USA > Ohio > Early history of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio : with biographical sketches of the principal agents in their religious movement > Part 8
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He was one of the original trustees of Bethany College, and gave his whole influence to the missionary cause. The following notice of him appeared in the records of the missionary society for the State of Ohio, for the year 1865.
" Among the memorials of departed worth, a large space should be allotted to the late, most worthy and patriarchal brother Adamson Bentley. Since our last meeting this eminent man of God has gone to his rest and his reward. His departure, in happy consonance with the calm and cheerful dignity of his noble life, was gentle, peaceful, and blessed. No man in north-eastern Ohio possessed the weight of influence with the people that was wielded by this princely man. He came to the side of Campbell and Scott in that early day when such an endorsement of their plea and work could be appreciated only by those who witnessed
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the apostolic labors and struggles which marked the early epoch of our blessed work.
"Multitudes love to linger around the memory of this good man. All respected, most loved him. Of him, as truly as of any other man, it may be said :
' Take him all in all, We ne'er shall look upon his like again.'"
BIOGRAPHY OF CYRUS BOSWORTH.
CYRUS BOSWORTH, for many years a prominent citizen of Trumbull County, deserves much more than a passing notice. Few men in north-eastern Ohio have won more cordial or more durable respect. None surpassed him in enlightened views of public enterprise, in energy of char- acter or business capacity. He was twice elected to the office of Sheriff of the county ; served as Colonel of a mili- tary regiment, and filled a seat with credit in the Ohio Legislature ; in all which positions he secured the confi- dence of the people.
He was born in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, April 12, 1791. He early acquired a good English education, especially in navigation, surveying, and such branches as would fit him for the seas. Yielding to the entreaty of friends, he gave up his inclination for a maritime life, and in 1811, at the age of twenty, he came to "New Con- necticut." For a time he engaged in teaching, but the late war with Great Britain breaking out, he was employed as express messenger between Warren and Pittsburgh, and was the first to carry the news of Perry's victory to the latter place. He returned to New England, married Miss Sina Strowbridge, and in the latter part of 1813 we find him, with his parents, again at Warren. He resumed his former occupation, but soon left it for the battle of life on more stirring fields. He built the National Hotel, erected a store, and became a merchant. His election to
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the legislature was in 1822. At the expiration of that term, he accepted, at two successive polls, the office of sheriff. He settled on a large farm three miles south of Warren, where, in the more congenial pursuits of agricul- ture, he passed the maturer years of his active life. He lost his companion after a number of years of happy wedded life, and contracted a second marriage with Miss Sarah C. Case, sister to Leonard Case, Esq., late of Cleve- land-a partner who survived him about fourteen years.
He was religiously trained in the Baptist order. In June, 1829, in the general religious interest attending the labors of Scott, he confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus, and was baptized by Bro. Bentley. He never went through the ceremony of a formal reception into the church, insisting that, according to the Scriptures, when we are " baptized into Christ," (Gal. iii : 27,) we are bap- tized into " one body," which is the church of Christ. (I Cor. xii : 13.) He was soon called to the eldership of the congregation, and stood in that position many years. Under appointment by the church, he spent much time for several years preaching the gospel. His great weight of character and clear, cogent reasoning, gave a powerful support to the cause in its comparative infancy.
Much as he was respected in public life, to be appre- ciated, one must see him at home, and mingle in the scenes of the generous hospitality which for many years welcomed the coming guests to his open doors. With equal dignity and grace, he received and provided for the comfort of every one. He, too, was "given to hospitality." The social repast, well seasoned with Attic salt, where intelli- gence was mingled with agreeable entertainment, made the home of Bosworth known and gratefully remembered in all that region.
In his character there were qualities seldom united. A perfect hater of shams, no one was more lenient to the trivial blunders of humble merit. He could expose hy-
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pocrisy with a terrible severity, but he showed to the err- ing and needy a gentleness and tenderness of heart as beautiful, as they were healing. He had some enemies in a popular sense, for " he could not bear them which were evil ;" yet in asserting the cause of the injured, he was prompt and decided. He declared early and openly for emancipation, because " it was right." These elements of character marked his course as a ruler in the church. His sternness was sometimes the more apparent, but his sympathetic consideration of human weaknesses was never far in the rear. Some feared him, all respected him, the most loved him. For strength of character, force of will, and even consistency with himself, he had few equals.
His health failing, he journeyed to the milder climate of Texas and Mexico. The American Christian Missionary Society employed him to look after the weak churches while on his tour. In this work he was diligent, and proved a blessing. He assisted in the organization of some churches, and the encouragement of many. He returned from that mission in the fall of 1860, improved in health. In January following, he took a severe cold, from which he never fully recovered. Yet he was not confined to his room a day. On the 4th of April he went into his garden, and feeling ill, he turned to come in, and fell in death before any one could come to him. This was in 1861.
EAST FAIRFIELD.
A quarterly meeting was held in East Fairfield, Columbiana County, beginning February Ist. Bro. Mitchell says :
" Leaving Warren, we went to our appointment in Fairfield, and put up with Bro. John Ferrall. We com- menced at candle-lighting, and continued ten days, preach- ing the same gospel to the people that we did at Warren. The immediate result was thirty-seven additions, all new converts, beside instructing many of the old Christian order
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in more scriptural views of the gospel, especially in regard to the design of baptism. At this point I parted with Bro. Scott, after enjoying his company twenty-five days, and learning many things more valuable than tens of thousands of silver and gold ; sweeter than honey; more delicious than the honey-comb. Looking back over forty-four years, and remembering what was the condition of things then, and the present state of affairs, I feel satisfied that the omnipotence of truth has effected it all."
On the Western Reserve some of the churches originated in reforming Baptist communities. In Columbiana County the "Christian " element pre- dominated. These people were themselves reform- ers, seeking, in the measure of their light, to return to New Testament usages ; but like most of the efforts to return from spiritual Babylon to Jerusalem, they crystallized around a few items which they capitalized into undue prominence. The great matters of the ancient gospel, and ancient order of the churches, were veiled in obscurity. Earnest and zealous, their public speakers often possessing great exhortatory power, they made many converts. They had a large congregation at Fairfield, and a good meeting-house. The amiable Joseph Gaston was their preacher. Through him, Bro. Scott obtained a favorable intro- duction among them. These visited the people to- gether, and talked freely on the principles of the gos- pel. Scott was gifted with conversational powers of great skill and scope, and being full of his subject, he won at every onset. A meeting was called which was attended by the whole church. Scott turned his subject to his master key of Peter, pentecost and pardon. The theme was new, and in his hands the
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scriptural scheme of the gospel was so plain and con- vincing, scarcely a doubt was left in the great audience. At the close of his sermon, the proposition was made to take the sense of the church upon the overture now submitted, to assume the position of a gospel church, in accordance with the scriptural teaching they had just heard. There was almost a unanimous rising up. Only five or six refused. It was a strong church of strong men.
Not long after this, Elder James Hughes, of Ken- tucky, came and preached among them. Learning the clearer way of the gospel, he adopted it, saying he always thought the Scriptures connected more blessing with baptism than they had discovered. He continued to thus preach, and to practice as long as he lived.
According to the order of the " Christian " breth- ren, the preachers were the elders. They had dea- cons to perform the duties common to that class of officers. Bringing the church to the New Testament models, they now appointed William Cunningham and John Ferrall, who had been deacons, to the office of bishop, or overseer, and Dr. Amasa Fisher, and , deacons. Joseph Gaston continued to be their minister.
About this time a colony of Methodists came into Fairfield, from Virginia. . They had their preacher, Benjamin Patterson, and were prepared to attend to the matters of religion in their own way, and keep guarded against novelties and heresies. It was not long before Bro. Benjamin Saunders came, and pro- claimed the gospel so clearly and powerfully, he cap- tured their preacher, and left his flock so shaken, that
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they became an easy and willing prey. Every one, without an exception, embraced the teachings of the apostolic gospel, and came into the church. Patter- son was baptized by Elder John Ferrall.
The subject of "weekly communion," was some time under discussion. It was new; and many thought it too great an innovation on established usages. Some argued that so great frequency would detract from its solemnity. On the other hand, it was steadily and convincingly plead that as the holy apos- tles, who had been charged by the Lord Jesus with establishing the customs and laws of his kingdom, had ordained that order in the beginning, it was bind- ing still, and that it could not degenerate in solemnity when approached with the true and proper spirit. It was finally arranged, at Bro. Ferrall's suggestion, that the subject should be a matter of forbearance ; those who regarded it a duty to show forth the Lord's death every Lord's day, to be permitted to do so; granting the unmolested right to others to come to the table of the Lord at longer intervals, as they had been accustomed to. To this all acceded ; and all was harmony. Very soon all the members were a unit in this practice. Would that all differences in religious matters could be settled as amicably and permanently.
The church of East Fairfield has a noble record, and has been a light to the surrounding country. It has been generous in sustaining the "yearly meet- ings," and all others, for the proclamation of the Word of Life. Our men of name have all preached among them from time time, and assisted the faith- ful brethren in Fairfield to maintain the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
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Bro. J. G. Mitchell spent a long life in the gospel. He began when a youth, and traveled extensively in most of the north-western States. He was equally distinguished for zeal and success. He was small in stature, quick in action and speech, abundant in ap- propriate anecdotes, and never addressed an inatten- tive audience. With a kind heart, generous and high minded, few men had more friends. He settled in Danvers, McLean County, Ill., where his most useful life was terminated by a painful disease, which he bore with great patience, July 26th, 1873, in the 68th year of his age.
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CHAPTER V.
Churches planted in Salem, Canfield, and Austintown-John Henry-Origin of the church in Braceville-Sketch of Marcus Bosworth-Biography of Jacob Osborne.
B RO. SCOTT began his great work in Salem, Co- lumbiana County, in April, 1828, going from his stirring meetings in Austintown and adjacent regions. Prejudice preceded him, raised by the misrepresenta- tions of Rev. Vallandigham, a Presbyterian minis- ter, of New Lisbon, the father of Hon. C. L. Vallan- digham, of later and wider notoriety. He came and warned the people against that "apostate" Scott; de- claring that he gave out that he would forgive the sins of the people, with other statements equally false and ridiculous. A. G. Hayden, residing in the vicinity of Salem, fell in with Scott at the residence of his father, Samuel Hayden, in Youngstown. By him Scott sent an appointment to Salem.
He came, and opened to a full house the watch-cry of the campaign, the word of the Lord and pentecost. It was heard with mingled delight, wonder and doubt. People rapidly took sides, some in favor, some against the new doctrines, as many regarded them. "Why was this not found out before ?" was the cry of many. "I know not," it was replied, "except that the time is only just now come for these truths, so long hid from our eyes, to be found out." "But if it is true," said others, " our preachers would have seen it long ago ; it would not have been left for Campbell and
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Scott to find it out at this day." "Yes," it was answered, " just so objected all the Catholic clergy to Luther and the old reformers."
The news spread, and converts were multiplied. In ten days he baptized forty souls. The leading Baptists were delighted. Polly Strawn, David Gas- kill, and others, came forward with all their influence in favor of the work. Singing and prayer till mid- night was heard in many dwellings. The converts were received to baptism on the confession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, without the usual rou- tine of telling an "experience," and a vote of the church.
On a set day, Scott called them all forward to be received as members of the church. After many ex- hortations, the question was propounded to the church for the reception of the converts into fellowship. It was unanimously responded to in the affirmative ; and this great effort, crowned with such blissful re- sults, was about to be sealed up in peace and com- plete harmony. No creed had been presented for the converts to subscribe. They were baptized as converts to Christ ; and in this solemn ordinance they had, as the apostles expressed it, "put on Christ ;" to walk in him in all the experiences and duties of a new life. None had demurred, and Scott, feeling that Christianity had now completely triumphed over party, exclaimed, " Who will now say there is a Bap- tist Church in Salem ?"
This gave the alarm. Some of the old leaders thought he was building up the Baptist Church, while in reality he was employed in a much broader and diviner work, that of bringing sinners unto Christ
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Jesus, regardless of party names, lines, or limits. The dear name and cherished forms could not be re- linquished. Then followed a reaction-a revolution. Then came conclaves, conferences, private and pro- tracted. Mrs. Strawn, a lady of remarkable ability, and a tactician of much shrewdness, was especially active in this crisis. Some Presbyterians sympa- thized and aided to push the car backward. The old regime was restored, and the order was issued that all the new members must appear on church-meeting- day, relate a " Christian experience," and come in by the regular way, as members of the regular Baptist Church.
This was all strange and unexpected. The lambs wanted a sheltering fold. Synods and investigation committees were to them unfamiliar and repulsive. They were disheartened. They scattered ; some went into other churches, some gave up in sorrow, a few submitted to the orders in counsel, and entered by that door into that fold.
Out of this action arose the "Phillips Church," three miles south of Salem. Robert P. Phillips, a man of strong will, and an influential citizen, learned the gospel of Scott, and, with his family, was among the converts. The difference between the gospel and all party unions was clear as a sunbeam to him; and with an open protest against putting a yoke on the disciples, he and others drew off and stood aloof. But they were far from giving up their faith and hope. He opened his own house where the lambs found shelter. Preachers came: Geo. W. Lucy, J. E. Gas- ton, J. H. Jones, Whitacre, and many others ; and soon a light sprang up which has continued to this
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day. Hayden could sing, and soon he was called tc be a leader. They organized as a church in the sum- mer of 1829. The unstinted hospitality of Phillips and other brethren, for many years made a home for the itinerant proclaimers of the word of life; and aided by Hubbard, Allerton, Finch, Hartzel, and Schaeffer, from Deerfield ; by Hayden, Henry, Bos- worth, and Applegate, and not a little by George Pow, of Green, this united and affectionate band of Chris- tians became a strong and ruling church. It would take a page to record all who have reaped in this field, and who carry the kindnesses of this church in happy memory. In later years, H. Reeves and S. B. Teagarden have labored there with success. With Bro. White as associate overseer, and such men as Abram Shinn as deacons, this church has won a repu- tation for "durable riches and righteousness."
" Every wise woman buildeth her house," says Sol- omon. This church has had a number of " wise wom- en," to whom is due no small share of the credit of building up the Lord's house. To their prudence, piety, sound judgment, and perseverance, much more is owing than will be known till the day of judgment.
After a few years the effort was renewed in Salem, and a church established. Bro. Geo. Pow rendered effective service in planting it, and Alexander Pow also, who is a pillar in the congregation. The breth- ren, with enlightened liberality, have erected a large, substantial and commodious house. The congrega- tion, under the care of Bro. Spindler, ranks among the most permanent of the churches.
Bro. Geo. Pow, of Green, was long a leader and a stay of the churches in Columbiana County. He
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was a good scholar, and endowed with a breadth of good sense and candor, which made him superior in counsel. Critically read in literature, and especially in the Holy Scriptures, his speech was remarkable for correctness and richness of instruction. His re- cent death has left a void which a generation will not repair. The church in Green was much indebted to his wisdom for the strength and prosperity to which it attained.
THE CHURCH IN CANFIELD.
This church was formed January 12th, 1822, in David Hay's dwelling-house. Thomas Miller was the officiating minister. Deacon Samuel Hayden, William Hayden, and John Lane, from the church of Youngstown, and Elijah Canfield, Palmyra, were the counsel. The church was moderatively Calvin- istic ; progressive in spirit. The principal members were David Hays, William Dean, with their families, H. Edsell, Turner, Wood, and Myron Sackett.
In June, 1829, the following entry is made in the church record :
" The Baptist Church, constituted in 1822, so continued till 1829. During this time, the brethren in attending to the Word of God in search of truth, began to doubt the propriety of having creeds, or articles of faith, as bonds of church fellowship. The result was, throwing them away as useless, believing the Scriptures sufficient to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. We adopt them as our rule of faith and practice."
In the winter of 1827-8, Bro. Scott opened, at Simmons Sackett's, the plea of the ancient gospel. The second chapter of Acts, the opening of the
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kingdom, was his subject. He simplified, and en- forced it so pointedly that all saw, and most, on ex- amination, accepted the truth. He showed that all parties have the elements of the gospel, but differently arranged ; and that as the same letters would spell different words, according to the arrangement of them, so these gospel themes, set forth in one order, formed one theory on which one sect was built; in another order arose another sect. He contended ably for the restoration of the true, original, apostolic order of them, which would restore to the church the ancient gospel as preached by the apostles.
The interest became an excitement. All tongues were set loose in investigation, in defense, or in op- position ; which foreshadowed good results. Nothing so disastrous to the sailor as a dead calm. Let the vessel heave under a tempest, rather. The Bibles were looked up, the dust brushed off, and the people began to read. "I don't believe the preacher read that Scripture right." " My Bible does not read that way," says another. The book is opened, and lo ! there stand the very words ! In the first gospel ser- mon, too-the model sermon-as what " began at Jerusalem" was to be "preached to the ends of the earth." The air was thick with rumors of a "new religion," a "new Bible," and all sorts of injurious, and even slanderous imputations-so new had become the things which are as old as the days of the apos- tles.
Scott's sermons gave a mighty impulse to the work. Many converts were gained for Christ. Some of the old members received them with caution, but the church made them welcome, and, ere long, by the
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prudent exercise of Christian forbearance, they were, like " kindred drops," all " mingled into one."
Mr. Scott was often eccentric ; but he possessed the talent to sustain himself and turn his eccentricity to good account. On one occasion, when the whole country around was almost tremulous with the excited state of feeling, he managed to slip into the assem- bly unobserved, and seating himself far back with his cloak well about his face, and his broad-brimmed hat well drawn down, he sat listening to the remarks of the assembling multitude. The reader must remem- ber, as an excuse for the darkness of the room, that the candle was the "light of other days." The illu- minating oil still lay concealed in God's great cellar. One man says, in a low tone: "What do you think of Scott ?" without waiting a reply, " I never heard such a preacher ; he is hard on the sects, but he has the Bible on his tongue's end." Another : " I never
read such things in the Bible as he is telling us." His quick ear was catching these " droppings " of the peo- ple. The room became packed. "Do you think the preacher is coming ?" inquired one. "I wonder if he will not disappoint us to-night ?"
Then rising to full position, still sitting on his seat, laying back his cloak and removing his hat, Scott cried out in his magnificent voice, "And what went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind ? But what went ye out to see ? A man clothed in soft raiment ? But what went ye out to see ? A prophet ? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet." Matt. xi. Then with a sweep, and brilliancy, and point that astonished and instructed all, he discoursed on the ministry of John the Bap-
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tist ; the preparation of the gospel ; the introduction of Jesus by him to the Jewish nation; and carried his audience up to the crucifixion, the resurrection and coronation of the Lord of glory, and the descent on pentecost of the Holy Spirit, with the grand events of that "notable day of the Lord." It is needless to pause and describe the wonderful effect of this sud- den outburst and powerful rehearsal of the gospel upon his astonished auditors.
There were members here of sound judgment, conservative, but progressive and thoroughly settled in the conviction that the Holy Scriptures were a perfect as well as inspired guide. It is not surpris- ing that with such a people the preaching of Scott was held under cautious examination. All opposi- tion subsided, however, when they saw the new con- verts "full of joy and the Holy Spirit," and when they saw the Scripture language warranted the prac- tice introduced by the preacher. Such men as the Deans-father and sons-David Hays, and Myron Sacket were just the men for a new movement ; slow to start, but firm as a rock when convinced. These, with the devoted Ezra Leonard, and a number of women, such as those of whom Paul makes honor- able mention, formed a society as firm and intelligent as any on the Reserve.
It is to be regretted that history, dealing chiefly with the outward, sensible phenomena of a movement, fails too frequently in presenting the subjective part- the mental and emotional struggles-in which the visible and tangible facts originate. These heart con flicts and battles of conscience, are often in the highest degree instructive. Fortunately we are able
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