USA > Ohio > The plan of union: or a history of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches of the Western Reserve; with biographical sketches of the early missionaries > Part 11
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Hinckley. - Cong., Pr., Horace Smith, (res. Richfield), 42 com.
Harrisville. - Cong.
Lafayette. - Cong.
Litchfieid -- Cong.
Medina-Cong., F. H. Brown, P., 120 (?) com. Cong., (at Wey- mouth), - S. S., 45 (? ) com.
Sharon. - Cong., - Johnson, P., 44 ( ? ) com.
Wadsworth -Cong., Pr., vacant, 25 com.
Westfield. - Cong., Pr., vacant, 21 com.
York - Cong., R. Hatch, 65 ( ? ) com.
PORTAGE COUNTY.
Atwater - Cong., Pr., Elias C. Sharp, 140 com.
Aurora. - Cong., Pr., J. S. Graves, 67 com.
Brimfield - Cong., vacant, 42 ( ? ) com.
Charlestown. - Pres., vacant, 14 com. Cong., Robert Hunter, 3 (? ) com.
Deerfield -Pres.,* (at North Benton), Wm. O. Stratton, P., 165 com. Edinburgh. - Cong., vacant, 55 com.
* A star is annexed to churches in connection with O. S. General Assembly.
1850
STATISTICS. 137
Franklin. - Cong., Wm. D. Sanders, (res. Cleveland.)
Freedom. - Cong., Francis S. Fuller, 100 com. Friend M. Deming, W. C.
Mantua. - Cong., Pr., Seth G. Clark, Agent A. B. C. F. M. Samuel Lee, S. S., 48 com.
Nelson. - Cong., Pr., Franklin Maginnis, P., 80 com. (At Garretts- ville), Cong., Pr., vacant, 30 com.
Palmyra. - Cong., Pr., A. G. Tuttle, 12 com. Associate Pr., John R. Slentz, (res. at Hudson), 12 com. Welsh Cong., J. Williams, 60 ( ? ) com.
Paris. - Welch Cong., J. Williams, (res. at Palmyra), 60 ( ? ) com. Randolph. - Cong., J. Merriam, P., 56 com. Ger. Lutheran, George Weaver, 25 com.
Ravenna. - Cong., Rufus Nutting, Jr., 145 ( ? ). Cong., W. Burr.
Rootstown. - Cong., Pr., Jairus Ordway, 77 com.
Shalersville. - Cong., Eleazer Hale, 12 ( ? ).
Streetsborough. - Cong., Pr., vacant, 40 com.
Suffield. - German Lutheran, George Weaver, 65 com.
Windham. - Cong., Pr., Hiram Bingham, 177 com.
SUMMIT COUNTY.
Akron .- Cong., N. P. Bailey, P., 82 ( ? ).
Bath. - Cong., Pr., Horace Smith, S. S., (res. at Richfield), 30 com. Boston. - Cong., Pr., George W. Palmer, 17 com.
Copley. - Cong., Pr., vacant, 23 com.
Cuyahoga Falls. - Cong., S. P. Leeds, 81 com.
Hudson. - Cong., John C. Hart, 110 (?) com. Cong., Pr., W. R. C., Prof. Elijah P. Barrows, Jr., 140 com. George E. Pierce, D. D., Pres. ; C. Long, D. D., H. N. Day, S. C. Bartlett, (Res. Prof.'s) ; N. L. Lord, Financial Secretary ; Chauncey Eddy, Myron Tracy, Agents ; Caleb Pitkin, Harvey Coe, W. C.
Northampton. - Cong., Pr., G. W. Palmer, (res. Peninsula), 26 com. Northfield. - Pres.,* John Andrews, P., 75 com. Ass. Pr., James W Logue, P., 70 com.
12*
1882.
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THE PLAN OF UNION.
Norton. - Cong., Pr., vacant, 25 com. Lutheran church -. Richfield. - Cong., J. C. Leonard, 80 ( ? ).
Springfield. - Pres.,* (at Mogadore), John D. Hughes, 119 com .; Ass. Pres., John R. Slentz, (res. at Hudson), 14 com.
Stowe. - Ass. Pres., John R. Slentz, 25 com.
Tallmadge. - Cong., Pr. Carlos Smith, S. S., William Hanford, W. C., 196 com. (At Middlebury), Pres., Elroy Curtis, 46 com. (At Mid- dlebury, ) 2d Cong., - - Smith, ( ? ), ( ? ) com.
Twinsburgh. - Pres., Horace W. Palmer, P., 140 com.
TRUMBULL COUNTY.
Bazetta. - Pres., Isaac Winans, 45 com. Ass. Pres., S. S., 17 com.
Bloomfield .- Cong., Pr., vacant, 56 com.
Braceville. - Cong., Pr., B. Y. Messenger, 37 com.
Bristol. - Cong., Pr., vacant, 52 com.
Brookfield. - Pres.,* Wm. McCombs, P., 54 com.
Champion. - Pres.,* Joseph S. Dickey, 38 com. German Reformed, Samuel Leachreat, 20 com.
Farmington. - Cong., Pr., Warren Taylor, S. S., 36 com. Cong., P. A. Bean, ( ? ) 45 com.
Fowler. - Cong., J. Winans, S. S.
Greene. - Cong., Pr., vacant, 30 com.
Gustavus. - Cong., Pr., John B, Allen, P., 135 com.
Hartford. - Cong., H. H. Fairchild, 60 com.
Hubbard. - Pres.,* Abner O. Rockwell, P., 115 com.
Johnston. - Pres., H. Betts, (res. at Vienna), 40 com. Cong., Robert Otis, Ozias S. Eells.
Kinsman. - Cong., Pr., Henry D. Eldred, 126 com. Ass. Pres.,B. S. A. McLean, (? ) 40 com.
Liberty. - Pres., * Joseph Kerr (res. at Poland), 73 com. Ass. Pres., D. Goodwillie, 165 com.
Lordstown. - Pres.,* Joseph Dickey, P., 27 com. Mecca. - Cong., vacant.
1652
STATISTICS.
139
Mesopotamia. - Cong., Pr., Hezekiah W. Osborne, 60 com.
Newton. - Cong., Pr., W. R. Stevens, 68 com. Pres., * William O. Stratton (res. at N. Benton), 47 com.
Southington. -- Cong., Pr., Geo, D. Youug, S. S., 39 com. Lutheran, J. R. Ruhl, 110.
Vernon. - Cong., P. Keep, 45 com.
Warren. - Pres., William C. Clark, 201 com. German Reformed, N. Paltzgroff, 50 com.
F
PART SECOND.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles; whether we be bond or free."
"Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them."-PAUL.
1
CHAPTER I.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
We have seen that the Reserve was settled by immigrants from New England, and also from Pennsylvania and the States south of it. The missionaries, in like manner, were partly from Congregational and partly from Presbyterian regions. The immigrants and missionaries, of course, brought with them the ecclesiastical preferences imbibed in the regions from which they came; and all history testifies that of nothing are men more tenacious than of their religious predilections and prejudices.
A certain smart lecturer upon Church Polity says, that "there are two, and only two, forms of church government, Popery and Congregationalism, or despotism and democracy." Were the Professor as comprehensive as he is smart, he might have said, more truthfully, there are two extremes of church polity, Popery and Independency, or absolute monarchy and democ- racy; and between these extremes are found several whole- some varieties and modifications, each adapted to certain peo- ples and conditions of society. As in civil governments may be found various constitutional Monarchies, and Republics, bet- ter than either extreme, of despotism or pure democracy ; so in
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144
THE PLAN OF UNION .
ecclesiasticism, we have Episcopacy, Presbyterianism, and Asso- ciated Congregationalism, each in its place better than Papacy or Independency. And, ignore it who will, the last half cen- tury has also developed a new type or modification of ecclesi- asticism, worthy of a place in history; which we may call co- operative Presbyterianism, Plan of Unionism, or Presbyteri- alized Congregationalism. Christ and the Apostles gave only the rudimental germ of church organization, which was to de- velope itself spontaneously in different ages and countries, adapt- ing itself to the people and circumstances around it. The idea of a particular form of church government, prescribed in its details by Inspiration, and enjoined, "jure divino," is a figment of sectarian imaginations. No two ages of history can show an ecclesiasticism perfectly identical, if there be any vitality in them. Christ never meant to stereotype nor petrify His Church ; as an exclusive and unchangeable ecclesiasticism would do.
The propagandist of any polity, is a poor substitute for a Christian apostle and evangelist. Such were not the early missionaries of the Reserve. Any ecclesiasticism without the fresh life of Christ in it, is but a dead body. But that life is adequate to vitalize any body into which it enters. And while some forms of church order are doubtless better adapted to ex- press the life of Godliness than others, it will ever be found that the form which grows up naturally out of living piety, and answers the place and the people, to which it belongs, is there and then the best form. Upon this principle each prom- inent type and development of ecclesiasticism excepting the ex- tremes, may be vindicated in its proper time and place ; and
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ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
each is objectionable out of its place. Episcopacy has a na- tural adaptation to an aristocracy devoted to tradition and formalisms, with neither spirituality nor enterprise adequate to any spontaneous activity. Methodism finds its legitimate field in pioneer regions, and amongst the poor and more illiter- ate classes in every country. Congregationalism is indigenous in New England, and nothing can be preferable, for a people homo- geneous in character, orderly in habits, intelligent, cultivated and independent in spirit, if they have been educated under it and attached to it. Presbyterianism is as native in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and being strictly a Republican „system, affili- ates admirably with American Institutions, and works efficient- ly and orderly wherever a representative government can ex- ist. And it is a baseless assumption, that there can be no suc- cessful combinations of any of the above forms of polity, and no new and valuable modifications and types of ecclesiasticism.
The two things most desirable in all governments are freedom and stability, the possibility of combined order and progress ; and whatever polity secures stability, order and efficiency, and at the same time leaves adqeuate liberty and scope for the ener- gies of the Church to work and advance in her proper sphere, is a good and lawful polity. These conditions are fulfilled in the characteristic ecclesiasticism of the Western Reserve, formed under the Plan of Union. The larger proportion of the settlers upon the Reserve, and of the missionaries after 1812, coming from New England with Congregational preferences, it would have been expected naturally, that when churches and ecclesi- astical bodies were formed, the Congregational polity would have been adopted. Had the pioneers possessed a little of the
146
THE PLAN OF UNION.
denominational zeal which some of their successors have exhib- ited, they certainly would have shown the Plan of Union little favor. Happily they had more piety than sectarianism.
In favor of Presbyterial organizations," were the tenacity of what Presbyterians there were, for their favorite system ; the influence of the Presbyterian ministers who almost exclu- sively occupied the field from 1806 to 1812; the remoteness of New England and all Congregational churches with whom intercourse and sympathy could be found; the intense yearning for society and companionship which feeble, scattered churches and Christians in remote and wild regions experience; and the fact that Presbyterian churches and Presbyteries existed con- tiguous to the Reserve, which exhibited a polity well adapted to unite and control the heterogeneous elements collected in this region.
The social instinct is strongest apparently where most denied ; and Christian communion is most prized by those who have fewest facilities for it. Moreover those who can with difficulty secure religious ordinances, and hear preaching, and must exert every capability to secure anything in the form of a church, are not apt to be over-particular respecting the form of polity, contingencies and non-essentials, of their religious institutions. Their religion is spirit and life. Hence, rare as charity is under the sun, it was not strange that the founders of the Reserve churches were willing to make mutual concessions, and subject their preferences for Paul and Apollos, to their common unity in Christ, and cooperate harmoniously in worshiping God, and sustaining christian ordinances.
Accordingly, we find that the social marriage here consum-
147
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
mated, between immigrants from different"States, had its coun- terpart in the religious and eclesiastical history of the people.
They adopted the conviction, that christians, agreeing in doctrine and spirit, differing only upon some trivial points of church polity, when planting new churches, in troublous times and in western forests, might, for the details of their organ- izations, consult their Bibles, and existing circumstances, more than their imported "platforms" and "books of discipline," and might suffer their ecclesiasticism to grow up naturally out of the materials, and under the formative influences, that sur- rounded them. To start, side by side, churches of different form, where there were scarcely materials adequate for a single church was simply impracticable. And had it been possible to start Presbyterian, and Congregational churches upon the same soil, the rivalry and sectarianism, that would probably be en- gendered, were not things which our pioneer fathers cared to introduce.
By combination and charitable concession, and the harmo- nious cooperation of all available materials and resources, worship might be sustained, and churches formed. Otherwise, many years must pass, and the religious elements be mainly suffered to die out, before religious institutions could be at- tempted. Under these circumstances, the practicability of a general union of Presbyterians and Congregationalists, was naturaly suggested and entertained ; and the design conceived of forming a somewhat new and indigenous order of ecclesiasticism, adapted to these new settlements. There were those, also, who hoped that the sectarianism of older regions might not be im- ported into the new ; and who even dreamed that the predicted
148
THE PLAN OF UNION.
age of charity and harmony, when the children of God should " see eye to eye," might be approaching; and who were ready to make an experiment in favor of uniting two varieties of church order, so nearly affiliated.
And strange as it may appear in these days of " school" and sectarian " conventions," and denominational " extension" pro- jects, in those less selfish years, two bodies no less extensive, and influential than the General Association of Connecticut, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, entertained the hope of promoting such a union in the missionary fields of the west. With a self-forgetfulness and a regard for religion, rather than for sect, quite incompre- hensible to many zealous sectaries of the present day, those bodies recomended unity amongst christians in the new set- tlements, and seemed more anxious to build up Christ's King- dom, than their own ecclesiasticism.
The aim and spirit of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, may be gathered from the following extract, from a letter ad- dressed, by the Trustees of that Society, to the "Inhabitants of the New Settlements in the Northern and Western parts of the United States ;" dated May, 1801.
"Know, we beseech you, that religion is the great concern and bus- iness, the dignity and happiness of man. Seek first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. Labor, as soon as your circum- stances will possibly admit, to obtain the constant regular preaching of the word and administration of the ordinances among you, Be as- sured that faith comes by hearing. Until you can obtain stated preaching, constantly assemble every Lords day for public worship, though you may not be able to obtain a preacher. Let your ablest and best men lead in your prayers, and read to you sermons on the most
149
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
interesting and important subjects. And be careful to be doers as well as hearers of the word.
" Diligently teach to your children the catechism, morals and good things contained in the books we have sent you, pray with them abun- dantly - restrain them from evil practices, - set them good examples, and govern them well, teaching subordination to all good government.
" While we are sending out unto you missionaries, approved among us as pious and faithful brethren, who, we persuade ourselves will spare no pains to promote your spiritual interests - we entreat you to receive them with the respect and kindness due to the ministers of Christ, and assist them in all their labors for your salvation. We send them fully authorized to itinerate and preach the gospel, to catechize your children, instruct your people, and such as have been duly or- dained, to administer the ordinances to the proper subjects; as there may be opportunity to gather and organize churches, and in general, to assist you in all your spiritual concerns.
" The present is a most important time with you, and the manner in which you now conduct yourselves will have great and lasting influ- ence on the state of the new settlements; on your present and future state; and on that of your descendants. By order of the Board,
" ABEL FLINT, Sect."
That excellent society was above any petty sectarian aims or jealousy, and sought to extend the kingdom of Christ, not any particular ecclesiasticism.
With kindred liberality and christian charity, in view of the mixed character of the population in many of the new settlements, and to prevent denominational strife and jeal- ousies, and the consequent neutralization of evangelizing ef- forts, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the Congregational General Association of Connecticut, in the year 1801, adopted and sent forth to the missionaries and mis- sionary churches the following
150
THE PLAN OF UNION.
PLAN OF UNION.
" With a view to prevent alienations, and promote union and harmony, in those new settlements which are composed of inhabitants from" Presbyterian and Congregational bodies ; "1. It is strictly enjoined on all their missionaries to the new settlements. to endeavor by all proper means to promote mutual forbearance and accommodation between those inhabi- tants of the new settlements, who hold the Presbyterian, and those who hold the Congregational, form of church government.
"2. If in the new settlements any church of the Congre- gational order shall settle a minister of the Presbyterian order that church may, if they choose, still conduct their discpline according to Congregational principles, settling their difficulties among themselves or by a council mutually agreed upon for that purpose; but if any difficulty shall exist between the minister and the church, or any member of it, it shall be re- ferred to the Presbytery to which the minister shall belong, provided both parties agree to it; if not to a council consisting of an equal number of Presbyterians and Congregationalists, agreed upon by both parties.
"3. If a Presbyterian church shall settle a minister of Con- gregational principles, that church may still conduct their dis- cipline according to Presbyterian principles, excepting that if a difficulty arise beetween him and his church, or any member of it, the case shall be tried by the Association to which the said minister shall belong, provided both parties agree to it , otherwise by a council one half Congregationalists and theoth er half Presbyterians, mutually agreed upon by the parties.
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ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
"4. If any congregation consists partly of those who hold the Congregational form of discipline, and partly of those who hold the Presbyterian form, we recommend to both parties, that this be no obstruction to their uniting in one church and settling a minister; and that in this case the church choose a standing committee from the communicants of said church, whose business it shall be, to call to account every member of the church, who shall conduct himself inconsistently with the laws of christianity ; and to give judgment on such conduct, and if the person condemned by their judgment be a Presby- terian, he shall have leave to appeal to the Presbytery; if a Congregationalist, he shall have liberty to appeal to the body of the male communicants of the church; in the former case the determination of the Presbytery shall be final, unless the church consent to a further appeal to the Synod, or to the General Assembly; and in the latter case, if the party con- demned shall wish for a trial by mutual council, the case shall be referred to such council. And provided the said standing committee of any church shall depute one of themselves to at- tend the Presbytery, he may have the same right to sit and act in the Presbytery, as a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church."
Such is the famous " Plan of Union ;" and perhaps never was article framed in a more catholic spirit, or more perfectly adapt- ed to promote christian charity, and union, between the people of God who happen to be thrown together in a forming society, and yet differ in their views of what is the best method of conducting church order and discipline. This plan met the approbation of the missionaries and of the people, and soon
152
THE PLAN OF UNION.
went into practical and successful operation. Under it all antagonisms seemed to be harmonized; Presbyterian and Con- gregationalist, each found the essentials of his favorite polity combined with some of the better features of the other; and they two becoming one, united heart, hand, and resources, in building up Christ's Kingdom. One of the missionaries writes as follows :
" In accordance with a resolution of the General Assembly, printed copies of this Plan were furnished, not only to missionaries employed by the General Assembly, but also to those employed by the Mission- ary Society of Connecticut. The missionaries receiving such instruc- tions, given them by the combined wisdom of the Presbyterian churches and the Congregational churches of Connecticut, felt under obligation to put forth every consistent effort to unite together in one harmonious body, those who by education, habit and principle, were Presbyterians, and those who on similar grounds were Congregation- alists. Had the missionaries pursued a different course, it would have been considered by their employers as an act of downright rebellion, and a direct breach of the covenant formed between the General Assembly and the General Association, in the Plan of Union. By accepting a missionary appointment with these instructions in their hands, the missionaries became a party to the contract involved in the Plan of Union, and all the churches they formed in accordance with the principles of this Plan, became parties to the original contract. The missionary, with the Plan of Union in his hand and the love of God in his heart, would say to the scattered inhabitants of a new settlement, starving for the Bread of Life, Be formed into a church according to the terms of this contract, and you see what the General Assembly and the General Association are pledged to do on their part. Without hesitation the people say, We comply ; we put our hands and our seals to the covenant."
Such was the original design and such was the practical
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ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
effect of the Plan of Union adopted in 1801, and promulgated and sent forth anew in 1806. Rev. J. Seward, from whom we quote, continues-
"On entering this field, I found this Plan in successful operation. Here were Rev. Messrs. Badger, Cowles, Field, Derrow and Bacon, educated Congregationalists, laboring harmoniously with Rev. Messrs. Wick, Boyd, Bruce, Barr, Scott, Burr and Leslie, who in principle and feeling were thorough-going Presbyterians. Almost all of these men were missionaries under the Missionary Society of Connecticut, and were instructed to adhere strictly to the principles of the Plan of Union. This they did, and went forward as Christian brethren should in such circumstances, forming and building up. churches in accordance with the spirit and letter of their instructions. Churches were formed so as to meet the views of those who became members, whether Presby- terians or Congregationalists ; and the missionaries, all thinking and speaking the same thing on this subject, had but little difficulty in reconciling those who might previously have had conflicting views and feelings in relation to church government. The business went on because there was a mind to build, and not to contend. At that period, that is about the year 1811-12, the Presbytery of Hartford (since changed to Beaver) covered the whole territory of the Western Reserve, and without any limits to its western and northern boundaries, except the British dominions and the Pacific Ocean. This Presbytery belonged to the Synod of Pittsburg, and most of the ministers on the Reserve had become members of the Presbytery, and many of the churches, both Presbyterian and those of a mixed character, were also connected with the same body. Some, however, remained in an isolated position, not connected by any specific bond of union with any ecclesiastical body."
In the formation of churches, as also afterward of Presby- teries, the Plan of Union was not always adopted strictly
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THE PLAN OF UNION.
according to the letter. The particular circumstances of the individual church or Presbytery often made some slight modi- fication necessary ; so that in strictness each body had a Plan, embodying the spirit and principles of the Plan recommended by the Assembly and Association, in its own specific forms, and adhering as nearly as possible to the original instrument. For example, the Plan of Union contemplates the existence of Associations, with which Congregational ministers may be connected, though ministering to Presbyterian churches. Such Associations did not exist upon the Reserve, and the Congre- gational ministers generally connected themselves with the Presbyteries. In forming this connection they had a right to expect that the spirit of the Plan of Union would be exercised toward them, as well as toward the Congregational churches received by Presbytery. From this resulted the fact that Congregational ministers, bringing "clean papers" from reputable Eastern Associations, were received upon their appli- cation in the same manner that members from one Presbytery were received by another.
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