USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 39
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tion, and ascension of Christ-while reciting the other decades ; so that, while the tongue is em- ployed in praising God in the most beautiful forms of prayer, the mind is engaged in contem- plating those miracles of grace and love which He has lavished on man.
Zanesville is in the Diocese of Columbus, of which Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson, D. D., was consecrated Bishop, in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Columbus. August 8th, 1880; the ceremony of consecration was conducted by Bishop Elder, of Cincinnati. The following prelates assisted : J. B. Purcell, Archbishop of Cincinnati ; Coadjutor Bishop Elder ; Bishop McClosky, of Louisville, Kentucky ; Bishop Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, Arkansas ; Bishop Twigg, Bishop Chatard, Bish- op Toebbe and Bishop Dwenger.
SOUTH STREET A. M. E. CHURCH .- This church was organized by the Rev. - Freeman, in the year 1826, at the house of Ellen Feelin, on Seventh street, between Market and Main streets. Meetings were held at her house about three months, and subsequently in a small building on Market street, east of Seventh street. Henry Adkison was local preacher, and Miss - John- son, class leader.
The first members were : Henry Adcrisson, Jar- ed Jenkins, Harriet Jenkins, David Woodlock, Sarah Woodlock, Rachel Ford, Margaret Dar- nal, Harriet Carter, William Lowery, Barbara Lowery, Peter Stanton, Margaret Henderson, Sarah Robertson, Enos Jones. Charlotte Marlon. Elizabeth Stephens, Solomon Walker, Mary Hill, Clarissa Walker and Elizabeth Walker.
The first church edifice erected by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, organized as above, was a small brick building near the river, a little east of Eighth street. From this brick church. they removed to a frame school house, on Put- nam Hill. "At this place, under the pastorate of the Rev. George W. Coleman, they were bless- ed with a gracious revival, and a large accession to the church." From " Putnam Hill" they re- moved back to Zanesville, into a frame church, which they built on Ninth street, near South. While in this church; they experienced another revival, under Rev. Lawrence Newman. Here, also, the Sabbath-School was organized. Henry Newsom was the first Superintendent ; there was one teacher and seven or eight scholars ; the school flourished and was a source of pride.
The congregation remained in the frame church for several years, when they purchased a brick church on South street, between Third and Fourth streets, formerly occupied and owned by the Protestant Methodists. They built a new brick church on the same site, in 1876 ; the length is sixty-three feet, and the width forty-five feet, and cost seven thousand dollars.
The following ministers have served the church-the time of the year not given-begin- ning with 1856.
Rev. A. R. Greene, served two years ; Rev. David Smith, two years ; Rev. S. H. Thompson, two years ; J. A. Shorter, three years ; Rev. John Tibbs, three years ; Rev. G. W. Clark, one
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year ; Rev. J. A. Warren, two years ; Rev. J. W. Eades, one year ; Rev. Lewis Woodson, one year ; Rev. Jeremiah Lewis, two years ; Rev. M. W. Walker, two years ; Rev. J. W. Riley, six months ; Rev. J. A. Nelson, two years ; Rev. A.A. Whitman, eighteen months ; Rev. G. H. Graham, two years ; Rev. John G. Mitchell-now in charge, beginning September 2d, 1879. In addition, the following are Local Preachers : T. J. Barnett, N. B. King and Amos Grey. The official members are as follows :
Trustees-N. G. Grant, Washington Turner, William Pinn, James Guy, Alfred Dickinson, Rice Barnett, Benjamin Messer, Washington Johnson and Daniel Grayson.
Stewards-T. J. Barnett, N. T. Grant, Con- way Tibbs, W. H. Carter, M. Clinton, Samuel Guy, M. M. Simpson, Joseph S. Brown and N. B. King.
Stewardesses-Eva Sawyer, Martha Carter, Eliza Messer, Charlotte Barnett, Melissa Dol- man, Cecillia Caliman, Dorcas Tate, Lucy Clin- ton, Mary Tate.
Class Leaders-Rice Barnett, George W. Turner, Charles Grant, Samuel Guy, T. J. Bar- nett, Conway Tibbs, Charles Sawyer and A. J. Carter.
Sabbath School Officers -Superintendent. Charles H. Sawyer ; Assistant, Eliza Messer.
Treasurer-Charles S. Harrison ; Secretary, Wm. L. Hardy.
Secretary-Eva Guy ; Librarian, Edward Turner; Assistant Jennie Guy. Chorister --- George Simpson ; Organist, Minnie Barnett.
This church is subject to the Ohio Annual Conference of the A. M. E. Church, which meets according to appointment. The Bishop is A. W. Wayne, D. D., of Baltimore, Mary- land.
The congregation numbers two hundred and thirty-four. The Sunday School numbers two hundred, and teachers fifteen.
MARKET STREET BAPTIST CHURCH .- About the year 1832, a little band of devoted Christians met in what was then known as the Market Street Academy, and organized what is known as the Market Street Baptist Church, of Zanes- ville, Ohio. Their meetings for worship were held in the court house, for a short time, and then in a small building on South street, not far from Seventh. And such were the difficulties with which they had to contend that "they wept when they remembered Zion." They were more intent, doubtless, on doing what they could to win souls to the Master, than keeping a record of their doings, and so many of those pioneers have passed "over the river"-and the difficulty in consulting the few survivors is so great-indeed fairly impossible, that we have been confined to the traditions of those who have come after them.
Rev. S. W. Hall, an earnest worker, was one of the principal leaders of the enterprise, and rendered efficient aid in the inauguration of the church, and its firm foundation. The records
of 1835 give information of a movement toward the erection of a church. The lot was donated by "Father Mills," and was a magnificent dona- tion. The record does not show, however, any details of erecting this church, only that the at- tempt of this little band of workers was made in great faith-and with immense sacrifice. The building was begun in 1836, and finished about 1839. It was a commodious and somewhat ele- gant church edifice, for that day, located on the east side of North Sixth street, between Market and North streets.
Removing there, the church, as a body, de- termined to retain the name, "Market Street," as one too dear in association, and too closely identified with early struggles, to be given up, and it is known as "the Market Street Baptist Church," to this day. At the dedication of this home, Rev. George I. Miles-of the East-one of a family of five brothers-all ministers-was present, and the lot fell to this able minister to lead in the pastorate of this young church, for a number of years. He was a man of noble aspi- rations, tender in sympathy, simple in manner, and a fearless preacher of the Gospel. Such was his magnetic influence that he inspired the confidence of all who knew him. Men rallied around him, and he loved the preaching of the word-the hour of prayer-and the singing of the songs of Zion-and the blessed enjoyment of leading souls into the baptismal waters. The writer of these outlines has often heard it stated that George I. Miles was emphatically the in- spiring spirit, and the successful founder of the church.
There was scarcely a Sabbath during a good part of his ministry, that he did not welcome some one to the Lord's Supper, as a new con- vert to the faith he so earnestly contended for. His pastorate was, perhaps, one of the most suc- cessful of any in that day, in southeastern Ohio.
The executive work of the church, on the other hand, was noted for extreme slowness. Men did not "rush things" then-they deliberated- they sat together in council for hours, and gave solemn and earnest thought, in debate, to matters which would now be turned off or hurried through in a few moments.
Rev. Mr. Miles was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Sheppardson, a graduate of Brown Uni- versity-who came- to the field accidentally-but was a workman who had no need to be ashamed -although his pastorate was brief. For several months after his pastorate, the church was with- out a pastor, yet maintained all its appointments, supplying its pulpit with the best talent at com- mand, and specially observing the business ses- sions, and the ordinances in which the faith of a Christian body is strengthened ; and just here was seen the fact that much of the success of this church was dne, as it has been since, to the very stable character of its lay members. They were men, frequently of radical convictions, executive ability and fine social standing.
One of the greatest problems with which churches of a democratic form of government
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
have to contend. is the tendency of party feeling and prejudice to show itself in a dominating manner, in business matters ; and in this they were no exception-differences arose, opinions clashed. and party feelings became intense, and even bitter : but nevertheless, Christian integrity, executive ability, brain culture, and heartfelt pi- ety, were frequently found sufficient in the Church to meet every demand.
Dr. Sheppardson has risen to the foremost rank in the denomination. His work in the Young Ladies' College, at Granville, Ohio, has made him a name and a place of merited distinc- tion ; he is an enthusiastic advocate of the high- er education of women, a man of sterling integ- rity, and a recognized force. The probable cause of his removal from the pastorate of this church, may be found in the fact of his leader- ship being too radical and fast for the conserva- tism so prominent in the churches of that day. Dr. Sheppardson "believes in Almighty God, and the Baptist Church."
One of the interesting events of the interval following his pastorate, and one in which the church may have just pride, was the coming out into a new sphere of duty of Rev. Jefferson Chambers, now a member of the church, and an honored minister of the Gospel. A young man of more than ordinary ability, he was in the successful and honorable pursuit of business, when it appeared to him a duty and a privilege to devote his life to the work of the Gospel min- istry. He converted his business into available funds, stated his convictions of duty to the church, and soon after left for Granville Col- lege, to pursue a course of study. Mr. Cham- bers was a young man of sterling integrity, good judgment. and earnest piety-and has been one of the best pastors Ohio Baptists have ever had. He has enjoyed long pastorates, and uniformly succeeded in building up and unifying every work he has undertaken. He began his studies in 1845, and has been an ornament to the work of the Lord, and a brother greatly beloved in the church. He is, to-day, once more a member of the Market Street Baptist Church.
Some time in November, 1846, Rev. N. N. Woods, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was called to the pastorate of the church. During his pastor- ate, it does not appear that very many accessions were made to the church. Mr. Woods was evi- dently not an evangelist, but, rather, a man for quiet, symmetrical work. He held the affairs of the church, especially its business matters, with a firm. conservative grasp, and to him, undoubt- edly, was due much of the solidity and strength evinced by the church during days of frequent discipline and church trials. At this epoch, ap- pear the names of men like Palmer, Cox, Dow- ner, Bigelow, Rogers, Huey, Sheppard, Potts, and Eastman, all of them laymen of very marked and decided character.
Probably, the influence of such men often saved the church from revolution and disintegra- tion complete, as the strain of discipline, of fre- quent exclusions, and heated discussions, was
enough in itself to test most thoroughly the ca- pacity and strength of any body of men com- bined under a democratic, or congregational, form of government. It is worthy of note by those who read modern church history in this county, that circus-going, card-playing, neglect of prayer meeting, and ill feeling or resentment toward brethren, were some of the causes in that day, of the most stringent and careful dis- cipline. Pastor Wood's work was signalized by some additions, numerous cases of discipline. and, be it said to his credit, the securing of a larger beneficence on the part of the church towards the various Baptist missionary enter- prises of the day.
In 1848, Rev. L. G. Leonard, D.D., one of the ablest, and most earnest, men in the ranks of the Baptist ministry, was called to the pastor- ate of the church. Mr. Leonard was a man, slow of speech, methodic, practical, but, withal, a tender and true shepherd.
One of the first difficulties confronting Rev. Leonard, was the debt upon the meeting-house, certain needed repairs upon the same, and the necessity of liquidating an obligation still re- maining, toward a late pastor. Dr. Leonard went forward, nothing doubting, and soon mas- tered these difficulties. Similar to the work of Rev. George Miles, was the work of Dr. Leon- ard, in respect to gathering the people together, and gaining the attention of men to the matter of their spiritual welfare. The baptisms were not in very large numbers at any one time, but occurred one by one, quietly, and here and there, in the history of his pastorate. His work was solid, and conservative ; yet, he was not averse to extra revival efforts. A notable illustration of this fact occurred in the great effort of Elder Jacob Knapp, in connection with Dr. Leonard's pastorate. The revival did not result in many conversions, but was signal- ized by all the fierce discussion, the reform and confusion caused by the preaching of such men as "turn the world upside down." Jacob Knapp found in the pastor, a co-laborer and friend, rather than a critic. The mention of Dr. Leon- ard, his quiet influence, his grand and pious character, brings to mind a significant fact in connection with the history of pastorates in this church, namely : that almost all the pastors were those whom the educational institutions of the denomination had honored with degrees. They were "Doctors of Divinity" not only, but were every way worthy of that distinction, having thorough and systematic training in the schools, and having achieved a standing in the world of letters. One of the invariable and oft-repeated remarks heard among the membership to-day, is this : "This church has always had good pas- tors." Purity, growth, affectionate good will, and spiritual-mindedness, were a part of the rich heritage of this pastorate.
Following Elder Knapp's services, under the pastorate of Dr. Leonard, there were upwards of seventy-five accessions to the church, among
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them many young persons, many of whom are alive and remaining at this day.
A very notable event occurred soon after, in the exclusion of large numbers from the church ; and closely following this, the resignation of their good and efficient pastor, who had served for nearly seven years. Brother Leonard was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Roberts. Dr. Roberts is yet living, and serves the denomination in the capacity of instructor in one of the "Colored Schools" of the south. There is little to indi- cate that his pastorate was marked by any great degree of success. He is well spoken of, and the records of the Church give no evidence of other than pleasant relations between him and the people. Extensive repairs were made upon the church during his brief pastorate, extending through a period of seventeen months.
On the 5th of April, 1857, Rev. Alfred Pinney, of the Erie Street Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, was called to the pastorate. The period of his work was one of considerable growth and development, notwithstanding the severe trials of local conflicts and controversies of a political nature, almost equal in bitterness to the red han- ded contest which was soon to spread over the country.
Rev. Pinney was successful, however, in main- taining good congregations, in paying off debts, and, by the blessing of God, in adding to the church many who have proven noble and earnest workers in the vineyard. Among these, was William H. Stenger, a graduate of Dennison University, of the class of 1869, and of Roches- ter Theological Seminary, of the class of 1873. He was a faithful pastor, a clear and logical ex- pounder of God's word, and a brilliant Sunday School worker. During his pastorate of nearly three years, there appears for the first time upon the minutes of the church a record of system- atic and large hearted giving to the various de- nominational benevolent societies. Undoubted- ly, giving had been a part of previous church enterprise, but under this pastorate it appears to have been brought out into a new dignity, and given a new character; the benevolence of the church has generally been increased from year to year.
During Dr. Pinney's pastorate, a schism, which finally went throughout almost all northern churches and homes, arose, and the result was a final dissolution of the relationship.
The great " American Conflict," and the ex- termination of slavery, which this man prophe- sied, at length came.
In 1860, April ist, what was then known as the Sixth Street Baptist Church, formally, and as a body, came into the Market Street Church. It was a fine occasion, and considerably strength- ened the old family, which had by this time been bereft of many children.
The church, as now constituted, called to its parochial office, the Rev. N. A. Reed, of Mid- dletown, New York. Coming, as he did, at a critical period in the history of all affairs,.it was a peculiar testing of Dr. Reed's ability. to pre-
side over a church so singularly identified with the interests of the country, as was this one. Many brave men from among its communicants and congregation were found at the front of ser- vice during the war. Notable among these, was the almost entire male portion of the family of Prof. H. D. Munson. Himself and three or four sons went into the fray, and there did faithful, soldier-like service for God and country, as, at home, this family has done for God and human- ity. Quietly, but efficiently, its members have served the Market street Baptist Church, in va- rious important positions, for years, and have, indeed, borne "the labor and the heat of the day." The ministry of Dr. Reed was one of gallant service at home. He was pre-eminently a "war pastor," or a kind of home chaplain. He suffered the depletion of his church, the sacrifice of the people for the cause, the loss of his own son in the strife, held on in faith and prayer, at- tended the funerals of dead soldier boys who were brought home, made war speeches, preached patriotic sermons, and generally made for him- self a place and name in Zanesville, which will long be remembered. He was social, tender in heart, loving as a pastor, and generally beloved. For seven years, amid the depressions, disap- pointments and struggles incident to the times, he held on, and made his record as a true soldier of the gospel. Some revivals were enjoyed, and. notwithstanding the four years of war, his pas- torate was one of growth and efficiency. Such men as Cox, Palmer, (Addison), Munson, Garry, Rishtine, Conrade, Fisher, Shrigley, Clossman, and others, were active then. and they, with men like Charles Munson. F. J. Shultz, D. B. Garry, Jr., T. F. Spangler, Esq., Thomas Coul- ton, John Gurley, and Walter Bird, of a later period, have made the pastorates of more men than Dr. Reed, eminently successful in a busi- ness point of view.
The Rev. Mr. Vary, an excellent preacher, a. man of personal piety and spiritual mindedness, succeeded Pastor Reed. His was only a voice in the wilderness, proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord for a little time, and then passing away. It was a most trying and mysterious providence which removed him so soon from a place of influence, happiness, and great good. It is not improbable that the stay of Mr. Vary with the church gave rise to a higher and nobler type of piety in the hearts of the membership. His death soon followed, and the tidings of that event came with crushing effect upon the hearts of the people who had enjoyed his teachings, his pray- ers, and the sweet benediction of his influence. Near the year 1870, after a protracted supply on the part of Rev. Mr. Beach, a young man of ex- cellent qualifications, and one who was ordained while acting as pastor, the Rev. R. S. James, now President of Judsonia University, Arkansas. was called to the pastorate. Brother James gave evidence at once of possessing more than aver- age ability, and entered heartily upon his work. At no period, perhaps. of forty years history. was a larger number of young people gathered
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into the church, than at this. Just here, or per- haps with the beginning of Brother Vary's pas- torate, the Sabbath School work began to be felt in the church. The nursery began to yield, and some of those who are among the most promis- ing constituency of the church at present, were brought in from the Sabbath School. Previous to this, the baptisms which occurred seemed to be the result of conquest in the open field. The Sabbath School was more neglected in that el- der day, but when effort was put forth, those old warriors brought down "large game." From 1870, adult baptisms have been less frequent than formerly, but the Sabbath School, under the efficient care of Prof. H. D. Munson, has been for ten or twelve years, the right arm of the church. Indeed, it would be almost the ex- termination of the church were its primary teach- ing, its Bible classes, its giving and singing to be given up. Prof. Munson's well-known abili- ity as a chorus leader and director of music, have given him a 'vantage ground in this department possessed by very few Sabbath School leaders. The market street Baptist Sabbath School has a history second only to the church for all that is praiseworthy, beneficent, and grand in Christian enterprise.
Dr. James succeeded admirably in his chosen calling, and, in fact, throughout his pastorate, until the time of his turning aside to another pro- fession.
His pastorate was a brief one, but signalized by great good in many important respects. At this point, however, the church had grown to a standing and influence which enabled it to go forward under almost any Christian leadership. Such men as Caleb D. Coldwell, then President of the Board of Trustees, a man able to recast and frame in the most simple, yet theological dress Baptist articles of faith. with Thomas Dur- ban, Esq., in the Executive Board, H. D. Mun- . son, Superintendent of Sunday School, and Bi- ble class teachers like D. B. Garry, Esq., would make any right minded pastorate a fair suc- cess.
Rev. James was succeeded by Rev. R. An- drew Griffin. of Weymouth, England, a student of Spurgeon's in theology, and a graduate of Regent Park College, London. His genius, youth and pe- culiar methods of sermonizing, his freshness of thought and originality of manner, produced a very general and decided impulse for activity and growth. His labors were blest with a good de- gree of success, and his pastorate for many months had a tone of genialness that was wel- comed by all. But association with liberalizing ministers, the misguided research of a man not properly trained in theology, and the morbidness of an ambitious mind, defeated in some of its cherished dreams, soon wrought a sad change. The fresh and David-like English boy, who came with the simple story of Christian faith and hope upon his lips, changed to a morbid cynic, a phi- losophizing misanthrope, a demoralized doubter. In 1875, his pastorate (of nearly four years) be- gan to wane in power and efficiency, and seems
to have grown worse, until, in March, 1876, when it ended in his own confessed despair, and in almost wrecking the old church, so long a sur- vivor of other, but no greater, perils. Mr. Grif- fin's subtle and confessed attempt, for one whole year, to indoctrinate the church with heresy, was at once a proof of the thorough work which had been done before, and the intelligence, integrity and faith of the membership. The attempt was singularly abortive.
The next pastor, Rev. Henry A. Delano, was born January 7th, 1848, converted in 1863, graduated at Dennison University in 1869, and from Rochester Theological Seminary in the class of 1872. He came to Zanesville in March, 1876, and became pastor of Market Street Baptist Church in May, following. His labors have been crowned with great success, saving the church from disintegrating by the influence of his predecessor, and, by pleading the cause of the Master with eloquence and zeal, the membership has steadily increased. During his ministry, one hundred and fifty-eight have been baptized and received into the church, and eight have been added by letter.
Rev. H. A. Delano's pastoral work was not confined to the usual pulpit and ministerial du- ties, but embraced the most pronounced aggres- sion upon the domain of King Alcohol : indeed. he may be said to have "carried the war into Africa," to save men from the evil of the social glass. His labors, however satisfactory, were brought to a close by his resignation, to accept a ' pastorate in Norwich, New York, and his con- nection with Market Street Baptist Church ceas- ed, August 14th, 1881.
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