268 History of Methodism 



which lie located. He was a good preacher, well fitted 

 for frontier service, and very successful in winning 

 souls to Christ. While traveling the Lincoln Circuit, 

 he filled, on one occasion, his appointment for preach- 

 ing on an exceedingly cold day, and afterward rode 

 through snow, which had fallen to the depth of eight- 

 een inches, till about sunset, in order to reach, on the 

 way to his next appointment, the only house where he 

 could hope to find shelter before the darkness of night 

 should overtake him. When he arrived at the place he 

 hailed the proprietor and politely asked the privilege 

 of spending the night Avith him. "No, you cannot 

 stay," responded he, promptly and gruffly; "you are 

 one of these lazy Methodist preachers, going about 

 everywhere through the country, who ought to be en- 

 gaged in honest work." Mr. Richardson maintained 

 his self-possession, and did not wholly despair of final 

 accommodation, notwithstanding this rude and in- 

 sulting rejection at the first. He thought the man 

 must have some natural feelings of sympathy for the 

 suffering which patient management and tact might 

 evoke. His case, moreover, was one of most pressing 

 necessity. He therefore, after a little, renewed his re- 

 quest, setting forth at the same time such considerations 

 as he thought must move the hardest heart, and con- 

 cluding with an offer to reward him liberally for all the 

 trouble and expense that might be incurred by allowing 

 him to pass the night under his roof. " No," again 

 responded the unfeeling man in ruffian tones, "you 

 shall not pass the threshold of my house this night," 

 and, quickly entering, slammed the door in the face of 

 the man of God shivering in the cold. As the next 

 house was twelve miles distant, and a high mountain 

 intervened over which no open road conducted, but 



