Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

OVER THE MOUNTAINS 59
as a religious reformer. Alexander Campbell was a man of
letters and of a fine and striking personality.
In the spring of 1834 Love H. Jamieson conducted a protracted
meeting for those who were connected with this new
Christian Church in Harrison. On the front seat sat a little
black-eyed woman with her open Bible in her hand; as the
preacher backed up all his assertions with proof-texts from
Scripture, her fingers flew, finding the references as fast as he
gave them out. This little woman was Sophronia Keeler.
Among other interested auditors that day was the fair-complexioned
student, Benjamin Utter VVatkins. He sat near the
young woman, and though he saw but dimly he could not
notice how rapidly she found the texts which his dear friend,
Love H. Jamieson, gave out. Sophronia Keeler and Mr.
Jamieson had already met, for he it was who introduced our
future parents to each other at father's earnest request.
So it was that they met in a place where they were both
interested, and found then, as ever, that upon all the deep
things of life, the fundamentals, they were one mind and one
soul. It was not long after this first meeting that they were
married by Elder Hornaday, on August 10, 1834. One day
in the summer, perhaps, of 1856, we were going to Harrison
with father, who at stated periods ministered to the church at
that place. We passed over the Big Miami River at Miamitown,
and as we were mounting the lofty hills the scene was full
of rare beauty. Long green slopes and deep ravmes led up to
the tablelands; even in that early day between Miamitown
and Harrison was a splendid macadam pike, which tracked
its way among the green hills and valleys, winding from one
point to another among the quiet wooded slopes where, in
verdant pastures, numerous flocks and herds were grazing.
How our father enjoyed driving over those good roads, and with
what rich intonations that deep, sonorous voice of his echoed
amongst those hills while he repeated some grand psalm or
hymn of praise, as
Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way,
Let us each a blessing seek
Waiting in Thy courts to-day.