USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Shrewsbury > A history of Seventh Day Baptists in West Virginia : including the Woodbridgetown and Salemville churches in Pennsylvania and the Shrewsbury church in New Jersey > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > Salemville > A history of Seventh Day Baptists in West Virginia : including the Woodbridgetown and Salemville churches in Pennsylvania and the Shrewsbury church in New Jersey > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
The report of the committee on education emphasised the
29I
THE SOUTH-EASTERN ASSOCIATION
need of secondary school privileges in the association, but pointed to the disagreement and opposition to such a move- ment developed in the session six years before, and expressed the opinion that there was no hope for such a school under existing circumstances.
In adopting the report of the committee on resolutions, the association emphasised the importance of the Sabbath School, deprecated the use of so much space in the Sabbath Recorder for the single question of the Sabbath, and advised that more room be given to denominational and general relig- ious new and to the building up of the denomination and all that relates to Christian life and doctrine, besides urging that more of its best writers should contribute to the columns of the Sabbath Recorder with greater frequency. The associa- tion pledged itself anew to temperance reform work; and because of its influence upon the growth and prosperity of our people as a denomination, the continuance of the annual asso- ciations was recommended; and all Sabbath-keeping churches in full sympathy and fellowship with the denomination were urged to remain in vital connection with their respective asso- ciations.
The following members of the Pine Grove Church were present and participated in the proceedings of the body :- Alpheus A. Meredith, Jonathan C. Lowther, and Zebulon Bee. Jonathan C. Lowther expressed the desire of the Pine Grove Church to become connected with the association, and Rev. Lucius R. Swinney, Rev. Lewis F. Randolph, and Rev. Jacob Davis were appointed a special committee to confer with a committee from the Pine Grove Church, and, if possible, decide upon conditions of union, and report at the next session. The Pine Grove Church was requested to represent itself at the next session by letter, delegate, and exposé of faith.
It was voted that the minutes of the association for this year should not be printed in pamphlet form, but that their pub- lication should be requested in the Sabbath Recorder. Moses H. Davis of the Lost Creek Church was sent as a delegate to the other associations.
The Ninth Annual Session of the association was held with the church at Greenbrier beginning on the Fifth Day of the week, May 27, 1880, at 10:30 o'clock A. M. Rev. Lewis
292
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
F. Randolph preached the introductory sermon. Moses H. Davis presided over the association as its moderator. The recording secretaries were Charles N. Maxson and Jesse F. Randolph. Rev. Lucius R. Swinney acted as corresponding secretary.
The following churches were represented :- Lost Creek, New Salem, Middle Island, Greenbrier, Ritchie, and West Fork. Rev. Theodore L. Gardiner was present as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. Julius M. Todd from the Central, Rev. Abram Herbert Lewis from the Western, and Rev. George W. Burdick from the North-Western. The executive committee reported that plans had been made for Sabbath School institute work during the year, but illness had inter- fered with their being carried out. The association, through its committee on resolutions, recommended that a plan of sys- tematic benevolence be adopted ; pledged its hearty support to the American Sabbath Tract Society and its work, especially to the Sabbath Recorder; and expressed a painful anxiety concerning the apparent dearth of candidates for the Gospel ministry.
The committee to confer with the Pine Grove Church made a report to the effect that, while in their opinion there was a strong tendency toward a union of the Pine Grove Church with the association, they did not believe that union was feas- ible at present ; but recommended that the Pine Grove Church be requested to continue to send delegates to the association as in the past. The committee was continued with instructions to continue its work along the line of the directions given the preceding year.
Reports from four of the churches showed an aggregate of thirty accessions during the year. The committee on educa- tion again exhibited anxiety concerning a denominational school, but expressed the opinion that the only school privi- leges practicable would be those of a graded public school at New Salem. The people were urged to increase their pat- ronage of Alfred University. Preston F. Randolph was sent as a delegate to the other associations.
For its Tenth Annual Session, the association convened with the church at Middle Island on the Fifth Day of the week, May 26, 1881, at 10 o'clock A. M. The introductory
REV. LUCIUS R. SWINNEY. REV. JOHN L. HUFFMAN.
REV. URI M. BABCOCK. REV. MAZZINI G. STILLMAN.
293
THE SOUTH-EASTERN ASSOCIATION
sermon was preached by Rev. James B. Davis. The moder- ator was Rev. Uri M. Babcock. Charles L. Polan and Franklin F. Randolph were recording secretaries, and Moses H. Davis, corresponding secretary. The following churches were rep- resented by letter or delegate, or both :- Lost Creek, New Salem, Middle Island, West Fork, Ritchie, and Greenbrier. Rev. Sherman S. Griswold appeared as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. Alexander Campbell from the Central, Rev. Ira Lee Cottrell from the Western, and Rev. Simeon H. Babcock from the North-Western.
The executive committee reported that a Sabbath School institute had been held with the Ritchie Church in July of the preceding year. The usual strong stand was taken on the temperance question; the support of the association was pledged to foreign missions, and to the "envelope system" of systematic benevolence.
The minutes of the association were ordered printed in connection with the minutes of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference.
The committee to confer with the Pine Grove Church reported that a majority of the members of that church were not in favour of union with the association.
On account of financial disability, no delegate was sent to the other associations this year.
The association met for its Eleventh Annual Session with the church at Ritchie on the Fifth Day of the week, May 25, 1882, at 10 o'clock A. M. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Lucius R. Swinney. The officers of the association were :- Rev. Lewis F. Randolph, moderator ; Rev. Lucius R. Swinney and Preston F. Randolph, recording secretaries ; and Preston F. Randolph, corresponding secre- tary.
Letters were read from the Lost Creek, New Salem, Mid- dle Island, Ritchie, Greenbrier, and West Fork churches. A petition was received from the Bear Fork Church, recently organised, asking for admission into the association. The request was granted.
Rev. Leander E. Livermore appeared as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. Joshua Judson White from the Central, Rev. Hiram P. Burdick from the Western, Rev.
294
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
George M. Cottrell from the North-Western, and Rev. Arthur E. Main from the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society.
The reports of the committees on education, Sabbath Schools, and state of religion were all of a hopeful tone. Rev. Lucius R. Swinney was sent as a delegate to the other asso- ciations.
The Twelfth Annual Session of the association convened with the church at Lost Creek on the Fifth Day of the week, May 24, 1883, at 10 o'clock A. M. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Jacob Davis. The moderator was Preston F. Randolph; the recording secretaries, Corliss F. Randolph and Charles N. Maxson ; and the corresponding sec- retary, Levi B. Davis. The following churches were repre- sented :- New Salem, Ritchie, Middle Island, Roanoke, Lost Creek, and Bear Fork.
The delegates from the other associations were :- Rev. Oliver D. Sherman from the Eastern, Rev. Herman D. Clark from the Central, Rev. James Summerbell from the Western, and Rev. George J. Crandall from the North-Western. Rev. Arthur E. Main appeared in the interest of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society, and Rev. Lewis A. Platts in the interest of the American Sabbath Tract Society.
The executive committee reported that a Sabbath School institute had been held at Salem. The committee on education again expressed its regret at the want of facilities for higher education within the bounds of the association, and recom- mended that our people avail themselves of the opportunities offered at Alfred University and Milton College.
A petition was received from the Pine Grove Church ask- ing for admission into the association. This was referred to a special committee consisting of Rev. Arthur E. Main, Rev. Oliver D. Sherman, and Rev. George J. Crandall, who rendered the following report :-
"Your committee to whom was referred the petition of the Pine Grove Church, would respectfully report the following :-
"After carefully considering the matter in the light of all the facts within our reach, we recommend that the church be received into the association on these conditions ; vis.,
"Ist, That two mistakes of fact in their communications to this body be corrected.
"2d, That the Pine Grove Church shall be understood to agree,
295
THE SOUTH-EASTERN ASSOCIATION
by coming into this association, to take the very earliest practicable steps to bring about a consolidation with the Ritchie Church,-steps that shall duly recognise the fact that the latter church is and has always been a regularly-organised Seventh Day Baptist Church.
"3d, That all personal difficulties that have existed or may now exist on the part of persons concerned in the union of these churches shall, in the exercise of mutual Christian forbearance, be forever dropped."
The report of the committee on the state of religion was a very hopeful one. Rev. Samuel D. Davis was sent as a dele- gate to the other associations.
The association convened for its Thirteenth Annual Ses- sion with the church at Greenbrier on the Fifth Day of the week, May 29, 1884, at 10 o'clock A. M. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel D. Davis, who also pre- sided as moderator. Franklin F. Randolph was recording secretary, and Corliss F. Randolph, corresponding secretary. The churches were all represented by letter and delegate, except the Bear Fork Church. Rev. Horace Stillman was present as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. J. Bennett Clarke from the Central Association, Rev. Nathan Wardner from the North-Western Association. Rev. Arthur E. Main, corresponding secretary of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society, acted as delegate from the Western Asso- ciation, in the absence of the appointed delegate.
The committee on the state of religion reported three revival meetings within the year, and an increase of fifty in the membership of the churches of the association.
The delegate and alternate appointed to attend the other associations being unable to go, Rev. Arthur E. Main and Holly Welcome Maxson, a deacon of the Lost Creek Church, were requested to act in that capacity.
The Fourteenth Annual Session of the association was held with the church at Salem, beginning on the Fifth Day of the week, May 28, 1885, at 10 o'clock A. M. The intro- ductory sermon was preached by Rev. Charles W. Threlkeld. Jesse F. Randolph presided over the association as moderator. The recording secretaries were Charles N. Maxson and Moses H. Davis, and the corresponding secretary, Flavius J. Ehret.
All the churches were represented either by letter or del- egate, or both, with the exception of the Bear Fork Church.
.
296
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
The delegates from the other associations were as follows :- Rev. Benjamin F. Rogers from the Eastern, Rev. Orville D .. Williams from the Central, Rev. Leander E. Livermore from the Western, and Rev. William H. Ernst from the North- Western. Rev. Arthur E. Main, corresponding secretary of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society, and Rev. J. Bennett Clarke, general agent of the American Sabbath Tract Society, were also present. Rev. Leander E. Livermore represented the Seventh Day Baptist Education Society.
The committee on obituaries reported the death of Rev. Jacob Davis, who had been an active minister of the Gospel for more than twenty years.
The report of the committee on the state of religion, though brief, was hopeful. A custom, which had been grow- ing for several years, of the preparation of essays for presenta- tion at the association, is found in vogue at this session.
Charles N. Maxson was appointed delegate to the other associations, but was unable to act.
The Fifteenth Annual Session of the association was held with the Middle Island Church, at New Milton, beginning at 10 o'clock A. M. on the Fifth Day of the week, May 27, 1886. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Lucius R. Swinney. Charles N. Maxson presided as moderator. The recording secretaries were Preston F. Randolph and Flavius J. Ehret ; the corresponding secretary, Franklin F. Randolph. Each session of the association began with a period of devo- tional exercises. All the churches of the association were represented by letter or delegate.
Rev. Lewis F. Randolph appeared as a delegate from the Eastern Association, and also in behalf of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society. The Central Association was rep- resented by Rev. Stephen Burdick. The delegate from the Western Association was Rev. James E. N. Backus, who also represented the interests of the American Sabbath Tract Society, and the Seventh Day Baptist Education Society. The delegate from the North-Western Association was Rev. John L. Huffman.
A petition was presented from the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Salemville, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, by Rev. George B. Kagarise, a delegate from that church, asking for
297
THE SOUTH-EASTERN ASSOCIATION
admission into the association. After a careful examination of the articles of faith and the covenant of the church, and finding them in essential harmony with the other churches of the association, the church at Salemville was received as a member of the association.
Loyalty and support were pledged by the association to the publications of the American Sabbath Tract Society, especially the Sabbath Recorder and the Outlook. Evange- listic work on the part of the denomination was discussed at length and warmly approved. A Sabbath School institute was conducted by Preston F. Randolph during the session of the association.
The association failed to send a delegate to the other asso- ciations because the delegate appointed for that purpose had moved beyond the bounds of the association, and the alternate had not been notified of that fact in time for the latter to attend.
The Sixteenth Annual Session of the association was convened with the Ritchie Church at Berea at 10 o'clock A. M. on the Fifth Day of the week, May 26, 1887. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel D. Davis, the moderator. The recording secretaries were Franklin F. Randolph and Alva F. Randolph. The corresponding secretary was Jesse F. Ran- dolph.
The following churches were represented :- Ritchie, Middle Island, Salem, Greenbrier, Roanoke, and Lost Creek. Rev. Judson G. Burdick was present as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. Julius M. Todd from the Central, Rev. J. Bennett Clarke from the Western, and Rev. Alexander McLearn from the North-Western. Rev. Judson G. Burdick represented the interests of the Seventh Day Baptist Mis- sionary Society, and Rev. J. Bennett Clarke those of the American Sabbath Tract Society.
A noteworthy feature of the report of the committee on resolutions was a resolution which strongly urged Seventh Day Baptists to remain within the bounds of already well estab- lished churches and not to go to non-Sabbath-keeping commun- ities for homes.
The report of the committee on education noted, with sat- isfaction, the increased interest on the part of the young people in education and urged the association to encourage the estab-
298
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
lishment of a college-preparatory school within the bounds of the association. Rev. John L. Huffman, Jesse F. Randolph, and Rev. Henry B. Lewis were appointed a committee to canvass the educational situation and to take such steps as they might deem practicable for the establishment of such a school.
The report of the committee on the state of religion showed that five of the eight churches of the association had held revival meetings within the year, that two new pastors had been settled within the association; and that, although three more pastors were yet needed, there was a commendable Christian spirit existing throughout all the churches.
A Sabbath School institute was conducted on the after- noon of the second day of the session.
The report of the committee on Sabbath Schools showed that there were seven Sabbath Schools within the association, with a total membership of three hundred and sixty-nine (369).
Charles N. Maxson was sent as a delegate to the other associations.
The Seventeenth Annual Session of the association was held with the church at Lost Creek, beginning on the Fifth Day of the week, May 24, 1888, at 10 o'clock A. M. The intro- ductory sermon was preached by Rev. George B. Kagarise of Salemville, Pennsylvania. Rev. Henry B. Lewis presided as moderator. The recording secretaries were Charles N. Maxson and Luther A. Bond. The corresponding secretary was Rev. John L. Huffman.
The churches in the association were all represented by delegates except the Bear Fork Church. The West Fork Church had changed its name to that of the ROANOKE SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH. Rev. Joseph C. Bowen appeared as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. William C. Daland from the Central, Rev. Orpheus S. Mills from the Western, and Rev. John T. Davis from the North-Western. Rev. Gideon Henry F. Randolph, who was soon to go as a missionary to Shanghai, China, was present and represented the interests of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society.
The report of the committee on education voiced an imperative demand for a denominational school within the
REV. HIRAM P. BURDICK. REV. CHARLES W. THRELKELD.
REV. HENRY B. LEWIS. REV. ORPHEUS S. MILLS.
299
THE SOUTH-EASTERN ASSOCIATION
bounds of the association. The special committee, appointed the previous year to canvass this situation, reported as fol- lows :-
First. That they were fully satisfied that the time had come when there should be such a school.
Second. That Salem was a suitable place for its location.
Third. That they were of the opinion that sufficient money could be raised within the bounds of the association to secure the grounds and erect such buildings as would be suitable for present use.
Fourth. They recommended that a committee be appointed, which should take steps at once to ascertain the amount which could be raised by subscription; and if a sufficient amount should be secured so that no debts should be incurred, to make the necessary arrange- ments and secure a suitable location and erect the buildings.
The report was adopted, and in accordance with the recommendation, a committee was appointed consisting of the following members :- Rev. John L. Huffman, Rev. Samuel D. Davis, Jesse F. Randolph, George W. F. Randolph, Charles N. Maxson, Ethelbert J. Davis, Franklin F. Randolph, Flavius J. Ehret, and Samuel D. Bond.
The report of the committee on the state of religion was full of confidence and hope. The Copen Church, which had been organised in Braxton County, West Virginia, in the pre- ceding November, was, upon its petition, received into the association.
The committee on institute work reported that a Sabbath School institute had been held with the Middle Island Church the preceding September. The session of the association was marked by the dedication of the church at Lost Creek, which had been rebuilt after a disastrous fire.
Rev. Henry B. Lewis was sent as a delegate to the other associations.
For several years there had been a growing tendency to minimise the routine work of the association and thereby give more time to devotional services. That was especially true of this session.
The association convened with the church at New Salem on the Fifth Day of the week, May 23, 1889, at 10 o'clock A. M. for its Eighteenth Annual Session. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel D. Davis. The moderator was Rev. John L. Huffman ; the recording secretaries, M. Wardner
300 SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
Davis and Franklin F. Randolph; the corresponding secretary, Rev. Orpheus S. Mills.
All of the churches of the association were represented. The West Union Church, at West Union, Doddridge County, was, upon its application, received into the association. Rev. Theodore L. Gardiner appeared as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. Experience R. Burdick from the Central, Rev. George W. Burdick from the Western, and Rev. Fred F. Johnson from the North-Western.
The interest of this session of the association seems to have been centred very largely around the report of the special committee on schools appointed the previous year. This committee reported that they had secured pledges to the amount of nearly five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), including a lot of five acres of land at the west end of the village of Salem, valued at one thousand dollars ($1,000). A stock company under the name of Salem Academy had been organ- ised and incorporated in accordance with the laws of the state of West Virginia, and in harmony with the requirements of the Seventh Day Baptist Education Society. The charter was for an academy, with the privilege of extending it to that of a college as soon as circumstances warranted. The contract had been let for the erection of a two-story frame building, forty- five feet by sixty feet, which was to be completed by the 15th of the following November.
Already a school had been organised with Rev. John L. Huffman as acting principal, assisted by three other teachers. There was an enrollment of eighty-four pupils. The committee felt that the prospect for the school was even better than they had had reason to expect.
The report of the committee on the state of religion pointed out that eight of the ten churches embraced within the association, had enjoyed revival meetings during the past year, that there had been an increased activity in religious work within the bounds of all the churches, and that the number of churches composing the body had been increased from five at its formation in 1872, to ten at this time.
Rev. George B. Kagarise was sent as a delegate to the other associations.
The Nineteenth Annual Session of the association was
3,01
THE SOUTH-EASTERN ASSOCIATION
held with the church at Greenbrier beginning on the Fifth Day of the week, May 29, 1890, at 10 o'clock A. M. Rev. Marcus E. Martin preached the introductory sermon. The moderator was Charles N. Maxson ; the recording secretaries, M. Wardner Davis and Flavius J. Ehret; the corresponding secretary, Franklin F. Randolph.
Letters were read from the following churches :- Lost Creek, Salem, Greenbrier, Middle Island, Ritchie, Roanoke, Copen, Conings, and West Union. Rev. Oscar U. Whitford was present as a delegate from the Eastern Association, Rev. Byron E. Fiske from the Western, and Rev. Elston M. Dunn from the North-Western. Rev. John L. Huffman presented the interests of the South-Western Association.
The committee on Sabbath School institutes reported that an institute had been held in October preceding, with the Ritchie Church.
The committee on resolutions recognised the importance of the work of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society ; took strong temperance ground ; and recognised the prosperity of Salem College, and urged its hearty support.
The committee on the state of religion reported an active religious interest and a net increase of fifty-one in the member- ship of the churches of the association.
The question of changing the time of holding the sessions of the association came up and was referred to a special com- mittee, whose recommendation was adopted as follows :-
"That, when this association adjourns, it adjourns to meet on [the] Fifth Day [of the week] before the fourth Sabbath in October, 1891, providing the other associations change the time of holding their sessions; if not, at our usual time."
The work of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour received special recognition at this session of the association.
Rev. John L. Huffman was sent as a delegate to the other associations.
The association convened for its Twentieth Annual Session with the Middle Island Church at New Milton on the Fifth Day of the week, May 28, 1891, at 10 o'clock A. M. The intro- ductory sermon was preached by Rev. Sanford L. Maxson. Rev. Theodore L. Gardiner presided as moderator, with Preston F. Randolph and Festus P. Ford as recording secretaries.
302
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
The corresponding secretary was Luther A. Bond. Com- munications were presented from nearly all the churches of the association.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.