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RUSSEL BIGELOW, THE PIONEER PULPIT_.ORATOR.

BY N. B. C. LOVE, D. D.

THE CAMP MEETING.

The rough homespun attire of primal days

He wore as he proclaimed the Words of Truth,

And held spellbound the aged and theyouth,

Leading them into heaven's brilliant rays.

His soul on fire, his words fell with power,

Radiant as from the mind of God;

Alive as if blooming on Aaron's rod,

And as if ordained for this special hour.

Bright the summer day and vast the crowd,

And cool the sylvan shade beneath the trees,

Sweet the songs wafted by the gentle breeze,

As sung by the worshippers, grand and loud.

Divine the message by a mortal man,

While his ardent zeal his strength far outran.

Then came men inspired by God,

Enthused with their calling high,

The wildwood paths they firmly trod,

With their kind Master ever nigh.

Not thoughts of gold, nor ease, nor fame,

Nor vain ambition to be known,

With names placed on the scroll of fame,

Had their good motives overthrown.

Russel Bigelow as a pulpit orator had no equal among his

contemporaries. His pre-eminence was recognized by them, and

the people, too, of all denominations were of the same opinion.

Fifty years ago the preachers who had known him in the

days of his strength, were enthusiastic in their praise. Among

these were Drs. L. B. Gurley, Alfred Brunson and E. C. Gavitt,

and who have also in their published autobiographies told of his

great ability.

292

Russel Bigelow, the Pioneer Pulpit Orator. 293

The late Bishop Edward Thomson gives the fullest sketch

of Bigelow as a speaker. In 1829 Dr. Thomson was a young

practicing physician in Norwalk, Ohio. Upon urgent invita-

tion of some of his friends, he heard Mr. Bigelow at a Camp

Meeting a few miles distant. And so powerfully was he im-

pressed with the intelligence, logic and pathos of the preacher,

and of the truth of his utterances,

that he was led to embrace Chris-

tianity and united with the Method-

ist Church. He was an Englishman

and was brought up an Episcopalian,

but had yielded to sceptical doubts

and was no longer interested in his

church.

In 1847 the Bishop wrote an

excellent sketch of Bigelow's life

and character. In it, his graphic

style, tells of his visit to the Camp

Meeting, of going across the country

in a carriage, and the entrancing

scenery. He says, "The sun was

shining from a cloudless sky and

the fresh breezes fanned us as we rode by well cultivated fields,

waving with their rich and ripening harvests. After a short jour-

ney we came to the encampment. A broad beam of daylight, in

the forest, showed things to advantage; and I could but think

as I gazed from an elevated point, and drank in the sweet songs

that reverberated through the grove, of some of the scenes of

the Scriptures. My rebel heart was constrained to cry within me,

'How goodly are Thy Tents, O Jacob, and Thy Tabernacles, O

Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth: as gardens by the

riverside.'"

Dr. Thomson says further of Bigelow as he saw him this

beautiful August morning: "Never was I so disappointed in

a man's personal appearance. He was below middle stature and

clad in coarse, ill-made garments. His hair hung loosely over

his forehead. His attitudes and motions were exceedingly un-

graceful, and every feature of his countenance was unprepos-

294 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

sessing. Upon minutely examining him, however, I became bet-

ter pleased.

"The long hair that came down to his cheeks concealed a

broad and prominent forehead; the keen eye that peered from

beneath his heavy and over-jutting eyebrows beamed with deep

and penetrating intelligence; while the wide mouth depressed at

the corners, the slightly expanded nostril and the tout ensemble,

indicated sorrow and love, and well assorted with the message,

'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will

give you rest.' As he announced this Scripture as his text, I

was determined to watch for his faults.

"Before he had gone through his introduction, I discovered

his words were pure and well chosen, his accents never mis-

placed, his sentences grammatical, artistically constructed; both

for harmony and effect; and when he enterd fully upon his sub-

ject I was disposed to resign myself to the argument and leave

the speaker in the hands of more skillful critics.

"Having stated and illustrated his position clearly, he laid

broad the foundation of his argument, and piled stone upon

stone, hewn and polished, till he stood upon a majestic pyramid,

with heaven's own light around him, pointing the astonished mul-

titude to a brighter home beyond the sun, and bidding defiance

to the enemy to move one fragment of the rock on which his

feet were planted.

'His argument being completed, his peroration commenced.

This was grand beyond description. The whole universe seemed

animated by its Creator in aiding him in persuading the sinner

to return to God, and the angels commissioned to open heaven

and come down to strengthen him.

"Now he opens the mouth of the pit and takes us through

its gloomy avenues, while the bolts retreat, and the doors of dam-

nation burst open, and the wail of the lost enter our ears; and

now he opens heaven, transports us to the flowery plains, stands

us amid the armies of the blest to sweep, with celestial fingers,

angelic harps and join the eternal chorus, 'Worthy, worthy is

the Lamb!'

"As he closed his discourse, every energy of his body and

mind was stretched to the utmost point of tension. His soul ap-

Russel Bigelow, the Pioneer Pulpit Orator. 295

peared to be too great for its tenement, and every moment ready

to burst through and soar away as an eagle toward heaven. His

lungs labored, his arms rose, the perspiration dropped upon the

floor, and everything around him seemed to say; '0, that my

head were waters!' But the audience thought not of the strug-

gling body, nor even of the giant mind within; for they were

paralyzed beneath the avalanche of thought that had descended

upon them. I, too, lost the speaker, but the sermon was all in

all. I returned home from the grounds dissatisfied with my-

self, saying within me, 'O, that I were a Christian."'

Dr. Edward Thomson, D. D., LL. D., and Bishop of the

M. E. Church, whom I quote, is certainly good authority.

From Dr. L. B. Gurley, and many others who heard Bigelow

often, I received verbally and substantially the same testimony

to his unparalleled eloquence and ability as a great theologian;

liberal in his views, and pulpit orator.

296 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

An eminent judge, having heard him often, said: "Had I

never known him I should have loved him for the effects of his

apostolic labors and holy life."

Bigelow is represented as a preacher, "Correct in taste, in

the management of his illustrations, and in the sources of his

arguments. While his favorite themes embraced the great doc-

trines of Christianity, requiring deep thought and the fullest use

of his reasoning powers, yet at times his sermons were replete

with glowing descriptions and apt illustrations, drawn from na-

ture and its teachings."

I have heard laymen when old, tell of some of these won-

derful sermons Bigelow preached at the camp meetings on the

shores of Lake Erie near Sandusky, and other places, when they

were young. Many years had not dimmed their memories of the

impressions made.

He did not limit himself to a few themes, but prepared and

preached upon a great many. He was less in want of sermons

than in opportunities to preach them. When he could have got-

ten through with thirty sermons in a year, he was known to have

preached a hundred new ones.

A lawyer, member of the Episcopal Church, living in a city

where Bigelow preached, even after disease had made inroads

upon him, said:

"I never heard him without becoming a wiser and better

man."

Russel Bigelow was born in southeastern New Hampshire,

February 24th, 1793, and died July 1st, 1835. He was con-

verted when nine years old. His name, Russel, is sacred to this

family, and spelled with only one l. This spelling had been

handed down for several generations.

He was while a boy instrumental in the conversion of his

father, and was in his adolescent days, as well as early manhood,

an example to all. Industry, obedience, honesty, kindness and

good cheer were leading characteristics.

He was a gifted child, learning easily in the subscription

school of the neighborhood, and in his home taught by a mother

well versed in the Scriptures. When he was six years old he

could read remarkably well for a child of his age. He loved the

Russel Bigelow, the Pioneer Pulpit Orator. 297

Bible, and as he passed through the adolescent period he learned

the Scriptures well. The few books of the home and the neigh-

borhood he read, treasuring their contents. His Scotch Irish

mother, no doubt, saw to it that he had good reading, such as was

found at that time in Scotch Presbyterian and Episcopal homes.

Among Bigelow's manuscripts and letters I find the follow-

ing list of books purchased, not only for himself, but for sale.

They were purchased at the Methodist Book Concern in Cincin-

nati not long after its establishment. Dr. Martin Rutter, the

first agent, was in charge. With this bill of books is a personal

letter to Mr. Bigelow by Dr. Rutter.

"FEB. 6th 1826

Russel Bigelow Dr. to the Book Concern; To

To one set of Benson's Commentaries.... $33.00

" 3-Walker's Dictionary ............ $2.50 each $ 7.50

" 3-Copies Life of Lee............... .75 " $ 2.25

"4-Lives of Fletcher ................ 1.121/2 " $ 4.50

"40-Copies Father's Advice ........... . 61/2 " $ 2.50

" 6-Family Adviser ................. .621/2 " $ 3.75

" 6- ................................. 1.00 " $ 6.00

"10- Hymn Books ................... .75 " $ 7.50

"22- " " Calf ............... .87� " $19.25

" 6-Watson's Apology ............... .50 " $ 3.00

"6- Murray's Small Grammar .. .... .121/2 " .75

"6-Oliver's Refutation ............. .371/2 " 2.25

" 1-Set Laurin's Sermons ........... $ 7.871/2

Brought forward...... $82.101/4

To 3--doz. Spelling books............. 3.00

Total ................. $85.101/4

Other than the business part of Dr. Rutter's letter, there are

250 words of a,friendly and personal character, showing friend--

ship by this scholarly man for Mr. Bigelow, then a young pre-

siding elder.

Mr. Bigelow had ordered Adam Clarke's Commentary on the

Bible, in six volumes, and Watson's Institutes, but "the supply

was exhausted and could not be had from N. York until the

Ohio River was navigable from Pittsburg."

The manuscripts of Mr. Bigelow, which I have, and letters

298 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

from his Grandsons, Dr. Russel B. Pope, Rev. Thomas J. Pope

Dr. P. P. Pope and his daughter, Mrs. Lucy Armstrong, give

many interesting incidents connected with Mr. Bigelow's appear-

ance and manner in public life, and in his private life.

Mr. Bigelow's mouth was one sided. The muscles did no

move evenly, and so he preached from one side of his mouth

He was preaching at a camp meeting with great eloquence, when

the vast audience arose, a woman with a strong voice cried out

"My Lord! where would we be if he should open both sides of

his mouth at once ?"

Bigelow was returning from a camp meeting where the

rowdies had been a great annoyance, when he overtook a large

company of them on foot going to their homes. They were sing-

ing camp meeting songs, and shouting in imitation of the more

demonstrative Christians. They saw him approaching, and

agreed among themselves that they would banter him to preach

them a sermon.

When thus accosted he said in his kindest tones; "Gentle-

men, it is always a privilege I appreciate to preach to attentive

hearers. Will you all pledge to listen to me?"

They all promised. He dismounted his horse and hitched him

to a sapling, and with book in hand he made a large stump his

pulpit.

They listened respectfully and attentively. He made no

personal allusions, but with all seriousness preached the Gospe

just as he would have done if thousands were before him. The

power of God accompanied the word. They were held spell-

bound. Most of the company fell to their knees and plead with

God for mercy. Bigelow knelt with them, and earnestly prayed

for them. Most of those jovial light-hearted young backwoods

men went to their homes on the farms and in the villages, to

unite with the church, and to become leaders in the cause of

Christ.

Bigelow never governed by the use of physical force, or in-

timidation with words, but by tact and kindness. He left the in

corrigibles for such preachers as Finley, Gilruth and Cartright

to manage.

In deportment he was always a gentleman; to those above

Russel Bigelow, the Pioneer Pulpit Orator. 299

respectful, and to the humblest kind and brotherly. He was no

respecter of persons. In him, each person he met had a friend

and brother. He was conscious of his ability, and fearless, but

never arrogant, egotistic or overbearing. He was honored by

his brethren who knew him best. He filled all the offices of the

ministry with honor lower than the bishopric. This he would

have filled had his healh and life continued. He was a delegate

to the General Conference.

We learn from his private papers and from members of his

family that there were among his coadjutors ministers in every

way better fitted for the missionary work among the heathen

than he; while with his pulpit power he could have been more

useful in preaching to the thousands of emigrants pouring into

Ohio. His friends claimed that his advancement was defeated

by several ministers in auhority, who were jealous of his popu-

larity, and feared he might be in their way of promotion. All

of the pioneer preachers were not free from wordly ideas of pro-

motion, no more than ministers at present.

This opinion was in the head and heart of this great and

good man, so that it proved an injury to his health. Not that he

was seeking place and power prompted by vain ambition, but

by the desire of building up the Kingdom of God. He felt that

his calling was of God to preach the Gospel to the many, as

Paul wished to preach it "in Rome also." He knew that only a

few ministers were self-seeking, while the great majority were

unselfish men of God.

In this unfairness of several men in power, we see an over-

ruling Providence. He did great good among the children of

the forest, who loved him and his family dearly. His name as

Circuit Rider, Station Preacher, Missionary, Presiding Elder,

and First Chaplain to the Ohio Penitentiary, shall live forever

in the annals of Ohio pioneer days, both of church and state.

He was alike helpful to rich and poor, white, black and red.

Was retiring but fearless when duty called. During the Cholera

pestilence in Columbus he did not save himself, but was

found with the sick and dying. Conscious as he must have been

of his ability, yet he was modest and unassuming, neither diffi-

300 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

dent nor presumptuous. He was reliable and true in all de-

partments of life.

Bigelow was an extemporaneous speaker. Rev. Thomas J.

Pope, his Grandson, placed in care of the writer quite a quan-

tity of manuscript, in which there were brief outlines of ser-

mons, and discussions of dogmatics. He was a theologician and

a student of the Bible. He believed in the inward enlightenment

of the believer in Christ, as a Divine Saviour, and to all such

there comes a God consciousness. He had this. His preaching

was in power and authority. While his manuscripts are incom-

plete, yet they evince deep logical thought. Had his best ser-

mons been faithfully reported by a stenographer, he would have

ranked alongside the best of the American pulpit orators of his

times. If space would permit I could give selections from his

manuscript which would add to his reputation as a thinker.

When in failing health he preached at a camp meeting in

Eastern Ohio by the consent of his physicians, who sat near him

with watches in their hands, and were to call him down in twen-

ty minutes, but were so carried away that they forgot all about

the time, so that he preached two hours, when exhausted, he fell

to the platform, which aroused the doctors. Of course, the audi-

ence was spellbound.

The secret of his oratorical power was according to Dr. E.

Thomson, who heard him often in the city and country, that

"he felt all he said: it was not his personality, his articulation, his

voice or enunciation; in none of these did he excel. Nor the

splendor of his style; in this he was as to Plato as a star to the

sun; nor his power of reasoning; in his penetration and analysis

he was a child to Socrates, it was his deep feeling."

His extraordinary labors, immense enthusiasm, and untir-

ing zeal coupled with hereditary pulmonary weakness undermined

his vitality, and at forty-one he was broken in health, and had

what would now be called nervous prostration. Temporarily

he retired from the active pastorate and moved to a little farm

near Mansfield, Ohio. Here he endured the keenest physical and

mental anguish. He had to contend against the profoundest

melancholy. Here before him was hard physical labor, which

he had not the strength to perform. His condition was sad

Russel Bigelow, the Pioneer Pulpit Orator. 301

enough. Little money, no income, poor health, and a wife and

five children to support. In a letter written at this time, October

17th, 1834, Mansfield, Ohio, to his friend, Rev. John Janes, he

says:

"Dear Bro.: I shall at your request trouble you with a

scrawl--I am in the land of the dying trying to journey to the

land of the living. I am feeling some better and traveling some,

and in weakness of body preaching occasionally.

"My friends tell me I look better than when I came to

Mansfield, but they know not my miseries. My weight has in-

creased a little. I weighed some days ago 134 lbs., six pounds

less than my normal weight. I have many singular feelings, a

good deal of distress in my stomach and unrest. My mind is a

good deal confused etc. My lungs are certainly very weak. I

am trying to sink into the will of God, and dismiss all anxious

solicitude, but I find it exceedingly difficult. O for grace. Help

me by your prayers.

"The kindness of friends in your region has assisted me much.

I have several little debts to pay, and I will have a good deal of

provisions to buy. It is an affliction to be a kind of pauper, but

it is fortunate to have friends in time of need.

"I confess I have less objection than formerly to preachers

laying up for a rainy day but it is well we who are in the min-

istry guard against worldliness."

John Janes, to whom he was writing, was a Presiding Elder,

with a wife and four children, whose home was a double log

cabin.

Bigelow was like hundreds of his brethren in Ohio and

other parts of the then western country, in straitened circum-

stances, and compelled to locate, or become superannuated and go

on the "Pauper list." They all found it hard to be paupers. And

indeed since Bigelow's day until the last General Conference,

the conference claimant was looked upon by only too many pas-

tors and people as the subject of charity.

The last General Conference placed the conference claimant

on a parity with claims of bishops, district superintendents, and

pastors, and being placed in the same class, entitled to a salary

sufficient for a comfortable support. Out of this Budget these

302 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

four classes are to paid their several salaries pro rata.

meager support has been discreditable to our great and weal

Methodism. While the new arrangement is an honor to

laity and pastorate.

While living on his farm he gained in health. Some of

prominent friends interested themselves, and secured his appo

ment by the Ohio Penitentiary Trustees to the Chaplaincy. T

was in 1835. Robert Lucas was Governor, and he gave it

hearty approval. The board elected him unanimously. He

ported and took his place, and preached to the spirits in pris

He gave this work his remaining energy. He preached qu

often, and did a great amount of personal work with the unf

tunate prisoners. His sermons were a great help to the m

agement, in that he awakened the conscience of many, inspir

them to a better life. But his strength gave away; dysent

prostrated him. His wife was sent for at Mansfield.

reached his bedside barely in time to see him die, and was

only member of his family present at his death.

He was buried in the Methodist Preachers' lot in the

cemetery. Some years ago his remains were removed and

terred in Greenlawn Cemetery. Over the grave lies a long s

At first it rested on neat stone pillars, but these have been ta

away, and the tombstone lies on the grave. It has a lengthy

taph. It is the full length of the grave.

There is nothing more touching in the history of Bige

than his children in the home waiting the return of the moth

knowing full well they should never more see their loving fath

and meeting with the weeping and disconsolate mother, kn

ing of the burden of care and poverty that would rest upon

She refused to have the children separated, and managed

feed, clothe and educate them well.

Ohio History Journal