Young, Jacob, Dd

Young, Jacob, D.D.

a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Alleghesny County, Pa., March 19, 1776. His father was a member of the Church of England, and his mother was a Presbyterian, yet both were strangers to the converting power of Christ until brought to him by their own son. The stirring scenes and mighty struggles connected with the birth of our national republic at the time Mr. Young was ushered into life seem to have breathed into him the very spirit of greatness. His first years were passed amid the wildest scenes of frontier peril, which inspired him with physical and mental activity, and uncommon natural courage. Under the care of his affectionate mother, he grappled with many of those great thoughts which afterwards swelled his mature and manly heart. The simple grandeur of the New Test. impressed his mind, while the history and sufferings of his Savior won his heart and kindled his most ardent love. In early manhood he moved with his father to Kentucky; joined the Methodists; felt himself called to preach, and, without formal Church authority, preached his first sermon, saw the congregation bathed in tears, and felt in his own soul the heavenly unction.

In 1801 he was licensed to preach, and under the direction of William McKendree, afterwards bishop, was thrust out on a large frontier circuit. For fifty-five years Mr. Young was engaged in the itinerancy. He traveled extensively, everywhere attended by marvelous success. He died Sept. 16,1859. He was a man of great intellectual power, habitually prompt, laborious, unswerving; great in his Christian character, great in his fidelity, great in his success. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1860, p. 233; Simpson, Cyclop. of Methodism, s.v.; and his Autobiography.