Had Brother Kline penned these words fifty years later in the century, they could not be more in harmony with the popular theory of medical science as it is taught in the schools of the present day.  They are almost prophetic.  He goes on:  “I am therefore determined to try the new way of treating disease, and see what I can do with it.  I feel sure it will do no harm, even if it does but little or no good.”

His subsequent success as a physician for many years proves that he was not mistaken in the conclusions at which he arrived preparatory to his entering the field of medical practice.

He procured his remedies in their virgin purity from the mountains, meadows and woods, either in person, with hoe in hand, or through agents whom he employed for the work.  Lobelia, Boneset, Pleurisy-Root, Black-Cohosh, Blue-Cohosh, Lady’s-slipper, Red Raspberry, Ginseng, Spignet, Black-Root, Seneca-Snake-Root, Gentian, May-Apple, Golden-Rod, and many other roots and herbs were quite familiar to him, not only as they were seen growing in their native mountains, fields and forests, but also as to their medical properties and uses.

No recreation could be more delightful to the true lover of nature than to get on a good horse and go with him to see the Brethren, as he called it.  This may sound a little odd; but the reader must know that Brother Kline rarely went on an errand with a single aim.  His object seemed to be to crowd into his life all the service for both God and man that it was possible for him to do.  In this desire to do good he would sometimes humorously repeat the old saying:  “Kill as many birds with one stone as you can.”

When the season approached for gathering “roots and herbs” he would sometimes write to the Brethren among the mountains of West Virginia, that they might expect him to be with them at a given time.  This announcement always sent a thrill of joy through their hearts.  The news of his coming spread rapidly; and he was sure of large congregations for that sparsely settled country.

One Sunday, toward the close of his life, he said to me:  “Brother B——­, would it suit you to go with me over to Pendleton and Hardy?  I have a line of meetings in view; and if it would suit you to go with me I will be very glad of your company.  I want to gather some medicines by the way, and as you are fond of rambling among the mountains you may enjoy the trip and make yourself useful at the same time.”

I agreed to go.  So on Thursday morning about the latter part of July, very early, we mounted our horses.  “Old Nell”—­as he called his favorite riding mare, that had up to that time, as his Diary will show, carried him on her back over thirty thousand miles—­seemed to understand where we were starting for, and how fast she ought to go.  In the early part of the day she walked very moderately; but as the hours went by she quickened her gait, and really walked with a livelier step in the evening than she had in the fore part of the day.  Soon after our arrival the people began to come together for night meeting at the house where we staid.