More from Charles Woodmason's Journal

I’ve been continuing my reading of Woodmason’s journals in The Carolina Backcountry on the Eve of the Revolution: The Journal and other Writings of Charles Woodmason, Anglican Itinerant, edited by Richard J. Hooker.  Albeit one has to look past the outright snobbery and self-righteous attitude of Woodmason, his journal still gives great insight into life as it was along the pre-Revolutionary southern backcountry.  Here are a few excerpts that caught my attention recently.

I had appointed a Congregation to meet me at the Head of Hanging Rock Creek –  Where I arriv’d on Tuesday Evening – Found the Houses filled with debauch’d licentious fellows, and Scots Presbyterians who had hir’d these lawless Ruffians to insult me, which they did with Impunity – Telling me, they wanted no D-----d Black Gown Sons of Bitches among them – and threatening to lay me behind the Fire, which they assuredly would have done had not some travelers alighted very opportunely, and taken me under Protection – These men sat up with, and guarded me all the Night – In the morning the lawless Rabble moved off on seeing the Church People appear, of whom had a large Congregation.  But the Service was greatly interrupted by a Gang of Presbyterians who kept hallooing and whooping without Door like Indians.¹

To Woodmason, the Presbyterians were the bane of his existence!  I sometimes wonder how much of his troubles were truly caused by Presbyterian troublemakers and how many were caused by general troublemakers.  It is interesting in the above-cited passage that the “ruffians” mentioned that his use of robes was an affront to them.  Could this be in reference to the historic vestments controversy?  Those folks who came from a more Reformed perspective would certainly resent the use of surpluses and other aspects of high liturgical worship as being Romish.  Could these men be motivated by a sincere desire to maintain the purity of worship?  In all likelihood the reference to black robes is probably just an excuse to hound Woodmason out of the region.  It is also pretty humorous!

A large Body of Baptists and New Lights with their Teachers attended – Wanted to preach before me, and to enter into disputes – found them exceeding Vain and Ignorant – They rode down the Road 10 Miles with me to escort me, asking Questions on Divinity all the Way.  I found their Reading to be of no greater Extent than the Pilgrims Progress and Works of John Bunyan.²

Woodmason mentions the Baptists as also being prevalent along the backcountry.  He mentions them as being “ignorant” but then he generally calls everyone “ignorant!”  It is interesting that here at least the Baptists are more interested in theological debating than in just merely inconveniencing Woodmason.  It is also of interest to me, as a living history enthusiast, that Woodmason mentions that the Baptists are familiar with John Bunyan’s works and that they are available along the frontier.  For a Christian reenactor, these would probably be appropriate to carry in a knapsack or haversack.

Tuesday following we proceeded downward, and gave Sermon and baptiz’d; and married many Rogues and Whores on Beaver Creek.³

I just found this rather funny!  I’m sure there has been many a minister who has performed wedding ceremonies for couples against his better judgment, but I’m not sure how many would refer to the wedded couple after the fact as “Rogues and Whores!”  I’m sure Woodmason’s point is that there was (at least according to his observations) a great deal of sexual promiscuity along the backcountry at this time.  It would not be surprising given that there was little political or religious social order and, like the Israelites during the time of the Judges, “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”  Woodmason believed that his duty was to bring a religious order to those people.  It’s strange that he never seems to mention the Gospel.  Like many today, he seems more concerned about bringing moral reformation to those people than about bringing the life-changing truth that is found in Jesus Christ.

All in all, this book is really fascinating to me as it allows the reader to see, through the eyes of an opinionated man (aren’t we all?), the Southern frontier in colonial days.

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)   Richard J. Hooker, ed., The Carolina Backcountry on the Eve of the Revolution (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1953), p. 16-7.

2) Ibid., 22.

3) Ibid., 24.

Washington's Prayers

I recently ran across this book, George Washington, The Christian, and was once again reminded of what are commonly known as “Washington’s Prayers.”  There is some debate as to whether these are authentic or not; I have enjoyed them as an example of the highly orthodox and pious religious life of the greatest American.  Below is a passage excerpted from that book:

WASHINGTON'S PRAYERS

       On April 21, 22, 23, 1891, there was sold at auction in Philadelphia a remarkable collection of Washington relics owned by Lawrence Washington, Bushrod C. Washington, Thomas B. Washington, and J. R. C. Lewis. Among them was found a little manuscript book entitled Daily Sacrifice.

"This gem is all in the handwriting of George Washington, when about twenty years old [1752], and is, without exception, the most hallowed of all his writings. It is neatly written on twenty-four pages of a little book about the size of the ordinary pocket memorandum."

       "The occasional interlineations and emendations indicate that it was prepared for his own use."

       Whether Washington composed the prayers himself or copied them from some source as yet unknown has not been determined; but they are a revelation of that striking character which has been the wonder of the world. Professor S. F. Upham, professor of practical theology in Drew Theological Seminary, wrote: "The 'Daily Prayers’ of George Washington abound in earnest thought, expressed in simple, beautiful, fervent and evangelical language. They reveal to us the real life of the great patriot, and attest his piety. None can read those petitions, which bore his desires to God, and often brought answers of peace, without having a grander conception of Washington's character.”

"The prayers are characterized by a deep consciousness of sin and by a need of forgiveness, and by a recognition of dependence upon the merits and mercies of our Lord. They contain fervent applications for family, friends, and rulers in church and state." The prayers are as follows (by special permission of Rev. Dr. W. Herbert Burk):

(1)    SUNDAY MORNING

       Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day; receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the dangers of the night past, and brought me to the light of this day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me; and since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draw near unto thee, who doest not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in thy courts, pardon, I beseech thee, my sins, remove them from thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of my soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God & guide this day and for ever for his sake, who lay down in the Grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.¹

Lord willing, we will look at some more of these prayers in the days to come.

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)     William J. Johnson, George Washington, The Christian (New York, NY: The Abingdon Press, 1919), p. 23-5.

      

  

Charles Woodmason's Journal

Charles Woodmason was an itinerant Anglican minister who served along the Carolina backcountry in the years preceding the War for Independence.  As an Englishman who had moved to America and lived in the Charleston area, Woodmason became a planter and civil official prior to leaving behind that life to minister to the people who lived along the frontier.  Woodmason kept a journal of his travels and observations, and this journal is especially important to scholars for in it Woodmason describes in detail the dress, mannerisms, and attitudes of those who settled the colonial backcountry.  His journal is by no means unbiased; Woodmason views everything from the perspective of a conservative English gentryman and so one may wonder if hyperbole or exaggeration colors his observations.  Nevertheless, we get a glimpse of the colonial frontier as we read his accounts.

I recently purchased The Carolina Backcountry on the Eve of the Revolution: The Journal and other Writings of Charles Woodmason, Anglican Itinerant, edited by Richard J. Hooker.  I’ve only just started reading but I’ve already found several items from Woodmason’s journal that piqued my interest.  Here’s a couple:

 Sunday 21st (September 1766)

 Officiated in the Presbyterian Meeting House to about 200 hearers, Chiefly Presbyterians. Offered to give sermon twice on ev’ry Sunday. Rejected.

Beside this Meeting House, there is another of Quakers with a large Congregation. -- But they have neither Pastor or Teacher of Speaker at Either.

The people around, of abandon’d Morals, and profligate Principles -- Rude -- Ignorant -- Void of Manners, Education or Good Breeding -- No genteel or Polite Person among them -- save Mr. Kershaw an English Merchant settled here. The people are of all Sects and Denominations -- a mix’d medley from all Countries and the Off Scouring of America. Baptized 20 Children this Week and rode about 40 Miles -- Miles Brought over 220. ¹

 Notwithstanding the fact that Woodmason may be a little harsh in his criticism, I have to wonder what he might say were he to visit our country today.  If there is any people that has truly abandoned moral principles it certainly must be our American people.  There are many sects and denominations within what is called Christianity today (not to mentioned the many cults and false religions), just as in Woodmason’s day, but how many of those people within those religious societies are truly Christ’s sheep?  I fear many may be goats in reality.

 Sunday January 25th 1767

A Congregation at the Cheraws of above 500 People.  Baptiz’d about 60 Children -- Quite jaded out-- standing and speaking six Hours together and nothing to refresh me, but Water -- and their Provisions I could not touch -- All the Cookery of these People being exceeding filthy, and most execrable.

Next Day, I returned and preached the 27th in my Way back at Lynch’s Creek to a great Multitude of People assembled together, being the 1st Episcopal Minister they had seen since their being in the province- They complain’d of being eaten up by Itinerant Teachers, Preachers and Imposters from New England and Pennsylvania -- Baptists, New Lights, Presbyterians, Independents, and a hundred other Sects - So that one day You might here this System of Doctrine -- the next day another, next day another, retrograde to both. Thus by the Variety of Taylors who would pretend to know the best fashion in which Christs Coat is to be worn none will put it on. And among the Various Plans of Religion, they are at Loss which to adapt, and consequently are without any Religion at all. They came to Sermon with Itching Ears only, not with any Disposition of Heart, or Sentiment of Mind. Assemble out of Curiosity, not Devotion, and seem so pleas’d with their native Ignorance, as to be offended at any Attempts to rouse them out of it. -- 40 miles

I was almost tir’d in baptizing of Children -- and laid my Self down for the Night frozen with the Cold-- without the least Refreshment, No Eggs, Butter, Flour, Milk, or anything, but fat rusty Bacon, and fair Water, with Indian Corn Bread, Viands I had never before seen or tasted. -- 1340 total 
miles  ²

Again Woodmason mentions the proliferation of religious denominations and yet what was (to his reckoning anyway) a lack of sincere worship.  I guess I have to look at my own self and assess my own walk with the Lord.  Am I guilty as well, guilty of “assembling out of curiosity, not devotion”?  Am I more zealous for a doctrinal system than I am for Christ?  Have I tired myself out in serving the Lord?  Lord Jesus, forgive me for my faithlessness!!!

 On a note of historical interest, it’s interesting that Woodmason mentions having nothing to eat but bacon and corn bread and nothing to drink but water.  For those who engage in living history events portraying colonial frontier folk, this would be the meal of choice.  It is also interesting that Woodmason had never seen these primitive dishes before; this gives us some idea of the disparity between the established coastal regions and the primitive settlements of the backcountry.

This is a fascinating book that I believe I’m really going to enjoy.

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)   Richard J. Hooker, ed., The Carolina Backcountry on the Eve of the Revolution (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1953), p. 6-7.

2) Ibid., 13.

A Soldier's Wit

   It seems as though America’s military history is filled with stories of inter-combatant dialogues between private soldiers.  Whether it is a picket standing guard over his camp and shouting to his counterpart across the way or a soldier in a trench calling out to the enemy on the other side of “no man’s land,” these anecdotes seem to reach across the years and reveal to us the indomitable spirit of the American soldier.  I believe we’re blessed, in this regard, insofar as we’ve been engaged in several conflicts involving English-speaking soldiers on both sides and this has certainly contributed to the abundance of these anecdotes.  As I was finishing my reading of Joseph Plumb Martin’s narrative of his service in the Continental Army, I discovered one such anecdote that I found especially humorous and I figured I would share it.

I saw four or five British horsemen on their horses a considerable distance from me, on the island.  When they saw me they hallooed to me, calling me, “a white livered son of a b---h,” (I was dressed in a white hunting shirt, or was without my coat, the latter, I think, as it was warm, and I wore a white under dress.)  We then became quite sociable; they advised me to come over to their side and they would give me roast turkeys.  I told them that they must wait till we left the coast clear, ere they could get into the country to steal them, as they used to do.  They then said they would give me pork and lasses; and then inquired what execution some cannon had done, just before fired from the island, if they had not killed and wounded some of our men; and if we did not want help, as our surgeons were a pack of ignoramuses.  I told them, in reply, that they had done no other execution with their guns than wounding a dog, (which was the case,) and as they and their surgeons were of the same species of animals, I supposed the poor wounded dog would account it a particular favour to have some of his own kind to assist him.  While we were carrying on this very polite conversation, I observed at a house on the Island, in a different direction from the horsemen, a large number of men, - but as they appeared to be a motley group, I did not pay them much attention.  Just as I was finishing the last sentence of my conversation with the horsemen, happening to cast my eyes toward the house (and very providentially too) I saw the flash of a gun; I instinctively dropped, as quick as a loon could dive, when the ball passed directly over me and lodged in the tree under which my comrades were standing.  They saw the upper part of my gun drop as I fell, and said, “They have killed him;” but they were mistaken.  The people at the house set up a shouting, thinking they had done the job for one poor Yankee, but they were mistaken too, for I immediately rose up, and slapping my backsides to them, slowly moved off. 1

The wit and resolve of the American soldier is priceless!  Thank God for those who fought and died to keep us free!

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)     Joseph Plumb Martin, A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier (New York, NY: Signet Classics, 2010), p. 185-86.