USA > Ohio > A history of the Disciples of Christ in Ohio > Part 7
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
126
-
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
The Mentor Church has been a tower of strength. Their early trials were severe, but they lived through them. The church is doing a good work among the young, and takes a hand in all the missionary societies and benevolent, enterprises of the disciples of Christ. M. S. Clapp and J. J. Moss were great and successful ministers coming from the Mentor Church.
1806-JOHN SCHAEFER-1908
When the renowned traveler, Bayard Taylor, visited the great naturalist and scientist, Alex- ander von Humboldt, in his old age, Von Hum- boldt remarked to Taylor, "You have seen many ruins, and now you behold the last one;" refer- ring to his weakened and aged body. Taylor wittily and wisely replied, referring to his mind and works, "Not a ruin, but a pyramid."
For one hundred years John Schaefer was a pyramid of conservative and practical wisdom. From boyhood he adorned the Christian graces and virtues. Statistics show that doctors are short-lived and ministers long-lived. John Schaefer was a minister of the gospel eighty years-since 1834; among the disciples of Christ, seventy-four years; and before that, six years among the Lutherans. He was born in West- moreland County, Pa., and afterwards (in his boyhood) settled in Columbiana County, O.
He had a fine German scholar, named John Wagenhals, as a preceptor. At the age of twenty, he studied theology as taught by the Lutheran Church. He soon was licensed to preach, and for six years served in this capacity. He received what was considered in those days, and in the country, a large salary of $400 a year.
127
9
A HISTORY OF THE
From marriages and other sources he added to this sum $100 more, and so had for those times a large compensation.
He married a sister of the lamented James Hartzel. In those early days, when friends met, they engaged in religious conversations and dis- cussions. He had his mind turned into a new Bible channel in one of those conversations, as Bro. Hartzel asked him: "Which, in the order of salvation, stands first-faith or repentance?" Schaefer replied: "Repentance precedes true evangelical, or saving, faith." Hartzel asked: "Do you hold that repentance is pleasing to God?" Schaefer replied: "Most certainly, or He never would have commanded it." Hartzel then said: "The apostle Paul says, ' Without. faith it is impossible to please God!' " Schaefer confessed his error, and never afterward preached that repentance comes before faith.
From this time on, his confidence in Luther- anism was weakening. He had a class of about thirty catechumens, instructing them for the act of confirmation. In this act they assume the baptismal vows made in their infancy to their sponsors or god-parents. When he came to ask the class if they had been baptized, a young lady replied : "I do not know." Question : "Did your parents never tell you that you were baptized?" Answer: "They told me that I was sprinkled when I was a baby, but I know nothing at all about it." Schaefer there and then saw that being baptized was a matter of faith. He went home and told his wife that he would never sprinkle another infant. He had no trouble as to immersion. In his theological studies he learned that immersion was the original practice
128
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
of the church, but thought that the ministers, as they claimed, had authority to change it to sprinkling. He at once sent for Jonas Hartzel, and at Phillips Church, in March, 1834, he and his wife were baptized.
Schaefer sent in his resignation to the Lu- theran Synod, which met at New Lisbon, and sev- ered his connection with that body. The synod dropped him as a heretic. He was within two months of the close of his year, and the money had been raised to finish paying him. He needed the money, but gave it up heroically. What should he do? He had thirty acres of land and less than half paid for, without team or means to cultivate it.
After that he preached every Lord's Day and sometimes during the week. He labored with his own hands, or, as he expressed it, "I had to dig." He was not ashamed "to dig." In those early days a feeling had gone out among the dis- ciples that a minister must not be paid for his services. After awhile one congregation agreed to pay him one dollar a visit, once a month; two others offered him fifty dollars a year for one- fourth of his time. Some brethren felt hurt be- cause he was taking money for preaching. He received thirty-seven dollars of the amount pledged and never asked for the rest. With his own hands and business energy he worked him- self into a competency and never demanded pay. He was glad in his old age that a support is given to gospel ministers.
The forefathers made great struggles and self-denials to lay the foundation of the Restora- tion in which we are engaged. The church at Bethany and Alexander Campbell, knowing of
129
A HISTORY OF THE
Bro. Schaefer's sacrifices and efforts, at one time generously sent him one hundred dollars. All honor to those pioneer heroes that went into the struggle at their own charges. Bro. Schaefer had excellent endowments of mind, manners and education; was a fluent speaker in his native German, and, if he could have been amply sup- ported in work among his own people, what a power he would have been.
The Deerfield Church, with which Bro. Schae- fer allied himself, was blessed with many com- petent teachers, and their influence was felt for thirty miles around. Peter Hartzel, Samuel McGowan and Alexander Hubbard were of the number. Several rose to eminence, such as E. B. Hubbard, Jonas Hartzel, A. Allerton, C. P. Finch and John Schaefer. From this church came Milo Laughlin, of Missouri; A. J. Laughlin, of Indi- ana, and thence the Laughlins of Ohio. W. L. Hayden, W. W. Hayden and M. P. Hayden-all fully educated-gave themselves to the ministry and hailed from Deerfield. Eli Regal, an asso- ciate of Isaac Errett in his Michigan work, one of the best men among all God's chosen ones, came from this celebrated church.
Bro. Schaefer had ten children, seventeen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. One of his sons married Libbie Johnson, a niece of Isaac Errett, and her mother lived on a farm adjoining that of the centenarian. Bro. Schae- fer's longevity may be attributed to his temper- ance habits, to his hopeful disposition, and at last to the care he had from his two daughters, Susan and Mary, who made bright his sunset of life. He died in 1908 at the age of 102 years.
130
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
Samuel Rogers
Elizabeth Rogers
Barton W. Stone
Love H Jamieson
Walter Scott
B. U. Watkins
W. D. Moore
W. P. Stratton
David A. Rumble
SOME PIONEERS OF THE RESTORATION
131
A HISTORY OF THE
XIV
IN SOUTHERN OHIO
THE Restoration movement in Ohio is virtually the nucleus of a world-wide movement for the restoration of primitive apostolic Chris- tianity. The movement of Barton W. Stone in Kentucky antedates that of the Campbells in
Ohio, but was not so complete. In 1830 they joined together, and began moving the religious world to join in an effort to unify and restore the doctrine and unity that was in the first churches, and to answer the Lord's prayer for the oneness of all believers through the preach- ing of the gospel by the apostles of Christ. The movement that commenced on the Western Re- serve in 1827, among the Baptists, rapidly spread to Baptist communities in other parts of the State. Barton W. Stone and his coworkers entered Ohio, and communities permeated by their teaching were easily prepared to join the Scriptural world-wide movement to restore orig- inal apostolic teaching.
In 1804, B. W. Stone made a trip to Meigs County, O., for the purpose of immersing a Pres- byterian minister named William Caldwell. While there he preached, on its invitation, to the Separate Baptist Association then assembled there. He says: "The result was that they agreed to cast away their formularies and creeds,
132
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
Parsonage huilt for Samuel Rogers by neighbors and brethren, 1820, near New Antioch, Ohio, where he lived twenty-seven years save three.
Meeting-house, New Antioch, Ohio. The first in that country. It was built for Samuel Rogers in the early years of his ministry and named by him.
133
A HISTORY OF THE
and take the Bible alone for their rule of faith and practice; to throw away their name 'Baptist' and take the name 'Christian,' and to bury their Association, and to become one with us in the great work of Christian union. Then they marched up in a band to the stand where Mr. Stone was preaching, shouting the praises of God and proclaiming aloud what they had done. We met them, and embraced each other in Chris- tian love."
In an early day Samuel Rogers preached in New Antioch, Clinton County. Like Antioch'of old, the gospel movement went out from this cen- ter to Clinton, Darke, Highland, Brown, Cler- mont and other counties, and furnished centers from which churches grew up and into the full- ness of the Restoration movement. Great credit should be given the Christian denomination for paving the way for complete New Testament faith and practice. They aimed right whatever else may be said of them.
The historic address of J. S. West, of Brown County, O., at the dedication of a new meeting- house at Liberty, Redoak Post-office, in 1874, is typical of the conditions and struggles in other localities. The address is a masterly one, show- ing the struggles and efforts of the forefathers in reaching after Bible teaching. It shows what they contended against. Outside of the "History of Disciples of Christ on the Western Reserve," by A. S. Hayden, no document throws more light on our history. Georgetown, the county-seat of Brown County, is where U. S. Grant spent his boyhood days. Liberty Church is an appropriate name and center from which Christ's truth may start out to make all men free.
134
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
In northern Ohio the pioneers met sectarian- ism, Mormonism, Spiritualism, infidelity and all forms of opposition. In southern Ohio they met Shakerites, socialism, infidelity, sectarianism and Romanism. Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott were the same great leaders in Cincinnati and southern Ohio that they were on the Western Reserve. Cincinnati, through its churches, preachers and publications, became a great cen- ter for the propagation of original apostolic Christianity. This will appear in the sketches of persons and periodicals.
The names of some of the pioneer preachers follow: Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, D. S. Burnet, A. D. Fillmore, J. H. Lockwood, Dr. Pearre, James Challen, J. W. Hull, B. U. Wat- kins, Benjamin Franklin, J. M. Henry, W. D. Moore, John Laffe, T. J. Melish, W. T. Moore, A. I. Hobbs, Samuel Rogers, J. S. West.
1808-D. S. BURNET-1867
David Statts Burnet was born in Dayton, O., July 6, 1808. When eight years of age his par- ents moved to Cincinnati. At the age of thirteen, his father having been elected mayor of the city, David was taken into the office as his father's clerk. About the same time he was sprinkled, in accordance with the Presbyterian faith, in which he had been brought up. At the age of sixteen he was an active worker in the Sunday school, which led him into a careful study of the Scrip- tures. His investigations soon convinced him of the errors of Presbyterianism, and especially of infant sprinkling for baptism, and therefore, on the 26th of December, 1824, he was immersed and became a member of the Enon Baptist
135
A HISTORY OF THE
Church. At that time he was unacquainted with the teaching of Alexander Campbell and those associated with him in pleading for a return to primitive Christianity; and yet he rejected the authority of human creeds, and declined to accept any test of faith but the word of God, basing his application for baptism on Rom. 10:6-10, not knowing that any one else had done so before. They hesitated, but he was received by the Bap- tists. He was only sixteen, but began at once to preach the gospel. At the age of twenty he was called to preach at Dayton. In the winter of 1827 he united with Elder William Montage, of Kentucky, in the organization of Sycamore Street Baptist Church of Cincinnati. The eighty mem- bers adopted a more liberal and progressive plat- form than usual at that time. The principles of the Restoration, as advocated by Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott and others, now became generally known, and their influence upon the Baptist churches throughout the West was very great, in some places completely absorbing whole districts and enlisting a very earnest interest in favor of the plea for the return to primitive Christianity. The Sycamore Street Baptist Church was not free from this influence, and it was not long until a division took place, the two portions forming different congregations and finally growing into the present Ninth Street Baptist Church and the Christian Church at the corner of Eighth and Walnut Streets, now merged into the Central Christian Church. Bro. Burnet adhered to the latter organization, and until his death was thoroughly identified with the movement and a zealous defender of the prin- ciples and practices advocated by disciples of
136
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
Christ. He yielded to his convictions in opposi- tion to every worldly interest. He broke away from wealth, position, fame, friends, relatives and religious associations, and united with a people at that time held in low esteem. Nor could it be expected otherwise. The plea the dis- ciples made struck at the foundation of all the existing religious sects; hence it is reasonable enough to suppose the sects would bitterly de- nounce a movement which had for its object their complete destruction. This attitude of the Res- toration arrayed all the hosts of sectarianism against it. The contest was a fearful one, and the odds against the few who strove for a return to apostolic Christianity were truly appalling. But truth is mighty and will prevail, and Bro. Burnet lived long enough to see his brethren a powerful and influential people in the land, and to reach this success no one labored more faith- fully and earnestly than himself, traveling exten- sively, working day and night, preaching the gospel, organizing churches, writing for the papers, editing books, teaching school, doing anything that was necessary to forward the cause which lay so near his heart.
From 1834 to 1840 he published the Christian Preacher, a monthly magazine containing choice discourses and essays on the great themes con- nected with man's redemption. In 1846 he pub- lished the Christian Family Magazine; then the Christian Age for several years. At another time he published, simultaneously, The Reformer, the Monthly Age and the Sunday School Journal. He also edited the "Sunday School Library" of fifty volumes, and an edition of the Christian Baptist in one volume. In the Age and Reformer
137
A HISTORY OF THE
David S. Burnet
James Challen
Aylette Raines
Jas. M. Henry
Robert Graham
B. Franklin
A. D. Fillmore
John Boggs
T. D. Garvin
MINISTERS OF SOUTHERN OHIO
138
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
he had partners. He served as a pastor sixteen years at Sycamore Street and then at Eighth and Walnut Streets. In the O. C. M. S. Convention in 1867, D. S. Burnet was chairman of a commit- tee on the increase of the number of preachers of the gospel. The other members of the com- mittee were O. A. Burgess and Isaac Errett. As chairman he wrote and read:
"Your committee to whom was referred so much of the report of the Board as refers to the supply of ministers to perform the missionary labors of the society, beg leave to report :
"That we are profoundly impressed with the importance of a subject which lies at the very foundation of our whole enterprise, for without missionaries our society is utterly useless. In the commencement of our efforts as a people we could not employ the talents with which God had enriched us, but now the state of the case is reversed. We are more wealthy in churches than preachers. Our pioneers are fast departing to their reward, and though we have numerous col- leges for the fitting of pious and gifted sons of the church for the work, we must hasten the sup- ply to meet the vastly increased demand. The tide of death waits not on our tardiness, but is sweeping out into the ocean of eternity a whole generation before we have submitted to them our plea of the simplicity of the gospel, and the disaster of a disunited church in the face of a united opposition.
"While, therefore, we commend to our churches the facilities of our noble universities and colleges, we must urge upon them the more speedy preparation of a large number of vigor- ous working men for the field. We deem it of
139
A HISTORY OF THE
the highest importance that each church inquire whether there is not in its midst a diamond, or more than one, that needs only the labor of the spiritual lapidary to prepare it for the adorn- ment of the brow of the bride of Christ. There is scarcely a church in the land which can not furnish such a jewel. All preachers and elders should search out such from the mines of intel- lectual and devotional wealth lying around them. This must be done, and done speedily. God will hold us to a rigid account if we are derelict. 'Go, preach the gospel,' is not more seriously urged upon us than the requirement, 'Pray ye the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers into the harvest,' now growing in rankness and waste: and prayer without effort is folly, if not hypocrisy. In the person selected, talent and devotion should be happily blended.
"The facilities afforded by courses of lec- tures, something like those of the legal profes- sion, are now inviting the attention of young men of both English and classical attainments in connection with some of our institutions free of charge. The liberality of these propositions should call forth a general response from the churches at once, and in the course of one or two seasons the Macedonian cry now echoing over our continent will be caught by many willing ears. These agencies, church officers, the course of popular lectures and the regular instruction of all our colleges, zealously co-operating, will soon bring the supply up to the demand, however great. Few better pleas for the unity of the church can be conceived than may be founded upon this excessive call for the multiplication of ministers. Were all the lovers of Jesus united,
140
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
one-fourth the number of religious teachers now in the field would be ample for the requirements of the immense church augmentation which would result from such a union. But we are in the midst of the perilous times when the burden of the plea for this union itself demands a multipli- cation of our ministerial resources a hundred- fold. All of which is respectfully and affection- ately submitted."
Having made such a plea to recruit the min- istry, he suits the action to the word, and left in the custody of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society, at his decease, $10,000 to aid in prepar- ing young men for the ministry. It has now increased to over $25,000. This sum is invested, and the interest is loaned to young men prepar- ing for the ministry of the Word.
Bro. Burnet all through his career advocated a prepared ministry to lead the churches to a clear and full knowledge of the word of God. Experience has proved that it is better to loan the students money than to give it to them. To pay it back increases their self-respect. They are permitted to have the fund five years without interest. After that period they pay it, and so the fund now amounts to over $25,000.
Closing this sketch, it may be said that at the age of sixteen he became known as the "Boy Preacher." In the memoirs of Alexander Camp- bell it is said that he was quite low in stature, but erect in carriage. His head was large and finely formed; his eyes prominent, full and spark- ling; his features regular, with a mouth some- what large, but firmly set, while in his bearing he was remarkably self-possessed, dignified and courteous, giving himself wholly to the cause of
141
A HISTORY OF THE
W. A. Harp
Homer F. Cook
J. P. Ewing
L. I. Mercer
Edward S. DeMiller
D. W. Miller
C. A. McDonald
L. O. Newcomer
A. B. Robertson
SOME PRESENT-DAY OHIO MINISTERS
142
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
the Restoration. After a few years he became one of its most distinguished and successful advocates, delighting large audiences by his elo- quent and copious diction, and his able presenta- tions of the principles of the gospel, which he widely disseminated, not only in Cincinnati, but through many of the States from Maryland and Virginia to Kansas.
1823-A. D. FILLMORE-1870
Augustus Damon Fillmore was born Sept. 7, 1823, near Gallipolis, O. While he was yet in his youth, his father moved to Fulton, then some distance from Cincinnati, but now a part of the city. At a meeting held in Fulton in 1842, in the old market-house, he confessed the Saviour and obeyed the gospel. His parents were Methodists of strict sect. His father was so incensed that, for some years after Augustus was immersed, he would not speak to him. But he entered the service of Christ in "the full assurance of faith" and wavered not on account of the paternal dis- favor.
He had been a teacher of music about three years when he obeyed the gospel. His education, though not classical, was good for that day. His tongue was "as the pen of a ready writer," and his manner exceedingly winning; and, being full of zeal for the cause in which he had enlisted with all his heart, he soon began to speak in the church. He constantly grew in power and use- fulness until, in 1851, his ability was so clearly demonstrated that he was ordained. He never adopted the ministry as his profession, but, through a good providence of God, was led into the work and became a good minister of Christ,
10
143
A HISTORY OF THE
nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine. He was an earnest, sound and stolid preacher, turned many to righteousness, and in- structed the saints in the work of the Lord.
But the beloved Fillmore's talent lay in his musical skill and ability. He was a sweet singer in Israel. In a quiet, unpretending way he fol- lowed up all the general convocations of the dis- ciples, ever ready for what he could do, but never thrusting himself forward. If he had been strong in body to carry out the conceptions of his musi- cal genius, his would without doubt have been the music of the whole body of disciples. As it is, his soul-stirring melodies are favorites in hun- dreds of congregations, while scores of music- teachers minister instruction in "the divine art" as they learned it from him.
Fillmore began to manifest musical talent at a very early period. When only two or three years old, and before he could sing any words, he would sit on his father's knee and sing the soprano of several simple tunes while his father sang bass. When sixteen he began to teach music; two or three years later he began to com- pose music. The "Song of Steam" and "Song of the Lightning" were great favorites. The "Old Brown Homestead" and "The Wandering Boy" demonstrate the scope of his genius and ability. The first two mentioned were sung with fervor and approbation by James Challen and Silas W. Leonard. These two men were musical preachers, and no doubt they turned his attention at an early day to sacred music.
"The Christian Psalmist" appeared when he was only twenty-four years of age. It had a more general circulation than any other of his
144
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
publications. It met a great want and appeared without a rival. "The Harp of Zion" and "The Christian Psaltery" were of great merit, even superior to "The Psalmist." After giving up the musical notation of Mr. Harrison, he used round notes. Among his other publications may be mentioned "The Nightingale," in 1857, for singing-schools. "The Christian Choralist" in 1863, and "The Harp of Zion" in 1864, books of church music. For the Sunday school he pub- lished in 1863 "The Polyphonic," and "The Little Minstrel" and "Violet" in 1867.
In 1870 he was residing on a farm fourteen miles east of Cincinnati, where, on the 5th day of June, he closed his labors on earth and went over the river to join with other redeemed spirits in songs of praise round the great white throne.
Mr. Fillmore issued at one time a periodical entitled "The Gem and Musician," devoted to musical literature. Also he published "The Tem- perance Musician," a book which was devoted to temperance songs and glees. His illustrious son, J. H. Fillmore, inherits the musical genius of his father, and publishes many books of music for society and the church.
145
A HISTORY OF THE
J. C. Irvin
Dr. L. L. Pinkerton
John F. Rowe
James E. Hawes
J. V. Updike
J. O. Beardslee
Dr. E. A. Lodge
J. H. Lockwood
Henry S. Bosworth
SOUTHERN OHIO PIONEERS
146
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN OHIO
XV
MUSIC
THE pioneer leaders were interested in hym- nology and music. John Henry was a band leader, playing on many kinds of instruments. When he became a disciple he gave his great ability to further the interests of the church. William and A. S. Hayden were lovers of music and leaders in singing. A. S. Hayden published music-books : "The Hymnist," "The Melodeon," and perhaps other works. A. D. Fillmore, of Cincinnati, published many music-books. The Fillmore brothers carried on the publishing busi- ness, issuing "The Praise Hymnal," which had a large sale in other States as well as in Ohio. The church hymnals and music adapted to the Bible schools is a feature of this publishing- house. The Standard Publishing Company has also printed various music-books for church and Bible schools. Jessie Brown Pounds is the author of a long list of beautiful hymns.
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.