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 28
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 28
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
On the 23d of May, 1820, for a third time, Rev. Amos R. Wells again set his face toward western Virginia, as, doubtless. not without purpose, he remarks in his journal of this tour, "to go forth facing a frowning world, and a tempting Devil," etc.
He further says :-
"With considerable difficulty, and much fatigue, I arrived at Brother Abel Bond's, in Harrison County, Virginia, the Sixth Day [of the week], it being the 25th of August. I staid in this county nine days, in which time I travelled upwards of one hundred miles, attended a Methodist camp-meeting two days, and one church meeting, tried to preach ten times, baptized two persons, and administered the communion."
On the 4th of September, he set out for the Salem and Shiloh churches in New Jersey, where he arrived on the ninth day, after travelling three hunrdred and forty miles in dry hot weather, on horseback. After spending a week there, he pro- ceeded to Piscataway in order to attend the annual session of the General Conference. On his way to Virginia, he had gone through New York State, visiting among other churches, those at Petersburgh, DeRuyter, Scott (where he assisted
315
MISSIONARY WORK
William B. Maxson to organise a Seventh Day Baptist church), and Alfred. He also visited French Creek in Penn- sylvania, and from that point, he started on the 7th of August on his way to Virginia accompanied by "a young man by the name of Cornwall . . . who wished to travel on account of his health." His companion not only visited Virginia with him, but also accompanied him to New Jersey.
On this journey he received the following contributions in Virginia :-
From Seventh Day Baptists on Lost Creek. $ 8 00
From Jonathan Bond at Lost Creek. . 1 00
From Simeon Maxson, of the New Salem Church. 2 00
From Nathan Davis, of the New Salem Church 1 00
From Samuel Fitz Randolph, of the New Salem Church. 1 00
From Jesse Fitz Randolph, of the New Salem Church. 50
Total $13 50
The total amount collected on the entire trip of three months and a half, was forty-one dollars and eighteen cents ($41.18).
On the 2d of April, 1821, Rev. John Davis, pastor of the church at Shiloh, New Jersey, accompanied by John Bright, a deacon of the same church, set out for a missionary tour through Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana.
Like the missionaries who had preceded him, Rev. John Davis visited the old Woodbridgetown Church, which for sev- eral years had been so sadly on the decline that it was at a very low ebb. Here he preached three times, besides twice on Georges Creek, and once at New Geneva on the Monongahela River, at the mouth of Georges Creek. On the 20th of the month he arrived at Abel Bond's. For the next eight or nine days, he visited within the bounds of the Lost Creek Church. He preached nine times, and baptized four individuals.
He next went to New Salem, and spent the same length of time with that church, preaching an equal number of times, but he records no baptisms there.
Both churches expressed gratitude that missionaries had been sent among them, and hoped that the practise would con- tinue.
On the 7th of May, he set forward on his journey to Ohio and Indiana, still accompanied by Deacon Bright, where
316
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
he was to visit former members of the Shiloh and Piscataway churches. They did not return by way of Virginia.
During their visit with the Lost Creek Church, Rev. John Davis and Deacon John Bright were invited to sit in judgment upon the articles of faith of that church, as the church was divided at that time upon the doctrine of Calvinism. They rendered a report, after taking a due length of time to consider the questions at issue, which was read at a business meeting of the Lost Creek Church on December 2, 1821. The report gave satisfaction to all.
In Virginia, Rev. John Davis received the following con- tributions :-
At Lost Creek :-
John Forsythe .$ 2 00
William VanHorn 1 00
Abner Batten 50
Mary Bond (widow) 50
Cornelius Williams
25
Jacob Davis
1 00
Davis Loofboro
50
Collection
3 18
At New Salem :-
Jesse F. Randolph 50
Simeon Maxson 2 00
James Graves 50
Nathan Davis, Esq. I 00
Mrs. Jane Davis
50
George J. Davis 121/2
Jesse Davis
25
Total $13 801/2
At Woodbridgetown, Pennsylvania :-
Mrs. Woodbridge $1 00
At New Geneva, Pennsylvania :-
Mrs. Nicholson $5 00
On December 6, 1821, Rev. John Greene started from his home at DeRuyter, New York, on a missionary tour through the western parts of New York, and in the states of Pennsyl- vania and Virginia. He reached Woodbridgetown on the 12th of January, where he stopped at Isaac Griffin's, whose wife was a Seventh Day Baptist. Here he remained for two days, and preached once.
Despite the extremely unpropitious weather, he started on the 15th of the month for Abel Bond's, where he arrived
317
MISSIONARY WORK
the next day. After a day's rest, in company with Rev. John Davis, whose home was near that of Abel Bond, and Levi Bond, he started for New Salem, eighteen miles distant, where he was warmly greeted. Here he staid for ten days, visiting the widely scattered membership of that church, and preaching twelve times.
On the 28th of January, he returned to Lost Creek, where he remained for eight days, visiting from house to house, and preaching nine times, besides baptizing one person.
Both the New Salem and Lost Creek churches were greatly pleased at this coming of Rev. John Greene, and prayed that the visits of missionaries might continue.
On the 6th of February, he set out on his return trip home. He first proceeded to Woodbridgetown, where he remained three days, during which time, he visited the members of the church, and preached four times. On February II, he departed from that place.
During this visit, he received the following contribu- tions :-
New Salem :- $ 25
James Davis
Dea. Simeon Maxson 3 50
Nathan Davis I 00
William Davis 25
John Howell
25
William Davis, Esq.
50
George J. Davis
50
Widow Maxson
25
Jesse Fitz Randolph
I 00
Jesse Davis
25
Joshua Davis
25
William Davis
25
Lost Creek :-
Collection $10 82
Widow Bond
50
Thomas B. Bond 25
Dea. Abel Bond
75
Total for New Salem and Lost Creek $20 57
Also received at Lost Creek for Magazines
$4 63
Woodbridgetown :-
Mrs. Griffin
$ 50
Eliza Griffin 75
Mrs. David 5I
318
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
Mrs. Nicholson ยท 1 00
Mr. Dunaway 1 00
Total $3 76
On the 9th of November, 1821, almost a full month before Rev. John Greene had set out on his tour on which he visited Virginia, Rev. Amos R. Wells had once more set out on a missionary tour, on which he was to visit the churches of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and New York State.
On the 12th of February following, he reached Isaac Griffin's near Woodbridgetown, only to learn that Rev. John Greene had finally departed on his way home that morning.
Rev. Amos R. Wells remained over night at Mr. Griffin's, and the next day proceeded on his journey, at that time planning to return by way of Woodbridgetown. He arrived at the home of Abel Bond on February 14.
He remained with the Lost Creek and New Salem churches about a month and a half. He found the people "as they had ever been, very kind." A good fraternal spirit existed in the churches, which were apparently in a flourishing condition.
Rev. Amos R. Wells attended thirty-nine meetings in Vir- ginia, and received two new members into the Lost Creek Church, who had previously been baptized.
As heretofore stated, Rev. Amos R. Wells had originally intended to return by way of Woodbridgetown, and thence go to New York State. But after reaching Virginia, and carefully considering every thing, he decided to visit the Mad River Church in Ohio, whence he was prevailed upon to go on to Indiana. And on the 2d of April, in company with Jacob Maxson, he proceeded on his journey.
While in Virginia, Rev. Amos R. Wells received the following contributions :-
Lost Creek Church :-
Mrs. Mary Loofboro $ 25
25
Davis Loofboro
Mary Bond (widow) 50
James Kennedy 37
Ichabod Davis
25
Cornelius Williams
25
Elijah Williams
13
319
MISSIONARY WORK
New Salem Church :-
Jesse Davis $ 25
Samuel Fitz Randolph 50
Jesse Fitz Randolph 1 00
Joshua Davis
50
Jonathan Fitz Randolph
50
William Davis. Greenbrier 50
Peter Davis, Greenbrier
20
George J. D. vis, Greenbrier 25
Nathan Davis, Middle Island
1 00
Deacon Simeon Maxson, Middle Island
3 50
Betsey Hughes, Middle Island
50
Total for two churches $10 70 Besides the foregoing, he acknowledges the receipt of one pair of woolen socks from "Mrs. Randolph," of New Salem.
Again on the 18th of November, 1823, Rev. John Greene set out from his home at DeRuyter, New York, on a mission- ary tour through the western part of New York, and through Pennsylvania and Virginia.
On the 12th of December, 1823, he arrived at John Dun- away's, near Woodbridgetown, Pennsylvania. Here he remained until the 16th of December, when he resumed his journey to Virginia. He reached Abel Bond's on the follow- ing day. Here he found a call to go to Middle Island, one of the settlements within the bounds of the New Salem Church, to assist in the ordination of Peter Davis to the work of the Gospel ministry. Accordingly, on the 19th of December, in company with several members of the Lost Creek Church, he set out for Middle Island, or Lewisport (now West Union). He preached on the Sabbath; and on the following day, he assisted in the ordination service, preaching a sermon, using as a text, II Corinthians v, 20.
Rev. John Greene continued for some time in this region labouring within the bounds of the Lost Creek and New Salem churches. On the 15th of January he assisted in the ordination of Lewis A. Davis to the work of the Gospel ministry. On this occasion, the candidate preached a discourse, after which Rev. John Greene also preached, taking as a text, I Timothy III, 15. The same day, he baptized John La Forge F. Ran- dolph.
After having laboured in this region for a period of thirty-two days, and preached forty times, Rev. John Greene
320
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
started from Abel Bond's on his return trip, on the 19th of January, followed by the blessings and prayers of the Virginia people. On the 21st, he arrived at Isaac Griffin's, Esq., where he remained for three days, and preached three times, and then proceeded homeward.
On this visit, Rev. John Greene received the following contributions from the people in Virginia :-
Mrs. Bond
$ 1 00
Milan Stout
25
Anna Bond 45
Rachel Bond
50
Dea. Abel Bond
621/2
Mrs. Dicks
50
Collection at Lost Creek
3 541/2
Cornelius Williams
25
Elijah Williams
121/2
Nathan Davis, Esq.
I 50
Jesse Davis
50
Dea. Simeon Maxson
4 00
Jonathan Howell
371/2
Jesse Davis
25
Stephen Davis
50
George J. Davis
25
Jesse Fitz Randolph
1 00
Mrs. Randolph
50
Lewis A. Davis
50
Sally VanHorn
1 00
Jacob D. Maxson
25
James Clendennon
50
Thomas VanHorn
25
William VanHorn
471/2
Total Amount received in Virginia $19 091/2
At its annual meeting held with the Piscataway Church, October, 1828, the Missionary Society voted to employ Rev. Joel Greene for the entire year following, and directed that he spend three months of this time in the states of Vir- ginia, Indiana, and Ohio, and at French Creek, Pennsylvania. His report the following year shows that he travelled for ten months and two days, but does not state whether he visited Virginia or not.
The Missionary Society, at its annual meeting held with the church at Alfred, New York, in September, 1830, adopted a report of its committee on arrangements, recommending the (20)
REV. JOHN GREENE.
REV. JOHN DAVIS, OF SHILOH. JOHN BRIGHT,
REV. JOEL GREENE.
REV. JAMES BAILEY.
32I
MISSIONARY WORK
employment of a missionary for six months of the ensuing year, in the vicinities, respectively, of Hayfield and Woodbridgetown, Pennsylvania, and Lost Creek and New Salem, Virginia; and Rev. William B. Maxson was appointed to occupy that field. But at the annual meeting of the society, held with the church at Petersburgh, New York, the following year, in September, 1831, Rev. William B. Maxson reported that he had not por- formed the labour assigned him. Then, the society voted to send a missionary to that field for four months of the following year.
At the next annual meeting of the Missionary Society, held with the church at Brookfield, New York, in September, 1832, Rev. Joel Greene presented a report showing that he had laboured upon the Virginia field for four months and a half, and had collected forty-eight dollars and ninety-one cents ($48.91).
At the annual meeting of the Missionary Society, held with the church at Shiloh, New Jersey, in September, 1833, the executive committee reported that during the preceding year, the committee had sent Rev. Alexander Campbell to Vir- ginia as a missionary for a term of six months. And that his work had been so successful, and the solicitations of the Vir- ginia people for his return so great, that the committee had re-appointed him indefinitely, subject to the approval of the society. And although the last report from him showed that he was in rather feeble health, the committee had not seen fit to recall him. Before the next annual session of the society, however, he had finished his labours on the Virginia field.
For his first visit to Virginia, Rev. Alexander Campbell started from his home at DeRuyter some time during the fall of 1832. When he reached Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he stopped at the home of Colonel Oliphant, whose wife was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Woodbridge, and was herself a mem- ber of the Woodbridgetown Church. Here he was heartily welcomed. He visited until the next day, when he proceeded to Woodbridgetown, which was several miles distant, in com- pany with Jonathan Bond, of Woodbridgetown, whom Mrs. Oliphant had invited to Uniontown to meet her distinguished guest.
He remained at Woodbridgetown for some time,
322
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
preaching evenings and visiting during the day. He found a church of about fourteen members, including five or six families. He began holding meetings in a school house, but in order to accommodate the growing congregations, the meetings were soon afterward removed to the meeting house, which was soon crowded to its utmost capacity. He says, "The people in that vicinity had been so long fed with election and fore-ordination that they were almost starved to death. I think I never was in another such a hot-bed of rank Calvin- ism." He found three families of the Woodbridgetown Church to be Calvinists, who appeared to lay more stress upon the teachings of John Calvin, than upon those of the Master.
In this connection, a letter addressed to him by one of the members of the Woodbridgetown Church, soon after one of his visits there, will throw a strong sidelight upon the theology of the church. The letter runs as follows:
"NEW GENEVA, 2ND MO., 19TH, 1834. "MY DEAR BROTHER CAMPBELL :-
"Perhaps we do not disagree in sentiment so much as in words. When we were conversing together about doctrine, I could not recollect some passages of Scripture concerning the chosen people of God, which have since recurred to my mind, and which I wish to mention to you; vis., Acts XIII, 48; Acts XVIII, 10; Acts IV, 15; Eph. 1, 4; Eph. v, II; Matt. xxv, 34; Matt. II, 25, 26, I Peter 1, 2; John XVII, 9; Rom. VIII, 22, 24, 30, 32, 39; I Cor. 1, 26, 27, 28.
"But the time would fail me to enumerate all the passages which teach me that the Lord has a chosen people. I have not since our con- versation, had occasion to change my opinion, but [to] all men, plain and clear, salvation is all of the free distinguishing grace of God, for by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast; Eph. II, 8, 9.
"I am now very low; I never expect to see you again in this world. I was taken the Sabbath eve after I saw you, and have been confined to bed ever since.
"Now that I am about to enter upon the realities of an eternal world, I know that I have not believed in cunningly devised fables, but I hope I have built upon the Rock of Ages. I feel that I am the chief of sinners, and Christ came to save such; and I trust He will save me from my sins, and wash me, and cleanse me in his blood. I trust I shall be justified by what He has done and suffered in the days of his flesh when he did hang upon the tree, from all things, from which I could not be justified by the Law of Moses, even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all them that believe; Rom. III, 22.
323
MISSIONARY WORK
"When I spoke to you of justification by the righteousness of Christ, I did not mean that we might live an unholy life; nor that we are justified by it in the eyes of men. Good works are evidences to them of our justification. But in the eyes of a pure and holy God, no righteousness will cover us but the perfect righteousness of Christ.
"Give my love, my kindest and best remembrances to Brother John Greene, Brother Joel Greene, Sister Greene, Brother Gillette, Sister Campbell, Brother John Davis, and Brother John Bright of New Jersey; and all the brethren who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sin- cerity. I trust and hope we shall soon meet in that blessed world, where we shall no more sin nor sorrow, and where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes.
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; I John III, 2. O, blessed state which I long to enjoy. I should love to see you all in the flesh, but it is far better to depart and be with Christ."
"I am glad to hear that so many young men of our connection are inspired with the missionary spirit. I hope they will not be led away into what are called new measures (though many of them are old extravagant ones). I hope that none will go so far as to whip children to make them submit to God. But I am persuaded better things of you, my dear brethren.
"Though I thus speak, we should be careful not to be cold, nor too hot. I pray the Lord to guide you in a right medium [sic].
"6th Day, 21st. I will stop where you said you did :- That none but the regenerate are saved, and the unregenerate, or unbelievers, perish, because they will not believe. But we know that they must be - born again. I will go no further than this.
"I must bid you all adieu, my dear brethren; I hope to meet you in that heavenly rest, there to sing praises, to all eternity, to the Lamb that was slain for sinners.
"From your unworthy sister (I trust in Christ).
"NANCY NICHOLSON."
"To ELD. A. CAMPBELL."
Owing to want of time, Alexander Campbell was obliged to hasten away to Virginia, before he had really completed the work that he had so well begun here. He says, "I am somewhat of the opinion that if I could have staid three months in the place, we might have had a flourishing church in Wood- bridgetown at this time" (1880).
From Woodbridgetown, he proceeded to Abel Bond's, at Quiet Dell. He at once began active labours with the Lost Creek Church, which he found in a state of discouragement. Here he introduced with great success, the "conference meet-
324
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
ings," which have been so widely known among the Virginia churches ever since.
After about seven weeks of unceasing activity at Lost Creek, he went to Greenbrier, where the New Salem Church had one of its meeting houses, and where the pastor of the church, Rev. Peter Davis, lived. He arrived there late in the afternoon of the Sixth Day of the week, and on the following day, began a series of meetings on Greenbrier Run.
While on this visit, he made a trip to Ohio, going as far as Woodsfield, the county seat of Monroe County. On this trip he preached five times.
After his return from Ohio, he spent some time again on Greenbrier Run and at New Salem, after which he proceeded to Lost Creek. Early in March, he left the home of Abel Bond on his homeward journey, accompanied for several miles by Abel Bond and others. He reached home early in April.
In a short time he received notice from the Mis- sionary Board of another appointment to the Vir- ginia field, and requesting that he proceed to the field at his early convenience. He reached Abel Bond's about the first of July, 1833, four months after he had started for home from his first visit. Abel Bond had built a house in his own door yard for the missionary, who on this visit was accompanied by his wife and a five-year-old son. His second coming was received with great joy, and he was given a princely reception by the Virginia people. He remained until the late autumn, labouring with the Lost Creek and New Salem churches, and going in all directions to preach wherever the numerous calls led him.
During. one of these visits to Virginia, he went to visit Lewis Bond, who lived on the North Fork of Hughes River, not far from the present village of Pennsboro. Here he held some meetings, and organised the North Fork of Hughes River Church, of seven members, com- posed of Lewis Bond and his family, and possibly two or three converts to the Sabbath. Here also occurred a debate on the question of the day of the Sabbath, between Alexander Camp- bell and a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Tich- nell by name. As the outcome of this debate, two families by
REV. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. REN. WALTER B. GILLETTE.
REV. STILLMAN COON. REV. CHARLES M. LEWIS.
325
MISSIONARY WORK
the name of Lowther and Starkey embraced the Sabbath, and were organised into the South Fork of Hughes River Church.
Many of the meetings conducted by Alexander Campbell during the summer of 1834, were held in groves, the meeting houses being too small to accommodate the crowds which attended. Some of these meetings continuing several days, took on something of the character of the camp meetings of that time.
One of these meetings was held in a grove on Meat House Fork at the mouth of Wolf Pen Run, almost upon the very spot where once stood the famous "Meat House," built by the early hunters in which to store their game, and from which the Meat House Fork of Middle Island Creek took its name. Here came people from all the surrounding country, as far away as Greenbrier, New Salem, Lewisport, and other places. The people came in rough, heavy farm wagons, prepared to remain several days, many of them sleeping in wagons, or other hastily improvised resting places. A single house near by accommodated the evangelist and his family, besides several of the women in attendance upon the meetings. The meetings were held in a grove of hard maples and white oaks, with logs and split slabs for seats.
In these meetings, Rev. Alexander Campbell knew neither Jew nor Gentile, Pharisee nor Sadducee, Arminian nor Calvin- ist,-only saints and sinners. Methodists, First Day Baptists, all were welcome alike. The religion which he preached was for all mankind. His tall, gaunt physique was strikingly commanding, and his strong penetrating voice, which carried far out into the grove to the furthermost part of his congrega- tion, and a sharp piercing eye, gave him a personality well designed to inspire terror in the heart of the most heardened sinner, forcibly reminding him of the Judgment and the wrath to come. He was a veritable John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." And he cried not without effect, for men and women came in troops, with tears and groans, crying aloud for mercy.
In the late fall, he again bade Virginia farewell, and returned to his home in DeRuyter, New York. But his works he left behind him, and half a century afterward. when he
326
SEVENTH DAY BAPTISTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
returned to the field of his former labours, for a short visit as a delegate to the South-Eastern Association, the niemory of him and his mission of years long gone by revived with an irresistible power, and profoundly impressed those of his former acquaintances who yet remained, as well as their chil- dren, and the children of the multitudes of his friends passed away, but who had left their oft-repeated story of the marvel- lous work of this venerable missionary behind, as a sacred heritage to those who should come after them.1
The executive committee of the Missionary Society, at the annual meeting of the society, held with the church at DeRuyter, New York, in September, 1834, reported that Rev. Alexander Campbell had finished his labours on the Virginia field, and recommended that a missionary be stationed at Lost Creek for the following year. The report of the committee was adopted. The executive committee secured the services of Rev. Stillman Coon, of Independence, New York, to visit the Virginia field. At the next annual session of the society, he reported that he had been engaged in missionary work six months and four days, during the preceding year. The most, if not all, of this time was undoubtedly spent in Virginia. One of the most important features of his work on this mission was the assistance he rendered Rev. Joel Greene, who had been sent to Virginia by the General Conference, in order, if possible, to bring about an amicable settlement of certain difficulties that existed in the New Salem Church, and to look into the circum- tances attending the organisation of the 2d Seventh Day Baptist Church of Lost Creek, and the regularity of the ordination of William Williams of that church to the Gospel ministry.
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.