that in this Country also, Mason- 
 ry is ' Disintegrating the Church.' Shall the 
 Church of Christ tolerate, caress, and warm into 
 life this destructive rival ? Shall its life-blood con- 
 tinue to be drained thus, as by a vampire ? Shall 
 it commit suicide by default, and basely and unre- 
 sistingly deliver to its enemies ' the last hope of 
 humanity ?' May a merciful Grod avert such dire 
 calamity! Surely all true Christians must say, 
 Amen. 
 
 " XII. Being a rival to Christ's religion, it is a 
 false religion, and lures to ruin. 
 
 n/ o 
 
 " 1. Its claims to establish a Universal Brother- 
 hood are false. (1) In its very nature it is re- 
 stricted to the few. Excluding all women and 
 children, all cripples, and all the aged and indi- 
 gent, it cannot be universal. (2) The basis is 
 false — seeking to unite moral repellents — licrht 
 and darkness, Christ and Belial. Where is the 
 wisdom of attempting such impossibility? (3) 
 The basis is wrong, if even possible. To treat the 
 true and false, the good and the bad all alike is 
 shockingly horrible ; yet this is the Masonic mode 
 of treating all religions. 
 
 "2. Its boastful claims of being cosmopolitan 
 and of mutual toleration of all religions is also 
 
170 THE LIFE OF 
 
 false. The Christian law requires prayer only in 
 the name of Jesus.- — 'No man cometh unto the 
 Father but by me.' To such prayer in the Lodges 
 the Jew, Infidel, Parsee, &c, object. Mutual con- 
 cession would plainly say — ' Let the Christian pray 
 in the name of Jesus, when he leads, and the Jew, 
 &c, without it.'— A concession , by the way, Christ- 
 ians have no right to make. But does Masonry do 
 this ? By no means, The conscience of the Jew, 
 Infidel, Parsee, &c, must be held sacred, but the 
 law and conscience of the Christian must go into 
 the dust, Thus does Masonry, down to the sev- 
 enth degree, discriminate against our only Lord 
 and Savior, and in favor of his enemies. 
 
 ".3. Its professions to save, are also false. As seen 
 above, it professes to 'free from sin,' regenerate, 
 make a man divine, and insure l final salvation. 
 But there is 'no other name under heaven given 
 among men, whereby we must be saved' but that 
 of Jesus. Acts, iv : 12. This name the religion of 
 Masonry rejects. 
 
 " This conducts to the final proposition, viz : Free- 
 masonry is essentially anti- Christ. Christianity pro- 
 poses to bring man back to God by Jesus Christ as 
 the only way. 'There is one God, and one Media- 
 tor between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.' 
 1 Tim. ii: 5. 'There is no other name under 
 heaven given among men, whereby we must be 
 saved.' Acts, iv: 12. 'No man cometh unto the 
 Father but by me.' John, xiv : 7. ' Whatsoever 
 ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 171 
 
 Lord Jesus/ Col. iii : 17 'That at the name of 
 Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, 
 and things in earth, and things under the earth ; 
 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus 
 Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' 
 Phil, ii: 10, 11. ' He is anti- Christ that denieth 
 the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, 
 the same hath not the Father.' 1 John, ii : 22, 23. 
 ' There shall be no false teachers among you, who 
 privily ('stealthily and unobserved') shall bring 
 in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that 
 bought them, and bring upon themselves swift de- 
 struction.' 2 Pet. ii : 1. 'But he that denieth me 
 before men, shall be denied before the angels of 
 God.' — Luke, xii: 9. In the face of all these pas- 
 sages of the Inspired Word, and others which 
 might be quoted, Freemasonry sets up a religion 
 professing to save men ; but denies Jesus — disal- 
 lowing the use of his name even in its approaches 
 to God ; and thus assails Christianity in its divine 
 Centre. Indeed, in the seventh degree, it does not 
 hesi:ate to cut his name from passages of his Holy 
 Word which it professes to quote. [See Sickles' 
 Freemasons' Monitor, pp. 50, 51.] True, prayer 
 is sometimes offered in the Lodges in the name of 
 Jesus, but only by sufferance, and in violation of the 
 promise to 'cheerfully conform to all the ancient 
 established usages and customs of the fraternity.' 
 "Now, unless Christianity is a farce and a cheat, 
 to ignore Jesus Christ in our approaches to God 
 in prayer, is no less an abomination than are bold 
 
172 THE LIFE OF 
 
 blasphemy and idolatry ; and Freemasonry is de- 
 fined and proven to be both 'a deceiver and an an- 
 ti-Christ 1 But in the degree of Knights Adepts 
 of the Eagle or Sun,— The Key of Masonry— the 
 fraternity speaks for itself. Hear its words. 'Be- 
 hold, my dear brother, what you must fight against 
 and destroy, before you can come to the knowledge 
 of the true good and sovereign happiness! 1 Well, 
 what is it ? Harken ! ' Behold this monster, which 
 you must conquer— & serpent which ive detest as an 
 idol that is adored by the idiot and vulgar under the 
 name of RELIGION!!!' (Revealed religion is 
 meant.) ' Light on Masonry,' pp, 270, 271. 
 
 " There you have it in a nutshell, in their own 
 words ! Is it any marvel that the Lodge ' disinte- 
 grates the Church ?' Is not this sufficiently anti- 
 Christ ? 
 
 " And it is but due to state that Odd Fellowship 
 also excludes the name of Jesus from its authorized 
 formulas of prayer. The same, we believe, is true 
 of some of the Good Templar and Granger prayers. 
 All these things being true, it follows with the force 
 of irresistible sequence : — 
 
 " 1. That whatever there may be in Freemasonry 
 and kindred institutions that is commendable, it 
 cannot compensate for their demerits and essentially 
 anti- Christian character, 
 
 " 2 That it is the sacred duty of all who are not 
 entangled in the meshes of Masonry and kindred 
 Christ-rcjectiug institutions to keep themselves for- 
 ever free therefrom. 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 173 
 
 " 3. That it is the sacred duty of all, especially 
 of every patriot, Christian and Christian minister 
 thus entangled, to immediately and forever terminate 
 his connection therewith. 
 
 " That it is duty to repent of and not perform a 
 wicked oath is palpable. Instance the oath of 
 Herod to Herodias' dancing daughter, resulting in 
 the cruel murder of John the Baptist, — that of the 
 forty men to kill Paul ; and that of David to slay 
 Nabal, and all the strength of his house. 1 Sam. 
 xxv : 22. — See also, Lev. v: 4, 5. 
 
 " 4. That as Christianity is not only negative, but 
 radically positive, it is the most sacred duty of 
 every Christian, Christian minister and Church, to 
 in every legitimate way, both by teaching and dis- 
 cipline, testify against and antagonize a religion 
 which is at once without equity and without a 
 Christ. 
 
 " 5. That it is the plainly enjoined duty of every 
 true Christian, whether minister or layman, to 
 withdraw fellowship from all religious denomina- 
 tions which persistently refuse to thus testify 
 against monstrous sin. — The Apostle, in a manner 
 the most solemn, says : ' Now we command you, 
 brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that 
 walketh disorderly.' 2 Thes. iii : 6. Again : 'And 
 I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Come out of 
 her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her 
 sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.' Rev. 
 xviii : 4. Thus it is clear that to remain in fellow- 
 
174 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ship with religious bodies which tolerate great and 
 crying sins, is to become partaker of such sins — is 
 to virtually endorse them as not sins. 
 
 " The power we oppose is mighty. The princes 
 and peoples of all provinces fall before it, as be- 
 fore the image of gold upon the plains of Dura. 
 The populace have learned to list with silent awe 
 and bated breath to its thundering laudations. It 
 has superinduced its potent influence upon tongue, 
 and type, and pulpit, and press, and platform, and 
 colleges, and courts, and Congresses — every forma- 
 tive force in society — and thus well-nigh bound 
 both Church and State as with fetters of iron. 
 There is no moment to be lost in taking cowardly 
 counsel of unmanly fears. If this foe is mighty, 
 truth is almighty. Enough to know that our cause 
 is just j and that immortal interests are involved, 
 If we can innocently ignore Christ in prayer once, 
 we can always. And there is no neutral ground. 
 We must take sides. To surrender Christ, is vir- 
 tually to surrender Christianity. In the name of all 
 that is sacred in human destiny, these pages plead 
 against a surrender so costly. With such a cause, 
 shall we plead in vain ? Ministers of the gospel, 
 with the vows of God upon your souls, what do 
 you say ? Reader : the one question for you to set- 
 tle is — Will you at any cost be loyal to Jesus 
 Christ ? He is appointed our final Judge. If we 
 deny Him, He will deny us. The verdicts of 
 Time are of little account. Be sure that your an- 
 swer is such as the decisions of Eternity will appro- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 175 
 
 bate. Heaven, in mercy, impart the grace needed 
 to fearlessly, and by all legitimate means, antago- 
 nize banded treason against the purity of the 
 Church, integrity of the State, and the world's only 
 Savior." , 
 
 In June 1870, he wrote as follows: — 
 
 DUTY RESPECTING THE TEMPERANCE MOVE- 
 MENT. 
 
 " Now that the Heaven-insulting and Man- 
 victimizing crime of chattel slavery has been 
 abolished in this Country, the patriot, philanthro- 
 pist and Christian can bestow more exclusive 
 attention upon the soul-and-body-destroying evil 
 of the rum-traffic. Human duty is one of the 
 greatest thoughts that cau occupy human attention* 
 And duty respecting the temperance movement is 
 well worthy the most candid and careful consid- 
 eration. 
 
 " Begin with self. We need scarcely say that 
 it is the individual duty to be consistently temper- 
 ate. No man has a right to mar and scar the 
 handy-workmanship of his Creator by self-inflic- 
 tions in any form. Intemperance involves the 
 highest possible inflictions upon the entire mam 
 It is murder by protracted process, perpetrated 
 upon his physical being, his social nature, his in- 
 tellectual powers, and upon his deathless spirit. 
 It is a matchless wrong inflicted upon self, which 
 no man has, or can have, a right to perpetrate. 
 Murder is the greatest wrong that can possibly be 
 
1 76 THK LIFE OF 
 
 inflicted ; and drunkenness is self-murder in the 
 worst possible form. 
 
 " Next to personal, is parental duty. Those 
 who are false to self, will not be true to family, or 
 any other' interest. Heaven has committed to 
 parents the fearful responsibility of training their 
 children. Upon them devolved the unspeakably 
 delicate duty of laying the foundation stones in the 
 superstructure of their children's character, and 
 thus to an extent in the presence of which an 
 angel might well tremble, determine their children's' 
 destiny, both for this and the future world. The 
 fiery cup of death and damnation should be care- 
 fully kept from their tender lips. Early in life,, 
 upon the father and mother's knee they should be 
 made intelligent as to its dreadful effects, and 
 taught to shun it as they would the bite of a ser- 
 pent, or sting of an adder. All domestic wines or 
 juices, having the least particle of alcohol should 
 be excluded the domestic circle, as Satan and his 
 legions were excluded from heaven. The principle 
 of total abstinence from all that can intoxicate 
 should be inwrought into the very web-work of 
 their souls. What parent would not welcome the 
 deadly knife of the assassin to the heart of his 
 child, rather than the thrice deadly fang of this 
 liquid serpent of perdition and the woeful fate of 
 the drunkard? Then, by the love you bear for 
 those precious, priceless jewels of immortal worth,, 
 see that no efforts are untried to fortify them 
 against all possibility of a doom so dreadful. As 
 
KEV. ADAM CROOKS. 177 
 
 Hamilcar pledged his son Hannibal, when but 
 nine years old, to eternal hostility against Home, 
 so in like manner, let all our children be pledged 
 to ceaseless war upon tliis chief enemy of God and 
 man. By every consideration sacred to a parent's 
 heart, we solemnly adjure them all to the faithful 
 performance of this duty. 
 
 " Bat the sphere of duty is not confined to self 
 and the home-circle. There is the place to begin, 
 but not to stop. We are interwoven with the 
 warp and Woof of society. In spite of ourselves, 
 our lives must, for weal or for woe, affect the 
 fortunes of others. This fact constitutes the sub- 
 basis of an enlarged area of obligation. (1.) We 
 are to do others no harm. (2.) We are to do all 
 possible good, both to their souls and bodies j and 
 (3.) We are to protect them against wrong at the 
 hands of others. Not enough that we do our 
 neighbor no harm. Not enough that we do him 
 all the good we can personally. We may not in- 
 nocently stand by and permit the infliction of 
 injuries by others. These principles are funda- 
 mental to the social compact; and applied to the 
 subject of Temperance, they (1.) Forbid all 
 agency, direct or indirect, in the manufacture, sale, 
 purchase, or use of intoxicating liquors, as a 
 beverage. (2.) Require that we should do our 
 utmost to influence all others to practice habits of 
 strictest temperance. (3,) That, by forces, both 
 moral and legal, we prevent all others from the 
 8* 
 
178 THE LIFE OP 
 
 worse than murderous traffic in liquors that can 
 intoxicate. And while it is our most bounden 
 duty to do thus personally, it is no less our duty, 
 in all ways that are proper, to combine and co-act 
 with others for the realization of these results. 
 As we would drive the demon, alcohol, from the 
 paradise of home, so should we banish it from the 
 Eden of the neighborhood and community. 
 
 " The Churches have a duty to do in this regard, 
 No pulpit can be innocently silent on this subject. 
 The ministry may not imitate the example of the 
 Priest and Levite and quietly pass by the poor 
 drunkard who has fallen among thieves, and been 
 stripped not only of money and clothing, but of 
 reputation, reason and manhood as well, and left 
 more than half-dead. To the limits of ability, they 
 must be good Samaritans, and employ their utmost 
 powers, personal and official, for the speedy over- 
 throw of this monstrous iniquity. They should 
 put themselves in personal contact with the miser- 
 able drunkard and his wretched family, and by ail 
 means possible, seek their salvation. They should 
 not only denounce drunkenness, but with rebukes 
 doubly blasting, brand to blistering, the infamous 
 traffic which causes it all; and with saourge, made 
 of large or small cords, they should drive from the 
 temple all engaged in the infernal commerce. It 
 is a most disgraceful sight to see the poor victim 
 of inebriety shut within the limits of gloomy prison 
 walls, while his more guilty destroyer is welcomed 
 to the highest and softest seat in the synagogue. 
 
mv. ADAM CROOKS. 179 
 
 The cry of the slave rent the heavens, and the 
 popular Churches of the land were deaf to his cry* 
 In the name of God and humanity let them not sin 
 in like manner in relation to intemperance. 
 
 "Three things are necessary to the compassment 
 of this reformation. (1) Public sentiment must 
 be toned up to fully meet the demands of the hour. 
 This must be done by the triple power of the 
 pulpit, the platform and the press. (2) The en- 
 forcement of the laws already in existence against 
 the rum-traffic : and (3) The enactment and en- 
 forcement of all such laws as are needed. Nothing 
 short of this covers the whole ground. 
 
 "But all this means work. Forces must be or- 
 ganized, monies must be raised and appropriated. 
 There must be work in the Churches — in pulpit 
 and pew— in the Sabbath-schools, in the communi- 
 ties, in families and everywhere. Eesults as dif- 
 ficult as they are vast, are to be realized. And in 
 this God-honoring, and man-saving work, let no 
 Wesleyan minister or member be found in the rear 
 of the foremost of God's embattled hosts. The 
 forces of the enemy are organized and massed. 
 Their attitude is insolently defiant. Hence, we 
 must organize, mass forces, and " up and at them." 
 Let us have " organized victory," and with the 
 blessing of God, have it without delay." 
 
 In July, 1810, he wrote this editorial : — 
 
 ENTIRE CONSECRATION. 
 " Under this impressive caption we wish to an- 
 
180 THE LIFE OF 
 
 swer two questions. First— What is it ? Second- 
 Why should we make it? 
 
 " What is entire Consecration ? To Consecrate 
 is to set apart; to dedicate to a holy purpose. En- 
 tire Consecration is the setting apart of all, with- 
 out reservation or qualification, to the service of 
 God. 
 
 " 1. It implies an open, public committal to the 
 service of God. Secret discipleship is excluded. 
 No person can make entire Consecration to God 
 and keep that fact in concealment. This light can- 
 not be put under a bushel. If the act of Consecra- 
 tion is kept in concealment, that very fact proves 
 that it is not entire. The cross of public avowal 
 is not taken up. 
 
 " 2. It implies the Consecration of the whole be- 
 ing. All the powers of affection, all of learning, 
 of logic, of oratory, of social or civil position ; all 
 of friends and friendship — all that immediately ap- 
 pertains to the person, must be fully at the Divine 
 disposal. No part of the price must be kept back. 
 No separate interest— no antagonizing will is al- 
 lowable. Its language is, without qualification or 
 mental reservation, l Lord, here ami; send me.' 
 Send me to a hard place or an easy one, a high po- 
 sition or a low one, along a rough road or smooth 
 one ; give me many or few friends ; let me be rich 
 or poor, sick or well, at home with its quiet and 
 plenty and comforts, or on desert wastes, or amid 
 mountains of perpetual ice and snow ; in hunger- 
 ings or thirstings, in weariness and labor, in perils 
 
REV, ADAM CROOKS. 181 
 
 by land, in perils by sea, or in perils among false 
 brethren \ in prison or in palaces, in enthronement 
 or martyrdom, in service or sacrifice, just as God 
 shall order. The Divine will must be enthroned 
 supreme in all that appertains to our person. 
 Obedience must be unqualified and universal. 
 Every duty faithfully performed ; every suffering 
 patiently endured; even life itself must not be 
 withheld* 
 
 " 3. Having said thus much, it is scarcely neces- 
 sary to say that time, and property, and all 
 property interests, must be wholly given to God, 
 Every day and every dollar must be esteemed and 
 used as belonging to Him, and in such manner as 
 in our best judgment will most conduce to His high- 
 est glory. Of course this necessarily involves the 
 life-calling and the bounds of our habitation. In 
 settling these questions we must have primal refer- 
 ence to the Divine glory, 
 
 " 4. All this is to be done, not mechanically or 
 reluctantly, but cheerfully and heartily from a clear 
 apprehension that it is our "reasonable service." 
 Here is voluntary and perpetual self-abnegation — 
 the deeding, signing, sealing, conveying and deliv- 
 ering, of all and singular, of self and appurte- 
 nances, forever, to God. 
 
 " This continuous act of Consecration finds faint 
 illustration in the enlistment and vows of the sol- 
 dier. Having enlisted and assumed his obligation, 
 the soldier is the exclusive property of the Govern- 
 ment — all his powers, all his interests, all his 
 
182 THE LIFE OF 
 
 services, and even his life, are its property. But 
 the services, sacrifices, and sufferings of the soldier 
 are coersive j whereas all the Christian gives, does 
 or endures in the cause of his Master through life, 
 is voluntary, from the promptings of apprehended 
 obligation and of supreme preference. 
 
 " But why this entire Consecration ? 
 
 " 1. Because it is right. We belong to God* 
 He has made us. In Him we live, and move, and 
 have our being. We live at His expense. And 
 we are His purchased possession. He bought us 
 with a price. And oh, what a price ! Thus, all 
 we are and all we have, belong, of right, to God, 
 What can be more reasonable than that we render 
 unto God that which is his due ? 
 
 "2. It is our reasonable service because it is 
 the best use we can make of our powers. It is not 
 only right, but it is wise. To live with any other 
 intent, to any other purpose, is to prostitute our 
 powers to all that is calamitous to self and to oth- 
 ers, with reference to both time and eternity. This 
 is infinite madness. But entire consecration is the 
 devotion of our powers to the highest and holiest 
 of all purposes— is to make them productive of the 
 greatest good possible to self and all others, both 
 for this and the future state. The wisdom of this 
 is equalled only by the folly and utter madness of 
 its opposite. Here holiest duty and highest inter- 
 est are co-alescent. 
 
 " 3. But God requires nothing more of us than 
 he has done and proposes to do for us. He gave 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 183 
 
 His Son to service, to suffering, and to death, for 
 us. He kept back no part of the price. He drank 
 the cup to its utmost dregs. With his expiring 
 breath, he declared that the work of our redemp. 
 tion l is finished.' And for the future, he offers 
 all that is possible for Heaven to bestow. If we 
 will but become his people, he will become our 
 God ; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and ' all 
 things' become ours. What an enriching con- 
 tract is this ! How little we give ! How much we 
 receive ! Human thought cannot conceive. Angel- 
 tongue cannot tell. 
 
 "4. Bat entire Consecration is an unalterable 
 condition of salvation. This lesson is not sufficient- 
 ly taught ; and surely it is not sufficiently appre- 
 hended. It is usually conceded that a few eminent 
 Christians and ministers of the Gospel should be 
 thus wholly consecrated, but not so with ordinary 
 Christians. It is to be feared that so-called ordi- 
 nary Christians are not Christians at all. Is not 
 the evidence but to % o conclusive, that too many pro- 
 fessed Christians and Christian ministers live to 
 themselves ? ' By their fruits ye shall know 
 them.' True, for the most part, young converts 
 have but limited views of entire Consecration ; but 
 the cCnsecration is fully up to the conception. 
 This must be true in all after life. As the concep- 
 tion of Consecration, in import and duty, develops, 
 the act of Consecration must become proportion - 
 ately more complete." 
 
 " 5, Consecration is the precise point of union 
 
184 THE LIFE OF 
 
 between the human and the Divine, When all Is" 
 placed on the altar, then comes down the Baptism 
 of power. Are not this Consecration and attend-* 
 ant baptism the great want of the Church ? Is not 
 this the key to its want of general efficiency ? 
 
 " This matter is eminently personal. Reader 5 
 How is this with you ? Are you consecrated- 
 saved — unqualifiedly obedient ; or is the work but 
 partial and superficial ? Have you the baptism of 
 power? Will you now make the Consecration 
 complete ? Until this is done there is a contro- 
 versy between God and thee. Oh, terminate this 
 controversy at once j and become the material of 
 which martyrs are made, which is a blessing to 
 earth, and for which await the awards of an end- 
 less heaven I" 
 
 CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 
 
 He was very much interested in the conversion 
 of children. He was earnest in his teachings on 
 this subject. "Bring the children early to Jesus" 
 was his plea. I give a few extracts from his 
 writings on Early Piety. 
 
 " There is nothing more beautiful, more import- 
 ant, nor that should be promoted with greater 
 assiduity than early piety. With what pleasura- 
 ble interest we read of Joseph, and Samuel, and 
 David, and Josiah, and of Timothy who knew the 
 holy Scriptures from a child. No marvel that 
 David said, l Come ye children, hearken unto me, 
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord;' nor that 
 
REY. ADAM CROOKS. 185 
 
 Solomon counseled remembrance of the Creator 
 in the days of youth ; nor that Jesus said to the 
 coming generations, l Suffer little children to come 
 unto me, and forbid them not' 
 
 " For years we have been deeply impressed with 
 the conviction, that neglect of the children has 
 been a most fruitful source of the weakness and 
 inefficiency of the Church. Baptized children 
 should sustain a relation to the Church similar to 
 that sustained by the Catechumen to the Primitive 
 Church. They should be esteemed and treated 
 as candidates for its full fellowship and immuni- 
 ties. It is not to be doubted that childhood is 
 the fulcrum, and early religious instruction and 
 discipline, the more than Archimedean lever with 
 which the moral world is to be turned over. — 
 Persia educated her children to temperance, in- 
 dustry, and a prudent economy, and thereby gave 
 strength, greatness and perpetuity to the State. 
 Let the Church but educate her children to an in- 
 telligent and vigorous piety, and she will soon 
 overthrow the great Babylon of sin. And the 
 sooner the Church comes to fully understand this 
 concealed magazine of power, the better. 
 
 "But we wish to speak more immediately of the 
 great advantages of early piety. And, 
 
 " 1. It is always genuine. Children know but 
 little of those sinister motives which may induce 
 to a mercenary, and hence, hypocritical piety. 
 Their eye is single ; and hence, the whole body is 
 full of light. This is of primal consideration. 
 
186 THE LIFE OP 
 
 " 2. Children do not have to overcome the force 
 of evil habits early formed, nor unlearn what they 
 have learned amiss. The soil of their hearts has 
 not been pre-occupied with those noxious weeds. 
 When once permitted to spring up, the roots strike 
 deep, and adhere with most troublesome tenacity. 
 Those who early become pious are at once saved 
 immense labor and annoyance. And this is a most 
 happy economy. 
 
 " 3. Early piety is the only safeguard against 
 the adverse influences of a world which is no friend 
 to grace. Dangers stand thick through all the 
 ground. They throng man's pathway from the 
 cradle to the grave. The human heart naturally 
 gravitates to earth and to sin. The heart of the 
 young is most prolific, susceptible and unsuspect- 
 ing. Nothing but positive piety can render the 
 child proof against the joint action of unfriendly, 
 internal and external forces. If you would not 
 have the souls of the dear children polluted by sin, 
 their characters stained by crime, and would have 
 their eternal interests secure from most imminent 
 peril, early sow the seeds and vigilantly cultivate 
 the plants of piety in their young and tender 
 hearts. 
 
 "4. Principles first imbibed and habits first 
 formed are at once the most powerful and the 
 most lasting. Hence, the nervous language of the 
 Wise Man : — " Train up a child in the way he 
 should go ; and when he is old he will not depart 
 from it." l But a child left to himself bringeth 
 
187 
 
 his mother to shame.' How immensely important 
 that Satan should not, and that God and the soul 
 should have the benefit of this fundamental law of 
 our being. 
 
 " 5. If persons do not become pious while young, 
 there is danger they never will ; and this danger 
 increases with each successive day and hour of sin. 
 Nothing is more true than that continuance in sin 
 hardens men in it. Conscience becomes callous, 
 passion inflamed, sensibilities corrupted and per- 
 verted, and the will more and more perverse, until 
 the case becomes appalling — hopeless. Sin is fear- 
 fully self-perpetuating. 
 
 " 6. In addition to all this, there is but a step- 
 between every human personality and death — young 
 as well as old. 
 
 1 Great God ! on what a slender thread 
 
 Hang everlasting things ! 
 Th 7 eternal state of all the dead 
 
 Upon life's feeble strings ! 7 
 
 " 7. Early piety alone can promise time in which 
 to develop to maturity the Christian graces, and 
 hence to furnish the world with the most admirable 
 specimens of Christian character. 
 
 " If the harvest is either rich or abundant, the 
 sowing must be seasonable. All agree that child- 
 hood and youth are life's seed-time. Those who do 
 not become pious until mature in life, must needs 
 contend against a double disadvantage. First, they 
 have but little time in which to grow up to the 
 'fullness of the stature of men and women in Christ 
 
188 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Jesus ;' and second, they have the stubborn force 
 of long continued habit against which to contend. 
 Much more to do, and less time for the work. 
 
 " 8. Time and opportunity to labor in the vine- 
 yard of the Lord — to bless the world, and to make 
 life a grand practical success, make their plea' 5 for 
 early piety. How deep and painful the regrets of 
 those who worse than throw away a large portion 
 of a life so brief. How blessed to give all of time 
 and strength and life, to cheerful co-operative effort 
 with God and all the good in the great work of hu- 
 man salvation. An entire offering on this holy altar , 
 how good and acceptable to God. 
 
 " 9. Early piety affords the best foundation for 
 a substantial character. It makes strong in knowl- 
 edge, in faith, in deep and varied experience, in 
 purified affections, in husbanded energies, high pur- 
 poses, holy habits, and joyful anticipa tions ! Strong 
 to resist evil. There was divine wisdom displayed 
 in permitting those who had grown up amid the 
 idolatrous practices of the Egyptians to die in the 
 Wilderness, and in leading their children who knew 
 not these practices, into the land of Promise. So 
 does early piety give strength to grapple with the 
 great crimes of any age — to exterminate moss- 
 covered errors, and raze to their foundations the 
 temples of time-honored crimes. 
 
 If Christian parents and the Church would re- 
 spond to this urgent call, then must they do as 
 commanded in Deut. xi: 18 — 21. ' Lay up the 
 words of the law in their hearts and their souls, 
 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 189 
 
 and bind them for a sign upon their hands, and let 
 them be as frontlets between their eyes ; and teach 
 them to the children, speaking of them when they 
 sit in the house, when they walk by the way, when 
 they lie down and when they rise up, and write 
 them upon the door-posts of the house and upon 
 the gates.' Also xxxi : 11 — 13. When they come 
 to appear before the Lord in the place which he 
 shall choose, (in their religious assemblages,) they 
 shall gather the people together, men, women and 
 children, and the strangers within the gate, that 
 they may hear, and learn, and fear the Lord, and 
 observe to do all the words of the law." 
 
 CHRISTIAN PATIENCE. 
 
 From an editorial upon this subject, I clip the 
 following : — 
 
 " The man of tranquil, patient perseverance is in 
 himself a moral host; whereas, without patience, 
 although in intellect a giant, yet in moral force he 
 can be but a pigmy. So, if we would be God-like, 
 we must be patient. How through the heavy 
 tramp of the ages, God works and waits. How 
 during four thousand years he laid the foundation 
 for redemption. In this great work there is no 
 haste. Christ did not come till the fullness of 
 time. And how he yet works and waits for the 
 consummation of the redemptive scheme. He is in 
 no haste; nor need he be. The ages to come are 
 his in which to work. Sitting on the circle of the 
 
190 THE LIFE OP 
 
 heavens, he surveys the thousand millions, of 
 earth, "witnesses their deadly quarrels, brethren 
 cheating brethren, the wildness and greed for gold, 
 the thankless ingratitude which never sees the 
 hand that feeds them, the oppression and enslave- 
 ment of millions, the madness and slaughter of 
 red-visaged war, the world lying in the wicked 
 one, yet there comes no outcry Irom the heavens 
 to still all this unrest; but gently, and patiently, 
 the ministry of nature and of Providence proceeds 
 from year to year; as gently, patiently, and un- 
 remittingly as if universally greeted with gratitude 
 and praise. Then, Reformer, Lover of Mankind, 
 Christian Minister, take for your model the Great 
 God, and work and wait. — -Bat finally — Patient 
 continuance in well doing alone, is crowned with 
 glory, honor, immortality and eternal life. Then, 
 let patience have her perfect work." 
 
 From an editorial upon "Does God Work by 
 Great or Small Means ?" — 
 
 " These enumerated examples of Divine interpo- 
 sition indicate with unerring accuracy, the place of 
 the power by which the achievements of the Chris- 
 tian Church, in her entire history, have been ac- 
 complished. Accordingly, we read : ' Not by 
 might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the 
 Lord' — of enduement with power from on high — 
 of earthen vessels being chosen, that the ' excel- 
 lence of the power' may be of God, and not of 
 men — and of ' weak things,' and l things that are 
 not' bringing to naught ' things that are mighty.' 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 191 
 
 The disciples were weak, and yet they triumphed. 
 Primitive Christians were weak, and yet they 
 triumphed. Luther was weak, and yet he triumph- 
 ed. Wesley and coadjutors were weak, and yet 
 they triumphed. Early Abolitionists were weak, 
 and yet they triumphed. So, numerically, we 
 "Wesleyans are weak, and the things to be confound- 
 ed are mighty, but if we know the'place of the hid- 
 ing of God's power, we shall triumph. Union 
 with God alone, is the place op power. If in 
 any case, this union is not complete, let it be 
 
 MADE SO WITHOUT DELAY." 
 
 In 1871 the General Conference convened in 
 Syracuse. Mr. Crooks was chosen President. At 
 this Conference Rev. L. N. Stratton was elected 
 associate editor with Mr. Crooks, who was also 
 reappointed Agent. This Conference recommended 
 that as soon as possible arrangements should be 
 made to build a new and more commodious pub- 
 lishing house. They authorized the Agent to open 
 a subscription immediately for the purpose of rais- 
 ing the needed funds. This work was commenced 
 at once. "The people had a mind to work," 
 and rallied nobly. A few months after, among his 
 editorials, I find the following, aimed at the "love 
 of money" : — ■ 
 
 FOLLY'S CARNIVAL. 
 
 " Folly's Carnival ! What is it ? Is it spending 
 the long, long nights in the frenzied whirl of the 
 giddy dance ? Without dispute, this is bad enough, 
 
192 THE LIFE OP 
 
 and quite too much savors of the senseless pleas- 
 ures of the night or savage life to find place or 
 favor in the noon-day of Christian civilization. But 
 this is not what is meant. Then, is it the uncom- 
 pensated surrender of ' life, liberty and the pursuit 
 of intelligent and virtuous happiness ' at the debas- 
 ing shrine of fashion, heartless as it is fickle ? While 
 it must be admitted that this is bad beyond the 
 possibilty of proper characterization, yet it is not 
 the thing intended. Nor yet is it the desperate 
 madness which impels an immortal being in pursuit 
 of substantial good amid the dehumanizing slums of 
 beastly sensuosity ; nor firey floods of intemperance ; 
 nor yet the desolating waves of red-visaged war, 
 after which this earnest mission is sent. The thing 
 of which we write, is none other than that almost 
 universally dominant love of money which an in- 
 spired Apostle so fitly styles 'the root of all evil.' 
 For who does not know that pre-eminently, money 
 is the Moloch of America ? The name of its wor- 
 shipers is -Legion;' for they are many. In the 
 nervous language of Pollock, never more true than 
 now: — 
 
 ' Gold many hunted — sweat and bled for gold ; 
 Waked all the night, and labored all the day. 
 And what was this allurement, dost thou ask ? 
 A dust dug from the bowels of the earth, 
 Which, being cast into the fire, came out 
 A shining thing that fools admired, and called 
 A god ; and in devout and humble plight 
 Before it kneeled, the greater to the less ; 
 And on its altar sacrificed ease, peace, 
 
REV, ADAM CROOKS. 193 
 
 Truth, faith, integrity, good conscience, friends, 
 Love, charity, benevolence, and all 
 The sweet and tender sympathies of life ; 
 And to complete the horrid murderous rite 
 And signalize their folly, offered up 
 Their souls, and an eternity of bliss, 
 To gain them — what? an hour of dreaming joy, 
 A feverish hour that hasted to be done, 
 
 And ended in the bitterness of woe.' 
 
 * * * * 
 
 'Of all God made upright, 
 And in their nostrils breathed a living soul, 
 Most fallen, most prone, most earthly, most debased, 
 Of all that sold Eternity for Time, 
 None bargained on so easy terms with death. 
 Illustrious fool! Nay, most inhuman wretch! 
 He sat among his bags, and with a look 
 Of which hell might be ashamed, drove the poor 
 Away unalmsed ; and 'midst abundance died — 
 Sorest of evils ! died of utter want.' 
 
 "The 'root of all evil.' The infernal fountain, 
 which feeds every form of vice and crime. The 
 accursed rock on which countless thousands make 
 shipwreck of immortal wealth. The debasing altar 
 « before which demonizing worship is offered at the 
 expense of an 'eternity of bliss.' Alas, that un- 
 numbered thousands bearing the name of a sinless 
 Christ crowd the broad aisles of this temple ac- 
 cursed and abandoned of God, and whose open 
 doors are the gilded gates to perdition. 
 
 " How this insatiable greed for gold congeals the 
 
 liquid streams of mercy for the poor. How it 
 
 paralyzes the arm of Christian enterprise, whether 
 
 home or foreign. How it withholds tithes from the 
 9 
 
194 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Lord's house, dooms to penury his ministry, and 
 impoverishes to beggary the coffers of Christian 
 charity. How it repels from all place in God's 
 sanctuary the wretched children of poverty, but 
 welcomes to highest seat the man with gold ring or 
 woman in costly appareL How un-Christ-like it 
 renders all things bearing his name. How it feasts 
 the flesh, but dooms the soul to endless Lent-— Star- 
 vation ! How its hoarded heaps blight the bloom- 
 ing hopes of fond parents, by withholding from the 
 children the needed stimulants to healthful enter- 
 prise, and meanwhile dooming them the envied 
 victims of the consuming vices of costly idleness,— 
 thus entailing the double curse of dwarfing the 
 beautiful and good, and developing to horrid pro- 
 portions the sordid and selfish. Hence, the all- 
 prevalent lameness and blasting throughout the 
 borders of the Zion of this money-worshiping age. 
 Heaven pity us ! This is indeed Folly's dreadful 
 Carnival. 
 
 "Dear reader: Introvert your attention; and 
 answer to your conscience and your God ! Does 
 the fatal virus of this firey serpent circulate death 
 through all the parts and powers of your soul? 
 By all that is hallowed in eternal interests, let not 
 this be so." 
 
 ONCE MOKE IN NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 " Here I am, safe and sound in old North Caro 
 lina, after an absence of twenty-one years. I have 
 not been to visit old familiar scenes, but matters 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 195 
 
 have greatly changed, I assure you. The man at 
 whose hotel I stop was foreman of an United States 
 Grand Jury which indicted six hundred Ku-Klux, 
 all under bonds., to be tried in September. Some 
 of these, ministers of the M. E. Church, South. 
 Am feeling quite like an American citizen here, 
 where slavery once ruled as with a rod of iron and 
 a knife of steel. 
 
 " Twenty-five years ago the coming September, 
 we came to North Carolina. Then Slavery, both 
 in fact and spirit, was dominant. The Southern 
 wing of the Methodist Episcopal Church had seced- 
 ed, because the North was unwilling to have a 
 slave-holding Bishop. Hearing that the Wesleyan 
 Methodists were anti-slavery, forty citizens of Guil- 
 ford county met in convention and adopted the 
 Wesleyan Methodist discipline, and applied to the 
 Allegheny Conference for a man to feed them on 
 the bread of life. To this call we responded, 
 knowing well that it was at the peril of life. Al- 
 though an entire stranger and threatened with every 
 violence, yet God gave us prosperity. 
 
 #_.'■# ; #'•*! ♦ 
 
 " Jesse McBride was called to cultivate the 
 ground already occupied in Carolina, and we gave 
 ourself to the work of extending our borders into 
 fields beyond. Another year of peril and prosper- 
 ity throughout the whole work. Several camp- 
 meetings were held, and with excellent results. 
 Brother Bacon entered upon his third year in Vir- 
 ginia, McBride upon his second and we our fourth, 
 
196 THE LIFE OP 
 
 in Carolina. But increased prosperity was attend^ 
 ed with increased danger. All the time violence 
 had been threatened ; but now threats were more 
 frequent and more fierce. The enemy saw clearly 
 that they must dig up the sapling quickly or other- 
 wise they would be unable to cut down the tree. 
 
 Jf -Jf Jf Jf 4f 
 
 " Just as we knew they would be, flushed by this 
 victory in driving McBride, with ten-fold determina- 
 tion they turned their batteries upon us ; and by 
 threats, and mobbings, and a reward offered for our 
 arrest, they waged war upon us from May until Au- 
 gust, the close of the Conference year, when with 
 sadness, we turned our face to home and friends, 
 leaving in this slavery-ruled land six Wesieyan 
 Meeting-houses, and some five hundred members. 
 Very many sold out and moved into States not 
 cursed with the withering blight of Slavery. 
 
 " Yielding to successive calls, four years later, 
 Daniel Worth returned to his native State, preached 
 extensively for several months, was arrested for 
 circulating Helper's Impending Crisis, and after 
 some months imprisonment, returned to the free 
 North and West. But Bacon and McBride and 
 Worth are all dead. Died doubtless as the results 
 of labors performed and hardships experienced in 
 the South. Of these four, the writer alone survives. 
 
 " The war came on and freed the slaves. The 
 seeds of truth sown in other years still live in many 
 hearts. Hence, repeated calls again for Wesieyan 
 
BET. ADAM CROOKS. 
 
 197 
 
 preachers. Last autumn, the Missionary Board of 
 the Indiana Conference and the Connectional Board 
 jointly, responded by sending brethren E. Brook" 
 shire and R. L. Fisher to rebuild the walls of our 
 spiritual Jerusalem. 
 
 "Immediately upon arrival they engaged in a 
 revival at Shady Grove, resulting in nearly one 
 hundred conversions and seventy-two accessions. 
 At this place, Sabbath, the 21st July, we had the 
 pleasure of dedicating to the worship of Almighty 
 God a neat and well-proportioned frame structure? 
 fourteen feet from floor to ceiling, and twenty-four 
 by thirty-four; when all painted and furnished, to 
 be the best Methodist rural meeting-house in three 
 counties. And better still, notwithstanding the 
 sore pressure of the times, when all completed, is 
 to be free from debt. No one not knowing the cir- 
 cumstances, can appreciate how great this achieve- 
 ment is. The membership is composed of excellent 
 material, substantial heads of families, and godly, 
 zealous young men and women. A. revival in pro- 
 gress this week; and up to this Thursday, a number 
 of conversions and twenty-fiVe accessions. In all, 
 they have three meeting-houses, and deeds covering 
 thirteen acres, including a four-acre-lot on which a 
 fourth meeting-house is to be erected. The entire 
 membership is about one hundred and twenty-five ; 
 and new and inviting fields are still opening; so 
 that at the close of the first year, prospects are 
 good for a bright future. 
 "Although we have been worked pretty hard, 
 
198 
 
 THE LIFE OF 
 
 averaging a sermon for each day, our visit has been 
 a real pleasure." 
 
 High Point, N. C, July, 1872. 
 
 Mr. Crooks was absent from the office fourteen 
 days, and in that time preached fourteen sermons. 
 More than one-half of that time, day and night, 
 was spent traveling, and in July, too. He was not 
 well when he returned and did not fully recover 
 from the journey before he commenced the round 
 of Fall Conferences. He was soon taken sick, and 
 for a number of weeks was a great sufferer; yet 
 he attended all the Conferences and with the help 
 of kind brethren sold his books and transacted the 
 usual amount of Conference business, beside press- 
 ing the claims of the fund for the new Publishing 
 House. He had nearly recovered from the effect 
 of his illness when he returned and was ready for 
 the work waiting for him at the office. 
 
 The following article was written in August, 
 1873. Mr. Crooks felt more and more the impor- 
 tance of our continued existence as a denomination. 
 He could see a vast field of labor, which we might 
 occupy if we would only step forward in the line 
 of duty. He saw those fields " already white for 
 the harvest," but the "laborers were few." It seem- 
 ed to him that there was a great work to be done 
 by us especially. As in the past we had to stand 
 almost single-handed in opposing the popular sins 
 of the day, so in the present we were in the front 
 ranks of the battle between Christ and Belial, — be- 
 cause other denominations are not willing to bold- 
 
KEV. ADAM CROOKS. 19$ 
 
 ty confront sin in high places, and follow the " meek 
 and lowly Jesus," whithersoever he goeth. 
 
 " OUR WORK NOT FINISHED. 
 
 In connection with, and immediately subsequent 
 to the recent " reunion" held by a few ex-Wesley- 
 ans in Cleveland, Ohio, very strong asseverations 
 are being made that our distinctive work as a de- 
 nomination is finished, and that therefore our con- 
 tinued existence involves schism, and hence, sin 
 against God and his Church. — -A grave allegation 
 indeed ! We repel it Hear us patiently. 
 
 " At this reunion Rev. John McEldowney is re- 
 ported as saying—' To me, it is dishonoring to God 
 for brethren remaining, not to recognize the work 
 as finished. I cannot see how it is possible that 
 a fraction can maintain a schism by remaining sepa- 
 rate.' The New York Christian Advocate takes up 
 the above p-onunciamento in the words following: 
 1 We fail to see any good reason for the mainte- 
 nance of the separate existence of the i Wesleyan 1 
 body, now that they have gained every point upon 
 which they originally dissented and separated/ 
 And Dr. Crooks of The Methodist,, also of New 
 York, prolongs the refrain in the following lusty 
 language: l Of all our separatists, the Wesleyans 
 would seem to have the least reason to remain out 
 of the old family. In a case like theirs, it becomes 
 a grave question whether continued disunion is a 
 mere matter of expediency or whether it is not sin ! 
 — The conscience of the Church needs to be ap- 
 
200 THE LIFE OF 
 
 peeled to on this subject— not merely its prejudices 
 or its interests. Charity, fellowship, brotherhood/ 
 co-operation — are these not virtues in the kingdom 
 of Christ on earth ? Many a banner-bearer of sec- 
 tarian division will find himself recognized, at the 
 last day, as only a traitor to the common cause of 
 the common Master.' 
 
 " There, we like that close-jointed way of putting 
 this great subject — this appeal to conscience, and 
 the judgment. Doctor Crooks is right in placing 
 our Church relationship just where the Bible places 
 it, and just where we have held it for many years 
 and still hold it — upon the firm basis of eternal 
 right. And we add j this is exactty what has kept 
 us out of the ; old family' of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and still keeps us out. 
 
 " But these good Doctors will please make note 
 that their sword is double-edged— cutting both 
 ways. While it is conceded to be duty to hold 
 fellowship with true Christians, on the other hand 
 it is equally duty to refuse fellowship to those who 
 are not. And while we may not innocently split 
 the Church — the body of Christ — neither may we 
 innocently wed that body to sin, and thus commit 
 high sacrilege. ' Charity, fellowship, brotherhood, 
 co-operation,' are beautiful — ail of them beautiful 
 — but they must not find ultimate foundation in 
 compromise with sin, nor in truce with the devil. 
 Hence the pungent language of the Apostle — ' What 
 fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? 
 What communion hath light with darkness ? And 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 201 
 
 What concord has Christ with Belial ? — Wherefore 
 come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith 
 the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I 
 will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, 
 and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the 
 Lord Almighty.' Thus plainly, our being the 
 children of God is conditioned upon our being sep- 
 arate from the unclean. Again : the Spirit through 
 the Revelator says* — 'And I heard another voice 
 from heaven saying, Come out of her my people, 
 that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye 
 receive not her plagues.' And with solemn em- 
 phasis the Apostle says—' I command you in the 
 name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you withdraw 
 yourselves from every brother who walketh disor- 
 derly.' Moral lepers have no more place in the 
 fellowship of the saints than physical lepers had in 
 the camp of Israel. To affiliate religiously with 
 evil doers is to become partner both in their sins 
 and their plagues. Hence, we may 'dishonor 
 God' and become ' traitors to the common cause of 
 the common Master' by seeking to promote unity at 
 the expense of purity. 
 
 "And mark well, this trinity of Doctors teach 
 the duty to return, but only upon the hypothesis 
 that our distinctive work is finished — that every 
 point of original dissent has been gained. The 
 plain implication of their language is, that if our 
 work is not finished, our continued existence is all 
 right. We think exactly so, and are glad to agree 
 9* 
 
202 THE LIFE OP 
 
 with these learned Doctors on this central principle, 
 But are their assumed facts well founded ? Is 
 our work finished ? Has every point of original 
 dissent been gained ? These are the questions 
 pertinent. But before answering, we wish to pre- 
 mise, — 
 
 "(1.) No marvel that Doctors Crooks and Curry i 
 and such as they, see no cause for our continued 
 existence ; for years ago they were denouncing as 
 schismatics, the very men whom they now laud as 
 'the greatest of moral heroes/ Such laudation is 
 of questionable commendation. 
 
 "(2.) If even all the points of original dissent 
 have been gained, it does not therefore follow that 
 there are now no valid reasons for our separate 
 existence. Other causes may have arisen during 
 the past thirty years ; or other good reasons may 
 have existed then, not incorporated into the orig- 
 inal platform. This is self-manifest. 
 
 "(3.) Every one of these Doctors know that 
 'Schism,' as originally used, had no allusion to de- 
 nominational unity — that denominational lines do 
 not bound the area of Christian fellowship ; and 
 that this talk about schism in such connection, is 
 unworthy their learning. And as to the talk about 
 our return to the bosom of the 'old family,' it is a 
 family with which the majority of us never found 
 domicile. 
 
 "But we now come to the facts. What are they ? 
 Is our work finished ? Has every point of origi- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 203 
 
 na,l dissent been gained ? The facts are substan- 
 tially these: — 
 
 " 1. It is true that chattle slavery no longer ex 
 ists in this Country. But it is equally true that 
 while it did exist, it found sanctuary in the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. True, also, that when at 
 last it was abolished by the war-power of the na- 
 tion, instead of sackcloth and penitent confession 
 of complicity with the monstrous iniquity, we hear 
 boastful thanks to God for long continued position 
 in the front ranks of anti-slavery Churches. Such 
 vaunting sacrilege might well appall heaven ! This 
 is the manner in which that point was gained. 
 
 " 2. Great credit is claimed for having adopted 
 lay delegation in General Conference. But what 
 kind of lay delegation is it ? Is it equal represen- 
 tation, as is ours ? It is not. No more than two 
 laymen can be elected from within the bounds of 
 any one Annual Conference ; whereas no such re- 
 striction obtains in relation to the ministry. But 
 even these lay delegates are not elected by nor 
 representatives of the unofficial laity. They are 
 elected by Electoral Colleges j and the members 
 of these Colleges are elected by the Quarterly 
 Conferences, as the representatives of the Quar- 
 terly Conferences, which are the creatures and 
 agents of preachers rather than of the people. 
 In the Government of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church the unofficial laity have no voice — are a 
 nullity. Only think of a million of members totally 
 disfranchised ! This is all that has been gained. 
 
204 THE LIFE OF* 
 
 Just this ; and nothing more. And is not this lay 
 representation with a vengeance ? Something over 
 which to vociferate, 'The work finished ! The work 
 finished !' In great haste truly, to have the work 
 finished. 
 
 " This article is long enough ; but we must be 
 heard further. These Doctors accuse us denomi- 
 nationally, of high crime against the Church of 
 Christ. We have given credit for what has been 
 done. Now let us see what has not been done. 
 
 "Well, (1.) The Episcopacy has been neithef 
 abolished nor modified. The Board ol Bishops is 
 larger now than ever before. And they still pos- 
 sess the same unlimited power over the time, labors 
 and place of habitation of all the thousands of 
 their ministers, as in the past. (2.) There still 
 exists the three orders in their ministry, of Deacon, 
 Elder and Bishop ; while with us it is fundamental 
 that there is but one order — that of Elder — and 
 that all Elders are equal. (3.) With us the local 
 Churches are independent in all questions of merely 
 local interest. Our Churches receive and disci- 
 pline their own members — choose their own pastors 
 and each Class elects its own leader. But net one 
 of these rights is known in the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church. (4.) With us the pastoral relation is 
 matter of mutual agreement between pastor and 
 people. And even the congregations of the Old 
 Catholics in Germany have this free right of choice 
 of the men who minister to them in things holy; 
 But in the Methodist Episcopal Church here in 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 205 
 
 Republican America, no such right is allowed ! In 
 this Church neither of the parties most directly in- 
 terested has any voice. With her, twelve men 
 called Bishops absorb this sacred right of all the 
 pastors and congregations of this Church of more 
 than a million. (5.) With us is secured by disci- 
 plinary provision, the rights of all our ministers 
 and members irrespective of complexion or race ; 
 and while by Constitutional amendment a similar 
 equality of rights is secured to citizens of the 
 United States, yet up to this date, the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church has no such provision. (6.) In 
 our Yearly Conferences the laity have an equal 
 voice with the ministry. But lay representation is 
 not known in the Annual Conferences of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. (7.) So also in our 
 General Conference is equal lay representation. 
 But as shown above, in the General Conference of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church tliere is only a 
 kind of quasi Quarterly Conference representation. 
 In affairs of Government in the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, the non-official laity are a nonentity. 
 They have only the right to pay and to pray. 
 
 u But an anti-scriptural and anti-llepublican pol. 
 ity is not all. All through this and other countries 
 savage and civilized, is a Secret Fraternity laying 
 high claims to antiquity, morality and religion. In 
 all its degrees every obligation is taken with an 
 oath. In its first seven degrees, with the Holy 
 Book, which says ' swear not at all,' before him on 
 the altar at which he kneels, blindfolded and cable" 
 
206 THE LILE OP 
 
 towed, each candidate takes over half a hundred 
 distinct oaths — this going on each week in thou- 
 sands of lodges — -no marvel that profanity abounds, 
 and that l because of swearing, the land mourneth.' 
 Monstrous obligations are taken, alike inconsistent 
 with the duties of the citizen and the precepts of 
 morality; horrid and murderous penalties are in- 
 voked; such as having the throat cut across— the 
 tongue torn out by the roots — the left breast torn 
 open and the heart and vitals taken thence — the 
 body severed in the midst and the bowels burned 
 to ashes — tongue split from tip to root— the skull 
 smote off, and-so-forth ; thus familiarizing the 
 mind with murder, and mutilation horrible to con 
 template. And what, if possible, is worse than all, 
 this motly mixture of fact and fiction, mummery 
 and murder, profanity and prayer, while ignoring 
 the mediation of the Blessed Lord and Savior in 
 its very prayers, yet holds out a false light ; prom- 
 ising its votaries deliverance from sin and a home 
 in the * house not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens.' And dreadful to contemplate, while 
 these terrible practices are prevalent throughout 
 the land, and thousands being decoyed into these 
 mystic meshes, not only are the pulpits and presses 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church silent as the 
 grave on the subject, but still more awful, thou- 
 sands of her ministers and members statedly wor- 
 ship at these Christ-rejecting altars ! A thousand 
 times no; the work of the Wesleyan Methodist 
 Connection of America is not finished. It is not 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 207 
 
 ' dishonoring to God' to be inflexibly loyal to Jesus 
 Christ; and the arbitraments of eternity will so 
 decide. Let others do as they will, to be holy, 
 we must warn men against false lights, antag- 
 onize all sin, and be loyal to Jesus Christ, We 
 cannot do otherwise. God help us." 
 
 CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISTICS OF 
 REV. A. CROOKS. 
 
 BY REV. L. N. STRATTON. 
 
 The image of Minerva, towering above the Par- 
 thenon in Athens, and the] Sphynx, which looks 
 inquisitively over the unanswering sand plains of 
 Egypt, were coarsely formed images. The distant 
 observer deemed them cleanly cut and smooth. 
 But it is said that close inspection revealed in them 
 many a flaw and seam. Children at play with a 
 pocket telescope are wont to place the large end 
 of the instrument to the eye, in looking at coarse, 
 uncomely objects. This, it is observed, gives them 
 a fineness of form and finish which nature itself 
 has failed to furnish. So is it with some men j 
 close observation is detrimental to appreciation. 
 But turn the small end of the telescope towards 
 them, and "Distance lends enchantment to the 
 view." 
 
 Not so with Adam Crooks. He would bear 
 close inspection. He appeared well at a distance, 
 but much better on a near approach. And if to 
 any he seemed distant, it was only in that seeming 
 
208 THE LIFE OF 
 
 which the mind instinctively grants to manly dig* 
 nity and true worth. 
 
 His nature was confiding, and bis judgment good ; 
 so that multitudes came to his side, both for couU" 
 sel and consolation. He was a *\Lose observer of 
 men and things. He read character as a man 
 would read a book. And though he came to his 
 more weighty opinions slowly, when he did reach 
 them, they were usually correct. This Napoleonic 
 habit of studying characters, methods, facts of cur- 
 rent history and events, made him a man of the 
 living present. It shaped his thought in instruc- 
 tion ; it regulated his business policy ; it aided 
 his opinions, as to the turn which national and 
 ecclesiastical affairs would take, and which opinions 
 usually proved to be well founded. Although by 
 nature he was a student, and read the best part of 
 the best books, yet of him it might be said, as of 
 Abraham Lincoln : " He read not many, but much." 
 But of all his reading, aside from God's Word, 
 with the utmost care he "read the signs of the 
 times." This made him a wise counselor and a 
 careful adviser. He never leaped at conclusions. 
 If mists were too thick to penetrate, and the course 
 improbable, he always went slowly and with cau- 
 tion. Had he been a General, he would have been 
 a hard one to defeat. He would not be drawn into 
 ambush, nor strike a strong blow at a shadow. 
 Careful and prudent to find the position of the ene- 
 my, then never underestimating his strength, those 
 who knew him would look for a stroke of masterly 
 
REN. ADAM CROOKS. 209 
 
 power which would sweep everything before it. 
 These faculties made him a wise and successful 
 leader. 
 
 There was one more trait of character which 
 wove the web of his career with sunshine. That 
 was his hope. He was never disheartened at a 
 seeming failure. His face never grew long and 
 gloomy over a seemingly backward turn of the 
 wheel of fortune. If an honest effort failed of its 
 anticipated results, and covered other souls with 
 clouds, they were not his. Both his faith and better 
 judgment drove them away. His faith said : "This 
 is God's work and none of my business, only I am 
 to do my best to save the day." And his reason 
 said: "Who has ever undertaken any great and 
 good enterprise and seen it flourish from the first." 
 
 li The noblest plan is, when we fail, 
 To rise and try again." 
 
 This formed the basis upon which rested that 
 genial, hopeful trait of character which set every 
 true heart at ease in his presence. No such man 
 as he ever sat down in despair, or sold out at half 
 price, or sought to shift his pain of heart to his 
 stomach by a dose of stramonium or ratsbane. 
 Such a man, with such a faith and such a hope can 
 never be a coward, or commit suicide. Labor was 
 nothing, pain was nothing, long midnight rides over 
 rough roads and through drenching rains, were 
 trifles scarcely worth mentioning the next day. To 
 mortal fear he was a stranger ; and a close analysis 
 
210 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of his mental and well developed physical consti- 
 tutions, makes it appear as less a wonder why, 
 Spartan-like, he had so little regard for physical 
 suffering, and seemed fearless of death. His un- 
 wavering Christian hope, founded upon an abiding 
 faith in Him who said : — " I will never leave thee 
 nor forsake thee," and "All things work together 
 for good to them that love God," were enough for 
 him. He knew these were God's words, and he 
 depended upon them. Current events and transac- 
 tions in human society were only surface incidents, 
 liable to many phases and changes, while God's 
 word, on which his faith was founded, was more 
 than the solid rock which girdles the globe. Hea- 
 ven and earth shall pass away, but not that word. 
 His figure was straight, and stood about five feet 
 eleven inches high ; his weight was from two hun- 
 dred and five to two hundred and twelve pounds. 
 His eye was a bluish hazel, and his hair, by age 
 and toil, was turned to an iron-grey. His long, 
 full beard, his round, full face, his clear, intelligent 
 countenance and his erect and manly form, left the 
 impression upon the strangers of a crowd, or the 
 passengers of a railway train, that a man of more 
 than ordinary gifts and position was among them. 
 His habits were steady, his methods were uniform, 
 his course one day, or in one. case of business or 
 advice, all things being equal, suggested what it 
 would be on the next day and occasion. So he 
 seldom turned up in unlooked for ways and places. 
 He was not moody. . He did not do things "just as 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 211 
 
 it happened." People would not say of him, in a 
 case which he was to decide : — " It will be just as 
 it happens to strike him." He decided from the 
 law and the testimony. In his position, it is won- 
 derful how many questions of importance there 
 were to decide. And on his "Yes" or "No,'' 
 turned the fate of ministers and Churches. To 
 him this was a great care. His course was that of 
 a conciliator. His efforts "made for peace." One 
 of the last things he did, was to write several let- 
 ters to save a pastor and a Church. He was very 
 anxious for both. And often he was called in to 
 aid in matters which others should have done for 
 themselves, without taxing his physical endurance 
 to its utmost limit. But people found him a frank 
 and genial friend, and sought his advice as natu- 
 rally as they would that of an elder brother. 
 And he made them feel so welcome and at ease, 
 giving to all liberally and upbraiding not, that it 
 ceases to be strange that so many sought his 
 counsel. 
 
 He never sought to put himself ahead, or to push 
 himself upon public attention. He did not need 
 to. His natural modesty caused him to desire to 
 be unnoticed. But men who found him seeking 
 seclusion in the public congregation, called him 
 forth to take a place and part at the front. 
 
 His voice was clear and deep. Few men could 
 be so well heard and understood. He filled the 
 remotest point of the most spacious halls with his 
 clear and measured utterances. His thought usu- 
 
212 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ally was very methodical. His speeches and ser- 
 mons were cumulative. His texts were his sermons 
 in a nutshell^ and his sermons were only about 
 their texts and their natural corollaries and ad- 
 juncts. His texts were always revealed to him. 
 He did not reason them out from the apparent 
 needs, as some of us do, but he had depended from 
 the early times in his ministry upon receiving by 
 some sudden impression, his text. He studied his 
 sermons thoroughly, and usually noted their heads 
 on slips of paper, which he placed in a long pock, 
 et-book in his side pocket, ready for use. 
 
 With care he wrote his articles for the press. 
 As there has never been a skillful master of any of 
 the fine arts who leaped from the bottom to the top 
 round of the ladder at a single bound, but has 
 toiled through patient and steady effort to climb 
 round by round, so the most successful writers have 
 gained their eminence by care and toil. His friends 
 and readers know how closely and clearly every 
 thing he wrote was written. Lest all might not 
 easily follow the long steps he found it so easy to 
 make, I have seen him lay aside sheet after sheet 
 of well written manuscript, and write it again and 
 again. Oh, could his readers have known the cost 
 to him of brawn and brain and life-forces, they 
 would have read what he wrote with even more 
 solicitude. Not that it was difficult for him to 
 write, but in what he wrote he was so pains-taking 
 that when it was done, it was finished, and like 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 218 
 
 Gray's " Elegy," few persons could suggest an im- 
 provement in any particular, 
 
 Perfection was his aim in all respects. It was 
 seen in his neat dress ; in his deportment at the 
 fireside and the table; in his salutation of his 
 friends; in short, in tongue and pen, in public and 
 private, in moral position and spiritual life, his aim 
 was perfection. And while he enjoyed the sweets 
 of a Christian life, it expressed itself, as in many 
 other cases, in his lively, pleasant countenance. 
 He was not a sad, gloomy, sorrowful, long-faced 
 Christian. He lived above the clouds, in the sun- 
 shine, and like the parent eagle he sought to lead 
 and lure others there. At times his quiet humor, 
 and cheerful, playful words, sent glintings of sun- 
 shine down through many a chasm of gloom and 
 cloud, to light up many a heart. 
 
 He was a firm believer in the superintendence of 
 a Divine Providence over the minuiise of life. His 
 personal history was full of incidents which proved 
 his faith, and exhibited his trust. He transferred 
 this same confidence from himself to the denomina- 
 tion which he served so faithfully and well. He 
 believed that God had an especial use yet for Wes- 
 leyan Methodists. And as an agent of the will of 
 Heaven, he sought with an unfaltering faith and 
 fortitude to perfect the workings of the denomina- 
 tion. And as his labors drew to a close, he was 
 firmly of the opinion that the true power of the 
 Church, and the agencies at its command were ad- 
 vancing. A few days before his death he said : — 
 
214 THE LIFE OP 
 
 "Brother Stratton, I feel greatly encouraged by our 
 denominational prospects. The Conferences which 
 I attended last Fall manifested such faith and zeal; 
 and gave such evidences of a love of hard work 
 as I never saw before among them. Ministers are 
 better supported, both in finances and influence in 
 the communities where they are located. Then, 
 there are so many able, efficient young men coming 
 on, who within five years will be capable of filling 
 any position in the gift of the Connection, that I 
 feel more encouraged than at any other time for 
 the past ten years. While lying sick in Iowa, I 
 looked over the ground carefully, and I thought and 
 said to my attendants, that never in my entire life had 
 I seen a time, when, if it pleased God to take me, that 
 1 could be so well spared as now" 
 
 An incident transpired while on his way from 
 his sick bed in Iowa to Wasioja, the seat of the 
 Minnesota Conference, He had been sick at the 
 Michigan, Illinois and Iowa Conferences, with a 
 run of Typhoid Fever, At the seat of the latter 
 he remained, confined in his sick room, and a part 
 of the time delirious, while Bro. D. F. Shepardson 
 attended for him the Kansas Conference. This 
 over and he arose from his sick bed, and unattend- 
 ed, cheerfully and hopefully started for Minnesota. 
 The cross-roads are usually unsteady and irregular, 
 At one point he found that the regular train had 
 gone, and he must wait twelve or fifteen hours for 
 the next run, and then ride through the cheerless 
 hours of a chilly night: There was a freight train , 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 215 
 
 With a wretched "caboose" in the rear, going out 
 in a tew minutes. He could scarcely think it pru- 
 dent to expose himself to the constant draft of 
 such a car. He prayed God to help him. The con- 
 ductor came around. He told this official who he 
 was, and the importance of his business, and that 
 he scarcely felt able to ride in that car, else he 
 cheerfully would. The Conductor reported the 
 matter to the General Superintendent, who was at 
 hand. A special car, with a neat state-room, was 
 immediately attached, and a beautiful bed made up 
 of high-piled hair cushions and ample coverings. 
 He was aided into it, and said he slept like an in- 
 fant for one hundred and fifty miles. He believed 
 it to be a special providence of his ever-loving 
 Father in Heaven, who notes the fall of a sparrow 
 and hears the young raven's cry. 
 
 His health never appeared better than during the 
 Summer prior to the last visits he made to the Fall 
 Conferences. How clearly do I seem to see him, 
 with a clear and somewhat florid countenance, sit- 
 ting at his accustomed desk ! How intelligent his 
 countenance, how kind his expressions, how prom- 
 ising his prospects, how bright his hopes ! After 
 he had departed from his accustomed place, which 
 it seemed that he might yet fill for years, in our 
 issue of the American Wesleyan, August 19th, 
 1874, we published the following: — 
 PERSONAL. 
 
 " Eev. A. Crooks, whose cheeful face and friendly 
 words we miss, has left his busy financial desk for a tour 
 
216 THE LIFE OP 
 
 of the Western Conferences, to be gone about three months, 
 Although he is to spend but a little time in each place, so 
 extended will be his tour, it will require many oppressive 
 days and cheerless night-rides to accomplish the journey. 
 Though mid summer is decorating our valleys now, the 
 sere and yellow leaf' will rustle to the tread, and from 
 murky skies may form and fall the snow ere his return. 
 These columns need not commend him and the important 
 enterprises he represents to the favorable consideration of 
 the brethren to whom he as God's servant once more 
 comes. Soon agent and actors will take their last journey, 
 do their last duty, and pass up to tl e auditing rooms of the 
 Eternal Judge. For the golden bowl at last is broken, 
 and the pitcher carried often to the fountain at length re- 
 turns no more. We believe the lesson these facts teach 
 will be heeded by us all." 
 
 It seemed almost prophetic. The feeling whicb 
 prompted the expression was perhaps the out- 
 growth of that sad uncertainty which lies just be- 
 hind the dim veil of futurity. Then, too, the 
 dangers and exposures intensified the thought, and 
 that this like other earthly things must end. Well, 
 so it proved. He attended two dedications after 
 the Conferences, and then, amid the chill and gloom 
 of late October's dripping, he returned. A car- 
 riage brought him from the depot, first to the office 
 and then to his home. Home had always been 
 secondary to the office, and so was it still. In the 
 next issue of the American Wesley an we gave 
 him mention in the following personal : — 
 PERSONAL. 
 
 u Rev. A. Crooks, whose labors, successes, sickness 
 and return have been duly noticed by our citv papers and 
 a multitude of his friends, has been at home since Tues- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 217 
 
 <~lay, October 27th.. He claims to be much better, and no 
 doubt is ; but he is coming up very slowly. He has been 
 on the street a few times, and appeared, the ghost of his 
 former self, at the office perhaps thrice since his return. 
 He has lost thirty pounds from his two hundred and ten, 
 and his physical strength has turned to the weakness of a 
 child. His eyes seem large, his voice hollow, and his step 
 unsteady. But his mind is clear, his thoughts active, and 
 his soul growing brighter and more serene as he arises 
 from the clouds and smoke of the battle toward the bliss 
 of the everlasting gates. We do not believe that the Lord 
 is about to take him home now, but only intends to show 
 him both worlds from a point between ; a point where 
 the true value of the two appears more nearly correct than 
 is usually manifest. May prayers still go up in clouds to 
 Heaven's windows for him. 
 
 We have attempted to show why he thought 
 himself in no danger. I seemed to see him on the 
 verge of a chasm, invisible to himself, and over 
 which it appeared to me there was great danger of 
 his falling. But so Spartan-like and heroic, so 
 dead to pain and careless of toil was he, that he 
 had no fear of death. And when at length I wrote, 
 "Adam Crooks is Dead," this hand never penned 
 so sad a sentence, nor this heart felt so deep a 
 pang. Not only was it for our own sakes who 
 were here, and would feel his loss the most, but 
 everywhere among our people, from the Atlantic 
 to the Pacific, we knew a sad wail would go up to 
 the gates of Heaven. Blinding tears fell upon the 
 blackened columns of the American Wesleyan, in 
 mourning, and many laid it aside for a time, not 
 daring to risk their fluttering, almost murmuring 
 10 
 
%1$ THE LIFE OF 
 
 hearts, to open it. From twenty to thirty thousand 
 people knew him well and loved him much. He 
 Was humanity's well-tried friend. 
 
 His faithful and deyoted wife bears with patience 
 and Christian resignation her loss. She seems to 
 see him, not in the silent grave, but in a Christian's 
 Paradise. She cannot, does not wish him back* 
 And why should she? His battle is fought, his 
 crown is gained, and he has entered into rest. 
 From the clangor of arms and the rush of battle, 
 he entered an open sesame at the side of the way, 
 and stepped through into glory. Among the last 
 sane words he spoke to me, he said : — " My soul 
 has been riding all night in a chariot of fire." Yes, 
 for but a little time the angel charioteer let him 
 step out again. Then, when the Master wanted 
 him, he did not let him suffer long — dragging slowly 
 through the valley of the shadow of death — but he 
 sent his swift coursers again. Our brother seemed 
 to see them coming, and exclaimed to his wife : — - 
 " Quick ! Be quick 1" He kissed her hastily, spoke 
 of the "rest beyond the skies," and before there 
 was time to realize the danger, the angel whipped 
 back through "the dark valley," and entered, with 
 his prize, into the eternal morning. 
 
 We gladly let him rest. No winds can chill 
 him there. No fevers fret his flesh. No earth-born 
 hopes inspire new activities, and no earthly morn- 
 ing will call him to the front again. 
 
 " Servant of God I well done ! 
 Re3t from thy loved employ ' 7 
 
litiV. ADAM CROOKS. 219 
 
 The battle fought, the victory won,— 
 Enter thy Master's joy. 
 
 " In condescending love, 
 
 Thy ceaseless prayer he heard, 
 And bade thee suddenly remove 
 " To thy complete reward. 
 
 "The pains ot death are past,— 
 
 Labor and sorrow cease ; 
 And life's long warfare closed at last, 
 
 Thy soul was found in peace. 
 
 " Redeemed from earth and pain, 
 
 Oh, may we all ascend ! 
 And there in Jesus' presence reign, 
 
 With our translated friend." 
 
 HOME LIFE. 
 
 For nearly twenty-two years the Lord permitted 
 me to walk beside one of his own faithful servants- 
 He was my all of earthly home, and my heart safe- 
 ly trusted in him. He was firm as the " everlast- 
 ing hills" where right or wrong was concerned j yet 
 kind always — careful of the comfort — -tender of 
 the feelings — and reciprocal in his affections. He 
 often said, " Home is the dearest spot on earth to 
 me j" yet where duty called him away, he was quick 
 to obey, and while duty held him, he was content. 
 At times I seem to hear him saying now, as so of- 
 ten in the past he has said, " We'll make our home 
 a little heaven, where we can be quiet and rest af- 
 ter the battles of the day are all over; but we 
 must be sure and not make unto us anv idols. I 
 
220 THE LIFE OF 
 
 believe God and His cause are first in my heart, 
 and you are next to those" .For years I tried con- 
 scientiously to submit patiently to his long and oft 
 repeated absences, knowing that he went from his 
 home because duty led him, yet all the time feeling 
 that it was a hardship — that I had to sacrifice so 
 much, for my home was very lonely without him. 
 He was so rejoiced when I could say, I will, and 
 do, let you go for Jesus' sake— I will stay alone, 
 when the cause of God requires you, and do it 
 cheerfully, as unto the Lord. His eye was surely 
 " single" to the glory of God. When any measure 
 was proposed, his first thought was, how will it af- 
 fect the work, and no difference how hard the re- 
 quirement, he always forgot self, and self inter- 
 ests. He was always cheerful, and hopeful. If 
 any clouds arose he always said " let us get into 
 the sunshine." With all his cares, and while 
 pressed down with such a weight of anxieties, he 
 never gave place to fretfulness, for his mind was 
 stayed on One of whom it is said " Thou wilt keep 
 him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, 
 because he trusted in thee." 
 
 In looking back over all those years in which I 
 have been so securely sheltered by his love, and 
 through which we have tried hand in hand to 
 walk in the way the Lord has led us, I can say, 
 Ci surely goodness and mercy have followed us," 
 and although our trials and conflicts at the time 
 '• seemed grievous," yet I now count it all joy that, 
 I was privileged to labor and suffer with him for 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 221 
 
 the Master here, and that through Christ I hope to 
 share the Christian's rest with him in heaven. 
 
 I will give extracts from some of his letters to 
 myself. Several of these were written before our 
 marriage, and the remainder after the lapse of 
 years. 
 
 Medina, Ohio, Nov. 10, 1852. 
 
 " Dear Elizabeth : — 
 
 This is my eighth year in the traveling ministry, four 
 years of which were spent in the South. It is highly pre- 
 sumable I shall live and die a " preacher of the Gospel.' 7 
 My principal business will then be to save souls. The of- 
 fice is an awfully responsible one, and its duties are ar- 
 duous. Nor is it desirable to be the wife of a minister. 
 This position too, is a responsible and laborious one. Not 
 the position for a pleasure -seeker, or the lover of honor, 
 ease or fashion. For it, such have no taste; in it they can 
 take no pleasure. But I will say on the other hand, if the 
 heart is in the work, if the soul sympathizes with the Sa- 
 vior, notwithstanding all its responsibilities, labors, and 
 pressiug cares, it is a rich moral luxury to live and work 
 in this glorious God-like cause — that of saviug mankind." 
 
 Another time he said to me, "I expect always to be a 
 Wesleyan Methodist minister. As long as I live, I intend 
 to be in the active work. I cannot give you gold, nor 
 promise you a permanent home. We shall be wayfarers — 
 we must be ready to follow wherever duty leads us. But 
 if we love God, and each other we may be very happy." 
 
 Medina, Ohio, March 8, 1853. 
 
 *•' Dear Elizabeth : — 
 
 Yesterday, after riding thirty miles through mud and 
 mortar, over hill and dale, I had the exquisite satisfaction 
 of finding your excellent epistle awaiting my arrival. 
 And as I have many other things to write, I shall leave 
 you to conjecture how well I was pleased with its con- 
 
222 THE LIFE OF 
 
 tents. Yes : and ere my heart had ceased to throb with 
 joy, and as I was thinking of an answer to-day, behold! 
 another swift winged angel of good, dropped another 
 sheet well filled with words of comfort — words which warm 
 the heart, fire the soul, swell the bosom, light up the eye, 
 radiate the countenance with sentiments of delight. I am 
 satisfied, that as hunger prepares to enjoy food — sickness 
 to appreciate health — fatigue to enjoy repose — so do the 
 frowns and threats of foes prepare the heart to gladden 
 and glow at the smiles and warm words of true friends. I 
 leave you to make the application. 
 
 I thank God on your behalf, that Our Father, how sweet 
 the name, vouchsafes his rich blessings to cheer your 
 heart, and inspire the still firmer resolve to be his and al- 
 ways his. Sometimes I fear I have an idol, and that if 
 required to give thee up for Christ's sake, I would be slow 
 to make the sacrifice. I want to, aye, I do love you most 
 dearly, but I would not love you more than I as a Chris- 
 tian ought. You beautifully express the feelings of my 
 heart " that we should first live for God and then for each 
 other." If we do this, we shall be happy. I hope I may 
 ever prove worthy the confidence you have reposed in, and 
 affection lavished upon me. Could I be so base as to win 
 a heart as pure as thine, and take it from its girlhood 
 home out upon the rough sea of life — the tempest-tossed 
 ocean of time — and then prove unfaithful, I surely would 
 most richly merit the righteous retributions of God j — I 
 should expect them. Well do I know, and glad I am it is 
 so, that I cannot make you unhappy without rendering 
 myself miserable. The reverse is no less true. To make 
 you happy is to bless myself. God knows it is my pur- 
 pose to live so as to enjoy his approving smile." 
 
 x Medina, Ohio, April 6, 1853. 
 
 " Dear Elizabeth :— 
 
 Your birthday favor canio to hand yesterday. Lan- 
 guage is too weak to tell with how much interest and pleas- 
 ure 1 perused its rich lines. I incline to the opinion how- 
 
HEV. ADAM CROOKS. 223 
 
 ever that your feelings were very varied — not unmiugled 
 with sadness. But how could it he otherwise ? — and, indeed, 
 there are times when I love to ho a little sad. It seems to 
 mend the heart. You are about to hid adieu to scenes 
 Around which the tendrils of your geuerous affections have 
 twisted and tied — to leave friends tried aud true, and aa 
 occupation in which your heart has been enlisted for years, 
 a calling of which good angels might bo proud — carv- 
 ing ineffaceable hieroglyphics upon the imperishable gran- 
 ite of the eternity expanding intellect! Writing epitaphs 
 which will be read by the light of the judgment' As an 
 artist taking likenesses, which I trust will shine in the 
 beauty of unfading youth, and glory of undying day ! Who 
 would envy a heart whieh unmoved .could leave such a 
 work! Not I. Your school days over! Nay verily. 
 They have scarce begun. Life is a university of experi- 
 ence. And here we are only in the primary department, 
 lu the vestibule taking some preparatory lessons, previous 
 to entering upon the enrapturing investigation of the sci- 
 ence of Universal Being. What boundless fields of glori- 
 ous discovery are before us; what limitless regions of 
 knowledge are urging the eager mind onward — onward 
 still, and ever onward! Cease to learn — eease to do— 
 eease to be happy — never. That change will eome — dis- 
 appointment aud discouragement to be met, without 
 doubt ; but they too are teachers, good teachers in this 
 great school of experience." 
 
 West Chazx", May 1, 1873. 
 
 " Dear Wife : — 
 
 " It is too bad, but this is the very best I ean do. I had 
 •no thought of any such tiring until it was too late; mail 
 went out this morning at six o'clock and I cannot send a 
 letter until to-morrow the same hour, so that you will not 
 get this until Saturday ; yet this is atoned for to some ex- 
 tent from the fact that you will get it the anniversary of 
 our marriage. 
 
 Twenty years will have passed: 0, how time flies! But 
 
224 THE LILF, OF 
 
 thank God, our marriage is not the ' grave of love/ a$ 
 some modern Reformers would style it — The sun of love 
 shines much more brightly on us to-day than twenty years 
 ago. How mueh better thus to ' wear in than wear out/ 
 So may it ever be. Young folks think they know some- 
 thing of love, and so they do ; but there is large margin 
 for it to grow and ripen. Where shall we be twenty years 
 from thisf If living we shall be among the old folks. I 
 sixty-nine, and you sixty-one or two; but mayhap one or 
 both of us may be in Heaven. In all this, the will of the- 
 Lord be done. Yet it is a fact, that the longer I live the 
 more Hove to live j not that I hold on to the thing of liv- 
 ing here with greater tenacity, but more and more I love 
 to labor for God and- the good of others. For this, I 
 should be willing to live a thousand years ; aside from 
 this, lii r e to me would lose the lustre of its grandest signifi- 
 cance. It amounts to this. The more we ripen up into 
 the spirit of Jesus, the more we love to work for Him. 
 
 But I must stop writing, or I shall not get this into the 1 
 mail for to-morrow morning, and that I must do without 
 fail. Well, I shall think of thee often Saturday. We will 
 not be separated in thought, and in our consecrations, in- 
 cur hearts; we can be re- wed though thus remote. ' Hav- 
 ing many things to write unto you, I would not write with 
 pen and ink ; but I trust to come unto you, and speak 
 * face to face, that our joy may be full. 7 Peace be to thee. 
 Greet the friends by name J Ever lovingly yours." 
 
 1873. 
 
 "Dear Wife: — 
 
 We are having an excellent meeting. I wish you were 
 here. I trust the good Lord is preciously near with you at 
 home —that evfry meal is a sacrament — that you have mo- 
 mentary communion with God. Hope you are well and 
 happy. I fancy I see you in your cosy home, while I am 
 a pilgrim." ' Rejoice evermore. 7 l Pray without ceasing." 
 ' In all things give thanks. 77 
 
BEV. ADAM CROOKS. 225 
 
 1873. 
 
 11 Dear Wife : — 
 
 This is a real bright morning. Hope it is with thee, 
 both external and internal. Well, there is not much in this 
 letter, but from it you may learn that I think of you right 
 early in the morning. Be sure and keep the 'City in view,' 
 and ' keep step with the Captain.' Love to all. Pray for 
 me. A few days and I will be at home, the Lord willing. I 
 will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
 me.' 7 
 
 Aug. 29, 1873. 
 
 " Dear Wife :— 
 
 Both of your good letters are received. I read with 
 tearful joy the victory you have gained, to endure hardness 
 cheerfully for Jesus' sake. What a blessed victory. God 
 be praised, I am trying to live on the mountain top of 
 communion with God, and often feel that I am prayed for 
 at home. The Lord give us glorious victory. Surely He 
 will. ' All things work together for good to those who 
 love God.' ' Christ in you the hope of glory' — What a 
 wonderful blessing to have ' Christ in us.' His pure lov- 
 ing spirit. Fare thee well till we meet again. Ever faith- 
 fully and lovingly." 
 
 Sept. II, 1873. 
 
 "Dear Wife : — 
 
 I have just come up out of Indiana— struck the M. S. 
 R. R. here at Jonesville, fifteen miles from Coldwater, 
 Have to wait for the train, so I write you. I shall expect 
 to get a letter from you at Coldwater ; then I will finish 
 up this. I had to travel on a cross track yesterday up out 
 of Indiana — an inferior affair ; so about feeven o'clock last 
 eve it stopped and put up for the night. This was a new 
 experience since I came from the South. There I was a 
 whole day traveling some sixty miles, and then put up for« 
 the night; that was twenty-five years ago. Last night I 
 improved the time. I wrote till a late hour— retired— had 
 10* 
 
226 THE LIFE OF 
 
 a refreshing sleep — woke up feeling quite wakeful—arose 
 and wrote two or three hours, finishing up my account of 
 the Conference. Thank God thus far, my health has been 
 very good. Oh, how different from last year ! Yours of 
 the 7th received. So glad you are contented to suffer for 
 Jesus. It makes you so much dearer to me. All well. 
 Fare thee well. Love and blessing to you and all. Faith- 
 fully thine husband. 77 
 
 Oct. 4, 1873. 
 " Dear Wife : — 
 
 Yours of the 29th ult^ is received. Oh, it don't seem so 
 far to Kansas when you once get there ! It requires only 
 four days for a letter to come. I like the Kansas brethren 
 very much. They seem like a noble band of self-sacrific- 
 ing moral heroes. Six have joined the Conference this 
 session. This Conference is alive and wide awake. I lit- 
 tle thought of meeting persons I had met before J yet here 
 are a brother and sister Foster who lived a few miles from 
 my native town and a brother Hosford, whom I knew 
 twenty-eight years ago. Three weeks will soon speed by. 
 You must, not allow yourself to feel lonely. Especially 
 you must not repine. When you feel so inclined, go to 
 Jesus. He is the best of company. I write on this paper 
 because the other is all used up. I write by lamplight, 
 and the family is not up yet; will get this mailed to-day 
 if possible. Best love and blessing to you and all. God is 
 love. Love one another. 7 ' Love fulfills the law. 7 For- 
 ever yours in love. 77 
 
 Kansas, Oct. 7, 1873. 
 
 " Dear Wife :— 
 
 Here I am among my relations — at a cousin's — Was at 
 Bro. Henry's to-day — assisted him in raising his house. 
 We all go to Robert's in Kansas City this eve. Henry and 
 w]fe, Robert and wife, cousin Thomas and wife will all be 
 there, but near fifteen hundred miles intervene between 
 us. If you were only here ! I have thought much of thee 
 
HEV. ADAM CROOKS. 227 
 
 to-day— especially because I have been visiting. If I only 
 had wings, or could take cars drawn by lightning, would I 
 not see you this very night % But time is on the wiag; only 
 a few days more and then I can go to stay sometime worth 
 while. Hope you are well and ever so happy. Let me 
 see ! You will get this about Saturday. Then only two 
 weeks more. Bless me! Busy thought can bring us side 
 by side, and we can have many a visit between this and 
 then. My health continues as usual. God be praised. I 
 shall hope to hear from you at Wasioja . I have a long 
 ride night and day before me. The weather is beautiful 
 here. Fare thee welL u Keep your heart in the love of 
 God." 
 
 Oct. 17, 1873. 
 
 " Dear Wife : — 
 
 Your good letter of the ^th not received until yester- 
 day—I began to feel hungry to hear from you. Your letters 
 have so much better riug to them, than of yore. You have 
 gotten into a better land than that in which you used to 
 live ; I know not how sufficiently to praise God. With you, 
 I hope you may be kept there forever. How did you come 
 to say you hoped there would be but one Sabbath more 
 for you to be alone, if it is the Lord's will? How did you 
 come to put that in ? Well, it so happens that I have to 
 turn about at Pittsford, Michigan, and go away back to 
 Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and dedicate a church. They had 
 posters printed and all the arrangements made aud I knew 
 nothing of it until I come here. Letters had been written, 
 but I did not get them. It is a great thing to pray from 
 the heart the Lord's prayer — ' Thy will bo done.' And it 
 is a blessed thing to realize f My grace is sufficient.' — This 
 is a possible experience and one we all need. Still beau- 
 tiful weather. A good session of Conference thus far. I 
 have to dedicate the church in which Conference is held, 
 on Sabbath — then three more that week, making four 
 churches in eight days — Then in a month or so come back 
 to Iowa to dedicate another. This looks some like pros- 
 
228 THE LIFE OF 
 
 perity ; God be praised — Glad God is reviving his wotfe in? 
 Syracuse. May the time of captivity there be ended speed- 
 ily. I am sure God is hearing prayer. ' Great peace have 
 they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them/ 
 1 In the world ye shall have tribulation, hut in me ye have 
 peace. 7 'Peace be unto you. My peace I give unto you* 
 Not as the world giveth, give I unto you Peaee like a 
 river, and righteousness like the waves of the sea.' How 
 blessed to daily and hourly commune with our Saviour 
 consciously. But remember still there are heights beyond. 
 Let us, ' Forgetting the things behind and reaching to 
 those before, press toward the mark for the prize of our 
 high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 7 
 
 LETTER WEITING. 
 His letter writing while at home was no small 
 tax upon his time and sympathies. Many of his 
 hours were spent in writing the absent. Encour- 
 aging those who needed encouragement. Sympa- 
 thizing with those in sorrow, reproving in love, 
 those who needed reproof, and in even so small a 
 denomination as ours, there is often need of a 
 peace-maker. Jesus will surely say to him. 
 u Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be 
 called the children of God," Many times he has 
 come from the office weary in body and mind, yet 
 no rest until some plan of action was arranged to 
 help those in difficulty. Many times in the small 
 hours of the night have I listened to the advice he 
 thought he should give the parties concerned. It 
 seemed a relief to tell some one of his cares. Per- 
 haps the difficulty was concerning trifling matters, 
 yet, there was danger that the cause of God would 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 229 
 
 suffer, if oil were not poured upon the troubled 
 waters. He seemed to have the faculty of gaining 
 the confidence of all ; for every one felt a freedom 
 in confiding their interests into his keeping. They 
 expected sympathy in joy or sorrow. Standing as 
 he did at the centre of our denominational inter- 
 ests — visiting as he did for so many years our an- 
 nual Conferences, he became well acquainted with 
 our work all through the Connection. Almost knew 
 individual churches. He was personally acquaint- 
 ed with nearly all the ministers- — knew their suc- 
 cesses and their failures — knew all they had to 
 contend against — their self-denial for the Master — 
 their zeal, their devotion and consecration. He 
 often wrote, " We do have a band of noble breth- 
 ren." His letters from the Conferences almost in- 
 variably testified to the presence of the Lord in 
 their annual gatherings, and the faithful work done 
 by the brethren. In looking over his letters I find 
 often such expressions as these — " We have had a 
 glorious session of Conference ; for the Lord has 
 been with us in mighty power." Souls were con- 
 verted, and believers were strengthened." " The 
 brethren go to their work with a renewed conse- 
 cration. I expect great results, because of the 
 baptism of power received." Also, " This has been a 
 good year for this Conference. Thanks be unto God 
 who giveth us such victories. Its all of the Lord — 
 
 or Brother is on the mountain top. This has 
 
 been his best year — over one hundred conversions. 
 Prospects good, but our hope is in God. May He 
 
230 THE LIFE OF 
 
 use us to His glory. I preached last night— a 
 good time. Tlie good Lord blesses me in His 
 work. How much I need His grace. I am sure 
 many are praying for me. Let us be more and 
 more given to God. I think I know something of 
 what Paul wrote of the ' care of all the Churches.' 
 Seek daily communion with God. Be as busy as 
 may be about His work and time will speed quick- 
 ly. God bless you." 
 
 THE LAST YEAB. 
 
 The last year of Mr. Crook's life was if possible 
 crowded witl\more than usual labor. He returned 
 from his visit to the Coferences in the Fall of 1873 
 feeling well in body and mind. The people had 
 responded to his calls for subscriptions to the new 
 Publishing House with great liberality. The work 
 throughout the Connection was in a growing, pros- 
 perous condition. The Lord was with them at 
 each session of Conference, to bless and strengthen. 
 The brethren went to their respective fields of la- 
 bor with fresh courage and renewed consecration. 
 New fields were opening, and new laborers were 
 coming up to the work. He thanked God and took 
 courage. He almost immediately, in connection 
 with his office work, took charge of a Mission 
 Church about one mile and a half from his home, 
 preaching twice on each Sabbath. A few weeks 
 after his return, Bro. Stratton was taken sick, and 
 for weeks was so feeble that we were all greatly 
 alarmed about his recovery. Mr. Crooks took 
 
ftEV. ADAM CROOKS. 231 
 
 charge of the editorial work, and while all this 
 was upon his hands, the clerk was also taken sick, 
 which made additional labor. Before either was 
 able to do full duty, he commenced a series of 
 meetings at the Mission Chapel. Working hard 
 at the office all day, he would walk to the meeting, 
 preach, exhort, conduct altar services, and late in 
 evening would walk home, take a few hours rest, 
 and then commence the labors of another day. 
 This continued until time for the Spring Confer- 
 ences. He attended the last of those in May, and 
 in June, Bro. Stratton and family went West on a 
 visit, and were absent four weeks. Mr. Crooks 
 took entire charge of papers and office again. He 
 attended the dedication of a church in Vermont, 
 in July, and in August went to Michigan for the 
 same purpose. 
 
 Immediately upon his return from the last dedi- 
 cation, he commenced his preparations for his usual 
 Fall journeyings. His hands were full of buiness 
 until the last moment. At dinner, on the last day, 
 he said : — " I am going to try to get through with 
 my work in time to have a half hour to rest and 
 visit with you before I leave for the train." But 
 there are always so many arrangements to make, 
 so much to attend to, before leaving for such a 
 length of time, that he could spare but a few mo- 
 ments for supper and the last il God bless you !" 
 We expected to meet again in Michigan after a few 
 weeks. He left home on the evening train, for 
 Bast Orange, Delaware Co., Ohio, where the ses- 
 
232 THE LIFE Off 
 
 sion of the Central Ohio Conference was to be held* 
 Three years of our life had been spent happily in 
 the cozy little parsonage at that place, He arrived 
 in safety and good health, and wrote me a long 
 letter, telling of old friends and his pleasant 
 visit with them. He left there for the Miami Con- 
 ference, and the week following he was in Rich- 
 mond, Ind., attending the Indiana Conference. I 
 will give an extract from one of his letters written 
 while there : — 
 
 Sept. 3, 1874. 
 "Deak Wife :— 
 
 My health is still good, for me, at this season of the 
 year. Some catarrh, but I think I am over the worst. 
 The attendance is large — some say the largest ever known 
 in this Conference. Six came to unite with the Conference. 
 How thankful to God we should be for the success he is 
 giving us. I am very thankful. Soon as possible I will 
 let, you know whether you may look for me Monday or 
 Tuesday. Good-bye till evening. Mail is in noW, and no 
 letter from you. Hope now for to-morrow morning, but I 
 send you this. I am much better to-day. The Lord, be 
 praised. Take good care of yourself; I know you will of 
 mother. Don't too strongly look for me next week. Case 
 is looking doubtful. Best love and blessings. Thine own 
 loving husband. 
 
 He found that by riding all night he could come 
 to my mother's on his way to the Michigan Confer- 
 ence, and spend a day with us/ He was very 
 weary, but enjoyed his visit very much. He had a 
 long talk with mother. She did not think she 
 should see him again, for she expected to be called 
 soon to her " Heavenly home." 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 233 
 
 While making preparations for his departure, I 
 could not entirely control my feelings. Seeing this, 
 lie came to me and said : — " It's hard, but we'll do 
 this for Jesus' sake." We went to the depot; bade 
 each other farewell. That was the last time I saw 
 my husband when he looked like himself. 
 
 Ionia, Mich., Sept. 14, 1874. 
 
 " Dear Wife ; — 
 
 I had expected to communicate with you agaiu last 
 week, but was away five miles from the post office; bence 7 
 I write this morning, immediately. We have had an ex- 
 cellent Conference session. Good attendance, a "blessed 
 spirit of harmony and zeal. Six were ordained. My 
 health is now about perfect. I have recovered from my 
 annual attack ol catarrh, and this morning, after the labors 
 of yesterday, am feeling splendidly. 0, how I thank God 
 for good health ! I hope you are well by this time. You 
 must take good care of yourself for my sake. To look 
 forward, it seems a long time until November; yet we 
 know how fast time flies. You will be content taking care 
 of mother. Bro. Curtis sends love to you all ; he is quite 
 feeble. Time is manifestly making its mark upon him. 
 So it does and is upon us all. Now, be good, and do good. 
 Let me hear from you often. Love and blessing to you 
 and all. Thine own in love. 7? 
 
 While going from the Michigan to the Illinois 
 Conference, he had a severe chill, It lasted hours. 
 In speaking of it after he came home, he said, " I 
 thought I never could get warm again. The very 
 marrow in my bones seemed frozen." He sent me 
 a card from Sycamore, saying he was sick, and he 
 would write me again soon. 
 
234 THE LIFE OP 
 
 Sycamore, III., Sept. 23. 
 
 "Dear Wife :— 
 
 No doubt you have been anxious to hear from me. 
 Thursday eve I sent a card to you, reporting my sickness' 
 then started to ride five miles to the Conference ; or rather 
 to my stopping place, which was two miles from the place 
 of Conference. This was too bad for a sick man, to ride 
 four miles eacl! day. I would go in the morning and stay 
 till evening, remaining in -doors at night. I eat almost 
 nothing. This wretched Hay-fever. I preached Sabbath, 
 and came to this place Monday, too late to get a letter to 
 you. I write this before breakfast. I am feeling better, 
 but not well. Pray for me ; I do for you. Write me 
 often. Love to you, mother, and all. Ever thine own." 
 
 Sycamore, III., Sept. 24. 
 
 " Dear Wife :— 
 
 fl write you by the handj of another, not being able to 
 write now. I have been stopping here at Bro. Clark's, 
 pastor of the Church at Sycamore, trying to rest up and 
 doctor up. The Doctor says I am better, and thinks I 
 will not have a run of fever. I am very weak. I start for 
 Iowa to-day. Bro. Clark is going with me to take care of 
 me and do the work. I shall do my very best to take ?are 
 of myself, and will write you again when I get to Iowa. 
 I know you will not cease to pray for me ; I will not for 
 thee. Hope in G-od. Don't be discouraged. All will 
 come out right. Yery best love and blessing to you and all. 
 This is written by the hand of our excellent Sister Shep- 
 ardson, for your loving husband." 
 
 Iowa Conference, Sept. 28, 1874. 
 "Dear Wife: — 
 
 I wrote you by the hand of Sister Shepardson, in Illi- 
 
 1 nois, and by the hand uf Bro. Clark, in Iowa, on oar way 
 
 to the seat of Conference, and would now write you by the 
 
 hand of Bro. Shepardson, who is to accompany me to 
 
 Kansas. It required nearly a superhuman effort to reach 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 235 
 
 this place. Having started Thursday noon, from Syca- 
 more, 111., we arrived at midnight at State Line, Iowa. 
 There stretched out before us some fifteen miles of rough 
 road, and it was raining furiously. This was rather a gloomy 
 prospect for a sick man, but our good Heavenly Father 
 brought us safely through it all. To his Holy name be 
 rendered grateful praise. I left almost the entire business 
 to Brothers Shepardson and Clark, simply settling with our 
 Missionaries, and making my official report to the Confer- 
 ence. I only attended services Sabbath morning. The 
 good brethren and sisters having kindly furnished me a 
 couch on which to lie, and now having done all this, Mon 
 day morning, I find myself vastly better than when we left 
 Sycamore. It is truly wonderful how our good Heavenly 
 Father can sustain amid suffering, toil and sickness. He 
 shall have all the glory. And now, dear wife, be patient, 
 trustful, and ever praise the Lord. This letter is quite ex- 
 tended. I had better rest. Give love to mother and all 
 the family, and accept without measure, from your pilgrim, 
 yet faithful and loving husband. 
 
 "P. S. Your two good letters addressed me here, were 
 received Saturday evening. 
 
 " P. S. Sept. 29th. Programme changed. I have con- 
 cluded to stop here a week and rest, and let Bro. Shepard- 
 do the business in Kansas. This will give me opportunity 
 to rest and rally for the remainder of the tour. Young 
 Bro. McG-iivra consents to stay and care for me. Ever 
 "loving, &c." 
 
 Oct. 5, 1874. 
 
 " Dear Wife : — 
 
 I promised to write the next letter with my own hands, 
 but I find it much easier to employ the hand of another. 
 I came here last Monday, and have been stoppiug here un- 
 til this Monday morning, to rest up and get well. Have 
 had excellent care taken of me, God appointing a Sister 
 Riley and Bro. McGilvra to this work. Now the fever 
 seems to be gone, but it leaves me quite weak. It will re- 
 
236 THE LIFE OF 
 
 quire some days to recruit, before I can renew my journey. 
 
 I mean first, by the blessing of God, to take care of self, 
 and theu do my utmost for His cause. It may be I will 
 remain here until Wednesday, before trying to start out on 
 my tour. Only two more Conferences to attend, and two 
 more churches to dedicate. I expect to return to Syracuse 
 by the way of Leesvilie ; but I do not expect to remain 
 there very long. I wish the Estate affairs were all settled 
 up. God will bring it about after a while. Take good 
 care of yourself. Let me hear from you as often as possi- 
 ble. Give love to mother and all. Please accept a bound- 
 less share for yourself. Be sure and live very near to the 
 
 dear Lord, and do all the good you can. From your ever 
 
 loving husband." 
 
 I received a number of postals written for him? 
 all full of hope for a speedy recovery, and thank- 
 fulness for blessings given. After ten days rest, he 
 started alone for the Minnesota Conference. He 
 was not fit to make the journey, especially alone, 
 but he said, " God took care of me." The next is 
 written in a trembling hand, by himself. 
 
 Wasioja, Minn., Oct. J 3, 1874. 
 "Dear Wife: — 
 
 Your two letters were brought from Kansas, also the 
 one to this place received. I am improving slowly. Ap- 
 petite does not seem to come. I think the attack was bil- 
 ious. I start to Wisconsin to-day. A long visit with 
 Professor Hand. He looks about as of yore. He is absent 
 from his family nearly all the time. He sends kindest re- 
 gards to Libbie. Well, not long now, if God please, till 
 we meet at home. Won't it seem good. Dear wife, let us 
 live near God. Love and blessing to all. Your ever lov- 
 ing husband.' 7 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 237 
 
 Wisconsin Conference, Oct. 17, 1874. 
 
 C£ Dear Wife :— 
 
 Your good letter was received all right. I am still on 
 the up grade. Have not preached since in Illinois, May 
 next Sabbath, if the Lord helps. Yes, in about three 
 weeks, God permitting, I hope to get home — about the 
 first of November." 
 
 The next is an almost entire copy of his last let- 
 ter to me, written in weakness and weariness, with 
 a trembling hand. 
 
 Trempeleau, Wis., Oct. 21, 1874, 
 " Very Dear Wife : — Your postal was received last 
 evening. Hope you are well as usual. lam here to dedi- 
 cate a church at 2 o'clock to-day. Hope God may help 
 me. I am still improving slowly, but it almost seems by 
 the half inch, yet coming up. Glad to know you are try- 
 ing to live near God. 0, how important this ! You wish 
 to know on what day of next week I expect to get home • 
 If G-od will, on Tuesday, if I do not go to Leesville ; if I 
 do go there, then Thursday. If you get home first, give 
 love to all the friends. Blessings. Thine own loving hus- 
 band. 
 
 (" Soon face to faee." A. Crooks. 
 
 After leaving Trempeleau, he had to attend a 
 dedication at Xenia, Ohio. On the way, while in 
 the cars, he made the acquaintance of two Friends ; 
 and as they were conversing about the reforms of 
 the day, and the life work of the Christian, he no- 
 ticed a gentleman seated near by, who seemed very 
 much interested in the conversation. As they 
 neared Xenia, he approached Mr. Crooks, asking 
 " To what part of the city do you intend going ? I 
 live here, and can aid you." He told him where. 
 
238 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Then the stranger said, " It is but a short distance* 
 I am going the same way, and will carry your 
 satchel for you. I have been listening to your talk, 
 and I like the ring of it." They stepped to the 
 door and found it raining. Then the gentleman 
 said, " Let me call a carriage for you." Pie did 
 so, and after helping him in, bade him a good day. 
 Mr. Crooks rested very well that night, and the 
 next day attended the dedication. After preach- 
 ing, there were twelve hundred dollars to raise, in 
 order to clear the church from indebtedness. They 
 succeeded in raising the greater portion of it, and 
 thinking they would not be able to finish it entire- 
 ly, dismissed the congregation. He went to his 
 resting place, lay down a few hours, thought of 
 another plan, arose, went to the evening service 
 and completed the work. He was too feeble to go 
 to Leesville, as he had purposed doing, so he came 
 directly home. 
 
 He was so thankful to get home once more. He 
 was very grateful for the kindness and care be- 
 stowed upon him by others. Several times he said 
 " I could not have had better care if you had been 
 at my side; but it is so pleasant to be in my own 
 little home again." He had every attention possi. 
 ble while traveling. At one time, the Superintend- 
 ent of the road was at the depot when the train 
 was being made up, and seeing Mr. Crooks' condi 
 tion, he ordered a more comfortable car to be 
 added to the train. Another time, the Conductor 
 of a train had a lounge put into the baggage car; 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 239 
 
 so that he could lie down while traveling. The 
 hands employed on the trains seemed to vie with 
 each other in kindness to him. The accommoda- 
 tions in the far West, upon those cross roads, espe- 
 cially, are not very good. He has journeyed many, 
 many miles, upon freight trains, and even upon open 
 gravel cars, seated upon his trunk, with his um- 
 brella to shield him from the sun and rain. Several 
 times he has written me of riding with the engineer 
 and in one letter, written several years ago, he 
 says : — " I am getting used to the rough and tumble 
 of travel. You would think so, if you had seen 
 me riding all night, last night, in a freight car, lying 
 on a board for a bed, and my satchel for my pillow." 
 He came home the 27th of October. He was 
 very feeble, and had changed so in his appearance, 
 that he scarcely looked like himself. We all felt 
 that he must have been very much worse than we 
 realized at the time. That evening, while talking 
 of his sickness, I told him of the desolation that 
 would come over me at times, while at mother's — a 
 fear that I should never see him again, and I said, 
 " Oh, Mr. Crooks what should I have done if you 
 had not come home ?" Laying his hands upon my 
 head, he said, " God would have helped you borne 
 it." He also said " he believed that he was per- 
 mitted to come home in answer to prayer." I feel 
 assured, by some remarks he made as we further 
 conversed, that night, that there had been times 
 when he had felt his recovery doubtful. He 
 traced the hand of a kind and loving Father all 
 
240 THE LIFE OF 
 
 through his sickness, especially in raising up such 
 friends, who were so tireless in their attentions to 
 his comfort. He said farther, that " God had so 
 prospered us as a denomination, that there would 
 not be so much anxiety for the future as there had 
 been in the past. He should not have so much 
 care, and he was not going to let all his attention 
 be given to outside work, for he intended to spare 
 a little to his home. For years the Connection 
 had claimed his whole time and absorbed his every 
 thought; now, God was raising up others, who 
 were working so zealously and faithfully that there 
 was not that necessity for him to labor as he had 
 been doing. He was going to rest and recruit.'' 
 
 Nearly every day he spent an hour or more at the 
 office, having his accounts of business done at the 
 Conferences properly recorded on the office books, 
 and in answering letters which were awaiting his 
 return. Some of these were for advice and coun- 
 sel, and he wrote as the case seemed to need; 
 sometimes planning the work for others, sometimes 
 encouraging, and again giving counsel. When at 
 home, he lay on the couch nearly all the time. He 
 did not suffer much, but seemed so weary. 
 
 The first Sabbath morning after his return, he 
 wanted to go to Church, but as it was stormy, he 
 concluded to stay at home and rest. I left him 
 with that understanding. Shortly after I had gone, 
 he changed his mind, arose, protected himself as 
 best he could, and came to the house of God. He 
 sat by the stove during service, but before the bene 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 241 
 
 diction was pronounced, he asked permission to say 
 & few words. He said lie wished to thank the 
 friends for their kind sympathy and prayers. He 
 said it was in answer to prayer that he stood be- 
 fore them to-day. He spoke of the good dealings 
 of God with him, and his perfect submission to the 
 will divine. He encouraged them to continue to 
 pray ; for God did hear and answer prayer. 
 
 There were several times in which, for a few 
 days, he seemed to gain strength; then he would 
 have chills or a return of fever, and he would lose 
 all he had gained. At one time he gained several 
 pounds in weight; but it could not have been good 
 flesh. There was not a perfect circulation of blood 
 through his system; for one foot and limb were 
 cold nearly all the time. His appetite was" very 
 fickle; sometimes craving very little, and then al- 
 most ravenous in its demands. 
 
 The Mission Church had been without a supply 
 for the pulpit for several Sabbaths, and he was so 
 anxious for that little flock for which he had labored 
 so earnestly, that he walked to the place of worship, 
 and preached from these words : — " Keep your- 
 selves in the love of God, looking for the mercy 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude, 
 i: 21. He preached about forty minutes. His 
 voice, at first, was weak and tremulous ; but he 
 became so engaged in urging his hearers to faith- 
 fulness, that it became as strong and powerful as it 
 ever was. He rested a while, and walked home, 
 11 
 
242 TSE LIFE OF 
 
 and that night he had another chill, from which, in 
 a few days, he seemed to rally. He afterwards 
 rode to the place of meeting, and preached his 
 farewell sermon to them, as they had succeeded in 
 securing the services of another pastor. This 
 proved to be the last time he gave the " bread of 
 life" to others. His text was:— "And when he 
 Was gone, a lion met him by the way and slew 
 him." 1 Kings, xiii : 24, The leading thought he 
 tried to impress upon their minds was a caro fulness 
 in obeying the commands of God. He did not 
 remain to Class-meeting, but took each one of them 
 by the hand, asking God to bless them, he bade 
 them farewell. They never saw him again, until 
 they looked upon his shrouded form. 
 
 When expostulated with for working when so 
 feeble, he said, " I am doing my duty ; God will 
 take care of my body." His mind rested calmly, 
 trusting in God. He said several times, that he 
 never felt he could be spared from the work as 
 well as now j there were so many brave, zealous,, 
 earnest workers coming into our ranks. The young 
 and old were so baptized with the spirit of labor 
 and sacrifice for Jesus, that the work would still go 
 on ; i but/ he always added, " it is just as the Lord 
 wills; I am in his hands, to do his will." 
 
 About this time, letters came, asking advice con- 
 cerning a Church difficulty on a certain part of the 
 work. It seemed to press heavily upon him. He 
 exclaimed, " Why cannot brethren bear with each 
 other 1" He was advised to send postal cards to 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 243 
 
 the parties, stating his feebleness, and that he would 
 write them more fully, as soon as he was better. 
 This he did ; but a few days later he wrote several 
 long letters, trying to calm the strife among brethren. 
 The year was drawing to a close. He felt there 
 ought to be some earnest words said to our sub- 
 scribers, urging renewals and the enlarging of our 
 list. He arose one Monday morning, and as soon 
 as breakfast and morning devotions were over, he 
 drew a stand near the stove, and began to write. 
 Nearly the whole forenoon was spent in preparing 
 the Prospectus for 1875. Then, there were callers 
 who occupied his time for an hour or more. When 
 at last alone, he laid his weary body upon the 
 couch ; and as I sat beside him, taking my hand in 
 .his, he said: — "I know you are feeling anxious be- 
 cause I have worked so hard this forenoon. I had 
 to do it. The subject was in my mind and on my 
 heart. I could not lay it aside. It was time for 
 the Prospectus to appear in the paper, and there 
 was no one who had the facts as I had. I had to 
 do it. This morning, as I knelt beside my bed, I 
 said, \ 0, Lord, living or dying, I will do my duty.' 
 It was my duty, and God will take care of the re- 
 sults. It has always been, my experience, that God 
 has given me strength to do the work he has for 
 me to do. While attending the Conferences and 
 Dedications, as feeble as I was, many times I felt 
 that I could not hold up my head ; yet, when the 
 time came for me to speak, to preach or to present 
 the interests of our cause, God was by me, to sup- 
 
244 THE LIFE OF 
 
 port and strengthen. Now, do not feel worried , 
 for I am in the Lord's hands, to do his will." 
 
 He was "exceedingly interested in the women's 
 temperance work in our city, and was anxious that 
 I should attend every meeting. One day, he had 
 lain upon the couch nearly all the forenoon ; not in 
 much pain, yet suffering from prostration. It 
 seemed to require an effort to lift even his hand ; 
 yet he urged me to go to the meeting that aftei\ 
 noon. He said, " you cannot do anything for me ; I 
 will lie here and rest while you are gone." He 
 seemed to feel sorry when I told him I could not 
 leave him. I did go to a number of meetings, 
 partly to please him, when my heart was divided 
 between the interests of the cause and my poor 
 feeble husband at home. We had many calm, quiet 
 talks, during those last weeks, upon personal expe- 
 rience. He was so restful, and trustful, and hope- 
 ful, expecting to get well, because he had such 
 confidence in the strength of his constitution to 
 throw off disease, and there was so much work to 
 be done for the Master, and he had such a love for 
 that work, that his mind was almost entirely occu- 
 pied in arranging work for himself and others. 
 Self was so thoroughly crucified ; he had no anxi- 
 ety for the present or future. All was well with 
 him, and he lay passive in the hands of the Lord, 
 awaiting his guiding, ready to go or stay, just as 
 the Lord willed. 
 
 He said, at one time, "I hope to have more time 
 to write now, than I have had fur the past few 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 245 
 
 years. There are several subjects upon which I 
 think I shall write more fully. I think good can 
 be done. I want our people established, settled, 
 and grounded on these subjects." One was our 
 perpetuity as a denomination. If we will, with 
 " patient continuance," labor on, success is before 
 us. Another one he mentioned, was u the great 
 importance of heart and life consecration to God." 
 This was a subject of vital importance to him. 
 Personally, he drew very near to God ; seemed to 
 talk with him, as with a dear friend. His earnest 
 prayers for the cause he loved, and was willing to 
 labor for, shall never be forgotten. 
 
 Those last weeks were blessed, precious weeks* 
 He seemed in spirit so like himself. His cares 
 were laid upon One strong to help. He was so 
 thankful to get home, he fully entered into the en- 
 joyment of our quiet, peaceful home. He was ten- 
 der, loving, cheerful, hopeful and trustful. It was 
 quiet rest for body and soul. 
 
 He went to the office nearly every day, until the 
 last week. Tuesday, one week before his death, 
 he went twice. About eleven o'clock he came 
 home, very weary, and laid on the couch. He did 
 not wish any dinner, but wanted to rest. He 
 seemed comfortable as he lay there, and having to 
 go out to meet an engagement, at two o'clock, I 
 left him for an hour or two. When I returned, he 
 was feeling badly, but was trying to transact some 
 business appertaining to the printing office, with a 
 stranger who had called to see him. When we 
 
246 THE LIFE OF 
 
 were alone, he complained of a pain in his stomach, 
 somewhat similar to his old complaint, (Bilious 
 Cholic). But as it was not very severe, he said he 
 would drink some peppermint tea, and be covered 
 up warm, and get into a perspiration. He thought 
 that would relieve him. He suffered all night, but 
 he did not feel anxious. In the morning, we thought 
 we ought to be more thorough, and commenced giv- 
 ing him medicine which was prepared for him, and 
 had always given relief. About noon he was bet- 
 ter of the pain, but had a high fever, which in- 
 creased as night approached. 
 
 Bro. Stratton called during the afternoon, to make 
 arrangements for the missionary meeting, which 
 was to be held the next day. I asked him if he 
 thought he should be able to attend the meeting. 
 He answered, "If I cannot go to the meeting the 
 brethren can come here." He felt that the meet- 
 ing must be held then, for our missionaries were 
 needy. During the night his fever was very high. 
 His mind was wandering. He was traveling — 
 working — -had so much to attend to. In the morn- 
 ing early he was better. I wanted him to have a 
 doctor, but he said, " Wait, I think I shall be better 
 now." After a time I left him sleeping, and went 
 into another part of the house to attend to other 
 duties. In a little while hearing him up, I went to 
 his room and found him trying to dress himself 
 and could not. I asked, " Had you better get up 
 now ? he said " yes," and indistinctly referred 
 to the missionary meeting. I gave him the aid he 
 
REV. ADAH CROOKS, 247 
 
 needed, and leaving him a moment I heard his 
 voice and went to him immediately. He tried to 
 tell me something, but could not articulate clearly. 
 Then he laid back upon the bed and motioned me 
 to cover him up. I sent immediately for the doc- 
 tor. He was conscious when he came, yet did not 
 talk coherently. He lay all day in a stupor ; when 
 roused he seemed to know what was said to him. 
 Several times during the day he would get up and 
 out of bed as though he must go somewhere. I 
 would quietly arrange his pillows or bed, and say, 
 now your bed is nice, he would lie down without 
 any resistance and be covered again. This con- 
 tinued until about midnight. His fever left him 
 then, and he slept sweetly until four o^elock, when 
 he called me by name. He was perfectly rational, 
 and could converse easily. He remembered some 
 things that transpired during the previous day, but 
 for the most part it was a lost day to him. He now 
 seemed more natural than he had for several days 
 past. He was his own bright self again. After he 
 had eaten a little breakfast he said, " I was so sick 
 yesterday morning that I was not conscious of the 
 time for morning devotion ; we must not forget our 
 family altar ; you will bring the Bible here beside 
 my bed and read it to me and we will pray to- 
 gether." This was done until the last morning, 
 when he was again unconscious. When the doctor 
 came, he found him so much better that he encour- 
 aged us to hope that he would soon be well. 
 About eleven o'clock that day he had a slight chill, 
 
248 THE LIFE OF 
 
 but he did not appear any the worse for it, as it 
 lasted but a few moments. Saturday morning we 
 moved his bed into the sitting room. He seemed 
 strong — walked quite easily. In the afternoon he 
 sat up in the arm chair and said, " he felt better." 
 He did not suffer except a soreness across his 
 stomach. He had some fever nearly all the time. 
 He slept quietly that night, awoke refreshed and 
 still seemed better. The doctor came about ten 
 o'clock and was pleased with the improvement in 
 his condition. He said he saw nothing in the way 
 of his recovery if we used care. The doctor sat 
 and conversed some time with us — and among oth- 
 er things he said, " I have been hearing something 
 of your hard labors." Mr. Crook's said, " his la- 
 bors in the past had been very severe, but he now 
 felt there was no further need for him to carry 
 such a weight of responsibility. In the future he 
 was intending to take better care of his health. 
 There had no one been wronged but his wife. She 
 had been called upon to sacrifice very much for the 
 cause for which he was laboring ; had in fact given 
 up her husband for ten years, but he meant to do 
 better by his own home in the future." He con- 
 tinued, " I cannot of course tell how it will be, but 
 I feel as though there were twenty years of service 
 for Christ before me yet." The doctor said he 
 would not be surprised if there were. He sat up 
 twice during the day — had very little or no appe- 
 tite, but was free from pain. We spent a calm, 
 bright, joyous Sabbath day. One or two of the 
 
IJEV. ADAM CROOKS. 249 
 
 friends saw him for a moment. The doctor's order 
 was that he should be kept perfectly quiet, for his 
 fever still clung to him. He sat up in his arm 
 chair twice during the day, but that night he was 
 very restless. He was not in pain, but his mind 
 was so full of work. He was planning important 
 work. He said in the morning he had prepared 
 several tracts and he thought when he got well he 
 should write them out and publish them. He 
 thought they would do good. 
 
 When Bro. Stratton called, he told him of one 
 or two little matters which had escaped his mind 
 when he saw him. After he had finished, he said : 
 " There, they are off my mind now." He told him 
 of his restless night, — the work he had been doing 
 during the night. I give Bro. Stratton's account 
 of his visit : — 
 
 "On Monday morning, he said, in answer to in- 
 quiries : — ' No, I was not nervous, but I could not 
 sleep. My mind was in a chariot of flame. I was 
 blocking out tracts, and one article especially. 
 One tract on Why be Wesley an Methodists V He 
 mentioned other enterprises by name, and the joy 
 of his soul. He expressed the desire to see the 
 great work of holiness of heart and life more and 
 more developed among our people ; and it seemed 
 to us that his countenance glowed like the face of 
 Moses, just down from the Mount of God. He 
 then spoke with great tenderness of the unwearied 
 attentions of his wife, introducing it by saying: 
 11* 
 
250 rHE LIFE OF 
 
 Brother Stratton, I have the best wife in the 
 world.' " 
 
 He fully appreciated every little attention. Dur- 
 ing the morning, he called me to his bedside, say- 
 ing, " I think we will write a 'certain ' letter to-day.'' 
 I told him he was not well enough. He answered, 
 " I have all that I am going to say arranged in my 
 mind, and if you will write it, then it will be off 
 my mind." I promised to do it for him in the 
 afternoon; it was not remembered again. He 
 slept some during the day. He was perfectly ra- 
 tional, and sat up a short time. We had several 
 conversations about what he intended to do, as soon 
 as he was able. One thing, he had promised, as 
 soon as he was well enough, to visit a Church where 
 there was some misunderstanding among some of 
 the members. He spoke of his promise as he lay 
 there on his bed. There was such an earnestness 
 in his eye, as he said :— -" I shall talk plainly with 
 them. I read, years ago, an allegory, which is to 
 the point in this case. When the Devil wishes to 
 get the control of men, he holds up to them his 
 end of the great magnifying glass, through which 
 men look at the things of this life, and they see 
 everything just as he wants them to see it; so he 
 controls them ; when, if they would only turn the 
 glass around, look through the other lens, they 
 would see just as the Lord wanted them to see. 
 They would learn his will in the matter. I shall 
 tell them they must be very sure which lens they 
 are looking through." The doctor called in the 
 
&EV. ADAM CROOKS. 251 
 
 afternoon, with another physician. As he was not 
 well, and feared he was going to be sick, he brought 
 this one with him for counsel, and to attend to his 
 case if he were not able to come in the morning 
 himself. They both encouraged us to hope for re- 
 covery. An old friend saw him a moment. He 
 was glad to see her, and sent love to all the friends, 
 and expressed a hope that he should see them soon, 
 A short time after this, he was taken with a chill, 
 which lasted about twenty minutes, and during this 
 time he was perfectly wild. I never saw him so 
 much so before. After using restoratives, the chill 
 left him, and he was perfectly rational again. He 
 said the chill had not hurt him; his fever was not 
 increased any, and he thought he was weak, and 
 perhaps he had not kept covered as well as he 
 should. He relished a light supper, and after hav- 
 ing his head and feet bathed, he fell asleep, and had 
 refreshing slumber all night ; yet, every time I went 
 to his bedside, he would awake. About midnight, 
 he awoke and said : — " We have been having such 
 a glorious work. We have organized a splendid 
 Sabbath school." Then looking at me closely, he 
 said, " Why, I am at home ! Really, I do not real- 
 ize half the time whether I am at home or not, I 
 am so very busy." He wanted some snow to eat 5 
 and while eating it, told again of his joy at being 
 with me. He was his own loving self once more. 
 Those last days are beautiful days to remember. 
 He was so patient. Not one complaint was heard 
 from him. Everything was just as it should be. 
 
252 TS¥ LIFE? OF 
 
 He so often said, "Thank you/' or "You are 80 
 kind." It was a pleasure to do for him. For years 
 we had not enjoyed such uninterrupted communion 
 with each other. He was so quiet, and rested so 
 calmly in the arms of the loving Savior. There 
 was a halo about him. As I think of those days, 
 I remember his face shone with a loving light, not 
 of this world. As the day dawned, he said, "Dear- 
 est, it is daylight." I asked, "Do you wish me to 
 get up ?" He answered, " On my own account, I 
 do; but on yours, I rather you would lie longer.' 
 As I arose, he wished to change from the bed to the 
 couch. After arrangements were made to make 
 him comfortable, he arose, partly dressed himself, 
 and walked to the couch. I asked, "How do you 
 walk this morning?" He answered, "Quite like 
 myself." I covered him warmly, as we supposed ; 
 but after a little while, he asked for more covering 
 and again, after a short time, asked for more, saying 
 he thought he Was going to have a chill. I gave him 
 warm drinks, and put hot applications to his feet 
 and hands. He was not wild, as he was the night 
 before ; but sank into a stupor from which it was 
 hard to arouse him, and when aroused, he did not 
 talk connectedly. 
 
 Soon, the doctor came ; but he was better, and 
 conversed with him rationally. I commenced to 
 tell the doctor about his chills, and my fears about 
 them ; and he looked up at me, saying : " Those 
 chills have not hurt me. My fever is not increased. 
 I am weak, and easily affected by any change. ! * 
 
UEV. ADAM CROOKS. 253 
 
 The doctor coincided with him, and said we must 
 be very careful about the temperature of the room, 
 when we made changes. He also said he did not 
 see anything in the way of his recovery, if we used 
 care. Soon after this, Bro. Stratton called ; but he 
 must have had another chill, and could not tell of 
 it j for he was in a stupor again, and did not talk 
 connectedly. He spoke of a beautiful picture, beau- 
 tiful doors, and beautiful colors. When Bro, Strat- 
 ton left, I went with him into another room, for a 
 few moments. I told him of my fears ; but that 
 the doctor did not seem alarmed. 
 
 When I returned, Mr. Crooks had evidently tried 
 to arise from the couch, for his feet were on the 
 floor. I asked, "Do you want to go to the bed?" 
 He answered, "Yes." I helped him to sit up. In 
 a moment he fell back, apparently lifeless. I arous- 
 ed him, by rubbing his hands and face j and said to 
 him, "Now, I will help you get up." I did so; but 
 he fell back a second time. Then I called in 
 friends. We used every means to arouse action we 
 could devise ; but without success. After carrying 
 him back to the bed, we sent to the Wesley an Of- 
 fice and for the doctor. While the messenger was 
 gone, we still kept doing all we could for him, and 
 finally gave him some wine. After a little, he 
 opened his eyes, and tried to speak ; but for a while 
 did not articulate a word distinctly, except, " Come ! 
 Come!" I said to a friend, who stood nearby: 
 "It is so hard that I cannot understand what he 
 says." He heard what I said, and looking at me 
 
254 THE LIFE OF 
 
 earnestly, he said, distinctly : u Why, I said it three 
 times." He had tried three times to tell me some* 
 thing ; but failed to speak so as to be understood* 
 In a moment there came a great earnestness into 
 his eyes, as he grasped my hands, saying, " Be 
 quick !" and drew me to him, and kissed me, look* 
 ing into my eyes as though there was something he 
 wanted to make me understand. In a moment, he 
 drew me to him again, saying, "Be quick 1" and 
 kissed me. After he did this, he said, u There is 
 rest beyond the skies," or " There is rest in the 
 skies. H Three or four times he said, " Be quick !" 
 as though he had but a moment in which to say 
 "farewell." He held my hands with a close grasp, 
 and continued trying to speak * his head and lips 
 were moving, and a faint sound could be heard ,* a 
 murmuring of inarticulate words, until he sank, to 
 speak no more. 
 
 The doctor came, gave him medicine, and went 
 to see the physician who had attended him during 
 his sickness, and who had been sent for ; but he 
 was not able to leave his room, and returned in 
 time to see him 
 
 " Breathe his life out sweetly there*" 
 
 Thus, he quietly, peacefully, " fell asleep in Jesus," 
 about thirty minutes after twelve o'clock, Tuesday, 
 December 15th, 1874. 
 
 OBSEQUIES AND MEMORIAL SERVICES IN 
 HONOR OP REV. ADAM CROOKS. 
 
 "The services at the residence were conducted 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 255 
 
 by Rev. Elijah Gaylord, late President of the Sy- 
 racuse Conference. He spoke as follows : 
 
 "Dearly beloved friends, we have met at this 
 house of mourning, and would call upon our hearts 
 and all that is within us to magnify His grace 
 which has distinguished us as the monuments of 
 God's amazing mercy. We all mourn and feel 
 deeply afflicted, and yet we feel that God doeth all 
 things well. We know there is one heart that 
 bleeds at this providence. There are many who 
 sympathize. Deeply afflicted, we shall remember 
 with sadness this event for many days, but we hope 
 and trust that God will bless this affliction, deep as 
 it is, to all who were connected with our beloved 
 brother who has departed. We feel that we had, 
 all of us, an interest in him. He has been, in a 
 certain sense, public property. We feel, deeply 
 feel the loss of our departed brother, and while we 
 mourn we can but realize that our loss is his infi- 
 nite and eternal gain. We can say in the language 
 of one of old, ' The Lord gave and the Lord hath 
 taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." 
 May the spirit of the Lord, the consolation of his 
 grace, and the power of the Holy Ghost, rain down 
 upon this dear sister, and all the friends of our 
 departed brother, and may we all share in the same 
 grace and mercy. We bless the name of God that 
 He has spared our deceased brother so long, to the 
 Connection, and has made him so useful. May his 
 mantle fall upon some, yea, upon many devoted 
 servants of the cause of Christ, and fit them for 
 
256 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the important duties that he has so ably conducted/ 
 and may the dear Lord enable us still to live and 
 triumph in his grace. 
 
 " He then closed the services by prayer. 
 
 " SERVICES AT THE CHURCH. 
 
 " Memorial services at the Wesleyan church. 
 
 " The church was hung with black and white^ 
 arranged in festoons around the entire interior; 
 with the pulpit heavily draped with black cloth 
 adorned with vines. Within the chancel rail, on 
 the communion table, both also draped, stood a 
 large and elegant cross composed of calla lilies 
 and white flowers. Another cross of white flow- 
 ers, and an elaborate crown and cross of the same 
 pure material, camillias, japonicas, double white 
 primroses, daphne odare, with white fringe chri- 
 santhemums, the cross sprinkled over with sinilax? 
 and the crown with white rosebuds, adorned the 
 coflin. 
 
 u The remains, enclosed in an elegant rosewood 
 casket, were borne by the following named gentle- 
 men as pall-bearers :— 
 
 " Rev. S. H. Foster, pastor of the First Wesleyan 
 Church of Syracuse. 
 
 " Rev. L. N. Stratton, assistant editor of the 
 American Wesleyan. 
 
 " Rev. D. S. Kinney, President of the Allegheny 
 Conference. 
 
 "Rev; J. P. Betker, President of New York 
 Conference. * 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS 7 257 
 
 " Rev. A. S. Wightman, President of Syracuse 
 Conference. 
 
 " Rev. N. Wardner, President of Champlain Con- 
 ference. 
 
 " Rev. G. L. Paine, Mexico, N. Y. 
 
 " Rev. A. P. Dempsey, Seneca Falls, N. Y, 
 
 " Rev. E. Barnetson, Groton, N. Y. 
 
 " Rev. S. Burgess, Blodgetts, Mills. 
 
 " Rev. E. Gaylord, Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 " The relatives and friends of the deceased fol- 
 lowed, Mrs. Crooks being supported by her brother, 
 Edwin Willits, Esq., of Monroe, Michigan, while 
 sympathizing friends and neighbors filled the house 
 to its utmost capacity. 
 
 " The services, which were under the direction 
 of the pastor, Rev. S. H. Foster, were opened with 
 reading of the hymn, "Unveil thy bosom, faithful 
 tomb," by the Rev. Seth Burgess, followed with 
 prayer by the Rev. A. F. Dempsey, the attending 
 clergy kneeling around the chancel. 
 
 " Selections from the*xxiii Psalm, " The Lord is 
 my shepherd," and from 1 Corinthians, xv, "As we 
 have borne the image of the earthly, so also we 
 shall bear the image of the heavenly," were read 
 by the Rev. J. P. Betker, of New York. 
 
 " The hymn, " How blest the righteous when he 
 dies," was then sung. 
 
 " Rev. S. H. Foster announced that short address- 
 es would be made by several friends and co-labor- 
 ers of the deceased, many of whom had come from 
 a distance to attend these memorial services. 
 
258 THE LIFE OP 
 
 " As for myself, little did I think, when last I 
 shook hands with our departed brother, that he 
 was so soon to be taken from us. On that occa- 
 sion, as I took him by the hand to say good-bye, a 
 smile played upon his face and he said to me, "All 
 is right, brother, all is right." We are here, as a 
 Church and congregation, as mourners to-day. But 
 we mourn not as those without hope. There are 
 many outside of our own Church and congregation, 
 who are in deep sympathy with us in our affliction . 
 Our departed brother was to us a leader, and in 
 the relations he sustained to us he was our head. 
 When in our exodus, we came to the Red Sea, the 
 voice of his words, as he essayed to speak on God's 
 behalf, were, 'Co Forward!' He was our Moses? 
 who was 'faithful in all his house,' like as ancient 
 Moses, in all the relations he sustained to us as a 
 denomination, bearing testimony as did Moses of 
 old. He will no more be sewn by us 'in the taber- 
 nacle of our congregation.' No more will he come 
 forth from the revealed glory of God's approbation 
 and presence, to cheer us on. But our hope is, 
 that God will raise up unto us a Joshua in his 
 stead. 
 
 " Two verses of the 837th hymn were then sung. 
 
 " When floating on life's troubled sea, 
 
 By storms and tempests driven, 
 Hope with her radiant fiuger points 
 
 To brighter scenes in heaven. 
 
 ^'She bids the storms of life to cease 
 The troubled breast be calm ; 
 
BEV. ADAM CROOKS- 259 
 
 And in the wounded heart she pours 
 Keligion's healing balm." 
 
 REV. J". P. BETKER, OF NEW YORK. 
 
 " None, perhaps, who are present on this occasion 
 are in any condition to speak. We are mourners 
 around the coffin of our best friend, and we cannot 
 speak as in calmer moments we might. I came 
 nearly three hundred miles to attend this funeral. 
 In my experience as a man, I have 'found very few 
 real friendships in the world. I can count on my 
 fingers' ends the true and genuine friends of my 
 heart. One, is in that coffin to-day. I feel ill- 
 qualified to speak here. But in thinking of my 
 brother I can think of one thing as trne of him — 
 his great soul ; his great mind. He possessed the 
 true elements of greatness ; and if I were to at- 
 tempt to impress anything upon the brethren here, 
 it would be the imitation of that greatness of soul 
 that distinguished him. All true greatness has its 
 beginning in piety. I knew him when he was al- 
 most a beardless boy. He and I started in the 
 ministry at the same period, belonged to the same 
 Conference. 
 
 I remember the first place that I ever preached 
 as a Wesleyan minister ; the next one who follow - 
 ed me was brother Adam Crooks . 
 
 I say true greatness begins in real piety ; and I 
 never knew one truly great the genuineness of 
 whose piety there could be any suspicion. The 
 foundational basis of true greatness is integrity. 
 And if there was one among us distinguished for 
 
260 THE LIFE OF 
 
 truth ; for integrity ; for solidity in this respect, it 
 was Adam Crooks ; a man of truth in all the de- 
 velopments of his character; in all the manifesta- 
 tions of his spirit. Wherever Adam Crooks was, 
 there was a true man. True greatness too is 
 characterized by a boundlessness of benevolence. 
 A great soul cannot nurse itself in selfishness. 
 His spirit was a broad catholic spirit, that took in 
 all mankind. There was not a child who was be- 
 neath his notice. The last time that we put up 
 together at our Annual Conference, we slept, 
 ate, and talked together; and all the little chil- 
 dren about the house had a sweet word from him. 
 I never knew him to be otherwise than kindly dis- 
 posed in every respect. And because he was thus 
 disposed he made himself what he was — great. 
 
 True greatness, too, is estimated by its depths 
 of principles^and its breadth of measures. I never 
 met a man that I thought was so perfectly settled 
 in what he believed to be true as this dear brother. 
 
 " True greatness is distinguished by a moral 
 courage that takes no account of the odds that are 
 against it; makes no arrangement for defeat, and 
 assures itself of victory because its cause is just. 
 
 " I do not think I could say anything more true 
 of our brother than this; that he took no odds of 
 the mighty forces that were against him. He went 
 down to North Carolina in the days when it was 
 as much as man's life was worth to call himself an 
 Abolitionist ; and he' passed through fearful prison 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 261 
 
 scenes there, and all through the history of the 
 great war against the fearful system of slavery, he 
 went right into the very heat of the battle, not 
 asking whether we should be defeated, but having 
 the most firm confidence in the justice of our cause — 
 a cause which he lived to see so gloriously triumph. 
 
 "True greatness knows no fraudulent conceal- 
 ments of its principles or aims, and whatever you 
 and I may think of this brother, especially those 
 who differ with him on the question of Secret So- 
 cieties, we must give him credit for this statement, 
 and it grew out of the very nature of his character 
 that 'True greatness knows no fraudulent conceal- 
 ment of its principles or aims.' He was a day-light 
 man. His works were done in the light, and not 
 in the darkness, and so he stood broadly and firm- 
 ly fixed in his relation to truth. 
 
 " True greatness may not always convert its op- 
 posers to its own standard, but it will command re- 
 spect. And I venture to say that although our 
 brother was firmly seated in his views, and chal- 
 lenged all combat as to the truth of his position, 
 there is not a man in this city whose opinion is 
 worthy of respect who would not say, "Adam 
 Crooks has deserved my regard and respect." 
 
 REV. G, L. PAINE, OF MEXICO, N". T. 
 
 "As has been said, we are mourners here to-day. 
 We cannot talk as we would under other circum- 
 stances. But I would say, I have been associated 
 in Conference capacity with this dear brother in the 
 
262 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Rochester Conference, ever since he has been here as 
 Editor and Agent, up to this last Spring. Our first 
 meeting was a happy one. Favorable opinions 
 were formed on the first look I had of him, and as 
 we met from time to time in Conference relation, 
 every word seemed to add to the respect and the 
 regard 1 had for him. Often in our Conference 
 relations knotty questions came up; something 
 that appeared personal, whereby feelings might be 
 touched, and I have seen the dear brother start 
 across the Conference floor to some person, and it 
 seemed as if the magic touch of his hand, and the 
 words dropped from his lips, would quiet every- 
 thing down, and calm all heated feeling. And 
 then standing anywhere on the Conference floor, 
 when a difficult question would come up, and it 
 seemed that there might be a break, he would un- 
 ravel and point out the course, and the Conference, 
 seemingly, would take the course, and all would 
 be harmony. These things as they fell from his 
 lips brought that brother to my heart. 
 
 " I stand here to-day as a second mourner with 
 these brethren that have stood by him; and my 
 trust is that by and by we shall meet this loved 
 one where parting scenes will never come. 
 
 " Two verses of the 852nd hymn were then sung. 
 
 "I would not lire alway; I ask not to stay, 
 Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way ; 
 The few lurid mornings that dawn on us here 
 Are enough for life's woes, full enough for its cheer." 
 
KEY. ADAM CROOKS. 263 
 
 " KEY. SETH BUEGESS OE BLODGETT'S MILLS, N. Y., 
 
 Spoke as follows.— ' There is very much that 
 might be said in regard to our brother who is 
 gone; much that to our mind is interesting; but 
 there is one trait of his character to which I wish 
 to call your attention just a few moments ; and that 
 is as an honest man and as a successful financier. 
 At the time that brother Crooks was elected Agent, 
 if my memory is correct, I was elected as one of 
 the members of the Book Committee ; and that, as 
 a matter of course, brought us into an association 
 that we otherwise should never have had ; and I 
 can say in truth, that with all brother Crook's oth- 
 er good qualities, he was an honest man ; honest 
 I believe to the very letter. It is one of the prom- 
 inent principles of the Christian religion to be 
 strictly honest. Brother Crooks has. always sought 
 to have his doings examined and investigated ; 
 and when I proposed a little less than four years 
 ago, to have the books of the agent audited, broth- 
 er Crooks favored it at once ; coveted it ; wished 
 to have it done. We appointed a committee who 
 examined the books and everything was found sat- 
 isfactory. 
 
 " Brother Crooks was not only an honest man, 
 but he has been a very successful business man in 
 our employment. It would require more time than 
 I have to give you much of an idea of brother 
 Crooks' business transactions. But it is enough 
 to say that when he became our servant in this de- 
 partment, we were eKcessively poor; we were so 
 
264 THE LIFE OP 
 
 poor that the retiring agent discouraged us from 
 trying to carry forward the enterprise. Brother 
 Crooks has done well. We are not rich to-day? 
 but we are by several thousand dollars better off 
 financially than we were when brother Crooks 
 came in here as our Agent. Time, as I said, fails 
 to tell you what he has done ; but his life with us, 
 or so far as we knew of, has not only been a life of 
 humble, devoted piety, but it lias been a life of suc- 
 cessful business. And he succeeded, perhaps, be- 
 yond what any other man we have would have 
 done. As to this we do not know ; but we trust 
 that God in His providence will raise up another 
 man to take brother Crooks 7 place and carry for- 
 ward that enterprise in which brother Crooks' 
 whole soul and body was enlisted. I felt more, 
 when I came here, like taking a seat down there 
 with those mourners, than I did like standing here ; 
 and I did not expect to stand here. But I am 
 glad to say this much, and I believe that we who 
 knew him can bear testimony to the same truth, 
 that brother Crooks was an honest man. 
 
 REV. A. S. WlGHTMAN OF SYRACUSE CONFERENCE. 
 
 " My relations with our departed brother, as 
 many in this congregation know, were very inti- 
 mate. I was his pastor for some years, and I can 
 see now just the pew where he used to sit, with his 
 open, loving, manly face fixed upon me, as I would 
 endeavor to preach the Gospel. It is a pleasant 
 thing to remember to-day that he always treated 
 
ftEV. ADAM CROOKS. 265 
 
 me with the most profound respect, and never al- 
 lowed an opportunity to pass without giving me 
 words of marked encouragement. Often when I 
 have felt despondent and discouraged, I have 
 gained new courage from his hearty and cheerful 
 words, which always seemed to be appropriate to 
 the very time. There is a kind of friendship that 
 might be called sunshine friendship. It is easy to 
 be friendly to everybody when it costs us nothing ; 
 but it is quite another thing to be a friend in 
 need — when there requires to be some little outlay 
 on the part of the one showing that friendship, in 
 order that the benefit designed may be imparted, 
 
 " In my experience with this dear brother, I have 
 seen it verified many times that he was truly a 
 friend in need. Often in times of trouble and sor- 
 row he has taken me by the hand with the gen- 
 erous tear quivering in his eye, and has said, 
 * Brother, do not be discouraged ; trust in God and 
 look higher.' Oh ! as such reminiscences as these 
 come to my memory, I feel indeed like a mourner 
 on this occasion. 
 
 " An incident occurred previous to the election of 
 our present editor, Rev. L. N. Stratton. Brother 
 Crooks found it necessary to leave the office a part 
 of the time to attend to business in distant parts. 
 He was in the habit of leaving the editorial work 
 in my hands. On one occasion — perhaps the first 
 occasion of his absence — I said, 'Brother Crooks, 
 what instructions will you give me now in refer- 
 ence to the management of the paper during your 
 12 
 
%$€ THE LIFE OF a 
 
 absence.' ? Nothing, my brother/ said he, ' But the 
 exercise of your own judgment; only remember 
 this one thing— strike hard and high for the truth/ 
 And there was an expression of nobility, of Chris- 
 tian strength of character, that he made at that 
 time, and has left upon my mind a marked impres- 
 sion, I seem to have adopted it as a sort of rule 
 of life. 
 
 " I feel that I have lost a friend and a brother. 
 Such a one perhaps I shall not meet again. But 
 this thought is an especial comfort to me. I have 
 seen enough of the world's trials and sorrows. I 
 feel very often now a longing for quiet rest ; and 
 I know that I shall find rest in that home to which 
 our dear brother has gone, where there are no 
 tears and where sorrows never come." 
 
 JiEV. D. S.. KENSTElT, PRESIDENT OE ALLEGHENY 
 qOETERENCE. 
 
 " Receiving at the midnight hour, over three 
 hundred miles distant, the announcement of the sad 
 bereavement that convenes us to-day, I stepped 
 across the way to one of our "fathers in Israel/ 7 
 one whose name is well known as a minister 
 among us, in advanced life, walking closely with 
 God, and broke to him the sad intelligence, said, 
 " Father Lamb, why could not God have taken me 
 and left brother Crooks a few years longer?" 
 We both knelt before God, and I know that our 
 hearts were so moved, that cheerfully, had it been 
 God's will, we would have died that he might have 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS, 267 
 
 lived. I knew nothing about the circumstances 
 of the case, but I thought perhaps my dear brother 
 Willits here, was so circumstanced in the far 
 West that he could not be here and sympathize 
 with his sister, and the wife of the dear departed 
 might perhaps desire me as among the mourners, 
 and I therefore decided to come, and to willingly 
 sit, if it might be, by her side, she having been my 
 teacher when a boy, and being my teacher at 
 the time of her engagement and marriage with 
 brother Crooks. I can say that I heartily en- 
 dorse — having been most intimate for over twen- 
 ty years with our departed brother, all that 
 has been said of his traits of character. But 
 I wish just here to say that brother Crooks was a 
 growingly pious man. He knew the worth of 
 prayer, as perhaps many of us do not. I have 
 personally, in those fearful conflicts of the recent 
 years of his official relationship here among you, 
 and with us as a Christian family ; I have known 
 him, like the dear Master in the days of his incar- 
 nation, to spend the whoh night in prayer. And the 
 last years, and months, and weeks of his life, 
 marked a growth in intense personal piety and 
 devotion to Cod. The last work that he has 
 dictated, that is in our hands, that he sent to me 
 in pamphlet form a few days only ago, — " Pro- 
 cesses of Salvation," — in which the distinctive 
 Wesleyanic and Methodistic view of entire conse- 
 cration to God and sanctification, is so clearly 
 defined and scripturally enforced, has not been 
 
268 
 
 THE LIFE OF 
 
 with hiin a simple theory, but has been an experi- 
 mental reality. 
 
 " We frequently have corresponded, as well as 
 had personal conversation, these recent months, 
 upon this subject. And while brother Crooks was 
 a thorough- going reformer, (all that has been said 
 with reference to that, I can say amen to) yet after 
 all, he did not desire the continuance of our or- 
 ganization simply on account of our reforms. He 
 wanted us to maintain the truth and the right, and 
 to be a distinctively holy people. The last letter 
 I got from him before he started upon his Western 
 tour — which proved in my estimation the fatal tour 
 of his earthly career — he sat down and wrote to 
 me a short note. He evidently had been in the 
 office, engaged in earnest wrestling prayer ; said 
 he, " Brother Kinney, join me in praying that our 
 Churches may be set on fire of God." Oh, how 
 my heart responded, and how I have endeavored 
 to keep that request. And as I learn in the de- 
 parting moments of our brother; getting a 
 glimpse of the glory that was being revealed, 
 and uttering, perhaps, in not the clearest articu- 
 lation, but yet the sentiment that, " There is rest 
 in the skies." I feel that there is rest in the 
 glory of God's grace, or rather, taking the lan- 
 guage of a letter not long since received, that 
 there is, ' room in God's golden, spiritual chariot 
 for us all to ride.' By his help and grace I mean 
 to ride there, and I expect to greet our dear de- 
 parted brother in the skies where ' there is rest.' " 
 
BEV. ADAM CROOKS. 269 
 
 REV. D. D. LORE, D. D., EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN 
 CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. 
 
 " Dearly beloved Christian brethren ; my friends 
 and myself, are here this afternoon to express to 
 you our deep sympathy in your affliction, and our 
 Christian love. We are not here for the purpose 
 of eulogizing the brother which you have lost, 
 You knew his worth, well. I have been impressed 
 by the remarks made, and am satisfied, and indeed 
 was satisfied before this, that he was a great and 
 good man. You have lost from your branch of the 
 Church of Christ, a leader ; a strong and courage- 
 ous leader; one who never feared to do the right. 
 I loved brother Crooks personally. 
 
 H. Similarity of profession brought us into con- 
 tact. I met him frequently. I never met him 
 without pleasure. J never met him without dis- 
 covering real manhood. We differed with regard 
 to some things, and why should we not differ. 
 We agreed to differ. Yet I loved him as a 
 Christian brother, and his name and memory in 
 our Church, so far as he is known, I am sure is 
 respected. He commanded respect as has been said 
 by one of his brethren here. 
 
 " But we are not here to occupy time so precious, 
 and it belongs to others who stood in closer rela- 
 tions to this dear man than we stand ; — closer in 
 many respects, but not closer in others. We are 
 one in spirit. We are all brethren in Christ Jesus. 
 We look forward together through the blinding 
 tears of earth, to that happy day when we shall 
 
270 the life of 
 
 meet with our Savior in yonder brighter clime, and 
 there greet each other as one common band of 
 brothers. " May God bless the afflicted Church," 
 is the prayer of those I am permitted to represent 
 here. May God bless you, dear brethren, and may 
 you be a light in the world, set for holiness of 
 heart and of life, pushing forward the victories of 
 the Cross," 
 
 EEV. L. N. STRATTON OF THE AMERICAN WESLEY AN. 
 
 " It is almost useless for me to attempt to say 
 anything to-day. No words I might use could 
 express the feeling of my heart. Language is 
 lame; it goes limping after thought. The inti- 
 mate relationship that I sustained to brother 
 Crooks as co-editor, was such as to place us in 
 constant communion with each other. We saw 
 each other by day and by night ; at all hours and 
 all seasons. I loved him much. The death of no 
 one outside my own family relations could have 
 caused me such deep sorrow as his own departure. 
 But he is gone. In my dreams he comes back. 
 He gives me counsel again as he did while here. 
 He came to my office, as it seemed to me, night 
 before last, to tell me something, as he has often 
 done in the past. 
 
 " He had peculiarities that fitted him, especially 
 for the leadership that he had. He turned back 
 for no storms. He was courageous. There was 
 no night so dark as to keep him at home when 
 duty called him away j no train going so late at 
 
BEV. ADAM CROOKS. 271 
 
 night, or so early in the morning that he could not 
 take it. The miles were not too many, nor the 
 roads too bad, nor he too weary, to fill his engage- 
 ments at the hour. If the railroad station were 
 twenty miles from where he might labor on the 
 Sabbath, and he should take a train at six o'clock 
 on Monday morning, he would be there, even if he 
 had to travel the distance through rain und dark- 
 ness, in an open wagon. There was no effort that 
 it was too hard for him to make, and make cheer- 
 fully. He dared everything. He rode over every- 
 thing. He made events, as it seemed, if they did 
 not occur. He bent all his energies with a will 
 that was ruthless, to push forward the enterprises 
 m which his soul was enlisted. We never, it 
 seems to me now, shall see his like again. But 
 43-od knows. He can raise up such agencies as he 
 wants, and can do his work without any of us if 
 he wishes us removed. Oh, how gladly would I 
 be there in that coffin, if that would place him 
 herei But God knows best. He is our leader. 
 Jesus is our friend ; and more than ever I feel like 
 putting my head on his breast and saying, • Thy 
 will be done.^ 
 
 "In our prayer-meetings our dear brother has 
 especially been remembered. I suppose a few 
 nights since, when there were so many engaged in 
 prayer for his recovery, that victory would turn 
 for us. For at first it seemed to us that we could 
 saot ? must not have it bo; but at length all said, 
 
272 THE LIFE OF 
 
 1 Thy will, God, be done,' I then looked for 
 victory, but God knew best, and it is done. 
 
 u ^ g rea t load rests upon our hearts, upon our 
 lives, upon our Connection. We who are brethren 
 in this work, must lift the harder now, that the 
 weight rests upon us the more heavily. 
 
 " Our brother was a man who had a kind word 1 
 for every one. He was kind in his affections for 
 all denominations of the Christian Church. I see 
 around me here brethren of whom I have heard 
 him speak so highly — brethren in the ministry* 
 Could I speak his words again, how gladly would 
 I give them to these brethren of other Churches,, 
 who mourn with us his sad loss. His voice we 
 shall no more hear ; but his words of admonition 
 and encouragement rest in our hearts and in our 
 memories. We shall cherish them. We pray 
 that God may fit us for all he is fitting for us r 
 and help us to bear the burdens that are resting 
 upon us. 
 
 " My dear friends, let us be just what the Lord 
 
 would have us to be, that we may meet our dear 
 brother in the Paradise of God." 
 
 REV. N. WARDNER, PRESIDENT OE CHAMPLArN 
 CONEERENCE. 
 
 " Sad— deeply, solemnly sad is this funeral hour. 
 Soul's fondest ties are riven, and the falling tears 
 of sable widowhood, in silent, speechless grief give 
 evidence that the soul's full fountain of sorrow is 
 broken up. Friends from near and far gather, and 
 
ftEV. ADAM CROOKS. 273 
 
 their mingled sighs and tears say, ' See how they 
 loved him.' For a prince and a great man is fallen 
 in Israel to-day; but thank God, fallen with 
 his well girt armor bright with use, and his face 
 toward the foe. For, our dear brother, in what- 
 ever moral conflicts he was engaged, dared to 
 do right and to suffer for that right doing if need 
 be. Early in life he laid his heart, his body, his 
 all at the foot of the Cross, and Heaven sanctified 
 the offering. And he went forth to labor in his 
 Master's vineyard clothed with power, and when — 
 I remember with gratitude — when freedom and 
 oppression grappled in mortal conflict in our land, 
 down in the Oarolinas, his voice echoed the notes 
 of a freedom-loving Gospel. In the very teeth of 
 oppression, our brother spoke words of liberty. 
 He dared to beard the lion in his lair, and though 
 a ruthless mob thrust him into a loathsome, South- 
 ern prison, yet he lived to bless his own liberty 
 and to see the soul of a nation's martyred Presi- 
 dent go up to God with the broken manacles of 
 four millions of freed men in his hands. And on 
 those blood-rusted manacles there were scars roe- 
 thinks, made by the burnished steel of our brother 
 as he wielded the sword of eternal truth for liberty 
 and the right. Who wonders that a man who 
 dared to stand and defend the right in the face of 
 any and every oppression ; who wonders that to 
 day — a leader as he was, and revered and loved 
 as we learned to revere and love him— that we 
 12* 
 
274 THE LIFE OF 
 
 gather about his bier and shed tears of affection \ 
 pearly drops of love ; for we loved him, and the 
 Church bows with speechless grief, and through 
 eyes suffused with tears, looks up and struggles to 
 say, — Heaven help us to say — ' Thy will be done.' 
 The cause of reform with which he was identified 
 in every phase, bows and weeps ; for a friend is 
 gone. That heart, that hand, that voice which is 
 still to-day was identified with every good word 
 and work. Every holy enterprise found a place in 
 his heart, in his sympathies, in his prayers. May 
 his falling mantle wrap some spirit with the same 
 devotion: the same consecration; yea, wrap many." 
 " Mysterious are the ways of Providence ; a busy 
 Providence does not stop to explain all its whys 
 and wherefores, and yet, I suppose, dear sister 
 Crooks and afflicted friends, the light of Heaven 
 will dispel all the darkness and mystery that may 
 be gathered around this affliction from the hands of 
 Providence. Look up to the light. For just be- 
 yond these heavy clouds blazes the sunlight of eter- 
 nal glory. Our brother Kinney has told us, that 
 our departed brother with his dying lips sought to 
 speak what methinks his vision saw of life, bliss 
 and heaven — ' There is rest beyond the skies. 
 There is rest beyond the skies.' Ah ! — it is labor 
 here, it was labor with him ; he coveted it ; he threw 
 his giant arms around it and prayed Heaven to 
 sustain him in it. It is rest now for him ; let it be 
 labor for us. Though he was our leader we mourn, 
 and it is right we should mourn; we can but 
 
"EEV. IDAM CROOKS. 2*1$ 
 
 mo (irn. ^Tet yonder, on a throne, high and lifted 
 up, sits One who will lead us; and methinks, 
 amidst the storm which has gathered around us-, 
 though the vessel heaves and rocks beneath the 
 tempest's power, X hear a voice above the sound of 
 the waves, ' It is I : be not afraid ; trust thou in 
 Me and all shall be well.^ rt 
 
 The choir and congregation then united in sing- 
 ing the first two verses of the 808th hymn. 
 
 Rev. E. G-aylord, of Syracuse, dismissed the con- 
 gregation with the benediction. 
 
 The choir sang, 
 
 ''Asleep in Jesus!— blessed sleep !"-*■ 
 
 as the large audience moved around to view the 
 remains. Finally the coffin was closed and the re* 
 mains were borne away to the hearse and the char- 
 nel house in Oakwood. There the coffin was re* 
 opened, and the relatives took the final leave ; the 
 affectionate wife placing tenderly a rich bouquet of 
 white flowers beside the cheek of her precious one, 
 as the last kind act of affection before the final 
 adieu. This done, the coffin was closed and low- 
 ered into the outer case, and left in the house of 
 the dead to await the choice of a burial-place. 
 The carriages were refilled, and we all mournfully 
 passed away through the chilly evening air, leav- 
 ing the mortal part of our beloved brother in its 
 cheerless bed. Let him rest — he has often wea- 
 ried ; let him be quiet now, for often has he borne 
 the weight of the charge on the battlements of sin. 
 
27$ ' THE LIFE OF 
 
 KeverecL honored, loved; the memory of his name 
 is fragrant with affection, and its mention will be a 
 battle-cry to all our Churches. 
 
 EXPRESSIONS OP SYMPATHY AND APPRECIA- 
 TION. 
 
 LETTER EKOM REV. L E, ROYCE. 
 
 And so my dear brother Crooks sleeps. Fifty 
 years on earth, and then away to the cloudless 
 land. I saw him first Sept. 2nd, 1851, then twenty- 
 seven years of age. As members of the same Con- 
 ferences, we were intimate for seventeen years, 
 and for twenty-three we have met every year save 
 one. In August I saw him for the last time. For 
 three days we occupied the same room and the 
 same bed. Our last night together we talked late 
 and lovingly, all the years of our past were gone 
 over. Much that he said was spoken in confidence 
 and must not be repeated. He impressed me in 
 that night's talk with his singular honesty, and 
 manly affection. I have thought that leadership 
 had made him a little forgetful of old friends. The 
 thought perished in the warm words of that mid- 
 night hour. Indeed I found his love as green as a 
 maiden's and as steady as the star. I have loved 
 him so much, I want, with a trembling hand, to 
 drop one little flower on his grave. With a figure 
 so commanding, a voice so full and rich, an expe- 
 rience so Christian, a mind so well stored with 
 practical truths, he could have stood in the first 
 pulpits, with an executive and financial skill pos- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 277 
 
 sessed by but few ; he could have made for him- 
 self a grand record in couuection with any of the 
 great boards. He chose to stay with a people 
 who, in the eyes of the world, were feeble, and 
 with a small human prospect of a permanent fu- 
 ture. In this he proved his loyalty to heart-con- 
 victions and shamed others, who for place and pelf 
 put these convictions under their feet. I know 
 not that he leaves his wife stocks or money — he 
 leaves her what is better,- — " a good name." I 
 weep for him as for the kindred of my Father's 
 house, and extend to her whose soul is now filled 
 with sorrow my prayerful sympathies. I have 
 seen his birth-place. I write within a few miles 
 of where he entered wedded life. I hope after a 
 little to see him on the shining shore." Till then 
 I pray for his courage and endurance. 
 
 MEMORIAL MEETING. 
 
 The sad news of the death of Rev. Adam Crooks, 
 editor and publisher of the American Wesleyan, 
 of Syracuse, N. Y., formerly for many years pastor 
 of the Wesleyan Church of this city, was received 
 by his many friends and personal acquaintances 
 with extreme sorrow and universal regret. An 
 impromptu memorial service was held at the 
 church Sunday morning, December 27th, when ap- 
 propriate remarks were made by the pastor, Rev. 
 J. E s Carroll, Rev. Mr, Sturtevant, M. B. Clark, 
 James Christian and others, all breathing the most 
 intense sorrow at the death of Mr. Crooks, and ex- 
 
278 IHE LIFE OF 
 
 pressive of their admiration of him as a Christian 
 minister and friend. 
 
 MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 At the regular meeting of the Syracuse Ministe* 
 rial Association, held at the parlors of the Fourth 
 Presbyterian Church, December 2 1st, 1874, the 
 committee reported the following resolutions, 
 which were unanimously adopted. 
 
 Whereas, Since the last meeting of the Syracuse Min- 
 isterial Association its circle has been broken by the death 
 of one of its most respected and honored members, Re V, 
 Adam Crooks, D. D., therefore 
 
 Resolved, That this association has received the sad tid - 
 ings of the death of our brother Crooks with most sincere 
 and heart-felt sorrow. 
 
 Resolved, That his firmer and decided Christian charac- 
 ter, his eminent Christian zeal and courage, his untiring 
 energy in every good word and work, his spirit of quick 
 and fra:ernal sympathy, his determined adhesion to his 
 principles and his confessed abilities, have endeared him to 
 his brethren of this association and given him a high place 
 in their respect. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender the deep and sincere sympa- 
 thy of this association to his bereaved wife and kindred. 
 
 Resolved, That we convey our heart-felt condolence to the 
 denomination which in the death of Dr. Crooks has suffer- 
 ed the loss of an acknowledged leader. 
 
 Nelson Millard, \ 
 
 J. L. Darsie, 
 
 H. A. Sizer, V Com. 
 
 M. L. Berger, ', 
 
 A. F. Beard. J 
 
 EEOM RELIGIOUS TELESCOPE. 
 
 A truly great man in Israel has fallen. Rev. 
 Adam Crooks, of the American Wesleyan Connec- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 279 
 
 tion, died the 15th of December, aged fifty years. 
 For a number of years he had been the publishing 
 agent and one of the editors — part of the time sole 
 editor — of the American Wesleyan, and treasurer 
 of most or all of the Connectional Boards. In these 
 positions he displayed remarkable power, espec- 
 ially as a financier. He was almost the soul of 
 these important departments of the Connection, 
 and the last years of his life were, to a considera- 
 ble extent, given to the raising of a fund for the 
 building of a publishing house. At the time of his 
 death, though the Wesleyans are not strong, nu- 
 merically, twenty-two thousand dollars had been 
 secured. As a servant of God and a leader of an 
 heroic division of the army of Christ, he was an 
 extraordinary man. Well may the Wesleyan peo- 
 ple especially, and true Christians generally, re- 
 gard with sincere grief the departure of this noble 
 leader in Christ's Church militant. 
 
 During the years when the foolish attempt to 
 unite the non-episcopal Churches into one Church 
 gave so great an impetus to disintegration in the 
 Wesleyan Church, Mr. Crooks stood as the chief 
 standard-bearer of his Church, and exercised an 
 influence which was blessed of God as the chief 
 means of saving that denomination from dissolu- 
 tion, and in turning again in its favor the tide of 
 prosperity. His labors, the past ten years, will 
 give luster to some of the most important pages in 
 the history of a Church which has been more use- 
 ful in its influence on other Churches, perhaps, than 
 
280 THE LIFE OF 
 
 in its own direct work, which has been evangelical 
 and heroic. He had typhoid fever while visiting 
 the Western Conferences last Fall, and, probably 
 owing to an energy which denied him that abso- 
 lute rest from cares and labors which his condi- 
 tion demanded, he at last yielded before continued 
 disease, and fell asleep in Christ, at his home in 
 Syracuse, New York. To his worth as a man, as 
 a Christian minister and editor, the tears of his 
 co-laborers and of his people, the tribute of the 
 ministers and members of other Churches of Syra- 
 cuse, especially the editorial fraternity there, bear 
 strong testimony. The great leader fell when all 
 eyes were turned to him as a trusted one, but fell 
 when his people had reached a point where others 
 could, better than ever before, move forward, lead- 
 ing the Church which he loved so well and for 
 which he had toiled so hard, in the pathway of 
 safety, and to still greater victory and prosperity. 
 
 As a preacher, editor, and financier, Mr. Crooks 
 was no ordinary man. In him were combined, in 
 a remarkable degree, gentleness and energy, dis- 
 cretion and courage, tolerance and radicalism. 
 
 Twice have we heard brother Crooks preach 
 before a Conference, and we have enjoyed his com- 
 pany in our home. He was a genial, pious, whole- 
 souled man. And his person and bearing contrib- 
 uted not a little to his influence as a preacher and 
 leader. In the language of Dr. Lore, he was " the 
 very personification of mature manhood ; large and 
 powerful in physique, active and energetic, calm 
 
REV ADAM CROOKS. 281 
 
 and dignified in mien, he seemed to be the man of 
 the multitude, formed to bear burdens, made to 
 live." He was the very embodiment of caution 
 and boldness, courtesy and firmness. As a 
 preacher, he was clear and able, spiritual and in 
 spiring, ever faithful to truth and to the right 
 His eloquence possessed strength rather than pol 
 ish, grandeur rather than the flowers of rhetoric 
 and elocution. There was, however, in his ser 
 mons, a surpassing moral and spiritual beauty 
 combined with other essential elements, which, in 
 the estimation of either the learned or the unlearn 
 ed, constitute the God-chosen teacher or leader 
 Both times we heard him, his sermons were wor 
 thy of the body of intelligent ministers present 
 and still " the common people heard him gladly. 
 To our departed friend and Christian brother, to 
 our fellow-worker in the gospel vineyard, to our 
 co-laborer in the great cause of moral reform, to 
 the patient sufferer and successful toiler, to the 
 great leader and now crowned hero, we pay this 
 feeble tribute, and answer back, Farewell ! But 
 our farewell is not forever. With thousands that 
 have revered and loved him, we hope to greet him 
 among the glorified when the voice of Him whose 
 throne is ever on the side of truth, purity, and ho- 
 liness, and against deception, sin, and iniquity, 
 shall call his servants from labor to reward, from 
 bearing the cross to wearing the crown. 
 
 FROM METHODIST RECORDER. 
 
 " The last American Weskyan comes draped in 
 
282 THE LIFE OP 
 
 mourning at the loss of its editor, brother Adam 
 Crooks. It seems that his over work at the Fall 
 Conferences, and in the office and pulpit since, has 
 prematurely removed this busy man from the ranks 
 of Christian laborers. He was a devoted servant 
 of the Church of his choice. He was not only the 
 editor of the weekly paper, but the treasurer of 
 several Boards, and the adviser and friend whom 
 pastors sought from all parts of the Connection. 
 He was a strong man, physically, intellectually and 
 spiritually; a true reformer, upright, honest? 
 straightforward, and full of faith and hope. The 
 Wesleyan Church will miss her valiant leader. 
 He was true to his paper, true to his people, and 
 true to Cod. We join in sincere lamentation with 
 our sister household of faith, and. mingle our tears 
 with hers at the grave of a good and an eminently 
 useful man. He loved liberty more than position, 
 truth more than fame, his little, earnest, united, 
 and zealous Church more than the popular sects 
 with all their emoluments and honors. Peace to 
 the ashes of our dear, dead brother. We hope to 
 overtake him in the land of rest." 
 
 FROM NORTHERN CHRISTIAN" ADVOCATE PUBLISHED 
 AT SYRACUSE. 
 
 " The death of this Christian brother shocked 
 our citizens by its suddenness on Tuesday, the 15th 
 inst. We had been accustomed to see him in our 
 streets, the very personification of mature manhood, 
 large and powerful in physique, active and ener- 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 283 
 
 getic, calm and dignified in mien, he seemed to be 
 the man of the multitude formed to bear burdens, 
 made to live, but he has fallen in the day of his 
 strength, amidst a multiplicity of cares, and ap- 
 parently when most useful and most needed. 
 Brother Crooks stood as the head and representa- 
 tive of the American Wesleyan Church. He was 
 Editor and Agent of the publication department, 
 and Treasurer of the various Connectional funds, 
 and benevolent institutions. In these respects, the 
 Church, humanly speaking, depended entirely upon 
 his ability and energy. He took this position 
 when Dr. Prindle resigned and many others, lead- 
 ing men of the Wesleyan Church, judging it better 
 to abandon their organization and return to the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. Many of their prom- 
 inent men did so. A crisis had come in their 
 Church affairs, and dissolution seemed imminent. 
 At this juncture brother Crooks threw himself into 
 the breach, and as one of the speakers at the fune- 
 ral said, became their Moses, and cried " Go for- 
 ward." It is not, perhaps, too much to say, that 
 if there had been no Adam Crooks at that crisis, 
 there would have been no American Wesleyan 
 Church now; certainly it would not have been 
 what it now is. His loss to the Church as far as 
 human foresight can see is irreparable. 
 
 "Brother Crooks was a devoted Christian min- 
 ister, moulded after the strictest New Testament 
 pattern. He was a man who never chaffered with 
 duty, he knew only to do right and was ready to 
 
284 THE LIFE OP 
 
 meet the consequences. He was religious in his 
 emotions as well as in his principles. His Chris- 
 tian experience was mature, rich, and mellow and 
 bright. We were brought into communication 
 with him frequently as a brother-editor, and always 
 found him genial and manly. At the time of his 
 death he was but fifty years of age and had been 
 in the ministry about thirty years. Although he 
 had been sick for some weeks, up and down with 
 fever, contracted during a western tour of Confer- 
 ence visiting as agent of the Church, neither he nor 
 his friends supposed his end was so near. Death 
 came unexpectedly to all. Only a few moments 
 before he died, he seemed to catch a glimpse of the 
 open door through which he was to pass out from 
 this to the other world. He said in haste to his 
 wife, " Quick, quick," and drew her to him and 
 kissed her, and murmured indistinctly that there 
 was rest — and soon after ceased to breathe. " He 
 rests from his labors and his works do follow him." 
 
 FROM THE CHRISTIAN CYNOSURE. 
 
 Our beloved brother Crooks is gone over the 
 
 silent river before us. We shall not attempt his 
 
 biography. 
 
 <& * & * * 
 
 Mr. Crooks took the helm. As was said of Gen. 
 Hamilton, "He touched the dead carcass of the 
 public credit and it stood up." He restored the 
 dilapidated business of the Book Room at Syra- 
 cuse. The paper American Wesleyan became self- 
 sustaining. Without a particle of sectarian feel- 
 ing, he aided in saving his denomination. H 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 285 
 
 a true New Testament bishop without either the 
 human prerogative or the name. He was almost 
 ready to commence the erection of a new National 
 Publishing House at Syracuse ; and there stood 
 around him godly and good men who are opposed 
 to the world's evils, and who, it is hoped and be- 
 lieved will carry to completion his designs. 
 
 " Thou hast fallen in thy armor 
 
 Thou beloved of the Lord ; 
 With thy last breath crying ' Onward/ 
 
 And thy hand upon the sword ; 
 And we'll think of thee, brother, 
 
 In the trials yet to come, 
 In the shadow of the prison 
 
 Or in cruel martyrdom. 77 
 
 EXPRESSION OF THE CONNECTIONAL BOARDS ON THE 
 DEATH OF REV. A. CROOKS. 
 
 In the course of temporal events, the afflictive 
 portion of which we could not control, we the vari- 
 ous Oonnectional Boards and Associations of the 
 Wesleyan Methodist Connection of America are as- 
 sembled. Under a deep sense of our obligation 
 t©, and dependence upon the infinite wisdom of 
 Almighty God we would bow ourselves before the 
 dealings of his hand, and ask his divine strength to 
 be our portion through the severe trial which is 
 now upon us. By the painfully sad circumstance 
 of death, we miss to-day the presence, counsel and 
 encouragement of our dearly beloved Agent and 
 Treasurer, Rev. A. Crooks, and we cannot refrain 
 
286 THE LIFE OP 
 
 from expressing, by these few words, some slight 
 sense of our great bereavement. 
 
 Taking charge of the Connectional finances as 
 he did at a time when there was scarce a dollar in 
 the treasury, and the means for further conducting 
 the publishing interests were alone in the hands of 
 a people who had everything to dishearten and dis- 
 courage them, there seemed little to hope for, save 
 the deliverance of that God, who is able to subdue 
 his enemies, and bring strength out of weakness. 
 As the years passed on, the- people learned that it 
 was safe to trust their new Agent. None feared 
 any alienation of their funds, or that their confi- 
 dence would in any way be misplaced. 
 
 Since that time, many times ten thousand dollars 
 have been paid to him for the various Connectional 
 enterprises of our people, and twenty-two thou- 
 sand dollars pledged toward a new Publishing 
 House. With the faithful, trustful spirit which 
 was characteristic of himself, the people have ral- 
 lied to the support of the great principles of our 
 denomination, and beneath his financial and 
 Christian leadership, unexpected successes have 
 been attained. 
 
 His large experience and close observation, his 
 cool judgment and undaunted faith, made him a 
 valuable adviser, a true friend, and a safe and pru- 
 dent manager of the Connectional finances entrust- 
 ed to his care. . Thousands of persons had submit- 
 ted their individual cases to liis careful advice, and 
 not less than thirty thousand people, within and 
 
KEV. ADAM CROOKS. 287 
 
 Outside of liis denomination had known, loved and 
 trusted him. 
 
 But he is gone. His voice is hushed at the head 
 of the hosts of God's moral army. His toils are 
 passed, his work is done, and lie has passed within 
 the sweet and hallowed quiet of his eternal rest. 
 He has left the companionship of his old friends 
 and associates, and left them to work on, without 
 the advantage of his experience, observation and 
 advice. 
 
 But we can not believe that any who arc ground- 
 ed Jn. the faith of the gospel of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and who cling to the distinctive principles 
 of American Wesleyanism, but have such faith and 
 principles, not simply because our brother had faith 
 in them, but because they believe those principles 
 to be founded on justice and the eternal rock of 
 truth. And now that he has fallen in the harness 
 of the battle, at the head of the fearless band he 
 led, no true soldier of the Master will, we believe, 
 feel like falling back, or " 'bating one jot of heart 
 or hope." The Grand Captain of our salvation 
 still lives, and we believe will lead us on to victory. 
 Perhaps we were trusting too much in our dear 
 brother, and now the God of the armies of Heaven 
 and earth wishes to show us that He who can 
 thresh a mountain with a worm, can lead us to 
 success without any distinguished human agency. 
 
 When we have suffered the loss of leaders in 
 other times, our brethren remaining have rallied to 
 duty as never before ; and now, perhaps, it remains 
 
288 THE LIFE OF 
 
 that all our " Churches shall be set on fire of God" 
 in seeking to work up to the high point of the per- 
 sonal Christian experience which was lived and 
 taught by our devoted brother. 
 
 We can but pause in sorrow to drop our tears 
 of grief above the dust of our departed leader. 
 But for the sake of the perishing souls for whom 
 he labored, and Christ died, we will arise, and with 
 hearts undismayed, press forward to duty to the 
 end of our days. And we would exhort brethren 
 everywhere to rally to the high responsibilities 
 resting upon them. Let there be no sluggards 
 now. And if every one will * look beyond the 
 watchman" to the God of the armies of Israel, we 
 may see such a forward movement as never occur- 
 red even in his own day. And it may come to 
 pass that he who slew his thousands in his life- 
 time, may slay his tens of thousands by the influ- 
 ence of his own death. God is our leader, in him 
 will we trust, Published by Order of the 
 Boards. 
 
 The following tracts are among the last of Mr, 
 Crooks' writings. It is thought advisable to give 
 them this form, in order that their circulation may 
 be extended, and their influence widened; and that 
 they may be preserved to bless those who read, for 
 years to come. 
 
 COUNSEL TO CONVERTS. 
 
 The most memorable epoch in 'the soul's history is the 
 time of its espousals to Christ. From that moment there 
 is a vitalizing and falicitating union between it and the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 289 
 
 Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to find its high and holy 
 complement amid the measureless ages of immortality. 
 But in spiritual laws and habits it is but an infant almost 
 without experience and without knowledge. To begin 
 right and to grow and develop in the spiritual — in eternal 
 life, is of unspeakable importance. Hence please read, with 
 fervent prayer, these earnest words of counsel. 
 
 1. Be certain beyond the possibility of mistake as to the 
 fact of conversion. Do not rest in the judgments of oth- 
 ers. Know for yourself. Do not settle down satisfied 
 while there is a lingering shadow of doubt. The matter 
 is too important to allow of doubts. Be sure your experi- 
 ence is scriptural. Here are some scriptural evidences. — 
 Peace with God. The Apostle says, " Therefore being jus- 
 tified by faith, wa have peace with God." This peace 
 consists in a sweet tranquility of soul arising from pardon 
 and conscious reconciliation. God has pardoned us, and 
 we are reconciled to him — are at-one with him — all an- 
 tagonism has ceased. Love of Christians, is another evi- 
 dence. " By this we know we have passed from death unto 
 life, because we love the brethren." This is much more 
 than a mere respect for Christians. Most persons have 
 this. But it is a knitting of soul with soul — an instinctive 
 drawing to Christians, as a part of ourselves, or as belong- 
 ing to the same -family — a secret, but strong spiritual affini- 
 ty. New interest in, and better understanding of the 
 Bible, resulting from having the eyes of the understanding 
 opened, is another evidence. — Love of enemies — conscious 
 communion with God — minding spiritual things — having 
 keen spiritual appetite and relish — are all evidences of con- 
 version. But though scriptural and valid, yet these are 
 all inferential. We have peace with God ; love the breth- 
 ren; love our enemies, &c. &c, therefore we are convert- 
 ed. But there is a higher evidence, — There is the direct 
 witness of the Spirit. We may argue that because we 
 see, and hear, and love and hate, and enjoy, and suffer 
 &c, that therefore we exist; that it is conclusive. But 
 13 
 
290 THE LIFE OF 
 
 aside from all this, there is a consciousness of existence, 
 So too, aside from all inferential evidence, there may be a 
 direct consciousness of spiritual life. This is the witness of 
 the Holy Spirit. Let no convert stop short of this highest 
 evidence. It is of infinite importance to begin right — that 
 the conversion is both genuine and thorough. 
 
 2. Bear every cross. This is a fundamental condition of 
 discipleship. At the yery outset of your Christian career 
 settle it well to shun no cross, however heavy. Every 
 time the cross is borne there will be an increase of strength' 
 with conscious Divine approval. Every time you bear the 
 cross you will learn more and more, that at least one half 
 of it is borne by the Savior.. When lifted, it is not so pon- 
 derous as it had seemed ; and every successive time it is 
 lighter than the preceding. On the other hand, when 
 shunned, the cross grows heavier and heavier, until there is 
 neither strength nor fortitude to take it up. As one has 
 beautifully said, " The cross is like the wings of a bird- 
 The bird must bear its wings, and then the wings bear the 
 bird." You will find this to be eminently true. Then, from 
 the first, be cross-bearing Christians. There are none 
 others. 
 
 " Bold to take up, and firm to sustain 
 The consecrated cross." 
 
 3. Be zealous workers. The Churches have too many 
 drones already. You are wanted for no such purpose. 
 Just in proportion as you are a blessing to the Church will 
 the Church be a blessing to you. The Church and world 
 are filled with backsliders, because filled with idlers. By 
 all means find something to do for Jesus. Seek to be use- 
 ful. Be earnest workers. Your alternative is work or die! 
 By all means let these words characterize you truly — 
 " Zealous of good work." The command of the Master to 
 each and to all is, " Go work to-day in my vineyard." Be 
 strict in your obedience to this Divine command ; and 
 "ready to every good word and work." Do something 
 for Jesus eacn day, and not only will you not backslide, 
 
KJBV. AD Am CROOKS. 291 
 
 but you will be a healthy, happy, useful, growing Christian. 
 
 We repeat it — The one alternative is — Work or die. 
 Action is a law of spiritual, no less than of natural life and 
 development. It is palpable that in the absence of life 
 there can be no intelligent, well-directed, effective and 
 remunerative action. And it is equally true that in the ab- 
 sence of such action there can be no healthful, growing, 
 happy, vigorous, spiritual life. In such case, there may 
 be the form without the power— the body without the soul; 
 the shadow without the substance, the corpse without the 
 shroud and coffin ; but little more is possible. You do not 
 wish to belong to an army of corpses, an assemblage of 
 skeletons, a " valley of dry bones;" or even disciplined 
 infants, invalids, dyspeptics and dwarfs. What miserable 
 substitutes these, for spiritual athletes and giants ! Not 
 enough that a mere tithe of the professed soldiers of Christ, 
 are pressing the battle with the vigor of desperation < 
 'Twere madness to even hope for brilliant achievement 
 until the whole army comes into such determined action. — 
 "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the vio- 
 lent take it by force." Among the Lacedemonians, every 
 citizen was a soldier. So let it be with you. Let every 
 inais, woman and child professing to love the Lord Jesus, 
 " come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord 
 against the mighty." 
 
 4. Be scrupulously conscientious. " Shun all appear- 
 ance of evil." Never give the devil the benefit of your 
 doubt. Never allow large margin between sin and holi- 
 ness. Draw the lines sharply and distinctly. Never be 
 found ia proximity with Satan's territory. Make the dis- 
 tance between you and it as great as possible. For every 
 temptation have a prompt and emphatic No ! Thoughts of 
 evil, when indulged, instantly become evil thoughts. These 
 are the only doors through which the devil can gain en- 
 trance into the heart, As you regard the life and liberty 
 of your souls, keep these doors well bolted, and you are 
 comparatively safe. But without this there absolutely can 
 
292 THE LIFE OF 
 
 be no safety. (f Lust, when it hath conceived, bringeth 
 forth sin ; 71 and " the wages of sin is death." Avoid every 
 wrong. Practice every right. Do every duty.. Be strict- 
 ly, scrupulously, uniformly conscientious. Keep your con- 
 science as the apple of the eye of your soul. Prefer death 
 to sin. 
 
 " What conscience dictates to be done 
 
 Or warns me not to do ; 
 This teaches more than hell to shun, 
 
 That more than heaven to pursue." 
 
 5. Too much account cannot be made of prayer. " Pray 
 without ceasing." " Instant in prayer," — ready for it at all 
 times. "Praying ail prayer and supplication in the Spir- 
 it." — For everything we need. " Pray everywhere"- — in 
 secret — in family — in social and business walks — in the 
 great congregation. " Lifting up holy hands without wrath 
 and doubting." — ISTo sin in the hand — no wrath in the mind — 
 no doubting in the heart. Emphatically, the Christian life 
 is one of prayer. 
 
 "Prayer is the Christian's vital breath ; 
 
 The Christian's native air, — 
 His watch-word at the grates of death,— 
 
 He enters heaven with prayer." 
 
 " But pray with faith in Jesus' name." 
 
 Just as well hope to live physically without breathing, as 
 to live spiritually without praying. Prayer exhales sin, 
 and inhales holiness — exhales the human, and inhales the 
 divine — exhales self and inhales God ! To cease to pray is 
 to cease to live. 
 
 6. Study the Bible much, and make it your guide. Read 
 good books ; counsel with Christians ; give good heed to 
 preaching ; but allow none of these, nor all of them togeth- 
 er, the place of the Bible. Make the Bible alone, the 
 ultimate rule of faith and practice. Young converts often 
 select out eminent Christians as their patterns, thinking if 
 only as good as these, that is all they could hope. But 
 even a Paul could only say, " follow me as T follow Christ." 
 Christ is the only perfect model, and the Bible the only sure 
 
293 
 
 guide. A neglected Bible — neglected closet, and a neglected 
 Christ, is salvation neglected. 
 
 7. Seek to be useful. There are a thdusand ways in 
 which to do good. Reckon that day as lost which records 
 no good accomplished — no word of caution, reproof, or 
 comfort spoken— no deed of charity done— no look of pity- 
 ing kindness given. So taught even Pythagorus, a heathen 
 philosopher. Let the sun go down upon no such day of 
 your life. Do not be mere absorbents — mere receptives of 
 good ; but give out good in return. " Freely ye have re- 
 ceived ; freely give." Let heart, and hand, and feet, and 
 tongue, and eyes be avenues for the out-flow of good to 
 others. Seek to be eminently wise and good, that you may 
 be thus eminently useful. And be ready for any errand of 
 mercy, any post of service that Heaven may appoint. Shine 
 like the sun ; not for yourself, but for others. But shine ! 
 Make mountain and valley lustrous with the light of intelli- 
 gent Christian example. If others are indifferent, or walk 
 in darkness, let not the fault lie at your door. 
 
 8. Be punctual in the observance of all the means of 
 grace, private and public. These are your spiritual meals, 
 and regularity is essential to spiritual health and growth. 
 Never suffer business nor any earthly interest to encroach 
 upon these. 
 
 9. Be select of your companions. Not that they must 
 be of the rich and cultured ; but they that belong to the 
 royal family of Heaven.— And not merely nominal, world- 
 ly, unspiritual, and lukewarm formalists ; but those who 
 live nearest the summit of the mount of heavenly commun- 
 ion. And read none but the best of books. Select your 
 companions from among the spiritual giants and Princes of 
 the House of Israel. 
 
 10. Do not be too much the subject of mere emotions. 
 Not evanescent emotions, but fixed principles ; not delight- 
 but duty; not greatness, but goodness; not happiness, but 
 holiness ; not rapture, but running ; not words, but wis- 
 dom ; not lust, but love ; not glory, but God? Too many 
 
294 THE LIFE OP 
 
 mistake here. Be sure you do not. It leads either to sen- 
 suosity in religion, or otherwise to measuring our grace by 
 the false rule of mere feeling. Shun this rock. 
 
 11. Studiously avoid spiritual pride. " Esteeming others 
 better than yourselves." As above, goodness, not great- 
 ness. Rejoice in the successes of others. Let there be no 
 bitter jealousies, envying, strife, or evil speaking. The 
 largest corn and fattest pastures are found in the valleys. 
 So do Christian graces grow best in the valley of true hu- 
 mility. 
 
 12. From the first, learn to be liberal. " The liberal 
 soul shall be made fat.' 7 " The Lord loveth a cheerful 
 giver." As Wesley taught— Get all you can — honestly of 
 course ; save all you can ; give all you can. Get and save 
 not to hoard ; but that you may have wherewith to give, 
 Just as well talk of a sober sot, as of a stingy Christian. 
 
 13. Never rest satisfied in present attainments. But, 
 taking the Apostle's rule, forgetting things behind, and 
 reaching to those before, press toward the mark, for the 
 prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. High- 
 er ! — and still higher ! ! 
 
 Do these things, and thou shalt not only save thyself, 
 but also many others, 
 
 PLEA FOR HOLINESS. 
 
 Holiness is personal purity. It combines the two con- 
 ditions of the absence of all that is wrong, and the pre- 
 sence of all that is right — complete death to sin and life 
 to righteousness. It is pre-eminent personal. Separate 
 *rom the individual, there can be no holiness. It does not 
 consist in externalities, nor yet in mere emotions, but in a 
 fixed state of the heart. Upon both of these points there has 
 been vast confusion. Implanted in the heart, it finds cer- 
 tain development in the life. Its highest statement is lov- 
 ing God with all the heart, soul, mind and strength, and 
 loving our neighbor, (friend or foe,) as ourself. Not that 
 we are to approve either the character or conduct of our 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 295 
 
 foes. — God does not approbate his enemies. — But we must 
 have for them no malignity — nothing contrary to good-will. 
 But perforce of an eternal law of our being, to thus love 
 God we must be like him. We must be " created anew 
 after the image of God in righteousness and true holiness."" 
 For " like loves its like" But the object of these lines is a 
 plea for holiness. 
 
 1. God commands it. His language is plain, pointed, 
 and positive. " Be ye holy; for I the Lord your God am 
 holy." This of itself is sufficient. When God commands, 
 let angels and men obey. Holiness is the supreme law of 
 the Moral Universe. If we would not be in vital antago- 
 nism with this great law, let us be holy. 
 
 2. Sin is essentially hateful and wrong; is hateful because 
 wrong. For this reason God hates it with a perfect hatreds 
 If he did not hate it with all the powers of his being he 
 would be a sinner. Then, as we would not give place in 
 
 our heart to that which is thus hateful in the eyes of God 
 and of all sinless beings, let us be holy. 
 
 3. Sin is essentially subversive of the Divine Govern- 
 ment. But this government is an infinite good, and its 
 overthrow would be an infinite calamity. Who can fully 
 estimate the magnitude of the consequences of the destruc- 
 tion of God's government. Surely none but God himself. 
 Then if we would not allow that which would be thus disas- 
 terous to God and his boundless universe to attach to our 
 deathless nature, let us be holy. Let us antagonize sin as 
 we ought. 
 
 4. But again : — Sin shuts us away from communion with 
 God. Out of fellowship with God and all the good. — Aye 
 more ;~in desperate warfare with all these : — who can 
 abide the thought ! Yet sin imposes and eternalizes this 
 dreadful necessity. Yet holiness is the only door of escape 
 from this direful calamity. To the account of sin is to be 
 put down unmeasured evil, and to the account of holiness 
 unmeasured good. Then by all this double possibility of 
 good and evil, are we called to an existence of ceaseless 
 
29& THE LIFE OF 
 
 holiness. Shall we hold ourselves proof against such mo- 
 tives as these ? If not, let us be holy. 
 
 5. If we would bear a resemblance of God and all the 
 good of the universe, we must be holy. 
 
 6. If our relationship to God and the virtuous of all 
 worlds would be friendly, we must be holy. 
 
 7. If we would not be in identification with all the abom- 
 inable of all worlds, we must be holy. 
 
 8. Without holiness, all our prayers and acts of worship 
 must be without avail. Holiness is a condition fundamen- 
 tal to acceptable worship. If we regard iniquity in our 
 heart — any iniquity — the Lord will not hear us. 
 
 9. Holiness is the life-principle of every form of virtue. 
 Hence, in its absence, even these forms will eventually 
 decompose and disappear. 
 
 10. By a powerful law of our being, we assimilate to those 
 whom we venerate and love. The loving child becomes 
 like his parent, and the admiring pupil like his preceptor. 
 Love and admiration of the Drvine Being are essential ele- 
 ments of holiness. Hence, by virtue of this law, holy moral 
 agents become more and more holy : or more and more 
 like God. Hence, too, the language of the great Apostle 
 "But we ?I1 with open face beholding as in a glass the 
 glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from 
 glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Hence, 
 also, the "Beloved Disciple 1 ' — "We know that when he 
 shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as 
 he is." How distinct and marked this resemblance shall 
 become by virtue of the operations of this law during an 
 endless eternity, may not be thought nor told ; but if holy, 
 it shall stamp our eternal experience. And is it unreason- 
 able to suppose that perforce of a law of like potency, the 
 unholy and unhappy lost will wax worse and worse during- 
 eternal ages? All these tremendous results concenter up- 
 on the single condition of being holy. Then, how shall 
 it be ? Shall we spend our eternity in rising higher and 
 higher in every moral excellence ; approximating nearer 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 297 
 
 and nearer the exact image of the Divine ; or shall it be 
 spent in sinking deeper and still deeper into unmeasured 
 depths of moral deformity and obliquy ? Reader : This 
 tremendous question confronts your soul at each succes- 
 sive moment for decision. Oh, let it be made now in such 
 manner as all the facts of time and eternity shall approve ! 
 
 11. As sin is the greatest possible evil to moral agents, 
 so is holiness the greatest possible good. Holiness alone 
 can adjust our being in self-harmony, as in harmony with 
 God, his law, and plans, and purposes, and the administra- 
 tion of the affairs of his boundless empire. Holiness ren- 
 ders all the infinite resources of Jehovah, and all the mighty 
 forces at his command, tributary to the highest good of its 
 possessor. Sin sets all these infinite resources and mighty 
 forces at war upon the interests of its guilty perpetrator. 
 Every where, all over the Divine nature and administration, 
 may be seen written in emblazoned characters — " With- 
 out Holiness none shall see the Lord." 
 
 And now, dear reader : What is your attitude to these 
 over-mastering truths ? Are the infinite resources of Je- 
 hovah, with all the mighty forces of the universe at work 
 for your highest good ; or are their concerted activities 
 effectuating your utmost ruin for time and eternity? The 
 answer depends upon your relation to holiness. What is 
 that relation ? What shall it be ? Can the fleeting pleas- 
 ures of sin compensate the soul's eternal undoing ? Surely 
 not. Then, by all its priceless interests determine to be 
 holy from this very hour. Let the decision render the 
 memory of the hour precious and hallowed amid the peer- 
 less glories of the palace of God ! 
 
 12. But in its far-reaching influences this subject is not 
 limited to the individual moral agent. For, as it is written, 
 " No man liveth unto himself." In the immediate and 
 sundry relations of husband, wife, parent, child, brother, 
 sister, friend, &c, &c, our character must affect for weal 
 or for woe, the character and destiny of many others. Nor 
 is this tidal- wave of contagion, — holy or sinful— confined to 
 
 13* 
 
298 THE LIFE OP 
 
 the immediate circle of relatives, friends and cotempora* 
 ries ; but with the ceaseless flow of time sweeps on to bless 
 or blast countless thousands :-— may be millions ! Thus 
 has the guilty taint of the sinning pair in Eden infected 
 their countless progeny. So, in like manner, the blessed 
 influence of the good is unconfined and undying. Shall we 
 commit sad havoc among immortal souls until God's angel 
 shall strike the knell of time ? The subject is unspeaka- 
 bly awful • And were it possible, the pleadings and pro* 
 tests of unborn millions might well be in favor of the 
 holiness of all now living. But in this they are wholly de- 
 enseless. Then let us make their cause our own, and for 
 their sahes as well as our own ; and as we would not, in the 
 form of our influence, be guilty of committing soul-mur- 
 der during all time, let us be holy. 
 
 13. Our final plea is made in the name of our adorable 
 Savior. His mission to earth finds final culmination in 
 man's holiness and happiness. Therefore, by his incarna- 
 tion, poverty, passion, illustrious example, betrayal and 
 denial, cruel mockings and scourgings, boundless sufferings 
 and agonizing cry upon the cross ; by his death, burial, re- 
 surrection, ascension and intercessions ; by the gift of the 
 Spirit, establishment of his Church and institution of his min- 
 istry ; by all of these, as in one united call, are we impor- 
 tuned to be holy. If we are holy, we come into the rightful 
 possession of all the blessed benefits of the atonement, 
 both for time and eternity. But if not holy, the blood of 
 atonement will cry for vengeance, as the guilt of all other 
 sins combined cannot cry. This is the pivotal point upon 
 which all turns. If holy, the atonement becomes to us 
 the source of peerless blessings ; but if not holy, the blood 
 of the Son of God shed for our redemption thunders for 
 our eternal undoing. Reader : How shall it be ? Shall 
 God's munificent expenditures for our salvation, be so per- 
 verted by our own act, as to deepen our eternal damnation ? 
 Awful thought! Shall we thus at once abuse God's bound- 
 less love, dash beyond the limits of recovery, the bliss of 
 
fcEV. ADAM CROOKS. 299 
 
 heaven, and plunge our souls beneath the fiercest waves of 
 •endless woe ? If not, we must be holy. 
 
 The foregoing considerations appeal alike to all ; but 
 super-added to these are others which apply exclusively to 
 Christians. Here are some of them. 
 
 1. If you would have power with God and man for 
 good, you must be holy. 
 
 2. If you would not mar and scar the beauty and symme- 
 try of the Church of God, and blight the healthy growth in 
 grace in those with whom you are in holiest fellowship, you 
 must be holy. 
 
 3. If you would not hold out false lights, and guide an 
 already perishing world against the ruinous rocks of sin ; 
 if for the saving salt of holiness you would not give the 
 world the fatal virus of sin, you must be holy. 
 
 4. If you would not be a false witness against Christ, 
 and bring his matchless cause into disrepute with mankind, 
 you must be holy. To be intrusted with the honor and 
 reputation of Jesus, involves a fearful responsibility. If 
 you would not basely betray this holy trust confided, you 
 must be holy. 
 
 5. The Church is the conservator of the nations, and of 
 the world. It is the salt of the earth, and the light of the 
 woild. If it does not sufficiently possess the conserving 
 and saving properties, the nations must relapse into barbar- 
 ism, moral rottenness and ruin. Here again are involved 
 fearful responsibilities ; and to fully respond to these, you 
 must be holy. 
 
 Finally : It you would not transmit to coming genera- 
 tions a type of Christianity that will blast, blacken, and 
 ruin souls, instead of blessing and saving them, you must 
 be holy. 
 
 Thus, if you would be true to your own interests, and 
 the interests of God, and of all others for time and eter- 
 nity, you must be holy. 
 
 What do you say ? What is your answer ? Decide this 
 great question now. — This instant.— Upon your knees be- 
 
300 THE LIFE OF 
 
 fore God ! Will you now make a perfect offering of time^ 
 talent, ease, pleasure, property, reputation, friends, and if 
 need so require, life itself? Will you keep tbis. offering 
 upon the altar forever ? And making this offering a per- 
 petual act, do you now take Jesus Christ as a Savior from 
 all sin ? Will you be holy ? 
 
 May the great God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost help 
 you ! Amen. 
 
 PROCESSES OF SALVATION. 
 
 Salvation, in a gospel sense, means complete deliverance 
 from sin, and thereby deliverance from its consequences, 
 and the eternal exaltation of the soul and body to all pos- 
 sible perfectability and blessedness in heaven. The theme 
 of salvation is the greatest of all themes. And the work of 
 salvation is the greatest of all works. And although the en- 
 tire work is expressed by the one word — salvation ; yet it 
 has its processes. Concerning some of these processes, 
 vast confusion exists even in the minds of many Christians. 
 Well-defined views upon this subject are of very great im- 
 portance. Hence we would dissipate this confusion, and 
 make each point as plain as possible. 
 
 The first step we name is conviction. This is a com- 
 plex state, implying a knowledge of God and his law, with 
 a pungent sense of guilt or of ill-desert because of the vio- 
 lation of this law. Now conscience is thoroughly awake 
 and at work. And although tbis state may be wholly in- 
 voluntary and even against the will, and therefore posses- 
 ses no moral character, it is yet indispensable to salvation ; 
 for without it no one will seek salvation. 
 
 The second preliminary step in this process is penitence. 
 By this we mean sincere sorrow over our past sins. Now 
 sin begins to be seen and regarded in its true light, as ex- 
 ceedingly offensive to God, and detrimental to every inter- 
 est of man, both for time and eternity. Now we begin in 
 earnest to deplore our sinful state. The direct tendency 
 of this sorrow is to .produce repentance. Hence says the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS, 301 
 
 Apostle, "Godly sorrow worketh repentance." Not 
 enough that we are deeply convicted ; not enough that the 
 soul is sorrowful because of sins committed. All this may 
 be, and yet we persistently refuse to cease our sinning. - 
 
 Another step must be taken — viz : repentance. Genuine 
 repentance consists in a present and complete abandon- 
 ment of all known sin, together with a determined struggle 
 for deliverance therefrom. Mark ! — Not a purpose to aban- 
 don sin after-while — nor yet to abandon some sins and con- 
 tinue to cling to others ; neither to abandon them for any 
 limited period. But this abandonment, in purpose at least, 
 must be present, complete, and perpetual, The surrender 
 must be unconditional. The purposed obedience must be 
 absolute;- and unqualified, at any and every cost, be it life 
 itself, otherwise our repentance is a sham and a mockery. 
 It is to be greatly feared that in these times of shams and 
 superficialities, the repentance of too many is only in the 
 seemings. Reader ! Has yours been genuine and tliorough ? 
 If you would have your conversion genuine, your repentance 
 must be thorough. 
 
 Repentance prepares the way for justification, or par- 
 don. The soul may now be said to be in moral attitude to 
 be forgiven. Not that repentance is in the least degree 
 meritorious. For while it is fitting and indispensable, it 
 yet in no sense, nor to any extent, merits pardon. The 
 meritorious cause of our justification inheres exclusively 
 in the complete atonement made by the sufferings and 
 death of our Lord Jesus Christ; he having " by the grace 
 of God, tasted death for every man." As the poet sings : 
 
 " Jesus paid it all — 
 All the debt I owe." 
 
 Hence, " God can be just and the justifier of him that be- 
 lieveth in Jesus." And hence again, the moment we cease 
 our agonizing efforts to make ourselves bftter, or to free 
 ourselves from guilt, and trust for salvation simply and con- 
 fidingly in " the redemption which is in Christ Jesus," that 
 very moment all our sins will be freely forgiven, and we 
 
302 THE LIFE OP 
 
 shall stand justified before God as really and as fully as if 
 we had never sinned. This act of pardon is at once in- 
 stantaneous and complete. And now becomes apropos the 
 simple and beautifully expressive language of the great 
 Apostle, u Therefore being justified by faith, we have 
 peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." And 
 with speechless rapture we can sing 
 
 " My God is reconciled ; 
 
 His pard'ning voice I hear ; 
 He owns me for his child, 
 
 I can no longer fear." 
 
 Coetaneous with pardon, and its invariable attendant, is 
 regeneration. When freely pardoned by the Father, through 
 the Son, we are, the same instant, regenerated by the Holy 
 Ghost, adopted into the heavenly family, and receive the 
 Spirit of adoption, " crying Father, Father." This work 
 is instantaneous ; done in a moment, in the twinkling of an 
 eye. As regeneration is the unvarying concomitant or 
 accompaniment of justification or pardon, theologians fre- 
 quently employ the terms, justification and regeneration 
 interchangably, as designating the same state. The Scrip- 
 tures characterize it — being born again — created anew in 
 Christ Jesus — the love of God shed abroad in the heart 
 by the Holy Ghost, and like forceful language. In all 
 these processes the Holy Ghost has been active. — In pro- 
 ducing conviction, contrition, repentance, inspiring the 
 faith which trusts only in Christ for pardon ; for " no man 
 can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" — 
 active also in creating the heart anew, and then in witness- 
 ing to its own blessed work. 
 
 We would award to the justified or regenerate state all 
 that the Scriptures authorize. In this state there exist 
 all the Christian graces. The current of our being is 
 reversed. Love is the soul's ruling impulse, and obedience 
 is not only possible, but also delightful. A growth in the 
 Christian graces is also possible ; and indeed if justification 
 is retained there must be this growth. At the moment the 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 303 
 
 soul is regenerated it is conscious of nothing averse to love. 
 It bears the image of Christ. In some sense, God is loved 
 with all the heart — the heart is pure — sanctified — free from 
 sin, in the sense of voluntary transgression — communes 
 with God, and has an assurance of a title to heaven. 
 
 These things being conceded, many erroneously teach 
 that beyond what is known as justification and regeneration, 
 nothing is either necessary or possible. Then what are the 
 facts? What is truth concerning this most important sub- 
 ject? We conceive it to be as follows : 
 
 1. Although at the time of regeneration the soul is un- 
 conscious of anything averse to the reign of love, yet in 
 after experience and while enjoying a sense of the Divine 
 favor, it becomes clearly conscious of the presence of 
 appetites, passions, propensities, impulses, dispositions 
 and tempers, unfriendly to the unqualified reign of our 
 only Lord and Savior, and to yield to which is sin. Not 
 that these are sin ; but if allowed to become active or rul- 
 ing, they develop into sin. 
 
 2. These propensities, impulses, &c, are traceable to 
 and consequent upon the fall. But for the fall they would, 
 with us, have no existence. 
 
 3. These adverse impulsions are not produced by voli- 
 tions, but are back of and beneath the will, and ever and 
 anon act upon it. They are interior fountains, deep within 
 the citadel of the soul, ever ready to spring up and pour out 
 their murky contents. And coming as they do within the 
 field of consciousness, their presence cannot be denied. 
 Hence they are distinctly noted by all trust-worthy theolo- 
 gians, as Wesley, Watson, Clarke, Cook, Fletcher, Finney, 
 Buck, Dwight, Hill, Helffenstein, Lee, Foster, Dempster, 
 &c. The Presbyterian Confession of Faith not only makes 
 note of the presence of these tendencies to sin in the re- 
 generate heart, but teaches also that they cannot be com- 
 pletely extirpated in this life. And all these authorities 
 admit that when regenerated, the soul is, in a modified 
 sense, pure and sanctified; but not that it is wlwlly pure 
 and sanctified. 
 
304 THE LIFE OF 
 
 As Finney, Lee, and others clearly teach* existing in the 
 sensibilities as mere passive states, they are not sin in the 
 sense of transgression,— -But (1.) To yield to them even in 
 intention or by consent, in the absense of the opportunity 
 to yield in the overt act, is sin. (2.) Being adverse of 
 the Cross of Christ, and to his unqualified reign in and 
 over the soul, it is his prerogative to cast them out. (3.) 
 To make truce with them so far as to consent to their con- 
 tinued presence, while knowing that they may be cast out, 
 is sin. In such case their very presence involves moral 
 culpability. To make truce with the foes of Christ in any 
 form, is criminally sinful. Hence relentless warfare upon 
 those impulsions, is fundamentally necessary to conrinued 
 justification. (4,) That these tendencies to sin are not 
 cast out by regeneration is self-manifest, from the fact that 
 usually, if not universally, they exist in the heart after it 
 has been regenerated. (5.) Since mere regeneration, (be- 
 ing born again,) does not cast out these internal foes, 
 their extirpation must, in this sense, and on this account, 
 be a distinct work. This is as plain as that two and two 
 equal four, or that a circle, square and triangle are not the 
 same. And as sanctification begins with regeneration, the 
 extirpation of those impulsions and attendant baptism of 
 the Holy Ghost, may on this account be called the con- 
 tinuance of the same work. It is the completion of a work 
 begun in regeneration. Hence contention over the ques- 
 tion whether it is a distinct work or only the same work 
 continued to completion, is not wise ; being more specu- 
 lative than practical, and hence is styled by Mr. Wesley 
 a "war of words ; v and it may serve to divert attention 
 from the great and vital work of having our internal foes 
 extirpated, and the occupancy of the whole territory of 
 the soul by the pure love of Christ. Being a distinct 
 work, it very properly has a distinct designation. And 
 being the completion of a work commenced in regenera- 
 tion, it is very properly designated entire sanctification. 
 
 That this designation is in consonance with the teaching 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 305 
 
 of Inspiration, as well as in accord with experience, is 
 apparent in tbe light of the following with other passages of 
 Holy Writ. 
 
 " Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let 
 us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, 
 perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Cor. vii : 1. 
 This passage clearly assumes (1.) That the Christians 
 addressed may not have been cleansed from all filthiness 
 of flesh and spirit. For why exhort to the doing of a 
 work already completed? (2.) That there is such thing as 
 an imperfect state of holiness ; otherwise there could be 
 no such process as " perfecting holiness." 
 
 " And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I 
 pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body be 
 preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ." 2 Thess. v : 23. As Dr. Lee well says— "This 
 text supposes that sanctification in part without being en- 
 tirely sanctified, is a possible condition ; for it would be 
 absurd to pray to be sanctified wholly, if there is no such 
 thing as being sanctified in part without being wholly sanc- 
 tified." 
 
 The foregoing truths furnish large margin for variety in 
 the experience of Christians. Here is a soul regenerated ; 
 but on the one hand neglecting to cultivate the good, and 
 on the other to suppress its lendencies to sin, hence apos- 
 tatizes. A sad experience this, which fills the land with 
 backsliders. Here is another with whom the warfare be- 
 tween the good infused, and the tendencies to sin not yet 
 extirpated, is almost equal. He alternates between light 
 and darkness, justification and condemnation, sinning and 
 repenting. But little, if any, real progress is made. Alas, 
 that this should be the exact experience of so many ! 
 Still another, not knowing his right to full gospel free- 
 dom, seeks no greater victory than to control his tendencies 
 to sin — anger, pride, envy, jealously, love of the world, 
 &c. ; yet holding the evil in constant restraint it becomes 
 less potent, while the good, carefully cultured, grows and 
 
306 THE LIFE OF 
 
 strengthens. Here is steady progress ; but not complete 
 victory. Stoutly denying the possibility of complete deliv- 
 erance in this life, the measure of exparience, and the 
 contest with its internal foes is ended only " down at the 
 river." A fourth gains successive victories over these inter- 
 nal foes ; and receives new baptisms of the Holy Ghost, 
 just as those foes come conspicuously within the field of 
 the soul's consciousness. Each successive victory is com- 
 plete in kind, but limited in extent. Impulsions adverse 
 to spiritual life and growth, in ambush, still tenant the 
 heart, until the last one is brought to view and cast out ; 
 each successive victory being attended with deeper and 
 still deeper baptisms of the Holy Ghost, until the work of 
 entire sanctifictition is completed. Dr. Lee styles this, 
 gradual or progressive sanctification. But a fifth surveys 
 the whole field of the soul's wants at one searching and 
 appalling view. And oh, how appalling ! He sees and feels 
 the mighty work to be done ; and is as clearly and deeply 
 convicted of the necessity of a clean heart, as formerly o^ 
 the necessity of pardon. In the strength of Divine grace 
 the resolution if formed. The single sentiment of " Victory 
 or Death" permeates every part and power of the deathless 
 spirit, now stirred to its uttermost profound. The life-and- 
 death struggle is terrible. For these internal foes die 
 hard. Consecration of the entire being deeper, broader, 
 higher than ever before reached, is now made ; taking 
 houses, lands, time, talent, reputation, friends, wife, child- 
 ren, life; everything. Faith in Christ as a perfect Savior 
 and all-conquering Captain, measures up to the full de- 
 mands of the occasion, and trusts him for complete deliv- 
 erance from these tendencies to sin just as fully as it trust- 
 ed him for pardon ; and in a moment the mighty work is 
 wrought-! — Self dies, that Christ may hold undisputed sway 
 over the entire empire of the soul. Now ensue unutterable 
 joy — the perfect Rest of Faith — a life of light and love — 
 the sweet tranquility of heaven. 
 
 Now, why admit the reality of the first four experiences 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 307 
 
 above delineated, and deny the fifth, which is indefinitely 
 the most glorious, and is attested by the open profession 
 and holy lives of such shining names as Messrs. Fletcher, 
 Bramwell, Carvosso, Nelson, Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers, 
 Mrs. Fletcher, Lady Maxwell, and a host of others, God's 
 noble men and women who testify that " the blood of Jesus 
 Christ his Son, cleanseth from all sin ? " 
 
 Reader ! Does your name, of right, belong to this list ? 
 What does conscience answer? Shall it be there? 
 
 Between the extremes above indicated is margin for many 
 shades of experience ; and this variety in experience gives 
 origin to variety in theories. We are now prepared to note 
 some points of difference between the states of regeneration 
 and entire sanctification. These are marked and well-de- 
 fined. 
 
 1. The convictions preceding those states are different. 
 Sinners are convicted of sin, guilt, and of the need of par- 
 don and reconciliation. The regenerate are convicted of 
 internal tendencies to sin, in the form of passions, propen- 
 sities, tempers and dispositions, and are deeply conscious 
 that continued justification and the favor of Heaven, are 
 conditioned upon their extirpation. Of course this con- 
 sciousness does not attach to those who do not apprehend 
 the possibility of complete deliverance, in this life, from 
 these impulsions to sin. 
 
 2. There is difference in the consecrations made. In the 
 case of the repentant sinner, it is usually less or more con- 
 fused, vague and limited ; owing to abounding spiritual 
 darkness. In the case of the soul intelligently seeking full 
 redemption, the consecration is clear, well-defined, deep, 
 broad, high, aud all-comprehending, 
 
 3. There is a difference in the blessings sought. The 
 repentant sinner seeks, believes for, and experiences par- 
 don and reconciliation. Beyond this, the knowledge of his 
 needs does not extend. The regenerate seek, believe for, 
 and experience complete deliverance from the foes lurking 
 within, with the attendant baptism of the Holy Ghost. One 
 
308 THE LIFE OF 
 
 apprehends and trusts in Cbrist as a Savior from the guilt 
 and dreadful .consequences of sin. The other apprehends" 
 and trusts in Christ as the complete deliverer from all 
 indwelling tendencies to revolt and rebellion. 
 
 4. Hence there is a difference in those states themselves. 
 With the regenerate, the tendencies to sin are only con- 
 trolled. With the entirely sanctified they are extirpated. 
 With the regenerate, there are deep under- currents of the 
 soul averse to a life of entire consecration — impulsions 
 clamoring for both existence and indulgence. In the wholly 
 sanctified, all those deep under-currents are friendly and 
 helpful to a life of unqualified holiness. So that, so far 
 as internal foes are concerned, the empire of the soul is left 
 in peace. 
 
 5. Hence again : there is marked difference in the temp- 
 tations of the two states. With the regenerate or partially 
 sanctified, many of their temptations are from within, while 
 with the wholly sanctified, they are from without. The re- 
 generate are conscious of something within, in sympathy 
 with suggested evil; while with the wholly sanctified, there 
 is no such sympathy, but positive and intense antagonism 
 to all known sin. The regenerate are often tempted di- 
 rectly to sin ; whereas the wholly sanctified seldom are. 
 With these, Satan, coming in the guise of an angel of light, 
 operates upon and through something in itself innocent, or 
 it may be morally excellent; to secure an illegitimate use 
 of these. As in the case of Eve, her desire for food, or 
 wish to be wise. Or in the case of Jesus — his hunger; 
 or his perceived faith in Divine Providence, to cast him- 
 self from the pinacle of the temple ; or of his dread for 
 terrible sufferings, as in the garden of " strong crying and 
 tears." Sometimes he seeks to take advantage of the holi- 
 est sentiments of the soul, and mis-lead and mis-direct, — 
 for example, our tender regard for the honor of God, and 
 the success of his cause. On the one hand, he may seek 
 to hold us back — we must have our faith to ourselves — must 
 be prudently zealous — we must not be too forward, or we 
 will be thought officious, and our power to do good thug 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 309 
 
 be destroyed, — or on the other hand, he may urge us too 
 fast and too far; and thus beguile into fanaticism; or as in 
 the case of Paul, he may send a " messenger of Satan to 
 buffet us" — a brother, or sister, or wife, or husband, or 
 pastor, or private church-member, or sinners. But per- 
 haps the master device of Satan in this regard, is to lead 
 us, all undiscovered, to the excessive indulgence of that 
 which, in itself, is innocent; such as love of husband, wife, 
 children, reputation, or appetite, or native impulsions, in 
 themselves entirely legitimate. At this point especially, 
 there is necessity for eternal vigilance. Thus in a thou- 
 sand ways Satan may buffet, annoy and embarrass those 
 who are wholly sanctified. It is well to be wise, and know 
 "The depths of Satan." 
 
 And just here it is in place to guard our readers against 
 fatal mistakes. And, 
 
 1. Be slow to make your own experience the primal test 
 of truth, respecting thjs great subject. Especially do not 
 say — " When first converted, I was more happy, and loved 
 more than at any period since ; therefore there is no such 
 thing as progress in the experience of salvation." Is not 
 such an experience sadly defective ? What meaneth the 
 parable of the one, two, and five talents ? The Scriptures 
 and all nature, alike teach the doctrine of progress. 
 
 2. Do not mistake mere regeneration for entire sanctifi- 
 cation. It may well be feared that there are those in the 
 Church who are destitute of the grace of Canst ; and, 
 deeply conscious of the immense vccaum in their souls, 
 come to Jesus humbly and devoutly, and being greatly 
 blessed, assume that they are wholly sanctified, while they 
 have received nothing beyond justification ; a blessing of 
 which, up to this time, they were destitute. 
 
 3. Be particular not to mistake partial for complete sanc- 
 tifi nation. Be not deceived. BethoruiigJi. Go to the very 
 bottom in this experience. Leave no ground to doubt that 
 either the consecration or the faith is complete. 
 
 4. With the utmost care guard against every species of 
 
310 THE LIFE OF 
 
 fanaticism. Satan is just as well plea£ed to push us a little 
 too far as to have us jail below privilege and duty. 
 Hence, some believe themselves so much beyond where 
 the Savior was, that they cannot be tempted. Others 
 again think themselves so much in advance of the inspired 
 Apostle, who said " we know but. -in part, and prophesy 
 but in part, v that they are away above mistake — have no 
 need of the Scriptures ; being in all things led by the 
 Holy Ghost. And still others separate themselves from 
 those dear children of God who bave been only regenera- 
 ted, and fellowship those only who are wholly sanctified ; 
 and tfrus produce schism in the body of Christ. By these 
 and other devices, Satan succeeds in distracting the Church, 
 and bringing the blessed doctrine of holiness into disrepute, 
 an»J even ridicule. But of course it is no valid objection 
 to a doctrine, that it can be perverted. 
 
 b. Too many, having professed entire sanctification cease 
 their e or ts for progress ; forgetting that there is a funda- 
 mental difference between purity and maturity, By all 
 means, and with all possible assiduity, avoid this error. 
 The sanctified soul is only in good position for bolder 
 flights into the measureless beyond. When fields are 
 cleared of all wild-growth, we expect the grains to grow 
 the faster, and the gathered harvests to be the richer. 
 But in neglected fields, the enemy will sow tares. Present 
 grace can he retained only by getting more. Neglected 
 conformity to this fundamental principle in the economy of 
 grace accounts for the sad fact that so few who profess en- 
 tire sanctification succeed in retaining it. The honor of 
 God and salvation of souls demand that this ruinous evil 
 be remedied. When the demand of the age is spiritual 
 athletes, shall we supply it with an army of infants ? Tins 
 must not be. But we proceed. 
 
 Distinct from the baptism of purity, is the baptism of 
 power. The promises are distinct, and so are the bless- 
 ings. How much the whole Church needs this mighty bap- 
 tism ! How her hallowed interests lie in waste from its 
 
REV. ADAM CROOKS. 311 
 
 want. How considerations weighty as the worth of souls 
 and measureless as eternity, with voioes, plaintive as the 
 pleadings of Heaven's own pity, invoke the Church to a 
 universal and perpetual Pentecost! Only this can make 
 her " fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an 
 army with banners." . 
 
 But still beyond, is the sealing of the Holy Sjoirit. As, 
 in this life, the sinner can overleap the bounds of possible 
 return to God, so this sealing " unto the day of redemp- 
 tion 1 ' make its possessor, quite as certain of the boundless 
 bliss of heaven, as if already approved and crowned. Not 
 that there is any absolute impossibility that they should 
 sin, fall, and be lost ; but only that all who know them 
 are well persuaded that they will persevere and be eter- 
 nally crowned. We do not unduly magnify the grace of 
 God. Read the prayer of the inspired Apostle, Eph. iii : 
 16 — 21 — That they might be rooted and grounded in love — 
 that they might know the love of Christ, which passeth 
 knowledge — might he filled with all thefidlness of God — and 
 then, " unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly 
 above all that we ask or think." etc. 
 
 No, we do not exaggerate. Are we all " agonizing to 
 enter in at the straight gate,' 7 and to come up to the full 
 measure of privilege and duty ? Reader, are you seeking 
 to be thus thorough ? Are you " forgetting things behind, 
 and reaching to those before ? Are you allowing those im" 
 pulsions or tendencies, which if indulged, crystalize into sin, 
 peaceable possession of a single inch of the tenitory cf your 
 soul; or is the entire being, with all and singular of ap- 
 purtenances, consecrated to the undisputed reign of Jesus ? 
 Do you momentarily apprehend Christ your complete Sav- 
 ior? Do you live up to the highest point of Gospel privi- 
 lege ; or are you content to live below it? Can you live 
 below privilege and be even justified? But are you emp- 
 tied of sin and filled with God? 
 
312 THE LIFE OP KEY. ADAM CROOKS. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Early History . „ 7 
 
 Early Ministry, „..„ 11 
 
 Call to the South 13 
 
 Dedication of the First Wesleyan Meeting House in 
 
 North Carolina 28 
 
 Opposition 31 
 
 Visit to Virginia „ 33 
 
 Camp Meeting 38 
 
 In Bonds 45 
 
 Other Persecutions 66 
 
 A Mob 76 
 
 In. Jail „. 94 
 
 Release from Jail ] 00 
 
 Observations 109 
 
 Further Activities Ill 
 
 His Marriage 112 
 
 Labors at Cleveland, Ohio 118 
 
 Election to Editorship 125 
 
 Denominational Union Movement 139 
 
 The Bally and Restoration of Confidence 151 
 
 Extract from an Inquiry into Masonry and Odd Fel- 
 lowship .... 157 
 
 Extract from Editorials , 175 
 
 Character and Characteristics 207 
 
 Home Life 2]9 
 
 Letter Writing 228 
 
 The Last Year 230 
 
 Obsequies and Memorial Services 256 
 
 Expressions of Sympathy and Appreciation 276 
 
 Counsel to Converts. 288 
 
 Plea for Holiness 294 
 
 Processes of Salvation 300 
 
THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 THE COLLECTION OF 
 NORTH CAROLINIANA 
 
 CCB 
 C948c