USA > Missouri > Presbyterianism in the Ozarks : a history of the work of the various branches of the Presbyterian Church in Southwest Missouri, 1834-1907 > Part 25
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ASA LEARD
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stance: "I scarcely know where my proper place is today. If I would consult my own feelings I would take my seat beside his brother, with the mourners. It has been my privilege to know Dr. Leard more intimately, perhaps, than any one here, except his own family. Twenty-six years ago I met Dr. Leard for the first time on the college campus. While in college he was the friend of all, kind and generous, skillful in debate. He became quite an orator, which I was not. At one time he so distin- guished himself that he was called Marshal Ney. Indeed there were many who knew him by no other name than Marshal Ney. When in college it seemed that the law would be his chosen pro- fession. When I left him at the close of his college course it was with the feeling that he would one day be a distinguished mem- ber of the bar. A few years afterwards we were both pastors in the same Synod. In all these years I have found him the same broad-minded, generous, loving-hearted man I knew in college. While in Nebraska Dr. Leard was the champion of one institution of learning, while I was the college pastor of a rival institution, but through all the discussion in Synod, which at times was heated, no unfriendly word was spoken between us. We often sat and talked over the differences as calmly as though both of us favored the same institution. Dr. Leard was one of the most ap- proachable of men, with a happy faculty of making others feel at ease in his presence. At one time when on a visit through Arkansas in the interest of the Home Mission work the mission- ary with whom we traveled felt some embarrassment in that we were both pastors of large city churches, but a few words from the doctor made him feel entirely at ease and gave him real en- joyment in his company. His heart took in all humanity. This characteristic appeared early in life. While in college a dispute once arose with reference to receiving a young Japanese into one of the fraternities. Dr. Leard, in the face of all opposition, plead for him on the ground of the brotherhood of man; that we all had the same Saviour. He was the very soul of honor. Loyal to friends, devoted to the Master and faithful in teaching the word. These floral tributes are beautiful and expressive, but that Bible placed upon his casket just above his breast expresses that which was dear to him. I know not who placed it there, but whoever did knew Dr. Leard. If I could have my way I would have him buried as a field marshal, with the sword, the sword of the spirit, upon his breast."
Rev. E. E. Stringfield spoke as follows:
"My feelings on this occasion may find a fitting expression in the language of England's bard :
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Strong son of God immortal love, Whom we that have not seen thy face, By faith and faith, alone embrace, Believing where we cannot prove.
Thine are these orbs of light and shade, Thou mnadest life in man and brute, Thou madest death, and lo! thy foot Is on the skull which thou hast made.
Thou wilt not leave us in the dust, Thou madest man he knows not why -- He thinks he was not made to die, And thou hast made him-thou art just.
Thou seemest human and divine. The highest, holiest manhood Thou. Our wills are ours, we know not how. Our wills are ours to make them Thine.
"There are mysteries of Providence we do not pretend to fathom. Whether in His humanity our Saviour felt these limi- tations or whether He realized there were some things we should not or could not know now, at least He has set us a beautiful ex- ample of leaving the unknown till the time when God shall see fit to make it plain. 'Even so Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.' The mysteries of this hour are these: Why was this life cut off in the midst of usefulness? And how can we spare him?
"A book, a story, must be complete. A life may terminate abruptly with the leaves of its labors drawn and the superstruc- ture only partially raised. In many ways this life seems incom- plete. Physically he seemed to be endowed with the promise of many more days. And if it be true, as we have reason to believe. that this strong constitution gave way under excessive strain- especially the labors of the union meeting last winter-we may say his was a vicarious death. Do you say he should have re- served his strength; he should not have toiled so incessantly ? I am not so sure of this. It cost heaven the blood of the Son of God to save sinners. And a life worn out in this glorious mission may fittingly close in a vicarious death.
"The estimation in which the alliance held Dr. Leard is ap- propriately symbolized in the broken wheel we lay upon his cas- ket. There his gen'a! presence and consecrated humor lightened our burdens and made our meetings hours of sunshine. There h+
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was fruitful in resources and wise in counsel. In charities and publie enterprises he was a broad-minded man. His bountiful hand received the woes of the needy and his tender heart melted in mercies. In his church he came not like a meteor to dazzle you with his brilliance, not like an earthquake to shake you, but he quietly grew into your affections. Of old, God was not in the thunder peal, nor the earthquake shock, but in the still small voice. So our brother unobtrusively won his way to our hearts, unified the church, called forth your energies and set the church to work in the Redeemer's Kingdom. He had large plans for the church. That study in the house is a sacred place to me. There with my dead brother, Leard, it has been my great privilege to talk of things pertaining to the kingdom. He always had some new plan-his thoughts were ever about 'the King's business,' and he realized that business 'requires haste.' And his wide in- terests embraced the Presbytery and the cause of our denomina- tion in this part of the State. Here, too, he had generous plans that are unexecuted. How these plans in the church and the Pres- bytery are to be realized we cannot see. We can only trust that God will direct the work our brother was called to lay down. I cannot trust myself to speak of what Dr. Leard was to me. The sentiments of friendship are sacred to those who feel the ties. To them heart speaks to heart and language beggars a fitting expres- sion. Two summer vacations spent together and many quiet hours in converse sweet taught us to know and love each other. "Nor shall I invade the sacred precinets of the home life and tell you what he was in the family. The curious world has no right to enter this lover's bower, which refined hearts regard as sacredly secluded. And this widow and these fatherless children need no reminder save the vacant place and the cherished mem- ory.
"To sum up: He was true, he was resourceful, he was thoughtful about the King's business.
"We all love him better now than we did the first year he was in our midst. Not because he is dead, but because we have known him longer and better. And we feel as did Elisha when Elijah was translated. 'My father, my father. the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.' This is not hero worship. Our Saviour reveals himself to us through his servants that are of receptive spirit. His purposes are personified in his children. And when one is so intimately identified with the cause of Christ, as was Dr. Leard, we hardly know how he can be spared when his work is incomplete. We ean only say. 'Even so Father. for so it seemed good in Thy sight.'"
At the elose of the addresses Rev. E. F. Abbott, of the West-
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minster Presbyterian Church, led in the closing prayer. Rev. Dr. W. C. Templeton, of the Presbyterian Church of Monett, an- nounced the hymn "Asleep in Jesus," after the singing of which the casket was born out and the congregation was dismissed by Dr. Templeton. The interment was in Maple Park Cemetery.
GEORGE H. CLYMER.
Received from the Presbytery of Mattoon September 21st, 1897; served the Fordland Church: dismissed to the Presbytery of Bloomington.
SIDNEY STONE.
Received from the Presbytery of Larned January 4th, 1898; installed pastor of Bolivar Church January 20th ; pastorate dis- solved and dismissed to the Presbytery of Fargo October 26th of the same year.
WILLIAM R. MCELROY.
William R. MeElroy, a member of the first church of Car- thage, placed himself under the care of the Presbytery as a can- didate for the ministry April 14th, 1880. He graduated at Drury College in 1886 and at McCormick Seminary in 1889. He was licensed by this Presbytery and dismissed to the Presbytery of Platte, which placed the hands of ordination on him the same year. From 1889 to 1893 he was pastor of the church of Chifti- cothe, Mo., where he led the people in the erection of a beautiful and commodious house of worship. His second field was Cassop- olis, Mich., 93-'98. He returned to the Presbytery of Ozark April 6th, 1898, and served the West Plains Church as stated supply and pastor until May 23d. 1901, at which time he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Solomon.
ALFRED M. MANN.
The Ministerial Directory (1898) gives a brief sketch of this dear brother, and closes with this significant clause: "H. M. 22 yrs." Mr. Mann prided himself on being a plain home mission- ary, with no desire to be anything else-and such he was, too, of an excellent type. But Dr. Scott is authority for the story that a certain female in his Jasper County circuit took exception to
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the watch chain and fob worn by the home missionary and de- clared, "Mr. Mann is too stylish for common people." The home missionary's pride was shaken somewhat by this criticism, but those who knew him will feel confident that the said female was related to the woman spoken of by Josiah Allen's wife, who, when presented a black and white checked shawl, declared she would have liked it better if the black checks had been where the white ones were and the white ones where the black ones were. A considerable amount of the criticism of ministers that has driven them from some of the churches in this region is just about this weighty !
Mr. Mann studied privately, then took a partial course in McCormick Seminary. He was licensed in April, 1875, by the Presbytery of Alton; ordained December of the same year by the Presbytery of Emporia. He was received from the Presby- tery of Neosho May 6th, 1898. and served the churches of Salem, Preston and Irwin ; dismissed to the Presbytery of Chicago March 18th, 1901.
GEORGE M. CALDWELL.
Received from the Presbytery of Topeka May 6th, 1898; served the Grace and Madison churches a short time; dismissed to the Presbytery of Missouri (U. S.) April 3d. 1900.
R. E. L. JARVIS.
Received from the M. E. Church, South, September 21st, 1898; stated supply and pastor of Mount Vernon and Ozark Prai- rie churches: dismissed to the Presbytery of Chicago March 18th, 1901.
CLARENCE A. STEWART.
Received from Nebraska City Presbytery April 5th, 1899; pastor Westminster Church of Carthage; later pastor-at-large of the Presbytery for a short time; dismissed June 3d, 1901, to the Presbytery of Emporia.
CHARLES B. BOVING.
Rev. Charles B. Boving is of Southern Presbyterian birth and lineage. He was born November 26th, 1871, at Harrisonville, Mo .; graduated at Westminster College 1891 and at Princeton in 1895. The Presbytery of Lafayette (U. S.) licensed him May
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9th, 1893, and ordained him September 12th, 1893. From May, 1893, to October, 1898, he was pastor of the church at Lamar (U. S.), and then served the Presbytery of Lafayette as pastor-at- large until May, 1899, at which time he entered upon his labors at Webb City, Mo. The Presbytery received him September 19th, and he was installed pastor of the Webb City Church December 19th, 1899. The 6th of February, 1905, the pastoral relation was dissolved and Mr. Boving was dismissed to the Presbytery of Hannibal, where he entered upon that fruitful pastorate in the first church of Hannibal that continues to this day. In his Webb City pastorate Mr. Boving received 127 members and led the church in the erection of a beautiful sanctuary. His gifts in song and his evangelistie tendencies made him useful as a helper in special services conducted in a number of our churches, and he was the popular leader of the Young People's work in the Pres- bytery.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER SMITH.
Received from the Pawnee Presbytery United Presbyterian Church September 19th, 1899; served the Conway Church; dis- missed to the Presbytery of St. John (U. S.) April 9th, 1901.
THOMAS CHARBONNELL.
Received September 20th, 1899; served the Waldensian Church; absent from Presbytery some years ; placed on reserve roll September 15th, 1904.
EDWARD J. NUGENT.
Born Chillicothe, Ohio, October 15th, 1836; graduated at the academy of that place 1856; studied theology in private; was a practicing physician for a time; ordained by the Foster Presby- tery of the C. P. Church October 1st, 1869. Was a home mission- ary and evangelist in our church over twenty years before enter- ing this Presbytery. Served as Synodical Evangelist in Illinois and Presbyterial Missionary in Black Hills Presbytery. Received by this Presbytery September 20th, 1899. Served Mammoth Springs and group in Arkansas and Fordland and Burnham, Mo. Retired in 1903.
JOHN W. KNOTT.
Ordained by the Presbytery of Iowa City October. 1867,
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received from the Presbytery of Kendall April 3rd, 1900. Served the Ash Grove church. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Alton on September 19, 1901.
ABSALOM T. ALLER.
The Presbytery has known comparatively few as faithful Presbyters as A. T. Aller. You always expected him to respond to the first and last roll calls, and any duty that Presbytery as- signed him was viewed in the light of a sacred obligation.
Mr. Aller was born at Carrollton, Ohio, August 21st, 1849, and graduated at Wabash College in 1875. For a time he taught in the public schools and academies of his native State and in Illinois, then entered upon a theological course and graduated at Western Seminary in 1886. He was licensed by the Presby- tery of Steubenville April 29th, 1885, and ordained by the same Presbytery the following April.
Mr. Aller's ministerial life has been spent in Kansas and Missouri. S. S. Grainfield, Kan., 1886-'88; Norton, Kan., '88-'91; pastor Hay's City, Kan., '91-'94 ; pastor Nortonville, Kan., '94-'96; S. S. Cawker City, Kan., '96-'99; S. S. Bolivar and Fair Play, Mo., '99-1904; pastor Ellsworth, Kan., 1904.
He was received by the Presbytery of Ozark April 3d, 1900, and served the Presbytery as Stated Clerk from October 22d. 1903 to the time of his dismissal from the Presbytery.
Mr. Aller's influence in the Presbytery was considerable by reason of his thorough knowledge of Presbyterian law and usage and he was one of the best Parlimentarians we have had in recent years. His predictions were ever conservative and his convic- tions were pronounced and stable. A certain brother laboring in our bounds sought admission to the Presbytery. This brother had been a Presbyterian minister-had united with the Baptist church and had subsequently demitted the ministry. At this time he had no ecclesiastical standing and to most of us it was evident that reordaination was essential. But being of foreign birth and not very familiar with our language it was a little difficult for him to see the necessity of this step. In the midst of the discussion Aller exclaimed: "He's been under the water, he will have to be ordained again." This threw the applicant off on a tangent and it took no little explanation before he was ready to receive "the laying on of hands by Presbytery."
CHARLES G. HAMILTON.
Ordained by Bishop Haygood of the M. E. Church, South, September 24, 1893, received by this Presbytery from that church
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April 5, 1900, served as assistant pastor of the First Church of Joplin, then as stated supply and pastor of the Carl Junction church. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Neosho February 27, 1902.
CHARLES H. BURKS.
Received September 1900. Sunday School Missionary of the American Sunday School Union in Arkansas. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Choctaw September 15, 1904.
SHERROD W. GRIFFEN.
Received with the church of Mena, Arkansas, when it was transferred from the Presbytery of Choctaw October 24, 1900. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Neosho April 9, 1901.
JOHN H. BRIGHT.
Rev. John H. Bright graduated at Hanover college in 1876 and at Princeton Seminary in 1879. He was licensed May 14, 1878, by the Presbytery of New Albany and ordained November 17, 1879, by the Presbytery of Neosho. Pastor Chanute, Kansas, '79-'85 pastor Marion, Kansas '86-'93, pastor Hopewell church Franklin, Indiana, 1894 to 1901. On the 9th of April, 1901, he was received by this Presbytery and served the churches of Mt. Vernon and Ozark Presbytery. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of Kansas City April 15, 1903.
HENRY LITTLE.
A volumnous history of the descendants of George Little who came from England to Newbury, Mass., in 1640, gives their num- ber as 6500. This history was published in 1882. Since that date the tribe has continued to increase. In this roster of the Littles are thirty-eight Henrys and a few Henriettas. The scion of this illustrious family whose name heads this sketch is one of the eighth generation, and in the direct line of descent is Henry III. His oldest son is Henry IV and it is to be hoped that the numeral will indicate not only the christian name but ministerial descent as well. Mr. Little's grandfather was for many years superin- tendent of Missions in Indiana and his father held a similar po- sition in the Synod of Texas for over two decades.
The efficient pastor of Calvary church was born in Evansville,
E. L. RENICK
HENRY LITTLE
W. C. HICKS
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Indiana, March 24, 1867, and graduated at Wabash college in 1891 and MeCormick Seminary in 1895. He was ordained December 1893, by the Presbytery of North Texas. His first pastorate was at Mishawaka, Ind., 1895 to 1901. He was received by the Pres- bytery of Ozark April 9, 1901. At his installation as pastor of Calvary church his father delivered the charge to the pastor. A part of the charge was to this effect: "My son be a preacher ; strike twelve sometimes. A congregation will put up with a good many poor sermons from a man who strikes twelve sometimes." Many a time and oft has the son heeded the parental advice and "struck twelve." It is said that in his first pastorate Chris- tian Seience Propagandists were invading the ranks of the Pro- testant churches of the city. Different pastors hurled their thunderbolts against the eult and succeeded-in driving some of their members into the C. S. fold. Mr. Little hurled no Anathemas and steered clear of the newspapers but began an unannounced series of sermons on the atonement. By the time he had preached about the fifth sermon in the series people pricked up their ears to listen. His fold remained in tact. This is but a fair illustration of his method. At the dedication of the reunion church in Springfield he casually looked into "the barrel" and dug up the notes of one of that series. That it was calculated to fulfill the purpose is attested by the fact that those who heard it at the dedication were not content until the sermon was preached before the Presbytery. Under the leadership of Mr. Little Cal- vary church completed the work of Dr. Leard in liquidating the debt, employed an assistant pastor to minister to its two missions and became the first church in Southwest Missouri to support its foreign mission pastor. The Rev. Charles N. Magill of Lneban, Philippines, is still supported by this church at an annual ontlay of $1,100. Mr. Little was elected chairman of the Presbyterial committee on Home Missions September. 1904, and served the Presbytery in this position until the reorganization in 1907.
Mr. Little has never kissed the Blarney stone and he does not wear his heart on his coat sleeve, but Rev. C. H. Mitchelmore, who was his assistant pastor for some time, said: "I never knew a man with a kinder heart." This unsolicited testimony from such a source is but a merited tribute to a man of solid worth. My old class mate Mathes was attempting to draw a distinction between Mr. Little and a Co-Presbyter in their dealings with Presbyters with "Kinks in their character" or "wheels in their heads." and he said: - - can saw a man's right arm off as un- erringly and with as much decision as Little, but Little would do it without batting an eye." Beecher said: "They tell us that Calvinism plies men with hammer and with chisel. It does ; and
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the result is monumental marble. Other systems leave men soft and dirty; Calvinism makes them of white marble, to endure fo- ever." Mr. Little is a fair product of the system.
J. G. HEWITT.
Received from the Presbytery of Cedar Rapids September Served the Mt. Zion. Willard and Evans churches. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Emporia April 16, 1902.
GEO. W. MCKINNEY.
Received from the Presbytery of Cedar Rapids September 18, 1901. Served the Mena church. Engaged in secular pursuits. Dismissed to the presbytery of Parkersburg April 18, 1906.
John W. ELTZHOLTZ.
Ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark September 19, 1901. Served the Eureka Springs church. Dismissed to the Presbytery Milwaukee February 26. 1903. Mr. Eltzholtz received his train- ing in the Methodist church.
WILLIAM FROST BISHOP.
Born October 2. 1854, Petersburg, Va. The scholastic attain- ments of Dr. Bishop and his fluency of speech are well remembered by his co-Presbyters. He was the first honor man in Hampden Sidney college in 1871 and studied theology in Union Seminary Virginia, two years. The Presbytery of East Hanover, Va., licen- sed him May 19, 1877, and ordained him the following day. He received the degree of D. D. from Lawson college and Ph. D. Westminster. Dr. Bishop's pastorates in the Presbyterian church .U S. were: Ashland, Va., 1877 to 1884; Kansas City Central church 1884 to 1889; Liberty, Mo., 1890 to 1900. He was received by the Presbytery of Ozark September 19, 1901, served the West- minster church of Carthage as stated supply and pastor; stated supply of the Ebenezer church for the spring and summer of 1903. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of Hannibal Septem- ber 24, 1903.
ANSLEM B. BROWN.
Mr. Brown is of Congregational lineage and has spent most of his life in educational work. He supplied Fordland church
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for a short time and later preached at West Plains. Received, April 16, 1902, from the Presbytery of Los Angeles. Dismissed to Choctaw Presbytery February 26, 1903.
C. A. EMMONS
Mr. Emmons preached in the M. E. Church, South, until he was near his three score and ten and then was received from that body April 16, 1902. He served the Mena church a few months and was dismissed to the Presbytery of North Texas, November 12th. 1903.
HENRY HEPBURN.
Mr. Hepburn came direct from McCormick Seminary and was installed pastor of the Monett church where his work that gave promise of large usefulness terminatetd under the convic- tion that he should enter a larger field. He was born at Hopkins. Mo .. November 3, 1872, graduated at Park college 1899 and at McCormick Seminary 1902, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark June 5, 1902. The pastoral relation was dissolved and he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Ottawa March 27. 1905.
AMOS H. DEAN.
Had I not given too much space already to these sketches it would be interesting to sketch at length the life of this sweet spirited and able brother who only touched the borders of the Presbytery. Dr. Dean came to us in quest of health and while here preached for the Eureka Springs church. He was received from the Presbytery of Schuyler September 16, 1872, and died February 12, 1903.
LOUIS HENRY SHANE.
Another brother who instantly won a warm place in the hearts of the members of the Presbytery was Rev. L. H. Shane. He was received from the Presbytery of Solomon February 26. 1903, and was installed pastor of the First Church of Joplin March 19. This pastorate so auspicionsly begun was terminated September 14, 1904 on account of the complete nervous collapse of the pastor. Mr. Shane was dismissed to the Presbytery of Columbus October 14. 1905.
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WILLIAM N. CROZIER.
Mr. Crozier spent the first eight or ten years of his ministry in China as a missionary. He was born in Paris, Ill., in 1863, and graduated at Arkansas University in 1888 and McCormick Seminary 1891. He was received from the Presbytery of Nanking April 15, 1903. Served the Buffalo, Conway and Evans churches, and later the church of Seneca. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Sequoyah September 13, 1905.
WILLIAM L. HACKETT.
Our English cousin to the north, Ontario, Canada gave birth and training to William L. Hackett. He was educated at St. Mary's Academy, studied theology under a private tutor, and was ordained in the Methodist church of Canada in 1878. Served New Hamburg, Alvinston and Iona, Canada, 1881 to 1886. As- sistant secretary Minnesota Confernce 1885. Mr. Hackett enter- ed the Presbyterian ministry in 1891 and served a group of churches in Minnesota. In quest of health for members of his family he moved south, where he preached for a time and then engaged in secular pursuits. He was received from the Presby- tery of Columbia April 15, 1903, and took charge of the churches of Ash Grove, Mt. Zion and Willard. While ministering to the Ash Grove flock the house of worship was destroyed by fire and after using the Cumberland church for a time Mr. Hackett relin- quished the work to become pastor at large of the Presbytery. In this position aided by the Sunday School Missionary Rev. E. L. Renick, he gathered a thriving congregation at Crane, organized the church and led them in the erection of a beautiful house of worship. Subsequently Mr. Hackett took charge of the churches of Conway, Mt. Zion and Willard. Mr. Hackett is a clear and logical thinker and a preacher of good ability.
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