USA > Ohio > Early history of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio : with biographical sketches of the principal agents in their religious movement > Part 25
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The church in Middlebury sent for Bros. J. H. Jones and Dr. J. P. Robison, who were wholly de- voted to preaching, and whose meetings were crowned with many conversions. These brethren were en- gaged in Pittsburg. Conferring with Bro. Samuel Church, they sent John Cochrane to answer the call. Bro. John Taffe being there at the time, he accom- panied Cochrane to Middlebury. The meeting arose to high interest, conversions were taking place
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daily, and the brethren finding more help needed, sent an express call for Bro. John Henry. That mighty man, "quick to hear," but not "slow to speak," received the word Saturday night. He preached three times Sunday at home, and at I o'clock Monday, he was at Middlebury, a distance of over forty miles. He dismounted only once on the way. His movements were like an electric flash. Before the hour for evening meeting the community were all apprised of his presence, and he began his sermons with no diminution of the crowd. There were forty-nine conversions, and one other addition.
Henry's horse was like his rider, gay with life, eager for the track. The morning of starting home, the moment his bit was released from the hand that held him, he was galloping away, while Henry's long surtuit streamed back on the wind, presenting an amusing spectacle to the people along the street.
Early in 1845, Dr. Wm. F. Pool moved into Ak- ron. With the healing art, which was his profession, he united the diviner art of healing the souls of the people, and during his residence he was a great sup- port to the church. In the winter of 1849-50, Bro. M. J. Streator became the pastor of the flock, and re- mained about ten months. The last of January, 1854, W. S. Gray commenced his labor in the church, which continued about three years. Subsequently they have had Bro. J. C. Stark, J. G. Encell, J. O. Beardslee, L. Cooley, J. F. Rowe, and R. G. White, under whose able administration the congregation has tripled its membership.
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THE CHURCH IN MOGADORE, SUMMIT COUNTY.
As the leaven, so works the gospel in the hearts of men. Near Mogadore there lived a disciple from Canfield, by the name of Conrad Turner. At his invitation, E. B. Hubbard and C. P. Finch preached there one Lord's day, in the summer of 1828. Just before this, Benj. Green had put the " Christian Bap- tist" into the hands of William Richards, a candid man, not a professor, stumbled by the schismatic state of Christendom. To him, the preaching of Finch and Hubbard seemed rational. Hayden soon came, and made monthly visits. Seeing the interest, he returned in the spring, bringing Scott with him. They held a two days' meeting in the midst of the week, in J. Anson Bradley's new barn. The audience was large: they were on the King's business, and they " hurried the people away to the valley of de- cision." There was some opposition, but it turned to the advance of the truth ; as the preachers, instead of giving their opinion on the points of inquiry, read the word of the Lord, which effectually silenced controversy.
The vine was planted and watered, and soon it be- gan to bear fruit. Hubbard returned and baptized Mrs. Wm. Richards. Then, on subsequent occa- sions, came Mrs. J. A. Bradley, Joseph Baird, Isaac Miller and his wife. In September, Wm. Richards obeyed. Then J. D. Green and his wife, Allen and his wife, and J. Anson Bradley. There were now thirteen of them. They naturally, in much opposi- tion, came together for encouragement and sympa- thy. The aged Bro. Churchill, of Randolph, came
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among them, and under his counsels these new con- verts stood up before all the people, and entered solemnly into the holy obligations of a church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The organization took place in the year 1832, in the school-house near Mr. Asa Young's residence.
They chose Wm. Richards with one voice as their leader, and Benjamin Green as deacon. It was a day of great responsibility ; and so felt each one of that little fraternity. The opposition was violent, if not formidable, and this was to all of them an untried step. Many pronounced in anticipation a failure of the attempt to gather disciples, and regulate the af- fairs of a church without rules written out and adopted by which to be governed. But this was one breastwork of the battle of that day. Relying on the wisdom of the Founder of the church for the sufficiency of the rules he has left in his Word, they clasped hands and held the grip till their hearts beat in unison in the same sublime trust in God and his Word. Their opposers were false prophets. The continued success of this church in all the following years has vindicated this action of these disciples.
The church in Mogadore has borne her testimony unbroken from the beginning. In meetings and works of enterprise she has not been behind. All the preachers have gleaned sheaves in this field. In 1835, Elder T. Campbell, on a tour among the churches, came among them. His gravity, gentle- ness, and authority enforced his instructions on the whole community. In 1836, they erected their house of worship. For several years the brethren who planted the church kept watch of their welfare. In
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1839, Dr. M. Jewett settled there, a brother, who by the skill of W. Hayden, chiefly, had been rescued from the wilderness of doubt, engendered by the confusion in the religious world. Uniting his influ- ence with that of elders Richards, Baldwin, and J. D. Green, the church increased. A. B. Green was then visiting them a fourth of the time. Bro. Ryder followed for two years, half the time. Robi- son and M. L. Wilcox gave them much help. Brock- ett and Philander Green are cherished in grateful memory. J. Henry held a great meeting in 1843, with forty conversions. All the brethren from Deer- field were instant in their support. Bro. Moss for a time lived among them, as did Bro. Lillie also, both adding converts. Bro. J. H. Jones has here gathered many souls for Christ.
To the faith and perseverance of the resident brethren already named, and the female members, whose names seldom appear in earthly chronicles, is mainly due the permanence and prosperity of this church. In later times the mantle has fallen on Bro. Simon Laudenslager, and the brethren Isaac and James Monroe, who, as officers and leaders, are holding well the ground. Bro. J. M. Monroe, of California, is a gift to the world from this church, and from the family of Bro. Isaac Monroe.
THE CHURCH IN WADSWORTH, WITH SKETCHES OF A. B. GREEN AND ELDER O. NEWCOMB.
A. B. GREEN was born in Litchfield County, January 12, 1808. His parents moved into Ohio in 1811, and settled soon after in Norton, Medina County. Amidst the hardships of life in a new country, he was brought up;
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and in the midst also of the conflicts of Calvinism and Arminianism, and the resultant compound, Universalism. No wonder that, like many others, he became skeptical.
On Sunday, his father, a steady church-goer, said, " Almon, are you not going to meeting?" " No, father, I think I will stay at home and read." The "Family Testament," a new translation of the New Testament by Drs. Campbell, of Aberdeen, Macknight and Doddridge, compiled and published by Alex. Campbell, had recently made its appearance, and was attracting much attention. During the quietness of that blessed day, whose associa- tions all are favorable to calm and candid contemplation, Green read this new and attractive book. New light came into his mind, and a new interest was awakened in his heart. He arose after hours of serious perusal of it, ex- claiming aloud to himself, "No uninspired man ever wrote that book." The stormy and dangerous cape of infidelity being " doubled," he sailed rapidly past the shoals and sharp rocks of " total depravity," " final per- severance," etc., the drift and debris of theological per- iods, into safer channels. Reading regularly on, with in- terest deepening at every step, he came to Acts ii: 38; " Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall re- ceive the gift of the Holy Spirit." He asked Elder New- comb what this Scripture means. " It means what it says," replied the Elder, with his characteristic prompt- ness. This reply sent the meaning deep into his heart. In a few days he sent a letter to Elder Newcomb asking for baptism at his hands, which event took place Decem- ber 28, 1828.
His mouth opened in praise, and in pleading the claims of the Savior of sinners. He soon went by invitation to Chippewa, Granger, and other places. Elder Newcomb was his counselor and steady help. Moved by him, the church granted a letter of commendation to the young
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Timothy, to go forth proclaiming the glad tidings. His first mission-trip opened at Stowe, September 10, 1833. One came for baptism. This was his first baptism. His tour was about three weeks ; from it he returned, his natu- ral timidity having yielded very much to an assured confidence that God was opening the way for him into fields of extensive usefulness.
From this period he has belonged to the public. In all the counties of North-east Ohio, much in other parts of it, in other States also, and in Canada, he has " fully preached the gospel of Christ." For more than forty years he has been zealously engaged and personally iden- tified with all the movements-missionary, educational, and social-tending to build up the churches, and extend the knowledge of the Redeemer's kingdom.
The church in Wadsworth arose as follows : There had been a Baptist church in the community, principally. in the care of Elder Obadiah Newcomb, a very worthy man, of good gifts and excellent sense. In the fall of 1818, he came from Nova Scotia to Pittsburg, where he preached for a time, and associated with the ministers of the city. He came to Wadsworth in the spring of 1822, where he planted a Baptist church. The " Christian Baptist " ap- peared soon after, and Mr. Newcomb obtained and read it. Its views of New Testament truth arrested his eager attention. Too conscientious to preach the doctrines of the "creed," now that he found them not among the apostolic " traditions," he slackened in his ministry till these new and scriptural views became well formed in his mind. The church ran low. The "Elder" was nearly silent, save at funerals and special occasions. But the " Christian Baptist" was faithful in its visits. It was read by him, by his family, and by others. William Hay- den came among the people about this time, and the smoldering fires burst forth in flames. There was agita- tion every-where. Mr. Newcomb exchanging the mien
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of a clergyman for the panoply of the gospel, lifted the sword of the Spirit and went into the battle. Green was baptized ; others followed. Williams came, and in Wads- worth, where the people formally heard Universalism from his eloquent lips, they now heard the original gospel in its simplicity, as it was first told by the holy apostles.
The church of Wadsworth was formed .in February, 1829. The first day there were eight members : Obadiah Newcomb ; his two daughters, Statira and Matilda, re- cently baptized ; P. Butler, Samuel Green, A. B. Green, and John and Sarah Bunnell. Bro. Newcomb was ap- pointed elder, and John Bunnell, deacon of the new or- ganization.
This church soon became a strong pillar. William Eyles, late judge of court, soon united with his family. Conversions were almost constant. The opposition was active, vigilant, and often virulent, but over all the gos- pel made steady and triumphant progress.
The first yearly meeting held in Wadsworth was in September, 1833, in a new barn belonging to Bro. William Eyles. The meeting was noted for the numbers who at- tended it, and for the stimulus it gave to the cause of ref- ormation. Being quite removed from the sources and center of the work, the proclamation was new to large numbers who came a long distance to attend it. A. Camp- bell was present; also William Hayden, John Henry, Marcus Bosworth, E. B. Hubbard, J. J. Moss, and many others. There were many converts.
An incident occurred at this time which displays Mr. Campbell's character for discernment and candor. Aaron Pardee, a gentleman residing in the vicinity, an unbe- liever in the gospel, attracted by Campbell's abilities as a reasoner, and won by his fairness in argument, resolved to obtain a private interview, and propose freely his difficul- ties. Mr. Campbell received him with such frankness that he opened his case at once, saying : "I discover, Mr.
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Campbell, you are well prepared in the argument and defenses of the Christian religion. I confess to you frankly there are some difficulties in my mind which pre- vent my believing the Bible, particularly the Old Testa- ment." Mr. Campbell replied: "I acknowledge freely, Mr. Pardee, there are difficulties in the Bible-difficulties not easy to explain, and some, perhaps, which in our present state of information can not be cleared up. But, my dear sir, when I consider the overwhelming testimony in their favor, so ample, complete, and satisfactory, I can not resist the conviction of their divine origin. The field of prophetic inspiration is so varied and full, and the in- ternal evidences so conclusive, that with all the difficulties, the preponderance of evidence is overwhelmingly in their favor." This reply, so fair and so manly, and so differ- ent from the pulpit denunciation of "skeptics," " infi- dels," etc., to which he had been accustomed, quite dis- armed him, and led him to hear the truth and its evidence in a much more rational state of mind. Within a year he became fully satisfied of the truthfulness of the Holy Scriptures, and apprehending clearly their testimony to the claims of Jesus of Nazareth as the anointed Son of God, he was prepared to yield to him the obedience of his life. At a two days' meeting held there by Bro. A. B. Green and A. S. Hayden, Mr. Pardee and four others were baptized.
Elder Newcomb being fully relieved of the irreconcil- able perplexities of the Calvinistic system, was now like an eagle fresh from the moulting. His joy was unbounded, and his zeal was equal to that of a new convert. He rode horse-back sixty miles, to the great meeting in Aus- tintown, in 1830, accompanying a full two-horse wagon, loaded with members of his own family and others, to the same meeting. He preached, visited, and talked con- tinually. He had an element of sternness in his charac- ter. Going to the school-house early Sunday to meeting,
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he took his usual seat. He descried a young man across the room with a flashy guard-chain displayed in a con- spicuous manner over his vest. He looked at his Testa- ment, then cast a glance to the gay toy. After a few moments he closed his book, walked across the house, and without uttering a word, gathered the glittering ornament off the young man's neck, put it all down into the owner's pocket out of sight, then walked back to his seat, and quietly resumed his preparation for the meeting.
He once accompanied Bro. Green in a preaching tour to Bethany and the region round about. At a night meeting on Salt Run, Ohio, he arose before a full house, announced the hymn in usual manner, and requested some brother to " set the tune." No one starting, he repeated the first two lines, saying : "I hope some brother will raise the tune." All were silent. Closing the book he said : " The apostle James says ; ' Is any merry, let him sing psalms ; is any afflicted, let him pray.' I think the people here must be afflicted-let us pray !"
This excellent man passed away universally respected. He died October 4, 1847, aged seventy-four years.
The congregation in Wadsworth has been a light to all the region round about. It is mother of churches, and mother of preachers. The following proclaimers of the gospel received their earliest aid and encouragement there, and some of them were brought forth almost exclusively by this church : A. B. Green, Wm. Moody, Holland Brown, Philander Green, B. F. Perky, and Pardee Butler. Bro. L. L. Carpenter, also, from the church in Norton, a daugh- ter and dependency of Wadsworth, gained his guiding impulse there to his distinguished usefulness.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
The gospel in Ravenna, in Aurora and Stowe, Franklin and ยท Hudson.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN RAVENNA.
T HIS is one of the most stable of the churches.
From its establishment, early in May, 1830, to the present time, a period of over forty-five years, it has never once ceased to meet on the blessed Lord's day, except as they agreed to omit in favor of the regular yearly meeting.
The conversion and baptism of Ebenezer Williams, the Restorationist minister, living in Ravenna, by Aylett Raines, has already been mentioned. From this event the work opened, as Bro. Williams imme- diately began to preach the gospel which he now understood, and most ardently loved. His preach- ing being mostly abroad, no stand was taken for the apostolic gospel in Ravenna. In the winter of 1830, Marcus Bosworth sent an appointment to the Clem- ent district, three miles north-west of the town of Ravenna. His audience was small, but it yielded the fruit of one conversion, a brother Jonathan Stew- art. The 12th of March, William Hayden came. Seven souls turned to the Lord. From this time the tide of interest swelled. The subject of the new preaching was in every one's mouth. No lack of hearers now, and there were converts at every ap-
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pointment. The seeds of a pernicious infidelity had been early sown in Ravenna. They were bearing their bitter and baleful fruits in a reckless indifference to all sacred things, and the revolt of the soul from all religious obligations. Hayden was the man for such a people. Well prepared on the evidences of the Bible, and very expert in exposing the subtle and sophistical refuges of the unbelieving heart, his ser- mons were heard with great satisfaction and profit. Early in May, he collected the disciples together, num- bering twenty-six, and formally set them apart as a church of Jesus Christ. Bro. Sturdevant, a licensed preacher of the Baptist order, uniting, the new church was placed under his charge. It continued to prosper, gathering additions almost every time a preacher came in among them. Bros. Ryder, Atwater, Green, and the Deerfield brethren came, like Apollos and Timothy, to comfort their hearts and confirm their faith; but Hayden and Bosworth were their chief reliance. In the absence of a preacher, the members assumed the duties of edification, and broke the loaf of blessing among themselves ; a practice in which the disciples on the Western Reserve were correctly taught in the beginning. In the summer of 1830, Scott delivered a discourse in the Methodist church, in the village, to a full and delighted audience. Fisher, of Kentucky, was with him. It was here he compared the creed to a silver quarter-dollar, which, though small, may be held so close to the eye that the sun can not be seen. Thus the creed, though a little thing, may hide the Bible from sight.
In June, 1831, Mr. Campbell came to the Western Reserve. Mormonism had recently burst forth, and
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the emissaries of that crude and strange delusion were every-where active in calling victims into the snare. On his way he made Ravenna a point for a few addresses. William Hayden, with whom he had communicated in regard to his trip, obtained, with the assistance of the brethren, and fitted up with seats a grove in the environs of the town. A vast crowd of people came to hear the gifted advocate and defender of the Bible. The bold and prattling infi- delity, rampant in Ravenna, found no quarter at his hands. Like a pestiferous atmosphere, it was poison- ing and demoralizing all piety, all truth, all moral health, and was destructive to all social order and happiness. Mr. Campbell was at home in this de- partment of Christian labor. He surveyed his audi- ence, and directing well the range of his artillery, within two hours and a half the flotilla of their skep- tical crafts was shattered and sunken. "Heavens ! what an eye he has !" said one of the master men to F. Williams ; " he scorches wherever he looks !"
Court was in session. The presiding judge sent a note of invitation to Mr. Campbell to deliver a dis- course in the court room-the court, under resolution, adjourning for that purpose. He accepted the invi- tation, and on opening the service, with full and ringing emphasis, he read the hymn :
" I'm not ashamed to own my Lord, Nor to defend his cause ! Maintain the honor of his word, The glory of his cross !"
His masterly and convincing argument for the truth of the Bible, founded on prophecy, was then delivered in his. own best style. Mr. John Harmon was then
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publishing, in Ravenna, a little paper, the "Ohio Watchman," an infidel sheet of some pretensions. The editor was in the assembly. In the sermon, Mr. Campbell, having made a climax in his argument, paused on it, remarking : " He who can not see this, has closed his ears and shut his eyes, and is blind- as blind"-gathering force by delay, "as blind as the ' Ohio Watchman!'" At the dinner table, at the hotel, where the judge and several of the lawyers were dining, the argument of Mr. Campbell was the topic of conversation. One of the young lawyers remarked : " I could not see the point of Mr. Camp- bell's argument to-day!" "Very likely," replied the judge ; "arguments are always obscure to persons who can not understand them !"
Frederick Williams, long a prominent citizen of the county, an elder and useful preacher, was born in Hampshire County, Mass., March 2, 1799. He came to Ravenna, July 2, 1815. On the 17th of September, 1828, he married Miss Marcia Underwood, an alliance of uninterrupted happiness to the present time. His mind had been imbued with Winchester- ian Universalism, but on hearing the gospel as pro- claimed by the apostles, his candid heart laid hold of it. In the year 1833, he and his wife were baptized in Sandy Lake by Amos Allerton.
Bro. Charles Judd, a man of good sense, an excel- lent heart and devout mind, entered the kingdom about the same time. The accession of these two men added much weight to the cause. Father Stur- devant had been the chief presiding officer. These brethren were soon called to the bishop's chair, in which position, they co-operated by counsel and by
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public discourse to maintain the church for a whole generation. Few churches have been blessed with so judicious and efficient elders. Bro. Judd, full of honor and of hope, went to await his crown, Novem- ber 17, 1864, and was laid beside his foster son, the beloved and lamented Sterling McBride. Bro. Wil- liams tarries yet a little longer.
The Congregation continued to meet in the Clem- ment district about ten years, when they moved into the village. They built their house in 1844. Bro. A. B. Green conducted the dedicatory exercises in December, from which time they have not only held the ground but gained in numbers, wisdom, and social power.
Bro. John T. Smith was employed, Bro. Charles McDougal also. Bro. C. C. Foot served four years. He was followed by Bro. A. B. Green-five years. Bro. Lowe and Bro. Amzi Atwater came afterward. The congregation now flourishes under the adminis- tration of Bro. George Darsie.
The first yearly meeting held in Ravenna was in June, 1838. It was held in a large barn fitted up for the purpose. The preachers in attendance were Hubbard, Marcus Bosworth, William Hayden, Moss, Allerton, J. W. Lanphear, A. B. Green, Robison, Moody, A. P. Jones and A. S. Hayden.
Ravenna church has always hospitably entertained the brethren, and numerous conventions have, from time to time, found there a welcome.
Present overseers : George Darsie, Albert Under- wood, Samuel J. Gross. Deacons : John Mahard, R. B. Johnson, Whiting Carter, P. P. Dawley, E. C. Belding, Alex. Clements. Members : 319.
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Among the early fallen is Bro. S. McBride, reared in this church, the foster son of Bro. and Sister Judd. His serious and contemplative character in youth gave promise of a devout and earnest manhood. After progressing far in his studies in Hiram, he was graduated in Bethany, and immediately devoted him- self to preaching. In many places, especially in Sa- lem and New Philadelphia, he gained for himself the permanent esteem of the people for his amiable man- ners and efficient services in the gospel. He died of a fever while young. Intelligence of his death was received while the preachers' meeting was in ses- sion in Newburg, October 4, 1864. "A committee was appointed to report resolutions expressive of the merited respect we owe to the memory of our dear Bro. Sterling McBride, just this day laid in the grave :
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