USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 39
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The church building was erected in 1869. It is a frame, located on sec- tion seventeen, township fifty-four, range twenty-eight, and cost $1,100. It was dedicated in 1869, by Wm. Morton and Anderson Pickeral. Pas- tors: A. Pickeral and N. B. Peeler.
In 1875, a division occurred in this church, growing out of a difference in the views of its members on the subject of dancing. The faction favor- ing that amusement withdrew, and, building a house of worship, called it the
HOUSE OF PRAYER.
It is situated on section thirty, township fifty-four, range twenty-eight; was built in 1876, at a cost of about four hundred dollars. About twenty members-having withdrawn, as stated above, from Bethlehem church- formed the original organization. They retain the name, Christian, meet regularly, and are in a prosperous condition-the membership having increased to sixty-two.
M. E. CHURCH SOUTH, AT LAWSON.
Full reports of this church could not be obtained. It was probably organized about 1870. Among the original members we mention the fol- lowing:
George James, Selina Morrow, Mary Cox, Mary Tiffin, Margaret Allen, Sarah Crowley, Alexander McDonald, Joseph McDonald, G. F. Crowley, Fanny Huff.
R. H. Jordan, Jesse Bird, W. C. Campbell, J. A. Hyder, J. Devlin, L. F. Linn, A. M. Kiergan and H. A. Davis, have been pastors of this church. It has seventy-five members.
CHURCH OF CHRIST OF CHRISTIAN UNION, KNOXVILLE CHARGE.
This church was organized in 1871. The original members were as
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
. follows: H. Whitsen, J. Greason, J. Cook, J. Turney, S. Leabo, Joel Leabo. The church owns no house, but holds services in a school house.
Names of pastors: D. H. McLuse, H. Holman, Andrew Arnote, J. W. Horder. H. Holman is the present pastor.
The number of present membership is about sixty. The church is prospering, and contemplates erecting a church edifice at an early date.
The doctrines of the Christian Union are probably not so well under- stood by the general public as are those of most other religious denomina- tions. The church advocates an experimental religion, and endorses bap- tism, administering it to satisfy the conscience of the subject; and also the Lord's supper. It disfavors debate; its object being to bring all Christian people together. It differs from the Methodist church mainly in church government.
Subjoined is a declaration of views on the unity of the Church of Christ, adopted by the general council of the Christian Union, held at Wesley, Indiana, May 15, 1878. Christian Union principles:
1. The oneness of the Church of Christ.
2. Christ the only Head.
3. The Bible our only rule of faith and practice.
4. " Good Fruits " the only condition of fellowship.
5. Christian Union without controversy.
6. Each local church governs itself.
7. Political preaching discountenanced.
The above is a distinct and formulated statement of the principles of the churches of the Christian Union.
REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
The district in which this branch is located was organized in 1872, and contains six branches, with a membership of about two hundred in the aggregate. Original members, A. J. Blodget, J. S. Lee, L. W Babbitt, James Wood, W. C. Kinyon, J. W. Johnson, Joseph D. Craven, James Milligan, and E. W. Cato.
The church house is a frame edifice, and was built in 1881, at a cost of seven hundred dollars. It is situated on section 33, township 51, range 26.
Joseph D. Craven has been presiding elder of the district since the year 1872. His charge includes the membership of Ray, Platte, Carroll and Livingston counties. Rev. E. W. Cato is pastor of the church. Ray county has only two branches, numbering about sixty-five members in all.
We have received two conflicting statements concerning the branches, of the district referred to above, in this county, which we are unable to reconcile, but we have gleaned the information here presented from both, with the hope that it will be intelligible, at least, to those most interested.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
M. E. CHURCH SOUTH, AT TAITSVILLE.
The original members were, G. W. Cones and wife, John Tait and wife, S. F. Siler, John Reavis and wife, J. S. Barbee, Henry Myers and wife, Frances Bennett, and Sarah Shumate.
The church house is a very neat frame, and was built in 1880. Its cost, when completed, was one thousand dollars.
The following persons, among others, have been pastors of this church, viz: J. Bovee, N. A. Keyes, T. B. Bratten, - Henley, - Butler, - Mozier.
The present membership is eighteen. Preaching twice a month.
HICKORY GROVE CHURCH (UNION.)
Hickory Grove Church building is in Crooked River township, situ- ated in a beautiful grove, not far from the river. It was erected in 1876, at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars, and is owned by four denominations, all of which are prospering, and worship together in the most beautiful harmony.
M. E. CHURCH SOUTH, IN KNOXVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Original members: Emanuel Peter and wife, J. Switzer and wife, George Peter and wife, Jacob Jackson and wife, G. Vandever and wife. The church house is a frame, erected in 1876, at a cost of $2,500. J. Switzer, Perry, and Leeper have been pastors.
This church has about one hundred members, and is doing well. A Sunday-school, of thirty-five pupils, convenes regularly every Lord's day.
In connection with the church is a cemetery, established in 1876.
PLEASANT VALLEY CHAPEL, CHRISTIAN UNION OF MISSOURI.
This church was organized December 30, 1877, with the following origi- nal membership: Cleason Robertson, Susan Robertson, Jas. Snider, Mary Snider, Nathaniel Pike, George Porkony, Jeremiah Turner, Octavia Basham, Mary Fair, Annie Youngblood, and Emma McCall.
The church building, a neat and attractive frame, conveniently and tastily furnished, was completed August 1, 1880, at a cost of one thousand dollars, and dedicated the 26th of the same month, by Elder J. V. B. Flack, of Missouri City, Clay county, Missouri.
Rev. Andrew Arnote is now (1881), and has been since its organization, pastor of this church. Under charge of Rev. Arnote the church is. prosperous, progressive and harmonious.
Its membership has increased until it now numbers eighty-seven.
The edifice is located in Richmond township, about seven miles north of Richmond.
It is appropriate to append the following, as reported to the thirty- sixth annual council of the churches of the Christian Union of Missouri, convened at Salem Chapel, Clay county, Missouri, September 16, 17, 18 and 19, A. D. 1880.
·
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
ON STATE AND WISHES OF THE CHURCHES.
After careful examination, your committee finds the churches in a good and prosperous condition. New churches have been added to many of the charges; new chapels have been erected; pastors employed at stated salaries; new members quite frequently received in the churches; houses in good repair; peace prevails among the membership; the doctrine of Christain Union is well understood and maintained by our many live local churches; prayer meetings are held, and the attendance upon public preaching is often very large and universally good; our churches are lib- eral and generous toward all religious people.
ON BIBLE CAUSE.
We, your committee, report 1st, That we favor the general circulation of King James' translation of the bible; 2d, That we co-operate with the American bible society in its good work; 3d, That we recognize the bible as the great, grand, universal creed of the true church of Christ, and will have no other creed.
ON CORRESPONDENCE.
We, your committee on correspondence beg leave to report,
1st. That we have continued to write numerous letters to different sec- tions of our common field of operation, in which letters we have earnestly presented the claims of this blessed Union cause.
2d. We have written to the leading state meetings, and received words of cheer therefrom.
3d. We have carried on a correspondence with the prominent workers in and out of the state, from whose pens we have personally learned that our cause was well entrenched in the hearts and minds of all our most useful and successful workers.
4th. We have written to churches in various parts of the state, send- ing all the words.of good cheer we possibly could.
5th. In our correspondence at home and abroad, we find no apparent weakening on the part of Christian Union advocates; all are more confi- dent, with but very few exceptions.
6th. We have extended our correspondence beyond our immediate borders and have received words of cheer and good fellowship from D. L. Moody, J. V. Farwell, J. Cook, President Abernethy, Dr. Lyman Abbott, Dr. N. F. Ravlin, H. L. Hasting, H. W. Beecher, and many others, whose worthy names we have not space to mention.
7th. Our correspondence with Tennessee and Kentucky Christian Union assures us that the cause is rapidly gaining influence in those states. Good cheer reaches us from Brothers Deason, Cook, and others, giving accounts of the rapid and effectual advance of the work among their brethren.
Sth. Correspondence shows to us that the good brethren in the north- eastern portion of Missouri are pressing the work of Union with earnest- ness and faithful prayer.
9th. We have many communications from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and elsewhere, written by private brethren, in which we have very cheer- ing news concerning the advance of our active preachers and church workers.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
10th. From letters in our possession we learn that quite a large num- ber of members have united with us in the various states; that new churches have been established, and new chapels erected, and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God.
11th. We receive urgent appeals to send ministerial help to destitute localities.
12th. Great anxiety is manifest on the part of all our brethren, -- whose hearts are in the work-in relation to our having a firmly estab- lished printing house. Letters reach us almost daily, urging that we advance and lead off in this undertaking. Many matters have presented themselves to us, which time and space will not permit recounting.
ON RESOLUTIONS.
We, your committee, report that, as resolutions expressive of our views, we refer our friends to the resolutions of the last state meeting, and those of the last general council. We stand upon the broad and catholic plat- form received and acknowledged by all Christians as essential to salvation. Our people are resolved to hold to no dogma calculated to produce and promote division in the church of God.
ON BOUNDARIES.
We, your committee, see no occasion for a change in boundaries, and recommend that they remain as heretofore; but suggest that district councils be held by the brethren of northeast Missouri.
ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
We, your committee, beg leave to report as follows: We would solicit the churches in different localities to establish Sunday-schools in their community without any sectarian principles connected with them; to establish them upon the principles and platform of American Union. Raise your children under the sway of the sceptre of Union and the one- ness of the church of Christ; create within them large Union hearts. We would further recommend that the council instruct the state evangelist to do all in his power to organize American Union Sabbath-schools in the different localities visited by him, believing that the Sabbath-school is the nursery of the church.
ON FINANCE.
We, your committee, report that some of the charges do not support their pastors as liberally as should be done, and therefore we urge that every church should contract with its pastor and pay him promptly. That every member be required to pay to the support of the gospel among them. That the elders see to it, that every attendant on our services be invited to contribute to the support of the minister, that no one may fail of an opportunity to do his duty; that our members be advised to pay as the Lord has prospered them, so that our pastors may not be embarrassed in their calling.
1
ON FRATERNAL RELATIONS.
We, to whose care the matter of fraternal relations was submitted one year ago, report as follows:
1st. That brotherly love and peace pervades our home churches and membership, clerical and lay.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
2d. That the best of good feeling exists toward the brethren and the general work throughout the entire confines of the Christian 'Union field.
3d. That the reports we receive from the fraternal messengers who have been appointed to the previous state councils, indicate the best of results.
4th. As your committee, we hereby officially extend our right hand of fellowship to every Christian Union man and woman in the world.
5th. That we hereby and herein declare that, as a people, we stand ready to fraternize with every Christian person or body of persons whose love and kindliness will prompt them to co-operate with us in our efforts to lead perishing mankind to the blood-stained cross of Jesus.
6th. That in our fraternal overtures we draw no party lines nor pre- scribe any sectarian or sectional boundaries or edicts, but ask for broth- erly love and affiliation on the primal and essential truths of God's dear Son-our Savior.
7th. We rejoice to know that partisanism and sectarian denomination- alism are rapidly dying out, and the great and holy principle of a soul- saving gospel getting hold upon and deeply in the hearts of good and true Christians in all the various religious organizations.
Sth. The indications, everywhere, justify the conclusion that the religious elements of our country are drawing closer and still closer together.
ON PUBLISHING INTERESTS.
We, your committee on publishing interests, report as follows:
1st. That the Witness has been suspended, and we are, therefore, without a church organ at present.
2d. That our cause is amply strong to maintain and support a print- ing house, at which all needed printing can be done at reasonable rates, and a good Christian Union paper provided for the promotion of our cause.
3d. We therefore propose that this council appoint a committee of five, whose duty it shall be to proceed and raise means sufficient to buy a printing office, with all needful appurtenances, to print a Christian Union paper, etc., etc.
4th. That this committee be ordered by this body to use their wisdom in the plan of securing a publishing house, to-wit: That they induce one, two or more brethren to provide said office and have the proceeds there- of, and hire the editor; or, else, that said committee raise a general fund in a sum sufficient to buy an office complete-said sum to be raised by contributions throughout the brotherhood, by a canvass among the local churches; and that said office be the common property of the donors, and to be used, for all time to come, as the publishing house of the Christian Union.
5th. That we, after buying this office, authorize this said committee of five to arrange with Bro. J. V. B. Flack, our former editor, to run the said office and edit a Christian Union paper for a period of, at least, five years; unless, in the judgment of the committee and donors, his services should be discontinued and another take his place, or said editor desires to relin- quish the office of his own motion.
6th. Furthermore, we direct that said committee take under advise-
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
ment the idea of the combined contributions of the Christian Union and public generally buying a printing office outfit complete, and then tender the use of said office for five years to Brother J. V. B. Flack, allowing him to have the use of the material, free of all expense, for said period, on condition that he provide a Christian Union weekly paper for our people, he, the said J. V. B. Flack, to receive all the proceeds for subscription and for job work done by the said office, he paying all the expenses for run- ning said office, and keeping up the same to a point of usefulness.
With these suggestions we leave the matter with the council and the contemplated committee of five, should you in your wisdom appoint one.
ON PUBLISHING MINUTES.
We, your committee, advise that the proceedings of this council be printed in pamphlet form, and that means be raised at once to defray the expense thereof.
ON EXAMINATION AND ORDINATION.
We, your committee, report that, after careful examination, we com- mend as proper candidates to ordination, Bros. J. R. Franklin and A. S. Gechter.
ON EDUCATION.
We, your committee, commend to your notice the wisdom and propri- ety of sound education. We urge that our members seek to give their children the advantages of learning. We suggest that at an early period we adopt measures to secure in our council bounds a first-class college, and until then we commend Rutherford College, Happy Home, North Carolina, to the patronage of our people. We also desire to hereby express our thanks to the above named college and its learned faculty for the merited honor they conferred upon our fellow worker, Brother J. V. B. Flack, in constituting the said beloved brother a doctor of divinity. His learning and faithfulness have rendered him worthy of all honor.
ON TEMPERANCE.
Resolved, that we are a temperance people; that we co-operate with all movements tending to help lift up the fallen inebriate; that we condemn the manufacture, sale and use of ardent spirits as a beverage; that we do not believe in organizing political parties on the temperance question, but think we should promote the cause by the machinery of the church and the conversion of the souls of the unfortunate.
ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
We, your committee, after careful examination, do not find any unfin- ished business demanding attention.
ON PUBLIC WORSHIP.
We, your committee on public worship, submit the following complete report: Preaching, Thursday night, by Elder A. Arnote; preaching, Friday, at 11 A. M., by Elder J. R. Franklin ; preaching, Friday night, by Elder A. S. Gechter; preaching, Saturday, at 11 A. M., by Elder N. Nickeson; preaching Saturday night, by Elder N. H. French; social meeting, Sun- day, at 9 A. M., by Elder D. H. McClure; preaching, Sunday, at 11 A. M., by Elder G. W. Mitchell; sacramental meeting, at 3 P. M., by Elder H.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Holman; preaching at night, by Elder A. S. Gechter, followed by Elder J. V. B. Flack.
ON MEMORIAL.
Since, in the mysterious providences of God, our Heavenly Father, some of the beloved members of the Missouri Annual Council have been called from labor to reward, from earth-life to heaven-life, from mortal to immortal shores, from this valley of grief and partings, to the clime of glory and reunion: Therefore, we express our sense of their absence and our Christian condolence for the bereaved families of the deceased, by hereby recording their names, in token of the fact that their meritorious character and many exceeding excellencies are embalmed in the warm hearts of the members of this Annual Council. That the coming future and its generations may not be oblivious to the estimable and enviable memory of Elder Samuel Leabo, and Brothers G. W. Madden and Wil- son Samples, we hereby declare that those beloved brethren were true and worthy citizens of our common country, and of the Christian Union and the State Council of Missouri; that they left behind them abiding evidences of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the joyful assurance of an abundant entrance into the eternal City of God, and the endless fel- lowship of the saints. May the angels of heavenly wing ever watch over their silent graves.
PLEASANT VALLEY CHAPEL.
Brother Ephland writes the church report of the above-named church: This church is a new organization; was established by Elder Andrew Arnote; has sixty-two members in good standing; have enjoyed the spirit of revival during the last year; the pastor is very much appreciated for his ability, zeal and piety; have erected a commodious new church house, tastefully finished, and paid for; the house was dedicated by Elder J. V. B. Flack, D. D .; it was claimed that 2,000 persons were in attendance at the time of dedication; our future looks bright; we adhere to the doctrine of church union; the word of God is our only creed; we are living in daily evincement of the teaching of the 17th chapter of St. John.
REPORT OF ELDER A. ARNOTE.
Dear Brethren: Tongue cannot express the thankfulness of my heart-to an allwise and loving Father-for the preservation of our lives and the many blessings extended to us during another year. It has pleased the good Lord to spare us so that we can meet once more and behold each other, face to face. I rejoice, brethren, that we can meet and congratulate each other that our work is prospering and Christian Union is moving forward every day, but let us not think that we will gain the victory riding on flowery beds of ease. The devil trembles lest the prayer of our blessed Savior be fulfilled, and the world made to believe; therefore he contends for every inch of ground we pass over, and sectar- ianism turns its artillery upon us. As men increase in education and a knowledge of the Lord, they naturally desire to throw off the yoke of bondage and dwell together in unity and love, consequently sectarian lines are beginning to break, and many are deserting and coming over to our ranks, hence we may naturally expect a strong resistance from their lead- ers, but, dear brethren, stand firm fear; not to declare the doctrine of Union. Christ prayed for it, God ordained it, and as sure as God sits upon
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
the throne, Christian Union will prevail, and God's people will be one. I have served as pastor of Graham, Union, Rocky Fork, and Pleasant Valley churches during the year past; have held five protracted meetings on my work, all resulting in grand success; God's people were revived, sinners convicted, and mourners converted at each meeting; I have wit -. nessed forty-eight conversions during the year, and received sixty.five members in the churches; I leave my charges in good spiritual condition; to God be all the glory. Pray for me that I may be an humble and suc- cessful co-worker with you for Christ and Union.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OF THE CHRISTIAN UNION.
In the beginning, when God created man, and then woman, and brought her to the man, he pronounced them one. Of one family,-most intricately united-he started the wheels of generations. The extensive domain of earth was to be thronged by one and the same stock of human beings. The early generations were kept in the favorite relation of unity and peace as long as they remained in favor of and under the guidance of the original All-One-Father. When, by the introduction and conquests of sin, the normal status and condition of man was changed; then war, dis- quiet, unrest, discord and division tided in upon the world's destinies, and consequently, the world's happiness. Satan and sin have ever been the fruitful, prominent and effectual causes of the absence of peace and union, and the presence of war and disunion. The position has historically dem- onstrated itself in all and every age of the · past developments of human life and society. It would be doing an injustice to God, to intimate that He created intelligent, immortal, and undying souls, for the mere purpose of variance, inharmony, hate, and cruel vengeance. His spirit, and every attribute, puts the Great Maker on the side of quiet, peace, comfort, and joy to all beings into whose nostrils He breathed the breath of life. Jeho- vah has frowned upon and condemned every divisional and discordant note that ever broke its remorseless sound upon the ears of ever-living and eternally intelligent mankind; the angelkind, before the world's birth, or before the stars had hymned their songs of joyful praise, knew that peace and union must tranquilly ever play its balmy zephyrs around the dazzling throne; that there could not be a heaven with warring winds, and roaring storms; croaking raven, and screaming eagle; roaring lion and howling wolf, God carefully maintained the blessings of unity among his chosen people, until they turned their backs upon him. When any people, of any country, turn away from God, they are left to them- selves, and are riven and torn in twain. Had past generations remained loyal to the King of Kings, the floods of blood, carnage, conflagration, and death, that have devastated the earth, would never have occurred. The great hand and arm of God has been visible at all times, and the evi- dent maintenance of peace and pleasantness among his children, has ever written-in letters of adamant-that the Divine One was not pleased with the presence of the elements of discord and sin. Historic Israel teaches that God desires and designs to preserve a united commonwealth. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came heralded by peace messengers, and mes- sages of " Peace on earth, good will to men." Fittingly the Temple of Janus was closed, and the whole world was desirous of universal rest and peace. The angel host sang "good news," while the audience of har-
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