History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 49

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 49

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UNIVERSALISTS.

Spartanburg .- Meetings have been held by this class of re- ligious professors for some years past in Spartansburg and the vicinity. in groves, in the Disciples' Church and perhaps else- where. Some adherents to that body reside in the neighborhood, though no society has been formed there and no church has been built by them at that place. And, so far as the writer is aware, except the house at Union City, no place of worship belonging to the Universalists exists in Randolph County, and the one at Union City is not regularly occupied. Some persons holding to that form of faith reside at Winchester, and presumably elsewhere in the county. It is our impression that they have had at times a Sunday school at Winchester, but none exists at the present time so far as known.

Union City .--- The first organization was had January 9, 1860. Trustees, Dr. J. N. Converse, Dr. D. French, Silas Coats; and a lot for a church was deeded to the society by Hon. Jere Smith. About 1872, Dr. French having died, and Silas Coats gone to Kansas, S. S. Converse and John Drake took their places. A neat, convenient church was built and furnished for $4,000. In 1873, a parish was organized, and Rev. Elihu Moore became pastor, with Sabbath school, etc. There is at present no pastor and no stated religions services. An occasional meeting is some- times held by a minister from some other place. March 25 and 26, 1882, Rev, L. J. Spencer, of Palestine, Ohio, preached for the congregation three discourses -- Immortality, Resurrection, Death of the Soul.

UNITED BRETHREN.

Statistics. - The churches in Randolph partly belong to White River Conference and partly to an Ohio Conference. White River Conference has two districts, viz., Dublin and Mar- ion, and the two have seventy-nine ministers. Dublin District has ten circuits and twenty-two classes, Marion District has eleven circuits and twenty-three classes. Several of the churches in the connty belong to a conference in Ohio.

Churches and Ministers. - Churches, Antioch, Losantville; Bethel, Greensfork, north of Clark's Schoolhouse; Emmettsville; Liberty Chapel, north of Bloomingport; Mt. Pleasant. southeast of Spartanburg; Mt Zion, northwest of Losantville; Saratoga, Sparrow Creek, Union City (Ohio), White River Chapel, Nettle Creek (Vardeman's), Zion, south of Steubenville. Ministers, G. H. Byrd, Jennings, Jesse Barnes, J. D. Vardeman, George Mad- dox, S. D. Warwick, Samuel Kerns, S. W. Keister (Union City, Ohio) and may be others.

Antioch .-- Had a meeting-house in the beginning near the Antioch Burying-Ground, just in the suburbs of Losantville; that meeting-house ceased to be used about 1855, and the society worshiped at a house west of Jordan Halsted's. About 1875, a new society was formed in Losantville, and the society have met

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

in a public hall up to the present time. The members of the Antioch congregation (some of them) are given below: William Johnson, William Snodgrass, Frank Burroughs, Isaac Medsker, Elisha Hearty, Daniel Hearty, Daniel Medsker, James Hearty, Wilkerson Gray, Jonathan Canada, Daniel Johnson, with their wives. Preachers of Antioch and Mt. Zion, Cornelius Van Ars- dal, Andrew McNees, Larkin Mullen, James Sisk, Moses Mc- Daniel, William Terrell, Paul Jellison, Nathan Hollingsworth, Elza Hollingsworth, Jonathan Gibson, I. V. D. R. Johnson and others. Albert Long is the preacher now (1881).

Belhel Chapel (north of Clark's Schoolhouse, in Greensfork 'Township). - The United Brethren began preaching about thirty- five years ago by Rev. Caswell Witt. A class was organized two miles north of the present meeting-house, at Isaac Farmer's. The meetings were held first at an old log schoolhouse, on the corner of Mr. Shoemaker's place, for four or five years; then at another a mile north, six or seven years; still again, at Hawn's Schoolhouse, until the meeting-house. was built, which was done in 1867. The first house was burned in 1873, and another one was put up the same year. Some of the first members were Ezra Cadwallader and wife, Philip Hill and wife, Samuel Moody and wife, Betty Clevinger, Polly Kenworthy, Levi Kenworthy, Re- becca Horner, Eli Thomas and wife, Robert Kinzie and wife. Preachers, Messrs. Caswell Witt, Scott, Vardeman, William Witt, William Ault, John Cranor, Amos Day, Manning Bailey, Wright, Demunhren, Rusk, Small (present minister). There is a Sunday school of sixty to seventy pupils. The chief members now are Philip Hill and wife, Rev. William H. Johnson and wife, John Moody and wife, Thomas Moody and wife, John Roe Jennings and wife, Samuel Jennings and wife, James Jennings and wife, Jesse Barnes and wife, Jesse Parker and wife. At one time, there were 150 members. At one series of meetings, held by Rev. Milton Wright, more than eighty joined at once. The church now numbers fromn eighty to one hundred memhers. Preaching services are held once in three weeks, one sermon each time.

Emmettsville .- The society began in 1860. The preachers were David Gunkle and John Cranor, who formed the class. The church was built in 1863. There were at first about fifty members, some of whom were James Bailey, John Brooks, Isaac Thornburg, William May, Harvey Jenkins, William Cole, John Cole, Asaph Webb. The society grew soon to over 100 members, but it is very small now. The preachers have been Messrs. Gun- kle, Cranor, Evans, Bailey, Holcomb, Rector, Stover, Vickers, Dougherty, Day, Mosher, Byrd, Hutson, Demunbren, Cook, Hale, etc.

Liberty Chapel (north of Bloomingport). - The United Breth- ren used to hold services at Mr. Bales' and elsewhere many years ago. The old Liberty Chapel was built perhaps as early as 1840. Some of the members were John Johnson, James Abshire, Stacy Rinear, Pleasant Bales, Jesse Mills and others. The old house went down, and a new house was built by the Christians (New Lights). The United Brethren have their headquarters for that vicinity now at Bloomingport. Several of the United Brethren joined the New Lights-John Johnson, Pleasant Bales and others of the Baleses. Some of the preachers were William Kendriek and I. V. D. R. Johnson, who now preaches for the New Lights.

Liberty (north of Ridgeville) .-- The society first commenced service in a cahin north of Ridgeville. The lot for the church was deeded by Mr. Baker, and the meeting-house was built about 1850. It has been out of use since 1869. The members have been Henry Kizer, Joseph Baker, Joseph Butterworth, Charles Class, Paul W. Heniser, John Sackman, Adam Jack, Thomas J. Phillips, with their wives, mostly, and others. Preachers, Messrs. Conoughey, Johnson, Miller, Thomas, William Miller, Samuel Holden, Heaston, Wilkerson, Hendrix, D. F. Thomas, Johnson, McKee, etc.

Mt. Pleasant (Pinhook) .- Many years ago, the Disciples used to preach at the schoolhouse in the neighborhood, but they formed no society. In 1866, the Friends set up a mission school, which proved to be large and full of interest, numbering from sixty to one hundred and twenty. The school was kept for three

seasons -- 1866, 1867 and 1868. The third summer, a preacher of the United Brethren Church held a meeting there and formed a society of that order. Some of the members have been the Moores, the Slicks, William Parker, Caleb Manning, Lovett Mitchell, George Alexander, Joseph Alexander, John Jackson, Philip Hill, Eli Mettler, Mr. Rankin, William Manning and others. Preachers, Milo Bailey, Cranor, Byrd, Gronindyke, Jen- nings, Small, etc. The society had rather died down, but Rev. James Jennings, a local preacher, held a series of meetings dur- ing the winter of 1880-81, and revived their work there and is their preacher at the present time. The Sabbath school is active and flourishing. At first, the society worshiped in the schoolhouse in District No. 1, but when the new brick school dwelling was erected, the church bought the old school edifice, and, enlarging it for their purpose, made it into a meeting- house, and it has from that time been devoted to use for religions service.

Near Mt. Zion .- - This denomination used to have religious service and a society in the neighborhood of Mt. Zion, north of Lynn, forty to forty-five years ago, at Mr. Halterman's and Mr. Wheeler's, and, perhaps, Thomas Butts.' Several families who belonged to that denomination resides in the region, among whom were Thomas Butts, --- Halterman and his sons- Jacob, Eli, etc., Wesley Wheeler, etc. There has been no class for thirty years or more. Some of the preachers were Revs. Ault (very famous), Norris, Kendrick and others.

Mt. Zion .- Was built about 1860. It stands west of Jordan Halstead's, nearly north of Losantville. The members have been Isaac Routh, Christian Leaky, John A. Snodgrass, Miles Holliday, Jonas Johnson, William Pool, Nathan Pool, Lyman Halstead, Wes- ley Leaky, &c. This society is active and flourishing. For some fifteen years the society at Mt. Zion included also those of Anti- och (Losantville). But about 1875, two distinct classes were formed and they so continue to this day. Preachers, see Antioch.

Saratoga. - Was formed about 1860; the church was built in 1873, and the parsonage was erected in 1880, being a neat and tasteful edifice. Among the first members were Joseph Lol- lar and wife, John Fraze and wife. William Fraze and wife. The society has been and is somewhat flourishing, with preach- ing once in two weeks and an active Sunday school. The preach- ers have been Revs. Hendricks, Wagener, Shroup, Bennett, Cost, etc. The present incumbent is Rev. Montgomery. Present members, Charles Fields and wife, John Fraze and wife, Will- iam Fraze and wife, Cyrus Bowsman and wife, Wesley Bragg and wife, Samuel Sipes and wife, James Evans and wife. Elisha Lollar and Joseph Shiveling are Trustees. The present pastor (1881) is Rev. Jacob Cost, and he preaches at four points -- Saratoga, White River Chapel, Otterbein (north of Deerfield) and Prospect (in Jay County, between Pittsburg and Salem). The pastor for 1882 is Rev. Montgomery.

Sparrow Creek .- They had preaching twelve years ago, first, in Sparrow Creek Schoolhouse. Their meeting house was built ten years ago (1871), northeast of Buena Vista, being a neat and comfortable frame edifice. Their members have been Jacob Houser, Peter Lasly, Jesse Reynard, Leroy Starbuck, Elisha Johnson, David Huston, John Brooks, Rector, etc. Preachers, Milo Bailey, G. H. Byrd, Milton Harris, Benjamin Holcomb, Cook, Demunbren, etc. They have no Sunday school.

Union City, Ohio side .-- In 1861, a Christian (New Light) Church was organized. The congregation flourished for a time and a good meeting-house was built. A heavy debt was con- tracted, however, and the house had to be sold and the church disbanded. A United Brethren Church was organized in 1876, and they purchased the house. They have since continued with a good degree of activity and suecess to the present time. Rev. J. W. Keister is their pastor, who seems to be an intelligent, pious and devoted servant of Christ. He is heartily and thor- oughly in sympathy and effort with the temperance work and all the other great Christian reform enterprises of the day, and the people feel encouraged to renew their diligence in the service of their Master. They carry on a flourishing and efficient Sunday school. The United Brethren congregation is the only one on the Ohio side. Many of the church members there belong to the

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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

congregations worshiping on the Indiana side. The population on the Ohio side is probably 1,500. A revival meeting was in prog- ress during the winter of 1880-81 for several weeks, with much interest and many conversions. Nearly fifty united with that society during the meetings, and the church and its pastor are greatly encouraged and strengthened (winter of 1880-81). In the summer of 1881, two events of importance occurred. First, their annual conference held its sessions with that society, a meeting of interest and great religious value. Second, the church repaired and renewed the interior of their meeting-house, which was rededicated in the latter part of the summer with im- pressive ceremonies. Altogether, the United Brethren Church is doing a good and much-needed work in that town, maintain- ing the standard of the Cross among that otherwise destitute population. A still more active and successful revival meeting was in progress for many weeks during the winter of 1881-82. The congregations were large and enthusiastie, and a large num- ber of converts have been added to the church, and a lively and growing religions interest prevails among that people.

White River Chapel (near Vardeman's. Nettle Creek). -. A society was formed about 1865, and their church was built about 1872. Their members have been Joshua Maddox, George Mad- dox, Edmund Petro, Mrs. Gillum, James Bolin, John Vardeman, Sr., John Vardeman, Jr., Henry Grubbs, Stephen Warwick, Ad- dison Rhodehammel, etc. For several years, the United Breth- ren held meetings in the old Concord Church, but each society concluded it would be best to have a house all to itself, and two houses were built, a mile apart, the Methodist Church at the lo- cation of "Old Concord," and the United Brethren a mile east.

Zion (one mile south of Steubenville). -- The society began about 1860. Preaching was held in the schoolhouse by Rev. David Gunkle. The meeting-house was built in 1875. At first, there were some twenty members. The present number is about thirty-five. Some of them are, or have been, William Gray, Ed- ward Gray, Silas Gordon, Christian Size, James McProud, Con- stant McProud, W. T. : Gray, S. S. Clark. Preachers, Messrs. Gunkle, Cranor, Rector, Day, Rice, Demunbren, Cook, Hall, Bias. The Sunday school numbers from twenty to thirty and preaching occurs once in three weeks.

TRUE WESLEYANS.

This denomination arose in the United States chiefly by a secession from the Methodist Episcopal Church, about 1842. The movement sprang from several causes-oppo- sition to slavery, secret societies and Episcopal power. And these three principale were declared in the new society, Anti- Slavery, Anti-Secretism, Anti-Episcopacy. The movement sprang rapidly through the country and became for a time strong and vigorous. The denomination began in this region at Newport (Fountain City), Wayne Co., Ind., in 1843, in the form of a quarterly meeting held there by ministers and lay members who were ready for the movement. Among the members of that con- vention were Rev. Ogden, from Troy, Ohio; Josiah Bell, Francis Root, Wayne County, Ind .; Daniel Worth, Stephen Moorman, Randolph County, Ind .; William Williams, Harvey Davis, Griffin Davis, John W. Johnson, Wayne County, Ind .; John A. Moorman, Walter Starbuck, George Vandeburg, Jonas Lykins, James Clayton and wife, Seth W. Beverly, Randolph County, Ind. As a result of that conference, the denomination took its rise in Randolph and Wayne Counties, and several classes were formed. In Randolph County, at Sparrow Creek (Buena Vista), at White Chapel, in West River Township, and at Clayton's, five miles west of Winchester. An account of the White Chapel class will be found elsewhere, which was a good strong church. At Buena Vista, some of the leading members were Walter Star- buck. George Vandeburg and Jonas Lykins. At Clayton's, were James Clayton and wife, Seth W. Beverly, John A. Moorman and Stephen Moorman. The preachers officiating at various times have been John W. Johnson, John A. Moorman, Daniel Worth, Mifflin Harker, Thomas Boucher, Jesse Pryor, Rev. Glad- den, Alexander Haywood, Dr. Hiatt, Charles Clemens, William R. J. Clemens, Aaron Worth, Coate and others. The societies,

except at White Chapel, were never strong, and they gradually dwindled away. The members died, or moved away, or went back to the Episcopal Methodists or Friends; or, in some cases, they stand aloof from church membership to the present time. In fact, most of the veterans of that anti-slavery conflict are no longer among the living. Some of the younger soldiers in that struggle still answer to the "roll call" of duty, but, as to the elder heroes in that fierce contest, their arms were long since laid aside; their mortal frames rest sweetly in the friendly dust, and their souls have gone to the mansions above. Their work is done; victory is gained; slavery ie fallen -- " is fallen," amid the happy shouts of an emancipated and enfranchised race. The Wesleyan Church at Newport (Fountain City), Wayne County, still exists, though much weakened in strength and numbers since the activity and power of that early time, when the battle against human slavery and unchristian prejudice raged fiercely throughout the land; but in Randolph County, the Wesleyan society as a denomination has wholly ceased its activity. No meetings have been held for perhaps ten or twelve years, at least but very few, and the Wesleyan work in Randolph lives only in the memory of the past.

Sparrow Creek .-- Began about 1843. The meetings were held at first in a log schoolhouse near Leroy Starbuck's, on the Buena Vista pike, two miles east of that place. The building is still standing. Afterward, they were held south of that, at Shearer's Schoolhouse. The Wesleyans never had a meeting- house on Sparrow Creek. Preachers, Alexander Haywood, John W. Johnson, Dr. Hiatt, Elijah Coate and some others. Mem- bers, Walter Starbuck, George Vandeburg, Jonas Lykins, Thomas Johnson, Rufus K. Mills, John Mills, etc., etc. The society is now nearly or quite extinct, having had no public services some- times for months together, and none at all for some yeare.

White Chapel (between Bloomingport and Economy) .- Soon after the formation of the American Wesleyan denomination, about 1843, a class was established in the southern part of West River, in the vicinity of Rev. Daniel Worth's, who had been a Methodist Episcopal preacher, but who went with the Wesleyans. Meetings were held for some years without a meeting-house, but White Chapel was built before 1852, and the Wesleyans kept up their services till say 1872. The society has now become entirely extinct, and the house was sold and removed in 1880. The mem- bers have been Daniel Worth, Macy Bunker, Owen Williams, Aaron Worth, William Price, Henry Mullenix, William C. Mul- lenix, Andrew Farquhar, Mahlon Farquhar, Clayton Stevenson. The preachers have been Daniel Worth, John A. Moorman, John W. Johnson, Alexander Haywood, Charles Clemens, Mr. Coate, Dr. Hiatt, Mr. Gladden, Aaron Worth, etc. The society was, for a time, lively and active, but it gradually lost its strength, and finally fell into entire extinction.

CHURCHES, ETC., OF UNION CITY.

The churches are as follows, one of each: Methodist Episco- pal, Rev. Greenman, pastor; Disciples, Rev. Sloan; Presbyterian, Rev. Ziegler; Lutheran, Rev. A. G. H. Michaelis; United Breth- ren (Ohio), Rev. S. W. Keister; Roman Catholic, Rev. J. H. Quinlan; Universalist, vacant.

Each of these congregations has a house of worship. The Methodists and Disciples have large and costly ones; the others, emaller and less expensive oues, but sufficient for their respect- ivo needs. Each congregation, except the Universalists, has a resident pastor and regular weekly services and a Sabbath school.

The Methodists, Lutherans, United Brethren and Roman Catholics have each a parsonage. The inhabitants of the town are largely religious, and most of the principal citizens are active members of some religious society. The temperance sentiment of the place (Indiana side) has always been very strong and ac- tive; and, though many vigorous efforts have been made to estab- lish the whisky business, those efforts thus far have always been failures.

The various temperance organizations of the day have been in operation from time to time -- Sons, Templars, Alliance, Cru- saders, Murphy societies, etc., etc. There is now an Independ -

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IHISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

ent Temperance Society in operation, having a hall and holding meetings several times a week (1880-81).

On the Ohio side, unhappily, the sentiment has been the other way, and, though there exists over there a strong and vig- orous temperance feeling, it remains in the minority, and a large number of drink-shops are allowed to squander the hard earnings and desolate the homes of their unfortunate victims. The his- tory of the various churches in Union City is given in the ap- propriate place under each head.

Several clergymen are residents of the town besides the pas- tors of the churches. The principal ones with the pastors are Rev. H. J. Meck, pastor M. E. Church, Oak street (gone); Rev. C. G. Bartholomew, pastor of the Disciples' Church, North How- ard street; Rev. W. M. Coulter, pastor Presbyterian Church, North Howard street (gone); Rev. Michaelis, Lutheran, North Plum street; Rev. Quinlin, Catholic, Northi Plum street; Rev. Keister, United Brethren (Ohio side); Rev. Reynolds, Methodist Episcopal; Rev. T. A. Brandon, Christian, North Howard street (gone); Rev. Stephens, Methodist Episcopal, east side of town; Rev. E. Tucker, Congregational, North Plum street; Rev. H. B. Polly, Disciple; Rev. W. D. Stone, Disciple, West Oak; Rev. Sloan, Disciple, North Plum (gone); Rev. Ridenour, Methodist, West Oak; Rev. Carter, Methodist, North Union; Rev. J. T. Shaw, Disciple, North Columbia; Rev. Vinson, Disciple, Ohio side; Rev. Vinson, Disciple, West Oak; Rev. Oldfield, Methodist, North Howard; Rev. Ziegler, Presbyterian, North Howard, Mr. Bell's.

NOTE-Several of the above have removed from the city.

Resident clergymen of Winchester are Revs. Herrick, Watts, Ellis, Brown, Johnson, Beard, Lemon, Spellman, Launer and perhaps others.

SPIRITUALISTS.

Unionsport .- This people have held meetings at times at Mr. Lamb's and at Josiah Mendenhall's. Some years ago, they held two or three grove meetings on the lands of John Lewis, near Unionsport. They have no settled organization at the place, but several persons in the vicinity are inclined to that faith, and think they have evidence that their friends who died years ago have appeared to them in material form, have spoken and in other ways proved their actual bodily existence. Spiritualism has found some adherents in past years in Winchester, and probably there are some of that way of thinking there at the present time; but, so far as we are aware, no public services or other demon- strations or exhibitions are now held in that town. What the condition of things may be in this respect there or in the county at large at the present time we are not informed.

HOLINESS BAND.

Union City .- The "Holiness Work" commenced in Union City under the labors of Rev. Mr. Lynch, pastor of the Meth- odist Church, about ten years ago. Father Carter was the first to enjoy the blessing, under the labors of Brother Lynch, during the revival of 1870-71, and he continued to enjoy that blessing and a sense of full acceptance and a perfect salvation till the close of his long and useful and devoted life. He spoke of his enjoyment of full salvation at every class-meeting, and showed by his daily walk that he possessed what he professed. During the summer of 1871, Brother Lynch, with about thirty of his members, went to Urbana Camp-meeting, he being anxious that they should avail themselves of this opportunity of seeking the blessing. About twenty of the members from Union City pro- fossed to receive the baptism of perfect love at that place. Weekly meetings were held for six years in the promotion of Holiness, but after that time the interest somewhat abated, and the meetings were permitted to close and gave place to the Cot- tage Prayer-meetings, held by the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. Five years ago (1876), in the meetings conducted by Rev. Mr. Vigus, the work revived again and several professed to receive the blessing, but no special meetings were held till 1878. In the spring of that year, a young man by the name of Crouser came to Union City, and held meetings for three or four weeks in the Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren Churches and the surrounding country. His extreme doctrine seemed to cause a division of sentiment among Christians to some extent. One re-

sult of his meetings was the formation of a " Holiness Band," who have held their separate meetings once or twice a week. The band has numbered from twelve to twenty persons. During the sum- mer season, they have held many meetings in the country, going sometimes twenty miles for that purpose. At the present time, about sixty persons in Union City profess enjoyment of the bless- ing of Holiness; and, on the whole, the work is on the advance. Two camp-meetings have been held at Union City Fair Grounds for the promotion of the cause, one by the Holiness Band, in connection with the Warsaw Holiness Camp-Meeting Association, and one by the Methodist Episcopal Church of Union City and the association just named. The meetings took place in the summers of 1879 and 1880. During the winter of 1880-81, a series of meet- ings were held in Union City under the direction of the Holiness Band, at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, continuing some two weeks. At the present time three meetings are held weekly in this interest-Tuesday evening, at the Meth- odist Episcopal Church; Friday evening, at the United Brethren Church, on the Ohio side, and one by the Band on Sabbath after- noon. Some opposition has been developed in process of time, both in the churches and outside of them, and the advocates of Holiness have borne a measure of reproach and evil speaking on account of their faith in this behalf; but grace has vouchsafed them meekly and joyfully to endure reproach and persecution for their faith in the grace of full salvation applied to their souls. The doctrine of Holiness as held by them may be briefly stated thus: There are two states of Christian experience-a lower and a higher state. The first is commonly attained at con- version, in which the soul is turned to God and set upon his services; but the passions remain still with more or less power to tempt and distress and sometimes to lead astray the struggling soul. The second is gained by prayer for and faith in this special blessing; and in this second or higher state, the power of temptation in the mind is wholly removed, and the soul is fully saved from sin and enabled by the strength of divine grace to live wholly free therefrom and in the full enjoyment of perfect love. Some hold that the power of appetite and passion is wholly de- stroyed; others seem not clear in their view upon this latter point. With many the doctrine of Holiness exists as a firm and steadfast and intelligent faith in the power of Christ to save them from pres- ent sin and a humble and constant reliance upon and a trust in Him for entire freedom from known and constant transgression, coup- led with a deep conviction of their helplessness in themselves and their need of entire dependence upon Christ for His indwell- ing power constantly put forth to accomplish their full salvation from the power and the fact of sin. In others, there would ap- pear to be somewhat a fanaticism and a kind of imagination of freedom from sin while yet it is clearly evident. to others, at least, that the persons in question possess their full share of hu. man infirmity, both in the power of passion in their souls and in the actual yielding thereto by them. In fact, some of the pro- fessors of Holiness show that they are no better than other men. The practice of such naturally brings the doctrine into disrepute. A special doctrine of Holiness would seem to have been main- tained of old in the Christian Church, notably by the Methodists in the time of Wesley, and for many years after that day and more or less down to the present time. The Methodiets as a 80- ciety, however, appear to have declined from their early faith and practice in this respect. Among most professors of religion at present, the "Doctrine of Holiness " as held by its special ad- vocates is judged to be rather fanatical and somewhat injurious to the influence of religious truth in the community. One thing, however, must be admitted to be correct-that the faith of the churches in the attainability of a high degree of Christian purity is far too weak, and that they need to awake to the great com- mand, "Be ye holy, for I am holy."

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History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 49

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664