ALANSON WOOD MOORE DIARIES, Franklin Parish Louisiana Submitted by: Barbara Tuttle Nov. 1999 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm **********************************************   THE DIARIES OF ALANSON WOOD MOORE 11TH SEPTEMBER, 1889 WEDNESDAY I have concluded to keep a private journal of daily events: which I ought to have done many years ago: from a want of one, many important events and circumstances of m y life are lost: the importance of which may affect no one but myself. Things that are in the past, I will let them remain and only note those in the future as they transpire. To the eyes in search of trivial events and novel stories, I now announce will not find a feast in the following pages. My life is too far spent and eternity is too near at hand to flitter out the remaining days in the record of such things. I am now in my fifty-first year. 12th September, 1889 Thursday My friend of long standing, Judge S.L. Elam, of St. Joseph, of Tensas Parish, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Spencer of Little River, came to Winnsboro this evening. The object of his visit was twofold: 1 to ascertain from the records the status of the title to Geo. W. Copeland's land, which he contemplated purchasing and 2 to see his brother Jas. W. Elam. 13th September, 1889 Friday About dark, to my agreeable surprise, Bro. T.H. McClendon and R.C. Grace came to my house for the night. The former is the P.C. in the Harrisonburg District and the latter on the Oakley Circuit. Bro. Armstrong preached in our town at night, a good sermon from the text, " Oh Lord, Receive thy Work." 14th September, 1889 Saturday Left home at 5 o'clock P.M. on my way to Boeuf Prairie church to assist Bro. Grace and Armstrong in a protracted meeting: stopped at E.M. King's, my brother-in-law, for the night. 15th September, 1889 Sunday Preached at Oak Grove, under a brush arbor, the church house not being finished, to a small congregation. While singing the first hymn, the arbor fell, without any apparent cause, and hurt two or three persons, though not seriously. Bur created considerable confusion for the time. Quiet restored, the opening prayer concluded, I announced my text-II Peter 1-5-9 and preached with liberty and to the edifying of the people. After dinner at Bro. E.M. King's, I went to the Prairie church, but too late for service. Back to E.M. King's for the night. 16th September, 1889 Monday Called at Bro. Wylie's found him in bed sick, his mouth sore with salivation. Had prayers and then on to the church. I conducted the prayer meeting at 10 o'clock, the Holy Ghost attended the service. Bro. Armstrong attended the 11 o'clock hour on Gal 6:14. He is a man of much prayer and considerable pulpit ability. Dinner being prepared, all were invited to remain and partake thereof. This being over, I discoursed from Phil. 2:5 but not with as much liberty as I sometimes have. Then to Sister Sallie Matthews for the night. 17th September, 1889 Tuesday To church in company with Misses Bettie and Kate Matthews. Bro. Grace conducted the prayer meeting. Not much power of the Spirit attended the service. Bro. Armstrong held forth at 11 o'clock on the judgment from Rom. 14:10 with much power and heavenly unction. A good number of penitents, on invitation, came to the altar for prayers. Dinner, as before, over, I occupied the pulpit from Mark 9:23 with good liberty and considerable feeling in the congregation. To Bro. J. L. Ross' for the night. 18th September, 1889 Wednesday I conducted the 10 o'clock prayer meeting and we had a happy season at this service. Bro. James M. King that he found God in the pardon of his sins last night at home. Bro. Armstrong preached at 11 from Rev. 3:21 with much earnestness, power and good effect. Dinner, as before, over, had no preaching this evening, but an experience meeting, the result of which was as good, if not better, than preaching. It is encouraging to hear the Christians relate their hopes and fears, trial and conquest. Bro. H. H. Slaughter was called on to lead the concluding prayer; in the midst of which he took a convulsion, which caused a disturbance in the congregation and a rush to him for his relief by rubbing and fanning him. This is the second time I have seen him in that condition. To Bro. J. C. Potter's for the night. J.C. Humble and John Kincaid were also there. At the family prayers, I made a little talk on Luke 19. 19th September, 1889 Thursday A good time at prayer meeting conducted by Bro. Grace. A good sermon by Bro. Armstrong from Mat. 11:28, the intensity of the meeting increasing. Dinner, as before, over, and it being understood the meeting close, I preached from Acts 20:32. The Holy Ghost attending the service with greater form than at any time previous during the meeting. Then with a hearty handshaking, hearts full of love and eyes of tears we bid them goodbye. Bro. Armstrong came home with me for the night. 20th September, 1889 Friday Remained at home pretty much all day. Meditating and thinking of the good meeting had at the prairie. 21st September, 1889 Saturday At my law office today. Bro. Grace preached in Winnsboro tonight from Luke 11:9. 22nd September, 1889 Sunday Bro. Grace remained and preached in town at 11 o'clock from John 8:34 and I preached at Kenton chapel from Mat. 7:7 and at town at night from I John 1:9. W.E. Womble stayed at my house tonight. This Bro. at times seems to be very much in earnest for the welfare of the church and at others seems somewhat indifferent; but hope he may prove faithful in the outcome. 23rd September, 1889 Monday About half after 1 o'clock Bro. Armstrong came in the church just as I was about to begin service: he had ridden horseback from Delhi, about 28 miles, and preached a stirring sermon from Mat. 5:14 to about 22 persons. The indications are favorable for a good meeting here at this time. God grant that it may be. He preached again at 8 o'clock to a good congregation from Exodus 32:33. This was not a very good sermon and there was very little feeling of the Spirit in either preacher or people. 24th September, 1889 Tuesday Bro. Grace preached to about 25 persons from John 3:16 and was followed by Bro. Armstrong in a warm and feeling exhortation. All covenanted together to pray for a revival of religion. At night Bro. A. preached a rousing sermon from Rom. 14:10 on the judgment. I did not appreciate this sermon as I did the one he preached at the prairie on the same subject the 17th of this month. There were about 15 penitents at the altar for prayers; but I did not think they were moved upon very much by the Spirit of God, they manifested too much indifference and unconcern to be truly convicted of sin. The night is clear and pleasant. 25th September, 1889 Wednesday A little cloudy this morning. Had no preaching, but an experience meeting. These kinds of religious services are the best to keep the church alive and in working order. The meeting closed on account of the appearance of rain. Bro. Grace dined with me. I loaned him my horse and he went home as did also Bro. Armstrong. It was a wise conclusion to close the meeting for it commenced raining about 4 o'clock and turned cooler. Sad thought-the meeting closed and no soul saved. 28th September, 1889 Saturday Went to Oakley to assist Bro. Grace in a protracted meeting and after riding 12 miles preached to a small congregation on the devices of Satan from II Cor. 11:11 and again at night from 116 Ps. 12:13:14 Spent the night at Bro. B.W. Howell's. 29th September, Sunday A very large congregation in attendance at church today. I again preached from I John 5:10. I had studied this pretty well and prayed much over it for divine aid. My experience is the more I pray for wisdom from on high, the better I can preach and the better effect follows. This sermon was delivered with satisfaction to myself and with general satisfaction with the congregation. But it was rather too long, being one hour and ten minutes. I don't approve of long sermons. 30 or 45 minutes is long enough on ordinary occasions; and in protracted revival meetings they should be even shorter than that. After partaking of the sumptuous refreshments which were bountifully provided by the very hospitable people of the vicinity, I preached again to a goodly number who remained. Though some had gone, from Mat. 1:15 with good effect. A goodly number came to the altar and those who did not come bowed at their seats for prayers. Stopped at Mr. Yancey's for the night. He and his good wife do all they can to make their guest easy, though neither are members of any church. He is the son of an old and honored Methodist preacher and the first Methodist preacher I ever heard in Louisiana. When I was a small boy, Bro. Yancey was the circuit rider on what was then known as "Boeuf Prairie Circuit". This was in 1851. The circuit then embraced the following preaching places, viz. Bayou Louis, Sicily Island, Oakley, Ward's Bend, Magnolia, Hurricane, Winnsboro, Little Brake and Boeuf Prairie. Nine places. The round was then made in three weeks. 30th September, 1889 Monday Bros. McClendon and Howell came in, the former preached in the morning from Ps. 77:3 and at night the latter preached from Deut. 30:19. He is a pretty good preacher but susceptible to much improvement. He is a "young" preacher, tho a middle aged man. I remained at my old friend's Bro. Howell's. 1st October, 1889 Tuesday Left the meeting and came home. Found all the family well. 6th October, 1889 Sunday Magnolia to about 30 people from Rom. 5:1. No one asked me home to dinner, but I went with Bro. Kenton and Taylor Martin to Jeff Parker's for dinner. At 3 1/2 o'clock P.M. Bro. Armstrong preached to about a like number of people. There is not much of importance transpired during the week. Note: This notebook was not used further as a diary, but as a book of sermons which are written below. Sermon 1 Text: "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the Witness in Himself" I John v.10 The ultimate salvation and glorification of the human soul is the end and design of the Christian religion. A thing of such vital importance of mankind, and in which he is so greatly interested, for both time and eternity, will not be kept concealed from him till the hour of or till after he passes through death. There is nothing so fitted to adorn and beautify the human soul as the Christian religion. All admit it to be fit and appropriate at the close of life. If beneficial at the parting hour, why is it not equally beneficial in all previous life to that hour? The salvation and glorification of the human soul is to begin on earth in this life and leads to heaven, the life beyond the veil of tears. The design is the result of consummate wisdom and divine love. The manifestation of this wisdom and love was brought into exercise by the fall of man. 1. The fall of man implies the loss of the perfections and happiness he possessed at Creation. 2.It implies the assumption of the character of a sinner against God and violator of His law. Eccls. 7:29 3. It implies the depravity of the whole human nature as described by Paul in the 7th chapter of Romans. Nature is the sum of qualities and attributes which makes anything what it is, and separate from all other things. 4. The eating of the "forbidden fruit" by Adam decided and molded the moral character of his posterity. Rom.5:12-19 To restore man from his fallen and lost estate, God sent forth his Son into the world. The benefits that flow from His Advent are recorded and applied to the human soul by Faith alone. 1. Belief in Christ as the Son of God. As being equal with God in substance, power and eternity. 2. Belief in Christ as the "atoning sacrifice" for the sins of the whole human race. Isa. 53:4-6; Mat. 8:17; I Peter 2:24. 3.Belief in Christ as the Redeemer. 4.The difference in atonement and redemption. The sins of the whole human family are atoned for now, whether it is believed or not; our faith has nothing to do with the fact of the atonement. But none are redeemed except those who accept the sacrificial atonement of Christ, by faith, and apply it to their personal condition. All such hath the witness in himself, needs not that another should tell him or instruct him in it. This witness is in the first place: 1) love to God, to his Word, to his service, to his church; 2) love for Christians whatsoever sect or denomination or order; 3) love for the world of mankind and desire the salvation of all. The witness is in the second place: 1) the fruits of the Spirit, abiding within, love, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost; 2) the spirit of God also bearing witness with our spirits, etc The witness is, in the third and last place: A faithful life, a peaceful death and a triumphant entrance into the glory land. Glory to God in the highest. Amen. Sermon II Punctuality at church and its effects Text: "Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things thee of God. Acts 10:33 1. These are the words of Cornelius, the Centurion, to Peter on his arrival from Joppa. 2. Peter comes in obedience to a divine command in a vision. 3. The divine command was given in answer to the prayers and almsgiving of Cornelius, having faith in the promise. 4. Cornelius, having faith in the promise of God as communicated to him by an angel, called his friends and kinsmen together. 5. Peter's gratification on finding that so many had assembled together there at Cornelius' house. " Now-this moment. At the appointed time, were all present." 1. Interest on part of the people to be punctual to the hour at church. 2. That they have the proper regard for God and His service. 3. The congregation and worship is not disturbed by persons coming in late. 4.To appreciate and be benefited by the service, we must be there at the beginning. 5. It is a cause of gratification to the preacher to see the people in readiness. " We are all present before God". 1. Having the true worship of God in view. 2. They come in spirit of true worship. 3. They realize that it is God's house and that he is there. 4. They spend the time there in meditation and secret prayer. 5. They have not time nor inclination to talk to the ones sitting by them about light and trivial matters. 6. They enter into sympathy with the preacher and by magnetism they each enter into the spirit of the other. The purpose for which they came, " To hear all things that are commanded thee of the Lord". How should they hear the Gospel? 1. With an attentive mind and heart open to conviction. 2. With a spirit free from envy and prejudice. 3. With the mind, heart and spirit divested of prejudice and envy, then the Gospel proclaimed by a faithful messenger will prove a spiritual benefit for both preacher and people. To the preacher 1. His spirit and energies sustained, kindled and enlivened by the attention and sympathy of the congregation: He can preach with more zeal, liberty and power and of the unction's of the Holy Ghost. 2. He is encouraged to search out and investigate the truths of the Gospel more carefully and minutely, and is more punctual in meeting his appointments. To the people 1. They are better edified and more profitably entertained and instructed. 2.They are better posted in church politics and government and in the Christian religion. 3. They take more interest in maintaining the Gospel and the institutions of the church. 4. They place a higher estimate upon themselves and what God has done and is doing for them. 5. They are better prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in them. The better we understand a question or subject the more it is appreciated. Remarks 1. The church is of God and it is spiritual. 2. The Gospel is of God: and it is the only thing that will build up and keep alive His church. 3. God calls and sends out men to preach His Gospel; and the Gospel prospers only when when preached by men upon whom He has laid His hand. 4. The people, as blessed and happy who hear and heed this Gospel. 5. Those who slight it are bringing about their own destruction for both time and eternity. Sermon III Text: " Exercise thyself rather unto Godliness". I Tim IV:7 1.Paul's advice to Timothy, who is his spiritual son. Admonishes him of the danger of loosing his Christian practices and profession if he listens to the judaizing teaching, traditions of the Jews and "old wives fables" which he will do if he does not heed the text. 2. Timothy's father was a Greek and his mother a Jewess. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were devoted religious women of strong faith. 3. Considering the Christian lives of Timothy's mother and grandmother and the importance of the work to which the Lord hast called him, Paul gave him the advice contained in the text. 4. The things that were likely to tempt Timothy and lead his astray are not likely to tempt any Christian now. But they are liable to loose their faith and practice of religion from the following, or similar, causes: A. A sinful temper; an irritable disposition, easily vexed; and the habit of putting the wrong constructions on the words and actions of other. B. The entertaining of evil or bad thoughts of other people, of other churches and of the members of our own church. C. The loss of brotherly love, the loss or weakness of our faith, the loss of Christian zeal, and the gradual drifting into a state of indifference and the welfare of the Groom. D. The neglect of religious duty; private devotion and meditation, and family worship and the attendance upon all the ordinances of the church. Theses are the things or some of the things and dispositions to be guarded against and which give rise to the text. "Exercise" as the apostle enjoins so earnestly on Timothy, that is he means for us to employ the best and proper means for the attainment of the desired end. "Humility" is foundation or basis of all the Christian graces. 1. By humility or meekness, we learn our real or true nature; poor, vile, short sighted and liable to err; ignorant of our moral and spiritual disease and entirely dependent. 2. By humility we learn our true virtuous, fearful and desponding, our moral nature being depraved, we seek shelter and protection where none can be found. 3. By humility, we learn our helpless condition; which knowledge impels us to seek out from a higher source. 4. From a spirit of humility proceeds confidence in a crucified and risen redeemer. 5. When this confidence is fixed in the heart, the soul and the spirit approaches the invisible Savior, by bitter repentance, strong faith and earnest prayer. 6. Faith, repentance, prayer divests the mind and heart and soul of all self importance, self will, envy and hatred. 7. Divested of these things, the soul then becomes fit for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. 8. The Holy Ghost, being a welcome guest in the chambers of the soul, makes the will of God our delight. " I delight to do thy will, oh God". Observation By obeying admonition of the text, what shall we loose? 1. Trouble of mind and body. 2. Enmity and a warfare against God and our eternal interest. 4. The association of wicked men in this life and of wicked spirits and devils in the next. What shall we gain We shall gain 1. A calm and serene spirit. 2.Peace with God and the victory over sin. 3. A sure knowledge of a home in heaven and an association with the saints in light and glory.