USA > Ohio > Early history of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio : with biographical sketches of the principal agents in their religious movement > Part 18
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In the second place, his mental characteristics.
Father Ryder's mind, also, was organized on a large plan. He lacked only the discipline of study and the cul- ture of the schools, to fit him for prominence in any com- munity where the fortunes of life might have called him. I say he lacked only these; for his logical cast of mind, great common sense, and simplicity of character would have fortified him against the warpings and effeminacy which the schools sometimes engender. I have mentioned his logical cast of mind. Every thing was brought to the test of reason and common sense. His own life was ruled by his judgment, not by his sentiments or emotions. Besides, his mind was eminently honest and practical. He followed the convictions of his reason ; he brought things to the test of utility.
He had no confidence in sensational religion, or in sen- sational preaching. He feared the influence on the church of high religious excitement. "Let us have no
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excitement here !" he cried, almost in the tone of com- mand, when in a great congregation that throbbed with religious feeling, one of his sons came to confess Christ. " Let us have no excitement here," and the tension of his own frame, and the tears that coursed down his cheeks, showed how deeply he was himself moved. If he allowed the logical faculty to reign too absolutely in the realm of religion-as was no doubt true-it must be re- membered that this was a natural result of his own mental constitution, and of his early religious training. The practical character of his mind was also seen in his preach- ing. In his preaching he was in the habit of dealing with a class of themes that receive too little attention in the pulpit. He brought religion into the store, the shop, the field, the granary, and the kitchen. He thought it had something to do with the manufacture of wagons, the weighing of sugar, the measuring of grain, the cording of wood. Industry, economy, honest dealing, the obliga- tion to pay debts when due-those old-fashioned virtues formed the theme of constant discourse. A very compe- tent judge has expressed the opinion that the marked honesty and thrift of the citizens of Hiram are largely due to his teachings and example. Here again, in his later years, he no doubt committed some excesses. His mind revolted at the exhibition of what he thought the extrava- gance, wastefulness, indolence, and recklessness of the new generation, and his honest nature poured itself out in warning and rebuke. No doubt he exaggerated the vices of the new time ; but much of his admonition was called for, and the remainder can be pardoned when we remem- ber that it is a rare occurrence for one to see and under- stand two generations.
In the third place, his moral and religious character.
The basis of his moral character was integrity. So far as known to me, no man has ever charged him with a de- flection from the strict line of right. He never had a law.
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suit in his life ; dying, he leaves no enemy. This was largely owing to the fact that he always so regulated his life that he could be straightforward and honest. He never allowed the situation to become his master. He was so careful in making contracts; so wary of promising when it was questionable whether he could perform; so prompt in meeting his engagements, that it was always easy for him to be upright and honest. He understood thoroughly that it is possible for a man to commit him- self to a logic of events that is sure to embarrass and per- haps destroy him. A fact will illustrate this characteris- tic: For several years he was the Treasurer of the College. For a man in his circumstances at that time, this was a very considerable responsibility. He carried the institution money in one end of a wallet, his own in the other. He never used the College-funds in his own business ; never changed a large bill in one end for smaller ones of equal value in the other. Most men will smile at this refinement of scrupulousness ; but let me say to all- especially to the young men present-this sort of men never become unknown debtors to the money-drawers of their employers, or defaulters to the public treasury.
To sum up in a few words, Symonds Ryder had character. He did not drift on the current ; he set currents in mo- tion. He did not rest on the sentiment of the commu- nity ; he formed sentiment for the community. He was not the creature of circumstances ; he made them bow to him. As a citizen and a Christian, he had root in him- self. Of course he had a will ; aman of his stamp always has; without it, character is impossible. His will may have run into excess ; no doubt it did; but it was the in- evitable play of a powerful and indispensable faculty. A man who was never firm even to obstinacy, never plain even to severity, never truthful even to unkindness, could not have done his work.
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THE LESSON OF HIS LIFE.
There is one lesson still to be gleaned. So long a life has a sermon in itself: The duty of living for old age.
History teaches us that the average of human life is lengthening. Nor are we left in doubt as to the reason : fevers are becoming less frequent and less murderous ; plagues do not desolate cities as in the middle ages; men wear better clothing, live in better houses, eat better food; in a word, they live more as God intended they should live. In the Bible an abundance of old men is made an evidence of peace and prosperity-a sign of God's presence with his people. "There shall yet old men dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age." This language points to " Behold the days contentment, peace, and godliness. come that there shalt not be an old man in thine house forever." This points to scenes of violence, bloodshed, and sin. Intemperance, lust, ungoverned pas- sion, consume the oil that should fill the lamp of life; in- dustry, temperance, godliness, feed the flame. " The fear of the Lord prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked are shortened." "For as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Accordingly, " Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come." Hence the relative number of old men in any community is a good measure of that com- munity's physical, mental, and moral health.
"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." This is a description of the old age of the father whom to-day we commit to his rest. We do not weep or shed unnecessary tears; we rejoice that he lived so long, and lived so well. His usefulness was past. The age was calling for a different type of men, when increasing infirmities compelled him to retire
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from the field. We judge him by his generation-not by ours. He has gone to his father's in peace ; he is buried in a good old age. He has come to his grave in full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. God grant that we may do our work as well as he did his; then we may go to our graves in equal peace.
This church has never been subject to much accel- eration or retardation in its movements, another ex- ample of the leading authority in a community gov- erning and moderating the tendencies of the people. Constantly and faithfully supplied with home talent, it has suffered few fluctuations. The brethren here have received accessions to their numbers at various times, from the labors of most or all the preachers who for a period of thirty years were the stay of the churches. In the founding of the Eclectic Institute, the church and community in Hiram proffered a larger donation for establishing it than was offered by any other of the seven contestants for the loca- tion ; nearly every dollar of which was paid. And during the twenty-four years of its life, this com- munity has responded liberally from time to time to its necessities.
Soon after the Institute was established, A. S. Hayden was elected co-elder with Bro. Ryder, and preached in alternation with him during the seven years of his connection with the Institute. Since that time brethren Perry Reno and Hartwell Ryder have presided as elders. Bro. E. H. Hawley served the church one year as elder and pastor. At pres- ent, Bro. B. A. Hinsdale, is employed as elder and preacher. Brethren Jason Ryder and Erastus Young
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have long served as the faithful deacons of the church.
THE CHURCH IN GARRETTSVILLE.
In 1835, the members increasing, a new church arose in Garrettsville. The veteran "Father Ru- dolph " and his family, Bro. Hunt, Isaac Mead, and the brethren Noah were principal members. John Henry and William Hayden were early helpers. In July, 1838, a meeting was conducted by J. Hartzel and M. Bosworth, which imparted great strength to the cause, and added eleven souls. The church flourished for several years under the charge of Bro. Zeb Rudolph, with John Rudolph, Jr. and Michael Pifer as deacons. Bro. H. Brockett held some meet- ings with marked success ; also Allerton, Hubbard, Moss, Green, and most of the proclaimers of the Word.
The brethren built a good house for meetings, which was formally dedicated by Bro. J. Hartzel and A. S. Hayden.
The congregation prospered for about twenty years ; till by removals and death it was so reduced that the meetings were closed, and the meeting- house eventually was sold.
ORIGIN AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ECLECTIC INSTITUTE.
Hiram College flourished seventeen years under the title of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute.
In tracing the earliest impulses in which the school arose, it may be sufficient to state that several men seemed to be impressed nearly simultaneously with
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the necessity for it, A. S. Hayden had been for years corresponding with leading members of the church in North-eastern Ohio, on the advantages to the cause of Christ of such a work ; fixing his thought, however, on a school for qualifying preach- ers of the gospel for their duties. His brother, Wm. Hayden, entered fully into his views, and promised liberal pecuniary assistance.
The first direct practical suggestion for realizing these views, is due to the late A. L. Soule, Esq., then of Russell. At the yearly meeting in Russell, June, 1849, he proposed that the matter be stated pub- licly, and a call be made for all who were interested to meet at his residence on Monday morning of the meeting, to take the subject under consideration. It was agreed that A. S. Hayden should make the state- ment and present the call for this meeting.
On Monday morning, June 12th, at eight o'clock, there was a full meeting of the councillors of the church. There were present : A. Bentley, Wm. Hayden, A. L. Soule, Myron Soule, Benj. Soule, Anson Matthews, Zeb Rudolph, A. S. Hayden, W. A. Lillie, Alanson Baldwin, E. Williams, F. Will- iams, E. B. Violl, M. J. Streator, W. A. Belding, A. B. Green, and many others. A. L. Soule was ap- pointed chairman, and A. S. Hayden, secretary. The movement was unanimously approved, and a resolution was passed to take steps immediately for founding such a school as was in contemplation. The secretary was instructed to prepare and send to the churches an address stating the object in view, and inviting delegates to a future meeting in which the views of the people might be fully ascertained.
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At this meeting, which was held in Bloomfield at the yearly meeting, the last of August, the same year, the response of the people was unani- mous and decided in favor of the project ; and a call was issued for delegates to meet at Ravenna the next October, for maturing plans to accomplish it.
This adjourned meeting assembled in Ravenna, Wednesday, October 3, 1849. Dr. J. P. Robison was chosen chairman, and A. S. Hayden, secretary. It was found that there was a general interest in the enterprise. The delegates discussed various ques- tions relating to it, one of which was the grade or rank of the contemplated institution. Two classes of views were represented there. Some proposed the founding of a college, asserting our ability to create an institution of that grade; others were in favor of establishing a school of high grade, but not to clothe it at first with collegiate powers. Those latter views prevailed, and the sense of the conven- tion was expressed nearly unanimously in a resolu- tion to that effect.
This meeting appointed five of its members a del- egation to visit all places which solicited the location of the school, to investigate and compare the grounds of their respective claims, and to report at the next delegate meeting, when the question of location was to be decided. This delegation consisted of Aaron Davis, Zeb Rudolph, B. F. Perky, Wm. Richards, and
No fewer than seven towns came in as petitioners for it, viz .: North Bloomfield, Newton Falls, Hiram, Shalersville, Aurora, Russell, and Bedford. The members of the delegation were sound and discern-
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ing men. They performed their duty faithfully, and prepared an able report. Much interest was awak- ened on the question of location, and many awaited with anxious expectation the decision of that ques- tion. The next convention met in Aurora, Tuesday, November 7th. Thirty-one delegates from as many churches were in attendance; also many other friends of the enterprise, whose presence testified their great interest in the subject. The meeting or- ganized by appointing Dr. J. P. Robison, chairman, (J. G. Coleman presiding part of the time,) and A. S. Hayden, secretary.
The whole day was spent in hearing and discuss- ing the report of the visiting delegation, and in set- tling the plan of procedure. The balloting occupied much of the night. After thirteen ballotings, the choice resulted in favor of Hiram. The last vote stood ten for Russell and seventeen for Hiram, four delegates having returned home before the final vote was taken.
The convention adjourned to meet in Hiram, De- cember 20th.
This meeting at Hiram was the last delegate as- sembly. It elected a board of twelve trustees, viz. : George Pow, Samuel Church, Aaron Davis, Isaac Errett, Carnot Mason, Zeb Rudolph, Symonds Ry- der, J. A. Ford, Kimball Porter, William Hayden, Frederick Williams, and A. S. Hayden; and ap- pointed Charles Brown, Isaac Errett, and A. S. Hay- den, a committee to draft a charter for the school. This committee, with the assistance of Judge King, of Warren, prepared the charter, which, with a few slight changes, received the approval of the Board.
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The name of the institution, WESTERN RESERVE EC- LECTIC INSTITUTE, was suggested by Isaac Errett. The provision in the charter that the Holy Scrip- tures shall forever be taught in the institution as the foundation of all true liberty, and of all moral obligation, was inserted on motion of Wm. Hayden. He strongly urged that this must ever be the char- acteristic dignity of this institution, the perpetual safeguard of social happiness, benign government, and religious freedom. The charter was forwarded by A. Udall, Esq., to the hands of Hon. George Sheldon, of Mantua, who then represented Portage County in the legislature, through whom it re- ceived the sanction of legislative enactment, March 1, 1851.
The corporators met in Hiram the same month, and, in anticipation of the confirmation of the char- ter, they appointed the following gentlemen a build- ing committee, viz .: Jason Ryder, Carnot Mason, Alvah Udall, Zeb Rudolph, and Pelatiah Allyn, Jr. At the same time Wm. Hayden was appointed a so- liciting agent to procure funds for the building. They also purchased of Thos. F. Young, Esq., grounds for the school, at the center of Hiram. In the midst of that beautiful plateau of about eight acres the edifice of the Eclectic Institute was erected.
On the 27th of November, which had been an- nounced as the day for opening-a full suite of rooms was ready for the reception students.
At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees the position of Principal was unanimously tendered to A. S. Hayden, of East Cleveland. He accepted the position for five years, not doubting that in that time
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the institution would be firmly established, and permit him to return to his chosen life work of preaching the gospel. This period of five years was extended to seven, when his original purpose to retire was fulfilled in his resignation, June, 1857. At the same meeting the Board unanimously elected Thos. Mun- nell, an honorable graduate of Bethany College, to the chair of ancient languages. Mrs. Phebe Drake was called to be Principal of the primary department. With these teachers, on the 27th of November, 1850, the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute com- menced its career. Eighty-four students were en- rolled the first day.
The natal day of the Eclectic was celebrated by a meeting of the trustees, friends of the institution from abroad, and of the citizens of Hiram, held in the meeting-house. Able addresses were delivered by Wm. Hayden, A. B. Green, J. H. Jones, and others, upon the principles and objects of the school. The speakers proclaimed it the completion of long cherished purposes, the realization of many anxieties and hopes. It was the accomplishment of a fact which would centralize our labors, quicken our hopes, and animate our pleadings for the gospel. This hill, it was predicted, would yet become a Minerva, a center and source of light, of literature, and of re- finement. From this place would go forth men of ample moral and mental growth, to fill stations of honor and usefulness in all departments of social life. The churches would send young men to gain here the skill and power to plead the gospel, and to lift up the cause of human redemption.
The students increased so rapidly that the cura-
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tors were obliged to call, during the first term, the assistance of C. D. Wilber who had just gone to complete his course of study in Bethany College. A few weeks after, Miss Almeda A. Booth was added to the corps of instructors. The next term the influx of patronage justified the Board in electing Norman Dunshee to the chair of mathematics and modern languages.
From this period the Institute has been before the eyes of the public, and its history is in the hearts of thousands of admiring students, who have from time to time enjoyed the benefits of its moral instruction and intellectual culture.
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CHAPTER XII.
The cause planted in Sharon-Four evangelists in the field-The church in Hubbard-John Applegate-Bazetta receives the . word-Biography of Calvin Smith.
N Sharon, on the Shenango, over the border in T Pennsylvania, was a church under Baptist col- ors. It was constituted in 1804, with twenty-eight members. In 1806, it sent Thomas G. Jones, A. Bentley, then young, Jesse Hall, John Morford and Ed. Wright, as messengers to the Red Stone Asso- ciation, in Brooke County, Va. In 1814, Isaiah Jones, the father of our J. H. Jones, appears as its messen- ger. For a few years before the principles of reform- ation made a stir, this church had associated with those on the Western Reserve. The elements in it were not harmoniously blended. The family of Mc- Cleery had emigrated from Tubbermore, Ireland, where they had profited by the instructions of that profound teacher, Alexander Carson. Holding clear views of the Bible, they responded promptly to the call for setting the churches in order, according to New Testament usages. The father, John McCleery, to venerable years added intelligence and decision. His sons, George, a preacher, and Hugh, a genial, and also an influential member, and others of the same enterprising family, were awake to the reform- atory movement which was making conquests in all quarters. The opposition was aroused to prevent
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the spread of these new doctrines ; but these breth- ren plead for the justice of a fair hearing of them, before they should be condemned. Hugh McCleery went to Warren for Bentley and Scott, who were soon on the ground, and who preached in Sharon the same gospel which began in Jerusalem eighteen hun- dred years ago. The same results followed ; for " those who gladly received the word were baptized ;" and had the church been the same as that at Jerusa- lem, it might have been said, " and the same day they were added " to the church. But the church utterly refused them admittance, because they had not come before the members, told a "Christian experience," and been accepted by a vote of the church. Bentley had already gone, and Scott left them immediately after these conversions. Elder Thomas Campbell then came, but all his influence for reconciliation was unavailing. He wrote to the church a very concilia- tory letter, deprecating division, and beseeching them to shelter the lambs. The reply was a stern refusal. Meanwhile, the time arrived for the "June meeting" of the Baptists, to assemble in Sharon. Scott and Bentley had returned, but the hostility was now so bitter that these three excellent and venerable minis- ters, as also all who sympathized with them, were expressly refused admittance into their meeting-house. The excitement in the community was running high, and Daniel Budd, Esq., a reputable gentleman, fitted up his barn and opened it to the reformers, where, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, they proclaimed, to a multitude of people, the ancient gospel, which had filled the Roman Empire with its conquests be- fore any of the modern sects arose. On Monday, the
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fourth one in June, 1829, on the bank of the river, after the baptism of some converts, was formed the church of Christ in Sharon. They were forced to this step, after much persevering effort to prevent a separation. Seventeen of the Baptist members united then, and more soon afterward. About thirty were that day enrolled with devout invocations by these three brethren, for blessings upon them from the Head of the church. George Bentley, Bashara Hull, with their families, and the McCleery family, were in the newly organized church.
The declared policy of the old church was non-in- tercourse. A resolution was passed excluding the wives of Benjamin Reno and James Morford, for breaking the loaf with the disciples. The former, who was a deacon, arose and protested against such an unchristian act, and announced his withdrawal from their fellowship. Morford, a deacon and clerk, laid down his pen, his office and his membership, refusing to be a party to such a proceeding. Both became pillars in the new organization. The church, by resolution, excluded all who united with the dis- ciples.
The new church had considerable talent in its mem- bers ; and they were firm, zealous and united. Con- verts were multiplied. Hayden came often among them, as did Henry also, and the persuasive Bos- worth. Applegate was near, and was quick to help. Allerton visited them and brought in a large number. And " having obtained help from God" through the hands of many of his servants, they continue a pros- perous brotherhood in Christ.
These brethren have done much for Christ. Two
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ministers have arisen among them, Prof. Amaziah Hull, of Oscaloosa, Iowa, and J. B. McCleery, of Kansas. Many of great usefulness in the West were trained for their work in Sharon.
The association was appointed to meet in this (Baptist) church in Sharon, August, 1829, little an- ticipating the revolution which was to take place in it before that time. When that body convened, it found a new church, just organized on purely gospel grounds, all alive and strong in faith, ready to give it welcome. A very large and joyful meeting was the result. It was attended by T. Campbell, Scott, Bentley, Hay- den, Henry, Bosworth, Applegate, McCleery, and many others. It kept no records ; nor did the great one at Warren transmit any account of its transac- tions. This was doubtless an error and a misfortune.
The reports from all parts of the field were highly encouraging, and the association felt called upon to send out more reapers into the ripening fields. It selected four brethren, Scott, of Canfield ; Hayden, of Austintown ; Bentley of Warren ; and Bosworth of Braceville ; all of Trumbull County ; and sent them out under the seal of her sanction and authority to go forth " to preach and teach Jesus Christ."
A SYSTEM OF ITINERACY.
These four proclaimers formed for themselves, and followed during the greater part of the years 1829-30, a very complete and simple plan. It was understood to be chiefly the work of William Hayden. The writer of these notes, from an original sketch put into his hands by him, prepared a copy of it for each of the evangelists.
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