The early circuit riders and preachers were a tough bunch. They had to be. There are quite a few stories of times in the West when a preacher would use a saloon for his preaching, the customers would contribute to the collection, and then go back to their gambling and drinking. And often this was done by the saloon keeper calling everyone to order for the preaching.

Some of the preachers were like "The Reverend Mr. Black", but others were more direct and when they "cut him down like a big oak tree" they used their fists.

Check out the early history of Methodism, the United Brethren, people like John Early, Joseph Thomas, Benjamin Larkin, Jacob Lurton, Peter Cartwright, and others.