History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 97

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826

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"Mr. Davis, who built the house, had finished it a day or two before I was there, and to secure prompt payment, had locked it up. The people did not know what to do. On Sab- bath morning Mr. William Stanbery, a lawyer, took a boy with him to the house, raised the window and lifted in the boy, who opened the doors. The congregation, at the appointed hour entered, Mr. Davis and his family among the rest. There was no disturbance about it. Mr. Davis told me, at the close ci the meeting that he had promised not to open the house, but was glad it was done. My text that day was, 'I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."

The congregation having for the first time a house of worship of its own, elected William Trin- dle and Joseph Moore elders, secured regular pulpit ministrations and entered upon a new career of prosperity.

Mr. Baird was a Calvinist of the old school, and maintained his views persistently. During a por- tion of the time he resided here he engaged in teaching in connection with his ministerial work His first class was formed for the purpose of study- ing the Latin language. This class was composed of B. W. Brice, J. R. Stanbery, Nathaniel English. J. N. Wilson, John C. Gault, and John Moore. This class subsequently grew into one of greater numbers and a wider scope of study.

The pupils cherished for him the strongest at- tachment. On one occasion one of his pupils, 1.

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N. Wilson, having been maliciously, and without cause, threatened with a whipping by a boy belong- ing to another school, and having discovered that he was about to be assailed, turned upon his antagonist and gave him a severe handling. The teacher on the following morning, when the circum- stances of the case were explained, instead of ad- ministering the punishment that was apprehended, gave to the school in the clearest and most forcible manner his views upon the subject of self-defence, and the laws that should govern the social relations and intercourse of boys and men, at school and through life. He enjoined upon his pupils that they should always be careful not to be in the wrong, and when they were in the right they should not submit tamely to wrong and injustice, but in a manly way, maintain their rights.

In 1820 Mr. Baird resigned his charge and re- moved to Pennsylvania, where he continued pas- toral labor about ten years. While returning from a visit to the south he was attacked by disease, and died in North Carolina, January 7, 1839. He was a man of great vigor of intellect and energy of will. He was an old school man and very decided in his convictions."

In 1820 Rev. Solomon S. Miles preached a few times in Newark, and in April, 1821, came here to reside. He was a graduate of the Ohio university, at Athens, in the same class with Hon. Thomas Ewing, and Rev. Henry Perkins, D. D., or New Jersey.

Early in his ministry, a Sabbath-school was or- ganized-the first in this city. This was formed in June, 1822. A weekly prayer meeting was also established in the same year. About 1824-5, by the efforts of Mr. Miles, a more active missionary spirit was awakened. Considerable interest was also excited about the same time in the work of Bible and tract distribution in the town and over the county.

In the year 1825 the church building became unfit for occupancy. On the Fourth of July of that year occurred the ceremonies in connection with the opening of the Ohio canal. Many strangers were present, among whom were Hon. Thomas Ewing, Governor Morrow, Ex-Governor Worthington, Governor De Witt Clinton, of New York, and others. On the day preceding the cele-

bration (Sunday), a large audience, of which the distinguished strangers named formed a part, were assembled in the Presbyterian church. A severe storm arose during the service, and the roof being inadequate to the protection of the house against rain, the plastering began to fall from the ceiling in quantities somewhat alarming, and the congrega- tion becoming, in a measure, panic-stricken, abandoned the church, and fled through the storm to the old court house, injuring several persons in the rush and confusion. After this, the house was not long used. In the following year it was sold to Mr. Z. Davis, the gentleman who erected it, and removed.

The congregation now worshipped for a time in the old court house again, and in a school-house near the locks of the canal not far from the pres- ent location of the Episcopal church, and subse- quently in the upper portion of the market house, a building that stood at the east end of West Main street. Religious services were held here until the present church edifice was erected.

January 24, 1827, an act was passed by the legislature entitled "an act to incorporate the First Presbyterian society of the town of Newark, in the county of Licking."

The corporators were James Taylor, Jacob Wil- son, John J. Brice, James M. Taylor, Bradley Buckingham, Hugh Scott, John Blaney, E. S. Woods, A. H. Caffee, Henry Smith and N. Cherry.

Owing to ill health Mr. Miles was released from his pastoral charge here, May 18, 1831. The church was then united and harmonious, and numbered sixty members.

Rev. James Harrison, a young man, supplied the pulpit for a short time before Mr. Miles' re- signation.

June 30, 1832, Rev. William Wylie, of Wheel- ing, Virginia, visited the church, by invitation, with a view to permanent settlement. The next day, Sunday, July Ist, the new church edifice was opened for the first time for the reception of a congregation. This building was erected by Brad- ley Buckingham and Buckingham Sherwood, and the pews were assessed and sold at such rates as to cover the cost of its construction and the value of the ground on which it stood. It, with the lot on which it is located, was conveyed by deed to

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the church in 1834, by Bradley Buckingham and Buckingham and Albert Sherwood, for four thou- sand dollars.

When the house was built, the pulpit was much higher than it now is, in accordance with the pre- vailing style of church architecture at that time; and it occupied a place at the opposite end of the house between the doors, the gallery extending across the west end.

The bell was purchased in 1834 or 1835, and cost three hundred dollars. Mr. Wylie was called June 17, 1833, and installed the sixth of August following. The elders at this time were James Reeder, Jonas Ward, Robert Milligan and Luman Woodruff. In 1835 the membership was one hundred and sixty-two.

A series of difficulties extending through sev- eral years, culminated in December, 1836, in the withdrawal from this church of more than twenty members, who, with others, organized the Second Presbyterian church of this city.

Dr. Wylie continued his ministry here until 1854, through a period of more than twenty-two years. His was the longest pastorate the church had. He was, when he resigned, in his seventy- eighth year. He was a graduate of Jefferson college, and died in May, 1858, aged eighty-two years. He was succeeded by Rev. William M. Robinson, who had been his nearest neighbor in the ministry for ten and a half years. Mr. Rob- inson, a native of Pennsylvania, was installed June 8, 1855, and his pastoral relation with the church ceased June 1, 1862. During his pastor- ate, an old debt was cancelled, important repairs put upon the church edifice, and one hundred and sixteen persons received into the church.

He was followed by Rev. A. S. Milholland in 1862, and Rev. H. T. Alexander in 1863. Rev. Henry M. Hervey began preaching to the congre- gation in May, 1863, and was installed December 15, 1863. Mr. Hervey was followed by Rev. Will- iam F. Brown, who was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. R. R. Moore.

The following is a list of the elders of this church from its organization to the present time: David Moore, 1808; James Taylor, 1808; Jacob Wilson, 1809; William Trindle, 1815; Joseph Moore, 1815; Noah Owen, 1818; Lewis Godden,

1818; James Reeder, 1829; Jonas Ward, 1830; .Chester Wells, 1829'; Robert Milligan, 1830; Moses Moore, 1829; Luman Woodruff, 1833; George Wilson, 1836, John Wolf, 1836; James Belford, 1836; Nathan Barnes, 1836; E. J. Lewis, 1850; S. J. Reynolds, 1850; M. W. Swan, 1857: W. H. Winegardner, 1857; T. J. Davis, 1867: George F. Moore, 1867, and W. D. Hamilton, 1867. Among the later elders are J. C. Galbraith. Mr. Bates, Dr. Wotring, and in 1880 Mr. John Fulton, of Lockport, and Mr. William A. Jones were elected. Of all those who have held this office, Robert Milligan, yet living on Second street, has exercised its functions the longest term of years, having acted in the capacity of elder from 1830 to the present time.

A choir was formed in 1833 or 1834, of which Samuel H. Bancroft was the leader.

The first Sabbath-school organized in Newark, was in connection with this church, in June, 1822. It was called "The Newark association for afford- ing Sabbath-school instruction." It had twelve "articles of association," which provided for the election of a superintendent and four managers, by the members annually, on the first Monday in October; for the opening of the school at eight o'clock, A. M .; for its opening and closing with prayer; for instruction in the Scriptures, and in the Westminster shorter catechism, not making, how- ever, the study of the catechism obligatory upon all the pupils. They enjoined punctuality and dilligence upon all the teachers, and prohibited corporeal punishment in the school "Entreaty, persuasion, reproof, suitable rewards, and every means calculated to win the affections and secure the good behavior and attention of the scholars to their duties, will be resorted to; when these fail to secure the end proposed, recourse will be had to expulsion."

These articles were signed by S. S. Miles, L Godden, H. R. Gilmore, Charles Sager, J. Mathiot. George Shaver, C. W. Adams, John Cunningham, Jonathan Taylor, Thomas Taylor, Eliza Young, Ann Brice, Lucy C. Gilmore, Olive Taylor, and Sarah C. Burnham. Lewis Godden was elected superin- tendent the first year, and Miss Sarah Burnham. Mrs. Ann Brice, Rev. S. S. Miles, and Joshua Mathiot, were made managers.

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The school was held in the church edifice until at building became unfit for occupancy in 1825, hen it was held in the old court house. While it 'as held here, Rev. Mr. Judson, an agent of the american Sunday-school Union, visited this place, nd, assisted by Mr. Miles, they raised funds for ne purchase of a library-the first in Newark for abbath-school use.

The school subsequently held its meetings in the chool-house near the canal locks; in the upper art of the market-house; in a brick building be- onging to David Moore, in the northeast corner of he public square; in a school-room fitted up by Mr. Miles, in the rear of the present church building, before its completion. From here it vent into the present church building.

There was considerable prejudice against the jabbath-school in its early history here. A gentle- nan who was teaching school in this place in 1831, ind who was strongly opposed to the institution of he Sabbath-school, announced, on a certain Mon- lay morning, that it was his intention to discipline y dismissing from his school all his scholars who nad attended the Sabbath-school on the previous lay; and, for the purpose of ascertaining who the offending parties were, required them to rise to their feet. Somewhat surprised to see that all the school, except his own two children, rose, and not wishing so suddenly to be thrown out of employ- ment, he immediately said: " You can take your seats."

In 1832 the school numbered eighty-nine pu- pils and fourteen teachers. The school is at pres- ent a large and flourishing one. The following gen- tlemen have been superintendents: Lewis Godden, Robert C. Gist, Mark Howe, James Young, John Wolf, John Moore, Robert Milligan, E. J. Lewis, Henry S. Martin, L. P. Coman, T. J. Davis, Rev. W. M. Robinson, George B. Wright, W. H. Wine- gardner, Rev. H. M. Hervey, W. D. Hamilton, and the present pastor, Rev. R. R. Moore.

The school is provided with a library of several hundred volumes.

The Second Presbyterian Church. - The forego- ing history of the First church alludes to the fact of the organization of the Second church in the

simple statement that "A series of difficulties ex- tending through several years, culminated in De- cember, 1836, in the withdrawal from this church of more than twenty members, who, with others, organized the Second Presbyterian church of this city."

July 16, 1876, the pastor of the church, Rev. Howard Kingsbury, preached an historical sermon on the fortieth anniversary of the Second church, from which is gleaned the following history of that congregation.

Stating the causes which led to the organization of this church as briefly and accurately as possible, it may be said the first disaffection in the old church in this place sprang up immediately upon the call extended to the Rev. Mr. Wylie, who was not the choice of a considerable number of the congregation. This was publicly known, and va- rious inaffectual attempts were made to reconcile the disaffected members. At length, in February, 1836, disciplinary measures were brought against six prominent members of the church-Asa Beck- with, James Nailer, Starr Baldwin, N. H. Seymour, Thomas H. Bushnell, and James Young. Of these, all but the last two effected a compromise with the session. Messrs. Bushnell and Young determined to stand trial. Their cases were finally settled in the presbytery in the spring of that year, that body not sustaining any of the charges brought against them.

At this time the question of forming a separate church, which would not have been thought of a little while before, began to be agitated, and steps were taken in that direction. A petition was pre- sented to an adjourned meeting of the presbytery, April 21, 1836, signed by "fifty-one members and supporters of the church and congregation of Newark, praying to be set off as a Second church in Newark. It was moved and seconded that the petition be received, and after considerable discus- sion the motion was put and carried in the affirma- tive."-(Minutes, Presbytery of Lancaster, pp. 145, 146.) Notice was given that an appeal would be taken from this decision. Against the petition a remonstrance was presented, signed by a hun- dred and twenty-eight members and supporters of the church of Newark. The matter was at length referred to a committee consisting of Revs. Sam-

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uel W. Rose and Jacob Little, and Elder William Thompson, of Jersey.

At a called meeting held in Newark, December 27, 1836, against the very assembling of which protests and appeals were presented by different members, a memorial was addressed to presbytery, signed by forty-five names, members and support- ers of the church of Newark, asking to be organiz- ed with all who may chose to associate with them, into a Second Presbyterian church in Newark, or the dissolution of the pastoral relation between the Rev. William Wylie and the church and congrega- tion of Newark .- (Minutes Presbytery of Lancas- ter, p. 171.) This was considered at length, and it was finally

Resolved, that they grant the memorialists their request,- so far as it relates to the organization of a Second Presbyterian church in Newark .- (ibid., p. 172.)

and the Revs. Roswell Tenney, William H. Beecher and Charles M. Putnam, with Elders Chester Wells and Jonas Ward were appointed a committee to organize the church. This duty they carried out faithfully on December 29, 1836.

The sermon was preached by Rev. W. H. Beecher, who alone survives of this committee, from Romans 1:16-17.

Thirty-one members of the church at Newark presented themselves, and were duly organized into the Second Presbyterian church. Their names as they appear on the journal of that day's proceedings are Henry Shurtz, James Nailer, Ma- tilda Edwards, Ann Nailer, Ruth Stephenson, Sa- rah Beckwith, Mary Baldwin, Sarah Smith, Eliza- beth Breakbill, Thirza Gregory, Jonas Ward, Mary Houston, Sarah Steel, Charlotte Cook, Ann Mead, Mary Ann King, Benjamin Ells, James Young, Jane Doolittle, Sabra Ells, Sarah Young, Leah Hollar, Margaret Scott, Martha Seymour, Jennet Shurtz, Sarah Woods, N. H. Seymour, C. S. Gil- bert, Starr Baldwin, Asa Beckwith, and Peter Breakbill. Jonas Ward, James Young and Asa Beckwith were elected ruling elders. Mr. Ward be- ing an elder was installed, and the others ordained.

The church was now organized and ready for work; but the matter did not rest here. An ap- peal was taken from the decision of the presby- tery, and a protest against their action in forming the Second church; and from the decision of the

synod, reversing the action of the presbytery, the session of this church took an appeal to the gen- eral assembly.

In May, 1838, however, the general assembly divided into two branches, known as old and new school. In the following fall the synod of Ohio divided at its meeting at Lancaster; and the new school presbytery of Lancaster held its first meeting, according to appointment, at Jersey, De- cember 11th of. the same year. Although it was not the case with the synod at large that all who had been considered "new measure" men went with the new school, and all extreme Calvinists with the old; it is stated as nearly, if not exactly, the fact that all who had opposed the organization of this church formed the old school presbytery, while those who had favored it formed the new school. Naturally, therefore, this church sought the continued companionship and assistance of its tried friends.

Thus, while the division of the church at large had nothing to do with the division of the Presby- terian family in this place, it nevertheless came to pass that by this greater division all ecclesiastical opposition to this minor division was ended; and the Second Presbyterian church was duly recog- nized by, and represented in, presbytery.

The first services of the new church were held in the school-house in the rear of the old church. Without a pastor they enjoyed the occasional services of neighboring ministers, and at other times one of their number read a sermon.

Late in April, 1837, a young man, Alexander Duncan, who had been brought up in the city of Troy, New York, under the pastorate of Dr. Bee- man, and by him prevailed upon to consecrate himself to the work of the ministry, was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Cincinnati.

He was not ordained or installed, however, until some time later, being received from the pres- bytery of Cincinnati, by the presbytery of Lan- caster (new school) at its first meeting, December 11, 1838; and set apart to the ministry and in stalled pastor of this church, Thursday, April + 1839. Rev. W. H. Beecher preached the serm 00 The moderator, Rev. Jacob Little, presided and gave the charge to the people. The ordaining prayer was made by Rev. Samuel W. Rose.

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In the spring of 1837 an arrangement was made ith the county commissioners for the use of a ry-room in the second story of the court house. This was fitted up at an expense of about a Indred dollars, with an unpainted pulpit and un- tinted pews, which afterwards did service in the asement of the first building erected. The sec- d year permission was given to use the same vom a while longer. From this room the church as summarily ejected; being granted time barely · remove their furniture, it having been discov- ed by the county commissioners that such an :cupation of it by a religious society was a per- ersion of its original design.

At a meeting held May 29, 1838, a committee as appointed, consisting of James Young, E. S. 'oods, and Jonas Ward, "to fix a site for a church, id report plans and expense of house built of ick or wood." June 14th, it was determined to 'oceed at once. The west half of the east half ` in-lot number twenty-five, together with a nar- w strip running north, had been quietly secured / Mr. Young more than a year before, with refer- ice to this object, and by him was delivered at ost, for the sum of five hundred and twenty-three ollars. A soliciting committee was appointed, onsisting of Messrs J. Young. E. S. Woods, . Beckwith, B. Sherwood, and A. C. Edgell, who eae enabled o tprocure, on the first subscription, le amount of two thousand four hundred and xty-one dollars.

Of the fifty-five names, three subscribed three undred dollars each; two, two hundred; four, ne hundred. The rest are smaller, running down even two dollars. Among the original subscrip- ons was one of an eight day clock, that was sold r thirty dollars. The gentleman who had charge f it when sold, took it, set it up on the mantel, ound it and set it going. That clock is said to ave celebrated the occasion by striking, not twelve le first time, but a hundred and forty-four. It vidently did its best.

July 26th, the following gentlemen were ap- ointed a building committee: Messrs. Doolittle, 'oung, Beckwith, Seymour, and Woods; Mr. eymour being appointed treasurer. All questions f detail were left to them, and on August 24th, hey entered into contract with Messrs. Reeder &

Rodgers for a frame building, "thirty-eight feet by fifty-two feet, and twenty feet high, between sills and plates;" the basement to be completed by December Ist.

It was not ready for use until February 17, 1839, when, with glad hearts, the church, who had mean- time been worshipping in a large room in the sec- ond story of Mr. Beckwith's store, on the south side of the square, took possession for the first time of a church home they could call their own.

A bass-viol that had been presented to the choir by Mr. Buckingham Sherwood, on condition that it should be used, had, unseen, lent its aid to music of that happy day; but on the next Sunday its presence was disclosed to the horror of one of the little original band of worshippers, who at once arose and withdrew, and never set foot again with- in the desecrated walls. The efforts of her pastor to remove her prejudice were unavailing, she per- sisting that she would never "sit and see any one pretending to worship God by scraping on the Devil's backbone."

March 15, 1839, the Second Presbyterian church was duly incorporated by an act of the legislature; Samuel D. King, John Metcalf, Alfred Doolittle, Asa Beckwith, Ezekiel S. Woods and JamesYoung being the corporators.

Divine service continued to be held in the hum- ble room just described, for a little over a year, when the audience-room above was completed, and on April 16, 1840, solemnly dedicated to God. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. Addison Kingsbury, of Putnam, on the text, Exo- dus 25:8.

The first addition to the membership of the church was on the last Sabbath of May, 1837, when eleven united with it. During that year twenty-three were added, five of them on profes- sion of their faith, making a total of fifty-two. There was a steady growth until 1848, the largest accession being in 1842, during which year the church enjoyed a visit from Rev. Dr. Lindsley, then president of Marietta college. The interest which had for a long time been increasing then culminated, and forty-five members were added, thirty of them on examination.

The whole number added to the church under Mr. Duncan's ministry of nearly sixteen years was

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two hundred and sixteen, making in all two hun- dred and forty-seven members.

January 11, 1853, Rev. Mr. Duncan resigned his pastoral charge, having been chosen superintendent of the public schools of this city. His resignation was accepted at a meeting of the church and con- gregation held the next day, though the pastoral relation was not formally dissolved until the spring meeting of presbytery; and he continued to supply the pulpit mainly until the spring of 1854.

In February, 1854, a proposition was made by the First church looking to the union of the two churches. The correspondence was friendly, but resulted in nothing; the main point at issue, so far as the resolutions of the respective parties indicate, being that of the ecclesiastical connection of the reunited church. Naturally the First church ad- hered to the old school presbytery of Zanesville; as naturally the Second church preferred the new school presbytery of Pataskala.

Rev. Simon J. Humphrey, a graduate of Bow- doin college, Maine, in 1848, and of Andover seminary in 1852, preached here six Sabbaths early in the year 1854. A call was extended to him March 8th of that year, which, being accepted, he was ordained to the ministry, and installed pastor the eighth day of the following June; Professor Allen, of Lane seminary, preaching the sermon.

That year the cholera prevailed here, and in the pastor's note-book is preserved this sad record; "Sunday, August 27th. This is the cholera Sab- bath. Ten burials to-day."

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 97

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr. Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages: 826

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826