USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory etc > Part 40
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the New Church from time to time. The Rev. M. M. Carll visited them in 1831; Alexander Kinmont in 1836 and 1838; the Rev. T. O. Prescott (Hiller) in 1842 to 1845; the Rev. Sabin Hough in 1847, and the Rev. James P. Stuart in 1848 and 1849. At this time the subject of establishing in Urbana a New Church College was set on foot, and for this purpose a meeting was called and the following persons came together, constituting the first assembly of New Church men in Urbana for purposes of co-operation in organizing the work of the church. There were present the Rev. James P. Stuart, of Twenty - Mile Stand, Hamilton County ; Milo G. Williams, Amos C. Richards and David Prudon, of Dayton; John Murdoch and William M. Murdoch, of Springfield ; the Rev. Sabin Hough, of Columbus ; Richard S. Canby, of Logan County, and the Rev. George Field, of Detroit, Mich.
On November 8, 1850, the society of the New Church in Urbana was organ- ized, and an act of the Assembly of Ohio incorporating the society was passed March 20, 1851. A constitution was adopted on December 28, 1851, and on January 3, 1852, the first Board of Trustees was elected, as follows : Messrs. John H. James, David Gwynne and William M. Murdoch. Mr. Milo G. Will- iams was elected Secretary. A resolution was passed looking to the purchas- ing of a building lot. The incorporators were Milo G. Williams, James P. Stuart, William M. Murdoch, David Gwynne, John H. James, Edward U. Blake, Thomas M. Gwynne and John Murdoch. Mr. Amos A. Richards had also brought his family to reside here, from Dayton. These families constitut- ing the New Church community, were in the habit of meeting from house to house on Sunday evenings, and holding a simple service of divine worship, consisting of a chapter from the Word, a passage of Scripture chanted, the Lord's Prayer repeated, and a sermon selected from some New Church writer. In 1852, the num- ber was increased by the families of Dr. Hamilton Ring and Dr. Joseph How- ells. In 1855, a lot was purchased by the society on the corner of what are now South Main and Reynolds streets, and a plain structure of wood, 30x50 feet, known as the New Church Hall, was erected thereon, and was first opened for service on January 5, 1856, the Rev. James P. Stuart conducting the wor- ship, and Mr. Willard G. Day, a student in Urbana University, delivering & lecture on the "History and Character of the Word."
On May 14, 1856, the Rev. James P. Stuart was duly elected Pastor of the society, which office he held for two years, resigning in 1858. From that time, the society has elected no Pastor, but has co-operated with the Urbana Univer- sity in the support of public worship and preaching for the united benefit of the college and the society, the Professors of the college frequently being ministers of the church or students for the ministry, and officiating in the pulpit as part. of their regular duty. The worship was conducted by Mr. John C. Ager in 1859. Rev. J. C. Eaton officiated regularly for this society and the New Church society in Bellefontaine in the year 1860 ; Mr. George Nelson Smith was leader in 1861, Mr. Charles Hardon and the Rev. A. J. Bartels in 1862 and 1863. In 1864, Mr. Charles Hardon was ordained, and entered into an engagement as minister of the society for the years 1864 and 1865. The Rev. J. M. Miller made monthly visits to the church in 1866, and the Rev. E. A. Beaman in 1867. The Rev. George Nelson Smith, having been ordained into the ministry, served the society and college as minister in the years 1868 and 1869. Mr. Milo G. Williams frequently officiated as leader in worship in the absence of a minister, and for many years served as Superintendent of the Sun- day school of the society. In the year 1870, the Rev. Frank Sewall, having
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been elected by the Board of Trustees President of the university, removed with his family to Urbana, and assumed the pastoral charge of the college and congregation, the society stipulating to contribute a stated sum toward the cur- rent expenses of the college. The Rev. Mr. Sewall still remains in this charge.
The total number of names enrolled on the list of members up to the pres- ent writing (1880) is 140. The present number of resident communicant members is about forty, and the general attendance at divine worship is from eighty to one hundred. There have been in all, since the foundation of the society, one hundred and twenty-seven persons baptized, infants and adults, of which number fifty-six have been baptized by the present minister, the Rev. Frank Sewall.
In the year 1879, the society voted to give into possession of the Trustees of Urbana University its house of worship, to be removed to the rear of the church lot and converted into a building for a school for girls and primary school, to be under the direction of the Trustees of the university, at the same time giving to the university a perpetual lease of the rear part of the lot required for the purposes of the school. This was done in consideration of a sum being raised sufficient to warrant the beginning of a new house of worship to be erected on the site of the former one. The required sum being raised, in the spring of 1880 the society released its former building, which was thereupon removed and converted into the school building, as above described, and, on July 1, the work of cutting and laying the stone of the new church edifice was commenced. The corner-stone of the church was solemnly laid with prayer and benediction, and a declaration of the faith of the New Church, the Rev. Frank Sewall offi- ciating, on the 30th of July, 1880. The church is constructed entirely of Springfield limestone, from the quarry of Mr. A. Holcomb, the architect of the building being the Rev. Frank Sewall ; the master builder, Mr. Thomas Alli- son, and the master mason, Mr. Laury. The new school building, being completed for the uses of the girls' and primary school of Urbana University, was formally opened and dedicated with religious services by the Rev. Frank Sewall on Sunday, September 12, 1880.
The following is the Declaration of Faith subscribed to by members of the Urbana Society of the New Church :
That God is one in essence and in person ; that, from love toward men, he assumed humanity, and glorified it ; and that He thus became God with us, the Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
II. That the Word is divine truth proceeding from the Lord ; that it is adapted to all the states of angels and of men, and that thus it is the divine medium by which men and angels are conjoined with the Lord.
III. That the Lord alone is the source of genuine life, the precepts of which are the Ten Commandments ; that these precepts are to be obeyed by man as of himself, with the acknowl- edgment that the power and the will to do so are of the LORD ALONE, and thus that men are regen- erated and saved by the Lord by means of a life according to His precepts.
1 St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church was organ- ized about the years 1824 or 1825, by Rev. Moses Freeman, a missionary of the Philadelphia Annual Conference. When on a missionary tour in the West, finding a few colored persons living in Urbana, some of whom had been mem- bers of the church, he made known the object of his mission. He was gladly welcomed, and preached his first sermon in the house of Fanny Carter. After the services, he organized the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in Urbana, with Frank and Rachel Reno, Lewis and Susan Adams, John and Re-
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becca Gamon, Elijah Brown and Fanny Carter. Elijah Brown was appointed Class-leader and local preacher until a preacher could be sent. The congrega- tion, like all the pioneer churches, met from house to house until able to build a house of worship of their own. The first building was of logs, afterward weather-boarded, which was removed, in 1844, to make room for a brick house. They had then increased in numbers and influence. "The people had a mind to work." Many members of the church worked in the brick-yard to assist in the cause. Robert Reno molded the brick, Jeremiah Dempsy wheeled the clay to make them. This house was soon found to be too small, and, in 1866, under the administration of Rev. J. W. Steward, was torn down and the foundations laid for the present " Saint Paul's." The work was finished under the pastor- ate of David Smith, who followed Mr. Steward. June 1, 1876, Benjamin W. Arnett was appointed to the charge. Under him the church was finished, and was dedicated in the following September by Bishop Wayman, of Baltimore, assisted by J. A. P. McGaw, of the Presbyterian, George G. Harriman, of the Baptist, and H. H. Thompson, of the United Presbyterian Churches of the city.
The colored residents of the city and members of the church have good reason to be proud of their new St. Paul's. It is comfortable and convenient, and presents a fine appearance, with the appointments of rich and well-to-do societies. When the sittings become insufficient to meet the wants of the col- ored population worshiping in St. Paul's, instead of tearing down and building larger, they will be more apt to follow the example of Grace Church, and, on withdrawing from the parent hive, erect for themselves a "new St. Peter's."
" This church has been fortunate in receiving the ministrations of a num- ber of able men. Among these may be named Jerry Thompson. Mr. Thomp- son was among the first in order of time, and inferior to none of his successors in natural ability. He was illiterate, but possessed a vivid imagination, and pictured to the fears of his hearers the wailings of the damned in the bottom- less pit, and portrayed in as strong contrast, to the delight of the saints, the blaze of glory in the celestial city.
" His strength as a preacher was in his quaint, vivid and original descrip- tions, uttered with the impressiveness of conviction, and philippics against the sins of the times, too personal to be misapplied. With equal facility, he drew his hearers from the groan to the shout. To him hell was a material place, bubbling and hissing with molten fire and brimstone-where the worm died not and the fire was never quenched ; and when he got on his ' high horse,' it was said he would 'dip up hell with a ladle,' and, having wrought up his con- gregation to a high pitch of excitement, would close with a powerful appeal to ' flee from the wrath to come.' It need hardly be said revivals were common in that church.
" The music, too, was usually of that emotional character that strongly impressed the audience. Improvisation was not unusual, after the manner of some of the Southern churches, where books are not used-a practice not infrequently in use on the old plantations, at their social gatherings, and on the Mississippi River steamboats, by the deck hands. A leader-sometimes a self- constituted chorister-would sing a line or stanza, bearing upon the salient points of the sermon, with words and music of his own composing, when the congregation would join in the chorus, not always appropriate, but suited to arouse the religious fervor of the assembly. Then, if the sermon had pre- sented the fears and hopes of the Christian, a thought or sentence of the
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preacher would be improvised into measure and sung in recitative, when the house would join in the chorus --
"' Oh ! Gabriel's gwine to blow-gwine to blow-gwine to blow, Gabriel's gwine to blow at that great day.'
" Many of the voices were rich and strong, the music abounding in quavers and slurs, but moving in perfect time and harmony, while the deep-toned voice of old John Gamrel, like the tones of a trombone, filled the house. While the singing was progressing, the preacher, at intervals, would improve the opportunity by a word of exhortation The pent-up feelings of the assembly were unloosed. 'Bless the Lord !' ' Amen !' ' Hallelujah !' ' Glory !' and other excla- mations of similar import, were heard from various parts of the house. Sobs and groans mingled with shouts of triumph. Here might be seen one clapping her hands ; near by, another, keeping time with his foot and swaying his body to and fro, and another, too full for restraint, would give play to his excited feel- ings in shoutings of delight, or one of the females, overcome by the nervous strain, would fall in a swoon, the crowd surrounding her in a circle, and a female friend kneeling at her side. High above all the demonstrations of religious fervor, the voice of the preacher might be heard in his impassioned exhortation, alarming the impenitent and encouraging the faithful, when, the song having ceased, the minister quieted the noisy worshipers into something like order with a few more words of exhortation, and the 'apostolic benediction' dismissed the meeting."
St. Paul's of 1880 is not the little log or frame church of 1840, though sometimes still the demonstrative spirit of the pioneer Methodist asserts itself, and the music has lost none of its wonted force, and we doubt not the influence of this church has been an efficient means to make the colored people of the city, who are numbered among its worshipers, peaceful, quiet and active citi- zens.
Second Baptist Church .- This church was organized in March, 1846, in a log cabin bought of J. H. Patrick by Washington Cheevers, and the mem- bers composing the first society were Elizabeth Cheevers, Elizabeth Farrow, Mary Ann Morse, John Clark, Bryant Clark and Lucy Clark. Mary Ann Morse is the only surviving member of this number. The Elders, in succes- sion, were Rev. P. Young, L. B. Moss, Richard Meredith, Henry Reckhold, G. W. Curry, L. B. Moss. L. B. Moss has served the church for twenty-five years. The church has had a large membership since its organization, and occupies for its place of worship the brick building on the corner of Buckeye and Hill streets.
The St. Mary's Catholic Church .- The Roman Catholic Church of the city was organized by Rev. Augustus Groghan, in 1853. He continued with the church until his death, in 1859. His successor was Rev. James Francis Kearney, August 1, 1859. During the administration of Father Kearney, the church was enlarged twice; the first time, in 1867, the addition cost $14,010.64, and the second enlargement, in 1873, cost $6,263.53. He not only did a good work for his congregation, but was universally esteemed by all who knew him for his tolerant opinions and social character. He died in 1877, and was succeeded by Rev. M. W. Walsh. Under the administration of the latter, the brick building near Boyce, on North Main street, formerly erected for a seminary under the auspices of the Associate Reformed or United Pres- byterian Church, was purchased and converted into a nunnery and parochial school. He died in 1878, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Donahue.
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Rev. J. A. Henry, for several years, has been Assistant Pastor. The church is flourishing, with a large membership and a number of social organi- zations, or societies, for the promotion of temperance, social intercourse and general knowledge.
THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.
In February of 1874, the ladies of Xenia, in Greene County, as a means to close the drinking saloons of that city, and thereby stop a prolific source of crime, want, suffering and degradation, agreed to go in a body to the several shops where intoxicating liquors were sold as a drink or beverage, and appeal to the men engaged in the traffic to abandon a business which their own moral sense condemned, and which was in hostility to the best interests. of humanity and the country. As might have been expected, and probably by many was anticipated, the owners of the "Little Gem," "The Saloon," and kindred shops with fancy names and a suspicious record, turned a deaf ear to their entreaties and expostulations. A few were ready to argue the question; they were engaged in a legitimate business ; the manufacture and distillation of highwines had already tied up a large capital and afforded an immense revenue ; that the destruction or crippling of this industry would re-act on the body of the country in destroying a market for leading farm products of the State ; that the manu- facture of alcohol was essential to the prosperity of the mechanic arts; and that they did not solicit the patronage of their husbands, brothers and sons, and withal kept an orderly house. A few received them graciously, and were not to be outdone in politeness ; some were surly and closed their doors; and a few were belligerent, and probably would have resorted to threats and vio- lence, but there was a physical power back of the "crusade " which plainly indicated that acts of personal injury could not be attempted with impunity. Hundreds who doubted the wisdom of the effort sympathized in the work, and would have protected the ladies from injury. But they were in earnest. Many of them had every reason to hate the infernal traffic with a deadly and unend- ing hatred. On the failure of the request, the next and natural movement was to appeal to Heaven in their behalf. Where permitted, the ladies would enter the saloon, and, no objection being made, one of the number would read a por- tion of the Scriptures, another lead in prayer, and all join in singing a hymn. If admittance were refused, they assembled on the curbstone and around the door, leaving ample space for passers-by and for going into or from the shop, and there continued their devotions. Having ended at one place, the body of earnest and devout women moved quietly and in order to another saloon, and there repeated the same. It was indeed a pitiable sight. In snow-storm, rain and biting winds, these bands of faithful women took up what one may readily con- ceive to have been a hard and painful burden, and, day after day, pursued their thankless errand of love. At the first, the crowd, when the singing and pray- ing band had taken their places on and about the curbstone, gathered around them, filling up the street, some from curiosity, and others as a protection. Hats were raised and many an eye dimmed, as the blended voices rose in har- mony or the impassioned prayer was uttered.
Several of the dealers engaged in the sale of intoxicating drinks agreed to close their houses, and go out of the business altogether, but the majority closed their doors for the time, with the supposition that it would be only a temporary excitement, bringing a richer harvest when it was over.
The story of the " crusaders," as they were called, in their work at Xenia, spread over the State, and almost every important town followed their example,
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adding to the example a more systematic work. An organization was effected in Urbana March 9, 1874, and shortly afterward similar societies in the other principal towns of the county. In this work, ladies of all the churches of the city took an active part. Two hundred and twenty-five agreed and pledged them- selves "to perform, cheerfully, whatever work pertaining to the cause pre- sented," and were called " recruits for the crusade." The recruits were formed into bands of fifteen each. A permanent picket corps was also established, a small number of which were assigned to guard each saloon, the guard being relieved at stated intervals. Sentinel duty to begin at 6 o'clock A. M. and close at 9 P. M.
An advisory committee was also appointed, composed of the clergymen of the city, together with a number of laymen. The first street-work was begun March 12, 1876, when, in accordance with the previously arranged plan, a band filed from the lecture-room of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and made their first attack on the " Little Gem " saloon, on North Main street, and nearly opposite the court house. When the reading, singing and prayers were ended, the band, sometimes singing as they went, but more frequently in solemn and impressive silence, moved on their line of march to the nearest point of the common enemy ; and, at the same time, the band next in order filed out of the same room, and along the same beaten track, to follow up successfully any im- pressions that had been made. The sentinels faithfully stood at their posts of observation until relieved. Thus, day after day, for many weeks, with- out intermission, the work went on. To all appearances the saloons were dead -the blinds were down, the doors closed, and the few who entered found access through the back door-and he was considered a bold man, or insensible to shame, who, in mere bravado or for a drink of whisky, would pass the line of pickets. After weeks of zealous, courageous and persistent work, the pick- ets and recruits were called in, and, having elected a new board of officers, were dismissed from further duty, subject to call, whenever the emergency for a re- newed effort shall be manifest.
The Temperance League is now known as the Women's Temperance Union, and meetings for prayer, consultation and work are still regularly held. The tactics are being changed, but the resolve to triumph is invincible. No efforts are spared to foster a public sentiment which, in the end, by its extent and character, shall declare the use of intoxicating drinks immoral, and their sale a crime. Without this public sentiment pervading the community, no amount of zeal and no prohibitory law will avail aught, for public opinion is the sanction to all law.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In no feature of the city interests have greater changes taken place, or more marked progress shown, than in the methods of extinguishing fires. This, after the manner of all towns and villages, in the earlier settlement of Urbana, was by means of voluntary labor. A common danger gave a common interest. On the cry of fire, the person nearest the court house, or, if in the night, the per- son giving the alarm, hurried to the court house, calling fire! fire! as he ran, and rattling on some of the doors along the street. The ringing of the bell aroused the sleepers generally, who rushed into the street, sometimes dressing as they ran, carrying an empty bucket, and shouting fire! In a cold, stormy night, no cry is more appalling than that of fire ! beneath one's window, accom- panied by the noise of men's feet clattering on the pavement. When the burn-
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ing house was reached, by common consent, two lines were formed to the nearest well or pump, and the filled buckets passed along one line to persons who had courage to stand on or in the building, while the empty buckets were returned by the other line to the well. Relays stood at the pump, and persons at the house were relieved from time to time. When the well was at a distance and hands scarce a single line was formed, which did double duty in passing the buckets, or several lines formed to the various water supplies in the locality. Not only the men worked with a will, but the women turned out generally in force and rendered efficient service. Two things aided materially in the avoidance of many and serious fires. The number of houses was small and these were detached, and the consciousness of danger made people careful of fire. We are also sur- prised at the success with which fires were extinguished, and at the want of pre-organized effort on the part of the town to be ready for active work when the alarm should be given.
In 1833, the town felt large enough to maintain a fire company. About the same time, a volunteer company was formed to " run the machine," under the name of the " Champaign Fire Company." The engine was called the " Champaign." No record being found, the names of officers are not ascer- tained, but Judge Patrick and William Rianhard were active members and among its first officers. The company was insufficient for the labor necessary to work the engine, and relays were made by calls on the bystanders to lend a helping hand. The engine and company were a step in the right direction, but they too plainly did away with the zeal and effort so conspicuous under the line- and-bucket system.
In the winter of 1854-55, a company was organized with the following offi- cers : James V. Guthrie, President; T. G. Keller, Secretary ; and John T. Zombro, Treasurer. This company was organized under the name of the " Molunkee " Fire Company. In 1857, the third company was organized and called " Young America," and in 1865 there was added to the Fire Depart- ment a hook and ladder company, called "Hercules," organized with J. D. Gu- genham, Foreman ; Samuel Warnock, Secretary; and G. F. Pence, Treasurer. Both of the latter named companies are in operation at this time. The Young America company have now about eighty active members. Their officers at present are : B. F. Conklin, President ; S. F. Wherritt, Vice President; Will- iam Helmick, Foreman ; Eugene Dwieior and H. B. Fisher, Foremen Hose Division ; F. M. Ambrose, Treasurer ; J. C. Edmonson, Secretary; H. H. Williams, George B. Hunter and W. W. Lewis, Trustees. They have an engine house on North Main street, opposite the First Methodist Episcopal Church. The Hercules Company is now in the hands of the colored men ; their building is in the rear of the city hall building.
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