USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 30
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The present membership is about forty families, almost all living in the country surrounding the little town. The church, though a frame building, is of strong material, 70x40 fect, and has a niee and substantial appearanee.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
BY W. F. RICHARDSON .*
Every innovation on the established ideas and eustoms of a na- tion or community must meet with mueh opposition, and succeed, if at all, only by the most determined and persistent efforts.
Even truth itself is not secure against the prejudices and jealous mistrust of those who are wedded to an error that has become ven- erable through age and general aceeptanee. Every advance in science, art or religion, has been made in the face of a host of oppo- sers ; some of whom wholly misconeeived its character and design, while others fought it from zeal for the traditions of the fathers, and others, still, from a preference for popular error over unpopu- lar truth.
Especially is this true of religious progress. Any new religious doctrine, whether true or false, is viewed with great jealousy, and attacked with strong denunciation, by those who have imbibed doctrines sanetioned by many generations of pious ancestors. Luther, Calvin, and Wesley, like all other great reformers, had no easy path to tread in leading men into the elearer light of God's holy truth.
A modern example of this prejudice against religious novelty is seen in the history of that religions body known as the " Christian Church," or " Diseiples of Christ."
Refusing to wear any other name than that applied by the in- spired writers of God; recognizing the authority of the saered Scriptures alone, in all matters of faith and discipline ; and pre-
* Especial thanks are due from the writer to Elder A. D. Northentt, for valnable information and assistance in the preparation of this sketch.
14
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
senting to the world the novel plea of the union of all Christians upon " the foundation of the apostles and prophets," by discarding all human names, creeds, and tests of fellowship-thus restoring the primitive and apostolie Christianity ; it could not be otherwise than that many, who had been trained to revere the ereeds and churches of their fathers, should strenuously oppose a movement that seemed to them a complete subversion of their cherished sys- tems of faith and worship.
Henee it was, that the first preachers of this order met with a prompt repulse, or a cold welcome, at best, from many sincere Christian people, who were only zealous for what they considered the true interests of the kingdom of Christ.
Christian county was no exception to the general rule. For several years, the preachers of the Christian Church were looked upou by many as perverters of the gospel, and disturbers of the peace of Zion ; and the doors of churches and school-houses were closed against them, and communities warned to shun their deadly heresies. In some cases, the opposition assumed the shape of abuse, and such appellations as "Campbellites," and even " water-dogs," were contemptuously applied to them by some who thought that calumuy and ridicule were proper weapons to use iu religious con- troversy. In the midst of all this harsh treatment, however, these men of God met with much kindness at the hands of very many good people, who, though they held to a different religious faith, were yet too full of the love of God to maltreat any one, who was seeking honestly to proclaim His holy word.
In short, the experience of these men is identical with that of the pioneers of every religious faith ; and the story of the labors and hardships of one, would be equally true of all. To work hard from Monday uutil Saturday on the farm, and on Sunday to ride on horse-back ten or twenty miles, to fill an appointment at some school-house or log-cabin, returning to the work of the field at day- light Monday morning, was an every week affair with many of them. Hard labor and generous sacrifice was then the common lot of all.
Probably the first preacher of the Christian Church to visit this county was W. P'. Bowles, or " Wat " Bowles, as he was familiarly called, whose home was in Logan county.
In the summer of 1842, he was invited by Elder White, a Bap- tist minister, to assist him in a meeting at a union meeting-house on Mosquito creek, in the north-east corner of the county. Elder Bowles came, in obedience to the invitation, but was denied the privilege of speaking in the church. He thereupon repaired to a grove near by. and preached to a large congregation ; and again, the following day, at the dwelling of A. D. Northcutt, at that time a member of the Baptist Church. At the close of the second ser- mon, three persons were immersed, one of whom was the late James Sanders, well known throughout the county.
In the fall, Elder Bowles returned to that neighborhood and held a short meeting, which resulted in the organization of a congrega- tion of nine members, three of whom are still living, viz., G. T. Fletcher and wife, now of Decatur, and Elder A. D. Northcutt. From this small beginning, grew, in a few years, a flourishing con- gregation, which at one time numbered over 200 members.
This congregation, known as the Mosquito Creek Church, after some years gave up its organization, and divided itself among the surrounding congregations, of which there were several within a radius of a few miles.
In 1818, Elder Northentt, then living at. Shelbyville, began to make frequent visits to Taylorville, where he preached in the court- house, and occasionally in the school house, or the M. E. Church. These visits were continued until 1853, when the congregation at
that place was organized, and for many years Elder N. continued to preach to them with considerable regularity.
In the spring of 1853, Elder Northcutt moved to Prairieton township, where he still resides, aud for several years was almost incessantly engaged iu preaching the gospel, and organizing con- gregations in this and adjoining counties.
Among others, churches were established near the present site of Randallville, and at Bolivar, a few miles west of Mt. Auburn. Both of these were were finally absorbed by the Blue Mound and Mt. Auburn congregations.
Elder Northcutt was likewise employed for one year as county Evangelist, by a co-operation of the churches throughout the county. Indeed, a history of the Christian Church, during this period, would be little more than a sketch of his labors and their results. These were very busy years with him, as he was almost alone in the work of preaching the faith he held. But, at last, other laborers came to his assistance, and the work grew in propor- tions under their combined labors.
In 1856 (?) elder A. C. McCollum organized a congregation in Loeust school-house, a half mile uorth of the present site of Owaneco; and a few years later, elder John W. Tyler, of Macon county, established the Sanders church, in the extreme northern part of the county.
Besides the ministers already named in this sketch, elders John F. England, John Wilson, Thomas Cully, William Vanhooser, A. J. Kane, C. T. Cole, E. C. Weekly and Wm. M. Brown, labored to a greater or less extent at different points; and the following addi- tional congregations were organized :- Liberty, Mt. Auburn, Pana, South Fork, Edinburg, Palmer, Assumption and Salem. Of these, all except Palmer still retain their organizations. The church at that point built a good house of worship, but lost it in a few years by the foreclosure of a mortgage, and soon ceased to be.
The present number of congregations of the Christian Church in this county is ten, viz : - Assumption, E linburg, Liberty, Mt. Auburn, Owanceo, Pana, Salem, Sanders, South Fork and Taylor- ville.
The Owaneco, Pana and Salem congregations have uo houses of worship.
The aggregate membership of these churches is over 900, and the value of their church property about $14,000. The aggregate seat- ing capacity of their houses of worship is 2400.
There are four ministers of the Christian Church now living in this county, who are regularly employed. in the work of preaching the gospel. They are A. D. Northeutt, C. T. Cole, S. R. Willson and W. F. Richardson.
The crying need of the churches of this order in Christian county is regular pastoral labor. For lack of it many of them are languish- ing, and without it, some of them must soon die.
With the numbers and financial ability they possess, a far more laudable work might be accomplished than has yet characterized their history as a religious people.
ASSUMPTION CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The history of the Christian Church in Assumption dates from the fall of 1870, when elder J. M. Morgan held a meeting in the Baptist Church, and baptized several persons These, with a few who were already members of this order, in all numbering twenty, continued for several years to meet frequently on the Lord's day, to attend to the Lord's Supper, and hear the preaching of the gospel hy J. M. Morgan and A. D. Northcutt.
In the spring of 1874, a congregation was organized, numbering twenty-five members, and, with the view of building a house of wor-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ship, D. J. Watson, Dr. S. M. Benepe, and J. J. Benepe, were ap- pointed trustees. This undertaking, however, was not carried out till the following year.
In October, 1875, their house was begun, and was completed in January, 1876, elder N. S. Haynes, of Decatur, dedicating it on the second Lord's day of that month. The building, which is surrounded by a handsome grove of maples, is a substantial frame, measuring 36x54 feet, the ceiling being 18 feet, and the spire 85 feet in height. It is neatly finished within, the walls and ceiling being white, the wood-work grained, and the aisles and pulpit carpeted. There is a baptistery under the pulpit, dressing-rooms at the side, a large bell, and a good cabinet organ.
The entire cost of building and grounds, complete and ready for use, was $3800. The seating capacity of the building is 325. The dedication of this church was followed by an interesting revival which resulted in adding 17 to the congregation, bringing its num- ber up to 41. During this meeting, the organization of the church was completed by the election and ordination of W. P. Mauzy and D. J. Watson as elders, and William Abbott, Dr. S. M. Benepe and John J. Benepe as deacons. On the 30th of January a Sunday- school was organized, which has increased in numbers and interest till the present time.
From this time forward, the growth of the church was rapid and . uninterrupted. O. Q. Oviatt and J. O. Henry filled the pulpit of the church during the spring and summer of 1876, and in October, elder Geo. F. Adams added 17 members, in a protracted meeting.
During the following year (1877), F. M. Guinn preached regu- larly at Assumption for about three months, and was succeeded by elder A. D. Northcutt. In October of this year, the congregation held a revival of 30 days, conducted by ckler D. P. Henderson, and resulting in the addition of 13 persons to the church. During this meeting, the official board of the congregation was increased in number, by the addition of J. R. Milligan as elder, and L. T. Wat- kins and S. M. Coonrod as deacons. At the same time E. E. Cowperthwait was ordained to the work of the Christian ministry.
Throughout the following year (1878), A. D. Northcutt and E. E. Cowperthwait preached regularly for the church, and frequent additions were made to its membership. During September of this ycar, the church held its annual revival mecting, assisted by elder W. F. Richardson, which increased by 13 the membership of the congregation.
In March, 1879, W. F. Richardson was called to the pastoral charge of this church, and is now in his second year's labor in that capacity.
The aggregate membership of this church since its organization is 138, and its present membership 112.
Its Sunday-school numbers 90, with four officers and nine teachers. J. M. Birce is the efficient superintendent, and A. G. Chilton, secretary.
EDINBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCHI.
It was not far from the year 1856, that the above-named congre- gation was organized by Elder A. D. Northcutt. It numbered 30 members, and chose as clders, B. F. Stokes and B. K. Prater.
In 1872, a house of worship was built, at a cost of $2,500, having a seating capacity of 400.
In April, 1875, it was blown over during a severe wind storm, but was rebuilt at once, at a cost of $1,200.
Since its organization this church has employed, in pastoral labor, A. C. McCollum, E. C. Weekly, J. Logan, Samuel Williams and J. H. Matthews; and, as evangelists, S. B. Lindsley, -- Colston and W. A. Mallery.
For two years past, Elder John L. Wilson, of Maeon county, has preached for this congregation, with the most satisfactory results.
The present membership is 120. B. K. Prater, S. D. Matthews, T. J. Prater and J. M. Chandler compose the eldership ; and R. K. Johnson and Elisha Prater are deacons.
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN CHURCHI.
In the spring of 1853, Elder A. D. Northcutt settled in Prairie- ton township, and began at once to preach in the school-houses in the vicinity, and in the dwellings of his neighbors. The only members of the Christian Church in the neighborhood at that time were himself and wife, and Stephen Workman.
In 1854, a congregation of nine members was organized in a log school-house on Flat Branch, Stephen Workman being chosen as elder, and S. B. Workman as deacon.
About 1860 a house of worship was built at a cost of over $2,000. It is situated about three miles south-west of Moawequa, near the banks of Flat Branch creek, and surrounded by fine forest trees. The building, however, has not been kept in good repair, and now presents a very dilapidated appearance.
There have been upwards of 400 names on the roll of this con- gregation, since its organization, many of whom have moved to the western states and territories, and helped to form new churches therc. The Christian Church at Friendville, Nebraska, is composed of members from this organization.
The present membership of Liberty Church is 157. George Bil- yeau and A. B. Lawrence are the elders, and Michael Workman and William Robinson, deacons.
A. D. Northcutt is the only minister this church has ever em- ployed, in regular pastoral labor. He is at present preaching there one-half of his time.
Protracted meetings have been held there by W. T. Maupin, J. W. Houston and S. A. Willson.
MT. AUBURN CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
In 1863, several members of the Christian Church living in and around Mt. Auburn, began meeting for worship occasionally in the school-house at that point.
In 1866, they succeeded in building a house of worship, at a cost of $2,200. It is a frame structure, 36 by 50 fect in dimensions.
In 1869, the congregation, then numbering about forty, com- pleted its organization by the selection of C. T. Cole, Ira Ellis and Paul Smith as elders ; and William Young and James Evans as deacons.
For several years following its organization, the Mt. Auburn church enjoyed the regular labors of Elder John W. Tyler and A. D. Northcutt, with occasional visits from John L. Wilson, John England, Dr. John Hughes, Dr. John Engle, and E. C. Weekly. At a later date, C. T. Cole and Alfred Lewis preached at that point for three years.
The present officers of the congregation are C. T. Cole, elder, and Levi Sherman and James W. Stobaugh, deacons.
The nominal membership of the church is 150; but as it has not met for worship for nearly two years, unless a revival soon take place there, the Mt. Auburn Christian Church will be a thing of the past.
PANA CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
In the year 1869, elder J. O. Henry, of Vandalia, organized a Christian Church of 18 members, at a school-house two miles south- east of Pana.
J. II. Dawdy was chosen elder; and J. B. King and G. B. King, deacons.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
In 1874, the place of meeting was changed to Lawrence's hall, in Pana ; and again in June, 1878, to the City Hall, where the church still assembles for worship. The present officers are :- J H. Dawdy and Griffith Evans, elders ; J. F. Miller and Richard Couch, deacons ; Charles Dawdy, elerk. The membership is now 47.
Among the Christian ministers who have preached at various times in Pana, are A. D. Northcutt, B. W. Henry, J. O. Henry, A. C. McCollum, B. B. Tyler, J. M. Morgan, N. S. Haynes, Wil- liam Vanhooser, J. Carroll Stark, and B. R. Gilbert, who is now preaching for the church there once a month.
This congregation hopes to be able scon to build a house of wor- ship, which, if realized, would very materially advance its influence and growth in the community.
SALEM CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This congregation meets for worship in the Salem school-house, four miles west of Blue Mound. It was organized on the first Lord's day in June, 1879, by elder C. T. Cole. The membership, at that time numbering 14, has now increased to 27.
Ira Ellis is elder of the congregation, and Frank M. Piper and P. C. Ellis, deacons.
Elder Cole has preached regularly for this church since its organi- zation.
SOUTH FORK CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church, located in the eastern part of South Fork township, was organized in September, 1871, by elder A. C. McColhim ; and the following year erected a house of worship, costing $1500, and having a scating capacity of 300.
Silas Matthews, Leason Adams, and Quesy Johnson were the first elders chosen. Among others who have preached for this congrega- tion, are A. C. McCollum, A. D. Northcutt, Samuel Williams, J. B. Royal, A. J. Kane, E. C. Weekly and W. II. Mallery.
This church is at present, and has been for some time, without preaching ; and with 150 names on the church book, has an actual membership of but 25.
The present elders are Leason Adams and John W. Taff.
TAYLORVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
In 1853, elder A. D. Northcutt held a two weeks meeting in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Taylorville, and organized a Christian Church of 35 members. William Singer, B. F. Maupin and J. W. Thompson were chosen elders; and A. J. Sparks and Griffin Evans, deacons.
This congregation occupied the (. P. Church a part of the time till the following year, when a house of worship was built, at a cost of about $2500. This was, at that time, the best church building in the county.
So rapid was the growth of the church at that time, that the con- gregation numbered 150, shortly after the completion of the house of worship. Had harmony and zeal characterized its efforts at this period, a very strong church might have been established in Taylor- ville.
As it was, however, the labors of many good and true men were not enough to counteract the effect of discord and carelessness ; and at the end of twenty years, the church was weaker, instead of stronger, than at the beginning.
Among those who preached for the congregation during there years were A. C. MeCollum, A. D Northcutt, Thomas Cully, John L. Wilson, J. W. Taylor, William M. Brown, A T. Maupin and William Vanhooser.
A few years ago, a wolf in sheep's clothing forwarded the work
of destruction, and the church became thoroughly disorganized, and the members scattered on every hand.
Matters remained thus till December 1st, 1878, when Elder S. R. Willson came to Taylorville to attempt a restoration of the church. The task seemed hopeless at first, but after many months of hard labor there seemed a promise of success. On September 28th, 1879, thirty-three members of the Christian Church entered into a covenant, pledging themselves to more carnest and united labor for Christ, and effected an organization by the selection and ordination of the proper officers. William Frampton, R. P. Lang- ley and W. N. Long were chosen as elders; to whom was after- wards added L. R. Hendricks.
A. S. Thomas, Morgan Milligan, and Joseph Torrence were chosen deacons ; and Mrs. J. A. Tyler, clerk
Elder Willson is now on his second year's labor for the Taylor- ville church, and the growth, though slow, is very perceptible. The congregation now numbers forty ; and though far from strong, either in numbers or wealth, yet the harmony that prevails, and zeal that characterizes the membership, seem to promise better days for the Christian Church in Taylorville.
The Sunday School in connection with this church is thriving in the hands of a corps of efficient officers and carnest teachers. It numbers over one hundred scholars. William Frampton is the superintendent, and Miss Susie L. Harner, secretary.
ROSEMOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
BY REV. CHIAS. T. DERING.
Christian county has never had but one Congregational Church, and this is located at Rosemond
A colony, mainly of Massachusetts people, began a settlement on the prairies of this township in January, 1856. Almost without exception they were people of religious faith and habits, and it was their determination to establish Christian worship and ordinances as soon as possible.
The first Sunday the colony spent in the settlement was observed by divine services in the only house which was then built, and cach Sunday thereafter services were held, members of the colony taking turns in conducting them.
Early in the Spring of the same year, the whole congregation organized themselves into a Sunday School, which held its session immediately after the usual morning service. Mr. O. M. Hawkes was superintendent. The following summer, Rev. Joseph Gordon, of Alton Presbytery, came to the settlement once a month and preached, with the exception of two Sundays, when services were conducted by visiting ministers ; this was all the assistance received previous to the organization of the church.
The majority of the colony had previously been members of Congregational churches ; hence they preferred this form of govern- ment.
September 7th, 1856, the church was organized. Rev. A. T. Norton, of Alton Presbytery, was the only minister present, and presided. Twenty two persons entered into covenant as follows :
Debby A. Hawley, from Congregational Church, Sunderland, Mass. Brainard Smith, 66
Mrs. Nancy O. Smith, 66
= Rupes Russel, =
6 4
Edward S. Hill, from 13th Street Presbyterian Church, N Y. City. Mrs. Catharine M. Hill, "
Orlando M. Hawkes, from Congregation'l Church, Charlemont, Mass. Mrs Debby A. Hawkes, 66
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
John Putnam, from Congregational Church, Hinsdale, Mass. Mrs. Flora Putnam, 60 Ophelia M. Putnam, 66 ..
Silas S. Clapp, from Presbyterian Church, Canal Dover, Ohio. Mrs. Lucy A. Clapp,
Timothy L. Bacon, Mrs. Catharine Bacon,
66 66
Abram Groesbeck, from Congregat'l Church Grand Rapids, Mich. Mrs. Orinda Groesbeck,
Benjamin R. Hawley, from 1st Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. H. R. Hawley, 66
Mrs. Menuda K. Marvin,
John E. Guild on profession.
Emma L. Mason,
Soon after the organization, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin E. Warner were received to membership by letters from the Congregational Church of Hinsdale, Mass.
O. M. Hawkes and Brainard Smith were chosen deacons, and Edward S. Hill, clerk.
In October of the same ycar the church connected itself with the Morgan Conference of Congregational Churches, which has since become the Southern Congregational Association of Illinois.
The church has always held to the faith and principles of the Pilgrims, who landed from the Mayflower in Dec. 1620, and cstab- lished the first Congregational church in America.
The church is governed by the following
PRINCIPLES OF POLITY.
1. All principles of Congregational polity are derived from the New Testament.
2. A church is a company of Christians associated for communion in the gospel ordinances and for the promotion of the Christian faith, having no superior but Christ.
3. The Church of Christ has but one spiritual order of persons.
4. The officers of a church are bishops (ealled also pastors) and deacons.
5. Congregational churches entrust no ecclesiastical power to their officers.
6. A church has power,-
(1.) To choose its own officers.
(2.) To admit or exclude its own members.
(3.) To adopt its own crced.
(4.) To arrange the details of its own worship.
(5.) To choose its own methods of religious and benevolent work.
7. Churches may unite in associations or conferences for purposes of mutual assistance and edifieation ; but all decisions of ecclesias- tieal bodies have only a moral power over the churches.
In February, 1857, the church ealled for its first minister, Rev. William C. Merritt, who labored here until February, 1861 ; he continued to live in Rosemond until 1866, when he removed to Dallas City, Illinois. In 1870, he removed to California, where he has since resided. Under his ministry the church grew rapidly, and 44 members were added.
Mr. Merritt was born at St. Clairville, Ohio, November 14th, 1814. Graduated at Illinois College in 1842, and at the same Theo- logical Seminary in 1845 ; was ordained by the Illinois (now Quin- cy) Association at Mendon, in May, 1846. IIe married Mary L. Carter, a native of Connecticut. They have four children living.
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