Twenty Years on Horseback

In Short

This memoir chronicles twenty years of service by a United Brethren minister traversing the challenging, mountainous terrain of post-Civil War West Virginia. It captures a vanishing era of American religious life, detailing the physical hardships of the itinerant preacher, the intense fervor of frontier revivals, and the quiet devotion of rural families. Written with a blend of professional reflection and personal storytelling, the book preserves the character of a region where the church served as the social and spiritual anchor, offering an intimate look at the sacrifices required to sustain such a ministry.

The Story

The narrative follows the author’s entry into the ministry in 1869, beginning just as he recovers from a life-threatening illness that doctors warned would end his career. Despite his frail health, he secures a permit to preach and begins his lifelong commitment to the church. His path leads him through a series of demanding appointments in West Virginia’s isolated districts, where the geography itself acts as an adversary. He describes the grueling reality of traveling these regions by horseback, often in freezing weather, through dark forests and across treacherous, icy creeks.

As he transitions from a young circuit preacher to a presiding elder, the narrative widens to encompass the broader life of the church. He details the formation of new congregations, the construction of log-cabin churches built by local hands, and the high-energy revival meetings that served as the heartbeat of the community. These gatherings were often marked by a boisterous, heartfelt piety that the author defends against charges of "wild fire." Throughout these years, he faces the chronic financial instability of the ministry, often relying on the meager, inconsistent support of his congregants and the occasional, life-saving generosity of families who shared their modest meals and homes with him.

The arc of his career is deeply humanized by personal trials, including the profound grief of losing a child and the constant, gnawing anxiety of leaving his young family behind for weeks at a time to serve remote appointments. He balances these hardships with a sense of humor and warmth, recounting anecdotes about the eccentricities of his colleagues, the frequent interruptions of crowded schoolhouse services, and the occasional, unavoidable accidents that befell a man constantly on the road.

As the narrative nears its conclusion, the author reflects on the evolution of the West Virginia Conference. He documents the shift toward better-organized systems, the introduction of ministerial institutes to improve the education of preachers, and the slow but steady improvement in pastoral support. He does not view his life as a hero’s journey, but rather as one of humble service in a vast, developing field. He concludes with a forward-looking perspective, urging the church to continue its growth while maintaining the foundational zeal that built it, ultimately finding peace in the knowledge that his early, toilsome years helped lay the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous future for the denomination.

How It Unfolds

The call to service The author begins his ministry by overcoming a severe respiratory illness that medical professionals deemed terminal. Despite these physical limitations, he secures a license to preach and commits himself fully to the demanding, circuit-riding lifestyle.

Building the church The narrative moves into the practical struggles of organizing worship in primitive, mountainous regions. He details the intense labor behind constructing log chapels and the communal effort of rural congregations during widespread, stirring revivals.

Life on the road A significant portion of the book focuses on the daily grind of the itinerant, including navigation of treacherous mountain geography and the constant struggle to reach appointments in all weather. He shares anecdotes about the dangers of horseback travel and the isolation of being away from his family.

Professional development The author describes the introduction of ministerial institutes, which were designed to standardize the education of preachers in history, geography, and theology. He argues for the importance of intellectual growth alongside spiritual fervor, even while acknowledging the rugged, "raw" nature of the early ministry.

Looking toward the future The final chapters reflect on the overall progress of the West Virginia Conference over several decades. He provides a measured assessment of the church’s growth in membership and assets, advocating for continued stewardship as the region begins to experience industrial wealth.

The People

The book is populated by a cast of characters who represent the backbone of the nineteenth-century church. The author serves as the central observer, a man who balances an intense, unwavering religious discipline with a deep appreciation for the human element of his work. His wife appears as a pillar of strength, managing their home and children while enduring the long, frequent absences necessitated by his calling.

The congregants are equally vital. Figures like "Aunt Susan" Martin appear as embodiments of the blunt, earnest faith that defined the era; her interactions with her children and husband illustrate a community where spiritual life was a lived, practical matter. Then there are the "fathers in Israel," such as Brother Daniel Mason, who provided the author with a sanctuary. These individuals are portrayed as the true architects of the denomination, providing the material and emotional support that allowed the church to thrive in a region where money was perpetually scarce and life was defined by hard labor. The fellow ministers—some giants of the pulpit and others struggling with "raw" education—are remembered with affection and respect, serving as examples of those who endured profound hardship to maintain their witness.

In Its Own Voice

“It is a joy, however, to note in this connection that some of these stewards soon became Christians, and active helpers in the Church.”

The author reflects on the friction caused by raising funds in poor, rural congregations.

“The people to whom these men of God proclaimed the gospel were not, as a rule, rich in material things, but they possessed great hearts, in which love and kindness flowed as pure and refreshing as the streams of water that rippled down the mountain side.”

This line provides the author’s assessment of the character of his parishioners.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book examines the concept of Christian stewardship and the sacrifices inherent in a life of religious service. It asks how a church can maintain its spiritual fire while professionalizing its practices and educating its clergy. The author grapples with the tension between the "primitive" zeal of early revivals and the need for formal theological training, ultimately arguing that both are essential. Beneath the accounts of travel and church administration lies a quiet argument about the necessity of persistence in the face of poverty and isolation. It is a meditation on how faith sustains a person through the death of a child, the exhaustion of the road, and the slow, often invisible work of building a community from the ground up.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in American history or the evolution of religious practice will find this book a valuable primary source. It provides a rare, honest look at the nineteenth-century itinerant experience, stripped of the polish often found in later institutional histories. You will feel the chill of the mountain air and the urgency of a circuit rider trying to make his next appointment.

The book is not without its challenges; the prose is firmly rooted in the moralizing, earnest tone of its time, and modern readers may find the author’s defense of "wild fire" revivals or his specific, early-twentieth-century views on prohibition and social issues to be products of a bygone era. Additionally, the detailed reporting on church statistics and ministerial appointments can be dense for a casual reader. However, the warmth of the author’s voice and his genuine affection for the people he served ensure that the narrative remains engaging. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to understand the human cost and the communal spirit that shaped the American frontier, leaving the reader with a profound respect for the simple, often difficult lives of those who dedicated themselves to a cause greater than their own comfort.