Twelve Years in America: BEING OBSERVATIONS ON THE COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE, INSTITUTIONS AND RELIGION; WITH NOTICES OF SLAVERY AND THE LATE WAR; AND FACTS AND INCIDENTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF MINISTERIAL LIFE AND LABOR IN ILLINOIS, WITH NOTES OF Travel through the United States and Canada. BY THE REV JAMES SHAW, OF THE ILLINOIS CONFERENCE, METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AMERICA. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW; DUBLIN: GEORGE HERBERT, 117, GRAFTON STREET. CHICAGO: POE AND HITCHCOCK, 66, WASHINGTON STREET. 1867. Preface. THE leading facts of this book were delivered by the author, in a lecture in various parts of Ireland, in the winter and spring of 1866-'7. They are now presented in a more enlarged form, at the request of several friends. The Twelve Years" mentioned on the title page cover the most exciting period of American history. The narrative attempts briefly to describe one of the greatest conflicts of ancient or modern times, and the rise and progress of that great political power that emancipated four millions slaves, carried to a successful issue a war of unparalleled magnitude, and saved the nation from slavery and ruin. It was the privilege of the writer to reside where that power originated to observe its rise, and mark its mission. With several of the leading actors in that great national drama he was acquainted. Of them, and the cause in which they struggled and triumphed, he has recorded his honest sentiments. During those "Twelve Years," he has crossed the Atlantic ocean four times; travelled thirty-five thousand miles; passed up by the Hudson, and down by the Niagara and St. Lawrence; round the shores of the great lakes, and along the banks of the great rivers, Missouri and Mississippi, and crossed its smaller rivers, the Ohio, Wabash, and Illinois; preached in the large forests, and on the larger prairies, in several of the principal cities, and new and rising towns; he has travelled through the States of New York, New Jersey, Deleware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri; through the length of the two Canadas, and by the shores of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Labrador, and Newfoundland. In the social state of the people, and local government of the country, he has seen some things to blame, but so many things to commend as, on the whole, to constitute them one of the most happy and highly privileged nations on earth. Of the progress and prosperity of the churches, Methodism, revivals, &c., he has endeavoured to give an impartial statement, based on the last United States' census, and the latest statistical returns. Life and labors in Illinois, and travels through the United States and Canada, are described as he has seen and felt. Owing to prior and pressing engagements, in connexion with missionary and other labors, the writer could not bestow as much care and attention on the style and composition as he could wish to have done, yet if the work had not been written then, it could not have been written at all. The type is new, and the printing, by Mr. HEALY, well executed. |