Faith of My Fathers
We attended services at the Methodist church sporadically and we socialized with the minister's family who happened to live on our block. We had friends from many walks and backgrounds but matters of faith were rarely discussed in my family of origin. It wasn't that my parents didn't have beliefs--they just weren't a topic of conversation. Some of this I attribute to the fact that they owned a small business and Sunday was their only day off. The rest, I think, was because there were elements of organized religion they just couldn't reconcile. I wish I had thought to ask them about their beliefs but I never did.
Because of my upbringing, I was surprised to learn after my parents were gone that my paternal great-grandfather was a Methodist circuit riding preacher. I discovered his diary in some old papers and thought I'd uncovered a prize. I read page after page of his spare but legible handwriting and learned. . . nothing. Each day was the same: "Traveled to (name of town). Ate dinner with (name of family). Preached a good sermon. Slept at (name of town, family or landmark.)" Not a word about what he thought, felt, believed, dreaded or looked forward to. Nothing about who he encountered, loved, hated or feared. Nothing about hardships, good times or even why he was out there in the first place. In the entire journal there was only one brief entry that revealed a glimpse into his soul and it read, "Buried a child today. I hope I never have to do that again." The rest was as interesting as reading someone's DayTimer. Disappointed, I donated the journal to the Methodist Church.
Earlier I said I learned nothing from my great-grandfather's journal but that's not entirely true--I did learn one thing. I learned the importance of recording the significant experiences of my life--the highs and lows--not only as a reminder of those times for myself but also for others down the line I'll never know. I wish he had known that, too.
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Comments 7
This was a very positive spin on a not-so-positive experience, Janet. I loved your conclusion. I, too, had a circuit riding grandfather (of the Wesleyan Methodist variety), but unlike yours, he had some funny stories to tell about those years in his life (you can read them in my story "Grandfather Loy" if you're interested.)
I never heard of a riding preacher but of course it must've happened. I would use this story to convince everyone I meet why there's a dash and then there's a dash with meaning. Very good lesson right there Janet. Thanks
I'm not sure whether circuit riders were unique to Methodism or not but their task was to spread the gospel to the far flung rural areas and isolated hamlets. They usually depended on the hospitality of their congregants for food and lodging. I'm sure they had lots of interesting experiences but it must have been a lonely life.
I found out only too late that what we know about our families really
does matter. My Mother died in 2010, and now I find there are many questions about relatives and their stories that I would love to know.
So ask before it is too late; and be certain to journal and organize
your precious photos; don't think that someone else will do it, there
may not be anyone that will care enough to do it.
I have learned some interesting facts from a dear niece about our Sevier Co. heritage. She has inspired me to do more, and with Living
Legacy I will love documenting photos with an audio as well !!!!
Janet, your story has spurred me to go through my dad's writings and records he kept as a Methodist minister. He always enjoyed writing, but poor health prevented him from writing more in his later years.
A birth certificate and a death certificate, alone, prove that a person was here on Earth. But the stories (the dash, as Tom described it) and experiences prove that a person lived! We can make the difference to our posterity and others who read our stories. And perhaps the best thing of all is we can tell the story the way we want it remembered. Thank you for sharing this story and the "spin" on it, as well.
Reminds me of the importance of telling our faiths stories--our legacy of faith to the next generation. Keep writing, Janet!!!!
