REV. ARNOLD SCHOLEFIELD.

BY REV. ELBERT OSBORN.

The parents of Mr. Schole field, it is believed, were natives of the United States; but at the time of his birth they resided in Nova Scotia. In early childhood he returned with his mother to this country. While quite a youth, he became pious, and when about twentytwo years of age, he entered upon the work of the Christian ministry.

On a cold morning in the begining of the year 1810, a stranger called at my father's house, told us his name, and informed us that the presiding elder of the New York district had sent him to fill a vacancy on that circuit. He preached at my father's house that evening on Isaiah iii, 10; 11. "Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him" &c. Such was the effect produced on my youthful mind, and such the apparent satisfaction of the hearers generally, that in my childish simplicity I said to my mother, "I guess that man will some time or other become a bishop." That youth was Arnold Scholefield. He labored a few months very acceptably on that circuit (Reading, in Connecticut), under the direction of that excellent but eccentric minister, the Rev. B. Hibbard.

At the ensuing conference, he was received on trial as a traveling preacher, and appointed to Charlotte circuit in Vermont. In 1811, he was sent to Litchfield, Conn., and in 1812-13, to Middletown, in the same state. In 1814, his field of labor was the east end of Long Island, and in 1815-6, in the city of New York. One of the most intelligent laymen of our church, in that

city, recently spoke to me with much affection and respect of Mr. Schole field, of whose pious labors, and amiable character, he seemed to have a lively recollection. In 1817, he was appointed to Albany circuit, and in 1818-19 to Delaware. These circuits were then very large, embracing mountainous regions, which Mr. Scholefield cheerfully explored, in search of blood-bought souls. In 1820-1, he was on the Newburgh circuit, and in 1822-3, the people of Dutchess circuit were blessed with his evangelical labors. Information recently received from an aged, pious and respectable brother confirms the opinion, which I had previously formed, that he was very useful among that people. He was not only successful in leading sinners to God, but also in defending the doctrines of the gospel, and in preserving the lambs of the flock.

In 1824, he was appointed to the charge of the Goshen circuit, in Connecticut. Here I had the privilege of being under his paternal care, as I was the junior preacher on that circuit. It was my second year in the itinerancy, and in Mr. Scholefield I found a father indeed. His manner was affectionate, and his conduct exemplary; his preaching was excellent, and his conversation instructive. I shall never forget my parting with him after we had labored together about eight months. Being sent by my presiding elder to fill a vacancy on another circuit, I called to bid him farewell. While affectionately grasping my hand, he looked upward, and asked me to remember him in my prayers.

In 1825, he was appointed presiding elder of the Rhinebeck district, which then extended from Albany, N. Y., almost to Hartford, Conn., embracing all that part of Massachusetts west of the Connecticut river. He filled the place assigned him, with dignity and usefulness, for three years. Strong was the affection of the

preachers under his care towards their presiding elder. Deep was the interest which he manifested in their temporal and spiritual welfare, and in the prosperity of their work. A sermon which he preached at a campmeeting on Canaan mountain, Litchfield county, Conn., in 1825, is still remembered by some in that region, with great interest. It was on the last evening of the meeting, when the hearts of Christians were. warm with holy fire, and his text was, "Let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the tops of the mountains." Isaiah xlii, 11. I trust that some of those who shouted Glory to God," that evening, are now, with the minister who addressed them, worshiping on Mount Zion and rejoicing before the throne.

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At a camp-meeting in 1827, while Mr. Scholefield was exhorting, two unconverted men were so affected by the force of divine truth that they fell to the earth, the emotions of their souls overcoming their bodily strength. Mr. Scholefield loved, and enjoyed the power of religion.

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At the conference held in New York in 1828, the presiding elder of our district, Rev. A. Scholefield, was not with us. He was taken sick in May previous, while attending General Conference, in Pittsburgh, far from family and home, and sickness detained him there after the General Conference closed; but a kind brother delegate, Rev. Tobias Spicer, remained with him till he ventured to leave Pittsburgh, and they returned home together. May God grant that these friends may meet in that city where sickness can not come, and where friends never part."* (See Life of Elbert Osborn, page 139.)

*Mr. Schole field being unable to return home at the close of the General Conference, the question was asked among the New York delegation, "What shall be done in the case of brother Scholefield?" To which Mr. Spicer replied, "I will take that brother home, either

At that conference, he received a supernumerary relation, in which he continued for three years, residing in Austerlitz, Columbia county, N. Y., and laboring in the work of the ministry as his strength permitted. In 1831, he resumed effective work, and was appointed to the charge of the Chatham circuit. Here he rejoiced in seeing the work of God revive. His residence that year was the next door to mine. With great pleasure he would relate to me what God was doing on some parts of the circuit, while he mourned that more good did not result from his labors in other parts. During this year he had the unspeakable pleasure of witnessing the conversion of his eldest daughter, at a camp-meeting held at Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y. After a pious life of some years, she was called from earth to her heavenly home. At the same meeting, he preached, by request of his brethren, a sermon on a controverted subject. The discourse brought light to the understanding, and warmth to the heart. During the meeting, several from his circuit were made partakers of pardoning mercy. Some, who are now prominent ministers in the different conferences, were then young preachers, sitting under his instruction with delight, and they doubtless still remember the gracious season.

In 1832* he was appointed presiding elder of the Troy district. Before the year expired, a paralytic stroke disabled him from regular service in that work which he loved so well. While in a superannuated relation, he remarked in a letter to the writer: "If health and strength permitted, how gladly would I again take the dead or alive." He did so. After watching over him for three weeks, he hired a hack, and brought him, by easy stages, to Erie, a distance of some one hundred and fifty miles, from which place they reached home by public conveyances. S. P.

* The Troy Conference was organized in 1832, by a division of the New York Conference, and Mr. Scholefield became a member of the former. S. P.

roughest circuit I ever traveled, and point sinners to the Lamb of God."

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Shortly after the session of the Troy Conference, in 1836, Mr. Scholefield was returning with his wife, from visiting his friends east of Albany: they had occasion to ride in the evening, in order to reach a public house. When within about two miles of Spraker's tavern, in the town of Palatine, he dropped his whip, began to slap his right hand on his thigh, and to stamp his foot. He attempted to speak, but could scarcely articulate a word. Mrs. Scholefield took the reins, and succeeded in getting him to the tavern. He never uttered another sentence; but after lingering three days and a half, he expired." (Gen. Minutes, v. 2, p. 495.)

Mr. Scholefield was an affectionate husband and father, a kind neighbor and an ardent lover of his country. The unconverted highly respected him as a worthy man and citizen. The friends of Jesus were very dear to him, especially his brethren in the ministry. He delighted greatly in their society. Well do I recollect spending a night with him, in company with another preacher, on our return from a camp-meeting. The glorious season which we enjoyed that evening in a little family prayer meeting, is still fresh in my memory, after the lapse of twenty-three years.

"And if our fellowship below,

In Jesus be so sweet,

What heights of rapture shall we know,

When round his throne we meet!"

Mr. Scholefield was a man of firmness and decision of character. Although abundant in kindness, he was ready to defend the truth. Perhaps few men were more capable of meeting and repelling the champions of error than was Arnold Scholefield, and few would do it with such Christian meekness.