 |
| photo: http://rootsfromthebayou.blogspot.com |
That is what started my research on the profession. This is
what I found in Wikipedia for an explanation: A circuit preacher is a Christian
minister who, in response to a shortage of ministers, officiates at multiple
churches in an area, thus covering a "circuit". They were officially
called Traveling Clergy.
As small communities sprang up across the American frontier
they weren’t large enough to support a church or a minister. They would ask for
a circuit rider. A minister who rode from community to community providing services
whenever and wherever he came across someone who would listen to him preach. They
were also known as “saddlebag preachers,” because they traveled by horseback
with everything they owned in their saddlebags.
They would preach anywhere. Cabins, courthouses, fields,
meetinghouses, some towns would even close down the saloon when the preacher arrived and they would hold services in the establishment. These orators of the
good book would preach wherever they were welcome. Their areas usually ranged
from 200-500 miles. They traveled through mud, rain, snow, and scorching heat
to keep on their rounds. It could take them from five to six weeks to make a
circuit.
It took a preacher with a good sense of humor to travel as
they did, most times alone, just their horse or mule, Bible, and few
belongings. Along the way they would
spread the word and help those in need.
There are tall tales of how circuit preachers saved a lost
soul from a lynch mob or a landslide and have the saved person immediately open
his heart to the Lord.
In the eastern United States it’s noted that after the Civil
War circuit riders were fewer, however, they were still needed in the western
territories and states. They continued there until early1900.
All of this information has brought a unique character and
circumstance to mind for a book. I have another Letters of Fate book in the
works, so this one will come after that, but that just gives me more time to “stew and brew” this character and plot.
Have you heard any Circuit Preacher stories?
My newest Letters of Fate release:
Brody: Letters of Fate
Historical western filled with steamy romance and the
rawness of a growing country.
A letter from a grandfather he’s
never met has Brody Yates escorted across the country to work on a ranch rather
than entering prison. But his arrival in Oregon proves prison may have been the
lesser of two evils. A revenge driven criminal, the high desert, and his
grandfather’s beautiful ward may prove more dangerous than anything he’s faced
on the New York docks.
Lilah Wells is committed to helping
others: the judge who’d taken her in years ago, the neighboring children, and
the ranch residents, which now includes the judge’s handsome wayward grandson.
And it all gets more complicated when her heart starts ruling her actions.
Amazon / Nook / Kobo / Apple / Windtree Press
Paty Jager is an
award-winning author of 25+ novels and over a dozen novellas and short stories
of murder mystery, western historical romance, and action adventure. She has a
RomCon Reader’s Choice Award for her Action Adventure and received the EPPIE
Award for Best Contemporary Romance.
This is what reviewers says about her Letters of Fate Series: “What a refreshing
and well written love story of fate and hope! Very well written but sometimes
sizzling love scenes!”
blog / website / Facebook / Paty's Posse / Goodreads / Twitter
Wonderful post, Paty! Those old time preachers must have been made of tough stuff. Your new book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lyn. I agree. They didn't have a very fun life.
DeletePaty, interesting post on the life and times of frontier preachers that I've never read about before. Good luck on your Letters of Fate series.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cheri. Yes, the information about their lives caught my attention and made me think it would make a good profession for one of my characters. Thank you!
DeletePaty, my great-great grandfather, Henry Wood, Sr., was a Methodist circuit preacher in South Carolina until he tired of travel and founded Woods Meeting House, which is now Woods Chapel Methodist Church near Spartanburg. Supposedly, at each meeting, each person would state his or her progress since the last meeting. That might be embarrassing today. ☺ He married twice and fathered fourteen children, including my great-grandmother.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I'll be contacting you when I get closer to writing this book. You might have some good insights I can use.
DeleteI'm sorry I'm so late getting here.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I had never heard of circuit preachers, only judges, but I can see the need for them in the old west. A very interesting article, Paty.
I wish you great success with Letters of Fate. All the best to your corner.