SOUTH BOUND

“This is the worst time to be making this crossing across the Chesapeake Bay” Herman Gurney grumbled as the fishing trawler gingerly navigated its way through the sheets of ice that littered the water.

Joseph laughed “I’m surprised you’re with me to witness it” he teased “weren’t you going to stop at Philadelphia”.

Gurney let out a short laugh. “That’s right” he agreed “but after attending those meetings and hearing Father Miller preach, well I couldn’t very well turn tail and go back home to Michigan after that. We will soon see our Lord a-coming and everyone must have a chance to prepare” Gurney’s face sobered for a moment “But in all seriousness Joseph, you do realize they could mob us and beat us to death for trying to preach the Second Advent to the slaves?”

“I know” Joseph agreed, his experienced seafaring eyes taking in the waters around them “But we need to try”.

Gurney nodded “Yes” he agreed “We need to try”

They reached Kent Island and made their way to one of the small towns in the central part of the Island. Joseph had been cast away on the island 27 years before and remembered it somewhat. They soon found themselves at the local Tavern in search of rooms and also a public hall they could hold their meetings in. The tavern was packed to capacity with townsfolk who had assembled there for a town meeting and Bates and Gurney were able to meet the trustees of the only two churches in town.

When they made inquiries about using the Church halls as meeting places they were met with cold disapproval. No one wanted them putting any strange ideas about the Second Coming of Jesus into the heads of their slaves.

But as providence would have it the tavern keeper recognized Joseph. Bates had visited his parent’s home when he was a young boy and his mother, who was in another room, recognized the sea Captain as he came into the tavern. The man offered them lodgings and arranged for them to have meetings the next day in the tavern.

News of the Yankee preachers who had come armed with the new Second Advent message soon spread through the town like wildfire. People flocked to the tavern to listen to what they had to say, some out of curiosity and others out of a genuine desire to hear the messages. They held meetings over five days and on the fifth day as Joseph was bringing the meeting to a close a man stood up in the middle of the congregation.

As it turned out he was a Methodist small group leader and one of the trustees who had refused to let them use the church. He began to heckle and argue with Bates who graciously allowed him to say his piece unhindered.

Finally, in exasperation, the man’s tone turned threatening “Why if you don’t stop this here preaching” he snarled “a couple of us folks here are gonna ride you outta town on a rail”

Joseph eyed him calmly, slowly assessing the situation before replying “We are all ready for that sir. Why if you will put a saddle on the rail we would rather ride than walk”

A burst of laughter and excited chatter rippled across the crowded room and the man, Kent by name, stood there dumbfounded. Sensing an opportunity to continue speaking Bates continued “You must not think” he said, “that we have come six hundred miles through ice and snow at our own expense to give you the Midnight Cry without first sitting down and counting the cost.”

The excited chatter dulled into a low hum and Joseph continued “If the Lord had no more for us to do, we might as well lie at the bottom of Chesapeake Bay as anywhere else until the Lord comes but if he has any more work for us to do you can’t touch us”

Bates’ words brought a sudden hush over the crowd. They sat there eyeing him for a moment, unsure of how to respond when Kent himself quietly walked down the aisle and offered Bates his hand. The meeting ended on a positive note and Bates and Gurney decided to walk the 30 miles to the nearby town of Centerville and hold some meetings there.