USA > Ohio > Early history of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio : with biographical sketches of the principal agents in their religious movement > Part 24
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He succeeded in every point to the great satisfaction of all the disciples, especially the sisters. The discourse was followed by appropriate exhortations; and, in short, the whole day was filled up with much valuable instruction. Nineteen were immersed during the three days. On Mon- day our time was devoted to hearing the reports of the itinerants, and making arrangements for future operations. This was the most interesting day of any, and probably more profitable for the interest of truth than all the rest together .:
It appeared from the reports, which, from personal knowledge I know to be correct, that the apostolic gospel and order of things are gradually and regularly gaining influence among us ; and, although in many things we are quite in the rear of Christian perfection, yet one good sign is that all see it, and all unitedly urge an advance. The present reformation is in this different from all the Protestant reformations, whose leaders, when they had taken a few steps from their former ground, halted, and determined the people of God should learn and do no more of the Lord's will than they had already attained to. The teaching brethren understood Christianity better.
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Public opinion is turning rapidly in favor of the ancient gospel and order ; and I think there is a growing liberality among the brethren.
The subject of itinerancy was spoken of with warmth and an unanimity of judgment and feeling never before equaled among us. The whole community, teachers and taught, were much affected with the great responsibility we are under to present to the world the ancient religion of Christ. It was proposed the itinerants should go two and two; but when we beat for volunteers, it was found there were but two whose circumstances would permit them at present to make it their sole employ to proclaim the word. These two, Bro. Moss and myself, are to go together wherever a door opens and labor is most needed, and not to neglect the churches. The brethren and sis- ters most honorably signified their approbation of these laborers, and gave good evidence of their readiness to assist them in all things necessary. Besides these two, brethren Allerton, Williams, Henry, Hartzel, Bosworth and Apple- gate, expressed themselves willing and able to devote a share of their time-some of them the greater part ; and from their known gifts, were assured by the disciples present of their willingness to sustain them. After these matters were dispensed with, an invitation was tendered to any who wished to obey the Lord, when six or seven came forward. We went to the water, and continued in- structing and exhorting until eighteen were immersed, making in all thirty-seven.
Yours, as ever, WILLIAM HAYDEN.
Among the converts at this meeting was Bro. W. A. Belding, who has since become widely known as an able minister of the gospel.
For many years this church moved on in great harmony, receiving increase of members almost con-
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stantly. In 1845, the withering blight of "Come- outerism" fell upon it, causing alienations, dissen- sion, and division. Its advocates were infidels. While pleading for the abolition of slavery and for temperance, they hurled their deadliest daggers at the churches and gloried in the demolition of the organized Christianity of the land. Many excellent men were caught in their snare. Many here and elsewhere went out with them. This wild impulse became a sore trial to the faith and patience of the churches. Brethren Moss, Perky, and others came to the defense of the congregations. They met the fiercest advocates boldly in debate, and mended the breaches these assailants had made in the walls. Most of the disciples who were shaken for a time, returned into peace and order.
Since that period the church, like a well-manned ship, has held steadily to its course. It outgrew its discouragements in a few years, and established itself more firmly than ever. In 1860, the brethren built, at the center of the town, a new and much better house of worship. In 1871, the record showed sixty- two members. In the winter of that year, there was a great ingathering, under the labors of Bro. F. M. Green ; within a few weeks sixty-seven were con- verted, forty-one of whom were heads of families. Bro. W. H. Bettes is now the overseer.
This church owes much to the prompt, manly zeal of Bro. Bela Hubbard, who, with his family, gave no uncertain support to the cause at the start. Also, the families of the Churchills, the Rawsons, the Wards, the Beldings and many others, hold a high place in the grateful memory of the people.
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CHAPTER XVI.
The Churches in North Perry, Painesville, and Eagleville.
T HE church of Christ in Perry was organized by S. Rigdon, August 7, 1829. It had twenty- seven members ; among whom were Ebenezer Joy and his wife, David and Eliza Parmly, Sam'l W. and Lovinia S. Parmly, Ansel and Desire Ryder, John Brooks, Ezra Isham, Orvis and Rufus Call, Clinton and Sottle Butler, Leonard, Bradbury and Sallie Sinclair, Lydia Wood, and Deborah Bacon.
There was soon a large increase of members, em- bracing the following and other names: David Dodge, Rufus Neff, - Rose, Shubal Lincoln, Elisha Colton, Levi S. and Eliza Parmly, Eleazor and Ann M. Parmly, Lewis, Lewis· B. Levi, S. and Otis M. Wood, with the families of Sinclair and Call.
Among the causes which brought the reformation into the Baptist church in Perry, was the liberty taken by one of its members to "commune" with Christians who were not of their " faith and order ;" though they were " baptized believers," in the Bap- tist sense of that term. David Parmly, a correct and zealous Baptist, having heard of the great revival in Mentor, went over from Perry to hear the advocates of the " new" doctrine, as it was called. Pleased with the preaching, and finding the spirit of the Lord among them, he ventured to "commune " with the Disciples.
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News of this act came quickly to Perry. It was too much ; David Parmly was an offender, and a " la- bor" was taken up with him. Bro. Parmly plead his right as a free man in the Lord, to hold Chris- tian fellowship with brethren who are believers in Christ, and who, as well as themselves had been "buried by baptism into his death." His plea was of no avail. A church meeting was called to try him on the following charge of heresy : "Bro. Parmly is charged with communing with the Campbellites, and believing in the doctrines of Alexander Campbell.' He admitted the act of communing with Christ's people, and that he believed in the Lord Jesus, in all he teaches in his word, and declared his willingness to be subject to his brethren in all things, only "in the Lord." No defense was admitted. This warm- hearted Christian of unblemished reputation, was declared guilty of the charge of "heresy." While the trial was proceeding Parmly asked to read, with- out remark, a few portions of the word of God. This was refused. When the act of exclusion was accom- plished, he walked out of the house, Bible in hand, and taking his position under the shade of a goodly tree, he read the word of life to many people, who followed him with eager interest.
The exclusion of Parmly hastened matters to a crisis. Rigdon soon was there, and a church was formed, bringing into it a large number of the Bap- tist members, who saw too clearly the spirit of the inquisition, in the exclusion of an upright Christian man for no other crime than holding fellowship with the people of God.
Before the organization of the church, the five
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Parmlys-David, Levi, Eleazor, Jehiel, and Samuel W .- erected a comfortable meeting-house on the lake shore, which was afterward moved to the place where it now stands, and formally opened for worship, August 22, 1841, at which time the church was re- organized with David Parmly, Asa S. Turney, and Lewis Wood, overseers ; and Jehiel Parmly and Otis M. Wood, deacons. It counted about fifty members.
In December 8, 1850, the brethren who had been meeting on the "Dock Road," in Madison, united with the church in Perry, which swelled the number to about one hundred.
During many years of its earlier history this church had the labors of all the earlier preachers. A little later came Jones and Green. But Bro. Clapp stood by them as a chief dependence, and Bro. Violl also. Rodney Veits and Abram Saunders, espec- ially the former, preached much there. For two years they located among them Edward H. Webb, from Huron County. This noble young brother, possessed of many promising gifts, went to his re- ward early in life, just as he was ripening into ex- tensive usefulness. Bro. Turney stood by them many years as a leader and counselor.
This church has maintained an unbroken testi- mony for a period of over forty-five years. Her later history, like her beginning, has been marked by joyful ingatherings of souls into Christ's king- dom. A meeting, conducted by Bro. W. A. Belding, in 1855, resulted in many conversions. Afterward Bro. John Encell and M. S. Clapp brought a large number into the faith. Bro. R. G. White, five years their efficient pastor, will long be held in grateful re-
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membrance. Bro. W. O. Moore succeeded him as minister in the church.
PAINESVILLE.
This town felt the impulse of the great movement which began in Mentor early in 1828. A. P. Jones, a young man then in the printing office, heard to profit, turned to Christ, and became extensively use- · ful. This beginning was followed up by brethren Clapp, Collins, Hayden, and Moss, who occasionally preached in this town. A "meeting of days " was conducted in the village by. Wm. Hayden and his brother, in November, 1842. A few converts were gained at that time, as there had been by others be- fore. Bro. Joseph Curtis, moving with his upright family into the environs of that thriving town, a more formal occupancy of the ground was decided upon. A meeting was held in the month of January, 1843, by E. Williams and Abram Saunders, of Saybrook ; and on the twenty-ninth of that month, under the counsels of these brethren, the church was estab- lished. As overseers, brethren Joseph Curtis and William Harrison were unanimously selected ; as deacons, Thomas Smith and Lyman Durand. There were thirty-six members.
From the beginning the church has maintained a uniform and consistent policy. Brethren Williams, Clapp, Collins, and Violl aided to keep the fires burn- ing on the altar. Protracted meetings have enlarged their borders from time to time, conducted by W. Hayden, Isaac Errett, J. Encell, H. W. Everest, K. Shaw, and others. As pastors, Bro. E. H. Hawley served them from 1855 to 1859. Bro. John Encell
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settled with them about two years, followed by his brother, James G. Encell. After these, Bro. L. Cooley about three years, closing in 1866. Then came Bro. J. B. Knowles. Bro. L. F. Bittle labored there from 1868 till 1870, when they secured Bro. J. W. Ingram for three years. Bro. F. H. Moore, the present pastor, began in 1873.
With all encroachments on their numbers they still have about one hundred and eighty. The church was incorporated in 1851, and their present comfort- able meeting-house, in a very good site, was com- pleted and dedicated in the summer of 1853, Bro. Collins officiating on the occasion.
This church has mourned the loss of some of her noblest men : Her first elder, whose enterprise con- tributed much to found the church, Bro. Curtis ; and more recently the first deacon, the lamented and upright Lyman Durand; Bro. Tuttle likewise, one of the oldest members, sleeps in the hope. And the venerable brother, Jehiel Parmly, full of days and hope.
With the Parmlys, A. Teachout, Dr. Stebbins, Dr. Pancoast, and the others who stand with them, the church has a fast hold on society ..
EAGLEVILLE.
This church came into existence amidst a "great fight of afflictions." Here, as in many other places, the cardinal principle of Protestantism, the right of private judgment, was the ground of the agitation which resulted in the dismemberment of the Baptist church, and the formation of a religious community on New Testament principles.
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As early as 1825-6, the " Christian Baptist " had many readers and many admirers in that Baptist community. But toleration toward it was of short duration. The pastor, Silas Barnes, a man of narrow views, supported by others equally opposed to prog- ress in religious light, determined to purge the church of this leaven.
On the 21st of January, 1833, members of the Baptist church met to consult on the dangers to be feared from the new doctrines, and to devise meth- ods to remove the evil. For six months or more the church had innumerable "covenant " meetings, church meetings, and councils. Sometimes they met three times a week. Early in the course of the proceedings the following resolution was passed : " Resolved, That we do not fellowship the doctrines and sentiments published and advocated by Alexander Campbell and his associates. Neither will we fellow- ship as members in our church those who patronize or make a practice of reading his periodical publica- tions, or those who are in any way trammeled with his doctrines or his sentiments."
The church, having passed a law to fit the assumed case, a law conveniently vague, was now prepared for victims. John D. Foot was cut asunder with the long knife of excommunication. Martin Mills was next cited ; but he returned such answers to the commit- tee, that the church forgave his temerity, and re- moved from him her censures.
Not so the chief offender. This was Bro. Eben A. Mills. He was a man of good abilities, firm, earnest in his purposes, of quick and correct discernment, and a devoted Bible student. He was the quartz, with
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pure gold in every vein. With a Christian wife, morally and intellectually his equal, both blessed with admirable good nature, he carried public sym- pathy with him in the trying difficulties through which he was about to pass. He sought no rupture in the church. A sincere adherent of the " faith and order " of the Baptists, he contributed more by his zeal and tireless activity to build up that "Zion " than any other private member. As clerk of the church, he had charge of her records. Devoted to music and an adept in that charming accomplishment, he and Mrs. Mills seemed inseparable from the life of the church. But "orthodoxy " had no mercy, and quite as little wisdom ; and it came to Mr. Mills requiring him to desist reading Mr. Campbell's "Millennial Harbinger," to put away the new translation, and abjure the alleged heresies.
He plead : I. His liberties as a Christian to " prove all things" by the infallible standard of the. Word of God, and to " hold fast that which was good ;" and 2. His rights and liberties as an Amer- ican citizen to the unmolested use of all things which tended to the injury of no one, or the restraint of no other person's privileges.
It is needless to detail all the proceedings which make this a marked case. It was prolonged till the church almost to a man had become enlisted. No charge was hinted against the character of Mr. Mills. It was a case, pure and simple, of creed-orthodoxy in array against liberty of conscience. The following note of his exclusion is copied from the church record : "March 2, 1833. It was then motioned and seconded that, as Bro. E. A. Mills will not con-
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sent to abandon the reading of Mr. Campbell's ' Millennial Harbinger,' which we think is leading him from the gospel and the faith of the regular Bap- tists, we withdraw from him the hand of fellowship. The vote was then tried and carried by a consider- able majority. The office of clerk being now va- cant, Cornelius Udall was unanimously chosen clerk."
The new clerk, some time afterward, embraced the sentiments for which Mills was excluded. But he suffered less persecution-a new class of men having come into power.
Pending the motion for the exclusion of Mills, he made a most manly appeal, and an able defense of Mr. Campbell and his work. It was printed and cir- culated, but it could not avert the premeditated blow.
This act of exclusion was a heavy stroke to many of the members. A remonstrance was prepared and sent in to the church, signed by eighteen names. It was mild and respectful ; yet, strange to say, it was the death-knell of every one of them. They were all, without exception, and without any other offense, excluded from the church.
This declaration of exclusion was signed by nine names, and was silently acquiesced in as the action of the church without approval or demur. Thus nine members excluded eighteen, the number who had signed the remonstrance; the rest of the church, eighty members, taking no active or recorded part in the proceedings.
These rejected members, cast down, but not for- saken, could not let the light within them become darkness. Hearing of a church in Mentor, meeting just as the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ,
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they sent an invitation for a man to visit them. Bro. M. S. Clapp came, preached, and organized a church of seven members, with Bro. E. A. Mills, elder, or bishop, and Michael Webster, deacon .. This took place October 5, 1833. Bro. Webster was soon as- sociated as overseer. A. J. Hall and Alfred Mills were chosen deacons.
Thus originated the church of Christ in Eagleville, which for forty years has continued to hold the ground under great discouragements, and to send forth the light of the gospel into other towns in Ash -. tabula County.
The preachers for the first few years were Alton, Saunders, Collins, Hayden, Henry, Hartzell, Clapp, Brockett, Smith, and others. But Bro. Mills was their reliance for years, in the absence of other aid. He preached, sung, visited, and entertained the preachers who visited them. His hospitality was unstinted. He paid freely to sustain the cause in all things ; was an example to the flock, till broken in health, and partly in fortune, he went West, and ended his days in the unfading hope of immortality.
Bro. Jacob Bartholomew was called to preach for them in 1846. For many years he has been the min- ister of the word among them.
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CHAPTER. XVII.
The Church in Middlebury and Akron-A Church arises in Moga- dore-In Wadsworth also, with Sketches of Elder O. Newcomb and A. B. Green.
I N August, 1829, E. B. Hubbard and Wm. Hay- den delivered a few discourses in Middlebury. Some of the people were so much interested they desired to hear them more fully, and when they de- parted, Levi Allen and William Pangburn went with them to Mogadore. The good seed had fallen into good ground. The next month Bro. Hayden re- turned, when Levi Allen and Mrs. Pangburn became obedient to the faith. Some time previous to this, Mr. Wm. Pangburn and Mrs. Judge Sumner had been baptized by Elder Newcomb. February, 1830, Bro. Marcus Bosworth came : others now yielded in obedience. Williams visited these old battle-fields, where, in former days, in the defense of Restoration- ism he had driven Calvinism to the wall. In the advocacy now of something better than human theo- ries, he desired to lead the people to the Lord Jesus.
About this time Tillinghast Vaughan, a young Methodist preacher of considerable ability, falling in with Mr. Campbell in Virginia, was baptized by him, and returned to the Western Reserve. He preached in Middlebury about a year. But he forsook the faith, and embraced some scheme of Universalian skepticism, and drew away a number from the gos-
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pel. Vaughan's defection disheartened many ; yet though cast down the cause was not destroyed. The well instructed disciples never wavered, nor for an hour doubted the triumphs of the scriptural princi- ples they had embraced. Bro. A. B. Green was often with them, whose clear presentations of the gospel aided in building up confidence. Bro. M. L. Wilcox moved into Middlebury, and while "working with his own hands," he also gave a strong impulse to the struggling cause by his able and eloquent defense of it. A litigious preacher of the M. E. church, by the name of Thomas Graham, sought a discussion with Wilcox. The young mechanic shrunk not from this public appeal to defend the faith. The preacher plumed himself in high feather, expecting certain victory, and to gain the coveted mead of public applause for crushing the noxious heresy, as he assumed to call the ancient gospel. But " the race was not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." Wilcox was panoplied in the armor of light. He brought such a compact array of Bible truth, enforced with an argumentative eloquence and brilliant original wit, against his clerical assailant as to compel him to forsake the line of serious investi- gation, and resort to ridicule. Rising in full figure, in his dignity he assured his audience that it was beyond all reason to expect that a common laboring man should understand theological subjects, as did one whose whole life had been devoted to such studies. " It is absurd to suppose that a mechanic, who makes barrels for a living, however respectab'e his talents, or sincere his intentions, should be skilled in the profound themes of theology." Wilcox
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bore the jibe with undisturbed equanimity. In reply, he awarded his opponent even more than his arro- gance claimed, of learned preparation for the occa- sion, and skill gained by many encounters. "I am a mechanic. I claim to be nothing above a common laboring man-an honest cooper. And yet my trade may be of use in this discussion ; for if my oppo- nent swells much more I may have to hoop him!" This sally of wit " brought down the house." "Hoop him !" cried one. "Hoop him, Wilcox, hoop him !" shouted others. The crowd became almost hilarious. Graham tried to rally. But it was useless. He was whipped by the half-suppressed " hoop him !" from all sides. His feathers drooped, and he retired from the contest.
As may be well supposed the result of the few evenings spent in this investigation turned decidedly in favor of the original gospel.
In the year 1834, Mr. T. H. Botsford came to Middlebury. Mrs. Botsford was a firm disciple. With a clear perception of the principles of the ref- ormation, and with unbounded confidence in their truthfulness and power, she could not remain quiet and see the disciples scattered, and the cause pros- trate. She found another whose heart was as her own, in the burden that lay upon them to arouse the members to the work of the Lord. This person was Mrs. Eliza Parker, consort of Dr. Parker. She was a lady of intelligence, accomplished in her manners, good conversational ability, and, like Mrs. Botsford, had consecrated herself wholly to the Lord. These Christian women visited personally all the disciples in Middlebury, Akron, and the township of Cov-
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entry, inviting them to Mr. Botsford's own house to revive the meetings. At the first there was no brother to read, sing, or pray. With trembling heart, but unfaltering purpose, the worship was conducted by the sisters. No breaking of bread yet. That altar was not yet rebuilt. These appointments con- tinued. Brethren Samuel and Elisha Bangs and Dan Moulton came over from Akron and gave them aid. A. B. Green, Wm. Hayden, A. Allerton, and others, threw in appointments. Bro. Green was em- ployed for a considerable time. William Hayden came frequently during the year 1836. The audi- ences increased, and the ordinances of the house of the Lord were again regularly observed.
These were the days of heart-songs and heaven- reaching prayers. And the preaching ! It was hail mingled with rain! The prolonged hour flitted away unconsciously. The group of disciples tarried, ex- horted each other, sung warmly and feelingly a part- ing hymn, and with a final, earnest supplication they commended one another to the Good Shepherd, and separated. But they were unspeakably happy ! Poor pay the servant of the Lord received for his pocket, but he saw such eagerness to hear ; such evidences that his ministrations were thankfully appreciated ; such proof that he had resolved a doubt, confirmed a soul, lifted a heart into new light and comfort, that . he went on his way rejoicing in a labor which was reducing him every week into straitness and want. Such was the experience in all parts, but in no region more than in the district of country of which Akron was the center.
This effort by the sisters to revive the church,
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which constituted the second stage of its history, was made early in the year 1836. In the course of three years considerable accessions had been made to their numbers, and a new organization was de- manded. Bro. Bentley and Bro. Bosworth were called, who confirmed them in the faith, and ap- pointed Levi Allen and Samuel Bangs, overseers, and W. B. Storer and Jonah Allen, deacons. Their number was then thirty-two. This was in 1839. The year 1843 is memorable in the annals of that congregation. It was the year of expectation. The attention of the people of the whole country, from New England to the western prairies, was arrested by the bold position of the sincere, ardent, but mis- taken William Miller, of Low Hampton, New York, that the coming of the Lord and end of the world would occur in that year. Great religious awaken- ings pervaded the country. Multitudes, who had no sympathy with Mr. Miller on the time of the Lord's advent, drank into the spirit of revivalism which stirred all churches. Preachers were stimulated to extraordinary activity, by the calls for meetings, and the many. doors opening to them, and their labors gathered in converts every-where.
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