USA > Ohio > A century of Congregationalism in Ohio, 1796-1896 > Part 7
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Dawn of Better Days.
ple of "letting well enough alone." Quite an exodus oc- curred early in the seventies when General Assembly bade the churches to "perfect their organization," that is, choose between being wholly Presbyterian, and being out-and-out Congregational. But forty years actually passed after the meeting in Mansfield before the last of these wandering prodigals came home to receive the robe and ring of the penitent, and to share in the bountiful feast. Then there were scores of another hapless class, those which had had bitter experience of presbyterial ways, and escaping alive went stark mad over Independency. Lonesome and in peril were they, but sympathy neither gave nor sought, and fell into a wretched Ishmaelitish frame. While we pity them, and are not at liberty altogether to excuse their offence, yet it is not strange that a morbid fear was felt as touching ec- clesiastical intermeddling and tyranny. A volume would not suffice to tell the story. But these specimen cases, which might be multiplied ad nauseam must suffice. Fitchville (to give the Presbyterian side of it), "which had from its origin been a source of annoyance to the body by its disorderly constitution and disorderly conduct, being largely independ- ent of presbytery, was cut off from its relation. A commit- tee, however, was immediately appointed to visit Fitchville and organize a Presbyterian church if deemed expedient." And thus two warring churches were found in a little ham- let. Happily, however, after a troubled life of a dozen years, the latter gave up the ghost. Thompson had been caught in the toils of the Plan, and some who would be de- livered from "all higher ecclesiastical bodies which would usurp authority over them," could gain their goal only by forming a " Free and Independent" church. Later the two frag- ments were brought together. But a few stood out and were or- ganized into a Presbyterian church, which presbytery kept alive for years fighting against fate. In '36 Weymouth exchanged presbytery for Western Reserve Association, but in two
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Congregationalism in Ohio.
years found associating with Oberlin too bitter a pill and went back. In '45 voted to leave presbytery and stand independent, but failed to get permission. By '48 becomes red hot on anti-slavery and asks the lukewarm presbytery to flee from the Sodom of a pro-slavery General Assembly ; and when that body declines so to do, in high dudgeon votes, "we dissolve the relations between that body and this church." Birmingham was formed by a committee of pres- bytery as the First Presbyterian church and elders were in- stalled (over a church of Congregationalists, be it under- stood). Later the question arises of leaving presbytery and changing both name and polity, but was voted down. Next, presbytery on an appeal decides against the church and a protest is entered. Before long a vote is carried to change the name, a year after a resolution is lost to withdraw from presbytery, and finally a similar resolution carries nem. con. In Williamsfield certain persons ask the church to be dis- missed in order to form an independent organization. Are told they may, with the consent of presbytery. That body withholds permission, pronouncing the project "untimely and forever inexpedient." Appeal again to the church, which is at first in doubt, but at length says, Go. In due season asks to say good-bye to presbytery. But cases vast- ly worse than these were too common. Thus Litchfield voted to withdraw, with a Presbyterian minister as modera- tor, who declared that those voting thus "were no longer members of the church, and had no right to vote and act with the church." This decision was sanctioned by presby- tery at its next session. York church near by, hearing of this gross outrage upon Congregational rights, moved at once to flee from such domination. In Granville when Pres- bytery began to regulate but one church was found, and when its work was ended there were four, all full of fight, two of them Presbyterian, one Congregational and one Episcopal. Surely a "weak " polity could not match that achievement.
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Dawn of Better Days.
But happily, not much longer were such grievous experi- ences from such illegitimate causes to be possible. The Minutes of the State Association supply an excellent outline both of the embarrassments still suffered as an inheritance from an unfortunate past', and of the steps of solid and steady progress which began from 1852. Thus in '55 among other things, it was resolved :
That we cordially invite all the Congregational churches in Ohio, which are not now associated with us, to become connected with this body, either directly or through a district conference.
Than, we deem it eminently conducive to the peace and prosperity of the Congregational churches in Ohio that the ecclesiastical relation of their pas - tors or stated supplies should be Congregational [ hear, hear ! ] * and there- fore affectionately request our churches to urge (if need be) the importance of this connection upon those whom they employ to labor with them in the gos- pel ministry.
In '57 Puritan Conference reports "twelve churches in connection, and the same number of Congregational churches belonging to presbytery, with four or five independent. Some of these do not unite because they lean towards Presbyterian- ism ; others because they lean towards Independency." And Medina Conference : "Within our bounds are sixteen churches and fragments of churches, of which only six are in our connection. Of the others some are averse to coming into our body on account of painful experience in former ecclesiastical connections." In '60 eight local conferences appear as connected with the state body. The statistical secretary " estimates" the Congregational churches to num- ber 250, of which a round 100 are in the Association, 75
*The cogent reason for this earnest counsel is seen in the case of the Plain church which in the sixties had for pastor a stiff and zealous Presby- terian, who one after another organized three Presbyterian churches within a few miles, largely with members from the Plain church, and which but for his manipulation would have been Congregational. Then, with impudence al- most sublime, he suggested to the Plain people that being so weak they would better disband and scatter themselves among the three neighboring bodies. To force this result he even put their services at such an incon- venient hour as to make it next to impossible for them to attend.
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Congregationalism in Ohio.
are connected with presbytery, and 75 are Independent, with a membership of 16,000. He tells of the woes he has en- dured in the effort to gather statistics from the indifferent, the suspicious, the dogged, and the recalcitrant church clerks and others. They fear him and the Association as being but popes in disguise, and all bristling with designs upon their liberties, for which they will die sooner than surrender. This same exasperated statistician applies the lash right lus- tily to the clergy and laity of the fifty years just past for their utter self-abnegation and self-stultification which made it possible that " in the annual report for 1859 of the Com- missioner of Statistics for the State of Ohio, a report pub- lished by state authority, there is not the least notice of a Congregational church within the state, though the commis- sioner expressly asserts that he gives a table of all the churches and church property." The word Congregational is not found between the covers. Of a truth, such indigna- tion was not at all unrighteous. It is not until '62, and after the churches had been associated for a full decade, that the statistics begin to touch bottom. Tables which are quite satisfactory now begin to meet our gaze. In '67 at the meeting of Association at Columbus 131 churches were rep- resented, and statistics were given from 173, of which 32 were Welsh, and 12 were unassociated. The ministers num- bered 130 and the members 13,428. It was during this de- cade that the Welsh churches, which had stood quite aloof with over-leaning towards Independency, began to affiliate with their American brethren. In '70 first appears Central South Welsh Conference, but not connected until the year following, when Eastern Ohio Welsh Conference was formed.
OUR WELSH CHURCHES.
These bodies of Christians are staunch Congregation- alists, and constitute a portion of our fellowship so import-
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Our Welsh Churches.
ant and distinct as to call for a separate and honorable men- tion. Indeed, the suggestion appears to be quite in order that they are altogether too distinct ; that it would be alto- gether better both for the cause we have in common, and al- so for them, if the days should be hastened when all walls of separation would be broken down, and Welsh confer- ences be heard of no more. The beginnings of Welsh In- dependency date from the sixteenth century in and from this source was supplied its full quota of confessors and mar- tyrs. One doughty Welshman for conscience sake was clapped into gaol no less than thirteen times. And another attained to immortal fame among Congregationalists, John Penry, a genuine Puritan, who was hanged in 1593, in London, be- cause he would have it that the mind and moral sense of man must be free. The first Welsh church with this free polity was formed in 1639, in Monmouthshire, with others following soon in Cardiff and Swansea. The first considera- ble immigration of Welsh Congregationalists to this country began near the close of the last century. On a former page mention was made of the early advent of several families in- to southwestern Ohio, with the Whitewater church, or Pad- dy's Run, as the outcome. About the same time settlers of the same excellent stock began to lift up their axes against trees in Licking county. They appeared early at Granville, organizing a church in '39, another at Harrison, and a third at Newark in '41. But even before, in 1803, the year in which Paddy's Run was formed, one David Pugh purchased some 4,000 acres in what is now Radnor, Delaware county, which presently became the center of a flourishing Welsh settlement, to supply whose religious needs Radnor church was organized in 1820. In 1818 other colonies fixed them- selves in Gallia and Jackson, attracted especially by the opening mines of iron and coal. In '32 it seemed to cer- tain enterprising land-owners about Paddy's Run that that section was suffering from a plethora of population, or else
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Congregationalism in Ohio.
they were allured by stories concerning the newly discovered paradise up in Allen county on the borders of the Black Swamp. At any rate, eight families emigrated thither that year, located in Sugar Creek township, and in '35 by cov- enanting together brought the Gomer church into being. This representative of our polity, situated a few miles to the northwest of Lima, disputes with the Plain church, just west of Bowling Green in Wood county, the claim of being the oldest in that newest portion of the state. Palmyra township in Portage county, had already been invaded by a troop of Welshmen bent on securing homes, who eventual- ly secured almost entire possession, bought the sanctuary of a dying American Congregational church, and set them- selves up ecclesiastically in '34.
In the meantime the large cities had been offering at- tractions to a large fraction of the Welsh immigration, as is proved by the appearance of Washington Ave. (Town St.), Columbus church in '37; Lawrence St., Cincinnati, in '40, and Youngstown in '47. The coming of Cleveland South was delayed until '59. In all our Welsh churches number 42, with a membership of over 3,000. With his eye upon those which were organized in the first half of the century, Rev. John P. Williams writes: "They were blessed with good and faithful ministers, who met their trials and difficul- ties with heroic spirit, when the country was first settled, and their names are in sweet remembrance in the churches as pioneers. Such as J. A. Davies, of Siloam ; I. Davies, of Tyn Rhos; Thomas Edwards, Cincinnati ; John Morgan Thomas, Alliance ; D. Davies ; James Davies, Radnor ; Rees Powell, Troedrhiwdalar ; J. H. Jones, Delaware ; John Ed- wards, Crab Creek, etc." Rev. B. W. Chidlaw ranks among the heroes for God in the state, while not a few of the Welsh ministers for sterling qualities of mind and heart, for earnest deeds and useful lives, belong in the category with our very best. Our Cymric fellow disciples are worshipful and zeal-
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Our Welsh Churches.
ous in their religious make, in living the gospel probably they succeed in everyday life as well as the average Anglo- Saxon saint, while in singing the gospel they leave us far be- hind. In lifting up psalms and hymns and spiritual songs not many can match them. As for the churches, a few of them are quite strong, Gomer leading with 355 members, Youngstown following with 300, Cincinnati Lawrence St. with 194, Cleveland South with 206, and Columbus Wash- ington St. with 145. Only 10 have a membership of more than 100, while 22 have less than 50, and 6 have less than IO. Except in the cities the Welsh churches are on the whole quite steadily losing ground, and from this serious combination of causes : Those in rural districts, like many of their class all the land over, because the population is di- minishing ; and for the same reason those in coal and iron districts; where the mines are failing, or where strikes and other business perturbations make work and wages uncer- tain. But with scarcely room for doubt, the principal cause is of another sort altogether, is removable, is wholly in the hands of the churches and pastors, either to be removed, or to be suffered to remain and work mischief. With all their might the elders are likely to cling to their mother tongue, and to the ways in which their fathers walked in the land be- yond the sea. The fact is not fully appreciated that in this country English should be, must be, will be the speech of all citizens. But the younger generation, the boys and girls born this side of the Atlantic, are wholly inclined at any cost to be as their neighbors, at least as to the general features of daily practice, in religion as well as elsewhere. And, sure as the world, this latter tendency is destined to prevail. To this irresistible decree of fate, rather of heaven, every de- nomination in the United States must bow in obedience, sooner or later. But meanwhile the struggle waxes hot be- tween the old and the young, those who would keep things as they are and those who propose to square themselves to
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Congregationalism in Ohio.
the facts of the present and the future. On the question of Welsh vs. English, churches are rent in twain, congregations dwindle to a handful, and children to their parents are antag- onistic. Reason and a truly Christian spirit would seem to indicate that the elders, who at the best must soon pass away, should make haste to yield cheerfully for the lasting and un- speakable benefit of their sons and daughters. If this should come to pass, and then further, the Welsh conferences as such should disappear, it would be a day most blessed for our beloved Zion. Let the example of Paddy's Run, the mother church, find many imitators. Several Welsh churches were represented when at Mansfield the State Association was formed in '52. It was a great step forward when in '67 the names of all appeared upon the pages of the Minutes. God hasten the day when Ohio Congregationalists shall be "all with one accord in one place ;" when there shall be "neither Jew nor Greek," but Jesus Christ all in all.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT.
It was not until about twenty-five years ago that Con- gregationalism in Ohio really got upon its feet and with limbs reasonably free set forward upon its course of helping to re- deem and hold the state to righteousness. Let us glance at some of the phenomena which appear in this period, taking note not only of the brighter phases of things, but also of ,such as are less pleasant to contemplate. And first, a steady and fairly rapid increase in the number of churches can be traced. Going back somewhat further, 24 were added to our list in the fifties, counting only those which still survive. During the sixties, the period of the war, but 18 were or- ganized, the next decade gave birth to 25, the eighties to 36, while the last decade of the century, of which a full half is still future, already increases the catalogue of the sisterhood
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Recent Development.
by no less than 29. The total of churches formed since 1850 is 132. The location of these more recent comers is as significant and cheering as their number. This is the era of the growth of cities, and our denomination which in the first half of the century strengthened itself mainly in the rural districts, is now handsomely redeeming itself by en- tering in at the many open doors offered by the chief centers of population. At least 60 of the 132 are found in the cities or larger villages, and thus have a reasonable assurance of a long and prosperous career. Another omen of good is found in the fact that we are more and more bursting the bounda- ries within which our fathers seem to have judged we were fated to be confined, the twelve counties of the Reserve, to- wit, and are manifesting both our right and our ability to live and thrive in central, southern and western Ohio. Since 1870 Congregational churches to the number of 90 have been organized, and of these 54 are located in divers parts of this "non-Congregational" area. Though this most important undertaking is sadly and criminally belated, we may well re- joice and take courage that such progress has been made. Yes, and with our Bohemian, and Swedish, and Finnish and German churches, we are proving ourselves to have outlived that mingled heresy and humbug that our free polity was di- vinely ordained for Yankees only. Five and twenty years since our churches numbered just 200, and our ministers 173, of whom 37 were without pastoral charge. Ten years later 230 churches were reported, and 182 ministers ; in '90 they increased to 250 and 227 ; while now (Minutes of '96) they stand at 264 and 234. The membership of the churches and of the Sunday-schools at the same intervals tell the same story of constant advance. In '70 the figures were respec- tively, 16,862 and 19,196 ; in '80 they had grown to 23,868 and 27,381 ; in '90 they stood at 34,633 and 37,014; and according to the latest returns they have climbed to 39,052 and 36,292.
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Congregationalism in Ohio.
A marked development can be traced in the increase of instrumentalities for furthering Christian activity, as well as methods of work. Thus the various women's missionary societies have come into being and the Christian Endeavor movement, etc., etc. Our denominational Sunday-school work has been pushed as never before, thanks largely to our Sunday-school and Publishing Society with Rev. W. F. Mc- Millen as its devoted representative. Just here it was that not a few of our newer churches had their beginning. With such encouragement our children and youth are learning rap- idly to bear their full share of service and beneficent giving. As for our denominational beneficences, in the fifties like all our other denominational affairs, they were in a jumble. By many whose anti-slavery convictions were intense the Ameri- can Board was too half-hearted and mealy-mouthed to be countenanced, and so the American Missionary Association was organized in '46,* which also did home missionary work for some of our needy churches ; and through various boards and committees the friends of Oberlin were constantly con- tributing for the support of its suspected and ostracised graduates who were toiling among the Indians, and the ex- slaves of Canada and the West Indies. As we have seen the Connecticut Missionary Society entered Ohio in 1800, nor for three and fifty years did it weary of sending annually thousands of dollars to this needy field. In all, this cher- ishing mother commissioned and sustained 87 missionaries in this state, by whom a total of 635 years of exhausting service were bestowed. Twenty of the number labored ten years or more, eight remained twenty or more, while one, Rev. A. H. Betts, completed a term of thirty-two years (1821-53).
In 1826 the American Home Missionary Society came
*And hence, while our churches are celebrating their hundredth anniver- sary, this Society, with such an honorable record, is calling to remembrance its half-century of service.
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Recent Development.
into being, while the Plan of Union was in full sway, and for some thirty years knew no distinction between Presbyterian and Congregationalist. In '52 when the State Association began to evoke and foster and fashion and organize our de- nominational work in the state, Rev. Lysander Kelsey was home missionary superintendent (for central and southern Ohio, '57-63, and the entire state, '63-73), and was an act- ive participant in the annual meetings. At the end of ten years the relations of the Association and the Home Mission- ary Society were found so unsatisfactory that the project was broached of forming a state body to look after the home needs, and in '63 this was done. Rev. H. M. Storrs was sec- retary for a season, and was followed by Mr. Kelsey, who then'began to serve in that capacity. The year preceding a rad- ical new departure had been taken by resolving, "That it is expedient to organize a State Home Missionary Society, auxiliary to the A. H. M. S. at New York," and, "That on and after the Ist of July, 1872, the Congregational churches of Ohio will do their own missionary work." Brave words, and no doubt, uttered sincerely in courage and hope. But somehow, in the years ensuing the deeds failed to match. In '73 it was voted that the churches ought to raise $10,000 for home evangelization, and that no salaried secretary should be employed. Only $7,860 resulted from the call, in part because hard times had struck the country. In '74 Rev. Samuel Wolcott appears as secretary, and continues till '8 1. In '75 the day is spoken of when "Ohio will be paying her own expenses, and helping A. H. M. S. in the regions be- yond." Occasionally it happened that more money was raised in the state than was expended in the state, but it was sure to be so that the receipts would soon fall below the mark and all prospect of independence would vanish. Or the legacies would reach a handsome figure, only to sink for several years to the zero point. More than once hope de- ferred has made the hearts sick of those who longed for the en-
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Congregationalism in Ohio
largement of Zion. In '80 the fact was published that Ohio held the bad eminence of exhibiting a lower rate of benefi- cent giving than any other state, and a few years later that the average here was but $0.30 for each member, and in the country at large $0.61. In '89 the gifts of the living reached $13,158, which was $3,000 more than O. H. M. S. had ever received. No doubt, it is just at this point that the outlook for Congregational Ohio presents its seamiest side to the ob- server. How shall our denominational work, now an hund- red years old, come finally and forever to self-support ? For years this lamentable case has been discussed and pondered upon, and diligent search has been made for the seat of the trouble. As with most chronic ailments, the cause is likely to be manifold. Probably no single statement will contain so large a fraction of the explanation as this one: Of our churches only a comparatively few are large and wealthy. The bulk of them are below the line of self-support, or else are just above it. Of the total number, 137, more than half, have less than 100 members, and 77 have less than 50. And these figures include the absentees, who in most cases con- stitute a large percentage. More then half our churches, then, are in the midst of a hard struggle for bare life. Though their benefactions doubtless might be, and ought to be, far larger, yet the sad failure to make them so is not at all sur- prising. Especially when we look further and find that last year 57 of these churches were reported as without pastors, and some of them had been in this condition for years .*
Recent years have brought yet another source of embar- rassment and possible serious harm. The cities are organiz- ing themselves for local home missionary work, which is well, and even necessary. Or if societies are not formed, the strong self-supporting churches plan and push for new organizations in their vicinity, and bestow liberal financial aid. It is doubt-
*For a table of statistics showing the growth of Congregationalism in the state see page 95.
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What of the Second Century ?
less in this way that the suburbs so rapidly springing up can be cared for most wisely and efficiently. But the danger is by no means imaginary that the vision of the city churches, and so their interest, their prayers and their giving will be withdrawn from the general work of the state. Large and wealthy churches can be found whose home missionary ag- gressive energy in behalf of the Kingdom is almost wholly expended upon objects within two or three miles of their sanctuary. But is it not spiritually damaging thus to nar- row the circumference of our sympathies and our benefac- tions ? And besides, who then is to care for the farming communities which need assistance, and the smaller towns ? "All one body, we," and so city should pray and give for the redemption of country, and country for city. Why can it not be so arranged that the urban organizations shall be but another phase of the state body, it doing the work through them, they auxiliary to it? Their undertakings might well be started only after consultation with represent- atives of the O. H. M. S., and all their receipts and expend- itures be regularly reported in the state Minutes. An ex- cellent step was taken last year, when, after giving certain facts and figures relating to the state society proper, a para- graph was inserted telling how churches in six of our cities had expended $4,404 upon enterprises in their immediate neighborhood. But the strange fact came out thereby that this sum, which amounted to about one-third of all that was raised for home missions in the state, did not pass through the treasury of the state society.
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