Neville Trueman the Pioneer Preacher

Neville Trueman the Pioneer Preacher

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Title: Neville Trueman the Pioneer Preacher
Author: William Henry Withrow
Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6826] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on January 28, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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NEVILLE TRUEMAN,
THE
PIONEER PREACHER.
A TALE OF THE WAR OF 1812.
BY THE
REV. W. H. WITHROW, M.A.

TO THE
REV. EGERTON RYERSON, D.D., LL.D.,
WHOSE LONG LIFE
HAS BEEN DEVOTED TO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY,
THIS
"Story of the War,"
WHOSE HISTORY
HE HAS WITH GRAPHIC PEN RECORDED,
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY
THE AUTHOR.
[Illustration]

PREFACE.
In this short story an attempt has been made--with what success the reader must judge--to present certain phases of Canadian life during the heroic struggle against foreign invasion, which first stirred in our country the pulses of that common national life, which has at length attained a sturdier strength in the confederation of the several provinces of the Dominion of Canada. It will he found, we think, that the Canadian Methodism of those troublous times was not less patriotic than pious. While our fathers feared God, they also honoured the King, and loved their country; and many of them died in its defence. Reverently let us mention their names. Lightly let us tread upon their ashes. Faithfully let us cherish their memory. And sedulously let us imitate their virtues.
A good deal of pains has been taken by the careful study of the most authentic memoirs, documents, and histories referring to the period; by personal examination of the physical aspect of the scene of the story; and by frequent conversations with some of the principal actors in the stirring drama of the time--most of whom, alas! have now passed away--to give a verisimilitude to the narrative that shall, it is hoped, reproduce in no distorted manner this memorable period.
W. H. W.
TORONTO, March 1st, 1880.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I
.
War Clouds
CHAPTER II
.
The Eve of Battle
CHAPTER III
.
Queenston Heights
CHAPTER IV
.
The Wages of War
CHAPTER V
.
A Victory and its Cost
CHAPTER VI
.
The Capture of York
CHAPTER VII
.
The Fall of Fort George
CHAPTER VIII
.
The Fortunes of War
CHAPTER IX
.
A Brave Woman's Exploit
CHAPTER X
.
Disasters and Triumphs
CHAPTER XI
.
Elder Case in War Time
CHAPTER XII
.
A Dark Tragedy--The Burning of Niagara
CHAPTER XIII
.
A Stern Nemesis--A Ravaged Frontier
CHAPTER XIV
.
Toronto of Old
CHAPTER XV
.
A Quarterly Meeting in the Olden Time
CHAPTER XVI
.
The "Protracted Meeting"
CHAPTER XVII
.
Heart Trials.
CHAPTER XVIII
.
The Tragedy of War.
CHAPTER XIX
.
Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.
CHAPTER XX
.
The Closing of the War.
CHAPTER XXI
.
Closing Scenes. NEVILLE TRUEMAN, THE PIONEER PREACHER [Footnote: The principal authorities consulted for the historical portion of this story are:--Tupper's Life and Letters of Sir Isaac Brock, Auchinleck's and other histories of the War, and Carroll's, Bangs', and Playter's references to border Methodism at the period described. Many of the incidents, however, are derived from the personal testimony of prominent actors in the stirring drama of the time, but few of whom still linger on the stage. For reasons which will be obvious, the personality of some of the characters of the story is Slightly veiled under assumed names.]

CHAPTER I
.
WAR CLOUDS.
Now lower the dreadful clouds of war; Its threatening thunder rolls afar; Near and more near the rude alarms Of conflict and the clash of arms Advance and grow, till all the air Rings with the brazen trumpet blare.
Towards the close of a sultry day in July, in the year 1812, might have been seen a young man riding along the beautiful west bank of the Niagara River, about three miles above its mouth. His appearance would anywhere have attracted attention. He was small in person and singularly neat in his attire. By exposure to summer's sun and winter's cold, his complexion was richly bronzed, but, as he lifted his broad-leafed felt hat to cool his brow, it could be seen that his forehead was smooth and white and of a noble fulness, indicating superior intellectual abilities.