visit them in New York. In those days, Universalist Nathaniel travelled through New York, Pennsylvania, preachers would travel to places where there were no and Michigan. At times, he would have to travel two churches and have gatherings for people interested in hundred miles to speak to people. When he was much hearing about Universalism. older, Nathaniel would remember his time travelling with his horse. He told stories about not getting enough One of the Stacy children, Nathaniel, grew up listening money to feed both him and his horse, so what do you to these traveling preachers on his family's farm. think he would do then? Sometimes he would feed the Eventually, Nathaniel was old enough to decide what he horse, and go hungry. wanted to do when he grew up. He was interested in Universalism but not really that excited about riding a Nathaniel wrote his stories down and tried to explain horse all around and then standing on a tree stump to why he continued to lead such a hard life as a minister preach to small crowds. It turned out, though, that who never got to sleep at home, never got enough to Nathaniel was really good at public speaking. A eat, and had to be out in bad weather. He explained Universalist minister friend of his encouraged him to be that he did it because someone had to. He felt it was so a preacher. So in 1803, Nathaniel became a important for the Universalist ideas about love and Universalist preacher. He hopped on a horse and acceptance to be spread in the new country of America, travelled around the country, preaching to those who that he was willing to give up his comfort to make sure would invite him to their farms. there would always be a religion called Universalism. He thought preaching Universalism was like "planting a After each sermon, people would pass around a hat seed" and the Universalist churches that were built and put money into it to pay the preacher. Sometimes were the "crops." the preacher and his horse were invited to stay in someone's house or barn. Sometimes Nathaniel slept In those long ago days, many other Universalists and outside with a blanket. Sometimes people fed the horse Unitarians lived like Nathaniel did to spread their and the preacher and sometimes Nathaniel would find religion. Aren't we lucky they did—or we might not have things to eat out in the wild forests. our church today!
visit them in New York. In those days, Universalist preachers would travel to places where there were no churches and have gatherings for people interested in hearing about Universalism. One of the Stacy children, Nathaniel, grew up listening to these traveling preachers on his family's farm. Eventually, Nathaniel was old enough to decide what he wanted to do when he grew up. He was interested in Universalism but not really that excited about riding a horse all around and then standing on a tree stump to preach to small crowds. It turned out, though, that Nathaniel was really good at public speaking. A Universalist minister friend of his encouraged him to be a preacher. So in 1803, Nathaniel became a Universalist preacher. He hopped on a horse and travelled around the country, preaching to those who would invite him to their farms. After each sermon, people would pass around a hat and put money into it to pay the preacher. Sometimes the preacher and his horse were invited to stay in someone's house or barn. Sometimes Nathaniel slept outside with a blanket. Sometimes people fed the horse and the preacher and sometimes Nathaniel would find things to eat out in the wild forests. Nathaniel travelled through New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. At times, he would have to travel two hundred miles to speak to people. When he was much older, Nathaniel would remember his time travelling with his horse. He told stories about not getting enough money to feed both him and his horse, so what do you think he would do then? Sometimes he would feed the horse, and go hungry. Nathaniel wrote his stories down and tried to explain why he continued to lead such a hard life as a minister who never got to sleep at home, never got enough to eat, and had to be out in bad weather. He explained that he did it because someone had to. He felt it was so important for the Universalist ideas about love and acceptance to be spread in the new country of America, that he was willing to give up his comfort to make sure there would always be a religion called Universalism. He thought preaching Universalism was like "planting a seed" and the Universalist churches that were built were the "crops." In those long ago days, many other Universalists and Unitarians lived like Nathaniel did to spread their religion. Aren't we lucky they did—or we might not have our church today!