“Oh,” said he, “that is my son, the Class-Leader.”  It was now quite dark.  I returned to the buggy and asked my wife how she liked the Presiding Eldership.  She laughed heartily, and said, “The fact is, they are all waiting for the Presiding Elder, for no one would ever take you for one.”

I concluded she was right, and on returning to the Class-Leader’s house I made bold to announce myself in due form.  We were most hospitably entertained, and were so pleased with our kind host and hostess that we felt constrained to decline, the next day, urgent invitations from both of the large houses.  My wife has often queried since as to what became of the pies and cakes that were intended for the Presiding Elder on that occasion.

The services of the Sabbath were held in a school house.  At the close of the morning sermon the Pastor, Rev. Jesse Halstead, volunteered to carry the hat through the congregation, to receive the collection for the Presiding Elder.  After performing this service, he requested the good people to sing while he should count the funds.  On completing the count, he found a deficiency, and concluded to carry the hat again.  He started and moved leisurely along, taking special pains to afford all an opportunity to contribute, until he came to the dear man, whose acquaintance I had made the night before.  He now paused, placed the hat on the desk, under the face of the reputed miser, put his hands in his pockets, and looked unconcernedly over the congregation, remarking, “Well, brethren, there is no great hurry about this matter.  If you have not got the money with you, we will give you plenty of time to borrow it from your neighbor.”  This new feature in the programme directed all eyes to the brother in whose custody the hat had been placed.  For a moment he was frigid, but under such a concentration of piercing rays as were now turned upon him, he soon began to melt.  Turning to his neighbor, he borrowed a contribution, whereupon the hat moved on.

CHAPTER X.

Milwaukee—­Early History—­First Sermon—­Rev. Mark Robinson—­First Class—­Rev. John Clark—­Trustees—­Rev. James Ash—­Rev. David Worthington—­Rev. Julius Field—­Rev. John Crummer—­First Church—­Rev. John T. Mitchell—­Rev. Sias Bolles—­Lantern Convert—­Second Church—­Rev. A. Hanson—­Rev. Dr. Ryan—­John H. Van Dyke—­Rev. F.M.  Mills—­Rev. James E. Wilson—­Walker’s Point—­First Class—­Rev. Wm. Willard.

The Conference of 1850 was held June 26th at Beloit, Bishop Hamline presiding.  Brother Springer was returned to the Milwaukee District, and I was appointed to Spring Street Station, Milwaukee.  The charge included the entire city except Walker’s Point, where a Mission had been established, but before speaking of the Station in connection with my labors, I should, in harmony with my general plan, first refer to its earlier history.  In doing this, I can only give in these pages the briefest outline, and refer the reader, who may desire further information, to a pamphlet entitled “Milwaukee Methodism,” published by the writer in 1873.