History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 101

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761

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CHURCHES.

The Baptist Church of Galesburg .- " The historian . must reconstruct the past in the light of the present." Of the organization of the first Baptist Church in Western Michigan the records begin as follows :

" At a meeting on the 19th of February, 1832, at the house of Stephen Eldred, in the village of Comstock, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan Territory, Elder Reuben Winchell, Moderator, present the following brethren : Caleb and Phebe Eldred, Phebe Eldred, Clark Hall, Chloe Winchell, Chloe C. Winchell, with their letters of recommendation and dismission.

" Resolved, 1st, to unite in church conference; 2d, that Brother Caleb Eldred be clerk of said conference ; 3d, that Brothers Isaac Briggs and Roswell Aldrich, and Sister Briggs, be entitled to all the privileges of this conference until they have a reasonable time to send to the church to which they belong and receive their letters of recom- mendation and dismission; 4th, That this conference be known as the First Baptist Conference of the town of Arcadia ; 5th, that Brother Caleb Eldred and Isaac Briggs be a committee to prepare articles of faith and practice, and report the same to this conference on the last Sabbath in March next; 6th, to hold covenant meetings on the last Sabbath in each and every month.

" At a meeting of the First Baptist Conference of Arcadia, at the house of Stephen Eldred, on Lord's day, April 8, 1832, agreeable to previous notice, said Conference, by their committee, reported articles of faith, and practice, and covenant, and adopted the same by unani- mous vote.

" Whereupon it was adjudged proper, by and with the advice of Elder Reuben Winchell, Brother Moses Merrill, and the Rev. Wm. Jones, that the said Conference enter into fellowship and become the visible church of Christ. Accordingly, Elder Reuben Winchell gave the right hand of fellowship and charge to the said church, to be known as the First Baptist Church of Arcadia.

" Members composing the First Baptist Church of Arcadia : Caleb Eldred and Phebe (his wife), Phebe Eldred, Clark Hall, Butternuts, N. Y .; Chloe Winchell, Chloe C. Winchell, Lockport, N. Y. ; Isaac Briggs and Betsey A. Briggs (his wife), admitted December, 1833, Athol, Mass. ; Alvin Burdick and Lydia Ann Burdick (his wife), But- ternuts, N. Y. ; Lewis S. Toby, New Raritan, N. J. ; Silas Dunham, Henrietta, N. Y .; Edwin S. Dunham, Rochester, N. Y. ; Fannie Marsh, West Townsend, Vt .; Daniel Eldred, New Lisbon, N. Y .; Michael Spencer, Joshua Spencer, Ypsilanti, Mich."

At a church meeting on Sept. 16, 1832, Elder Thomas W. Merrill was by letter received into fellowship, and the church then voted to change its name to the First Baptist Church of Comstock.

The organization perfected, this little band of Christians went courageously to work making betterments about their rude homes, not forgetting to assemble themselves together in their Master's name.

Elder Reuben Winchell appears to have been shepherd to the lone flock for a part of the first year,-certainly more from love of Christian labor and the good he could do them than for any remuneration they could give him. The first years of their church life they held their conference and covenant meetings at Comstock, at Brother Silas Dunham's house in Plainwell, at Deacon I. Briggs' house on Gull Prairie, at the homes of the Burdicks in the Burdick set- tlement, at Bronson, on Climax Prairie, and in Calhoun County.

The spirit of the Pilgrims seems to have sustained this little church, for the record kept by the first clerk, Caleb

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Eldred, shows that the monthly covenant meeting was sel- dom a failure.

The words of the old record, as they were traced by the clerk with the quill pen `then in vogue, still retain the sand or glittering steel-dust he used on his writing.

The first pastors of the church may be called transient supplies. They were Elders Winchell, Jones, T. W. Mer- rill, Loomis, and Adams, till 1837. The little flock paid them what they could for their preaching. Caleb Eldred and Isaac Briggs were the first deacons. Finally, in the meeting at Brother Reynolds' house, on Toland Prairie, Dec. 13, 1835, they ordered a committee to ascertain what amount of subscription could be raised in the settlement to hire a preacher one year to devote himself to the services of the church. The result of the labors of this pioneer church was the planting of many other churches in various parts of this and adjoining counties.

At the meeting at Brother Reynolds' house on Toland Prairie, May 13, 1837, it was voted to engage a minister for one year, and to secure the school-house on the prairie for the Baptist meetings and the meeting of the Association, and $100 was voted to pay Elder Adams for his services. At one of these meetings stringent temperance resolutions were passed.

Elder H. Munger was with them as pastor in 1838; $300 was raised for his support, and an effort was made to build a " parsonage house." It was voted, March 6, 1839, that Elder Munger preach one-half of the time at the school- house on the prairie, one-quarter of the time at the village of Comstock, and one-quarter of the time in the Burdick Settlement. Rev. H. Munger continued with them until 1840, and was succeeded by Elder Bailey in 1841 and 1842. In 1843, Rev. T. W. Bly, of Lagrange, Cass Co., Mich., was invited to take pastoral charge of the church, and accepted. Elder John Gilbert, from Schoolcraft, Mich., " breaks the bread of life" for the church during the year 1846. He died here in 1847. This year the church, dropping the word "Comstock," became the Galesburg Baptist Church.

Rev. Edwin S. Dunham was pastor of the church in 1848. In 1849 the long-wished-for church edifice was built in Galesburg, and the first service was held in it March 9, 1850. Rev. Peter S. Jones was the pastor who occupied the pulpit in the new edifice. Rev. A. J. Bingham, of Jacksonville, Ill., came in 1853, and preached to the church till 1855. Rev. W. S. Roberts, of East Franklin, Ind., came in 1857. In 1857, Rev. Jeremiah Cell, of Momence, Ill., was called, and preached to them until 1861. In De- cember, 1859, the records read, " Finished enlarging our house of worship at a cost of $550." Rev. Newton Gilbert, of Dixon, Ill., was pastor of the church in 1862. He died years afterwards, and lies in the Galesburg burial-ground. Rev. J. C. Armstrong, from Lansing, Mich., in 1863 suc- ceeded Mr. Gilbert. He was followed by Rev. Reuben Everts, of Fremont, Ill., in 1864, and the latter by Rev. H. C. Beals, of Clayton, N. Y. For a while Elder E. Cur- tis served as a supply, and, in 1866, Rev. Jeremiah Cell returned to his old pastorate. Rev. H. B. Fuller, from Napoleon, Mich., succeeded him in 1867.

Now came a period in which several students from the

theological college at Kalamazoo supplied the pulpit. They were Monroe, Brooks, Waxman, Wormwood, and others. Rev. G. J. Travis supplied the pulpit for a short period. In 1873, Rev. C. Haven, from Ohio, became pastor for one year. Rev. C. F. Compton in 1874 preached here and at Augusta. In 1875 the church was enlarged and rebuilt, at a cost of $1000. Rev. L. L. Gage was pastor in 1877, and was succeeded by Rev. C. B. Shear, of Nashville, Mich., in 1878. Rev. E. H. Hamlin, a retired Baptist cler- gyman, residing in Galesburg, has since 1873, with his ac- customed kindness, supplied the pulpit whenever the church has lacked a pastor. Rev. Joel E. Bitting, from Imlay City, Mich., is pastor of the church at the present time. Here the records end. Beginning in 1832, they reach to 1879. The clerks have been Caleb Eldred, Joseph Mer- rill, James W. Cothren, Henry H. Reading, A. B. Sumner, Henry Bevier, and Isaac Mason, the present clerk.

The Sabbath-school of the church was a part of the old Sabbath-school, which consisted of a union of the Congrega- tional, the Methodist, and Baptist schools from au early date down to 1850, when the Baptists took their part of the old school into their own church. The present membership of the church is 71. The Sabbath-school superintendent is Rev. Joel E. Bitting, the pastor. The number of scholars is 100.

The Congregational Church of Galesburg .- The organi- zation of the first Congregational Church in Comstock was effected on the 10th day of December, 1835, at the house of Deacon Sherman Comings, on Toland Prairie, Revs. Mason Knappen and William Jones being the officiating clergymen. The following is the list of the members pres- ent at the organization : Seymour Loveland and Clarissa, his wife; Stephen Loveland and Tryphena, his wife; Eli Anderson and wife; Amelia and Louisa Anderson ; Solomon Kingsley and his wife Nancy and daughter ; Montgomery Percival and Eunice, his wife; Betsey Percival; Samuel Per- cival and Lucinda, his wife ; David Hale, his wife, and two daughters; Charles Andrews and Caroline, his wife ; H. Logan and wife ; John Powlison, his wife, and Abraham V., his son ; Silas Joy, wife, two daughters, and one son ; Sherman Comings and wife; Caleb Smart and wife. At this meeting Caleb Smart, David Hale, and Sherman Com- ings were chosen deacons.

This was the first effort at planting the " Rose of Sha- ron" in this wild region by the Congregationalists. The above-named individuals constituted the little flock who watched and guarded it during its early years, that its growth might keep pace with the wants of the young set- tlement. Left almost alone, with no settled pastor for the first few years, with what anxious solicitude they regarded their tender charge while it was struggling through the varied hardships and untried experiences of its pioneer life !

Now and then some wandering minister passing through the settlement was discovered, and prevailed on to stop and preach to them. But, though such occasions were " like angels' visits, few and far between," they were highly prized by this hungry and needy little church. Thus they lived on, waiting, praying, and hoping for better times, when they could have some one to take charge of them, until 1837, when they secured a pastor in the Rev. Mr. Shepherd.

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He remained, "breaking the bread of life" to them, for one year, when he took his departure, leaving them again literally without a shepherd. From this until 1839 they had no settled pastor, the desk being supplied occasionally by some itinerant minister, and now and then by Rev. Mason Knappen or William Jones, from the neighboring settlement on Gull Prairie.

In 1839, Rev. Veron D. Taylor, originally from New England, but recently from the Bethel Church of Buffalo, N. Y., accepted a call from the church to settle perma- nently as its pastor. He came, and was installed by the Rev. O. P. Hoyt, of Kalamazoo. Now the members re- joiced greatly, believing they had found a man " after God's own heart,"-one in whom they could trust, and one whom they would always have to minister to them. He was ever diligent and faithful in the performance of his ministerial duties, not only among his own people, but he went out into adjoining towns, and many were added to the church both by letter and profession, among whom were Deacon Joseph Corey and wife, Deacon Philip Gray and his son, Isaac H. Gray and wife, John Powlison, wife, and three sons ; Mrs. Bacon, Mr. Larkin and wife ; James Jacobs, Mrs. More, Solomon Cuykendall and wife; R. Taylor, E. Judd, Mr. Pitkin, George Pratt, Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Vick- ery, Mrs. Botsford, Mr. Capell and wife, W. B. Spaulding and wife.

A Sabbath-school is organized, and Charles Andrews is chosen superintendent ; the church at Comstock and Gales- burg are one, and the meetings are held alternately at each place. This is in 1841. About this time the pastor pro- posed to some of the members, in private conversation, to withdraw from the Congregational Church and organize a Presbyterian Church at Galesburg. He advised them to call for letters at the next church-meeting. This they did; that is, those few with whom he had conferred on the subject. The rest, a great majority, were ignorant of the whole mat- ter. Had a thunderbolt burst in their midst there would not have been greater consternation ; with this, too, was mingled indignation at the proceedings of their loved pas- tor, in whom they had always put the most implicit confi- dence. It called forth prayer and exhortation seldom or never heard from any people. Yet, not in the least daunted, the pastor perseveres in his undertaking, severs the church, leaving that at Comstock to go on alone; he, in 1841, or- ganizes a church on the accommodation plan, called the First Presbyterian Church, at Galesburg. This meeting was held in the school-house about one-half mile west of the village. Willard Mills, Mr. Pitkin, and Solomon Cuykendall were chosen deacons. As the finishing stroke to this whole affair, the Rev. Veron D. Taylor now tenders his resignation. This is accepted. Again is this little flock left without a shepherd.

The Presbytery about this time met at Galesburg. Quite a spirit of revival was manifest during its session, and the brethren propose to hold a series of meetings. They en- gage Rev. Calvin Clark, of Gull Prairie, to conduct these meetings. A great spiritual awakening follows; many are added to the church. Among these were Porter H. Whitford, Roswell Ransom, E. M. Clapp and mother, and Charlotte, Cornelia, and Mary McClary. At this period the church

begins to cast about for another pastor "to go in and out before them." Isaac H. Gray recommends Rev. Asa Bush- nell, of Le Roy. They " give him a call;" he accepts, and preaches alternately at Comstock and Galesburg. The meetings in Galesburg were held in what was then called " Gray's Castle." This was situated on the lots on Main Street now owned by Miss Mallock and McNaughton. In 1843, Mr. Gray needs his "castle" for other purposes. The church are again driven out shelterless, with nothing to rely on but their trust in God, their own scanty resources, and the cold charities of the world. Having no place to worship, they hire a room, first in one quarter, then in an- other. In 1844 we find them resorting to the unfinished kitchen of Deacon Corey's dwelling-house. Here they met to worship for a while, but, the deacon's family being large, they find it impracticable to meet there any longer. Then the earnest question arises among the brethren, " What . shall we do ? Where shall we go to worship ?" Some one proposes to disorganize. Others exclaim, " We will never disband !" But winter is coming on ; they cannot hold meetings in the open air. They cannot meet in the groves, " God's first temples." What shall they do? At this crisis Deacon Willard Mills, one of the members, who is strongly opposed to disbanding, arises and says, " With the help of God, 'where there is a will there is a way,'" and he urges them to think, to pray, to agitate the question of what is to be done. The thought finally occurs to him that two or three men are owing him small sums, and one of them owns a saw-mill. Acting immediately on this, he goes to see these men, makes arrangements for securing lumber, hires carpenters, and in six weeks' time he erects a comfortable house of worship, 18 by 26 feet, on the spot now occupied by Messrs. Brockway & Danile's brick block. Here the little church continue to meet for worship, with none to molest or make them afraid, for the space of one year. In 1845 they go unitedly to work, and erect a com- modious house on the site where the present brick church edifice now stands.

The people do not appear to be quite satisfied with Rev. Asa Bushnell, their pastor. He tenders his resignation : it is accepted. They now invite the Rev. Mr. Payson ; he comes and preaches to them for two years, but eventually gets angry with the deacons and most of the members, and finally leaves in disgust with all. Yet during his ministry here there was quite an extensive revival, as he, with the aid of Rev. R. Avery, an evangelist, held a series of meet- ings in which many were added to the church.

Rev. Mr. Hardy is next secured as a pastor. He preaches one year and resigns. In 1849, Rev. Asa Bushnell is re- called ; he comes back, fondly hoping that he is settled over this church for life. He builds the brick residence now owned by J. P. Bristol, and removes here with his family. But before his house is really finished his people begin to talk of a change, some thinking he is too prosy, others may have thought him too earnest an abolitionist, especially in the pulpit. With sadness and a heavy heart he again takes his leave of this people, over whom he has so long watched, and with and for whom he has so long labored, preached, and prayed. He left them never more to return as their pastor. And as his memory now recurs to those of his old

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flock who yet survive, it sheds the light of other days over these past scenes, and by it they can see clearly drawn the picture of that truly good man, Rev. Asa Bushnell.

Mr. Isaac H. Gray, who had so warmly recommended their late pastor, now, in 1853, introduces another name to the church, that of the Rev. Thomas Jones, whom he thinks the very man they want. Accordingly, with the consent of the people, he goes to Cass and secures Mr. Jones as their pastor, and he removes here with his family. But the church had no parsonage, nor any house for the parson. In this dilemma, Mr. Gray comes to their relief and kindly offers the new minister and family a home, in two rooms of his " castle." This is gladly accepted, and Mr. Jones resides here until he secures a residence of his own. He remained in charge of this church for some eleven years. During the first part of his pastorate the name of this church was changed from Presbyterian to Congregational. And it was during his ministry, in 1859, that the church building was burned ; not without strong suspicion resting on some intemperate men of the commu- nity, who had taken umbrage at the outspoken advocacy of temperance by the pastor and his church. Again is this people left without a house of worship. And again, in 1861, they earnestly go to work and build a new church edifice,-our present large and commodious brick building. And for all this, who shall say how much we are indebted to the untiring energy, business ability, and true Christian courage of the Rev. Thos. Jones,-the true friend in need and benefactor of this church ? Mr. Jones resigned in 1862. Then Rev. Edward Gale, of Ohio, was secured as pastor ; preaching some three years he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Dox, who ministered to this people about two years, when Rev. J. W. Allen officiated as pastor for one year. He was followed by Rev. W. F. Day, who remained with us five years, resigning in 1873, when Rev. L. M. Hunt succeeded him, who had charge of the church until the beginning of 1880, when he resigned, and Rev. C. O. Brown became pastor.

History of the Sabbath-School from its First Organization. -The Sabbath-school at Comstock and the one at Galesburg included the various denominations, and were first founded in 1837. They worked together unitedly and prosperously on the union plan until 1844. Mr. Chas. Andrews, now of Augusta, a Congregationalist, was the first superintendent of the Sunday-school at Comstock, and Deacon Thomas Merrill, Baptist, since deceased, was the first superintendent at Galesburg. During the winter of 1842, Deacon Miller went East, leaving the school without a leader. At this juncture Deacon Willard Mills volunteered his services as superintendent until Deacon Merrill should return. On the return of the latter he withdrew from the school, and, taking their portion of the library, he organized a Sabbath- school for the Baptist society in the old Galesburg school- house, situated on Ralph Tuttle's land, west of the village. In this old building was held the first revival in this region, conducted by Rev. Calvin Clark, and to the great good then accomplished many yet living here can testify. This old pioneer school-house and church was finally moved into town, and is now known as the " Truax House," on Washington Street. Our Sabbath-school was now left to the care of

the Methodists and Congregationalists. Deacon W. Mills was by unanimous vote chosen superintendent of it, in which capacity he acted for many years ; so long, at least, that the children and young people began to look upon him as their particular property, while he, on the other hand, seemed to consider himself as the legitimate spiritual father of all who in any way were connected with this school. The Methodists continued with us in happy unity until they erected their house of worship. The superintendents of this school have served in the following order-the time with some may be at fault : Deacon Thomas Merrill acted from 1837 to 1842 or 1843; Deacon W. Mills was then chosen and acted for some years or more, and was followed by Rev. Asa Bushnell, pastor of the Congregational Church; he served as superintendent but a short time, and was succeeded by Deacon Mills again, who remained until he removed to Gull Prairie, in 1848, when Porter H. Whitford was made superintendent, and served in that capacity for one year. Deacon W. Mills, returning in 1850, was tendered his old position as leader of the school, and remained at its head until he went out as a colporteur for the American Bible Society, in which good work he started in 1856. During the time given to this work, Deacon Mills supplied between 2000 and 3000 destitute families with the Bible, and in the meanwhile he organized many Sabbath-schools in the differ- ent parts of his field of labor. During his absence in this work his place of superintendent was filled by his brother, Sylvester W. Mills ; and on his return lie again took charge of the school. and remained at its head until he resigned, in 1863, when Daniel Sumner was chosen to supply his place. Mr. Sumner served but a short time when he left, and was succeeded by Deacon N. L. Randall, who had charge of the school for some four years ; at the expiration of this time David B. Hull was chosen superintendent, which office he held till his death, which took him from his field of earthly labors in the fall of 1874, when John W. Williams was elected to fill his place. Mr. Williams is still superintendent.

It is something worthy of remark that during these long years there have been so few deaths among the children in this Sabbath-school. Among those who have been trans- ferred to that " better land" we present the following list : Sarepta Mathews, E. Brown, Solon Smith, Carrie McCollum, Anne Freeze, Settie Smith, Ann Proctor, Sarah Ford, H. Allerton, and Anne Malloch. There may be a few others whose names we cannot recall.

Many young men reared in the Sabbath-school went at their country's call to take part in the fierce struggle for the preservation of the Union, who, "when the war was over," returned to us again. Some starved in Southern prisons, or pined away in Southern hospitals, or fell bravely fighting for their country's flag on Southern battle-fields.

Many Christian men and women have gone out from this Sabbath school and settled in homes of their own in various parts of the country. Many we know to have become ac- tive and efficient Sabbath-school teachers or superintendents, or worthy members or officers of other churches.

Very many years ago our superintendents introduced the temperance pledge in this school, which most of the chil- dren have signed. And to our knowledge there has not

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HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

one man gone from this school into active life who became a drunkard or a rum-seller. That's noble, and bespeaks a volume of good for this school. Circulate that pledge, that the temperance influence may reach the inmates of every home in our village, and of every home in your vicinity. This is an important part of our Sabbath-school work.

The old plan in regard to lessons was seven verses a week, one committed each day, and we think there was more Scripture permanently retained by the pupils then than now, where there is more space included in the lessons, but less permanent good derived from the recitation.

" Circles are praised not that abound In size or space, but the exactly round. So life and learning doth excel, Not in doing much, but doing well."

The first lesson at the beginning of each year was the ten commandments. Aside from that the lessons were . confined to the New Testament.

The old " Well Spring" was among the first Sunday-school papers taken by this school. Then came the "Child's Home," and then our present paper.

The modern system of " Lesson Leaves" was introduced during Deacon Randall's superintendency. The old school got its " Lesson Leaves" from the Bible, and they relied implicitly on them. This is the fountain of all religious instruction.

The " bird's-nest" class was started in Deacon Mills' term, in 1858 or 1859, and still exists.

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History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 101

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 761

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761