John H. Power
John H. Power [1]
a noted minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Montgomery Co., Ky., March 15, 1798; was converted at a very early age; united with the Methodists in 1819; was licensed to preach two years after, and joined the Kentucky Conference, where his appointments were, Mount Sterling and Hinkston circuits, in Kentucky; Little Kanawha, Charleston, and Parkersburgh, in Virginia; Columbus, Salt Creek, Brush Creek, Chillicothe, and Deer Creek, in Ohio; Burlington Circuit, Old Zion, Muscatine, and South Burlington, in Iowa-embracing a period of eighteen years. As presiding elder, he served on Norwalk, Wooster, Mount Vernon, Delaware, and Mansfield districts, in Ohio; Burlington, Muscatine, and Keokuk districts, in Iowa — filling up twenty-eight years. In 1848 he was elected assistant agent of the Western Book Concern, where he remained until 1852. Failing health then necessitated rest, and he maintained a supernumerary relation until 1856, when he resumed the pastoral work by transfer to the Iowa Conference, and there held appointments (as above mentioned) until his death, which occurred Jan. 19, 1873. In manner Dr. Power was reserved. He shrank instinctively from that general acquaintance and notoriety in which persons differently constituted find pleasure. His friendship, though not demonstrative, was strong and enduring. As a preacher he was successful: enlightening the mind, directing the judgment, and influencing the will of his auditors-thereby winning souls to Christ. He was a prudent legislator, and as an administrator of discipline he had but few equals. Notwithstanding the exhaustive labors of an itinerant fifty years ago, at the age of forty-two he had acquired a liberal education, including Greek and Hebrew, so as to make the original available in the literal rendering of the Word of Life. He had also completed a course in law, with the view of meeting every demand that might be made upon him as a servant of the Church. As an author he holds a reputable place. His writings (On Universalism — : — Doolittle land Power; a discussion on the same subject: — Domestic Piety: — and Letters to Dr. Smith on Slavery) are all attractive in style, and are models or logical clearness. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1873, p. 103, 104. (J. H. W.)
