This  Week in Texas Methodist History April 9

Marshall District Tries Four Local Preachers on Insubordination Charges,  1895

In the last decades of the 19th century Methodism was engulfed in a struggle brought about by the rise of the Holiness Movement.  This movement was most often referred to in the press as the "second blessing movement" at the time.  The seeds of the movement had been sown in the emphasis in Methodism on experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit in one's own personal life.  The revivals of the early 19th century were directed toward attendees being acutely conscious of their sin and then being overcome by the Holy Spirit's reassurance that they were saved by the redemption offered through their accepting Jesus as their personal savior.  

In the late 19th century, there were still camp meetings and revivals, but many Methodists were no longer "shouting" Methodists.  They had become "respectable" and were no longer comfortable in worship services where attendees displayed what they saw as emotional excess.

The Holiness Movement was tremendously important and eventually led to what are often referred to as the Pentecostal denominations, but until those denominations formed, the movement caused conflict as some Methodists were inspired by the Holy Spirit to disregard what they considered to be man's law rather than God's law.  The conflict was acute in the MECS after the General Conference passed a rule that required independent evangelists (many of whom were adherents of the second blessing) to obtain permission from the station preacher before held a revival in that preacher's town.  

Harrison County became one of the most important Holiness locations in Texas.  The areas around both Scottsville and Noonday created campgrounds in which the second blessing was preached.   One prominent evangelist was L. L. Pickett who named his son after one of the Harrison County families.  That is how future Bishop of India, J. Waskom Pickett got his name. 

A Marshall District meeting in 1895 had to deal with four local preachers who refused to work under the direction of the ordained preachers in their district.  A trial for insubordination was held. One of the local preachers, Brother Ulig was asked if he would "work in harmony" with the ordained preachers in the district.  He replied that he obeyed the orders of the General (God) not of the corporal (the ordained preachers).  His license and that of his colleague, Brother Tucker who answered in a similar manner were not renewed.  Two other local preachers on trial, Brothers Black and Pardo, promised they would work in harmony so their licenses were renewed.