218 History of Methodism 



When lie was quite a youth the pioneer preachers 

 reached the wild region of his home, and a powerful 

 revival broke out under their preaching. Many were 

 brought to God, and among them was Philip Bruce, 

 who was soon after licensed as an exhorter. He was 

 present at the battle of King's Mountain, but as he 

 was looked upon as a sort of chaplain the officers 

 would not allow him to go into the engagement, and 

 he was left with the sick and baggage. In person, 

 Philip Bruce was commanding. He was tall, perfectly 

 straight, very grave and dignified in his manners ; his 

 hair was black and worn long, his visage thin, his 

 complexion dark, and his eyes bright and piercing; 

 his countenance was open and expressive, his features 

 well developed and indicative of a high degree of in- 

 tellectual power. In the pulpit he was graceful and 

 impressive. His sermons were usually short, but 

 powerful, and he excelled in the application of gospel 

 truth. His appeals were often irresistible. The esteem 

 in which he was held was not confined to his own Con- 

 ference; it is stated on good authority that twice at a 

 General Conference he came within three votes of be- 

 ing elected Bishop. Like most of the early preachers, 

 he never married. It is said, however, that at one 

 time he entertained very serious thoughts on the sub- 

 ject, and had actually selected the lady, if he had not 

 broached the subject, but on consulting Bishop Asbury, 

 that good man persuaded him to remain as he was. 

 The opposition of Bishop Asbury to his preachers' mar- 

 rying may be accounted for by the fact that few consent- 

 ed after marriage to subject their families to the priva- 

 tions and hardships of the itinerancy. He thus lost 

 many of his best and strongest men from the itinerant 

 ranks. A tradition has floated down to us to the effect 



