History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 72

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

tinued. No camp meeting iu this county was complete or successful unless he was present. This year there were no trials nor appeals, and the Conference was harmonious. But what was rather extraordinary was the appointment of a committee which made a long and exhaustive report on the Arian, Socinian and Pelagian doctrines. Of course, these heresies were severely handled, although not one per- son in fifty knew or cared anything about them.

In those early times it was not an uncommon thing for the young preacher, when he found himself confused in his sub- ject, to vigorously attack " the five points of Calvinism," set the brush on fire, and ride out by the light the fire created.

The next Conference was held at Cape Girardeau, Mo., Sept. 10th, 1819. Bishop George presided. He had com- menced preaching in 1790 There were at that time 227 Methodist preachers in the United States, 45,949 white and 11,682 colored members. He visited Turkey Hill settle- ment, in St. Clair county, where I heard him preach. He also spent a week in Edwardsville, the guest of Rev. Jonas Randle, and preached at Ebenezer meeting-house. He was a most devout and holy man, of a most tender and loving heart. He rarely preached without shedding tears and deeply affecting his audience. His pure and loving spirit drew every ono with whom he had intercourse towards him.

The Minutes of this Conference show that for the twenty- nine traveling preachers $1410 93 was all the stewards could report for them. The people were poor. There was very little money in the country. It was difficult to get money enough to buy salt and pay taxes. All the farmers were trying to save money enough to enter the lands on which they were living from the General Government. The strictest economy was practiced, and nearly all necessa- ries for family use were raised aud manufactured at home. The people were, however, religious and happy. Regular services were held in all the societies, and several new preach- ing places established in this county. Alexander McAllister was on this circuit.

The next year the Conference was held in St. Clair coun- ty, at Shiloh Camp Ground, Sept. 13, 1820. Four years before, the conference was held at this place with ten preach- ers and two thousand members,-now thirty preachers and eight thousand members. Alexander McAllister, a very talented preacher, was appointed on the circuit.

These pioneer men had proved themselves equal to the necessities of the times. The Methodist Church had become the leading denomination in the county and state. I remem- ber the time and circumstances of this meeting quite well, although a small boy at the time. My father had a tent, or rather a house, on the ground ; it was built of logs, covered with boards, partitioned into several rooms, and quite com- fortable.

I had great reverence for the preachers, and considered the Bishop little less than a divine personage. A number of families from Madison county had camps there, and the meeting continued nearly two weeks. I had never seen anything equal to the excitement of that meeting. At night the camp fires were lighted and the beautiful grounds made

283

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

brilliant. After each sermon, the mourners, as they were called, were invited forward for prayers, and many would come. I had no other idea but that it was the singing and prayers that gave the people religion, and why all did not get it was a wonder to me,-seeing there was so good a chance. It was at this meeting I first heard the word " hallelujah." I have often heard it since, but never with such voice and joy as then. It is a good word when rightly used. My recollection is that over one hundred persons made profession of religion. It was this feature of religious worship in America that excited great wonder in Lamar- tine, who says: "The people will meet iu great numbers in the groves, and stay for days in an exeited state of mind, and professing to get religion."

The married preachers this year received $73.00 each quarter; the single men, $36.50. Jesse Hale was sent to preach for the societies in Madison county. He was rather au eecentric man, and never was married.

Complaints had been made against Brother Hale's man- ner and peculiarities. Ile was very severe in his remarks against fine dress,-although no one was finely dressed here in those days. For a lady to wear a veil or a ribbou on her bonnet, or a ring on her finger, was with him quite enough to exclude her from the church. I have seen him take off his eoat in warm weather and preach in bis shirt sleeves. A committee was appointed to address him on the subject of his eccentricities, and, if possible, tone him down a little. They made, however, but small progress. He was a fair preacher, very conscientious and pious, wholly devoted to his work. He died at the Conference at Nashville in the fall of 1838.

LOCAL PREACHERS.

A very important feature in the early history of the church in Illinois, and largely so in Madison county, was the work and influence of local preachers. Iu many places the local preachers were the right arm of the churches, and notwithstanding they have been derisively termed " ecclesiasti- eal bummers" by a high official in the church, it was by and through them, that the Methodist Church in Illinois took the front rank. They were the first pioneer preachers. Laboring six days in the week, for the maintenance of their families, they had but little time for reading and study. Their sermons lacked the flavor of education, the skill of logie, the subtleties of wit and grace of eloquence, but they had what was better, the flavor of a rich religious experience, earnestness, zeal, practical piety, hacked by a life of true Christian conduct which gave them influence, and the canfi- dence of the people. Learning and talent in the pulpit are of great value, but any minister who expects success on any other line than that of a holy life, and simple fidelity to the teachings of the Great Master will be disappointed ; without the sanction of the Divine Spirit all other endowments and gifts are vain in bringing men to an experience of the truths of the gospel. These men were taught in the Scriptures, and their acquaintance with the writings of Wesley, Watson, Fletcher, Clark and the fathers of the Churches was good, and their labors successful. Without the sacrifices, the labors the influences of these " ecclesiastieal bummers"

the Methodist Church and the cause of religion in Illinois and the West would be far below what we see it to-day. It has been my observation for many years that local preachers were not estimated at their worth and merit Their sermons to be received with equal favor with those of the circuit preachers, had to be superior to them. Their every day life, encumbered with the business, labors, occupations and profes- sions of life, and coming as was often the case in conflict with the opinions and interests of others in their neighborhood, they had to overcome prejudices that itinerant ministers did not meet. Their common oneness in the communities where they lived, their avocations and weaknesses, which a regular minister's life does not make so apparent, tended to lesson that degree of reverence for them, which was felt towards the minister who was rarely seen except in the pulpit. It was also expected of them they should give much more of their time, and means to the church than those who might have more time, and larger means. Fortunately for the church iu Madison and St. Clair counties they had superior advantages in being blest with a large number of those men, most of whom were of deep piety and more than ordi- nary preaching ability. I may mention some of them. Joseph Lilliard, in 1790, James Clark, 1798, who preached in Madison and St. Clair counties. Hosea Rigg, in 1796, Thomas Harrison, 1809. Thomas Talbot, 1810 Benjamin Watts, 1811, Edward and Samuel Mitchell and William Heath 1818, who settled in St. Clair county, and had a mark ed and valuable iufluence, both as citizens and ministers. In Madison county, were John Kirkpatrick, Josias Randle, Benjamin Delaplain, Thomas Randle, Beunett Maxey, Parham Randle, Washington C. Ballard, and a few years later. William Hadley, Richard Randle, Thomas G. Lofton, and Jesse Renfro. I was personally acquainted with all these men except Lilliard and Clark, and have heard them preach. They deserve to be honored and remembered by the church. Richard Randle, now in his 84th year, Jesse Renfro, in his 85th year, William Hadley in his 76th year, alone remain. The others have long since heard the voice of the Master say "come up higher," and have entered into rest, but their names are not forgotten ; their memories and their Christian labors remain to bless the church, and although called " ecclesiastical bummers " by him who should have been the last to apply such an epithet to this worthy class of Christian men, their names and memories will live aud be cherished by thousands after the names of the more learned and pretentious will be forgotten. The occasion and circum- stauees which gave rise to that office in the church and which made local preachers effective in Illinois, seem to have passed away, and they have almost passed away with the necessities which give rise to them. John Dew was ap- pointed to this circuit for 1820-21. He was a plain, rather rough man, in style and address, but a man of extraordinary fine talents.

He became a traveling preacher in 1813, and early ex- hibited those traits of character which made him distin- guished. Of great strength of will and foree of character, with brilliant mind and self-reliance, he occupied for many years a prominent position in the church. No man of his

284

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

time drew more largely or more effectively ou his own mental strength and resources for his pulpit efforts than did he. He was outspoken in his opposition to what he thought wrong in the church or out of it, and had those positive traits of character which make warm friends, and decided opponents. He acted on the theory that fruit-trees needed pruning as well as cultivating, and was a strict adminis- trator of discipline. He and Samuel H. Thompson were neighbors, and a close friendship ever existed between them, although quite unlike in their make up and disposi- tion. While Dew was much the best preacher, Thompson was the most winning and successful. Dew was the most talented of the two, but Thompson was the most popular.

TROY.

This year a Methodist society was organized at the house of John Jarvis, at Troy, where for a time regular preaching was had. Afterward the society constructed a small frame church building, called "Gilead," on section 14, on the premises now belonging to the estate of James Lang. The society grew and prospered, having at one time over a hundred members. Subsequently the society occu- pied a brick school-house, on section 11, near the residence of Rev. Jesse Renfro, who for many years was an effective local preacher and leading member in the church, and who in 1852, was circuit preacher on Edwardsville circuit. In 1876 the members of the Gilead society removed their mem- bership to Troy. The society in Troy was re-organized with seventeen members, and preaching was had there. In 1844 the membership had increased to forty-four. Wm. J. Barns- back was class-leader and steward. In 1864, the society, feeling the necessity of a church building, erected the Jubilee church, a neat frame building on brick foundation, 24x34 feet, with substantial seats, pulpit and bell. The society was materially aided by John C. Dugger and others of Gilead society. This building served the necessities of the society until 1870, when they concluded to build a larger house in a more convenient place, which was done, and a handsome brick church was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Van Winkle, and dedicated by Dr. Peter Cartwright, and was about the last public service of his life. He was then quite feeble, the mere shadow of himself in mind and body. The society was made a station, and at present numbers one hundred and five members, under the pastorate of Rev. T. J. C. Tolle.

1821-2 .- Parham Randle and James Scott were the pastors. I have already spoken of Mr. Randle, who was well and favorably known all over the county. New and additional societies had been formed in the county. I have heard Mr. Scott spoken of very favorably by those personally ac- quainted with him, as an earnest and acceptable preacher. There were many appointments, and but few of the societies had Sabbath preaching, but were supplied with week-day preaching by the circuit preachers, and on Sabbath by the local ministers. In all the societies there were class-leaders, who met their classes weekly. This excellent part of Church polity and religious service is now rarely kept up with any regularity. Then absence from class-meeting three times in

succession, without satisfactory excuses, was deemed good cause of exclusion from church membership. This year (1821) a society was formed at the house of Dempsey Gut- hrie, and a church built on hisland in 1838, called Plea- sant Ridge, and regular services had there until 1844, when the church and society were removed to Collinsville.

1822 .- The Conference of 1822-3 met in St. Louis, Octo- ber 24, 1822. There was no church in St. Louis except a Catholic church. Jesse Walker had commenced a church building on Myrtle street, but it was unfinished. Col. Rufus Easton offered his house for the use of the Conference, which was accepted. Col. Easton was a whole-souled gen- tleman, and made the Conference welcome to an enlarged hospitality. I had the pleasure last year of meeting Col. R. E. Easton, (son of Col. Easton, now and for many years in the United States engineering service, and a graduate of West Point. I found him a very intelligent and pleasant gentleman, much like his father ; but he had no recollection of this Conference, being too young-then only two years old. There were now fifty-one preachers appointed to work in the four states, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Arkan- sas. This year there was no increase in the Church in the Illinois circuit. We were in the most exciting election which has ever been held iu Illinois. Nothing less than the settlement of the slavery question. The people seemed to think or care about little else. The excitement pervaded all classes and professions.

At this conference Zadoc Casey, afterwards known throughout all Illinois, was elected to Deacon's orders. Casey was a man of superior talent, and became a fine preacher, for many years a prominent member of the legislature, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lieutenant Gov- ernor of the State, and for some years a representative in Congress, and regarded in Washington as a superior parlia- mentarian and useful member. In 1847 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention in Springfield.

He became interested in the coal mines near Collinsville, laid out the town of Caseyville, and whilst engaged in attend- ing to his interests in that place he was taken sick. At night kneeling at his bedside, as was his custom, to offer prayer before lying down the messenger came to him, and in the morning he was found on his knees cold in death. Jesse Hale and Cornelius Ruddle were the preachers. This year also showed a decline in church membership in Madison and St. Clair counties, when the great battle on the slavery queston was fought.

1823-24. John Dew and Orcenith Fisher were the pastors. Fisher was a young man of extraordinary character. I have never known a man to exceed him in earnest zeal and effort in gathering young persons into the church. There were revi- vals in the societies wherever he went. To his zeal was added application to books. He became an industrious stu- dent, acquiring not only a knowledge of the English bnt of the Greek, Latin and Hebrew languages. But theology was his most constant study, so that with a vigorous constitution and strong mind he was able to do an immense amount of work. He was very effective in his labor in this county. Later in life he went to Texas, and was there in 1844 while the

285

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

church was divided. Remaining in the South he retained his relations to that branch of the church, and for many years preached in that State. He afterward went to Cali- fornia, but returned to Texas, and when near 80 years of age could hold a congregation in earnest attention for two hours. He died in Texas in 1880.

In an article by John Hogan, taken from the St. Louis Christian Advocate it is stated that the stewards this year settled with the married preachers at $52.62. Single preachers at $20.31. We hope there is some mistake in this. A public collection was taken on Sunday by the Con- ference then sitting in St Louis to pay for the new church, and $50.00 was raised. New circuits were organized this year. That country in north-eastern Illinois, lying north and west of Terre Haute and toward Chicago, was embraced in a cireuit and called Vermillion circuit.

1824-25. The Ninth Conference was held 23d October, 1824, at Padfield's Camp Ground near Lebanon. It was a session of much importance. Three bishops were present, Robert R. Roberts, Wm. McKendree, Joshua Soule ; Roberts presided. William Beauchamp, a minister of prominence had died on the 8th of October. He and Soule had been the candidates for the office of bishop at the late General Conference, and Soule was elected by one majority. Beau- champ had settled near Mount Carmel in 1817, and had formed quite a settlement there. Comparatively a young man, being in his 47th year, and the most prominent preacher in Illinois, and of most affectionate and gentle disposition ; his death was deeply deplored. Bishop Soule preached his funeral sermon by request of the Conference. He did jus- tice to the occasion and to the subject. All who heard the discourse considered it the most able to which they had ever listened. The General Conference at its last session had divided the Missouri Conference. Illinois and Indiana were united, making Illinois Conference. All west of the Missis- sippi river formed Missouri Conference. Thomas Randle, of Madison county, was made a circuit preacher and sent to Kaskaskia.

The Conference before the division contained 12,579 mem- bers, an increase of over 800 the past year. There were Walker, Thompson, Hale, Pattison, Matheny, Dew, Cart- wright, Fisher, Sharp, and Ruddle, who had been instrumen- tal in building up the church in Illinois, in which Madison county was quite in advance of any other. Bishop MeKen- drce, who was an old man, had been in the ministry thirty-sev- en years. It was his last visit to Illinois. He spent a week in the neighborhood of Turkey Hill, visiting Edward and Samuel Mitchell, Judge Risdon Moore, Father Walls, Wm. Scott, and my father. Boy as I was, I treated him to the best I had-a large plate of hickory nuts and apples. I remember how he described the growth and maturity of fruits and nuts, to me a new but very interesting subjeet, and yet remember much he said. There were the brothers Mitchell, Moore, and some others present. On rising to leave, he turned around and said:

"Children of the Heavenly King, As we journey let us sing."

I thought he was making poetry, but they all began sing-

ing, after which all knelt and the old man offered fervent prayer. I am now nearly sixty years older than then, but the pleasant remembrance of the occasion is still fresh.

Rev. John Dew and James Johnson were sent to this circuit.

1825-26. - Conference met at Charleston, Indiana, 25th August, 1825. There had been additional preaching places and societies established in the county, but as yet few societies in the towns. There was no church building in any of the villages in Madison county except a small build- ing in Upper Alton. There was a society in Scarritt's prairie called Bethel ; one at Salem ; one at Samuel Brown's, on Long Lake; one at Samuel Gillham's, on Six Mile prairie; one at Ebenezer; one at Dempsy Guthrey's, on Pleasant Ridge; at Gilead; at Upper Alton ; at Lamb's Point ; at Rodger Snell's, near Staunton, and at John C. Dugger's.

Washington C. Ballard came to Madison county in the early part of 1825, and had preaching appointments in many places, and was well received and useful. Although not a man of much preaching ability, yet such was his Christian life, his kindly disposition and genial nature that no preacher was more favorably received or had better con- gregations than he. He lived to a ripe old age and died in 1870, beloved by all who knew him. This year the preacher in charge, Rev. John Dew, reported an increase of seventy- three members.

For 1825-26, Thornton Peeples and Ebenezer Webster were sent to this circuit. They were sensible men and fair preachers. Peeples had lived near Lebanon and Webster had come from Ohio. It was not a very prosperous year ; the number of members of the church being 695, the same number as reported last year. I remember once at a night meeting at my father's house, when Rev. Webster was preaching, seeing a man walk up deliberately to where the preacher was standing, take up the candle, light his pipe and go back to his seat enveloped in a cloud of smoke. Both these preachers died in 1878 ; Mr Peeples in Kansas and Webster in Ohio. They had long been faithful ministers of the gospel, and left a record behind them of much good accomplished in the Master's service. This year James Hadley was made a circuit preacher.

1826-27 .- Conference met at Bloomington, Indiana Sep- tember 28, 1826, and Samuel H. Thompson and John Miller were sent to this county. At this conference three young men of Madison county, Stith M. Ottwell, son of William Ottwell; Isaac House, of Edwardsville, and Smith L. Robin- son, of Ridge Prairie, joined the traveling ministry. They were young men of fine talents and much promise of future usefulness, and their lives and history fully justified the hopes of their friends and the church. They deserve a more extended notice than can here be given. Ottwell and Robin- son became prominent and able ministers, although neither lived to old age.

1827-28 .- Conference met at Mount Carmel, Illinois, September 20, 1827. Samuel H. Thompson and John Hogan were sent to the circuit, and Peter Cartwright to Illinois district The appointment pleased everybody.

286

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Cartwright was rising rapidly to distinction, of whose his- tory so much is known as to make it unnecessary for me here to say much. He was one of those men who attract attention, and make lasting impressions wherever they are. As a self reliant and original man; of forcible character, strong determination, moral and physicil courage able in the pulpit and wise in council, he had no superior and but few equals. The last time I saw him was at the dedication of the church in Troy, in 1872. It was, perhaps, the last public act of his life. He was then, however, the mere shadow of himself in both mind and person.

John Hogan was a young man of Irish parentage. Had come to this country when a boy and learned a trade in Baltimore. Was early impressed on the subject of religion, and made profession whilst a youth. On reaching his majority he came west, and in 1826, became a traveling preacher and was sent to Salem circuit, Indiana. It was a rough circuit and hard fare, but he made a deep and lasting impression wherever he preached This year he came to Illinois, which embraced Madison and St. Clair counties. He was young in age and even youthful in appearance, but full of zeal and a natural orator. He made more impression iu the societies in Madison county, and especially with young persons, than any minister who had ever been sent on the circuit, except Orcenith Fisher, and in the pulpit he was his superior.

In 1827, there was a church built three miles east of Col- linusville, on land belonging to Philip Teter, called " Zion Church." There had been a society formed and a preaching place at the house of Robert McMahan, in the earliest his- tory of the county, which had been kept up to the time of building the Zion church. This very early settlement of McMahon's, Seybold's, Downing's, Hall's, Gaskill's, Gil- let's, Teter's and others, was the place where. under the efforts of Joshua Atwater in 1809, the first benevolent association in Illinois territory was formed. The object of the associa- tion was to provide for the necessities of the poor and indi- gent " without distinction to race or color," and more particu- larly for the families of those engaged in defending the frontier settlements from Indian hostilities. The original paper or constitution, with the names of the members of the associa- tion, and the amounts of subscription by each, to be made in quarter-yearly payments, is in the possession of E. M. West. The Zion Church Society is now embraced in the Troy charge.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 72

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698