xt79cn6xws13 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt79cn6xws13/data/mets.xml McCullagh, Joseph H. 1889  books b92-41-26782899 English American Sunday-School Union, : Philadelphia : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. McCullagh, John, 1811-1888. Sunday-school man of the South  : a sketch of the life and labors of the Rev. John McCullagh / by Joseph H. McCullagh ; with an introduction by Edwin W. Rice. text Sunday-school man of the South  : a sketch of the life and labors of the Rev. John McCullagh / by Joseph H. McCullagh ; with an introduction by Edwin W. Rice. 1889 2002 true xt79cn6xws13 section xt79cn6xws13 




K c

V'

 







"THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL MAN

      OF THE SOUTH."



  A SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND LABORS

               OF THE


REV. JOHN McCULLAGH.


              BY THE



  REV. JOSEPH H. McCULLAGH.



WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE


     REV. EDWIN W. RICE, D.D.







          PHILADELPHIA
THE AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION,
         1122 CHESTNUT STREET.
       AGENCY FOR NEW YORK CITY,
         158 FIFTH AVENUE.

 




















               DEDICATION.




TO THE MANY THOUSANDS OF MY FATHER'S BELOVED FRIENDS
THROUGHOUT THIS UNION, FROMI THE LITTLE ONES IN
   SUNDAY-SCHOOLS TO THE VENERABLE SAINTS OF FOUR-
   SCORE YEARS, WHO HAVE OFTEN LISTENED WITH
      PLEASURE TO THE STIRRING APPEALS FROM
      THE VOICE THAT IS NOW SILENT, AND WHO,
         BY THEIR KIND WORDS OF CHEER AND
           GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
           GREAT CAUSE TO WHICH HE
                 DEVOTED HIS LIFE,
     MADE THE OLD MISSIONARY'S HEART REJOICE,
           AND HIS LIFE ONE OF TRIUMPH,

                  Mhig 5votumc

            IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

                 BY THE AUTHOR.



      COPYRIGHT, 1889, BY
THE AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

 










             INTRODUCTION.



  An well-written biography of a good person
inspires the living to fill their lives with good
deeds. If, as Carlyle says, "the history of
what man has accomplished in this world is at
bottom the history of the great men who have
worked here," then this little book is no unim-
portant contribution to the history of the
American people in the South; for those who
occupy high public offices are not the only
great men of a nation. " Given a great soul
open to the divine significance of life," and
you will have a person fit to speak and to do
great things. In a high or a humble sphere
                                      (v)

 



INTROD UCTION.



such a soul will become, nay is, one of the
world's great men.
   Hence every true reform and every import-
ant movement develops great souls. They are
the world's heroes; recognized in their period
and place, and justly honored for their achieve-
ments. To this noble army of confessors and
great men John McCullagh belonged. Good
biographies of such men are among the most
instructive and valuable works in Christian
literature. A better class of books for Sun-
day-school libraries and for the home is not to
be found.
  This unpretending yet admirable sketch of
the "Sunday-school Man of the South" will
be read with avidity by thousands who have
been stirred by his eloquent appeals, and by
thousands of others who have been blessed
by his indefatigable labors. The consecrated



vi

 



INSTR OD UCTIO M.



Scotch lad, upon whose head the beloved
Thomas Chalmers kindly laid his hand, accom-
panying it with thoughtful counsel, was ever
after inspired with a good measure of the same
fiery zeal that filled the heart of the greatest
of modern Scotch preachers. Scotch persever-
ance, animated by such zeal, enabled McCul-
lagh to sweep everything before him.
  It is a difficult task to write a just and in-
teresting biography; but this delicate work
has been performed with rare discrimination,
excellent taste and graphic conciseness by the
son, the Rev. Joseph H. McCullagh, now grace-
fully wearing the mantle and vigorously carry-
ing forward the work dear to his father's heart.
The fragrance of such a consecrated life as
John McCullagh's is swveet: it deserves to be
held in remembrance, as it long wvill be, south
and north, and may cheer many a discouraged



. .

 




Viii            INTR OD UCTIOIZ.

soul, by the help of God, to do a heroic work

for the Master, in the face of adverse fortune,

and in a strange land.
                           EDWIN W. RICE.

 PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 1889.

 











               CONTENTS.


                                              PAGE
DEDICATION,                        .1i1
INTRODUCTION,                                    V

                   CHAPTER I.
EARLY LIFE.         ,15
Serious illness, 15-Religious training, 16-Dr. Thos.
Chalmers, 17-University of Glasgow, 18-Trials, 18
-Work in Scotland, 19-Adventure on the Irish
coast, 20.

                  CHAPTER II.
GOES TO AMERICA, .21
Last sermon in Great Britain, 21-Providential pres-
ervation, 21-On the ocean, 22-Drunken sailor, 23
-Profane infidel, 24.

                  CHAPTER III.
IN NEW YORK, .25
The American Sunday-School Union, 25-Resolves
to become a volunteer worker, 26-First sermon in
America, 27-Goes to Monticello, 27-Dr. Archibald
Alexander's views, 28-Discussion with an Arian, 28
-Back-load sermon, 29, 30.
                                          (iX)

 






                                                PAGE
                   CHAPTER IV.
GOES WEST, .                .31
  Refuses to travel on Sunday, 31-The stop over in
  Louisville, 32-Visits Sunday-school, 32-Rev. Dr.
  E. P. Humphrey, 33-Rev. Dr. Stuart Robinson, 35
  -Great results, 36.

                   CHAPTER V.
IN ILLINOIS, .              .37
  A civil engineer, 37-Fever, 38-Mr. Crenshaw, 38-
  Heroic prescription, 40-Fiatheads, 41-Mr. Lin-
  coin, 41.

                  CHAPTER VI.
GOES TO KENTUCKY.               .                42
  First Sunday-school in Henderson, 42-Its history,
  43-Henderson Eclectic Institute, 44-Work in the
  interest of education, 44-Hardships in volunteer
  missionary work, 46, 47.

                  CHAPTER VII.
WORK IN HENDERSON,.                              49
Resolves to build a church, 50-Difficulties in raising
the money, 51-Subsequent history of the church,
53-Grand Union meetings, 54-Marriage, 55-57.

                 CHAPTER VIII.
ENTERS AS A REGULAR .58
Enlists for life, 59-Increased labors, 60-Some re-
rults, 61-Hardships, 61-Social influence, 62, 63.



CO1NTEL'NTS.



x

 





CONTENTS.



                                               PAGE
                  CHAPTER IX.

MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE, .64
  Claw-hammer Sunday-school, 64-Defeats the Ro-
  manists, 65, 66-Circulation of religious literature,
  67-History of two books and Uncle Ben, 68-70.


                   CHAPTER X.

MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES-Continued,           .   71
  Breaks up "The Travellers' Rest," 73-Filling Ap-
  pointments, 74-Caught in a tornado, 76-White Lick
  school, 77.


                  CHAPTER XI.

INCIDENTS OF THE WORK,                          78
  Put Mr. Johnston in the harness, 79-Archie and the
  Testament, 80-After many days, 83-Lost in the
  forest, 83-Methodist preacher, 84-Views of Union
  work, 85.


                 CHAPTER XII.

FROm A MISSIONARY'S NOTE-BOOK, .86
Not afraid of a distillery, 86-Alphabetarians, 87-
Rough fare, 88-Uncle Billy and Parson Benton, 89-
Tommie Ewing, 90-Bill Knox and the Mill School,
92-Tokens of esteem, 94-Distinguished men, 95-
Andrew Jackson, 95-Alexander H. Stephens, 96-98.



xi1

 





CONTENTS.



                                               PAGE
                 CHAPTER XIII.

THE OPPOSITION LINE,                            99
  Routs a Free Lover, 99-102-Overcomes Uncle
  Johnny the Hardshell, 103-Results, 105-The shady
  side and the sunny side of the opposition line, 106-
  108-Satisfies doubters, Dr. Todd, 109.


                 CHAPTER XIV.

CO -WORKERS,.                                  110
  Stuttering Willie, 110-Rebecca Thomas' ring, 112-
  Emma J. Hill's dollar, 115-Ida May Bowen, 116-
  Miss Charlotte Sprague, 118-Unknown friend, 119
  -Many helpers, 120, 121.


                  CHAPTER XV.

THE FIELD WIDENS, .122
  Appointed superintendent, 122-Success, 123-Work
  with missionaries, 124-Tact as a collector, 126-In-
  cidents, 127-Noah's carpenters, 128-Efforts to re-
  lieve the South, 129.


                 CHAPTER XVI.

DURIN-G THE WAR, .131
The work not delayed, 131-Danger and deliverance,
132,133-Protects miissionaries, 134,135-The Golden
Link, 136-Blind Ben, 136, 137.



.i.

 





CONTENTS.



PAGE



                                               PAGE
                 CHAPTER XVII.

ADDRESSES, .138
  Success as a public speaker, 138-140-Jesus only, 141
  -Battle of Manassas, 142-Work of The American
  Sunday-School Union, 143-145-The infidel's daugh-
  ter, 146-149-Dave Nelson, 150-152.



                CHAPTER XVIII.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS, .153

  Mental traits, 153-Strong religious convictions, 154
  -Covenant with God, 155-1 57-Prayers answered,
  158-Wide religious sympathies, 159-Claimed by all,
  160-Confession, 161-Will power, 161-Incident,
  162-Industry, 162-Daniel Webster and his brother,
  163.


                 CHAPTER XIX.

GENERAL RESULTS-A RETROSPECT-CLOSING YEARS, 165

Great length of service, 165-Number of schools or-
ganized, 166-Money collected, 167-Results of work
in southern district, 167-Work done for God dieth
not, 168-Hand of Providence, 169-Quiet old age,
171-Work as general missionary, 172-Affliction of
deafness, 172-Relaxation, 172-Loss of friends, 173
-Rev. Dr. B. M. Palmer, 174-Last contribution,
175-Last letters, 175-Falls asleep in Jesus, 176.

 






xiv                CONTENTS.

                                              PAGE
                 CHAPTER XX.
VIEWS OF HIS CHARACTER,.                       178
By Rev. Dr. James M. Crowell, 178-From Rev. Dr.
H. Clay Trumbull, 178-A. G. Adams, 179-Colonel
B. H. Young, 179-Rev. G. S. Jones, 180-Rev.
Isaac Emory, 180-H. W. Hunter, 181-Rev. W. P.
Paxson, D.D., 181-L. Milton Marsh, 182-R. G.
Chisolm, 182-J. P. Orr, 182-Rev. Edwin W. Rice,
D.D., 183-From the Presbyterian Banner, 184-The
Sunday-Shool World, 185-The Christian Observer, 186
-The Courier-Journal, 186-Henderson Journal, 187-
Henderson News, 187-169.


 








   THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL MAN
           OF THE SOUTH.



               CHAPTER I.
               EARLY LIFE.

  MANY years ago, a little boy in Scotland lay
suffering with brain fever. His mother was a
widow, and he was now her only son. Thrice
already had she been called to mourn, like
" Rachel weeping for her children, and would
not be comforted, because they are not." Ac-
cordin, to the custom of that time, the phy-
sician was bleeding the little sufferer, to reduce
the fever; and while feeling the pulse, which
was beating weaker and weaker, his face was
grave and troubled. The mother was looking
on with anguish and despair.
  "John," said the physician, "has the pain
left you "
  "Yes, sir;   the  moment you spoke it
stopped."
                                    15

 




EARLY LIFE.



  "Thank God, you will recover. The crisis
is past."
  These words from the doctor brought sun-
shine to the mother's heart and face.  This
boy, whose life had been quivering in a bal-
ance, was John McCullagh.
  Hle was born near Glasgow, Scotland, Octo-
ber 31, 1811, being the youngest of four
children. His brother Joseph, and two sisters,
died quite early in life. His father died when
John was very young. It was with joy like
unto that of the Shunammite woman, whose son
wvas raised from the dead by Elisha, that this
afflicted Scottish mother heard her son would
recover.
  She was a woman of great strength of char-
acter and of deep religious convictions. When
her son was restored to health, she bent all her
energies to train him in a godly and pious man-
ner. The Bible, the Confession of Faith and
Shorter Catechism were her text-books. Faith,
prayer and holy living were her methods of
teaching. The pupil was an apt scholar, hav-
in, a bright mind and a remarkable memory.
Chapter after chapter from God's word was



16

 



IN SCOTLEAD.17



thoroughly learned. The Psalms of David in
metre, such as are used in the Scottish
churches, were memorized. These he never
forgot; and when over seventy years of age he
could sit and repeat by the hour, with all the
quaint sweetness of the Scotch brogue, these
beautiful Psalms and truths of God which he
had learned at his mother's knee.
  While the boy was quite young, the noted
Rev. Dr. Thomas Chalmers came to Glasgow,
as pastor of the Tron Church, and commenced
his wonderful work of Sabbath-school and
church extension in the destitute portions of
that city. John McCullagh attended Dr. Chal-
mers' Sabbath-school in Glasgow, and after-
wards in Edinburgh. Ile was a faithful and
diligent scholar, and often spoke of the day
when Dr. Chalmers took him by the hand and
led him out before the Sunday-school and
praised him for memorizing Bible verses. The
love and admiration which John McCullghil
had for Dr. Thomas Chalmers became one of
the controlling influences of his life. It was
from Chalmers' work that he grasl)e(l the idea,
in after years, that Sabbath-school work among
    2



17

 




EARLY LIFE.



the poor and destitute was the greatest door
open for Christian activity; Chalmers having
said, "I see more good results from my Sab-
bath-school in Kilmany than from all my other
work."  It would be an interesting study to
trace out the power and influence of Dr. Chal-
mers' example on the life of John McCullagh.
The same fire that burned in the heart of the
Nestor of Scotch preachers was communicated
to the breast of his Sabbath-school scholar, and
borne by him through the forests of America.
  When a young man, he entered the Uni-
versity of Glasgow. Geometry and the higher
mathematics had especial attractions for him.
Surveying, civil engineering and astronomy
were also favorite studies. Owing to failing
health, he was compelled to suspend his studies
for several years. During this time he was
connected with a commission house, and trav-
elled for it through the north of Ireland and
-west of Scotland. This active life having bene-
fited him, he returned to the university to
complete his education.
  About this time his mother died. His affec-
tionate, tender heart always treasured her



18

 



IN SCOTLAND.



precious memory as sacred; and even during
his last days, when speaking of her, there was
a peculiar tenderness and pathos in his tone.
  Just before completing his theological stud-
ies, another trial of a different nature befell
him. lie had inherited quite a handsome prop-
erty, but had been induced to indorse for some
friends; their enterprise failed and he had to
pay the notes. This swept away his fortune
in one day.
  Hle now resolved to leave Scotland and go
to America. His plan had been to devote him-
self to Sunday-school work in Great Britain,
and he had organized Sabbath-schools among
the colliers and fishermen in Scotland, and the
ILish in Connaught; but America seemed to be
the more promising field.
  His family were all dead, and his fortune
gone.  He wished to leave the place of so
many sorrowful and unpleasant associations,
and go to a new world, and devote his life to
the great work of training the young for Christ.
  Before leaving Great Britain, he visited the
Giant's Causeway and the Irish coast.  One
day, on this visit, he secured a gig to drive



19

 




20



EAIBLY LIFE.



along the beautiful coast. Night overtook him
before he returned. The way was lonesome,
and there was no one in the vehicle except
himself and the driver. Suddenly two men,
armed with clubs, rushed out of the bushes
and seized the horse by the bridle. "High-
waymen," said McCullagh to himself, "and I
am unarmed!" But his courage did not fail;
and rising, he shouted in a loud voice, "Let
go that horse, or I will make you!" At the
same time he snapped the spring of his umbrella
twice, sharply. The larger man cried to his
companion, "Run, Mike! that fellow has a
pistol." In an instant they were gone, and he
returned safely; but the adventure terminated
the trip for sight-seeing.

 







CHAPTER II.



              GOES TO AMERICA.

  TN the spring of 1834 he was ready to leave
for New York. The last sermon he heard in
England was by Dr. McNeill, a distinguished
minister in Liverpool, from the text, " The
Master is come, and calleth for thee" (John
11: 28). The whole discourse seemed as if it
had been specially prepared for him. It said
to him in substance, "God, by his providence,
has brought you to this point. The ship is in
the harbor, ready to carry you over the sea.
A great work is before you. Be of good cour-
age, ' It is I, be not afraid."'
  He had secured passage in the Jane Walker,
a strong new ship, which was to sail that week;
but meeting some friends in Liverpool, who de-
sired that he should remain some time with
them, he went to the office of the owners and
asked that his passage be changed to that of
the Margaret, a brig belonging to the same
owners, and which was to sail two weeks later.x
                                     21

 




GOES TO AMERICA.



" Yes, we will change you," said the agent, " if
you will pay us a handsome bonus." " What!
pay a bonus to be changed from a new ship to
an old brig  I will do nothing of the kind; I
will go on the Jane Walker."
  The Margaret sailed two weeks later from
an earthly port, but landed her passengers in
eternity. Not a spar was found to tell how,
when or where she was lost.
  When he went on board the Jane Walker,
the first thing that met his gaze was a young
sailor lying on the deck in a state of beastly
intoxication. The sailors were standing around
laughing at him. One of them said, "Wait
until the mate comes on board, and he will put
that fellow ashore in a hurry." Mr. McCullagh
looked at the unfortunate man, and saw that
he had a fine, open face. He was moved with
pity toward him, and said to one of the sailors,
"He looks like a good fellow; you take hold
of his feet and I will take his arms, and we
will carry him off the deck."
  They carried him below, and covered him
with some old sails. The next day the ship
was out at sea, and the young sailor had be-



22

 



ONr THE OCEAN.



come sober. As he was walking on the deck
the sailors pointed to Mr. McCullaglh, and said
to the young man, " That is the gentleman who
saved your bacon."
  The ship was fifty days in making the voy-
age. After getting within six hundred miles
of New York, contrary winds arose, which, for
three weeks, blew them steadily back toward
Liverpool.
  One night, on this voyage, while a storm was
raging, a man went to the room where the
casks of fresh water were kept. He left the
key out which held them in place, so that the
rolling of the vessel threw them out of posi-
tion, and they were soon in such a condition
that one half of the water supply was lost.
  The next morning the order was, "Water
rations cut down one half." Some days later
this was again reduced, until a water famine
threatened them in mid-ocean.
  The young man whom Mr. McCullagh had
beftiended was placed in charge of the water
supply. He told him he was now ready to re-
pay him for his kindness, and that he would
Vut a gallon jug full of water in his room every



23

 



GOES TO AMERICA.



morning. The offer was accepted, and every
day he went among the steerage passengers, a
large number of whom were on board, and
many of them sick, and held a glass of water
to their parched lips. If he had given them
gold and diamonds they could not have been
more grateful. He said he had never appre-
ciated what a blessing water was until then.
  A Colonel Bailey, a blaspheming infidel, was
on board. His horrid oaths shocked all who heard
them. One night the ship was reported to be
going down under the terrible sweep of the tem-
pest. Colonel Bailey was in his room, pray-
ing very earnestly. A number of passengers
gathered around his door to hear him. One of
them said, " Why, he can out-pray a preacher."
  The next day the sky was clear, and when
the colonel was congratulated upon his gift in
prayer, he swore that it was all a lie, he never
prayed in his life. This convinced Mr. McCul-
lagh that some infidels are cowards when dan-
ger is near.
  After a long and stormy voyage the Jane
Walker reached New York safely.



24

 







CHAPTER III.



                IN NEW YORK.

  IT was with great joy that Mr. McCullagh
first gazed on the New World, bathed in the
glories of the rising sun. Here was to be the
scene of his trials and triumphs; this people
were to be his people, their God, his God.
After landing he called to see Mr. Robert Car-
ter, the noted book publisher, to whom he bore
letters of introduction. From Mr. Carter he
received much useful information about the
points of difference between this country and
Scotland.
  While in the city he heard of The American
Sunday-School Union, and pondered over the
name. "American, that means national, not
sectional; Sunday-School, that means spiritual,
not secular; Union, that means united effort
for Christ. I like everything about it. That
name expresses my sentiments. I suppose
they have experienced men to do the very kind
of work I intend to perform. I am a raw re-
                                     25

 




IN NEW YORK.



cruit, and know nothing of this country, but I
can be a volunteer. Without asking any pay
from the society, I can help them in their grand
work. I enlist in that cause for life."
  He resolved that instead of becoming an or-
dained minister, where his influence would be
local, he would devote himself to missionary
work, and go to the war on his own charges.
lIe reasoned thus: "While I have but little
money I have good health, an education, and
am a civil engineer. With these resources I
can always make a living and have time to
work for the Master. If I teach school I will
be brought in contact with the young, and can
have great influence over them. If Paul prac-
ticed the trade of tent-making in order to
preach the gospel without charge, I have a good
scriptural example for my model; and if this
country is as vast and boundless as they tell
me it is, and the population so widely scattered,
there are thousands who never hear the preach-
er's voice. The church and Sunday-school so-
cieties cannot support all the men required to
reach them. I will be a volunteer in the army
of King Jesus, will bear my own expenses, and



26

 



THE CITY.



go where I think the most good can be done.
I will unfurl the blood-stained banner of the
Cross, and tell of his wondrous love to sinners."
   On the following Sabbath he werit to hear
 Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring preach. This was
 the first sermon he heard in America. The
 text was, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the
 LORD" (Isaiah 43 :10). The theme was per-
 sonal work for Christ. One of the main points
 of the sermon was the importance of work in
 the Sunday-school. Mr. McCullagh was highly
 pleased and greatly edified by the discourse.
 " That is the true doctrine," he exclaimed;
 " that sounds like Dr. Chalmers."
 After a short stay in New York city he went
 to Monticello, Sullivan county, New  York.
 Here he was very kindly received by Rev. Dr.
 James Adams. The first sermon he heard from
 Dr. Adams was from the text, "Ye are our
 epistle written in our hearts, known and read of
 all men" (2 Corinthians 3 2), bringing out the
 great idea of Christian influence and the glory
 of Christian work. Dr. Adams cordially in-
 dorsed Mr. McCullagh's views of Sunday-school
missionary labor, and often accompanied him



27

 




IN NEW YORK.



on his missionary trips. To strengthen his
views he read to him Dr. Archibald Alexander's
opinion, as follows: "I have a favorite notion
that this is a rich, uncultivated missionary field.
There should be a class of preachers for chil-
dren alone. If I were a young man I would,
God willing, choose that field."
   While living in Monticello, on one occasion
he became involved in a discussion with a
learned judge of that place, who was an Arian
and a very subtle reasoner. The debate waxed
warm, and a large company gathered around
the disputants.
  Finally, Mr. McCullagh said, "Judge, you
have the advantage of me. You know what I
believe, but I do not know what you believe."
  " I believe the Bible."
  "DIo you believe the Bible "
  "Yes," he replied, "I believe the Bible."
  "Well then, you are a lawyer and a judge;
it is your business to make a very close study
of words to ascertain their exact meaning, and
to construe them strictly and accurately. Now
then, if God, the great Father of us all, wished
you and me and every one to believe that Jesus



28

 



SULLIVAN COUNTY JUDGE.



Christ was divine, and in a way so clear that
nobody could misunderstand it, will you please
tell us, as a judge, what terms should be used
to express the truth "
   "Well," replied the judge, "if God wished
us to believe Jesus to be divine he would have
said in the Bible, le is the true God."
   The auditors all agreed to the judge's state-
ment, and thought the young Scotchman was
cornered; but he quietly turned to the judge's
daughter and said, "M Miss A., will you please
take your Bible and turn to the first epistle of
John, fifth chapter, and read the twentieth
verse " In a sweet voice she read to the eager
listeners the verse referring to Christ which
says, " This is the true God, and eternal lEfe,"
being the words which her father said should
have been used. The judge gracefully changed
the subject, and the discussion was closed.
  Mr. McCullagh lived in Monticello, N. Y.,
several years, where he taug'ht school and
worked among the poor in Sullivan and the
adjoining counties. The following incident will
illustrate the nature of his work there:
  One Sunday he walked six miles through



29

 



IN NEW YORK.



deep snow, with a load of books on his back, to
organize a Sunday-school among the " bark-
peelers." They were considered to be such
wicked people that it was not worth while to
try any religious work among them. But be-
fore he commenced his address one of the
" bark-peelers" jumped up and said, " This
young man has already preached the best ser-
mon in this county.  To carry such a load as
this six miles through the snow is what I call
a ' back-load sermon.' That is the kind of
sermon I like. Now I came here to break up
the meeting; but we are going to have a Sun-
day-school here if I have to superintend it
myself." Then, shaking his brawny fists at
some of his companions, he continued, "If any
of you fellows disturb this Sunday-school, see
what you will get. Now, young preacher, make
your speech and I will keep order." A good
and useful Sunday-school was the result. In
after years he saw the spire of a church point-
ing heavenward from the spot where he organ-
ized this school.



30

 







CHAPTER IV.



                  GOES WEST.

  THE state of Illinois was at that time attract-
ing great attention. Many new railroads were
being projected, and many settlers moving into
the state. Mr. McCullagh resolved to go to
Illinois, believing that much greater destitution
could be found there than in New York. Owing
to the slow methods of transportation then in
use, it was a long and tedious journey. Arriv-
ing at Pittsburgh, he paid his passage on a
steamer to Shawneetown, Illinois.
  The boat reached Louisville, Ky., Saturday
night.  When they were some twenty miles
from the city, he wvent to the captain and said,
"How long will you remain at Louisville "
  "I do not know," replied the captain; " why
do you ask "
  " Because I have paid my fare to Shawnee-
town, and if the boat is going on to-night I will
get off, as I do not travel on the Sabbath."
  The captain looked at him in amazement,
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GOES WEST.



and said, " I have been running steamboats for
many years, but you are the first man I have
met who would get off, after his fare was paid,
to keep from travelling on Sunday; but I re-
spect you for it-I had a good mother, if I am
a hard sinner. I have a large amount of iron
and other freight for parties in Louisville. If
they are ready to receive it when we arrive, the
boat goes on in a few hours. It will be late
when we get there, and if the parties have
gone home, we will not leave Louisville until
Monday morning. I will let you know."
  After the boat landed, the captain came to
Mr. McCullagh and said, "W We cannot get away
from here before Monday. Do not tell the
passengers; they will worry me about it."
  The first Sunday in Kentucky proved to be
a memorable one in Mr. McCullagh's life. He
visited the Second Presbyterian Church Sun-
day-school, and made an address at the close.
Ile heard Rev. Dr. E. P. Humphrey, pastor of
the church, preach an able sermon from the text,
" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth" (Romans 1 : 16).



32

 



DR. HUMPHREY.



  With this seemingly accidental tarry at Louis-
ville were connected far-reaching results. In
after years this Presbyterian church Sunday-
school became a regular contributor to his work,
and continues it to this day. This school alone
has given thousands of dollars to the American
Sunday-School Union, besides a large amount
regularly contributed by the members of the
church. Dr. Humphrey became Mr. McCul-
lagh's life-long friend, and a regular contributor;
and many years after gave this cordial endorse-
ment of his work: "The American Sunday-
School Union for fifty-nine years has carried the
gospel to thousands who had no other instruction
in the plan of salvation. Its missionary work
has been managed through the South with sin-
gular discretion and ability, and its opportunity
was never so great as now."
  About forty years later, Mr. McCullagh
visited the Sunday-school of the College Street
Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. Humphrey
was then the pastor. In closing his address
he said, "I desire to offer a challenge to this
school. Forty years ago I heard your pastor
preach a sermon, and I venture to say I can
    3



33

 




4GOES WEST.



tell more of that sermon than any of you
teachers or scholars can repeat of any sermon
the doctor has preached in the Iast four weeks.
Dr. Humphrey is here, and he will be the
judge. Any one who is ready will please
begin."
  He paused, waiting for some one to com-
mence. There was no response.
  Dr. Humphrey then came forward, and was
deeply affected.  He said, "I regard this,
Brother McCullagh, as the compliment of my
life; that you, a stranger, forty years ago
passing through Louisville, having heard me'
preach, should remember the text and all the
points of my sermon."  In a private conversa-
tion which followed, Mr. McCullagh, in a ban-
tering way, said, " Doctor, I heard you preach
recently, and you are preaching about the same
old subjects you did years ago. Why don't
you preach about the sensations and new
things "
  "Ab," said the doctor, " God's love for
sinners and the great salvation through Christ
will be my theme as long as I live."
  Rev. Dr. Stuart Robinson, who was after'



34

 



STUART ROBINSON35.



wards pastor of the Second Presbyterian
Church, was also the beloved friend and cor-
dial helper of Mr. MlcCullagh in his Sunday-
school work. Some years he personally con-
tributed fifty dollars to the cause.
   In May, 1875, Dr. Robinson went to New
 York city and delivered an address, pleading
 for the support of the American Sunday-School
 Union in the South. The meeting was held
 in the Academy of Music.     The vast and
 beautiful building was crowded to its utmost
 capacity.  lIon. William E. Dodge was the
 chairman of the evening, and every seat on
 the great platform  was occupied.  Among
 those present were Drs. John Hall, Armitage,
 Deems, J. Cotton Smith, and also Messrs.
 Morris K. Jesup, F. Mlarquand, Alexander
 Brown, Maurice A. Wurts, Edwin W. Rice,
 and other officers and managers of the society.
 When this noble man passed away, Mr.
 McCullagh felt that he had lost a true friend,
 a sincere sympathizer, a brother beloved; and
 he wept for him as David did for Jonathan.
 Other pastors an(l Sunday-schools in after
days were drawn into cordial sympathy with



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GOES WEST.



the missionary work of the society. The War-
ren Memorial Sunday-school, Preston Street
Union Mission, Walnut Street Presbyterian
school, Park Mission school, and others also be-
came interested in Mr. McCullagh's work, and
were liberal contributors.
   On his regular visit