JT-09-1815

1815

Finally, after many heart struggles of mind, I gave up to obey the duties made plain to me. I promised my Savior if he would be with me, and prepare my way before me, that I would follow him in the mortifying path which he had manifested to me, though it should draw on me the scorn, derision, and contempt of all the world.

I sold my possession in Kernstown, my horse, etc., and prepared to travel on foot to preach the gospel. Before my school expired, I traveled a short route in my new mode and manner, and on my return, my feet were very sore and blistered. An old professor said, "well, Thomas, won’t this beat you out of your foolish notion of following Christ!" I told him, I thought not.

July 6th, 1815, I gave my family to God and to the word of his grace, and started, as a stranger, and yet well known, as a deceiver, and yet true, to preach the everlasting gospel to them that dwell on earth. I went on through Frederick and Hampshire counties, and returned again, having been about thirteen days, preached twenty-three times, and walked 130 miles. I was now celebrated by the name of "Crazy Thomas." In the manner I traveled, I discovered the pride and hypocrisy of professors’ hearts, and saw that they were further from the pure gospel than I had ever before anticipated!

July 21st, my wife brought forth a daughter, and we named her Philomela.

July 29th, I started on a long journey towards the South. I preached in Mount Pleasant, where as I heard some years afterwards, there was a vain, fashionable young lady brought under conviction, and sought the Lord until she found him. I preached in New Market, on Smith’s creek, Harrisonburg, Miller’s Iron works, and in several places onward to Staunton, where I met with a kind reception among the Methodists; but I smarted for it afterwards. I passed through Augusta and Rockbridge counties, where I experienced sufferings and persecutions among the Presbyterians. At Cop’s meeting house, in Botetourt county, I preached several times, where a reformation commenced. Here I obtained the name of the "Pilgrim Preacher;" which has exceeded all others given me.

Thence I preached in Fincastle, in the Methodist meeting house. Some or the Methodists shouted, and sinners wept. From this place, I directed my course over rugged and towering mountains, to Craig’s creek. On this creek I preached in several places, to people apparently as hard and barren as the mountains that surrounded them. I observed a lamentable falling away among the people, from the cause of religion, since I had visited them seven years ago. From here I went a pathway over an exceeding high mountain, to Sinking creek; on the summit of which, I had an ample display of nature’s wildest and sublimest features. On Sinking creek I preached at J. Webb’s. Having left this place, a violent thunderstorm overtook me in the wild and strange woods; a great rain fell, and I became very wet. I came on to Spruce Run, where night met me. She with sable mantle, wrapped the high raised mountain’s top in lonesome darkness, and whelmed the lowly sunken dell, into which I was descending, in thicker gloom. In this solitary wild, hungry, wet and faint, I called in at a cabin, and tarried during the night. But, alas! I found nothing to satisfy my hunger but cucumbers without salt. Here nature represents a picturesque and retired scene, well calculated to inspire the poet’s muse, and contemplation of the philosopher. Next morning, I went on my way, and, in going a few miles, I came to New river. I had some difficulty in crossing it. I traveled some distance up the river. Here nature is clothed, not in garlands and roses, smiling in perennial and never-fading verdure, but stands frowning in the most sublime and majestic attire. Here Walker’s mountain (as it is called) to all appearance, by some tremendous catastrophic, has been cleft asunder, from base to summit, exhibiting towery rocks, lonesome and far-projected pinnacles, while pile upon pile, add wonder to the romantic figure! Through this mighty chasm, runs the roaring river, while foam, wave and tumultuous fury perfects one of the grandest and most majestic pictures of nature. My path led along the river’s brink, over and between the dangerous rocks that pile the rugged way. Passing this place, I was introduced into a large and fertile bottom, where I appeased my hungry appetite on May apples, its they are called, having eaten nothing for nearly forty-eight hours, and having walked about fifty miles. Late in the evening, tired and hungry, I came to J. Toolinger’s, where I was refreshed and comforted. Next day, (Sabbath,) I met with Mr. Morris, a Methodist preacher, at Page’s meeting house. The preacher objected to my preaching in the house. By request of the people, I preached to them in the woods.

Then in Newbern, on Pea creek, etc., passing through Montgomery, Wythe and Grayson counties, preaching more than once a day, generally to large congregations. From Grayson county, I went into North Carolina, preached at the house of Gov. Henderson. Thence onward to the Moravian towns, where I was kindly received, and admitted to preach in their meeting houses. Thence in different places on the Yadkin river, and near to Salisbury.

Thence I turned my course, and retraced on my journey, till I came to Newbern, in Montgomery county, Va. Thence I went to Montgomery Court house; and while I was passing the street, a man hailed me--said he had heard of me, and wished me to stop and preach for them. I did so. Thence on Roanoke, I preached to an audience who had gathered to raise a house. Walking a log over the stream, I fell into the water, and was under the necessity of swimming out. In Salem, Botetourt county, I was kindly received, and preached twice in the Methodist meeting house. It was reported here, and believed by some, that I was crazy, and had ran away from my family. A man told me that he was then immediately from Newtown, near my father-in-law’s, and he was there told by a Methodist, that my father-in-law believing I never would return, went with his wagon and moved my family to his house, to take care of them! This gave me some uneasiness. Thence I preached near Amsterdam, and in Fincastle. Here from the post office, I lifted a letter from my wife, which gave me great consolation, as it unwittingly contradicted the above report.

Thence I went on to Cop’s, Pattonsburg, and at different places in Rockbridge. Here I traveled one whole day in the rain, and ate nothing. After dark I was admitted to take shelter in the house of a Presbyterian; but he gave me nothing to eat. Next morning he charged me thirty-three cents, and a stranger, who was present in time of reckoning, paid it for me. I went nine miles to brother Menga’s, in Augusta county, and was again provided with a breakfast, having walked forty miles, and fasted thirty-six hours. I preached in Middlebrook and in Staunton, where I found some Methodists had turned against me. Thence, I preached on North river, Harrisonburg, New Market, Mount Pleasant; and on the 26th of October, I preached at brother S. Hickle’s in Shenandoah where my family met me. On the 28th, I arrived at my own dwelling, and preached to a large audience. I felt great consolation in my soul, and very thankful to God on the occasion that I had been preserved through many trials and dangers, and was permitted to see my family and friends again in health, in this land of changes. In this journey I was absent ninety-two days, preached ninety-seven times, and walked upwards of eleven hundred miles--endured many hard trials and difficulties--delivered from some imminent dangers--endured much persecution--saw that some professors were convinced of their errors--some sinners convinced of their sins, and brought to the knowledge of the truth.

I preached a few times in my neighborhood. Thence into Frederick county, at and about my father-in-law’s, where I was yet known by the name of "Crazy Thomas!" Some said it was a dishonor to the gospel, for a preacher to wear such a garb as I did; though it was white and generally clean. Some said it was scriptural, and the most suitable. Lo! I found again, what I had long known, that the people would differ in their opinions. Thence into Hampshire, and from there I returned home. I was absent four weeks, preached twenty-nine times, and walked upwards of an hundred miles, the most of the distance in snow and mud.