USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > A century of church life. A history of the First Congregational church of Marietta, Ohio, with an introduction by Rev. John W. Simpson > Part 10
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"Since the ladies commenced working for the organ they have raised, with very little help from the gentlemen, (about $100) : For the organ and all the expenses attending it, freight, traveling expenses, organist from Zanesville, etc., $825
Expenses on the church, whitewashing, painting, etc., 35
For presents, organ blower, etc., 40
$900"
In the record of this meeting we find the following statement : "Closed our organ society and organized a missionary society ; some new officers chosen, some old ones re-elected."
This society continued to do useful work in many such ways as the ladies are always able to discover. During the years 1854, 1855 and 1856 they raised a considerable sum of money which was expended in furnishing the chapel. During the Civil War they devoted their energies to furnish supplies for the Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Most of this work for the relief of the soldiers was done in co-operation with the other churches of the city. They have also made from time to time various contributions of money and work to different missionary objects. For many years the evenings following the meetings of this society were spent socially and the organi- zation was finally succeeded by the Social Circle, which held social gatherings from time to time at which refreshments were served and a collection taken. This not only promoted ac-
111
quaintance and social intercourse but was also a source of con- siderable income. By this means the ladies have purchased gas fixtures for the church, provided two or three carpets, besides promoting other worthy enterprises. This branch of church work is still flourishing and greatly prized as a means of good.
WOMAN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS FOR THE INTERIOR.
In May, 1870, a meeting of ladies was held at the house of Mrs. Col. John Mills to consult respecting the formation of an Auxiliary to the Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior. Twenty-five ladies were present, representing the First Congre- gational and the Fourth Street Presbyterian Churches. Mrs. Wm. R. Putnam presided. It was then decided to form such a society, and that any lady could become a member by paying an annual subscription. The meetings of this society were at first held once in two months, alternating with the meetings of the Maternal Association, but a little later this was changed to every month, which plan has continued to the present time. This was a union society for two years, when the Presbyterian ladies withdrew to organize a society in their own church. The two societies have carried on their work in a friendly spirit and have frequently held union meetings. This has almost always been done when either society has been favored with the pres- ence of a missionary.
In 1872 this society contributed $65 to support Sitka, a Bible reader, at Samakov, Bulgaria, and for several years they sup- ported Banka Dachova, another Bible reader. Their contribu- tions have been given to the Woman's Board, in a few cases as above for a specified object. During the first quarter century they raised about $3,500.
The meetings of the society have been well sustained. In addition to the prayer service the ladies have studied missionary fields and work and in this way have increased their interest in missions. In 1895 they raised a considerable thank offering to apply on the debt of the Board.
LADIES' HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
In 1881, a Ladies' Home Missionary Society was organized, which became auxiliary to the Woman's Home Missionary So-
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ciety at Boston, Mass., by the payment of $10. This society continued in existence for thirteen years and nearly every year furnished one or more boxes for a Home Missionary family. These boxes have been valued from $75 to $140 each and have been highly appreciated by the recipients. The society has also supplied many of the poor in their own city with clothing and other necessities and performed such other work as was needed. In 1894 it was decided to connect this society with the Auxil- iary of the Woman's Board, but the work is continued as before.
YOUNG LADIES' MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
In 1875, Mrs. Josephine L. Coffing, of the Central Turkey Mission of the American Board, visited Marietta and addressed the young ladies of the church. This visit aroused so much in- terest that March 25th, 1875, they organized themselves as the Young Ladies' Missionary Society of the First Congregational Church. This society has held regular monthly meetings at which missionary intelligence is given and work done for which money is obtained. In addition to the membership fees and monthly dues they have held fairs, suppers and other entertain- ments to secure money for missions. During the first year the sum of $72 was raised, which was distributed as follows: $40 to sustain a pupil in Mrs. Coffing's school at Marash, $12 for a Coffing memorial at Aintab and $10 to aid a mission school among the Chinese at San Jose, California. In 1885 they gave $100 to the Mission Bridge proposed by the Woman's Board. During the twenty-one years of its existence this society has given about $1,600 to missionary objects and the good work con- tinues with unabated interest.
CHILDREN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
About 1879, a Children's Missionary Society was organized by some of the ladies of the church for the purpose of interest- ing the children in missionary work. A meeting was held each month, conducted by one of the ladies, at which the children gave readings and recitations on missionary subjects, and ad- dresses were made. This society made the children intelligent respecting the religious condition of the world and cultivated a spirit of systematic giving. After the organization of the Jun-
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PARSONAGE.
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ior Christian Endeavor Society in 1892, which embraced the same children, the two societies were united and one meeting each month was made a missionary meeting.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
March 15th, 1885, a Young People's Temperance Society was organized with about fifty members. The members of this so- ciety subscribed to the following pledge: "I do hereby pledge myself to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and also from the use of profane language." The society held a monthly meeting on Sunday afternoon, at which the exercises consisted of music, addresses, readings and recita- tions. These services were very profitable and kept alive an interest in temperance among young people. These meetings continued for nearly three years. After the organization of the Young People's Christian Endeavor Society that society had a temperance committee and arrangements were made for occa- sional temperance meetings. For this reason the temperance society was discontinued.
PRAYER MEETING.
There is no account of a weekly prayer meeting in this church during the first twenty years. Owing to the fact that the members of the church resided in the different settlements, it is probable that no such meeting was regularly sustained, though we may suppose that the Christians who lived in the same neighborhood sometimes met together for prayer. After the establishment of a Sunday School in 1817, a deeper in- terest was awakened in spiritual matters, and January 1st, 1818, the church unanimously "voted to meet once a week to pray for a revival of religion." This seems to have been the beginning of the stated weekly prayer meeting, which was held for fifty years on Thursday evening. May 11th, 1868, the church voted to change the time of the meeting to Wednesday evening. The reason for the change was that the time might be uniform with the other churches of the city. This meeting has been of a social character and well sustained. The members of the Col- lege faculty have rendered valuable service in these meetings.
This meeting is one of the most important means of spiritual
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growth. The members of the church who regularly attend this meeting are those on whom the pastor can depend for the vari- ous branches of Christian activity. When a' member begins habitually to neglect the prayer meeting it is usually conclusive evidence of a decline in spiritual life. The prayer meeting was first established to pray for a revival and most of the revivals which the church has enjoyed have commenced in connection with this meeting. For this and other reasons the prayer meeting has properly been denominated the spiritual thermom- eter of the church.
The monthly concert of prayer for the conversion of the world was established as early as 1817 and has been observed to the present time. For several years this was held on the first Sunday evening of each month, but for many years it has taken the place of the regular prayer meeting on the first Wednesday evening of each month. At this meeting missionary intelligence is presented, and sometimes papers and addresses on missionary topics. It is customary to have a report on a special field at each meeting. Different members of the church are often called upon to prepare a program and take charge of the meeting. A collection is taken at each meeting, which, un- less specially designated, is divided between Home and Foreign Missions.
LADIES' PRAYER MEETING.
In a semi-centennial discourse preached in 1849, Dr. Thomas Wickes used the following language respecting the origin and progress of the Ladies' Prayer Meeting :
"It may be desirable also to speak of another thing, originat- ing about the same time with the Sunday School, which has had an important bearing upon the spiritual interests of the church. I allude to the female prayer meeting. In the year 1816, through the influence of a lady recently from New England, where she had become familiar with the plan, an association was formed, the design of which was to promote the spiritual improvement of its members, chiefly through the read- ing of good books. A small sum was paid by each one and appropriated to the purchase of such works. The meeting was opened and closed with prayer and the remainder of the time occupied in reading. The books also circulated among the members. It was then altogether a new thing for women to
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lead in social prayer, and the most active and devoted among them thought they could not make the attempt, while it was even regarded by some as improper. But the attempt was made and the trial met, great as it was. In this association the fe- male members were first called together for social prayer, and an important work was done in training a few to this duty, and awakening an interest in it. Those who had long prayed in secret found that they could pray together, and it was profita- ble and pleasant thus to mingle their supplications at the Mercy Seat. This prepared the way within three or four years afterward for the establishment of a regular female prayer meeting, which has been continued to the present period, some- times indeed, under much discouragement, but for the most part with great interest. At no time since its establishment has it been abandoned, and for many years past it has been a meeting dear to many, and faithfully attended by them. The prayers and pious counsel of some dear departed sisters are well remem- bered by those who still live to watch and pray; and those meetings have been hallowed by the recollection of these loved ones who once joined them but who we trust are now uniting in the higher praise of God's upper sanctuary."
This quotation gives us an insight of the spirit and work of the godly women of that period. The ladies have always been the largest spiritual element in the church and their example and influence has always been a leading factor in the progress of Christ's kingdom. Some of these godly women who were at first afraid to hear their own voices in prayer will occupy a high place in heaven because they were Christlike in character. It is worthy of notice here that the Sunday School, the monthly concert of prayer, the mid-week prayer meeting and the ladies' prayer meeting were all started within two or three years of each other and that period marks the beginning of increased spirituality. Previous to that time there had been no season of revival in this church, but a very precious season was enjoyed two years later. When God's people began earnestly to call upon Him in prayer the Holy Spirit came upon them and the borders of Zion were enlarged.
The ladies' prayer meeting continued to be a powerful factor in the work of the church for many years and many precious seasons of revival have been promoted by it. Owing to the fact that the ladies' missionary meeting is a meeting for prayer and
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also that ladies take more part than formerly in the mid-week and Christian Endeavor prayer meetings, a distinctively ladies' meeting has not been held for some years past except in seasons of revival, but the prayers of the sisters are still a principal element of spiritual power in the church.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
A young people's prayer meeting was established in this church in the autumn of 1860, which from the first was pro- ductive of good. In the Narrative of the State of Religion given at the State Association in the spring of 1861 we find the following: "The church in Marietta reports a very interesting revival of religion, resulting in fifty-five hopeful conversions, of whom forty-seven were connected with the Sunday School. Its commencement was attributed, under God, to the establishment of a young people's prayer meeting, last fall. The meeting has been largely attended and has seemed to be the main focus of interest. Aside from this only the ordinary means of grace have been enjoyed."
This meeting was held at first on Sunday afternoon. Many students from the College attended and were active workers. Many of these are now active pastors. In later years the time of holding this meeting varied; several week evenings were tried, but it soon settled upon Sunday evening, one hour before church service, at which time it is still held. In 1886, those accustomed to attend this meeting organized themselves into a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, with the Model Constitution and Pledge. Since that time the society has had an active membership of from fifty to seventy-five. This was the first society of the kind organized in this part of the State. In addition to the Sunday evening prayer meeting, which is well sustained, there is a monthly business meeting at which reports are read from the various committees and work is ar- ranged for the month. These committees superintend the various branches of work assigned them. They organized and for a time sustained two branch Sunday Schools. They have also assisted in canvassing the city, in ministering to the poor and in social work. When the pastor desires to undertake any special work he finds in this society an organized band of effi-
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cient helpers. The society has adopted a system of systematic giving and raises a considerable sum for benevolent objects, and also by social and other means is able to render substantial aid to the church. The prayer meetings are well attended and much prized by those who attend.
JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.
September 11th, 1892, some of the active members of the Christian Endeavor Society organized a Junior Society, which has since been sustained. This society gathers the children under twelve years of age and instructs them in the first princi- ples of Christianity. This organization embraces about thirty children and some of them give good evidence that they are learning to love the Saviour. As early as children can compre- hend love to parents they should be taught to love Jesus. If children are to be early "taught of the Lord," they need con- stant nurture and watching, and this society is designed to aid parents and Sunday School teachers in early Christian nurture. The children are expected to become active members of the Christian Endeavor Society when they reach twelve years of age. By training the children in missionary giving this society does the work done half a century ago by the Maternal Associ- ation and later by the Children's Missionary Society.
CHAPTER X. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF MARIETTA AND THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION.
The first settlers at Marietta were from New England and profoundly impressed with the importance of education. The Ordinance of 1787 had emphasized religion and education, and the agents of the Ohio Company at a meeting held at Providence, R. I., March 7th, 1788, while the first company of pioneers were en route to Marietta, "Resolved that the Directors be requested to pay as early attention as possible to the cause of the education of youth and the promotion of public worship among the first settlers." Shortly after the commencement of the settlement a school was established at Campus Martius, taught by Mr. Waterman, Major Anslem Tupper, and a little later by Benjamin Slocomb, who was probably a graduate of Brown University. A school was also started a little later at the Point (the junction of the two rivers) and at Point Harmar. From an article in the Marietta Register of February 12th, 1874, by A. T. Nye, Esq., we learn that the teachers at the Point during the Indian war, were Jonathan Baldwin of Mass- achusetts, Mr. Curtis and Dr. Jabez True. Mr. Baldwin taught in the Block House. Mr. Curtis taught part of the time in a cooper's shop, and Dr. True in the Block House. A part of the expense of these schools was borne by the Ohio Company and part by the parents of the children. Soon after the close of the Indian war, steps were taken to provide better accommoda- tion for the schools. April 29th, 1797, a meeting of citizens was held to take into consideration measures for promoting the education of youth. Gen. Rufus Putnam was chairman, and R. J. Meigs, Jr., secretary. It was then "Resolved that a committee of six be appointed to prepare a plan of a house suitable for the instruction of youth and religious exercises,
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and to make an estimate of the expenses, and the most suitable means of raising the necessary money, and to fix upon a spot whereon to erect a house, and report on Saturday next at three o'clock P. M." The committee consisted of Gen. Rufus Putnam, Paul Fearing, Griffin Greene, R. J. Meigs, Jr., Charles Greene and Joshua Shipman. At a meeting of citizens held May the 6th, that committee reported as follows :
"The committee, appointed to prepare a plan for a house suitable for the instruction of youth and religious exercises, and the most suitable means of raising the necessary money, and to fix upon a spot whereon to erect a house, beg leave to report that they exhibit hereto annexed a plan of house suitable for the purpose desired. They have estimated the expense of erecting and completing the same at one thous- and dollars, and that their opinion is that the best mode of raising the necessary moneys is that the possessors of ministeri- al lands lying on the Ohio river between Hart's Ditch and the south end of Front street, and on Front street, and between Front street and the Muskingum river, do pay at the rate of one dollar for every one-third of an acre, which they respec- tively possess, and that a committee be appointed to assess the individuals possessing other ministerial lands, making the be- fore mentioned assessment of one dollar for every one-third of an acre the standard, and that the city lot 605, originally drawn by John Friend, be the place whereon to erect the building; and that a subscription be opened for the purpose of raising the deficiency of moneys, if any there should be."
After discussion it was
"Resolved, That the meeting approve the report of this com- mittee so far as relates to the plan of house suitable for the instruction of youth and religious exercises; and the estimate of the expenses of erecting and completing the same, being one thousand dollars, and the place whereon this house should be erected, which is on city lot No. 605, originally drawn in the name of John Friend.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to assess the pos- sessors of ministerial lands in proportion to the value of their respective possessions; and that this committee draw up a sub- scription for the purpose of defraying any further necessary expenses of building the house, and that the moneys which shall be assessed, subscribed and paid shall be considered as loans until compensation shall be made to such persons, so assessed, subscribing and paying out of the funds to arise from
120
the ministerial lands and school lands, agreeable to such system as shall be hereafter adopted relative to the taxing of such lands, and if such compensation shall not be hereafter made as aforesaid then the persons so assessed, subscribing and paying shall be considered as proprietors of the house in proportion to the sums which they shall severally be assessed, subscribe and pay.
Resolved, That the committee consist of Paul Fearing, Joseph Buell, General R. Putnam, Ichabod Nye and Col. Sproat; also
Resolved, That Joshua Shipman be appointed to contract for the boards and planks necessary for the house."
From these resolutions it would appear that lands in the ministerial section had been assigned to individuals but no provision had been made for taxing them. At a subsequent meeting it was resolved that the house to be erected be called the Muskingum Academy. We have not been able to ascertain how much money was raised by assessment on ministerial lands, but we find in the article by A. T. Nye, Esq., already referred to, a subscription paper, as follows: "May 13th, 1797; whereas it is contemplated to build an academy at Marietta to be called the Muskingum Academy, by subscriptions, to be held in prop- erties and moneys paid, and the subscribers desiring to carry so laudable an object into effect, do, each for himself, undertake and promise to pay to Jabez True, treasurer, or his successor, in case any should be appointed by the proprietors, such sum or sums of money as they do hereby severally affix to their names."
The subscription was as follows :
Rufus Putnam,
$300.
John Matthews, $20.
Charles Greene,
40.
Daniel Story, 30.
R. J. Meigs, Jr.,
40.
Edwin Putnam, 20.
Jabez True, 30. Griffin Greene, 20.
Joseph Lincoln, 20.
Benjamin Tupper, 20.
Ichabod Nye,
40. 20.
Samuel Thorniley, 10.
Joshua Shipman,
Timothy Buell, 10.
Ebenezer Sproat,
40.
Azariah Pratt,
10.
Paul Fearing,
20.
Ashel Hale,
10.
John Collins, Earl Sproat,
10.
Gilbert Devol, in work,
20.
Joseph Buell,
20.
Francis Thiery,
2.
William R. Putnam, 30.
Ezra Putnam,
15.
William Bridge,
Perley Howe,
10.
in laying brick, 10.
20.
Nathan McIntosh, in brick, 25.
.
Marietta College
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Luther Shepard, 10.
John G. Petit, 10.
James White,
10. Levi Whipple, 10.
Josiah Monroe,
15. Thomas Lane, 10.
John Brough, 10. Joseph Gilman & Son, 40.
Joel Bowen, 20.
Josiah Hart, 10.
W. U. Parsons, 10.
Jonathan Devol, 10.
Christopher Burlingame, 20.
William Skinner,
30
Judson Guitteau, 10.
Dudley Woodbridge, 30.
William Hart,
10.
David Putnam,
20
Stephen Pierce, 15.
From other parts of the records we learn that some, at least, of these subscriptions, were assessments on ministerial lands held by the subscribers. The amount of money was stock in the building at ten dollars per share. This building was 26x48 feet, and 12 feet high to the eaves with arched ceiling, and a porch at the entrance on the side. It had a cupola at first, which was subsequently removed. The building was furnished and ready for occupancy about the beginning of the year 1800, and a school was opened probably in the spring of that year. At a meeting of shareholders, held May 26th, 1800, several articles were adopted to regulate the schools. Among these were the following :
Article 2. The trustees shall have power to appoint a precep- tor of the Muskingum Academy, well qualified for the instruc- tion of pupils in the branches of science contained in the third article, and for that purpose to engage to him the occupancy of the Academy for such time as they shall see fit, not being less than one quarter of a year.
Art. 3. It shall be the duty of the preceptor to teach the pupils writing, reading, arithmetic, geography, English gram- mar and the Latin and Greek languages, the different branches of which a pupil is to be taught to be signified to the preceptor by the parents or guardians of the pupil.
Art. 4. It shall be the duty of the preceptor to pay due atten- tion to the language and manners, particularly, and to the de- portment of pupils generally, that they be instructed to be civil and obliging to each other, and respectful everywhere to all.
Art. 9. The price of tuition to be paid to the preceptor for his use for each quarter shall be: For reading and writing, $2; for arithmetic, English grammar, the fundamentals of astron- omy and geography, $2.50; Latin, Greek and mathematics, $3. There shall also be paid for each pupil taught reading and writ-
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ing, 30 cents. For those taught arithmetic, English grammar and geography, 40 cents. For Latin, Greek and mathematics, 50 cents per quarter to the preceptor, who shall pay over the same to the treasurer for such use as shall be directed by the proprietors."
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