Pacific Christian messenger., May 07, 1880, Page 2, Image 2

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PACIFIC CHRISTIAN MESSENGER, FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1880
Noone can tell the story of the
»Short Sketch of the Life and young. Aunt Polly Davis, late con­ Bro. Wilkes of his former course to­ whose labors in the vineyard of the
Times of Elder Phillip Mulkey. sort of Bro. Caleb Davis, of Pleasant wards me in asking me so many ques­ Lerd extend hack half a centnry, Cross more effectually.
Bro. Mulkey seldom ever contro­
Hill, and Mr. Elliot, her former hus­ tions and told him I. thought he was reaching into the primitive days of the
band among them. I may in this trying to bother me. He replied that Reformation. Not until the great day verts, but when he finds it necessary
connection state that Bro. Mulkey has I was " the first preacher he ever of assize, when our good Master shall to meet the errors of any sectarian
E ugene , O r .,
always been a great favorite among heard try to prove his position by the gather up his servants and meet out in defense of the truth, woe be to hi»
April 26, 1880.
the young folks as a suitable person Bible, and it aroused a spirit of enqui- to them their reward, will be known opponent, for he will receive such a
‘ Bro. Campbell:
Kpal i y.inir
r q ni. f.hflt. 24L11U1 ft 11
to “ celebrate the laws of matrimony ” ry. If it had not been for you and / the amount of good that Bro. Mulkey sound threshing at his hands that he
those grand old brethren who fought among them. In proof of this I may Bio. Jones 1 should now in all proba and those noble compeers of his times will never dare meet him again. I
the battles of the Christian Reforma­ state that the Records of the clerk’s bility been to-day in the mazes of have done in the cause of Christianity. defy any of the sects to make any
Born into the world at a time in the headway in any community where
tion, will lay their armor by, and office’ in Lane county alone, show that sectarian darkness.’
history
of our country, and when the Bro. Mulkey has taught the Scripture
*•
It
does
my
soul
good
to
think
I
Bro.
Mulkey
has
joined
together
more
that the mass of information which
have
been
an
humble
instriHnent
in
condition
of the church demanded any length of time. And yet, Bro.
than
one
hundred
couples
since
the
these brethren possess concerning our
men
of
a
peculiar
type,’ men of strong Mulkey I suppose has not an enemy
the
hands
of
the
Lord
even
in
a
re
­
license
law
took
effect
in
this
State
!
early plea, must cease to be known
mote
degree
in
causing
such
a
man
as
minds
aryl
freedom
of thought, of giant in the world, but is universally belov-
It
was
in
Illinois
that
Bro.
Mulkey
when they depart, I have been at
nerve
and
inflexible
purpose, they ‘ed and respected.
L.
B.
Wilkes
to
see
the
truth.
We
some pains, to gather data touch­ first formed the acquaintance of the
had
much
opposition
from
all
quarters
come
down
to
us
as
“
apples
of gold in
May he be spared many years yet,.
ing the lives and times of some late Elder John E. Murphy, of Mon­
but
with
the
help
of
God
our
labors
.pictures
of
silver.
”
Their
lives
ought and may his latter years be his hap­
of those brethren which I propose, as mouth. In 1840, Elder Mulkey re­
time gives ma opportunity, to lay be­ moved to Morgan county, Mo., and were blessed, and there sprung up to form subjects of lessons and exam­ piest.
...... ■... t
, ...... .
he labored there as a preacher and congregations all around. I>attended ple for those of this generation.
fore the readers of the -M essenger .
Old
Maid
Philosophy.
The land marks they have left us are
with what success I will let him tell some of these regularly for a number
And first of
a safe guide both to our happiness,
of years.
in
his
own
words.
He
says
;•>
“
I
found
The writei- rallied a young lady­
ELDER PHILLIP MULKEY.
About this time Dr. Hopson made as a nation, and to the prosperity and friend some time ago and chaffed her
a few scattered disciples in the county-
The subject of this sketch was born
and there was directly an appointment us a visit and delivered us two series up-building of the church. Bro. Mul­ upon being an “old maid.” She re­
in Barren county, Ky., Oct. 27, 1802,
for me to preach at a school house, sermdns, ten each, resulting in 50 ad­ key all his life long has been an em­ plied : “ I am past thirty. I have a
and was therefore 77 years of age
fer they had no church houses those ditions to our congregation. Bro. G.- phatic worker. Whatever his hands good home.. I think you know I have-
last October.
days, and before the usual hour there W. Ladgin grew up among us to has found to do he has done with all had abundant opportunities to marry,
Bro. Mulkey says: “ My father,
his might, whether 'as a preacher, or I have been bridesmaid a score of’’
f
were persons there from ten miles great usefulness.
John Mulkey, was a Baptist preacher,
In the spring of ’53, I started for as a manual laborer. Like Paul he times. I ask myself with which ont-
distance, among whom were old ac-
and when I was twelve years of age,
quaintances of myAther. They‘want­ Oregon, our last meeting, 20 letters has always worked diligently with of the beautiful girls that I have seen
that is, in 1814, he embraced enlarged
Oh ! his hands, that he might make sup­ take the marriage vow would I ex­
ed to hear one of ft is boys preach.’ I were taken, all for Oregon.
views on .the subject of the “ Atone­
what
a
meeting
that
was.
We
had port for himself and those’ with him, change to-day ? Notone. Some are
preached through winter mostly in
ment,” which led to a seperation be­
been
meeting»
and
parting
for
years,
that he might not burden the churches /living apart from their husbands
the houses of fjriends. The young
tween them. He then declared in
and
hinder the cause. For many years some are divorced ; some are wives of
people went to meeting to hear some­ but we part now to meet no more on
favor of the Bible alone as the only
thing new, but were wild. The more earth forever. In the midst of our here in Oregon, he has made on an drunken men; some are hanging on
rnlanffait.il and practice, and advo­
* ad vanced went tir hear what ■“ the tears and taking the- parting hand, a average 3D per week at making boots the ragged edge of society? endeavor­
cated the union of all Christians on it.
letter was dropped into my pocket. I > and shoes, and has seldom missed a ing to keep up appearances; some are
babbler had to say.”
He contended for the faith delivered
In the spring of ’41,1 thought there felt it, took it out, cast my eye on the Sunday that he did not preach to some .toiling to support' and educate their 9
to the, saints nearly 50 years, and
was a change in public sentiment, and name G. W. Laugin. I read it thus: congregation^ in, some instances a dis­ children, and these are the least
long since has gone to his reward.
I exerted myself to the utmost, and ‘ Bro. Mulkey, I could not think of tance of 25 milfes away. I know of miserable; some tread the narrow
He raised a large family, six sons and
about this time one lady made con­ seperating with you without 'at least no man, and I have known Bro. Mul­ line beyond the boundary of which
four daughters, all of whom embraced
fession, and the people stared and saying to you farewell. It is a sad key nearly a quarter of a century, lies the mysterious land, and some
religion as it was then taught. Four
made remarks. But the next day thought for friends to part to meet no who has done more honest days labor have gone rout ih the darkness and
of his sons became ministers, two of
she came forward and was immersed. more on earth, but a glorious thought and tpade fewer disappointments as a unknown horrors, and some fire dead.
them prominent, who are still living.
The interest increased during the to know that they may meet in hea­ I preacher in this length of time, than ‘ A few there are who are loved and
When only 18 years of age, that is, in
summer *and in the fall I told the ven. Got! grant that we may meet in Bro. Mulkey.
honored wives, mothers, with happy
November, 1820, 1 married a devoted
In connection with this subject—he homes ; but, alas, only a very few.”—
people? we would have a protracted heaven.’
Christian woman, under whose devo­
effort. The time was fixed and rolled
I started for Oregon with all my said to me:'“ In Missouri I was bless­ JEr.
tion to the cause of our Master and
round. I was the only one there who family except my oldest daughter, ed with an iron constitution, and did
great self-denial, and the help of God,
—That alcohol is to ba classed
■would speak for Christ and a gycat whom 1 left in Missouri, she having about six days work in five. Work­
I was enabled to go forward in the
a
mong
the po i son«, in ntoa d of be i ng a
work was to be done and I felt deeply been married, and with God’s protect­ ing in the field at home and going
proclamation. And I recall to-day _
wholesome beverage, has been too
i.-Ifti-ting eave- ariivod safely. Soon after once a month. A distance of 25 miles
the
her reply to me sometimes when I
well attested by experience and by
agine my surprise and joy on the.even­ this all of my children, who had not to preach to a congregation. For sev­
would return, home from a preaching
modical
science to admit of discussion.
ing of the first day, when in dropped previously connected ' themselves to eral years there was not a single
tour and see the demand for my
It
is
a
matter of daily record that
old father McBride. He went home the church, now became members,and Lord’s day that I did not preach.
presence, and assistance, and tell her
j scores of victims are swept to the
with me that night when we talked I thought myself & happy man. Soon Sometimes I preached Saturday’s and
I must give up the ministry, she 1
other world by its subtle influence,
. over everything we could think pf, after settling here I went to Pleasant attended protracted meetings; and
would say, ‘ Oo, the Savior suffered
but
we believe that a case of recent
! of interest to the occasion. Brio. Hill, and met with several old breth- sometimes I held three services per
for us.’ ”
occurence
in England is the first to
McBpide’ was greatly discouraged, bdj. ren there for the first time in this far day, and would get home at from 10
hold
the
prisoner
guilty of a penal
At the age of 34, that is, in 1836, meeting next day several of his old west. Here I saw the table with the to 12 o’clock at night. It may be
crime.
We
give
the
details as pre­
Elder Mulkey removed to Illinois. acquaintances, and there being several emblems of the broken body arid shed proper to say that the congregation to
Here he only remained four years, and > additions, he was much revived. When blood of the blessed Jesus, and my which I preached the year paid me sented in the Christian Union:
“ James Lewis Paine was convicted,
I have not been able to learn directly ' I the old brother was leaving for home, mind and thoughts went back to the 322, for my services.”
from him hew much he labored here I < I handed him a few dollars. He re­ happy Christian days of the past. I
Bro. Mulkey in truth never would after a trial of eight days, of man­
as a preacher, as he has failed in the | marked he never was better paid, and could only live them over in memory, preach for hire, and I doubt not has slaughter, and sentenced to imprison­
account before me to say one word I did not want a .cent. There was a and my heart glowed with gratitude given ten to the support of the Gos­ ment for life for killing a woman who
lived with him as his wife, by slow
about it. But I gather from inci­ great preacher’s meeting in father that I had the happy, privilege of pel, when he has ieceived one.
poisoning
by administering whisky,
dental conversation with him,’ and Mc.’s neighborhood, and as he stated, commemorating again the sufferings of
On the subject of a paid ministry
brandy
and
gin. This extraordinary
others, that he put in all the time for he could be ot no use at such meeting, our Lord.
he said to me, “ When the Reforma­
the lyond that the demands of a large like Abraham started out not know­ • My public labors have been limited, tion first started out one of the key­ murderer seems to have acquired a
family and the hardships and incon­ ing whither he went, and I have owing mainly to the ^affliction of my notes to their discourses was opposi­ peculiar power over his victim, and
veniences, incident to a new home in thought the good Lord directed his wife, who grew more and more feeble, tion to paying preachers a salary though at times she was reluctant to
a new and spareely settled country steps to my meeting. He promised to until October 24, 1862, she passed saying such a course was unlawful, drink she was unable to resist his ur­
would permit. 'As an instance, show­ come baek next summer which he awtfy to her great" reward. This and filled the pulpit with unworthy gency ; in some eases he actually
ing that he was not idle in Illinois, I did, and we had meeting at the same saddest of bereavement, to me seemed men. B. M . Stone was preaching for poured the drink down her throat ia
will give in his own language a re­ place where we had several more ad­ irretrievable. We had stood shoulder the Baptist church at a good salary spite of her protestation». Partly by
markable ease of the conversion and ditions to the church. And here we to shoulder for 42 years, through all when he seceded and commenced persuasion and partly by authority
baptism of a lady there: “ Once, in organized the first Christian Church our ups and downs. But thanks be to preaching for the Reformation, and he had over her he kept her continu­
IlliiMM, I was requested by a lady in all that region of country. I still God through Jesus Christ our Lord, thereafter, often worked at night in ously drunk for two months and a
who was siek and not expected to continued to labor on, and the cause our loss was her eternal gain. My his field by. moonlight to make his half, doubtless supposing that com­
passing her death by continuous in­
survive, to sing -
two youngest daughters, soon after support.
advanced.
* When lungour «nd disease invade
Bro. Mulkey was intimately acquan- toxication simply would not be ac­
After a while our family physician their mother’s death, married, and I
Thia toem bling house of «lay,
counted as murder. He reckoned
of Miller county, a professed infidel, was alone. I sought and obtained a ted with and often heard them preach
Tis iveet to look beyond my pain,
without his host, the medical testimo­
'invited me to preach at their school companion, with whom I am living B. W. Slbne, Reubin Dooly, Jimmy
And long to fly away?
comfortable and happy.
Hughes, W. D. Jordan, R. Haggard, ny, which was long and exhaustive,
I could but gladly comply with what house, said his wife was religiously
David said : “ Surely goodness and Daniel Randolph and Joel Hayden^ showed that death resulted from alco­
I conceived a dying request of this inclined. I consented and went The mercy shall follow me all the days of
who were great pillars in the Refor­ holism ; the court charged the jury
lady, and did the best I could to Doctor and family, and L B. Wilkes my life,” and taking a retrospective
that the prisoner was bound to protect
mation.
gratify her. So whilst singing we was the audience. Next day the view of my life, I can say of a truth
the
woman and his wife, and chat if
The following anecdote related by
were greatly surprised to bear her congregation was better, with some that goodness and mercy have fol­
he
even
simply allowed her to pursue
Bros. Mulkey Stbne and Dooly, goes
break forth, interrupting us, in an interest manifested. Then, or soon lowed me all along the journey of my
such
a
course
as resulted in her death
to show the spirit of their time, and
ecstasy of joy. We would not have after, the Doctor’s wife submitted, life. My confidence in God and in
without
intending
it and yet without
of what sort of stuff the men of our
been much more sufprieed to hear the the first instance in that county. the all sufficiency of his word for the
performing
his
duty
in guarding her
Reformation was composed.
voice of one dead. This lady re­ With the assistance of able brethren accomplishing of everything he has
Say« Bro. Mulkey: “Once when against it, he would be guilty of man­
covered, and I had the pleasure of we soon built up a good congregation. prbmised is firm and unshaken, and I
Stone
and Dooly came in our neigh­ slaughter. If he deliberately com­
burying her with Christian baptism L. B. Wilkes was always on hand, * know if my eartly house of this
borhood preaching, neither had a passed her fto death by alcohol he
when the ice was frozen six inches and would go wh«e I went, plying tabernacle were dissolved, ■ I have a
change
of garments. Dooly tore the would be guilty of murder. The jury
thick over the water. They r cut. a me with questions. He was a umnrt building of Go<T, an house not made
knee
of
his breeches badly, tied his gave him the benefit of the doubt in a
hole in the ice like a vault to a grove, young man. After a little while he , with hands, eternal in the heavens.’
handkerchief
around the rent and thus verdict of manslaughter. We are at a
and although I at the time had chills joined the church at Springfield, com­
•* The Bible is my chert,
loss to know why every saloon keep­
preached
to
his
congregation.
and fever, I gladly immersed her. I menced preaching, finished his educa­
By it the seas I know,
er
in the land who furnishes liquor to
As a preacher, Bro. Muikfy is apos­
was not bothered with chills and tion, came home and commenced a
I cannot with it pert.
a
man
whom he knows to be slowly
tolic in style, going directly to the
Its rocks end sends doth show,’
protracted meeting at Hopewell, was
fever any more.”
killing
himself is not a murderer who
It is my ohert end compass too,
subjectr—now puriuasive and again
There are old persons w residing in taken sick and brought to my house,
should
be
held responsible at the bar
Whose needle's point is ever true?* argumentative, and yet every sentence
this county who Bro. Mulkey joined where he remained till he got able to
of justice for the consequences of hie
Tlius ends a narrative of a man bristling with points.
in Wedlock in Illinois, when they were work. I took occasion now to remind
crime.— Ex.
*1
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