USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 35
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 35
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In the summer of 1853, Rev. William Hunderdosse was called by the congregation. In February, 1854, election of officers was held again. The following were clected : Christian Roessler and Jacob Wendling as elders ; and Edward Rocssler aud Jacob Muths, as deacons. Rev. William Hunderdosse resigned, having served the congregation for two years.
In 1855 Rev. Elias Schwartz was called by the congregation. He left the congregation in the spring of 1857, having served it about two years. After many efforts, and by the assistance of Professor Springer, of Springfield, Ills., the congregation finally succeeded iu getting a minister in the person of Rev. Swaney of Nokomis, Mont- gomery co., Ills. He served the congregation only provisionally for half a year, for upon his advice the cougregation called Rev. J. T. Boetticher of Vandalia, Ills., July 18, 1858, who took charge of it without delay. Soon after Rev. J. T. Boctticher had commenced his labors, the constitution of the congregation was changed, in some parts, and pursuant to it the following full vestry was elected : as elders, Jacob Wendling and Solomon Stilgebauer ; as deacons, Christopher Bauer and Edward Roessler ; as trustees, John Wend- ling, Jacob Wendling, Andrew Roessler, Andrew Dagan and Ed- ward Roessler ; as treasurer, Edward Roessler. After this time a full vestry was elected annually.
In 1859 Michael D. Gregory donated two lots to the congrega- tion, situated in the town then called Moulton, which since has bc- come a part of Shelbyville. These lots were thankfully received of Mr. Gregory, and another lot adjoining these, was bought of him for fifty dollars. The congregation has a legal Decd for them. On these three lots a church was built. The corner-stone was laid on Easter Monday, 1859. It is a brick building, 54 by 31 feet. At this time the congregation numbered about 95 communicants.
Shortly after the church was erected, a parsonage was built by the congregation on their three lots. This is a one-story frame building, 28 by 26 fect. The church cost about $2,300, and the parsonage about $700. There is also an organ in the church. The lots, church aud parsonage together, are now worth about three thousand dollars. Besides this property, the congregation now owns a grave-yard of about three acres.
Rev. J. T. Boetticher was pastor of the congregation only about
two years. Rev. S. L. Harkey was pastor of the congregation from 1860 to 1864. About a year and a half, however, he was not with the congregation, having accepted a chaplaincy in the army. In 1864 Rev. J. F. Probst became pastor of the congregation, and served it until the beginning of 1866. November 3, 1867, the con- gregation extended a call to Rev. P. A. Peters, who accepted it. On the 22d of Nov., 1868, he resigned his office as minister of the congregation. From this time on the congregation had preaching occasionally by students of the Evangelical Lutheran Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis, Mo., until the summer of 1870. At this time the congregation gave Rev. J. D. Kothe, a student of said Seminary, a call, and he accepted it. He was minister of the con- . gregation up to Sept. 15, 1872, when he resigned. The congrega- tion was now again without a minister for nearly two years. Du- ring this time there was preaching now and then by ministers who, upon request, visited the congregation.
August 11, 1874, Rev. G. Mochcl, of Canal Winchester, Frank- lin county, Onio, took charge of the congregation, having received a regular call from it April 19, 1874. In November, 1880, when this short history of the congregation was written, he was still the pastor of it. August 11, 1874, the congregation numbered 28 votiug members, and about 60 communicants. Since that time, 19 names were added to the list of voting members. Of the whole number, some died, some moved away, and some left the church. At the present time the congregation consists of 34 voting members, and 125 communicants.
Services are held every Sunday, alternately in the German and English languages. The Sunday-school is also conducted in the two languages. The congregation has no regular parochial school, but the youth are diligently instructed in the Christian religion. accord- ing to Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism, during the year, ex- cept some months in the summer.
The members of the present vestry are : Elders, Jacob Wendling and Dr. Joseph Boromann ; Deacons, Edward Roessler aud George Ruff; Trustees, Andrew Roessler, August Schwenker and Philip Roessler ; Treasurer, Aug. Schwenker.
Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Congregation .- In 1860, about twelve Lutheran families residing 5 and 6 miles north-west from Shelbyville, Ill., united for the purpose of holding divine services. They held their meetings in school-houses and private residences. The first minister who preached for them occasionally was Rev. F. W. Richmann, of Schaumburg, Ill. He continued his visits until Junc, 1863, from which time one Rev. H. W. Rincker, minister in Terre Haute, Ind , preached for them occasionally.
Feb. 14, 1864, the congregation was regularly organized by adopt- ing a constitution, and calling themselves "The Evangelical Lu- theran St. John's Congregation, in Shelby county, Ill." At the same time they elected a full vestry. This has been done every year since. On the same day they gave Rev. H. W. Rincker a regular call, who accepted it. After he had moved from Terre Haute, Ind., to near Strasburg, Ill., in the same county, he served this congregation regularly, preaching for it every second Sunday in the German language, from August 14, 1864, till July, 1866. From this time on Rev. F. W. Schlechte, pastor of the Lutheran congregation at Strasburg, Ill., prcached for it every third Sunday in German ; this congregation having called him in connection with the one at Strasburg.
In 1867 Jacob Kircher douated onc acre, in the south-west cor- ner of his land, to the congregation, to be used as a site for a church and for a grave-yard. This donation was thankfully received by the congregation. On this land a church was erected in 1870. O:1 Pentecost of the same year it was dedicated. Rev. H. W. Rincker,
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
by request, preaching in German, and Mr. Kuegele, candidate for the ministry, student of Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis, preached in English. The church is a frame building, 30x24 feet, and cost $800. The value of the entire property at present is about $1,000.
In 1871 the Lutheran congregation of Strasburg, Ill., expressed the wish that their minister, Rev. F. W. Schlechte, should devote his entire time to serving them, and preach for them every Sunday. In consequence of this he resigned his office as pastor of this con- gregation. On the 10th of April, 1871, they extended a call to Rev. J. D. Kothe, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's congregation in Shelbyville, Ill., who accepted it, and served this congregation in connection with the one he had already. He was their pastor until the spring of 1873. From this time until Aug., 1874, the congregation had no minister, but Rev. F. W. Schlechte preached for them provisionally now and then. From Aug. 1874, to March 12, 1876, Rev. M. Claus was minister of this congrega- tion, preaching German every Sunday.
February 27th, 1876, Rev. G. Mochel was called by this congre- gation to serve it in connection with his St. Paul's congregation of Shelbyville, Illinois. He accepted tlie call and preached his intro- ductory sermon March 26th, 1876. In November, 1880, when this short history of the congregation was written, he was still the pas- tor of it. The services are now conducted in the German and English languages.
The congregation numbers now twenty-three voting inembers, and about sixty communicants. The members of the present vestry arc Elders, John Th. Pfeiffer and Godfrey Kircher ; Deacons, Chris- tian Kull and William Th. Ruff; Trustecs, Philip Heinz, Jr., Ernst Schmid and Jacob Pfeiffer.
German Evangelical Lutheran, St. Paul's Congregation, Strasburg, Illinois .- This congregation was organized in 1863. A number of Lutherans who had come to this part of Shelby county, assembled from time to time, at first in private residences and held divine services, one of their number reading a sermon from a Lutheran sermon book. But they felt the need of a minister of the holy Gospel. Hence they wrote to Rev. H. Wunder in Chicago, asking him to request one of the ministers nearest to them to commence missionary work in their midst. Rev. H. Wunder wrote to Rev. H. W. Rincker, pastor of the congregation in Terre Haute, Ind., to visit these brethren and to preach for them. This he did. At a later period he received a regular call from this congregation, which he accepted, and having moved into their midst, he served thein regularly.
The number of Lutherans in this part of the county increased rapidly, others coming in from Chicago, Ohio, and Madison county, Illinois. The congregation soon increased to such an extent that they became able to build a church. One acre and a half, situated about one mile and a half south from Strasburg, was donated to the congregation for a building site and grave-yard. On this a church edifice was erccted, thirty by twenty-four fect, which cost about five hundred dollars.
Rev. H. W. Rincker served the congregation about five years. At this time a number of the members, residing south fron the church quite a distance, asked for an honorable dismissal from the congregation, in order to organize a new one in that part of the county. Their request was granted, and a new congregation was formed of which Rev. H. W. Rincker was minister. The St. Paul's Strasburg congregation called Rev. F. W. Schlechte as their pastor, who had just finished his theological studies in Concordia Seminary of St. Louis, Mo.
One year after this, the congregation bought a number of acres
of land and crected a parsonage thereon near their church. The cost of the land and house was about eight hundred dollars. The congregation increased so rapidly that the church had to be en- larged not long afterwards. In 1875 a new church was built by this congregation in Strasburg, this place being more convenient for all the members. A part of the land on which the new edifice was erected was donated and the rest was bought. The building is frame, sixty by thirty-two feet, with a gallery on three sides, and a steeple eighty feet high with a bell in it. The land that was bought and the church cost the congregation four thousand, six hundred dollars. Rev. F. W. Schlechte was called away, after having served the congregation ten years. Rev. J. Dunsing was then called, who entered upon his labors as pastor of the congrega- tion in October, 1876.
The old parsonage is sold, and a new one erected near the church in Strasburg. It is a frame building. The entire property of the congregation is worth about $6,000. The congregation numbers seventy-six voting members. It has a parochial school with one hundred and twenty-five scholars, kept in the old church building. Teacher, H. Dablow. The congregation contemplates the building of a school-house near their church in Strasburg. Rev. J. Dunsing is still pastor of the congregation.
German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation of Prairie and Big Spring Townships, Shelby county, Ils .- This congregation was organized in 1868. About nine members of the Lutheran con- gregation at Strasburg, residing quite a distance from the church, asked for an honorable dismissal for the purpose of forming a new congregation, and to erect a church in their midst. This request was granted. These and six other Lutheran families, residing in the same neighborhood, organized themselves into the German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity congregation of Prairie and Big Spring townships, Shelby co., Ills. They bought the church built by the Swedes close to the line of Prairie and Big Spring townships in this county. They paid $300 for it. It was not finished on the inside. In 1870 the congregation moved this church to where it now stands, about two miles north-east of Stewardson, and finished it. It is a frame building, 50 by 30 feet, and is worth about $600.
At first the congregation could not support a minister alone. From July, 1868, to 1869, Rev. Th. Buszin of Champagne, Ills., preached for them every four weeks. After this, Rev. Grupe of Champagne served it for about six months, preaching for them cvery six weeks. After this, Rev. H. W. Rincker, who lived in the midst of the congregation, served it nearly two years. From 1872 to 1876, Rev. F. W. Schlechte, pastor of the Lutheran con- gregation in Strasburg, preached for it every third Sunday. In 1876 the congregation extended a regular call to Rev. F. W. Schlechte, who accepted it, and moved to Stewardson. Since 1876 the congregation has a parochial school taught by the minister. It numbers about forty scholars. The congregation consists of thirty-three voting members ; and there is prospect for an increase, as there are many Germans living in the vicinity of Stewardson.
German Evangelic il Lutheran Congregation of Sigel, Shelby Co., Ill. -This congregation was organized in 1865, beginning with fifteen voting members. In the same year a church was erected. It is a frame building, 40 by 26 feet, with a steeple forty-two feet high. A good bell, made by Mr. H. W. Rincker, was put into it in 1876. The church and lot are worth about $1,200.
Although the church was built soon after the organization of the congregation, they were nevertheless compelled to hold their ser- vices in private residences for some time, because the unionists, and those of the German Reformed persuasion, would not let the Lu-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
therans make use of the church. But finally the Lutherans finished the church, paid for it, and now own it.
From 1865 to 1870, the congregation was served by the neigh- boring miuisters in the following order : Rev. H. W. Rincker, Rev. C. Meyer, Rev. F. W. Schlechte, Rev. Th. Buszin, Rev. H. F. Grupe, and Rev. H. H. Holtermann. In 1870 the congregation called Rev. R. Koehler as their resident pastor. He served them until 1872. Then Rev. W. Dahlke was called by the congrega- tion ; he left it in 1874. After this, Mr. C. Schroder, student of theology in the Lutheran Seminary in Springfield, Ills., preached for them and taught a congregational school. In 1876, when he had completed his studies, the congregation gave him a call, and he commeuced his labors as their minister in August of the same year. He served it until January, 1879. From this time on Rev. H. Kowert of Effingham county preached for them now and then to November, 1880. In the first week of December, 1880, Rev. A. C. Th. Pouitz commenced his labors as their regular miuister, having been called by them. Since 1870 the congregation has a parochial school taught by the minister. This school has now thirty scholars. At this time the congregation numbers twenty-six voting members.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
BY ELDER J. G. WAGGONER.
The religion of any country forms a large part of its history. In a new country it is one of the strongest formative elements of society, and in later years determines the liberty, worth and happiness of the people. Out of due regard to the will and wisdom of the Creator, grows the greatest benefit to the creature. Industry, honesty, frugality, intelligence, civility and morality, are the legiti- mate fruits of the Christian religion. This religion is from God, was delivered by our Lord Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles, and claims by divine authority to be able to thoroughly furnish the man of God unto all good works. Its field is "All the world ; " its teaching for " Every creature," and its promises for " The life that now is and that which is to come."
The divine principles of Christianity, submitted to us in the New Testament, made unprecedented progress during the first centuries. Fortunate would it have been for the human race, had no man thought to be wise above what is written. But the political-reli- gious power of assumed infallibility changed the laws of God and sought to improve upon the couusel of God. The holy Scriptures were wrested from the people and primitive Christianity soon be- came engulfed in the superstitions, traditions, speculations aud commandments of men. The enormous results of such deeds of ruin, in clouds of ignorance and sorrow hovered over the human race in " The Dark Ages " which followed.
Such was the condition of the world in the 16th century. Luther, a fearless Catholic monk, began the immense work of the restoration of primitive Christianity, the magnitude of which, probably, he and many of his successors never knew. But under diviue providence he began at the right place, and restored an open Bible, in the language of the people, to a benighted world. This was but the be- ginning of the restoration of all its teachings, in spirit, form, precept, example and life. How slowly do men break away from old theories ! All true science and reform have been met by multi- tudes of opposers. Men have preferred popular error to unpopular truth, the traditions of the fathers to the words of the Apostles, and the counsels of men to the teaching of God. Theories, venerable by age, and dear by association, have been preferred to new truth how- ever well authenticated by the "Law and the Testimony." Even the reformers saw the truth slowly, and devoted much of their
energies to single elements of truth, and in exposing a few errors. Yet, under the circumstances, it is strange that they saw and ac- complished so much. Can we appreciate their efforts too highly.
The permanent volume of their work is not in what they reformed but in what they restored. The greatest blessings from Luther were not from any reformation of the Catholic Church, nor the formula- ting his peculiar views into articles of faith, but in the restoration of the Bible, the counsel and standard of all true religion. Calvin's work was not in the reforms which he attempted nor the doctrines he so ably discussed, but the restoration, to the Word of God, of the divine authority which had so long been conferred on the Pope. Wesley's effort to reform the Church of England was a failure, but what he restored to primitive piety and devotion will live to bless humauity long after the creed that thought to formulate them shall have passed away forever. The Christian religion is a great re- former, but it is not itself reformed. It may be deprived of some of its elements, and thereby shorn of its virgin strength. It may be loaded with traditions and dogmas, and thereby hindered iu its pro- gress. Therefore it becomes the duty of Christiaus in this and all ages to maintain the purity of Christianity as it came from the lips of Christ and His inspired Apostles.
At the beginning of the 19th century much had been done and mueh remained undone. Among other things, the Bible, though acknowledged to contain all things necessary to life and godliness, had been practically superseded by human creeds. Religious people, although claiming one God, and to be one body, were practically rent in fragments, bickering in bitter strife. The comparative use- fulness, strength and happiness of any community, state or nation, depends on the unity of its people. Therefore the Master taught that, "A house divided against itself cannot stand ; " and He prayed that all His disciples " might be one ; " and the apostles preached, saying, "Let there be no division among you." These and many similar sentiments, constantly ringing in the ears of all Bible readers, met a cordial response iu similar prayers and teachings, by inany of the most pious of modern times. Prominent among them were A. Campbell, of Virginia, a student from Glasgow; Walter Scott, of Pennsylvania, a graduate of Edinburgh, and W. B. Stone, of Kentucky, a Presbyterian minister of learning aud piety. About 60 years ago, but without each other's knowledge, they began with remarkable unanimity to urge the importance and necessity of the union of all Christians, on the Bible alone as the rule of Faith and Practice. It was not long till many more of like learning and piety became their companions in labor and trials, tending to so glorious a consummation. That such a restoration of primitive union, practice and life, should meet the opposition of any God fearing-people, is a little remarkable. But the strong cry of "Heresy " and " Campbell- ism," was heard long and loud, and has searcely ceased to be heard along the lines of the hard contested battles for the truth. They did not shun investigation, but submitted their principles to the in- vestigation in private and public discussion of the most learned op- ponents of nearly every branch of Protestantism, as well as to Catholics and Infidels. All this opposition seemed only to loosen the rubbish, and settle the divine structure of primitive days more firmly upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself becoming the chief corner-stone. These people, uuder the blessing of God, have been pushing their heavenly claims for nearly 60 years, and it may be a subject of interest to the readers of this book to know something of their present condition. The membership in the United States is about 600,000, besides a considerable num- ber in Canada, England and Australia, and with missions in France, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand and Turkey. The mission fund, home and forcign, last year was about $113,000. The publications
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
of the church, besides many books, are ten well edited weeklies, eight monthlies and a large circulation of Sunday School literature for the children. There are twenty-six colleges and universities, with an aggregate endowment of $1,182,320, and college property worth $1,700,000. These institutions have educated in part or wholly, 46,744 students, and 3,226 last year in school.
The principles of the church began to be urged in this county in 1833-34 by Elder John Storm. He was joined by Elder B W. Henry, in 1836, and the same year by Elder Tobias Grider from Indiana. Elder John W. Tyler, now of Decatur, then of the south- ern part of Macon county, greatly assisted the pioneers of this county. They labored together and separately, publicly and from house to house at manual labor for the support of their families, and in the ministry for the good of others Their claims for the Bible alone as the rule of faith and practice provoked great oppo- sition from the defenders of human creeds. Their plea for the union of all God's people in one body and under one Lord, greatly displeased the lovers of party. But believing the truth worthy of a fair hearing all opposition was met with an open Bible, appealing to the law and to the testimony. They taught that to become a mem- ber of the church now, no more and no less should be required thian in the primitive church. That to be a Christian the apostles re- quired men to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, repent of their sins and obey the gospel, believing that if man did what God required him on the human side, He would perform all that He promised on the divine side. Such persons accepting Christ as their Saviour and leader were called Christians, disciples, etc., and any other than Scripture names would be dishonorable to their Leader. They were often called "Campbellites," but as often re- jected it, reasoning that human things might be called by human names, but spiritual things by divine names. They further plead that the Church of Christ is not a sect but a divine institution, authorized by Jesus Christ, the living Head, and established by His inspired apostles. If man can submit to a human creed he can to a divine creed. If men can be united by human bonds of fellow- ship, much more can they by the Scripture bond of fellowship. They urged that to be religious it is not necessary to be partizan, and that man can be a Christian without being sectarian. The offices in the Church are also designated by the Scriptures. with careful description of the qualifications and duties of the officers, They were inclined to reject the speculations of Trinitarians and the dogmas of Unitarians, holding, that upon a subject so far beyond man's comprehension it became him to speak in the language of the Holy Spirit. They urged the disciples to meet on the first day of the week to break bread as was the custom of Christians under apos- tolic teaching, and that they should faithfully observe all things that the Lord or His apostles have commanded, maintaining unity of faith with the utmost liberty of opinion. This people by no means reject the great work done by Luther, Wickliffe, Calvin, Wesley, and other men of God, who have done so much to render it possible for us to occupy and enjoy so much of the pure gospel of apostolic days. Nor should it be thought that every error has been dismissed or that all truth has been gained, but the appeal should ever be to the divine standard as God our Father gave it in the open Bible.
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