History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 75

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

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school. Sunday-school scholars number four hundred. The value of our church property throughout the county is estimated at twelve thousand dollars.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

BY REV. AUGUSTUS T. NORTON, D. D.

There are ten existing organizations ; a sketch of each is appended, in the order in which they were established.

EDWARDSVILLE CHIURCII.

There have been four distinet organizations in this place. The first was made March 17, 1819, by Rev. Salmon Gid- dings, of St. Louis, with fifteen members. The records are lost. Thomas Lippincott and Hail Mason were probably the first Elders. Mr. Lippincott removed from Milton to Elwardsville in the fall of 1820. Jeremiah Abbot and Matthew B. Torrance were elders sub equently.

The widow of Dr. John Blair Smith, at one time Presi- dent of Hampden Sidney College, Prince Edward county, Va., came to Edwardsville in 1817. Ten years later, when residing at Springfield, Ill., she says : "When I came to Edwardsville I could find no professor of religion in the place, and for eighteen months after no sermon was preached there. I lived to see a church of nine members inereased to thirty."

The early members were nearly or quite all of Seoteh- Irish descent. Previously to 1828 the church enjoyed no stated gospel ministrations. The fashion was in those days for missionaries to come out from the East and itinerate through Missouri and Illinois, wherever they could find or gather Presbyterian churches, spending only a few weeks, or perhaps only a few days, with cach. In 1818 Rev. Messrs. Benj. Lowe and Samuel Graham performed services of this kind. Messrs. Edward Hollister and Daniel Gould were here in 1821, and labored more or less in Edwards- ville. In 1822 came Messrs. Oren Catlin and Daniel G. Sprague. Salmon Giddings also performed mueh labor this side the river. I suppose Mr. Lippincott himself conducted religious meetings at Edwardsville when no minister was present.

This was one of the original churches of Center Presby- tery, which held its first meeting at Kaskaskia, January 9, 1829. The church had then thirty-three members. From that number it steadily declined. One year later it had only twenty-five. The last time it was represented in Presby- tery was at Greenville, September, 1831. The last time its name appears in the minutes of Presbytery is at the meet- ing in Collinsville, September, 1833. It died, and from starvation. The only ministerial labors it ever enjoyed were those of passing missionaries, remaining one or two Sabbaths only, and an occasional visit from Mr. Giddings, of St. Louis. It was only by slow degrees and after many failures that the Church came to learn the better way.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The SECOND Presbyterian organization in Edwardsville was made some time in the winter of 1837-8, by a Commit- tee of Alton Presbytery, N. S It was received under the care of that Presbytery, March 30 1888, Joseph M. McKee being present as elder. Another elder was Matthew B. Torrance This church was supplied from October, 1-43. to April, 1845, by Rev. Thomas Lippincott, in connection with Troy. A little before Mr. Lippincott's labors closed at Elwardsville, Dr. James Spilman, an elder brother of Rev. B. F. Spilman, and a staunch Old School elder, came there to reside. He was friendly, but not disposed to unite with a New School organization. The church being weak. wishing to secure his influence and sceiog little to choose between New and Old School went over to him and connec- ted with Kaskaskia Presbytery, which had organized an Old School church there, June 22, 1845.

This was the THIRD Presbyterian organization in the county seat. For one year Rev. B. F. Spilman was their minister. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Ewiog until his death, Aug. 12, 1848. At that time the church occupied the Baptist house of worship. In 1856, Dr. Spilman leased the Episcopal house. Rev. L P. Bates was minister from 1856 to 1859. After Mr. Bates' death and Dr. Spilman's removal, the Third Presbyterian church at Edwardsville, ended in death, and its name was erased from the roll of Presbytery

The FOURTHI organization, which still exists, was made Sabbath, August 11th, 1867, by Rev. A. T. Norton, D D., Rev. Andrew D. Jack, with these members, viz: Mrs. Caro- line Dimmock, Mrs. Lizzie H. Pogue, Mr. Beraliel Day, Mrs. Huldah Ann Day, Miss Naney N. Day, Miss Amelia C. Day, Mrs. Mercy, E. T. Jack, Mrs. Anna Glass, Mrs. Rebecca Snyder, Mrs. Susan Karr, and Mr. Samuel W. Temple. Mr. Temple was made Elder. The present Elders are Judge Jchu G. Irwin and Mr. C. W. Fangenwroth. The ministers have been A. D. Jack, A. II. Parks, Lucius I. Root, James F. Berry, and John D. Geh- ring, who is now there. This congregation has a good house of worship. It reported in 1882 fifty-one communicants. It has a vigorous Sabbath-school and maintains a weekly prayer meeting.

ALTON CHURCH.

There have been two organizations. The first was made by Revs. Edward Hollister and Daniel Gould, June 9th, 1821 with these eight members, viz: Enoch Long, Mrs. Mary Long, Isaac Waters, Henry H. Snow, Elnah Hastings, Abigail Waters, Lavina Bishop, Brittania S Brown. The next day the Sacrament of the Supper was administered. On July 8th, August 12th and October 9th of the same year Mr Gould preached to the church. On December 4, 1821, and March 25, 1822, Mr. Hollister preached, aud the next morning took leave of the church to return to his native place at the East. Brittania S. Brown died on the 28th of August, and on September 15, 1822, her funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Jesse Townsend. On January 25th, February 18th and March 5th, 1823, Rev. Oren Catlin preached. At the last date, Henry H. Snow was made clerk of the Session, and John L. Ramsey, Mrs. Martha

Ramsey and Mrs. Twitchell were received into the church on examination. On April 7th and April 23, 1823, Rev. Oren Catlin and Rev. Daniel G. Sprague visited and ad- dressed the church. April 24, 1824, Miss Eduah Hastings was dismissed. This is the last entry on the session book by the clerk. But to it the following statement is appended, viz : " At the session of the Presbytery of Missouri, hekl at St. Charles in March, 1826, a resolution was passed in- corporating the church of Alton with the church of Ed- wardsville, in consequence of the removal of all the mem- bers of said church except two, viz : Enoch Long and Mrs. Mary Long. The above fact is certified by the undersigned, who-as an Elder of the church at Edwardsville -- was a member of said Presbytery at the time of the passage of the resolution.

" Alton, June 18, 1831. THOMAS LIPPINCOTT."

THE PRESENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI OF ALTON

was organized June 19, 1831, by Rev. Thomas Lippincott, with these members, viz: Enoch Long, and Mrs. Mary Long ; Wm A. Robertson and Eleanor M. Robertson ; Mrs. Mary Ann Tolman ; Samuel Thurston and Dorcas Thurston; George W. Fuller.

Elders : Enoch Long, June 19, 1831, dismissed December 18, 1836; Samuel Thurston, January 21, 1832. died May 16, 1833; 1I K. Lathy, October 10, 1831, ex. March 8, 1846; S E. Moore, July 25, 1835, dis. April 8, 1841 ; Andrew Alexan ler, September 25. 1835 died September 13, 1838; J. D. Bissell, December 22, 1837, dis. March 28, 1830; A W. Corey, February 10. 13338, dis. January 4, 1840. W. S. Gilman, December 8, 183), dis. June 10, 1841 ; Benjamin Godfrey, July 3, 1840, dis. September 18, 1841 ; Charles W. Hunter, July 5, 1840, ex. February 1, 1841 ; Orriu Cooley, May 28, 1841; dis. December 13, 1841 ; Lawson A. Parks, May 28, 1841; Samuel Wade, May 28, 1841; D. T. Wheeler, Nov. 14, 1841, dis. August 19, 1843 ; P. B Whipple, November 14, 1841 ; Isaac Scarritt, No- vember 14, 1841; Stephen Lufkin, April 29, 1849 ; Nathan Johnson, April 29, 1849. April 26, 1849, the church adopted the limited term of eldership. The elders under this system have been as follows : Lawson A. Parks, elected April 27, 1851; Isaac Scarritt, elected April 27, 1851; P. B. Whipple, elected October 9, 1853; Joshua G. Lamb, elected October 9, 1853 ; Nathan Johnson, elected August 5, 1955, dis July 23, 1867 ; Samuel Wade, elected Angust 5, 1855, dis. June 17, 1870; Lawson A Parks, elected Sep- tember 2), 1858, died March 31, 1875; Isaac Scarritt, elected September 20, 1858, died December 22, 1873; Per- ley B. Whipple, elected December 18, 1859; Joshua G. Lamb, elected December IS, 1859; Dr. Benj. K. Hart, elected December 18, 1859, died September 2, 1865; Robert Barr, elected March 5, 1865, died August 13, 1-68; James Newman, elected March 5, 1865. dismissed ; J. G. Lamb, elected March 17, 1867. dismissed ; Perly B. Whipple, elected March 17, 1867 ; Elward Hollister, elected March 17, 1867; A. W. Greenwood, elected March 17, 1867, dis- missed. John A. Cousley, elected January 16, 1870 ; P. B. Whipple, elected May 7, 1871; Henry L. Nichols, elected

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

May 7, 1871; John P. Nisbett, elected April 25, 1875 ; Martin I. Lee, elected April 25, 1875, dismissed ; Perley B. Whipple, elected June 10, 1877 ; Henry L Nichols, elected June 10, 1877 ; S. B. Funk, elected June 10, 1877, died January 25, 1881 ; Oliver S. Stowell, elected March 7, 1880.

Ministers : Thomas Lippincott, until June, 1832. He was succeeded by Elisha Jenny, who remained until April, 1835. Frederick W. Graves began iu June, 1835. The following October he became pastor and remained until November 1838. During the succeeding winter the pulpit was supplied by Albert Hale, now of Springfield. Augustus T. Norton entered upon his labors as pastor elect March 1, 1839. On the 9th of May following he was installed by the Presbytery of Alton. Mr. Norton served as pastor until May 24, 1857, when he resigned, but continued either in person, or through other ministers, to supply the congrega- tion, for the most part, until July 1, 1858, when he was dis- missed by the Presbytery-making the whole period of his service nineteen years and three months. Cornelius H. Tay- Jor was installed pastor July 1, 1858, and remained until the latter part of March, 1868, making a pastorate of nearly ten years. The church then remained without a pastor for one year. C. Solon Armstrong was invited to the pastorate April 16, 1869, and entered upon his duties the 15th of the ensuing May. He was duly installed December 16, 1869, and dismissed by Presbytery April 9, 1880.

The congregation was then served by various ministers, principally by their former pastor, Rev. A. T. Norton D. D., until September 1, 1881, when Rev. Thomas Gordon com- menced his labors. Mr. Gordon was duly installed as pastor Tuesday evening, October 25, 1-81.

The whole number of members in the church up to Janu- ary, 1879, is 1066. Of these two hundred and forty-three were added before Mr. Norton's pastorate and three hundred and seventy-one during its continuance. In Mr. Taylor's pastorate, two hundred and two were added ; in the year be- tween Mr. Taylor and Mr. Armstrong, five; in Mr. Arm- strong's two hundred and forty-five. The number of mem- bers reported to the Assembly at the close of Mr. Norton's administration was two hundred and thirty ; at the close of Mr. Taylor's two hundred and forty-two ; in the spring of 1878, at the close of Mr. Armstrong's ninth year, three hun- drel were reported. In 1870 about forty-eight members were dismissed to form a Congregational church. The reduction in numbers by this movement was serious, but the loss in pecu- niary strength was far more so, amounting to fully one-half the financial ability of the congregation. Though never rich, the benevolence of this congregation has been so sedu- lo isly cultivated and so largely developed that during the whole of Mr. Norton's and Mr. Taylor's administrations, its offerings for benevolent causes, outside of itself, were larger than any other Presbyterian church in the State except one or two in Chicago. Content with a modest, inexpensive house of worship, it supported its pastors well, and gave largely to all benevolent causes, especially Home Missions.

There have been many revivals in the history of this con- gregation ; but the one most notable, for the character and standing of its converts, was that of the winter and spring

of 1849. Value is not to be estimated by numbers, but by weight. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus was worth more to the Church and the world, than that of the whole three thousand on the day of Pentecost. The population of all our Western cities and villages is extremely fluctuating. That of Alton has ever been pre-eminently so. Hence the small permanent growth of this church. notwithstanding the constant and large increase of members.

Its place of worship. The church of 1821, noticed in another place, was organized in a log school-house in Upper Alton. It stood on the corner diagonally opposite the north- east corner of John Bates' premises. A small one-story brick house now occupies the spot. In that log school- house, Deacon Long and Henry HI. Snow gathered a Sabbath- school iu the summer of 1820. The present church was organized at the house of Deacon Enoch Long, corner of Maiu and College streets, Upper Alton, the spot now occu- pied by the late Joseph Burnap's residence. The public services of the occasion were held in the brick school house in upper Alton, The next place of worship was the frame building on Second street, Alton, next east of the residence of the late Simeon Ryder. The next building occupied was Lyceum Hill, on the northeast corner of Alby and Second streets. This building was burned July 30, 1874. Captain Benjamin Godfrey united with this church on profession, No- vember 8, 1833. The same year he erected with his own means, a commodious stone church, with a spire and basement story, on the northeast corner of Third and Market streets, where the Episcopal church now stands. He retained the title in his own hands, and afterwards gave the property to the trus- tees of Monticello Seminary, by whom it was sold to the Episcopalians in the spring of 1845. A fine bell was in the tower, presented to the church by Mrs. Gilman, mother of B. I. and W. S. Gilman. Early one morning, immediately after the sale, that bell descended from that tower and went away on a dray. This church occupied that building from its erection till the time of sale, paying rent for it to Monti- cello Seminary, while it was owned by that Institution. Its next place of worship was in a small frame church on the northeast corner of Third and Alby streets, where the Uni- tarian parsonage now stands. The pressed brick house of worship was erected at a cost of $3,500, and was dedicated June 14, 1846. In 1853, it was enlarged by an addition of twenty-five feet to the front, making the entire length eighty feet. This addition, with other improvements, cost $2,500. In 1858 a $2,00) organ was put up in the building. In July and August of 1865 there was another renovation which in- volved an expense of seven hundred dollars. But the chief renovation and re-arrangement was made in 1875 at a cost of $4,000. A re-dedication ensued October 17, 1875. A sermon was preached on the occasion, reciting the whole history of the church, especially in reference to its places of worship. A debt was created by this last improvement which for several years was the source of no little annoyance. It and all the other indebtedness of the church was fully can celled on the first of January 1882.

A large fine parsonage of brick was purchased in 1871 at a cost of $4,000. This was the offering of the congregation

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

to the magnificent Memorial Fund of nearly eight millions raised that year by the

RE-UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Sabbath-school of the church has been sustained the whole year through, and with great vigor. Its Superin- tendents have been Andrew Alexander, Moses Forbes, David T. Wheeler, Benjamin E. Viall, L. S. Williams, L. A. Parks, Isaac Scarritt, Edward Hollister and Thomas P. Nisbett. The last named is still in office-1882. During a large portion of the church's history a mission Sabbath- school has been sustained-at first in Hunterstown and then in Sempletown.

The Semi-Centennial of the church occurred on Sabbath, June 18, 1881. It was celebrated with great interest and profit. The services commenced Friday evening. June 17, and continued through Saturday, the 18th, and Sabbath, 19th. The entire proceedings were published in a pamphlet of 140 pages.

Copies of this pamphlet, of all the Psalms and hymn- books, used in the church service for these first fifty years of its history, a copy of the " History of Presbyterianism in Illi- nois, by A. T. Norton, D. D.," and the various Historical shields used on the occasion, are deposited in a nicely con- structed box which is to be in the custody of the stated Clerk of the Session, until the occurrence of the Centen- nial Anniversary of the church, July 19, 1931.

At the time of the observance of this Semi-Centennial, two of the original members of the church were alive, viz: George W. Fuller, now of Galena, Illinois, and Enoch Long. But the vencrable aud venerated Euoch Long passed to his rest without a struggle, at his residence, Sabula, Iowa, July 19th, 1881, at the age of 90 years, nine months and three days. The number of communicants April, 1882, was 234.

COLLINSVILLE CHURCHI.

The place at its first settlement was called Unionville, afterward was named Collinsville, from the Collins family. The church was organized May 3d, 1823, with these mem- bers, viz : William Collins, Esther Collins, Augustus Col- lins, Elizabeth B. Collins, Eliza Collins, Almira Collins, Frederick Collins, Oriel Wilcox, Susan Wilcox, llorace Look, Emma C. Look. Seven of these belonged to the family of Deacon William Collins, who came to this place in the fall of 1822, with his wife and three daughters and one son. Four of his six sous-viz., Augustus, Anson, Michael and William B .- had preceded him by several years. The family was from Litchfield, Conn., to which place William B. Collius, when a young man, had removed from Guilford, Conn. The church, from its foundation until the fall of 1843, worshiped in a house erected in 1818, one of the first frame meeting-houses built in Illinois. The stated preach- ing of the gospel was not enjoyed until 1830, though for nearly twelve years a Sabbath school had been sustained, and worship of some kind had been held almost every Sab- bath. When a minister could not be obtained, they met for prayer and exhortation, or read a sermon. From 1830 to 1840 the church enjoyed for half the time, successively,

the services of Revs. Thomas Lippincott, John F. Brooks, Roswell Brooks and Robert Blake. Up to 1835 it was aided by the Home Missionary Society. Since that time it has received no as-istance from abroad. MINISTERS: Charles E. Blood, pastor, commenced laboring with them July 4, 1840; Thomas Lippincott, supply pastor, 1848; Lemuel Grosvenor, pastor, 1845; David Dimond, supply pastor, 1850; Gideon C. Clark, pastor, 1856; Charles F. Halsey, pastor, 1864; John D. Jones, pastor, 1867 ; J. R. Barnes, pastor, 1870; George W. Coit, pastor, 1874; Joseph G. Reasor, D. D., pastor, 1878. John R. Reason, supply pastor, commenced Oct. 10th, 1880, and is still -May, 1882, in office. ELDERS: William Collins and Oriel Wilcox at the organization ; Horace Look and Frederick Collins, January 12, 1829; William B. Collins, November 10th, 1832; Lewis Weeks, August, 1837; Hiram L. Ripley, September 15, 1838 ; Philander Braley, Austin B. Beach, James Haffy, November 14th, 1841; J. Vanstavoren, S. Sheppard, January 24th, 1847 ; E. B. Lockwood, February 21, 1×47 ; C. C. Treadway, 1861 ; Hon. J. R. Miller, July, 1880. Deacons : James S. Wadsworth, G. W. Peers aud George A. Miller.

The present church building was erected in 1843, at a cost of about eighteen hundred dollars. It was badly shat- tered by a storm in 1879. In addition the church owns property in shape of lots, a parsonage, and another valuable residence. It is not in debt, and pays a liberal salary to the pastor, and contributes, though not systematically, to the benevolent agencies of the Church at large. The member- ship at present is about one hundred and forty. The Sab- bath-school is quite flourishing ; two officers, fourteen teach- ers, one hundred and seventy-five pupils.

MARINE CHURCHI.

This was organized Nov. 2d, 1834. Roswell Brooks preached here one-half the time for one year. Next succeeded, Robert Blake, one-half the time for two years. Then the church was vacant until 1840, when T Lippincott was employed, and continued, one-half the time for three years. A pleasant revival occurred and twenty-seven were added to the church. Then followed James R. Dann. After eighteen months' labor elsewhere, Mr. Lippincott supplied again for one year. The subsequent ministers, named in their order, are these: Calvin Butler, Sigmund Uhfelder, James A. Darrah, C. J. Pitkin, William Ellers, A. D. Jack, H. W. Wood, J. Scott Davis, C. T. Hal. sey, the last from Jan. 1874, to Jan. 1878. and Robert Stewart. ELDERS : James Breath, James M. Nichols, Geo. W. Welsh, Nov. 2d, 1833; C. Lyman, Feb. 10th, 1842; Geo T. Allen, April 30, 1843; John Breath, same; A. L Saunders, Feb 7th, 1848; J. S. Cottrell, same; Joel Simpson, April 30, 1854 ; Richard P. Marshall, same; Lewis Potter, April 16th, 1864; Samuel HI. Brown, May 8, 1869 ; Richard A. Marshall, April 21, 1872. The original mem- bers were these : James Breath, Elizabeth Breath, Geo. C. Allen, Mary Allen, James M. Nichols, Ehzabeth Nichols, Geo. W. Walsh, John R. Kerr, Wm. Anderson, Eunice A. Anderson, Gertrude Anderson, Zilphatt Parker, Geo. Foster,

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Hannah N. Foster, Rebecca L. Breath and Mary A. Breath. Calvin Butler came here in 1849, and died Nov. 3d, 1864. His house, occupied by lis widow and family, was burned in the fall of 1855. For several years past the Sabbath-school, and indeed the whole church work here, has devolved on Elder Lewis Potter and his excellent wife. There is a good frame church, built in 1851. Before its erec- tion, all denominations used the same building. This church is at present-1882-in a very depressed condition. It last reported a membership of twenty-six. But the number in 1882 is not more than twelve or fifteen.

UPPER ALTON CHURCHI.

The organization was made January 8th, 1837, by Revs. F. W. Graves, T. B. Hurlbut and Thomas Lippin- cott, with twenty members. It appears that in June follow- ing a union was effected between this and a Congregational church in the same place. By this union twenty-six mem- bers were added. One article provides for the election of Elders triennially. E P. Lovejoy was the first minister. He labored gratuitously. C. G. Selleck was installed pas- tor Nov. 16, 1837, and resigned the charge in October, 1841. Hubbel Loomis succeeded him as stated pastor until May, 1843. Mr. Loomis was succeeded by H. B. Whittaker, who continued his labors here until his death, Sept. 15th, 1844. Williston Jones succeeded Mr. Whittaker, and remained until May, 1845. Lemuel Foster, T. B. Hurlbut and Wil- liam Barnes, labored for different periods. W. R Adams from 1861 to 1867. Since then Lucius I. Root, Robert Rudd, John Huston and Samuel B. Taggart have served this church. ELDERS : Euoch Long, Ebenezer Dennison, John Manning, Samuel Archer, William Clark, Alfred Cowles, Joseph Gordon, Winthrop S. Gilman, Russell Scar- ritt, Johu Bates, Wm. Cunningham, Myron Ives, J. J. Hastings, S. W. Ball, J. P Burton, T. R. Murphy, Joseph Platt, W. S. R. Robinson and probably some others. The Records have been very imperfectly kept. The first church edifice was erected in 1836, and occupied the same site as the present one. Previous to that the church worshiped in what is known as the " Brick School House." The first church edifice was burned February 10, 1858. The present build- ing was commenced soou after, but for lack of funds went on but slowly. It was finally finished, and dedicated No- vember 15, 1865. This church has had many difficulties. Among these were its semi-constitution, the vicinity of oth- er strong churches, and the exceedingly fluctuating charac- ter of the population of the place.

The church is now, May 1882, without a minister. It has only one elder, John Bates. Its membership is about thirty.

MONTICELLO CHURCHI.

The post office is Godfrey, Madison county, Illinois. For several reasons peculiar importance attaches to the history of this church. Hence I propose to give it fully enough for complete comprehension. In doing this I shall derive my materials from the " church manual compiled and published by an order of Session in 1860," from the

church records, from the records of the Presbytery of Alton, and, in relation to the church edifice, from the re- cords of Monticello Seminary. It was organized in the chapel of Monticello Female Seminary, Nov. 2, 1839, Rev. Theron Baldwin, who was then a member of Alton Pres- bytery, presiding. I undoubtedly state the exact truth, when I say the peculiar shaping of the church's constitu tion was due alone to Mr. Baldwin. The original mem bers were : Jabez Turner, from the Retormed Dutch Church, Kinderhook, N. Y. ; Timothy Turner, Jairus Burt Turner, Ann W. Turner, Elizabeth Turner, from the Vala- tia, Kinderhook, Presbyterian church, N. Y. ; James Howell, Ann D'Hart Howell, Sarah Howell, from the Reformed Dutch church, Beawenburg, N. Y. ; Rufus G. Turner, Mary Ann Turner, from the First Presbyterian church, Mattea- wan, N. Y .; Edwin B. Turner, Congregational church, Jacksonville, Ill. ; Catharine Ingham, Rebecca Ingham, Elizabeth Wilkins, Mary E. Gilman, Calvin Godfrey, from the Presbyterian church, Alton ; John Mison, sr., from Congregational church, Castleton, Vt .: Elizabeth Howell, from Presbyterian church, New Brunswick, N. J. Eighteen persons, twelve of whom were from Presbyterian churches, four from the Reformed Dutch, which is Presbyterian under a different name, and two Congregationalists. With a Presbyterian organizer, sixteen out of eighteen Presbyterian members, one would have expected a Presbyterian church. Martin Ash, Maria Ash, Susan W. Miles, Caroline W. Baldwin, Benjamin Ives Gilmau, Philena Fobes. Huldah M. Sturtevant and Mary Marr, were received on examina. tion. This constitution was adopted: " Art. (1) This church shall be called The Church of Christ in Monticello. (2) The business of the church shall be transacted by a Session, consisting of the pastor (who shall be ex-officio, Moderator) and a certain number of elders chosen by nom- ination. The elders shall hold their office no more than oue year, at any one time, without a re-election. Art. (3) The nomination of elders shall be made by the pastor, with the consent of the Session, not less than two weeks previous to the time for entering upon the duties of this office, and un- less objectious are publicly made by at least two members of the church in regular standing, they are to be considered as elected. (+) In the reception of members, and all cases of discipline, a vote of the church shall be necessary to ratify the decision of the Session. Art. (5.) No alteration shall be made in this Constitution or in the Confession of Faith, except by a vote of two-thirds of the members pres- ent at a regularly notified meeting for this purpose. " Ecclesiastical history can scarcely furnish a match to this ! According to Art. 1, there was and could be in the village, or precinct called Monticello, no church but this one. Ac- cording to Art. 2, when the church had no pastor, there could be no Ses ion, for he was an essential part of it. The elders were not to be chosen by vote of members, but by nomination of pastor-Art. 3. Hence necessarily, the elders were the creatures of the pastor. And when the church had no pastor, n> elders could be appointed. By Art. 4 the Session was deprived of all real authority.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 75

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