Customer Reviews

Autobiography of Peter Cartwright (Reprint)

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Aside from the fact that this is a great buy (only $10), this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in early Methodist or frontier religion and/or life on the frontier. Spanning more than 50 years of ministry in the first half of the 19th century, Peter Cartwright's autobiography provides a colorful, though sometimes biased, look at early Methodism. Descriptions of campmeetings, conversions, encounters with "rowdies", and worship practices abound. Cartwright's ministry covered Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Illinois. Local preacher, circuit rider, and district superintendent, Cartwright was a leading figure in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In Illinois he was also a politician, and the only man to have defeated Abraham Lincoln in an election. Cartwright provides insight (and opinions) into other denominations as well as social issues of the day, such as slavery and dissolution of the Union.

Edited by the late Charles L. Wallis, a notable Methodist clergyman and prolific author/editor, there is also a brief biographical/historical sketch and information from Cartwright's later ministry.

I highly recommend this book.

This book is absolutely unbelievable. I had heard stories of Peter Cartwright, but reading his own words on these tales was quite an experience. It really makes you realize how far downhill we've come. Over and over again as he relates different incidents that happened in his ministry, and how he dealt with them, I kept thinking "Nobody would put up with this now". I say that to our detriment. We are soft, and carnal, and this book will encourage you to grow a backbone and live for Jesus Christ.

This is certainly, as other reviewers have noted, an interesting and insightful look into early Ky history and Methodist history. However, I really cannot understand how anyone would take half of this book seriously from the tolerance standpoint. Peter Cartwright is an excellent example of why people are leaving Christianity in droves - his "one way-ism" and dislike of every Christian sect except his own. I think this is one of the best ways NOT to promote Christianity - or any other religion for that matter. Intolerance like this was to be expected in the 19th century, it has no place in the 21st.

Peter Cartwright would be stoned to death today.

That was my recurring thought while reading this magnificent book.

Cartwright was a man of God who preached Christ and him crucified. This book outlines decades of his ministerial works throughout the frontier of the United States. I find this book helpful on many fronts:

1. History of the United States and the Frontier

This book presents very detailed information concerning life on the American frontier. Cartwright speaks at length of traveling on horseback, walking miles, fording rivers, wading through the snow etc. as he brings the Gospel to villages scattered about. He details information about common time highway robbers and the cultural oddities of his day. Cartwright thought it was normal to find a cabin in the woods with no one at home and simply walked in, ate some of their food, slept and went on his way. That was normal cultural practice then. Very interesting to say the least.

2. Slavery

This book addresses the views of the Abolitionists and Slave Owners and presents them both in bad light. Contrary to the stories of heroism concerning the Underground Railroad and Abolitionism, Cartwright (who is vehemently against the evil of slavery), details the evils of the abolitionists and their hindrance to freeing slaves in a peaceful manner. It is absolutely shocking to read a first hand account of what abolitionism was doing in his day. Over and over again he warned that if a better route wasn't taken, a civil war would erupt. Sadly, he was right.

3. Biographical Information on Others

Cartwright interacted with some very important people of his day. He rebukes General Andrew Jackson in a meeting and calls him a "very wicked man." He confronts Joseph Smith of "diabolical Mormon" fame and shows what a hypocrite and lawless apostate that Smith was. Cartwright deals with every major figure of early American Methodism as well.

4. Ministerial Advice

This book is incredible in the gems a preacher will find. Cartwright baptized over 10,000 people personally and that wasn't through easy conversion "repeat after me" prayers. It was under hell fire, conscience assaulting preaching and calls to holiness. Cartwright had no music leader, NO PEWS in services, wore plain clothes like the Quakers or Mennonites, had nothing of the modern gimmicks and yet he and the other like minded Methodists converted 5% of the American population in few few years. Our modern methods have failed because we forsook the old paths. Cartwright was so bold and on fire for God that he won souls everywhere under the most bizarre circumstances. He would be stoned to death by 99% of churches in America today. For that reason alone the book is worth reading.

Buy this book, get ready for a long reading experience and enjoy it.

Being a Cartwright, I have always heard of Peter Cartwright, but this was a real eye opener into the history of our country and its religion in the first half of the 19th century. It was difficult to read, being an autobiography and a copy of the old book. The print was the most difficult part of the read. Peter Cartwright's writing was amazingly modern and easier than some old writings I have read. His trials are an inspiration for any young preacher who has it "modern and easy" to preach the gospel.

Peter Cartwright's autobiography is an engaging book for anyone interested in early Americana. He was a frontier preacher when the frontier was still East of the Mississippi River. His vivid and colorful descriptions of the characters he encountered and the events he witnessesd are lively as well as informative. Also, for those who like to read about the development of the established church, especially the Methodist church, in early America, it is particularly insightful.

I would recommend this book to anyone. Your faith and courage to live for Jesus will be greatly expanded.