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The heroes of early Methodism in America were the circuit rider preachers.
They were literally "on the go," moving from home to home, community to
community. They lived on their horses, furnished to them by the members
on their circuit. Some were known to wear out eight horses in a year's
time. Poverty and traveling made marriage impractical. Most were poorly
clad and nearly penniless, but "happy in God." Notice in this illustration
the prominence of the saddle bag. This was not only the place for what
few belongings they possessed, but held their supplies of books and pamphlets
which they freely distributed, as well as, for those who were ordained,
their Communion Chalice and Paten.
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