The Circuit Rider

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. THE BULLET STOPS HERE. Introducing one of the most unusual heroes of the lawless West—a mysterious man in black who rides from town to town, delivering hope, healing, and hard-fought justice . . . his way. In his younger days, Taylor Callahan didn’t know right from wrong—and didn’t much care either. As a Confederate bushwhacker, renegade outlaw, and all-around hellraiser, he gave the devil himself a run for his money. Most folks figured Taylor would end up swinging from a noose or shot dead in poker game. But somewhere along the road to perdition, he decided to change his wicked ways. To atone for his sins. And to fight the good fight—against the evil that men do. . . . So he became a traveling preacher. But Taylor Callahan is no ordinary preacher. He rides the western circuit looking to help lost souls. But his mission of peace takes a violent turn when he enters the godforsaken town of Falstaff, Texas. Better known to locals as “False Hope,” this one-time paradise has become a purgatory for homesteaders—thanks to a greedy rancher, corrupt mayor, and notorious confidence man. Even so, Callahan vows to keep his Colt .45 in his saddle bag. But when these lowlife devils pull out sticks of dynamite, a man has to do what a man has to do—before the whole town is blown to kingdom come. . . . Live Free. Read Hard.

The life of a 19th century circuit rider.

This novel is about a small community and its relationship with Methodist circuit-riding preachers who traveled the frontier.

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I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! (Luke 12:49 NASB) Passionately devoted to revival and reformation, the authors vividly describe the perspective that God is giving to a generation, the power He is releasing, and the potential of a people set ablaze for God. Exciting new areas of discovery include: A lifestyle of living in the confluence of prayer/worship and mission Perspective of what God is doing today and what we are on the verge of. Living a lifestyle of holiness that pleases God and sustains revival and reformation. God is releasing a groan for fervent prayer and a devotion to unabashed worship that leads to simple service and great exploits . Fire and Fragrance is a call to action for a new generation of zealots. From the American heartland, to Nepal, to almost all points between, you will explore lands and realms beyond imagination. For over 2,000 years, fire has been poured out across the earth and is raging now like never before. This fire is filling a people who are fascinated with the beauty of Jesus, whose hearts are in sync with the yearnings of His heart, and who will give their lives to see the fragrance of Christ spread to every remote corner of Earth!

Reprint of the original, first published in 1881.

In The Supernatural and the Circuit Riders, Rimi Xhemajli shows how a small but passionate movement grew and shook the religious world through astonishing signs and wonders. Beginning in the late eighteenth century, early American Methodist preachers, known as circuit riders, were appointed to evangelize the American frontier by presenting an experiential gospel: one that featured extraordinary phenomena that originated from God’s Spirit. In employing this evangelistic strategy of the gospel message fueled by supernatural displays, Methodism rapidly expanded. Despite beginning with only ten official circuit riders in the early 1770s, by the early 1830s, circuit riders had multiplied and caused Methodism to become the largest American denomination of its day. In investigating the significance of the supernatural in the circuit rider ministry, Xhemajli provides a new historical perspective through his eye-opening demonstration of the correlation between the supernatural and the explosive membership growth of early American Methodism, which fueled the Second Great Awakening. In doing so, he also prompts the consideration of the relevance and reproduction of such acts in the American church today.

A writer once denounced the Lone Star State as "where the Godly could battle 'the devil' on his own ground." Circuit riders and other early preachers confronted dangerous outlaws, Indians, wild animals, and Texas' unpredictable weather. Their stories chronicle bringing one element of civilization to early explorers and settlers. Some fought for Texas independence with a Bible in one hand and a rifle in the other; others worked as drovers and preached along the cattle trails. One served as a deputy sheriff; others, as fort chaplains. European immigrant ministers and Negro preachers formed an unlikely mix in East Texas. The frontier lured them into all the danger, adventure, and challenge of others who faced the "devil in Texas." Circuit riders had preached to all regions of Texas before they "hung up their spurs and went to the camp meeting in the sky."