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 8
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(3) That Mount Olivet be consolidated with Dadeville.
The origin and the prospects of the Carthage Presbytery are suggested in these extracts from its minutes :
The first session of the Carthage Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., convened in pursuance to the order of the General As- sembly at the First Presbyterian Church, Webb City, Mo., on Tuesday, June 18th, 1907, at 10 a. m.
The meeting was called to order by the Rev. G. H. Williamson, he having been designated as convener by the late General Assembly, who preached a sermon from the text Joshua 1:9-"Be strong and of good courage."
The Enabling Act passed by the General Assembly, providing for the organization of this Presbytery, was read and is as follows:
ENABLING ACT.
To Whom It May Concern: The General Assembly, in session at Co- lumbus, Ohio, May 23, 1907, took the following action affecting the Synod of Missouri, viz:
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* That all Treasurers and Trustees acting for or reporting to any of the Presbyteries hereinafter named shall report to * * * The Presbytery of Neosho-A to the New Presbytery of Carthage.
Presbytery, Carthage; place of meeting, Webb City; convener, G. H. Williamson; clerk A. E. Perry.
CARTHAGE PRESBYTERY.
Churches-Alba, Aurora, Baker, Berwick, Bethel, Bethlehem, Big Spring, Bowers' Mill, Carl Junction, Carterville, Carthage (First), Car- thage (Main Street), Cassville, Center Creek, Central, Central Union, Clay Hill, Concord, Diamond, Downey, Duval, El Dorado Springs, Ellis, Fair- haven, Golden City, Grace, Hoberg, Hopewell. Iantha, Irwin, Jasper, Joplin, (First), North Heights, Bethany, Madison, Marionville, Mars Hill, Milford, Monett, Mount Joy, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon (two churches), Neo- sho, Nevada (two churches), New Bethel, New Salem, Opolis, Ozark Prairie, Pierce City, Preston, Purdy, Red Oak, Richards, Ritchey, Roper Hill, Sa- lem, Sarcoxie, Seligman, Seneca, Southwest City, Spring River (Jarper County), Spring River (Lawrence County), Stotts City, Verona, Walden- sian, Washburn, Webb City, Wentworth, White Oak.
Ministers-T. S. Brown, J. M. Burdge, J. F. Clark, O. C. Cuda, A. E. Faust, A. K. Gurley, G. F. Harbour, B. Hoffman, J. W. Hudiburg, G. I. Jeffers, Williams Jennings, R. L. Kinnaird, E. W. Love, E. W. MeCracken, W. C. Mahr, M. C. Miller, A. E. Perry, H. Pinkston, J. D. Prigmore, J. F. Shepherd, B. M. Shive, J. S. Stapleton, I. V. Stines, J. W. Sullivan, Hutson Taylor, Samuel .Wiley, G. H. Williamson, D. N Woods, E H. Whitehead.
Counties-Barry, Barton, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newt ยป, Ver- non (except the church of Schell City); also the church of Eldorado Springs (Cedar County.)
After the reading of this act, the constituting prayer was offered by Rev. G. H. Williamson, the convener. A roll of members present was formed and is as follows :
Ministers-T. S. Brown, A. E. Faust, O. C. Cude, A. K. Gurley, G. F. Harbour, B. Hoffman, J. W. Hudiburg, R. L. Kinnaird, E. W. Love, E. W. MeCracken, M. C. Miller, A. E. Perry, H. Pinkston, J. F. Shepherd, B. M. Shive, J. S. Stapleton, J. W. Sullivan, Huston Taylor, G. H. Wil- liamson, G. W. McWhirter, F. M. Johnson.
Congregations Represented-Aurora, E. R. McGregor; Carthage, First, C. F. McElroy; Carterville, R. T. Hurley; Carthage, Main Street, J. A. Prather; Cassville, W. A. Wear; El Dorado Springs, J. N. Schefer; Jasper, George Andrews; Joplin First, G. B. Young; Joplin North Heights, W. A. Wheatley; Monett, S. A. Chapell; Nevada, Charles Thorn, Sarcoxie, S. P. Burress; Spring River (Lawrence County), C. L. Garwood: Webb City, C. W. Jocelyn. * * *
A nominating committee was appointed by the Moderator, consisting of Revs. Huston Taylor, E. W. MeCracken, E. W. Love and R. L. Kianaird, and Elders E. R. McGregor and C. W Jocelyn, to nominate officers and permanent committees of the Presbytery
Recess was taken until the call of the Moderator.
Afternoon Session .- At 1:30 the Presbytery was called to order by the Moderator and led in prayer by Elder J. A. Prather.
The report of the committee to nominate members of a Board of Trus- tees of Presbytery was received and adopted, as follows:
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TRUSTEES.
Term to expire September, 1908-W. B. Skinner, Rev. G. F. Harbour.
Term to expire September, 1909-W. A. Wear, Rev. JI. Pinkston.
Term to expire September, 1907-A. G. Young, Rev. G. H. Williamson. Terms to expire at fall meeting of Presbytery.
The report of the committee to nominate officers and permanent com- mittees of Presbytery was received, adopted, and is as follows:
Moderator, Rev. H. Pinkston: Stated Clerk, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird.
Home Missions Committee-Chairman, Rev. J. F. Shepherd; Rev. E. W. MeCracken, Dr. B. M. Shive, Elder T. B. Burress, Elder W. A. Whcat- ley.
Foreign Missions-Chairman, Rev. Huston Taylor, Rev. E. W. Love, Dr B. M. Shive, Elder C. W. Jocelyn.
Young People's Societies-Chairman, Rev A. E. Perry; Rev. W. C. Mahr, Elder D. M. Knight.
Publication and Sabbath Schools-Chairman, Rev. J. W. Hu-liburg; Rev. E. W. MeCracken, Elders Charles Thom, G. W. Rinker.
Education and Examination of Candidates-Chairman, Rev. Dr. B. M. Shive, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird, Elder A. G. Young.
Temperance and Sabbath Observance-Chairman, Rev. J. T. Staple- ton; Rev. A. E. Perry, Elder E. W. Newton.
College Board-Chairman, Elder A. B. McConnell; Dr. J. F. Shepherd, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird, Elder D. M Kunight.
Brotherhood-Chairman, Elder W. F. Spurgin; Elder J. T. Evans, O. H. Bilger, W. B. Skinner.
Systematic Beneficence-Chairman, Hev. O. C. Cu.le; Revs. G. B. Young, Joseph Hudson.
Narrative and Necrology-Chairman, Rev. H. Pinkstor; Rev. G. H. Williamson, B. Hoffman.
Ministerial Relief-Chairman, Elder W. B. Skinner; Revs. A. K. Gur- ley, A. E. Faust.
Church Erection- Chairman, Rev. G. H. Williamson; Elders J. A. Pra- ther, Samuel Chapell.
Freedmen-Chairman, Rev. G. F. Harbour; Rev. E. W. Love, Elder J. L. Osborne.
To Draw Up Standing Rules of Presbytery-Chairman, Rev. J. F. Shepherd; Rev. Huston Taylor, Elder D. M. Knight.
To Perfect Roll of Presbytery and Prepare Docket for the Fall Meet- ing of Presbytery-Chairman, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird; Rev. H. Pinkston.
We recommend that the following churches be recognized as denying our jurisdiction and therefore as temporarily withdrawn from our control, whose allegiance we fully expect when misapprehensions are cleared away: Berwick, Clay Hill, Hopewell, Iantha, Milford, Mars Hill, Mount Joy, Ne- vada and Big Spring, Central, New Betehel and Fairhaven, and while not relinquishing our right to Presbyterial oversight and property interests, we nevertheless for the present await with kindly forbearance the time when our great united church shall all see eye to eye.
We recommend that the following be disbanded and the property, where there is property, be placed in the hands of the trustees of Presbytery for disposition : Alba, Bethlehem, Central Union, Duvall, Ellis, Mount Pleas-
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ant, Salem (Lawrence County), Roper Hill, Opolis, Lehigh (Carl Junction, Seligman, Spring River (Jasper County).
We recommend the changing of names of our churches, if possible, to conform to the city or town where located, and also so as to avoid confu- sion of churches by the same name.
As the union of the two churches in Webb City resulted in the organization of a new church at Carterville, to which was given the house of owrship formerly belonging to the C. P. Church of Webb City, so the churches of Springfield, though situated so that consolidations were not advisable, resolved to commemorate the union in some fitting manner. As a result the Calvary, First Cumberland and Second Presbyterian donated a lot and house of worship to the new organization effected May 31, 1908, and known as the Reunion Presbyterian Church of Springfield.
The union bodes much for Presbyterianism in Southwest Missouri.
Since its organization in 1870 the Presbytery of Ozark has asked the Home Mission Board for over $75,000 in the prosecu- tion of its work and the Board of Church Erection for over $20,000. How much of this has been received I am unable to say, but probably $50,000 of home mission funds and $18,000 of church erection-a vast sum. But the results cannot be tabulated. The churches have given to the church at large ministers and mission- aries, members that have made glad the city of our God.
THE COST OF A BOY.
"How much does a Missouri boy cost?" asked Walter Williams.
"Fathers and guardians with boys to bring up estimate that $3,000 will rear to manhood the average Missouri boy, will send him seven months in the year for eight years to the district school, four years to high school and four years to college or university. This amount will eover his food, clothing, books and stationery. It will even permit a margin for "tom- foolness," as one father picturesquely styles amusements.
The cost to the State is, on the average, $760 for each boy. Of this amount, $180 is for the elementary school, $180 for the high school, and $100 a year for the four years at the university. The State pays $760 and the parent pays $2,240, and the net result is one Missouri boy, educated in Missouri schools for life.
Yes, and it pays. So it pays to plant a stalwart church, whose conserving and stalwart ideals are imprinted on State and church beyond denominational confines. The cost is mentioned not by way of complaint, but rather that he who reads may ponder the fact that we are debtors so great, and that having freely received, the time was long since overdue when we should have freely given.
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CHAPTER IV.
WOMAN'S PRESBYTERIAL SOCIETY.
In April, 1907, the Woman's Presbterial Society held its last meeting before the reorganization of the Presbyteries in Mount Vernon. At that time a historical sketch of the thirty-one years of the society's existence was read by Mrs. W. S. Knight and published in a local paper. I shall let the women speak for them- selves by inserting that paper here :
THIRTY-ONE YEARS
Of History of the Woman's Ozark Presbyterial Missionary Society.
From the records we learn that this society was organized at Green- field in 1876, and was the outgrowth of the earnest efforts of Mr. Dunlap, then pastor of the Springfield Church, and his wife, who was the first President, serving until 1881.
.There were many who were quite uncertain as to the exact position that should be taken with reference to such an innovation, and Mrs. Dunlap tells us that many of the ministers sat near the door watching the proceed- ings carefully, one minister taking the precaution to advise his wife to have nothing to do with it. But dear Dr. Allen was an inspiration and help. He made an address full of tirring, helpful words, and said he hould, upon his return home, tell the women of St. Louis that a live, wide-awake Presbyterial missionary society has been organized in the south- western part of the State, and urge them to organize a mission board for this territory. So this small beginning was already having an influence in widening the work. So little do we realize the influence of our actions.
Little more than an organization was effected at this first meeting. The Springfield societys had been organized for some time and was con- nected with the Philadelphia Board. Only one or two other missionary societies had been formed in the Presbytery, but the next spring the South- west Board was organized.
The next society was organized at Carthage in April, 1877, at the ur- gent request of Mrs. J. W. Allen, of St. Louis.
The record are not very complete for the first few years, but no meet- ing was held in 1887 as far as is known. This may have been the year that it was appointed at Maple Grove and bad weather prevented the ladies from attending. Mention was made of a meeting at Preston in 1878, then of one at Bellview in 1879. Several reports are mentioned, though no list of auxilaries is given, but we infer that the number was growing. In 1880 no meeting was mentioned. In 1881 the meet-
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ing was appointed at Grand Prairie, but the thunder storm com- pelled the ladies to meet in Springfield at Mrs. Emery's house. Mrs. Boyden was President and Mrs. Wilson was Secretary. At this time the minutes began to increase and the work seemed to expand somewhat with the account of the next meeting in 1882 at Neosho. At this meeting the Greenfield Society became auxiliary. A letter from Miss Cundall, who seemed to be acting as secretary at the board rooms, spoke of Miss Griffin as a young missionary who was going out to the Laos and the Springfield Society would help to pay her salary. We think now of Miss Griffin as one of our older missionaries. The commendation of Presbytery on the work was spoken of at this meeting. Mrs. Salmon was elected President. At the eighth annual meeting at Carthage a regular roll of auxiliaries was first called-Greenfield W. M. S., Maple Grove, Ozark Prairie, Society of the Waldensian Church, near Pierce City; Springfield W. M. S. and Y. L. S., and Lydia Band, Carthage, Walnut Grove, Webb City, Shiloh, Salem and Preston, and the newly formed society at Joplin, fourteen W. M. S. and one band. Interest in the school in Indian Territory, where Mr. Charles Miller was working, resulted in taking a scholarship there. Mrs. Mil- ler was elected President, but before the next meeting he had removed to Indian Territory. According to the board report, the next spring after this meeting this Presbyterial society raised this year, 1883, $339.40. It was the seventh year of the board's existence, but the first year that min- utes were printed of the annual meeting.
In 1884 we assembled at Eureka Springs and found ourselves with only two officers present, Mrs. Miller having left us and Mrs. Emery, our Vice-President, being sick. However, we had quite a good number of dele- gates present, and we fell back on our standby, Mother MeFarland, and found that it was a meeting long to be remembered for its spiritual tone. We had with us two missionaries-Miss Fannie Cundall, home from Syria, and Dr. Johnson, of India. None who heard her will soon forget Miss Cundall. She went from this meeting throughout the Presbytery, visiting societies and inspiring all with a greater interest in the work. It was the first time a missionary had visited in the Presbytery and the first time that many had an opportunity of knowing well any returned missionary. The effect of her tour was most helpful then and lasting in its results.
One thing of especial interest at this meeting was the addition of two bands to the roll-Daisy Chain Band of Greenfield and Deo Data of Car- thage. It was at the meeting in 1885 at Neosho that the first record ap- pears on the minutes of the adoption of the constitution, although there seems to have been such a document. Seventeen societies were reported at this time and steady growth shown. Mrs. MeMillan, of Carthage, was elected President and Mrs. Robeson Vice-President. Both these workers have left our side and are enjoying their heavenly home.
The next year was our first milestone, our tenth anniversary, held in Greenfield, where the society organized. Mrs. McFarland will not soon forget that this meeting, for which so much thought had been expended, was without an officer present.
But her relief was great when she saw Mrs. Fry, of Joplin, come in, and, though a stranger, she knew from her face there was a woman to be relied upon. And this proved to be no disappointment, for the meeting was one of unusual power and interest. The roll had enlarged to twenty-three societies. Mrs. Emery wrote and sent a glance at the ten years' work, in which she spoke of all the interesting circumstances of its organization. Over and again the evidence of the Spirit's presence in this anniversary meeting is spoken of. The beginning was discouraging, but blessings were in store. The gifts of the society in its tenth year were $483.28, not large.
:
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but so much of our territory was then mission ground that it stood for much more than a larger sum now.
The meeting of 1887 at Carthage was interesting for its large attend. ance and touches of personal effort in the cause. Mrs. Lafferty, of Bolivar, asked to become a member, as there was no society in her church, in spite of all her efforts. This was the beginning of interest in Bolivar, for the next year a good society had been formed and the Presbyterial Society met there. The attendance on the meeting of the board had become by this time much larger and the delegates' reports helped to interest others at the meetings and had its effect on the work in general. Mrs. Fry presided at this meeting and before another year she, too, had been called away. How we missed her! . When we assembled at Bolivar we were once more without a leader. Mrs. Kenton as Vice-President spoke tender words of our loss. Also Mrs. Emery was affectionately remembered, as she, too, was called away that year. The Wide-Awakes of Ash Grove and the Hamilton Band of Springfield were added to the ten bands in 1888. Bands flour- ished then. Mrs. Kenton was elected President.
Our next meeting was held at Lamar in the Southern Church, as Pres- bytery was meeting at Irwin. You will no doubt remember this year was the year that the board met in Carthage, and that at that time the medical scholarship fund was started which has been such a blessing to our mission work in foreign lands. The Deo Data Band had the honor of giving the first dollar to it at the Presbterial meeting in Lamar. It was reported that up to this time our Presbytery had raised $100 of the necessary $1,000. We had had visits at various meetings from Miss Nutting of Utah, Miss Young of India, Miss Warner of Japan, and in 1890 Miss Geisinger, who returned from India after her first term of service, was with us. And from the meeting she made a tour of the Presbytery. We remember her, too, as Mrs. Morrison later on, and on a New Year's Day not long ago she fell asleep in Jesus after years of useful missionary life.
The meeting of 1891 at Eureka Springs was the one wher. a gold ring was found in the collection, to which was attached the story of the Iron Cross. We all remember the circumstances. And how with the voluntary offerings of the auxiliaries, which brought a goodly sum for missions, we purchased it and with it wedded to us our dear Mrs. McFarland, who con- sidered herself from that day engaged to the Presbyterial Missionary So ciety, to labor with and for it. And she was true to her vows until called.
The meeting in Neosho, in 1892, was marked by the receipt of a gift of $500 from Mrs. Jennie Orr, of Mount Vernon, and by the reaching, besides this, the $1,000 mark. Having thus $1,500 to give to home and foreign missions, the committee on reports recommended that in order not to fall below the amount the following year we make every effort to reach the same mark the following year. Half of Mrs. Orr's gift was appropriated to building a home for Mrs. Baird, in Fusan, Korea. It was this year that the Southwest Board became a foreign board, giving over the home mission work to the Women's Executive Committee, now the Woman's Board of Home Missions. While no change was made in our methods of work, the change brought the two branches of the work more distinctly before us and tended to increase the gift to each.
In 1893 the meeting was again at Greenfield, and Mrs. F. S. Orr was elected President. The gifts were increased over $100 from the year be- fore, but did not yet reach the $1,500 mark without the bequest referred to.
In 1894 the meeting was at Jasper. Mrs. Orr served until the meet- ing in 1896 at Carthage, the twentieth anniversary, at which time there were greetings from Mrs. Dunlap, the first President; Mrs. Miller of Indian Territory, Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Likins. Miss Cowan of Carthage spoke of the first ten years. Mrs. Moore left a legacy of $200, which was equally
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divided between Korea and the Asheville farm school. Mr. Ward of Persia and Mrs. Devore of Alaska, both so exceedingly interesting, were at this meeting. In that year three of the workers had been called home. Mrs. Shields was elected President. West Plains was organized that year along all lines of work, and in 1897 the meeting was held there. The meeting was saddened by the number of deaths which had occurred during the year. Five workers had been called away.
In 1898 death claimed four members-Mrs. Day and Mrs. Randall, of Monett; Mrs. Ford and Mrs. McMillan, of Carthage. Miss Codgall, of Japan, attended this meeting at Joplin.
In 1899 it was reported that the increase in gifts to freedmen was, since 1894, from $1 to $75; $25 was also given to Miss McArthur's outfit. Let us take a look back over the years before we return to the future and sum up some of the things that have gone into history.
Here are some of the statistics of our history: Fourteen presidents have presided in the thirty-one years and twenty-one vice-presidents. Until 1892 one secretary did all the work where now there are several. Up to that time seven secretaries served. Since then there have been five record- ing secretaries and six foreign secretaries. Since 1901 there have been four secretaries of literature and four young people's secretaries. The account of these is not complete before that.
Previous to 1894 there had been five treasurers. Since then until 1901 there were four home treasurers and three foreign treasurers. Since that time there has been no change in treasurers. To this fact is due, no doubt, our gain in financial strength and systematic working. It would be inter- esting to know the entire amount of gifts in the thirty-one years. but the first years have no records preserved and the board did not publish an an- nual report until its seventh year. So this and other valuable information is lost to us. We were permitted to rejoice that our annual gift reached the fifteen-hundred-dollar mark and beyond more than once.
The entire roll of deaths, so far as known, is forty-four. Few societies, perhaps none, but have sent records of deaths among the members, and almost no years have been without the memorial service
There is one thing which has developed in the later years of our work- the mission study classes. There have been many changes and advance- ment made in methods and ideas of mission work in these years. But the united study of missions is no doubt destined to still further revolutionize our knowledge of missions and methods. Whatever is best in work for the Master, and will help us do the work, effectual work for Him is what we strive for. The best for Christ and his work.
In 1901 was celebrated the silver anniversary, the silver offering being $103 that year, but increased during the year. Greenfield, the birthplace of Ozark Presbyterial Society, was the place of meeting. This meeting was one which will always be associated with Mrs. McFarland, as it was such a joy to her. The meetings of following years were at Carthage, Springfield, Ash Grove and Joplin. A steady gain in gifts had for the most part characterized the reports. At the Ash Grove meeting for the first time Mother MeFarland was not with us, for she has been called home. We realize our great loss, but how true of her in this work that "she rests from her labors and her works do follow her."
The presence of Mrs. McFarland and Miss Amanda Cowan, of Spring- field, had always been very helpful in our meetings, as one or both of them seemed a necessity. The former has been called to her reward; the latter was at the meeting in Joplin last year and gave reminiscences of the early days of the society. An interesting event of the Springfield meeting was the assuming the entire salary of Miss Barrett of Korea.
These items form a record of great work accomplished in His name,
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and many of these names are impressed in special ways upon our work in names of societies, in special gifts, in increasing labors and prayers.
As we recount the years we cannot but feel that our Father has led us in wonderful ways, and we do thank Him for having allowed us to have a part in this great work. They have been years of honest effort and ofteu of sacrifice. We have believed, seen great advance in interest in the cause and great things accomplished, when we think of the condition of this part of the country twenty-five years ago, there being only one self-supporting church in the Presbytery. Truly what hath God wrought? But I believe we are not satisfied that we have done all.
And now we pause and look back over the path by which we have . traveled together for so many years. Early associations are always the strongest, and we who together have helped to lay the foundations of this organization and have seen its growth from the small beginning and have helped in its development, cannot but be closely bound together in soul. So we look back over the way and realize that in the future our paths must diverge, a feeling of sadness comes over us. We shall not be sep- arated in heart or in interests, even though in different Presbyterial bodies, for we shall still be bound together in ".Woman's work for Woman."
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