A "circuit," nowadays is called a
"charge," It was a geographical area
that encompassed two or more local
churches. Local Methodist pastors
would meet with their bishops annually
for appointment to either a new circuit
or remain at the same one, most often
they were moved to another circuit.
Once a pastor was assigned a circuit, it
was his responsibility to visit each
church in his charge at least once a
year in addition to possibly erecting
new churches.
Because of the long distance between
churches, the preachers would ride on
horseback. They were called "circuit
riders" or "saddlebag preachers." They
traveled with few possessions,
carrying only what would fit in their
saddlebags. They traveled through
wilderness and villages, they preached
every day at any place available such
as peoples' cabins, courthouses, fields,
meeting houses, later, even basements
and street corners. Unlike preachers of
settled denominations, Methodist
preachers were always on the move
(most circuits were so large that it
would take 5 to 6 weeks to cover their
assignment). This is what boosted
Methodism into the largest Protestant
denomination at the time; bringing the
church to the common people.
My model was the first rider out in last
year's 2006 Annual Mountain Man
Rendezvous. He was so striking and
stood out from all the other actors. He
rode out on a beautiful "Blue Roan"
horse. The horse appeared to be all
black (actually black hair with silver
mixed in) that matched the man's all
black regalia from hat to boots. The
man just blew me away. I turned to
Leigh and made the quick statement,
"that preacher is a painting for sure."
The man even nodded at me as if he
knew on his last ride by us. After the
event they announced that most of the
actors would be available for
photographs. We made a beeline
straight over to the man. It was
spitting rain the whole time we were
there, the sky looked like it would
open anytime. As we introduced
ourselves the rain stopped but the
grey sky remained. The man was so
gracious to pose in whatever position
we asked. As I directed the shots, I
don't know why, but I asked him to
please look back over his right
shoulder. I even heard Leigh react to
the two-second preview in her
camera's LCD screen. I knew it was
going to be "the shot."
It wasn't until weeks later that the title
came to me while listening to Don
Henley of the Eagles singing the lyrics to
"The Last Resort." The spiritual song is
about the settlers moving across the
plains seeking and praying for the
next "paradise." I was studying Leigh's
photograph of the circuit preacher as
the song played. It was at that
moment that it hit me. There was a
reason that I had asked for the "look
over the shoulder." Then the title came
to me like a revelation.
Proudly I present to you, Festus Krause
of Cora, Wyoming. Festus was playing
the part of a 1860-1870 era "Circuit
Rider." Festus is actually a rancher and
works the oil fields outside of
Pinedale, Wyoming. Festus is a "class-
act." Even though he is not a "real"
preacher, he is a man to be well-
respected. Thank you, my good friend.
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