USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 27
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And although they have met with severe reverses, yet, with the blessing of Almighty God, they have gradually taken stronger hold, and the little seed that was planted there more than forty years ago by Rev. J. M. Bone, under the most unfavorable circum- stances, has not only sprung up, but we trust is bearing fruit, to the honor and glory of God an hundred-fold.
About the year 1861 or 1862, Rev. C. T. Linxwiler located in this county, and operated very acceptably and successfully, and mainly through his instrumentality on September 13th, 1869, a congregation of thirty-seven members was organized near where the town of Palmer is now located, known as the Palmer congregation ; Rev. J. C. Hamilton assisted in the organization. A. Boyd, H. C. Johnson, A. E. Boyd and W. W. Elkin were chosen elders, and Joseph H. Boyd, deaeon. Revs. Linxwiler and Hamilton supplied them with ministerial services until probably the spring of 1871, when it appears that Rev. D. R. Bell took pastoral charge of the con- gregation, and served them until the spring of 1873, at which time the writer took charge of the congregation and located in the town of Palmer, preaching for them each alternate Sabbath, until the fall of 1875, when the congregation built a neat and comfortable house of worship, costing about $1800, and dedicated it to Almighty God, January 23d, 1876.
Rev. J. B. Young supplied the congregation with preaching dur- ing the spring and summer of 1876, after which they were supplied
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
with the word and ordinances by Rev. W. W. M. Barber, until the spring of 1878, when again the writer served them a short time after which Rev. J. W. Nichodemus was pastor of the congregation for one year. Since the fall of 1878, they have been but partially supplied with preaching.
During the short history of this congregation it has enjoyed many precious seasons of grace, and through God she has been blessed as the means of the conversion of scores of immortal souls. Yet by removals and deaths, &c., their membership does not now exceed forty. But with an earnest effort on their part, and the blessing of God, there is yet for them a brighter day, and reasons for encouragement and renewed consecration.
The Morrisonville congregation at Morrisonville was organized by Rev. D. R. Bell, January 8th, 1871. R. M. Young, Wm. Ho- ver and W. N. Bell were chosen elders.
Rev. D. R. Bell took pastoral charge of this congregation, and continued his ministerial services with them until the spring of 1873. During his stay with them they built a small house of worship, costing them about $800.
In the spring of 1873, the writer took pastoral charge of this congregation, in connection with his work in Palmer, giving to cach of them half his time, for one year or morc.
In the spring of 1876, the writer located in Morrisonville, and has continued his services with them up to this date. In addition to these organizations we have members living in different parts of the county urgently calling for the means of grace at the hand of Cumberland Presbyterian ministers, and could we have devoted ministers sufficient to occupy the field, there might soon be congre- gations organized in various parts of the county.
I cannot close this brief sketch without giving a synopsis of the theological position that we occupy as a branch of the church of Christ; and thereby answer the oft-repeated inquiry : What is the difference between the Cumberland Presbyterians and other branches of the great Presbyterian family ?
We claim to be neither Calvinistic nor Arminian, occupying as we claim and believe, a middle ground between the two extremes of Calvinism, on the one hand, and Arminianism on the other.
We understand they substantially agree on the doctrine of general depravity and salvation by grace. In this we agree with them.
With Arminians, we believe in a full and free atonement for all men, and that all men may be saved if they will.
With Calvinists, we believe in the final perseverance of the saints, based on the sovereignty of God and the agency of man combined. In fact, we believe that the Bible system of theology, as held by Cumberland Presbyterians, contains all that is good in both Arminianism and Calvinism, and none of the objectionable parts of cither.
In our system we have the truc relations and just proportion of the supreme and subordinate ageney, thereby having agency as free as can be in the Arminian system, and certainly as perfect as can be in the Calvinistie, without the uncertainty of the one and the fatality of the other.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
BY BEV. ISAAC A. WILSON.
The first minister of the Associate Reformed Church who preached in Christian county was John B. Clark, a licentiate of the Second Associate Presbytery of Ohio, one Sabbath in July, 1852, preaching in Taylorville in the morning, and at the house of John Waddell in the evening. In the following autumn, the county was visited by Revs. Thomas Drennen and .I. M. Gordon, each preaching on
Sabbath. In June, 1853, Rev. Joseph Clokey, of St. Clair, Pa., preached on Sabbath, and organized a Sabbath-school of twenty scholars, and baptized one child, Samuel Clokey Waddell, son of John and Ann E. Waddell. After this, Rev. S. Millen preached one Sabbath.
In June, 1854, Rev. Joseph Clokey visited this locality, preached one Sabbath, and organized a congregation of thirteen members, whose names we here record : "John Waddell and his wife, Ann E; Elijah Waddell and his wife, Ruth Ann; Archibald Waddell and his wife, Eliza; James Shaw and his wife, Mabel; Josiah Waddell, Elenor Tedlie, Andrew Orr and his wife, Anna, and Samuel Orr. One infant was baptized. John Waddell was chosen and ordained ruling elder. Mr. Waddell still lives in the enjoy- ment of health and the exercise of this office, taking an active part in the work of the church ; but time is making an impression upon him. Rev. S. Millen visited them in the summer, and broke unto them the bread of life one day. Late in the fall, W. W. Waddell, a graduate of Muskingum College, and of the A. R. Theological Seminary of Allegheny, a licentiate, came to supply a few Sabbaths; but in the mysterious, yet wise dispensation of God's providence, lie was taken with typhoid fever, and in twelve days, Jan. 13th, 1855, his earthly course terminated. He was peculiarly well fitted for the work that seemed to lie before him, being a good scholar, affable in manners, much devoted to the cause, well-disciplined, and a good musician. Just two weeks previous to this, Elijah Waddell, one of the original members, was suddenly called away by death. As he was an excellent and worthy man, the little flock became much disheartened, and for nearly two years there was only three or four days' preaching.
In June, 1857, Rev. Dr. Clokey dispensed the Supper at the house of Robert Matthews, when the following persons were received by certificate : Joseph M. Long and his wife, Sarah A., Saralı J. Long, Rebecca A. Long, Mary E. Long, Robert II. Long, and William G. Henry and his wife, Sarah, from the congregation of Le Claire, Pa., and Robert Matthews aud his wife, Elizabeth, James Waddell and his wife, Ruth, from West Virginia, by certificate, and then by examination and profession of faith. Joseph M. Long having been acting ruling elder in St. Clair congregation, he was asked to continue to exercise its functions and duties in this congregation. In this office he still exercises great prudence, wisdom and Christian zeal and fidelity.
During the summer of 1857, a church-building was put up ready for the plastering. From June until October of the following year, the congregation was supplied occasionally by Revs. Aten, Young and Benj. Waddell, of New Concord, Ohio, who remained two or three Sabbaths, dispensing the Lord's Supper in the new church, at which time six persous were received to membership by certificate.
On May 25th, 1858, the union, which had been under negotiations for nearly twenty five years, was happily consummated at Pittsburg, Pa. The united church is known as the United Presbyterian Church of North America. The congregation of which we write had been under the care of the First Associate Reformed Presby- tery of Illinois; but in consequence of the union it was necessary to reorganize the Presbyteries, and the Synod of Illinois, at its meeting held at Monmouth, October, 1858, formed a new Presby- tery, called the Presbytery of Bloomington, which includes in its bounds what is known as the United Presbyterian congregation of Spring Creek. During the following year, the community was favored with some excellent preaching, as the record of names shows, Revs. W. G. Waddell, Jos Clokey, J. K. Black and W. C. Pollock. Rev. W. II. Jeffers preached May, 1860. Rev. W. C. Pollock dispensed the Supper in June; and for one year the follow-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ing are recorded as preachers: Revs. H. McHatton, M. Clark, Jas. Sawhill, Robert McCraeken and W. R. Erskine; the latter dis- peusing the Supper. At these two communion seasons, eight were received by certificate, and eight by examination and profession. During this summer Revs. John Jemison and W. H. Blair preached a few Sabbaths, and Rev. E. B. Calderhead two Sabbaths in Octo- ber, dispensing the Supper, at which time three were received to membership. Until 1864 the pulpit was supplied by a number of different ministers, among whom were Revs. E. A. Brownlee, Thos. Stevenson, William Morrow, George A. Hutchison, John H. Brown, and occasionally a day by Rev. Dr. Clokey. In the spring of 1864 a call was made out, addressed to J. H. Brown, a licentiate of Mon- mouth Presbytery, asking that he take the pastoral oversight of the congregation ; but he declined. The following autumn Rev. N. H. Brown, of Chicago Presbytery, dispensed the Supper Sept. 25th. Two were received by certificate to membership. Rev. J. P. Chambers preached in the winter, and moderated in a call Nov. 24th, asking Rev. N. H. Brown to become pastor. In this effort to secure a settled pastor, the congregation was successful. Mr. Brown commenced his labors in this new relation May 7th, 1865. This was followed by an accession of nine to the communion of the church in that year. During the fall of 1866, two additional ruling elders were elected, George Patterson and W. F. Boyd, and on Nov. 18th were ordained and installed. The pastorate of Rev. N. H. Brown lasted nearly four years, his labors ending with March, 1869. During this time thirty-seven members were added, and thirty-one dismissed, leaving about forty-six members. There was but one death, that of James K. Graham. The organization of a congrega- tion at Pana was the cause of so many dismissals during 1866.
From March, 1869, until October, 1872, there was preaching occasionally. Rev. J. V. Pringle, of Pana, began his labors as stated supply, preaching every third Sabbath until October, 1876. There was then little, if any, preaching until May of the following year, when Rev. Isaac A. Wilson, of the U. P. Presbytery of Ne- braska, was directed by the superintendent of missions of Bloom- ington Presbytery to visit Spring Creek congregation, and ascertain their wants and desires, and what they wished to do for the support of divine ordinances. He preached on May 13th, and on the 27th efforts were put forth to ascertain the amount that could be raised for preaching half time in connection with Pana. This resulted in a subscription promising $320.
About the first of July, the congregation saw fit to ask Rev. Wilson to remain for one year as stated supply half time. Some time in July preaching was appointed at Willey's Station on the Wabash R. R. The audience, so far as numbers were concerned, was not flattering; but an appointment was made for that day four weeks. It was afterwards decided to preach every alternate Sab- bath, in connection with Spring Creek. In both, the audiences have increased in numbers and interest ever since. The latter has a Sabbath-school of nearly 100 scholars; the former about 80. John N. Waddell is superintendent of the Sabbath-school at Wil- ley, and Benj. E. Waddell at Spring Creek, the latter conducting the singing in both places. Both are well qualified for these duties. From 1872 to October, 1876, four were received to membership in the church. From May 13th, 1877, to the present, April 8th, 1880, two have been received by profession and examination, and three by certificate, and four dismissed by certificate. Peace and good-will prevail throughout its bounds. The attendance is prompt ; the musie good. There are many very excellent citizens and good Christian brethren of other denominations who worship with them, and assist in all the church-work .. Such hearty, open handed cha- rity and kindly sympathy should not go unmentioned. It will
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most certainly be abundantly blessed. The congregation have just been making an effort to have preaching every Sabbath, and have pledged for its support about $600. They feel hopeful for the future. Messrs. John Waddell, Joseph M. Long, George Patterson and Benjamin E. Waddell constitute the session at this writing. Isaac A. Wilson continues stated supply. John N. Waddell is treasurer. The present membership is thirty-six. Since its organ- ization six names have been erased from the roll. In fourteen years, ending April, 1880, there are but nine deaths, and since 1865 sixteen weddings.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION AT PANA.
The first account of preaching here, as found upon the records, was June 22d, 1866, by Rev. W. R. Erskine, at which time the con- gregation was organized by the election and installation of two rul- ing elders, R. D. Murry and Preston Faught. Who the original members were the records do not show. But we may record the fol- lowing as a part: John Murry and wife, R. D. Murry, William Murry and wife, Maggie J. Florence, Elenor Y. Finly, Elizabeth McNary, Sarah E. Herdman, Preston Faught and others. There was, no doubt, preaching by others previous to this, but the above is all the records speak of. After this, Rev. N. K. Crow preached for one year or more as stated supply. December received to mem- bership six by certificate and two by examination and profession, also elected one additional ruling elder, William White, who being previously ordained, was invited to aet with the session. During the same fall a meeting of session was held, at what is known as Buckeye, where preaching was held occasionally, and received to membership by examination and profession two and by certificate thirteen, most of whom were from the United Presbyte- rian congregation of Spring Creek.
A meeting of the congregation was held Friday, March 29th, 1867, to take action in relation to the crection of a church building, and attend to any other business that could come regularly before the mecting. We are then left in the dark until June 7th, of the fol- lowing year when we read of John C. Truesdale dispensing the Lord's Supper among them, Twoare received to membership by examination and profession. Mrs. McElhany, wife of David MeElhany, is the first adult who received baptism. Preaching was supplied them pretty regularly, so far as we can learn, yet but little was done toward the erection of the church until Rev. J. V. Pringle's presence among them. He commenced his labors, as supply, in the latter part of July. Andrew Gaily was chosen ruling elder, and October 23d, was installed.
Rev. J. V. Pringle was installed pastor April 13th, 1869, when eighteen persons were received to membership, ten by certificate and eight by examination and profession. September 17th, four re- ceived to membership. During the year 1870, six were received to membership. During the following year four received certificates to connect with another denomination, and four were added to the membership. May, 1872, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, of the United Presbyterian congregation of Barlow, Washington county, Ohio, was received on certificate and sixteen by examination and profession.
C. M. Espy was chosen ruling elder, January 25th, and ordained and installed March 6th. May 3d, W. F. Boyd, formerly of Spring creek session, was chosen, and June 26th was installed ment- ber of session.
February 23d, we first read of session meeting at the " United Presbyterian Church." In the meantime vigorous efforts were put forth, and a subscription of $4,000 or $5,000 was secured, and by personal solicitations of Rev. Pringle, in different parts of the church, $2,000 additional were secured, and with this the church
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
was ereeted. The house, when completed, cost $9,500, and when entered there were over $2,000 indebtedness on it.
It is a fine superstructure, well and tastefully furnished. It is a neat Gothie briek building ; the walls are niecly frescoed ; and heated by furnaces, it is quite comfortable summer and winter, and is an ornament to the city of Pana. In 1872, the northern winds seemed to blow rather rudely, and accessions were not as desired. In the following year, three were received by examination and five by certificate. In 1874, six were received to membership. But the " new version of the Psalms" did not prove a balm for all their wounds. The pastoral relation between Rev. Pringle and the con- gregation was dissolved by the Presbytery, February 20th, 1877. From this action Mr. Pringle dissented, and gave notice of an appeal to Synod. The congregation, with about $1,800 of indebted- ness, were left vacant. Isaac A. Wilson appeared among them May 12th, and preached the 20th, supplying every alternate Sabbath to the present writing (April 9th, 1880).
The debt was entirely removed in less than one year by the as- sistance of kind friends, and the Board of Church Extension of the United Presbyterian Church. The Sabbath-school is superintended by I. A. Wilson, when present. The membership has been much reduced by death and removals.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV. OSWALD SNELL.
The history of the Baptist Church in Illinois, like all other churches with the advance of civilization, as " westward the course of empire takes its way:"-is one of rapid development. To go back about fifty years, it will be at once observed that from the smallest beginnings, and most feeble, and sometimes most unpromi- sing efforts to establish churches upon the frontier, the greatest results and most rapid successes have ensued. It would be nseless, and perhaps nninteresting, to go back to the individuals of any particular society, and to trace their first efforts to have preaching service, but as soon as societies are organized they become by their spirit of nuity, aggressive, and of more general interest ; we there- fore propose to mention the time of the first organizations with which the Baptist Churches were connected, and represented by delegates in the county of Christian ; and gradually follow up the progress of others that were the natural outgrowth of those existing about half a century since in this part of the State. We find that the Illinois Baptist Pastoral Union was organized at or about the year 1835. The following ministers were connected with the earlier meet- ings, took part in the organizations, and attended the Union from year to year, and are doubtless remembered by many of our oldest settlers, as their names have been a family word to the present gen- eration as pioneer preachers through the different portions of the State, and laborers in the county of Christian :- Revs. W. F. Boya- kin, John M. Peck, E. Tucker, J. N. Tolman, J. Bulkley, A. Jackson, J. (). Metcalf, (. Harrington, J. L. Thompson, W. D. J. Johnson, G M Riley, S. G. Miner, S. S. Bailey, F. W. Ingmire, (. Greenleaf, S. M. Brown, O. J. Sherman, Norman Parks, Jesse Elledge, R. F. Ellis, J. D. Newell, S. S. Martin, J. W. Denison, Joel Sweet, B. B. Carpenter, Wm. Hobbs, Thomas Powell, Luther Stone, Jacob Bower, L. Raymond, H. G Weston, Wm Gates, D. L. Phillips, J. M. Chapman, Chas. Thompson. Organized about the same time and ever afterward connecting its interests with the Baptist Pastoral Union was the Illinois Baptist Educational Society, whose officers, board of managers, presidents, secretaries and treasurers, were from time to time elected from the brethren of the Union; and both of these societies have been, according to their
ability and development, receiving the support aud co-operation of the Baptist churches in Christian county, and throughont the State of Illinois generally. Delegates were annually sent to represent these churches, state their needs, and seeure laborers for this part of the State. In the year 1840 we find the following churches represented in the Springfield Association, viz :- Springfield, Diamond Grove, Island Grove, Indians Creek, Sangamon Bottom, Lebanon, Clay's Grove, Manchester, Apple Creek, Stonington, Virginia, Big Spring. Jacksonville and Winchester. Stonington Church at this time re- ports nine members, but yet in a few years afterwards it provides a number of the constituent members for the Taylorville Organiz.t- tion. Stonington Church at this time was represented in the Spring- field Association by Samuel Peabody, who was for a number of years the delegate from the church to the association at its annual convening. In the year 1846, we find the name of Rev. Paris Pray, who still resides at Taylorville, sent as a delegate by the Stonington Church to the Springfield Association, and the church at Stonington numbering forty-four members. The following is a copy of the letter sent by the Springfield Association during that year, and will illustrate the spirit of the churches and association for a number of years. "The Springfield Association to the Association with which we correspond : "
Detr Brethren, we hail with pleasure the return of another anni- versary. We have to mourn over onr coldness, and complain that during the past year we have been almost destitute of the reviving in- fluences of the Holy Spirit. Union and harmony prevail, and our inquiry is " Wilt thou not revive us again ?" Although we have not witnessed any special outpouring of the Spirit of God, yet we feel to rejoice that there is at present a spirit of humility and contrition of heart manifested by the churches. Brethren pray for us, that we may arise from our lethargy and shake off the shackles that bind us to the earth, so that we may rise on the wings of faith, lay hold on the horns of the altar and elaim the promises of God. Our sessions have been marked by harmony and interest, and we doubt not a salutary influenee is exerted on the minds of the attentive audience :. We solieit a continnanee of correspondence, and always welcome with joy the presence of your delegates and ministers. That you may know what we are doing for a world that lieth in wickedness, we refer you to our minutes. Now Brethren may the Master of Assemblies be with us all, and may the gentle influence of Ilis Spirit guide us in the ways of truth, that we may glorify Him here in our bodies and spirits which are His. FAREWELL.
Having thus taken a rapid review of the gradual development of the Baptist organizations prior to this time, and their connection with the Churches of Christian county, we come naturally to note the establishment of the Baptist Church in Taylorville. Prior to the organization of the church in Taylorville, a special meeting was held pursuant to previous notice, November 23d, 1848, Rev G. S. Bailey acting as moderator, and Wm. S. Frink acting as clerk. At a special mecting called for November 10, 1848, it was voted that we proceed at this time to organize a Baptist Church, to be called the " Taylorville Baptist Church." Having been fully satisfied that the Baptist Church at Stonington (from which these members came ), cordially assented to this organization, the following brethren and sisters, viz :- Thomas S. Leachman, Josephine Leachman, Julia A. Leachman, William S. Frink, Sarah I. Frink, Sarah A. Frink, Lydia A. Frink, John A. Leachman, Mary E. Leachman, Horace Morgan, Merey A. Morgan and Aaron Behymer, were by Rev. G. S. Bailey and Rev. Paris Pray, recognised as a Baptist Church. On motion, Wm. S. Frink was elected church clerk. It was resolved that the Saturday preceding the second Sabbath in each month shall be the regular covenant and church meeting ; at a meeting
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
held by the church, February 10th, 1849, it was voted that T. S. Leachman and W. S. Frink be a committee to visit the church at Stonington, and confer with them and with any other that they may deem expedient, in relation to supplying this church with preaching a part of the time during the current year, also that J. Il. Leachman and Aaron Behymer be a committee to secure if possible the use of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church edifice for what part of the time it ean be secured. At a regular church meeting held March 10th, 1849, Rev. Paris Pray was called as the first pastor, half of his time to be given to " Taylorville Baptist Church," and the remainder to "South Fork Church."
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