AUTOBIOGRAPHY
SAMUEL K. HOSHOUR, A.M.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BY
ISAAC ERRETT,
AND AN APPENDIX
BY
RYLAND T. BROWN, A.M., M.D.
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ST. LOUIS: JOHN BURNS PUBLISHING CO. 1884.
Copyrighted, 1884,
BY JOHN BURNS PUBLISHING CO.
DEDICATION.
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TO MOTHER,
WHO STOOD SIDE BY SIDE WITH FATHER
FOR NEARLY FIFTY-EIGHT YEARS,
THIS BOOK IS
MOST AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
BY HER DAUGHTER,
E. J. PRICE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
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- INTRODUCTION 9-13
- CHAPTER I. Born December 9, 1803, in York County, Pa.--Early Settlement of Grandfather, John Hoshour, in Eastern Pennsylvania--Removal to New Virginia--Father of Samuel Hoshour-- His History, Business, and Early Demise --The Family Scattered--His Labors on the Farm--His First School--Rev. I, G. Smucker--Samuel Enters a Theological Institute --His First Sermon--His Marriage-- Joseph Salyards 15-34
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- CHAPTER II. Removal to Smithsburg, Md.--Effects of Intemperance--Hagerstown--Lectures on the New Testament--"A Campbellite"--His Investigation--His Immersion--Excommunicated from the Lutheran Church--Moves to the West--Settlement at Centreville, Ind.-- Wayne County Seminary 35-65
- CHAPTER III. Removal to Cambridge City--The Church at Cambridge City--Cambridge Seminary 66-95
- CHAPTER IV. Asbury University--The State University-- Visits Cincinnati and Indianapolis--N. L. Rice -- New Castle Seminary--Gets the "Railroad Fever" 96-111
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- CHAPTER V. Residence at Pleasant Hill--Lectures on Temperance 112-118
- CHAPTER VI. Elected President of the N. W. C. University --Effect of the War on Schools--An Elegant Present--His Remarks on Receiving it.--Golden Wedding--The Donors 119-158
- LECTURES. "Show Thyself a Man"--Female Characteristics 159-208
- Appendix 209-233
INTRODUCTION.
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To the popular mind there is a peculiar charm in a well written biography. It is true of personal history, as of the history of a people, thatit is " philosophy teaching by experience." The number of those who delight in abstractions is comparatively small. The mastery of mental and moral science is a severe task. Great as are the advantages of such mastery, it must be acknowledged that if the moral and spiritual welfare of the human race were dependent on it, the regeneration of humanity must be indefinitely postponed. But, give to the multitudes examples of intellectual, moral and spiritual excellence; exhibit to them embodiments of culture and virtue-- living demonstrations of goodness and greatness, wrought out on the plane of their own lives, in the face of the various obstacles that lie in every man's path--and they will at once seize with delight the assurance of the possibility of virtuous attainments, and welcome to their hearts the inspiration to noble endeavor and achievement derived from human experience. In a word, truth, virtue, piety, must be presented in the concrete, not in the abstract, to captivate the human heart. Hence, the grandest and most effective revelation ever made by heaven to earth- that on which is placed the final reliance for the world's regeneration--is made through a Life. God reveals Himself in humanity, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth; and the awful mysteries concerning God and man which philosophy could never unvail - which modern science has been compelled, in its utter imbecility, to designate as "unknowable"-- are cleared up in the biography of one who, in his living personality, is the way, the truth, the life; and every bewildered soul may joyfully come to the Father by him. In the presence of this living revelation of the divine nature and character, man need no longer abide in darkness, but may enjoy "the light of life." Heaven's power to save comes to us through the channel of a divine-human life, in which is made manifest all of truth, and grace, and mercy, of righteousness, holiness and love, needful to redeem the soul from the bewilderments of ignorance and the burden of sin, and restore it to the enjoyment of the love of God.
page: 10[View Page 10]There must, then, be more or less of captivating and quickening power in every noteworthy life, and biography must ever be, for good or for evil, a fruitful source of inspiration. The lives of really wonderful men are not the most valuable. We view them from afar. We contemplate them as wonders. They move in spheres out of our reach. We gratify our love of the marvelous in their contemplation, but derive from them little that can encourage us in our own humble and narrow sphere of action. The lives which should most interest us are those whose conditions and environments were so nearly like our own that we can find in them examples which we know we can imitate with more or less success.
Such lives may be essentially great, but they are not what the world calls great. There is thrown around them none of the glamour of superhuman achievement. They have no meteoric glare. They are only modest, steady lights, cheering the common paths of life. But they shine just where their light is wanted-- where it is available to guide the feet of the hosts of earth's pilgrims in the paths of righteousness and peace. The value of such lives, and the benefits to be derived from an acquaintance with them, is recognized in the Scriptures, in such admonitions as this: "Remember them who had the rule over you, who spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith." (Heb. xiii: 7.)
What we have said of biography is more emphatically true of autobiography, when it is truthfully written; because it brings us into contact not only with actions, but with the feelings and motives that prompted them. It gives us at least occasional glimpses of the inner man. It reveals to us the man, not only as the world sees him, but as he saw himself. It is too much to expect that any autobiography will fully reveal the inner life; it is not desirable that it should. But if written conscientiously, it may unfold much that will be helpful to the reader in the study of his own motives, and enable him to form a more profitable judgment of the character of the writer. A really honest autobiography ought to be, of all human compositions, the most helpful to us in the formation of character.
The life of Prof. Samuel K. Hoshour, as sketched by his own hand, will be prized by many on account of their personal knowledge and appreciation of the man. They will read it with delighted page: 11[View Page 11] interest, because they knew and loved him, and there will be revived in memory many scenes and events with which they were familiar. His pupils will live over again the years of academic toil, in which he skillfully led them through the intricacies of classic and scientific lore, and with fatherly gentleness and dignity, by precept and example, imparted to them their highest ideas of manhood and its duties. His brethren, who honored him as a leader in the eager theological strifes that raged when he was in his prime, will fight their battles o'er again, and recall the skillful achievements of this valiant soldier of the cross. His numerous converts will hear reechoing in their hearts the words of wisdom that first enlightened them, and the tender entreaties that won them to Christ. For these, no words of introduction to this autobiography are needed. But for the sake of those who were not personally acquainted with this worthy man, we deem it needful to say a few words concerning the merits of the book that invites their attention.
1. Prof. Hoshour was not what would be styled, in popular phrase, a great man; nor can it be said that his life was, in any extraordinary sense, eventful. The lives of literary men are seldom eventful. But this, if it suppresses expectation of the wonderful, increases expectation of the profitable; for most lives are uneventful. What the multitude most need to learn is, how to make the monotony,--the tame routine of daily life,-- cheerful and useful. How to brighten the scenes of daily toil; how to glorify the common events of life; how to be cheerful in poverty and hopeful in adversity; how to be strong in one's self, without the aid of wealth, or rank, or the gifts of genius; and how, against all odds, to make one's life a power for good: these are lessons of priceless value to the great majority of men and women; and it is such lessons as these that find their best illustrations in such a life as we are here called to contemplate.
2. Much interest is given to this autobiography by the marked change in the theological convictions which it records. A radical change in one's convictions, involving a repudiation of beliefs in which one has been educated from infancy; a forsaking of cherished associations; and perhaps such a loss of position as necessitates an exchange of honor for dishonor, of ease for toil, of plenty for poverty, causes mental suffering that words can feebly express, page: 12[View Page 12] and calls for a moral heroism of which not all are capable. Not only without worldly inducements, but in opposition to them; impelled solely by a love of truth, this man turned his back to the creed in which he had been educated, the church in which he had been reared, the associations which he had sacredly cherished, and the flattering prospects of honorable success that lured him, and went out among strangers in a strange land.
That this was no fitful impulse, no freak of an unstable mind, is proved by his steadfast adherence, through all discouragements, as long as life lasted, to the principles which he then accepted.
Nothing is more needed among men than shining examples of devotion to truth for truth's sake, No lesson is so invigorating to the soul as that which such examples afford. Among the men whom we delight to honor, and whose memories we desire to preserve ever fresh, the first place should be given to those whose lives have exhibited a supreme devotion to truth.
3. The strength of Prof. Hoshour's life was given to Western society in its formative period. When he came to the West, Indiana was comparatively a new State. The roughness of pioneer life was still prevalent. We shall never know all that we owe to the men and women who laid the foundations of our present political and social structure, amid toils and privations with which we are unfamiliar. Among these brave and patient souls our hero held an influential place. In the school-room, in the pulpit, and in social life, he brought to bear all the refining and sanctifying influences of an educated mind, a pure heart, and a righteous life. He formed the principles and manners of those who came under his instructions. There are to-day many in public life, and a great many more in private homes, who owe largely to him the inspirations of their lives. His influence for good will live for many generations. It cannot be known until the secrets of eternity are revealed, how far that one life has been a potency for good.
4. Those lives are noblest, and most deserving of admiration, which are dominated by moral and spiritual influences. They are the truest friends of humanity who, undeceived by the glamour of earthly wealth and fame, and gifted to understand and appreciate the true riches of knowledge and wisdom, and the fadeless honors of righteousness, are content with a moderate portion of this world's goods, if they may but be prospered in the ways of truth, page: 13[View Page 13] and be influential in leading others to enjoy with them the unfailing treasures of wisdom and holiness. Such a man was Samuel K. Hoshour. Many of his contemporaries, his inferiors in knowledge and ability, amassed fortunes; he lived and died a poor man. But he gave to society a life of honest and successful service in behalf of liberal education and a pure gospel, and enriched many with treasures of knowledge and wisdom whose price is far above rubies, the gain of which is infinitely greater than that of fine gold.
We therefore cordially recommend this record of a life which, though quiet and unobtrusive, was fruitful in good works, and widely influential as an illustration and example of faith and piety. By it, he, though dead, may yet speak to the living.
ISAAC ERRETT.
CINClNNATI, March 4, 1884.
