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 9
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Though these early schools received their principal support from the members of the First Church, they were under the care of the Moral Society in order to instruct all classes in the
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community. Some of the churches in the city did not favor the movement at first, but finally all adopted this branch of church work. This church has sustained a Sunday School since the spring of 1817, one of the oldest continuous schools in the Northwest. It has been always ready to adopt new methods. For a number of years the school was held in the galleries of the church, but since 1856 it has been held in the chapel. This building was re-modeled and enlarged dur- ing the summer of 1892. It now embraces a main room, libra- ry room and seven class rooms, all of which open into the main room by sliding doors. It is one of the most complete and convenient Sunday School rooms in Southern Ohio. Following those already mentioned, Mr. Wm. Holyoke was superintendent of the school for sometime. Mr. Joshua Shipman from 1825 to 1828. Deacon A. T. Nye from 1828 to 1844, and after an interval of three or four years, he again held the office until 1856. Later superintendents have been Pres. I. W. Andrews, Deacon Samuel Shipman, Mr. E. B. Perkins, Mr. D. P. Bosworth, Prof. G. R. Rosseter, Prof. J. L. Mills, E. A. Jones, Judge M. D. Follett, Prof. T. D. Biscoe, H. W. Stanley and J. E. Van Dervoort. The officers of the school are chosen by the church at its annual meeting, and the church recognizes this as an im- portant part of its work.
By the will of John W. Thomas, Esquire, this school received, in 1891, one hundred dollars for its library, and five hundred dollars in trust, the interest on which is used in the purchase of Sunday School books and papers. Additions have been made to the church from the Sunday School nearly every year, and there is great promise of good results from this branch of work in the future. When Mrs. Lake established the first Sunday School in Marietta, there were only a few isolated schools in the country, ahd most of these were upon the Robert Raikes plan for the instruction of poor children who could be reached only on Sunday. Now the United States leads the world in this form of Christian work, the members in these schools being about eleven millions, or about equal to the total mem- bership of the churches.
Every church has its Sunday School, and mission schools are
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often the nurseries from which churches are organized. There are more than one million teachers devoting one hour each week gratuitously to their work. This is one of the largest divisions of the missionary army of modern times, and one of the most potent forces for the conversion of the world. The Prophet Ezekiel saw in a vision waters issuing from the house of God. As he observed the stream, his guide measured one thousand cubits, and found the water to the ankles. He measured an- other thousand, and found it to the knees. Still another thous- and, and it was up to the loins. When he had measured the fourth thousand, it was too deep to pass over-a river to swim in. This vision is a good type of the Sunday School movement of the present century. As we have seen, the stream grows slowly at first; by and by it goes to the ankles, then to the knees, then to the loins. Then how quickly it swells to a flood, rising in majesty and sweeping on more grandly than our great river as it rolls toward the Father of Waters. It has over- flowed its banks, and knows no insurmountable barrier. It is destined to sweep on and gather volume as it goes, until it en- gulfs the world-not with a deluge of destruction, but with a flood of salvation ; and in the ages to come, its trophies shall be an innumerable number of redeemed souls, jewels which shall forever sparkle in the Saviour's diadem.
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CHAPTER IX.
ORGANIZATION.
In 1814 a society was formed for the promotion of good morals, which, though not strictly a church society, found its principal supporters among the members of the First Church. The object of this society is explained in the following articles from the constitution :
"Article I. This Association shall be called and known by the name of the society in Marietta for the promotion of good morals.
Article II. The object of this society shall be to promote good morals and discountenance vice universally; particularly to discourage profaneness, gross breaches of the Sabbath, idle- ness and intemperance, and especially to discourage intemper- ance.
Article III. Any person sustaining a fair moral character shall on subscribing to this constitution become a member."
The society was composed of the leading men of the commu- nity. Rev. S. P. Robbins was the first president. At the third meeting of the society, held January 9th, 1815, the following resolutions were adopted :
"Resolved, That it is the incumbent duty of each and every member of the society to notice and report to the committee all flagrant instances of vice and immorality which may come to their knowledge, the same to be acted on by the committee at their discretion.
Resolved, That the committee be requested to ascertain and report at the next meeting what violations of morality are for- bidden by the laws of the State or town, and also point out and advise such measures as they may judge likely to advance the objects of the society.
Resolved, That the committee, appointed agreeably to the sixth article of the constitution, do engage some person to de- liver an address or sermon at the semi-annual meeting in April."
At the time regularly appointed for the meeting in April the town was "inundated," and the day to which the society ad- journed was very rainy, so that the semi-annual meeting was
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not held until June 5th, 1815, when the president, Rev. S. P. Robbins, delivered a very able address, which was printed and circulated by the society. A year later, June, 1816, an address was delivered by Rev. Stephen Lindley, and in September of the same year a sermon by Rev. S. P. Robbins, from Amos v, 13: "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time, for it is an evil time." At a meeting of the society held in April, 1817, the following resolutions were adopted :
"Resolved, That this society will attempt the establishment of a Sunday School in the town of Marietta on the principle of similar institutions in other places, and that this society will patronize the same; also
Resolved, That the officers and committees of the society be requested to make the necessary inquiry and arrangements on the subject, and that they be authorized and requested to open a subscription for the purpose of collecting such funds as shall be deemed necessary for carrying into effect the objects of these resolutions." (For an account of this movement see chapter on Sunday Schools.)
In November, 1818, a committee of this society prepared and presented to the Governor of Ohio, Hon. L. Worthington, an important petition, as follows :
"SIR: The undersigned have been appointed a committee of the "Society in Marietta for the promotion of good morals" to take into consideration the immoral offense of drunkenness and adopt such measures as shall be deemed necessary to bring the subject before the Legislature and petition that body to pass a law which shall have a tendency to suppress as far as practica- ble that species of offense.
Relying on the disposition of your Excellency to aid every reasonable measure to check an evil which so much prevails in our common country, we take the liberty to ask the favor of you, sır, if the project shall meet your concurrence, to suggest to the Legislature in your annual message the propriety of adopting some measure which shall subject persons who indulge themselves in the habit of common drunkenness to some incon- venience. It is believed that the practice of some other states which have enacted laws to subject persons who are in the habit of common drunkenness to no inconsiderable restraint as to the control of the property they possess has had a salutary effect on the morals of society.
It will not be necessary to state to a person of the observation
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of your Excellency the many evils which result to society from drunkenness. The evil is not confined to the person who in- dulges in the practice, but entails on families, too frequently, poverty and wretchedness. Were the property of drunkards placed under the control of guardians in such manner as to deprive them of the power of squandering it, or of depriving them of the means of continuing a bad practice, it is believed that many destitute mothers and children who are now a tax on the charity of the community might have continued respectable, comfortable and useful in society.
But our object in this communication is simply to suggest to your Excellency the propriety of mentioning the subject in the message to the Legislature in case it shall seem desirable. We purpose to petition the Legislature, and if practicable induce other similar societies to join in such a measure. We are aware that if your Excellency should consider the subject enti- tled to legislative attention that a notice of it in the message would give us a countenance which we would not otherwise enjoy in our humble endeavors to do good. We are with great consideration and respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient servants,
DAVID PUTNAM, WM. R. PUTNAM, JAMES WHITNEY."
This subject was mentioned by the Governor in his message and the same committee presented a similar though somewhat longer petition to the Legislature a little later. These quota- tions indicate the desire of the men of that time to promote morality and righteousness, also that the subject of temperance was even then an important one.
THE MATERNAL ASSOCIATION.
This was a very important Association, organized in 1833, and which for nearly half a century was one of the most useful auxiliaries in the work of the church. The articles of organi- zation are as follows:
"Deeply impressed with a sense of the strong and abiding influence which mothers have over their offspring and of the great importance that this influence be well directed, so that they be trained up for the service of Christ on earth, we, the subscribers, do agree to associate together for the purpose of assisting each other in this high and responsible duty. With a view to this object we agree to observe the following rules :
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Article 1. This Association shall meet on the second Monday of each month, at 3 o'clock P. M.
Art. 2. This Association shall be called the Maternal Asso- ciation of Marietta. Any lady sustaining the relation of mother and guardian or otherwise deeply interested in the ob- ject may become a member by subscribing these articles.
Art. 3. Every meeting shall be opened and closed with prayer. The remainder of the time may be spent in reading from such works as relate to the object of the Association, con- versation, and prayer for Divine assistance and a blessing on our exertion; especially that God would qualify our children for future usefulness in the church.
Art. 4. Once in three months the members shall be allowed to bring their children to the place of meeting at as early an age as they think proper. At the meeting the exercises shall be of such a nature as to interest and instruct the children.
Art. 5. It shall be the duty of every member to qualify her- self by prayer, and as opportunity may present, by reading, for the arduous duties of a Christian mother, and to suggest to her sister members such hints as her own experience may furnish or circumstances seem to render proper.
Art. 6. Every member shall consider herself as sacredly bound to pray daily for all the children of the Association, and with her own as often as circumstances will admit, and to give them all the religious instruction of which she is capable.
Art. 7. When any member is removed by death it shall be the duty of the Association to pray particularly for her children and to pay them every attention which circumstances will admit.
Art. 8. The choice of officers shall take place at the annual meeting. These shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
Art. 9. It shall be the duty of the president and in her ab- sence of the vice-president to preside over all the meetings of the Association, regulate the reading and when the children are present to attend to their instruction.
Art. 10. The duty of the Secretary shall be to take minutes of the meetings and keep a record of the doings of the Associa- tion. The treasurer shall receive any money which may be contributed, keep an account, and pay the same according to the vote of the Association."
"It is recommended to the members of the Association to spend the anniversary of the birth of each child in fasting and prayer with particular reference to that child."
Interior of Church.
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"May He that giveth liberally and upbraideth not ever pre- side at the meetings and grant unto us a teachable, affectionate and humble temper, that no root of bitterness spring up to prevent our improvement or interrupt our devotions. The promise is to us and to our children. We have publicly given them to God, his sacred name has been pronounced over them, let us see to it that we do not cause this sacred name to be treated with contempt. May Christ put his own spirit within us, so that our children may never have occasion to say, 'what do ye more than others?'"
This Association held regular meetings until 1880, or forty- seven years, and full records were kept of the meetings. The attendance was usually good and the meetings were much prized by the members. A list was kept of the regular mem- bers and also of the children. The mothers freely exchanged views respecting the training of their children and considerable time was devoted to prayer for the conversion of the children. At the quarterly meetings there were sometimes sixty children present. These recited scripture verses, were questioned upon certain specific portions of the Bible, and familiar addresses were made to them.
August 10th, 1846, these children were formed into a juvenile missionary society connected with the Maternal Association. The object was to aid the children in systematic and self-deny- ing effort for the conversion of the heathen. Any child could become a member by paying one cent a week, or thirteen cents a quarter, the money to be obtained either by labor, or self-deni- al. The contributions for the first year were $17.42. The spirit manifested in this work for the children, is shown by the fol- lowing extract from the treasurer's report for 1848:
"In giving the history of this little society, while we would record with gratitude the goodness of our Heavenly Father in sparing the lives of our beloved children, we cannot forbear to notice that one who was greatly interested in its formation and success, has been called hence by the Lord of Missions. It was his parents' earnest desire that he might become a missionary, and we can but hope, that Jesus, to whose service they so often consecrated him, took him to heaven to be a ministering spirit, perhaps, to. some far distant missionary sinking beneath the weight of his cares and responsibilities. Dear Sisters, permit me to ask: Are our children prepared, should they be called
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for, thus to serve God? If not, shall we, can we longer remain indifferent? Oh! let us more earnestly seek the salvation of our children. Let us claim the promise given us by the blessed Saviour, that "when two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven." Let us cling to the mercy seat, nor break our hold until by the test of sweet experience we have tried the worth of mother's prayers."
The annual report made by the secretary of the Maternal Association recorded the additions and removals with a brief obituary of those who had died during the year. It also gave an account of the children who had been married, and those who had made a public profession of religion.
In this way the members kept a lively interest in the young people, even after they had grown to maturity; and in many cases the children of the second, and even of the third genera- tion, were recorded as members. Many of the tributes to those who had been removed by death were tender and affectionate. In the annual report in 1863, in the midst of civil war, we find the following :
"DEAR SISTERS : We meet on this thirtieth anniversary of our association to record the goodness of our God to us, and to make mention of his loving kindness. We have recorded the names of 113 mothers and guardians, and 407 children; of the former, 35 have passed away, and 64 children, some in infancy, some in childhood, and some after reaching man and woman's estate. Seven are now ministers, and eight are ministers' wives, twenty- seven have been in the service of their country, and six have fallen in that service."
The last annual report was made in 1880. In this occurs a very touching account of the sickness and deaih of Mrs. Sarah Andrews Holden, daughter of Pres. I. W. and Mrs. Marianne S. Andrews. Mrs. Holden died after a long sickness of pulmonary disease. Her mother, who was secretary of the Association, writes in the annual report as follows :
"Some times it seems very hard that the Good Father should lead such a loving, trustful child to the golden city over so hard and weary a road. It seems very sad that all the children must be taken away, and not one left to follow the parents to their last resting place; but over and above all is the comfort of believing that the dear ones are all together now in one of
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the many mansions which our Father has prepared for those who love him."
This association gave special opportunity to develop the spiritual life of the sisters in the church, and it was well im- proved, and when in the coming life we learn to trace spiritual events to their causes, we may learn that the prayers of the members of this association had much to do with the frequent seasons of revival which occurred during these years.
Many of the children who had their first lessons in systematic giving from their mothers at these quarterly meetings, grew up to be pillars and regular contributors in this and other churches. This assciation enrolled a total of 140 mothers and guardians, and about 600 children.
LADIES' SEWING CIRCLE AND EDUCATION SOCIETY.
We have not been able to ascertain when the ladies of the church commenced to raise money to aid indigent students in Marietta College and the Female Seminary, but probably it was shortly after the opening of these institutions. March 20th, 1835, the treasurer of Marietta College acknowledges the "re- ceipt of thirty-five dollars from the Ladies Sewing Society, which with thirty-five dollars previously received of said socie- ty, is to be applied to the purposes of education."
October 28th, 1837, twenty-eight dollars were received "to be expended in aid of pious, indigent females, agreeable to a reso- lution of the society," and it is stated that in September, 1836, forty dollars were received for the same purpose. Thirty-two dollars and twelve cents had been expended in aiding three young ladies. There is also a receipt for $59.26 from the Ladies Education Society, dated May 7th, 1836.
In the book of records, we find the following :
"May 7th, 1837, the ladies of Marietta met at Miss Nye's, and formed themselves into a society called the Ladies Education Society of Marietta. They adopted the following constitution :
Article 1. The association shall be called the Ladies' Educa- tion Society of Marietta.
Art. 2. The object of the society shall be to assist in the edu- cation of pious, indigent individuals of either sex.
Art. 3. The officers of the society shall be a President, Vice
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President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be chosen at the annual meeting to be held the first week in April.
Art. 4. It shall be the duty of the President, and in her ab- sence, of the Vice President to preside at all meetings of the society.
Art. 5. The Secretary shall record the doings of the society.
Art. 6. The regular meetings of the society shall be held once in two weeks at the house of such members as may desire it. Each meeting shall be closed with prayer.
Art. 7. Useful reading shall be introduced at each meeting under the direction of the society.
Art. 8. Ladies may become members of this society by subscribing to the constitution, and contributing annually to its funds.
Art. 9. Gentlemen may be received as honorary members on making an annual donation to the society's treasury.
Art. 10. Members may withdraw from the society on the pay- ment of arrears.
Art. 11. Acting members pledge a constant and punctual attendance on the regular meetings of the society if practicable.
Art. 12. A majority of two-thirds shall direct in all appropri- ations of money from the treasury.
Art. 13. This constitution may be altered, or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting.
Art. 14. It shall be the duty of the President to name the place of meeting according to article 6th."
The following names are recorded : Huldah Nye, Joanna Shipman, Sarah Guitteau, Elizabeth Fay, Catharine Wood, Susan B. Cotton, Phebe Putnam, Betsey Shipman, Mary S. Wilson, Martha Robbins and Dorothy Webster. We also have the following names of honorary members, who paid for 1837 : Noah L. Wilson, T. P. Harshberger, H. Temple, Levi L. Fay and Edward W. Nye.
No records are preserved until February 13th, 1839, when the constitution was considerably amended, and the name changed to the Ladies Education Circle of Marietta. At this time Mrs. Westcott was chosen President, Mrs. Mills Vice President and Miss S. B. Cotton, Secretary and Treasurer. The regular meet- ings were held once in two weeks at first with Mrs. Mills, but a little later with such ladies as invited them. The meetings were held in the afternoon, and the ladies spent the time in sewing.
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A brief prayer meeting was held at twilight, usually conducted by the pastor. Such of the ladies as could do so, remained dur- ing the evening, at which time gentlemen were often present to "help wind yarn, etc." The funds were derived from annual dues, which were one dollar, or fifty cents at the option of the individual; from donations and from the avails of work done. The ladies received work from those who were willing to pay for it. The funds so received were paid to the Treasurer of Marietta College, to aid students. When there was no work on hand for which they were to receive pay, they sewed for the benefit of the poor. At several meetings they "made and re- paired clothes for needy Sunday School children." At other times they worked for the benefit of the Choctaw Indian Mis- sion. Supper was served by the hostess. Of the meeting held Nov. 13th, 1844, the secretary writes: "All then partook of the good cheer which Mrs. B. had bountifully provided, two or three kinds of biscuit, three kinds of cake, beef, cheese, sauce, tea and coffee. No lady is willing to set an example for a benevolent circle by providing plain refreshment. All seem a little afraid (as Mrs. Child has it) of what Mrs. Smith (the wife of John Smith I suppose) will say; that is, that no lady was mean enough to offer only one kind of cake to her friends, or to put less shortening in the under crust of her pie than in the upper. We will hope for better things, that is, plainer food, in future."
"Most of the Circle were thorough Whigs, and at one table might be heard anathemas hurled at abolitionists, who, in their zeal for the welfare of the poor slaves, have taken the very course to bind their chains still closer, and make their hard- ships harder. At another table was read a report of the Sewing Circle at Bath, Maine, in which were some witty sayings and doings. One lady expressed a wish that our records might be kept in a similar manner, and things "right funny" find a place therein."
These quotations give us a little insight into the thoughts and conversation of the people of that time, the day after the elec- tion of James K. Polk as president of the United States, and probably before the result of the election was known.
Of the meeting held June 25th, 1845, the secretary writes :
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"Mrs. W. was sufficiently independent to give a plain supper that did not require a week in preparation; an example worthy of all imitation and commendation."
December 25th, 1844, it was decided by the circle that they would devote their energies to the work of raising money to purchase a pipe organ for the church. This gave a new impulse to their work for the next three years. In addition to the reg- ular semi-monthly meetings, they indulged in suppers, fairs and concerts, omitting the objectionable features sometimes introduced. The organ was purchased in 1846, of Mr. L. P. Bailey, of Zanesville, although they did not complete the pay- ment for it until nearly two years later. January 10th, 1848, we have the following entry in the book of record :
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