Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter IX       Everyone who visits Philadelphia must of course see Independence Hall, so called because there the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776. This is thought by many to be the grandest uninspired document ever published. It required Mr. Jefferson's best ability to write it, and it required the sublimest moral courage to adopt it. The men who voted for it placed themselves in advance of the civilized world…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter VIII       The General Association met in Shelbyville in October, 1839. There was a feeling of sadness in the hearts of the brethren, for Rev. Rockwood Giddings was on his dying bed. He was a short distance from the town at the home of his father-in-law, Mr. Hansborough. I visited him and saw him for the last time, and saw the power of Christianity in supporting while "flesh and heart…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter VII      My father died in January, 1838. He had suffered for weary months with inflammatory rheumatism. I had seen him several times during his illness, and on one occasion had a special conversation with him. I asked him what were his feelings in prospect of death? I well remember his answer: He said, "I am like Abraham, going into a country I know not, but willing to trust my…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter VI       In the latter part of the year 1836 I was called to the pastorate of the church in Bowling Green, Ky. This call was made in consequence of the lamented death of the former pastor, Rev. William Warder, who died in August, at the age of fifty years. He was an able preacher, happily combining logical strength and hortatory power. He had been pastor of the church from…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter V       Elder William Tandy, one of the best of men, had long been pastor of Bethel Church, but for some years his impaired health prevented his preaching with any regularity. To my surprise the church, in the beginning of the year 1833, invited me to preach two Sundays in the month. A similar invitation came from Hopkinsville and I went there, where I remained four years. The arrangement was…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter IV       As stated in the preceding chapter, a precious revival was enjoyed by the Bethel Church during the Spring and Summer of 1829. I was numbered among the earliest converts and took a deep interest in those whose conversion followed. It was a source of the sincerest pleasure to me to see my associates convicted of sin, and to hear them inquiring, "What must we do to be saved?"…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter III       From my childhood I received as true the fundamental facts of the Bible. I never doubted the existence of God, nor the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believed in an eternal heaven and an eternal hell. It was my purpose from my earliest years to become a Christian at sometime, but I thought length of days was before me and that I had ample time…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter II      It was in the Autumn of 1812 that my father and mother left Virginia never to return. With sad hearts they bade adieu to the scenes of their youth, parted with friends, and looked for the last time on the graves of their kindred. Those only who have had an experience of this sort know how painful it is to pronounce the word farrewell, break up the associations…

Reminiscences of a Long Life By James M. Pendleton Chapter I      My information concerning my ancestors goes back no farther than to my grandfathers, who were natives of Virginia and of English descent. They were worthy citizens and honorable men, on whose characters there rests no blemish. My maternal grandfather was Charles Thompson, who had a number of children, the most prominent of whom was William M. Thompson, who, for some years, filled official positions, at Washington, under the…