Early history of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio;

^.^ Vc

-^^#

xOO.

^ .0''

^^^:%'.^'^ :^^?4C^^ %#'^»^^'

^■^

^j^

iv^ ^

.•?-^

'^^

:^i

' %

•

/

?

-^r:.

''>.

\^

• \^

vOq.

^>

.0

EARLY HISTORY

OF

THE DISCIPLES

IN THE

Western Reserve, Ohio-,

WITH

Biographical Sketches of the Principal Agents in their
Religious Movement.

BY

A. S. HAYDEN.

CINCINNATI:
CHASE & HALL, PUBLISHERS.

1875-

^p

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by

CHASE & HALL,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

STEREOTYPED AT THE

FRANKTJN TYPE FOUNDRY,

CINX'INNATI.

S2

PREFACE. /^

TTHE beginning of the second quarter of the nineteentn
century is memorable as the period when a new and
powerful religious awakening began in North-eastern Ohio.
The Western Reserve was the principal theater of this be-
nign work. In recording the history of this revival, it
will be necessary to trace the origin of the movement ;
to describe its character, its spirit^ and its aims ; to note
the principal events which attended its origin and prog-
ress; and, in turn, to consider this remarkable outburst
of Christian zeal and activity in its relation to the future,
as the direct and potent cause of succeeding develop-
ments in the kingdom of Christ.

This movement was so unexpected, so rapid, so gen-
eral, and accompanied by many incidents and events so
peculiar, as to stamp the phenomenon with the clearest
indications of a providential visitation of great mercy to
the world. Many of its first advocates were plain, un-
pretending men, called unexpectedly to the front, and
urged forward by the resistless impulses of the work it-
self Some of these men exhibited fine oratorial powers.
They have left their impress durably on a wide and
growing society. Brief biographical sketches of the prin-
cipal early actors in the scenes to pass before the reader
can not fail to be interesting to him. They will also
constitute an important part of the record of the times.

Great care has been bestowed on the accuracy of every
statement, both of date and incident; a branch of duty

(iii)

IV • PREFACE.

often laborious, requiring the collation of many docu-
ments, and the reconciliation of conflicting testimonies.

Many persons yet remaining of the generation herein
chiefly described, will find in these pages events with which
they are personally familiar. The young will discover in
the same pages the planting and establishment of principles
of religious reform which are now providentially com-
mitted to their trust, and which, in their faithful hands,
are yet, we hope, to be developed into yet fairer sym-
metry and greater perfection of individual Christian char-
acter, and higher Church order and activity.

As far as possible the whole work has been brought within
the following plan :

1. A sketch of the condition of religious society at the
opening of the work.

2. A short account of the agencies by which it was ac-
complished.

3. A history of the work itself.

4. Biographical notices of the principal actors.

A. S. H.

CONTENTS.

PACK.

Preface, • • 3

Western Reserve : History and Description, .. • .13

CHAPTER I.

Preliminary agencies — Debate between A. Campbell and John
Walker — Discussion with W. L. McCalla — The Christian
Baptist—Visit of Bentley and Rigdon — The Mahoning
Association : its constitution and its creed — The Associa-
tion in Canfield, 1826 — Eminent preachers — Notable ser-
mon by A. Campbell — Sketch of Elder Thomas Campbell —
Biography of A. Campbell, ..«•.. iS

CHAPTER II.

The Association in New Lisbon, 1827 — Call for an evangel-
ist— Ministers of the Christian Connection — Walter Scott
chosen — Biography of Scott — Among the churches — Quar-
terly meeting in Braceville — Ministers consulting on mo-
mentous questions, •.••.... r^

CHAPTER III.

The plea opened in New Lisbon : struggles and success — The
first convert — Co-operating agencies — ^John Secrest, Joseph
Gaston — Wm. Schooley — Death of Gaston — John Whit-
acre, 72

CHAPTER IV.

Origin of the Baptist Church in Warren — Biography of A. Bent-
ley— The '* Siege of Warren ''—J. G. Mitchell— Stirring
events — Sketch of Cyrus Bosworth — East Fairfield — Quar-
terly Meeting — Death of Mitchell — The Church in Lords-
town, , . . . . , . . . .91

(V)

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V.

(AGE.

The reformation in Salem — Opposition on the alert — A divis-
ion— Origin of the *< Phillips " Church — Rise of the Baptist
Church in North-west Canfield — The transition — Anec-
dotes — Myron Sacket — Austintown — The remnant of
**Zoar" — Notice of, by Scott — Visit by Bentley ; conver-
sion of John Henry — Great success — A. Raines and the
Universalists — Formation of the church — Sketch of Henry
— Origin of the church in Braceville and Newton Falls —
Ministers' meetings — Biography of Marcus Bosworth —
Church on New Testament principles-^ Life of Jacob Os-
borne, . . . , Ii6

CHAPTER VI.

Success of Scott in Windham — The church founded — Elder T.
Campbell's visit to the Western Reserve — Biographies of
A. Raines and E. Williams, and history of their conver-
sion— A church planted in Freedom, .... 142

CHAPTER VII.

The Association in Warren, 1 828 — Great expectations — Wisdom
of Mr. Campbell in the introductory sermon — Discussion
on the reception of Raines — Excitement — Principles of
union settled — Scott's circular — He is reappointed — Wm.
Hayden selected as his associate — Biography of Hayden —
Expectation of the Millennium, 161

CHAPTER VIII.

The church in Mentor — Of Baptist origin — Great overturn un-
der Bentley and Rigdon — The first convert — The work ex-
tends to Kirtland and Painesville — Progresses into Waite
Hill— Biography of M. S. Clapp— Sketch of Violl, Miller,
Dexter Otis — Alvin Waite — R. Storm — Church on the
■ plains — The cause established in the town of Willoughby, 191

CHAPTER IX.
The advent of Mormonism, 209

CONTENTS. Vll

CHAPTER X.

J»AGE.

The principles of reform in Chardon — Origin of the Baptist
Church — Bible investigation — Calvinistic theory of conver-
sion— Nathan Porter — William Collins, biography of —
Church established on King Street — Early preachers —
Moved to the ** Square" — Pastors — Rise of the church in
Munson — Labors of Collins, Hartzel, and others — Great
success of Dr. Robison — Notice of O. Gates — ^J. G. Cole-
man, Allen Harper — Firm home guards — The cause es-
tablished in Burton, . 223

CHAPTER XI.

Origin of the churches in Mantua, Hiram, and Garrettsville —
J. Rudolph, Sr. — Labors of Elder T. Campbell — Symonds
Rider — Conflicts with Mormonism — Ordination of D. At-
water and Z. Rudolph — Sketch of the church in Mantua —
Obituary of Darwin Atwater — Biography of Rider — Ser-
mon by President Hinsdale, with sketch of the church in
Hiram — Church in Garrettsville — Successes — Origin and
establishment of the Eclectic Institute, • . . • 237

CHAPTER XII.

The Association in Sharon, 1829 — Founding of the church by
T. Campbell, Scott, and Bentley — Four evangelists chosen:
Scott, Hayden, Bentley, and Bosworth — System of evan-
gelizing—Hubbard Baptist Church in transition — Jesse
Hall — Sketch of John Applegate — A living church — Be-
zetta on Baptist principles — The ground contested — The
reformation wins — Labors of Elder T. Campbell — Edward
Scofield — Yearly Meeting — John T. Phillips — The evan-
gelic Smith : biography of him, ..... 267

CHAPTER XIII.

Great meeting in Austintown, 1830 — The Association dissolved
— Origin of the Yearly Meeting system — North Bloomfield
— The union experiment — Benj. Alton — Church formed —
Reorganized — Successes under Isaac Errett — Ministers fol-
lowing— Farmington : church formed by Alton — Harvey

Vm CONTENTS.

PAOE.

Brockett, conversion and biography — Other helps — Church

in Green— W. Bartlett— E. Wakefield, . . . .295

CHAPTER XIV.

Primitive Christianity in Deerfield — Investigations — Light
breaking in — Sketch of E. B. Hubbard — Experience of
Jonas Hartzel — The Disciples uniting on New Testament
principles — Visit of Bentley and Bosworth — Scott arrives —
Great Sermon — Captains Alierton and Rogers — AUerton^s
labors — Ground of stability — Experiences of Rev. John
Schaeffer — He accepts the union principles and abandons
Lutheranism, • . , • 3^1

CHAPTER XV.

Palmyra: spiritual declension — Church formed by Scott and
Hayden — Shalersville — Opening found — Occupied by
Hayden — The Disciples called together — Yearly Meetings
— Anecdotes — Brockett's work — C. C. Foot — T. J, New-
comb — Labors of A. B. Green and W. A. Belding — Ran-
dolph— Deacon Churchill — Church raised up — Great
Yearly Meeting, 1832 — Report of it by Hayden, ; , 332

CHAPTER XVI.

The awakening in Perry — Charge of heresy — D. Parmly the
victim — Rigdon's zeal — The Church built on the Rock —
A. Saunders— R. Veits— E. H. Webb— Other helps—
Painesville — Preparatory work — Church organized by E.
Williams and A. Saunders — Wise builders — Pastors — A
good record — Pillars fallen, ...... 346

CHAPTER XVII.

Middlebury and Akron — The plea begun by Hubbard and Hay-
den— Bosworth comes — Opposition and debate — M. L. Wil-
cox and Graham — Vaughan's defection — The work revived
by two sisters — Struggles — **Millerism" — The church re-
established— Great meeting by Henry — Anecdote — Labor-
ers in the vineyard — A new organization in Middlebury —

CONTENTS. IX

PAGE.

Mogadore — Heralds of the glad tiding — Church arises —
Opposition and method of silencing it — Yearly Meetings —
Good example — Wadsworth — Elder O. Newcomb — A. B.
Green — Hayden's visits — Church springs up — Great Meet-
ing in Esquire Eyles' Barn — Mr. Campbell's candor and
success — Advance movements — ^Yearly Meeting, 1835 —
Anecdotes — Opposition: how met — A mother of preach-
ers, 355

CHAPTER XVIII.

Prelude of the reformation in Ravenna — Conversion of E. Will-
iams-— Bosworth comes — Hayden follows, and forms the
church — Helps — Self-reliance of the members — Infidelity
abounding — Arrival of Campbell — Court adjourns to hear
him — Demonstrative Sermon — Anecdotes — F. Williams —
Chas. Judd — The church established in the village — Suc-
cession of pastors — Obituary of S. McBride — Aurora — ^The
ground pre-empted for Christ — Bold Invasion — Concurring
helps of Bosworth, Bentley, and Henry — The Converts
collected — A grove meeting — Mr. Campbell's Eloquence —
Yearly Meeting in 1834 — C. Forward — Incidents — House
burned and rebuilt — Preachers aiding— Anecdotes — The
campaign begins in Stowe — Opposition — It stimulates the
defense — The work extending to Franklin and Hudson. . 369

CHAPTER XIX.

Origin of the church in Bedford — Gaining Strength — First
Yearly Meeting, 1839 — Memorable sermon by A. Camp-
bell— Other great assemblies — Henry and Jones — Dr. J. P.
Robison — Correspondence — Chas. F. Bartlett, obituary —
Preachers who arose in Bedford — ^J. O. Beardslee — Head-
quarters of the Board of Managers of the Ch. Missionary
Society — Succession of helpers — The light dawning on
Newburg — E. Williams' success — Church formed by Hay-
den— Interesting conversions — Grove meeting on Col.
Wightman's farm, 1835 — Exciting incidents — Church re-
organized by Hartzell — Succeeding labors of J. D, Bene-
dict and J. H. Jones — A flourishing Sunday-school — Inci-
dents of the Yearly Meeting of 1835 — Anecdote, . . 387

X CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER XX.

Euclid (Collamer) — Door opened — Luther Dille and Mrs.
Clarissa Dille — A. P. Jones — Rigdon comes — And Collins
— The happy deacon — Church organized by Elder T.
Campbell — J. J. Moss — W. O'Connor — Immense Yearly
Meeting, 1837 — Coming of Henry — The captains captured
— Centralizing in Collamer — A. S. Hayden among them —
Subsequent history — Cleveland — How Hayden came, and
who invited him — The young preachers — The old acad-
emy— A. Campbell in the court-house — He silences the
infidels — The way opened for Henry — His success, and
formation of the church — Other helpers — Jones, Robison,
Collins, Hayden — Change of location — Succession of pas-
tors— East Cleveland — A Fourth-of-July meeting — Dr. N.
H. Finney a convert — Chief supports — New church edifice
— Success — Pastors, .... ... 408

CHAPTER XXI.

Royalton — ^John B. Stewart — Edward Scofield — Light from the
** Christian Baptist" — E. Leonard brings Wm. Hayden —
The ** church" closed, and the blacksmith-shop opened —
Charter members — Anecdotes — Intense interest — Co-oper-
ating agents — Wm. Moody — His experience and adoption
of the principles of Christian union — Raises up a church
in Lafayette — A pleasing conversion — Continued pros-
perity of the church in Royalton — The Gospel brought into
Granger and Ghent — Hayden, Wilcox, and P. Green —
Obituary of Wilcox — The church in Pompey Street, Bruns-
wick— Sketch of J. W. Lanphear— The church established
at Hamilton Corners, 424

CHAPTER XXII.

Arrival of Bentley in the vicinity of Chagrin Falls — The church
arises — First officers — Hayden preaches on the hay-scales —
The church located in Chagrin Falls — Opposition arising —
A debate — Excitement and results — Strength in the local
members — Lectures by Isaac Errett — Infidelity defiant —
Discussion, Garfield and Denton — Favorable result —

CONTENTS. XI

PAGE.

Yearly meetings — Succession of overseers, deacons, and
preachers — The sainted dead — A call from North Eaton —
The church planted by M. J. Streator — Incidents — L. Cooley
— Opposition — Colony in Bloomingdale, Michigan — Dedi-
cations— Three great meetings — The church in Youngstown
— Early agencies — Discussions : Hartzel, Waldo, and Sted-
man — Mr. Campbell's interview with Rev. Boardman —
Corrects public prejudice — Lanphear, first pastor — Great
yearly meeting, 1843 — Prof. Anthon's testimony, in corres-
pondence with Dr. E. Parmly — Succeeding helps — Pros-
perity— A new church edifice, ...... 438

CHAPTER XXIII.

Lessons of our Forty Years* Experience. Position stated
— Its clearness and strength — Purpose explained — The
Second Lesson stated, the due adjustment of the Evangel-
ical and Pastoral work — The Third Lesson, from planting
too many small churches — The cause of the weakness and
decay of some — Illustration from Episcopacy — Our experi-
ence points to better methods — The Fourth Lesson, the
want of Records — Extremes of some Reformers — The
Fifth Lesson, the importance of union of effort — Character
of the Yearly Meeting system — Efforts for concert of ac-
tion, and their failure — Illustration from the Eclectic Insti-
tute— The final Lesson, ** Preach the Word," , . . 454

CHAPTER XXIV.

A.n abbreviated account of churches omitted, or recently or-
ganized— Alliance — Auburn — Bazetta, West — Birming-
ham— Brookfield — Bristol, North — Camden — Chester —
Denmark — Edinburg — Elyria — Fairfield, North — Fowler —
Footeville — Geneva — Hamden — Huntsburg — Hamilton's
Corners — Hartsgrove — Hartford — Hinkley — Jackson,
North — Little Mountain — Middlebury — Montville — Mor-
gan— Niles — Norton — Orange, North — Orange, South —
Russell — Solon — Southington — Thompson — Trumbull,
East — ^Warrensville, 465

The following resolutions, moved by Pres't. B. A,
Hinsdale, were passed unanimously by the Western
Reserve Christian Preachers* Association, held in
Ravenna, Portage Co., Nov, 7, 8, and g, 1871.
There were twenty-two preachers present :

Whereas, It is greatly to be desired that the chronicles
of the Western Reserve churches should be written : and

Whereas, Bro. A. S. Hayden is preeminently the man
to write them : therefore.

Resolved, That we affectionately request Bro. Hayden
to undertake this work ; and in case he consents, we ur-
gently press upon him the desirability of its being under-
taken as speedily, and prosecuted as rapidly, as his other
engagements may permit.

Resolved, That we pledge to Bro. Hayden, who has for
years been collecting material for such a work, our united
cooperation and moral support in his undertaking.

A. B. Green, Pres't, of the Association.
H. J. White, Sec.

THE WESTERN RESERVE

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION.

AS we shall have frequent occasion to refer to the
Western Reserve in the course of the following
work, we give here a brief description and historic
account of it. This notice is collected from several
sources, and presented somewhat abridged.

This district of country, also called Cottnecticut
Western Reserve^ and New Connecticut^ is situated
in the north-east part of the State of Ohio. It is
bounded on the north by Lake Erie, east by Penn-
sylvania, south by the 41st parallel of north latitude,
and on the west by Sandusky and Seneca counties.
It extends 120 miles from east to west, and aver-
ages about 50 from north to south. Its greatest
breadth is at the east end, extending on the Penn-
sylvania line 68 miles. The area includes about
3,000,000 acres. It embraces the following counties,
viz. : Ashtabula, Trumbull, north part of Mahoning,
Lake, Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina,
Lorain, Erie, and Huron.

Connecticut became possessed of the land in
question in the following manner : King Charles II.
of England, pursuing the example of other sover-
eigns, granted to the colony of Connecticut, in 1662,
a charter-right to all lands in the new world included
within certain specified limits. But as the geo-

(xiii)

14 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

graphical knowledge of Europeans concerning Amer-
ica was very limited and confused, patents for lands
often interfered with each other, and many of them,
by their express terms, extended to the Pacific
Ocean, or mythical "South Sea," which the Pacific
Ocean was thought to be. Among the rest, that for
Connecticut embraced all lands contained between
the 41st and 42d parallels of north latitude, and
from Providence Plantations on the east to the Pacific
Ocean west, with the exception of the colonies of
New York and Pennsylvania ; and, indeed, preten-
sions to these were not finally relinguished without
considerable altercation. When the colonies, as the
result of the Revolutionary War, became a united and
independent nation, these interfering claims occa-
sioned much collision between the Federal Govern-
ment and several of the States ; with no one more
than Connecticut. Negotiations were pending for
several years before a compromise was finally effected.
In September, 1786, the State of Connecticut ceded
to the United States her claim, both of soil and ju-
risdiction, to all her charter-lands lying west of the
present western limits of the *' Western Reserve."
On the 30th of May, 1801, she also ceded her juris-
dictional claims to all the territory called the ** West-
ern Reserve of Connecticut," when, in fulfillment of
the compact then formed, the President conveyed, by
patent, the fee of the soil to the Governor of the
State of Connecticut, for the use of grantees and
purchasers claiming under her. This tract, includ-
ing the '' Fire Lands," by a proclamation by Gov.
St. Clair, September 22, 1800, was all erected into
one county, and named TriimbtUly in honor of two

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 5

successive governors of Connecticut. Of this mam-
moth county Warren was the seat of justice.

In May, 1795, the Legislature of Connecticut ap-
pointed a commission to issue proposals and make
sale of the lands she had "reserved" in the North-
west Territory, afterward Ohio. This committee sold
the lands to sundry citizens of that State and of
other States. In September of that year the title
was confirmed to the purchasers by deeds of convey-
ance. The purchasers proceeded to survey into
townships, of five miles square, the whole of this
tract lying east of the Cuyahoga, the Indians still
asserting their claims to the portion of it lying west
of that river. By a treaty with them at Fort In-
dustry, near Sandusky, in 1805, their claim was fin-
ally extinguished in favor of the grantees of Con-
necticut.

The State of Connecticut sold out the lands to the
contractors at 40 cents per acre, receiving for the
sale one milHon two hundred thousand dollars.
This money, permanently invested, constitutes her
school fund. The State gave only a quit-claim deed,
transferring only such title as she possessed, and
leaving all the Indian titles of the "Reserve" to be
extinguished by the purchasers.

On the 4th of July, 1796, the first surveying party
of the Western Reserve landed at the mouth of
Conneaut Creek — the Plymouth of the Western Re-
serve. Patriotic sons of revolutionary sires, and
some, themselves, the participants in that immortal
struggle, they prepared to give " to the day its due,
and to patriotism its awards." With their tin ctips
dipping fn^m the broad lake the crystal waters with

1 6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

which to pledge the national honor, with the ord-
nance accompanyment of a few fowling-pieces, they
discharged the national salute. They called the
place Fort Independence.

** A cabin was erected on the bank of Conneaut
Creek, and in honor of the commissary of the expe-
dition, was called * Stowe Castle/ At this time the
whole inhabitants west of the 'Genesee River and
along the coasts of the lakes, were as follows : The
garrison at Niagara, two families at Lewiston, one at
Buffalo, one at Cleveland, and one at Sandusky.
There were no other families east of Detroit, and
with the exception of a few adventurers at the ' Salt
Springs * of the Mahoning, the interior of New Con-
necticut was an unbroken wilderness.

^*The work of surveying was commenced at once.
One party went southward on the Pennsylvania line
to find the 41st parallel, and began to survey ;
another, under Gen. Cleaveland, coasted along the
lake to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, which they
reached on the 22d of July, and there laid the foun-
dation of the chief city of the Western Reserve. A
large portion of the survey was made during that
season, and the work was completed the following
year."

The surveying party numbered fifty-two persons,
among whom were two females and one child. As
these individuals were the advance of after millions
of population, their names become worthy of record,
and are therefore given, viz. : Moses Cleaveland,
agent of the company ; Augustus Porter, principal
surveyor ; Seth Pease, astronomer and surveyor ;
Moses Warren, Amos Spafford, Milton Hawley,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 7

Richard M. Stoddard, surveyors; Joshua Stowe,
commissary ; Theodore Shepard, physician ; Joseph
Tinker, principal boatman ; Joseph Mclntyre, George
Proudfoot, Francis Gay, Samuel Forbes, Elijah
Gunn, wife and child, Amos Sawten, Stephen Benton,
Amos Barber, Samuel Hungerford, William B. Hall,
Samuel Davenport, Asa Mason, Amzi Atwater,
Michael Coffin, Elisha Ayres, Thomas Harris, Nor-
man Wilcox, Timothy Dunham, George Goodwin,
Shadrach Benham, Samuel Agnew, Warham Shep-
ard, David Beard, John Bryant, Titus V. Munson,
Joseph Landon, Job V. Stiles and wife, Charles
Parker, Ezekiel Hawley, Nathaniel Doan, Luke
Hanchet, James Hasket, James Hamilton, Olney F.
Rice, John Locke, and four others whose names are
not mentioned.

l8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER I.

PRELIMINARY AGENCIES.

Debates with Walker and McCalla— The Christian Baptist—The
Mahoning Association — Creed and Constitution — Memorable
Sermon by A. Campbell — Biographies of Elder Thomas Camp-
bell, and of A. Campbell.

AMONG the causes operating to bring about a
scriptural reform among the churches on the
Western Reserve/ the following chain of events
claims a prominent place:

In the month of June, 1820, a discussion was held
in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, between A. Campbell, founder
and principal of the Buffalo Academy, Va., and Rev.
John Walker, a minister of acknowledged ability
among the Seceders. The discussion, taken down
and published, was a marked event of the times.
Mr. Campbell had already considerable reputation for
scholarship and ability, and for his advocacy of the
Christian religion as unfolded in the Bible, as distin-
guished from its embodiment in the creeds and denom-
inationalism of the day. Some of the more cautious
of the Baptist ministers, with whom he then had a
standing, were startled by the boldness and novelty
of some of his views, especially in respect to the
nature and claims of the Law of Moses, as pro-
pounded in his famous sermon on that subject before
the Redstone Association in 18 16. A large major-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I9

ity, however, listened to his views and reasonings
with instructed approbation.

Among the more liberal in sentiment was Adam-
son Bentley, pastor of the Baptist church in Warren,
Ohio. He had read the debate with Walker. Form-
ing a high estimate of Mr. Campbell's powers, and
rightly judging that God had raised him up for a
great work, he resolved at the earliest opportunity to
make his personal acquaintance.

A providential opportunity soon came for him to
fulfill his purpose. Called into Kentucky on a mis-
sion for the churches, he returned by Mr. Campbell's
residence. Sidney Rigdon was with him. The fol-
lowing is Mr. Campbell's account of their interview :

*' After tea in the evening, we commenced and pro-
longed our discourse till the next morning. Beginning
with the baptism that John preached, we went back to
Adam, and forward to the judgment. The dispensations
or covenants — Adamic, Abrahamic, Jewish and Christian
— passed and repassed before us. Mount Sinai in Arabia,
Mount Zion, Mount Calvary, Mount Tabor, the Red Sea
and the Jordan, the Passovers and the Pentecosts, the Law
and the Gospel — but especially the ancient order of things
and the modern — occasionally commanded and engaged
our attention.

'' On parting the next day, Sidney Rigdon, with all ap-
parent candor, said, if he had within the last year taught
and promulgated from the pulpit one error he had a thou-
sand. At that time he was the great orator of the Mahon-
ing Association — though in authority with the people
second always to Adamson Bentley. I found it expedient
to caution them not to begin to pull down any thing they
had builded, until they had reviewed, again and again,
what they had heard ; nor even then rashly and without

20 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

much consideration. Fearing that they might undo their
influence with the people, I felt constrained to restrain,
rather than urge them forward in the work of reforma-
tion.

^' With many an invitation to visit the Western Re-
serve, and with many an assurance of a full and candid
hearing on the part of the uncommitted community, and
an immediate access to the ears of the Baptist churches
within the sphere of their influence, we took the parting
hand. They went on their way rejoicing, and in the
course of a single year prepared the whole association to
hear us with earnestness and candor.'*

Investigations of Bible truth led to liberality of
viev^s among the people, and especially in the Bap-
tist churches. The Mahoning Association was
founded on the Philadelphia Confession of Faith as
its organic law. But this system of doctrine did not
receive the cordial consent of all. Discussions were
common among the ministry and the members on
the law as a rule of life for Christians — whether it
was ever binding on Gentiles — the nature of faith —
and the necessity for any other rules of faith or
church articles besides the Holy Scriptures. As the
light came apace, many became convinced that much
reformation was needed to bring the churches up to
the New Testament models

It is probably illogical to refer this movement
toward reform, so wide and so active, to any one
leading impulse. As in all similar general move-
ments which have become permanent, it is probably
more correct to assign the result to several concur-
rent causes. The peculiar character of the popula-
tion of the Western Reserve, mostly from New
England, with a liberal intermingling of people from

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 21

other States, resulting in comparisons, often in col-
lisions of views, was a powerful stimulus to investi-
gation. Yet history would not be faithful to omit,
as among the most direct evident causes and guides
in this increasing demand for a restoration of the
divinely established order of the Gospel, the writings
and personal labors of Alexander Campbell. His de-
bate with Rev. John Walker, published in 1821, and
that with Rev. W. L. McCalla, which appeared in
1824, distinguished by freedom from conventional
forms of belief, and by their boldness and clearness
of exposition of Scripture, served in some sort as a
warrant to others equally inclined but less bold to
burst the denominational shell in which they felt
themselves confined.

Added to these the " Christian Baptist,'' to which
the preface was written the 4th of July, 1823, went
forth monthly to advocate definitely and distinct-
ively the restoration of the apostolic teaching and
practice in all things ; in faith, conversion, baptism,
the oflfice of the Holy Spirit, church order, and,
summarily, every thing authorized by Jesus Christ,
the Author and Finisher of the Christian religion.

Many were prepared to welcome the " Christian
Baptist" when it first appeared. In the winter of
1822-3, Elder Bentley discoursed frequently on such
themes as "The Law,'* "The Scriptures a Sufficient
Guide," etc. Jacob Osborne, though young, was
active and influential in promoting this search of
the word for "things new and old." Sidney Rigdon
added the persuasions of a very commanding and
popular eloquence. Joseph Freeman, a promising
young Baptist minister, who had spent some time in

22 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Mr. Campbeirs seminary, made a tour of preaching
in the winter of 1823-4, helping forward the tide
now setting in toward Jerusalem. His worthy father
also, the pious Elder Rufus Freeman, though never
fully committed to follow the Apostles withersoever
they go, yet took the liberal side in frequent dis-
courses. Nor should the name of Edward Scofield
be omitted as one of the same class. Besides these,
many of less public note, as Deacon Rudolph, of
Garrettsville ; Jesse Hall, of Hubbard ; Benjamin
Ross, of Youngstown ; David Hays and William
Dean, of Canfield, with many others whose names
are in the Lamb's Book of Life, were hoping and
laboring for a better day.

This was especially true of the younger class of
preachers, whose intellectual and religious activities
were more ready for the coming investigations ; such
men as Marcus Bosworth, William Hayden, Darwin
Atwater, Zeb Rudolph, John Applegate, Nathan
Porter, and William Collins.

The disallegiance to creeds and confessions, and
confidence in the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures,
gained steady advancement. The Baptist church
of Nelson, organized in 1808, by Elder Thos. G.
Jones, was composed of members scattered over the
territory of Nelson, Hiram, and a part of Mantua.
So thoroughly satisfied had many of its members
become of the detriment of the Confession of Faith
to mature Christian manhood, that at a meeting of
this church, held August 24, 1824, a resolution was
passed, nearly unanimously, *' to remove the Phila-
delphia Confession of Faith and the Church Arti-
cles, and to take the Word of God for our Rule of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 23

Faith and Practice." The two classes of views on
the step thus taken were on the alert to maintain
their ground. The brethren leading on this reform
were Deacon John Rudolph, his two sons John and
Zeb, and Darwin Atwater. The opposition was led
by Mrs. Garrett, whose skill in fencings shrewdness,
and determination, united with piety and talent, put
her forward without an effort of hers, as the coun-
selor and manager of the cause of the dissidents.
She was a lady of culture and intelligence, well
skilled in the "doctrines of grace" and the methods
of their defense. She was a daughter of Rev. Dr.
Jones, a Baptist minister, who held a chaplaincy
under General Washington in the Revolutionary War.
She lived to a great age. She was a prodigy of
memory, displaying to the last the most accurate re-
tention of names, dates, and events.

The meeting of the association came close after
this action of the church in Nelson. The church
appointed Elder Rufus Freeman, its pastor; James
Rudolph and Darwin Atwater as her messengers to
that body. As no counteraction could be taken by
the opposing members with any show of authority,
Mrs. Garrett wrote a letter warning the association
not to receive these messengers. No notice was
taken of her letter, and the messengers were re-
ceived. The next year, 1825, the association con-
vened in Palmyra. Both parts of the church 'sent
messengers, and all were received. For the reform-
ing brethren they were : Jacob Osborne, ordained
minister, John Rudolph and John Rudolph, Jr. In
behalf of those holding the '* Articles," Joshua
Maxon, Martin Manly, and Joseph Tinker.

24 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

It will be readily seen in these movements of the
churches, the origin of the queries which were sent
to the association at Hubbard. They were received,
entered on record, but held under advisement a
whole year. In the minutes of its meeting in Pal-
myra, 1825, the answers are given. The questions
and answers are put together here. This was Mr.
Campbeirs first appearance in the Mahoning Asso-
ciation :

^^ Answers to the queries from the church at Nelson,

'* Query i. Will this association hold in its connection
a church which acknowledges no other rule of faith and
practice than the Scriptures ?

'^ Ans, Yes. On satisfactory evidence that they walk
according to this rule.

** Query 2. In what manner were members received in-
to the churches that were set in order by the Apostles ?

^^Ans. Those who believed and were baptized were added
to the church.

'* Query 3. How were members excluded from those
churches ?

^' Ans, By a vote of the brethren.

^^ Answer to the query from New Lisbon,

'' Query, Is it scriptural to license a brother to adminis-
ter the word, and not the ordinances ?

^^ Ans, We have i\o such custom taught in the scrip-
tures.

^^ Answer to the query from Randolph, viz. :

Can associations in their present modifications find their
model in the New Testament ?

'^ Ans. Not exactly.^'

The tendency of religious inquiry is here clearly
exhibited. The source also of some of the answers

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 25

is discernible. The answer to the last one at
least is authoritatively attributed to Mr. Campbell.
The wisdom of it, admitting the need of a scriptural
reformation, yet carefully avoiding direct collision
with the tenacious elders, was commented on at the
time as evidence of his prudence in counsel.

The Mahoning Association, its Constitution
AND Creed.

Associations among the Baptists are voluntary
unions of churches, for mutual encouragement, for
counsel in church affairs, and for protection against
heresy and impostors. Each church is entitled to
three representative messengers, who bring with
them a written statement of its creed. If this docu-
ment is orthodox, or in harmony with its accepted
standards of faith, the church is received by a plu-
rality vote, upon which the moderator gives the
right hand of fellowship to its messengers, and bids
them to a seat.

The Mahoning Association was formed on Wed-
nesday, the 30th of August, 1820. There is some-
thing curious, if not significant, in the fact that in
those days the associations took their names from
rivers : Thus we had the Beaver Association, the
Grand River Association ; one bears the name of
Huron, another is called Stillwater ; and the Mahon-
ing River is equally honored.

Another circumstance : Baptist churches were in
the habit of assuming names having a sentimental
or historical import. Thus the church of Warren
was called *' Concord;" that in Nelson " Be-
thesda " — probably in allusion to John v : 2, and the
3

26 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

healing of the helpless by the compassionate Re-
deemer. The church in Youngstown took the name
'*Zoar," significantly reminding its members that
when the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Go-
morrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of
heaven, Lot found safety by fleeing from destruc-
tion, and entering into Zoar, Gen. xix: 23, 24. A
church on the Sandy was known as the ** Valley of
Achor," teaching us that admission into it was en-
trance into a **door of hope." Hosea ii : 15. The
church in Hubbard was " Mount Hope." " Bethel "
is met with in several associations.

These and others are found on the records of their
history. It is important to know them, not only as
showing a habit of that people, but as explanatory
of some things in the history.

The constitution of the *' Mahoning Baptist Asso-
ciation " declares :

**It is our object to glorify God. This we would en-
deavor to do by urging the importance of the doctrine
and precepts of the gospel in their moral and evangelical
nature, commending ourselves to every man's conscience
in the sight of God; not pretending to have authority
over any man's [conscience,] nor over the churches,
whose representatives form this association. But we act
as an advisory counsel only, disclaiming all superiority, jur-
isdiction, coercive right and infallibility; and acknowledg-
ing the independence of every church ; which has received
authority from Christ to perform all duties enjoined re-
specting the government of his church in this world.**

If ecclesiastical authority was vested in the asso-
ciation, it will be seen that it existed in a very mild
form. It was not constituted as a court of appeal.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 2/

It assumed no judicial nor executive powers over the
churches. It existed as an ** advisory council"
merely, and for the custodial charge of '* the doc-
trine" and *'the precepts" of the gospel. What the
association meant by " the doctrine " and " the pre-
cepts " of the gospel will be apparent a little further
on when we give its " creed," for the conservation
of which the framers of its constitution deemed it
important to compact the churches into this union.
It is safe to say that of all the forms of modern ec-
clesiasticism, the association was the least liable to
complaint, as it contained the greatest liberty with
the least "coercive" restraint upon the conscience.
It is to be lamented that all bodies are liable to tran-
scend their constitutional limits, and in some States
the association has been made an engine of usurpa-
tion and tyranny, of which the ** Star Chamber" in
its healthiest day might have been emulous. The
*' Beaver Anathema," the " Appomattox and Dover
Decrees " of Pennsylvania and of Virginia, are ample
confirmations of the truth of this statement, as also
the tortuous and vindictive policy of the Redstone
Association. But those outbursts of clerical intol-
erance were spasmodic and unauthorized, resulting in
far greater damage to the actors in those scenes of
persecution, than to the disciples against whom
their fulminations of power were directed.

The creed of the association is thus set forth in
its constitution :

*' The doctrine of this association is as follows :

^* I. Three persons in the Godhead — the Father, the

Word, and the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one. i

John v: 7.

28 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

^' 2. Eternal and personal election to holiness, and the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ the Redeemer. Eph.

i: 4, 5-

'* 3. The condemnation of all mankind in consequence
of Adam's transgression. Rom. v: 16, 18.

'^4. The depravity of all mankind, in all the faculties of
the soul, the understanding, will, and affections. Col. i :
18; Acts xxvi : 18; Eph. iv: 18, 23; John v: 40;
Rom. viii. 7.

''5. Particular redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Rom. v: 9 ; Isa. xxxv. 10; John vi : 37, 39.

^'6. Pardon of all sin through the merits of Christ's
blood to all true believers, i John i: 7; Col. i: 14;
Acts X : 43.

** 7. Free justification by the righteousness of Christ
imputed to all true believers. Jer. xxxiii : . 6 ; i Cor. i :
30; Rom. ix : 5, 18, 19.

*^ 8. The irresistible power of the Holy Ghost in re-
generation. Eph. ii: i; Johni: 13.

^'9. The perseverance of the saints in grace, by the
power of God unto eternal life. John x : 27, 28, 29 ;
Col. iii : 3, 9 ; John x : 29.

*' 10. Water baptism, by immersion of the whole body
of the party, so as to be buried with Christ by baptism ;
and not by sprinkling or pouring, as the manner of some
is. Mark i : 9, 10; John iii: 23; Acts viii: ^^, 39;
Rom. vi : 4; Col. ii : 12; Heb. x : 22.

'* II. The subjects of baptism: those who repent
of their sins and believe in Christ, and openly confess
faith in the Son of God. Matt, iii: 8; Acts viii: 37;
x: 47.

*' 12. The everlasting punishment of the finally impen-
itent in as unlimited sense as the happiness of the right-
eous. Matt. XXV : 41-46 ; Mark iii : 29 ; Rev. xiv : 11.

*' 13. We believe that the first day of the week is the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 29

Lord's day, and that it ought to be held sacred to the
memory of Christ's glorious resurrection, and devoted in a
special manner to the duties of religion.

'^ Finally, we believe the Holy Scriptures to be the only
certain rule of faith and practice."

The Mahoning Association was formed from the';
Beaver, and in this statement of its faith it copied,
without change, that of the Beaver Association.

It is remarkable that while the association declared
fully its creed in its constitution, each church was
at liberty to form its own creed, only provided its
declaration of doctrine agreed in sentiment with that
of the association. It seemed to be much trouble to
"fix" this business. A creed mania prevailed, and
the churches vied with each other in fencing out
heresy, and fencing in their orthodoxy with walls
broad and high, built of the " soundest " material of
Christendom. Their Calvinism was the diamond of
" purest ray serene." They sought to eliminate all
gaseous and volatile elements from the mixture.
They aimed to form a compound of belief so pure,
doctrinally, and so translucent, that it should resist
the action of the elements and never more be subject
to corrosion or decay !

Alas ! for all human hope ! Revolution stops not
to unbuild. It often sweeps the foundation of m.any
a massive structure, and with it its admired turret,
cope, and dome. When it became apparent that
these belabored theories of divine grace and of hu-
man regeneration were not the gospel delivered ,
over to the Holy Twelve, it mattered little how
sound, or firm, or beautiful. They were in the way.
They were ** stumbling blocks" in the way of the

30 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

union of the Lord's people. Remove them, saith the
prophet. Isa. Ivii : 14.

As a specimen of the orthodox belief which could
pass the gate unchallenged, I append two articles of
the creed of one of the strong churches of the asso-
ciation. It is the articles of belief of the church of
Youngstown, called " Zoar." This creed was copied
by several other churches, evidently because the
tone of its ring showed it to be pure metal. The
whole creed of this church is elaborated in thirteen
articles of great length and precision :

'* 8. We believe that the work of regeneration, conver-
sion, sanctification, and belief is not an act of man's free
will and power, but of the mighty, efficacious, and irresis-
tible grace of God.

** 9. We believe that all those who are chosen by the
Father, redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the Spirit,
shall certainly and finally persevere ; so that not one of
them shall ever perish, but shall have everlasting life.'*

Does the reader weary under its length and pon-
derous terms ? What think you, then, of the patience
of the saints of those days, who, four times a year,
sat uncovered and reverent to hear it all ; nay,
whose pity is not awakened for the new converts,
the lambs, who must hear it over, and profess be-
lief in each and every item of it ! When Philip
said to the eunuch " If thou believest with all thy
heart thou mayest " — as he had never seen and mas-
tered this confession, nor any other of modern or-
thodoxy— it is certain he simply called for the con-
vert's faith in Jesus Christ as alone sufficient for
obedience and all the demands of a new life.

It is cheering to know that ever since the great

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 3 1

Saxon sounded the note of liberty of conscience,
every new body is more and more liberal, approach-
ing gradually to the primitive order of the gospel of
Christ. The Mahoning Association was no excep-
tion. It was far more tolerant than its ecclesiastical
ancestors, the Redstone and the Wooster Associa-
tions. As proof, in 1824, she admitted the church
of Wellsburg, Virginia, with a statement of belief
containing not one hint of the "doctrines of grace,"
commonly known as Calvinism ! In that year the
church of Wellsburg was formed, the members hav-
ing been dismissed for that purpose from the church
of Brush Run, and it sought admission into the Ma-
honing Association. It appointed A. Campbell,
John Brown, and George Young its messengers to
carry the church letter and to ask admission.

The statement of belief which these messengers
bore to the association, was written by Mr. Campbell,
who himself did not attend its meeting, wishing to
be present at the Redstone Association, where a
coalition was forming against him on account of his
published views of reformation.

The statement of belief here follows, copied from
the records of the association, which met that year in
Hubbard :

"A Belief of the Wellsburg Church.

''We have agreed to walk together in obedience to the
authority and institution of our Lord and King, as ex-
posed in the form of sound words delivered unto us by
the apostles, evangelists, and prophets of the Savior, and
recorded in the Holy Scriptures of the volume called the
New Testament. Our views of this volume are briefly

^2 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

these: — We believe that the whole Christian religion is
fully and explicitly developed in it, and that nothing is
ever to be added thereto, either by any new revelations
of the Spirit, or by any doctrines or commandments of
men ; but that it is, as presented to us, perfectly adapted
to all the wise and holy ends of its all-wise and benevo-
lent Author.

*/ From this volume, with the Old Testament Scripture,
which we also receive as of divine inspiration and author-
ity, we learn every thing necessary to be known of God,
his works of creation, providence and redemption ; and
considering the Old Testament as containing the Jew's
religion as fully as the New contains the Christian, we
avail ourselves of both as containing every thing profit-
able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruc-
tion in righteousness, to make the man of God perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto every good work. But we
adhere to the New, as containing the whole Christian re-
ligion. The New teaches us — and we solemnly declare
our belief of it — that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of
God, the Savior, which was to come into the world ; that
died for our sins, was buried,, and rose again the third day
from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the
Majesty on high; that after his ascension he sent down
the Holy Spirit to convince the world of sin, of right-
eousness, and of judgment, by giving testimony of tlie
Savior, and by confirming the word of the apostles by
signs, and miracles, and spiritual gifts; that every one
that believeth by means of the demonstration of the Holy
Spirit and the power of God, is born of God, and over-
cometh the world, and hath eternal life abiding in him ;
that such persons, so born of the Spirit, are to receive
the washing of water as well as the renewal of the Holy
Spirit in order to admission into the Church of the living
God.

^^ And that such being the natural darkness and enmity

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 33

of the children of men, and their hearts so alienated from
the life of God through the ignorance that is in them and
by their wicked works, none can enter into this kingdom
of heaven but in consequence of the regeneration or re-
newal of the Holy Spirit. For it is now, as it ever was,
that only to as many as received Him, who are born not
of blood, nor the will of the flesh, but of God, does He
give power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe in His name. For we are born again not of cor-
ruptible seed, but by the incorruptible seed of the word
of God, which abideth forever.

'^ Our views of the Church of God are also derived
from the same source, and from it we are taught that it is
a society of those who have believed the record that God
gave of His Son : that this record is their bond of union ;
that after a public profession of this faith, and immersion
into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they
are to be received and acknowledged as brethren for
whom Christ died. That such a society has a right to
appoint its own bishops and deacons, and to do all and
every thing belonging to a church of Christ, independent
of any authority under heaven. '*

This document is especially noticeable for —

Its manly independence ;

Its freedom from technicality and creed verbiage ;

Its comprehension of the whole matter of faith
and obedience to Christ;

Its marked exaltation of the Holy Scriptures ;

Its assertion of their absolute sufficiency for all
Christian purposes ;

Its discrimination between the Jewish and Chris-
tian portions of the Bible ;

Its declaration of the necessity of personal re-
generation ;

34 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Its recognition of the Holy Spirit as the agent of
that change ;

Its affirmation of the power of the gospel as the
means of faith and conversion ;

Its repudiation of all human authority over the
churches ;

Finally, that it contains the germs of the relig-
ious reformation about being initiated, and which
has since spread so wonderfully in the world.

In August, 1826, the Mahoning Baptist Associa-
tion was held in Canfield, then in Trumbull County.
It convened in a barn belonging to David Hays, who
was a pillar in the church. Adamson Bentley was
the moderator, and Joab Gaskill, clerk.

Among the ministers in attendance were A.
Bentley ; Thomas Campbell and Alexander Camp-
bell, of Virginia ; Walter Scott, of Pittsburgh ; Sidney
Rigdon, Thomas Miller, William West, Corbly Mar-
tin, and Jacob Osborne.

It was customary in the association to have preach-
ing for the public while the messengers were trans-
acting business. A. Campbell preached on Saturday.
Disapproving of all priestly style, either in language,
mien, or garb, he was dressed in a plain suit of
drab. He stood up as a man — a Christian man —
rather than as a ** minister,*' to teach the Christian
religion as he read it in the Scriptures. His man-
ner impressed even youth with his superiority. He
was somewhat emaciated, suffering from dyspepsia.
His subject was the 7th chapter of Romans : a deep
subject, but his exhibition of it was so lucid and in-
structive that he riveted attention to the close.

The meeting, Saturday, ended with a baptism.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 35

The congregation retired over a lawn of velvet and
green to a stream near by, flowing among rocks, and
skirted by a grove. They proceeded to the water
singing, and returned in the same manner.

The Congregational meeting-house, at the center
of the town, was procured for Sunday. At a very
early hour it was filled, and many around it endeav-
ored to hear. Rigdon and Scott preached in the
morning. Some having heard the eloquent preacher
from Pittsburgh, left the meeting, supposing they had
heard Mr. Campbell, whose name had already become
famous. Mr. Campbell followed after a brief recess.
He founded his discourse on Malachi iv : 2 : " Unto
you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteous-
ness arise with healing in his wings." He an-
nounced his theme, **The Progress of revealed
Light.'' His discourse abounded in thoughts so
fresh, he made his theme so luminous and instruct-
ive, that the most rapt attention followed him
throughout the delivery.

Seizing on the evident analogy between light and
knowledge, and using the former, as the Scripture
every-where does, as a metaphor for the latter, the
eloquent preacher exhibited the gradual and pro-
gressive unfolding of divine revelation under four
successive periods of development, which he charac-
terized as, 1st, The Starlight Age; 2d, The Moon-
light Age ; 3d, The Twilight Age ; 4th, The Sun-
light Age ; and employed these respectiyely to ex-
plain, 1st, The Patriarchal; 2d, The Jewish Dis-
pensation ; 3d, The ministry of John the Baptist,
with the personal ministry of the Lord on the earth ;
and, 4th, The full glory of the perfect system of sal-

36 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

vation under the apostles when the Holy Spirit was
poured out on them, after the ascension and coronation
of Jesus as Lord of all. Under his remarks, and
applications of his theme, the whole Bible became
luminous with a light it never before seemed to pos-
sess. The scope of the whole book appeared clear
and intelligible ; its parts were so shown to be in har-
mony with each other, and with the whole, that the ex-
hibition of the subject seemed little else to many than
a new revelation, like a " second sun risen on mid-
noon," shedding a flood of light on a book hitherto
looked upon as dark and mysterious. The style of
the preacher was plain, common sense, manly. His
argumentation was sweeping, powerful, and convinc-
ing ; and above all, and better, his manner of preach-
ing formed so pleasing and instructive a contrast
with the customary style of taking a text merely,
or of sermonizing, in which mystery prevailed and
the *' darkness " became " visible," that the assembly
listened to the last of a long address scarcely conscious
of the lapse of time. At the conclusion of the ser-
mon, after dwelling with earnest and thrilling elo-
quence on the glory of the gospel dispensation, the
consummation of all the revelations of God, the Sun
of righteousness " now risen with healing in his
wings," putting an end to the moonlight and star-
light ages, he proceeded :

^'The day of light, so illustrious in its beginning, be-
came cloudy. The Papacy arose and darkened the
heavens for a long period, obscuring the brightness of the
risen glory of the Sun of righteousness so that men groped
in darkness. By the reformation of the 17th century that
dark cloud was broken in fragments ; and though the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. ^

heavens of gospel light are still obscured by many clouds —
the sects of various names — the promise is that ' at evening-
time it shall be hght/ The primitive gospel, in its
effulgence and power, is yet to shine out in its original
splendor to regenerate the world.'*

That discourse was never forgotten. It never will
be. It formed an era in respect to the gospel on the
Western Reserve. The shell of sect-sermons was
broken. The Bible was a new book ; its meaning
could be comprehended ; its language could be
understood.

Early in August, 1823, was issued from Buffalo
Creek, Va., (now Bethany), the first number of the
" Christian Baptist." It was edited by Alex. Campbell.
It was a monthly, devoted to the promulgation, expo-
sition and defense of the Christian religion as it is
expressly revealed in the New Testament. Its bold
exposition of prevailing errors, and uncompromising
defense of the *' faith once delivered to the saints,"
will be at once perceived by the Scripture motto
which stood at the head of every monthly number
for the whole seven years it continued to be published :

" Style no mmi on earth your father ; for He alone
is your father who is in heaven ; and all ye are breth-
ren. Assume 710 1 the title of Rabbi; for ye have only
one teacher: neither assume the title of leader, for ye
have only one leader, the Messiah : " instructions of the
Lord Messiah, in Matth. xxiii: 8, 9.

The sentiments and positions of the "Christian
Baptist " were so fresh, so free from the shackles of
doctrinal form peculiar to any sect, so rational, man-
ifestly so scriptural, and enforced by abilities so
varied and commanding, that the work increased its

38 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

circulation every year. It paid no deference to reign-
ing customs. Following its motto, it owned no mas-
ter, no leader, but Christ. Its editor was unsparing
in his denunciations of the clergy, who, as he averred,
had usurped the thrones of the Holy Twelve. The
exclusive right of the inspired apostles to the twelve
thrones of Christendom, was asserted and vindicated
with great power. It was the peculiar feature of the
" Christian Baptist*' that it put forth no doctrinal basis
on which to unite the disciples of Christ, except
what the apostles proclaimed at the beginning.

The boldness of its bugle-blast of reform startled
the slumbering camps of the half-sleeping Israel.
Gideon's cake, which smote the tent and laid it all
along in ruins, was not more significant nor decisive
in its portent of the issues of the coming contest.

Mr. Campbell's visits to the Western Reserve, not
only at the annual gatherings of the associations, but
at the ministers' meetings also, gave great impulse to
the views of reform propounded in his periodical, and
thus prepared the way for a mighty breaking up in
things ecclesiastic, and the revolution soon to follow.
These ministers' meetings among the Baptist preach-
ers were much the same as the preachers' associa-
tions more recently established among the Disciples.
It seems, from best obtainable information, that
Elder Adamson Bentley was chiefly instrumental
in establishing them. Being himself a gentleman
of culture, possessed of more than the average edu-
cation and reading existing among the Baptist cler-
gymen of that day — having, with other advantages,
had the benefits of association with the celebrated
Dr. Stoughton of Philadelphia — he felt the need of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 39

elevating the standard of ministerial qualification
among his Baptist brethren. He accordingly en-
couraged them to meet statedly for mutual improve-
ment.

In June, 1821, the ministers' meeting was held in
Warren. Mr. Campbell attended, and this was prob-
ably his first visit to the Western Reserve. His rep-
utation had preceded him. William Hayden and
many others came to the meeting, desiring to hear
him and make his acquaintance.

When Hayden entered the house, Mr. Campbell
was speaking. He had never seen him, but was fa-
miliar with his name and his history. " Who is v
that.^" he said to himself — "so tall and straight, with
such piercing eyes ! What a shrill, penetrating voice !
That must be Campbell." So he thought and so
it was. He was far in advance of the preachers
present in learning, ability, and acquaintance with the
Christian institution, yet he declined asserting any
superiority among them, leaving them the fullest
liberty of discourse and investigation.

Some one propounded the question ** Whether the
apostolic preaching and mode of establishing churches
is an example binding on us ? " " Certainly," re-
sponded Mr. Campbell, in his turn, " in all cases pos-
sible." The subject of election, a doctrine held by
all the Baptist ministry, came up for remark, as one
of the sermons was under review. Mr. Campbell
affirmed "that preaching the doctrine of election
never converted a single sinner to God." " Astonish-
ing ! " retorted Elder Freeman, " Astonishing ! "
"Where are they.?" inquired Mr. Campbell. Mr.
Freeman replied, " all around you ! " "I very much

40 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

doubt it/' responded Mr. Campbell ; adding, *' you
have preached election, foreordination, effectual call-
ing and perseverance ; and along with it you have
held up the love of God to lost sinners, the death of
Christ for their salvation, his resurrection for their
justification, the final judgment and eternal glory:
sinners were converted, and you have attributed it to
the Calvinistic * doctrines of grace.* "

The right interpretation of the Scriptures ; that
they were to be understood ; that the same rules of
interpretation were to be applied to them, as to other
writings ; that no new rules were to be coined for
their benefit ; that they were not to be applied to the
building up of any sect; that the word of God,
rightly interpreted and applied, would put an end to
religious controversy, and restore the primitive union
of the church ; these, and kindred themes, as novel
to many as they were convincing, came up in state-
ment and illustration.

It is necessary in opening this history to present
a short biography of some of the men through whose
instrumentality God led his people into a clearer
knowledge of his " ancient paths." They were men
of no mean abilities, and descended from a race not
unknown in history. The Campbell clan of Scotland
and the North of Ireland was once the most nu-
merous and among the most powerful of the races
which in feudal times disputed for the mastery of
Scotland. Inheriting the high, ambitious, and cher-
ished traditional honors of such an ancestry, when
the heroic Knox rescued that mountain land from the
f^rasp of Romanism, and established there the Ge-
nevan reformation, they enlisted in the defense of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 4I

Presbyterianism with all the enthusiasm wnich, in
former times, distinguished the tournament and the
profession of arms ; and even when that form of
religion was shattered by the shock of religious
strife, and riven into fragmentary sects, the world
witnessed, on another theater, a display of the char-
acteristic qualities of this race of noble men :

Biography of T. Campbell.

Thomas Campbell,* father of Alexander Campbell, de-
scended from the Campbells of Argyleshire. He was born
, in County Down, near Newry, Ireland, February i, 1763.
He was the oldest of four sons. His father, Archibald
Campbell, who served as a soldier in the British Army
under General Wolfe, and who was at the capture of Que-
bec, gave him and his three brothers, James, Archibald,
and Enos, the advantages of culture and an English edu-
cation in a military academy.

Thomas Campbell began in early life to exhibit the
serious and meditative dispositions of heart which in all
his life were so manifest to all who knew him. The rigid
formalities of the Episcopal Church, of which his father
was a strict member, failed to satisfy the deeply religious
feelings, which were early awakened in him. He fled to
the gospels. He found more congenial, spiritual aliment
among the warm-hearted and zealous Seceders. Among
this people — a branch of the Presbyterian Church, a se-
cession from the Kirk of Scotland — he became deeply
anxious for his soul's salvation. He passed through men-
tal struggles of indescribable anguish. The coveted peace
at length dawned on his soul, and in the raptures of grat-

* For the materials of this sketch of this excellent man, I am
chiefly indebted to Prof. Richardson's learned and admirable work,
** Memoirs of A. Campbell ; " to which the reader is referred for
fuller information.

4

42 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

itude for so great a deliverance, he resolved to consecrate
himself to the public service of the blessed Redeemer, to
whom his soul now clung with the ardors of a most de-
voted love. He was soon rapidly on the road to the min-
istry. Being an excellent English scholar, he engaged for
awhile in teaching. In the University of Glasgow he
completed the usual classical studies, and also a course in
medicine and lectures in law. He next completed the
theological course in Divinity Hall, under Archibald
Bruce, D.D., a master of profound abilities, and was com-
missioned, under the rigid and thorough examinations of
the Scotch Seceder Church, with the full credentials of the
Christian ministry.

In June, 1787, he was united in marriage to Miss
Jane Corneigle, whose ancestors were of the French Hu-
guenots, the Protestant reformers who were driven out of
France by the bloody persecutions of the papacy under
Louis XIV. She was a lady of equal dignity and gen-
tleness, with mental and moral endowments fitted to be a
queen. With this superior Christian woman, the faithful
companion of all his cares and toils. Elder Thomas Camp-
bell spent the greater part of his laborious and useful life.
She was the mother of eight children, four sons and four
daughters — one son dying young — and lived to impress her
own virtues upon all.

Mr. Campbell served for some time as a pastor of a
church near the city of Armagh. His habits in that ca-
pacity were ordered by the same rules of exactness, thor-
oughness, and affectionate kindness which marked all his
course in life. He visited, conversed, taught the people
privately the duties of social life, prayed with them, re-
lieved them, in which benefaction his wife was ever his
cheerful assistant, and in many ways labored, for the in-
crease of the piety and the personal improvement of the
people under his charge.

He cultivated early and ever that deep reverence for

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 43

the Bible which made him so familiar with its meaning
and its language, and, which, by exalting the word of
God into such incomparable pre-eminence above all hu-
man compositions, laid the foundations for the attempt to
discard all human creeds as bonds of union, and to unite
all the true followers of Christ into the 'unity of the
spirit and the bond of peace/ His faith was equal to
any demands upon it from that infallible, divine authority.
Simple trusting reliance on the Lord, and childlike obe-
dience to all his known requirements constituted the whole
of his religion practically viewed.

An anecdote related of him by Professor Richardson,
so strikingly illustrates this admirable trait of his religious
life, and displays so well his calm self-possession, that I do
not withhold it.

During the political agitations, embittered by the heated
antipathies of Catholics and Protestants, by which so-
ciety was rent and life made insecure, *'Mr. Campbell
was one day preaching to a congregation, when the house
was suddenly surrounded by a troop of Welsh Horse, no-
torious for their severities and outrages on those they con-
ceived to be rebels. The captain, conceiving that in this
remote place he had come upon a meeting of the rebels,
dismounted, and in a threatening manner marched into
the church. It was a moment of awful suspense. The
audience were panic-stricken, expecting every moment to
be subjected to the fury of the soldiers. Just at this mo-
ment, as the captain stalked up the aisle, casting fierce
glances on all sides, a venerable elder sitting near Mr.
Campbell called to him solemnly : * Pray^ sir ! * Where-
upon, in response to the call, and in a deep, unfaltering
voice, he began in the language of the forty-sixth Psalm :
* Thou, O God, art our refuge and strength : a very pres-
ent help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear though
the earth be removed, and though the mountains be car-
ried into the depths of the sea.' No sooner was the

44 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

first verse uttered, then the captain paused, and, appar-
ently impressed, bent his head, listened to the close, then
bowed, and retracing his steps, mounted his horse and
dashed away with his entire troop/*

Under the united duties of the care of the church,
and the work of teaching, his health was impaired. A sea
voyage was resolved upon as the necessary means of re-
covery. Accordingly on the 8th of April, 1807, after
bidding an affectionate farewell to his congregation, and
leaving his school in the hands of his oldest son, Alexan-
der, he commended his family tenderly to God, and sailed
out of harbor in a vessel bound for Philadelphia, into
which port he entered after a prosperous voyage of thirty-
five days.

In the emigration then flowing from the old world to
the shores of the United States, many of Mr. Campbell's
intimate friends had preceded him to this country, and
some of them, as the Hodgens and the Fosters, came soon
after. Among these, Mr. Campbell found the most hospi-
table welcome. He began at once to urge the claims of
the gospel — the undivided gospel of God upon the people.
His charitable spirit, with his able expositions of Scrip-
ture, drew around him the pious of different church com-
munions. As no reason appeared for their separation, but
rather many for their union in worship and work on Bible
principles, they agreed to form an association of Chris-
tians, to meet statedly for personal advancement in knowl-
edge and duty. They soon felt the importance of diffus-
ing for the good of others those principles which they
found so congenial to the word of God, and such an en-
largement of their own hearts. Thus come into being the
** Christian Association/* of Washington, Pa., which issued
the very first document of this reformation, which now
girdles the globe, and holds a membership of five or six
hundred thousand souls ! That document written by
Elder Thomas Campbell, is a pamphlet of 56 pages, titled

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 45

''Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of
Washington, Pa." It is a remarkable production — for
its catholicity, its supreme exaltation of the word of God,
its clear, unequivocal statement of the true and only-
practical ground of union, and its enunciation of all the
principles of this rising religious movement. It came
from the press in the autumn of 1809.

In the same fall he was joined by his family. For
more than forty years he plead for the religion of Christ
among men. He traveled extensively, and was every-
where listened to with marked attention for his distin-
guished abilities, and for the dignity and urbanity of his
manners. He died at the age of ninety-one, honored of
all.

Biography of A. Campbell.

*' Alexander Campbell was born September 1 2th, 1 788,
in the County of Antrim, Ireland. But though born in
Ireland, his ancestors were, on one side, of Scotch origin,
and on the other, descended from the Huguenots, in
France. Inheriting a vigorous and well-balanced physical
and mental constitution, and trained from his earliest
years, by his learned and accomplished father, to habits of
severe application, he grew up to manhood a constant and
laborious student — completing his course of education in
the University of Glasgow. Blessed with an exceedingly
intellectual and pious parentage, and reared in one of the
strictest schools of Presbyterianism, he early formed and
cultivated habits of piety, and a taste for theological stud-
ies, which gave shape to his entire life. A profound rever-
ence for the Word of God, was a marked feature of the
character alike of the boy and of the man.

*' Coming to this country in 1809, and settling in West-
ern Pennsylvania — whither his father had preceded him —

* This biography of Bro. Campbell was published in the first is-
sue of the "Christian Standard,*' for which it was written, by the
editor, Isaac Errett.

46 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

he closely scanned the condition of religious society. Both
father and son became deeply impressed with a conviction
of the evils and inherent sinfulness of sectarianism. Their
first movement, as reformers, was the repudiation of hu-
man creeds as tests of fellowship, and a proposal to unite
all the disciples of Jesus in one church, with the Bible as
the only authoritative standard of faith and practice. Pur-
suing the study of the Scriptures, as free as possible from
party bias, they, and those in association with them, were
soon convinced that infant membership in the church, and
sprinkling, were unauthorized of God. They were accord-
ingly immersed, on a confession of faith in the Son of God,
and united with the regular Baptists — stipulating, however,
that they should not be required to subscribe to any creed
or articles of faith other than the Bible. The prejudice
and passion of some excitable and intolerant men who
then held a leading influence in the Redstone Association,
rendered it prudent for Mr. Campbell to withdraw, after
a few years, from that connection. Against his own wishes,
he was compelled by the force of ecclesiastical opposition,
to act separately from the Baptists, seeking fellowship only
with those who were willing to be governed by the Bible
alone. Thus cut loose from his former connections, and
with a fierce opposition stirred up against him, he gave
himself supremely to the advocacy and defense of his plea
for a return to primitive Christianity. For half a century
he gave his strength to this work, making tributary to it
all his treasures of learning and eloquence. For forty
years — from 1823 to 1863 — he never failed to publish,
monthly, a religious magazine, laden with varied informa-
tion, rich thought, keen argument, and pious sentiment.
This was published, the first seven years, under the name
of The Christian Baptist. In 1830, it appeared in en-
larged form, under the title of The Millen?iial Harbinger,
These publications, although enriched with contributions
from many gifted pens, were principally occupied with ed-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 47

itorial essays ; and on this mainly depended their popular-
ity and power. The earlier years of his editorial career
were distinguished by lively and earnest controversy — the
arguments and criticisms of his opponents being given in
full on his pages, and the replies exhibiting a completeness
of information on the topics discussed, ripeness of judg-
ment, strength of argument, keenness of retort, and with-
ering exposures of sophistry, that render them admirable
models of polemical theology. Seldom is such playful-
ness of wit and keenness of satire joined with such gentle-
manly dignity and logical power. We have always re-
garded the correspondence with Bishop Semple as one of
the finest specimens of the epistolary style of discussion,
anywhere to be found.

** Afterwards, when the heat of controversy had some-
what abated, there is . traceable, in his journalism, a gen-
tleness and mellowness which, while admitting of no com-
promise with error, dealt more forbearingly with opposi-
tion, and delighted more in the sweetness of piety, and in
the practical aspects of Bible doctrine. Seldom, however,
even in the hottest of the strife, were sentences written
unworthy of the dignity and benevolence of the religion
of Jesus. We doubt, in going over these forty volumes,
and noting the wide range of subjects — doctrinal, critical,
ethical, historical, and literary — whether the same amount
and variety of writing can be found in any controversial
author with less which, when dying, he would wish to
erase.

''In addition to these forty volumes, Mr. Campbell
published several other works : A Translation of the New
Testament, by G. Campbell, Doddridge and Macknight,
with Prefaces, Emendations and Critical Notes of his own ;
the Christian System; Infidelity refuted by Infidels; Bap-
tism, its Antecedents and Consequents; a volume of Lit-
erary Addresses; a life of his father, Thomas Campbell,
etc. He also held several public discussions, which were

48 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

reported and published: A debate on baptism in 1820,
with Rev. John Walker; one on the same subject in 1823,
with Rev. W. L. McCalla ; one on the Evidences of Chris-
tianity in 1829, with Robert Owen ; one on Roman Ca-
tholicism in 1837, with Bishop (now Archbishop) Purcell ,
and one on the points in dispute between Presbyterians
and Reformers, in 1843, '^it^ Rev. N. L. Rice. This
last discussion occupied eighteen days. He had also a
written discussion with Dr. Skinner, on Universalism. In
all these he maintained a high reputation for learning,
dignity, and logical and critical acumen.

*' He was not less laborious as a speaker than as a
writer. During all these years, he traveled extensively,
traversing most of the States of the Union, and visiting
Great Britain and Ireland; discoursing every-where to
crowded audiences, on the great themes that occupied his
heart, and coming into contact with many of the best
minds of the age, from whom, whatever their difference
of sentiment, he constantly challenged respect and admi-
ration. His discourses were extemporaneous, often ex-
ceeding two hours in length, but were so clear in state-
ment, cogent in argument, rich in diction, and forcible
in illustration, as to hold his auditors in rapt attention to
the close. His was not the highest style of oratory. In-
deed he rather despised oratory as an art, relying on the
inherent attractiveness of the truths he uttered. We have
known him, in his prime, stand for two hours, leaning on
a cane, and talk in true conversational style, with scarce
a gesture in the entire discourse. But to a fine personal
appearance and dignity of manner, he added a clearness
of statement, a force of reasoning, a purity and sometimes
a pomp of diction, a wealth of learning, a splendor of
imagination, and an earnestness often rising into impas-
sioned utterance, which clothed his pulpit efforts with a
high degree of oratorical excellence. His habit of extem-
poraneous speaking never caused him to degenerate into

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 49

slovenliness of style, but sometimes led to undue diffusive-
ness and discursiveness.

*' In conversation, he expended, perhaps more time and
strength than in pulpit discourse. Possessed of a strong
social nature, and gifted with rare conversational powers,
his delighted visitors hung for hours on the wisdom and
eloquence of his lips. We do not compare him with John-
son or Coleridge, who, as conversationists won so great
a fame. Mr. Campbell conversed on different themes,
and to a widely different circle of hearers. But we doubt
if any of his age excelled him in capacity to charm and
instruct in the social circle. Perhaps more prejudice was
dissipated, and more adherents were gained, in these
daily conversations, than in his best pulpit efforts.

''It is not designed to enter here on a consideration
of the peculiar features of Mr. Campbell's teaching.
Briefly, they may be sketched thus :

''Christ, the only Master: involving a rejection of all
human names and leaderships in religion. The Bible, the
only authoritative book : necessitating a denial of the au-
thority of all human creeds. The Church of Christ, as
founded by him, and built by the apostles, for a habita-
tion of the Spirit, the only divine institution for spiritual
ends : logically leading to the repudiation of all sects in
religion as unscriptural and dishonoring to the head of the
church. Faith in Jesus, as the Christ, the Son of God,
and repentance toward God, the only scriptural prerequi-
sites to baptism and consequent church-membership : thus
dismissing all doctrinal speculation and all theological
dogmata, whether true or false, as unworthy to be urged
as tests of fitness for membership in the church of Christ.
Obedience to the divine commandments, and not correct-
ness of opinion, the test of Christian standing. The
gospel the essential channel of spiritual influence in con-
version ; thus ignoring all reliance on abstract and imme-
diate influence of the Holy Spirit, and calling the attention
5

50 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

of inquirers away from dreams, visions, and impressions,
which are so liable to deceive, to the living and powerful
truths of the gospel, which are reliable, immutable, and
eternal. The truth of the gospel, to enlighten ; the love
of God in the gospel, to persuade; the ordinances of the
gospel, as tests of submission to the divine will : \)ci^ prom-
ises of ths gospel, as the evidence of pardon and accept- .
ance ; and the Holy Spirit, in and through all these, ac-
complishing his work of enlightening, convincing of sin,
guiding the penitent soul to pardon, and bearing witness
to the obedient believer, of his adoption into the family
of God.

**He was intensely Protestant, steadily cherishing
through his life the cardinal principles of what is called
evangelical faith and piety — the divinity of Christ, his sac-
rificial death, as a sin-offering, and the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers. A Trinitarian in
sentiment, he repudiated the unscriptural technicalities of
Trinitarian theology, as involving a mischievous strife of
words. A devout believer in the atoning sacrifice of the
Lamb of God, he would not teach, as gospel, any theory of
atonement. A stout advocate of spiritual influence and
special providence, he was the enemy of all theories of
abstract spiritual power, as tending to ignore the word of
God, and leading to a deceptive trust in psychological pe-
culiarities as the voice of the Spirit of God. Sternly op-
posed to baptismal regeneration, he still insisted on the
baptism of the believing penitent '^for the remission of
sins.'* Educated in Calvinism, and always inclining to
that school, he was so fearful of the tendency of all specu-
lative theology, that it is difficult to trace his own proclivi-
ties on these questions anywhere in his voluminous writ-
ings. Deeply sympathizing with evangelical Protestantism,
in its grand ideas and principles, he nevertheless looked
on its present divided and distracted state as evidence
that Protestants are only partially rescued from the great

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 5I

apostasy; regarded the enforcement of speculative doc-
trines and creed authority as the tap-root of sectarianism ;
and insisted, through half a century, on the abandonment
of party names, leaders, and symbols, to prepare the way
for the union of all believers in one body; arguing that
thus only have we a right to expect the conversion of the
world. He suffered much unjust reproach for a plea
which, just as he was passing away, he saw rising into ex-
ceeding interest among all evangelical parties.

'^ As an educator, he is entitled to the honor of success-
fully instituting a college course, with the Bible as a text-
book, and as the basis of the entire curriculum of study.
He gave the ripest years of his life to the erection and en-
dowment of Bethany College, from which hundreds of
young men have gone forth, bearing the impress of his
spirit, and the molding influence of his noble Christian
life.

'* In estimating the character of this illustrious man, it
ought not to be forgotten that he possessed eminently
practical talents. He was no recluse, shut out from sym-
pathy with the activities of life. He was diligent in busi-
ness as well as fervent in spirit, seeking to serve the Lord
in the former as religiously as in the latter. He had
splendid business capacity, and employed it to great ad-
vantage ; so that, while traveling and preaching at his own
expense, entertaining generously the throngs that gathered
at Bethany, and meeting the constant demands on his
purse which every public man of generous nature is plied
with, he was still enabled to accumulate considerable
wealth. He once cold us of his standing at an early day
on the site of the present city of Cleveland, when engaged
with his father-in-law in locating lands. His quick per-
ceptions took in at a glance the advantages of this site,
and he urged the propriety of purchasing in a locality
which it was evident would one day be a great commercial

52 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

center. His father-in-law did not readily accept the
prophecy, and their lands were selected in Holmes County.

** Once only did he venture on the stormy sea of poli-
tics. In 1829, at the earnest solicitation of the people of
West Virginia, and with a special pledge from his friends
that he should not be required to take the stump, he con-
sented to be a candidate for a seat in the Virginia Consti-
tutional Convention. He was elected. He bore a prom-
inent part in the proceedings of that convention, acting
on the Judiciary Committee with Chief Justice Marshall,
on intimate terms with ex-President Madison, and coming
into conflict with John Randolph and other leading minds
of Eastern Virginia, in his advocacy of the interests of the
western portion of the State. In all this, he never for a
moment forfeited the dignity of his character as a Chris-
tian minister.

'^ His reputation was without spot. His bitterest ene-
mies failed to find a flaw in his character for truth, integ-
rity, and goodness. But to those who knew him well, he
was most cheerful, gentle, genial, just, and devout ; and
as dearly beloved for his goodness as he was venerated for
his greatness. It will ever be remembered to his honor,
that with an almost unbounded personal influence over a
religious community numbering hundreds of thousands, he
never sought the least ecclesiastical control. Although
the telegram from Wheeling announcing his death spoke
of him as '* Bishop Campbell," it will surprise many to
learn that he was merely one of the bishops of the congre-
gation meeting in Bethany, and that outside of this, he
never sought and never exercised, the least ecclesiastical
authority.

^'For many years he was possessed of the conviction
that the year 1866 would exhaust many prophetic dates,
and witness great changes in ecclesiastical and spiritual
affairs. It is not unpleasant to think that this has become
to him the year of years, and to his ransomed spirit will

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 53

unseal many of the mysteries of apocalyptic visions which,
here, even his piercing intellect failed to penetrate.

*'He passed away on the Lord's day — the day in which
he so much delighted, to the peace and bliss of an eternal
Sabbath. In his later years, the personal dignity and of-
ficial relations of the Son of God, was his constant theme
of discourse. Who can imagine the reverence and rap-
ture that shall fill his spirit when beholding the glory of
Immanuel, whom, unseen, he loved so well, and at whose
feet he laid, adoringly, the gifts of his nature, and the
toils of his life !

*^He fell asleep in Jesus, on the 4th of March, 1866,
near midnight, at his home in Bethany, West Virginia.

'* It was an event not unexpected. Coming ^ in a good
old age,' when his work was done, and his tired faculties
craved rest from the incessant anxiety and toil of half a
century ; coming slowly, attended with but little suffering,
allowing his last years to be spent pleasantly in the scenes
he loved best, and his last hours to be cheered and soothed
by the fondest ministrations of conjugal and filial affec-
tion, death appeared in a milder form, and granted a
gentler descent to the tomb, than is often permitted."

54 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER II,

The Association in New Lisbon, 1827 — An evangelist appointed —
Biography of Walter Scott — Scott among the churches.

AS at the coming of day, the light springs forth in
no one locality, but brightens alike over the whole
land ; so, in many places, with no traceable connec-
tion, the same investigations were going on, and the
same conclusions were reached from the careful study
of the New Testament. The style of speech indica-
ted the change of thought. Sect language gradually
gave place to Scripture terms and phrases, as more
appropriate and correct, and authorized by the sanc-
tion of the Holy Spirit. Instead of " relating a Chris-
tian experience," converts now began to ** confess
their faith in Christ.'* Church records assumed the
scriptural designation of ** disciples." The spirit
of research was fully set free. It peered into every
thing, to sift out what was erroneous, and to make all
things according to the pattern shown by the apostles
in the New Testament. Even from the hymns and
the prayers were eliminated objectionable terms and
forms of speech, carrying in them thoughts and peti-
tions unsanctioned by the Word of God. The dia-
lect of the Holy Spirit in the language of apostles
and prophets, it was urged, must be substituted for
the corrupt language of the great apostasy which still
pollutes the tongue of Christendom. The reformation
must be radical. From the language of the Jews, the
language of Ashdod must be expurgated. Thus,
many terms that were trite and dear from their fa-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 55

miliar association in religious life were objected to as
improper, and rejected as misleading.

Call for an Evangelist.

As the Calvinistic theory of conversion began to
yield, and it was seen that sinners have something to
do in hearing the gospel, that they may believe and
be saved, and, also, that the church has in her hands
the work of preaching it, the feeling began to take
definite form that the time had come to take this re-
sponsibility which was devolved upon her by the Lord
Jesus, to convert the world through the proclamation
of the glad tidings. It was apparent, no less in the
wants of the people than in the light of the Sacred
Scriptures, that a suitable person should be selected
to travel among the churches, to preach the gospel,
and to set things in order according to the teachings
of the primitive church. So evident had it become
that this long neglected duty must be resumed, that a
petition to this end was sent to the Mahoning Asso-
ciation from the church in Braceville. It was under-
stood that the church in Nelson was consulted, and
that it concurred in the movement. Mr. Campbell
came to this association with the same purpose in his
heart. Passing through Steubenville, he called on
Walter Scott, principal of the academy in that place,
and persuaded him to come to New Lisbon, with the
intention of securing his appointment as the evan-
gelist of the association.

On this occasion, memorable in history, the asso-
ciation met by regular appointment in New Lisbon,
Columbiana County, August 23, 1827. Jacob Osborne
was moderator, and John Rudolph, Jr., clerk.

56

EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The churches and delegates composing the associ-
ation, were as follows :

CHURCHES.

NAMES OF MESSENGERS.

>

•^ a-

0

1
I

0-

0
J?

1

H
o

Warren -J

Adamson Bentlev...

Jacob Smith

3

I

4

4

2

72

Jacob Drake.........

Joab Gaskill

New Lisbon.--/

John Campbell

2

I

41

Henry Beck

Darwin Atwater

Mantua and J

Zeb. Rudolph

9

?6

Hiram 1

John Rudolph Jr ..

Stephen Wood

Palmyra }

Noah Davis... ,

I

3

49

W^illiam Bacon

Jesse Hall

TTulil^ard •<

Walter Clark

Archibald Price ..

I

37

......

Braceville <

Jacob Osborne

Henry Harsh

3

2

I

36

William McGavern.
Thomas Ray

Yellow Creek •

5

I

2

30

Simon Kelley

Val. of Achor <

Canfield |

Wellsburg Va <

Arthur W^herry

John Jackman

David Havs

I

2

70

Myron Sacket

Alexander Campbell
John Brown

I

I

?8

II

5

3

I

I

56

Arthur G. Hayden..

Salem . <

Aaron Hise

3

4

34

David Gaskill

Hartford

No intelligence.
Samuel Hayden

Youngstown.. <

Southington

Randolph. ^... <
Sandy

Joseph Pearce

No intelligence.
Abiiah Sturdevant..

William Churchill...
No intelligence.

Total number.

13

34

13

14

13

4

492

Besides these accredited messengers, the following
preachers were present, who, by a resolution of the

IN 'j:jJ;e western reserve. 57

association, were invited to a seat in its counsels :
Walter Scott, Samuel Holmes, William West, and
Sidney Rigdon.

There were present, also, J. Merrill, John Secrest,
and Joseph Gaston, advocates of the gospel among
the " Christian " fraternity. These brethren were, by
resolution, made equally welcome to the sittings of the
association.

The following petition from the church in Brace-
ville, Trumbull County, sent by the hand of Bro.
Osborne, was received and entertained :

^* We wish that this association may take into serious con-
sideration the peculiar situation of the churches of the as-
sociation, and if it would be a possible thing for an evan-
gelical preacher to be employed to travel and teach among
the churches, we think that a blessing would follow.*'

The action of this convention of churches in rela-
tion to this subject, is reported as follows :

^^ Voted, That all the teachers of Christianity present, be
a committee to nominate a person to travel and labor among
the churches, and to suggest a plan for the support of the
person so appointed.''

The preachers present composing this committee,
were the following : Adamson Bentley, Joab Gaskill,
Jacob Osborne, A. Campbell, Abijah Sturdevant, Wal-
ter Scott, Samuel Holmes, William West, Sidney
Rigdon, J. Merrill, John Secrest, Joseph Gaston —
twelve ; besides, Darwin Atwater, Zeb. Rudolph, and
John Jackman, who soon after became prominent as
teachers of the gospel. Let us now hear their unan-
imous report :

*^ The committee, to which was referred the nomination

58 ^ EARLY HISTORY OF THE HLSCIPLKS

of a person to labor among the churches, and to recom-
mend a plan for his support, reported as follows :

'' I. That Bro. Walter Scott is a suitable person for the
task, and that he is willing, provided the association con-
cur in his appointment, to devote his whole energies to
the work.

*^ 2. That voluntary and liberal contributions be recom-
mended to the churches for creating a fund for his support.

'^3. That at the discretion of Bro. Scott, as far as re-
spects time and place, four quarterly meetings for public
worship, be held in the bounds of the association this
year; and at these meetings such contributions as have
been made, in the churches in those vicinities, be handed
over to Bro. Scott, and an account be kept of the same to
be produced at the next association ; also, that at any time
and in any church, when and where Bro. Scott may be la-
boring, any contributions made to him shall be accounted
for to the next association.

^' Voted, That the above report, in all its items, be
adopted.*'

These men were devoutly in earnest in their pur-
pose. An extract from the records is instructive on
this point:

'^ Met Lord's day at sunrise, in the Baptist meeting-
house, for prayer and praise, and continued till eight
o'clock.''

They were not sleepy drones. The morning sun,
at his rising, found them assembled in prayer. Three
hours and more they lifted to the Mercy-seat their
suppliant appeals, while praises went to the third
heaven from souls all dewy with the morning grace,
which came plentifully upon them. Great and glori-
ous epochs in the kingdom are the birth of great
prayer.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 59

^' Met again in the Presbyterian meeting-house, Lisbon,
where, after public worship, Bro. Jacob Osborne delivered
a discourse, Heb. ist chapter. He was followed by Bro.
A. Campbell, who delivered a discourse on Good Works,
predicated upon the last paragraph of the Sermon on. the
Mount, and the conclusion of Matt. 25 th chapter.

''After a recess of a few minutes, and the immersion of
some disciples in the creek, the brethren met at the Bap-
tist meeting house and broke bread, after which they dis-
persed, much comforted and edified by the exercises of
the day.''

This association deserves much more than a pass-
ing notice. It was the first ecclesiastical body in
modern times, which, transcending the limits of its
own constitutional prerogatives, initiated a movement
exactly conformed to the word of God, and utterly dis-
entangled from all sectarian restraints. Let us pause
to consider its action :

1. The association threw open its doors, and
brought in, as a composite element, disciples of Christ,
ministers of another ecclesiastical connection, making
these ministers fully equal in its action ; thus setting
aside its denominational character, and standing on
the broad, firm charter of the Christian religion
alone. These men were of the " Christian connec-
tion/' and the most that was known of either party re-
specting the other was that each respectively was zeal-
ously, and conscientiously engaged in preaching the
gospel as he best understood it. Here was a practical
exhibition of the union of Christians for a common
purpose.

2. Here was the appointment of an evangelist in
the pure New Testament idea of that official minister.

6o EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

by the concurrent action of the ministry of a given
district of country. In this it took upon itself the
new duty of establishing and regtdati^ig an evangeli-
cal agency, or mifiistry.

3. This association, like all others, had restricted its
action to sundry ecclesiastical matters, making no pro-
vision for evangelical operations. Its duty was mainly
the care of churches, responding to questions, and
hearing cases of appeal ; affairs which churches can
manage more successfully at home. This association
assumed a new power, and with this higher preroga-
tive, entered upon the discharge of a far higher and
wider responsibility. And what was it } Simply to re-
vive the work laid by divine authority upon its hand at
the beginning, to *' preach the gospel to every creature."
This pure, simple, most significant act was here for
the first time performed by a body of churches assem-
bled in delegate capacity. The selection of an evan-
gelist to travel among the congregations of a given
district, clothing him with power to set things in order,
to preach the gospel, and by every means to promote
the work of Christ, deserves the clearest and most em-
phatic statement as a direct, practical measure in re-
storing the apostolic order to the world.

4. No one church assumed the grave responsibil-
ity of selecting, authorizing, and sending forth an
evangelist. The suggestion for such an appointment,
while coming from one of the churches, at the instance
of a wise preacher among them, was, by the associa-
tion, wisely and properly referred to the ministers of
the gospel for full consideration and final action.
And their action in the premises, duly taken and de-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 6l

clared, received the cordial indorsement and acquies-
cence of all the churches represented.

5. But, further, the association bound its evangelist
by no doctrinal restrictions or limitations. No creed
basis, no confession of doctrines, no articles of belief:
he was simply to ** preach the word."

This was a bold and untried step. It was a long step
toward Mount Zion. But it was a safe step, as the
Scriptures can lead no one astray ; and, also, it was
the only method of bringing about the restoration of
original Christianity in fact, in faith, and in form, in
letter, in spirit, and in practice.

Biography of Walter Scott.

Walter Scott was born in Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Scot-
land, October 31, 1796. His father, John Scott, a gen-
tleman of fine culture, was a professor of music. His
mother, Mary Innes Scott, was a person of most pure life,
and eminently religious. They had ten children, five
sons and five daughters ; Walter was the sixth child.

A remarkable providence is related as occurring in
connection with the death of his parents. His father went
to the town of Annan on business of his profession, and
died there suddenly. Mrs. Scott was so deeply affected
by the intelligence of his demise, that she died immedi-
ately, and was buried with him in the same grave.

He had a maternal uncle in the custom-house, in the
city of New York, who held his situation for thirty years
under all the changes of administration. The death of
this man was also remarkable. He died on his knees while
in prayer.

The Scott family were all strict members of the Kirk of
Scotland. Walter Scott early displayed the fine qualities
of character for which he afterwards became conspicuous.

62 EARLY HISTOKY OF THE DISCIPLES

He was intellectual, sensitive, tender-hearted, and pious.
He was educated in the University of Edinburgh.

A characteristic incident is related concerning him
which occurred while he was pursuing his collegiate studies.
When about sixteen he walked out one evening into the
city, and not returning as soon as his parents expected, at
a late hour they sent his older brother James in search of
him. James explored the city diligently, but failed to find
him till long after midnight. He found him in the midst
of a crowd singing the popular Scottish airs, collecting mon-
ey in this way for a poor blind beggar. When accosted
by his brother, he seemed not aware of the lateness of the
hour, so completely was his young and benevolent heart in-
terested in procuring relief for the needy man.

On invitation of his uncle>in New York, George Innes,
Esq., he crossed the ocean. He resided awhile in his un-
cle's family, and also, for a time, taught a classical school
on Long Island. With the spirit of adventure, common to
the young, he came to Pittsburgh, crossing the mountains
afoot in company with a young companion. He soon made
the acquaintance of a fellow-countryman, Mr. George For-
rester, in whose family he found a welcome and for consid-
erable time a home. Mr. Forrester was a preacher of the
Haldanean school, who had prepared for the ministry in
the institution established in Scotland by the celebrated
Robert and James Alexander Haldane, for educating young
men for the preaching of the gospel. He was conducting
a school, and also preaching to a small membership whom
he had collected together. The friendly hearts of these men,
as well as the tie of nationality, created a warm attachment
between them. Mr. Scott was here invited to the examina-
tion of the claims of pedobaptism, in which he had been
trained up. He had too much reverence for the authority
of God's Word to resist its teaching ; so after a full search
for scriptural authority for this practice of his church, and
finding none, he abandoned it as a defenseless relic of the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 63

Papacy ; and, accordingly, was immersed by his friend
Mr. Forrester.

The new views which presented themselves to him by
this new search of the Holy Scriptures, and the fresh in-
terest awakened by them in a mind naturally inquisitive
and greatly devoted to religious pursuits, give him a pow-
erful impulse to farther scriptural investigations. He rap-
idly outstripped his teachers. He was not long in acquir-
ing a wonderful store of knowledge of the Christian relig-
ion. He opened a classical and English high school ; but
the duties of that profession, a profession in which he was
eminently successful, did not interfere with his assiduous
prosecution of the systematic study of the Bible.

About this time, at one of Mr. Campbell's visits to
the city of Pittsburgh, he and Mr. Scott became personally
acquainted. By reputation they were not strangers. These
men discovered in each other so many admirable and bril-
liant qualities of character, intellectual and social, that a
lasting friendship was formed between them. This coales-
cence of feeling, however, was quite as much the result of
the coincidence of their conclusions on great scriptural
themes ; their agreement in the power of the gospel to re-
cover Christendom from its numberless sects and divisions ;
and to restore the unity of the ^' faith once delivered to the
saints.** From that day they were mutual co-operants in
the common cause of re-proclaiming to the world the gos-
pel as it began in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the
Lord's ascension.

Mr. Campbell, at the time of his introduction to Scott,
was about issuing a monthly^ designed to develop the truth
of the gospel, and to plead for the union of Christians on
Bible grounds. Mr. Scott fell in with the proposition, and
espoused the scheme. Mr. Campbell proposed the name
'^The Christian,'' as a suitable title for his new periodi-
cal. Mr. Scott thought ''The Christian Baptist ' ' would be
a title more likely to win an immediate hearing. This

64 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

was agreed upon. And in the very beginning of that mas-
terly work, the grand triumvirate, Thomas Campbell,
Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott appeared side by
side as contributors to its pages. The appearance of that
periodical, August, 1823, forms a marked epoch in the pub-
lic announcement of the principles of a much-needed re-
formation. Mr. Scott remained yet a few years in Pitts-
burgh, where he became acquainted, and for a time asso-
ciated, with Sidney Rigdon, then pastor of a small Bap-
tist church in the city. The two communions, that under
Rigdon and the company to whom Scott preached, united
together and became one body.

Early in 1827 we find him in Steuben ville, established
in the academy, as already related. He had issued a pros-
pectus, and was on the eve of commencing the publication
of the '^ Millennial Herald,*' to be devoted to the statement
and defense of the gospel, and to the publication of views of
the millennium, in which he had become much interested.

^'The heart of man deviseth his way; but the Lord
directeth his steps.'' A foreseeing providence was prepar-
ing a far different theater for the display of his remarkable
talents, and was at the same time preparing him for that
field. This was the work of an evangelist opened for him
in New Lisbon; which, after some persuasion, he accepted
with all his heart. His great powers were now plumed
for great purposes. Here was scope and comprehension
for his gifts of oratory, of argumentation, and persuasion.
All his talents for analysis and classification were here to
find amplest scope and fullest display. Many and glori-
ous events were born the day that the arrangement was
completed to send Scott forth to preach the gospel ; the
gospel long thought to be a mystery, but soon to come as
a revelation to the people.

The history of this extraordinary man is in the pages
that follow ; rather, in the mighty revolution in religious
society in America, which, like a majestic stream, is widen-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 65

ing and deepening in its flow ; a revolution to which he has
contributed very much by his discoveries in Bible truth, and
by his powers of eloquence and argument in presenting
and defending it before the people.

His style was chaste and classical. He was a man of
great faith, and of a most lovable and gentle spirit. In
discourse he was often bold as a lion ; yet he as often
played among lambs. He came before the world with a
mission on his soul ; the restoration of the gospel plea^
the ^^ advocacy," as he termed it. He affirmed that the
gospel contains an advocacy for converting sinners to Christ.
This appeal, with its appointed conditions of pardon, con-
stituted Scott's special mission to the men of this genera-
tion. Long and faithfully did he conduct the high argu-
ment j and many thousands of his beloved Master's chil-
dren will rise up and bless his memory.

He fell asleep, full of faith and hope, at his residence
in Mayslick, Ky., Tuesday evening, April 23, i56i, in the
sixty-fifth year of his age.

Scott among the Churches.

After his appointment Scott lost no time in prep-
aration for his new duty. Giving up both his paper
and his academy, and leaving his family in Steuben-
ville, he was almost immediately on the territory he
was to traverse. Great hopes were entertained of the
results of his labors. Yet no man, himself not ex-
cepted, had any adequate conception of the great and
unparalleled blessings which were in store for the
people within that year.

The first of the quarterly meetings recommended
in the report of the committee at New Lisbon, was
held in Braceville, then the residence of Jacob Os-
borne, the brother who moved the association to ap-
6

66 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

point an *' evangelical preacher." Bro. Marcus Bos-
worth also resided in Braceville, a young preacher
of warm heart and of sweet and winning speech. It
was Lord's day, September i6, 1827. It was largely
attended, and was prolific in important results. The
principal preachers were Scott, Bentley, and Osborne.
Darwin Atwater, whose clear, personal recollections
avouch this record, was also present, with others
from abroad. The principles of reform were making
constant and sure progress in many places, though
they were yet encumbered and delayed by the cau-
tious prudence of some, and by the opposition of
others. The leading steps of its march are suscepti-
ble of historic record. The first distinctive position
assumed was the plea for the union of Christians on
apostolic ground. This, as a consequence, directed
an enfilading fire against the works in which the
creed power was intrenched. Creeds, confessions
of faith as terms of membership and communion,
articles of church government separate from the New
Testament, and distinctive of the sect, with all that
pertained to them, were gradually losing ground ;
while at the same time, as a correlative part of the
plea, the fullness, sufficiency, plainness, and author-
ity of the word of God for all the purposes of faith
and practice, were urged with a great variety of ar-
gument, illustration, and Scripture testimony.

Closely allied to this came, secondly, the whole
subject of conversion, regeneration, and evidence of
pardon. The theory of metaphysical regeneration,
brought into the church by St. Augustine, in the
fourth century, formed into system by the equally
illustrious Calvin, of the sixteenth century, and lin-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 6^

gering in most of the modern standards of ortho-
doxy, was put to the most rigid test of the word of
God. This involved the whole subject of spiritual
influence and illumination. And while the reform-
ers maintained, on Scripture grounds, a firm belief
in the converting power of the Holy Spirit, and his
actual presence in the hearts of Christians, they as-
serted that the work of conversion was wrought
through the knowledge and belief of the gospel. As
the Holy Scriptures were the only guide, practices
untaught therein were repudiated as of human ori-
gin, and dangerous to the peace and purity of the
church. On this ground, infant church-membership
was delivered back to the papacy, whence it origi-
nated, with " confirmation,'* its consequent and com-
plement, sponsorship, and whatever depended upon
this postscript to the apostolic gospel. Conversion
without faith is impossible ; but faith comes of testi-
mony— divine testimony, the word of God. Rom. x:
17. But this must be preached; and so it is the
preaching of the gospel which produces faith in Jesus
Christ.

A link was yet wanting to complete the theory of
salvation. That the sufferings of Christ are the
procuring cause of pardon, was clearly asserted.
Faith, involving a personal trust in Jesus Christ, was
becoming equally clear and well established in the
widening plea. But what is the evidence of pardon t
the '' witness," the assurance of the penitent sinner's
acceptance "i " Experience ! " Yes ; but experiences
are both variable, as different persons " experience
a hope" at different places and by different processes,
and fallible as these experiences are formed according

68 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

to the models of teaching under which the convert
has been trained. Cases are numerous and painful
in which after years of agonizing self-abasement, the
load of conscious sins still lies on the heart. A
large number of professing Christians are subject to
conflicting doubt, and harassed with distressing un-
certainty of their acceptance ; very many ** seek '* on
in silent, despairing darkness ; not a few throw them-
selves into the vortex of infidelity, while some lose
their reason in the fruitless search for the evidence
that God has spoken peace to their souls.

Has the gospel, perfect in all its provisions, com-
plete in all its appointments for salvation, left this
one point without a testimony — without a provided
assurance } Does God in his gospel show sinners
their danger, arouse them by faith to flee from " the
wrath to come," lead them to repentance by the suf-
ferings of his Son, and when they come crying for
mercy, is this same gospel unfurnished with a pro-
vision special to this very need, which shall uni-
formly and unfailingly meet them with the needed
assurance of pardon ?

The divine testimony had not been explored in
vain touching this point. In essays, in debate, in
conversations, the unequivocal declaration of the new
Institution had been brought out to view, that bap-
tism in the name of Jesus Christ was ordained by
him, for bringing the actual believer in him, penitent
for his sins, into this new relation, and for giving him
the knowledge of pardon by the promises of the new
covenant. This had been ably set forth from the
commission, from Acts ii: 38, and many other New
Testament authorities.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 69

Yet who in those days, having discovered this es-
tablished scriptural connection, had ventured to apply
this truth to the relief of mourning sinners?

Theory before practice : yet practice is often tardy
and tremulous. It is well ; let it be cautious, and
walk only on solid rocks, like the priests who stood on
rocks in the midst of Jordan, while Israel all passed
by into the promised land. A new light was dawn-
ing, and a farther glimpse into the light of the gos-
pel was obtained at this meeting in Braceville.

After the services of the day were over, Scott,
Bentley, Osborne, and Atwater walked out together.
Conversation turned on this subject. Bentley had
preached on it. He urged that it was intended to
bring penitent sinners to the immediate relief they
sought, by bringing them into the new covenant,
whose immediate and distinguishing blessing was
the actual pardon of all past sins. Osborne, turning
to Scott, asked him '* if he had ever thought that bap-
tism in the name of the Lord was for the remission
of sins?" Holding himself somewhat in reserve, he
intimated a desire for Osborne to proceed. '' It is,'*
said he, " certainly established for that purpose. It
holds the same place under the gospel in relation to
pardon, that the positive institution of the altar held
to forgiveness under the law of Moses ; under that
dispensation the sinner offered the prescribed victim
on the altar and was acquitted, pardoned through the
merits of the sacrifice of Christ, of which his offer-
ing was a type. So under the gospel age, the sinner
comes to the death of Christ, the meritorious ground
of his salvation, through baptism, which is a symbol
of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus

70 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Christ" "Very well," replied Scott, whose thoughts
were very deeply engaged revolving the whole sub-
ject, ** it is evidently so."

After a little, Mr. Osborne remarked to Elder
Bentley, "you have christened baptism to-day."
"How so.'^" "You termed it a remitting ordi-
nance." * Bentley replied, " I do not see how we are
to avoid the conclusion with the Bible in our hands."

The second chapter of Acts of Apostles, it will be
seen, was under constant and close scrutiny of inves-
tigation. It contains evidence of the coronation in
heaven of the King of kings, with his royal proclama-
tion of mercy, and terms of pardon to his rebellious
subjects.

These three preachers were again together soon
after the events narrated above, when Bro. Osborne
again introduced the design of baptism in public dis-
course, and remarked in the connection that the gift
of the Holy Spirit is after conversion and baptism,
and consequent upon them, citing the inspired words
of the apostle Peter in Acts ii : 38, as proof: " Re-
pent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

After the meeting, Scott said to Osborne, "You
are the boldest man I ever saw ! Do n't you think
so, Bro. Bentley ? " " How so > " said Bentley. "Why
he said in his sermon that no one had a right to ex-
pect the Holy Spirit till after baptism." Scott was
a genius ; often eccentric, often profoundly medita-
tive. It may not be necessary, as perhaps it would

"^ Words were sometimes used in those days with less accuracy
than in later times.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 7I

be impossible to tell, whether Mr. Scott was leading
them, or they him, in those views. It is certain,
however, that he had now premises sufficient for a
generalization, which was soon to produce the most
brilliant and unexpected results. In the powers of
analysis and combination, he has rarely been
equaled. Under his classification, the great elements
of the gospel bearing on the conversion of sinners,
assumed the following definite, rational, and scriptu-
ral order: (i) Faith; (2) Repentance; (3) Baptism;
(4) Remission of sins ; (5) The Holy Spirit ; (6)
Eternal life, through a patient continuance in well
doing.

This arrangement of these themes was so plain, so
manifestly in harmony with soundest reason, and so
clearly correct in a metaphysical point of view, as well
as sustained by the Holy Scriptures, that Scott was
transported with the discovery. The key of knowl-
edge was now in his possession. The points which
before were dark or mysterious, were now luminous.
It cleared away the mist, and let in the day just
where all had struggled for ages, and many had
stranded. The whole Scripture sorted itself into a
plain and intelligible system in illustration and proof
of this elementary order of the gospel. The darkened
cloud withdrew. A new era for the gospel had
dawned.

So reasoned Scott. Moreover this discovery was
most opportune as a preparation for his mission to
which the association had called him, of preaching
the gospel within its bounds.

72 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER III.

The plea opened in New Lisbon — Co-operating agencies.

EVENTS were rapidly culminating for the work of
conversion to open under new and peculiar con-
ditions of success. The preachers were astir holding
meetings in many places ; not "protracted meetings/*
for the day for such meetings had not yet come. Many
incidents of rare interest are connected with the stir-
ring reformatory movement of the years from 1826
to 1832 ; but none, perhaps, more noteworthy than
the opening of the great work in New Lisbon, in
November, 1827. Bro. Scott felt that the evangeli-
cal part of the great commission had fallen into decay,
and his soul was burdened with a great weight of
duty to revive the apostolic method of preaching the
gospel. After the discovery of the system of the
gospel items already mentioned, he went to a commu-
nity where he endeavored to impress the people with
its truth ; but he failed to enlist any souls for Christ.
He felt the discouragement, and went on his knees to
Jesus. He plead as did the lawgiver of Israel for his
people. He was most earnest in prayer. He be-
lieved God. He believed his word ; his promise of
help. No man more sincerely, humbly, pleadingly,
ever lay prostrate before God in supplications. His
prayers in public, from a tender heart, melted all
hearts around him.

The effort must be repeated. It is the gospel — so

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 73

his meditation ran — Christ's own gospel, blessed by
him at first for conversion, and to be blessed by him
for that purpose to the end of time. " Lo ! I am
with you, world without end." Then he will be with
his servants still. ** This is thy word ; I am thy serv-
ant" So " cast down, but not destroyed," he cried ;
and, again, with the prophet, " I believed, therefore
have I spoken. I am greatly afflicted. I believe his
word, and I will preach it again ! "

It seemed a blessed providence which permitted the
first trial to be a defeat. God had him under farther
discipline for a higher work. If he threw him on his
back in discomfiture, it was that he might fall on his
face in conscious need of Christ's own help for Christ's
own work ; that his gospel might be re-announced to
the world in self-abasement, in weakness, and with the
consciousness of the Lord's presence to aid in his
work. He had been in ecstasy with the novelty and
grandeur of the newly discovered truth, and with the
- thought of bringing sinners once more, and at once,
through faith and obedience into the joys of salva-
tion ; with no less of joy in the gospel as it now
flamed upon his heart, but perhaps tempered with fear
and trembling, a state of feeling he often experienced,
he resolved to go to New Lisbon.

The old Baptist meeting-house, in which two
months before he received the appointment of the as-
sociation, was honored as the place for the opening
of this grand appeal ; a plea which was to shake so-
ciety throughout the land. Scott was in his highest
key. He realized the peril of the experiment, should
it, on the one hand, not meet with an encouraging re-
sponse ; and on the other, the results to follow if he
7

74 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

should be sustained in this bold advance step ; but
his faith was equal to the occasion. He had examined
the firmness of the ground, on which, in his new work
he was to take his stand. He opened the plea with
circumspection. He fortified his positions with clear
and unanswerable arguments from the Word of God.
As he advanced he became more inspired, forcible,
and convincing. His audience were entranced. He
moved on in eloquent demonstration. He was hand-
ling old themes, but he was bringing out a new and
startling proposition — old as the apostles, but new in
this age — that at any hour when a sinner yields and
obeys the Lord Jesus, that same hour will the Lord
receive him into favor and forgive his sins ; that par-
don is offered in the gospel on the terms of faith and
obedience, and whoever believes on him with all his
heart and obeys him, shall be pardoned through his
blood ; and that the promise of the gospel is his evi-
dence and assurance of this salvation. A new era
dawned when this was urged upon the people, as it^
was by the preacher on that occasion, for their imme-
diate acceptance.

When the preacher was drawing toward a conclu-
sion of this scriptural exposition of the apostolic plan
of salvation, he noticed a stranger enter the door.
This man was a highly respectable citizen, and a
worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. He was
a diligent and pious student of the gospel ; and had
long been convinced that the Savior's command to
convert the world was not now obeyed as it was
preached by the apostles. He spoke frequently to
his wife on the subject, and was so engaged that he
sometimes read and conversed to a late hour at night.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 75

She said on one of these occasions, " William, you
will never find any one that will agree with you on
that subject." He replied, ** When I find any person
preaching, as did the apostle Peter in the second
chapter of Acts, I shall offer myself for obedience and
go with him." This man was *' waiting for the con-
solation of Israel."

Having prepared the way by showing from the
Scriptures that the Kingdom of Christ was to be
opened on Pentecost, and from Matt, xvi : i8, that
the apostle Peter had the keys to open the door of it,
or to proclaim the terms of admission into it, Scott
was bringing his subject to a conclusion. Mr. Amend,
having entered from the Presbyterian prayer-meet-
ing, heard enough to see his drift, and to appreciate
him when he repeated the language of inspira-
tion, " Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts
ii • 38, 39. He was standing on his feet listening with
fixed attention. The preacher, all alive to his sub-
ject, called out for any of his audience who believed
God and would take him at his word, to come forward
and confess the Lord Jesus, and be baptized in his
name for the remission of sins.

"The time has come at last," said Amend; **God
has accepted my condition ; he has sent a man to
preach as the New Testament reads ; shall I fail to
fulfill my pledge of obedience ? " All this passed
through his mind with instantaneous rapidity. ** My
pledge is on high ; my prayer is answered ; I will not
confer with flesh and blood." With a promptness
which astonished both the audience and the preach-

76 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

er, he came to the seat assigned to converts. "Who
is this man ? " whispered the astonished preacher,
who had seen him enter and had scanned his move-
ment. " The best man in the community ; an orderly
member of the Presbyterian Church."

It was enough. Success sanctioned the appeal.
Mr. Scott looked upon it as a divine attestation of the
correctness of his method ; the Scriptures being his
warrant for the truth of the things proclaimed. Here
is a case in proof that the Word of God can be un-
derstood alike by all who study it with unbiased mind.
This devout Presbyterian loved the truth as it is in
Jesus. The doctrine of party is nothing to such men.
The testimony of the apostles will have the same ef-
fect on all candid men when the doctrines and com-
mandments of men are laid aside. From that day, with
this seal to his ministry, he was stronger than Ajax,
To borrow one of his own expressions, " he rushed in
upon the people like an armed man !" Within a few
days seventeen souls " hearing, believed and were
baptized." There was great joy in New Lisbon.
The whole town was aroused ; some spoke against
this way, others were amazed at the new things
brought to their ears. The novelty and boldness of
the movement broke up entirely the monotony of the
customary process of ** waiting," "seeking," tarrying
at the pool till an angel of grace should trouble the
waters of salvation.

The contrast between the process of conversion, as
generally taught, which led the soul through " much
tribulation" of darkness and uncertainty, to a faint
and flickering hope — and this the apostolic method —
was so direct and palpable, that the conflict was im-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. ^^

mediately initiated and strongly marked. The one
led the sinner up through states of mind and frames
of feeling, and upon the genuineness of these was
based his hope of peace. The other brings him, with
the same conscious conviction of his sins, to trust the
mercy of Jesus, and to rely on Christ's promise of
forgiveness, which he approaches and secures through
the obedience of faith.

It was singular, and indeed inexplicable to Mr.
Scott, that the first person to respond to his call, and
come forth to obey the gospel, should be a man who
had not heard his sermon. If he had heard his premi-
ses, and had been enlightened by his argument, the
case would have presented no cause of marvel. He
had heard only his conclusion. He came. It was a
mystery.

Mr. Scott was restless under it. Several years
afterward he addressed to Mr. Amend a note of in-
quiry in regard to it, and received in reply the follow-
ing explanation :

'^ I will answer your questions. I was baptized on the
1 8th of Nov., 1827, and will relate to you a circumstance
which occurred a few days before that date. I had read
the second chapter of Acts, when I expressed myself to my
wife as follows : Oh, this is the gospel ; this is the thing
we wisli, the remission of our sins ! Oh, that I could hear
the gospel in those same words as Peter preached it ! I
hope I shall some day hear, and the first man I meet who
will preach the gospel thus, with him will I go. So, my
brother, on the day you saw me come into the meeting-
house, my heart was open to receive the word of God, and
when you cried, ^ The Scripture shall no longer be a sealed
book, God means what he says. Is there any man pres-
ent who will take God at his word and be baptized for

/S EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the remission of sins,' — at that moment my feelings were
such, that I could have cried out, ' Glory to God ! I have
found the man whom I have long sought for.' So I en-
tered the kingdom, when I readily laid hold of the hope
set before me. William Amend."

It is no easy task, now that the position then as-
sumed by Mr. Scott has won the victory, and become
a distinguishing practice of many hundred thousand
Christians, to appreciate the nature or the magnitude
of the difficulties which environed him. When we
consider his natural timidity ; that he was not em-
boldened by the presence, or encouraged by the ex-
ample, of any one in modern times ; that the whole
land, and, indeed, the whole world had been for ages
silent as the grave respecting this peculiar and
special plea, the surprise grows into wonder and
amazement, and the event takes on the most evident
tokens of the hand of God in it.

It is true the " Christian Baptist," in the first vol-
ume, had taught the scriptural connection between
baptism and remission, in an essay by the elder
Campbell ; also in A. Campbell's Debate with Mr.
McCalla the same truth was distinctly set forth.
But it remained among the theories. Sinners still
languished in despairing doubt, awaiting some light,
emotion, or sensation on which they might settle as
the " white stone " of elective grace, specially im-
parted to assure them they were of the elect for
whom Christ died. Besides, all the prominent creeds
of Christendom contain the doctrine of baptism as a
pledge of remission, as an item of dogmatic belief.
But not one of the sects built upon them carries out
its creed, in this particular, into practical result, and

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 79

tells the awakened sinner, as did Peter on the first
Pentecost after the ascension : *' Repent, and be bap-
tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ,
for the remission of sins/'

This practical use and application of the gospel to
bring convicted sinners into the immediate enjoy-
ment of the forgiveness of sins, through the pardon-
ing mercy of God in Christ, constitutes an epoch of
grand significance in the return of the disciples from
the great apostasy back to Jerusalem, to its gospel
and its glory. It had been taught and accepted as a
doctrine ; now it became an advocacy. It was a truth
acknowledged in theory; it was now a duty demand-
ing practice. Now restored as a practical truth, it
was destined to become, in the hands of the proclaim-
ers of the gospel, the means of revolutionizing the
practice of the church as it relates to the reception
of converts to Christ, by restoring to the ministry
the method established by the holy apostles under
the great commission.

" The Lord gave the word, great was the company
of them that published it/' This re-announcement
of the gospel was soon noised abroad. There were
many Simeons and Annas, too, as well as Josephs,
who were waiting for this consolation of Israel.
There was, besides the preachers of the Mahoning
Association, a class of preachers of ardent zeal and
great influence with the people, who had come by a
different path to the point in the process of conver-
sion, at which the newly restored manner of present-
ing the gospel commended itself to them as a neces-
sity, and as the only missing link in the chain of gos-
pel agencies. These were known as *' Christians,"

8o EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

" Bible Christians," or, sometimes, " New Lights."
This last appellation they steadily repudiated. James
Hug-hes, Lewis Hamrick, Lewis Comer, and John
Secrest, all from Kentucky, coadjutors with the cel-
ebrated and godly B. W. Stone, came through Bel-
mont and Columbiana counties, converting many,
and planting churches according to the light of the
gospel so far as they had attained to it. They re-
pudiated all creeds, contended for the Bible alone,
were sticklers for the name "Christian," and being
full of zeal and gifted in exhortation, they gained
many converts. They pursued the method known
as the " mourning-bench system,'* completing the
process of conversion and reception by giving to the
convert publicly the " right hand of fellowship," when
he was regarded as a member of the church. One
of these, John Secrest, a man of mark in person,
with glossy dark hair and black eyes, grave in man-
ner, with powerful voice and persuasive address, came
to William MitchelFs, in Belmont County, whose
three sons, James G., Nathan J., and David G.
Mitchell, afterward became men of much note and
great usefulness in the reformation. These were all
youths at the visit of Secrest.
In conversation, Secrest said :

''Bro. Mitchell, I have just been at Bethany, Va., to
see Alexander Campbell. He edits a monthly called the
^ Christian Baptist.' He is a man of great talent, a scholar,
and he has got forty years ahead of this generation, and
whether they ever catch up I have my doubts. He has
waged war with the clergy, and he will bring them all
down on his head, the Baptists in particular ; and if he
carries the thing through as he has commenced, he will

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 8 1

revolutionize the whole Protestant world, for his founda-
tion can never be shaken. He has with him a man by the
name of Scott, to whom I was introduced. He asked me
these questions : * Bro. Secrest, do you baptize a good
many persons?* I told him I baptized quite a number.
'Then,' said he, 'into what do you baptize them?' This
was a new thought, and it perplexed me. I tell you, Bro.
Mitchell, the apostles baptized persons into Christ ; not
into the Baptist Church, or any other, but into Christ ;
and baptism is more than a mere outward ordinance ; it
has a greater significance than most people are aware of.
In it we become related to Christ."

The " Christian Baptist" became a regular guest in
that family.

Of this wing of the reformation came such men as
John Whitacre, of Minerva ; William. Schooley, of
Salem, both having birthright in the Quaker frater-
nity ; John Flick also, and Joseph Gaston, with
others of reputation among the churches. It was
John Secrest and Joseph Gaston who appeared, and
were welcomed among the Baptist ministry in the
New Lisbon Association.

All these men, upon examination, accepted the
order of the gospel as presented by Scott, adopted
it, and spent their lives in its defense. Thus was af-
forded another case illustrating the manner in which
the union of Christians is to be effected ; by the
knowledge, belief, and practice of the apostolic teach-
ing ; not by orders in council, not by conventional
decrees, nor by some ethereal liberalism of senti-
ment without basis or bounds.

Scott and Joseph Gaston became greatly devoted
to each other, traveling and laboring much together.

82 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

They were as David and Jonathan. Gaston was
charmed and instructed by the manly, intellectual
eloquence of Scott, who, in turn, equally admired and
loved the piety, simplicity, and pathos of Gaston.
This brother hath a history — brief, sad, and lovely.
He was the son of James and Mary Gaston, born on
Peter's Creek, Washington County, Pa., March 25,
1 80 1. When he was twenty years of age, his mother,
then a widow, moved to Augusta, Carroll County,
Ohio. Attending a prayer meeting, and showing
some levity inconsistent in such a place, a Miss
Walton, a member of the family where the meeting
was held, fell upon her knees, and so earnestly com-
mended his soul to Jesus, as to plant impressions
there never to be effaced. Soon after, at a meeting
held in Minerva by John Secrest, he confessed the
Lord and was baptized. In the exercises of prayer
and of exhortation, public and private, his heart and
mouth were immediately opened. Many felt the
power of religion under his earnest and impassioned
appeals. Falling in with Bro. Scott, and learning
more perfectly of *'this way," he was carried up to
new heights of wonder at the perfection of the
knowledge of God, and of enthusiasm in pleading
for sinners to be reconciled to God. The oil of Jo-
seph's lamp burned brightly, but it was destined soon
to burn out. He was afflicted with hemorrhage
of the lungs. The violence of his labors brought
on a crisis; and on the 6th of December, 1834,
closed his most triumphant course. For twenty
minutes immediately before his death, he exhorted
those about him with great strength of voice, and al-
most angelic fervor; then he fell asleep as peacefully

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 83

as when an infant is hushed to its gentle slum-
bers.

He was led to clearer views of the gospel in the
following manner, as related by Bro. Scott :

*• I had appointed a certain day in which to break bread
with the Baptist Church at Salem. Bro. Gaston was a res-
ident of Columbiana County, and was at that time in the
vicinity of Salem. The Baptist brethren regarded him as
a good man and a true disciple ; but he was a Christian
or New Light, and contended for open communion — things
which they greatly disliked. Before meeting, the princi-
pal brethren requested me to converse with him on the
subject, saying they were sure I could convert him.

*^ Accordingly I took him out in presence of them all;
but he gave me no time, being as impatient and undoubt-
ing on open communion as they were on close commun-
ion. I told him, however, that the brethren had commis-
sioned me to convert him to their opinions, and smiled.
He said he had come to convert me to his.

*^I then set before him the terms of the ancient gos-
pel as I had arranged them, and told him that their dis-
pute about communion was silly and unprofitable. He
heard me with delight. I appealed to the Scriptures, and
he smiled ; and soon, with a laugh, he exclaimed, ' It is
all true ! and I believe every word of it, and I will take
you to a Christian brother who will receive it in a moment.*

''After meeting, I accompanied him to the house of
said brother, living a mile and a half from the village ;
and the man and his wife hearing it, and examining the
Scriptures, received it with all readiness that same night,
so that on that day were brought over to the side of the
gospel two excellent men, both laborers among the ' Chris-
tians.* *'

The ''Christian brother*' alluded to above, was Wil-
liam Schooley, a very useful and exemplary man. He was

84 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

a pioneer of great independence ; manly, and long a pil-
lar in the cause of primitive Christianity.

He was born in Bedford County, Va., August 5, 1792.
In 1802, when Ohio was yet a territory, he settled, with
his parents, near the spot where the town of Salem now
stands. In 1839, he removed to Maysville, Clay County,
111. This, with the exception of a few years in Fulton
County, 111., was his continued residence till his death,
which occurred Jan. 31, 1873, i^ ^^^^ eighty-first year of
his age.

He was educated among the Friends, or Quakers, and
imbibed their doctrines. But maturing in mind, as in
years, and seeing Christendom all given up to the idolatry
of partisan faiths, he became skeptical. Yet his reverence
for the Bible held him fast. He read the gospel. In it
his sincere and candid heart saw beauty and truth. *^ I
thought, '' he says, '^if there is any thing in religion, it is
as much to me as any one else. ' ' In this state of mind he
went several miles to hear one Robert Hocking, a ** New
Light** or Bible Christian. He claimed the Bible to be
sufficient, opposed creeds as foundations of religious par-
ties, and assumed the term Christian as the distinctive
name of the followers of Christ. This gained his ready
assent. Soon after, Thomas Whitacre came, and held a
meeting in Schooley^s house. Following up his convic-
tions, he and many others confessed the Lord, and, after
the manner of that people, were received into church re-
lation by the '^ right hand of fellowship.*' .

Population was sparse, and preachers few. Bro. Schooley
was soon called forth to exhort the members, and to
defend the '^ new religion,*' as these simple and ele-
mentary views of the gospel began to be called. The
people spoke of him as a preacher ; and from that time,
November, 1822, till he was past eighty, he ceased not to
labor in the gospel. He was ordained March 16, 1823,
by Elders John Secrest and Thomas Whitacre. His labors

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 85

were mostly in Columbiana County, though he preached
in one or two counties adjoining, and traveled some in
Pennsylvania and Virginia. He says: '* I went to the
warfare at my own expense. I do not reccollect that I
received more than one dollar for my labors, as it was
thought among the brethren that it was wrong to pay for
preaching the gospel. This idea came from the Quakers.
However, it was very convenient ; it cost them nothing.
Yet it was a heavy burden to those that preached. I have
never thought it right to sell the gospel, or to make it a
matter of merchandise ; but I think the members of the
church ought to know their duty, and to be prudently lib-
eral towards the laborers of the gospel." So writes this
good and sound man at an advanced age.

Schooley was a large, heavy man, remarkably firm and
unyielding in his conscientious convictions. He was
more distinguished for sound sense, prudence in counsel,
and for his clear teaching of the gospel, than for elo-
quence or power of appeal. Hence he was less a reviv-
alist than many ; but he yielded a far more steady and
permanent support to the churches. He was a leading
man in the community, profoundly respected for his thor-
ough honesty and benevolence.

The souls of Gaston and Scott became " knit to-
gether in love." They labored together with great
zeal and overwhelming success ; whole churches of
the "New Lights'* and of the Baptists, in Salem,
New Lisbon, East Fairfield, Greeny New Garden,
Hanover, and Minerva, unloading the ship of the
cantraband wares of human tradition, became one
people in the Lord and in his word. Conversions
followed their labors in all places.

Bro. Gaston was ordained among the " Bible
Christians." His fervid soul knew no bounds in his
efforts to save sinners. A plaintive strain of tender-

86 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ness mingled with his impassioned persuasiveness.
In tears he begged the people to turn from sin
and come to Christ. In the ardor of his soul he
has been known to fall upon his knees that he might
plead more effectively, and win the lost soul to the
Savior. Once when Scott's own powers of exhorta-
tion— a gift in which he was a great master — failed to
bring the people to repentance, he turned suddenly
around, exclaiming, " Bro. Joseph, you get at these
people!"

As he found his lungs giving away he exclaimed,
" Oh ! if I had only understood the gospel when I
made my start in religion ! How much suffering I
might have escaped, and how much more good I might
have done ! But now I must go down to an untimely
grave, and leave this good and glorious work of pub-
lishing the gospel to others ! " After some six years
of a most active, laborious, self-denying and very suc-
cessful ministry, this pure, devoted man gathered up
his feet upon his couch and was with Jesus. He ex-
pired, in Steubenville, at the residence of his brother-
in-law, Mr. Manful. His brother James leaned over
his sainted brother in his departure. His breathing
became heavy, his eyes closed, and while all waited
the last pulse, he suddenly revived, and addressed to
all about him an exhortation of wonderful power. It
was delivered in a full sonorous voice, accompanied
by the free use of his hands. Then the farewell to
his wife and children followed, and in a few moments
he entered the chariot.

It was noted that every one in the room at the time
of his death, who was not already a Christian, turned
to the Lord.

IN THE WESTERN RESERV^E. 8/

The bright jewel of the " Ancient Gospel," as the
newly discovered arrangement of its fundamental
items began now to be designated, attracted universal
attention. So simple, so novel, so convincingly clear,
and so evidently supported by the reading of the Acts,
it won friends and wrought victories wherever it was
proclaimed. It spread rapidly and became the topic
of excited investigation from New Lisbon to the
Lakes. Mr. Scott's success in Columbiana County
had so completely demonstrated the correctness of
his method of the direct application of the gospel for
the salvation of sinners, that his zeal knew no bounds.
He was a rapid rider. Mantled in his cloak, with a
small polyglot Bible in the minion type, which he
constantly studied, he hurried from place to place to
tell the news ; to preach the things concerning the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Biography of John Whitacre.

In Columbiana and adjoining counties, no man had
greater influence than John Whitacre. He was born to be
a leader. Though unambitious, he possessed varied abili-
ties of a higher order which naturally gave him eminence.
He was frequently solicited to stand the poll for the legis-
lature, and for congress, but he steadily refused. He was
elected to the office of County Surveyor for Stark County
by a handsome majority, when the voters on the- opposing
ticket counted nine hundred of a majority.

He was born in Loudon County, Va., February 14,
1790. His father and mother, Edward and Martha Whit-
acre, were strict members of the Friends' Society ; conse-
quently, their children had a birthright among that peo-
ple. They moved into Columbiana County when the In-
dians, and the game which they chased, abounded in the

88 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

forests. Chances for education were scanty, but he drank
with avidity from all springs of knowledge, taught in the
schools, became master of the art of surveying, and served
as the surveyor of the county about thirty-four years. In
his surveying tours he often preached the gospel with great
effect. He joined the movement which originated "about
the beginning of this century under the labors of Stone,
Hughes, O'Kane, and others ; and was baptized by Robert
Hawkins, of Pennsylvania. When the advocates of the
newer light, or, rather, the older light of the original gos-
pel, came to him, he met them book in hand. After a
careful consideration of this plea, and a candid examina-
tion of the Scriptures, he said, **It is true ; and as I have
set out to follow the Bible, I can not reject it.'' He never
wavered, but held on till the day of his death preaching
the glad tidings wherever an opportunity offered. He Avas
very zealous, and sought in every way to leach the people.
He was popular as a preacher, convincing in proof, warm
and persuasive in exhortation, and brought many souls to
Christ. He abounded in anecdote, was ready and apt in fig-
•ures, pointed and witty in retort. These qualities, with a
benevolent disposition, and a manly, noble form, singled
him out as a man first in society, and first before great as-
semblies. He was not only hospitable, but ** given to
hospitality. ' ' His business talents — the owner and success-
ful conductor of the mills at Minerva — enabled him to gratify
his generous and social dispositions, by entertaining, with
great liberality, the many guests who for many years were
welcome in his family mansion.

Staying over night at a hotel where were other guests,
strangers to him, in the evening the conversation arose
among them in regard to Christianity. A young man who
had imbibed skeptical sentiments spoke up pertly: ** I
would not believe those old Bible stories eighteen hundred
) ears old, nor any thing for which I had not the evidence
'.)f my senses." Whitacre, who, till now had been silent,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 89

spoke : ^' Young man, I perceive you have no mind." He
replied, with warmth : *^ Sir, I claim to have as much
mind as you, or any other man." ^^Let me ask you a
question," said Whitacre: ^^Did you ever see your mind,
or /lear it ? or did you ever fee/ j taste, or smell your mind ? ' '
** No, sir, ' ^ said the youth. * * Then, according to your own
assertion, you have no mind ! " This '^ brought the house
down," and the young man was afterward wiser and more
modest. On another occasion, he was at a meeting where
several persons were gathered at the '^ altar " in prayer for
divine power to come down. Among them was a lady of
intelligent appearance, who evidently was in deep distress.
She prayed that God would ^^give her faith — saving faith;
that he would help her to believe in Jesus." When she
closed, Whitacre spoke to her : '' Madam," said he, '^ what
would you give for faith in Mahomet?" ** Nothing,"
was her somewhat indignant reply. ^^ Why not?" he con-
tinued. ''Because," she rejoined, ''I believe him to be
an impostor." ''But why are you so anxious for faith in
Jesus Christ? " " Because," said she, " I believe he is my
only Savior." "Well," said Whitacre, "why are you pray-
ing for that which you say you have? Why not go for-
ward and obey the gospel, and be made free from sin ? " On
an occasion, while out surveying, he asked a young lady
in the family if she was a Christian. "No, sir, I am not."
" Would you like to be ?" he asked. "Yes, sir ; if I only
knew how, I would gladly become one." He made an ap-
pointment, and ' so preached ' and taught the people that
not only she, but many others turned to the Lord ; and a
church was founded which for many years was a blessing
to the people.

He was taken sick while surveying the farm of Ira M.
Allen, near Canton, and died at Mr. Allen's house. The
nervous system was prostrated ; the brain power gave way ;
the ' wheel was broken at the fountain, and the silver
cord was loosed.*
8

90 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

He belonged to a generation of noble men who
wrought a work which no man appreciated in their day.
For unflinching integrity, and a life-long devotion to truth
and righteousness, it is not easy to overestimate the grand-
eur and excellence of his life. He died the 26th day of
November, in the 77th year of his age.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVfi. QI

CHAPTER IV.

Origin of the Church in Warren — Siege of Warren — The" Church in
Lordstown — Biography of Bentley — Biography of C, Bosworth
—East Fairfield— Death of Mitchell.

THE Baptist Church in Warren was formed Sep-
tember 3, 1803, by Elder Chas. B. Smith. It
consisted of the following ten persons: Isaac R.
Dally, Effie Dally, Jane Dally, Saml. Burnett, Nancy
Burnett, John Leavitt, Jr., Caleb Jones, Mary Jones,
Saml. Fortner, and Henry Fortner. Isaac R. Dally
was the deacon, and John Leavitt, Jr., clerk. No elder
was appointed, as the Baptist order made no provis-
ion for "ruling elders," the preachers only being
eligible to that designation. May 5, 1804, they were
re-inforced by five additions — Samuel Quimby, Sam-
uel and Sophia Hayden, residing in Youngstown,
and Wm. and Martha Jackson.

From 1806 to 1810, Elder T. G. Jones preached
occasionally to them. May 19, 1810, A. Bentley,
then a licentiate minister, was received and ordained
the same day. Some of the members residing in
Youngstown, it was resolved Jan. '5, 181 1, to meet
alternately in that town, near Parkhurst's Mills, and
in Warren. February 8, 18 12, Isaac R. Dally and
Saml. Hayden, after being "proved," were ordained
as deacons.

This church was a parent of churches — Youngs-
town, Bazetta, Lordstown, and Howland, all sprang
from it. January 11, 1815, thirteen members were

92 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

dismissed on application to organize in Youngstown,
viz. : Saml. and Sophia Hayden, Benj. and Elizabeth
Ross, Wm. and Parthena Dean, Caleb and Mary-
Jones, Isaac R. AUee, Saml. Burnett, Lydia Cook,
Sarah Morris, and Nancy Jones ; which church was
formed Lord's day the 19th of April following —
Thos. Rigdon, J. Woodworth, and A. Bentley, offi-
ciating. They took the name of " Zoar," (Gen. xix :
20, 22,) that is, "little ; '' probably in allusion to the
language of Lot : "Oh, let me escape thither, and
my soul shall live."

This Thomas Rigdon was a man of much promi-
nence as a preacher, and was worthy of the distinc-
tion conferred on him. He served with accept-
ability a term in the Ohio Legislature. There were
three brothers, Thomas, John, and Charles, all Bap-
tist ministers. They all fully adopted the views of
the reformation, and faithfully defended them. They
were cousins of the famous Sidney Rigdon.

December 4, 18 19, the church granted the peti-
tion of eight members in Bazetta to form a church in
that town. Benajah and Olive Austin were accepted
for membership, February 5, 1820, and baptized the
20th of the same month by Mr. Bentley. March 4th,
following, Sidney Rigdon was received into member-
ship, and licensed April ist, to preach. He married
Miss Phebe Brooks, and after two years moved to
Pittsburgh.

The Baptist people of those times were a humble,
Bible-loving brotherhood. The gospel in their hands
was plead with much simplicity and pious zeal.
Churches were increasing, and ministers multiplying.
Warren was the leading center ; as it was also for

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 93

years the seat of justice for the Western Reserve.
Here in 1821, and again in 1822, were held the min-
isterial assemblies of which Mr. Campbell thus
speaks :

** Ministers' meetings once a year in different parts of
that section of Ohio, for the purpose of making dis-
courses before the people, and then for criticising them
in concio7ie clerum, and for propounding and answering
questions on the sacred Scriptures, were about this time
instituted and conducted with great harmony and much
advantage. I became a regular attendant, and found in
them much pleasure and profit.'' ** These meetings were
not appreciated too highly, as the sequel developed, inas-
much as they disabused the minds of the Baptist ministry
of the Mahoning Association of much prejudice, and pre-
pared the way for a great change of views and practice
all over those 3,000,000 acres of the nine* counties which
constitute the Western Reserve."

Changes, to be safe, must be gradual. The light
of day bursts not suddenly on the earth, and the
earth itself, with all things upon it, came into being
by a measured progress. Great principles are slow
in operation. Revolutions, to be permanent, must ma-
ture as they progress. This community of churches
was discussing great subjects ; and as rapidly as was
safe the people were preparing for the scenes
which I proceed now to relate.

Late in the autumn of 1827, as Walter Scott was
riding down Buffalo Creek from Bethany toward
Wellsburg, Va., he met John Secrest and James G.
Mitchell, on their way to visit Mr. Campbell. They
sat on their horses a good while talking over the

* Eleven counties by divisions since made..

94 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCJPLES

State and prospects of the cause of Christ. Scott
was soon on his favorite theme — the '^ancient gos-
pel/* as he called it. He said he was sick at heart
hearing people talk about their dreams and visions,
but not one syllable about their obedience to Jesus
Christ — not a word about what blessing the ancient
gospel secured to those who submitted themselves to
the Messiah of God.

Young Mitchell was charmed with his conversa-
tion, and the brogue of his native Scotch tongue.
He had never met him before. Scott, turning to Se-
crest, asked if this young man had any gift in ex-
hortation ? He replied that he had, and that if he
would keep humble he might do much good. ^' God
bless him,'' said Scott. "I hope he will ; he is the
man I want. You meet me at Bro. Jacob Camp-
bell's, in New Lisbon, and we will away to Warren
and besiege the town ten days and nights : I will
preach and you will exhort, and we will make their
ears tingle with the ancient gospel."

The Mitchells were a preaching family. They were
men of firmness, promptitude, untiring zeal, and
abundant in labors. The three brothers — James,
Nathan, and David — were sons of William Mitchell,
whose ancestors emigrated from England with Lord
Baltimore, and settled in Maryland. William Mitch-
ell removed to Washington County, Pa., where James
was born, December 5, 1805, and Nathan, March 2,
1808. Near Morristown, Belmont County, O., in 181 3,
where Mr. Mitchell had moved with his family, Joseph
Hughes, of saintly memory, and Lewis Hamrick, re-
vivalists of the *' Christian connection," found them,
and led therri, father and sons, out of the wilderness

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 95

of religious doubt and conflict into the way of the
gospel as practiced by that order of people. Brought
forward in " exhortation," as was their jcustom,
James and Nathan, and eventually David also, be-
came prominent, and they have long been in the
front rank among the most active and useful preach-
ers of the gospel.

At the time agreed on, Bro. Mitchell went to New
Lisbon, where he found Bro. Scott waiting for him.
They arrived at Scott's residence in Canfield that
evening, and next morning they proceeded to War-
ren, and found a welcome in the family of Bro. Rich-
ard Brooks.

It was January, 1828. The town lay in spiritual
lethargy, profoundly ignorant of the tempest of
spiritual excitement about to sweep over the place.
Bentley had preached well and lived well ; but he
held not the key to the heart, nor was he skilled to
awaken the music of the soul. A new era was at
hand in the religious history of Warren.

Scott came unheralded. His first appointment
was attended by few. There was neither expecta-
tion nor interest sufficient to collect an audience. A
group of little boys, to some of whom he had spoken
along the street in his eccentric way, were attracted
by curiosity to the meeting which was held in the
court-house. These, with a few old people, consti-
tuted his audience. In his discourse, after address-
ing the old with little apparent effect, he turned play-
fully to the boys, related to them some anecdotes,
then skillfully changing his theme and tone, he
melted them with sympathy for the sufferings of Je-
sus. His discourse was anecdote, pathos, wit, elo-

96 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

quence, and general remark, the whole intended for
future rather than present effect. He announced
another appointment, and dismissed. Mitchell was
disgusted.

*^We had not gone far,*' he writes, ^^ before I asked
him if that was the way he was going to pursue in besieg-
ing the town of Warren ! — and if that was his ancient
gospel! If so, I have no farther business in Warren."
' Oh! ' he said, ^ my dear brother, there was no one there
worth preaching to, and I just threw that out for a bait.
Hold still, we shall have a hearing yet, and then we will
pour the great truths of the gospel red hot into their
ears ! * I thought possibly he was strategic in his method
of gaining a hearing, and concluded to wait the issue.

**He was cheerful and social all the afternoon, anxious
to get a hearing. Bro. Brooks kept silent. We could
learn nothing concerni'ng the discourse from the old folks
or the boys. So passed this first day of the siege.

"'*At the appointed time we started to the meeting.
The Baptist Church was secured, doubtless through Bro.
Bentley's permission. Passing up, we found it crowded
to its utmost capacity, and a number on the outside. Giv-
ing me an elbow touch, ^ Do you see them nibbling at the
bait ? ' said he. ^ Yes,' I told him, * I see plenty of people
present.' We pressed our way through the dense crowd
to the pulpit. We sung his favorite song —

** Come and taste along with me
Consolation running free
From my Father's wealthy throne,
Sweeter than the honey-comb.*'

I opened with prayer. After it, he arose and read the
third and fourth chapters of Matthew. The baptism of
Christ and the temptation, was his theme. He straightened

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 9/

himself to his full height, his great chocolate eyes glisten-
ing, his whole face full of animation and earnestness.
He brought his siege guns into position, and for an hour
and a half the house rang with his eloquence. I shall not
attempt to give an outline, for no man could do justice to
that sermon. While he described the Son of God hurling
the word of his Father and his God on the great adversary,
and lashing his hardened soul with words that had pro-
ceeded out of the mouth of God, until his brazen face
shriveled, and his countenance most brazen fell, and he
left, cowed, dismayed, foiled in his attempt, and the won-
derful hero of redemption master of the field, victorious
in the terrible conflict, while heaven's hosts came and
ministered to him — he was powerful, lofty, and sublime.
I had never heard such a discourse, so touching, so telling,
not only on me, for the whole audience was moved.

^'The siege was now fairly commenced. Up to the
next Thursday an incessant fire was kept up day and night.
The ancient gospel was poured into their ears. They
were astonished, amazed. They got their Bibles, and
went to reading and searching for the truth. No word
fell on the floor, or hit the wall — all was .eagerly caught
and tried by the book. They could do nothing against
it ; it was the simple gospel of Christ in its facts, and
commands, and promises.

^^ After the discourse on the temptation, he said we will
sing a hymn, and see who will be on the Lord's side.
We sang —

** Come and taste along with me/' etc.

''Three persons came forward. He asked them if they
believed with all their heart that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God. ' These persons,' said he, ' will be baptized
to-morrow after sermon, for the remission of their sins.'
We baptized every day, and sometimes the same hour of
the night."
9

98 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The tide of interest was flowing high. Scott's
next discourse was on Peter's confession, Matt, xvi :
" Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," a
grand theme, favorite with him, and grandly handled.
Mitchell came after with a spirited and powerful ex-
hortation to the people to come and take their stand
on this durable and firm foundation which God has
laid as the only hope of the world.

Baptism followed the evening meeting. Mitchell
says to Scott, " Do not let the people know where we
are going, and we will slip over to Bro. Jacob Harsh's
and get a good night's rest, and be prepared for the
labors of the next day" — for every night the places
where they put up were crowded with inquiring and
anxious souls. Mitchell retired and left Bro. Scott
drying his clothes. It was but a few minutes before
the house was filled with awakened people. Scott
said, *' If you follow me to learn the ancient gospel, I
will pour it into your ears as long as I can wag a
word off the end of my tongue." Mitchell fell asleep,
leaving Mr. Scott speaking to the people. A number
were deeply penitent. Scott awoke Mitchell, and
told him to come and deliver one of his pathetic ex-
hortations. " I would be in a fine mood, Bro. Walter,
to exhort the people, just aroused from sleep ! " '* The
iron is hot ; one stroke when hot is worth a dozen
when it is cold !" Out came Mitchell, singing as he
came an old hymn, beginning :

** Begone, unbelief! my Savior is near,
And for my relief will surely appear."

He then began an exhortation based on the word
** losty The great loss, ah ! the greatest, was to lose
the soul ; to be lost to God and Christ ; and heaven

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 99

and angels ; and the pure and good ; lost to eternal
life and all bliss. Mr. John Tait, a Presbyterian, who
had been strongly opposed, but who was now deeply
moved, cried out, " Young man, for mercy's sake pray
for me, for my heart is as hard and unfeeling as a
stone." "Bless God ! " said Scott, *' Tait is a conver-
ted man.'' They all kneeled down, and Bro. Mitchell
prayed for him. He wept aloud ; so did Scott. " We
are," said he, " to weep with them that weep, and re-
joice with them that rejoice.'* Then, addressing Tait.
Scott said, " Are you willing to follow your faith ? Do
you believe with all your heart in Jesus Christ the
Son of God ? " Mr. Scott, I do ; but my heart is so
hard ; I am as unfeeling as a stone." " Ah ! but ' we
walk by faith.' * This is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith.' Let your feelings gush up
from your faith in God's Son, effects which must fol-
low the obedience of faith." ** Mr. Scott, I am ready
to obey my faith." " Bless God ! that is the path to
travel."

Once more they started for the Mahoning, singing
out on the midnight air as they went,

*< Come and taste along with me,
Consolation running free."

Mr. Tait and several others were baptized upon the
confession of their faith in the Savior of sinners ;
after which, Scott, addressing them, said, " Follow your
faith."

Next morning, the crowd still large, Scott asked
Bro. Mitchell to proceed in the discourse ; which he
did from the words of Peter concerning the *' lively
hope." He was only well begun, when Mr. Tait
cried out, ** I give glory to God ! my soul is full of

100 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

love to God and man." The effect was wonderful.
** Go on," said Scott to the preacher. " It is no use ;
the feelings of the people are too high above any
effort I can make." Scott took the audience, and in
a very forcible manner gave an opportunity to obey
the glorious gospel and be filled with the fullness of
God. A number came penitently to confess their
Savior.

The next meeting closed the siege. Two such
houses would not have held the people. ** Too many,"
said Scott, "for the effect we wish to produce." The
closing discourse was a recapitulation of the princi-
pal topics discoursed during the meeting. So ended
the siege of Warren, with over fifty conversions.

Bro. Mitchell adds in conclusion :

^* It is due Bro. Walter Scott to give him credit as among
the first on the continent of America, if not the very first,
who took the old field-notes of the apostles and run the
original survey, beginning at Jerusalem. The first man I
ever heard preach baptism in the name of Jesus, with its
antecedents, for the remission of sins, and reduce it to
practice. And from this period, 1827, it spread like fire
on a prairie all over the country, and happy thousands have
rejoiced to learn how to become disciples of Christ ac-
cording to the divine arrangement and purpose of God.''

Scarce a vestige remained of the church in Warren
to oppose the establishment of the ancient order.
Additions continued to come in under the preaching
of Bentley, Osborne, and Elder Thomas Campbell,
who arrived soon afterward in the place. The fires
of a new religious life were kindled in neighboring
communities. On the 6th of March, 1830, the breth-
ren in Rowland were dismissed to form a church in

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. lOI

that place. In the beginning of the year 1831, Cyrus
Bosworth and Benajah Austin were chosen bishops
of the church, and Richard S. Brooks, James Gibson,
and Moses Haskell, deacons. The members in
Lords town, whose names were chronicled in Warren,
sent a petition to be set off, to unite with the church
in that town, which was granted October 21st, 1832.

Bro. Bentley having located near Chagrin Falls,
the church in Warren was left to supply itself
with another pastor. At their call, Bro. Jonas Hart-
zel came ; and on the 5th of April, 1835, he was in-
stalled as preacher, and associate elder with Bro. C.
Bosworth. Subsequently, the church has had J. E.
Gaston, Isaac Errett, John W. Errett, and others,
who, with a judicious and experienced eldership, have
maintained to this day the cause of Christ in War-
ren.

Very early a congregation sprang up in Lordstown.
The new converts — fruits of Scott's meeting in War-
ren, with the members already there, and others gath-
ered by Henry, Marcus Bosworth, and others — gave
them such strength, that on the 20th of March, 1830,
forty-one came together in the order of the Scripture
models. Robert Tait and Moses Haskell were over-
seers, and John Tait and David Lewis, deacons. The
church grew to considerable strength, and few have
had a more stable brotherhood. They have partici-
pated in all the enterprises by which the cause of
primitive Christianity has been sustained. The pres-
ent number is about fifty. They have a good house
of worship, and have been favored recently with the
diligent and prudent labors, as pastor and elder, of
Philander Green.

I02 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Biography of Adamson Bentley.

The life of a good man is a blessing to the world. As
certain waters transmute to stone the perishable wood de-
posited in them, so communion with God turns all the
actions of a man's life to immortality. Biography has its
office — its mission among men. The biographic pen, like
the pencil, rightly used, works out immortal things. Its
rightful use is to record, in durable permanence, a useful
life which floats in transient recollections, and to extend
it from the family to the world.

Adamson Bentley is beloved for his work's sake, ten-
derly remembered for qualities of character which mark
him as a rare and noble man. He was born July 4th,
1785, in Allegheny County, Pa. While he was yet young
his father moved with his numerous family to Brookfield,
Trumbull County, Ohio ; a country not yet rescued from
the dominion of the primitive forest. Here young Bent-
ley experienced the privations common to pioneer life.
He struggled through encumbering difficulties till he ob-
tained a suitable education for the profession in life in
which he was so long distinguished.

He made public confession of his faith in Christ when
he was a youth, in the Baptist order. His religious guard-
ians discovering the bent and capacity of the young Timo-
thy, and correctly foreseeing the usefulness to which he
might attain, advised him to prepare for the ministry.

He began to preach at nineteen. Holding the system
of Calvinism to be the unquestionable scheme of saving
grace, he taught and urged its doctrines with the most un-
scrupulous fidelity. The clashing between the offers of
mercy to all men, and the system which denied this sal-
vation to any but the elect, was constantly present and
constantly felt. In the honest devotion of his nature he
carried the system in his head, and the love of God in his

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. IO3

heart. And as the heart, in this behalf, was better than
the head, he proclaimed the love of Christ so powerfully
that many conversions followed his ministry. As no man,
probably, ever believed this doctrine more sincerely, so
no one ever rejoiced more fully when its scales fell from
his eyes. Take the following testimony from his own lips,
as the writer heard him, in his own solemn style, declare his
feelings in the great yearly meeting in Hubbard, 1837 :

'*I used to take my little children on my knee, and
look upon them as they played in harmless innocence
about me, and wonder which of them was to be finally and
forever lost ! It can not be that God has been so good
to me as to elect all my children ! No, no ! I am myself
a miracle of mercy, and it can not be that God has been
kinder to me than to all other parents. Some of these
must be of the non-elect, and will be finally banished from
God and all good. 'And now,' he continued, his paren-
tal heart swelling with unutterable emotions, 'if I only
knew which of my children were to dwell in everlasting
burnings, oh ! how kind and tender would I be to them,
knowing that all the comfort they would ever experience
would be here in this world ! But now I see the gos-
pel admits all to salvation. Now I can have every one
for eternal happiness. Now I can pray and labor for
them in hope.' "

His prayers were heard : years before his departure, he
enjoyed that greatest bliss of a pious parent's heart — he
saw all his children walking in the truth.

He preached about five years as a licentiate. In 1810,
he settled in Warren, and on the 19th of May, that year,
he was ordained. On the 4th of May, the next year, at
the unanimous call of the church, he accepted the duties
of pastor. For a long time he was popular in that com-
munity. The bland dignity of his manners, and his social
courtesy, won him many friends. Though his talents as a
preacher were above mediocrity, and he was heard with

I04 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

delight and profit by numerous auditors, to his social
qualities and moral excellencies, as a man and a citizen,
are to be traced the sources of that extensive power which
he possessed among the people. It is our fortune to be ac-
quainted with few persons in a life-time, who wield a per-
sonal influence so supreme. Tall, manly, graceful, with a
countenance radiant with good nature, affable and digni-
fied, he would stand among dignitaries as his equals, and
condescend to the lowly with a gentleness which won the
attachment of every heart.

In all that constitutes home a source and fountain of
hospitable generosities, his amiable companion was quite
his equal. With more economy and equal social talent,
she managed her household with such skill that the en-
tertained and the entertainers seemed equally happy. In
those earlier days, when social habits were not yet costumed
into rigid rule, many a traveler urged his journey an hour
later and a few miles further to be a guest at his broad
hearth-fires. None knew better than the gratefully re-
membered mistress of that hospitable home, how to ^^ wel-
come the coming and speed the going guest.'*

As may well be supposed, on a limited salary, the in-
creasing expenses of his" family had not a sufficient foun-
dation. He therefore for a time resorted to merchandise,
merely as subsidiary, however, for he never neglected the
preaching of the gospel.

In the course of his ministry he traveled extensively.
He visited Kentucky, and labored a considerable time
among the brethren in that State, and made many friends.
The governor of that State received him into his mansion,
and showed him marked attentions. He traveled much
in Pennsylvania. He crossed the mountains in his saddle
many times. At a time when population was sparse, and
the mountain passes were infested by robbers, he climbed
the craggy cliffs of those mountain barriers to tell to the
East the progress of salvation in the West, and to bear

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 05

back to the West a share of the harvests the brethren were
reaping in the cities of the East.- In these travels he made
the acquaintance of the renowned Dr. William Stoughton.
A lasting friendship grew up between the two ministers,
which Bentley perpetuated by giving to his oldest son the
name of his friend. Dr. Stoughton was the author of an
abridgment of Dr. GiU's *' Complete Body of Divinity/'
a work which, through Mr. Bentley 's influence, found many
purchasers in the West.

About the years 1820 to 1825, Mr. Bentley was visiting
the Baptist Church which met near Cleveland's Mills in
the corner of Youngstown. The memory of some yet
living returns with speed swifter than carrier-dove to those
primitive scenes of unsectarianized simplicity. The
groves, '^ God's first temples," were spacious, and the
umbrageous forests, cleared underneath, lent solemnity
and impressiveness to the scene. I have seen him there
with a wagon for his rostrum, and seats brought from the
adjacent mills for the accommodation of the crowd which
had gathered from miles around. Some leaned at the base,
or sat down on the roots of the trees, whose leafy boughs
interlacing, wove a sheltering protection against the sun's
descending beams. When he stood up to read, all lis-
tened j when he lifted up his eyes to pray, all arose; when
he announced, in devout accent, the sweet and solemn
hymn, all joined to swell the chorus of praise. Those
days and scenes have been celebrated in poetic lines :

" I well remember, and I love to stray
Down to the grove where Bentley used to pray ;
Where pious neighbors thronged the place around,
And stood, or leaned, or sat upon the ground.
I well remember how he used to stand.
And hold his Bible in his leftward hand;
And use his right to point out what it meant,
While lofty oaks in silence waved assent ! ''

When the great religious awakening under the Camp^^

I06 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

bells began to make a stir, though cautious, he was one
of the first to accept the principles of a scriptural re-
form by them so ably propounded. This appeal to prim-
itive ground created much conflict among all the religious
bodies, but especially among the Baptist churches. He
made acquaintance with those eminent men, and so thor-
oughly had he canvassed the claims of their call for union
on Bible ground, that when the bold and eloquent Walter
Scott came to Warren, Bentley seconded his labors, and
warmly co-operated with him on that occasion. There
followed a great ingathering of souls ; and the whole
church, with scarcely an exception, adopted the platform
of union contained in the New Testament. He continued
to preach with great power and with fresh zeal, now that
the new disclosures of the knowledge of the gospel had
been made known, and many converts came to Christ
under his ministry. In 1829, at the Association in Sharon,
he was chosen along with Scott, Hayden, and Bosworth,
to travel within its bounds.

At the close of the year 1831 he removed to Chagrin
Falls. While laboring to establish himself in his new
home, he '^neglected not the gift that was in him.'* He
preached at every opportunity, not only without regard to
compensation, but rendering such help as his circum-
stances permitted to lay the foundations of the cause in
that new community.

It will not be possible to follow minutely the active and
useful life of Adamson Bentley. Such a history would
make a volume of considerable dimensions. His interest
in the cause of Christ, and the union of all the Israel of
God on the primitive foundation, never flagged. He had
great assurance of hope in the speedy dawn of the blessed
day for the original union of the people of God to be per-
fectly restored. His great love of peace, and his ardent,
hopeful temperament led him to indulge bright visions of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 10/

the speedy triumph of the pure, primitive gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ.

Age drew on apace, and with it a gradual decrease of
his ability to endure field-service under the King. Yet he
never desisted. At nearly eighty, decrepitude forced him
to retire. The going down of his day was gradual and
beautiful, like the decline of the sun, leaving in full play
the amiabilities of his fine social nature. Serenity and
cheerfulness still held sway, while the eye grew dim, and
the natural force abated. While lingering oil the shore
of the cold stream, he beheld the ''shining ones," and
longed to be with them. ''I rely not on myself; my full
and only trust is in the Rock which was cleft for me."
Full of hope and full of days, he took his departure for
the brighter world, November 2, 1864. He lacked only
eight months of eighty full years. For sixty years he
blew the trumpet, and led Israel in the glorious combat.

In personal appearance, Mr. Bentley was more than an
average man in dignity and comeliness. He was tall,
finely proportioned, graceful in manners, and endowed
with a remarkably open and engaging countenance. His
noble form never stooped, till near the close of life he
bowed a little, like a sheaf well ripened for the harvest.

As a preacher, like all men who leave their impression
on society, he was like no one else, and no one resembled
him. He usually began slowly, with simple and plain
statements of his subject, rambling not unfrequently, till
warming in his theme, he broke the shackles of logic,
and swept on like a swelling tide, bearing his audience
along with the vehemence of his pathos and commanding
oratory. On such occasions his voice became full, sono-
rous, and powerful. When the shower was passed, the
people not caring to analyze the sermon, or to trace their
emotions to logical sources, were delighted and edified,
and departed with marked and decided respect for the
preacher, and with far higher reverence for the adorable

I08 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Son of God, whom he preached and whom he served:
He never trifled in the pulpit. His message was solemn;
and seriously and earnestly did he deliver it.

A life so equable as his, so uniform in its flow, has left
no abruptness or sudden dash; little that is startling to
create a fund of cherished anecdote. The few that are
handed down bear the impress of his character. . At
one time infidelity, and even atheism, made considerable
headway in Warren. On a Lord's day he arose in a full
assembly, and after surveying the audience in silence for
a moment, exclaimed : ' ' There is no God I ' ' The people
looked surprised, while wonder and doubt glanced around.
A moment more, and he repeated it with stronger empha-
sis. Perceiving the hearers to be thoroughly aroused, he
looked inquiringly into his Bible for a moment. '^ But,"
he continued, in a softened tone, '' I have omitted a part
of the sentence : ' The fool hath said in his heart there
is no God ! ' '* The discourse which followed was a clear
and convincing proof of the existence and perfections of
the Creator of all things.

He was one of the original trustees of Bethany College,
and gave his whole influence to the missionary cause.
The following notice of him appeared in the records of
the missionary society for the State of Ohio, for the year
1865.

'^ Among the memorials of departed worth, a large space
should be allotted to the late, most worthy and patriarchal
brother Adamson Bentley. Since our last meeting this
eminent man of God has gone to his rest and his reward.
His departure, in happy consonance with the calm and
cheerful dignity of his noble life, was gentle, peaceful, and
blessed . No man in north-eastern Ohio possessed the weight
of influence with the people that was wielded by this princely
man. He came to the side of Campbell and Scott in
that early day when such an endorsement of their plea and
work could be appreciated only by those who witnessed

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. lOQ

the apostolic labors and struggles which marked the early-
epoch of our blessed work.

^* Multitudes love to linger around the memory of this
good man. All respected, most loved him. Of him, as
truly as of any other man, it may be said :

< Take him all in all,
We ne'er shall look upon his like again.' "

Biography of Cyrus Bosworth.

Cyrus Bosworth, for many years a prominent citizen
of Trumbull County, deserves much more than a passing
notice. Few men in north-eastern Ohio have won more
cordial or more durable respect. None surpassed him in
enlightened views of public enterprise, in energy of char-
acter or business capacity. He was twice elected to the
office of Sheriff of the county ; served as Colonel of a mili-
tary regiment, and filled a seat with credit in the Ohio
Legislature ; in all which positions he secured the confi-
dence of the people.

He was born in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, April
12, 1 79 1. He early acquired a good English education,
especially in navigation, surveying, and such branches as
would fit him for the seas. Yielding to the entreaty of
friends, he gave up his inclination for a maritime life, and
in 1811, at the age of twenty, he came to *'New Con-
necticut." For a time he engaged in teaching, but the
late war with Great Britain breaking out, he was employed
as express messenger between Warren and Pittsburgh, and
was the first to carry the news of Perry's victory to the
latter place. He returned to New England, married Miss
Sina Strowbridge, and in the latter part of 1 813 we find
him, with his parents, again at Warren. He resumed his
former occupation, but soon left it for the battle of life
on more stirring fields. He built the National Hotel,
erected a store, and became a merchant. His election to

no EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the legislature was in 1822. At the expiration of that
term, he accepted, at two successive polls, the office of
sheriff. He settled on a large farm three miles south of
Warren, where, in the more congenial pursuits of agricul-
ture, he passed the maturer years of his active life. He
lost his companion after a number of years of happy
wedded life, and contracted a second marriage with Miss
Sarah C. Case, sister to Leonard Case, Esq., late of Cleve-
land— a partner who survived him about fourteen years.

He was religiously trained in the Baptist order. In
June, 1829, in the general religious interest attending the
labors of Scott, he confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus,
and was baptized by Bro. Bentley. He never went
through the ceremony of a formal reception into the
church, insisting that, according to the Scriptures, when
we are '^baptized into Christ," (Gal. iii : 27,) we are bap-
tized into ^' one body," which is the church of Christ.
(i Cor. xii : 13.) He was soon called to the eldership of
the congregation, and stood in that position many years.
Under appointment by the church, he spent much time
for several years preaching the gospel. His great weight
of character and clear, cogent reasonings gave a powerful
support to the cause in its comparative infancy.

Much as he was respected in public life, to be appre-
ciated, one must see him at home, and mingle in the scenes
of the generous hospitality which for many years welcomed
the coming guests to his open doors. With equal dignity
and grace, he received and provided for the comfort of
everyone. He, too, was ''given to hospitality." The
social repast, well seasoned with Attic salt, where intelli-
gence was mingled with agreeable entertainment, made
the home of Bosworth known and gratefully remembered
in all that region.

In his character there were qualities seldom united. A
perfect hater of shams, no one was more lenient to the
trivial blunders of humble merit. He could expose hy-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. Ill

pocrisy with a terrible severity, but he showed to the err-
ing and needy a gentleness and tenderness of heart as
beautiful, as they were healing. He had some enemies in
a popular sense, for *' he could not bear them which were
evil; '* yet in asserting the cause of the injured, he was
prompt and decided. He declared early and openly for
emancipation, because **itwas right.*' These elements of
character marked his course as a ruler in the church.
His sternness was sometimes the more apparent, but his
sympathetic consideration of human weaknesses was never
far in the rear. Some feared him, all respected him, the
most loved him. For strength of character, force of
will, and even consistency with himself, he had few equals.
His health failing, he journeyed to the milder climate
of Texas and Mexico. The American Christian Missionary
Society employed him to look after the weak churches
while on his tour. In this work he was diligent, and
proved a blessing. He assisted in the organization of some
churches, and the encouragement of many. He returned
from that mission in the fall of i860, improved in health.
In January following, he took a severe cold, from which
he never fully recovered. Yet he was not confined to his
room a day. On the 4th of April he went into his garden,
and feeling ill, he turned to come in, and fell in death
before any one could come to him. This was in 1861.

East Fairfield.

A quarterly meeting v^as held in East Fairfield,
Columbiana County, beginning February ist. Bro.
Mitchell says :

'' Leaving Warren, we went to our appointment in
Fairfield, and put up with Bro. John Ferrall. We com-
menced at candle-lighting, and continued ten days, preach-
ing the same gospel to the people that we did at Warren.
The immediate result was thirty-seven additions, all new
converts, beside instructing many of the old Christian order

112 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

in more scriptural views of the gospel, especially in regard
to the design of baptism. At this point I parted with Bro.
Scott, after enjoying his company twenty-five days, and
learning many things more valuable than tens of thousands
of silver and gold j sweeter than honey ; more delicious
than the honey-comb. Looking back over forty-four
years, and remembering what was the condition of things
then, and the present state of affairs, I feel satisfied that
the omnipotence of truth has effected it all.**

On the Western Reserve some of the churches
originated in reforming Baptist communities. In
Columbiana County the "Christian" element pre-
dominated. These people were themselves reform-
ers, seeking, in the measure of their light, to return
to New Testament usages ; but like most of the efforts
to return from spiritual Babylon to Jerusalem, they
crystallized around a few items which they capitalized
into undue prominence. The great matters of the
ancient gospel, and ancient order of the churches,
were veiled in obscurity. Earnest and zealous, their
public speakers often possessing great exhortatory
power, they made many converts. They had a large
congregation at Fairfield, and a good meeting-house.
The amiable Joseph Gaston was their preacher.
Through him, Bro. Scott obtained a favorable intro-
duction among them. These visited the people to-
gether, and talked freely on the principles of the gos-
pel. Scott was gifted with conversational powers of
great skill and scope, and being full of his subject, he
won at every onset. A meeting was called which
was attended by the whole church. Scott turned his
subject to his master key of Peter, pentecost and
pardon. The theme was new, and in his hands the

IN THE WESTERN^ RESERVE. II3

scriptural scheme of the gospel was so plain and con-
vincing, scarcely a doubt was left in the great audience.
At the close of his sermon, the proposition was made
to take the sense of the church upon the overture
now submitted, to assume the position of a gospel
church, in accordance with the scriptural teaching
they had just heard. There was almost a unanimous
rising up. Only five or six refused. It was a strong
church of strong men.

Not long after this. Elder James Hughes, of Ken-
tucky, came and preached among them. Learning
the clearer way of the gospel, he adopted it, saying
he always thought the Scriptures connected more
blessing with baptism than they had discovered. He
continued to thus preach, and to practice as long as
he lived.

According to the order of the "Christian" breth-
ren, the preachers were the elders. They had dea-
cons to perform the duties common to that class of
officers. Bringing the church to the New Testament
models, they now appointed WilHam Cunningham
and John Ferrall, who had been deacons, to the office
of bishop, or overseer, and Dr. Amasa Fisher, and

, deacons. Joseph Gaston continued to be;

their minister.

About this time a colony of Methodists came into.
Fairfield, from Virginia. They had their preacher^
Benjamin Patterson, and were prepared to attend tG
the matters of religion in their own way, and keep
guarded against novelties and heresies. It was not
long before Bro. Benjamin Saunders came, and pro-
claimed the gospel so clearly and powerfully, he cap--
tured their preacher, and left his flock so shaken, that
10

114 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

they became an easy and willing prey. Every one,
without an exception, embraced the teachings of the
apostolic gospel, and came into the church. Patter-
son was baptized by Elder John Ferrall.

The subject of *' weekly communion,** was some
time under discussion. It was new ; and many
thought it too great an innovation on established
usages. Some argued that so great frequency would
detract from its solemnity. On the other hand, it was
steadily and convincingly plead that as the holy apos-
tles, who had been charged by the Lord Jesus with
establishing the customs and laws of his kingdom,
had ordained that order in the beginning, it was bind-
ing still, and that it could not degenerate in solemnity
when approached with the true and proper spirit. It
was finally arranged, at Bro. Ferrall's suggestion,
that the subject should be a matter of forbearance ;
those who regarded it a duty to show forth the Lord's
death every Lord's day, to be permitted to do so;
granting the unmolested right to others to come to
the table of the Lord at longer intervals, as they had
been accustomed to. To this all acceded ; and all was
harmony. Very soon all the members were a unit in
this practice. Would that all differences in religious
matters could be settled as amicably and permanently.

The church of East Fairfield has a noble record,
and has been a light to the surrounding country. It
has been generous in sustaining the "yearly meet-
ings," and all others, for the proclamation of the
Word of Life. Our men of name have all preached
among them from time time, and assisted the faith-
ful brethren in Fairfield to maintain the "unity of
the spirit in the bond of peace.*'

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. II5

Bro. J. G. Mitchell spent a long life in the gospel.
He began when a youth, and traveled extensively in
most of the north-western States. He was equally
distinguished for zeal and success. He was small in
stature, quick in action and speech, abundant in ap-
propriate anecdotes, and never addressed an inatten-
tive audience. With a kind heart, generous and high
minded, few men had more friends. He settled in
Danvers, McLean County, 111., where his most useful
life was terminated by a painful disease, which he
bore with great patience, July 26th, 1873, in the
68th year of his age.

Il6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER V.

Churches planted in Salem, Canfield, and Austintown — ^John
Henry — Origin of the church in Braceville — Sketch of Marcus
Bosworth — Biography of Jacob Osborne.

BRO. SCOTT began his great work in Salem, Co-
lumbiana County, in April, 1828, going from his
stirring meetings in Austintown and adjacent regions.
Prejudice preceded him, raised by the misrepresenta-
tions of Rev. Vallandigham, a Presbyterian minis-
ter, of New Lisbon, the father of Hon. C. L. Vallan-
digham, of later and wider notoriety. He came and
warned the people against that ** apostate" Scott; de-
claring that he gave out that he would forgive the
sins of the people, with other statements equally
false and ridiculous. A. G. Hayden, residing in the
vicinity of Salem, fell in with Scott at the residence
of his father, Samuel Hayden, in Youngstown. By
him Scott sent an appointment to Salem.

He came, and opened to a full house the watch-cry
of the campaign, the word of the Lord and pentecost.
It was heard with mingled delight, wonder and doubt.
People rapidly took sides, some in favor, some against
the new doctrines, as many regarded them. " Why
was this not found out before } '' was the cry of many.
"I know not," it was replied, ** except that the time
is only just now come for these truths, so long hid
from our eyes, to be found out.'' *' But if it is true,"
said others, *' our preachers would have seen it long
ago ; it would not have been left for Campbell and

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 11/

Scott to find it out at this day/' " Yes," it was
answered/' just so objected all the Catholic clergy to
Luther and the old reformers."

The news spread, and converts were multiplied.
In ten days he baptized forty souls. The leading
Baptists were delighted. Polly Strawn, David Gas-
kill, and others, came forward with all their influence
in favor of the work. Singing and prayer till mid-
night was heard in many dwellings. The converts
were received to baptism on the confession of their
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, without the usual rou-
tine of telling an " experience," and a vote of the
church.

On a set day, Scott called them all forward to be
received as members of the church. After many ex-
hortations, the question was propounded to the church
for the reception of the converts into fellowship. It
was unanimously responded to in the affirmative ;
and this great effort, crowned with such blissful re-
sults, was about to be sealed up in peace and com-
plete harmony. No creed had been presented for
the converts to subscribe. They were baptized as
converts to Christ ; and in this solemn ordinance they
had, as the apostles expressed it, **put on Christ;"
to walk in him in all the experiences and duties of a
new life. None had demurred, and Scott, feeling
that Christianity had now completely triumphed over
party, exclaimed, ** Who will now say there is a Bap-
tist Church in Salem ? "

This gave the alarm. Some of the old leaders
thought he was building up the Baptist Church, while
in reality he was employed in a much broader and
diviner work, that of bringing sinners unto Christ

ri8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Jesus, regardless of party names, lines, or limits.
The dear name and cherished forms could not be re-
linquished. Then followed a reaction — a revolution.
Then came conclaves, conferences, private and pro-
tracted. Mrs. Strawn, a lady of remarkable ability,
and a tactician of much shrewdness, was especially
active in this crisis. Some Presbyterians sympa-
thized and aided to push the car backward. The old
regime was restored, and the order was issued that
all the new members must appear on church-meeting-
day, relate a " Christian experience,'* and come in by
the regular way, as members of the regular Baptist
Church.

This was all strange and unexpected. The lambs
wanted a sheltering fold. Synods and investigation
committees were to them unfamiliar and repulsive.
They were disheartened. They scattered ; some went
into other churches, some gave up in sorrow, a few
submitted to the orders in counsel, and entered by
that door into that fold.

Out of this action arose the " Phillips Church,"
three miles south of Salem. Robert P. Phillips, a man
of strong will, and an influential citizen, learned the
gospel of Scott, and, with his family, was among the
converts. The difference between the gospel and all
party unions was clear as a sunbeam to him ; and
with an open protest against putting a yoke on the
disciples, he and others drew off and stood aloof.
But they were far from giving up their faith and hope.
He opened his own house where the lambs found
shelter. Preachers came : Geo. W. Lucy, J. E. Gas-
ton, J. H. Jones, Whitacre, and many others ; and
soon a light sprang up which has continued to this

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 19

day. Hayden could sing, and soon he was called to
be a leader. They organized as a church in the sum-
mer of 1829. The unstinted hospitality of Phillips
and other brethren, for many years made a home for
the itinerant proclaimers of the word of life ; and
aided by Hubbard, Allerton, Finch, Hartzel, and
Schaeffer, from Deerfield ; by Hayden, Henry, Bos-
worth, and Applegate, and not a little by George Pow,
of Green, this united and affectionate band of Chris-
tians became a strong and ruling church. It would
take a page to record all who have reaped in this
field, and who carry the kindnesses of this church in
happy memory. In later years, H. Reeves and S.
B. Teagarden have labored there with success. With
Bro. White as associate overseer, and such men as
Abram Shinn as deacons, this church has won a repu-
tation for "durable riches and righteousness."

** Every wise woman buildeth her house." says Sol-
omon. This church has had a number of " wise wom-
en," to whom is due no small share of the credit of
building up the Lord's house. To their prudence,
piety, sound judgment, and perseverance, much more
is owing than will be known till the day of judgment.

After a few years the effort was renewed in Salem,
and a church established. Bro. Geo. Pow rendered
effective service in planting it, and Alexander Pow
also, who is a pillar in the congregation. The breth-
ren, with enlightened liberality, have erected a large,
substantial and commodious house. The congrega-
tion, under the care of Bro. Spindler, ranks among
the most permanent of the churches.

Bro. Geo. Pow, of Green, was long a leader and a
stay of the churches in Columbiana County. He

I2o EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

was a good scholar, and endowed with a breadth of
good sense and candor, which made him superior in
counsel. Critically read in literature, and especially
in the Holy Scriptures, his speech was remarkable
for correctness and richness of instruction. His re-
cent death has left a void which a generation will not
repair. The church in Green was much indebted to
his wisdom for the strength and prosperity to which
it attained.

The Church in Canfield.

This church was formed January I2th, 1822, in
David Hay's dwelling-house. Thomas Miller was
the officiating minister. Deacon Samuel Hayden,
William Hayden, and John Lane, from the church
of Youngstown, and Elijah Canfield, Palmyra, were
the counsel. The church was moderatively Calvin-
istic ; progressive in spirit. The principal members
were David Hays, William Dean, with their families,
H. Edsell, Turner, Wood, and Myron Sackett.

In June, 1829, the following entry is made in the
church record :

''The Baptist Church, constituted in 1822, so continued
till 1829. During this time, the brethren in attending to
the Word of God in search of truth, began to doubt the
propriety of having creeds, or articles of faith, as bonds
of church fellowship. The result was, throwing them
away as useless, believing the Scriptures sufficient to make
us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. We
adopt them as our rule of faith and practice.''

In the winter of 1827-8, Bro. Scott opened, at
Simmons Sackett's, the plea of the ancient gospel.
The second chapter of Acts, the opening of the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 121

kingdom, was his subject. He simplified, and en-
forced it so pointedly that all saw, and most, on ex-
amination, accepted the truth. He showed that all'
parties have the elements of the gospel, but differently
arranged ; and that as the same letters would spell
different words, according to the arrangement of
them, so these gospel themes, set forth in one order,
formed one theory on which one sect was built ; in
another order arose another sect. He contended
ably for the restoration of the true, original, apostolic
order of them, which would restore to the church
the ancient gospel as preached by the apostles.

The interest became an excitement. All tongues
were set loose in investigation, in defense, or in op-
position ; which foreshadowed good results. Nothing
so disastrous to the sailor as a dead calm. Let the
vessel heave under a tempest, rather. The Bibles
were looked up, the dust brushed off, and the people
began to read. *' I do n't believe the preacher read
that Scripture right." '' My Bible does not read that
way," says another. The book is opened, and lo !
there stand the very words ! In the first gospel ser-
mon, too — the model sermon — as what "began at
Jerusalem" was to be " preached to the ends of the
earth." The air was thick with rumors of a *'new
religion," a *'new Bible," and all sorts of injurious, and
even slanderous imputations — so new had become
the things which are as old as the days of the apos-
tles.

Scott's sermons gave a mighty impulse to the work.

Many converts were gained for Christ. Some of the

old members received them with caution, but the

church made them welcome, and, ere long, by the

II

122 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

prudent exercise of Christian forbearance, they were,
like ''kindred drops," all ''mingled into one."

Mr. Scott was often eccentric ; but he possessed
the talent to sustain himself and turn his eccentricity
to good account. On one occasion, when the whole
country around was almost tremulous with the excited
state of feeling, he managed to slip into the assem-
bly unobserved, and seating himself far back with his
cloak well about his face, and his broad-brimmed hat
well drawn down, he sat listening to the remarks of
the assembling multitude. The reader must remem-
ber, as an excuse for the darkness of the room, that
the candle was the "light of other days." The illu-
minating oil still lay concealed in God's great cellar.
One man says, in a low tone : " What do you think
of Scott } " without waiting a reply, " I never heard
such a preacher ; he is hard on the sects, but he has
the Bible on his tongue's end." Another: " I never
read such things in the Bible as he is telling us." His
quick ear was catching these " droppings " of the peo-
ple. The room became packed. " Do you think the
preacher is coming ? " inquired one. " I wonder
if he will not disappoint us to-night .^"

Then rising to full position, still sitting on his seat,
laying back his cloak and removing his hat, Scott
cried out in his magnificent voice, " And what went
ye out into the wilderness to see } A reed shaken
with the wind ? But what went ye out to see ? A
man clothed in soft raiment } But what went ye out
to see ? A prophet ? yea, I say unto you, and more
than a prophet." Matt. xi. Then with a sweep, and
brilliancy, and point that astonished and instructed
all, he discoursed on the ministry of John the Bap-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 123

tist ; the preparation of the gospel ; the introduction
of Jesus by him to the Jewish nation ; and carried
his audience up to the crucifixion, the resurrection
and coronation of the Lord of glory, and the descent
on pentecost of the Holy Spirit, with the grand events
of that *' notable day of the Lord." It is needless to
pause and describe the wonderful effect of this sud-
den outburst and powerful rehearsal of the gospel
upon his astonished auditors.

There were members here of sound judgment,
conservative, but progressive and thoroughly settled
in the conviction that the Holy Scriptures were a
perfect as well as inspired guide. It is not surpris-
ing that with such a people the preaching of Scott
was held under cautious examination. All opposi-
tion subsided, however, when they saw the new con-
verts *' full of joy and the Holy Spirit," and when
they saw the Scripture language warranted the prac-
tice introduced by the preacher. Such men as the
Deans — father and sons — David Hays, and Myron
Sacket were just the men for a new movement ; slow
to start, but firm as a rock when convinced. These,
with the devoted Ezra Leonard, and a number of
women, such as those of whom Paul makes honor-
able mention, formed a society as firm and intelligent
as any on the Reserve.

It is to be regretted that history, dealing chiefly
with the outward, sensible phenomena of a movement,
fails too frequently in presenting the subjective part —
the mental and emotional struggles — in which the
visible and tangible facts originate. These heart con
flicts and battles of conscience, are often in the
highest degree instructive. Fortunately we are able

124 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

to give something of this inner history of one of
these original members of the church in Canfield :

Myron Sacket descended from Presbyterian ancestry, in
Warren, Ct. He was early in Ohio. He helped to build
the first meeting-house in the center of Canfield, which
was erected by the people of his ancestral faith, and in
which he piously hoped to be a life worshiper. In 1817,
he was married to Miss Orpha Dean, of Baptist principles,
and equally conscientious. The discrepancy in their
views was a trouble to them ; and they sought to recon-
cile the disagreement, each honestly supposing the other
would yield to increased light. He brought pamphlets
and sermons, which she read and considered ; she resorted
to the word of the Lord in its plain teaching on the sub-
ject of baptism, and the subjects strictly entitled to it.
Sacket was disinclined to discussion, a man of quiet and
peaceable, though of very firm habits of mind. He be-
came so aroused to the investigation that he opened his
Bible anew. He read the New Testament twice through
to find infant baptism, noting carefully every thing bear-
ing on the subject. Many times he turned back and re-
read, fearing he might have passed by it. Disappointed
and grieved, yet loving the truth rather than the accepted
convictions of early training, he resolved now to read it
for a far different purpose — which was to learn what are
the teachings of the Word of God on the subject. The
result was a clear and satisfied conviction that the New
Testament contains no trace or evidence of authority for
that practice. The struggle was hard. The very firmness
of the man, which made him a pillar for long years after-
ward, made the transition difficult. But the conclusion,
finally reached, was never reversed nor regretted. Both
himself and wife, now one in faith as well as in matrimo-
nial union, put on Christ in his own holy baptism, on the
same day. This was in 1819.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 125

After Bro. Sacket had accepted Baptist principles, an
uncle from Connecticut asked him how he could degen-
erate from the principles of his parental belief to unite
with the Baptists, a people of much lower grade of learn-
ing and position ? His answer was significant: ^' I read
and carefully studied the Word of God for light, and find-
ing no support for those principles, I was compelled to
give them up/*

Few men ever rendered more efficient and substantial
support to the cause of the primitive gospel. His house
was long a home for the people of God. The terms,
'^meekness and fear,'* applied justly to him. He was
slow to accept the light which Scott brought, but step by
step he came with the wealth of a ripe Christian experi-
ence and sound judgment ; and was ever afterward unfal-
tering in its support.

This church continued to meet in the north-west
part of the township, where they built a comfortable
meeting-house. At this period, William Hayden
was a member of it, though his residence was in
Austintown. In the month of May, 1828, the con-
gregation, after full proof of his abilities in public
speaking, and recognizing his zeal and knowledge of
the Scriptures, gave him their sanction and ap-
proval as a minister of the gospel. Thus licensed
and commended to other churches, he gave himself
more diligently to the work. The eminence which
he subsequently attained, justified this action, and
vindicated their discernment of his improvable gifts.

In the same vicinity there was forming a com-
munity known as " Bible Christians." Wm. Schooley,
living in Salem, was their principal preacher. These
two churches — the "Christians" and the Disciples —
became better acquainted, and Bro. Schooley him-

126 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

self having united with the Disciples in Salem, these
communities united as one brotherhood in Christ ;
thus giving a practical illustration of the union and
co-operation of Christians on the original foundation.
The Flicks, the Shattoes and all, about twenty, were
enrolled with the Disciples, as one people in Christ.
This event took place January 2^, 1830.

This church was never very numerous, about
seventy being the highest number. But they kept
up a respectable visibility many years. Their record
for the great yearly meetings of the Disciples of the
county, is highly honorable. Like many others, she
has brought multitudes of converts to the fold of
Christ, and has sent out her sons and daughters to
carry on the good work in other lands. The church
in Center, Rock County, Wisconsin, is a planting
from Canfield. The Parmelys, the Deans, Orsemus
and his family, while weakening this by their removal,
greatly strengthened that church.

In the fall of 1827, some time after his appoint-
ment as the evangelist, this church moved Bro.
Scott's family into their midst, and contributed lib-
erally to their support. Scott bought, and built a
house, intending this as a permanent residence.
But his changing field of labor altered his plans.
The home talent of the church has always been her
chief reliance for edification. But for many years
she had the labors occasionally, and sometimes stat-
edly, of the preachers of the county.

As several families resided at and near the center
of the township, the church gave consent for them
to form a separate congregation. Accordingly, in the
spring of 1847, ^.bout twervty associated themselves

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. l2^

together in that relation. They were organized by
Bro. J. W. Lanphear. J. M. Caldwell and Andrew
Flick were elders ; Walter Clark and John Flick,
deacons. They were aided by the labors of Breth-
ren Pow, Applegate, Belton, Phillips, John Errett,
Dr. Hillock, White, F. M. Green, Van Horn, and
Edwin Rogers.

The church in the north-west part of the town-
ship, reduced by removals — the old members having
all gone over the river into the promised land — after
struggling in feebleness for awhile resolved to unite
with the body at the center. This union was effected
October 6, 1867.

The Church in Austintown

was constituted June 16, 1828. The remains of
the Baptist church, once flourishing, lay in a waste
and decaying condition over portions of Youngstown
and Austintown. In the winter of 1816, a revival
occurred under the labors of Elder Joshua Wood-
worth, a humble and devoted minister. About forty
were converted ; among the converts v/ere William
Hayden, then a youth, and others, still younger, of
the same family. The counselors of the church
thought it necessary to have the young converts in-
structed in the '* doctrines " of the gospel, " election,''
and kindred themes. So the faithful minister, loved
as a father, was dismissed, and Wm. West was called.
He was more learned, but straight, cold, Calvinistic.
Under his reign the kingdom was dissolved. Zeal
languished under doctrinal sermons. Discipline
went by rule rather than by love. Covenant meet-
ings became courts. Appeals were taken, and coun-

128 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

sels called. The lambs fled from the fold ; conver-
sions ceased ; the light grew dim, and the church
had but a name to live. Elder West was still in
the community when Bro. Scott opened the gospel
plea there, and opposed his work.

The following sketch of affairs there is from the
pen of Walter Scott :

^' When called about two years ago, I found the church
in a state of entire prostration. For four years they had
not eaten the Lord's Supper ; all was delinquency — a perfect
web of wickedness, the like of which I never had seen. It
was an involved labyrinth of personal and family quarrels.
For about three weeks I strove to disentangle the sincere-
hearted, but in vain. Strife is like the lettings out of
water — what is spilt is lost. When the threads and fila-
ments of a quarrel have forced themselves like waves over
the whole body ecclesiastic, that body should be dissolved.
We accordingly looked upon this institution to be entirely
lost, and began to preach the ancient gospel — the word
of the Lord as a hammer and a fire. All hearts were im-
mediately broken or burnt ; and of that sinful people
there have been immersed nearly one hundred and fifty
individuals. These have become a church, and are walking
in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blame-
less, as I hope. The Scriptures are their sole authority,
and they have three bishops, bold in the Lord Jesus, and
five deacons.''

The religious awakening which restored the church,
or rather built it anew on apostolic foundations, be-
gan in Austintown, in February, 1828, soon after the
great meeting in Warren. A young man by the
name of Asa Jones became serious, and, expressing
a wish to become a Christian, Bro. Bentley was sent
for. He preached in the school-house where William

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 29

Hayden was teaching. When the sermon closed, an
opportunity being offered, the young man arose, de-
clared his purposes, expressed much joy in believing,
and appealed to his friends to follow him to Jesus.
Next day^ Bro. Bentley preached and baptized this
person and eight others. John Henry and his wife
were of the number.

Bentley returned home, but a work had com-
menced which was soon to become wide and gen-
eral. The converts were clear in their conversion,
and active. William Hayden was greatly delighted by
the conversion of his particular associate and neigh-
bor, John Henry, a man of great weight in the com-
munity, and possessed of abilities, which Hayden
clearly foresaw would be likely to turn to much use-
fulness.

About three weeks after this, Scott sent an ap-
pointment to preach in the "Jones' school-house."
He came Wednesday the 19th of March. A full
house was in waiting. He hurried his audience to
the line of decision, classing all the world in two
parties — Christ's and the devil's. He laid the foun-
dations of Christ's kingdom in the grand affair of
his death, burial, resurrection, ascension, coronation,
and the inauguration of his reign on earth on the day
of Pentecost. Among the startling utterances of
that sermon, he said : " We can have a revival of re-
ligion whenever we want it ! Strange ! strangely
marvelous ! Differing wide as the heavens from all
we had ever heard ! Can we obtain this glorious
prize — regeneration, pardon, and peace } " Thoughts
hurried to and fro, as Scott talked on and showed
that Christ's work was finished, his sacrifice com-

130 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

plete, the " oxen and fallings were killed," the table
was spread, *^ all things are now ready," and had been
ready for eighteen hundred years — nothing now but
for sinners to hear, and come, and find a welcome to
salvation by the Master of the feast.

This was gospel. " Why have I been waiting so
long } why has no one ever told me that before t "
Thus reasoning and feeling, five came to the decision
and yielded. That night the crowd was increased ;
and next day, March 20th, twelve of us were by his
hands lifted into the kingdom.

The whole country was in commotion. Converts
came at almost every meeting. But the excitement
was to become higher, and to penetrate a new class
of society, as I proceed to relate.

Aylett Raines and the Restorationists.

While Mr. Raines was on his tour preaching, and
previous to his baptism by Bro. Williams, he came to
Austintown. It was in April. He already had a
high reputation, especially among the Restorationists,
who were numerous. News circulated that he was
coming to preach his renunciation of Universalism.
A crowd assembled and filled the house. He opened
on the mission of the apostles as the embassadors
of Jesus Christ, the authorized expounders of his
will. Their preaching was the commission carried
out according to Christ's will and intention ; as they
were not only commissioned by him, but miraculously
assisted by the Holy Spirit, so that their preaching,
as reported in the book of Acts, is the full, complete,
authoritative guide in preaching the gospel, and re-
ceiving sinners to the church ; that as they, in the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I3I

opening of their mission on pentecost, and always
afterward throughout the world, preached to the be-
lievers that they should repent and be baptized, in
the name of Christ, for the remission of sins ; this
is our model to the end of time, and, consequently,
no preaching which differs from this model has any
authority in the Word of God. He concluded his
long and argumentative discourse in these words :

" My friends, I find myself in a strait ; I am shut up
in a dilemma ; and I can see no way out, with the Word
of God in my hand, but through the obedience of faith
in baptism. If any of you can see any other, I im-
plore you in the name of my Master to show it to me."

The sensation, which was perceptible in the be-
ginning of the sermon, grew in intensity as he pro-
ceeded, till it heightened to a tumult. As soon as the,
meeting closed, persons who had come in big wag-
ons, and had brought their chairs into the house for
seats, jerked up their chairs, started over the benches,
and hurried to their homes. The medicine was work-
ing. The patients were biHous. The remedy was
heroic. Raines was calm. The Disciples were happy.
The Universalists, who composed the larger part of
the assembly, were disappointed, grieved and cha-
grined. Their champion had left them and gone over
to this new and specious heresy. We can not have
it thus ; we will not stop and reason calmly with him
and show him his error, as he earnestly besought us.
*'To your tents, O Israel!" The very horses felt a
touch of the excitement of their drivers !

That discourse worked miracles ; that is, if conver-
sion, as we had been taught, was in every case a
miracle. It had driven nails in sure places, " as nails

132 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

fastened by the master of assemblies." Eccl. xii: 11.
William Hayden preached in the afternoon the same
day, and baptized several converts.

The church of Austintown was one of the first in
•north-eastern Ohio, built on "the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner.'* The day appointed for collecting the
disciples as a church of Christ was fair, and a large
assembly convened. Scott, Bentley, and Raines were
present. After a discourse in the house, we were
called out upon the green in front of it. Here all
the disciples, one hundred and ten in number, were
disposed in a large circle. A space was open on one
side of about twelve feet, in which stood the preach-
ers. Thus, each member, with his right hand clasp-
ing the left of the one next him, so stood, that he
could see airthe rest, and also the brethren to whom
w^e owed so much under Christ, and who were, in the
most solemn manner, about to form and declare us
an organized church. Each of the preachers, in turn,
addressed us in the most earnest exhortation, in the
things pertaining to the duties of this new relation,
while all stood uncovered under the open canopy of
heaven. Then followed a prayer by Bro. Scott, implor«
ring blessings unbounded and unending from the
divine Head upon every member of his mystic body.
Then the hymn :

'< Lo ! he comes, with clouds descending,
Once for favored signers slain,"

led by Hayden and Henry, was sung with raptures
of joy. So began the church of Austintown. It was
placed under the care of William Hayden. Bro.
Henry was soon called to his side ; and not long

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 33

after, Alexander Spears was chosen also to the elder-
ship.

Biography of John Henry.

To few men has it been granted to gain such a celebrity
in so short a time as was won by this gifted man. His
public ministry was only a little over thirteen years, in
which time his personal labors extended from central Ohio
to central Pennsylvania, and into Virginia ; and his fame
spanned the continent. In all that constitutes brilliancy,
dash and boldness, he was a very hero. He was born in
Chartiers township, Washington County, Pa., October i,
1797. It is declared of him that he sung tunes when not
a year old, but he did not talk till he was four. He came
with his father, Francis Henry, to Poland, Ohio, April,
1803. He married Miss Jane Kyle, January 10, 1822, and
settled on new lands in Austintown the next spring.

He was a leader in every thing he undertook. In the
days of military training, he was music-major of regiments.
A few blasts of his bugle would start up every soldier, and
the exact time of his movement infused martial valor into
all around. When he turned to the Lord he quite aban-
doned this practice, and turned his musical talents, which
were of a high order and well trained, to gather and lead
the bannered hosts of the Lord. As a farmer he did more
work than any other, save one man. He excepted Wil-
liam Hayden. He played on nine kinds of instruments;
his favorites were the violin and the clarionet.

He was trained under the strictest rules of Presbyteri-
anism. As the ^^ Christian Baptist" appeared, William
Hayden passed the numbers over to the hands of his friend
Henry, whose penetrating mind grasped the great principles
it unfolded. He was ripened for the sickle of truth, so that
when Bentley came, he and his faithful wife were among the
converts — the first fruits of a large ingathering. The writer
has the most vivid recollection of the scene, as the excellent

134 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Bentley, tall and venerable, led this man of commanding
form, who stood six feet two inches, then in his thirty-first
year, and laid him beneath the waters of baptism after
the example of the Lord.

He gave himself at once to the diligent study of the
Bible. He read little else, he studied nothing else ; except,
perhaps, church history. His taste was for history, and
his sermons were largely historic recitals of the life and
work of Christ, and the preaching of the apostles, with
historic illustration from the Old Testament, delivered in
so fresh, forcible, and fluent a style, that as a speaker, few
equaled him in instructive and entertaining discourse. But
the power of his sermons was much in the authority with
which they were spoken. Without any of the studied arts
of oratory, he often moved on great assemblies with a
mastery that chained attention for two hours. Without
rhetoric, his speech abounded in fine tropes, especially in
metaphors ; and not unfrequently he arose to a pomp of
diction equaled only by the finest orators.

In person he was tall, rather spare, with sandy com-
plexion and sharp features, quick in movement, as in the
operations of his mind, and when he walked he planted
his feet with a tread which showed the firmness of the man.
Cheerful, at times almost to levity, very social, kind hearted,
and with wit like a polished rapier, whatever **his hand
found to do he did with his might.'' He was in Smith-
field, Jefferson County, when he was informed by a special
messenger, March 12th, of the supposed fatal sickness of
his wife. He would have started after the night meeting
for home, but friends interfering, he rested a time. Before
day dawned he was in his saddle, and that night, the 13th,
he was at home ; a distance of seventy miles. The Yellow
Creek was so high it nearly swam his horse. He watched
his wife most assiduously, and saw her recovery ; then fell
a victim to the same disease, typhoid fever, after sixteen
days' sickness, May i,. 1844.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 35

His work is interwoven with the groundwork of this
cause through the whole Western Reserve. Though un-
cultured, he was not rude. He was high-minded and hon-
orable, and immensely popular with the people. In the
early day he and Mr. Campbell met at the Plains-meeting-
house, near Minerva. Many had never seen either of
them. Henry preached in the morning, and the people
thought it was Campbell. After an interval Mr. Camp-
bell preached, and many of the hearers said: ''We wish
that man would sit down, and let Campbell get up,/^r he
knows how to preach ! ^ *

There was lamentation in all the churches when he died.
The feeling is well remembered and distinctly defined.
It was less a murmuring, than a deep, sad, silent grief.
Bro. Campbell wrote of him at the time: ''Bro. John
Henry, as a preacher of a particular order of preachers,
had no equal — no superior. He was not only mighty in
the Scriptures as a preacher and teacher, but was also emi-
nently exemplary in the social virtues of Christianity. His
praise is in all the churches in the Western Reserve and
circumjacent country. ' *

He was bold, brave, fearless^ cheerful and animated ; the
life of society, humble, generous, and of unfeigned faith;
of great power, of tremendous force, and mighty and elo-
quent in the Scriptures ; he ' ' hewed Agag in pieces, and
slew kings in the day of his wrath." All prized and hon-
ored him, and the remembrance of him stirs the fainting
purpose to unbounded courage. Hundreds yet remember
him, as with more prowess than the Knights of St. John,
he would return from a successful charge, victor over legions
of the king's enemies; and the blasts of his triumph gave
courage to all the faint-hearted. Though not always dis-
creet, his bravery was of the first quality. He never lifted
his spear but in victory. His enemies gathered near to
behold the agile dexterity and massive power with which
he felled to the ground the foes of God.

136 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

His memory was as capacious as the Mediterranean.
Eminently was he, as the orator has it, the ^' man of one
book.*' The Bible w^as his store-house, his treasury, his
exhaustless fountain. He read it morning, at noon and
night, and all he ever read he remembered. He could re-
peat it by chapters and by books. It was his book of his-
tory, of archaeology, of travels, of biography, of incident,
event and anecdote, of moral power and religious persua-
sion. Nothing in society for which he found not a coun-
terpoint in that Daguerrean gallery of all truth, all duty,
all motive.

Brief and brilliant his career. The most loved
him — all beheld him with admiration. All love to cherish
and honor his memory, while within a narrower circle, sa-
cred and still as where mourners move, he is the idol of
an affection next akin to the feeling that worships.

Forty-seven years the church in Austintov^n has
stood against all the forces arrayed against it. It
has never ceased to meet, except by voluntary ad-
journment, to attend the yearly meetings. Under
the wise and careful eldership of Bro. Ira McCollum,
one of its charter members, and Bro. Joshua Kyle,
who for many years have held the helm, she has kept
her course steady and constant toward the harbor.

Newton Falls.

The church in Braceville and Newton Falls was
formed on Baptist principles, early in the year 1820.
The origin of it, and the history of Marcus Bosworth,
can not be dissociated.

Bosworth was born in Plymouth County, Massachusetts,
July II, 1794. He married Miss Elizabeth Ward, Sep-
tember 9, 1814, and came to Braceville, June, 1816. In
the year 1818, a revival occurred among the Presbyter-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 37

ians, and Bosworth and his wife were among the converts.
Though trained up in the Baptist order, they were willing
to worship with the Presbyterians, and they searched dil-
igently the word of God for sprinkling as baptism; but
they found it not. In the fall of 1819, Thomas Miller,
a Baptist minister, preached at Esq. Johnson's house. By
him, Bosworth and his wife were baptized. ^^The hap-
piest day of our lives," said the venerable sister Bos-
worth, who, at the age of seventy-one, recited these scenes.
Ne^t year, under the labors of Mr. Miller, was formed the
Baptist church in Braceville, which called Bro. Bosworth
to act as deacon. Active and warm-hearted, he improved
so rapidly in speaking that the church encouraged his as-
pirations to higher usefulness. He yielded to this decision,
and as much as the care of his farm would permit, he gave
himself to the ministry of the word.

Bosworth attended the ministers* meeting in Warren,
October, 182 1, and there made the acquaintance of Mr.
Campbell, and heard much from him on a return to orig-
inal Christianity, in its form, teaching, and models, as set
forth in the New Testament. His receptive mind heard
attentively and with little prejudice. Yet he prudently
held these views subject to further consideration. The re-
moval to Braceville, in 1825, of Jacob Osborne, gave a
fresh impulse to the scriptural investigations already ad-
vancing. Meanwhile Bosworth' s improvement of his gifts
in public discourse continuing to be satisfactory, he was
ordained as a preacher of the gospel in October, 1827.
Adamson Bentley and Sidney Rigdon were called by tha
church as the council on the occasion.

Bro. Bosworth gave himself ardently to the work of
preaching. His heart was all aglow with the love of souls^
and many w^ere turned to the Lord by him. He traveled
much in other counties and other States ; yet he worked
on his farm when at home, to support his family. Preach-
ers received little in those days for their labors. Some^
12

138 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCJPLES

times, in a long trip, he got less than the cost of shoeing
his horse. It was the fault of the times that Bosworth,
Alton, Applegate, Collins, and quite all the early preach-
ers were suffered to go to the warfare at their own charges.
A good wife at home, and a good Father in heaven, kept
Bosworth in his saddle. Yet he was much at home, to
lead his sons in the needful industries of the farm. For
many years coming guests enjoyed the bountiful hospitali-
ties of his home.

He was constant in prayer. He maintained worship
daily in his family. His wife frequently heard him in
prayer when he thought himself secluded. He often
prayed in his house after the family had retired.

He was abundant in labors. He saved not himself, that
he might serve the Lord and bless his family. No man
need be more tender or amiable in his home. He rode
sometimes from New Lisbon home, a distance of about
forty miles, after meeting, reaching home past midnight.
He was very feeble a year or more before his decease. In
the fall of 1846 a cough settled on his lungs, which never
left him. June 10, 1847, i^ the calmest repose in Jesus,
he gave his spirit to his God. He was a most agreeable,
companionable man, easy and fluent in conversation,
mirthful at times, but never trifling. His preaching was
more exhortational than argumentative. Frequently his
whole audience were in tears, while his own came unbid-
den, and fell as the rain on roses. He moved amidst
new converts. His persuasive appeals to the converted
to manifest in their conduct their new life in Christ were
most earnest and effective. A godly man with scarce a
foil in the bright picture of his life.

At one time he visited a fellow-member of the
church, and the conversation turned on the design of
baptism as set forth in Acts ii : 38 ; that it is to put
the believing, penitent sinner in possession of the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 39

joys of pardon through the divine promise. The rnan
could not be persuaded to accept the testimony of the
Holy Scripture, and he replied: ''You may bring as
many Scriptures to prove it as you please, I will not
believe it." Bosworth turned away, sad to see men
hopelessly wedded to their views and traditions, be-
yond recovery by the power of the word of God.

Once a Baptist minister paraded himself in front
of him, prepared to take notes of his sermon, prob-
ably expecting to intimidate the preacher. Bosworth
felt a fresh inspiration, and being a clear and rapid
speaker, he gave forth his discourse in such copious
fullness, the minister failed to keep in sight of him.
After the meeting, being asked to show his notes,
he turned away, saying, " they are very general, not
very plain ! "

Though the church in Braceville was originally
Baptist in name, its creed was not held rigidly.
Love prevailed over law, and the Bible eventually
superseded the Confession of Faith. In the discus-
sions which resulted in the displacement of all doc-
trinal dogmas as grounds of Christian fellowship^
this brotherhood bore a leading part. They formally
organized as Christians, March 20, 1828, declaring
the Holy Scriptures sufficient for all purposes of
faith and practice. Their number was then twenty-
eight. Marcus Bosworth was appointed the over-
seer. The church in Braceville was probably the
first on the Western Reserve, which formally adopted
this divine platform as their only basis. It was in-
creased by twelve conversions at that time.

From this time till the fall of 1839, when they
completed the meeting-house at Newton Falls, the

140 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

church met at different places, mostly in school-
houses. Bro. Osborne soon removed to Warren,
but other help was not wanting, and all the pro-
claimers gathered in souls to God in this enterpris-
ing church. Yet Bro. M. Bosworth was their con-
stant reliance, who, with all his travels abroad
preaching, did far more to sustain the church than
any other man.

Amos Clark served as overseer along with Bro.
Bosworth ; Joel Bradford also. Henry Harsh and Be-
noni Johnson were early deacons.

When the congregation established itself in their
new house at the falls, they procured more constant
preaching, and increased in numbers and in com-
mand of the public ear.

Memoir of Jacob Osborne.

His birth dates with the birth of the nineteenth cen-
tury. His parents lived near Trenton, New Jersey. They
were of the Baptist order. His mother was a very pious and
active Christian. Early in life their son Jacob was
awakened to a sense of his sinful state, and finding hope,
he was baptized, and almost immediately entered the min-
istry. He was licensed to preach when only nineteen
years of age. His pure life, reserved, winning manners,
devotion to study, and unvarying attentions to the offices
of religion, awakened great hopes of his future usefulness.
In person, rather tall, very erect, comely of form and
countenance, a voice not strong, but clear and very at-
tractive.

In 1 82 1, at the age of twenty-one, he entered Mr,
Campbeirs seminary on Buffalo Creek, Virginia, along
with Joseph Freeman, where he remained two years,
making most diligent application in his studies. During

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I4I

this time he employed his talents preaching in localities
within reach of the seminary. Becoming acquainted in
the family of the McElroys, Washington County, Pennsyl-
vania— a family of marked character for manliness, deci-
sion, energy, and promptitude, and for devotion to the
principles of religious reform — Mr. Osborne was united
in marriage to their sister, Miss Susan McElroy. He was
principal of the academy in Wellsburg one year, and
preached in that town and vicinity. He came to the
Western Reserve, and settled in Hiram, in the fall of
1824. The following year he moved to Braceville. Per-
haps Bro. Osborne, more than any other man, prepared the
way for the more complete ministration of the gospel
which was soon to surprise the churches, and reform their
modes of speech and action. He led on biblical investi-
gations quite regardless of the dogmata of creeds and
conventional forms of speech. He saw clearly the need
of an extensive and thorough revision and correction of
the terms and phrases, hackneyed and human, in which
people were accustomed to talk of conversion and its kin-
dred themes, and the substitution for them of the more
appropriate and divinely authorized language of the Holy
Spirit. In all this he was only abreast, scarcely ahead, of
many others. At the request of Bro. Bentley, he removed
to Warren early in 1827, ^^'^^ taught the academy for a
year, still preaching as his health would permit. He was
always present at the association and ministers' meetings,
and on all occasions took a part more prominent and in-
fluential than is usually assigned to one so young and un-
assuming. For his talent, erudition, and zeal, he stood
up as a Barnabas, and all heard him with delight.

His health gave way, and in May, 1829, this young, in-
fluential, talented, beloved. Christian gentleman, admir-
able in all things, in many things a model, fell asleep.
His disease was hemorrhage of the lungs. He was only
in his twenty-ninth year. He died in Warren.

142 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER VI.

THE CHURCH IN WINDHAM.

THE church in Windham was formed Tuesday,
May 27, 1828. On the Lord's day preceding,
eleven members of the Braceville church requested,
and obtained dismissal, to join in the new church.
They came together under the wise counsels of Elder
Thomas Campbell.

They numbered twenty-eight. Brethren Samuel
Robbins, Philander Robbins, and David T. Robbins,
with their families, Dr. Thomas Wright, and Bro.
Streator, were leading members. David Woolcott,
and Samuel Robbins were the deacons. Reuben
Ferguson was unanimously chosen overseer.

The beginning and progress of the work which led
to the establishment of the churches in Braceville
and Windham is well told in the diary of Bro. Sam-
uel Robbins, of Windham. I append some extracts
from it.

Lord's day, Sept. 16, 1827. Mr. Walter Scott preached
in the school-house, at the center of Braceville, the first
time ; sent by the Mahoning Baptist Association, by the
request of the Garrettsville and Braceville Baptist churches.
Text : ist Epistle of John, chap, iii : ist verse. A good
discourse.

Nov. 25, 1827. Deacon Bosworth preached at the cen-
ter of Braceville, the first time.

Dec. 2, 1827. Mr. Adamson Bentley and Walter Scott
preached in the school-house on Braceville Ridge. Mr.
Bentley preached first to a house jammed full — got tliem

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I43

most all asleep — do not recollect his subject. Then Mr.
Walter Scott preached, after reading the second chapter
of Acts. Dwelt particularly on apostle Peter using the
keys of the kingdom of heaven, delivered to him by the
Savior, Matt, xvi; 19. Before he finished his discourse,
a good part of the congregation were standing up gazing
at the speaker. In his remarks respecting Peter opening
the kingdom to the Gentiles, at the house of Cornelius, he
said : *^ Having no more use for the keys, for aught I know,
he threw them away."

Dec, 23, 1827. Mr. Osborne preached on the Brace-
ville Ridge. He was a good preacher, and a very devo-
ted minister.

Jan. 26, 1828. All the Baptist [church] went from
Braceville Ridge to Warren, to hear Walter Scott preach ;
for they heard he was turning the world upside down.

Feb, 23, 1828. Walter Scott preached on Braceville
Ridge. First-rate attention ; do not remember his subject.
His main object was to convince the people that God meant
what he said in his Wordy which caused great excitement
among the people in Braceville and Windham ; many sit-
ting up all night reading the Scriptures to see if they meant
what they said ; which resulted in many immersions. It
was a common practice for him to illustrate the jive items —
viz : Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Remission of Sins, and
the Holy Spirit-— by holding up his left hand and using his
thumb for Faith, and so on ; then contrast it with the five
points of Calvinism ; and thus he made the Scripture or-
der of the gospel so plain, that little boys could carry it
home. Great excitement wherever he went.

Feb. 23, 1828. Went from the Ridge to Windham.
In the evening he spoke in the school-room, near Dr.
Thomas Wright's. Father Rudolph and his two sons, John
and Zeb, were present. Spoke first-rate. Remarked he
was like an eight-day clock — he would speak on Faith,
Repentance, Baptism, Remission of Sins, and the gift of

144 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DlSCIPLKb

the Holy Spirit, and wind up ! Having a desire to hear
him through, David T. Robbins and myself went with Mr.
Scott to the hospitable families of the Rudolphs ; staid all
night.

Next day, February. 24, Lord's day, we all met at the
house of Mr. Chapin, who was a Methodist. Mr. Scott
spoke on faith to a room crowded full. Dr. Thomas
Wright, myself, D. T. Robbins and others, came forward,
which excited Mr. Chapin so he got up and opposed. In
the evening met at Mr. Rudolph's : a good meeting.

Feb, 25, 1828. Scott preached in the school-house in
Garret tsville — more, came forward. Agreed to meet the
next Wednesday in the school -house near Dr. Wright's,
when Scott would preach and immerse the candidates.

On Wednesday, the 27th, almost the whole town came
out. Bro. Scott spoke feelingly. Then Dr. Thomas
Wright, myself, David T. Robbins and others, nine in all,
were immersed. Ice a foot thick. Great excitement
among the people, it being the first immersion in Wind-
ham. Very cold ; though our hearts were warm and re-
joicing.

Tuesday, March 4, 1828. Scott again at the same place ;
immersed three more.

March 5, 1828. Preached again; baptized Father
Abraham Seymour and three others.

March 10, 1828. Scott went to Braceville. Preached
and baptized Philander Robbins and eight others.

Wednesday y March 12, 1828. Bro. Marcus Bosworth
preached and baptized three more at the same place. Bro.
Scott went home, to Canfield.

Saturday, March 22, 1828. Covenant meeting. It was
the custom of the Baptists in those days to tell their ex-
perience, to maintain good fellowship with one anotlier,
and to be prepared to break the loaf on the Lord's day.

Lord' s day, March 23, 1828. We all met in the school-
house on Braceville Ridge. Bro. Marcus Bosworth preached

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 45

and broke bread the first time after the preaching of bap-
tism for the remission of sins. Joyful meeting.

March 26, 1828. Bro. M. Bosworth preached — im-
mersed one ; next day, in Braceville, two more, between
eleven and twelve o'clock at night.

The diary continues, noting meetings in detail,
with additions at nearly every discourse of two or
three to ten persons :

'^Lord's day, April 27, 1828. Bro. Bosworth preached
and immersed seven more, who were added to Braceville
church. Bro. Bosworth administered the Lord's Supper
the second time ; glorious meeting. ' '

Old customs are slow to yield. Monthly com-
munion was still retained.

Elder Thomas Campbell came about this time to
the Western Reserve to co-operate in the work. His
visit is thus referred to in Bro. Robbings journal :

'''May I, 1828. Father Thomas Campbell preached in
Braceville, and the next day near Dr. Wright's. One im-
mersed by Bro. Bosworth."

''May 8, 1828, Father Thomas Campbell preached in
Windham. Baptized Bro. Reuben Ferguson and Bro.
Baldwin, of Charleston. Same day, Bro. Bosworth im-
mersed two."

^'May 9, 1828. Father Thomas Campbell preached on
Braceville Ridge from Hebrews ; subject : Land of Ca-
naan."

"May 17, 1828. I went to Warren. Met with them on
Lord's day. Up to this date, one hundred and thirty had
been immersed in Warren; one hundred and five added
to the church."

"Lord^s day, May 25, 1828. Bro. M. Bosworth preached
on the Ridge. Seven united to Braceville church. He
administered the Lord's Supper the third time."
13

146 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

In this manner the work went on through all that
region, extending into Nelson, Freedom, Charleston,
Hiram, Mantua, and Shalersville.

The church in Windham, like those in Braceville,
Garrettsville, and Warren, was in transition. Expir-
ing customs die hard. The " experience '* and ** cov-
enant'' meetings and monthly communion seasons,
as occasions of special ** fellowship," lingered for al-
most a year in Windham and Braceville. Robbins
writes :

'^ March 22, 1829. Commenced breaking bread every
first day of the week. Fourteen added to the church,
making in all sixty-five members.''

A wise forbearance ruled the church, and they
eventually all came to the unity of the faith and prac-
tice of the apostolic order.

For many years this church was a shining light.
They built a good house at the center of the town,
and continued there to worship as late as about the
year 1855, when, weakened by removals and other
causes, they yielded the ground and ceased to meet
as a church. But their works remain. While with
sadness they were compelled to abandon the organiza-
tion, they count with joy on the good they achieved ;
and other regions are made strong by the causes
which entailed weakness on the church in Windham.

This church raised up and sent forth two able evan-
gelists, Bro. L. P. Streator, long prominent and use-
ful, especially in Pennsylvania; and Bro. Myron J.
Streator, whose abundant labors will never be forgot-
ten. Both arose in Windham, and by this church re-
ceived their first encouragement and sanction as
preachers of the gospel.

in the western reserve. 14/

Elder Thomas Campbell's Visit.

It is difficult, after the lapse of forty-five years, to
realize the commotion consequent on the first work
of Scott and his associates. So novel, so bold, and
to the candid listeners, so plain and scriptural ! The
enthusiasm was unbounded. The '' zeal," though
usually guided by knowledge, sometimes overstepped
the limits of prudence ; yet it is surprising so few
errors became incorporated in the teaching, and that
the work was marred by so few cases of indiscretion.
The interest in the public mind had swelled to a tor-
rent, whose impetuous rush bore away all before it.

News of all that was going on was constantly trans-
mitted to Bethany, and Mr. Campbell, whose careful
and sagacious eye surveyed the movement in all di-
rections with the mind of a general, had some fear
lest the impulsive zeal of his ardent and able friend
Scott might, in this quarter, wreck the vessel of re-
formation. At his instance, his father, the venerable
Thomas Campbell, saddled his favorite sorrel, and
made an extensive tour of these battle-fields. He
visited first. New Lisbon, then Fairfield, Warren,
Braceville, Windham, Mantua, Mentor, and other
places. Nothing could have been more opportune ;
just such a man was needed ; and none who never
saw him can well appreciate the great effect of the
presence, counsels, and addresses of this noblest of
men. Uniting the simplicity of a child with the dig-
nity of a senator, agreeable almost to playfulness,
with a piety so pure, sweet, and unostentatious as to
command the respect and admiration of all around
him, the newly forming churches felt in his presence

148 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the timely aid, encouragement, and counsel which
could be imparted by no other one so well. His
fame and abilities as a scholar and as a speaker, drew
large audiences. Seeing the work before him to be
^ but an advance step in the great plea of the restora-
\tion which he had himself initiated and advocated
twenty years before, after examining the ground with
his usual caution and candor, he gave to it his full
sanction, and entered upon its advocacy with all his
great influence and powers. Soon after his arrival
on the ground, he wrote to his son Alexander from
New Lisbon, under date of April 9th, 1828, as follows :

*^ I perceive that theory and practice in religion, as well
as in other things, are matters of distinct consideration.
. . . We have spoken and published many things cor-
rectly concerning the ancient gospel — its simplicity and
perfect adaptation to the present state of mankind, for the
benign and gracious purposes of its immediate relief and
complete salvation — but I must confess, that, in respect
of the direct exhibition and application of it for that
blessed purpose, I am at present, for the first time, upon
the ground where the thing has appeared to be practically
exhibited to the proper purpose. ' Compel them to come,'
saith the Lord, ^ that my house may be filled.*

*^ Mr Scott has made a bold push to accomplish this ob-
ject, by simply and boldly stating the ancient gospel and
insisting upon it ; and then by putting the question gen-
erally and particularly to males and females, old and
young : Will you come to Christ and be baptized for the
remission of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Do n't you believe this blessed gospel ? Then come away,
etc., etc. This elicits a personal conversation ; some con-
fess faith in the testimony — beg time to think ; others con-
sent—give their hands to be baptized as soon as conven-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 49

lent; others debate the matter friendly; some go straight
to the water, be it day or night ; and, upon the whole,
none appear offended.'*

He spent the month of May, (1828), in Braceville,
Windham, and that region, adding strength and mem-
bers to the cause, and teaching piety and pure relig-
ion from house to house. He preached in Windham,
Lord's day, the 8th of May, and baptized Rev. Reu-
ben Ferguson, a Methodist preacher of great moral
worth, who began immediately to preach the faith as
proclaimed by the apostles at the beginning.

The travels of Elder Campbell were very extensive,
and his labors abundant. He visited Chardon, Ham-
den, and Huntsburg ; the latter of which were new and
weak churches. He was among the infant churches
like Barnabas of the apostolic days. No record can
convey a proximate estimate of the blessings of his
presence and labors at this juncture. There was
probably no man within the reformation who pos-
sessed such authority of personal influence ; of noble
mien and manly form ; grave and serene of counte-
nance ; courtly in manners, his discourses always re-
ligious and instructive, he impressed his hearers
always favorably and permanently. The young dis-
ciples and inexperienced preachers, who were now
springing up, needed such a model ; and it was
delightful to see the quiet and profound deference
yielded to him wherever he came.

It was during this period of his travels on the Wes-
tern Reserve that he fell in with Aylett Raines. Bro.
Raines may tell his impressions in his own words :

** Not long after this period I made the acquaintance
of Bro. Thomas Campbell. He interested himself in my

150 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

favor, and had me travel and preach with him several
months. This I view as a merciful interposition of my
Heavenly Father. By day and by night, publicly and
from house to house, he was my teacher. I feel that I was
greatly benefited, but how much I can never tell. Not
only by word, but by example, he deeply impressed my
warm and susceptible heart. He was, emphatically, a
godly man. He was greatly addicted to private devotions.
Often have I seen him, when he had no reason to believe
that any eye saw him but that eye before which all things
are naked and open, in his closet, prostrate on his face,
pouring out his soul in prayer to God. I thank God that
I ever made the acquaintance of that great and good man ;
and I look forward with bright and cheering anticipations
when we may meet to part no more, in the brighter and
better world.'*

Sketch of A. Raines.

This gifted man, destined to rise to a conspicuous place
in the advocacy of the gospel, was born near Fredericks-
burg, Spottsylvania County, Virginia, in the year 1797.
At the age of four years, he was led up by his father to
the altar, where Parson Boggs ''christened *' him after
the forms of the Episcopal church. It was done amidst
many tears from the young ''convert,*' but they were
neither tears of joy nor penitence, but of fear and appre-
hension of something awful about to be done to him, in
opposition to which his whole nature was roused. But
his pious parents, in fulfillment of obligations which they
conceived were resting upon them from the vows assumed
at his "baptism** — but which, with far more truth, they
were under merely as parents — trained him in the princi-
ples and paths of strict morality. The pious culture thus
obtained, especially from his most excellent Christian
mother, was of immeasurable afd vantage to him. He
ever bore toward them the profoundest gratitude for theii

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I5I

faithful guardianship. From Virginia his parents emi-
grated, when he was fourteen, to Jefferson County, Ken-
tucky. Hearing different ^'orders'* of preaching, often
contradictory, and presuming, as many do, that the Bible
sanctions all, he became skeptical. The reading of
Paine' s Age of Reason filled him with doubt, and flushed
him with conceit. But his mother's pious instructions
held him, and finally gained the mastery. He went into
Indiana, and engaged in teaching, near Fredonia. His
employers being Restorationists, he fell into discussions
with them. He felt himself foiled in these contests.
Winchester's ^^ Dialogues on Universal Restoration " com-
pleted the work, and he came out a thorough and sincere
convert to that speculative scheme.

New emotions filled his breast. He obtained the com-
mon '^ evidence " of genuine conversion. He writes :

'^ I got religion. The sky appeared to be bluer, the
leaves looked greener, and the birds sang more sweetly
than ever before. I underwent a great moral change.
There was much of the love of God in it. Shrouded as
I was in error, yet there were apertures through which the
love of God passed into my heart, and made me inexpress-
ibly happy. ' '

Persuaded that the numerous friends of Bro. Raines
will be delighted with his own statement of his experi-
ences, I continue the recital from his own graphic pen :

'^ I now commenced the study of the Scriptures in good
earnest, and after two years commenced preaching. This,
of course, provoked great opposition, and I had a number
of debates. In these, one sectarianism was arrayed against
another ; and those that came plunging and crashing against
mine seemed so very frail, and made so feeble a defense,
as rather to confirm me in my errors. I preached Res-
toration ism five years. A part of the time I taught
school, but the last two years of the five I traveled at
large. The expiration of this term brought me to the

rS2 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Western Reserve, where Bro. Scott and others were
preaching the ancient gospel. Hundreds were being bap-
tized. Much interest had been awakened in behalf of
the gospel, and bitter was the opposition which had been
enlisted against it. Misrepresentations — not to use a
harsher term — were as numerous as blackbirds in August,
and these too, very often by those who professed to be
'embassadors for Christ,' and who said they were 'the
called of God, as was Aaron. ' ' Just say you believe, and
let a preacher dip you, and there could be no scriptural
doubt of reaching — no matter what the life might be sub-
sequently— the heavenly inheritance.' It was strange to
me then, and yet passing strange, that good people, when
under the dominion of religious prejudice, falsify at a most
alarming and extravagant rate. They say that they are
'new creatures;' but if they are, I can not perceive that
the new creature is, in this respect, any better than the old !
"After a few weeks I concluded to hear Bro. Scott for
myself. He was to speak at night at Bro. Robbins', in
the town of Windham, near where I was at that time so-
journing. One object that I had in view was to bring
Bro. Scott into a debate; for among other things that I
had heard, I had been told that he was a very bold man,
and at the close of his discourses he challenged objectors
to make known their objections. Here, thought I, will be
a good opportunity for me ! and hence I let a number of
my brethren know that I intended to oppose him. Well, we
assembled, a compact congregation. Bro. Scott, after sing-
ing and prayer, read first Cor. first chapter. He preached
it through, not forgetting to state and defend what he
styled the six points of the gospel. I was greatly sur-
prised. But when he called for objections I was con-
founded. I could see the heads of my brethren moving
to the right and left, in the crowd, expecting to see me
rise to my feet. But they didn't see me rise ! The reason
was, I felt certain that if I opposed Bro. Scott I would

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 53

expose myself. His discourse appeared to me, at every
point, invulnerable. And so, when we were dismissed,
and out in the yard, my old brethren gathered around me
and asked, ' Bro. Raines, what do you think of the dis-
course? ' And let me say here that I think my first an-
swer will be my last : * I can do nothing against the gos-
pel as preached by Bro. Scott; unless I should live to dis-
grace it ; which may our gracious Lord forbid ! ' Hence
I have no sympathy with those who say they can not un-
derstand the preachers of the reformation. I understood
the first I ever heard a great deal better than I desired.

'*The next day I heard Bro. Scott again. His subject
was the fifteenth chapter of first Corinthians — the resur-
rection. Here again I was exceedingly amazed. Germs
of truth, and beauties and glories sprang from the bosom
of that chapter under the handling of Bro Scott, of
which before I had scarcely any conception. 'As in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive,*
I deemed a passage of cardinal importance, and the w^hole
chapter very good in its place ; but as I did not understand
it, of course I saw none of its beauties, and was superla-
tively ignorant of the meaning of the scrap just referred
to, which was one of the proof-texts by which I attempted
to prove the ultimate holiness and happiness of all men.
At the close of this discourse I felt profoundly interested
in the ministrations of Bro. Scott, and resolved to follow
him up for some days longer.

** On the next day his subject was the two covenants;
and here again I was amazed, not only in contemplation
of the beauty and magnificence of gospel truth, but at my
former ignorance, for although I had been a preacher five
years, I certainly did not know the difference between the
old covenant and the new. I obtained from them a sort
of hotch-potch; or rather I made of them a chaos, and
preached the darkness that was on the face of the deep !

**In a few days I heard again. His subject was the

154 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

eleventh chapter of Hebrews. He still bore himself aloft
in all the grandeur of the gospel, and in the captivating
intelligence of the truth as it is in Jesus. Here I virtually
surrendered — not that I was convinced that all nier
would not be finally saved. Bro. Scott said nothing on
this subject, only that it was a philosophy^ as was Calvin-
ism, Arminianism, etc., and no part of Christianity. He
convinced me that I ought to lay my philosophy aside,
and preach the gospel as the apostles preached, making
their discourses a model to be accurately copied by me in
all my ministrations. This was, so far, a capital conquest,
for it terminated in due time in the conviction, in my
mind, that Restorationism itself, as much as I had for-
merly idolized it, is founded in error.

** At this juncture it became necessary that I should
part from Bro. Scott for a season, for I had a tour of
preaching before me, and must fill my own appointments.
I resolved that I would preach as Bro. Scott had done,
and as I believed the apostles did, and that at the close
of each discourse I would call for objections. And I told
my old brethren that I threw myself on their mercy ; in
other words, that if they believed me to be going astray,
in mercy to set me right. This attempt was often made
within this tour, but it only served to convince me more
satisfactorily that I was right. It terminated at the house
of brother Ebenezer Williams, in Ravenna, a Restorationist
preacher, a good man, and possessing excellent talents.
I submitted to him, at his own house, my views of the
gospel. He received them, and we were mutually im-
mersed for the remission of sins. After this, I immedi-
ately retraced my steps, and within five weeks I immersed
fifty persons, three of them, counting Bro. Williams, tal-
ented Restorationist preachers.*' *

''■ Ebenezer Williams, David Sinclair, and Theophilus Cotton.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 55

A. Raines and E. Williams.

Wishing to fortify himself thoroughly on so im-
portant a matter as the change in his religious po-
sition, and also desiring to keep clear his approaches
to his Restorationist brethren, Raines deferred his
baptism till he should confer farther with their lead-
ing men. He retraced his steps, preaching at points
formerly visited, till he came to the residence of E.
WiUiams, of Ravenna, who must now be introduced
to the reader.

Ebenezer Williams was born in Warwick, Hamp-
shire County, Mass., March 14, 1793. He came to
Ohio, in May, 18 15, and settled in Ravenna. Fall-
ing in with the views of Winchester on universal
restoration, he prepared himself for a life advocacy
of that system. He was calm, dispassionate, a candid
and sound reasoner, and very conscientious, and
was one of the first advocates of that doctrine on the
Western Reserve. He was earnest and fluent in
speech and persuaded many, and planted communi-
ties of converts in Newburg, Bedford, Brimfield,
Shalersville, and elsewhere. I will permit his own
pen to relate the circumstances which led him to
embrace the gospel :

'^I will give you a fraction of my history in Shalersville.
I preached my first discourse there among the Universal-
ists, at the request of Daniel Burroughs, Esq., who was
instrumental in getting the first Universalist preacher on
the Western Reserve. In 1828, I was employed in that
town one-fourth of the time at one hundred dollars.

*'On a pleasant morning in the month of May, I rode
from Ravenna to meet my appointment. When I came

156 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

in sight of the house I saw more people than usual gath-
ered around it. While hitching my horse, two of my
friends came up and informed me that Father Campbell
and Sidney Rigdon had been holding a meeting there for
several days ; two young men had been baptized ; the
meeting had created great excitement ; they had dwelt
much on the second chapter of Acts ; and they requested
me to preach from the same, especially the thirty-eighth
verse. I informed them I would do so. In my discourse
I opened to the tenth chapter, and found that the Gen-
tiles received the Holy Ghost before baptism, reasoning
that baptism was but voluntary and quite unessential. I
offered the same objections to an immersion in water that
I have since so often heard, indulging in some witticisms
about going to heaven by water, and succeeded in pleasing
the congregation, except the two young men above referred
to.

** While going home I reviewed my discourse. Al-
though I had spoken in all sincerity, I became quite dis-
satisfied with what I had done. My text, and the forty-
sixth and forty-seventh verses of the last chapter of Luke,
were constantly occupying my mind. I went home quite
unhappy. I was familiar enough with the New Testament
to recollect the substance of what it contained, and my
mind was constantly engaged, day and night, to satisfy
myself that immersion could be dispensed with. I had
been sprinkled — I had sprinkled others, but in spite of
all my efforts my convictions still fastened themselves
upon me.

^' In the midst of my perplexity one morning, while in
the field plowing, a child came and informed me that
Bro. Raines was at the house. I went in immediately.
We hardly passed the usual compliments, when Bro.
Raines said he had been hearing Walter Scott; that he
had got into trouble, and wanted me to help him out.**

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 15/

Raines remained with him several days, during
which time they gave the subject a thorough exam-
ination in the light of the Holy Scriptures. The
result is given in the language of Bro. Williams :

^*The next Lord's day my appointment was in Brim-
field. Bro. Raines went with me. We both preached.
After meeting, we walked out, when he inquired of me
how I had made up my mind. I informed him I should
be immersed. Next morning we notified the friends of
our intention, and on our way back to Ravenna, we
stopped at Sandy Lake, a beautiful pond in the corners of
Brimfield and Rootstown, and taking hold of each other's
hands, we walked into the water. I baptized him ; he in
turn baptized me. I think they were all Universalists who
witnessed the scene. Some cried, some scolded. We ex-
horted them to come and do likewise.

'* When the four weeks came round, I went back to
Shalersville, and again preached from the second chapter
of Acts, but not so much to the satisfaction of the people.
Some were angry ; many said they would not pay their
subscription for such preaching. I told them I did not
expect it — the Lord would take care of me. Thus I
turned my back on the four hundred a year. I have
never since received over half that amount, but having
obtained help of God, I continue until this day."

These brethren being now fully emancipated from
that useless and pernicious philosophy, went every-
where preaching the word. They were anxious to
recover the communities which they had instructed
from these errors. There is a worldly and false
pride of consistency, which is but the effigy of that
true principle of " consistency " which is said to be a
** jewel," a counterfeit mistaken by many for the
genuine. Had Williams and Raines listened to the

158 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

voice of that false pride, they would never have en-
countered the reproaches unsparingly heaped upon
them for changing their doctrinal base. But this
was their cross, and joyfully for Christ were they
willing to bear it.

The news of their conversion spread every-where,
causing much joy among the Disciples. But the feel-
ing was mingled with a fear that they were not
thoroughly instructed in the foundations of the gos-
pel. It was feared that they were, after all, merely
baptized Universalists. If this was all, it was noth-
ing. Baptized Universalism is Universalism still ; not
the gospel. So baptized sectarianism, in any form,
is but sectarianism at best, and not the gospel of
Jesus Christ. This plea of reformation did not be-
gin nor end in baptism. It saw as its end, and
sought nothing less, than the de-organization of sect,
and the re-organization of the saints on the new cov-
enant, in the express terms and conditions divinely
set forth in the Holy Scriptures. This was clear as
a sunbeam in the preaching and writings of Scott
and the Campbells, and all who were enlisted in the
defense. No marvel then, that even thus early in
our work, no one could be satisfied with the mere
baptism of these men. They wanted proof of their
abandonment of Universalism, and their confession of
Christ and his gospel. They felt as the disciples of
old concerning Saul, of whose conversion and bap-
tism report quickly spread — "they were all afraid of
him, and believed not that he was a disciple." Acts
ix : 26. These noble men, however, had learned and
embraced the gospel as the ** power of God unto sal-
vation to every one that believeth." Salvation was

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I59

now with them, as with the original preachers,
through faith and obedience ; without which impeni-
tent sinners are still in their sins, and obnoxious to
the judgments of God,

The Church in Freedom.

The first person baptized in Freedom, after the
primitive order, was Daniel Brown. This was in
1828. Bro. Bosworth sowed the seed and reaped the
fruit. Bro. Rufus Ranney was the next. Then John
Bonney, who heard Scott in Nelson, and was baptized
by him. This post was held by Bro. Ryder and the
itinerant laborers till 1840, when they built and or-
ganized. The gospel had made inroads into Charles-
ton also, and brethren Woolcut, Peebles, and Baldwin
associated with the church at Freedom. Daniel
Brown and John Bonney were chosen overseers, and
Lewis Hamilton, Joseph Woolcut, and John James,
deacons.

The church prospered for several years. Two
preachers — O. E. Brown and J. W. James — arose out
of this church, who have been many years in the
work, and proved themselves extensively useful. In
June, 1848, they entertained the county yearly meet-
ing ; their number being about thirty. They after-
ward rose to fifty. After about twelve years of pros-
perity, dissensions grew up, and the tie of brother-
hood was sundered. For several years the religious
interest was nearly extinct ; but there were a few
names **who had not defiled their garments." The
work has lately been revived, and meetings are again
held regularly.

It is interesting to state that the first disciple in

l60 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCJPLES

Freedom still survives, and that the first overseer is
elder still. Bro. Daniel Brown, who in his eighty-
sixth year, writes me, *' I do not expect to live
much longer, but so long as the Lord lets me live, I
am willing. When he calls me I am ready to go."

IN THE WESTEKN RESERVE. l6l

CHAPTER VII.

Association in Warren, 1828 — Principles of Union Settled — Scott
and Hayden appointed Evangelists — Biography of Hayden —
Expectation of the Millennium.

THE association for 1828 was to meet in Warren,
People every-where were looking forward to it
with great expectations. The new converts, now
very numerous, were inspired with the prospect of a
great spiritual convocation. The friends of return
to primitive order were flushed with the victories so
numerous and decisive, and prepared to enjoy that
meeting as a kind of triumphant jubilee; while the
preachers themselves were eager to meet together in
mutual congratulations, to make reports, and to hear
news of the success of the gospel from all quarters.
A few viewed the new movements with fear and
trembling, paused in doubt, and hoped that the
approaching association might interpose some need-
ful checks, and in some way bring the whole work
more within the principles and order which were
still dear to many of the older members.

It is not necessary to conceal the fact that the
writer of these notes was in attendance from first to
last. It will be difficult to convey to the reader the
complex character of that meeting, the important
questions which there called for solution, and the
controlling guidance necessary to maintain unanim-
ity of feeling, that the work so powerfully progress-
14

1 62 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ing might still go forward. Men for the crisis were
demanded. Such men were there.

The association came together purely and simply
as an assembly of Christians. Though under the
forms and name of a Baptist association, the creed
system was abandoned, and neither that denomina-
tional name, nor any other, was on its standards.
Men of nearly all the religious bodies, many of them
leaders therein, leaving the technics of the party, but
retaining their faith, hope, and love, mingled to-
gether as disciples of the common Lord ; now in the
one body, possessing the one spirit, rejoicing in the
same hope, submitting themselves to the same
Lord, through the one faith and the one baptism,
they worshiped together the same God and Father
of all Christian people. This great occasion was a
grand demonstration of the possibility of the union
of Christians on original Bible ground. It was no
longer a theory. It was then an actual, accomplished
fact. And though by no means the first such ex-
ample in modern times, this meeting in Warren was,
perhaps, the largest assembly, and the most com-
plete, full, and illustrious example of it. The history
of it is a triumphant vindication of the principles of
the Campbells on this subject, a proof of their prac-
ticability, and an illustration of their power. Here
were Methodists, no longer Methodists, but still
Christians ; Baptists surrendering the title, yet hold-
ing the Head, even Christ ; Restorationists, giving
up their fruitless and faulty speculations, now obedi-
ent to the faith once delivered to the saints ; Bible
Christians, recovered from their negative gospel to
the apostle's method of preaching, together with very

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE 163

many from other forms of religious belief — all re-
joicing together, *' perfectly united in the same mind
and the same judgment."

Among the seniors were Thomas Campbell and
his son Alexander, Adamson Bentley, and Sidney
Rigdon, with Walter Scott, to whom multitudes of
the young disciples looked with the affection of chil-
dren to a spiritual father. Of the younger preachers,
may be named Jacob Osborne, Marcus Bosworth,
William Hayden, John Henry, Symonds Ryder, Zeb
Rudolph, John Applegate, John Secrest, A. G.
Ewing, as also Aylett Raines, the Cottons, and
Reuben Ferguson.

So large a number of Disciples, both of new con-
verts and of persons collected by the appeals for
union from various religious beliefs, needed much
instruction in the principles of that union, especially
in its practical workings. Besides, the doubts and
disaffections arising from the introduction of Restor-
ationist ministers began to break forth in out-of-door
discussions touching the prudence of such a loose
proceeding.

The leading brethren were fully aware of all that
was passing. With a correct discernment of the
situation, and a profound and far-seeing appreciation
of the necessity for a clear and scriptural settlement
of the grounds of true Christian union, Mr. Camp-
bell, who was to deliver the introductory sermon,
prepared to meet the case fairly, fully, and manfully.
His sermon was founded on Rom. xiv: i: ** Him
that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubt-
ful disputations." He classified under three heads all
subjects relating to the Christian religion : —

164 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

1st. Matters of knowledge — personal knowledge;

2d. The things of faith, the facts reported to us,
which we accept on testimony ;

3d. Matters of opinion.

The distinctions in these three departments are
marked and important. The profound and eloquent
preacher, in a lucid and masterly manner, defined
them, and showed their application to the present
divided state of Christendom, and illustrated the
manner in which these principles would solve the
difficult problem of the union of Christians, and yet
disturb neither the faith nor the piety of any one.

Knowledge, he defined as one's own personal ex-
perience. This term is confined to the things which
he himself sees, or hears, or discerns, either by his
senses, or his own consciousness. A person can tes-
tify only to the things which he himself personally
knows. It was asserted that the apostles knew the
Lord Jesus ; saw him, " handled " him, heard him,
and knew his miraculous works, and heard his gra-
cious discourses ; so that within their personal knowl-
edge and consciousness they held the absolute cer-
tainty of knowledge of him — his character and his
claims ; that they were thus qualified to declare the
gospel and to be his embassadors, his apostles, and
witnesses to the world ; that the apostles knew the
gospel to be true, and none but they stood on this
high ground of knowledge.

The subject of faith was treated in an equally clear
and forcible style. Faith stands on testimony. No
testimony, no faith. Testimony is delivered by wit-
nesses. Christ's apostles are his witnesses : "And
ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. l6$

with me from the beginning ; John xv : 27. '* Ye
shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit has
come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me
both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost parts of the earth ; " Acts i : 8.
Our faith in Christ is founded on the testimony of
his witnesses. The apostles, the men of knowledge,
testified or declared the things which they saw and
heard ; we receive their testimony, and thus we be-
lieve. ** Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God ; " Rom. x : 17.

It was next shown that as the facts of the gospel
are always one and invariable, and as the apostolic
testimony or declaration of the facts never varies,
the faith of all persons is a unit. The important
conclusion was thus reached, that Christians are not
divided on the faith.

Touching the third division in this classification
of knowledge, faith, and opinion, he showed that
opinion was the fruitful source of all the schism
which checkers, disgraces, and weakens the Christian
profession ; that creeds are but statements, with few
exceptions, of doctrinal opinion or speculative views
of philosophical or dogmatic subjects, and tended to
confusion, disunion, and weakness ; that as Christ re-
ceives us in the faith, without regard to questions of
doubtful disputation, so we should receive one
another, laying the basis of a rational and permanent
union in the faith, in the express matters of apostolic
teaching, on which no differences obtain among the
followers of Christ.

So rational and scriptural a ground of gathering
into the long-desired unity the scattered sheep of

l66 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Christ's fold, commended itself to all his hearers as
both safe and practicable. But men often approve
in theory what they fear to trust in practice. So
with Mr. Campbell's views of the grounds on which
we were to receive members into fellowship. This,
though plausible in theory, was a wide departure from
Baptist principles of church-fellowship. So likewise
these principles of apostolic teaching would demolish
the narrow, restrictive creed policy of all the sects
in the land. It was a bold position. It was taken
in the face of the embattled array of sect power. It
was clear, simple, sensible. But would it bear the
strain of the practical tests to which this plan mJght
be subjected ? So reasoned many, standing yet in
doubt. A trial case was at hand, a case just in point,
which served both to illustrate the principles of the
sermon, and to test their power. Aylett Raines was
present, willing to be counted among the brethren,
if he could be received as a Christian without sur-
rendering his liberty in Christ.

The case was called up Saturday afternoon by the
careful and judicious Osborne. Raines, it was
thought, still entertained Restorationist sentiments.
If he should in any wise continue to advocate them,
dissension and division would follow. Some were for
rejecting him, many were in doubt. But the greater
number were decidedly and warmly in his favor.
Bro. Osborne was impelled to the measure, less, it is
presumed, by his own doubts of the propriety of re-
ceiving him, than by the urgency of others who
wanted the association to take action in the case.

As we have it in our power, we will gratify the
reader by giving Bro. Raines* own recollections of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE, 1 67

this scene. In a communication of April 6, 1868,
he says :

* ' I went to that association expecting trouble : for,
although I did not preach my Restorationist opinions, yet
I sometimes told such persons as approached me becom-
ingly, that it was still my opinion that all men would, ul-
timately, in some distant period of eternity, be saved.
Out of this the trouble was to grow. But I resolved to
breast the storm. I arrived in Warren, Friday morning.
At one o'clock P. M., I had the pleasure to hear, for the
first time, A. Campbell. He read the fourteenth chapter
of the Epistle to the Romans, and dwelt extensively on
a passage in it, which, according to his translation, reads
as follows : * Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but
without regard to diiferences of opinion.' On this passage
Bro. Campbell dilated lucidly, showing the difference be-
tween faith and opinion, and between humanisms, or phi-
losophies, and the 'faith once delivered to the saints.'
I felt very much strengthened and comforted, knowing, if
my case came up in the association, I would have at least
Bro. Campbell on my side, and if him, a multitude of our
preachers and brethren.

*' After hearing the views of Bro. Campbell I thought it
probable that my case would be let alone. In this, how-
ever, I mistook. Next morning I met Dr. Wright on the
street, who said to me : * I understand that you sometimes
tell people that you still believe that all men will finally
become holy and happy.' 'I do, sir,' said I. 'What
then will you do, ' said he, ' with this passage : T/iese shall
go away into everlasting punishment^ but the righteous into
life eternal?' ' I will not do any thing with it,' said I. ' If
I argue with you in defense of my opinions I shall make
myself a factionist. But I have as much right to argue for
my opinions as you have for yours ; and if you get up an
argument with me, be careful, you will make yourself a

l68 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

factionist/ At this the Doctor, seeing that I was not in
his trap, became excited, and said: ^ Well, sir, I'll see
whether this association will fellowship men of your views.'
'See,' said I, * Doctor, as soon as you please, and I will
show you that I will have Thomas Campbell, A. Campbell,
Walter Scott, Bentley, and a number of others on my side.'
He replied, ^ It is impossible.' I responded, ^Well, try
it.' Accordingly, not Dr. Wright, but Bro. Osborne, on
Saturday afternoon, very lugubriously presented my case.
Bro. Thomas Campbell first responded, as nearly as I can
recollect, in words following : ^ The devil has brought this
question into this association to sow discord among breth-
ren. Bro. Raines and I have been much together for the
last several months, and we have mutually unbosomed our-
selves to each other. I am a Calvin ist, and he a Restora-
tionist; and, although I am a Calvinist, I would put my
right arm into the fire and have it burnt off before I would
raise my hand against him. And if I were Paul, I would
have Bro. Raines in preference to any other young man of
my acquaintance to be my Timothy.' Next, Bro. A.
Campbell arose, and substantially repeated what he had
said in his introductory discourse, on the difference be-
tween faith and opinion. Then Bro. Scott arose and said
that he concurred with the preceding speakers, and would
not have said any thing on the occasion but to give me time
for reflection. ^I think,' said he, 'that Bro. Raines has
been very badly treated, and I fear that when he speaks
he will speak with too much severity.' Then Bro. Camp-
bell requested me to stand upon a bench, * and proclaim
to the large concourse present, my own views of my obli-
gations as a Christian and as a preacher of the gospel.
This I did briefly, and in effect, as follows: That my
Restorationism was a philosophy. That I would neither
preach it nor contend for it, but would preach the whole

* The better to be heard, the house being very full.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 69

gospel, and teach the whole truth of Christianity accord-
ing to my best ability, etc., etc. Bro. A. Campbell then
put the question : ' Whether there was any law of Christ
by which I could be condemned ? ' The vote was in the
negative, and in my favor by an overwhelming majority.
This I took to be quite a triumph ; but the end was not
yet.

*'The next morning I attended sunrise prayer-meet-
ing. After the usual routine of reading, singing, and
prayer, the leader of the meeting, whose name I do not
recollect, arose and spoke as follows : ' Brethren, I under-
stand there are certain persons in the fellowship of this
association who deny that sinners are saved by grace, and say
that those who die in their sins will be purified by hell-fire.
I move,' said he, 'that such persons be disfellowshiped.'
In a twinkling I was on my feet, and said : ' I second that
motion ; for by grace are ye saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves : it is the gift of God : not of works, lest
any man should boast. Now,' said I, * if any member
of this association holds any doctrine contradictory to
the teaching of this passage, I move that he be immediately
disfellowshiped.' The old Brother who had put the m*o-
tion, struck a direct line for the door, and the congrega-
tion followed him ; and there my association troubles ended.
Affairs, however, would probably have taken a very dif-
ferent turn, had somebody else than myself seconded the
old man's motion.

'^ I was dealt with, and my case managed, by Bro. Camp-
bell and all the chieif brethren in very great kindness and
wisdom. Had they attempted to brow-beat me I might
have been ruined forever. But treating me kindly, at the
same time that they convinced me that my opinion, whether
true or false, dwindled into nothingness in comparison with
the faith of the gospel, redeemed me. I became a day and
night preacher of the gospel, and my mind becoming ab-
sorbed in this vast work, the opinion faded, and in ten months
IS

I70 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

was numbered with all my former errors. The Lord be
thanked for his great deliverance. Bro. Campbell, I ought
to say, invited me to go to Bethany, and told he thought
he could convince me that my Restorationist opinion was
false."

''Note i. — I make a distinction between Restoration-
ism and Universalism. Opinions are only to be tolerated
when they do not subvert obvious facts of the gospel.
This Universalism does in its teaching concerning the di-
vinity of Christ, atonement, making God the author of
sin, denying the remission of sins, and a judgment, and
punishment after death. I consider the system no bet-
ter than deism.

'' Note 2, — I remained on the Reserve but a short time
after the association. I came to the south part of Ohio
and preached in Dayton, Cincinnati, and many other places,
with some success ; and finally, in Wilmington, Ohio, in
which place and its vicinity I baptized many persons. We
used to make our numerous converts at one, two and three
days' meetings. Now it often takes two and three weeks*
pounding, day and night, with the hammer of the . Word
to crack the shell of worldliness which surrounds the heart.
What shall be the end ? ' When the Son of Man cometh,
shall he find faith in the earth? ' A. R."

The reception of Raines delighted the great body
of the young converts and reformers, whose feelings
were awakened in his favor. It was also hailed with
equal interest by the older and sounder advocates
of the plea for Christian union on Christian princi-
ples, as it was a clear and conspicuous case in which
these principles were strikingly illustrated. They
regarded it, therefore, as a marked victory for the truth,

A principal business of this meeting was to hear the
report of the evangelist, and to make arrangements
for future labors. We subjoin the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I /I

Report of Walter Scott, the Evangelist of
THE Association.

"Beloved Brethren: — The Christian of the nine-
teenth century has been permitted to witness the accom-
plishment of wonderful events. Providence has stationed
him on a sublime eminence, from which he can behold the
fulfillment of illustrious prophecies, and look backward
upon nearly the whole train of events leading to the Mil-
lennium.

^^Afar off, and upon the background of the picture be-
fore him, of wonderful extent, and in all the greatness of
imperial ruin, appear the three great empires of Babylon,
Persia, and Greece. Nearer to hand lies Rome; eternal
Rome ! terrible in her origin, terrible in her glory, terri-
ble in her decline and/tz/// Living and acting through a
long series of ages, she approaches the very verge of the
present scene of things, till she assumes the distracted form
of the ten kingdoms spoken of by Daniel, the remains of
which now reel to and fro upon the face of Europe, like a
drunken man, ready to be engulphed in the yawning judg-
ments of Almighty God. Sic transit Gloria Mimdi,

" But from amidst the blaze of her glory, see yet loftier
scenes arise; Behold the kingdom of our Lord Jesus,
awaking under the eye of the Ccesars I Small in its begin-
ning, it rolls forward, it survives all Roman greatness;
and that which was yonder a little stone, is here become
a vast mountain, and fills the whole earth. The waters
which yonder issued from the threshold of the Lord's
house, have here arisen ; they have become waters to swim
in — a river that can not be passed over.

*' Here, too, are the impostures of Mahomet and the
Pope, with temples having the lowermost part consecrated
to God, the upper to the worship of idols. Arrayed in
purple and scarlet, decked with gold, and precious stones.

1/2 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

and pearls, behold the apostate church, mounted upon her
imperial beast, holds forth to the intoxicated nations a
golden cup in her hand, full of abomination and of the
filthiness of her fornication ! On her fair but unblush-
ing forehead is inscribed Mystery^ Babylon the Great,
the Mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth. She
shall be thrown down with the violence of a millstone
plunged into the midst of the ocean.

*' Her portentous offspring also issued to mankind in
the mature age of 666, with the head of a lamb and the
heart of a dragon : the Inquisition raiseth itself on high,
with the power, the delusion and cruelty of its parent ; it
comes roving over the earth, and causeth all, both small
and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a
mark in their right hand or in their forehead ; and that
no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or
the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

^* Here, also, is the French Atheism, filled with all pre-
sumption, and magnifying itself above every god; he
speaketh marvelous things against the true God ; his hands
are filled with spears, and his skirts are drenched in blood ;
but he shall come to his end, says Daniel, and none shall
help him.

''All these things, beloved brethren, have passed in re-
view before the Christian of the nineteenth century ; but
if we have had to witness schemes of policy and supersti-
tion so wild and enthusiastic, and apparently so unfavora-
ble to the true religion, we have seen many things intro-
duced also highly conducive to its promulgation and recep-
tion among mankind. Above all, we have seen the church
in America seated down under a gracious and efficient
government, affording her and all men an unprecedented
security of life and property ; and if her unity be still a
desideratum, we ought to remember that the saints, for
nearly three hundred years, have been combating tyranny
and superstition with astonishing success, until those who

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 73

despise every name and every phrase, not found in the
Scripture, have become, probably, by far the most nu-
merous body of professors in the United States. But who
would have thought it remained for any so late as 1827,
to restore to the world the manner — the primitive manner —
of administering to mankind the gospel of our Lord Je-
sus Christ ! or which of you, brethren, would have thought,
two years ago, of men coming from forty to a hundred
and twenty miles to the ministers of the Mahoning churches
for baptism ! Yet these things have actually occurred ;
and who can not see, that, by the blessings of God, the
ancient gospel and ancient order of the church must pre-
vail to the certain abolition of all those contumacious sects
which now so woefully afflict mankind ?

*' Brethren, we have a right to expect great things of
our Father, if we are united and stand fast, striving to-
gether for the faith of the gospel. And be it known to
you, brethren, that individuals eminently skilled in the
Word of God, the history of the world, and the progress
of human improvement, see reasons to expect great
changes, much greater than have yet occurred, and which
shall give to political society and to the church a different,
a very different, complexion from what many anticipate.

*^The Millennium — the Millennium described in Scrip-
ture— will doubtless be a wonder, a terrible wonder
to ALL.

*^ The gospel, since *last year, has been preached with
great success in Palmyra, Deerfield, Randolph, Shalersville,
Nelson, Hiram, etc., etc., by Bros. Finch, Hubbard, Fer-
guson, Bosworth, Hayden, and others. Several new
churches have been formed ; and so far as I am enabled to
judge, the congregations are in a very flourishing condition.
Indeed, the preacher of the present day, like the angel of
the Revelation, seated on the triumphant cloud, has only
to thrust in his sharp sickle in order to reap a rich harvest
of souls, and gather it in unto eternal life.*'

174 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The work in Bro. Scott's hands had prospered so
far beyond expectation, that only one feeling pre-
vailed on the question of re-appointing him. When
the subject came up, some proposed that he be al-
lowed to travel where Providence opened " a door of
faith,'* not restricting him to associational limits.
Others reasoned that there was much work needed
in the bounds of the association, and that, as this
body is responsible for his support, it had a right to
his labors, and it was its duty to direct them. None
doubted the power or the propriety of this body tak-
ing the work into its hands of sending him out and
marking out his field ; but some thought it not ad-
visable so to tie his hands ; that if he saw a door
beyond the specified limits, he should not feel for-
bidden to go over into Macedonia. Rigdon, who had
taken no part in this discussion, becoming weary of
it, said : " You are consuming too much time on this
question. One of the old Jerusalem preachers would
start out with his hunting shirt and moccasins, and
convert half the world while you are discussing and
settling plans ! *' Upon this, Bro. Scott arose with a
genial smile, and remarked : ** Brethren, give me my
Bible, my Head, and Bro. William Hayden, and we
will go out and convert the wdrld." Then Rigdon,
*' I move that we give Bro. Scott his Bible, his Head,
and Bro. William Hayden." It was settled in a few
moments, as Rigdon's resolution was seconded and
passed unanimously.

Bro. Scott said afterward, that he chose Bro. Wil-
liam Hayden not because he could preach better
than any one else, but for his powers of music ; that
there was not a man in the association who could

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 75

sing like him. Scott showed his discrimination in
this choice. People used to come out to their meet-
ings on purpose to hear Hayden sing. He was full
of song and full of songs — a ready one always at
hand, appropriate to the hearers. Many hearts were
first melted with music, and then molded for Christ
by the gospel. The preaching was all the better, as
both preacher and people were subdued in feeling,
and disposed to hear the tidings of salvation with
tenderness of heart. The hymns he sang were mostly
set pieces, of great beauty and power, and which he
" rendered " in a style of surpassing brilliancy and
force. On several occasions, when the great name
and eloquence of Scott failed to batter down the walls
of prejudice, and to get a hearing, he retired from
the audience, saying: "I'll send Willie, and he'll
sing you out!"

It would be difficult to convey to the reader an
adequate conception of the power of this great meet-
ing. It was notable for several reasons : The ability
and number of the preachers in attendance lifted it
into conspicuity above any preceding occasion. The
large and enthusiastic assemblage of disciples, newly
converted to Christ, or newly from the thrall of
sectarian shackles, into the " glorious liberty of
the sons of God" — all rejoicing in the fresh views
of the original gospel, and the proofs of its power to
convert sinners, seen in the hundreds, the fruits of
the recent proclamation of it, now here assembled.
The Millennium seemed near. The songs, the
preaching, and the prayers were well flavored with
the ardent hope of it. No song of praise or of hope
was so popular as the hymn —

176 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

" When the King of kings comes,
When the Lord of lords comes,
We shall have a joyful day

When the King of kings comes :
To see the nations broken down
And kingdoms once of great renown,
And saints now suffering wear the crown

When the King of kings comes ! "

A new tune for it, composed by William Hayden,
was rapidly caught by the people, who swelled the
song like a grand jubilee chorus.

Biography of William Hayden.

William Hayden was born in Rosstrevor Township,
Westmoreland County, Pa., Lord's day, June 30, 1799.
In April, 1804, his father moved to the wilds of the new
State of Ohio, and settled in Youngstown, where William,
the oldest of the family, experienced the privations of
pioneer life. Fond of reading, and having access to few
books, he read much in the Bible. He was, when he was
young, perplexed with questions about the origin of
things, and what shall be hereafter. He was a deist before he
was twelve; then for awhile the gulph of atheism yawned
before him. From its frightful chasm he was rescued by
the reflection, that *'if nothing had eternally or primarily
existed^ nothing could have been originatedy and that hence
a cause uncaused was self-evident,^^ He farther reflected
that to doubt the existence of a Creator leads necessarily
to a doubt of the existence of the creature. For awhile
he tried the bold adventure of doubting his own existence.
This was impossible. His conclusion, in his own words
was, ** there is no sense in being a fool!'* Cured now
of atheism — for deism he found another remedy: **I
plainly saw that to turn away from the Bible, we plunge
ourselves into darkness, and our only refuge is in our ig-
norance.*' *^ Finally, reading again the narrative of the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 177

inhuman treatment of Christ from the garden to the sep-
ulcher, and seeing how patiently and meekly he endured
it all, his whole life passed in review before my mind. I
was indignant that such a person should be so treated.
What harm had he ever done them ? The only perfect
character that ever appeared on earth ; a model of good-
ness, wisdom, dignity, condescension, and pity — ^just such
a friend as ignorant, suffering man needed — and to be re-
quited thus 1 Till now I had never seen sin in its hateful-
ness, and I felt myself a sinner.'*

For four years longer, till he was sixteen, he struggled
in the mysteries of Calvinism ; hoping, if he was one of
the elect, God would impart the evidence of it in a needed
and desired regeneration. A revival occurring, he sought
the coveted relief. At last, he was thoroughly aroused by
the words of Jesus, Matt, xii: 36, 37: ** I say unto you,
that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy
words thoushalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned.** He fled for refuge to the hope of the
gospel. He was baptized May 19, 1816, by Elder Joshua
Wood worth, and united with the Baptist church, of which
his parents were members,

December 20, 18 18, he married Miss Mary McCollum,
and settled on new lands in Austintown. In the midst
of his work his zeal did not relax. When the church in
Youngstown ran down, he took membership in Canfield.
He studied the Scriptures diligently, and was ready always
to give a '* reason for the hope that was ii;i him.'* I quote
from his own pen : ''I had heard some time before of one
Alexander Campbell. I had read a sermon from his pen,
and now in October, 1821, he was to preach in Warren,
and I resolved to hear him. He was then thirty-three
years of age, the sharpest man I ever saw, both in appear-
ance and in intellect, and I confess I was afraid he might
lead us astray. His first sermon was from the text, * Thy

1/8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

kingdom come.* I soon saw what he meant to make
out, and I did not mean to believe him ; but I could not
help believing him. He showed that the kingdom had
come. At that meeting, which was for the mutual im-
provement of the preachers, he made several remarks,
which were new and startling, and of infinite use to me.
He said ^ the true disciple of Christ will follow the truth
wherever it leads.' Upon a moment's reflection, I saw
there was no safety in doing otherwise. I resolved that
whatever the truth would make me, I would endeavor to
be. A second was, * you will notice the apostles in
preaching the gospel never said one word about election.'
I saw this was true. But then I thought, what is the gos-
pel? I soon saw if the gospel can be preached without
election, so can it without any of the ' five points.' "

A person with so tenacious and energetic a mind could
not abandon the cherished system of Calvinism without a
great struggle. His ^^ Christian experience " had to be
analyzed, and every impression and feeling traced to its
cause. But the truth that faith comes by hearing the testi-
mony of God was revolutionary, and he did not rest till
it had gained in his mind the complete ascendency.
Every number of the Christian Baptist was thoroughly
sifted. No wonder, then, that after seven years of so
thorough a schooling he was ready, at the call of the asso-
ciation, to enter unhesitatingly into the work of teaching
the true gospel to the world. His own struggles, and his
complete mastery of his own difficulties, prepared him to
relieve others from similar doubts and scruples.

In May, 1828, the church of Canfield gave him license
as a preacher of the gospel. * In October following, after
his call to ride with Scott, he was ordained, in his own
church of Austintown, of which he was then a member
and leader, by brethren Scott and Bentley.

From this time his labors were double those of most
men. Working with his own hands as much as other

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1/9

men, and yet more in his saddle than most preachers.
For twenty-five years he was absent from his own home on
an average two hundred and forty days and nights each
year. His industry was proverbial. He was incessant in
preaching, teaching, and conversation — in public and in
private. He created openings — occupied them, and when
others could be found to hold the positions, he broke new
ground. He was the first man and the chief operator in
raising up the churches in Ravenna, Aurora, Shalersville,
Akron, Royalton, Warrensville, Solon, and Russell, and
several others.

The following from his pen, written near the close of his
life, is worthy of careful attention :

*'I perceived within six months of the beginning of
my labors the necessity of system in our operations, of
which we had none — measures to call out and prepare
fit men to preach and teach, and to take care of the con-
verts— measures to insure a reasonable support for such
men — measures to secure harmony of action among the
preachers, and for holding the ground already gained. I
spoke of all these interests to all the brethren; but there
was only one man who seemed to perceive any sense in
what I had to say, and that was Jacob Osborne, one of the
most wise, prudent, and godly men we ever had among us ;
and he died in May, 1829. For twenty years I urged
these things, but they received no encouragement. I was
astonished that all could not see the indispensable neces-
sity of a matter so in accordance with common sense, and
the demands of every-day experience ; for the want of
which so many of our churches are languishing almost to
dissolution.

'^ After twenty years hardship, toiling against wind and
tide, my brother A. S. Hayden and I resolved that we
would lay before the brotherhood the expediency of found-
ing an institution of learning — the Eclectic Institute— at

l80 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Hiram. It took with the people, and has accomplished
much in many ways.

'* Isaac Errett responded to the appeal uncompromis-
ingly to aid in getting an association of churches for the
purpose of missionary operations on the Western Reserve.
Shortly after, in 1852, the Ohio State Missionary Society
was organized. It works well, and is likely to live and
prosper ; for the brethren are forced to see, after so long
a time, the need of united action. But, oh how much the
cause of Christ has lost ! and how many have died igno-
rant of the gospel ! and how many more will, for not hav-
ing had a good system of management from the com-
mencement !

'^But now my labors are about ended, and I am be-
ginning to see the brethren act like men of common
sense. One whole generation has passed away, and we
are not quite ready to begin to act with efficiency in this
great work of showing our contemporaries the true gospel
in contradistinction from the speculations of men about
the gospel. Until the true gospel is honored by its
friends, it will not be heard so as to be understood ; and,
until it is understood, faith that justifies will be supposed
to come by prayer and the mysterious work of the Spirit ;
and while that is so, the evidence of prophecy and mira-
cle will not be taught the people. Consequently, igno-
rance, unbelief, division, and iniquity will abound, as it
is at this day.

''No man has labored so wisely and so successfully as
Alexander Campbell, to show the true gospel and its evi-
dences, and how men become Christians, since the great
apostasy commenced ; and almost no man appreciates his
labors ! He has left nothing to be done by any other re-
former who may come after him ; and I fear it will be
another generation before those who acknowledge him a
reformer will organize, so as to be as efficient as all other
people are in conducting their affairs.**

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. l8l

•

His teaching on the whole question of conversion, was
so clear and thorough, few who heard him candidly
failed to see the difference between the teaching of the
Scriptures on this important subject, and the mystic
theories of regeneration which bewilder the mind and per-
plex the conscience. His converts were, therefore, thor-
ough and decided, like himself. One of these, Jewett
Frost, of Richfield, could not rest till his brother and
other friends in Riga, New York, should hear the same
truth. At his instance, Wm. Hayden went into that State
in 1832, and afterward, alone or in company with others,
he made many and extensive trips in most of the Western
counties of the Empire State, and in Canada, where he
powerfully proclaimed the gospel, and rendered the most
efficient service in establishing the cause of reformation.
In western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and in all the region
of North-east Ohio his pioneer labors laid the foundations
for others to build upon. Some of his most stirring and
profitable tours were into Michigan and Wisconsin ; so that
from Syracuse to the Mississippi River, and from Canada
to Virginia, he *^ fully preached the gospel of Christ.'*

The following account of him is from the Millennial
Harbinger, to which it was sent by the writer, 1863, just
after his death:

During his ministry of thirty-five years he travded
ninety thousand miles, full sixty thousand of which he
made on horseback — that is, by this mode of travel —
a distance of more than twice around the world ! The
baptisms by his own hands were twelve hundred and
seven. He preached over nine thousand sermons, that is,
over two hundred and sixty one discourses per annum for
every year of the thirty-five years of his public life. He
once preached over fifty sermons in the month of Novem-
ber alone. Besides all these pulpit services, his private
labors were abundant and incessant. He had a peculiar
turn for winning attention, and imparting instruction in

1 82 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

•

the social circle, mingling the humor that charms with
the experience which teaches. Few could relish or relate
an anecdote better, or apply one more appropriately for
purposes of illustration. Yet he never indulged in re-
citals of any in which the adorable Name, or any of the
titles of the Most High, were even playfully, much less
irreverently, introduced ; a practice against which he bore
frequent and forcible testimony.

His mental powers were most rapid and energetic in
action. His method of reasoning tended to generaliza-
tion, embracing a great variety of subject and method.
Though not educated, in a scholastic sense, his taste, dis-
cernment, and industry very fully supplied this deficiency,
and stored his mind with much general information and
critical historical learning. The master quality of his
mind was his almost matchless memory — memory, both
of history and chronology. He made no memoranda of
his sermons, yet he could report at any time, promptly and
accurately, the number of his discourses, baptisms, and
multitudes of incidents, and all without pen or pencil to
aid him. It were vanity, perhaps, to assign him a place
in this respect with Macaulay or Johnson ; but all who
knew him wondered at his power — a power which was at
his command, with undiminished force, up to the hour of
his death. In his character were chiefly discernible firm-
ness, decision, boldness in enterprise, and sturdy honesty.
He was eminently social and hospitable, compassionate
and kind-hearted. His religion was conscience and rev-
erence; his humanity, a tender and systematic benevo-
lence. He gave freely for humane, religious, and educa-
tional objects.

More than a year previous to his death, he was afflicted
with a gradual weakening of the muscles, which pervaded
the whole system, aflecting his speech in common with
every other muscular action. Without pain, and with the
full exercise of his mental powers, he died at his home.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 183

at Chagrin Falls, easily and tranquilly, in full nope of
immortality, April 7, 1863, in the sixty-fourth year of his
age.

Expectation of the Millennium.

The ardor of religious awakening resulting from
the new discoveries in the gospel was very much in-
creased about the year 1830, by the hope that the
millennium had now dawned, and that the long ex-
pected day of gospel glory would very soon be ushered
in. The restoration of the ancient gospel was looked
upon as the initiatory movement, which, it was
thought, would spread so rapidly that existing denom-
inations would almost immediately be deorganized ;
that the true people^ of whom it was believed Christ
had a remnant among the sects, would at once, on the
presentation of these evidently scriptural views, em-
brace them, and thus form the union of Christians so
long prayed for ; and so would be established the
Kingdom of Jesus in form, as well as in fact, on its
New Testament basis. All the powers in array against
this newly established kingdom, whether in the
churches of Protestantism or Romanism, would soon
surrender at the demand of the King of kings.

The prospect was a glorious one, springing very
naturally from the discovery of the complete adapta-
tion of the gospel to the ends for which it was given.
This hope of the millennial glory was based on many
passages of the Holy Scriptures. All such scrip-
tures as spoke of the " ransomed of the Lord return-
ing to ^ion, with songs and everlasting joy upon
their heads : that they should obtain joy and glad-
ness, and that sorrow and sighing should flee away,''
(Isa. XXXV : 10,) were confidently expected to be liter-

1 84 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ally and almost immediately fulfilled. These glowing
expectations formed the staple of many sermons.
They were the continued and exhaustless topic of
conversations. They animated the hope, and inspired
the zeal, to a high degree, of the converts, and many
of the advocates of the gospel. Millennial hymns were
learned and sung with a joyful fervor and hope sur-
passing the conception of worldly and carnal pro-
fessors. One of these hymns, better in its hope than
poetic merit, opened as follows :

" The time is soon coming by the prophets foretold,
When Zion in purity the world will behold,
For Jesus' pure testimony will gain the day,
Denominations, selfishness will vanish away."

The Scriptures, especially the prophetic writings,
were studied with unremitting diligence and profound
attention. It is surprising even now, as memory re-
turns to gather up these interesting remains of that
mighty work, to recall the thorough and extensive
Bible knowledge which the converts quickly obtained.
Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the four great monarchies,
with the accompanying vision of the kingdom of the
stone (Dan'l ii) and the visions of that prophet
himself (chapters 7 and 8), became generally familiar,
and were, in the main, it is presumed, correctly un-
derstood. Many portions of the Revelation were so
thoroughly studied that they became the staple of the
common thought. The '* two witnesses," their slaugh-
ter, their resurrection after three and a half days ;
their ascent in clouds to heaven in the sight of their
enemies ; the woman that fled into the desert from
the flood of persecution poured out to engulf her ;
her abode and nourishment there for a **time, times

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 85

and the dividing of time ; '* her blissful return from
her wildnerness retreat, and the prophetic acclaim :
" Who is this that comes from the wilderness lean-
ing on the arm of her beloved, fair as the sun, clear-
as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners?*'
all these and many others constituted a novel and
voluminous addition to the stinted Bible knowledge
and the stereotyped style of sermonizing which then
prevailed.

Some of the leaders in these new discoveries, ad-
vancing less cautiously as the ardor of discovery in-
creased, began to form theories of the millennium.
The fourteenth chapter of Zechariah was brought for-
ward in proof — all considered as literal — that the most
marvelous and stupendous physical and climatic
changes were to be wrought in Palestine ; and that
Jesus Christ the Messiah was to reign, literally " in
Jerusalem and in Mt. Zion, and before his ancients,
gloriously." The glory and splendors of that august
millennial kingdom were to surpass all vision, as the
light of the moon was to be made equal to the light
of the sun, and the light of the sun would be aug-
mented " sevenfold." William Hayden went to New
Lisbon to fill an appointment. Calling at Bro.
Jacob Campbell's, we found Bro. Scott. Mrs. Camp-
bell was a Christian lady of much brilliancy of talent,
and intelligent in the Holy Scriptures. Salutations
over, she broke forth in an animated strain : " Bro.
Scott and I have just been contemplating how joy-
ful it will be in the millennium — mortals and immor-
tals dwelling together ! " Bro. Scott then, with great
fluency, discanted upon the prophecies of Jeremiah
and Ezekiel, relating to the return of the Jews and
16

1 86 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

their re-establishment in the Holy Land, the coming
of the Lord, the resurrection of the saints, and the
gathering together unto him on the Mount of Olives.
Scott had a vein of enthusiasm, to which these mil-
lennial prospects were very congenial. He was led on
in the brilliant expectations by the writings of Elias
Smith, of New England, whose works had fallen into
his hands. In a letter to Dr. Richardson, written in
New Lisbon, April, 1830, he says the book of Elias
Smith, on the prophecies, is the only sensible work on
that subject he had seen. He thinks this and Croly on
the Apocalypse all the student of the Bible wants.
He strongly commends Smith's book to the Doctor.
This seems to be the origin of millennial views among
us. Rigdon, who always caught and proclaimed the
last word that fell from the lips of Scott or Campbell,
seized these views, and with the wildness of his ex-
travagant nature, heralded them every-where.

These hopes were much confirmed and increased
by the publication, about this time, of ** Begg on the
Prophecies," a small, but vigorous and confident work,
excessively literal, by James Begg, of Paisley, Scotland.
A cheap edition of it was brought out by the author s
brother, William Begg, a recent convert from the
Presbyterians. The announcement and favorable
notice of this work in the " Millennial Harbinger,"
together with the taste for such reading now preva-
lent, introduced this book widely, and it became a
powerful auxiliary of the doctrines and aided to crys-
tallize them into definite theory. About the same
time appeared the essays on the millennium, by
S. M. McCorkle, a "sturdy layman." His trum-
pet blew no uncertain sound. Its blast was fierce

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 87

and fiery as the noise of the ram's horns around the
walls of Jericho. His essays, which were published
in the " Millennial Harbinger," produced a wonderful
effect. Many thought the day of the Lord just at
hand. They prayed for it, looked for it, sung of it.
The set time to favor Zion had come. The day of re-
demption was near. It only awaited the complete pu-
rification of his church — which meant the removal of
sects and the union of Christians on the ** Bible alone."
Preaching against '* sectarianism " was now more
frequent and vehement. The legitimate and needed
work of preaching the gospel of Christ, and of cor-
recting the errors which lie directly in its way and
impede its progress, was not abandoned, but more
attention was now bestowed on the task, assumed as
necessary, of clearing off the whole body of sectari-
anism. *' Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way,
take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my
people." Isa. Ivii : 14. This was the text of many a
sermon. The sects, it was assumed, are the stum-
bling-blocks in the way of the chariot of the coming
king. This assault on the denominationalism of the
times, by which Christians are separated from one
another, is so nearly in line with the true work of the
restoration of primitive Christianity, that this mis-
take of its purpose was very easy. Yet the difference
is neither small nor unimportant. It is one thing to
introduce light into an apartment, and thus remove
the darkness, and quite another to attack the dark-
ness hoping to remove it and thus make way for the
light. This reformation, so called, is not a negation —
a mere protest against sectarianism. This is not
its prime, or originating impulse. It is a plea for the

1 88 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Christian religion as a whole. Its defenses are de-
fenses of Christ, of his apostles, of their authority,
their claims and their teachings, as set forth in the
volume of inspiration. If obstacles are in its way,
it seeks their removal, whether they be Protestant,
Romanish, Jewish, or Mohammedan. But these are
resultant and consequential to its primary and direct
aim, and not for a moment to be confounded with it.

Many sagacious brethren perceived with regret
the new turn things were taking, and rightly judg-
ing that these Millennial theories would not tend to
develop the work so auspiciously begun, but rather
divert the minds of the people from it, they began
prudently and cautiously to correct the aberration,
and draw attention away from untaught questions and
visionary anticipations of the future to the real pur-
poses of the work of Christ now on hand, the preach-
ing of the gospel for the salvation of sinners, and
building up of the saints on the most holy faitb.
Some supposed Mr. Campbell to be in sympathy with
these views ; and, indeed, some plausibility was lent
to this opinion by the title of his new periodical,
" The Millennial Harbinger."

Mr. Campbell, whose eye was fully open to all, was
not slow to perceive all this, and he felt called to un-
dertake the needed correction. He commenced, in
the "Millennial Harbinger," for Sept., 1834, a series
of articles under the title of " The Reformed Clergy-
man," which, while they held McCorkle's essays on
the literal interpretation of prophecy directly in re-
view, had for their aim the wider purpose of correct-
ing the errors entertained and propagated to the det-
riment of the practical work of the gospel. These

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 89

essays were written with marked ability. They im-
mediately arrested universal attention, and were read
every-where. For prudential reasons the writer sought
to veil his style, evidently desiring that no bias might
be given to his reasonings from personal considerations.
Their drift and aim were soon discovered ; and the
positions assumed, and rules of prophetic interpreta-
tion set forth, were so consistent and evenly balanced,
that the " second sober thought " coming to the res-
cue, the effect was salutary and the remedy complete.
Mr. Campbell's non de plume of ** Reformed Clergy-
man,*' was not to all a concealment of the real author
of the essays. His style betrayed him ; and it was
amusing to hear the discussions — the hints and guesses
on the subject of their authorship, and the merits of
the essays themselves — which were carried on with
Mr. Campbell and by others in his presence, before
he was suspected as the writer of them. A sagacious
Scotch lady, in the city of Pittsburgh, of great posi-
tiveness, berated him soundly for his indiscretion in
permitting that " Reformed Clergyman " to publish
such erroneous doctrines in his paper. My eyes
stole over Mr. Campbell's face the while, and from the
tokens there I saw, first and plainly, a confession of
their authorship. The hits and jibes were sharp as
from a polished quiver, and somewhat rude, withal
It was matter of much joy to many when this result
was reached, and the brethren began to turn their
thoughts and talents more directly to the preaching
of the gospel. Among them, William Hayden should
be named, as he saw and sorely felt the evil, but had
not power to stay the tide ; and, in like manner, others
who saw not the evil tendency so plainly, now that

igO EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the remedy had wrought its cure, could see more
clearly than ever the importance of adhering closely
to the plain New Testament teachings, taking Christ
as the only interpreter of type, shadows, and prophecy
in the Old Testament ; and the inspired apostles as
the divinely authorized and commissioned interpre-
ters of Christ.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 19I

CHAPTER VIII.

The Church in Mentor; and Biography of M, S. Clapp and other
Advocates of the Gospel.

FOR several years previous to the establishment
of the reformatory doctrines in Mentor, there
had been a Baptist church in town, considerable
both for numbers and influence. It had Elders
Woodworth, West, Abbott, and Freeman as its min-
isters. Near the time of the appeal for the union of
Bible men on Bible ground, it was served by the
good Warner Goodall. His death, in June, 1826,
was the occasion of calling Sidney Rigdon, then re-
siding in Bainbridge, to preach his funeral sermon.
The church called Rigdon as its pastor in the fall of
that year.

During the winter of 1825-6, Corbly Martin, who
became extensively useful in the reformation in Ohio
and Indiana, resided in the hospitable family of
Judge Clapp, a prominent member of the church.
Bro. Martin preached there during that season. A
conversation between him and a Mrs. Rexford is re-
ported, in which she urged the practice of " close
communion" in the church as an objection to her
becoming a member. He failed to remove her ob-
jection, and she remained to be a first convert when
the gospel offering a free salvation to all who would
receive it was first proclaimed in Mentor.

Sidney Rigdon was an orator of no inconsiderable

192 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

abilities. In person, he was full medium height,
rotund in form ; of countenance, while speaking, open
and winning, with a little cast of melancholy. His
action was graceful, his language copious, fluent in
utterance, with articulation clear and musical. Yet
he was an enthusiast, and unstable. His personal
influence with an audience was very great ; but
many, with talents far inferior, surpassed him in
judgment and permanent power with the people.
He was just the man for an awakening. He was an
early reader of the " Christian Baptist," and admiring
its strong and progressive teaching, he circulated 'the
paper, and brought out its views in his sermons.
Whatever may be justly said of him after he had
surrendered himself a victim and a leader of the
Mormon delusion, it would scarcely be just to deny
sincerity and candor to him, previous to the time
when his bright star became permanently eclipsed
under that dark cloud.

In March, 1828, he visited Scott in Warren. He
had been with him on former occasions, and had
adopted' fully his method of preaching Christ, and
of calling the awakened and penitent believer to an
immediate obedience of his faith for the remission
of sins. The missing link between Christ and con-
victed sinners seemed now happily supplied by the
restoration of the way of bringing converts into the
knowledge of pardon, which was established by
Christ himself in the commission.

Rigdon was transported with this discovery. On
leaving Warren to return to Mentor, he persuaded
his brother-in-law, Adamson Bentley, to accompany
him. This was a visit to that town of no ordi-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I93

nary importance. Bentley was a gentleman of cul-
tivated manners, tall, of benign aspect, and of com-
manding presence ; and, as a preacher, dignified,
solemn, and often very impressive. But more, they
were both ablaze with the new developments of gos-
pel light which was shedding its effulgence rapidly
over the country.

The trumpet which they blew gave no uncertain
sound. It was the old jubilee trumpet, first sounded
by the fishermen of Galilee on the day of Pentecost,
announcing glad tidings to the nations that the
year of release from bondage in sin had now come,
and calling ransomed sinners to return, freely par-
doned, to their homes. They spoke with authority,
for the word which they delivered was not theirs,
but that of Jesus Christ. The whole community
was quickly and thoroughly aroused. Many turned
to the Lord. The first person to accept the offered
boon and lead the people to Christ, was an intelli-
gent young man, M. S. Clapp, then in his twenty-first
year, son of Judge Clapp. His older brother, Thomas
J. Clapp, had been baptized in June previous.
Twenty persons were baptized the first time they re-
paired to the Jordan. The immediate result of the
meeting was the conversion of over fifty souls to the
Lord Jesus.

It is impossible to describe the agitation of the
public mind. The things which they heard were so
new, yet so clearly scriptural, that, while some hes-
itated and many wondered, they could not gainsay
it ; and nearly the whole church accepted cordially
the doctrine of the Lord, exchanged their " articles "
for the new covenant as the only divine basis for
17

194 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Christ's church, and abandoned unscriptural titles and
church names, choosing to be known simply as the
disciples of Christ.

From Mentor they went to Kirtland, where almost
an equal ingathering awaited them. The fields were
white for the harvest. At the first baptizing here,
twenty souls were lifted into the kingdom. Others
followed, and soon the numbers so increased that a
separate organization became a necessity — so might-
ily prevailed the word of the Lord.

The news of this great overturn spread quickly
through the country, up and down the lake shore.
Bentley went to Painesville. The rumor of the re-
vival in Mentor preceded him, with some exagger-
ated and perverted accounts of the preaching. He
delivered a few discourses on the first principles of
the gospel, and left them to leaven the minds of his
hearers.

The church now contained over a hundred mem-
bers. The following were prominent ; many of whom
became leaders of the host, and pillars in churches.
The head of the family is named. Their wives, and
generally their families, were also in the church :
Deacon Benj. Blish, Deacon Ebenezer Nye, Orris
Clapp, Jonathan Root, Joel Rexford, Thomas Carroll,
Asa Webster, Sidney Rigdon, Deacon Champney,
Amos Wilmot, Os^ee Matthews, Eggleston Matthews,
Joseph Curtis, Anson Matthews, Sylvester Durand,

Tuttle, Warren Corning, Amos Daniels,

Samuel Miller, Ezra B. Violl, Noah Wirt, David
Wilson, Danl. Wilson, Alex. P. Jones. To these are
to be added, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Randall, Mrs. Water-
man, Mrs. Rexford, Calista M. Lewis, Morgan Lewis.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. I95

Few communities have been so stable ; the families
here named have composed the staple of member-
ship, and the support of the church from that time to
the present. This congregation has long stood as a
light-house. It was shaken as by a tempest under
"the outbreak of Mormonism ; but it is to be noted
that few of its members were led astray. While the
church in Kirtland, with less experience, and more
immediately in Rigdon's power, became engulphed,
and has never since been recovered, the church in
Mentor, with stronger material, withstood the shock.
They were much aided in their resistance by the
presence of Elder Thomas Campbell, who spent sev-
eral months there and in the vicinity during the ag-
itation which it produced.

Bro. M. S. Clapp came rapidly before the publiC;
and soon attained prominence by his zeal and ability.
In the year 1834, Bro. E. Williams was settled as
pastor and elder, with Benj. Blish. He served the
congregation, yet preaching much abroad, till his re-
moval to Chardon, in 1856. Bro. Blish not only won,
but retained the fullest confidence, not of the church
only, but of the whole community, for his prudence
in management, his judicious counsels, and godly
life. After having won the crown, he died univer-
sally beloved, February, 1864.

Her long-time laborers were brethren Clapp and
Williams. But a page would scarcely hold the names
of all who have gleaned in this harvest-field. Few
churches have possessed a membership of more abil-
ity. In a community noted for its social culture, it
has maintained its position with credit. For integ-
rity, benevolence, and as a leader in the cause of

196 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

temperance, antislavery, and measures that look to
the lifting up of the world from wrong and oppres-
sion, no brotherhood has a brighter record.

Three preachers arose in Mentor, whose names are
known afar — M. S. Clapp, A. P. Jones, and J. J.
Moss. Bro. Moss was in the employ of Bro. B. Blish,
in the summer of 1829. Raised in Presbyterianism,
he had a spasm of horror when he learned that he
had engaged himself to work for a very leader of the
new and hated heresy of ** Campbellism." The first
evening, greatly to his surprise, as he had been told
" Campbellites " never prayed, Bro. Blish gathered his
household, with the word of God in every hand
But Moss, still doubting, stood bolt upright, while
all around him knelt. The service, so simple, sin-
cere and earnest, melted his heart. Ashamed of his
prejudice, the next time he joined, and knelt, and
prayed. His Bible was now read while others
loitered. He soon heard Bro. Collins. His acute,
quick mind saw, understood, and grasped the im-
mense difference between all forms of sect-organiza-
tion, and the simple, entire system of Christianity
as a whole. The sun was now risen upon his under-
standing, and the twinkling lights of Babel-sectarian-
ism faded. September, 1829, he came to Christ, and
was baptized into his name, which, with him, meant
the entire consecration of all his powers to his honor.
The thousands by him turned to God in Ohio, New
York, Canada, Kentucky, and other States, attest the
fidelity of his heart to that plighted vow. A history
of his life would fill a volume. He was the first man
to raise a testimony against Mormonism. With the
elements of character for pioneer work, he has, to an

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 97

extent which can be affirmed of few men, extended
the limits of the kingdom into new regions, and de-
fended it in the arena of controversy against every
form of assault, with a mastery and success above
the reach of most men. He has not always had the
gratitude of those whom he has served, nor the
support of the churches he has planted. He was
born July 13, 1806, in Onondaga, N. Y., and after
forty-five years of toil and privations, he is still in
the field.

Bro. A. P. Jones, equally bold and with more learn-
ing, was his true yoke-fellow. They were both teach-
ing in the vicinity of Kirtland, when Mormonism in-
vaded the place, and hand in hand, though young, they
often put its champions to flight. Bro. Jones married
Miss Irene Gilbert, of Newburg, and soon afterwards
he gave himself to the service of the new churches
in western New York, where his name is still cher-
ished with great respect. He finally settled in
Platteville, Grant County, Wisconsin, where he
preached for several years. He has recently fallen
asleep in the Lord.

Biography of Matthew S. Clapp.

If *^a good man's steps are ordered of the Lord,'* as
says the prophet, *^his death also is precious in His
sight."

Bro. Clapp was bom in Mentor, February i, 1808. His
father, the late Hon. Orris Clapp, was called by his fel-
low-citizens to serve as Judge of the Court ; which trust he
discharged, with honor. Matthew's early life was passed
amidst the scenes and privation of that early day. His

198 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

boyhood passed during the war of 181 2-14 and the years
subsequent, when the chivalrous anecdotes and the mili-
tary deeds of that stirring history formed the staple of
conversation of the times. With eager ear and acute
mind, he caught up the recitals of those exploits and deeds
of valor — a discipline for achievements on a far different
field.

In March, 1828, in the great religious awakening in
Mentor, under Bentley and Rigdon, the amiable M. S.
Clapp was the first to yield. He was baptized by Bro.
Bentley. Many predicted for him a bright course as a
herald of the gospel. The late venerable Thomas Camp-
bell fully confirmed his purpose to devote his talents to
the ministry of the Word. Under this devout and su-
perior man, Clapp began his study of the classics. He
availed himself of whatever aids were within his reach,
yet in this instance the student was himself the chief
teacher. His application was so complete, that he be-
came not only a respectable Greek scholar, but also a good
Latinist. During all these studies he was preaching, vis-
iting the newly-founded churches, and increasing the
number of the converts.

In the fall of 1830, he married Miss Alicia Campbell,
sister of Alexander Campbell. This proved a happy
union. He spent some time in Bethany, West Virginia,
where he diligently improved the favorable opportunities
which he found in Mr. CampbelFs family, for enriching
his stores of knowledge, and for forming acquaintance
with gentlemen of education, who were almost constantly
guests in Bro. Campbell's family. He also resided a year
or more in West Middletown, Pennsylvania, with Mat-
thew McKeever, Esq., another brother-in-law, while
'^ Father and Mother Campbell,'' models of gentleness,
dignity and Christian excellence, were in their full ripe-
ness and strength, sitting as king and queen amidst the
family.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 99

After this short episode, he returned to Mentor, which
became his permanent abode. He continued his public
labors, visiting weak communities of brethren, receiving
little compensation, often none, for his labors. From
necessity, quite as much as from choice, he resorted at
times to farming, interlacing its labors with his public
duties. Experience proved to him as it has to thousands,
that the world will not pay for its own reformation ; that
the pioneer advocate of new and revolutionary principles
must go forth, like the martyr-apostles, suffering and to
suffer.

Bro. Clapp saw — rightly saw — in the Christian religion
the germs of all good to man in this world, as well as the
sure and only basis for hope hereafter. Every attack upon
its claims he was consequently prompt to repel. Jesus of
Nazareth was the Son of Man, as well as the Son of God,
and he lived for the good of the world in every possible
condition. As a friend to his race he must defend the
Lord Jesus, the helper of the poor, the Savior of the
world. So when a shrewd, young, accomplished, eloquent,
lawyer in Elyria, Joel Tiffany, Esq., walked into the
arena, and threw down the glove, M. S. Clapp took his
*^ sling and five smooth stones gathered from the brook,*'
and stood before the boaster. He so fully exposed the
dark counsels of atheistic sophistry, that Mr. Tiffany de-
clared at the close of the discussion, '* It is the last time
I will ever stand in opposition to the Christian religion.*'
And it was. Soon after he was baptized in Elyria, and
became a quasi member of the Episcopal church.

His happiness in his family was not suffered to continue
without interruption. A sad day came. He looked for the
last time on the living form of his excellent companion.
One by one all the children of his first marriage went be-
fore him down to rest. The last of them, Campbell
Clapp, was killed in the State of New York, by the falling
of a cattle train through a defective bridge. He was a

200 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

young man of much promise. A large concourse attended
his funeral services in Mentor.

April 26, 1840, he married Miss Lucy A. Randall, of
Mentor, a union whose felicity was not marred or broken
till the last sad stroke which left her a widow, and her four
living children without a paternal head. The winter after
their marriage they spent in Pompey, Onondaga County,
New York, laboring in the gospel. The friendship they
established there with many of the citizens continued
through life. The next season he spent, by invitation,
preaching for the church in the city of New York. Here
his skill as a^peacemaker found scope for useful exercise.
His ministrations for good were signally blessed, less in
gathering many into the fold than in purifying and regu-
lating the fold itself. His friends, Drs. Eleazer and Sam-
uel Parmly, received him with marked and merited hos-
pitality. His residence in the great commercial metropo-
lis was a bright and useful epoch in his history. While in
the city, he received instructions in Hebrew under Sexias,
a Hebraist of note, the very same son of x\braham who
came to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1830, and instructed the Mor-
mons in the ** unknown tongues,'* the boasted proof of
inspiration of the disciples of Smith, and the marvel of
many well-duped outsiders.

It should be noted that Bro. Clapp was not a clergyman
in any restricted or exclusive sense. His eye was open
to the widest views. He was ready to second all legiti-
mate measures for the elevation and amelioration of men
in all departments of society. With him the pulpit was
not a theological chest, or box, containing a few well as-
sorted and labeled wares to be cried on sale. It was
rather a veritable throne of power, and the incumbent
was bound to deal with all the active, moral questions that
affect society. Hence his early, and open, and uncon-
querable opposition to intemperance. Hence, also, he
stood out, when he had to stand quite alone, on the anti-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 201

slavery question. Of these and kindred subjects he took
the broadest views. The poorly-paid laborer, the unpaid
seamstress, were objects of lively and sympathizing interest
to him. He had faith in appeals to heaven for their re-
dress; but with equal faith, he appealed to the benevo-
lence and conscientiousness of men for their relief. So
ardent were his feelings, so fixed his principles, that he
took radical ground, and plead so uncompromisingly that
at times he provoked the charge of ultraism. Yet no such
charge moved him. His principles in regard to war were
equally radical and decided. He opposed all war, at all
times for any purpose. It is due him to say that all these
great moral subjects he viewed from the Bible ground,
and not as a partisan, or in coalition with any special or-
ganization, social or civil. Yet his known opposition to
war, slavery, and intemperance, brought him at times
alongside persons whose advocacy of these reforms was
prompted by no higher than merely temporal, and some-
times selfish, considerations.

It was his conviction that he could serve these great ends
in a wider and different field, which gained his consent
to a nomination as candidate to the Legislature. The
polls confirmed the nomination. His acceptance was
upon a platform which, in his judgment, invited the play
of his principles on a grander stage. He returned from
Columbus conscious of having performed his duties faith-
fully, and satisfied with the general approval of his con-
stituency.

The last few years of his life he spent in Detroit,
preaching, and in various ways shedding the light and
warmth of his genial and religious nature on society around
him. During the last year before his death, it became ap-
parent that his ^'natural force was abated.'* As the prog-
ress of his frailty rendered his departure an event more and
more certainly near, the anchor of his hope maintained the
steadiest hold on its deep fastenings in the Rock. The

202 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

calmness of his mind was wonderful. ^' I do not ask
you to pray for my recovery/' he said to his brethren,
** but that with unfaltering trust and bright hope I may
pass into the world of light. ' '

He had often expressed a feeling of the happiness it
would afford him to be summoned away to the Lord just
in the midst of the memorial scenes of the Lord's Supper.
His thought was an accepted prayer. His departure to
Jesus was on the Lord's day. One week before he died
the brethren assembled in his room and partook with him
the loaf of blessing. The next week, December 17th, at
his request, they came again, and again the blessed Supper
was administered. All bore witness of the deep earnest-
ness of his devotions. His voice was almost too feeble
for utterance. He spoke but little. All seemed aware
that the messenger was at the door. The service ended ;
scarcely had the communicant members reached their
homes when the word came that he was at peace in Abra-
ham's bosom.

His remains, accompanied by his family and his friend,
Colin Campbell, of Detroit, were brought to Mentor, the
home of his childhood. Many of his early friends came
and stood silently and sadly around him. Six preachers
participated in the funeral services, when we consigned to
the dust the remains of this patriotic citizen, this gener-
ous friend and devoted preacher.

He had nearly completed his sixty-fourth year. His
memory was capacious, retentive, and peculiar. It was
remarkable for its verbal power. It was richly stored with
the exact language of the Holy Scriptures. From his co-
pious stores he could draw with great readiness and cor-
rectness. His scholarship in general history, and es-
pecially in English literature, was very complete. He had
read with care the standard poets, and was familiar with
the opinions of the leading critics on most subjects of in-
terest. His own. taste, critical and chaste, furnished him

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 20$

a style in writing and public address, correct, pure, and
expressive. He was often ornate, sometimes eloquent, but
never pompous nor declamatory.

His manners were simple, dignified, urbane, courteous
to inferiors, respectful to all. His conversation and his
speeches were marked by delicacy, flavored with wit and
anecdote, always pure, and manifested great liberality of
views. His piety and honesty held sway supreme among
his qualities of character. Sometimes his ardor led him
to undue bounds — but none could feel more keenly the
excess, or make amends more heartily when convinced of
overstepping the limits of prudence.

Few men among us were more widely known or more
sincerely respected. For him no monument is needed,
especially in his own dear family, where he is embalmed
in the tenderest and most durable affection.

When the call was sounded for a return to Jerusa-
lem and Pentecost, it called out many noble advo-
cates. Some of them had "professed religion,*' as
the phrase ran, but they lay in spiritual torpor under
the confused and bewildering exhibitions of Chris-
tianity which they were accustomed to hear. When
they saw the gospel scheme, the Bible became intel-
ligible ; and under the impulse of their joy at the
discovery, they "did run to bring the disciples
word " of the clearer views of the gospel which gave
them such joy. These men are worthy of a good
record.

In the fall of 182 1, William Waite, emigrated from
Saratoga County, New York, on the head waters of
the Susquehanna, and settled on the plateau since
known as Waite Hill, in Willoughby. He and his
wife were Baptists. His sons, Erastus and Alvan —
the latter in his eighteenth year— had come in ad-

204 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

vance, in February before. The next autumn, his
son-in-law, Dexter Otis, in his twenty-eighth year,
arrived and settled in Kirtland. Otis united with
the Baptists under the preaching of Elder Steven-
son, better satisfied with the scriptural mode of bap-
tism, than with the creed and close communion,
matters on which his mind was never at rest. El-
der Goodall came to Waite Hill, baptized Erastus
Waite and others, and so arose a church in the Bap-
tist order. When Elder T. Campbell came to
Mentor, soon after, these brethren, E. Waite and D.
Otis, were so delighted with the new light which
beamed on the gospel from his preaching, that they
pressed him to come to Waite Hill. His sermons
made a marked impression, powerfully advancing the
more liberal and correct views of the New Testa-
ment order of things. Rigdon coming in about that
time, and following up the well begun work by his
earnest- and animating appeals, several were bap-
tized, among whom was Alvan Waite, then in his
twenty-sixth year. This was in 1829. In the same
movement, and by the same hands, E. B. Violl, Sam-
uel Miller, and Noah Wirt were brought into the
kingdom. This was the beginning of the Church
of Christ on Waite Hill.

These men all made their mark. Dexter Otis
was appointed overseer, and he soon began to preach.
In 1835 he moved to the township of Chardon, and
there gathered a church. It flourished while he
lived — it declined at his death. He worked hard
with his own hands, yet he was so diligent in study
that he became a good Bible scholar, and was well
informed in history as it relates to prophetic subjects.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 20$

liis candor was proverbial. He was conscientiously
opposed to display in dress, and to all forms of pride,
and was himself in these respects a consistent ex-
ample. He was so humble, zealous, earnest, and in-
structive in his lectures on Bible themes, that all
heard him with delight. His speech, like his garb,
was plain, but it went to the hearts of the people.
He turned many from infidelity to the faith, and from
sin to righteousness. His very useful life termi-
nated March 15, 1845. His works follow him, and
the memory of him is a fragrant odor in all that
region.

Equally useful, but a different type of manhood
was Alvan Waite. He was a man of full size and
manly form, a man of superior judgment and great
weight of character. His timidity kept him in the
shade, till strongly urged, especially by Bro. Otis,
he took a bolder and more public stand for the gos-
pel. All the rising churches around him felt the
weight of his presence and edifying sermons. Can-
dor, kindness, sincerity, and good sense prevailed in
his instructive discourses. He was cheerful, hope-
ful, and confiding. In 1844 he went with William
Hayden, in a tour through western New York, in
which he gained much respect for his affectionate
manners, and his clear exhibitions of the truth.
Soon after, consumption began to appear. In the
summer of 1846, he journeyed to the new West in
hope of recuperation, visiting the churches in north-
ern Indiana and Lake County, Illinois, and helping
them by his wise counsels. He steadily declined
till May 20, 1847, when he passed in among the
shining ones. He died at his home on Waite Hill,

206 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

with his affectionate family, surrounded by many
friends who mourned the loss of so useful a man.

Ezra B. Violl who came to Christ with these no-
ble men, and who was their close companion all the
way, was still left in the field. He had consecrated
the powers of intelligible speech and sound reason-
ing, which God gave him, to the proclamation of his
truth. He traveled into other counties, and was
abundant in labors in his own regions. He was born
in the year 1806. He turned to God in 1829, and
began almost immediately to hold forth the word of
life. He preached with great fervor, not only in
Willoughby and Mentor — in Perry also, and Euclid,
and is gratefully remembered in Camden and other
towns in Lorain County. He served in the cam-
paigns for about twenty years. He fell a victim to
the fatal malady consumption, which terminated
his days on the 9th of April, 185 1. He was visited
near the time of his departure by Bro. M. S. Clapp,
whose conversation cheered the feeble saint. Bro.
Clapp said to him : " Bro. Violl, it must seem hard
to you to leave the world in the midst of your life
and usefulness, and to part with your kind and affec-
tionate companion ! " " Yes, Bro. Clapp, it is hard in
that view, but not so hard as you think. I used to
think so when I was out there where you are ; but
when you come in here where I am, you will not find
it so hard ! " Strikingly coincident were the clos-
ing scenes of these dear friends. In about twenty
years, Bro. Clapp came by the same path in slow
approaches to the dark stream. Perhaps he then
thought of his friend ViolFs words, and had an ex-
perience of their truth !

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 20/

Samuel Miller, of the same church, was the peer
of these noble men, in all that constitutes broad and
generous manhood. His parents — John and Catha-
rine Miller, came into Ohio when it was yet a terri-
tory, from Gettysburg, Pa., a place now memorable
in American history. They settled in Willoughby,
where Samuel was born, August 30, 1802 ; the first
white male child born in that town. The country
was a wilderness, and the red man, with the game he
chased, ranged the interminable forests. February
26, 1828, he was married to Miss Maria Storm. He
had been trained in the Lutheran church. When in
1829, the great wave of religious reformation broke
along the shore of the lake, he heard, examined, and
with his usual independence, candor, and decision,
he confessed the Lord ; his wife joining him in this
consecration to Jesus Christ ; also Bro. Violl, Wirt,
and others, who were his companions in the support
of the gospel. When the overflowing scourge of
Mormonism burst forth, these three men, with Otis
and Waite, withstood the shock, though Rigdon
himself, their leader to Christ, had reeled and fallen
under its blow.

Bro. Miller was distinguished for superior business
capacity, great probity, and for his consistent and
liberal benefactions. Hiram College and the Ohio
Christian Missionary Society received liberal dona-
tions from his hand.

He lived to bow at the grave of nearly all who
started with him in the gospel. As he saw the pain-
ful disease leading him slowly and certainly to
death, with wise forecast he made ample provision
for the comfort of his faithful wife, and left the bal-

208 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ance of his property in the hands of a faithful and
competent Christian friend, A. Teachout, to be used
for the gospel. Business done, his attentions were
devoted to his friends as they came about him, and
to contemplations on the things that are eternal, in
the heavens. In the calmness of an unfaltering trust
he fell asleep, September 6, 1867, aged sixty-five
years.

The church on Waite Hill was organized in 1830.
Dexter Otis^ and Steven Tinkham were the over-
seers, and John VioU and Noah Wirt, deacons. Bro.
Wirt was afterwards called to the eldership. His
active life in the ministry was a great support to
the church till his removal to Wisconsin.

With these, Bro. Ransom R. Storm was long as-
sociated. He was a man of superior gifts, an easy
speaker, and a pointed reasoner. He was born in
1818, in Shenango County, New York, but was
brought up in Ohio. He confessed his faith in
Christ in Mentor, under the preaching of Bro. Wil-
liams, and soon began to proclaim the gospel He
became much devoted to his work. At the call of
some churches in Lake County, Illinois, he settled
among them, where he spent the last years of his
ministry. Disease seized him, and as he became
weaker, he was brought, by his desire, to pass the
last of his days among his numerous friends in
Willoughby, where he died June i, 1871, in the full
hope of immortality in Christ.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 209

CHAPTER IX.

THE ADVENT OF MORMONISM.

THIS was in the fall of 1830. This coarse im-
posture was not born of chance. Characterized
by much that is gross, and accompanied by practices
repulsive for their lowness and vulgarity, it yet had a
plan and an aim, and it was led on by a master spirit
of delusion. It marked out its own course, and
premeditated its points of attack. Its advent in
Mentor was not accidental. Its four emissaries to the
** Lamanites " in the West, like the four evil messen-
gers from the Euphrates (Rev. ix: 15), had Rigdon
in their eye before leaving Palmyra, N. Y. On his
part, Rigdon, with pompous pretense, was travailing
with expectancy of some great event soon to be re-
vealed to the surprise and astonishment of mankind.
Gifted with very fine powers of mind, an imagination
at once fertile, glowing and wild to extravagance, with
temperament tinged with sadness and bordering on
credulity, he was prepared and preparing others for
the voice of some mysterious event soon to come.

The discomfiture he experienced at the hands of
Mr. Campbell at Austintown, when seeking to intro-
duce his common property scheme, turned him away
mortified, chagrined and alienated. This was only
two and a half months before he received, in peace,
the messengers of delusion. Another fact : A little
18

2IO EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

after this, the same fall, and before the first emissa-
ries of the Mormon prophet came to Mentor, Parley
P. Pratt, a young preacher of some promise from Lo-
rain County, a disciple under Rigdon's influence,
passing through Palmyra, the prophet's home, turned
aside to see this great sight. He became an easy
convert. Immediately an embassy is prepared, com-
posed of this same P. P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery and
two others, for the " Lamanites.'*

The next scene opens in Mentor. About the mid-
dle of November, came two footmen with carpet bags
filled with copies of the book of Mormon, and stopped
at Rigdon's. What passed that night between him and
these young prophets no pen will reveal ; but inter-
preting events came rapidly on. Next morning,
while Judge Clapp's family were at breakfast, in came
Rigdon, and in an excited manner said: "Two men
came to my house last night on a c-u-r-i-o- u-s mis-
sion ; " prolonging the word in a strange manner.
When thus awakened, all around the table looking up,
he proceeded to narrate how some men in Palmyra,
N. Y., had found, by direction of an angel, certain
plates inscribed with mysterious characters ; that by
the same heavenly visitant, a young man, ignorant of
letters, had been led into the secret of deciphering
the writing on the plates ; that it made known the
origin of the Indian tribes ; with* other matters of
great interest to the world, and that the discovery
would be of such importance as to open the way for
the introduction of the Millennium. Amazement !
They had been accustomed to his stories about the
Indians, much more marvelous than credible, but this
strange statement, made with an air both of wonder

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 211

and credulity, overcame their patience. " Its all a
lie/* cried out Matthew, quite disconcerting the half
apostate Rigdon ; and this future Aaron of the new
prophet retired.

These two men who came to Rigdon's residence,
were the young preacher before named, P. P. Pratt,
intimately acquainted with Rigdon, and therefore,
doubtless, chosen to lead the mission, and Oliver
Cowdery. This Mr. Cowdery was one of the three
original witnesses to Mormonism ; Martin Harris and
David Whitmar were the other two. Harris was the
first scribe to record the new Bible at the dictation
of Smith ; but through carelessness he suffered the
devil to steal ii6 pages of the manuscript, and then
Cowdery was chosen in his stead.

These men staid with Rigdon all the week. In the
neighborhood, lived a Mr. Morley, a member of the
church in Kirtland, who, acting on the community
principles, had established a " family." The new doc-
trines of having " all things in common," and of re-
storing miracles to the world as a fruit and proof of
true faith, found a ready welcome by this incipient
" community." They were all, seventeen in number,
re-immersed in one night into this new dispensation.

At this, Rigdon seemed much displeased. He told
them what they had done was without precedent or
authority from the Scriptures, as they had baptized
for the power of miracles, while the apostles, as he
showed, baptized penitential believers for the remis-
sion of sins. When pressed, they said what they had
done was merely at the solicitation of those persons.
Rigdon called on them for proofs of the truth of
their book and mission. They related the manner

212 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

in which they obtained faith, which was by praying
for a sign, and an angel appeared to them. Rigdon
here showed them from Scripture the possibility of
their being deceived : " For Satan himself is trans-
formed into an angel of light." " But," said Cowdery,
" do you think if I should go to my Heavenly Father,
with all sincerity, and pray to him, in the name of
Jesus Christ, that he would not show me an angel —
that he would suffer Satan to deceive me } " Rigdon
replied : " If the Heavenly Father has ever promised
to show you an angel to confirm any thing, he would
not suffer you to be deceived ; for John says : * If we
ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.'
But," he continued, "if you should ask the Heavenly
Father to show you an angel, when he has never
promised such a thing — if the devil never had an op-
portunity before of deceiving you, you give him one
now."

This was a word in season, fitly spoken ; yet,
strange enough ! " two days afterward he was per-
suaded to tempt God by asking this sign. The sign
appeared, and he was convinced that Mormonism was
of God ! According to his own reasoning, therefore,
Satan appeared to him as an angel of light. But he
now imputed his former reasoning to pride, increduHty,
and the influence of the Evil One."

The next Sunday Rigdon, accompanied by Pratt
and Cowdery, went to Kirtland to his appointment.
He attempted to preach ; but with the awful blas-
phemy in his heart, and the guilt of so shameless an
apostasy on his conscience, how could he open his
mouth in the name of the insulted Jesus ? The elo-
quent lips which never stammered before, soon be-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 213

came speechless, and his tongue was dumb. The
faithless watchman, covered with the shame of his
fall, surrendered his pulpit and congregation to the
prey of wolves. Cowdery and Pratt did most of
the preaching ; and that day, both Mr. and Mrs. Rig-
don, with many of the members of the church in
Kirtland, were baptized into the new faith.

'* Scenes of the most wild, frantic and horrible fanati-
cism ensued. They pretended that the power of miracles
was about to be given to all who embraced the new faith ;
and commenced communicating the Holy Spirit, by laying
their hands on the heads of the converts, which operation,
at first, produced an instantaneous prostration of body and
mind. Many would fall upon the floor, where they would
lie for a long time, apparently lifeless. * The fits usually
came on during, or after, their prayer-meetings, which were
held nearly every evening. The young men and women
were more particularly subject to this delirium. They
would exhibit all the apish actions imaginable, making the
most ridiculous grimaces, creeping upon their hands and
feet, rolling upon the frozen ground, going through all
the Indian modes of warfare, such as knocking down,
scalping, etc. At other times they would run through the
fields, get upon stumps, preach to imaginary congregations,
enter the water and perform the ceremony of baptizing.
Many would have fits of speaking in all the Indian dialects,
which none could understand. Again, at the dead hour
of night, young men might be seen running over the fields
and hills, in pursuit, as they said, of the balls of fire, lights,
etc., which they saw moving through the atmosphere.*' —
Mormo7iism Unveiled^ pp. 104, 105.

These ridiculous practices were performed in Mr.
Rigdon's absence. About three weeks after his
adoption of the delusion, he went to Palmyra to see

214 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Smith. The prophet was rejoiced at his coming,
and had a revelation all ready for him, just suited to
his own purpose and Rigdon's vanity. The begin-
ning of it is here transcribed :

*' A commandment to Joseph and Sidney, December 7,
1830, saying: Listen to the voice of the Lord your God :
I am Alpha and Omega. Behold ! verily, verily, I say
unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy
works ; I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a
greater work: thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great
things. Behold ! thou wast sent forth even as John, to
prepare the way before me and Elijah, which should come,
and thou knewest it not. Thou didst baptize with water
unto repentance, but they secured not the Holy Ghost.
But now I give unto you a commandment that thou shalt
baptize with water and give the Holy Ghost by laying on
of hands, even as the apostles of old. And it shall come
to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even
among the Gentiles.'*

Mr. Rigdon tarried with Smith about two months,
receiving revelations, preaching in the vicinity, and
urging proofs of the new religion. His knowledge
of the Bible enabled him to pervert many scriptures
to this end. Soon after his return to Ohio, Smith and
several of his relatives arrived. " This being the
* promised land,' in it their long cherished hopes and
anticipations of living without work were to be real-
ized. Thus, from almost a state of beggary, the fam-
ily of Smiths were immediately well furnished with
the * fat of the land * by their fanatical followers, many
of whom were wealthy."

The new delusion immediately assumed an aggress-
ive attitude. A hierarchy was formed consisting of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 2I5

several orders of priesthood and grades of eldership.
New converts began to come up to the " New Jerusa-
lem," to behold the miraculous wonders that busy ru-
mor reported to be of daily occurrence, and to worship
under the eye of the prophet of the "Latter Day
Saints." Rigdon's reputation lifted it at once into
notice. New members, with incredible haste, were
solemnly ordained to the eldership by the high
priests, and sent out every-where to propagate the
faith. Their gravity and apparent candor, coupled
with a degree of ignorance which was ostentatiously
paraded as evidence that they were not deceivers,
gave them great credit with a superstitious class of
people who are ever ready to be duped by supernat-
ural pretension.

Though coming into Ohio first among the disci-
ples, and introduced to their attention in a well-
planned and artful manner, very few of the leading
members were for a moment deceived. After its
first approach, it boasted of few converts from any
of our churches. Rigdon, Pratt and Orson Hyde,
the last two young and but little known, were the
only preachers who gave it countenance.

The opposition to it was quick on its feet, in rank,
and doing effective work to check the imposture.
J. J. Moss, at the time a young school-teacher in the
place, pelted them, but not with grass. Isaac Moore
stood up, and became a shield to many. The vigi-
lance of the Clapps prevented any serious inroads into
the church of Mentor. Collins forbade its approach
to Chardon, and it merely skulked around its hills.
Alexander P. Jones was there also, young, shrewd,
and skilled. In many an encounter he was left with-

2l6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

out a foe. But the misfortune governing the case
was that many people, victims of excitement and
credulity, and taught in nearly all pulpits to pray
for faith y now found themselves met on their own
grounds, and so finding an emotion or impulse an-
swerable to an expected response from heaven, dared
not dispute the answer to their own prayers, and
were hurried into the vortex. The reason the delu-
sion made little progress among the Disciples, save
only at Kirtland, where the way for it was paved by
the common-stock principle, is to be found in the
cardinal principle every-where taught and accepted
among them, that/^///^ is founded on testimony. This
is the law of faith, both in things divine and human.
This fundamental principle of the ** current reforma-
tion," so rational, as well as so scriptural, was every-
where proclaimed and accepted among the disciples.
It constitutes the divergent truth lying at the basis
of their views of conversion, and by which they are,
on that subject, distinguished from other bodies of
religious people. They never " pray for faith," since
** faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God." Having obtained faith by the appropriate tes-
timony, they pray, in the exercise of that faith, for
all the rightful objects of petition.

No marvel, then, that when the Mormon preacher
approached a disciple, with the proposition to pray
for a sign, or evidence of the truth of his system, he
was met with an intelligent refusal so to " tempt the
Lord his God."

The venerable Thomas Campbell, hearing of the
defection of Rigdon and the progress this silly delu-
sion was making, came quickly to the front. He

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 21/

spent much of the winter in Mentor and vicinity.
His wise counsels and great weight of influence in-
terposed an effectual barrier against its encroachments.
He addressed a communication to Rigdon so firm,
so fatherly and characteristic, that the reader shall
.have the pleasure of perusing it. Its great length
will apologize for the omission of a portion of it.
Soon after his return to Kirtland, Rigdon fulminated
a pompous challenge to the world to disprove the new
Bible. On this Mr. Campbell wrote him, as follows :

"Mentor, February 4, 1831.
*'Mr. Sidney Rigdon,

" Dear Sir : — It may seem strange, that instead of a con-
fidential and friendly visit, after so long an absence, I
should thus address, by letter, one whom for many years
I have considered not only as a courteous and benevolent
friend, but as a beloved brother and fellow-laborer in the
gospel ; but, alas ! how changed, how fallen ! Neverthe-
less, I should now have visited you, as formerly, could I
conceive that my so doing would answer the important
purpose, both to ourselves and to the public, to which we
both stand pledged, from the conspicuous and important
stations we occupy — you as the professed disciple and pub-
lic teacher of the infernal book of Mormon, and I as a
professed disciple and public teacher of the supernal book
of the Old and New Testaments of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, which you now say is superceded by the book
of Mormon — is become a dead letter ; so dead that the be-
lief and obedience of it, without the reception of the lat-
ter, is no longer available for salvation. To the disproof
of this assertion, I understand you to defy the world. I
here use the epithets infernal and supernal in their primary
and literal meaning, the former signifying from beneath,
the latter from above, both of which are truly applied, if

19

2l8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the respective authors may be accredited ; of the later of
which, however, I have no doubt. But, my dear sir, sup-
posing you as sincere in your present, as in your former
profession, neither yourself, your friends," nor the world
are bound to consider you as more infallible in your latter
than in your former confidence, any further than you can
render good and intelligible reasons for your present cer-
tainty. This, I understand from your declaration on last
Lord's day, you are abundantly prepared and ready to do.
I, therefore, as in duty bound, accept the challenge, and shall
hold myself in readiness, if the Lord permit, to meet you
publicly, in any place, either in Mentor or Kirtland, or
in any of the adjoining towns that may appear most eligi-
ble for the accommodation of the public. The sooner
the investigation takes place the better for all concerned.

**The proposition that I have assumed, and which I
mean to assume and defend against Mormonism and every
other ism that has been assumed since the Christian era,
is the all-sufficiency and the alone-sufficiency of the Holy
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, vulgarly called
the Bible, to make every intelligent believer wise to salva-
tion, thoroughly furnished for any good work. This prop-
osition, clearly and fully established, as I believe it most
certainly can be, we have no more need for Quakerism,
Shakerism, Wilkinsonianism, Buchanism, Mormonism, or
any other ism, than we have for three eyes, three ears,
three hands, or three feet, in order to see, hear, work, or
walk. This proposition I shall illustrate and confirm, by
showing —

* ' I . That the declarations, invitations and promises of the
gospel, go to confer upon the obedient believer the great-
est possible privileges, both here and hereafter, that our
nature is capable of enjoying.

^'2. That there is not a virtue that can happify, or adorn
the human character, nor a vice that can abase and dis-
happify, which human heart can conceive, or human Ian-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 219

guage can express, that is not most clearly commanded or
forbidden in the Holy Scriptures.

^' 3. That there are no greater motives that can possibly
be expressed or conceived, to enforce obedience, or dis-
courage and prevent disobedience, than the Scriptures most
clearly and unequivocably exhibit.

*' These propositions being proved, every thing is proved
that can effect our happiness here or hereafter.'*

He next tells Mr. Rigdon the course he proposes
to pursue in exposing the claims of Mormonism :

1. By examining the character of its author and his ac-
complices ;

2. Expose their pretensions to miraculous gifts, and the
gift of tongues ; and will test them in three or four for-
eign languages ;

3. Expose their assertion, that the authority for adminis-
tering baptism was lost for fourteen hundred years till re-
stored by the new prophet, by showing it to be a contra-
diction to Matt, xvi : 18 ;

4. That the pretended duty of '^ common property *' is
anti-scriptural, and a fraud upon society ;

5. That re-baptizing believers is making void the law
of Christ ; and the pretension of imparting the Holy
Spirit by imposition of hands, is an unscriptural intrusion
on the exclusive prerogative of the primary apostles ;

6. That its pretentious visions, humility and spiritual
perfection, are nowise superior to those of the first Shakers,
Jemima Wilkinson, the French prophets, etc.

*'In the last place we shall examine the internal evi-
dence of the book of Mormon itself, pointing out its evi-
dent contradictions, foolish absurdities, shameless preten-
sions to antiquity, restore it to its rightful claimant as a
production beneath contempt, and utterly unworthy the
reception of a school-boy.*'

He concludes:

220 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

*' I remain, with grateful remembrances of the past, and
best wishes for the future, your sincere friend and humble
servant, Thomas Campbell.'*

Mr. Rigdon read a few lines of this communication,
and then hastily committed it to the flames !

Perhaps in no place, except Kirtland, did the doc-
trines of the " Latter Day Saints " gain a more per-
manent footing than in Hiram. It entrenched itself
there so strongly that its leaders felt assured of the
capture of the town. Rigdon's former popularity in
that region gave wings to their appeal, and many peo-
ple, not avowed converts, were under a spell of won-
der at the strange things sounded in their ears. The
following communication from Bro. Symonds Ryder,
living in the midst of the scenes he describes, will be
read with interest, especially by those who knew the
high and indubitable integrity of the writer :

'* Hiram, February i, 1868.
** Dear Bro. Hayden :

*' . . . To give particulars of the Mormon excitement of
1 83 1 would require a volume — a few words must suffice. It
has been stated that from the year 18 15 to 1835, a period
of twenty years, * all sorts of doctrine by all sorts of preach-
ers had been plead ; * and most of the people of Hiram
had been disposed to turn out and hear. This went by
the specious name of Miberal.' The Mormons in Kirt-
land, being informed of this peculiar state of things, were
soon prepared for the onset.

*'In the winter of 1831 Joseph Smith, with others, had
an appointment in the south school-house, in Hiram. Such
was the apparent piety, sincerity and humility of the
speakers, that many of the hearers were greatly affected,
and thought it impossible that such preachers should lie in
wait to deceive.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 221

*' During the next spring and summer several converts
were made, and their success seemed to indicate an im-
mediate triumph in Hiram. But when they went to Mis-
souri to lay the foundation of the splendid city of Zion,
and also of the temple, they left their papers behind.
This gave their new converts an opportunity to become
acquainted with the internal arrangement of their church,
which revealed to them the horrid fact that a plot was
laid to take their property from them and place it under
the control of Joseph Smith the prophet. This was too
much for the Hiramites, and they left the Mormonites
faster than they had ever joined them, and by fall the Mor-
mon church in Hiram was a very lean concern.

^' But some who had been the dupes of this deception,
determined not to let it pass with impunity ; and, accord-
ingly, a company was formed of citizens from Shalersville,
Garrettsville, and Hiram, in March, 1832, and proceeded
to headquarters in the darkness of night, and took Smith
and Rigdon from their beds, and tarred and feathered
them both, and let them go. This had the desired effect,
which was to get rid of them. They soon left for Kirt-
land.

*'A11 who continued with the Mormons, and had any
property, lost all; among whom was John Johnson, one
of our most worthy men ; also, Esq. Snow, of Mantua,
who lost two or three thousand dollars.

^' Symonds Ryder.*'

The subsequent history of this modern imposture
of most blasphemous pretension, is before the world.
It is not a little curious that it has become the ground-
work of many publications and much romance. A
very full and complete history of it, full of incident
and personal allusion, came out a few years ago in
France, in two elegant volumes. Its research is mi-
nute and extensive, giving with remarkable accuracy

222 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

and fullness sketches of many leading actors, with
accounts of the religious societies from which they
deflected. A copy of the work is in the library of
Congress, at Washington, as I learn by a note from
Gen. Garfield, who writes : *' It was published in
French, at Paris, in i860, and about the same time
in English, in London. The London edition is en-
titled * A Journey to Great Salt Lake City, by Jules
Remy and Julius Brenchley.' It is published at Lon-
don by W. Jefis, 15 Burlington Arcade — imprint,
1861/'

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 223

CHAPTER X.

The Church in Chardon — Wm. Collins — Pastors — The Church in
Munson — Leading Men — The Cause established in Burton.

THE Baptist church at Chardon was formed Oc-
tober I, 1817. On the eleventh of that month
the church met in the court-house, and appointed
Elders Hank and Rider to represent them in the
Grand River Conference, and act for them in form-
ing the Grand River Association.

Mr. Campbell's visit to Chardon at the ministers'
meeting, June, 1824, produced a marked and perma-
nent effect. The ground principles of all this grand
movement — that the Bible is a self-interpreting book ;
that it is not to be interpreted in the interests of any-
party, or any received system of theology ; that a
correct and faithful use of it would lead back the di-
vided saints into the original apostolic " unity of the
spirit in the bond of peace," a glorious consumma-
tion, and so bring about the long prayed for union
of God's people — these views, so clear, so desira-
ble, and so in harmony with the Holy Scriptures,
were warmly cherished and much discussed. Mr.
Campbell's " Christian Baptist,'* several copies of
which were taken and critically read, kept alive the
discussions, and added very much to the power and
boldness with which they were asserted and de-
fended. Lucius Smith was in the habit of taking
his copy of it to the neighbors and reading it to

224 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

them. He came frequently to John C. Collins*, father
of Elder Wm. Collins, who was brother-in-law to the
brothers King, where many an evening was profita-
bly spent in searching the Scriptures. It must not
for a moment be supposed that the truth gained an
easy victory. So far from it, many of its early and
life-long supporters arrayed themselves at first
against the alleged innovations, and yielded their
opposition only when they could withstand no
longer. Zadok and George King were among the
earliest and firmest opponents.

The hymns reflected the doctrine of the day.
There were few more popular than the following : —

" Awaked by Sinai's awful sound.
My soul in bonds of guilt I found.

And knew not where to go ;
Alas ! I read and saw it plain
The sinner must be born again,
Or sink to endless woe ! "

All the points in the process of conversion passed
through the most thorough ordeal of analysis and
examination. That the Law of Moses was ever de-
livered to any nation but the Jews, or that it was
ever intended to bring repentance, was questioned,
doubted, denied. But " the law is our school-master
to bring us to Christ," was quoted triumphantly by
preacher, deacon, and disputant. " It does not read
so," says one in the audience. *' Take that man out,
he disturbs the meeting."

Mrs. Lucius Smith was no less interested than
her husband in the clearer views of gospel light ad-
vocated in the " Christian Baptist." She was a Pres-
byterian, a person of clear apprehension^ and of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 225

much independence of character. She saw the truth
in regard to the law, and usually replied to the argu-
ment by quoting correctly : " The law was our
school-master/' and asking, **What have we, under
the gospel, to do with the law .?" Quoting further:
" The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth
came by Jesus Christ." The people were walking
on the sharp edge of the controversy about legal and
evangelical repentance ; about saving faith, evangel-
ical faith, historic faith, and many such needless dis-
tinctions unknown to the gospel, and which served
only to confuse the mind, and render the way of sal-
vation a mystery.

Nathan Porter, who not long before had come
from the East, young, ardent, ready in speech, and
ready to learn, took hold with fresh avidity of the
new principles. He was commended for ordination,
and was formally set apart to the work of the min-
istry, June, 1824. He was prompt to publish and
defend the teaching of the Holy Scriptures touching
the points under discussion, little caring what the
doctrinal standards taught.

William Collins, familiarly known as ^' Elder Col-
lins,** was born in Enfield, Connecticut, September 24,
1799, but brought up in Suffield. His parents were Pres-
byterians. When he was about fourteen years of age an
extensive religious awakening arose among the Baptists in
Suffield. Many turned to the Lord, and young Collins,
in the language of that day, become *^ hopefully con-
verted.** Like Timothy of Derbe (Acts xvi : i) he began
at once to exercise his gift of exhortation. His zeal im-
pelled him forward. It is related of him that when the
tide of feeling was high in the community, he arose in a

226 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

crowded evening assembly, and stretching both arms side-
ways to full length, he cried out : ** Jesus of Nazareth is
passing by!'* His voice was full and clear, and the
speech produced a profound sensation. He followed with
an exhortation twenty minutes, so pertinent, earnest, and
persuasive, that many made note of it as preluding emi-
nence in the Christian ministry. In the year 1816, when
he was some seventeen years old, his father, John C. Col-
lins, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Chardon. John
King, father of Zadok, George, and Harvey King, and
father-in-law of John C. Collins, had removed to Chardon
from Connecticut the year before, and settled on ^^King
Street. ' ' The land was all a wilderness. Teams of oxen
and horses brought their families and their few necessary
'^ goods '* all the way, and their own axes underbrushed
the way many miles for their wagons. These firm, perse-
vering men brought excellent muscle for the clearing off
of the forest, and laying the basis of the agricultural
wealth of the country. Their moral and religious prin-
ciples, in which they were equally heroic, was the ground-
work of a future eminently noble society, in which were
secured the right culture and development of their chil-
dren's children. The writer of these memoirs was not
born out of due time to see and converse with grandfather
and grandmother King. George King, long an elder and
active member, died June 8, 1862, at nearly sixty-nine
years of age. Harvey King, unexceptionable in upright-
ness and piety, died joyfully, December 15, 1872, at sev-
enty-five years; while ** uncle'' Zadok still survives, a
veteran of three generations, like a tree with its root in
one, its trunk and bloom in another, and its ripe fruit in
the third.

Wm. Collins was employed in industrial pursuits for
several years. In the winter of 1821-2, Chardon was vis-
ited by a deep religious revival. Elder Warner Goodall,
of Mentor, was the mover in it, a man of plain, broad

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 22/

common sense, of no mean abilities, widely esteemed for
his godly behavior. He so preached that a large part of
the Presbyterian membership came like Jesus the blessed,
and exchanging the bowl for the Jordan, followed their
leader into it. Collins had never lost the impressions
produced in old Sufiield. He came also, and on the 17th
of March, 1822, he was baptized by Elder Goodall.
Again his tongue was loosed. He was young, ardent, de-
votedly pious, of brilliant imagination, commanding a
copious flow of language, and of manners that awakened
great hopes of his future usefulness. He was licensed by
the Baptist church, November 3, 1822, when about
twenty-three years of age. He was warmly commended
to prepare for the ministry in their theological school at
Hamilton, New York. Elder Rufus Rider, the Baptist
minister, was active in securing these advantages for
him. This outlay of means yielded a rich harvest ; though
probably not precisely in the channel of the counsels
which urged him to Hamilton — the only difference, yet
important, consisting in the fact that he returned to
preach the gospel as he read it in the New Testament, not
as it is interpreted in the confession of faith.

When he returned from college he found the commu-
nity all alive, and agitated with these doctrinal discus-
sions. With a readiness of insight possessed by few
men, and with the promptitude and frankness for which
he was ever distinguished, he examined, accepted, and
began openly to defend the Scripture models as the true
standard of conversion, rather than the experiences of
men formed as they are by the standards of their respect-
ive systems. In this progress of religious intelligence the
main portion of the church were with him. He was duly
set apart by ordination to the life work of the ministry
of the Word, October 26, 1826.

Just the month previous to his ordination, he was mar-
ried to Miss Ann Eliza Haynes. I^i her he found a

228 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Christian companion, whose life flowed evenly with his.
They were one in life ; in death they were not long sep-
arated. Their demise was only three weeks apart. He
fell asleep in Chardon, June 26, i860, aged sixty years;
and on the twentieth day of July, twenty-four days after,
she followed him to their final reward. The funeral serv-
ices of both of them were performed by Bro. J. H.
Jones, in presence of a great concourse of weeping and
admiring friends. Few persons ever passed to their
graves more universally respected and lamented.

Collins won all to him by his kind, genial, social na-
ture. He was very quick in discernment, abounded in
humor, and was highly entertaining, either as guest or
host, by his wit, anecdote, and unfailing supply of sensi-
ble and instructive conversation. One less hopeful would
have sank down under the hardships and lack of compen-
sation, an experience in which he had his full share in
common with the generation of preachers who founded
and built up the churches. He did not exceed a medium
height, was finely formed, his countenance comely and
benevolent. Few men ever preached so many funerals.
His abundant, practical common sense, his excellent
vocal powers and fluent speech, his firmness of principle,
activity in the gospel, his love of men, and devotion to
Christ as his servant, made him universally acceptable,
and with very many a favorite.

For thirty-four years he proclaimed the gospel. Most
of this time he served as pastor of the church. In 1853,
J. W. Errett was settled in the church, and served three
years. James Encell followed him; then R. Chapman,
who died there. Orange Higgins succeeded him for two
years. J. W. Ingram next. After him W. S. Hayden,
two years ; then R. S. Groves.

For many years the church has had the benefit of the
invaluable life and labors of Bro. Dan. R. King, who, as
a preacher, the peer of any of them, has borne burdens

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 229

when others laid them down. At intervals, when no
preacher was employed, he has himself blown the silver
trumpet, and, ** without murmuring and complaining,"
has stood always ready to serve for Christ. Present El-
ders, D. R. King and C. D. Spencer; deacons, Henry
Bartlett, L. G. King, O. C. Smith. Seth Sawyer, clerk.
Membership, about two hundred.

The Church of Christ in Munson.

Both in its origin and subsequent support this
church is much indebted to the faithful William Col-
lins. Living near by, and being extensively ac-
quainted, and respected by all, he was a pillar of
strength to the cause. The first visible awakening
was in January, 1839, by Bro. J. P. Robison, who
preached one Lord's day, and baptized Miss Jenett
Hamilton. He visited them again in the spring,
added several, and left a church of twenty-two mem-
bers ; with Alonzo Randall and Orrin Gates as el-
ders ; and Milo Fowler and Halsey Abrams, dea-
cons. The visits of E. Williams, W. Collins, and
Dexter Otis kept the fire alive. In June, 1840,
brethren Bentley, Collins, and Robison, conducted
a meeting with seventeen additions. In March,
1 841, J. Hartzel came among them. The Presbyter-
ian church was obtained, and a large hearing secured.
His lucid statements and able defense of the truth
won confidence and converts. In five days, twenty-
one souls yielded to Christ. Being compelled to
leave, the church sent Adolphus Morse, who was
then preaching there, to Mantua for A. S. Hayden,
to carry the work forward. The first evening the
house was filled with people, who had waded through
blinding storms and deep snow — such was the inter-

230 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

est in the public mind. Rev. Mr. Pepoon, the Pres-
byterian minister in the place, a man clearly honest
in his convictions, but blinded by prejudice, came to
hear and to oppose. Honor to the man, who, while
opposing what he conceives to be dangerous error
hath yet an honest heart to listen and to learn.
Here was an example : This gentleman was hostile ;
but years afterwards he became calm, and worshiped,
and helped on the work. At this visit of three
days, nine more were baptized into Christ.

On the 20th of May following came Henry.
His royal blade of tried temper was never drawn but
in victory. He staid from Friday till Monday, the
time of a long meeting then ; produced an immense
interest, added a number, and left the church all
alive. There occurred a passage at arms between
him and Rev. Pepoon, which was rather hot than
healing ; but the times then permitted some things
over which these days would throw the veil of char-
itable oblivion.

In September following Hartzel returned, bringing
Bro. C. E. Vanvoorhis with him. But the meeting-
house was now closed. A store-room just erected
was fitted up, and filled with hearers ; of whom some
were obedient to the faith. W. A. Lillie, a school-
teacher and student at law, whose inquiring mind had
been tossed on the ocean every-where agitated by op-
posing winds of doctrine, heard Hartzel with delighted
relief of mind, as he saw in his exhibition of the gos-
pel a rational system which he could embrace under
the laws of evidence without violence to common
sense. He immediately confessed his Savior. As
in the case of Paul, so in his, the law was aban-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 23 1

doned for a higher and nobler pleading. He became
a minister of Jesus Christ, and his labors have long
been fruitful, both in converts and counsels. The
churches of Munson, Chester, Russell, and Mogadore,
especially, as well as many others, have received
much aid by his judicious instructions.

Not only he, but Bro. Orrin Gates came up to
usefulness in this church of Munson. Gates was
born in Windham County, Connecticut, May 17,
1815. He was brought up among the Methodists.
He sought earnestly among that people the joys of
salvation ; but he failed to obtain under their teach-
ings the anxiously-sought blessing — the evidence of
pardon. He heard on King Street, Chardon, the
rapid Henry ; and his interest grew to astonishment
as he listened to the unadorned proclaimer of the
gospel. The King brothers there, and Collins, were
faithful with him, and he was compelled to investi-
gate. The very plainness of the gospel stumbled
him. He fell sick ; and his conscience so re-
proached him with neglected duty, that he resolved
to obey the gospel the first opportunity. This was
afforded him in the great yearly meeting in Euclid,
September, 1837.

His position as elder of the church, to which he
was called soon after its organization, compelled him
to take a public stand, and called him to exercise his
good, natural gifts of exhortation.

The outburst of " Come-outer-ism " during the
presidential campaign of 1848, was a sore trial to the
church in Munson — good men staggered, and many
were swept away by it. His associate elder bowed
under it. He girded up his soul, and aided much to

232 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Steady the ship over the rocking billows. It was
long before the dissidents resumed their seats in
the congregation.

His preaching was now no longer confined to a
local congregation. In the winter of 1854, he was
formally ordained in the church of Chardon, of
which he had become a member, by brethren Isaac
Errett, John W. Errett, William Collins, and Zadok
King, the time-honored elder of that church. His
field enlarged. He was the chief agent in founding
the churches in Trumbull, Denmark, and Harpers-
field, Ashtabula County, and Montville, Geauga
County. His work in Munson, Hartsgrove, Bloom-
field, and Bazetta will be long remembered. In Ba-
zetta he had an ingathering of fifty souls at one
meeting, and afterwards lived among them eight
years.

In 1842, the church in Munson had acquired suf-
ficient strength to erect a good house. Bro. Hartzel
came to the dedication of it in November. He
preached with such power that fifteen turned to God,
among whom were Jas. G. Coleman, and Henry,
Thomas, and James Carroll. William Hayden, re-
turning from a tour of preaching in the State of
New York, arrived in the midst of the meeting, and

preached from the words of the prophet, " to

this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and
of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word^ Isa.
Ixvi : 2. In his sermon he urged strongly the needs
and uses of the Sunday-school.

A great move was made among the people in
March, 1843, by Dr. Robison. He began meeting
the twenty-fourth of that month, and in ten days he

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 233

had brought seventy-six souls into the kingdom.
Elder Collins stood closely by his side., and the pres-
ence and prayers of Otis the meek, a part of the
time, helped forward the work.

No marvel that in June following this flood tide,
when the yearly meeting for Geauga County was to
be held in this church, Bro. Robison was the picked
standard-bearer for that occasion — the church se-
lecting A. S. Hayden as his associate ; these breth-
ren, with those residing near by, discoursed during
the four days to the great congregation. There
were twelve conversions at that time.

During this year, Dexter Otis was employed by
the church to preach one-fourth of the time for fifty
dollars.

The brotherhood here have had the labors of
most of the preachers. Besides the names already
given, men who have been much among them, we
mention Bro. M. S. Clapp, E. B. Violl, and Ransom
Storm ; nor should William Hayden have been
omitted as among the earlier and most efficient fac-
tors in these results. A. B. Green also, and Wash-
ington O'Connor have gathered stars there for Im-
manuel's crown. Alvin Waite preached statedly for
some time, alternating with Bro. Otis.

Among the home forces, much credit is due to
Thomas Carroll, who has long been at the helm.
His patience, faithfulness, and good judgment are
not easily overrated. Milo Fowler left his post as
deacon and finance agent many days ago ; but he
held it faithfully till his hand was enclasped by the
touch of that of the angel who bore him to para-
dise. James G. Coleman also, for many years an
20

234 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

elder and counselor, and who, by preaching and
teaching kept the membership together, will never
be forgotten.

No man has been more faithful, or more useful
than Allen Harper, one of the first members ; he has
borne the burden at all times so faithfully and un-
complainingly that he stands among the first in the
gratitude of the church. And many others, who,
with equal fidelity and perseverance have stood firmly
by the cause for many years, doubtless have their
names graven on the palms of Immanuel's hands.

Burton.

From Chardon, as from the church of the Thessa-
lonians, the ** word of the Lord sounded" out into
surrounding townships. In the year 1835, John A.
Ford, of Burton, and his wife, Mrs. Eliza Ann Ford,
attended a meeting on King Street, in Chardon ;
and hearing, they "believed and were baptized" by
Bro. Collins. Her sister, Adaline Barnes, afterward
Mrs. Hoadley, made her confession of Christ the
same time. Mr. Ford was a prosperous farmer, of
Presbyterian connections, and a member of the most
influential family, and pioneers in the settlement of
Burton. His brother, Seabury Ford, Esq., was sub-
sequently chosen by the suffrages of the people to
be Governor of the State of Ohio.

Mrs. Ford was a woman of warm friendships, of
quick and correct perceptions, and by her decision
and energy, she was a great help to her husband in
the effort to bring to their neighbors the knowledge
of the gospel as preached by the apostles. Almost
the whole town was under the influence of the Pres-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 235

byterian church, and the numerous and wealthy
family of the Fords were its chief support. This
deflection from ancestral faith by John and his wife,
was looked upon as close akin to a family reproach,
and many times they were made to feel the slights
and taunts of offended sect pride, as a penalty for
their independence and the legitimate exercise of
their rights of conscience.

Wishing the gospel, as they now plainly saw it, to
be heard by their neighbors, they invited Collins to
come and preach, who promptly responded to the
call. In 1838, Ford moved from his farm to the
center of the town, where, in his new house, with
better accommodations, the people came to hear, and
there in the autumn of that year Elder Collins con-
stituted the church, consisting of twenty members.

Bro. John A. Ford and Bro. Joseph Woodward, a
man of much religious worth, formerly a Baptist,
were very appropriately intrusted with the over-
sight of the young community. These men would
be entitled to respect for their sound judgment and
weight of character in any community. Their fami-
lies heartily co-operated with them in maintaining
the ground under great disadvantages for many
years. Bro. Henry Pifer was the deacon. After a
time, Bro. Hoadley, brother-in-law to Bro. Ford, lo-
cated in Burton, whose firmness and ability in coun-
sel and address, with the musical talent of his amia-
ble companion, were no small assistance.

The church was sustained by the occasional and
sometimes stated help of the preachers — Collins,
Williams, Hartzel, Belding, the Haydens, and others —
so that thev became well established in their own

236 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

neat and comfortable meeting-house. Soon after the
establishment of the Eclectic Institute at Hiram,
this church obtained help from that source. It never
grew to be large, but for twenty years conversions
and other accessions repaired the loss by disinte-
gration of various kinds. At length, when these two
leading families began to separate, the congregation
declined, and their dismemberment eventuated in
that of the church. In 1858 they ceased to meet.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 237

CHAPTER XI.

The church in Mantua — D. At water — Churches in Hiram and Gar-
rettsville — Biography of Ryder — Origin of the Eclectic In-
stitute.

A BAPTIST church was formed in Nelson, July
30, 1808, called "Bethesda." It was the first
church of any " order " in the county of Portage.
Its members resided in Nelson, Hiram and Mantua.
It was gathered chiefly through the influence of Dea-
con John Rudolph, who, in 1806, moved from Mary-
land to Hiram township, and settled near the site of
Garrettsyille. Of this church, William West was
pastor for a few years. He was followed by Thomas
Miller, a warm-hearted man, who brought in converts.
Darwin Atwater, of Mantua, was baptized by him in
February, 1822. The principles of reform breaking
out about this time, the dismemberment of the Be-
thesda church followed.

That portion of the members who maintained the
sufficiency of the revealed will of God for all pur-
poses of "faith and practice," formed a church in
Mantua, January 27, 1827, " on the principle of faith
in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and obedience to
him as taught in his word/* It consisted at first of
nine members, viz : John Rudolph, John Rudolph,
Jr., Zeb Rudolph, James Rudolph, Darwin Atwater,
Laura Atwater, Cleona Rudolph, Elizabeth Rudolph
and Patta Blair.

238 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The first year eighteen members were added, in-
cluding Seth Sanford; Seth Harmon, Lyman Hunt
and Mrs. Judge Atwater. Sidney Rigdon was their
stated, though not constant, minister. In February,
1828, soon after his great meeting in Warren, Scott
visited Nelson, Hiram and Mantua, and many turned
to the Lord.

In May, of this year, the church was favored with
a visit from ''father" Thomas Campbell. The infant
cause derived great advantages from this visit. He
"set in order the things that were wanting,'* con-
firmed the faith of the members, and new converts
were added to the congregation. Under his counsels,
brethren Zeb Rudolph and Darwin Atwater, young
men of commendable gifts, studious and of blameless
reputation, were chosen by the church, and set apart
as " teachers ; *' and John Rudolph Jr., and Lyman
Hunt were appointed deacons. This was done Sat-
urday, May 24, 1828. The next day. Elder Camp-
bell preached in a barn belonging to Jotham Atwater,
to a large concourse of people. Symonds Ryder, of
Hiram, whose mind had been tossed with conflicting
doubts, seeking to find the *' right way of the Lord,"
heard him with fixed attention, and his difficulties
being all removed, he confessed the Lord that day,
and was baptized by Bro. Reuben Ferguson.

The converts increasing in Hiram and Nelson, a
petition for the formation of a new church in Hiram
was laid before the congregation ; which, being
granted, thirty-seven were dismissed for that purpose,
and organized April 18, 1829. Another portion were
dismissed to unite in Shalersville. Gamaliel H. Kent,
and his wife Anna E. Kent, took letters to Aurora.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 239

The church in Mantua was thus much reduced, but
her light has never gone out.

The following statement from the hand of that pil-
lar of truth and justice, Bro. D. Atwater, just lately
(May 28, 1873) laid down to rest, will be read with
special interest :

Mantua Station, April 26, 1873.
Dear Bro. A. S. Hayden :

.... The infant church at Mantua was left small and
inexperienced. I was the only one who had been accus-
tomed to take an active public part. There were Bro.
Seth Sanford, and Bro. Seth Harmon, both very young in
the Christian profession, with a number of excellent sis-
ters. In our weak state, in the midst of so much opposi-
tion, we were poorly prepared to take care of the church.
March 21, 1830, I was ordained elder, (in my youth), and
Bro. Seth Harmon was ordained deacon — Adamson Bent-
ley officiating.

At this time, Oliver Snow, an old member of the Bap-
tist church, united with us. His talents, age and experi-
ence, ought to have been very useful to us, but they were
more frequently exercised in finding fault with what we
attempted to do, than in assisting us. This only increased
our embarrassment. Soon after this, the great Mormon
defection came on us. Sidney Rigdon preached for us,
and notwithstanding his extravagantly wild freaks, he was
held in high repute by many. For a few months before
his professed conversion to Mormonism, it was noticed
that his wild, extravagant propensities had been more
marked. That he knew before of the coming of the book
of Mormon is to me certain, from what he said the first
of his visits at my father's, some years before. He gave
a wonderful description of the mounds and other antiqui-
ties found in some parts of America, and said that they

240 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

must have been made by the Aborigines. He said there
was a book to be published eontatmng an account of those
things. He spoke of these in his eloquent, efithusiastic
style, as being a thing most extraordi7iary. Though a
youth then, I took him to task for expending so much en-
thusiasm on such a subject, instead of things of the gos-
pel. In all my intercourse with him afterward he never
spoke of antiquities, or of the wonderful book that should
give account of them, till the book of Mormon really was
published. He must have thought I was not the man to
reveal that to.

In the admiration of Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Snow and
his family shared very largely ; so, when he came with his
pretended humility, to lay all at the feet of Mormonism,
it caused a great shock to the little church at Mantua.
The force of this shock was like an earthquake, when
Symonds Ryder, Ezra Booth and many others, submitted
to the **New Dispensation.'*

Eliza Snow, afterward so noted as the ^'Poetess''' among
the Mormons, led the way. Her parents and sister, and
three or four other members of the church, were finally
carried away. Two of these were afterward restored.

From this shock the church slowly recovered. Bro.
Ryder returned and exposed Mormonism in its true light.
The Mormon character soon exposed itself.

Marcus Bosworth continued to preach for us. Symonds
Ryder soon resumed his public labors with us, and re-
gained the confidence of the community.

In the year 1834, there were several additions to the
church. Its growth has never been rapid. We never had
very large accessions, or very low depressions.

In 1839, we built a meeting-house at the center of Man-
tua, and commenced to occupy it late in the Fall. It was
soon after this that you labored for us. About this time,
(January 19, 1840), John Allerton and wife, from the
church at Euclid, and Selah Shirtliff and wife united, from

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 24 1

the church in Shalersville — all the same day. Of the
events during your labors for the church at Mantua, in
1840 and 1 841, I need not write.

After much prayerful, consideration, the church ordained
Selah Shirtliif and John AUerton as elders, and Seth San-
ford, deacon. This was done August 21, 1841.

In the above, I should have mentioned that Walter
Scott preached for us several times. Father Thomas Camp-
bell a number of times. Alexander Campbell once, and
Bro. Alton once. Jacob Osborne several times before our
organization, and once afterward. Adamson Bentley once
or more. John Henry one meeting of days. William
Hay den many times. D. Atwater.

This congregation affords an instructive example
to .show that the leaders of a church usually impress
the strong features of their character on the mem-
bership. No community presents greater uniformity
in its history. Firm, unwavering, moderately aggres-
sive, she has maintained her ground and gradually ex-
tended her borders. Her house of worship was too
small, and after some years it was enlarged. Chiefly
from Mantua, came the agencies which established
the church in Auburn. She has not been behind in
works of benevolence, and her contributions for mis-
sionary enterprises, for the translation and circulation
of the Bible, and for the support of the ministry, are
a memorial to her honor. Among the earliest and
strongest advocates of temperance, antislavery and
kindred moralities, this brotherhood will be remem-
bered when some communities of more pretension,
but far less merit, shall pass away and fade from mem-
ory. Bro. Darwin Atwater, for more than forty-three
years, was the honored teacher, elder, and counselor
of the congregation.
21

242 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

This church of Mantua has given to the public
three educated men of much promise for ability and
for a thorough training in the principles of the Chris-
tian religion. These are the three sons of the elder
Atwater : O. C. Atwater, John M. Atwater, and Amzi
Atwater — the last a professor in the University of
Bloomington, Ind., and a preacher ; the others are
proclaimers of the gospel in New England.

Sketch of Darwin Atwater.

Bro. Atwater' s life was in many ways remarkable. Very
seldom has a man appeared, and disappeared from the
scenes of life's activity with so little of cloud or fleck upon
him. Finely formed, of full size, an open, frank, yet
grave countenance, his presence was noble, commanding
always the respect of the people.

He was the only son of Hon. Amzi Atwater, who for a
time filled the position of Associate Judge, and of Sister
Huldah Atwater, whose time-honored home was in Mantua.
His father, the late Judge, being one of the original party
of surveyors to survey into townships the country called
New Connecticut, or *' Western Reserve," the party landed
at Conneaut, the 4th of July, 1799, and proceeded to their
work. This done, Amzi Atwater married Miss Huldah
Sheldon, and settled on the banks of the Cuyahoga, where
his son Darwin was born, September 11, 1805.

He availed himself of such facilities for learning as the
country afforded. 1822-23 he spent some time in the
academy in Warren. Afterward, in company with his
friend, Bro. Zeb Rudolph, yet surviving, he took a course
of study in language and the Bible, to fit himself for
preaching.

He found a congenial companion in every good sense,
and for every good purpose, in Miss Harriet Clapp, daugh-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE, 243

ter of Judge Orris Clapp, of Mentor, whose family are
known as widely as the cause of the reformation.

When the church of Mantua was formed, Bro. At water
was appointed its elder. The history of the church from
that day was the history of Bro. Atwater. Other elders
there have been — and good ones — yet the uniformity of
his life, his undeviating devotion, his high and consistent
manliness and superiority of judgment, gave him an undis-
puted pre-eminence in the church, and wherever his noble
qualities had legitimate exercise.

Few men ever lived among us who understood better
the gospel of Christ. Though conducting successfully a
large farm, his study of the Scripture was constant, thor-
ough, and unremitting. In the earlier part of his life he
gave considerable time to preaching, and all his life the
church received much of his attention. As a speaker he
was slow, but his speech was so candid and so seasoned
with good sense and godly counsel that it was always
profitable.

He died on Wednesday, the 28th of May; was buried
Friday, the 30th. Bro. A. B. Green preached on the oc-
casion to the largest assembly ever convened on such an
occasion in the town. The preacher was much weighed
down, saying to me afterward, '*I felt as though I was
preaching the funeral of my own father.'*

His first family consisted of three sons and one daugh-
ter. The sons are all preachers and holding important
positions. His daughter Mary is Mrs. Neely, lately among
the freedmen in Alabama, now of North Carolina. She
was, through distance, denied the sad privilege of mingling
her tears with the family at the burial. The others came,
but some of them too late to have the coffin-lid lifted to
behold his face in death.

Bro. Atwater died within twenty rods of the spot where
he was born. The home virtues were pre-eminent. Such
a home ! And such generous hospitality ! For much

244 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

more than forty years the welcome guest has bathed at his
fountain and been refreshed, equally at his table and by
his Christian, hospitable welcome.

Many years ago he lost the faithful wife of his youth.
Another was given to him, who let not down the standard
of home virtues and comforts He married the second
daughter of the beloved Marcus Bosworth, Mrs. Betsy W.
Treudley, whose children found a home and counsel invalu-
able to them. About eighteen years the new went on so
steadily and uniformly, it seemed but the first continued —
not two families ; one continued, unbroken chain of affec-
tion through all.

Hiram.

The history of the church of disciples in Hiram is
so intimately interwoven with that of its first and
long its only elder, Bro. Symonds Ryder, that we shall
follow the thread of his life in giving this history to
our readers. In doing this, we shall draw freely from
the biographical sermon delivered by Pres't B. A.
Hinsdale, of Hiram College, on the occasion of the
funeral of Mr. Ryder, August 3, 1870, slightly abridg-
ing some paragraphs. We do this with the more
pleasure, as in the discourse Pres 't Hinsdale gives in
its true light, the " momentary tripping " of Bro. Ry-
der, with the correct explanation of his deviation ; a
circumstance, which, at the time it occurred, as I dis-
tinctly remember, created a marvel of astonishment
in the minds of the disciples and of all who knew
the manly consistency of his character. This dis-
course repeats a few facts already recorded, but in
such connection that the repetition will be fresh.
The length of the sermon will not be considered ob-
jectionable, in view of the valuable lessons which it
impresses from the life of the man of whom it speaks.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 245

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF SYMONDS RYDER.

A FUNERAL SERMON PREACHED IN HIRAM, O., AUG. 3, 1870.

BY B. A. HINSOALB.

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace ; thou shalt be buried in a good old
age. Gen. xv : 15.

Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in, in
his season. Job v : 20.

Nothing has occurred in the history of this community
for many years so fertile in suggestion, as the event which
has called us together.

Here lies one who has attained to the age of nearly
eighty years — who was but three years younger than the
American Government. Not many men are left to us
whose recollections go back to the closing years of the
great life of Washington — to the time when Adams, Jef-
ferson, and Hamilton, were in the fullness of their strength ;
not many who read in the newspapers the history of the
wars of the French Revolution ; not many are the lives
that have spanned the eventful period reaching from the
time when the first Napoleon was an unknown subaltern in
the French army, to the time when the third Napoleon is
marshaling his troops for the great struggle with Germany.

The man whom we bury to-day was an object of interest
in himself. He was no ordinary man ; his was no tame
or common life. What he was in himself, the relation in
which he so long stood to this community, and especially
to this church, make the present an occasion of unusual
interest and solemnity.

His Early History.

Symonds Ryder was born in Hartford, Windsor County,
Vermont, on the 20th of November, 1792. He was of

246 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Puritan stock, being a lineal descendant of a Ryder who
came over in the Mayflower. His father, who had moved
from Cape Cod to Vermont, was a man of considerable
influence and property. The decay of his father^ s fortune
threw young Symonds wholly upon his own resources. At
the age of fifteen he entered the service of Elijah Mason,
the father of Carnot and John Mason, long citizens of
this town ; the fether, also, of Mrs. Charles Raymond and
Mrs. Zeb Rudolph, who are present with us to-day. So
soon as he had attained his majority, having served Mason
six years, Ryder started for the West. His entire prop-
erty consisted of the clothes he wore, the horse he rode,
and a little money in pocket — all together amounting to
one hundred and thirty-three dollars. It is worth remark-
ing that he passed through the village of Buffalo on the
28th of December, 181 3, the evening before it was burned
by the British. The next day the fleeing population over-
took him, while yet in sight of their burning homes. He
arrived in Hiram, January 6, 18 14. He purchased some
land, and set to work to create a home in the forest. In
the winter of 1814-15, he returned to Vermont.

Gathering the family about him, he started a second
time for the West; now to plant his father and mother,
brothers and sisters, in the new home which he had par-
tially prepared for them. Here, in due time, the Ryder
family found themselves in Hiram, surrounded by the wil-
derness, surrounded too, by old acquaintances ; for Hiram
was a Vermont colony.

In his efforts to restore the fortunes of his family, he
was supported by his younger brother, Jason, long a dea-
con of the church.

In 1818, he married Mehetabel Loomis, who struggled
up the rugged steeps of life side by side with him for more
than fifty years ; who survives her husband, and is here to-
day to weep over his bier.

In the early history of Hiram, he was, perhaps, the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 24/

best educated man in the township, and was, of course,
well fitted for the public duties which his townsmen called
him to discharge.

His Religious Life.

His early teachings and impressions of religion were of
the severe puritanical sort which prevailed in New England
during the last century. His nature was susceptible to re-
ligious ideas, and he recognized the necessity of religion
as a conservative influence on society.

One of the oldest churches of the Mahoning Association
was the Church of Bethesda, in Nelson, Portage County,
founded in 1808. The reformed views effected a lodg-
ment among the members of this church early in 1824,
and after a series of struggles to reconcile differences of
opinion on the question of creeds, and on some points of
doctrine, seventeen members were excommunicated for
heresy. The heretics represented the largest share of the
intelligence and piety of the Bethesda Church ; moreover,
but eight votes were cast for the exscinding resolution.
They were citizens of Nelson, Hiram, and Mantua ; and
being devoted to the Bible and the religion of the New
Testament, they met successively for worship on Lord's
days in these townships. In those meetings they studied
the Word, and strengthened each other by prayer and ex-
hortation. There was at first no man among them of suf-
ficient age and experience in public speaking to warrant
his election to the office of Elder or Overseer. But Dar-
win Atw^iter, John Rudolph and his two sons, John and
Zeb, (and we have reason for gratulation that the first one
and last two are with us to-day), were leading members.
The little band continued to meet and increase in num-
bers, though without any regular and formal organization.
They were occasionally visited by evangelists and preach-
ers, who had adopted the advanced views of Campbell
and Scott, whose preaching, together with the reading of

248 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the '^Christian Baptist/* kept them informed of the prog-
ress of the new movement.

In June, 1828, Bosworth preached in Hiram. Symonds
Ryder heard the sermon, and at its conclusion, called Zeb
Rudolph aside, and asked his opinion of the views sub-
mitted. The subject was briefly talked over, and they
agreed to meet on the following Saturday to consider the
matter further. It is worth remarking, however, that at
this interview he expressed himself as being better satis-
fied with this presentation of the gospel than with any
other that he had heard. Suffice it to say, it presented
something tangible to the hearer, and appealed powerfully
to the objective mind.

On the Saturday appointed, it so happened that Thomas
Campbell was to preach in Mantua, and on his way to the
meeting Rudolph called on his friend Ryder early in the
morning. He found him with the New Testament in his
hand, studying the theme of Bosworth's discourse. On
the following day Ryder went to hear Mr. Campbell, who
preached in the barn of Jotham Atwater. The vener-
able preacher read the two first chapters of Genesis and
the last chapter of Revelations — chapters which give the
history of the creation of man, and an account of the
New Jerusalem. He then remarked — holding the inter-
vening portion of the Bible between his thin hands — that
had it not been for sin there would have been no need
for any other revelation than the three chapters he had
read ; all the rest was to unfold the scheme of redemption.
He said that in his earlier years he had often wished he
had lived in the days of the Jews, that he might offer his
sacrifice at the altar, and know by the direct assurance of
God that his offering was accepted. Then, quoting from
the sixth of Jeremiah the words: *' Stand ye in the ways,
and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way,
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls," he
proceeded to unfold the law of Pardon as taught in the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 249

gospel, and concluded with an invitation to sinners to
obey. Before the first line of the hymn was sung through,
Symonds Ryder went forward to confess his Master, and
the same day was baptized in the Cuyahoga River by
Reuben Ferguson, of Windham.

The accession to the cause of a man of Symonds Ry-
der's age, influence, and force of character was the signal
for a more systematic organization ; and before one year
had elapsed, the hitherto floating band of worshipers was
divided into two churches. One of these was the Man-
tua church, at Mantua; the other the Hiram-Nelson, at
Hiram. Of the Hiram church, Bro. Ryder was chosen
and ordained the first overseer. This church continued
to maintain its joint character till 1835, when the Nelson
element withdrew and formed a separate organization at
Garrettsville. So far as I have been able to ascertain, the
Mantua and Hiram-Nelson churches were the first which
were established in this part of the Western Reserve dis-
tinctly and avowedly on the basis of the Bible alone.

From the moment Bro. Ryder obeyed the gospel, he
expressed himself satisfied with the views taught by the
Disciples on all points save one. He read in the New
Testament of the gift of the Holy Spirit; and, in his mind,
it was in some way associated with the laying on of hands,
and with some special spiritual illumination. The words,
^* These signs shall follow them that believe,*' seemed to
him not yet to have been comprehended or realized. For
years, this mystery of the Word was the subject of fre-
quent thought and conversation. I have been careful to
state this fact, because it furnishes the key to a remarkable
episode in his life.

In the latter part of 1830, the founders of Mormonism
began to effect a lodgment in northern Ohio. Sidney
Rigdon, a preacher among the Disciples, of great elo-
quence and power, had joined them, and commenced
preaching their doctrine. Whatever we may say of the

250 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

moral character of the author of Mormonism, it can not
be denied that Joseph Smith was a man of remarkable
power — over others. Added to the stupendous claim of
supernatural power, conferred by the direct gift of God,
he exercised an almost magnetic power — an irresistible
fascination — over those with whom he came in contact.
Ezra Booth, of Mantua, a Methodist preacher of much
more than ordinary culture, and with strong natural abili-
ties, in company with his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, and
some other citizens of this place, visited Smith at his
home in Kirtland, in 1831. Mrs. Johnson had been af-
flicted for some time with a lame arm, and was not at the
time of the visit able to lift her hand to her head. The
party visited Smith partly out of curiosity, and partly to
see for themselves what there might be in the new doc-
trine. During the interview, the conversation turned on
the subject of supernatural gifts, such as were conferred in
the days of the apostles. Some one said, ^'Here is Mrs.
Johnson with a lame arm; has God given any power to
men now on the earth to cure her ? ' * A few moments
later, when the conversation had turned in another direc-
tion, Smith rose, and walking across the room, taking Mrs.
Johnson by the hand, said in the most solemn and im-
pressive manner : ** WomaUy in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, I command thee to be whole y^ and immediately left
the room.

The company were awe-stricken at the infinite presump-
tion of the man, and the calm assurance with which he
spoke. The sudden mental and moral shock — I know not
how better to explain the well attested fact — electrified
the rheumatic arm — Mrs. Johnson at once lifted it up with
ease, and on her return home the next day she was able
to do her washing without difficulty or pain.

In addition to this striking occurrence the Mormon Bi-
ble professed to be a continuation of the revelations which
God had made to the Jews and their descendants. Two

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 25 1

questions of great historic interest, which appealed strongly
to the imagination of all students of sacred and profane
history, it professedly solved. It gave a history of the
lost tribes of Israel ; and it accounted for the red men of
the new world, the mound-builders of Mexico, and of the
great valley of the Mississippi. The revelations made to
these wandering Israelites, it was claimed, had been pre-
served for the saints of the latter day, who should inhabit
the new wilderness of the West, and upon whom God
would pour out his Spirit in fullness and power. Ezra
Booth became a convert and an elder. May, 1831. Com-
ing to Hiram in the same month, he attended church, and
at the conclusion of Elder Ryder's sermon, sought and
obtained permission to make an address, in which he
stated in the strong, clear language of impassioned enthu-
siasm, the ground of his new faith, and the inspiring
hopes which it gave him. A deep impression was made
upon the minds of many who heard him. Elder Ryder
was himself staggered; and ^* lest haply he should be found
even to fight against God,** he sat in silence, neither ap-
proving nor disapproving. Determined, however, to
know the truth and follow it wherever it might lead, he
made a journey to Kirtland, and heard for himself. On
his return, he seemed for a short time to have rejected
the claims of Mormonism ; but in the month of June, he
read in a newspaper an account of the destruction of Pe-
kin, in China, and he remembered that six weeks before,
a young Mormon girl had predicted the destruction of
that city. Shortly after this, he openly professed his ad-
hesion to the Mormon faith ; but he and Ezra Booth, who
were most intimate friends, promised that they would faith-
fully aid each other in discerning the truth or the falsity
of the new doctrine.

Booth was soon commissioned to go to Missouri to ex-
plore the new land of promise, and lay the foundations
of the new Zion. Ryder was informed, that by special

252 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

revelation he had been appointed and commissioned an
elder of the Mormon church. His commission came, and
he found his name misspelled. Was the Holy Spirit so
fallible as to fail even in orthography? Beginning with
this challenge, his strong, incisive mind and honest heart
were brought to the task of re-examining the ground on
which he stood. His friend Booth had been passing
through a similar experience, on his pilgrimage to Mis-
souri, and, when they met about the ist of September,
1 83 1, the first question which sprang from the lips of each
was — ^^How is your faith ?^^ and the first look into each
other's faces, gave answer that the spell of enchant-
ment was broken, and the delusion was ended. They
turned from the dreams they had followed for a few
months, and found more than ever before, that the re-
ligion of the New Testament was ''the shadow of a great
rock in a weary land.'* A large number of the citizens
of Hiram had given in their adhesion to the doctrines of
Smith and Rigdon, but the efforts of Ryder and Booth
went far to stay the tide, and lead back those who had
been swept away on its current.

It may seem strange that a man of Father Ryder's
strong mind and honest heart, could even temporarily
have fallen into the Mormon delusion. Let us not fail to
remember, however, that Mormonism in northern Ohio,
in 1 83 1, was a very different thing from Mormonism in
Utah, in 1870. It then gave no sign of the moral abom-
ination which is now its most prominent characteristic.
Besides, it was a formative period in religious history :
new ideas were fermenting in the minds of men ; and,
considering the facts before stated, it is not inexplicable
that so strong a nature should have given way to the fa-
naticism. It is greatly to his credit that he so soon dis-
covered its true character, and had the honesty to say to
the community that he had been deluded. He did not,
like so many others who found that their faith had been

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 253

trifled with, renounce religion. He immediately returned
to the church, but in contrition and meekness. His con-
duct showed plainly that he felt he had in some degree
forfeited the confidence of the brethren. Had he been
repelled as an apostate, his heart might have broken, or
he might have drifted off into godlessness. But the
brethren treated him kindly — he regained confidence,
took his old place in the church, and labored for its wel-
fare with increased energy. Counting from the date of
his election as overseer, for a full third of a century he
was the strong tower of the church — its defender, teacher,
preacher, and, till 1852, its only elder. In addition to
his work in Hiram, he labored extensively in other fields.
He was well known to most of the churches in north-east-
ern Ohio.

His Later Life and Relations to the Hiram Church.

Here the facts are less striking, and they must be
passed over in silence. They are familiar to many of you.
You remember the giving way of his constitution — his
retirement from public duty — his confinement at home —
his terrible suffering from disease — his happy faith — his
triumphant and blessed death.

Here I should speak more particularly of Father Ryder's
relations to the church, especially with reference to one
point. As he was an influential citizen at the time of his
conversion, he was justly regarded as an important acqui-
sition to the cause. He took from the beginning, the
leading position. The brethren were few in number, and
poor in goods. He served the church, as was his duty,
with little or no reward. The more the church grew,
the more it seemed to need him. He was first the eldest
brother, then the father, finally the patriarch. What fol-
lowed was natural : he did too much for the church ; the
church did too little for themselves. Their sense of sat-
isfied dependence, together with his thrifty maxims, led

254 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

to illiberal contributions for the support of the gospel,
and to inefficient business management. A mistake was
made, into which almost all the old churches fell: no
suitable provision was made for a new and different age.
The church failed to discern the signs of the times. He,
too, failed to discern them ; or discerning them, gave no
warning ; or, the warning being given, it was not heeded.
At all events, the church was not educated up to the
wants of the coming time, and its force is weakened, and
its usefulness impaired to this hour.

His Character.

I pass on to present a hastily prepared analysis of his
character. I shall seek to speak of him as he was. This
is the only course he would approve if he could be con-
sulted ; for he was of the Cromwellian class, whose motto
is, ^^ Paint me as I amJ*^

First of all, his physical constitution.

His large frame, powerful muscular organization, and
great power of endurance, furnished the physical basis of
his long and laborious life. If this were, as is sometimes
falsely charged, an age of physical degeneracy, it were the
more worth remarking that Father Ryder never could
have done his work as a citizen and a Christian without
his great vital power. The picture of him that I shall
carry through life is the one which he stamped upon my
mind when he was about sixty years of age. I was then
a young student, and he alternated with the principal of
the school in the preaching. I remember him as he
stood in this pulpit — rather in the pulpit in the midst of
whose ashes this pulpit was reared — hale of body and vig-
orous of mind, scourging popular errors and follies, and
exhorting to righteousness, temperance, and preparation
for the judgment to come. It seemed that nature had
stored up in his strong body force enough to supply the
vital mechanism for a century. He lived, indeed, to a

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 255

good old age. Nevertheless, I find myself asking, why
did he not attain to the age of one hundred years? Two
facts area sufficient answer to the question. He was one
of the most laborious men of that generation which bore
off upon its broad shoulders, as Sampson did the gates of
Gaza, the heavy forest which covered this land — the gen-
eration that made possible that home in which we live to-
day— the generation which performed the most wonderful
work of the kind that history has witnessed ; for in no
age, and in no country, has the face of nature been so
suddenly transformed as in the Northern States of the
American Union. He was also identified with a religious
work, somewhat akin to the other, and no whit less labor-
ious. To this he gave his time, his energy, and, no doubt
several years of natural expectancy of life. If the pion-
eers gave us the homes in which we dwell, no less did
these pioneers of religious reform give us the churches in
which we worship.

In the second place, his menial characteristics.

Father Ryder's mind, also, was organized on a large
plan. He lacked only the discipline of study and the cul-
ture of the schools, to fit him for prominence in any com-
munity where the fortunes of life might have called him.
I say he lacked only these; for his logical cast of mind,
great common sense, and simplicity of character would
have fortified him against the warpings and effeminacy
which the schools sometimes engender. I have mentioned
his logical cast of mind. Every thing was brought to the
test of reason and common sense. His own life was ruled
by his judgment, not by his sentiments or emotions.
Besides, his mind was eminently honest and practical.
He followed the convictions of his reason ; he brought
things to the test of utility.

He had no confidence in sensational religion, or in sen-
sational preaching. He feared the influence on the
church of high religious excitement. "Let us have no

256 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

excitement here! '* he cried, almost in the tone of com-
mand, when in a great congregation that throbbed with
religious feeling, one of his sons came to confess Christ.
'^Let us have no excitement here,*' and the tension of
his own frame, and the tears that coursed down his
cheeks, showed how deeply he was himself moved. If he
allowed the logical faculty to reign too absolutely in the
realm of religion — as was no doubt true — it must be re-
membered that this was a natural result of his own mental
constitution, and of his early religious training. The
practical character of his mind was also seen in his preach-
ing. In his preaching he was in the habit of dealing with
a class of themes that receive too little attention in the
pulpit. He brought religion into the store, the shop, the
field, the granary, and the kitchen. He thought it had
something to do with the manufacture of wagons, the
weighing of sugar, the measuring of grain, the cording of
wood. Industry, economy, honest dealing, the obliga-
tion to pay debts when due — those old-fashioned virtues
formed the theme of constant discourse. A very compe-
tent judge has expressed the opinion that the marked
honesty and thrift of the citizens of Hiram are largely due
to his teachings and example. Here again, in his later
years, he no doubt committed some excesses. His mind
revolted at the exhibition of what he thought the extrava-
gance, wastefulness, indolence, and recklessness of the
new generation, and his honest nature poured itself out in
warning and rebuke. No doubt he exaggerated the vices
of the new time ; but much of his admonition was called
for, and the remainder can be pardoned when we remem-
ber that it is a rare occurrence for one to see and under-
stand two generations.

In the third place, his moral and religious character.
The basis of his moral character was integrity. So far
as known to me, no man has ever charged him with a de-
flection from the strict line of right. He never had a law-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 257

suit in his life; dying, he leaves no enemy. This was
largely owing to the fact that he always so regulated his
life that he could be straightforward and honest. He
never allowed the situation to become his master. He
was so careful in making contracts; so wary of promising
when it was questionable whether he could perform; so
prompt in meeting his engagements, that it was always
easy for him to be upright and honest. He understood
thoroughly that it is possible for a man to commit him-
self to a logic of events that is sure to embarrass and per-
haps destroy him. A fact will illustrate this characteris-
tic: For several years he was the Treasurer of the
College. For a man in his circumstances at that time,
this was a very considerable responsibility. He carried
the institution money in one end of a wallet, his own in
the other. He never used the College-funds in his own
business; never changed a large bill in one end for smaller
ones of equal value in the other. Most men will smile at
this refinement of scrupulousness ; but let me say to all —
especially to the young men present — this sort of men
never become unknown debtors to the money-drawers of
their employers, or defaulters to the public treasury.

To sum up in a few words, Symonds Ryder had character.
He did not drift on the current ; he set currents in mo-
tion. He did not rest on the sentiment of the commu-
nity ; he formed sentiment for the community. He was
not the creature of circumstances ; he made them bow to
him. As a citizen and a Christian, he had root in him-
self. Of course he had a will ; a man of his stamp always
has; without it, character is impossible. His will may
have run into excess ; no doubt it did ; but it was the in-
evitable play of a powerful and indispensable faculty. A
man who was never firm even to obstinacy, never plain
even to severity, never truthful even to unkindness, could
not have done his work.

22

258 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The Lesson of his Life.

There is one lesson still to be gleaned. So long a life
has a sermon in itself: Tlie duty of living for old age.

History teaches us that the average of human life is
lengthening. Nor are we left in doubt as to the reason :
fevers are becoming less frequent and less murderous;
plagues do not desolate cities as in the middle ages ; men
wear better clothing, live in better houses, eat better
food; in a word, they live more as God intended they
should live. In the Bible an abundance of old men is
made an evidence of peace and prosperity — a sign of
God's presence with his people. '* There shall yet old men
dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his
staff in his hand for very age.*' This language points to
contentment, peace, and godliness. *' Behold the days

come that there shalt not be an old man in

thine house forever. * * This points to scenes of violence,
bloodshed, and sin. Intemperance, lust, ungoverned pas-
sion, consume the oil that should fill the lamp of life; in-
dustry, temperance, godliness, feed the flame. '' The fear
of the Lord prolongeth days ; but the years of the wicked
are shortened.'* *'For as the days of a tree are the days
of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work
of their hands.'* Accordingly, '^ Godliness is profitable
unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and
that which is to come." Hence the relative number of
old men in any community is a good measure of that com-
munity's physical, mental, and moral health.

''The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in
the way of righteousness." This is a description of the
old age of the father whom to-day we commit to his rest.
We do not weep or shed unnecessary tears; we rejoice
that he lived so long, and lived so well. His usefulness
was past. The age was calling for a different type of
men, when increasing infirmities compelled him to retire

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 259

from the field. We judge him by his generation — not by
ours. He has gone to his father's in peace ; he is buried
in a good old age. He has come to his grave in full age,
like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. God grant
that we may do our work as well as he did his ; then we
may go to our graves in equal peace.

This church has never been subject to much accel-
eration or retardation in its movements, another ex-
ample of the leading authority in a community gov-
erning and moderating the tendencies of the people.
Constantly and faithfully supplied with home talent,
it has suffered few fluctuations. The brethren here
have received accessions to their numbers at various
times, from the labors of most or all the preachers
who for a period of thirty years were the stay of the
churches. In the founding of the Eclectic Institute,
the church and community in Hiram proffered a
larger donation for establishing it than was offered
by any other of the seven contestants for the loca-
tion ; nearly every dollar of which was paid. And
during the twenty-four years of its life, this com-
munity has responded liberally from time to time to
its necessities.

Soon after the Institute was established, A. S.
Hayden was elected co-elder with Bro. Ryder, and
preached in alternation with him during the seven
years of his connection with the Institute. Since
that time brethren Perry Reno and Hartwell Ryder
have presided as elders. Bro. E. H. Hawley served
the church one year as elder and pastor. At pres-
ent, Bro. B. A. Hinsdale, is employed as elder and
preacher. Brethren Jason Ryder and Erastus Young

26o EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

have long served as the faithful deacons of the
church.

The Church in Garrettsville.

In 183s, the members increasing, a new church
arose in Garrettsville. The veteran " Father Ru-
dolph " and his family, Bro. Hunt, Isaac Mead, and
the brethren Noah were principal members. John
Henry and William Hayden were early helpers. In
July, 1838, a meeting was conducted by J. Hartzel
and M. Bosworth, which imparted great strength to
the cause, and added eleven souls. The church
flourished for several years under the charge of Bro.
Zeb Rudolph, with John Rudolph, Jr. and Michael
Pifer as deacons. Bro. H. Brockett held some meet-
ings with marked success ; also AUerton, Hubbard,
Moss, Green, and most of the proclaimers of the
Word.

The brethren built a good house for meetings,
which was formally dedicated by Bro. J. Hartzel and
A. S. Hayden.

The congregation prospered for about twenty
years ; till by removals and death it was so reduced
that the meetings were closed, and the meeting-
house eventually was sold.

Origin and Establishment of the Eclectic
Institute.

Hiram College flourished seventeen years under
the title of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute.

In tracing the earliest impulses in which the school
arose, it may be sufficient to state that several men
seemed to be impressed nearly simultaneously with

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE 26l

the necessity for it. A. S. Hayden had been for
years corresponding with leading members of the
church in North-eastern Ohio, on the advantages to
the cause of Christ of such a work ; fixing his
thought, however, on a school for qualifying preach-
ers of the gospel for their duties. His brother, Wm.
Hayden, entered fully into his views, and promised
liberal pecuniary assistance.

The first direct practical suggestion for realizing
these views, is due to the late A. L. Soule, Esq.,
then of Russell. At the yearly meeting in Russell,
June, 1849, he proposed that the matter be stated pub-
licly, and a call be made for all who were interested
to meet at his residence on Monday morning of the
meeting, to take the subject under consideration. It
was agreed that A. S. Hayden should make the state-
ment and present the call for this meeting.

On Monday morning, June 12th, at eight o'clock,
there was a full meeting of the councillors of the
church. There were present : A. Bentley, Wm.
Hayden, A. L. Soule, Myron Soule, Benj. Soule,
Anson Matthews, Zeb Rudolph, A. S. Hayden, W.

A. Lillie, Alanson Baldwin, E. Williams, F. Will-
iams, E. B. Violl, M. J. Streator, W. A. Belding, A.

B. Green, and many others. A. L. Soule was ap-
pointed chairman, and A. S. Hayden, secretary.
The movement was unanimously approved, and a
resolution was passed to take steps immediately for
founding such a school as was in contemplation. The
secretary was instructed to prepare and send to the
churches an address stating the object in view, and
inviting delegates to a future meeting in which the
views of the people might be fully ascertained.

262 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

At this meeting, which was held in Bloomfield
at the yearly meeting, the last of August, the
same year, the response of the people was unani-
mous and decided in favor of the project ; and a call
was issued for delegates to meet at Ravenna the
next October, for maturing plans to accomplish it.

This adjourned meeting assembled in Ravenna,
Wednesday, October 3, 1849. ^^' J- P- Robison was
chosen chairman, and A. S. Hayden, secretary. It
was found that there was a general interest in the
enterprise. The delegates discussed various ques-
tions relating to it, one of which was the grade or
rank of the contemplated institution. Two classes
of views were represented there. Some proposed
the founding of a college, asserting our ability to
create an institution of that grade; others were in
favor of establishing a school of high grade, but not
to clothe it at first with collegiate powers. Those
latter views prevailed, and the sense of the conven-
tion was expressed nearly unanimously in a resolu-
tion to that effect.

This meeting appointed five of its members a del-
egation to visit all places which solicited the location
of the school, to investigate and compare the grounds
of their respective claims, and to report at the next
delegate meeting, when the question of location was
to be decided. This delegation consisted of Aaron
Davis, Zeb Rudolph, B. F. Perky, Wm. Richards,
and .

No fewer than seven towns came in as petitioners
for it, viz. : North Bloomfield, Newton Falls, Hiram,
Shalersville, Aurora, Russell, and Bedford. The
members of the delegation were sound and discern-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 263

ing men. They performed their duty faithfully, and
prepared an able report. Much interest was awak-
ened on the question of location, and many awaited
with anxious expectation the decision of that ques-
tion. The next convention met in Aurora, Tuesday,
November 7th. Thirty-one delegates from as many
churches were in attendance ; also many other
friends of the enterprise, whose presence testified
their great interest in the subject. The meeting or-
ganized by appointing Dr. J. P. Robison, chairman,
(J. G. Coleman presiding part of the time,) and A. S.
Hayden, secretary.

The whole day was spent in hearing and discuss-
ing the report of the visiting delegation, and in set-
tling the plan of procedure. The balloting occupied
much of the night. After thirteen ballotings, the
choice resulted in favor of Hiram. The last vote
stood ten for Russell and seventeen for Hiram, four
delegates having returned home before the final vote
was taken.

The convention adjourned to meet in Hiram, De-
cember 20th.

This meeting at Hiram was the last delegate as-
sembly. It elected a board of twelve trustees, viz. :
George Pow, Samuel Church, Aaron Davis, Isaac
Errett, Carnot Mason, Zeb Rudolph, Symonds Ry-
der, J. A. Ford, Kimball Porter, William Hayden,
Frederick Williams, and A. S. Hayden; and ap-
pointed Charles Brown, Isaac Errett, and A. S. Hay-
den, a committee to draft a charter for the school.
This committee, with the assistance of Judge King,
of Warren, prepared the charter, which, with a few
slight changes, received the approval of the Board.

264 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The name of the institution, Western Reserve Ec-
lectic Institute, was suggested by Isaac Errett.
The provision in the charter that the Holy Scrip-
tures shall forever be taught in the institution as
the foundation of all true liberty, and of all moral
obligation, was inserted on motion of Wm. Hayden.
He strongly urged that this must ever be the char-
acteristic dignity of this institution, the perpetual
safeguard of social happiness, benign government,
and religious freedom. The charter was forwarded
by A. Udall, Esq., to the hands of Hon. George
Sheldon, of Mantua, who then represented Portage
County in the legislature, through whom it re-
ceived the sanction of legislative enactment, March
I, 1851.

The corporators met in Hiram the same month,
and, in anticipation of the confirmation of the char-
ter, they appointed the following gentlemen a build-
ing committee, viz. : Jason Ryder, Carnot Mason,
Alvah Udall, Zeb RudolpH, and Pelatiah Allyn, Jr.
At the same time Wm. Hayden was appointed a so-
liciting agent to procure funds for the building.
They also purchased of Thos. F. Young, Esq.,
grounds for the school, at the center of Hiram. In
the midst of that beautiful plateau of about eight acres
the edifice of the Eclectic Institute was erected.

On the 27th of November, which had been an-
nounced as the day for opening — a full suite of
rooms was ready for the reception students.

At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees the
position of Principal was unanimously tendered to
A. S. Hayden, of East Cleveland. He accepted the
position for five years, not doubting that in that time

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 265 *

the institution would be firmly established, and permit
him to return to his chosen life work of preaching
thf gospel. This period of five years was extended
to seven, when his original purpose to retire was
fulfilled in his resignation, June, 1857. At the same
meeting the Board unanimously elected Thos. Mun-
nell, an honorable graduate of Bethany College, to
the chair of ancient languages. Mrs. Phebe Drake
was called to be Principal of the primary department.
With these teachers, on the 27th of November,
1850, the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute com-
menced its career. Eighty-four students were en-
rolled the first day.

The natal day of the Eclectic was celebrated by
a meeting of the trustees, friends of the institution
from abroad, and of the citizens of Hiram, held in
the meeting-house. Able addresses were delivered
by Wm. Hayden, A. B. Green, J. H. Jories, and
others, upon the principles and objects of the school.
The speakers, proclaimed it the completion of long
cherished purposes, the realization of many anxieties
and hopes. It was the accomplishment of a fact
which would centralize our labors, quicken our hopes,
and animate our pleadings for the gospel. This hill,
it was predicted, would yet become a Minerva, a
center and source of light, of literature, and of re-
finement. From this place would go forth men of
ample moral and mental growth, to fill stations of
honor and usefulness in all departments of social
life. The churches would send young men to gain
here the skill and power to plead the gospel, and to
lift up the cause of human redemption.

The students increased so rapidly that the cura-
23

266 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

tors were obliged to call, during the first term, the
assistance of C. D. Wilber who had just gone to
complete his course of study in Bethany College. A
few weeks after, Miss Almeda A. Booth was added
to the corps of instructors. The next term the influx
of patronage justified the Board in electing Norman
Dunshee to the chair of mathematics and modern
languages.

From this period the Institute has been before the
eyes of the public, and its history is in the hearts of
thousands of admiring students, who have from time
to time enjoyed the benefits of its moral instruction
and intellectual culture.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 267

CHAPTER XII.

The cause planted in Sharon — Four evangelists in the field — The
church in Hubbard — John Applegate — Bazetta receives the
word — Biography of Calvin Smith.

IN Sharon, on the Shenango, over the border in
Pennsylvania, was a church under Baptist col-
ors. It was constituted in 1804, with twenty-eight
members. In 1806, it sent Thomas G. Jones, A.
Bentley, then young, Jesse Hall, John Morford and
Ed. Wright, as messengers to the Red Stone Asso-
ciation, in Brooke County, Va. In 18 14, Isaiah Jones,
the father of our J. H. Jones, appears as its messen-
ger. For a few years before the principles of reform-
ation made a stir, this church had associated with
those on the Western Reserve. The elements in it
were not harmoniously blended. The family of Mc-
Cleery had emigrated from Tubbermore, Ireland,
where they had profited by the instructions of that
profound teacher, Alexander Carson. Holding clear
views of the Bible, they responded promptly to the
call for setting the churches in order, according to
New Testament usages. The father, John McCleery,
to venerable years added intelligence and decision.
His sons, George, a preacher, and Hugh, a genial,
and also an influential member, and others of the
same enterprising family, were awake to the reform-
atory movement which was making conquests in all
quarters. The opposition was aroused to prevent

268 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the spread of these new doctrines ; but these breth-
ren plead for the justice of a fair hearing of them,
before they should be condemned. Hugh McCleery
went to Warren for Bentley and Scott, who were
soon on the ground, and who preached in Sharon the
same gospel which began in Jerusalem eighteen hun-
dred years ago. The same results followed ; for
*' those who gladly received the word were baptized ; "
and had the church been the same as that at Jerusa-
lem, it might have been said, " and the same day they
were added " to the church. But the church utterly
refused them admittance, because they had not come
before the members, told a " Christian experience,"
and been accepted by a vote of the church. Bentley
had already gone, and Scott left them immediately
after these conversions. Elder Thomas Campbell
then came, but all his influence for reconciHation was
unavailing. He wrote to the church a very concilia-
tory letter, deprecating division, and beseeching them
to shelter the lambs. The reply was a stern refusal.
Meanwhile, the time arrived for the " June meeting **
of the Baptists, to assemble in Sharon. Scott and
Bentley had returned, but the hostility was now so
bitter that these three excellent and venerable minis-
ters, as also all who sympathized with them, were
expressly refused admittance into their meeting-house.
The excitement in the community was running high,
and Daniel Budd, Esq., a reputable gentleman, fitted
up his barn and opened it to the reformers, where,
on Saturday, Sunday ^nd Monday, they proclaimed,
to a multitude of people, the ancient gospel, which
had filled the Roman Empire with its conquests be-
fore any of the modern sects arose. On Monday, the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 269

fourth one in June, 1829, on the bank of the river,
after the baptism of some converts, was formed the
church of Christ in Sharon. They were forced to
this step, after much persevering effort to prevent
a separation. Seventeen of the Baptist members
united then, and more soon afterward. About thirty
were that day enrolled with devout invocations by
these three brethren, for blessings upon them from
the Head of the church. George Bentley, Bashara
Hull, with their families, and the McCleery family,
were in the newly organized church.

The declared policy of the old church was non-in-
tercourse. A resolution was passed excluding the
wives of Benjamin Reno and James Morford, for
breaking the loaf with the disciples. The former,
who was a deacon, arose and protested against such
an unchristian act, and announced his withdrawal
from their fellowship. Morford, a deacon and clerk,
laid down his pen, his office and his membership,
refusing to be a party to such a proceeding. Both
became pillars in the new organization. The church,
by resolution, excluded all who united with the dis-
ciples.

The new church had considerable talent in its mem-
bers ; and they were firm, zealous and united. Con-
verts were multiplied. Hayden came often among
them, as did Henry also, and the persuasive Bos-
worth. Applegate was near, and was quick to help.
Allerton visited them and brought in a large number.
And '* having obtained help from God '' through the
hands of many of his servants, they continue a pros-
perous brotherhood in Christ.

These brethren have done much for Christ. Two

2/0 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ministers have arisen among them, Prof. Amaziah
Hull, of Oscaloosa, Iowa, and J. B. McCleery, of
Kansas. Many of great usefulness in the West were
trained for their work in Sharon.

The association was appointed to meet in this
(Baptist) church in Sharon, August, 1829, little an-
ticipating the revolution which was to take place in it
before that time. When that body convened, it found
a new church, just organized on purely gospel grounds,
all alive and strong in faith, ready to give it welcome.
A very large and joyful meeting was the result. It
was attended by T. Campbell, Scott, Bentley, Hay-
den, Henry, Bosworth, Applegate, McCleery, and
many others. It kept no records ; nor did the great
one at Warren transmit any account of its transac-
tions. This was doubtless an error and a misfortune.

The reports from all parts of the field were highly
encouraging, and the association lelt called upon to
send out more reapers into the ripening fields. It
selected four brethren, Scott, of Canfield ; Hayden, of
Austintown ; Bentley of Warren ; and Bosworth of
Braceville ; all of Trumbull County ; and sent them
out under the seal of her sanction and authority to go
forth " to preach and teach Jesus Christ."

A System of Itineracy.

These four proclaimers formed for themselves, and
followed during the greater part of the years 1829-30,
a very complete and simple plan. It was understood
to be chiefly the work of William Hayden. The writer
of these notes, from an original sketch put into his
hands by him, prepared a copy of it for each of tHe
evangelists.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 2/1

A circuit was established, including sixteen stations
at convenient distances apart. It was arranged that
four of the places should have preaching every Lord^s
day ; and also, that in the course of a month each of
the sixteen places would be favored with a Lord's
day service. The other days of the week being also
employed, all of these posts had frequent preaching.

Several advantages resulted from this arrangement :

1. As the preachers followed one another in a reg-
ular and fixed order, the churches always knew who
was coming ;

2. They had regular times for the preaching and
knew when to expect it ; •

3. Each preacher knew, at any time, where each
one of the others was ;

4. It afforded a profitable variety of talent and in-
struction, giving to each community the benefit of all
the talents ;

5. It removed any grounds of dissatisfaction aris-
ing from the practice of limiting the more brilliant
speakers to the stronger communities, leaving to the
weaker places the less eligible gifts ; a practice which
has caused many a well begun opening to wither, and
forced many an honest and earnest worker out of the
field.

This scheme of " circuit preaching" pleased as long
as it lasted. But there was no general manager who,
as openings were made beyond these limits, could
** send forth more laborers into the vineyard." More-
over, the " laborers were few ; " consequently, as the
Macedonian cry came up from all quarters, by letters
and by messengers, it became impossible to confine
these evangelists. They could not resist these ap-

2/2 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

peals. Scott, somewhat erratic, distanced all bounds.
He was moved at beholding the whole country a prey
to sectarianism, and having the jewel of the *' ancient
gospel '* in his possession, he was confident it would
soon turn the whole mutilated and dismembered pro-
fession of Christianity back to the original apostolic
unity. So, like a hero dismantled of arrangements
which he felt to be an encumbrance, he flew where
the finger of God directed, and stirred the land with
the tidings of the gospel.

The others maintained their course for awhile.
But one after another they yielded to calls for help,
and so fell this first attempt at systematic order in
preaching the gospel.

The Church in Hubbard.

Jesse Hall, for more than fifteen years, had been a
member of the Baptist church in Sharon, Pa., and
though living about six miles distant he was a regu-
lar attendant. He was a man of unblemished char-
acter, of broad sense, zealous, and given to hospitality.
Such a man could scarcely fail to gather Christian
people around him. In the year 1820 a church, of
the same name and order, was formed at his residence
in Hubbard, in which himself, A. K. Cramer, Archi-
bald Price, Jam.es Price, Walter Clark and Silas Bur-
nett, with their families, were prominent members.
Jesse Hall was, by far, the most influential man in
this organization, and as deacon, he was the leader,
councillor and chief manager. For a considerable
time it was the ** church in his house." He was just
the man to welcome the ** Christian Baptist;" and
though he was very firm in purpose, the floods of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 2/3

light poured upon the world by that work revealed
to his penetrating mind, a Bible basis for the Church
of God not yet fully discovered by the rival sects of
Christendom. In 1828, when Walter Scott came
among them, as the evangelist of the association,
most of the members were prepared to receive him
warmly. His forcible preaching compelled a crisis,
and the whole church, eight or ten only excepted, dis-
carded the creed and the name of the party, and
adopted the New Covenant as the divinely appointed
basis of the church, with only such names as the New
Testament writers employ to describe the people of
God.

The church thus newly formed had about forty
members. Jesse Hall and John Applegate were ap-
pointed the overseers. They served with great fidelity
for about twenty-five years. Their successors were
Oliver Hart and Warren Burton. Orenous Hart
and David Waldruff have served the church in the
same capacity. And now, James Struble, H. Green
and A. K. Cramer, Jr., are the acting elders.

Under the efficient management of her ofificers the
church grew in grace and in numbers. The zeal of
the brotherhood knew no bounds. Applegate, under
the judicious counsels of his able co-elder, soon be-
came a preacher who, while he traveled much abroad,
served his own church in public instruction for at
least twenty years. But they were not stinted in
their views, and in the earlier days Hubbard gained
great renown for the victories in behalf of the truth
through their own prayers and activities, and the co-
operative labors of Scott, Bentley, Hayden, Henry,
Hartzel, Alton, Saunders, and both the Bosworths ;

274 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

and a little later, of John T. Smith, Brockett and
Perky. Bro. J. W. Lanphear is cherished for his
able defenses of the truth in that place. In after
times, W. T. Horner, William S. Winfield, Willard
Goodrich, Matthias Christy, Harmon Reeves, C. C.
Smith and J. A. Thayer have co-operated in extend-
ing and building up the church.

In August, 1837, the yearly meeting for Trumbull
County met in Hubbard. It was one of the largest
assemblies ever gathered on the Reserve. Preachers
and people came from far in those days, creating great
enthusiasm. To this one came Campbell, Bentley, the
Bosworths, Henry, Hartzel, G. W. Lucy, Applegate,
Clapp, Rudolph, J. J. Moss, and A. S. Hayden ; nearly
all of whom preached, exhorted, and held evening
meetings during the great occasion. There were thir-
teen converts.

Two years later, this church had an accession of
several members during a meeting in Youngstown,
conducted by A. Campbell. Among them were Jesse
Hall, Jr., Aaron Smith, James Struble, Moses Cole
and Jesse Hougland.

The growth of the church has been gradual. No
root of bitterness has ever sprung up to cause a divis-
ion. They began without any church property.
For a few years, they held meetings in a building
rather useful than costly, owned by the elder Jesse
Hall, and which he finally deeded to the trustees,
with the grounds belonging to it. Subsequently,
they erected on eligible grounds a permanent and
valuable edifice ; and with a present living member-
ship of one hundred and seventy five, the church in
Hubbard seems likely to pass from the present into

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE* 2/5

the hands of the next generation, a light and a bless-
ing to that whole country.

Sketch of John Applegate.

*' Tell us the story of the earlier times. Describe the
men who lived in them, and relate to us their deeds." So
cry out thousands, to whom the stirring events and the
struggles which made and marked our early history have
come down in mere fragments of information. It is not
mere curiosity which prompts the call for this knowledge.
It is a just and laudable desire for a knowledge of the causes
and conditions which originated this great work, the effort
to recover the Christian institution, in all its parts, from
the mixture and corruptions of the long, dark day of papal
superstition. Gratitude, doubtless, also mingles in the
demand, that due honor may be rendered to the moral
heroes to whom this generation is greatly indebted for
their prompt espousal of the truth, then freshly brought
out from the sacred Scriptures, and for their able, untiring,
and self-sacrificing advocacy of it amid fearful struggles
and against formidable foes.

Beloved among these memorable men, and distinguished
in the circle of his labors, was Bro. John Applegate. He
was born May 13, 1797, in Bordentown, N. J. Cradled
in the lap of frugal industry, he early saw the practical side
of life, from the necessity imposed on him to contribute to
the wants of the family. Ohio, at the time of his removal
into it, had been only five years a member of the Federal
Union. Its fertile soil was the El Dorado of hope to the
working people in the States of the sea-board. The West-
ern Reserve, in particular, was receiving large accessions
to its young population by immigration from New Eng-
land and other portions of the East. To this inviting land
came the Applegate family, when John, the subject of this

276 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

sketch, was only ten years of age. They settled in Hub-
bard, Trumbull County.

Through his father he inherited the Baptist faith. His
mother was a pure-minded, conscientious adherent of the
Quaker doctrine. John, very early in life, was the subject
of deep and pungent religious convictions. From about
the fifteenth year of his age up to his twenty-first year,
the tempests of religious conviction, with all their harass-
ing doubts, despondencies, and dimly gleaming hopes,
swept across his breast. The gospel of his day was moul-
ded in the most rigid school of Calvinism. Its doctrines
resounded in thundering tones in groves, under forest trees,
and in school-houses, by the Knox-like preachers of that
early time.

No sweet voice from Calvary came to his terrified con-
science. He languished for relief. Sometimes he quite
resolved to abandon hope, and yield ; to sink down among
the eternally lost. Then from this vortex he fled, shud-
dering at the horrible despair. He saw Calvary, and the
meek sufferer there, ^^but, oh! for the elect alone he
suffers there and bleeds. Oh! that I could but know it
was for me ! ' Come,' he says, ' come unto me — you shall
find rest.' But, then,'* his soul in anguish cried, '^that
blessed voice is for the elect alone; I may not be one; I
dare not stir to go,'' If some earnest comforter spoke of
the loving Jesus, and of his invitation to sinners — '* Yes,
but I know not the way — I can do nothing but wait ; if I
am to be lost, I can but fulfill my destined doom." A
genuine ^^ experience " it was, according to the standards
of that day. Much of it ever remained a blessed memorial
in his humble and truly Christian heart. Yet how much
of needless torture might have been saved him ; how much
earlier he might have found *' peace in believing," had the
plain gospel plan of salvation been pointed out to him in
the hour when he was seeking to ''flee from the wrath
to come ! ' '

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 277

At length the ^ darkened cloud" withdrew, and peace
shone in on his soul. He gave in his experience, was re-
ceived by the vote of the church, and was baptized in a
stream in the vicinity of his residence, in the month of
March, 181 8, by Elder West. He was then in his twenty-
first year.

About the same time he was married to Miss Fanny
Cramer, a woman worthy of his affections, and who, with
even step and equal hand, bore her full share of the hard-
ships incident to her position. Abounding in the domes-
tic virtues, she managed her household with great prudence
and discretion, and lived his faithful companion in all his
life-work till very near his own departure.

Immediately after his conversion, he began to '^exercise"
in meetings. He was a rapid and ready talker. His articu-
lation was very distinct and complete. He commanded a
good voice, penetrating, and very agreeable to the ear.
He was a singer of more than common excellence. He
soon filled his soul, and the meetings, too, with the songs
of joy in which he expressed the peace and hope, and love
of a new-born soul.

He continued to work among the Baptists for six or seven
years, distinguished for great activity and a burning zeal.
Wherever a word could be spoken for the Master, his diffi-
dence yielded to the pressing sense of duty and the ear-
nest impulses of his warm Christian heart.

The churches and ministers in all North-eastern Ohio
were beginning to be agitated by certain views — by some,
looked upon as dangerous, by all regarded as novel and
bold — of the Campbell's, father and son. In the year
1826, Applegate heard these gifted men in Warren. His
free mind was, by his own reading of the word of God,
partially prepared to receive some modifications of those
rigid views which had caused so much trouble in his own
experience, and he went with the determination to hear
fearlessly, and give due weight to all he heard. But he

2/8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

was cautious ; and on returning, he received the faithful
chidings and reprimands of the older brethren for giving
heed to new things.

Soon after this, Walter Scott came to Austintown. He
was producing there a great stir among the people. This
was the spring of 1828. All the way from Hubbard to
Austintown came Applegate to hear Scott. He was afraid
of him. Bentley, from Warren, and Schooley, from Sa-
lem, were also there. After the hearing, Applegate drew
the sword and joined in battle. The method of enlisting
converts was too quick. Genuine conversion could not be
so short a work. Faith, ''with all the heart,** in Jesus
was not enough to prepare for baptism, without relating an
experience, such as the fathers and mothers in Israel could
approve. So went the investigation. He thought he
*' whipped them all out ; *' and, reiterating the ancient cry,
*' To your tents, O Israel,'* he took leave of them and de-
parted. Riding on a few miles, his horse went slower, as
he thought over what he had heard. At length he halted,
and resolved to return and give these brethren a farther
hearing. This he did, and on leaving them a second time,
Scott and Bentley sent by him an appointment for Hub-
bard.

He addressed himself with new zeal, with deep and
prayerful interest, to the study of the word of God, re-
solved to be fully prepared to meet and discomfit them.
But this reading partially disarmed him. He decided to
''let them alone,** lest he might be fighting against the
truth.

The winter of 1829-30 saw the full consummation of
these changes in his views. Bolder now became his testi-
mony. He read the Word of Life to the people, and
testified publicly every-where. Authorized by the church,
he went to other places to teach the way of life ; and without
any direct intention on his part, and before he was aware
of it, Applegate "was among the preachers.** He visited

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 279

Brookfield, Hartford, Fowler, Bazetta, and many other
places, exhorting the brethren ; and wherever he went he
revived the spirits of the fainting, and poured the oil of
joy into the souls of the Lord's people.

Few men were ever more patient, persevering, or endur-
ing of privation and toil, in fulfilling the duties of the
Christian ministry. Unpaid, yet uncomplaining, he trav-
eled on horseback, often afoot, over the rough roads of
a country yet new, never failing to meeet his appointments.
Impelled by a lofty and sacred sense of duty, he denied
himself the happiness of a home, whose limited store of
earthly wealth was sweetened by the endearments of pure,
genial and religious affection, that he might teach sinners
in the great congregation the plain way of the Gospel of
God's salvation. In those days preaching *' paid '* poorly
in the pocket. Nor was fame reaped from it. Surely the
long-continued toils and hardships of the preachers of
that early day of the Reformation vindicate them from all
imputations of selfishness, and stamp them with a lofty
zeal and heroic chivalry worthy of all admiration.

Among all our early preachers no one had less of vain
ambition. Without guile and without envy, he was happy
when others preached. If any surpassed him in apparent
public usefulness, or won more rapidly the favor of the
people, his joy at the success of the Master's work suffered
no abatement through envy. He esteemed other preachers
better than himself, and voluntarily chose the lower seat
at the great spiritual feasts when many proclaimers of the
gospel and multitudes of souls assembled at the great
yearly meetings of North-eastern Ohio. Yet was he
not the less esteemed, and the greetings of the people
testified the depth and sincerity of their affection for him.

In the spring of the year 1866, he removed from Hub-
bard, so long his home, to Iowa, to reside with his young-
est son Charles, near Monticello, Jones County. Two
years after his removal came the time of his mourning for

280 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the death of his wife. During their long pilgrimage, so
complete had been their union in life, so like a stream
without a ripple or an eddy had flowed their mutual affec-
tion, that her death was a shock almost insupportable.
Five or six months after this event, in the fall of 1868, he
returned to Ohio, visited well-remembered friends, and
extended his journey to his original home in the State
of New Jersey. In the spring of 1870 he returned again to
Iowa, and made his home with his sons, James and Charles.
Though age was now on him, and the '' outer maij^' be-
ginning to show signs of decay, he still preached almost
every Lord's day. A peace-maker still, as in all his life,
he labored to reconcile differences among brethren, some
instances of which, among the very last acts of his life,
are cherished with gratitude by the brethren where these
ministrations of mercy were performed. He preached his
last sermon at Nugent' s Grove, Linn County. Overex-
ertion and a sudden change of weather caused a severe
cold. Typhoid fever followed, from which he never re-
covered. Nearly eight weeks he languished under this
terrible scourge. His love of singing continued to the
last. Frequently during his sickness he raised his feeble
voice in melodious praise.

Near the closing scene he was visited by Rev. Wil-
son, a Presbyterian minister, who asked him if he knew
him. By a nod of the head he gave the affirmative reply.
Mr. Wilson then repeated a part of the twenty-third Psalm:
^' The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want." The dy-
ing hero waved another response, and soon the vessel of
clay alone remained.

Thus died, on the 17th day of February, 1 871, in Scotch
Grove, Jones County, Iowa, at the residence of his son
James, Elder John Applegate, in the seventy-fourth year
of his age, having been a preacher of the gospel over forty
years.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 28 1

Bazetta — Baconsburg.

The Baptist church here was formed January 22,
1820 — eight members. James and Dorcas Bowen,
William and Anna Davis, Samuel and Rachel Hoad-
ley, and Samuel and Elizabeth Bacon, were dismissed
from the church in Warren for that purpose. These,
with Asher and Esther Coburn, Samuel B. Tanner
and Anna Tanner, Martin Daniels and a few others,
composed the church. Four persons, baptized the
day previous, of whom Eben R. Coburn and John F.
Coburn were two, were received that day. Bro.
Bentley officiated. Asher Coburn and Samuel Hoad-
ley were the first deacons. No bishops were ap-
pointed, the Baptist order recognizing no such officers
apart from the preachers.

This church continued till the "times of reforma-
tion.'' Her highest reported number, at any time,
was forty-four. Bro. Edward Scofield, one of their
number, was an earnest Christian, a man of Hberal
views. Being a good exhorter, he was very useful.
He got hold of the '* Christian Baptist.'* Its editor,
in his triumphant vindication of the scriptural bap-
tism in his debates with Walker and McCalla, had
made a highly favorable impression on the Baptists
every-where. He had thus gained their confidence,
which gave a wide circulation to this his first periodi-
cal. The reformation for which he plead was not a
negation. It consisted in a well matured effort to
introduce Bible views, and to establish New Testa-
ment Christianity. Such views, so clearly propoun-
ded, and so well sustained by argument and Scrip-
ture, created a commotion every-where — someadvo-
24

282 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

eating, some opposing them. The brethren in Ba-
zetta were not behind in these investigations. The
traditions of less favored times were losing their hold
on the people. The great stir in Warren, in January,
1828, shook the church in Bazetta like the heavings
of an earthquake. Indeed, its impulse spread like a
tidal wave over the country. It was a time of Bible
research, such as had not been known. The eman-
cipation from the traditions of the church was com-
plete— deference to the teachings of God's word was
equally complete. The *' lively oracles " were accepted
as meaning what they said. This grand principle
brought all parties face to face on the Bible. People
studied it as they never had before. It was custom-
ary to keep a copy at hand, on the desk, or the coun-
ter» that every-where, and on all occasions, the appeal
to it could be instant, and its decision was final. The
disciples were becoming strong in the faith ; many
of them able to teach others. The church divided
on these principles — the greater part moving on under
the leadership of the apostles, a small minority ad-
hering to the received standards.

Among the converts in Scott's meeting, in War-
ren, were Enos Bacon and Daniel Faunce. At their
invitation, Scott and Bentley came to Bazetta in May,
and added a number more ; who, taking member-
ship in the existing church, were counted as Baptists.
In the fall Thomas Campbell came and organized the
present Church of Christ in Bazetta. Bro. Aaron
Davis writes : " He had to fight every inch of ground.
There was division in the ranks of the Baptist church,
but most of the members fell in with the *new doc-
trines,' as they were called. This stirred the ire of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 283

Elder Woodworth, the pastor. The contest was
sharp for awhile, as he said he would have a fair fight
in an open field. And surely it was sharp for a time,
but he was soon vanquished ; and most of the church
fell in with the *new doctrine.'"

The church numbered twenty-eight at the begin-
ning. They found in the Scriptures that, under the
apostles' teaching, there were elders in every church.
Proceeding to organize on the divine model, they
elected Samuel Bacon, Samuel Hoadley and Asher
Coburn, bishops or elders ; and James Bowen and
Asher W. Coburn, deacons. This was done in Father
Bacon's barn, the only place they could get for their
meetings. In the fall, when cool weather came, they
repaired to his house. Finally a school-house was
obtained, which served, for a few years, till a meet-
ing-house was erected. During this period, and for
many years, they had no regular preaching. They
were served in occasional appointments, and two
days' meetings, by the preachers then in the field ;
and, later, by Green, Jones, Brockett, Phillips, James
Calvin, Gates, Henselman, Dr. T. Hillock and I. A.
Thayer.

Several churches arose from this one. West Ba-
zetta, Fowler, Mecca and Greene, started with mem-
bers from this hive. In respect to its officers, fewer
changes have been made than in many churches.
After Samuel Hoadley, one of the first overseers,
John Sanders was appointed. He served a few
years. After him Aaron Davis, who has stood as an
elder about thirty-eight years. In the place of Sam-
uel Bacon, Calvin Smith was chosen. In the place
of Asher Coburn, the lamented Daniel Faunce was

284 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

elected overseer. At his demise, Otis Coburn.
Then, after him, Seth Hulse, who serves now with
Davis, The present number is about one hundred
and eighty. A good house, and Bro. R. T. Davis for
settled preacher.

Several preachers have arisen from this church.
The wise and excellent James Hadsel, of Indiana,
arose in this church. John T. Phillips began here,
though he was not sent out by this congregation.
Here Harvey Brockett — the sainted Brockett — was
helped on his feet. They found him in Farmington,
showing zeal and ability in exhortation, which gave
promise of a bright future. They moved his family
to Bazetta, and with some help from abroad, they
purchased and gave him thirty-five acres of land for
a home. And Calvin Smith, famous above his asso-
ciates.

The church in Bazetta has long been generous in
sustaining the yearly meetings of the county ; one
held in August, 1841, is spoken of with much inter-
est. It was attended by Henry, Lanphear, S. Church,
Green, Jones, Dr. Robison, Winfield, Brockett and
others. There were thirty-nine conversions ; Bro.
John T. Phillips was one of that number.

Biography of Calvin Smith.

Among the unchronicled dead, whose labors will be held
in perpetual remembrance, is the name of Calvin Smith.
He lives in the affectionate remembrance of the many
whom he turned to righteousness. Very many churches
throughout North-eastern Ohio, with some in the East, to
New York and New England, and in the West to Wiscon-
sin and Iowa, will never cease to cherish the memory of
this remarkable man.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 285

Calvin Smith was born October 30th, 1813, in the town-
ship of Vernon, Trumbull County, Ohio. His father died
when he was between five and six years old. He contin-
ued to live in poverty, with his mother, until he was eleven
years of age, when he went to live with Ezekiel Beach, of
the same town. When he was nearly fourteen, his mother
was married again to Isaac Meecham, of Kinsman. He
chose his step-father for his guardian, who bound him out
to learn the blacksmith trade. During the six years he re-
mained at this business, he was employed less at the anvil
than at the desk, as an accountant. But other impulses
fired his soul. His quick discernment and penetrating
mind surveyed the wide domains of our intellectual nature,
and he longed to enter, possess, and cultivate that prolific
soil. During the time of his apprenticeship, he omitted
no opportunity to read and study. With a temperament
immensely active, with a keen and quick discernment and
a most retentive memory, he gathered knowledge as the
miser gathers gold. At twenty he bought his time and
commenced teaching school, still employing every availa-
ble opportunity to advance in education.

March 19th, 1835, in his twenty-second year, he was
married to Miss Maria Meecham, whose tastes and intel-
lectual endowments were in perfect coincidence with his
own. This proved to be one of the happiest of unions. With
views, aims and purposes the same, and both possessed of
great energy, and abounding in hope, they accumulated
a competence, founded a house, and established a name
which will long survive their own generation. For two or
three years he taught winters, and summers gave his ener-
gies to the clearing of his forest farm.

But, though ambitious, his purposes of life had not been
lifted above the attainment of a comfortable home and an
honorable position in society. His heart was yet unblessed
with the light and truth of the gospel. I quote here his
journal : *^ I was wild and unconcerned about Christianity

286 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

most of the time. When I was about nineteen^ I attended
a meethig or two held by Foot, a revivalist of the Presby-
terian order, and did all they told me to do, but did not
get an evidence of pardon, and was afterwards rather
skeptical. I occasionally heard the Disciples preach, and
on the 28th of May, 1837, I was immersed by John Henry,
and united with the church.'*

It is of special interest to pause and note the workings
of his mind, and the disposing causes which acted in this
happy and eventful change in his heart and life. In him
existed that rare and admirable adjustment of the moral
and the rational natures by which faith is sought, but
which refuses to believe without rational evidence. He
longed for '^religion." He sought for '* grace." Butthough
he eagerly and earnestly sought, human promises and ex-
pedients failed to satisfy his strong mind, which desired a
firm foundation on which his soul could lean so important
a trust. Hence his disappointment; and hence his relapse
into skepticism — a dark and dismal despondency from
which a rare man and mighty power alone could lift him.
In the guidings of a good Providence, such a man came.
In this state of his heart, John Henry, whose name is a
synonym for peerless power, came to ^^the Burgh," in Ba-
zetta, to preach the gospel. When Henry preached all
men heard. Smith came, heard, learned, and believed.
Such preaching he could understand. It was the word of
the Lord, instead of the word of man. The men were
much alike in mental activities and social life. It was
David and Jonathan. Each kindled life in the other, and
both were greater men.

From this time forward, Calvin Smith was a new man ;
but his great work of life had not yet commenced. June
26, 1839, he was chosen Justice of the Peace by the suf-
frages of his townsmen. This office he filled for nearly
eight years, and discharged its duties with fidelity and pop-
ularity. ** During this period," he says, *^I paid more

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 287

attention to the law than the gospel.*' In truth, he was
rising into acquaintance and esteem with the business men
and leading citizens of the county. The difficult and try-
ing duties of his office he managed with skill in some im-
portant legal cases which came before him ; and, young
as he was, he manifested no ordinary talent in that posi-
tion. He won the confidence of the members of the legal
profession, and he began to be talked of as a candidate for
the legislature.

But other honors awaited him, and another destiny was
before him. ** Before honor goes humility." The ap-
plause of the world is not the praise of God. In the
midst of all his duties now rapidly accumulating, he never
wavered in his faith in the Lord Jesus, nor in his walk
with the church. The church was much enlivened and
edified by his zeal. He preached occasionally for them
till, December 19, 1844, the church gave him letters as an
evangelist. This widened his sphere of usefulness. He
visited other churches, preaching on the Lord's day, and
contributed very much to their growth in grace and knowl-
edge. About four years he spent in this manner, dividing
his time between preaching and the labors of his farm.
At length the time came for him to cut the cable and
launch upon the sea.

November 30, 1848, commenced his first protracted
meeting. He was now thirty-five years old. It was not
far from his own home, a place on the line between the
townships of Champion and Bazetta. No church was
there, and every thing seemed discouraging. Storms swept
along the sky and over the earth, so that the meeting,
which was opened with a fair attendance, dwindled down
to eight persons. A noble opportunity to prove the ster-
ling qualities of character, which won the victory for him
on many a hard contested field ! On the sixth night, only
eighteen auditors, and four of them yielded to the gospel
appeal and confessed the Lord. This meeting resulted in

288 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

twenty-seven conversions, and the establishment of a new
church of thirty-five members, which has continued in
existence ever since. Before this time, however, he had
seen souls awakened and converted through his ministry.
In the summer of 1848, in company with Bro. James Had-
sell, he held a meeting in Johnson, in his own township,
with sixteen conversions.

From this time may be dated the commencement of that
brilliant career in the gospel which has made the name of
Calvin Smith so widely known, and so dear to thousands.
His active and energetic labors spread over a period of
about ten years; but as his health was very poor during
the last two years, only about eight years can be assigned
for the achievements of Herculean labors which are a source
of amazement. Wherever he went crowds gathered, and
seldom did he quit the field without many captives for
Christ. Often a single discourse in a place would bring
several souls to repentance. His travels included most of
the counties in North-eastern Ohio, and extended to the
mountains in Pennsylvania, to New England, New York,
and beyond the Mississippi in the West. The labors of
a long life were condensed into these eight or nine years.

In his trip to New England he was accompanied by Bro.
J. T. Phillips, of New Castle, Pa. They started in No-
vember, 1853, ^^^ spent about two months. The chief
object of this visit was not so much immediate conversions,
as the sowing of seed to ripen into a harvest for others to
reap ; still there were a number brought to Christ during
the trip. He made a trip to Eastern New York, and con-
ducted a meeting in Poestenkill, December, 1855.

His longest trip abroad was one of five months, the ut-
most terminus of which was Dubuque, Iowa. He started
on this tour August 14, 1855, and arrived at home Janu-
ary 30, 1856. He intended to visit his particular friends,
the Soules, and the Robinsons, late of Russell, Ohio, and
hold a meeting at their present residence in lona County,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 289

Michigan; but finding sickness among them, he tarried
a few days, and proceeded westward to Wisconsin, and
made a stand at Hazle Green. Here he preached twelve
days and visited fifty-three families to converse with them
on the gospel.

He went to Lancaster and to Platteville. At the latter
place, sect prejudice raged so violently that the Methodist
and Presbyterian meeting-houses were both shut against
him. He began in a school-house, but after a few days
this also was closed. The citizens then rallied, obtained
a hall, fitted it up commodiously, and the meeting went
on without the interruption of a day. The meeting was a
great success in teaching the people and in gathering souls
into the kingdom. January 4th, 1856, he commenced a
meeting in Dubuque, Iowa, and continued it twenty-three
days, closing on the 27th of the month. The interest arose
to a great height. There were seventeen additions. The
cold was intense, the thermometer some days 30 below-
zero.

This was his last meeting for a year ; and, indeed he
never recuperated from the overpowering drafts on his
physical energies. He preached during that meeting every
day — yet he spit blood daily, and was constantly taking
medicine. From this time to the close of his life he was
able to preach but little. The last of his preaching was
in his own church in Bazetta, February, 1867, of one week
preparatory to a meeting held there by the writer of these
sketches; and one in Lordstown of a few days, to which
he went while I was yet in Bazetta. I well remember him
as he was then, emaciate and frail, but abiding in faith, and
abounding in zeal, as when health was his in fullest meas-
ure. It is a touching remembrance to call to mind how
we endeavored to dissuade him from going to Lordstown,
and his replies from a voice once so ringing and clear, now
so consumptive and plaintive : ''I shall live only a little
time,*' he said, *'and I may do some good by going.*'
25

290 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

He went. Let his own hand tell the rest, in a note writ-
ten by him two months afterward :

*' Came home, had an attack of lung fever; sick a long
time, and from this sickness I shall never recover. It is
now December 15, 1858, and I have not been able to
speak a discourse or do any labor; and now I am con-
fined to the house, and will ere long die with consumption.
When I die, I hope some one will record my death, and I
will leave the record for those interested in it.**

This is his last written note of his life, llie next lines
are by another hand :

**Died on the 13th of January, 1859, Calvin Smith,
in the 45 th year of his age, of consumption. His work
is done, and he is entered into rest. He Mved and died
a Christian — labored for the good of man — stood up for
Jesus, and went home to heaven.

** Keep us, O Lord, that we may meet him at thy right
hand.*'

A few weeks before his death he gave his Bible to Bro.
Edwin Wakefield, with a request that he preach his funeral
from the following words : * ' Blessed are the dead which
die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labors and their works do
follow them.'* Rev. xiv: 13. This solemn duty was
ably performed in the presence of a large and weeping
assembly. His widowed companion, six daughters and
an only living son, followed him, and '* beheld where
they laid him.**

^*Alas! alas! my brother,** wrote Bro. William Hay-
detiy who visited him a short time before his death, **how
was my spirit crushed in parting with thee ! How sweet
was thy spirit ! How true was thy devotion to that gos-
pel which pours floods of light and immortality on death's
dark hour ! Thou hast obtained the true ambition. On
thy tombstone it should be written : ' He died at his post ; *
and in heaven it will be said, * He turned many to right-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 29 1

eousness.* How blest the righteous when he dies ! How
good to be embalmed in the affections of the pure in heart !
May my memory be blest as thine, and my last hours be
like thine, my brother.'*

It would be impossible to convey in words an adequate
conception of his state of mind at departing. So calm,
so serene, so strong in faith, so cheerful in hope ! Most
tenderly devoted to his family, he heard no murmur or
sigh. His religion was not a mere sentiment nor a pas-
sion. It was a faith which actualizes the '^ things hoped
for*' — a faith which saw the things invisible. What a
heaven was that home for weeks before his departure !
Few visitors could be admitted, but it was all the better ;
he was all the more sacred to his dear companion, who
would have died with him, and to his children, to whom,
in the serene blessedness of these most hallowed scenes,
he was illustrating the faith in Jesus which he had so ex-
tensively preached to the world.

The hour came, and he slept; slept sweetly and in
peace. Aged 45 years, 2 months, 14 days.

Though short the time of his ministry, fifteen hundred
and thirty-six souls were by him turned to God. and bap-
tized into the Lord Jesus, besides over three hundred who
united with the churches during and under his labors. He
was an early and decided friend of the Missionary cause.
He saw in this effort to associate the brethren in a great
evangelical enterprise, a coming hope for the churches, to
lead them into a closer unity and a better order. A large
proportion of his great and successful labors was under the
auspices of the Missionary Society.

Bro. Smith was, in person, of full medium height, in
weight about one hundred and fifty. His eye was the pic-
ture of quickness and ready discernment ; his countenance
was highly engaging and agreeable. He was a ready talker,
blunt and rapid in speech, exhaustless in illustration and
anecdote. There was a fine flowing vein of humor in his

292 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

heart, which, with his hopeful and cheerful temperament,
made him a most animated, social, and instructive com-
panion. His intuitive perception of character was a
marked trait of his mental capacities. He was seldom
mistaken in his man.

It is needless to say that a nature so decided and marked
in peculiar features, carried itself into his audiences, and
under the animation of the force and enthusiasm with
which he commonly moved on in his sermons, he bore
the delighted hearers along with him to the conclusions
which he sought to impress.

In this place it would be wrong to omit mention of
some of the causes of his marvelous effectiveness in his
work. Among these, his habit of visiting the people
wherever he went, should be prominently mentioned. He
was an untiring and most industrious visitor. He always
visited ; went every-where ; made religious calls among
the people, in their houses, at their workshops, on their
farms. Wherever they were, he found them, talked with
them, and often prayed where prayers were never before
heard. These were not dull, dry, demure visitations.
He was a man of the people, with the people. They saw
this. He could tell them about common things, and
showed himself a man with them in the experiences and
knowledges of common life. His abounding sympathies
went to the house and home of poverty, and cheered into
life and hope hearts that never felt their blessed warmth
before. It was nothing uncommon for him to visit thirty,
forty and sixty and seventy families during a single meet-
ing. The highest number I see recorded in his journal
is one hundred and six during a single meeting. In these
labors from house to house he omitted none, of whatever
rank, or condition, or creed. He broke through all bar-
riers, nor allowed either prejudice or religious belief tc
prevent his getting to the people. Christ died for them.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 293

and his it was to reach all, teach all, convert all it was
possible to gain.

Be sure — ye indolent, ease-loving sermon makers, that
the people are God*s great militia ; they are his army.
And the man who interests himself in the people, wil)^
find the people interested in him and his message to them.

His style of speech was plain, clear, pointed and forci-
ble. Though rapid in utterance, his enunciation was per-
fectly intelligible. The words came full and rounded from
his tongue. He had no pedantry nor artistic airs. His
illustrations, always pertinent and pointed, were from com-
mon things. They were so clear and appropriate, the
people felt in them the force of demonstration.

He believed what he preached. The intense earnestness
of his faith carried its convictions to every mind. None
doubted his sincerity. All saw his earnestness. The sub-
ordinate arts of embellishment were nothing to him. '*!
believed, therefore have I spoken.'* The word of God
was true ; he knew, he felt it true, and he made the people
feel it too. The grand realities of heaven, of hell, life,
death, eternity and a judgment to come, were no toys in
his hand.

*' When the son of man cometh, shall he find faith in
the earth?** Much of the preaching of this age can
scarcely be called even a solemn farce! So vapid and
volatile, trope, phrase, and dignity in relief; Christ, sin
and salvation shaded in the background !

I am conscious this sketch will, by some, be regarded
as long drawn out. But to thousands, it will be felt to be
far too meager, while to one precious circle, where he was
vastly more than king, it will seem all imperfection. I
dare not say how much I loved him. Let this and a thou-
sand other precious memories be as seed sown, to spring
up into a full harvest of joy and holy fellowships when the
saints arise in the likeness of Jesus, who is our life and
our everlasting hope.

294 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHURCHES FOUNDED BY HIM.

1. Between Champion and Bazetta, 35 members, De-
cember, 1848.

2. Fowler, ^^ members, March, 185 1,

3. Mecca, 23 members, March, 1851.

4. Auburn, De Kalb County, Iowa, June, 1852.

5. Jackson, 50 members, September, 1852.

6. Russell, 23 members, October, 1852.

7. Elmore, March, 1853.

8. Bristol, 32 members. May, 1853.

9. LaG range, September, 1853.
ID. Chester, October, 1852.

11. West Arlington, Vt., January, 1854.

12. Kenton, Hardin County, 26 members, Feb., 1854.

13. Hartsgrove, 33 members, November, 1854.

14. Rome, 60 members, February, 1855.

15. New Lyme, 18 members, March, 1855.

16. Jefferson, 28 members, August, 1855.

** Gone to thy heavenly rest !

The flowers of Eden round thee blooming.
And on thine ear the murmurs blest

Of Siloa's waters softly flowing
Beneath the tree of life, which gives
To all the earth its healing leaves.
In the white robe of angels clad

And wandering by that sacred river
Whose streams of holiness make glad

The city of our God forever !

" Oh ! for the death the righteous die !

An end, like autumn's day declining,
On human hearts, as on the sky,

With holier, tenderer beauty shining ;
As to the parting soul were given
The radiance of an opening heaven 1
As if that pure and blessed light

From off* the eternal altar flowing,
Were bathing, in its upward flight,

The spirit to its worship going."

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 29S

CHAPTER XIII.

Great Meeting in Austintown, 1830 — Dissolution of the Associa-
tion— Defeat of Rigdon's Community Scheme — The Church in
North Bloomfield — Benjamin Alton — The Cause in Farming-
ton — Harvey Brockett — The Church in Green — W. Bartlett —
E. Wakefield.

FOR numbers, ardor of enthusiasm, and impor-
tant results, no meeting on the Reserve sur-
passed the great assembly in Austintown, in 1830.
It was still called the association. The church at
that place had built a meeting-house, the first one
erected by the Disciples on the Western Reserve.
It was completely filled Friday afternoon. Not fewer
than twenty preachers attended it, and crowds of
people from long distances. Yet the hospitality of
the people provided for all. Father Hayden fur-
nished provisions for uncounted numbers, and lodged
a hundred and fifty ; bringing into requisition for that
purpose not only every floor and room in his house ;
but the barn also — empty, swept, and furnished. All
vied with each other in the profuse generosity which
bid all a hearty welcome.

The meeting opened with salutations, songs, exhor-
tations, and reports. The next day Henry stepped
up quickly into the pulpit where were sitting the
older preachers, and said in a low but energetic tone,
'' I charge you to look out what you are about to do
here ; we want nothing here which the word of the
Lord will not sanction." They smiled at his bold

296 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

independence as he returned to his seat. His mean-
ing was apparent when he arose, soon after, and
moved that the association, as an advisory council,
be now dissolved. The resolution was offered, put
and passed so quickly, that few paused to consider
the propriety or effect of it. The most seemed
pleased ; but not all. The more thoughtful regretted
it as a hasty proceeding. Mr. Campbell arose and
said : '* Brethren, what now' are you going to do } are
you never going to meet again ? *' This fell upon us
like a clap of thunder, and caused a speedy change
of feelings. Many had come forty or fifty miles, in
big wagons even, so eager to enjoy this feast of love.
Never meet again ! For a little time joy gave place
to gloom. Campbell saw there was no use in stem-
ming the tide and pleading for the continuance of the
association, even in a modified form. The voice of
the reformation, at this juncture, was for demolition,
and Scott was thought to favor the motion. Mr.
Campbell then proposed that the brethren meet an-
nually hereafter for preaching the gospel, for mutual
edification, and for hearing reports of the progress
of the cause of Christ. This was unanimously ap-
proved. Thus ended the association, and this was
the origin of the yearly-meeting system among us.

As this action and this occasion became a turning
point in our history, a few remarks upon it are de-
manded :

I. For three years of unparalleled success we had
organic unity of the churches, and harmony of action
among the preachers. At New Lisbon one evangel-
ist was sent out ; at Warren, two ; at Sharon, four :

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 297

the association in this acting as a delegate body
only for evangelical purposes.

2. At the dissolution of the association the sys-
tem of evangelization under the auspices and direc-
tion of the brotherhood ceased and perished. No
one was sent out by that body, as it ceased to be ;
nor by the yearly meeting, for no such power was
then assumed by the " yearly meeting," nor has been
since.

3. Then perished the principle of concert of ac-
tion among us for evangelical purposes ; and it lay
dormant for years.

4. Therefore we have been, in this respect, in a
state of apostasy from our first principles.

5. Due discrimination was not made between the
evangelical, which was right, useful, and not liable to
dangerous results ; and the ecclesiastical, against
which the opposition was directed ; and that in the
overturn of the one, which was, perhaps, liable to
objections, the other was destroyed, which was the
true principle, and ought to have been carefully pre-
served, guarded, and, perhaps, improved.

6. Efforts, unavailing, were often made in our
yearly meetings afterwards, to revive the evangelic
feature of the lost association ; pleaded for by our
own example and history, and by the increasing tes-
timony of our experience.

7. Wise men saw the evil, and deplored the result
at the time and afterwards ; as Benajah Austin,
William Hayden, whose persistent appeals for its re-
suscitation provoked many, and by Mr. Campbell, who
writes thus in the Millennial Harbinger for 1849,
p. 272 :

298 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

*'I have before intimated my approval of the Baptist
associational formulas, pruned of certain redundencies and
encroachments upon faith, piety, and humanity. I was
present on the occasion of the dissolution of the ^Ma-
honing Baptist Association* in 1828,* on the Western
Reserve, State of Ohio. With the exception of one ob-
solete preacher, the whole association, preachers and peo-
ple, embraced the current reformation. I confess I was
alarmed at the hasty and impassioned manner in which
the association was, in a few minutes, dissolved. I then,
and since, contemplated that scene as a striking proof of
the power of enthusiasm and of excitement, and as dan-
gerous, too, even in ecclesiasticalas well as in political
affairs. Counsel and caution, argument and remonstrance,
were wholly in vain in such a crisis of affairs. It would
have been an imprudent sacrifice of influence to have done
more than make a single remonstrance. But that remon-
strance was quashed by the previous question, and the
regular Baptist Mahoning Association died of a moral
apoplexy in a quarter of an hour.

'^ Reformation and annihilation are not with me now,
as formerly, convertible or identical terms. We want oc-
casional, if not stated, deliberative meetings on questions
of expediency in adaptation to the ever-changing fortune
and character of society.*'

There occurred at this meeting a passage at arms
between Mn Campbell and Mr. Rigdon. It was only
about two months previous to the fall of that star
from heaven. On Saturday, Rigdon introduced an
argument to show that our pretension to follow the
apostles in all their New Testament teachings, re-

* As it relates to forms and reports of its doings, it ceased at
Warren, 1828. But the resolution for its dissolution was passed at
Austintown, 1 830. Bro. Campbell was present on both occasions.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 299

quired a community of goods ; that as they estab-
lished this order in the model church at Jerusalem,.
we were bound to imitate their example. The saga-
cious mind of Mr. Campbell saw at once the confu-
sion and ruin that would result from such doctrines
plausibly presented before a large, eager multitude,
many of whom were new converts. He arose and
offered a correction of the mistake. This did not
satisfy the zealous Rigdon. He rejoined. Mr. Camp-
bell felt the necessity of settling the matter, and in
a half hour's speech he set forth the following
points :

1. The ''community system," in the second of
Acts, was formed not to make property, but to con-
sume it, under the special circumstances attending
that case.

2. The matter about Ananias and Sapphira put an
end to it.

3. Sundry passages in Corinthians and elsewhere,
calling for contributions for benevolent objects, show
that no such system prevailed in the primitive
churches.

This put an end to it. Rigdon finding himself
foiled in his cherished purpose of ingrafting on the
reformation his new community scheme, went away
from the meeting at its close, chafed and chagrined,
and never met with the Disciples in a general meet-
ing afterward. On his way he stopped at Bro. Aus-
tin's, in Warren, to whom he vented his spleen,
saying ; ** I have done as much in this reformation
as Campbell or Scott, and yet they get all the honor
of it!"

On Lord's day, from a stage prepared in a grove.

300 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the addresses were delivered to an immense con-
course. Mr. Campbell's discourse was based on the
language, ''This is a faithful saying, and worthy of
all acceptation, that Christ yesus came into the world
to save sinners!' i Tim. i: 15. Two propositions,
he affirmed, are in the passage : i. That the gospel is
true ; 2. That it is good. Taking the first proposi-
tion, he delivered a sermon of great power on the
evidences of Christianity.

About a thousand conversions in the previous year
were reported ; over forty united on that occasion.
For many years this meeting was referred to as con-
spicuous among the joyous religious festivities so
numerous on the Western Reserve.

North Bloomfield.

Benjamin Alton was born February 22, 1799. ^^^
early life was spent in Genesee County, New York. At
the age of eighteen, he was a zealous exhorter among the
Methodists. Falling in with Elder Wm. True, of the
** Christian Connection,** he was baptized by him, and
continued to preach the gospel as he understood it.

About the year 1827, he moved to North Bloomfield,
Trumbull County. He was a man of marked abilities,
full size, finely formed, and possessed most winning man-
ner and tender speech. He had been very successful as
a revivalist among the ** New Lights*' or "Christians.**
In the process of his ministry he became convinced that
something was radically wrong in the exhibition of the
gospel in these times, as no case is to be found in all the
history of the apostles* preaching of penitent sinners
mourning for days and nights, and sighing for undis-
covered pardon. The sensitive heart of the sympathetic
Alton was overwhelmed, as he saw many souls weeping
under conviction for sin, crying out to know what they

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE 3OI

should do, while the only answer ever given was to con-
tinue in that very condition of agony, and that relief some
time and in some way might be expected. Disgusted and
discouraged, he resolved to hide himself away in a
*' lodge*' in the wilderness, and there in quietness and
seclusion, to live for his family and heaven. He settled
on lands in the dense forests of Bloomfield. He had
traveled much, and witnessed with grief and shame the
sectarianisms of the day ; and, moreover, he thought it a
great mistake that the gospel contained no express pro-
vision by which a repenting sinner might be assured at
once of the forgiveness of his sins. He was fast tending
to skepticism, and might have been swept into the vortex
of infidelity, but for an incident which called him forth to
the light and to great usefulness.

About the year 1829, the good people of Bloomfield
called a public meeting, and resolved to unite in raising
a fund to support preaching, and all go to meeting to-
gether. It was an effort, after its kind, to form a union
for religious purposes ; a union out of diversity. But the
union not arising out of previously existing unity — the only
condition of a permanent union — it proved of short du-
ration. Yet they entered into the enterprise in good
heart, with good intentions, and good omens. As the
Presbyterians were the most numerous, they were to have
the house half the time ; the Baptists and the Methodists
one quarter, and the Unitarians the other quarter. Squire
Brown, a prominent citizen, was to secure the Unitarian
minister. By some of the more rigid in sentiment he
was thought to be skeptical ; but he entered heartily into
the arrangement as a means of the moral improvement of
the town. By him Benjamin Alton was engaged. Alton,
thus called from his coveted retreat, consented to gird
himself again in the panoply of the gospel. He came
regularly to his appointments. He would sit quite a
while in the pulpit, and then, rising, proceed to preach

302 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

without singing or prayer. He usually preached on the
prophecies, and many became interested in his sermons.

About this time William Hayden preached at the center
of Bloomfield, and staying over night with Alton, these
two Bible men spent much of the night searching the
Scriptures in relation to the ancient gospel, particularly as
it relates to the manner in which the apostles preached it,
and brought convicted sinners into the light and peace of
pardon. In the course of the same year, Alton heard
Thomas Campbell. In that discourse he saw the scrip-
tural plan of salvation. The darkness, which like a cloud
had rested on the Bible, cleared away, and he discovered,
to his great joy, that God had not left us ignorant of what
to do to be saved. Like Saul, when the scales fell from
his eyes, he forthwith preached the gospel after the mod-
els found in the sermons of the apostles.

The alarm was sounded at once. The people had
never agreed to hear a ^' Campbellite.'* The union ex-
ploded and went to the four winds. The people called
another meeting, dissolved the covenant, and each party
agreed to support its own meeting.

Alton kept up his appointments. Four or five were
baptized this season. In 1 830-1, some others were con-
verted. In 1832, Bro. Alton preached half the time, and
began to attend regularly to the Lord's Supper. They
were now meeting in a school-house, where they continued
several years, during which time they were growing
strong and more numerous, under the visits of Hayden,
Henry, the Bosworths, Applegate, and others.

In 1836, Bro. Alton moved to De Kalb County, Indi-
ana. There he displayed the same zeal which had always
warmed his own heart, and melted the hearts of hundreds.
Suffering all the hardships of pioneer life in a densely
wooded country, contending with marsh and miasm, he
still found time to preach the gospel and plant churches.
With a numerous family, little money in the country, and

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 3O3

nothing to sell to procure any, his fare was the plainest,
and his costume any thing but clerical. Sometimes with-
out a coat — but a wrapper instead — a shoe on one foot, the
other honored with a boot, he traveled afoot to his ap-
pointments. His genial disposition, manly form, sweet-
ness of countenance, and earnest, convincing pathos, full
of Scripture withal, brought many from far to hear his
sermons, and many turned to righteousness. Some of the
churches planted by him in that wilderness, are yet stand-
ing and flourishing.

As illustrative of the straightened condition of those
days, a young man wished Elder Alton to perform for him
the marriage ceremony. Unable to pay money for the
service, he stipulated to compensate him with pumpkins !
The service was rendered cheerfully, to the satisfaction of
the happy bridegroom, and the next day he brought a
large load of selected ''fruit of vine,*' and delivered them
to the very needy and equally gratified parson.

Exhaustive toil, and the malaria of the rich opening
soil, undermined his naturally hardy constitution. He sank
gradually to a feeble state from which he could not rally.
His wife, the faithful sharer of his life and fortunes, sank
with him and before him. She died March 24, 1847. He
survived thirteen days longer, and fell asleep, April 7th,
aged only a little over forty-eight years. He was univer-
sally lamented. His talents commanded the respect of
the people, who sought to put him on the ticket for politi-
cal fame. But he chose to suffer reproach with the people
of God. Like all men who move men for God, he was a
most devoted Bible student. It is said he had the whole
New Testament by heart. His family are religions, and
his youngest son, Cyrus Alton, is devotedly engaged in
the ministry of the gospel.

The little band in Bloomfield had organized as a
worshiping assembly with eleven members. Among

304 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

them were Nelson Works, Bro. Netterfield and his
wife, Mary Sager, Polly Green, and Mehitabel Thayer.
Bro, Works was appointed to take the lead of the
meetings. Bro. Alton's removal left them much dis-
couraged ; but they were not cast down nor forsaken.
In October, 1836, Marcus Bosworth visited them, and
learning the condition of the church, thought it nec-
essary to take steps to complete their organization,
their number being now considerably increased.
This was done the nineteenth of that month. The
following new names were taken at this time, viz.:
Zephaniah Luse, Ruhama Luse, Wm. M. Bellows,
Benjamin Bellows, Josiah Bellows, Rachel Bellows,
Mary Ann Bellows, Henry G. Neal, Clarissa Neal,
Wm. Parker, Charles Thayer, Clarissa Wilder, Can-
dace Green, Nancy Green, Anna Sager, Rebecca
Sager, Miriam Smith.

The church has never lost its identity. It was as-
sisted by the preaching brethren of the time ; the
brethren Hayden, Henry, Hartzel, Applegate, Cyrus
and Marcus Bosworth, Clapp, Collins ; and a little
later by Lucy, Brockett, Perky, Calvin Smith ; and
later still by Edwin Wakefield, W. A. Belding, C. C.
Foote, and H. Reeves.

In the winter of 1848, Bro. Isaac Errett held a
meeting in the Congregational church at the center
of the town. Bro. Charles Brown made every ar-
rangement to secure for him a favorable hearing.
The church was doubled in numbers, and the cause
of religious reformation lifted up to the notice of a
large number of the people in the township. Their
place of meeting in the school-houses was too small
for the assemblies, and in 1849, the meeting-house

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 30$

at the center was built, and Bro. Errett moving there
in October, that year, he became the first pastor of
the church. He remained two years, adding numbers
and strength to the congregation, preaching also in
other communities, so that the principles of this
religious reformation were established in various
places. The church in Green was formed chiefly
under his ministry.

April 19, 1840, Nelson Works and H. G. Neal
were appointed Elders. William Parker served also
awhile in that capacity. In 1842, John Sager was
elected deacon. These, and others after them, per-
formed the duties of their respective offices without
ordination. Some new officers having been selected,
the church set apart April 19, 1854, for the purpose
of ordaining them after the scriptural example. On
that day Bro. Edwin Wakefield was, by imposition
of hands, with prayer and fasting, set apart to the
" work of an evangelist ; " brethren Nelson Works
and Charles Brown were, in like manner, ordained
as elders ; and John Sager, David Snyder, Chester
Howard, and N. B. Ferry were ordained deacons.
Brethren Cyrus Bosworth, M. S. Clapp, Isaac Errett
and B. F. Perky were the officiating ministers.

This church owes much to the unwavering faith-
fulness of her time-honored elder. Nelson Works.
Through all her trials he has held firmly the stand-
ard, its honored flag unfurled and aloft. Around it,
with supporting encouragement, a number of the sis-
ters, whose names are in the book of life, have as
faithfully rallied, displaying a zeal, constancy, and
devotion worthy of special commendation. In this
connection also, the godly zeal and cheering voice of
26

306 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Brockett comes to remembrance. In the darkest
days he would cheer the little company of believers
with assurances that the gospel would yet triumph
in Bloomfield. And when at length the day dawned,
and such an ingathering attended the labors of Bro.
Errett, " he is but reaping/' said the sincere Brockett,
*' the fruits of the sowing of others."

The Cause in Farmington.

Like most of the churches the congregation in
Farmington is an example of Christians coming to-
gether in gospel order from different "orders/* so
called. In 1818, Abijah Lee came into that town
with his family. He was a Baptist. His son, Isaac
Lee, who had embraced religion among the Metho-
dists, went after a few years to Kirtland. There in
the great reformatory movement under Bentley and
Rigdon, in 1828, he saw the great difference be-
tween Christianity as a unity, as contained in the
Holy Scriptures, and an organized " branch " of the
church. He dropped the terms and title of schis
matic party, and stood for uniting Christians in
Christ Jesus. He returned to Farmington in the
spring of 1829, and found a young man, Harvey
Brockett, much awakened on the subject of religion.
Lee found little trouble in teaching him the " obe-
dience of faith " as now re-proclaimed by the disci-
ples. He received the truth "with all readiness of
mind" and was baptized by his friend Isaac Lee.
Meantime Father Abijah Lee, his family and others
there, were reading the " Christian Baptist." The
powerful stimulus of that revolutionary periodical
awakened inquiry in the minds of many. Soon Ben-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 307

jamin Alton was on the ground, and to full houses
announced the call to the Bible — to Pentecost — to
Christ. A local Methodist preacher confronted him,
but God in his truth was mightier than man in his
ignorance of it ; and the people " heard him gladly/'
In 1830, a church was formed, with Abijah Lee as
leader, which met every Lord^s day according to the
commandment, to keep the ordinances as they were
delivered to the church by the apostles. With no
chart but the unerring Word, they launched on the
ocean under the pilotage of the Captain of salvation.

They numbered at the beginning about twenty.
The Baptists gave them Abijah Lee and wife, and
Daniel Dayidson and his wife. Isaac Lee, for a little
with the Methodists, and Harvey Brockett also now
rallied with them and the new converts around the
" ensign " lifted up for all nations on the day of Pen-
tecost, A. D. 33.

Alton did not forsake them, nor were they wanting
in zeal nor gifts among themselves. They lost no
opportunity to teach the people ; and they were con-
stant in mutual edification. The sincere Applegate,
the tender Bosworth, the rapid Henry, and the ener-
getic Hayden, labored among them early and with
much success ; as did also Collins, Clapp, and Hartzel.

Sketch of Harvey Brockett.

All honor to the church that could produce a Brockett !
He was a man of attractions. Few men in so short a ca-
reer have left so lasting results to witness for their devo-
tion to Christ. He was born April 13, 1806, in Onon
daga County, New York. In 182 1, he came with his
parents to Farmington. When he was ten years old, his
mother, a devoted Christian, gave her son to God, and

308 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

bidding him follow her, she left him, and was borne to
her grave amid plentiful tears. From that day, heaven
was to him a dear place. The Savior was precious ; the
Bible was sacred; but confused by the teaching of the
day he found no peace, till in his twenty-third year he
obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ. His way was now clear,
and the young disciple and future preacher of righteous-
ness studied diligently the Holy Scriptures, and began to
exhort sinners to turn to God. He rose rapidly. His
whole nature was aglow. Gifted with great copiousness
of language, and fluency of speech, his natural timidity
yielded to his mastering zeal, and he was heard gladly
wherever he went. The church of Bazetta caught hold of
the hand of this young Timothy, gave him a home among
them, and helped him on his way.

For about twelve years he was among the churches.
And who shall describe the swell of holy enthusiasm
which every- where attended his labors ? Converts came
like the dew-drops of the morning. In his hands the gos-
pel was luminous and tender, melting the heart, and con-
vincing the judgment with such a power, and an array of
evidences so abundant and pungent, that all who heard
admired, and many yielded to his trumpet call to repent-
ance. He preached twice a day, sometimes thrice, sung
much, was a great talker, and not having, like Paul, a
Silas or Timotheus to baptize his converts, his personal
administrations of that sacred ordinance were almost daily.

He was cheerful, but never trifling, serious, and most
earnest, with a voice of good compass and charming tone.
His pathos excelled his logic, in which, however, he was
not deficient. His sermons were long, closing up with ex-
hortations of warmth and power. He overworked ; his
constitution lost its iron, and he became a prey to frailty
and fever. On the 12th of September, 1848, his most
active and useful life closed at his home in Sharon, Penn-
sylvania. He was twice married; the last time to Mrs.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 3O9

Margaret McCleery, relict of Hugh McCleery, of Sharon.
She was much respected for her benevolence and steadfast-
ness in the faith, and has recently joined him in the prom-
ised rest.

The Church in Green Founded.

The church in Green, Trumbull County, was or-
ganized the first Sunday in January, 1851, by Isaac
Errett and C. Bosworth. The following eleven per-
sons were the members : Walter Bartlett and Pru-
dence Bartlett, Wm. D. Morris and Mary A. Morris,
Edwin Wakefield and Mary Wakefield, Eldad Barton
and California Barton, Austin Dean, Deborah Curtis,
and Polly Smith. Walter Bartlett was chosen over-
seer, and Wm. D. Morris, deacon. There were twenty
additions during the year ; ten in a meeting held by
Calvin Smith in November after this organization.

Bro. Edwin Wakefield, widely and favorably known
for his success in the gospel, was baptized here
in the spring of 1845, by the able Perky, in a meeting
held there by him. Bro. Bartlett has from the be-
ginning held a leading position. He was born 1801,
and came to Mecca with his parents in 18 18. In
1 82 1, he heard Mr. Campbell deliver two discourses
in Warren, which were " nails driven in sure places "
with him. He united with the F. W. Baptists, and
preached among that people a few years. His asso-
ciations and reading opened his mind to the plea and
principles of the disciples ; and as he earnestly sought
only to know and teach the truth, he sometimes pro-
claimed sentiments not in the theological system of
that sect. He was arraigned in the quarterly meet-
ing for heresy, and after various hearings, they re-
fused to renew his license. They granted him a
letter, and as the brethren in Bazetta had been kind

3IO EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

to him, he presented to them his letter, was received,
and after due time was ordained an elder in the con-
gregation. This was in 1836, Though no church
was established in Green till the year 185 1, as above
related, Bro. Bartlett's tongue was not silent, nor his
light under a cover. There was occasional preaching
there by Alton, Brockett, Perky, Hartzel, and Bos-
worth. Wm. Hayden and Elder T. Campbell ex-
plored the land as early as 1828.

The church numbers about eighty members. Bro.
E. Wakefield has long been a "captain of hundreds"
among them, and his. son, E. B. Wakefield, is rising
to usefulness as a proclaimer of the gospel. Bro. A. C.
Bartlett, son of Bro. W. Bartlett, for many years be-
fore the public, is a gift to the cause from this church.

Bro. W. Bartlett writes : " It is wonderful to see what
great results sometimes spring from small causes. I
can not doubt that my hearing A. Campbell in 1821,
was the cause of my withdrawing from the F. W.
Baptists and uniting with the Disciples ; and this led
me to labor for an organization in Green, which,
through the blessing of God, I have seen accom-
plished. The seed, after passing through more than
one crucible, and occasionally watered, not only
brought forth the blade in 1836, but the full ear in
185 1, and has produced fruit ever since. How Httle
did I think when I was listening to those sermons
that they were to have an influence on me through
all my life ! But I now know that this has been the
case. It has taught me to sow the seed of the king-
dom wherever I could, for I knew not how much
might fall on good ground, and bring forth fruit in
the salvation of souls.*'

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 3II

CHAPTER XIV.

Primitive Christianity in Deerfield — E. B. Hubbard — Experiences
of J. Hartzei — Church formed — Scott's Sermon — Captain Al-
lerton surrenders — John Schaeffer relieved of Lutheranism.

EPHRAIM B. HUBBARD was born in Duchess
County, New York, February 28, 1792. His
father, of Connecticut ancestry, moved to Deerfield,
Portage County, Ohio, in 1802, Ephraim being then
ten years old. His early life was the usual toil and
privations in a new country. His education was
gained in the primitive log school-house. But the
thirsty soul can drink water from goblet or gourd.
Hubbard learned rapidly, and acquired information
which placed him high among his fellow-citizens, and
eventually raised him to a seat in the Ohio Legislat-
ure.

July I, 1817, he married Miss Mary McGowan,
whose father was an early emigrant from Maryland.
After raising eight children, and filling faithfully the
duties of domestic and social life, she fell peacefully
asleep, October 13, 1839. Hubbard was re-married
to Miss Jerusha Reed, and is enjoying life at eighty-
three.

The Methodists pre-empted Deerfield. The Hub-
bards gave assent to their assumed claim, all except
Ephraim. He held membership with them about
four years, but he openly protested against the creed
and discipline as a direct challenge of the rights

312 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

of the King. He felt relieved, however, of responsi-
bility on the subject, as he had been cordially received
with expressed opposition to it as an unauthorized
usurpation of the place of the Word of God in the
government of his church.

About this time a Methodist class was formed in
Smith Township, under the leadership of Gideon
Hoadley. This class solicited Hubbard to unite and
assist them. To this he consented on condition that
he should not be required to assent to the ** disci-
pline." This band of Christians, acting on their in-
herent rights, and, in this act, setting aside the rules
of the Methodist church, unanimously agreed to his
terms. Accordingly, himself and his wife, who was
a Baptist, became members the same day. With the
same noble sentiments, his brother-in-law, Samuel
McGowan, a Baptist, and his wife, a Presbyterian,
offered themselves for membership. Some demurred,
alleging that the rules of the church should be en-
forced. Bro. Hubbard asked them to delay a de-
cision for two weeks, and to search the Word of God
for authority to guide their action. To this they
assented ; and at the end of that time, no precedent
or other authority for a period of probation being
found, McGowan and his wife were cordially received.

As soon as this was known by the authorities of
that church. Presiding Elder Swaize came with the
circuit rider, Rev. Mr. Taylor, denounced these whole
proceedings as a violation of the rules of the disci-
pline, and declared the class dissolved.

But this was not the last of it. The most of the
class were so dissatisfied with this invasion of their
rights as men and Christians, that they held them-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 313

selves aloof from any farther union with the M. E.
Church, and stood ready for the coming light, which
was soon to result in a practical and permanent union
of these and many others on New Testament
grounds. The leader of the class, Bro. Hoadley, be-
ing one of this number.

As the history of a religious movement is identical
with that of its chief actors, I insert some notice and
experiences of Biv>. Jonas Hartzel, associated with
the origin of this church, and long identified with it.

He was born October 19, 1803, in North Hamp-
ton County, Pa., In 1805, his parents settled, with
several other families of the same name and kindred,
in Deerfield, then quite an unbroken wilderness.
Now let his own pen continue the recital :

''On the second day of June, 1825, the marriage con-
tract between myself and Miss Alice Wallahan was con-
summated. In religious profession we were divided ; but
in religious tendencies, industrial habits, domestic econ-
omy, and love of home, we were happily united.

*^Soon after this my mind became more seriously af-
fected with my religious condition. My wife being a
Methodist, we occasionally attended Methodist preaching.
This brought before me the complications of Calvinism
and Arminianism. Sovereign grace put on the more ortho-
dox face, but free grace wore the more pleasant smile.
But the effect was uncertainty and doubt, and this was
followed by skepticism in the current religion of the
times. Meanwhile I said nothing in relation to my
troubles, until in an evil hour I communicated the state
of my mind to my father. It was, as we then called it,
a sacramental occasion. I attended all the sessions until
Monday morning.

'' My father saw from my movements that I did not
27

314 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

intend to go to meeting. He came to where I was at
work, and asked: * Jonas, an't you going to meeting to-
day?* To which I said: 'Father, you know my business
is urgent, and going to meeting is doing me no good ; I go
to our meeting, and our preacher preaches unconditional
election and reprobation; I go to Methodist meeting, and
the preacher will preach an opposite doctrine from the
same text. Father, there is something wrong. We all
say we are influenced by the same spirit ; we are all read-
ing the same Bible ; we are all traveling the same road to
the same heaven. The different parties acknowledge each
other to be Christians, but each party says my way is the
right way, and I can not tell which way is the right one.*
To this my father made no reply, but as he turned away,
I saw the falling tear. My regret for this freedom was
bitter. I threw down my tools, and I was in the meeting-
house as soon as himself.

*' Not long after this a new trouble sprang up. Having
returned from meeting, and dinner over, my wife asked :
' What evidence is there for infant baptism ? * This ques-
tion, coming from this source, produced strange emotions.
Knowing that the subject of baptism was not under discus-
sion in our respective families or neighborhood, added no
little to my surprise. 'Alice,' I said; 'why do you ask
me this question? ' ' If there is any evidence in the Bible
for infant baptism, I want it, for I never had any confi-
dence in my baptism,' was her reply. 'Well,' I replied,
'I can satisfy your mind.'

" I took down the Scriptures, and read those passages
upon which I had always relied for defense. I read them,
but the reading was of no avail. I must draw inferences.
The Lord only knew the deep mortification I suffered.
My witnesses were against me. I saved appearances as
best I could, laid up the book, and said we would talk
upon this subject at another time. I now saw the differ-
ence between the controversialist and the impartial in-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 315

structor. I could no more mislead my dear wife, than my
own soul. Before this, I saw infant baptism in ' Suffer
little children to come unto me,' in the baptism of Cor-
nelius, Lydia, the jailer, Stephanas, and their households ;
and when hard pressed by an opponent I could find it in
circumcision, but under these new circumstances it had de-
parted, given up the ghost without a struggle or a groan,
and left me in mourning.

^'Between denominational pride and conviction there
was a fierce contest for a short time. But I finally resolved
to be true to my convictions, and I made an honest sur-
render. I said, 'My dear wife, I can give you no Bible
evidence for infant baptism, for there is none. I am now
convinced that it is a human device; and neither we,
nor so much as one of our extensive family connections
are in the church of Christ, according to the law of the
Lord.'

'* I now became more confirmed in the conviction, that
there was something wrong in the denominational exhibi-
tions of Christianity. I had been misled by wise and good
men. I also discovered that I had never read the Script-
ures, to form sentiments for myself. My religion consisted
in opinions, rather than faith. I had been acting upon the
credit system, and I was determined to abandon it at once.
This led us to the only reliable source of knowledge. We
now began to read the Bible as we had never read it be-
fore. The question of infant baptism was now disposed
of, and we regarded ourselves as unbaptized. Then we
examined the specific passages in the New Testament on
faith. This was the subject of my greatest trouble.
Sometimes I thought I had a hope, and again I doubted.
I knew I had never felt and experienced what others said
they had, and I attributed my darkness to unbelief. Yet I
knew I did believe. But, in our classification at that time,
there were four kinds of faith — speculative, historical,
dead, and saving faith — the latter only was of saving

3l6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

value. This faith I supposed I had not, and had no
means of obtaining. The first three might be the result
of the Scriptures, and were of no avail ; while saving faith
was the direct gift of God. This gift was the burden of
my daily prayer. In our course of reading we came to
this Scripture: ^And many other signs truly did Jesus in
the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this
book : but these are written, that ye might believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing
ye might have life through his name./ John xx: 30, 31.

^' I exclaimed! ^This faith I have had from my child-
hood ! '

** I said, adopting the language of David, ^ The Lord
has brought me into a large place. ' This discovery came
like a flood of light. The gospel in all its facts and phases
assumed new and lovely aspects. The gospel appeared
intelligible, and its promised blessings accessible. This
was to us the beginning of a new life and new joys. We
had new incentives to read the Bible.'*

Samuel McGowan was a devout man, possessed
of solid mind, with great power of analysis. One
day he met Jonas Hartzel, his brother-in-law, and
said : " I fear Alexander Campbell has fallen into a
grievous error." ** What is it.?'' '* In the last
number of the * Christian Baptist * he maintains that
baptism, preceded by faith and repentance, is for the
remission of sins." Hartzel replied : " I have advo-
cated that for some months past myself. In defend-
ing anti-pedobaptist views with other folds, I re-
ferred to Acts ii : 38 ; where it says, * Repent, and
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins.' I found this to be a new and
unanswerable argument against infant baptism."

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 317

" Well," said McGowan, ^' I guess you '11 read the
^ Christian Baptist ' now !"

Thus the investigations ran, till the Hartzels,
Hubbards, McGowans, Finch, and others agreed to
form a society for the investigation of Scripture
subjects. They were fully awake to the sad condi-
tion of the Christian churches, so called, divided,
alienated, contradictory in doctrine and work, and
that this state of things was not only unauthorized
by the word of God, but contrary to it. And they
were equally convinced both of the truth of the
Holy Scriptures, and the unity of their teaching on
all practical subjects. This noble band of men and
women bound themselves together to find out that
truth, and to walk together in it. They resolved to
meet weekly, and semi-weekly when convenient.
This was in March, 1827. Bro. Hartzers pen may
proceed with the story:

*' There were in this little band the following persons :
Cornelius P. Finch, a Methodist preacher, and his wife;
Ephraim B. Hubbard and his wife, he an active Metho-
dist and his wife a Baptist ; Samuel McGowan and wife, he
a Baptist and his wife a Presbyterian ; Peter Hartzel and
wife, he a Presbyterian and his wife a Baptist ; myself and
wife, myself a Presbyterian, but not a communicant, and
my wife a Methodist. There were a few others. The first
three named were our chief speakers. We assumed that
the Christian religion, in its fullness and perfectness, was
recorded in the New Testament, and what could not be
there found, or what could not be read from this book
was no part of Christianity. We also assumed that this
was an intelligible document, for, if not adapted to the
common intelligence of mankind, it could not be received

3l8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

as a revelation from God to man. In these predicates we
agreed.

^' Our work was now before us, and we had a will to do
it. But little did we know of the magnitude or the dif-
ficulties of the work to which we had committed ourselves.
Our meetings increased. Some came in from feelings of
opposition, others from motives of curiosity. Stephen
M. Hubbard, a Methodist preacher and a worthy man, at-
tended occasionally, and participated freely and affection-
ately in our discussions. Our number at one time, I
think, was twenty-two. The three most popular church
parties were all represented among us, both in number and
intelligence ; therefore our discussions took a wide range.
Sometimes we discussed the intelligibility of the Script-
ures, their all-sufficiency for the purposes of enlighten-
ment, conversion, Christian perfection, church govern-
ment. Then the ^ special call ' to the ministry ; how does
faith come; how many kinds of faith; which is first in
order — faith or repentance ; can a sinner believe and obey
the gospel, acceptably and savingly, without some super-
added spiritual influence from above; should an unbe-
liever pray for faith ; is the gospel a dead letter, or does
it possess inherent, quickening power; when, where, and
by whom was the gospel first preached. The difference
between the first and second commission which Christ gave
to his apostles ; apostolic succession ; the abrogation of
the Mosaic dispensation ; the subjects, mode, and design
of baptism ; should a sinner be baptized on the confession
of his faith in Christ, or on an approved experience.
All these subjects were under earnest discussion for about
one year.

''These were great questions, and on account of our old
theologies, they were exceedingly perplexing.

*' No doctrinal standard was appealed to. All human
authorities were ignored. The Bible was our book ; Jesus
Christ and his apostles were our umpire; and our work

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 319

was personal in its object. We were sick of denomina-
tionalism. All save Bro. Finch and his wife, had a relig-
ious opponent in his or her own bosom. Primarily our
objects were to save our souls from sin, and to sweeten our
domestic enjoyments by a return to that gospel which was
from the beginning. We had but two alternatives be-
tween which to choose; either to transmit religious party-
ism, with all its bitter fruits, to our rising families, and
live and die in that state of doubt and uncertainty, vascil-
lating between hope and fear, the inevitable result of a
mixed profession, or to find relief by going back to the
old record, to 'look up the old paths and walk therein.*

'*Now for the practical results. In the month of May,
1828, we determined to enter into church relations. The
question of baptism came up. It was suggested by one of
the senior brethren who had been immersed, that those of
our number who did not yet see their way clear, might
come into membership on their former baptism, until such
time as they might see their duty more clearly. To which
I replied, that myself and wife had been desirous to be
baptized for some months past, but were waiting an op-
portunity; and we would not stand out-door and do in-
door work. This at once settled the question in favor of
immersion as a condition of membership.

*' Immediately brethren Hubbard and Finch were re-
quested by the meeting to visit Adamson Bentley and
Marcus Bosworth, to obtain their attendance to preach for
us, and administer baptism, and assist in a formal church
organization on the New Testament basis. On Saturday,
preceding the second Lord's day in June, 1828, these
brethren came. Before preaching, a few were baptized,
and more on the day following. Then thirteen 'gave
themselves to the Lord and to one another. '

''The test to which our investigations conducted us
was a rigid one. To abandon long cherished opinions,
and to dissolve endeared church relations, requires strong

320 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

faith and great conscientiousness. Especially is this true
in the case now before us. One profession may be ex-
changed for another, one creed for another, and one party
name for another without much sacrifice or loss of reputa-
tion. But to abjure party, creed, and name, and espouse
the simple gospel, involves reputation, and, in the case of
ministers, standing, character, and support.

^^ This congregation grew in favor with

all who gave us a candid hearing. In less than six months
our number was about sixty. Seven of these were strong
men, and did more or less evangelical work in the region
round about, and the Deerfield church became a radiating
point, a center of Christian influence.'*

November 7, 1828, Walter Scott first preached in
Deerfield. His reputation had preceded him, and
expectation was high. The house was filled densely
at an early hour. His victories in other fields plumed
his hopes, and prepared him for the occasion. It is
to be spoken of that remarkable man that he seldom
came into an assembly unprepared. Though atten-
tive to all that was about him, his theme absorbed
him, and it was matured. I have often seen him
with his face bowed almost to his knees as he sat
waiting the moment for opening, with his hands
covering it, evidently lifting his soul li*ke Jacob for
a blessing. On this occasion the people were on his
heart, and each soul was a kingdom to be won for
Christ. His first sentence commanded every ear.
" The world has been wrong three times, it has been
well nigh ruined a fourth.'' Proceeding through the
Patriarchal, the Jewish and Christian dispensations,
he shed on each such a flood of light, that the whole
Bible seemed luminous. The sermon lasted three

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 32 1

hours. At the end of his discourse on the Patri-
archal dispensation he paused, and turning to Sister
Jane Davis, a sister from Wales, of fine musical pow-
ers, he said: "Sister Jane, sing us one of your
songs." Then resuming, he opened the Jewish age
to their understanding. " Sister Davis, another of
your beautiful songs." Then gathering up his
strength he presented the Christian institution, the
full and complete development of God's mercy to lost
man.

The effect was perceptible every-where. Eleven
souls accepted the offered mercy. Capt. Amos Al-
lerton and Capt. Horace Rogers were of the number.

Capt. Allerton was an influential citizen, of fine
social qualities, good intellectual abilities, high toned,
generous, sensitive, quick of discernment, and frank,
almost to a fault. Tall, heavy frame, not muscular,
but of immense physical power. Yet this fine ship
carried no faith. Having heard of Scott and his do-
ings, that he baptized people and promised them
heaven, sometimes taking them by force into bap-
tismal floods, he went to the meeting fully intent on
seeing fair play, and not permitting such perform-
ances in Deerfield. And he was just the man for
such a venture, had there been a call for it. How
was he taken aback when he beheld a small man, of
gentlemanly m'anners equaled by few, delicate in
build, with every evidence in lineament, and form,
and speech of the gentlest and the noblest of na-
tures ! He was disarmed of all his useless purposes,
and he resolved to hear him carefully and candidly.
He caught his first word and his last. As the great
dispensations moved on before him in that grand

322 EAKLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

discourse, like panoramic illuminations, he saw what
he never saw before — order, system, plan, arrange-
ment, and development in the Bible history of human
redemption. As the eloquent preacher approached
the conclusion, AUerton's skepticism had vanished,
and he felt his heart moved, as never before, by the
view of the Savior, suffering on the cross for the sins
of the whole world, opening there the fountain where
all must come, and wash and be clean.

As the preacher said, " Clear the way and let the
people come and confess their faith in Jesus Christ
and be pardoned," Allerton started with a decision
so quick, and a step so prompt, that Scott felt
alarmed at seeing him crowding so resolutely along.
No sooner was he seated than Scott^s fears subsided,
and he felt as Ananias after the Lord had said to
him " Behold, he prayeth ! "

This community presents a favorable example of
steady and continued growth. Her elders, C. P.
Finch and E. B. Hubbard were men of distinction as
speakers. Bro. Finch had been a circuit rider among
the Methodists. With the frankness of character
for which he was distinguished, he quickly saw, and
promptly embraced the principles of this appeal for
a restoration of primitive Christianity. **Ye may
all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all
be comforted," (i Cor. xii:3i.) No church better
exemplified this Scripture. Thus the church was
able to *' edify itself in love ; " and moreover from
them " sounded out the word into every place."
All the churches within a radius of thirty miles felt
the power of this congregation. Many became
highly competent teachers, as Peter Hartzel, Samuel

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE 323

McGovvan, Alex. Hubbard ; and several rose to emi-
nence, such as E. B. Hubbard, J. Hartzel, A. Aller-
ton, C. P. Finch, and John Schaeffer. From her
came the Laughlins— MiloLaughlin, of Missouri, and
A. J. Laughlin, of Indiana. While depending on
their regular steady meetings, they have enjoyed
the labors of most of the preachers — Henry, Hay-
den, Bosworth, Brockett, Lanphear, Perky, the
Erretts, Belding, M. L. Wilcox, Streator. And time
would fail to tell of their glorious work in Christ.
From her have gone, besides those named, W. W.
Hayden, W. L. Hayden, and M. P. Hayden, the three
sons of Daniel Hayden, all fully educated, and all
giving themselves to the ministry.

It should be recorded in honor of the power of
woman, too frequently left in the shade, that to the
influence of one female in their number is largely
and justly due this early Christian enterprise. The
firmness of character needed to support faltering
resolution was found in the inflexible purpose of heart
of Mrs. Polly Hubbard, the wife of Bro. E. B. Hub-
bard. To her devotion to truth, to her clearness of
perception of it as taught in the gospel, to her
marked and consistent evenness of character and
firmness of mind, her husband was greatly indebted
for encouraging support in many an hour of fierce
trial, to which their position and principles were
subjected in those times of conflict and debate.

The same honorable mention should be made of
several others, the wives of men whose names have
won renown. To their prudence, firmness, and
cheerful devotion to the cause, and endurance of toil
and reproach, equal to their husbands, is to be cred-

324 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ited a full measure of the success of the gospel in
Deerfield.

In the year 1834, there was an accession to the
reformation from the ranks of Lutheranism of one
of their ministers. The recital of his change of
views presents so much information, that it can not
rightfully be withheld from the reader. We refer to
the case of Rev. John Schaefifer, of Columbiana
County. We are thankful that we can give it from
Bro. Schaeffer's own candid and careful pen :

''Dear Bro. Hayden:

''By your request I will give you a brief history of my
life, exclusively on those points you suggest.

" I. The place of my nativity is Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania. My religious training was that of the most
ultra order of the Lutherans. Being of poor parentage, I
did not enjoy the advantage of a collegiate education. At
the age of twenty, I was placed under the theological in-
struction of Rev. John Wagenhals, a fine scholar from
Germany, and a gentleman in the true sense of that word.
I studied the theology of the Lutheran church one year,
after which, by his influence I obtained, when examined,
a license to preach, sprinkle infants, catechize, and sol-
emnize marriage contracts; but denied the right of ad-
ministering the Lord's Supper, and a voice in the synodi-
cal and ministerial sessions. This was to assist me in the
prosecution of my studies for another year. After which
I obtained license after being examined in theology, by
which I was clothed with all the ministerial functions, save
a voice in the ministerial session, which privilege was con-
sequent upon ordination ; and by this license I was con-
stituted a candidate for ordination, and put on probation
in the ministry for three years; after which term, upon
examination of my orthodoxy in the Lutheran faith, J

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 325

was ordained, by the imposition of the hands of the min-
isterium, to the office of pastor. I remained with the so-
ciety but one year in the capacity of a pastor. My entire
stay with that religious order was five years, save two
months; viz. : one year as catechist, three years as candi-
date on probation, and one year as ordained minister or
^pastor.

''2. The agencies that led me to reform in many of
my religious views were, briefly, these : While yet on pro-
bation, on a visit to my father-in-law's house, I had an
introduction to Bro. Jonas Hartzel by his sister, who, after
a few months, became my companion for life. Our con-
versation soon turned on the subject of religion, which was
the common topic of those days, and in the course of our
interview he propounded this question: ^ Which in the
order of salvation stands first, faith or repentance ? ' I
answered in all the honesty of my soul as I was taught,
and as I was teaching, not suspecting, in the least, the
possibility of a negative to my answer, ' Repentance pre-
cedes true and evangelical, or saving faith.' Bro. Hart-
zel replied : * Do you hold that repentance is pleasing to
God ? ' * Most certainly, else he never would have com-
manded it.' Bro. Hartzel replied: * The apostle Paul
says, Hebrews eleventh chapter : Without faith it is impossi-
ble to please God.' This was enough for me on that sub-
ject. I confessed my error, and from henceforth I no
more preached repentance before faith, nor justification by
faith alone.

''This was the first time my confidence in Lutheranism
was ever in the least shaken. I felt the very platform on
which I stood tremble beneath me. My mind became
much agitated. The idea of being wrong on this cardinal
point, prompted the inquiry, may we not be in error in
others also ? Moreover, the whole religious world was ar-
rayed before me, in all their diversified views and opin-
ions on religion. They all lay equal claims to divine

326 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

truth and right. I was forced to lay aside all my former
prejudices, and come to the charitable conclusion that we
are all alike but sects and parties, and all wrong, being in
opposition to each other. With me it was a settled logical
fact, that two opposites can not both be right ; it is
possible that both may be wrong, but impossible for both
to be right.

* 'From these reflections I came to the conclusion, that
Lutheranism may be as rich in error as any other ism.
Hence the word of God was my only refuge ; for all re-
gard the word of God infallibly true. •

*' After I became connected with the Hartzel family I
was brought into frequent contact with Bro. J. Hartzel.
The main difficulties in my way were the questions relating
to infant church membership, predicated on the perpetuity
of the church state, which received its visible form when
Abraham was ninety years old, and received the covenant
of circumcision. These were the topics discussed when
we met. Our debates were warm and animated, and I
thought that neither of us had much to boast when we laid
our armor off. His sister, my wife, who was a Disciple
sentimentally, long before we were married, also greatly
aided in revolutionizing my views on these subjects, by
propounding questions, and leaving me to struggle under
their weight to work out a solution, without ever attempt-
ing a vindication of her questions. This prudential
course had its desired effect. I never had any difficulty
respecting the action of baptism. I well understood be-
fore I completed my theological studies, that pouring and
sprinkling were substituted for baptism by the authority
with which the ministers professed to be clothed ; be-
lieving themselves to be the successors of the apostles in
office, embassadors of Christ, having the keys of the
kingdom of heaven committed to them. Believing all
this, I was fully satisfied that I was doing God service in
sprinkling a little water on the face of an innocent babe

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. -^2^

in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Bro.
Hartzel and I engaged in a written debate on these sub-
jects, during which time I availed myself of all the aids
in my power, both from books and from my preaching
brethren. I did this in disguise, not wishing that the se-
cret workings of my mind should be made manifest. It
was customary with the ministers when they met on a
visit, in order to pass the time more pleasantly and profit-
ably to themselves, to take up a debatable question and
discuss it. On one occasion I took the negative of infant
baptism with the pastor of the German Reformed Church
of New Lisbon. He being a scholar, and a man of expe-
rience, I discussed it with a good degree of energy, pay-
ing due deference to his age and superiority. He frankly
confessed that infant baptism could not be positively sus-
tained from the New Testament, and closed the debate
with this remark : * It is a good old practice, and I would
have my children baptized if the whole world should re-
pudiate the practice.' On another occasion, with the
pastor of the Lutheran church in Carrollton, 1 took the
negative of the same proposition. He made the same
concession as the former, but his concluding remark dif-
fered, viz. : *So we believe and so we preach.* I will re-
fer to one more case : Conversing with the pastor of the
Lutheran church in Canton, he discovered in me w^hat I
did not so fully realize myself, and thought my sentiments
ran in the direction of my arguments. When we gave
each other the parting hand he said : ' I fear the next time
I shall hear from you, it will be j/^ohn the Baptist' — my
name being John. So the aid I sought against my oppo-
nent, made me weaker.

'*In the meantime I had in charge about thirty cate-
chumens, instructing them in the religion of our fathers,
qualifying them for the act of confirmation, in which act
they voluntarily assume their baptismal vows made in
their infancy by their sponsors or god-parents. The time

328 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

had arrived when it became my duty to ascertain whether
they were all baptized. After asking several in the class
and receiving an affirmative answer, the following col-
loquy ensued : A young lady whom I asked, Are you bap-
tized ? answered, ' I do not know ! '

^* Ques. *Do you not know that you were baptized?'

'' Ans. ^No.'

'^ Ques, ^Did your parents never tell. you that you were
baptized ? '

^' Ans. 'My parents told me that I was sprinkled when
I was a baby, but I know nothing at all about it.'

'* The argument was overwhelming. A personal duty
changed into an item of faith, robbing the believing peni-
tent of one of the greatest privileges, to know that he
has put on Christ in baptism through faith in him. It
clinched the nail Bro. Hartzel had so skillfully driven.
I immediately dismissed my class, returned home, and
said to my wife, *I shall never sprinkle another infant
while I live.' She congratulated me on my resolution,
expressed her gratitude and joy, and remarked ; ' I never
believed you would remain a pedobaptist many years.'
This resolution of mine soon became public. On the
night of the same day, Mr. Stewart, one of the deacons,
called on me to come and baptize an infant of his broth-
er's, which lay at the point of death. I informed him I
could not comply without a divine warrant; I am fully
convinced that heretofore when I sprinkled infants I did
it in ignorance, en human authority. I gave him my rea-
sons. The effect this announcement had on his feelings
could not easily be described. He left. The child died
that night. It was buried the next day, and I was not
called upon to conduct the funeral services. In a very
few days it was published throughout all my congrega-
tions that I had refused to discharge the ministerial obli-
gations I was under to the Lutheran church.

*^I wrote a letter to Bro. Hartzel, informing him of

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 329

my full conviction of the truth, and desired him to send
an appointment and baptize me. This brought our de-
bate to a close. He cheerfully responded to my call, sent
an appointment to the Phillips congregation, filled it in
company with Bro. E. B. Hubbard ; preached on a sub-
ject adapted to the occasion, after which my happy wife
and myself were immersed by Bro. Hubbard, in the
presence of a goodly number of my Lutheran brethren
and sisters, March, 1834,

**In the month of June following the Synod convened
in New Lisbon. I addressed a letter to their honorable
body, presenting it by the hands of Bro. Benj. Pritchard.
The proposition for a hearing was discussed, and when a
vote was called, the nays had it by a good majority of the
preachers. Thus I was excluded from their fellowship as
a heretic, greatly to the dissatisfaction of many of the
laity, who judged that I ought to have had a hearing, and
the right of self-defense. Thus ended forever my relig-
ious connection with the Lutheran church.

''You ask me to relate some of my struggles and priva-
tions connected with this part of my history. I will
answer you briefly : When this religious tie was sundered
I was left in a very destitute condition. My salary at the
time was four hundred dollars, which, added to marriage
fees and other perquisites came to near five hundred dol-
lars. My year was expired within two months when I
came out frofti among them. My convictions of truth did
not allow me to dissemble, and preach, and practice error
two months longer for the salary. Neither did I ever re-
ceive, a farthing of it, though it was collected in several
of my congregations, and ready for delivery.

" I had thirty acres of land, less than half paid for,
without team or means to cultivate it. I was without
money ; forsaken of fathers and mothers. But my friends
did not all forsake me. The Lord reserved to me two
very wealthy men, members of the church from which I
28

330 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

seceded — Mr. Brinker and Mr. Switzer. They ever were,
and they remained, my warmest friends. My departure
from their doctrine only heightened their respect for me.
They claimed it was the strongest evidence of my candor
and honesty to leave a society that supported its ministers,
and become identified with a people that repudiated sala-
ried preachers. They both lent me generous, substantial
aid, and remained my most ardent friends till their death.
Some of the brethren were also benefactors to me, espec-
ially George Pow and A. Campbell. The church of
Bethany presented me one hundred dollars, besides some
valuable gifts.

'^I preached every Lord's day, and sometime? during
the week. The brethren received me kindly, heard me
gladly, thanked me heartily, invited me cordially to
preach for them, but never seemed to consider that I
lived just like themselves, by eating and drinking, and
that my time was my only means of support. Conse-
quently I had to ^dig.' I was not ashamed to dig; but
one thing I plainly discovered and felt most seriously,
that my sun had forever set so far as time for suitable
preparation to hold forth the word of life was concerned.
One of the congregations agreed to pay me one dollar a
visit every four weeks, or one-fourth of my time. This
was ominous of better times. Another congregation
promised me fifty dollars for one-fourth of my time. A
certain brother and sister, who always appeared to have a
very high regard for me, were exceedingly hurt because
Bro. Schaeifer was receiving a salary for preaching. I
received only thirty-seven dollars of the amount^ and
unwilling to give further offense, I never asked for the
balance.

'* I am glad that a change has been effected in this par*
ticular. Ministers are now cared for as justice and equity
demand.

** In reflecting on the past and the present, my losses

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 33 1

and privations, I always come to the conclusion that I
was the gainer. The exchange of error for truth, I es-
teem a great gain. When my spirit has been almost
crushed, and my physical nature almost exhausted by
hard work, the consideration that I have found the light
of the gospel has always revived and strengthened me.

^* Yours fraternally,
^'Deerfield, O., Augusty 1872. John Schaeffer.'*

The writer of these chronicles regards it impor-
tant to present a correct, if not an exhaustive, his-
tory of the struggles and self-denials of the early
preachers of the "reformation." Bro. Schaeffer's
modesty would not have permitted him, unsolicited,
to speak of his own case as he has in the above com-
munication. From one, learn all. His story is not
an exception. To a great extent they all went to
the warfare at their own charges. The growth of
justice in this particular was slow, and not a few
were compelled to abandon the ripened fields of evan-
gelical enterprise by the stern law of necessity. It
is certainly ground of much regret that a brother of
Bro. Schaeffer's excellent endowments of mind, man-
ners, and education, a gift to the cause while he was
young, a fluent speaker in his native German, could
not have been amply supported, and employed to
open the gospel to his own people, a work for which
his experience was so good a preparation.

332 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER XV.

Churches established in Palmyra, Shalersville, and Randolph.

THE first year of Bro. Scott's travels, he and
William Hayden went together to Palmyra.
There was no small stir concerning **this way."
They came with the King's message, and they pro-
claimed it with authority. In few places could so
little be done with the old professors. The Baptist
church, which existed as far back as 1818, under the
charge of the benevolent Thomas Miller, and which,
in 1825 entertained the association, had lost its savor.
The religion of peace was poorly represented. Shame-
ful quarrels were perpetuated in the separation of
the church into two fragments, in which personal
ambition and family strife prevailed. The patience
of many was exhausted with evils which they could
not cure, and they stood aloof from the churches,
waiting a better hope and a truer gospel. These
messengers of Christ's gospel, not wishing to identify
their mission with such a state of things, soon aban-
doned all hope of reconciling these old professors,
and opened on new grounds the claims of the gospel.
Their boldness and zeal, supported by the charms of
music and the attractions of eloquence and, still
more, by the plain, pungent truth they proclaimed,
brought multitudes to hear, and many to yield to
Christ. The conquest was complete, but it was
achieved in much sharp opposition. The piercing,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 333

piquant speeches of Scott provoked some of the
people. One man, who had been on bad terms with
his neighbors, objected to Scott's preaching, saying :
**I want to see more heart religion in it." '*Aye,"
said Scott, " and I want to see a man not keep all
his religion in his heart, but let some of it come out
so his neighbors can see it ! " A Methodist lady re-
torted upon him : " You have to sing our songs ! "
** We ought to, madam," he replied ; " we get your
converts ! "

A church soon arose, formed of the new converts
and a large proportion of the old members. Britton
Fisher and Iliff Garrison were appointed the over-
seers of it. Robert Calvin, Marvin Gilbert, George
and Nicholas Simons, William Shakspearand E. Fish-
er, with their wives, were among the early members.
It was established in 1828.

They received help from the brethren who founded
the congregation, especially from William Hayden.
John Henry helped them much also, as did the breth-
ren in Deerfield — Allerton, Hubbard, Finch, Hartzel
and McGowan ; A. B, Green also, with Brockett,
Reeves, and M. J. Streator. Dr. Robison is remem-
bered for valuable help. In September, 1840, A. B.
Green and A. S. Hayden conducted a meeting in
Palmyra. A wide hearing was gained, and seventeen
converts came in. The church then counted a mem-
bership of seventy-four persons.

Like all churches unsupported by pastoral labor,
their course has been fluctuating. The lamp has
nearly ceased to burn at different times ; but much
of the true salt is yet to be found in the church,

334 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

which to this present day meets every Lord's day to
keep the ordinances as they were delivered.

A church was started in the south part of Pal-
myra almost as early as that in the north. Elijah
Canfield, Horace Western, and Andrew Sturdevant
were the leaders. It sustained itself a number of
years, but succumbed at last to the common ene-
mies of embodied societies — emigration, death, and
neglect.

The Church in Shalersville.

Some time in the fall of 1828, as William Hayden
was riding through Windham he met Isaac Mead.
The surprise at meeting was mutual. Mead, accost-
ing Hayden, said : " Bro. Hayden, is that you ? "
" Yes, it is I." " What's the matter ? I see your gar-
ments are wet ! " "I preached back here last night,
and a person coming to Christ, I have just been bap-
tizing the convert ; and having no opportunity of
changing my garments, I am going on to find a place
to preach. Do you know of any opening.?" "Yes,
in Shalersville ; I am just from there, and there is a
good opening. Go on, and call on Davis Haven, and
tell him I sent you." " Good bye," said the vigorous
preacher, and applying his spurred heels to his horse
he was soon out of sight.

Late in the spring of 1828, Thomas Campbell and
Sidney Rigdon had preached a few discourses in
Shalersville, taught the people the way of life, and
baptized two young men. In the summer, E. Wil-
liams delivered a number of sermons, but his former
Universalian friends, incensed by his renunciation of
their fruitless speculations, were not favorable to his
message. But the labors of these men, and Scott's

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 335

success in adjacent towns, had opened the public ear.
So when Hayden came to plant the standard of the
cross he had an audience. The ardor of his nature
was equal to his powers. He double shotted every
piece, and directed his artillery against skepticism
and sectarianism ; and in contrast with the darkness
of the one and the demoralizations of the other, he
vindicated the credibility of the apostles and proph-
ets, and asserted and defended the rightful claims of
Jesus Christ to the throne of the universe.

In one of his trips Scott came with him. Here
it was Dr. R. Richardson, then of Pittsburgh, seek-
ing Scott in New Lisbon, " to be baptized of him,"
and not finding him there, came and found his pre-
ceptor and friend in the midst of an animated meet-
ing. Scott met him with great joy, for his soul was
toward him like that of David to Jonathan. When
the congratulations were over, said Scott, aside, to
Hayden, " O, that the Lord would give us that young
man ! " not yet aware of the purpose of his visit. He
had been brought up strictly in the Episcopalian or-
der ; but having his attention called by Bro. Scott,
sometime previous, in a conversation with him at
Pittsburgh, to the original term for baptism, his fine
scholarship enabled him to investigate its meaning ;
and finding its current use in the Scriptures and
every-where else to be immersion, he conscientiously
followed the light, and sought Bro. Scott for baptism
at his hands. On going to the Cuyahoga to baptize
some converts, Richardson made known his wishes ;
when, with the others, he was buried by baptism into
the death of the Lord Jesus.

Bro. A. B. Green was early in Shalersville. The

336 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

brethren in Deerfield, also C. P. Finch, E. B. Hub-
bard, and A. Allerton, helped much both to sow, tc
water the seed, and to gather the harvest. For sev-
eral years William Hayden, having planted the church,
looked after it as a nursing father.

The citizens of the township having erected a good
Town House, it was proposed that it should be dedi-
cated. At the instance of prominent citizens, Hub-
bard and Allerton were invited to hold a meeting in
it. They solicited me to accompany them. Closing
up my winter school Friday night, we mounted our
horses early Saturday morning, and at noon we were
on the ground. The meeting was held three days ;
and many heard out of regard to the nature of the
occasion. This was the last of February, 1834.

All this time, and for years afterward, the church
had no settled minister. The preachers came among
them frequently ; but the church, like most of the
congregations, had learned to "edify one another in
love." This reliance on the talent of the church
quickens the zeal and develops the abilities of the
members ; and if it is not depended on to the exclu-
sion of preaching, it is a direct and powerful means
of imparting strength and permanency to the
churches.

At one of Bro. Green's meetings there was a Miss
Langworthy among the converts. The Congrega-
tional minister, all praise for his zeal, became much
excited at seeing the people so deluded and led away
into error. Green had taught the converts simply to
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, and
to trust honestly to his gospel word of promise, *' he
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.'* This

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 337

minister came in the crowd to the meeting, and
knowing Miss Langworthy, he called her attention
to the danger of the error she was embracing.
*' Why," she innocently responded, " has not the Lord
told us to come and be baptized ?" " O, I tell you,"
said the minister, " it is a most pernicious doctrine,
and you are exposing yourself to the danger of being
damned if you believe it." "But, the Savior said *he
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; ' and
now, if I believe on him with all my heart, and am
baptized, will he damn me } " This was enough.
The strength of '* orthodoxy," so called, was weak-
ness before the word of the Lord. Bro. Green and
all around heard the conversation, but he said not a
word, perceiving this child of mourning and of joy,
in her tears and simplicity, was effectually defending
the faith. The converts were then baptized; they
were full of joy, and new songs were heard in many
homes.

In 1835, the yearly meeting for Portage County
was held in Shalersville, which increased the number
of converts, and imparted strength to the church.
Again, in 1837, ^^e churches of the county came up
here to hold their annual convocation. It was a large
and impressive meeting. Many public advocates of
the gospel attended it. Both the Town Hall and
the Congregational church were filled to overflowing
on the Lord's day.

In February, 1843, Harvey Brockett, by invitation
of the elders, Milo Hoskins and Davis Haven, came
to Shalersville. There was a great shaking among
the people. Brockett's earnest and persuasive elo-
quence, with his instructive exhibitions of the gospel,
29

338 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

enlightened many and brought them to Christ. An
event occurred in the midst of this meeting, which
brought out the whole town to hear. It was the
death of William Coolman, Esq. This gentleman,
unpretentious, well educated, and kind-hearted, was
deservedly held in high esteem. His residence was
also the home of his widowed daughter^ the excellent
mother of Bro. C. C. Foot. Brockett's sermon at the
funeral of Bro. Coolman was all aflame with light
on the resurrection and eternal judgment. Many
towering imaginations were brought low, and many
hearts were humbled. The seeds of this sowing
came up for reaping in many subsequent harvests.

From this place Bro. Brockett went to Ravenna
two weeks. Additions followed his labors there.
He returned to Shalersville for one week. Exhausted
and obliged to leave, Bro. M. L. Wilcox came in and
finished up this extraordinary series of successes.

Eighteen months afterward, February, 1845, Brock-
ett responded to the urgent calls of the people, and
conducted another meeting. Among the souls
brought into the kingdom at this time, was the youth-
ful Charles Coolman Foot. He soon manifested in-
cHnations for the ministry. Availing himself of all
the means of education and spiritual improvement
within his reach, his "profiting" began to be appar-
ent to the church. He persevered in his prepara-
tions, and has becom.e extensively useful in the
gospel.

Bro. T. J. Newcomb grew up into religious activity
in this church. He confessed the Lord Jesus, and
turned his talents to build up his cause in the hearts
of the people.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 33y

In the year 1849, ^^^' W. A. Belding began his
labors in this church. It was much reduced, and the
fine gold had become dim. He immediately began
to '* revive the spirit of the contrite ones." His
practical addresses, enforced by an assuring confi-
dence of the value of Christianity, by a cheerful
manner, and many a sweet, enrapturing song, soon
brought about a reformation. The house was filled
once more. Many wanderers were brought back to
the fold, and conversions were again frequent. Dur-
ing the seven years of his residence in Shalersville,
there were one hundred and fifty additions.

Bro. Belding's labors have been very abundant and
successful. He was sometime in Mentor, where the
church was greatly enlarged; one hundred and sev-
enty-seven souls being added in eighteen months.
In many other places he has a grateful remembrance
among the people. He is the youngest son of the
late Dr. Rufus Belding, of Randolph; a gentleman
of rare excellence, serenity, and dignity of character.

The church in Shalersville was long under the
counsels and management of Milo Hoskins, Davis
Haven, and Isaac Mead, as overseers ; of E. B. Chapin,
James Coit, Decalvus Root, John Haven, Chester
Cooley and others, as servants of the congregation.
From this community emigration has carried the
message of life, and built up in other counties and
other States the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Cooleys, the Havens, the Nicholls and Streators,
in North Eaton, early lifted the standard, and they
have, with the blessings of God upon them, estab-
lished a church which is now one of the strongest
on the Western Reserve. Some of the same fami-

340 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

lies are in Bloomingdale, Mich., with a good house of
worship, and a faithful and united brotherhood in
Christ.

Randolph.

Deacon William Churchill moved into Randolph
from the State of Connecticut in 1812. He died in
that town August 30, 1846, at the advanced age of
81 years.

In 1 8 19, he, with others, constituted a small Bap-
tist church in Randolph, of which he was both dea-
con and clerk. When the ^'Christian Baptist'' made
its appearance Churchill obtained it, and the new
light it shed on gospel themes was welcomed by this
inquiring community of believers. They had come
together under the name of Baptist, but their single
aim was to be only Christians, and to be led only by
the revealed will of God. This membership was the
basis and the beginning of the large and flourishing
church from which, for forty-five years, has radiated
the light of the gospel. The church was formed on
New Testament principles, July 20, 1828. The rec-
ord reads as follows : " On this day came forward the
baptized disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord, and ac-
knowledged him to be their only Teacher and Law-
giver, and the Holy Scriptures to be their only guide,
and agreed to maintain Christian worship according
to the aforesaid declaration."

The following names composed the new congrega-
tion. All were previously members of the Baptist
church, viz. :

William and Polly Churchill, Philo and Rosanna
Beach, Calvin and Polly Rawson, Elisha and Sophia
Ward, Bela Hubbard and Levi Huggins. William

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 34 1

Churchill and Calvin Rawson were appointed dea-
cons. C. P. Finch, E. B. Hubbard and Samuel Mc-
Gowan were present and "gave the right hand of
fellowship."

Bro. Amos Allerton, also of Deerfield, was an
early and able advocate of the gospel in Randolph,
contributing much to the growth of the body. In-
deed, the church of Randolph was fostered by that
in Deerfield, as in turn the one in Randolph became
the mother of those in Mogadore, New Baltimore,
Suffield and Rootstown. The latter two have dis-
solved. The others have never failed to meet, and
have generally flourished.

Early in their history, William Churchill was
elected to fill the office of overseer, and Elisha Ward
was appointed deacon. The first meeting-house was
erected in 1830, and finished in 1832.

Although the trumpet call to religious reforma-
tion and return to the Jerusalem model of the church,
had been sounding only four or five years, it had
spread far abroad, and was echoed by hundreds of
willing tongues. New churches were starting up in
many quarters, and old ones were throwing aside
their creeds and adopting the New Testament as
their only guide. The Disciples all looked to the
yearly meeting as the means of social and religious
union, like as the great festivals of the Jews, even
more than the uniformity of their rites and ritual,
cemented their nationality. Those great anniversa-
ries, by the acquaintances formed and the consequent
interest they awakened in one another, became a real
and lasting bond of union among the advocates of
the " ancient order of things."

342 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

To Randolph all eyes were directed this year
(1832), for here, the last of August, was to be the
annual gathering. For the first time in seven years,
Mr. Campbell was not present. But the strength
and hope of this cause was in its divinity and truth-
fulness, not in man. There was no diminution in
numbers, nor enthusiasm. The freshness, ardor, and
simplicity of the meetings in those days was beauti-
ful to behold. Here assembled " the disciples," all
on an equality, many of them the recruits of the past
year, for edification, for fellowship in Christ, and
for increase of their animating hopes.

The following public speakers were present: Sy-
monds Ryder, William Hayden, Marcus Bosworth,
Amos Allerton, E. Williams, E. B. Hubbard, C. P.
Finch, Jonas Hartzel, John Henry, J. J. Moss, A. P.
Jones, A. B. Green, John Applegate, A. S. Hayden
and Eli Regal ; some of whom were only beginning
the work of preaching.

The following report of this meeting will be read
with interest :

Streetsborough, Portage Co., O,, Aug, 28, 1832.
Dear Bro. Campbell:

Our general meeting closed yesterday. Such love, such
union, not of opinion, but of faith and Christian feeling,
zeal and intelligence, I never saw but among the disciples
of the ancient mold.

We met on Friday, at i o'clock P. M. ; and though
disappointed by not seeing you, we proceeded to do as
well as we could. Bro. Bosworth gave the first discourse,
and seven or eight other brethren spoke during the meet-
ing in daylight. Preaching in four or five places each
evening.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 343

On Lord's day, Bro. Ryder gave us a masterly dis-
course from the second chapter of ist Timothy. His
first effort was to show the fallacy of Universalism ; 2nd.
of Calvinism. In the third place, an exhortation to
prayer; and, finally, female character and influence as
Christians — and why? That as the woman was the first
in sin, and has ever since been oppressed by the man ;
that as the female was by Christianity raised and honored
with the place, privileges and influence which naturally
and originally belong to her, it, by all reasons, behooves
the sex to honor Christianity in turn by showing all con-
tempt for the trifles which charm the eyes of the vain and
the irreligious ; that they should delight to honor the gospel
with a display of benevolence, rather than of dress.

He succeeded in every point to the great satisfaction of
all the disciples, especially the sisters. The discourse was
followed by appropriate exhortations: and, in short, the
whole day was filled up with much valuable instruction.
Nineteen were immersed during the three days. On Mon-
day our time was devoted to hearing the reports of the
itinerants, and making arrangements for future operations.
This was the most interesting day of any, and probably
more profitable for the interest of truth than all the rest
together.

It appeared from the reports, which, from personal
knowledge I know to be correct, that the apostolic gospel
and order of things are gradually and regularly gaining
influence among us ; and, although in many things we are
quite in the rear of Christian perfection, yet one good
sign is that all see it, and all unitedly urge an advance.
The present reformation is in this different from all the
Protestant reformations, whose leaders, when they had
taken a few steps from their former ground, halted, and
determined the people of God should learn and do no
more of the Lord's will than they had already attained to.
The teaching brethren understood Christianity better,

344 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Public opinion is turning rapidly in favor of the ancient
gospel and order; and I think there is a growing liberality
among the brethren.

The subject of itinerancy was spoken of with warmth
and an unanimity of judgment and feeling never before
equaled among us. The whole community, teachers and
taught, were much affected with the great responsibility
we are under to present to the world the ancient religion
of Christ. It was proposed the itinerants should go two
and two ; but when we . beat for volunteers, it was found
there were but two whose circumstances would permit
them at present to make it their sole employ to proclaim
the word. These two, Bro. Moss and myself, are to go
together wherever a door opens and labor is most needed,
and not to neglect the churches. The brethren and sis-
ters most honorably signified their approbation of these
laborers, and gave good evidence of their readiness to assist
them in all things necessary. Besides these two, brethren
Allerton, Williams, Henry, Hartzel, Bosworth and Apple-
gate, expressed themselves willing and able to devote a
share of their time — some of them the greater part ; and
from their known gifts, were assured by the disciples
present of their willingness to sustain them. After these
matters were dispensed with, an invitation was tendered
to any who wished to obey the Lord, when six or seven
came forward. We went to the water, and continued in-
structing and exhorting until eighteen were immersed,
making in all thirty-seven.

Yours, as ever,

William Hayden.

Among the converts at this meeting was Bro.
W. A. Belding, v^ho has since become widely known
as an able minister of the gospel.

For many years this church moved on in great
harmony, receiving increase of members almost con-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 345

stantly. In 1845, the withering blight of " Come-
outerism" fell upon it, causing alienations, dissen-
sion, and division. Its advocates were infidels.
While pleading for the abolition of slavery and for
temperance, they hurled their deadliest daggers at
the churches and gloried in the demolition of the
organized Christianity of the land. Many excellent
men were caught in their snare. Many here and
elsewhere went out with them. This wild impulse
became a sore trial to the faith and patience of the
churches. Brethren Moss, Perky, and others came
to the defense of the congregations. They met the
fiercest advocates boldly in debate, and mended the
breaches these assailants had made in the walls.
Most of the disciples who. were shaken for a time,
returned into peace and order.

Since that period the church, like a well-manned
ship, has held steadily to its course. It outgrew its
discouragements in a few years, and established itself
more firmly than ever. In i860, the brethren built,
at the center of the town, a new and much better
house of worship. In 1871, the record showed sixty-
two members. In the winter of that year, there was
a great ingathering, under the labors of Bro. F. M.
Green ; within a few weeks sixty-seven were con-
verted, forty-one of whom were heads of families.
Bro. W. H. Bettes is now the overseer.

This church owes much to the prompt, manly zeal
of Bro. Bela Hubbard, who, with his family, gave no
uncertain support to the cause at the start. Also,
the families of the Churchills, the Rawsons, the
Wards, the Beldings and many others, hold a high
place in the grateful memory of the people.

346 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER XVI.

The Churches in North Perry, Painesville, and Eagleville.

THE church of Christ in Perry was organized by
S. Rigdon, August 7, 1829. It had twenty-
seven members ; among whom were Ebenezer Joy
and his wife, David and Eliza Parmly, Sam'l W. and
Lovinia S. Parmly, Ansel and Desire Ryder, John
Brooks, Ezra Isham, Orvis and Rufus Call, Clinton
and Sottle Butler, Leonard, Bradbury and Sallie
Sinclair, Lydia Wood, and Deborah Bacon.

There was soon a large increase of members, em-
bracing the following and other names : David

Dodge, Rufus Neff, Rose, Shubal Lincoln,

Elisha Colton, Levi S. and Eliza Parmly, Eleazor
and Ann M. Parmly, Lewis, Lewis B. Levi, S. and
Otis M. Wood, with the famihes of Sinclair and Call.

Among the causes which brought the reformation
into the Baptist church in Perry, was the liberty
taken by one of its members to ** commune" with
Christians who were not of their '* faith and order ; "
though they were *' baptized believers," in the Bap-
tist sense of that term. David Parmly, a correct and
zealous Baptist, having heard of the great revival in
Mentor, went over from Perry to hear the advocates
of the *' new " doctrine, as it was called. Pleased
with the preaching, and finding the spirit of the
Lord among them, he ventured to "commune" with
the Disciples.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 34/

News of this act came quickly to Perry. It was
too much ; David Parmly was an oifender, and a *' la-
bor " was taken up with him. Bro. Parmly plead
his right as a free man in the Lord, to hold Chris-
tian fellowship with brethren who are believers in
Christ, and who, as well as themselves had been
"buried by baptism into his death." His plea was
of no avail. A church meeting was called to try him
on the following charge of heresy : *' Bro. Parmly is
charged with communing with the Campbellites, and
believing in the doctrines of Alexander Campbell. '
He admitted the act of communing with Christ's
people, and that he believed in the Lord Jesus, in all
he teaches in his word, and declared his willingness
to be subject to his brethren in all things, only " in
the Lord." No defense was admitted. This warm-
hearted Christian of unblemished reputation, was
declared guilty of the charge of " heresy." While
the trial was proceeding Parmly asked to read, with-
out remark, a few portions of the word of God. This
was refused. When the act of exclusion was accom-
pHshed, he walked out of the house, Bible in hand,
and taking his position under the shade of a goodly
tree, he read the word of life to many people, who
followed him with eager interest.

The exclusion of Parmly hastened matters to a
crisis. Rigdon soon was there, and a church was
formed, bringing into it a large number of the Bap-
tist members, who saw too clearly the spirit of the
inquisition, in the exclusion of an upright Christian
man for no other crime than holding fellowship with
*the people of God.

Before the organization of the church, the five

348 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Parmlys — David, Levi, Eleazor, Jehiel, and Samuel
W. — erected a comfortable meeting-house on the lake
shore, which was afterward moved to the place where
it now stands, and formally opened for worship,
August 22, 1 841, at which time the church was re-
organized with David Parmly, Asa S. Turney, and
Lewis Wood, overseers ; and Jehiel Parmly and Otis
M. Wood, deacons. It counted about fifty members.

In December 8, 1850, the brethren who had been
meeting on the " Dock Road,'' in Madison, united
with the church in Perry, which swelled the number
to about one hundred.

During many years of its earlier history this
church had the labors of all the earlier preachers.
A little later came Jones and Green. But Bro. Clapp
stood by them as a chief dependence, and Bro. VioU
also. Rodney Veits and Abram Saunders, espec-
ially the former, preached much there. For two
years they located among them Edward H. Webb,
from Huron County. This noble young brother,
possessed of many promising gifts, went to his re-
ward early in life, just as he was ripening into ex-
tensive usefulness. Bro. Turney stood by them
many years as a leader and counselor.

This church has maintained an unbroken testi-
mony for a period of over forty-five years. Her
later history, like her beginning, has been marked
by joyful ingatherings of souls into Christ's king-
dom. A meeting, conducted by Bro. W. A. Belding,
in 1855, resulted in many conversions. Afterward
Bro. John Encell and M. S. Clapp brought a large
number into the faith. Bro. R. G. White, five yearS
their efficient pastor, will long be held in grateful re-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 349

membrance. Bro. W. O. Moore succeeded him as
minister in the church.

Painesville.

This town felt the impulse of the great movement
which began in Mentor early in 1828. A. P. Jones,
a young man then in the printing office, heard to
profit, turned to Christ, and became extensively use-
ful. This beginning was followed up by brethren
Clapp, Collins, Hayden, and Moss, who occasionally
preached in this town. A ''meeting of days" was
conducted in the village by Wm. Hayden and his
brother, in November, 1842. A few converts were
gained at that time, as there had been by others be-
fore. Bro. Joseph Curtis, moving with his upright
family into the environs of that thriving town, a more
formal occupancy of the ground was decided upon.
A meeting was held in the month of January, 1843,
by E. Williams and Abram Saunders, of Saybrook ;
and on the twenty-ninth of that month, under the
counsels of these brethren, the church was estab-
lished. As overseers, brethren Joseph Curtis and
WilHam Harrison were unanimously selected ; as
deacons, Thomas Smith and Lyman Durand. There
were thirty-six members.

From the beginning the church has maintained a
uniform and consistent policy. Brethren Williams,
Clapp, Collins, and Violl aided to keep the fires burn-
ing on the altar. Protracted meetings have enlarged
their borders from time to time, conducted by W.
Hayden, Isaac Errett, J. Encell, H. W. Everest, K.
Shaw, and others. As pastors, Bro. E. H. Hawley
served them from 1855 ^^ 1859. ^^^' John Encell

3SO EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

settled with them about two years, followed by his
brother, James G. Encell. After these, Bro. L.
Cooley about three years, closing in 1866. Then
came Bro. J. B. Knowles. Bro. L. F. Bittle labored
there from 1868 till 1870, when they secured Bro.
J. W. Ingram for three years. Bro. F. H. Moore,
the present pastor, began in 1873.

With all encroachments on their numbers they
still have about one hundred and eighty. The church
was incorporated in 185 1, and their present comfort-
able meeting-house, in a very good site, was com-
pleted and dedicated in the summer of 1853, Bro.
Collins officiating on the occasion.

This church has mourned the loss of some of her
noblest men : Her first elder, whose enterprise con-
tributed much to found the church, Bro. Curtis ;
and more recently the first deacon, the lamented and
upright Lyman Durand ; Bro. Tuttle likewise, one
of the oldest members, sleeps in the hope. And the
venerable brother, Jehiel Parmly, full of days and
hope.

With the Parmlys, A. Teachout, Dr. Stebbins, Dr.
Pancoast, and the others who stand with them, the
church has a fast hold on society.

Eagleville.

This church came into existence amidst a ''great
fight of aflflictions." Here, as in many other places,
the cardinal principle of Protestantism, the right of
private judgment, was the ground of the agitation
which resulted in the dismemberment of the Baptist
church, and the formation of a religious community
on New Testament principles.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 35 I

As early as 1825-6, the ** Christian Baptist^' had
many readers and many admirers in that Baptist
community. But toleration toward it was of short
duration. The pastor, Silas Barnes, a man of narrow
views, supported by others equally opposed to prog-
ress in religious light, determined to purge the
church of this leaven.

On the 2ist of January, 1833, members of the
Baptist church met to consult on the dangers to be
feared from the new doctrines, and to devise meth-
ods to remove the evil. For six months or more
the church had innumerable ** covenant" meetings,
church meetings, and councils. Sometimes they
met three times a week. Early in the course of the
proceedings the following resolution was passed :
** Resolvedy That we do not fellowship the doctrines
and sentiments published and advocated by Alexander
Campbell and his associates. Neither will we fellow-
ship as members in our church those who patronize
or make a practice of reading his periodical publica-
tions, or those who are in any way trammeled with
his doctrines or his sentiments."

The church, having passed a law to fit the assumed
case, a law conveniently vague, was now prepared for
victims. John D. Foot was cut asunder with the long
knife of excommunication. Martin Mills was next
cited ; but he returned such answers to the commit-
tee, that the church forgave his temerity, and re-
moved from him her censures.

Not so the chief offender. This was Bro. Eben A.
Mills. He was a man of good abilities, firm, earnest
in his purposes, of quick and correct discernment
and a devoted Bible student. He was the quartz^ with

352 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

pure gold in every vein. With a Christian wife,
morally and intellectually his equal, both blessed
with admirable good nature, he carried public sym-
pathy with him in the trying difficulties through
which he was about to pass. He sought no rupture
in the church. A sincere adherent of the *' faith and
order " of the Baptists, he contributed more by his
zeal and tireless activity to build up that " Zion " than
any other private member. As clerk of the church,
he had charge of her records. Devoted to music and
an adept in that charming accomplishment, he and
Mrs. Mills seemed inseparable from the life of the
church. But ** orthodoxy" had no mercy, and quite
as little wisdom ; and it came to Mr. Mills requiring
him to desist reading Mr. Campbell's ''Millennial
Harbinger," to put away the new translation, and
abjure the alleged heresies.

He plead : i. His liberties as a Christian to
*' pro.ve all things " by the infallible standard of the
Word of God, and to " hold fast that which was
good ; " and 2. His rights and liberties as an Amer-
ican citizen to the unmolested use of all things which
tended to the injury of no one, or the restraint of
no other person's privileges.

It is needless to detail all the proceedings which
make this a marked case. It was prolonged till the
church almost to a man had become enlisted. No
charge was hinted against the character of Mr. Mills.
It was a case, pure and simple, of creed — orthodoxy
in array against liberty of conscience. The following
note of his exclusion is copied from the church
record: ''March 2, 1833. It was then motioned
and seconded that, as Bro. E. A. Mills will not con-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 353

sent to abandon the reading of Mr. Campbell's
* Millennial Harbinger/ which we think is leading
him from the gospel and the faith of the regular Bap-
tists, we withdraw from him the hand of fellowship.
The vote was then tried and carried by a consider-
able majority. The office of clerk being now va-
cant, Cornelius Udall was unanimously chosen clerk."

The new clerk, some time afterward, embraced the
sentiments for which Mills was excluded. But he
suffered less persecution — a new class of men having
come into power.

Pending the motion for the exclusion of Mills, he
made a most manly appeal, and an able defense of
Mr. Campbell and his work. It was printed and cir-
culated, but it could not avert the premeditated blow.

This act of exclusion was a heavy stroke to many
of the members. A remonstrance was prepared and
sent in to the church, signed by eighteen names. It
was mild and respectful ; yet, strange to say, it was
the death-knell of every one of them. They were
all, without exception, and without any other offense,
excluded from the church.

This declaration of exclusion was signed by nine
names, and was silently acquiesced in as the action
of the church without approval or demur. Thus nine
members excluded eighteen, the number who had
signed the remonstrance ; the rest of the church,
eighty members, taking no active or recorded part
in the proceedings.

These rejected members, cast down, but not for-
saken, could not let the light within them become
darkness. Hearing of a church in Mentor, meeting
just as the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ,
30

354 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

they sent an invitation for a man to visit them. Bro.
M. S. Clapp came, preached, and organized a church
of seven members, with Bro. E. A. Mills, elder, or
bishop, and Michael Webster, deacon. This took
place October 5, 1833. Bro. Webster was soon as-
sociated as overseer. A. J. Hall and Alfred Mills
were chosen deacons.

Thus originated the church of Christ in Eagleville,
which for forty years has continued to hold the
ground under great discouragements, and to send
forth the light of the gospel into other towns in Ash-
tabula County.

The preachers for the first few years were Alton,
Saunders, Collins, Hayden, Henry, Hartzell, Clapp,
Brockett, Smith, and others. But Bro. Mills was
their reliance for years, in the absence of other aid.
He preached, sung, visited, and entertained the
preachers who visited them. His hospitality was
unstinted. He paid freely to sustain the cause in all
things ; was an example to the flock, till broken in
health, and partly in fortune, he went West, and
ended his days in the unfading hope of immortality.

Bro. Jacob Bartholomew was called to preach for
them in 1846. For many years he has bee^ the min-
ister of the word among them.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 355

CHAPTER XVII.

The Church in Middlebury and Akron — A Church arises in Moga-
dore — In Wadsworth also, with Sketches of Elder O. Newcomb
and A. B. Green.

IN August, 1829, E. B. Hubbard and Wm. Hay-
den delivered a few discourses in Middlebury.
Some of the people were so much interested they
desired to hear them more fully, and when they de-
parted, Levi Allen and William Pangburn went with
them to Mogadore. The good seed had fallen into
good ground. The next month Bro. Hayden re-
turned, when Levi Allen and Mrs. Pangburn became
obedient to the faith. Some time previous to this,
Mr. Wm. Pangburn and Mrs. Judge Sumner had
been baptized by Elder Newcomb. February, 1830,
Bro. Marcus Bosworth came : others now yielded in
obedience. Williams visited these old battle-fields,
where, in former days, in the defense of Restoration-
ism he had driven Calvinism to the wall. In the
advocacy now of something better than human theo-
ries, he desired to lead the people to the Lord Jesus.
About this time Tillinghast Vaughan, a young
Methodist preacher of considerable ability, falhng in
with Mr. Campbell in Virginia, was baptized by him,
and returned to the Western Reserve. He preached
in Middlebury about a year. But he forsook the
faith, and embraced some scheme of Universalian
skepticism, and drew away a number from the gos-

3S6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

pel. Vaughan's defection disheartened many ; yet
though cast down the cause was not destroyed. The
well instructed disciples never wavered, nor for an
hour doubted the triumphs of the scriptural princi-
ples they had embraced. Bro. A. B. Green was
often with them, whose clear presentations of the
gospel aided in building up confidence. Bro. M. L.
Wilcox moved into Middlebury, and while "working
with his own hands," he also gave a strong impulse
to the struggling cause by his able and eloquent
defense of it. A litigious preacher of the M. E.
church, by the name of Thomas Graham, sought a
discussion with Wilcox. The young mechanic
shrunk not from this public appeal to defend the
faith. The preacher plumed himself in high feather,
expecting certain victory, and to gain the coveted
mead of public applause for crushing the noxious
heresy, as he assumed to call the ancient gospel.
But " the race was not to the swift, nor the battle
to the strong.'' Wilcox was panoplied in the armor
of light. He brought such a compact array of Bible
truth, enforced with an argumentative eloquence and
brilliant original wit, against his clerical assailant as
to compel him to forsake the line of serious investi-
gation, and resort to ridicule. Rising in full figure,
in his dignity he assured his audience that it was
beyond all reason to expect that a common laboring
man should understand theological subjects, as did
one whose whole life had been devoted to such
studies. *' It is absurd to suppose that a mechanic,
who makes barrels for a living, however respectable
his talents, or sincere his intentions, should be
skilled in the profound themes of theology.'* Wilcox

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 357
•

bore the jibe with undisturbed equanimity. In reply,
he awarded his opponent even more than his arro-
gance claimed, of learned preparation for the occa-
sion, and skill gained by many encounters. '* I am
a mechanic. I claim to be nothing above a common
laboring man — an honest cooper. And yet my trade
may be of use in this discussion ; for if my oppo-
nent swells much more I may have to hoop him ! "
This sally of wit " brought down the house." *' Hoop
him ! " cried one. *' Hoop him, Wilcox, hoop him ! "
shouted others. The crowd became almost hilarious.
Graham tried to rally. But it was useless. He was
whipped by the half-suppressed ** hoop him ! " from
all sides. His feathers drooped, and he retired from
the contest.

As may be well supposed the result of the few
evenings spent in this investigation turned decidedly
in favor of the original gospel.

In the year 1834, Mr. T. H. Botsford came to
Middlebury. Mrs. Botsford was a firm disciple.
With a clear perception of the principles of the ref-
ormation, and with unbounded confidence in- their
truthfulness and power, she could not remain quiet
and see the disciples scattered, and the cause pros-
trate. She found another whose heart was as her
own, in the burden that lay upon them to arouse the
members to the work of the Lord. This person was
Mrs. Eliza Parker, consort of Dr. Parker. She was
a lady of intelligence, accomplished in her manners,
good conversational ability, and, hke Mrs. Botsford,
had consecrated herself wholly to the Lord. These
Christian women visited personally all the disciples
in Middlebury, Akron, and the township of Cov-

358 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

entry, inviting them to Mr. Botsford*s own house to
revive the meetings. At the first there was no
brother to read, sing, or pray. With trembling heart,
but unfaltering purpose, the worship was conducted
by the sisters. No breaking of bread yet. That
altar was not yet rebuilt These appointments con-
tinued. Brethren Samuel and Elisha Bangs and
Dan Moulton came over from Akron and gave them
aid. A. B. Green, Wm. Hayden, A. Allerton, and
others, threw in appointments. Bro. Green was em-
ployed for a considerable time. William Hayden
came frequently during the year 1836. The audi-
ences increased, and the ordinances of the house of
the Lord were again regularly observed.

These were the days of heart-songs and heaven-
reaching prayers. And the preaching ! It was hail
mingled with rain! The prolonged hour flitted away
unconsciously. The group of disciples tarried, ex-
horted each other, sung warmly and feelingly a part-
ing hymn, and with a final, earnest supplication they
commended one another to the Good Shepherd, and
separated. But they were unspeakably happy ! Poor
pay the servant of the Lord received for his pocket,
but he saw such eagerness to hear ; such evidences
that his ministrations were thankfully appreciated ;
such proof that he had resolved a doubt, confirmed
a soul, lifted a heart into new light and comfort, that
he went on his way rejoicing in a labor which was
reducing him every week into str^itness and want.
Such was the experience in all parts, but in no region
more than in the district of country of which Akron
was the center.

This effort by the sisters to revive the church,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 359

which constituted the second stage of its history,
was made early in the year 1836. In the course of
three years considerable accessions had been made
to their numbers, and a new organization was de-
manded. Bro. Bentley and Bro. Bosworth were
called, who confirmed them in the faith, and ap-
pointed Levi Allen and Samuel Bangs, overseers,
and W. B. Storer and Jonah Allen, deacons. Their
number was then thirty-two. This was in 1839.
The year 1843 is memorable in the annals of that
congregation. It was the year of expectation. The
attention of the people of the whole country, from
New England to the western prairies, was arrested
by the bold position of the sincere, ardent, but mis-
taken William Miller, of Low Hampton, New York,
that the coming of the Lord and end of the world
would occur in that year. Great religious awaken-
ings pervaded the country. Multitudes, who had no
sympathy with Mr. Miller on the time of the Lord's
advent, drank into the spirit of revivalism which
stirred all churches. Preachers were stimulated to
extraordinary activity, by the calls for meetings, and
the many doors opening to them, and their labors
gathered in converts every-where.

The church in Middlebury sent for Bros. J. H.
Jones and Dr. J. P. Robison, who were wholly de-
voted to preaching, and whose meetings were crowned
with many conversions. These brethren were en-
gaged in Pittsburg. Conferring with Bro. Samuel
Church, they sent John Cochrane to answer the call.
Bro. John TafTe being there at the time, he accom-
panied Cochrane to Middlebury. The meeting arose
to high interest, conversions were taking place

360 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

daily, and the brethren finding more help needed,
sent an express call for Bro. John Henry. That
mighty man, " quick to hear/' but not ** slow to
speak,'' received the word Saturday night. He
preached three times Sunday at hon:ie, and at i
o'clock Monday, he was at Middlebury, a distance of
over forty miles. He dismounted only once on the
way. His movements were like an electric flash.
Before the hour for evening meeting the community
were all apprised of his presence, and he began his
sermons with no diminution of the crowd. There
were forty-nine conversions, and one other addition.

Henry's horse was like his rider, gay with life,
eager for the track. The morning of starting home,
the moment his bit was released from the hand that
held him, he was galloping away, while Henry's long
surtuit streamed back on the wind, presenting an
amusing spectacle to the people along the street.

Early in 1845, Dr. Wm. F. Pool moved into Ak-
ron. With the healing art, which was his profession,
he united the diviner art of healing the souls of the
people, and during his residence he was a great sup-
port to the church. In the winter of 1849-50, Bro.
M. J. Streator became the pastor of the flock, and re-
mained about ten months. The last of January,
1854, W. S. Gray commenced his labor in the church,
which continued about three years. Subsequently
they have had Bro. J. C. Stark, J. G. Encell, J. O.
Beardslee, L. Cooley, J. F. Rowe, and R. G. White,
under whose able administration the congregation
has tripled its membership.

in the western reserve. 36 1

The Church in Mogadore, Summit County.

As the leaven, so works the gospel in the hearts
of men. Near Mogadore there lived a disciple from
Canfield, by the name of Conrad Turner. At his
invitation, E. B. Hubbard and C. P. Finch preached
there one Lord's day, in the summer of 1828. Just
before this, Benj. Green had put the " Christian Bap-
tist '' into the hands of William Richards, a candid
man, not a professor, stumbled by the schismatic
state of Christendom. To him, the preaching of
Finch and Hubbard seemed rational. Hayden soon
came, and made monthly visits. Seeing the interest,
he returned in the spring, bringing Scott with him.
They held a two days' meeting in the midst of the
week, in J. Anson Bradley's new barn. The audience
was large : they were on the King s business, and
they *' hurried the people away to the valley of de-
cision." There was some opposition, but it turned
to the advance of the truth; as the preachers, instead
of giving their opinion on the points of inquiry,
read the word of the Lord, which effectually silenced
controversy.

The vine was planted and watered, and soon it be-
gan to bear fruit. Hubbard returned and baptized
Mrs. Wm. Richards. Then, on subsequent occa-
sions, came Mrs. J. A. Bradley, Joseph Baird, Isaac
Miller and his wife. In September, Wm. Richards
obeyed. Then J. D. Green and his wife, Allen and
his wife, and J. Anson Bradley. There were now
thirteen of them. They naturally, in much opposi-
tion, came together for encouragement and sympa-
thy. The aged Bro. Churchill, of Randolph, came
31

362 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

among them, and under his counsels these new con-
verts stood up before all the people, and entered
solemnly into the holy obligations of a church of the
Lord Jesus Christ. The organization took place in
the year 1832, in the school-house near Mr. Asa
Young's residence.

They chose Wm. Richards with one voice as their
leader, and Benjamin Green as deacon. It was a
day of great responsibility ; and so felt each one of
that little fraternity. The opposition was violent, if
not formidable, and this was to all of them an untried
step. Many pronounced in anticipation a failure of
the attempt to gather disciples, and regulate the af-
fairs of a church without rules written out and
adopted by which to be governed. But this was one
breastwork of the battle of that day. Relying on
the wisdom of the Founder of the church for the
sufficiency of the rules he has left in his Word, they
clasped hands and held the grip till their hearts beat
in unison in the same sublime trust in God and his
Word. Their opposers were false prophets. The
continued success of this church in all the following
years has vindicated this action of these disciples.

The church in Mogadore has borne her testimony
unbroken from the beginning. In meetings and
works of enterprise she has not been behind. All
the preachers have gleaned sheaves in this field. In
1835, Elder T. Campbell, on a tour among the
churches, came among them. His gravity, gentle-
ness, and authority enforced his instructions on the
whole community. In 1836, they erected their house
of worship. For several years the brethren who
planted the church kept watch of their welfare. In

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 363

1839, Dr. M. Jevvett settled there, a brother, who by
the skill of W. Hayden, chiefly, had been rescued
from the wilderness of doubt, engendered by the
confusion in the religious world. Uniting his influ-
ence with that of elders Richards, Baldwin, and J.
D. Green, the church increased. A. B. Green was
then visiting them a fourth of the time. Bro.
Ryder followed for two years, half the time. Robi-
son and M. L. Wilcox gave them much help. Brock-
ett and Philander Green are cherished in grateful
memory. J. Henry held a great meeting in 1843,
with forty conversions. All the brethren from Deer-
field were instant in their support. Bro. Moss for a
time lived among them, as did Bro. Lillie also, both
adding converts. Bro. J. H. Jones has here gathered
many souls for Christ.

To the faith and perseverance of the resident
brethren already named, and the female members,
whose names seldom appear in earthly chronicles, is
mainly due the permanence and prosperity of this
church. In later times the mantle has fallen on
Bro. Simon Laudenslager, and the brethren Isaac
and James Monroe, who, as officers and leaders, are
holding well the ground. Bro. J. M. Monroe, of
California, is a gift to the world from this church,
and from the family of Bro. Isaac Monroe.

The Church in Wadsworth, with Sketches of
A. B. Green and Elder O. Newcomb.

A. B. Green was born in Litchfield County, January
12, 1808. His parents moved into Ohio in 181 1, and
settled soon after in Norton, Medina County. Amidst the
hardships of life in a new country, he was brought up ;

364 EA.RLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

and in the midst also of the conflicts of Calvinism and
Arminianism, and the resultant compound, Universalism.
No wonder that, like many others, he became skeptical.

On Sunday, his father, a steady church-goer, said,
** Almon, are you not going to meeting?'* ** No, father,
I think I will stay at home and read." The ^^ Family
Testament," a new translation of the New Testament by
Drs. Campbell, of Aberdeen, Macknight and Doddridge,
compiled and published by Alex. Campbell, had recently
made its appearance, and was attracting much attention.
During the quietness of that blessed day, whose associa-
tions all are favorable to calm and candid contemplation,
Green read this new and attractive book. New light came
into his mind, and a new interest was awakened in his
heart. He arose after hours of serious perusal of it, ex-
claiming aloud to himself, **No uninspired man ever
wrote that book." The stormy and dangerous cape of
infidelity being ^^ doubled," he sailed rapidly past the
shoals and sharp rocks of '^ total depravity," '* final per-
severance," etc., the drift and debris of theological per-
iods, into safer channels. Reading regularly on, with in-
terest deepening at every step, he came to Acts ii : ;^S ;
^'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall re-
ceive the gift of the Holy Spirit." He asked Elder New-
comb what this Scripture means. *^ It means what it
says," replied the Elder, with his characteristic prompt-
ness. This reply sent the meaning deep into his heart.
In a few days he sent a letter to Elder Newcomb asking
for baptism at his hands, which event took place Decem-
ber 28, 1828.

His mouth opened in praise, and in pleading the claims
of the Savior of sinners. He soon went by invitation to
Chippewa, Granger, and other places. Elder Newcomb
was his counselor and steady help. Moved by him, the
church granted a letter of commendation to the young

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 36$

Timothy, to go forth proclaiming the glad tidings. His
first mission-trip opened at Stowe, September 10, 1833.
One came for baptism. This was his first baptism. His
tour was about three weeks ; from it he returned, his natu-
ral timidity having yielded very much to an assured
confidence that God was opening the way for him into
fields of extensive usefulness.

From this period he has belonged to the public. In
all the counties of North-east Ohio, much in other parts
of it, in other States also, and in Canada, he has ' ' fully
preached the gospel of Christ." For more than forty
years he has been zealously engaged and personally iden-
tified with all the movements — missionary, educational,
and social — tending to build up the churches, and extend
the knowledge of the Redeemer's kingdom.

The church in Wadsworth arose as follows : There had
been a Baptist church in the community, principally in
the care of Elder Obadiah Newcomb, a very worthy man,
of good gifts and excellent sense. In the fall of 18 18, he
came from Nova Scotia to Pittsburg, where he preached
for a time, and associated with the ministers of the city.
He came to Wadsworth in the spring of 1822, where he
planted a Baptist church. The ^^ Christian Baptist" ap-
peared soon after, and Mr. Newcomb obtained and read
it. Its views of New Testament truth arrested his eager
attention. Too conscientious to preach the doctrines of
the *^ creed," now that he found them not among the
apostolic '^traditions," he slackened in his ministry till
these new and scriptural views became well formed in his
mind. The church ran low. The ''Elder" was nearly
silent, save at funerals and special occasions. But the
"Christian Baptist" was faithful in its visits. It was
read by him, by his family, and by others. William Hay-
den came among the people about this time, and the
smoldering fires burst forth in flames. There was agita-
tion every-where. Mr. Newcomb exchanging the mien

366 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

of a clergyman for the panoply of the gospel, lifted the
sword of the Spirit and went into the battle. Green was
baptized ; others followed. Williams came, and in Wads-
worth, where the people formally heard Universalism from
his eloquent lips, they now heard the original gospel in
its simplicity, as it was first told by the holy apostles.

The church of Wadsworth was formed in February,
1829. The first day there were eight members : Obadiah
Newcomb ; his two daughters, Statira and Matilda, re-
cently baptized ; P. Butler, Samuel Green, A. B. Green,
and John and Sarah Bunnell. Bro. Newcomb was ap-
pointed elder, and John Bunnell, deacon of the new or-
ganization.

This church soon became a strong pillar. William
Eyles, late judge of court, soon united with his family.
Conversions were almost constant. The opposition was
active, vigilant, and often virulent, but over all the gos-
pel made steady and triumphant progress.

The first yearly meeting held in Wadsworth was in
September, 1833, in a new barn belonging to Bro. William
Eyles. The meeting was noted for the numbers who at-
tended it, and for the stimulus it gave to the cause of ref-
ormation. Being quite removed from the sources and
center of the work, the proclamation was new to large
numbers who came a long distance to attend it. A. Camp-
bell was present ; also William Hayden, John Henry,
Marcus Bosworth, E. B. Hubbard, J. J. Moss, and many
others. There were many converts.

An incident occurred at this time which displays Mr.
Campbell's character for discernment and candor. Aaron
Pardee, a gentleman residing in the vicinity, an unbe-
liever in the gospel, attracted by Campbell's abilities as a
reasoner, and won by his fairness in argument, resolved to
obtain a private interview, and propose freely his difficul-
ties. Mr. Campbell received him with such frankness
that he opened his case at once^ saying: '*I discover, Mr.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 367

Campbell, you are well prepared in the argument and
defenses of the Christian religion. I confess to you
frankly there are some difficulties in my mind which pre-
vent my believing the Bible, particularly the Old Testa-
ment." Mr. Campbell replied: *'I acknowledge freely,
Mr. Pardee, there are difficulties in the Bible— difficulties
not easy to explain, and some, perhaps, which in our
present state of information can not be cleared up. But,
my dear sir. when I consider the overwhelming testimony
in their favor, so ample, complete, and satisfactory, I can
not resist the conviction of their divine origin. The field
of prophetic inspiration is so varied and full, and the in-
ternal evidences so conclusive, that with all the difficulties,
the preponderance of evidence is overwhelmingly in their
favor." This reply, so fair and so manly, and so differ-
ent from the pulpit denunciation of ^^ skeptics," '^infi-
dels," etc., to which he had been accustomed, quite dis-
armed him, and led him to hear the truth and its evidence
in a much more rational state of mind. Within a year
he became fully satisfied of the truthfulness of the Holy
Scriptures, and apprehending clearly their testimony to
the claims of Jesus of Nazareth as the anointed Son of
God, he was prepared to yield to him the obedience of
his life. At a two days' meeting held there by Bro. A.
B. Green and A. S. Hayden, Mr. Pardee and four others
were baptized.

Elder Newcomb being fully relieved of the irreconcil-
able perplexities of the Calvinistic system, was now like
an eagle fresh from the moulting. His joy was unbounded,
and his zeal was equal to that of a new convert. He
rode horse-back sixty miles, to the great meeting in Aus-
tintown, in 1830, accompanying a full two-horse wagon,
loaded w^ith members of his own family and others, to
the same meeting. He preached, visited, and talked con-
tinually. He had an element of sternness in his charac-
ter. Going to the school-house early Sunday to meeting,

368 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

he took his usual seat. He descried a young man across
the room with a flashy guard-chain displayed in a con-
spicuous manner over his vest. He looked at his Testa-
ment, then cast a glance to the gay toy. After a few-
moments he closed his book, walked across the house, and
without uttering a word, gathered the glittering ornament
off the young man's neck, put it all down into the owner's
pocket out of sight, then walked back to his seat, and
quietly resumed his preparation for the meeting.

He once accompanied Bro. Green in a preaching tour
to Bethany and the region round about. At a night
meeting on Salt Run, Ohio, he arose before a full house,
announced the hymn in usual manner, and requested some
brother to '' set the tune." No one starting, he repeated
the first two lines, saying: ^^I hope some brother will
raise the tune." All were silent. Closing the book he
said: *^The apostle James says; ' Is any merry, let him
sing psalms; is any afdicted, let him pray.' I think the
people here must be afflicted — let us pray 1 "

This excellent man passed away universally respected.
He died October 4, 1847, ^g^^ seventy -four years.

The congregation in Wadsworth has been a light
to all the region round about. It is mother of
churches, and mother of preachers. The following
proclaimers of the gospel received their earliest aid
and encouragement there, and some of them were
brought forth almost exclusively by this church : A.
B. Green, Wm. Moody, Holland Brown, Philander
Green, B. F. Perky, and Pardee Butler. Bro. L. L.
Carpenter, also, from the church in Norton, a daugh-
ter and dependency of Wadsworth, gained his guiding
impulse there to his distinguished usefulness.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 369

CHAPTER XVIII.

The gospel in Ravenna, in Aurora and Stowe, Franklin and
Hudson.

The Church of Christ in Ravenna.

THIS is one of the most stable of the churches.
From its establishment, early in May, 1830, to
the present time, a period of over forty-five years, it
has never gnce ceased to meet on the blessed Lord's
day, except as they agreed to omit in favor of the
regular yearly meeting.

The conversion and baptism of Ebenezer Williams,
the Restorationist minister, living in Ravenna, by
Aylett Raines, has already been mentioned. From
this event the work opened, as Bro. Williams imme-
diately began to preach the gospel which he now
understood, and most ardently loved. His preach-
ing being mostly abroad, no stand was taken for the
apostolic gospel in Ravenna. In the winter of 1830,
Marcus Bosworth sent an appointment to the Clem-
ent district, three miles north-west of the town
of Ravenna. His audience was small, but it yielded
the fruit of one conversion, a brother Jonathan Stew-
art. The 1 2th of March, William Hayden came.
Seven souls turned to the Lord. From this time the
tide of interest swelled. The subject of the new
preaching was in every one's mouth. No lack of
hearers now, and there were converts at every ap-

370 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

pointment. The seeds of a pernicious infidelity had
been early sown in Ravenna. They were bearing
their bitter and baleful fruits in a reckless indifference
to all sacred things, and the revolt of the soul from
all religious obligations. Hayden was the man for
such a people. Well prepared on the evidences of
the Bible, and very expert in exposing the subtle and
sophistical refuges of the unbelieving heart, his ser-
mons were heard with great satisfaction and profit.
Early in May, he collected the disciples together, num-
bering twenty-six, and formally set them apart as a
church of Jesus Christ. Bro. Sturdevant, a licensed
preacher of the Baptist order, uniting, the new
church was placed under his charge. It continued
to prosper, gathering additions almost every time a
preacher came in among them. Bros. Ryder, Atwater,
Green, and the Deerfield brethren came, like Apollos
and Timothy, to comfort their hearts and confirm
their faith ; but Hayden and Bosworth were their
chief reliance. In the absence of a preacher, the
members assumed the duties of edification, and broke
the loaf of blessing among themselves ; a practice in
which the disciples on the Western Reserve were
correctly taught in the beginning. In the summer
of 1830, Scott delivered a discourse in the Methodist
church, in the village, to a full and delighted audience.
Fisher, of Kentucky, was with him. It was here he
compared the creed to a silver quarter-dollar, which,
though small, may be held so close to the eye that
the sun can not be seen. Thus the creed, though a
little thing, may hide the Bible from sight.

In June, 1831, Mr. Campbell came to the Western
Reserve. Mormonism had recently burst forth, and

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 37 1

the emissaries of that crude and strange delusion
were every-where active in calling victims into the
snare. On his way he made Ravenna a point for a
few addresses. William Hayden, with whom he had
communicated in regard to his trip, obtained, with
the assistance of the brethren, and fitted up with
seats a grove in the environs of the town. A vast
crowd of people came to hear the gifted advocate and
defender of the Bible. The bold and prattling infi-
delity, rampant in Ravenna, found no quarter at his
hands. Like a pestiferous atmosphere, it was poison-
ing and demoralizing all piety, all truth, all moral
health, and was destructive to all social order and
happiness. Mr. Campbell was at home in this de-
partment of Christian labor. He surveyed his audi-
ence, and directing well the range of his artillery,
within two hours and a half the flotilla of their skep-
tical crafts was shattered and sunken. " Heavens !
what an eye he has ! " said one of the master men to
F. Williams ; " he scorches wherever he looks ! ''

Court was in session. The presiding judge sent a
note of invitation to Mr. Campbell to deliver a dis-
course in the court room — the court, under resolution,
adjourning for that purpose. He accepted the invi-
tation, and on opening the service, with full and
ringing emphasis, he read the hymn :

** I 'm not ashamed to own my Lord,
Nor to defend his cause !
Maintain the honor of his word,
The glory of his cross ! "

His masterly and convincing argument for the truth
of the Bible, founded on prophecy, was then delivered
in his own best style. Mr. John Harmon was then

372 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES ^

publishing, in Ravenna, a little paper, the '' Ohio
Watchman," an infidel sheet of some pretensions.
The editor was in the assembly. In the sermon,
Mr. Campbell, having made a climax in his argument,
paused on it, remarking : ** He who can not see this,
has closed his ears and shut his eyes, and is blind —
as blind'* — gathering force by delay, '^as blind as the
' Ohio Watchman ! ' " At the dinner table, at the
hotel, where the judge and several of the lawyers
were dining, the argument of Mr. Campbell was the
topic of conversation. One of the young lawyers
remarked : *' I could not see the point of Mr. Camp-
bell's argument to-day!" "Very likely," replied the
judge ; " arguments are always obscure to persons
who can not understand them ! "

Frederick Williams, long a prominent citizen of
the county, an elder and useful preacher, was born
in Hampshire County, Mass., March 2, 1799. He
came to Ravenna, July 2, 18 15. On the 17th of
September, 1828, he married Miss Marcia Underwood,
an alliance of uninterrupted happiness to the present
time. His mind had been imbued with Winchester-
ian Universalism, but on hearing the gospel as pro-
claimed by the apostles, his candid heart laid hold of
it. In the year 1833, he and his wife were baptized
in Sandy Lake by Amos Allerton.

Bro. Charles Judd, a man of good sense, an excel-
lent heart and devout mind, entered the kingdom
about the same time. The accession of these two
men added much weight to the cause. Father Stur-
devant had been the chief presiding officer. These
brethren were soon called to the bishop's chair, in
which position, they co-operated by counsel and by

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 373

public discourse to maintain the church for a whole
generation. Few churches have been blessed with
so judicious and efficient elders. Bro. Judd, full of
honor and of hope, went to await his crown, Novem-
ber 17, 1864, and was laid beside his foster son, the
beloved and lamented Sterling McBride. Bro. Wil-
liams tarries yet a little longer.

The Congregation continued to meet in the Clem-
ment district about ten years, when they moved into
the village. They built their house in 1844. Bro.
A. B. Green conducted the dedicatory exercises in
December, from which time they have not only held
the ground but gained in numbers, wisdom, and social
power.

Bro. John T. Smith was employed, Bro. Charles
McDougal also. Bro. C. C. Foot served four years.
He was followed by Bro. A. B. Green — five years.
Bro. Lowe and Bro. Amzi Atwater came afterward.
The congregation now flourishes under the adminis-
tration of Bro. George Darsie.

The first yearly meeting held in Ravenna was in
June, 1838. It was held in a large barn fitted up for
the purpose. The preachers in attendance were
Hubbard, Marcus Bosworth, William Hayden, Moss,
Allerton, J. W. Lanphear, A. B. Green, Robison,
Moody, A. P. Jones and A. S. Hayden.

Ravenna church has always hospitably entertained
the brethren, and numerous conventions have, from
time to time, found there a welcome.

Present overseers : George Darsie, Albert Under-
wood, Samuel J. Gross. Deacons : John Mahard,
R. B. Johnson, Whiting Carter, P. P. Dawley, E. C.
Belding, Alex. Clements. Members : 319.

374 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Among the early fallen is Bro. S. McBride, reared
in this church, the foster son of Bro. and Sister Judd.
His serious and contemplative character in youth
gave promise of a devout and earnest manhood.
After progressing far in his studies in Hiram, he was
graduated in Bethany, and immediately devoted him-
self to preaching. In many places, especially in Sa-
lem and New Philadelphia, he gained for himself the
permanent esteem of the people for his amiable man-
ners and efficient services in the gospel. He died
of a fever while young. Intelligence of his death
was received while the preachers' meeting was in ses-
sion in Newburg, October 4, 1864. *'A committee
was appointed to report resolutions expressive of the
merited respect we owe to the memory of our dear
Bro. Sterling McBride, just this day laid in the
grave :

^^ Whereas, We have learned with great sorrow of the
unexpected death, only day before yesterday, of our be-
loved fellow-laborer in the gospel, Bro. Sterling McBride ;
therefore,

^'Resolved, That we fully appreciate the great loss we
have sustained in the sudden demise of that brother, of
gentle and amiable spirit, a highly appreciated preacher
of the gospel. With great assiduity he struggled under
pecuniary embarrassments till he gained a college diploma,
and with it a clear and sound education. Of modest man-
ners, an earnest and confiding heart, firm and decided in
character, he possessed a high and honorable friendship,
and a well regulated Christian character. As a preacher
he already controlled a wide influence. We feel that the
churches in Ohio have suffered a great loss in the fading
from our sky of a bright star ; and we in this meeting

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 375

also, as he was one of the most diligent members of this
association.

''Resolved^ That we have a deep sense of the loss sus-
tained by his afflicted wife and children, in the early de-
mise of her devoted husband and their affectionate father.

A. S. Hayden, ")

F. M. Green, Sec, E. H. Hawley, y Com,

L. COOLEY, 3

The Church in Aurora.
This church was established October 17, 1830, by
the indefatigable William Hayden. He laid his plan
and pursued it. He visited the community at regu-
lar intervals, and by much private conversation, as
well as by his cogent and instructive discourses, he
laid the foundation of a permanent work in the solid
instruction of the people. No man has less confi-
dence in mere revival processes. No one ever had
more in the illumination of the understanding as the
method of reaching the heart and persuading the
will. Discarding the arts of revivalism, he was
strong in reasons for his statements, and often at-
tained a high degree of argumentative eloquence in
his appeals. To such a nature, a measure of opposi-
tion was necessary to awaken his reserve forces and
to marshal them in the best position and order.
This stimulus was not wanting in Aurora. No won-
der, then, that the city of the great King was built
up there on granite, and that it has remained to this
day. The earlier converts included some of the
most sensible, shrewd, and intelligent citizens of the
community. Upon the organization of this congre-
gation, they had such men as Gamaliel Kent, Russell
G. McCarty and Samuel Russell, to whom, as elders,

3/6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

they committed the management of their affairs.
For four years the church met in the south school-
house, by Eli Cannon's ; after this they moved the
meetings to the center of the township.

Bro. Marcus Bosworth was early on the ground.
Happy the people who heard the weeping Bosworth.
He was brimful of tenderness. " Little children, let
us love one another, for love is of God ;** came as nat-
urally from him as from the lips of the beloved dis-
ciple. He and Hayden were greatly attached, and
they were counterpointed in a most admirable man-
ner to be co-workers in the gospel. Soon after the
church got under way the serene and stately Bentley
came among them, adding the weight of piety, ex-
perience, and great personal dignity, elements both
needful and rare, to enforce and carry on the work
of reform.

The following were the original members : Isaac
H. Streator and his wife Clarina Streator; their chil-
dren Charity, Cyrus and Marius Streator ; Alonzo Root
and his wife ; Whitney Smith and his wife ; Simon
and Sally Norton ; Polly Ruggies, Mary Lake, Ga-
maliel H. Kent and his wife ; Russell G. McCarty
and his wife ; Samuel Russell, Joel Giles, and So-
phronia Stanton. In a short time, both Henry and
Alanson Baldwin, with their wives, came in. For
many years they were leading men, and their boun-
tiful hospitality was an efficient means of sustaining
the cause. Bro. Henry Baldwin, for many years one
of the overseers, moved twenty years ago to Niles,
where he fell peacefully asleep June, 1875, aged 82
years.

The next year, June, 1831, following the outburst

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 377

of Mormonism, there was held a grove meeting in
Aurora, east of the center. Mr. Campbell was pres-
ent, as were likewise many of the preachers. Hon.
A. G. Riddle, in his recent work, entitled : ''The
Portrait : a Romance of the Cuyahoga Valley/' has
written so truthfully concerning it that I transfer his
description to my page :

^^The woods were full of horses and carriages, and the
hundreds already there were rapidly swelled to many thou-
sands ; all of one race — the Yankee ; all of one calling, or
nearly — the farmer ; hardy, shrewd, sunburned, cool,
thoughtful and intelligent. The disciples were, from the
first, emancipated from the Puritan slavery of the Sabbath ;
and, although grave, thoughtful and serious, as they were
on this Sunday morning, it was from the gravity and se-
riousness of the occasion, and little from the day itself —
an assemblage that Paul would have been glad to preach
to.

*^At the hour of eleven, Mr. Campbell and his party
took their places on the stand, and after a short, simple,
preliminary service, conducted by another, he came for-
ward to the front. He was then about forty years old,
above the average height, of singular dignity of form, and
simple grace of manner. His was a splendid head, borne
well back, with a bold, strong forehead, from which his
fine hair was turned back ; a strong, full, expressive eye,
aquiline nose, fine mouth, and prominent chin. He was
a perfect master of himself, a perfect master of his theme,
and, from the moment he stood in its presence, a perfect
master of his immense audience.

**At a glance he took the measure and level of the
average mind before him — a Scotchman's estimate of the
Yankee — and began at that level ; and as he rose from it,
he took the assembled host with him. In nothing was he
like Rigdon ; calm, clear, strong, logical, yet perfectly sim-
'32

378 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

pie. Men felt themselves lifted and carried, and wondered
at the ease and apparent want of effort with which it was
done.

" Nothing could be more transparent than his statement
of his subject; nothing franker than his admission of its
difficulties; nothing more direct than his enumeration of
the means he must employ, and the conclusions he ^nust
reach. With great intellectual resources, and great acqui-
sitions, athlete and gladiator as he was, he was a logician
by instinct and habit of mind, and took a pleasure in mag-
nifying, to their utmost, the difficulties of his positions,
so that when the latter were finally maintained, the mind
was satisfied with the result. His language was copious,
his style nervous, and the characteristic of his mind was
direct, manly, sustained vigor; and under its play he
evolved a warmth which kindled to the fervor of sustained
eloquence, and which, in the judgment of many, is the
only true eloquence. After nearly two hours, his natural
and logical conclusion was the old pentecostal mandate of
Simon Peter, and a strong, manly and tender call of men
to obedience. There was no appeal to passion, no effort
at pathos, no figures or rhetoric, but a warm, kindling,
heated, glowing, manly argument, silencing the will, cap-
tivating the judgment, and satisfying the reason ; and the
cold, shrewd, thinking, calculating Yankee liked it.

'^As the preacher closed and stood for a response, no
answering movement came from any part of the crowd.
Men were running it over, and thinking. Unhesitatingly
the orator stepped down from the platform upon the
ground, and moving forward in the little open space, began
in a more fervid and impassioned strain. He caught the
mind at the highest point of its attainment, and grasping
it, shook it with a half indignation at its calculating hesi-
tation, and carrying it with a mighty sweep to a still higher
level, seemed to pour around it a diviner and more radi-
ant light; then, with a little tremor in his voice, he im-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 3/9

plored it to hesitate no longer. When he closed, low
murmurs broke and ran through the awed crowd ; men
and women from all parts of the vast assemblage, with
streaming eyes, came forward ; young men who had climbed
into the small trees from curiosity, came down from con-
viction, and went forward to baptism; and the brothers
and sisters set up a glad hymn, sang with tremulous voices,
clasping hands amid happy tears.

'^Thus, in that far off time, in the maple woods, under
the June sun, the gospel was preached and received.**

For the next three years there was a steady in-
crease. In June, 1834, the yearly meeting was in
Aurora. It was one of much historic importance;
a large number of preachers attended it, many of
whom, before this, were nearly strangers. Hymns
and tunes, known by leaders, were caught and trans-
fused throughout the mass of eager disciples, and
carried home to animate the rising churches every-
where. Chauncey Forward, from Somerset, Pa., was
present as the chief speaker. Aurora was his home
in his youth. He had attained a distinguished posi-
tion at the bar and in Congress ; but having confessed
the Lord Jesus, he renounced the professions of law
and the rulership of men, and he appeared on this
occasion among the scenes of early years, to plead
the cause of primitive Christianity. His abilities as
a reasoner and eloquence in appeal, commanded the
profound attention of large audiences daily. There
were thirty-one converts, some of whom afterward
became public advocates of the gospel.

In the year 1837, under the charge of Henry and
Alanson Baldwin and A. V. Jewett, as building com-
mittee, the meeting-house was erected, and dedicated
by John Henry. The next year, brethren Clapp and

380 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Green held a meeting in it, with thirty conversions.
In 1855 it was burned. A better one was immedi-
ately erected at a cost of $1500, and dedicated by
A. S. Hayden. In 1843, a great meeting was con-
ducted by Bros. J. H. Jones and John Henry, which
brought in thirty additions. The same year, M. L.
Wilcox came and preached for two years with great
acceptance.

There were churches formed in Streetsborough
and in Bainbridge in the year 1845, which drew mem-
bers from this church and reduced its strength.
These societies, after flourishing a number of years,
have both become extinct ; but the parent church,
though weakened, has never failed to keep the light
burning. "From first to last the church has had as
teachers, William Hayden, M. Bosworth, A. S. Hay-
den, A. Bentley, J. J. Moss, John Henry, Charles
McDougall, J. T. Smith, T. Munnell, J. Hartzel, A.
Allerton, A. B. Green, W. Collins, B. F. Perky,
M. L. Wilcox, N. Dunshee, T. J. Newcomb, H. W.
Everest, J. A. Garfield, C. P. Bowler, E. Doolittle,
S. A. Griffin, B. A. Hinsdale, O. C. Hill, and some
others." But to the home membership all credit is
due for faithfulness and devotion to the cause in all
times and amidst many trying discouragements.

A good story went the rounds, in early day, of
one David Shepherd, a blacksmith, who came into
Aurora about the beginning of this Bible reform.
His wife and a female relative of hers, professors of
religion, were, before coming into town, warned by
their friends against the " Campbellites," and straitly
charged, and were put under formal pledge, not to
hear them. Having received so strict a charge, they

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 38 1

retired into the inner prison, secured by high and
strong walls of prejudice. Isaac Streator, Esq.,
already a convert to the faith, coming to Shepherd's
shop on business, talked freely about the preachers,
the preaching, and the interest aroused on all sides.
He concluded by inviting Shepherd to come to the
south school-house and hear John Henry, a man of
native wit, of good sense, and great power. Shep-
herd went, timidly. Unexpectedly he was greatly
pleased, hearing for the first time a gospel he could
understand and read in his Bible. Buying a cheap
testament, convenient for the pocket, he examined
the passages referred to in the sermon, and found, truly
enough, the doctrine of baptism of the repenting per-
son for the remission of sins clearly and fairly taught
by the apostles. He ventured to read the portions
of Scripture containing this truth in the presence of
his family. They "pitched into" him. "There, you
have gone and got one of those CampbeUite testa-
ments, which they have made just to suit their doc-
trine ! I wonder you are not afraid to have it about
you. That reads so, of course, and teaches the doc-
trine, for they made it so." Shepherd smiled, but only
inwardly, willing to bear the reproach, for he wished
to enjoy the joke a little longer. At length, he asked
them to take the old family Bible, which they were
sure contained no such awful heresy, and carefully
compare the two. They consented, and the compari-
son began. Passage after passage was slowly read
over, word by word. To their utter amazement and
confusion the good old trusty Bible actually con-
tained the very words and language, and of course
the doctrine, denounced as " Campbellism !" What

382 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

was to be done ? They could scarcely believe their
own eyes. His testament v/as then examined. It was
found to contain the imprint of the " American Bible
Society ! " They saw the *' situation " — their igno-
rance of their own Bible and its plain teaching. He
relished their confusion, but was generous enough to
listen to their earnest and repeated charges to *' tell
nobody!" But it told itself. They came out to
hear, and all of them obeyed the gospel, despite pro-
tests, vows, and cautions, choosing nobly and rightly
to obey God rather than man.

Another incident is related of a woman of good
sense and intelligence, who came to Aurora from the
State of New York to visit her relatives. She was
at once told of the new heresy — that they took the
people, and if they just said they believed, they bap-
tized them without any change of heart, and then
they were sure of heaven.

This woman, in deep astonishment, said : " Surely
they get no persons of intelligence or respectability
to follow them.^" ''O, yes, some of the best and
most substantial people in town are among their con-
verts." She replied, '' There is certainly something-
wrong about this ; for no person of common sense
can believe such things as you tell me they preach :
I must hear them myself" She went, heard, saw the
truth, obeyed it, and returned home rejoicing in the
new light of gospel truth which shone upon her
heart.

Rise of the Congregation in Stowe.

In 183 1, the gospel was introduced into Stowe by
William Hayden. David Darrow was the first fruit.
All who knew him counted him just the man to

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 383

break ground. Honest, frank and decided, he grasped
the gospel with wonderful energy. The cause owed
much to his zeal and decision. John Henry was
also early on the ground. At one time Henry, Hay-
den, and E. Williams met here by agreement, when
many heard the truth and several converts were
gained. Rev. A. Bronson, presiding elder of the
M. E. Church, had an appointment in the house at
the same time. No little stir was created, as the
militant elder had already gained a reputation for
zeal against the disciples. He used every opportunity
to attack the new doctrine, as he represented it. In
this case the appointment of these brethren was
prior to his, but they yielded to his contentious de-
termination, and sat down to hear him. In opening,
he announced with full voice the hymn :

*' Jesus, great Shepherd of thy sheep,
To thee for help we fly,
Thy little flock in safety keep,
For O, the wolf is nigh ! "

No one doubted to whom he meant to apply the
term wolf But like the terms orthodoxy and heter-
odoxy, its meaning depends much on who uses it.
The shrill-voiced singers in the audience, looking up
to the large, dark form of the preacher, sang ^* wolf"
as well as he. Henry, in reporting it, said they all
sung '*wolf," ''wolf," but himself; and he neither
sung wolf nor howled ! The sermon which followed
was a perversion of the views of the disciples. But
ample correction followed, and the cause of reform
gained by the opportunity.

In September, 1833, Green preached here and bap-
tized his first convert. The cause gained constantly.

384 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

forcing its advancement through intense opposition
Students, and occasionally a professor, from Hudson
college, only a fev/ miles distant, practiced their skill
in attempted refutation of an imaginary novelty which
they styled ** Campbellism." The converts, however
were too well grounded in the Scriptures to be
alarmed by these misdirected assaults. If the school-
houses were closed, private houses were opened
The Darrows, the Sawyers, the Starks, the Stowes.
the Thomases, the Lindsays, and the Gaylords received
the truth in the love of it, and soon united to sustain
meetings on the Lord's day. In June, 1834, Timothy
Wallace obeyed the gospel in Aurora, at the yearly
meeting. These principles were making progress at
the same time, and by the same agencies, in Frank-
lin, and in Hudson township. In the north-west part
of Hudson, Williams and Hayden were successful in
teaching the people the difference between the church
of Christ founded on the New Covenant, and all ec-
clesiastical organizations established on human foun-
dations. Zina Post and his family, with his son-in-
law, Bro. A. E. Foote, *' hearing, believed and were
baptized ;" Sherman Oviatt also, and others, in such
numbers that they founded a church there which con-
tinued many years. In Franklin the Converses, the
Wadsworths, the Clapps, and the Burts were the be-
ginning of the congregation known afterward as the
church in Kent.

Among the proclaimers who aided in planting the
churches of Stowe, Hudson, and Kent, were Allerton,
Hubbard and F. Williams also, of Ravenna. Wm.
Hayden and A. B. Green were the most frequently
with them. Several times in the great yearly meet-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 38$

ings Bro. D. S. Burnett, of Cincinnati, has plead here,
with his great abilities, the claims of the Lord Jesus.

Over the most of this region the sentiments of
UniversaUsm prevailed. With these the principles
of the gospel came in sharp collision ; constantly in
private, and several times in public, there were dis-
cussions on the subject. A debate of several days
was held in Franklin between A. B. Green and Rev.
Davis, which opened the eyes of many to the dan-
gers of the slippery rock on which they were stand-
ing, and led them to Christ.

After several years, the church in Stowe suspended
meetings as the result of removal and other causes.
But the remaining members kept the fire burning,
and a reorganization of the church was made Janu-
ary 9th, 1844. It was effected during a meeting
held by Charles F. Bartlett, J. P. Robison and A. S.
Hayden. The members then, were David Darrow,
Zebulun Stowe, Eli Gaylord, B. Stark, C. Thomas,
J. C. Willis, Datus E. Lendsay and Constant Rogers,
with their wives, and Miss C. Stark — sixteen mem-
bers. In April, 1873, twenty-nine years after, it had
one hundred and twenty members.

This church has long been a light to the county.
With lavish hospitality the members have repeatedly
welcomed the great Tent meetings, and have been
richly repaid in the fruits of edification and conver-
sion. Among its honorable and most useful names
now gone to rest, should be mentioned David
Darrow, Zebulun Stowe and Edwin Wetmore, faithful
leaders, who long, zealously, and cheerfully gave a
powerful support to the cause. These, with the names
of many others, are cherished in grateful hearts.
33

386 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

As resident preachers, they have had W. T. Horner,
S. R. Willard, A. C. Bartlett, H. J. White; while
scarcely any of the preachers known in north-eastern
Ohio can be named who have not aided them in meet-
ings. This church is the religious birth-home of
L. Southmayd and J. C. Stark, brethren who have
done, and are still doing, effective service as preachers
of the gospel.

Her present elders are U. Marvin, A. S. Wheeler,
and William Southmayd. Deacons, A. C. Stowe,
J. R. Ream, and L. Hartle. They have sustained a
lively Sunday-school for twenty years, and have a
valuable church property with a parsonage.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 387

CHAPTER XIX.

Origin of the Church in Bedford — Yearly Meetings — Sermon by A.
Campbell — Bartlett — Robison — Jones — Prominent Preachers —
The Gospel in Newburg — Great Yearly Meeting — Quarterly
Meeting — Incidents.

THE congregation in Bedford arose in the follow-
ing manner: E. Williams came in May, 1830,
and preached the way of salvation, where formerly
he had taught Restorationism. Newell C. Barnum
was the first convert. He came monthly during the
summer ; and in June, Enoch Allen and some others
were baptized. In July, Mrs. William Williams, of
Newburg, Livonia Payne, " Grandmother Barnum,*'
Julia Barnum, and Laura Gould came in. In the
fall, Wm. Hayden held a meeting and baptized eight,
and from this time he held the ground. In Novem-
ber, 1832, he held a meeting with Bro. Moss, and in
the following month he formed the church with
twenty members. Thomas Marble was chosen the
overseer, and Enoch Allen and Geo. M. Payne, dea-
cons. Bro. Green, on his first tour of preaching,
came in September, 1833. The next year Moss be-
came a resident of Bedford, and for five years he as-
sembled with them and taught many.

In August, 1835, ^ ^^w appointment of officers
took place. Allen Robinett and Enoch Allen were
elected overseers ; Samuel Barnes, N. C. Barnum, and
W. W. Walker, deacons. These served till December,
1837, when Sidney Smith and James Young were

388 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

chosen to serve as the bishops, and Enoch Allen,
Alanson Gray, George Comstock, and Charles F.
Bartlett, who was baptized the month before, came
in as deacons.

In July, 1840, James Young and Sidney Smith
were re-appointed elders, together with C. F. Bartlett
and R. S. Benedict, while the ever-faithful Enoch
Allen continued to serve the church as a deacon, his
co-deacons being now S. F. Lockwood, Augustine
Collins, and S. A. Hathaway. The congregation had
now become numerous, and in her board of rulers
were men of much solidity and judgment.

The year 1837 was one of marked prosperity for
the church. In August, James Young and his wife
united, also Dr. J. P. Robison, Sidney Smith, and
others, whose position gave weight to their influence.
In November, Chas. F. Bartlett and John S. Young
came to Christ. Two of these, Robison and Bart-
lett, arose to extensive usefulness as proclaimers of
the gospel. About thirty souls united between
August and December. The church, thus lifted up
to great strength, and filled with a zeal *^ according
to knowledge,** added constantly to her numbers,
seldom a week passing without accessions.

The year 1838 was no less prosperous. In March,
of this year, James Egbert, moving in from Salem,
and finding the liberty of the gospel as a ground of
union and fellowship among Christians more con-
genial to his views than the creed basis of his
former profession, he gave up the sect for the church
of Christ. Mrs. Fanny Willis, a person of intelli-
gence, and a worthy member of the Baptist church,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 389

laid aside the name and terms of party in favor of
the union of Christians in the new covenant.

This enterprising church opened a ** door of faith"
in school-houses and private dwellings, in all avail-
able places, and by unremitting appeals the com-
munity became thoroughly leavened.

The yearly meeting for Cuyahoga County was held
with the church in Bedford, in the year 1839, ^^^ ^^^^
assembling in that town. It was held on the Lord's
day beside the meeting-house which was erected by
the generosity of Sister Willis, a house intended for
the use of the Baptists, but which, with her change
of views, became the property of the Disciples. This
house was filled on Friday the first day of the meet-
ing. After a discourse by Bro. J. Hartzel, and an
exhortation by Bro. M. Bosworth, Bro. Campbell fol-
lowed with a eulogium of much power, beauty, and
eloquence on the Holy Scriptures.

This meeting was noteworthy for several reasons :
The principal men of the Western Reserve who had
risen up for the advocacy of the gospel were present.
Some came from Canada and the State of New York.
Bro. Joseph S. Havener, now of Barnwell District,
S. C, then young, recently arrived from Ireland,
added interest by his gentle and genial speech. But
the overmastering attraction of the occasion was
due to the presence and discourses of Mr. Camp-
bell. With all the great powers of his manhood in
full energy, he came before the vast auditory as comes
a man only once in an age. His attendance at the
first yearly meeting in the county, in Newburg, in
1835, at the still greater occasion at Euclid, in 1837,
and more especially his defeat of the allied forces

390 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

of infidelity in the city of Cleveland, in June, 1836,
gave him a reputation all along this region of the
lakes, as the first and ablest of living orators.

His discourse on Saturday was from Jer. vi : 16 :
*'Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and
see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good
way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your
souls. But they said. We will not walk therein."
This subject was taken at the instance of Cyrus
Bosworth, and grandly did he plead that day for a
return to *'the good old way" of the Savior and his
apostles. On Lord's day he held the great audience
of five thousand in fixed attention for two and a half
hours by the watch, in a discussion of the atone-
ment, a theme offering little attraction to a popular
assembly. Yet he made this difficult subject so
luminous with his rich stores of biblical learning,
that time passed unconsciously to his listening audi-
tors, very many of whom, for want of seats, stood
the whole time of the sermon.

This discourse was regarded as very able by those
best capable of judging, yet it was valued less on
account of its eloquence than for the scriptural light
it shed on this most important subject. Instead of
the partial views of it taken by many, Mr. Campbell
surveyed the whole field. He viewed it not merely
as intended to propitiate God, and so to procure
favor for man, nor chiefly as a motive to lead man to
repentance. He rose above all scholastic pjiiiloso-
phies, and treated the sacrifice of our holy Redeemer
as having a relation

To God ;

To his government ;

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 39 1

To Sin ;

To the Sinner ; and
To the suffering Savior ;
and discussed all these bearings of the subject in
the clear light of the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

The effect of this sermon was immediate and salu-
tary. It presented this vital theme in a breadth
and comprehension in which few, perhaps none, had
been accustomed to view it ; it asserted clearly and
convincingly the death of Christ as a sacrifice, es-
sential to the salvation of sinners ; it vindicated the
Holy Scriptures in their teaching on that subject, so
often objected to by skeptics ; it delivered the minds
of his hearers from limited views, and opened to
them the richness and extent of the subject to which
they were not accustomed, and greatly exalted Christ
and his salvation in the conceptions of the people.
It set the pleadings for reformation on a new and
solid basis, and greatly enhanced the importance of
it as distinguished from the limited creed views of
the religious parties. It may well be doubted if Mr.
Campbell ever delivered a sermon of greater power,
or of more direct and useful purpose. There were
twenty-six converts at this meeting.

Three years afterward, September 2, 1842, the
great anniversary was again in Bedford. The first
tent prepared by the brotherhood for these yearly
gatherings was now brought into use. The brethren
of Bedford stirred themselves to have it ready for
this occasion, and the ample canvas afforded protec-
tion from the falling rains. Bentley, W. Hayden,
Robison, O'Connor, and A. S. Hayden, resident in
the county, were present ; and from other counties.

392 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Henry, of Trumbull ; Collins, of Geauga ; Green, of
Summit ; Lanphear, of Medina ; J. H. Jones, of
Wayne ; Arny, of Bethany, Virginia ; besides Moss,
Cooley, and Lillie. This was Bro. Jones* introduc-
tion to the Western Reserve. He became immedi-
ately identified with all our religious work. At this
meeting the blessed gospel gave abundant proof of
its power to turn the people to the Lord, fifty-four
coming penitently to Jesus Christ. This was the
largest number yet received at any of these meetings.
Brethren Henry and Jones were the Jupiter and
Mercurius of the meeting, and their talents formed a
good combination for public effect. Henry came as
a storm ; he spoke with authority, calling to repent-
ance with the fire and zeal of Elijah ; while Jones
flowed in exhortations of persuasive tenderness,
which gained all ears and won many hearts.

He was born June 15, 181 3, lived for a time in
Brookfield, Trumbull County, then became resident
with his parents in the county of Wayne, where he
was nourished up in the faith and order of the Bap-
tist churches. At the age of nineteen, he heard the
gifted John Secrest, near Bucyrus, on the waters of
the Whetstone, where he confessed his faith in Christ.
From that day he was the Lord's. He traveled
awhile with Secrest ; immediately and every-where
exhorting sinners to " flee from the wrath to come."
He improved by the ardent and persuasive manner
of that bold and successful preacher, and, like him,
he excelled in touching the heart, and bringing souls
into the kingdom.

But all hearts were warm then, and each one was
ready with a word in season, an exhortation, a

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 393

prayer, or a stirring song to sustain the life and an-
imation of the meetings. The memory of those
scenes is inspiring to the heart. They were joyful
with holy enthusiasm, and the new converts were
filled with hope. The hymns — and all sung them —
were, many of them, millennial in sentiment ; and
held to the heart the hope of the coming of the
Lord, and of the glory to be soon revealed. Some
described the day of judgment in such pathos and
power, as to fasten conviction on many souls. So
great was the ardor and zeal, that the gospel in some
of its great themes was the subject of general con-
versation in private houses, as well as of discourse
in public assemblies.

This congregation has ripened many souls for the
eternal kingdom. Among those deserving a record
is Bro. Charles F. Bartlett, who, immediately on his
conversion in the autumn of 1837, was called by his
brethren to positions of responsibility, first as a
deacon, then as an elder. Possessed of a genial and
affable manner, with a social and warm heart, and
ready in speech, his improvement was so satisfac-
tory that on the 22d of May, 1842, he was called to
the work of the ministry. His influence increased
constantly. He preached in surrounding churches,
every-where respected and beloved. But his life was
cut short in the midst of his days. On the Sth of
February, 1848, he went to his reward. His cheer-
ful, companionable manners and unstinted hospital-
ity, won him many friends. The mourning for him
was deep and general. He sustained himself from
his farm while laboring for the good of others.

394 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Like most of the early preachers, the warfare was
mostly at his own charges.

^ Dr. J. P. Robison, whose accession as a member
occurred August 20, 1837, soon became a leader by
the concurrent wish of the congregation. His intel-
lectual and social qualities, together with his talent
for business management, naturally brought him to
the front. Few were the enterprises which ren-
dered this church numerous, which were not either
prompted or led on by him. Ready to serve, as well as
prompt to direct, with the co-operation of the gener-
ous helps in the church who stood with him, Bed-
ford rapidly became a radiating center. Bro. Robi-
son yielded to the unanimous voice of his brethren,
and on the 25th of October, 1840, he was appointed
and ordained as a preacher of the gospel.

For several years he " gave himself wholly to the
work." For it he laid aside an extensive ride as
physician, a profession in which he was very suc-
cessful; and, until driven from the field by scanty
support, an experience which he shared in common
with others, he preached extensively, and brought
many converts into the churches. Throughout the
Western Reserve, in Pittsburgh, Bethany, and Cin-
cinnati, he became known by his zeal and success.
He labored with all the preachers, but Bro. J. H.
Jones and " the Doctor/' associated in meetings
more than others. During the animating period of
the **holy war,'* from 1840 to 1844, these evangel-
ists proclaimed the glad tidings with unbounded suc-
cess. Their work was heroic — their dispatches Na-
poleonic. The following from the Doctor's hand are
good specimens of the life and spirit of the times :

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 395

*' Dear Bro. Hayden:

''Allegheny, 21st Feb, y 1842.

*' Yours is to hand. I am quite happy to learn that the
good cause is still progressing in the land of my friends.
We have a great excitement here. Many are inquiring,
and many are astonished at the doctrine. Up to this
time the converts number fifty-seven,* and the brethren
on the other side are waiting with great anxiety for us to
come over and help them. They think there never was
the like of Bro. Jones, and well may they, for he waxes
warmer and bolder in the good cause. All the friends
are in health. I may get to see you in Wellsburg. I will,
the Lord willing, be at Ohio City the third Lord's day
in March. When will you be in Wellsburg, and how
long ? I hope to go to Bethany. I have said something
to them on the prophecies ; so has Bro. Jones, who backed
me up. My love to all who love the appearing of our

blessed Lord.

*' Yours in the hope,

''J. P. ROBISON.''

''Bedford, October 6, 1842.
^'Dear Bro. Hayden:

"I get joyful news from Euclid. I hear from twenty
to thirty are immersed. I have been with you for days in
the spirit of the great turning to the Lord. Bro. Collins
and myself are to be in Ohio City, the Lord willing, on
Friday two weeks. We would be happy to see you there
for a few days, or some time during our stay. Please ride
up if you can.

"What do you think of the Canada excursion? We
ought to let those dear friends know beforehand if we go.

* There were one hundred and forty- two converts in the meeting ;
thirty of them in Pittsburq:h

396 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

'^ I am very busy bringing my business to a close. May
the Lord bless you and strengthen you with all strength.
I feel for you, and should have been over ere this if I had
been more propitiously circumstanced. But those bright
'stars* — heaven alone can reward your exertions.
*' Yours in the blessed hope,

'7. P. ROBISON.*'

The following relates to the planting of the church
in Munson, which arose chiefly by the labors of Bro.
Robison. It was written the day fixed by Mr.
Miller and his friends for the coming of the Lord
and the end of the world :

'^ Bedford, ^d April, 1843.
^' Dear Bro. Hayden :

^'I am just home from Munson where I got seventy-
six additions. I am, as you may calculate, nearly ex-
hausted, after speaking almost incessantly for ten days.
But the Lord be praised for his goodness, and mercy, and
long-suffering, not willing that any should perish.

'* Bro. Hayden, I want to see you. If I knew you to be
at home, I think I would almost come over. You have
heard, no doubt, of the Ohio City thirty. I have got
since I returned home from Pittsburgh, one hundred and
twelve in all— four Lord's days.

'* Yours in the Beloved,

^'J. R Robison.^'

**P. S. The 3d of April is past, and we are still to
' cleanse the sanctuary ' by preaching the gospel, I sup-
pose. J. R R.'*

^* Aylko^, February 2, 1844.
'' Dear Bro. Hayden :

'*I am at Akron — have been here since Wednesday.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 397

Spoke three times, and baptized fifty ; among which are
Mr. Pickands and family. Speak this evening, and start
in the morning for Wooster. Bro. Cook had left some
four days before I reached here. Pray for me, Bro. Hay-
den. I wish you was here. The brethren are happy —
Middlebury brethren and all. We have a happy time.
*' Yours in the hope of Jesus Christ,

*7. P. ROBISON.*'

*' P. S. My love to Bro. Fitch.

*' Spoke this evening — fourteen more. Baptize at eight
in the morning, and then start for Wooster.

'']. P. R.'*

The church was sustained by its internal strength,
and by aid from abroad in yearly meetings and pro-
tracted meetings, till the year 1856, when Bro. J. O.
Beardslee was secured to labor in the congregation.
He preached till his appointment as a missionary to
Jamaica. After him, the church has been served
successively by J. H. Jones, E. H. Hawley, Hiram
Woods, A. B. Green, and Robt. Moffett.

As overseers, she has had Thomas Marble, Allen
Robinett, Enoch Allen, Sidney Smith, J. P. Rob-
ison, James Young, C. F. Bartlett, R. S. Benedict,
S. F. Lockwood, Augustine Collins, Samuel Barnes,
James Egbert, W. B. Hillman, A. T. Hubbell, A.
Drake, R. J. Hathaway, Hiram Woods.

For nearly twenty years the Board of managers of
the Ohio State Missionary Society was located in
Bedford, of which Dr. Robison was the continued
chairman ; and this enterprising church has always
contributed liberally to sustain the missionary work.
The number of members rose at one time to nearly
five hundred — it is now considerably diminished.

398 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Sketch of our Missionary, J. O. Beardslee.

He was born in Bridgewater, Ct., September ii, 1814.
In his fourteenth year he united with the Congregational
church, and was sprinkled at the time. He would have
preferred immersion, but that church would not immerse
him ; nor would the Baptists, unless he joined them,
which would, by their rules, exclude him from *' fellow-
ship'' with other Christians. In this dilemma he pre-
ferred to him the least objectionable course.

He entered the Western Reserve College in Hudson, in
1833, at the age of nineteen years. His antislavery pro-
clivities took him to Oberlin when presidents Mahan and
Finney assumed control there. His class of four was the
first that graduated in that institution, in 1837. His
studies were all in view of the ministry, and before he left
Hudson he had his heart on some foreign mission as his
ultimate purpose. While in Oberlin he gathered some
converts, one of whom was afterward his co-laborer in Ja-
maica. In pursuit of better health, he took a voyage to
that island, in 1838, just after the emancipation of the
300,000 slaves on the island. Inspired by the congenial
climate, and, still more by the necessities of that people,
he felt that Providence had selected this as his field of
life work. He returned, collected funds in Connecticut
and Ohio; was ordained to the ministry in Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, and sailed again for Jamaica. For the first seven
years his receipts from abroad were only three hundred
dollars. He was invited to take charge of the Normal In-
stitution, under the auspices of the British Board of Man-
agers, for fitting native teachers. This post he held seven
years, and resigned it to take charge of the Mission
church in Kingston, in connection with the London Mis-
sionary Society. He lost his companion in 1847 l ^^d
married again in Kingston, in 1848.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 399

His change of views, and of ecclesiastical position, I
can give from his own pen :

'*When I left Jamaica in 1855, on account of failing
health, I had arrived at the conclusion that the immersion
of believers was the only authoritative baptism. After a
time, I accepted the charge of a small Congregational
church at Rawsonville, (Grafton,) a village comprising
representatives of several denominations, no one of them
being able to support a preacher. This led me to search
for some basis of union. I preached on the subject ;
and, without knowing the position of the Disciples on
that point, I presented what I afterward found to be pre-
cisely their views as the only true basis of Christian unity.
It was to satisfy the scruples of a young lady on the sub-
ject of no creed and infant baptism, that I was led to re-
view the whole matter; and I came to the conclusion that
I ought to be immersed forthwith in obedience to the
command of Christ. I applied to Elder Nesbitt, a Bap-
tist, who resided in Grafton, to baptize me. He could .
not attend to it for two weeks, and I went to Wellington
to see a Baptist preacher there. But as he would not im-
merse me except on condition of my uniting with the Bap-
tists, I concluded to wait for Elder Nesbitt. I made
known my intentions to the church, and met with no op-
position. On the 23d of March, 1856, I was buried with
my Lord in baptism. Before leaving the water, I im-
mersed the young lady referred to and another convert.
I was then on the eve of a change of location, having
accepted a call from the Congregational church in Colla-
mer, with which, and its results you are familiar.'*

Bro. Beardslee came to enter on his engagement in
Collamer, and after his first sermon, which was on a prac-
tical theme, he frankly made known his change of senti-
ments ; he was willing to fraternize with them, and they
would probably have borne with his baptism, as they were
much pleased with him. But on learning, in answer to a

400 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

direct question, that he could not conscientiously christen
their children, they reconsidered their call, and, by a
small majority, rescinded it. Thus, and for this reason,
turned away by that people from their fraternity, he came
that Lord's day evening to hear me, and there com-
menced our mutual and cordial acquaintance.

Meantime William Hayden had heard of him, and of
his baptism by Elder- Nesbitt. He went to Bro. S. R.
Willard, and urged him to go°at once and make known to
him our plea and ground of union. Bro. Willard was
prompt to visit him, and his message of love was favor-
ably received. Hayden also went to Bedford, and made
known the case to Dr. Robison, by whose influence the
church extended a call to him to visit them, with a view
to settlement among them. ^^On the second Lord's
day,*' continues Beardslee, ^*we were mutually prepared
to accept each other as brethren in the common faith.
That was the beginning of a new and blessed era in my
life's history. Before, I had been as he who saw men
' as trees walking ; ' now as the same man who saw
'clearly.'"

From this time his heart was set to return to Jamaica.
He longed to reveal to them the light which was so clear
and joyful to him. Our general missionary society sent
him out, and in January, 1858, he set sail with his family
from New York, for Kingston. He began his labors in
that city, and on the ist of May he organized the first
church on the island, on the New Testament basis, with
seven members. The work went on with great success,
but amidst violent opposition. In five years there were
nine churches, and about a thousand members. This was
followed by eighteen months of absence in the United
States. The work in the hands of the native preachers
was less prosperous. But Bro. Beardslee returning again
to their aid, two and a half years of unremitting labors
revived the interest, and more than doubled the number

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 4OI

of churches. Bankruptcy in the missionary treasury
compelled his surrender of this most promising field. He
left Jamaica in 1868, greatly to the disparagement of the
mission work, as he was the needed leader of that great
work, of which he had been the father and the founder.
From that time to the present, his efforts to collect
funds to enable him to go to their aid have only re-
sulted in disappointment to him, and to the greater disap-
pointment of the expecting churches of the island.

Among the happy children of this church in Bedford,
arose the benignant Harry S. Glasier, a brother, who, in
a short time, won to himself the sincerest regards of many
friends. He was born in Twinsburg, November 7, 1836,
though reared in this church as a nursing mother. He
graduated in Bethany, July 4, 1863, and was ordained as
a preacher the same day, by Bros. Campbell and Bentley.

His devotion and earnestness in preaching brought many
to repentance. He was gifted with a warm, friendly
heart, was a good talker, and never failed to improve every
opportunity for Christ. He married a companion of equal
sincerity, and well adapted to his work — Miss Eliza E.
Clapp — and settled with the church in Belair, Ohio. The
congregation grew in numbers and religious feeling during
the three years of his ministry there. He was naturally a
pastor — ** naturally caring for the state*' of all the mem-
bers. He became tenderly attached to the people, and
they to him; so that when death came and seized him from
them, they mourned as for a near kinsman. He went to
assist in a meeting in Pittsburgh where he fell, September
8, 1866. He was carried and laid in the cemetery in Bed-
ford. He left his devoted companion and daughter to
inherit his virtues and his excellent name.

Bro. Glasier was frank, free-hearted, generous, and un-
selfish ; attentive to all his friends, and of a very sympa-
thetic temperament. He served the people. He served
his God, and he took him early.

34 •

402 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

The Congregation in Newburg.

As far back as 1827 and '8, Ebenezer Williams,
then an advocate of Restorationism, gathered some
converts in Newburg. When the scales of that per-
nicious speculation fell from his eyes, and he learned
the gospel, he sought to undo his work there, and to
repair the damage. Some time in the fall of 1828,
he appeared among his former admirers, delivered a
few addresses, which awakened a marked interest,
and left without farther results.

In June, 1832, the first convert was gained. It
was under the vigorous appeals of the heroic W.
Hayden. Two years before, he had started a church
in Aurora. Henry Baldwin, of that place, carried an
appointment to Newburg, and urged his sister and
her husband, Col. John Wightman, to go and hear
this original preacher. A large audience assembled
in the town-house. Such preaching took them all
by surprise. It was neither Universalism, to which
they had been accustomed, nor the doctrine of any
of the religious parties. It was only and simply the
gospel as taught in the New Testament.

Many saw the truth, but only one man arose to
take his lamp to meet the bridegroom. This was
John Hopkinson. He was afterward elder of the
church, and stands yet,* after an interval of over
forty years, on precisely the same ground assumed
at the beginning. Hayden and Williams continued
their visits, holding the ground, and gaining con-

* Bro. Hopkinson has just fallen asleep in the hope of immor-
tality.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 403

verts. September, 1833, Wightman and wife, and
Eliza Everett, and several others, were baptized by
Bro. Williams. Great awakening of the people, and
farther conversions followed. At one of his visits
Williams baptized a young lady of social attractions,
by the name of Julia Parshall. She was gifted with
superior musical powers, and as soon as she was
lifted above the baptismal water, she sang full and
clear :

** Now my remnant of days

Will I spend to his praise
Who has died my poor soul to redeem ;

Whether many or few ;

All my years are his due,
They shall all be devoted to him.'*

Williams writes, ** There were more than half a dozen
infidels standing within a few feet, who were very
much moved by the scene.*'

The Disciples were filled with joy and the Holy
Spirit. They studied the Scriptures daily and dili-
gently to learn the truth themselves, and to be able
to teach it to others. They met often for songs, and
prayer, and mutual encouragement, and when a
preacher came, they had many questions to pro-
pound. Thus light rapidly increased, and they be-
came intelligent in the Christian religion. They
were zealous to propagate the gospel which shed so
much light and joy on their own souls. It was
common for the Disciples of Newburg to come to
Euclid, (now Collamer,) to meeting, a distance of
seven miles ; and for these in turn to attend at New-
burg to help the brethren there. Each was fille
with the joy which inspired all the rest. Happ
times ! Will they ever return to gladden our hearts ?

404 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Such zeal with our present numbers would in a
twelvemonth set the whole land ablaze !

Society in Newburg was full of infidelity. But the
gospel never lost a battle. Strong arguments and
powerful appeals from such men as Hayden, Hartzel,
Green, AUerton, and Moss, laid the foundation of a
lasting work, and soon established a church on Bible
principles, which has never ceased to meet, nor failed
to hold forth the word of life.

The "yearly meeting*' for the year 1835 ^^s held
in Newburg, on the farm of Colonel Wightman.
Collins well said of him, " he was a princely man."
With the noblest generosity and breadth of views,
he made provision both for the entertainment of the
people, and for the best business management of the
occasion, that the widest possible benefits might
flow from it. It was duly announced in Cleveland.
Prominent citizens were especially informed and in-
vited. A grove was selected, seated, and covered
with boards. All the other members also came
heartily to the work, and there was nothing wanting
to make the people welcome. Bro. Wightman lodged
a hundred guests, and supplied provisions without
numbering the participants of his bounty.

This meeting was historic. The Disciples, now
numerous, came from long distances. Discourses
were delivered by Alex. Campbell, Wm. Hayden, A.
B. Green, M. S. Clapp, and a few others ; and even-
ing meetings were held in neighborhoods around.
For four days the meeting, like the manna about Is-
rael, lay round among the people, the subject of
thought and conversation by all. A large number
of converts were baptized on Monday by Bro. Green.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 405

At 8 o'clock Monday morning, the preachers, at
Mr. Campbell's invitation, met him in the rear of the
tent, to whom he submitted the proposition to hold
meetings for mutual improvement. He spoke of it
as a school to be continued, in which there should
be sermons delivered, subject to examination in
matter and style. It was unanimously approved, and
the first one was appointed to be held in New Lis-
bon in the following December. About fifteen
preachers met with him that morning.

The brethren becoming now well established, they
assumed the duties and prerogatives of a congrega-
tion of the disciples of Jesus Christ. From that
period to the present, the candlestick has not been
removed.

None of our churches, Warren only perhaps ex-
cepted, had preachers or "pastors" settled among
them. The casual watch-care and aid given them by
the traveling ministers, many of whom were more
intent on extending than building up the churches,
was insufficient to check dissensions, and to guard
the folds from encroaching dangers. Many churches
suffered greatly, and some perished. This in New-
burg ran low, and its light was nearly extinct. In
their extremity they appealed to Bro. Hartzel, who
came in April, 1842, and immediately commanded
attention by his able statement and defense of the
gospel. He lifted it above all mere " church " or
partisan religions, and powerfully beat back the
forces of infidelity, which had grown strong and de-
fiant. On Lord's day, the twenty-first of that month,
he reorganized the church, with twenty old, and
fifteen new members. At this time Youngs L.

406 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Morgan and Caleb Morgan came in with their fami-
lies. The congregation gained such strength that
soon after, under the able ministrations of Bro. J.
D. Benedict, they built a good house. They have
maintained a good testimony, and are now flourish-
ing under the labors of J. H. Jones. For many
years their Sunday-school has prospered, and for the
last few years especially, by the skillful management
of Bro. Browning ; and the children are rising up to
take the place of their parents in handing down the
gospel uncorrupted to generations after them.

Incidents of the Yearly Meeting in 1835.

On Saturday night some son of Belial thought to
break up the meeting by cutting down a large tree,
so its immense brushy top might fall directly upon
the seated tent. His mischief failed. The tree fell
merely along the edge of it, displacing some of the
boards, but not otherwise doing any injury. The
incident probably added emphasis to many a phi-
lippic against sin and sectarianism. Mr. Wightman
had no doubt who the malicious man was who per-
petrated the deed. He went to him in the morning
and said to him : " If it is any satisfaction to you to
commit such depredations, you can do it with the
assurance that you can never incite me to retaliate.
You may depend on my doing you a kindness when-
ever it is in my power."

Mr. Wightman's hospitality has been mentioned.
Tables were carried out in the yard, under the
shadowing maples, plentifully loaded with provisions.
There was neither stint in the supply nor attempt to
number the people who partook thankfully the pro-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 407

fusion set before them. After disposing of his guests
one night, Wightman came to Wm. Hayden and
said : " Bro. Hayden, the best lodging I can give you
is on the floor, for every thing is full." " I will not
sleep on your hard floor," said the witty William.
So taking two benches he placed them together and
camped down on them, saying *' Now I am comforta-
bly fixed for the night."

408 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES^

CHAPTER XX.

Rise of the cause in Euclid—Church formed by T. Campbell —
Preachers arising, and growing success — The Church in
Cleveland established — Planting of the congregation in East
Cleveland.

THE first church in EucUd was Presbyterian.
Luther Dille was a member of it. In 1820,
Elder Hanks, a Baptist, preached in that town, and
Dille, becoming convinced by the New Testament
that immersion was the true baptism, united with the
Baptists. Having buried his wife, he married, Sep-
tember 7, 1828, Mrs. Clarissa Kent, sister to Benjamin
Blish, of Mentor. She was a disciple ; her husband
and William Hutchinson were the deacons of the
Baptist church. Returning from the *' Communion "
one Sunday, Mrs. Dille asked her husband why she
could not commune with them. *' I could myself,"
said he, "but our church could not." *'Why not.*^"
" Because you are not of the same faith and order."
*' That 's the creed," she replied ; adding. " I can never
put my hand to a creed ! " He said : " Then we can
never be together." She asked him, " If you should
see that we are right, would you unite with us ?'' " I
would," was his prompt reply ; not thinking, it is
presumed, that he would be put to that test. But
she was satisfied and comforted by his answer, con-
vinced of his scrupulous honesty and independence of
character. Her confidence in these excellent quali-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 4O9

ties was not misplaced, neither were her expectations
of his early change destined to be disappointed.

Soon afterwards, meeting Rigdon in Mentor, she
related the conversation to him. He remarked : " I
will go up and take their deacons from them." In
the autumn of 1829, he came, preached a few days,
and baptized Eri M. Dille, Lurilla Dille, Leonard
Marsilliott and wife, Mrs. Perry, Mary Ann Perry,
Clarissa Perry, Mrs. Cranny, and her daughter Fanny
Cranny. These, with Sister Dille, were associated
together for meetings. Rigdon, taking Luther Dille's
hand, said : " Will you not go with these young con-
verts and take care of them.^" "I will.'* This was
his change ; a happy one to him, and blessed to hun-
dreds. He was so full of joy on discovering that
salvation is offered to all men in the gospel that he
could not sleep. " I always thought,*' he said, " I
was like some whom Paul spoke of, *ever learning
and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth.* The creed and the doctrines of Calvinism I
never could see through, but I thought I must ac-
cept them, and thought I believed them ; but now
the gospel plan of salvation is so plain, it fills my soul
with joy unspeakable.*' " I am tired waiting on the
people," said Mrs. Dille ; " you must let me rest."
But he could not sleep. He rose, got his hymn-book
and sung, then prayed, and so he spent the night —
too happy to sleep.

Elder Baily and deacon Beebee came to recover
him from the error of his ways. The elder was full
of assurance and pomp. " Uncle Luther," new in
the faith, was not well prepared for defense. Mrs.
Dille wished to help him, but refrained. She stepped
35

4IO EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

across the way and called in A. P. Jones from his
school-room, who entered and sat quietly down on
a low seat. At a juncture, Baily having quoted
Scripture in disproof of the "new" doctrine, Jones
spoke : " If you would read the whole of that passage
it would make directly against your views/* " Mod-
esty becomes a young man,'* said Baily, in contempt.
" And wisdom becomes age," quickly replied the young
teacher, and then quoted the language. '*It does
not read so," said the elder. " We shall see," said
Jones ; and taking out his testament, he read out the
exact words he had quoted. Mr. Baily was discom-
fitted. He was persuaded with difficulty to remain
till after dinner. He returned to deacon Hutchinson's,
who asked. What have you done with deacon Dille ?
" O, he has fallen asleep in the lap of Delilah ! "

In April, 1830, Elder Thomas Campbell came and
organized the church in scriptural order, setting
apart, by imposition of hands, Luther Dille as elder,
and Leonard Marsilliott and Eri M. Dille as deacons.

Bro. William Collins came about the same time,
laboring with great acceptance, and adding to their
numbers. Lanson O'Connor heard him, and said to
him : '* You are the first man I ever heard preach the
gospel.** He obeyed it, and plead it zealously till his
death. To Bro. J. J. Moss also the church was, and
ever will be, greatly indebted for his zealous labors in
teaching the people, and defending the principles of the
gospel. Rigdon*s fall staggered many, but Mormon-
ism never made a convert in Euclid. This is much
owing to the presence of Moss. He debated with
one of their elders, and so routed him that he fled
from the community. Bro. Washington O'Connor

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 4I I

rose up in the church and became very useful in
keeping the members together, and adding to their
numbers. This young brother was soon on the wing,
encouraged by the church, and became very useful
as a proclaimer of the gospel. He traveled exten-
sively in Lorain, Huron, Erie, Wayne, and Holmes
counties, bringing many souls to Christ. He mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Dille, and after a few years he
settled in Mishawaka, Ind., where his useful life
terminated May 12, 1859, ag^d fifty-one years.

Damon O'Connor, also, was many years a promi-
nent member ; and Armon O'Connor, one of the
first to embrace the faith, baptized by A. P. Jones,
October, 1832, was chosen associate in the eldership
with Luther Dille, a position he held with credit for
many years, and till he removed to another church.

William Hayden was one of the first to sow the
seed of the kingdom in this community. A meeting
held by him and Bro. Moss in Shumway's barn made
a great impression, and is talked of yet, after nearly
forty years, as a notable occasion.

The first of the great yearly meetings in Euclid
was in September, 1837, ^"d was a memorable oc-
casion. The attendance was by thousands. Mr.
Campbell's former visits to the county, and especially
his signal triumph over the Anakims of skepticism
the year before, in the city of Cleveland, freshly and
favorably remembered, called crowds to hear him.
His discourse on Lord's day was one of his most
masterly efforts. It was founded on Gen. iii: 15;
and showed the nature and design of positive in-
stitutions as tests of obedience. It was a power-
ful argument against infidelity. Assisting in the

412 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

meeting, were Butler, of Indiana, Hayden, Green,
Bentley, Clapp, Moody, Williams, Allerton, Collins,
Moss, Veits, O'Connor, Atwater, Brown, and A. S.
Hayden. The immediate result was nineteen conver-
sions. This meeting formed an epoch in the history
of this church and of the cause of primitive Christi-
anity in all that region. The plea was lifted high
into public notice, and many, from this hearing, after-
ward became obedient to the faith.

In October, the following year, a successful meet-
ing was conducted in Euclid by A. P. Jones, Moody,
and Robison. Eight additions.

A few months after, February, 1839, John Henry
came for eight days. The brethren not having a
meeting-house, they rented a vacant store-room in
the village. This, for nearly three years, was their
meeting place. It was crowded nightly to hear this
invincible champion of the truth. There were ten
added to the number, seven of them conversions.
Among these last was an old sea captain, Jephtha G.
Nickerson, from New Bedford, Mass. In command
of a vessel, he had made most of the commercial
ports of the world — had visited Malta, the island
where Paul was cast ashore. He had been ship-wrecked
on the Mediterranean ; and now, spending a quiet
winter in the secluded village of Collamer, he turned
in to hear the stranger. Henry's manner, bold, de-
cided, energetic, exactly suited the captain, whose
own nature was a compacted tempest. He under-
stood the preacher. For the - first time he heard
something plain, tangible, and common sense on the
subject of conversion, and well backed up with Script-
ure. He obeyed, and his soul was as tender as the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 413

mourning-dove. Sleep left him, but " songs in the
night " came to him. He learned the hymns, and his
mouth was opened with a '* new song.'*

He said to Bro. Henry : " I have a brother David.
I '11 have him here next winter. You must come
back and convert him." So spoke the earnest sailor.
Henry made a promise, and he never forgot one, that
a year hence he would return.

Intervening, June, 1839, J- J- Moss and A. S. Hay-
den held a two days* meeting in the same store-room,
resulting in nine conversions. The next February,
at Bro. Henry's arrival, both the captains were at
home. The younger one discovered in the teachings
of the gifted preacher what had never been suggested
or hinted in all the preaching to which he had list-
ened ; that in the gospel God has made known the
way of salvation through faith, repentance and bap-
tism, into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ; that
this, his established order, is open to all men to the
end of time. His soul was kindled as he saw the
way so plain that " the wayfaring man could not err
therein ; " and he also turned to the Lord. Several
others also were added.

The yearly meetings this year, 1840, one of which
was in this church, were marked with peculiar inter-
est. Bro. Campbell says of them :

*'We attended the yearly meetings in Warren, and in
Euclid, Ohio, held annually in the last week in August and
the first week in September. Both meetings were well at-
tended with public laborers. Present at Warren, were
brethren C. Bosworth, J. Hartzel, J. Henry, S. Church,
E. Williams, A. AUerton, M. S. Clapp, Dr. Robison,
A. S. Hayden, S. Ryder, W. Collins, M. Martin, C. Mc-

414 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Neely, Z. Rudolph, H. Brockett, W. Beaumont, C. E. Van-
voorhis, Abijah Sturdevant and Dr. A. W. Campbell,
Besides a number of these, there were at the Euclid meet-
ing, Elder A. Bentley, W. Hayden, J. J. Moss, and
others.

'^ From a number of detailed statements we

concluded that the number of disciples on the Reserve
has nearly, or altogether, doubled during the last year.
The churches also are in the very best order ; the laborers
have been more industrious, more engaged, and, conse-
quently, more successful during the present season. Bro.
William Beaumont has immersed 75 in New Lisbon; Bro.
Henry, 140 since the beginning of the year; Bro. Wesley
Lanphear and J. H. Jones have baptized many ; and,
indeed, all the laborers have reason to bless the Lord and
to renew their courage in the glorious work of saving men."

There were 43 immersed at the meeting in War-
ren, and ten in Euclid. On Monday, Bro. Moss made
a stirring appeal for greater liberality in support of
the gospel, asserting strongly the need of a brother
to be sent out among the churches to arouse them to
this duty. William Hayden was his man. He offered
to be one of four who would give him the sum of
three hundred dollars for a year s labor to this end.
" Who will be the other three ? " Samuel Miller, late
of Willoughby, was quick on his feet. '* Who next } *'
Casper Hendershot, of Euclid. ** Now the third ? "
holding firmly to his point. Bro. Webster, of Mentor,
completed the quaternion, and William Hayden ac-
cepted the mission.

There was a great ingathering here in October,
1842. A. S. Hayden began the meeting in the audi-
ence room of the meeting-house, which was yet un-
finished. The work of conversion began with the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 415

meeting. After several days, and the baptism of
twenty-eight, the laborer dispatched a note to Bro.
Robison, of Bedford, who was in his carriage in thirty
minutes after receiving it, and in ninety minutes
more was on the ground, a distance of twelve miles,
ready for work. He remained five days. Forty
souls were brought into the kingdom.

In March, of 1847, ^^o- Isaac Errett labored a
week, gathering in twenty; and in 185 1, the church
was increased by the addition of twenty more by Calvin
Smith and B. F. Perky. After this, W. A. Belding
and J. H. Jones held very successful meetings at
different times. The new meeting-house was erected
in 1862-3.

Elder Luther Dille, having served as bishop of the
church over thirty years, with great efficiency and
universal esteem, fell asleep, April 18, 1863, aged 79
years. The other churches closed their meetings at
an earlier hour than usual, that the people might
come and mourn together over a man whose Chris-
tian character won the respect of all who knew him.
That day the church lost its first elder, who, in all
his administration, had been a model of firmness, in-
tegrity, impartiality and philanthropy.

The Church Established in Cleveland.

The first discourse in this city, on the "ancient
gospel" as plead by the disciples, was delivered by
the pioneer, William Hayden. It occurred under the
following circumstances : Coming to Armon O'Con-
nor s, a new convert from Euclid, then living in
Brooklyn, two miles west of the Cuyahoga River, Bro
O'Connor asked him to preach in the village, down

4l6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

near the river. This was before even "Ohio City"
was known or named. Hayden replied that he would
do so, if an audience could be obtained at lo o'clock
on a certain Monday morning which he mentioned.
O'Connor agreed to these terms. About 8 o'clock
of the appointed morning, Bro. O'Connor started and
canvassed the entire community, visiting every house.
One hour and a half accomplished the patrol. Every
family was invited, and nearly every one came. The
preacher took up the subject of "election," much dis-
cussed those times, and in a full and vigorous argu-
ment he stated and replied to the leading proofs re-
lied on in support of the foreordination of a select
few to eternal life ; and in contrast with this unscrip-
tural hypothesis, he opened a free salvation through
faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. The sermon
was listened to with marked attention, as well for the
boldness and novelty of the preacher's manner, as for
the freshness and power of the scriptural views he
presented. This was in October, 1833. The ground
thus gained was never lost. He introduced Bro.
Moss and Bro. Green, who astonished the people
by their knowledge of the Bible and power in teach-
ing it. Among the first converts were Mrs. Armon
O'Connor, baptized by Bro. Moss ; and W. B. Storer
and his wife, who were baptized by Hayden at the
yearly meeting in Richfield, September, 1834. Bro.
Hayden preached in the old academy in Cleveland
to full assemblies. Some of the converts recently
gathered into the church are the fruits of those ser-
mons delivered thirty years before.

At the conclusion of the meeting held on Mr.
Wightman's farm, in 1835, ^^ was arranged for Mr.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 417

Campbell to preach in the court-house on Monday
afternoon at 4 o'clock. It was the old court-house
which stood on the south-west corner of the public
square. There were only two hours to circulate the
word. No time for hand-bills. This appointment
was at the solicitation of Thomas Hawley, an intel-
ligent disciple, who not long before had moved from
Shrewsbury, England, and was then a resident in
Cleveland, At his suggestion, his son Joseph and
Armon O'Connor went through all the principal
streets, and in clear ringing tones announced in stores,
shops, and private houses, that Alexander Campbell
would preach in the court-house at 4 o'clock. These
messengers were young and active. The whole city
heard, and the court-room was overflowing before
the hour arrived, all anxious to hear him.

Sheriff Wightman's influence was great with the
officials, and with the people, by whom he was much
respected. Through him the court-house was opened
several times for William Hayden, whose discourses
were listened to by full audiences. His brother held
a two days' meeting in it. Discourses were delivered
there by Moss, Williams, and Collins. These sermons,
like the leaven in the meal, were doing their work.
They opened the way for the harvest which ere long
was reaped in the city. But it was in June, 1836,
the greatest advance was made in Cleveland. On a
trip to New England, Mr. Campbell stopped in the
city and delivered some discourses in favor of the
Bible. These sermons aroused the skeptics in the
city, and Irad Kelley volunteered as the defender of
infidelity. A few speeches and rejoinders were made,
when Mr. Campbell urged the infidel junto, for it

41 8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

appears they had no defined organization, to put forth
their champion, as the discomfiture of any other
would not be acknowledged by them as the overthrow
of their cause. Skepticism in the city of Cleveland
was then delivered into the hands of the intrepid Dr.
Underbill, to make for it the best defense in his power.
As court was to open the next day, the first Presby-
terian church, of which the venerable Dr. Aiken was
pastor, was freely granted for the continuance of the
discussion.

The conclusion of this debate of four days, which
attracted the attention of the whole city, is thus de-
clared by Mr. Campbell:

** After hearing some other reiterations from Taylor, and
some explanations from Mr. Kelley, and some very flatter-
ing compliments from my friend Underbill, with the great-
est urbanity and good nature we came to a close — I reca-
pitulating the whole, and showing that now, after so long
and so patient a session, we had heard these leaders of the
skeptics of Cleveland display, if not all they had, certainly
the best and the strongest allegations they had to offer. It
could not be difficult to see the nakedness of the land of
infidelity, the poverty of its soul, when such an assiduous
cultivator as my opponent had raised so poor a crop after
the toils of so many moons. We contrasted the bearings,
the prospects, and the ultimate termination of the two
hopes — that of immortality, and that of eternal sleep;
the present pleasures of religion and the pains of skepti-
cism ; and after a word of friendly exhortation to my an-
tagonists, I bade them adieu.

**Thus, after enjoying, with many others, the very kind
hospitalities of our benevolent brother Hawley and his
amiable family for several days, and various demonstrations
of respect and good will from all parties, we retired in the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 419

evening of that day to our good but afflicted brother
Wightman's, in the country ; and, after spending a pleas-
ant evening with himself and family, on the next morning
we embarked on Lake Erie for the State of New York.

**We had the pleasure,'* Mr. Campbell adds, *'in the
midst of our discussions, to be called to the river to hear
the confession of six converts who were immersed into
Christ by our brother Adamson Bentley.**

This, it is presumed, is the first instance of bap-
tism by our brethren in the city of Cleveland. The
occasion is memorable. The administrator was as
venerable as a patriarch ; and the converts were tro-
phies of a signal victory achieved over the allied
forces of infidelity in the city.

The gentlemen who presided, at different times
over this discussion, were Elder Bentley, Thomas
Hawley, and Tolbert Fanning, of Nashville, Tenn.,
one of Mr. Campbell's companions in travel.

It is eminently worthy of special attention, that all
the participants in that scene are now dwellers among
the countless tenants of the grave. Campbell, Bent-
ley, Fanning, Hawley, Wightman ; M. S. Clapp also,
and William Hayden. Bro. Clapp made two speeches
in the discussion, in consequence of Mr. Campbell's
hoarseness. All these have wheeled into the ranks
of that long procession of immortal spirits who are
awaiting their crowns. Dr. Underbill sleeps. And
now, within a few days, Irad Kelley, Esq., the lone
survivor of that group of historic names, is brought
from the seaboard where he died, to rest among his
kindred dead.

From that day the cause of infidelity withered. It
was the blasting of the fruitless fig-tree. Long after-

420 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ward in a public assembly of the citizens, Rev. Mr.
Aiken declared that to Mr. Campbell was to be credi-
ted the downfall of infidelity in the city of Cleveland.
In this opinion he only expressed the concurring
judgment of other intelligent citizens, some of whom,
legal gentlemen of reputation, have so said to me.

The cherished purpose of planting the ancient
gospel in Cleveland seemed to be delayed by the death
of Col. Wightman. This warm-hearted Christian
was no less active than influential. On January 12,
1837, he fell asleep in good hope, after a long and
painful illness. The removal of Bro. Hawley and
family to Detroit, about this time, was also a blow
to hope. It was not long, however, before a door of
faith was opened, and in the following manner:

Capt. J. G. Nickerson and his brother, having
moved to Cleveland, they importuned Henry to come
and preach in the city. This panoplied chieftain
opened the siege Friday, the nth of February, 1842.
In three days the meeting was all ablaze. Great
numbers were not able to gain admittance. The
overpowering mastery of that matchless man held
his audiences for an hour and a half to two hours as
under a charm. Gentlemen, and sometimes ladies,
stood during the sermon unconscious of the time.
During the ten days of his meeting there were twenty-
six conversions. Three others united, and on Lord's
day, the 20th of February, 1842, the church was con-
stituted and left under the general oversight of Dr.
J. P. Robison and A. S. Hayden. D. P. Nickerson
and Geo. B. Tibbitts were the elders. The next
Lord's day, Robison preached and baptized six more.
Bro. Jones, whose prowess scents the battle from afar,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 421

was quickly on the ground, and made many acces-
sions to the infant church. Soon after, the amiable
and gifted Collins, with Robison, held a meeting
which resulted in thirty conversions.

On the loth of December, 1843, ^^^ church re-
moved to Apollo Hall, east side of the river. In
this and in Empire Hall it met about two years — Dr.
Robison and A. S. Hayden alternating in preaching ;
then, in 1846, the congregation re-established itself
in Ohio City. Soon after this, Bro. L. Cooley, who
had been an early member here, became their preacher.
He was succeeded, in 1852, by Bro. Green, following
whom, Bro. Cooley was again employed. In i860,
Bro. C. C. Foot became the pastor ; then brethren
B. A. Hinsdale, James Canon, and S. E. Shephard
served the church successively ; the present incum-
bent is Bro. A. Wilcox.

The Church in East Cleveland Planted.

This church originated as a branch of the church
in Euclid. A number of the members residing at
this place, known as Doane^s Corners, prepared the
way for a meeting the 4th of July, 1843. It was
held under a tent, and was attended by brethren
Hartzel, Clapp, Collins, Robison, Benjamin and A. S.
Hayden. All assisted, but the chief preaching was
by Hartzel. There were over thirty additions ;
among them was Dr. N. H. Finney, who afterward
attained considerable eminence as a preacher, and who
died in the faith a few years after. Thus encouraged
and increased, the brethren at, the " Corners " pre-
sented a petition to the church of Euclid, dated Au-
gust 7, 1843, signed by seventeen names, asking to

422 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

be set off to form a separate church. The request
being granted, the members met September 4th, at
the dwelling of Col. Gardner, nominated their offi-
cers, and soon after entered on the exercise of their
duties as a church of Jesus Christ.

Their first officers were W. P. Hudson and Theo-
dore Stafford. This band of disciples held their po-
sition with great perseverance, having to contend
much of the time with sharp opposition. Besides
the help which they received from the parent church,
Bro. M. S. Clapp was procured for regular visits.
Few churches had pastors, or elders, those days,
who gave themselves wholly to the care of them.
They had " meetings " by Bros. Green, Robison, J. H.
Jones, and others. William Hayden was a chief de-
pendence, both for preaching and counsel. Among
the last discourses he delivered was to this church,
which he loved, and the importance of whose posi-
tion he fully appreciated, in view of the prospective
increase of the city of Cleveland, After meeting for
a time in the old stone school-house, the church
erected a plain, commodious edifice, which continued
to serve them till the erection of their present large
and attractive house of worship. In this excellent
building, which is a rich credit to the architect, as
well as to the liberality and enlightened impulses of
the brotherhood, and a monument to the generosity
of Dr. W. S. Streator, the church entered on a new
and wider career of usefulness. Bro. J. H. Jones
was called to the charge of the church. After him
Bro. C. C. Foot was their help. Bro. J. B. Johnston,
from Illinois, was their minister for a year, greatly
beloved. His declining health compelled his resigna-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 423

tion. The church has enjoyed the labors also of
Isaac Errett and of Dr. L. L. Pinkerton. It is
now widening its influence and enlarging its activi-
ties under the oastoral charge of Bro. Jabez Hall.

424 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER XXI.

The Church in Royalton planted — William Moody and the Church
in LaFayette — The Cause in Brunswick — J. W. Lanphear —
The Gospel brought into Granger and Ghent. — M. L. Wilcox.

WHEREVER the gospel was proclaimed it
found men tired of sects, and possessed of
qualities of character which would stamp them as
extraordinary men in any enterprise. Noted among
such men, was John Baker Stewart, of Royalton.
He was born in Bristol, Vermont, May 10, 1791. He
emigrated to Cayuga County, New York, where he
united with the Baptists. He returned to the place
of his nativity, and in 18 17, he started with an ox-
team for the Connecticut Western Reserve. Forty-
two days steady traveling brought him to Royalton.
The primitive forest reigned undisturbed. Not a
road was laid out in the township. He selected his
land on which he has resided ever since. Of educa-
tion and solid sense above mediocrity he has held a
prominent position in the county.

Henry Hudson, a Baptist preacher and a physi-
cian, estabUshed a church in Royalton. In 1828,
through internal broils, it ceased to meet. Before
they dissolved, Stewart, for himself and wife, obtained
letters of honorable dismission. About this time
Edward Scofield came in from Bazetta. He was
abreast with the reformatory movement in Trumbull
County, and though scarcely equal to Stewart in the
stern qualities of leadership, he was a man of culture

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 425

and independence. From Connecticut, where he was
born in 1779, he came to the territory of Ohio in
1797. He assisted in surveying the lot Hues in
many of the townships. He was the first settler in
Bazetta, the nearest neighbor being five miles dis-
tant. He built the first mills in that region. Every
body was hospitable then — Scofield notably so. In
1 817 he was elected to the State Legislature, which
position he filled with honor. He took membership
with the Baptists in Warren, and soon rose to use-
fulness. He preached the gospel for many years,
and was one of the " charter members " of the church
of Bazetta.

In 1822, Ezra Leonard came into Royalton. He
and Stewart, and Almon Eastman, were accustomed
to meet and compare the doctrines of their creed
with the teaching of the Scriptures. Light began
to shine. When the ** Christian Baptist '' started,
David Hays, of Canfield, who was father-in-law to
both Stewart and Leonard, became a subscriber.
His daughter, Mrs. Ruth Leonard, a woman of very
remarkable knowledge of the Scriptures, obtained
that work, and put it into the hands of Stewart.
The first piece he read in it was Mr. Campbell's es-
say on the call to the ministry. Taught from child-
hood in the belief that preachers are immediately
and divinely called as Moses was, this sharp and sift-
ing analysis of the subject, though entirely success-
ful in correcting his early teaching in regard to it,
was very distasteful, as it produced the humiliating
conviction that he had imbibed pernicious error.
After a few days, he said : ** Well, * honesty is the
best policy.' I will be honest, and let the truth have

36

426 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

its full effect on my heart/* This was his emancipa-
tion, and it opened to him a new era and a new ca-
reer.

So stood matters till late in the fall of 1829, at
which time Leonard, being in Canfield, invited Wil-
liam Hayden to Royalton. What were fifty miles,
or the sleety storms of coming winter, to him ?
*'I'\\ go,** and Leonard gave notice in Richfield, at
Bangs' Corners, that a preacher from Trumbull
County would come and preach the everlastmg gos-
pel, Hayden*s limping, white-faced horse, sharing
the high enthusiasm of his martial rider, brought the
bearer of glad tidings in prompt time. Curiosity to
hear the advocate of a new religion, as the everlast-
ing gospel without shadings and trimmings was
supposed to be, filled the school-house. The candles
were without candlesticks. Setting them here and
there into pools of melted tallow, the meeting was
opened. The preaching created great excitement.
The place was full of skeptics. One night, when
the sermon was ended, a man cried out : ** Mr. Hay-
den, how long do you think a man will have to stay
in hell .^** Answered as quick as asked — ''I don't
know ; I do n*t expect to go there to see ! ** For
awhile the cause trembled in the balances. Secta-
rian prejudice joining with infidel opposition, the
school-house was locked. Not knowing it, he and
the audience convened, and finding the house closed,
a gentleman ofiered the use of his new blacksmith
shop. Preacher and people went to work, it was
seated, and the crowd filling it, he struck his best
key, and for two hours the dark and withering sys-
tems of infidelity passed under rigid review in con-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 427

trast with the true rights of man, the high civiliza-
tion and exalted happiness which would follow the
adoption of the Christian religion. From this, he
turned toward the more willing inhabitants of Roy-
alton. Supported by such men as Stewart, Scovill,
and Leonard, the gospel was firmly planted, though
fierce opposition attended every step of its progress.
Dr. Hudson left no artifice unemployed. But the
truth is mighty, and it won at every encounter.
Converts came, and professors of various name saw
the gospel ground of union and co-operation, that,
in coming to Christ, they came to one another.
Among others the manly Dougald McDougall and
family, who had been with the " Bible Christians,"
the excellent and energetic Jewett N. Frost also,
who, though they have gone to their "long sought
rest/' left witness behind them in their zealous labors
for the gospel.

Others came in to help on the good begun work.
Bro. Green and Bro. Moody rendered efficient and
timely aid. The church was constituted in the fall
of 1829. The record contains the following names
as the beginning of the church :

Edward Scofield, Mary Scofield, Rufus Scofield,
Roxana Scofield, John B. Stewart, Huldah Stewart,
Jewett N. Frost, Dougald McDougall, Lucia Mc-
Dougall, Adin Pike and wife, Wm. Hatch, Lydia
Hatch, David Wallace, Adaline Wallace, Almon
Eastman, Spencer W. Paine, Miranda Paine, White
Paine and wife, Ebenezer Robinson, Oliver N. Paine,
Renetta Paine, Henry L. Bangs, Almira Bangs,
Elisha N. Bangs, Abigail Bangs, Chauncey A. Stew-
art, Jerry Meach, Lucinda Meach, Sylvia M. O'Brian,

428 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Marcia Whitney, Samuel Verney, Damaris Verney,
Hannah Verney, Catharine Fuller, Decius Barnes.

Edward Scofield, J. B. Stewart, and J. N. Frost,
were the bishops ; Adin Pike and Dougald McDou-
gall, deacons. Bro. Stewart, whose memory retains
its wonderfully retentive power at eighty-three, writes :

'* From this time forward Bro. William Hayden looked
after, and took very great interest in the welfare of the
church. And when we take into account the small amount
of compensation he received for his many trips, over bad
roads and through storms, the church hold him in grate-
ful remembrance to this day. Most of the preaching was
done by him, by Bro. Scofield, Bro. Green, and Bro.
Moody. All these brethren are held in high esteem by
the older brethren.

''In the year 1835, Bro. Scofield removed to Indiana.
Falling sick, he was brought back all the way on a bed.
He lived about two weeks after his return, when he went
joyfully to meet his Lord.*'

The subject of unconditional personal election,
the staple of many sermons in those days, was al-
ways a hard doctrine, and difficult to the studious
mind of Stewart. He was relieved in the following
manner : Hayden, in one of his sermons, declared :
" Put election on character, not on person, and the
subject is clear. God has always respected charac-
ter. He has always blessed those who obey him,
and punished the disobedient ; this is the true elec-
tion. It rests on character, not on person." This
threw a flood of light into his mind, and he walked
out of the entanglements of a subject which has be-
wildered thousands.

Conversing with a lady on the claims of the gos-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 429

pel, she said with deep emotion, " Oh, I would give
all the world if my heart were changed so I could
believe on Jesus." " What would you give/' said
Hayden, " to believe on Mohammed ? " ** Oh, noth-
ing at all," she said. ** Why ? " '* Because I believe
him to be an impostor." '^ But why do you wish to
believe on Jesus > " " Because I believe him to be
the Son of God." " Then you do believe on him, do
you not ? " " Oh, yes, with all my heart ! " " Then,"
continued the preacher, " if your heart were changed,
you would disbelieve him, and be an infidel." She
saw her mistake : with a heart already penitent and
in love with Christ, she was vainly waiting for some
miraculous change. She arose, and was baptized,
and went on her way rejoicing.

That remarkable man waged a heroic battle for
Jesus Christ. Stewart testifies, "A great war spirit
was aroused by his preaching." He laid claim to
the people as belonging to Jesus Christ, whom Satan
has ruined in sin, stupefied in ignorance, and for
whom the salves of sectarianism bring no healing.
He "gave no quarter to sin, ignorance, nor the
devil." In Richfield he preached in a ball-room. At
one time he delivered a discourse sitting on horse-
back. A correspondent writes the first time she
heard him was in a saw-mill. Like Paul, whom
above all men he admired, and whom he somewhat
resembled, he would go to the market, the theater,
or the forum, if an audience could there be found to
whom he might declare the great salvation.

While the public mind, like the sea, was greatly
agitated, a great impetus was imparted to the cause
by the yearly meeting held near Bangs' Corners,

430 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

September, 1834. It was a large, orderly meeting,
and made a favorable and enduring impression. It
carried the force of a great public demonstration.
In attendance were J. Hartzel, W. Hayden, E. B.
Hubbard, A. Allerton, W. F. Pool, A. B. Green,
Wm. Moody, and A. S. Hayden. Many converts
crowned the meeting with success. Great harmony
prevailed, and through acquaintance the hearts of
the brotherhood were knit together. This is verita-
ble Christian unity, which was uniting in the same
kindred tie the brotherhood now widening and ex-
tending in all directions.

The church of Christ in Royalton still flourishes,
and is fulfilling its mission. McDougall became an
elder, and died in the faith, honored of all. After a
little, Bro. Wm. Tousley came in, was chosen an
overseer, and for many years was a pillar. The
ministry, who, from time to time have labored among
them, have been zealous and faithful. Besides those
already named, they have had Scott, Campbell, Bur-
nett, Shephard, Buckbee, Robison, Jones, Cooley,
Moffett, Hinsdale, and others on incidental occa-
sions. They now have Bro. H. N. Allen for their
minister.

William Moody, born in New Hampshire, August 29,
1 810, was descended from English and Scotch ancestors.
His twenty-third year found him in Ohio. After spend-
ing some time in Wadsworth, he settled in Chatham, Me-
dina County.

At the age of nineteen he became a Baptist, in Frank-
lin County, New York. Persuaded that he had a *' call ^'
to the ministry, he began preaching. But his call, as he
felt and related it, was, that he loved God and loved men,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 43 1

and rejoicing in '* the liberty wherewith Christ had made
him free/* he felt a strong impulse to speak of his saving
goodness to others. After coming to Wadsworth, he
heard Bro. Green on the subject of faith, in which the
preacher asserted that ^' faith comes by hearing/' (Rom.
x: 17,) that it is the result of evidence intelligently appre-
hended by the mind. Moody determined to attack him
and expose this false and pernicious position. It denied
his notion of the infusion of faith, as a spiritual grace, by
a direct act of the Holy Ghost. He thought to panoply
himself for the onset by a fresh study and array of his
proofs ; but he found his strength was weakness. After
that sermon his proof-texts did not read to him as before.
He was disarmed. The encounter never took place.

Having engaged in service with Bro. Newcomb, the
youngest daughter of the venerable elder took up the argu-
ment two hours an evening for five nights, chiefly on the
work of the Holy Spirit and the design of baptism. He
contended earnestly for the tradition of the fathers ; but the
young and heroic daughter of the covenant was too shrewd
for him, well taught as he confessedly was in the general lan-
guage of Scripture. He fell in the debate, and yielding up
the ghost of tradition, he found new life and new joy in
the clearer and more scriptural knowledge of the gospel.

From that hour his voice was raised more earnestly in
the advocacy of the truth. Though working still as need
required, he gave much time to the proclamation of the
Word. In the fall of 1837, he stuck the pioneer stake in
the town of LaFayette, Medina County. For two nights
the people listened attentively, but would not sing. The
third night, on approaching the meeting, his heart was
gladdened by the sound of songs of praise. ''Thank
God," he exclaimed, ''the waters are moving!*' He
continued three months, visiting, reading the Scriptures —
privately and publicly — preaching the gospel, and exhort-
ing the people. He brought into the covenant forty-nine

432 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

by baptism, recovered others, and founded a church of
sixty persons. He instituted meetings for the new con-
verts, in one of which, forty at a single meeting took a
part in prayer and exhortation. Discovering that much
feeling pervaded the assembly, he offered an opportunity
for confessing the Lord. Seven arose, one after another,
confessed their sins, and declared their desire for obedi-
ence to the merciful Saviour. They were baptized the next
morning. This church has stood firm ever since. Bro.
Earl Moulton has long stood as a leader and support to
them. Bro. Moody has preached a fourth of his time
there for thirty-five years, while his labors in surrounding
regions has contributed much to sustain the churches in
Sullivan, Wadsworth, Brunswick, Weymouth, Granger,
Royalton, Birmingham, and many other places.

The Church in Pompey Street, Brunswick.

Early in the year 1835, five families came to
Brunswick from Pompey, Onondaga County, New
York. Settling together, their street was called
"Pompey Street.'* They were, John Harris, Darius

Wilson, Warren Wilson, Chase, Garrett,

all, with their wives, members of the church in Pom-
pey. Moss and Hayden soon found them. Great
was the joy of these disciples to see again those zeal-
ous men who had imparted to them so much light in
the east. These two brethren — Bro. Green also, and,
after a little, Bro. Wilcox — built them up and increased
their numbers. Dr. John Clarke, a gentleman of
weight and respectability, a member of the Presby-
terian church, and a practicing physician, gave a
candid hearing, and obeyed the gospel.

A reorganization of the congregation was made in
December, 1839. Dr. John Clarke, Samuel Clarke,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 433

and Darius Wilson were elected overseers, and Dan
A. Moulton and Geo. W. Comstock, deacons.

In this church a Barnabas arose, who in many an
Antioch has taught many. This was

J. W. Lanphear.

He was born in the State of New York, in 181 4. Com-
ing to Medina County in 1834, he soon came in contact
with the disciples. William Hayden's original manner
and point in argument won the attention and enlightened
the judgment of young Lanphear. He was, while in New
York, converted among the Methodists, his father being
of that order, and a preacher of considerable abilities.
The Campbell and Owen Debate fell into his hands. He
read it, absorbed it, '^ devoured it.^* By it he was thor-
oughly aroused. He next obtained and studied the new
translation of the New Testament, then lately published
by Mr. Campbell. The Christian religion became intelli-
gible to him, and was invested in his mind with an inde-
scribable interest. He grasped it, and it won every fac-
ulty of his soul. He embraced it, being baptized by
William Hayden in the yearly meeting at ** Bangs* Cor-
ners,'* in September, 1834.

When the Pompey brethren came and established their
meetings in Brunswick, Bro. Lanphear associated with
them. He began to exhort ; and being possessed of good
natural endowments, ardent in his nature, and very stu-
dious, he was soon encouraged to assume the more respon-
sible position of a teacher. About fifteen months after
his conversion he started forth, with the sanction of the
church, as a preacher of the gospel. He attended the
first ''school of the preachers,'* in New Lisbon, in De-
cember, 1835, and proceeded to Pennsylvania, where he
spent the winter. He went into Maryland in the spring,
where falling in with Bro. James Darsie, the young preach-
37

434 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ers were a great help to each other. The church of Som-
erset, Pa., which contained many able and influential
members, took him under her care and pupilage for a
time, receiving blessings from his labors, and imparting
of her benefits in return. He assiduously improved every
opportunity to fit himself for his chosen calling. His
acute penetration of mind, delicate fancy, well stored un-
derstanding and agreeableness of manners, won him a
welcome every-where. His path to public favor and use-
fulness was now open, and the history of the cause of ref-
ormation in western Pennsylvania, and north-eastern
Ohio, and in other States, has, for thirty-five years, been
closely intertwined with that of this useful preacher of
righteousness.

The church in Brunswick passed through the va-
riable vicissitudes which mark the history of most
communities, till, by the removals and death of its
members, it became nearly extinct. The cause has
been revived, and a new church formed at Hamil-
ton's Corners, in the south part of the township.

The Gospel brought into Weymouth, Granger,
AND Ghent.

In one of his excursions into Medina County, in
the year 1830, Hayden delivered several discourses
in Weymouth, where a hospitable family by the name
of Stiles received him, and heard him gladly. Geo.
W. Comstock, also a citizen of influence, became a
convert. Harris Reed, from Granger, a candid and
intelligent gentleman, was so delighted with these
intelligible and consistent views of the gospel, he re-
solved his fellow-townsmen should have the opportu-
nity of hearing. He was a Methodist, and had not
a doubt the Methodist church would be freely

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 435

opened. The adventurous pioneer, never waiting
for more than half an invitation, promptly consented
to go.

The Methodist church was refused, and Reed
was sharply censured for bringing in a man to preach
the doctrine of devils. Mr. Reed cowered not, nor
sheltered himself from the gathering storm. He de-
clared openly he had invited him, and that he would
see him courteously treated. Prejudice sought to
bar the school-house also, but the liberal minded
ones prevailing, Hayden gave his first discourse in
it amidst much excitement. He loved to walk on
the edge of high waves. He saw in the keen atten-
tion of the people the augury of good, and an-
nounced another appointment. This was a signal
for marshaling the troops for battle. He kept up
his appointments, and the gospel won friends. The
first of the conversions was Mrs. Ellery Lowe, who
came forward, singing:

*»This is the way I long have sought,
And mourned because I found it not."

Soon after, Mr. Reed declared for the ancient gos-
pel, the original ground of union and salvation. He
was followed by others, and in the spring of 1832,
the church was constituted.

It was composed of the following persons ; Harris
Reed and Sally Reed, Rebecca Lowe, George
McCloud and wife, Samuel Crosby, Morris Miller

and Miller, Martin Miller and wife, and Conrad

Turner and wife. Morris Miller was chosen elder,
and Harris Reed and Samuel Crosby, deacons.

This church was never very strong, and after a
few years it became so weak that the members

436 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ceased to hold meetings. About this time, Bro. Wil-
cox preached with great success in Ghent, a village
only a few miles distant, and founded a church there,
in which the remaining members in Granger united.

The Church in Ghent

Was organized on the loth of April, 1843, with
sixty-two members. Morris Miller, Thomas Pierson,
and Alexander Martin were chosen elders; and
Thomas Carnaby, Seymour Ganyard, and E. W.
Heaton, deacons. Bro. Philander Green writes,
(April 3, 1875,) "Only five of the original members
remain in the church now.'^

This church has had the labors of Wilcox, who es-
tablished it, Moss, Newcomb, Green, Cooley, John
Encell, Southmayd, and Holland Brown ; but long-
est and chiefly, of Bro. Philander Green. This
brother began to preach there regularly in 1850, and
for eighteen years he preached statedly at intervals
of two or four weeks. In 1853 he moved his family
there. Bro. F. M. Green, who has since become
prominent in the work, especially in the cause of
Sunday-schools, was then in his father's family.

From the year 1853 to 1868, the period of Bro,
Green's closest labors there, there were one hundred
and seventy-five additions ; at which time the church,
after all the drains upon it, numbered one hundred
and fifty-two souls. The last seven years Bro. Green
has labored in the church in Lordstown, Trumbull
County.

Marshall Loundsbury Wilcox was a man of high or-
der and talent. Gifted with a happy combination of argu-
ment and eloquence, a style well suited to the forum,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 437

united with a pleasing manner, he was one of the most
attractive and efficient of the public advocates of Chris-
tianity. He was bold and positive, and loved to grapple
with strong opposition, especially with the lurking and
sinuous infidelity which, at the period of his ministry,
had spread much over the Western Reserve. In contend-
ing for the faith he rendered excellent service. He was
equally vigilant in maintaining the purity of the gospel,
as was shown in several discussions, in which he successfully
defended the apostles* doctrine against learned and shrewd
opposition.

He was a native of the State of New York. He was aa
exhorter among the Methodists when he first heard the
Disciples, and with characteristic frankness he embraced
it, and in the defense of it spent the best portion of his
life. He preached extensively on the Western Reserve,
and died in Centralia, Illinois.

Early in his ministry he received a contusion in his
head from the kick of a horse, from which he often suf-
fered severely. It rendered him sometimes fitful and mel-
ancholy. He was therefore not always reliable in dis-
course. The tinge of sadness in his temperament won
sympathy. Admired for his eloquence, and loved for his
fidelity and friendship, he gained the esteem and confi-
dence of the people wherever he went.

43 8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER XXII.

Churches founded in Chagrin Falls — In North Eaton — And in
Youngstown.

Chagrin Falls.

IN the winter of 183 1-2, A. Bentley moved from
Warren to the vicinity of the Falls. The pri-
meval forest reigned on every side. He began to
collect the people in the log school-house near by,
and to teach them the gospel. It was not long be-
fore thirty persons agreed to unite as a church of
Jesus Christ. Bentley was the natural leader and
overseer, and for one year no other was selected.
Then Gamaliel Kent was appointed to assist. The
first deacons were Zadoc Bowell and Ralph Russell,
both of them disciples before coming to that com-
munity.

The church met in different places a few years,
mostly in the Griffith school-house. One day a citizen
of the Falls said to Elijah Hill, "Why do not some of
your men come and preach here at the Falls .'^" Hill
replied, " We have a man who will preach from your
hay-scales, and pay you as much for the use of them
as the weighing would come to while he occupies
them." This brought Wm. Hayden with the gospel
into Chagrin Falls. The news of the singular ap-
pointment spread rapidly. There were no reserved
seats in that place of assembling. The day came,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 439

and with it the audience and the preacher. He went
in as a standard-bearer; and it was not long before
the meetings were located permanently at the Falls.

It must not be supposed this occupancy was a
peaceable possession. Asbury Seminary, in charge
of the Methodist Conference, located there, was flour-
ishing, with Prof. Williams at its head, and its
spirit was bold and aggressive. No marvel that the
leaders of that church looked with jealousy on this
effort of the disciples to plant there the church of
Christ, as an intrusion on their grounds. A corres-.
pondence grew up between Dr. Halleck of the M.
E. Church, and Elder Bentley, which passed over into
the hands of J. Hartzel, of Warren, and resulted in
a discussion between Elder J. J. Stedman and Rev.
John Locock, of the Methodist church, and Jonas
Hartzel and A. S. Hayden, on the part of the
disciples. It began November 14, 1843, ^^ the
following questions :

"I. Do the Scriptures teach that to a believing
penitent, baptism is a condition of the remission of
sins ?

" 2. Do the Scriptures teach that immersion is
the mode of baptism ?

" 3. Do the Scriptures teach that infants are sub-
jects of baptism ?''

Revs. Stedman and Locock denied the first two,
and affirmed the last. Hartzel and Hayden brought
evidence in affirmation of the first two, and against
the last. Three days and nights were spent on the
first proposition ; two days and nights on the second.
At this stage of the interview, Messrs. Stedman and
Locock plead to be released from the discussion of

440 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the remaining proposition ; but this not being ac-
ceded to by the disciples, they consented to spend
one day and night on it, which was done, and the
debate closed.

By this discussion all the religious elements of
the town were stirred to their profoundest depths.
The relative preponderance of the two people most
directly concerned in it was soon greatly changed.
Asbury Seminary was seized with the symptoms of
decay ; ere long it was abandoned, and the ample
edifice became the High School building of the town.
Still it must be owned that many causes often con-
cur to affect mutations, and to bring on the ruin of
human enterprises.

There was no lack of home effort by the whole
church to hold every foot of ground which the cause
of the union of Christians on Bible grounds was gain-
ing. The system of evangelizing, which then pre-
vailed— or rather the custom, for system there was
none — brought occasional help from abroad. Bent-
ley was still among and over them. Wm. Hayden
frequently threw in appointments, though he was
chiefly on the wing abroad. Considerable ability to
teach and exhort by the Kents, Pulsifers, Hubbells,
and Collins, sustained the interest of the meetings.
The cause gained much credit and respect by a pre-
pared course of lectures on the evidences of Chris-
tianity, delivered in a large hall in 1849, ^7 Isaac
Errett with his known abiHty. This course had be-
come necessary to meet the sophistries of a subtle
infidelity, which had grown defiant in the village.
These lectures planted the defense of the Bible on
principles which distinguish the Christianity of revel-

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 44 1

ation from all traditions and appendages to it, and
they were a direct auxiliary to the aim of the
church — to restore Bible Christianity to the world.

For several years skepticism brooded over this
town, and blighted every thing. It became belicose,
and the traveling emissaries of no faith, no soul, and
no God, were encouraged there by the men who
scoffed at the faith of Christ and the hopes of im-
mortality. About this time Prof. J. A. Garfield, of
the Eclectic Institute, was preaching in this church.
Mr. Denton, from Boston, a man of marked ability
and a practiced debater, was lecturing at Newton
Falls, and was soon to march with threatening por-
tent on Chagrin Falls. A discussion was agreed
upon between him and Garfield. The power in de-
bate, and the familiar knowledge of the whole field
of religious learning involved in this discussion, dis-
played by Garfield, was a surprise to every one ex-
cept his most intimate friends. His complete mas-
tery of his opponent was acknowledged ; and all the
religious bodies of the town rejoiced in the victory.
This was in December, 1858.

Many times the great tent meetings of the county
of Cuyahoga have been held with this church, both
exhibiting and cultivating a hospitality worthy of
great praise. By them the reformatory principles
urged by the disciples won a favorable hearing by
great multitudes. The first one was held there in
September, 1847; again in 1856, attended by Mr.
Campbell, J. O. Beardslee, and the preachers gener-
ally. Again in 1 864, attended by Prof. Loos ; also in
1870.

The strength of this church, as every other, has

442 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ever been the home staff. Her overseers were ap-
pointed in the following order : Adamson Bentley,
in 183 1 ; Gamaliel Kent, 1832 ; Fuller Pulsifer, 1842 ;
Jedidiah Hubbell, 1845; William Hayden, 1848;
King Collins, i860; J. G. Coleman, 1863 ; A. Burns,
1869. The following brethren have served as dea-
cons : Zadoc Bowell, Ralph Russell, Amos Boynton,
Jedidiah Hubbell, Dr. W. S. Hamlin, Lewis Perkins,
King Collins, L. B. McFarland, William Collins,
Wallace Collins, Hiram Polly, George King, and
Ransom Bliss. Sisters Jennie Burns, Louisa Tucker,
and Calista McClintock, are deaconesses of the
church.

The following brethren have labored in the con-
gregation either as pastors, or as stated supplies :
Adamson Bentley, William Hayden, Dr. W. S. Ham-
lin, W. T. Horner, J. A. Garfield, J. H. Rhodes, B.

A. Hinsdale, Sterling McBride, R. G. White, W. S.
Hayden, J. G. Coleman, and A. Burns.

As transient preachers : A. B. Green, J. H. Jones,

B. F. Perky, J. Hartzel, Benj. Franklin, F. M.
Green, R. Moffett, and C. J. Bartholomew.

Present number of members, one hundred and
twenty-five ; the highest number at any one time.
The whole number from 1831 to 1875, about four
hundred and fifty.

This church has a saintly record. Under the
"green, turfy grave-yard," repose the remains of
Bro. and Sister Bentley, of many gracious and godly
memories ; of the untiring Wm. Hayden, and five
of his children ; of both King and Wallace Collins,
and, lately, of the manly Kent, and a large number

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 443

resides, who have joined the worshiping host on

high.

Eaton.

In North Eaton, as in Philippi, the cause sprang
into existence through the piety of a devoted
woman. This was Mrs. Chloe Tucker, who moved
from Windham to Eaton in 1837. Visiting in Wind-
ham in 1840, she strongly entreated Bro. M. J.
Streator, a young preacher of that church, to come
to Eaton and unfurl there the standard of the cross.
He was soon in those new settlements. He writes :

*'I went to North Eaton in October, 1840, and found
the welcome I expected from Mr. Tucker and his family.
Hot tears crowd to my eyes while I remember their
earnest hospitality. And when I last was at their old
home they had gone from * this low ground where sor-
rows grow.* Meetings had been announced at the brick
school-house. Many came from various motives; but
few, I think, expected to hear or learn their duty. The
meeting resulted in the conversion of two sons of Mrs.
Tucker. Reuben F. Tucker was the iirst in Eaton to
obey the gospel upon apostolic conditions. The pious
mother's prayers were now partially answered; but the
work did not end with these.'*

In March of 1841, he was again on the ground. This
effort was attended with farther success. The following
incident which I give in the words of the persevering
nreacher, will show the dainty fingered heroes of modern
warfare the tack and toil of those hardy times: **A
slough of eighty rods in width lay between the settlement
in which the Tuckers resided and the place of meeting.
The vigorous crossed this bed of mud in the dark and on
foot as best they could. But Bro, R. F. Tucker, desiring
that the rest should hear, placed them in a strong wagon.

444 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

and with two yokes of oxen for a locomotive, plunged in,
and finding stations once in every two rods, he brought
them through ! I never saw a brighter example of the
'pursuit of knowledge under difficulties! * '*

Chester Cooley came into Eaton from Shalersville
in 1837. H^is parents and some of the family fol-
lowed. At Bro. Streator^s second visit, he made an
appointment at the center of the town, then scarcely
inhabited, and calling at Mrs. Cooky's, invited her
son Lathrop, then a youth, to go with him to meet-
ing. He did so, and yielding to the claims of the
gospel, he was introduced by baptism into the king-
dom. His subsequent career of public life is well
known in north-eastern Ohio. Immediately on his
conversion, his heart was opened to speak for the
Master. He entered Bethany College, but baffled
by the want of funds in his desires for a training in
college, he fell back on his own resources. He
erected for himself a neat cabin in the grove, where
he instituted his own college — himself the pupil and
the professor. "There," said his brother Chester,
thirty years afterward, *' when I retired at night his
light was still burning, and in the morning at first
rising, his lamp was already lighted.*' By such dili-
gence in study, his ** profiting'* became manifest.
The church which heard him for his encouragement,
soon heard him for their profit. After a time, Wil-
liam Hayden discovering his gifts, took him in com-
pany in his travels. He received great advantage
from the counsel and experience of the older work-
man. He has traveled extensively in preaching the
glad tidings, and has been equally useful as pastor

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 445

of the churches in North Royalton, Cleveland,
Painesville, and Akron.

Bro. Streator came again in October, 1842, and
gathered the disciples, numbering twenty-five, into
church relations. J. D. Swift was appointed the
overseer, and J. A. Ferguson deacon. From that
day the church has never ceased its meetings. The
zeal of the new converts was tempered into pru-
dence by some older members, among whom stands
brother Ferguson, of age and experience in the gos-
pel. The brethren there cherish the memory of the
wise and faithful labors of Bro. M. J. Streator with
warm gratitude. A brother writes : ** Bro. Streator
continued his visits, laboring with a zeal and earnest-
ness rarely equaled. This dear brother must ever
live in sweet recollection in the memory of this
band, the greater part of whom remain to this pres-
ent time, but some are fallen asleep in Jesus.*'

The truth rose here to victory and power amid an
ocean of opposition. "Orthodoxy," enshrined in
sacred temples, hurled its anathemas against it. But
its assaults rebounded against itself with destructive
recoil. At one time, immediately after a vigorous
sermon, before a large audience attempting to refute
the alleged heresy, a young man solicited baptism
at the hands of Bro. Streator. Jordan flowing by,
they repaired to its banks, and after some instruct-
ive remarks, the holy institution was administered
in the presence of all the people so becomingly and
scripturally, that no other reply was needed to the
abusive harangue they had just heard. The foe most
difficult to dislodge was the ignorance of the peo-
ple. As the preacher brought strange things to

446 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

their ears, naturally enough they cried out : ** These
people have a new Bible." *' Mr. Campbell has al-
tered the Bible just to suit his views." Not a few
gave credit to this slander. One man found indubi-
table proof that the Bible used by the disciples dif-
fered from his, for on examination he found a book
in it called Philemon — no such book, he averred,
being in his Bible. On one occasion an *' Elder " of
the " Latter-day Saints " came, and in a long discourse
presented the claims of Mormonism. Bro. Streator
proposed a reply. The two "Elders" refused him
the opportunity ; but the proprietor of the house
consenting, and the people all wishing to hear the
response, the youthful defender of the ancient gos-
pel, in a rejoinder of half an hour, so effectually ex-
posed the new delusion that nothing was left to
take root and grow.

The congregation received early and able assist-
ance from brethren Green, Moss, and O'Connor.
Dr. Butler, of Ridgeville, a physician of extensive
practice, who had great weight with the people, met
frequently with them.

In the autumn of 1843, the location of the church
was changed to the center. On this occasion Jared
Patchen was chosen overseer, and Chester Cooley,
deacon.

Bro. J. D. Benedict wrought a good work in a
few visits -he made there about the year 1845. In
that year the church erected the house of worship.
He attended the opening of it, and gave some able
discourses. With the voice of a Stentor, and a re-
markable talent in music, his singing and sermons
swept like a torrent over the assembly. He was

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 44/

first a member of the Baptist church, and a lawyer
of acknowledged ability. At this time he held the
position of State's Attorney for Lorain County.
With a frankness and independence of character, as
rare as remarkable, he saw and accepted the princi-
ples of reform ; and closing up his legal profession,
like Paul, he gave up his life to the advocacy of the
gospel.

William Ha3''den was frequently with the brethren ;
and William Moody is also well remembered "as
handling the Universalists without mittens, and
often charging into the battery of Thomas Paine."
Successful meetings were conducted by T. J. New-
comb, B. F. Perky, and the lamented Henry Dixon.
Calvin Smith left there ineffaceable memories of the
blessed results of his earnest and self-denying serv-
ices.

In 1844, Timothy S. Brewster, of experience in
church affairs, came in from Rockport. He was ap-
pointed an elder, and served with efficiency till his
removal to Michigan, in 1849. About this time, the
brethren received new strength by the addition to
their number of Raymond Haven, Sheldon Streator,
and some others from Shalersville. Indeed, the
church in North Eaton grew up as a colony from
the older one in Shalersville ; as she, in turn, became
a mother of the young and vigorous church in Bloom-
ingdale, Michigan. This congregation increased,
till their first meeting-house became too small. A
new edifice was demanded, which was completed and
dedicated in the fall of 1862. Bro. J. H. Jones,
chaplain in the 42d Regiment, Ohio Volunteers,

448 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

under Col. Garfield, who was at home on furlough,
conducted the dedicatory services.

And what shall I say more.^ Time would fail to
speak of Chas. McDougall, who, while a student in
Oberlin, rendered them efficient aid ; of Henry Dixon,
whose voice was as refreshing as rain on the mown
grass ; of W. A. Belding, whose cheerful manner and
zeal for his Master's cause, won many friends ; of
John Reed also, lucid in statement of truth, and able
in defending it ; of Dana Call, whose worth excels his
renown, faithful in Bible study, and candid to a
proverb. With Green, J. M. Atwater, the Encells,
likewise, S. Fairbanks and others, whose names are
dearly remembered.

Three great meetings are marked in the more re-
cent history of this congregation: One in i860, led
by C. C. Foote ; one in 1861, by D. S. Burnett; the
other in 1862, conducted by H. W. Everest.

To the home membership is largely due the credit
of the success of the effort to plant and sustain the
church in North Eaton. Where there is no faithful,
well drilled soldiery to march up to the breastworks
to **man the ordnance 'V and stand the shock of bat-
tle, protracted meetings, however useful as helps,
will be only skirmishes. Nothing gives permanency
like the consolidated, constant labors of a harmo-
nious brotherhood in Christ.

YOUNGSTOWN.

This church was born in the agonies of fierce con-
tention. In no place does the history of the plant-
ing of the church on its New Testament basis dis-
play a greater virulence of opposition.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 449

In March, 1841, a discussion was held between J.
Hartzel and Rev. Waldo, a Congregationalist, which
made a profound impression. Conversions followed,
and a number of Mr. Waldo's friends were baptized
into the Lord Jesus. Along with this result, it stim-
ulated a malignant opposition to the principles of
the reformation. The watchmen on the walls of
their local Zions were alarmed. The Rev. Dr. Board-
man, pastor of the Presbyterian church, sounded the
war-trumpet, and rushed full armed into the arena.
Elder J. J. Stedman, of the M. E. Church, panting
for more laurels than he had won on the martial
fields of Newton Falls, Bedford, and Chagrin Falls,
encountered Hartzel here in a discussion of two and
a half days, on the question ; ^' Is baptism in any case
necessary to the forgiveness of sins V All the stars
of that firmament in their courses fought against the
cause represented by the faithful few who were
striving for nothing but the Christianity of the New
Testament. The members banded together. The
church formed. Brethren Henry and Lanphear sec-
onded these efforts of Hartzel. Conversions followed,
and the cause began to rise.

In August of this year, 1842, Mr. Campbell came
to the Western Reserve. Touching at Fairfield,
where he addressed immense congregations, he
passed on to Warren, and addressed the public on
Christian union, and on education, after which he
proceeded to Youngstown.

He found the people in high excitement by these

recent grossly false statements of the views of the

Disciples. In company with two of the brethren,

Mr. Campbell called on Rev. Mr. Boardman, and

38

450 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

asked him to do in his presence what he had at-
tempted when he had no respondent. Mr. Board-
man's courage failed him, and he refused. He would
not permit Mr. Campbell to examine his manuscript,
that he might reply fairly to his erroneous charges,
nor to use his church, nor would he attend and hear
him on the same subjects. Mr. Campbell then, in
the house used by the brethren, in the presence of a
very large audience, after briefly rehearsing his in-
terview with Mr. Boardman, gave so able and can-
did a statement of his true position as to gain the
feelings of a large portion of the uncommitted citi-
zens in their favor.

From that day to the present, the light has never
gone out of the church in Youngstown. Bro. J. W.
Lanphear was first secured as its pastor. In March,
1843, he resigned, and returned to New Lisbon.

The yearly meeting for Trumbull County was held
this year in Youngstown. Great expectations, but
with very different states of feeling, were entertained
in respect to the coming convocation, by the mem-
bers of the church on the one hand, and by the op-
posers on the other. Preparations were ample, yet
no one looked for such an avalanche of the brother-
hood as assembled on that occasion. Bro. John
Henry was the president of the meeting. His
energy and decision came into full play in the man-
agement of so great a multitude. In assigning homes
to the people he told them to knock at a brother's
house, and they would see what sort of people they
are within. " Mr. Hornet," said he, " is a very clever
gentleman abroad ; but just knock at his door and

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 45 1

you '11 soon see what a reception you will meet ! ** Mr.
Campbell says of this meeting:

Annual Meetings in Ohio, 1843.

The meeting in New Lisbon, Columbiana County, was
well attended. I had not the pleasure of being present.
Thirty-eight were added by baptism.

The annual meeting of the brethren in Trumbull
County, at Youngstown, was the largest assemblage of
persons ever witnessed by any of the ministering brethren
present. I have seen very large religious assemblies in
Virginia and Kentucky, but none equal to this one. It
was variously estimated from six to ten thousand persons.
Had it been a political meeting, the general opinion was
that it would have been put down at ten thousand. Know-
ing how wont men are to exaggerate in numbers on such
occasions, I choose rather to regard the minimum of six
or seven thousand persons as more nearly approaching the
actual number in attendance. The number of disciples
present probably amounted to some two thousand.

The immense audience assembled in one of the most
beautiful and commodious groves in the immediate envi-
rons of the village of Youngstown, which was courteously
tendered to the brethren by the proprietor, Mr. Wick. A
tent provided by the brethren, covered only some two
thousand persons. The remainder, covered by the um-
brageous boughs of a dense grove, enjoyed equal comforts
with those under the tent.

During the whole meeting of three days not a single
accident or unpleasant incident occurred. The most per-
fect attention and good order seemed universally to ob-
tain. During these three days some fifty made the good
confession, and were baptized. Many ministering breth-
ren, probably some thirty or more, were present, and the
meeting was truly refreshing and peculiarly pleasant to all.

A. Campbell.

452 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

On Saturday, before the full assembly, Dr. Eleazer
Parmly, of New York, read the following correspond-
ence between himself and Prof. Charles Anthon, of
Columbia College, N. Y. Prof. Anthon, as a classic
authority, has no superior in America. Dr. Parmly
then gave the letters to Mr. Campbell in presence
of the audience :

'^ No. I Bond Street, N. Y., March 23, 1843.
**Prof. Charles Anthon:

"In conversation with Dr. Spring, last evening, he stated
that, in the original the word baptism, which we find in
the New Testament, has no definite or distinct meaning;
that it means to immerse, sprinkle, pour, and has a va-
riety of other meanings — as much the one as the other,
and that every scholar knows it ; that it was the only word
that could have been selected by our Savior, having such
a variety as to suit every one's views and purposes. May
I ask you if your knowledge of the language from which
the word was taken has led you to the same conclusion ?
and may I beg of you to let the deep interest I take in
the subject plead my apology.

**I have the honor to be, with great respect, most re-
spectfully yoius, E. Parmly.**

*' Columbia College, March 27, 1843.
'^Dr. Parmly:

^^ My Dear Sir — There is no authority whatever for the
singular remark made by the Rev. Dr. Spring relative to
the force of bapiizo. The primary meaning of the word
is to dip or immerse, and its secondary meanings, if ever
it had any, all refer, in some way or other, to the same
leading idea. Sprinkling, etc., are entirely out of the
question. I have delayed answering your letter, in the
hope that you would call and favor me with a visit, when

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 453

we might talk the matter over at our leisure. I presume,
however, that what I have written will answer your pur-
pose. Yours truly,

''Charles Anthon."

From Campbell a7id Rices Debate, pp, 171, 172.

The intrinsic weight of authority of this testi-
mony, enforced alike by the noble bearing and ear-
nest manner of Dr. Parmly, gave it great effect with
the audience. And in the hands of Mr. Campbell, in
the Lexington debate, which followed in about two
months, it was a bolt which evidently staggered the
mailed Mr. Rice.

This church has many years maintained the "unity
of the spirit in the bonds of peace." W. S. Gray,
W. S. Hayden, while teaching, have also preached
for the congregation. James Calvin has rendered a
very efficient aid, and Dr. Whitsler also, in keeping
up the meetings. In the beginning of the congre-
gation, Bro. John Kirk, by his talent for manage-
ment, dash, and zeal, contributed very much to the
success of the gospel in the hands of Henry, Hart-
zel, Jones, and Samuel Church.

Under the acceptable pastorate of Bro. C. C.
Smith, the church is rising to greater strength.
They have recently completed a costly and elegant
meeting-house, and are in a position to command
public respect.

454 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

CHAPTER XXIII,

Lessons of our Forty Years' Experience.

I. A LL the experience of the past forty years con-

-^^"^ firms the soundness and strength of our posi-
tion before the world. This position is embraced in
three propositions :

1st, The Bible contains God^s only and complete
revelation to man.

2d, It is to be interpreted by the ordinary, estab-
lished rules.

3d, It is to be interpreted by every man for him-
self

On these three propositions is founded a broad
corollary, viz : The Bible, thus interpreted, will in-
evitably lead Christendom out of its leopard-like sec-
tarianisms back to the original, divine unity, and re-
store to the church her lost power for the conversion
of the world.

On this bottom we put to sea. Not a leak has yet
been found. The vessel has proved herself seaworthy.
Her hull IS as sound as when she was launched. Not a
plank has stirred. She has weathered many storms
and rode out many tempests. She has been attacked
by the war-crafts of nearly all nations, and is proved
to be invincible.

Every re-examination of the ground of our faith
has only confirmed it. Why should it not } Jesus
Christ, our crucified and risen Lord, the reigning
Sovereign and Monarch of the whole universe, is the

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 455

only object personal of our faith, our love, and our
obedience; and the whole Bible is the "testimony
of Jesus/' This is our plea, and it is invulnerable.
It never can be overthrown. " The gates of hades
shall not prevail against it.'* It can not be im-
proved. We are not advocates of a reformed relig-
ion, but of religion itself. Christ's religion can not
be reformed. He is himself the author and the
finisher of his most holy religion ; and, like himself,
it is perfect. This to proclaim, this to defend, on
this divine basis to re-assemble, and re-incorporate
the divided battalions of the Captain of salvation ;
this is our purpose, our work, and our plea before the
men of this generation.

II. Our forty years' experiences teaches the ne-
cessity of a due adjustment of the evangelical and
pastoral work.

Under Walter Scott a new order arose. It was
given to him to blow the trumpet of the gospel. His
work was purely an evangelism. The matters of the
Christian religion are classified under two funda-
mental departments — the evangelical and the ecclesi-
astical ; or, the gospel and the church. The gospel
is prior to the church. The evangelist forms and
establishes the church. This work accomplished,
there begins another class of agencies specifically
described in the New Testament : This is the elder-
ship, or pastorate of the church.

In the beginning, the recovery of the ancient gos-
pel, as a lost jewel, so startled and excited all hearts,
and the success attending the preaching of it was so
marvelous that Httle was thought of but the speedy
and certain capture of the world for Christ. The

456 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

*' sects " would surrender, or be blown to atoms.
Nothing was looked for but the immediate triumph
of the gospel over all opposition. Nor must this
ardent hope be accounted a mere enthusiasm, or be
handed over to the credit of an overestimate of the
importance of the views of the gospel just then freshly
brought to light. The law of Moses was *'weak
through the flesh ;" so, under the gospel of Christ,
there is a human side in the affair. Here is where
the failure lies of realizing the high hopes of the
most brilliant success.

Thoughtful men predicted this at the beginning.
The admirable Osborne saw it, and lamented the
absence of a system for holding and training the
converts. William Hayden foresaw confusion, and
a coming disappointment of the mistaken hopes of
the more ardent. They remonstrated with Scott,
but that angel of the tempest, beholding victory on
all sides, blew louder his silver trumpet of salvation,
and replied : ** O, convert the people, and give them
the Holy Ghost, and they will be safe ! " Benajah
Austin, a man of sense like a governor, said to
Bentley and Henry: '*You must stop; the longer
you go on the worse it will be. It will come to con-
fusion. If you go on twenty years in this way it
will be all the worse, for you will have to stop at
last. There must be suitable men appointed to take
care of the converts."

No one, not even Scott, consented to a loose, dis-
organized state of the churches. Far otherwise.
The scriptural eldership, the discipline and edifica-
tion of the converts, were the subjects of early and
constant discourse. But it was subordinate. Is it

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 45/

surprising, then, that some converts fell away? that
churches languished, and that numbers of them fell
into dilapidation and were extinguished ? If the due
adjustment of these two agencies had been suitably
disposed at the beginning, it would have resulted in
far greater strength and prosperity. It is a marvel
that the churches have stood so well — a proof of the
truth and power of the principles of our pleading,
rather than of the skill or wisdom of our manage-
ment.

III. It was a mistake to start so many churches.
This error was a result of the exuberance of evan-
gelical zeal already noticed. For this there is much
apology in the inexperience attending the begin-
nings of the enterprise, and still more in the lack
of men to maintain the ground conquered by the ag-
gression of the heroic evangelist. These cases of
neglected congregations are referred to as examples
of failure. They oppose now the most formidable
obstacle in the way of lifting up the cause into new
life.

There is an old Latin proverb which teaches that
'* it is right to learn, even of an enemy." Other re-
ligious bodies could have taught us wisdom, if we had
not spurned every thing that the fingers of " secta-
rianism" had touched. Perhaps it would have been
no less wise to have taken a few hints from their man-
agement than it is now for us to gather up the needed
lessons from a retrospect of our own. Some twenty-
eight years ago Episcopacy set its eye on a commu-
nity within the limits of my labors. That cause was,
in all respects, feeble. The Presbyterian, Congrega-
tional, and other forms of belief, cried out : " If a
39

458 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

fox go up upon it, he shall even break down their
stone wall/* The reproach passed unheeded. Every
year, not one excepted, the bishop of Ohio has made
his parochial visit to this feeble parish. Scarcely
has he once failed to ** confirm " new members of the
body. The interests of that cause have been looked
after with a vigilance reflecting credit to that people ;
and, it now stands as a monument of their undevia-
ting perseverance. Is it an evidence of strength in
Episcopacy.'^ would it be a proof of weakness in us
to adopt a similar policy ? Is it strength there and
weakness here.^ Is it surprising that intelligent, dis-
cerning citizens, casting about for a *'home,*' turn
from a people where they see evidences of looseness
in plan, and weakness in system, and yield themselves
up in membership to organized bodies who conduct
their enterprises systematically and successfully ?
Our gospel has won many friends who have been
lost to us through feebleness of plan and want of
system.

It would be neither wise nor just to heap reproaches,
as is the habit of some, upon the fathers and pioneers
of our religious work, for the misdirected efforts
of the early part of our history. This wisdom to di-
rect could be learned only by experience. And this
skillful adjustment of materials could be made only
when there were materials to adjust and to manage.
But on us, the factors of this age, will justly rest re-
proach, if with the past as a lesson, we do not see
where to improve. Still more, if seeing, we refuse,
on account of willfulness or indifference, to rectify
our errors and to labor for reform in our meth-
ods.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 459

IV. The Want of Records.

In the opening of our plea on the Western Re-
serve the iconoclast was among us. He wrought for
us, though in a far less honorable sense, the work
which Goethe said was accomplished by Lord
Bacon. " He took a sponge and wiped from the
tablet all records of former knowledge.''

The cry ran — ^^clear away the rubbish, that the
foundations of the Lord's house may be laid. Re-
formation is one thing, demolition another, and resto-
ration still another. Discrimination did not well
rule the hour. No records were kept after 1828.
Some of the churches thought it a violation of this
reformation to have any records whatever, even a list
of the names of the members. There was no au-
thority for it in the word of the Lord. ** Where the
Scriptures speak, we speak ; where they are silent,
we are silent." The noblest of rules ; but, applied to
mere prudentials, most egregiously misapplied. So,
as the Scriptures gave no instructions about church
records the whole matter was ruled out of order, and
out of the church.

Alas ! what has been lost by this misdirected zeal !
The zeal was good, but the wisdom was the essence
of folly. What would we not give now for a contin-
uance of the records of the Mahoning Association,
which met two years under that name after the records
ceased } Why were there no records of our yearly
meetings ? What rich and abundant materials for
future history and instruction ?

Who can tell us, from historic data, even now cor-
rectly, about our debates, and the mighty campaigns

460 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

which have given us so many communities for Jesus
Christ ? Who now, from any preserved records, can
tell the history of Henry, that swift messenger of
the glad tidings ? In vain we question records for
an account of his conversion, his baptism, and how
he came forth from being a driver of oxen and a bu-
gler for regiments, to become a leader in the embat-
tled hosts of the armies of the living God. And
Brockett, the blessed ; and Smith, the saint ; and
Collins, the colleague of the honorable !

In these pages, personal knowledge and gathered
data have, in part, supplied this lack. But this
source of information is, with the passing genera-
tion, rapidly going down to the dumb grave ; the
silent receptacle of all things human.

The scribe was a man of high authority among the
Jews, a little vain, and a sweep of his robe somewhat
too ample. The horn of oil made the nation jubilant
when it was emptied in the consecration of a priest
or a king. But the horn of ink has made many na-
tions joyful by its recitals of their deeds, and its
transmissions of their jubilees.

Oh, that Scott had kept a diary ! that our earlier
men had written as well as talked ! - Thanks to Bax-
ter, whose skill and zeal have evoked from the tomb
of the mighty, a history distinguished both for its
beauty and its truth. Of what infinite embarrass-
ment would he have been relieved by contempora-
neous records !

The historic muse prepared his reed to sing the
illustrious deeds of the panoplied pioneers, not in
verse, but in plain and humble prose. Yet the prose
should fall little below the powers of the loftiest

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 46 1

muses, to record in fitting terms the grand anthem
of their heroism and their triumph. Shall the next
generation find this one as barren of records as we
find the past ?

V. Once more. All our past history proclaims
the necessity of a combination of effort to advance
the gospel.

This cause originated in conventional effort. After
three years these associational plans were laid aside,
and we subsided, on this point, into a state of apostasy.
During the last twenty years we have been slowly
recovering and steadily returning to our first works.
In August, 1827, ministers of the gospel assembled in
New Lisbon, selected an evangelist, and sent him into
the field. This action gave us Walter Scott. In 1828,
the churches were again represented b)'' delegation
in Warren. This convention chose and sent out
Walter Scott and William Hayden. In 1829, the
association repeated its work, sending into the evan-
gelical field four men — Scott, Hayden, Bentley, and
Bosworth.

On this concert of action, the following observa-
tions deserve particular mention :

1st, These evangelists were selected and sent out
by the ministry of the church, acting in their dele-
gated capacity.

2d, This joint action was threefold:

{a) They selected ministers, or proclaimers of the
gospel ;

(d) They appointed their fields of labor ;

(c) They arranged for their compensation.

3d, The churches felt bound by the action of their
delegates. They received the evangelists, and by

462 EARLY HISTORY OP THE DISCIPLES

contributions and other material ways they assisted
and co-operated in their work.

It should be farther noted, that Bro. Campbell was
the prime mover and the active leader in this scheme
of associational effort to bring an evangelist into the
field. This movement was conducted with the most
perfect unanimity, not a dissentient in that body. It
was the action of the soundest, wisest, most delibera-
tive, and prudent men.

The twenty years succeeding is the period of our
anarchy. During this time we had no concert, regu-
lar or irregular, stated or incidental, if we except
some ineffectual efforts to bring a better order into
existence. The great saving power was the yearly
meeting system. This, serving as a bond of union,
was a powerful support to the cause. These meet-
ings were the conservation of the churches. They
were aggressive, adding multitudes of converts. By
diffusing a general, personal acquaintance, they culti-
vated a strong tie of brotherhood. Yet with all their
benefits, which were neither few nor weak, they were
not organic. They sent out no missionaries ; they
called for no reports ; they performed no action for
the churches, nor for the systematic diffusion of the
gospel. They came as a cloud with blessings, poured
out their treasure of good, and departed.

During these years many attempts were made to
form co-operations. They were failures. The cry
of priest-craft, or sectarianism, was alone sufficient to
blast the effort for order.

The first fact, or action, which gathered to it a
general confidence, was the establishment of the Ec-
lectic Institute. It opened its halls for students in

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 463

November, 1850. Slowly at first, amid doubts and
opposition, it got under way. It gained rapidly, and
won the confidence of all the brotherhood in north-
eastern Ohio. The chief glory of that institution
has not been told : which was, that it created a most
desirable and useful general confidence among us.
We united. We joined hands around one good en-
terprise. The purpose succeeded, and vindicated
the most useful sentiment of union in action. May
this lesson never be lost. As the noble Eclectic In-
stitute, of many happy memories, has not died, but
has succeeded in a still more noble and useful Insti-
tution, our beloved Hiram College— long may it pros-
per— so let this general unity of confidence, to which
it gave birth, grow into all that is desirable in the
formation of all needful plans to send forth the gos-
pel as at the beginning of our blessed work. This
confidence is transferring itself to our missionary
work. Around this society let it rally till it shall be-
come a permanent power in the land !

VI. Last, but not Least.

As this blessed cause, so dear to our hearts,
has maintained itself in all vicissitudes, has braved
all opposition, and still flourishes with little combina-
tion among its leaders, will our forty years' experience,
if questioned, speak out and tell us the reason } I
answer most unequivocally, it will. Its answer is in

2 Tim. 4: I, 2. " preach the word!" This

is the only solution. This answer is complete.

Ask the blessed dead, they will tell you ; the Apple-
gates, the Altons, the Bosworths, the Brocketts, and
the Bentleys ; the Collins, the Clapps ; the Haydens,

464 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

the Henrys, and the Smiths ; the Otises, the Waits,
and the Violls. They preached the gospel. They
were no mere essayists. They were not theorizers,
nor speculatists. They preached Christ and him
crucified. In this they were a unit. The same gos-
pel was preached in every town, county, and school
district. They used their Bibles. They read, quoted,
illustrated, and enforced the Holy Scriptures. This
lesson is all important. We must ** preach the word,"
not something about the gospel, but the gospel itself.
Some of our preachers should sit at the feet of the
departed veterans, and learn to speak and enforce
Bible themes in Bible words. Let us have more
Scripture, in its exact meaning and import ; more
gospel, more of Jesus, his will, his mission, and his
work. This was their power. It will be ours. Most
of all, and last of all, we impress this lesson : preach
the gospel in season, out of season. Preach it as
Peter preached, as Paul preached it. Be not weak,
nor ashamed of its facts, commands, and promises,
as delivered to us by our fathers ; and to them by the
holy apostles.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 465

CHAPTER XXIV.

AN ABBREVIATED ACCOUNT OF CHURCHES OMITTED,
OR RECENTLY ORGANIZED.

Alliance, Stark Co. — Organized March, 1857, with thirty mem-
bers, by P. K. Dibble. Elders; Asa Silvers and Elwood Pat-
terson. Deacons; Mathias Hester, H. H. Hubbard, and
Edward Pettit. Preachers succeeding Bro. Dibble ; A. B. Way,
J. Pinkerton, Isaac Errett, J. H. Jones, F. M. Green, E. L.
Frazier. Present number, three hundred and thirty-five. El-
ders; A. W. Coates, J. W. Phillips. Deacons; M. Hester,
5aml. Miller, J. C. Sheets, Wm. Watson, J. C. Sutton, J. M.
Fogle, G. W. Thornberg.

Auburn, Geauga Co. — Formed April 10, 1841, with twenty-nine
members, by A. S. Hayden. R. Granger, overseer; John
Brown and Jonathan Burnet, deacons. This church has been
aided by most of the preachers. They have a good house, and
continue to meet.

Bazetta, West, Trumbull Co. — Organized December 16, 1848,
by Calvin Smith, with forty members. Levi Bush and Alden
Faunce, overseers; Ellis Pierce, Jas. Sage, and Jacob Dice,
deacons. This church has received help from most of the
preachers. Present elders; Hiram Wilber, Milo Crawford.
Deacons; Jacob Shaffer, John Wier, and Jas. Wier. One hun-
dred and four members.

Birmingham, Erie Co. — Began in 1829, by Clapp and Rigdon, un-
der whose influence Elder Orrin Abbott led the chief part of
the Baptist church of Henrietta into the reformation. Hay-
den, Moss, Green, and Moody, followed up the work. Church
was reorganized July, 1841, with Almon Andress and D. B.
Turner, elders; and Silas Wood, Abner Hancock, and Wm.
Parker, deacons. Other leading helps; John Cyrenius, B. Al-

466 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

ton, W. O'Connor, J. Encell/ and R. G. White. Bro. G. W.
Mapse, of Illinois, arose in this church.

Brookfield, Trumbtdl Co, — The ground was broken as early as
1828 by Hayden, Henry, and Hartzel. A church was formed
there February 22, 1875, with thirty-three names. Deacons,
Robert S. Hart and Henry Hamilton. Present number, fifty-
eight. Arnold Taylor, Henry L. Patterson, and Jesse Hoag-
land, overseers.

Bristol, North, Trumbull Co, — In i860, H. Reeves baptized
twenty-eight. In 1868, J. N. Smith added fifty-five, when by
him and N. N. Bartlett, the church was organized with ninety-
two members. The elders were Hiram Thayer and A. A.
House. The deacons : Jacob Sager and S. A. Davidson. A
live church with a good house. Dr. I. A. Thayer and D. P.
Thayer, preachers, arose here. E. Wakefield has been a chief
support of the church.

Camden, Lorain Co, — Organized May 21, 1842, with five names;
John Cyrenius, elder. Established in Kipton, November 27,
1872, with thirty-eight. Daniel Kingsbury and R. C. Eastman,
elders ; deacons, H. H. Crandall and James Van Dusen. Pres-
ent number one hundred and thirty-four. Officers : James Van
Dusen, Wm. Anderson, and Hiram Prentice, elders : deacons,
H. H. Crandall, Chauncey Close, Wm. Douglass, and Frank
Danzy. Pastor, James Vernon.

Chester, Geauga Co, — At the instance of W. A. Lillie and A,
Harper, Bro. Hartzel came in October, 1842, v/hen the meet-
ings began and continued. Reorganized October, l8$2, by C.
Smith and A. L. Soule. Alonzo Matthews, overseer ; Cyrus
Millard and A. Scott, deacons. A. Burns, W. A. Lillie, and
J. G. Coleman, efficient helps. Present officers : C. Millard,
A. Harper, and C. H. Welton, elders ; Porter Scott and Albert
Phinney, deacons. About forty members.

Denmark, Ashtabula Co. — Planted January, 1 85 7, by Orrin Gates.
It had sixteen members; S. S. Chapman and D. G. White,
overseers. This body dissolved in a few years, but it lives in
its representatives. Four preachers came from it, viz. : S. S.
Chapman, and the three brothers H. J. White, D. J. White,
and R. G. White.

Edinburg, Portage Co, — In 1 865, a church of thirty members was
planted here by S. S. Chapman, with Wm. Cowell and Cyrus

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 467

Turnbull, elders ; and Jesse Rogers and George Stump, dea-
cons. Succeeding helps : E. Wakefield, F. M. Green, B. A.
Baker, D. C. Hanselman. Present number sixty-five. Linas
Rogers, preacher. Three preachers, brothers, have arisen
here, viz. : Edwin Rogers, Linas Rogers, and W, H. Rogers,
sons of Jesse Rogers.

Elyria, Lorain Co, — It began in the tour of Clapp and Rigdon
in 1829. Wm. Hayden soon came, followed by Green, Moody,
and Jones. Church formed in 1832. It increased till there
were forty members. Chief men : Herrick Parker, H. Red-
dington, Asahel Parmly, Dr. Butler. It expired by removals.
J. D. Benedict came into the work here, leaving the bar to
plead the gospel, in which he won many converts, and a wide
reputation.

Fairfield, North, Huron Co, — At the request of Ezra Leonard,
A. B. Green came July 4, 1835. ^^ ^^3^ ^^ returned, accom-
panied by J. J. Moss, when the church began, with Jonas

Leonard and McLain, elders. W. A. Lillie, Dana

Call, and Wm. Dowling, continued the work. In 1854 the
church was organized in North Fairfield with over thirty mem-
bers, by the lamented Henry Dixon, whose preaching created
a wide and profound interest. Many also united under the
preaching of A. Burns. Present elders : Isaiah Cline, D. H.
Reed, and Bro. Culbertson.

Fowler, Trumbull Co, — Started January, 1832, with thirty mem-
bers, by J. Applegate, assisted by A. S. Hayden. Early evan-
gelists; Wm. Hayden, Bosworth, and Allerton. Reorganized
March, 1 85 1, by C. Smith and J. T. Phillips, with thirty-five
members. Elders, A. W. Porter and Milo Dugan ; deacons, J.
L. Jones, Menville Tyrrell. Succeeding elders, A Humeston,
Chas. Fowler, H. C. Williamson, and David Campbell. Dea-
cons following : Hiram Porter, James McCleery, Alex Camp-
bell, Addison Dawson, Jasper Kingsley. Present officers ; A.
Dawson, Lewis Alderman, Menville Tyrrell, overseers ; N. C.
Fisk and S. J. Rand, deacons.

Geneva, Ashtabula Co, — Formed October 17, 1868, with thirty-four
members, under the auspices of the Ohio Missionary Society.
Present, R. R. Sloan, Isaac Errett, A. S. Hayden ; elders,
A. S. Turney, Edward Brakeman ; deacons, E. D. Gage, F. C.
Baur, and H. N. Amidon. Present elders, A. S. Turney and

468 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Frederick Dickinson; deacons, D. Foot and H. Saunders.
Number of members, one hundred and fifty-seven.

Hamden, Geauga Co, — This church originated in the labors of Rig-
don and Collins. By the latter it was formed in 1829. Geo.
Hale, overseer ; John Bartholomew, deacon. Sustained chiefly
by Thos. Campbell, Clapp, and Collins. In 1848 there were
yet twenty-four members. Sometime after this it ceased to
meet.

HUNTSBURG, Geauga Co, — It arose in 1829, by the labors of Hay-
den, Henry, Collins, and Saunders. Brethren Howells, Cha-
pin Moss, Brackett, and Clarke, stood long and firmly on the
ground. In 1848 they enrolled still twenty-three members.
Lillie, A. P. Jones, Robison, and White, have also rendered
important service there. A number of members still hold the
house, and represent the church.

Hamilton's Corners, Medina Co, — This congregation arose in
the labors of J. Encell. It was organized by A. B. Green,
July 23, 1 87 1, with thirty-six members. The overseers are S.
T. Adams and Chas. Kenyon ; W. H. Floyd and O. Birchard,
deacons. Brethren Moody, Gibbs, and I. A. Searles, have
been helps. Present number, sixty-three.

Hartsgrove, Ashtabula Co, — Formed November, 1854, by C.
Smith and O. Gates. J. Bartholomew a frequent aid. Lead-
ing members ; A. Watson, N. Hubbard, I. Y. McKinney, and
Edward Lee. Present number, sixty-five.

Hartford, Trumbull Co, — Began in the labors of Hayden and M.
Bosworth. Formed May i, 1830, by Hayden, with twenty-two
members. Geo. W. Bushnell, overseer; Elihu Bates, deacon.
In 1838, Alex. Spears was chosen elder; and John Bates, dea-
con. Orris Mason, J. B. Jones, Sam'l Bates, and Abner Ban-
ning, have also served as deacons. Present overseers, G. W.
Bushnell and James Fowler. Number, fifty.

HiNKLEY, Medina Co, — Organized February, 1870, with fifty-four
members at the close of a successful meeting held by R. Moffett.
Dr. G. S. Gillett and Geo. E. Weber, elders ; John Mussen,
Lewis Finch (now deceased), C. J. Green, and Rich d Dun-
ham, deacons. H. N. Allen preached four years there ; now
H. B. Cox. A good church property.

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 469

HoWLAND, Trtwibtill Co, — In 1828 there arose a church in Howland,
supported mostly by the brothers Drake, a noble family of de-
voted Christians, and Zephaniah Luce, Lewis Heaton,and other
families. It is dear for the faithfulness of its members, and for
the labors of all the early preachers; the Campbells, Scott,
Bentley, Hayden, Henry, Bosworth, Hartzel, and many others.
The church holds the ground still for the Lord.

Jackson, North, Trumbull Co, — Planted in the fall of 1852, by

C. Smith, with fifty persons. • Reorganized May 23, 1874, by
H. D. Carlton, with thirty-four members. Elders, W. B.
Dean and Joseph Pierce ; deacons, Jas. Russell, Geo. Shively,
and Christian Shively. Mary Shively, Mary Anthony, and
Belinda Kirkpatrick, are the deaconesses. Present number,
forty.

Little Mountain, Lake Co. — Organized by D. Otis, April 6, 1843.
Forty-seven members. D. Otis and E. J. Ferris were the over-
seers ; Wm. T. Rexford and Chas. Tuttle, deacons. It sur-
vived the death of its founder, the zealous Dexter Otis, a few
years. In December, 1857, it ceased to meet, and the mem-
bers united with contiguous churches.

MiDDLEBURY, Summit Co. — Started March 30, 1875, with ninety

members, under the labors of R. G. White, aided by H. J.

White, who is in charge of the church, with Dr. M. Jewett

and Almon Brown, as associate elders, and T. H. Botsford

and Geo. F. Kent, deacons.

MONTVILLE, Geauga Co, — Dr. Lucius A. Baldwin solicited O. Gates
to come, who added fifteen, and organized the church, Febru-
ary 12, i860, with seventeen. Dr. Baldwin and John Murray,
overseers; Steven Case, first deacon. The church prospered.
Anson Shaw, superintendent of the Bible-school. Meetings
have been held by Gates, Burns, R. G. White, Hanselman,
Ingram, Wakefield, and Thayer. N. P. Lawrence is their
preacher.

Morgan, (Rock Creek,) Ashtabula Co, — Church formed May 4,
1874, with over a hundred members. The elders are M. Bre-
tell, D. S. Bacheldor, and H. Pifer ; deacons, J. Knowlton,

D. R. Phillips, H. Moses, and V. D. Latimer. They have
an active Sunday-school, and a valuable house, for which
they owe much to the liberality of Mrs. Randall.

470 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

NiLES, Truinbull Co. — In 1842, IT. Brockett and J. Henry built up
the church with 90. Joshua Carle and A. J. Luse were the first
elders ; Lewis Heaton, Abner Fenton, and Jacob Robinson,
were deacons. Present officers : Benjamin Leach and L. L.
Campbell, overseers. Bro. H. Baldwin served 24 years — re-
cently deceased ; deacons, H. J. Mason, Lewis Reel, and Ste-
phen Dunlap. Present membership, one hundred. N. N.
Bartlett, pastor.

Norton, Medina Co. — This arose from the church in Wads worth.
It was organized in 1 83 7. .It had about twenty members. A.
B. Green and Gad Bronson, overseers ; John Bunnell and
Ananias Derthick, deacons. The Bennetts, E. Spicer, C.
Beckwith, S. Tyler, Philander and Calvin Green, were leading
members. It continued till 1863. P. Green arose here, and
also L. L, Carpenter, of Indiana.

Orange, North, Cuyahoga Co. — Formed by A. S. Hayden and M.
N. Warren, June 28, 1845, with fifteen members. It increased
to about seventy. The elders from the first were Wm. T.
Hutchinson, Ira Rutherford, Selah Shirtliff, Silas Y. Dean,
Wm. Shelden and Allen Tibbitts ; deacons, Ira Rutherford,
Allen Tibbitts, Wm. Shelden, Marcus Lindsley, Henry Hal-
sted, Luther Battles, Jr., and Addison Hoose. After twenty
years of useful history, emigration, the foe of churches, ended
its existence.

Orange, South. — Planted March 2, 1845, by Bentley and Wm.
Hayden. It had seventeen members. Amos Boynton and
Zenas Smith were the overseers ; W. A. Lillie, M. N. Warren,
and Solyman Hubbell, were useful helps.

Russell, Geauga Co, — In 1841, Wm. Hayden began preaching
here. In the fall of 1842, W. A. Lillie came. The ** first
fruits "were reaped by Hayden, June 10, 1843, ^^ ^o^^* con-
verts. Others were baptized by Lillie. The church was
formed with fifteen members, by Chas. F. Bartlett. A. L,
Myron, and Benj. Soule, the Robisons, with Lillie, S. Robin-
son, and Matthews, were chief members. The church was
built up, first by Hayden, Bentley, and Lillie ; then by C.
Smith, I. Errett, and Jones ; later by A. Burns and J. G.
Coleman. Elder S. R. Willard united here from the Baptists.
In this church H. W. Everest, late Prest. of Eureka College,

IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 47 1

now of Kentucky University, was ordained by A. Bentley and
Isaac Errett, April 18, 1855. W. B. Hendryx began here his
useful career.

SoUTHlNGTON, Trumbull Co. — An old, stable church. Most of the
Baptists accepted the principles of reform, when this congrega-
tion started in 1828, under T. Campbell, — by whom Sam'l
Haughton was baptized, — and Scott and Applegate. It has
always kept the light burning, and now numbers about one
hundred. Present elders : Wm. Bronson, Wm. Haughton,
and Harvey McCorkle ; deacons, Henry A. Haughton, and
Charles Wannemaker, who is clerk.

Solon, Cuyahoga Co, — This church has a rich history. It arose by
the labors of W. Hayden and A. Bentley, when S. Norton, H,
Baldwin, S. D. Kelley, L. S. Bull, C. Jewett, and others
moved in from Aurora. The church was reorganized, Novem-
ber 29, 1841, by M. L. Wilcox. Simon Norton, S. D. Kelley,
elders; Henry Baldwin, C. Jewett, and L. S. Bull, deacons.
In March, 1842, E. Williams held a meeting, when J. M.
Hickox and wife, and many others united. Most of the preach-
ers have held successful meetings here — ^Jones, Green, Hart-
zel, and Perky. As regular supplies, Garfield, Everest, Hins-
dale, Hill ; present pastor, C. M. Hemry. Chief men in later
times, C. B. Lockwood and E. C. Parmlee. Present num-
ber, one hundred and fifty.

Thompson, Geauga Co, — Formed January i, 1848, by E. J. Ben-
jamin, with thirty names. Jacob Norman and Simon Baur,
elders ; Paul Baur and Hiram Stevens, deacons. Bro. O. Gates
was a frequent and efficient help, by whom many were added ;
alsoH. Reeves, E. Wakefield, and J. W. Errett. Later, J. G.
Encell, R. G. White, J. W. James, Bartlett, Ingram and
Cook. Present number, seventy, with Chas. W. Foot and
Simon Baur, elders ; and Paul Baur, Lewis Keener, and Henry
Malin, deacons.

Trumbull, East, Ashtabula Co, — October, 1858, Bro. Gates, as-
sisted by J. G. Encell, held a meeting here, ending with
twenty-eight conversions, when the church started with forty-
five names. Wm. Nelson was elder ; and Harvey Curtiss, dea-
coa. H. Reeves and J, Bartholomew, were cooperating
preachers.

4/2 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES

Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co, — The Mormons having made inroads
here, A. Bentley, following them up, rescued several, and bap-
tized Mrs. Louisa Hubbell, in May, 1831. The church vi^as set
up by Wm. Hayden and J. J. Moss. Isaac Moore was a leading
member. The brethren of Newburg and Cleveland met with
them. Soon Solyman Hubbell and A. T. Hubbell were ap-
pointed elders. Moses Warren, baptized at the yearly meet-
ing in Newburg, 1835, '^'^s a deacon and an elder. In De-
cember, 1842, a meeting was held by Collins, Alton, and A. S.
Hayden, resulting in forty-nine conversions. In September,
1S43, a great yearly meeting was held there by Hartzel, E. A.
Smith, of Ky., and eleven other preachers. The church flour-
ished many years, till it was dismembered by death and re-
movals.

WiLLOUGHBY, Lake Co. — The members on Waite Hill and about
Willoughby were congregated as a church in that town, Sep-
tember 28, 1873, under the auspices of the O. S. Miss, Society,
R. R. Sloan and A. S. Hayden officiating. Elders, A. B.
Green and W. A. Liliie ; deacons, H. H. Hall and H. J. Randall.
It began with thirty-nine names. Present number, eighty. It
has a good Sunday School, and is flourishing under the charge,
as preacher, of A. B. Green,

Sullivan, Ashland Co, — The church in Sullivan was established
through the agency of Sylvanus Parmly and his amiable
family. He was a gentleman of much intelligence and weight
of influence in the county. He and his family learned the
gospel in Elyria. In the year 1832, having moved to Sullivan,
he opened meetings. At his instance Wm. Hayden came ; his
singing and sermons won the people, and fourteen were asso-
ciated as a church. A fiery opposition, cruel in its perversions
of truth, assailed the work, but it was nobly defended by the
intelligent sisters as well as the brethren. Moss, Green
and Moody, heroically seconded their efforts; John Henry
held there successful meetings, as did also John Reed and
James Porter. In June, 1838, under Bro. Reed's labors, J. P.
Mann and Milo Carlton, now of Kansas, with many others,
turned to the Lord. Bro. Moody and G. W. Lucy conducted
a meeting which resulted in bringing in twenty-seven converts.
M. L. Wilcox gave powerful support to the cause. All these
brethren and others, especially the first named, watered the
seed sown, and on that field many ripe sheaves have been
reaped by the Lord of the harvest. Few churches have been
more severely tried, yet it still keeps its light burning.

INDEX.

Abbott, Eld. Orrin, 465.
Advent of Mormonism, 209.
Akron and Middlebury, 355; revived,

357.

Allerton, A., 321, 323.

Alliance, church, 465.

Alton, B,, biography of, 300.

Amend, Wm., conversion, 75 ; letter
from, 79.

Anecdote, 43, xo8, 122, 169, 356, 360, 366,
368, 372, 380, 38a.

Akron and Middlebury, church, 355.

Anthon, Prof,, testimony of, 452.

Applegate, John, biography of, 275.

Association, Christian, 44.

Association, Mahoning, 20 ; constitution
and creed, 25 ; in Canfield, 34 ; in New
Lisbon, 54; in Warren, i6i ; in Sha-
ron, 270; in Austintown, 295; dis-
solved, 296.

Atwater, D., 237, 238 ; biography, 242.

Auburn, church, 465.

Aurora, church, 375.

Austin, Benajah, 92, 456.

Austintown, church arising, 127; or-
ganized, 132.

Bainbridge, Church, 380.
Baptism, first in Cleveland by the Dis-
ciples, 419.
Bartlett, Chas. F., 393,
Bartlett, Walter, 309, 310.
Bazetta, Baconsburg, church, 281.
Bazetta, West, church, 465.
Beardslee, J. O., biography, 398.
Bedford, church, 387.
Belding, W. A., 339, 344.
Belief of the church in Wellsburg, 31,
Benedict, J. D., 446, 467.
Bentley, A., 19, 91 ; biography, 102.
Birmingham, church, 465.

Bloomficld, North, church, 300; rcor-

ganized, 304.
Bloomingdale, Mich., church, 447.
Board of managers. Miss. Society, 397.
Booth, Rev. Ezra, 250, 251, 252.
Bosworth, Cyrus, biography, 109.
Bosworth, Marcus, biography, 136.
Braceville, church, 136, 139.
Bristol, North, church, 466.
Brockett, H., biography, 307 ; in Sha*

lersville, 337.
Brookficld, church, 466.
Brown, O. E., 159.
Burnet, D. S., 385, 448,
Brunswick, {PoiHpey Street), 432.
Burns, A., 466, 467, 470.
Burton, church, 234.
Butler, Dr., 446.

CAMoaw, {Kipton), Church, 466.

Campbell, Thos., biography, 41 ; visits
the Western Reserve, 147; letter to
Rigdon, 217.

Campbell, A., messenger to the M. As-
sociation, 31 ; notable sermon, 35 ; bi-
ography, 45 ; vi.sits the Western Re-
serve, 370; before the skeptics, 366,
371 ; eloquence described, 377 ; ser-
mon in Bedford, 390 ; visits Youngs-
town, 449, 450.

Call, Dana, 448, 467.

Canfield, church, 120; established at the
Center, 126.

Carpenter, L. L., 470,

Carson, Alex., 267.

Center, Wis., church, 126.

Chagrin Falls, church, 438.

Chapman, S. S., 466. ib.

Chardon, church, 223.

Chester, church, 466.

Christian Baptist, ai, 37.

(473)

474

INDEX.

Christian ministers of note, 80.

Church, Samuel, 284, 253.

Clapp, M. S., 193, 195 ; biography, 197.

Cleveland, church arising, 415 ; organ-
ized, 420.

Coleman, J. G., 232, 464, 470.

Collamer, (EucHd), church, 408.

Collins, Wm., 22, 215; biography, 225.

Community system, urged by Rigdon,
298.

Cooley, L., 421, 444.

Correspondence, Dr. E. Parmly and
Prof. Anthon, 452.

Creed of the M. Association, 27.

Cyrenius, John, 465, 466,

Death of Prominent Men, 419.
Davis, R.T., 284.

Declaration and address, 44.

Deerfield, investigation society, 317;
church formed, 319; Scott's visit, 320.

Denmark, church, 466.

Diary, Robbin's, 142.

Dille, Luther, 408, 409, 415.

Discourses, 18, 35, 320, 366, 390.

Discussions, Campbell and Walker, 18 ;
Campbell and McCalla, 21 ; Campbell
and Owen, 48 ; Campbell and Purcell,
48 ; Campbell and Rice, 48 ; Campbell
and Skinner, 48 ; Wilcox and Graham,
356; Green and Davis, 385; Hartzel
and Waldo, 449; Hartzel and Sted-
man, 449 ; Hartzel and Hay den, with
Stedman and Locock, 439 ; Garfield
and Denton, 441 ; Campbell and Un-
derbill, 417.

Dixon, Henry, 447, 448, 467.

Eagleville, Church Formed, 350.

East Cleveland, church, 421.

Eaton, North, church, 443.

Eclectic Institute, origin and establish-
ment, 260.

Edinburg, church, 466.

Elyria, church, 467.

Errett, Isaac, loi, 304, 440.

Errett, J. W., loi, 228, 471.

Euclid, (Collamer\ church, 408.

Evangelist, call for, 55 ; Scott appointed,
58.

Everest, H. W., 448, 470.

Expectation of the millennium, 183.

Fairfield, East, Church, hi.
Fairfield, North, church, 467.
Farmington, church, 306.
Ferguson, Reuben, 149.
Finch, C. P., 317, 319, 323, 361.
Foot, C. C, 338, 422, 448.
Forward, Chauncey, 379.
Fowler, church, 467,
Franklin, (Kent), 384.
Freedom, church, 159.
Freeman, Eld. Rufus, 22.

Garfield, J. A., 222, 441.

Garrettsville, church, 260.
Gaston, Joseph, 83, 85.
Gaston, James E., 86, loi, 118.
Gates, Orrin, 231, 260.
Geneva, church, 467.
Ghent, church, 436.
Glasier, H. S., 401.
Goodall, Eld. Warner, 191, 226.
Granger, church, 434.
Gray, W. S., 360, 453.
Green, A. B., sketch of, 363.
Green, Philander, 436.
Green, F. M., 345, 436.
Greenville, church, 309.

Hamden, Church, 468.

Hamilton's Corners, church, 468.

Hartford, church, 468.

Hartsgrove, church, 468.

Hartzel, Jonas, experiences of, 313.

Hawley, E. H., 259, 349.

Hayden, William, chosen evangelist,

174; biography, 176.
Hayden, Walter S., 228, 442, 453.
Hayden brothers, William W., Warren

L., and Morgan P., 323.
Henry, John, 129 ; biography, 133,
Hillock, Dr. T., 127, 283.
Hinkley, church, 468.
Hinsdale, B. A,, obituary sermon for S«

Ryder, 245.
Hiram, church, 244.
Howland, church, 469.
Hubbard, E. B., slcetch of, 3x1.
Hubbard, church, 272.
Hudson, church, 384.
Huntsburg, church, 468.

Incidents, 406.
Itineracy, system of, 270.

INDEX.

475

Jackson, Church, 469.
James, J. W., 159, 471.
Johnson, J. B., 422.
Jones, Eld. Thos. G., 22, 91, 267.
Jones, Alex. P., 196, 197, 215.
Jones, J. H., 267, 392, 447.
Judd, Chas., 372.

Kent, Church, 384.
King brothers, 224,
King, Dan. R., 228, 229.
Kipton, (Camden), church, 466.

Lafayette, Church, 431.

Lanphear, J. W., 433.

Law, sermon on, 18.

Leonard, Ezra, 123, 425, 467.

Lessons of our forty years' experience,

454-
Letters, Campbell Thos., to Rigdon, 217 ;
S. Ryder, 220 ; D. Atwater, 239 ;
John Schaeffer, 324; Hayden to
Campbell, 342; Dr. J. P. Robison,

395, 396.
Lillie, W. A., 230, 466, 470.
Little Mountain, church, 469.
Lordstown, church, loi.
Lucy, G. W., 118, 304, 46X.

Mantua, Church, 237.

Martin, Eld. Corbly, 191.

Mentor, church, 191.

Mentor, great meeting by Bentley and

Rigdon, 192.
McBride, S., obituary, 374.
Middlebury and Akron, 355; renewed

by sistens, 357.
Middlebury, church, recent organization,

469.
Millennium, expectation of, 183.
Miller, Samuel, 207.
Miller, Eld. Thos., 137, 120, 332.
Miller, Eld. William, 359.
Minister's meetings, {Baptist), 38, 39,

93, 223.
Mitchell, James, Nathan, David, 94.
Mitchell, James, 115.
MofFet, Robert, 397, 468.
Mogadore, church, 361.
Montville, church, 469.
Moody, Wm., 430.

Morgan, (Rock-Creek), church, 469.
Mormonism, advent of, 209.
Moss, J. J., 196, 215, 410.
Munson, church, 229.

Nelson, {Baptist), Church, Formed,

22, 237.
Newburg, church, 402 ; reorganized, 405.
Newcomb, Eld. Obadiah, 365, 367.
Newcomb, T. J., 338.
New Lisbon, Association in, 55 ; the plea

opened, 72.
Newton Falls, church, 136, 139.
Nickerson, Capt. J. G., 412, 420.
Nickerson, Capt. D. P., 413, 420.
Niles, church, 470.
Norton, church, 470.

O'Connor, Washington, 410.
Orange, North, church formed, 470.
Orange, South, church in, 470.
Origin and establishment of the Eclectic

Institute, 260.
Osborne, Jacob, biography of, 140.
Otis, Dexter, 204, 469.

Painesville, Church established,

349-
Palmyra, church organized, 332, 333.
Palmyra, South, church, 334.
Perry, North, church arises, 346.
Phillips, John T., 284, 467.
Phillips church formed, 118.
Pinkerton, Dr. L. L., 423.
Pompey Street, {Brunswick), church,

432.
Pool, Dr. W. F., 360.
Porter, Nathan, 22, 225.
Pow, George, 119.
Preacher's meetings, origin of, 405.
Preliminary agencies, i8.

Quarterly Meeting in Braceville,

65.
Quarterly Meeting in East Fairfield,

III.
Queries, 24.

Raines, Aylett, and the Restoration-
ists, 130; memories of Eld. T. Camp-
bell, 149; biography, 150; trial, 166;
and Williams, 155.

476

INDEX.

Randolph, church, 340.

Ravenna, church, 369.

Report by Scott, evangelist, 171.

Reeves, H., 119, 466, 471.

Richardson, Dr. R., baptism of, 335.

Rigdon, Sidney, 19, 209, «38.

Rigdon, Thomas, 92.

Rigdon, three brothers, Thomas, John,
and Charles, 92.

Robbin's diary, 142.

Robison, Dr. J. P., 229, 232, 294.

Rowe, J, F., 360.

Royalton, North, church, 424.

Rudolph, Zeb, 237, 238, 260, 261.

Russell, church, 470.

Ryder, Symonds, conversion, 238; bi-
ography, 24s.

Sacket, Myron, 234.

Salem, church, 116; re-established, 119.

Saunders, Abram, 348, 468.

Schaeffer, John, experiences of, 324.

Schooley, Wm., biography, 83, 125.

Scofield, Edward, 2a, 281, 424, 428.

Scott, Walter, appointed evangelist, 58 ;
biography, 61 ; among the churches,
65 ; begins in New Lisbon, 72 ; in
Canfield, 120 ; in Austintown, 129 :
report to the association, 171,

Secrest, John, 80.

Shalersville, church founded, 334.

Sharon, Baptist church, 967 ; McCleery
family, 267 ; church formed^ 269 ; as-
sociation in, 270.

Sloan, R. R., 467, 472.

Smith, Calvin, biography, 284.

Smith, John T., 273,

Solon, church, 471.

Southington, church, 471.

Stewart, John B,, 424.

Stowe, church, 382 ; reorganized, 385.

Streator, L. P., 146.

Streator, M. J., 146, 443.

Sullivan, church, 472.

System of itineracy, 270.

Tkagarden, S. B., 119.
Thayer, Dr. I. A., 283, 466.
Thompson, church, 471.
Trumbull, church, 471.
Turney, A. S., 348, 467.

Union of "Christians" and Disci-
ples, 125.
Union oi Christians illustrated, 162.
Union of principles explained, 163.

Van Horn, 127.
Vaughn, Tillinghast, 355,
Veits, Rodney, 348.
Violl, E. B., 206.

Wadsworth, Church, 366.

Waite, Alvan, 205.

Waite Hill, church, 203.

Wakefield, Edwin, 309, 467, 471.

Wakefield, E. B., 310.

Warren, {Baptist), church, origin of, 9X«

Warren, siege of, 95,

Warrensville, church, 472.

Webb, E. H., 348.

Wellsburg, church, 31.

West, Eld. Wm., 127, 128.

Western Reserve, history and descrip-
tion, 13,

White, H. J., 466, 469.

White, D. J., 466.

White, R. G., 360, 466.

Whitacre, John, biography, 87.

Willard, Eld. S. R., 470.

Wilcox, M. L., 356, 436, 471.

Wilcox, A., 421.

Williams, E., sketch of, 155; in Shalers-
ville, 155 ; baptism of, 157 ; in Mentor
195.

Williams, F., 372.

Willoughby, church, 472.

Windham, church, 142.

Winfield, Wm. S., 284.

Woodworth, Eld. Joshua, 127, 283.

Yearly Meeting System, origin of,
296.

Yearly meeting, in Austintown, 296 ; in
Randolph, 341 ; reported by Hayden,
342 ; in Wadsworth, 366 ; in Aurora,
379; in Newburg, 404; Euclid, 411,
414 ; in Bedford, 389 ; in Richfield,
429; in Youngstown, 450, 451.

Youngstown, church established, 448.

I W. CHA81. ^' ■• H^I*!*

PUBLICATIONS OF

CHASE & HALL,

CINCINNATI, O.

We Supply Ejmn Books, HTmnal, and all the Fublieations of tlie Gliristiaii dmrcL

AGENTS W^ANTED.

VALUABLE CHRISTIAN WORKS.

lilFE OF ELDER "W ALTER SCOTT.

With sketches of his fellow-laborerajWilliam Hayden, Adamson Bentley, John Henry,
and others, by William Baxter. The book contains a fine steel portrait, is printed on
tinted paper, has 450 pages, and bound in cloth. Sold by subscription only. Price.... f2 00

THE GOSPEL PLAN OP SALVATION.

By T. W. Brents. Crown. 12mo., 667 pages, cloth 2 50

THE GENUINENESS AND AUTHENTICITY OF THE GOS-
PELS.

An argument conducted on historical and critical grounds. By B. A. Hinsdale, A.M.
12 mo., cloth 1 25

A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY

SPIRIT.

By B. Richardson. 12mo., 324 pages, cloth , X 5U

THE TEACHER, THE CLASS, AND THE BOOK.

A Series of Fifty-two Sunday School Lessons, consisting in a Critical Analysis of the
Scriptures, arranged from the Gospels consolidated. Ky W. B. Hcndryx. 19(> pages,
ISmo., half bound, 50 cents, |4. 60 per doz.; cloth, 75 cents ; per doz.. 7 20

ROSE CARLTON'S REWARD.

By Margaret Frances. A splendid gift book for young persons, lll'st., 2-S3 pages 1 25

RIVERSIDE ;

Or, Winning a Soul. By Marie Radcliffe Butler. 174 pages. Illustrated 90

ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION.

By Dr. Joseph Muenscher. 12mo., 210 pages 1 00

DUKE CHRISTOPHER.

A Story of the Reformation. By Mrs. Fanny H. Christopher. Cloth 50

BARTHOLET MILON.

A Sequel to Duke Christopher. Cloth ., , 50

GRANMA'S PATIENCE;

Or, Mrs. James' Christmas Gift. Marie Radcliflfe Butler. Cloth 50

SHALL CHRISTIANS GO TO W^AR P

Discussion by Thomas Munnell and J. S. Sweeney. 248 pages, cloth, 16mo 1 00

BRADEN AND HUGHEY DEBATE

On the Action, Design, and Subjects of Baptism, Work of the Holy Spirit, etc., etc.

687 pages, 8vo., cloth 2 75

THE FAMILY COMPANION ;

Or, a Book of Sermons on various subjects, both doctrinal and practical. By Elijah
Goodwin 1 7.')

THE ORGANON OF SCRIPTURE ;

Or, The Inductive Method of Biblical Interpretation. By J. S. Lamar. In this vol-
ume a very important subject is discussed with great ability. Profound in thought,
yet admirably adapted to the capacity of all readers. 12mo 1 5.

Sent by mail on receipt of price.

Publications of Chase & Hall, Cincinnati.

COMMElSrTAHY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

By Prof. J. W. McGarvey. 300 pages, 12mo., cloth 1 50

THE CHRISTIAISr SYSTEM.

lu reference to the union of Christians and the restoration of Primitive Christianity.

By A. Campbell. Cloth, 12mo 1 50

CHRISTIAH BAPTISM.

With its Antecedents and Consequents. By A. Campbell. Sheep, $1 50 ; half-bound, 1 25

CAMPBELL AND PURCELL'S DEBATE

On Roman Catholicism. A new edition of this very able discussion is ready. Cloth,
12mo 1 50

CAMPBELL AND OA^EN'S DEBATE

On all the Systems of Skepticism, Ancient and Modern. Complete in one volume.
This will always remain a leading work on the evidences of Christianity 1 75

FAMILIAR LECTURES ON THE PENTATEUCH.

Delivered before the Morning Class of Bethany College, during the Session of 1859-60,
by Alexander Campbell ; also short extracts from his sermons during the same ses-
sion ; to wliich is prefixed a sketch of the life of President Campbell, with a fine steel
portrait. Edited by W. T. Moore :. I 75

MEMOIRS OF ELDER THOMAS CAMPBELL.

By Alexander Campbell. Cloth, 12mo 1 25

WORKS OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

New library edition, on fine paper. Six volumes : Christian System, Debate with
Owen, Catholicism, Baptism, Life of Thomas Campbell, Pentateuch. Uniform in
size, style, and binding ; superior to any other edition for those who desire the
writings of President Campbell in a dress worthy of the author. Price, in cloth,
beveled, net — „ 7 50

THE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST.

This important work can not be superseded by any subsequent publications. Seven
volumes in one, containing CRSO double-columned pages. By A. Campb'ell. New edi-
tion. Price, in cloth, $3 ; arabesque 3 50

A TREATISE ON PRAYER.

Dedicated to the Christian Churches in America. By K. Milligan, President of the
College of the Bible in Kentucky University. Beautifully printed on fine paper, and
bound in fine cloth, vermilion edges 50

THE MESSIAHSHIP ;

Or, Great Demonstration. Written for the union of Christians on Christian princi-
ples. By Walter Scott.. 1 50

LIVING ORACLES.

The Sacred writings of the Apostles and Evangelists, translated from the original
Greek, by Drs. Campbell, Macknight, and Doddridge, with preface, emendations, and
an appendix by Alexander Campbell. Pocket edition, bound in cloth 50

CHRISTIAN CHURCH REGISTER.

With various special rulings and printed headings. Arranged by Eld. R. Mofiett.
Crown cap (9x14 inches). 160, 320, and 480 pages. Price 3 00, 5 00, 7 50

CHURCH CONTRIBUTION RECORD.

With special rulings and printed headings, for keeping account of weekly contribu-
tions. 40 pages, $1 10; 80 pages 150

CHRISTIAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL LIBRARY.

New Edition, with New Illustrations. Edited by Elder D. S. Burnet. 50 books in 40
vols., cloth, price 12 00

CHRISTIAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL HYMN BOOK.

Designed for Sunday-schools and Families. 136 pages, 32 mo., half-bound, per doa.,

$1 50 ; cloth, per doz 2 40

In ordering give Post-office, County, and State in each letter. Remit by Money Order, Reg-
ister Letter, or Bank Draft at our risk. Letters of inquiry receive prompt attention.

ADDRESS,

CHAISC: dc HAIili, Publisliers,

CINCINNA TI.
Sent by mail on receipt of price.

Publications of Chase & Hall, Cincinnati.

THE GOSPEL PLAN OF SALVATION.

The sale of this book has been unprecedentedly large and has called
forth the highest commendations of the press and the people.

" If our young men desire to understand the Gospel, and know how to
present it to others so that they can understand it, believe it, and be saved
by it, they can do no better than to obtain this book, and not only read it
but study it.'^ — A. C. Review.

It is a neatly printed and well bound 12mo vol., of 667 pages. Price
$2.50. Agents Wanted in every State and county.

^JTECE

Gei^uineness and Authenticity

OP

THE GOSPELS.

Critically and Historically considered, by B. A. HINSDALE, A, M.,

President of Hiram College. 276 pages, 12mo. Cloth, Extra. Price, $1.25

From the many flattering notices of this work, we select the following :

The book is able, and we hope it will be widely useful. — Herald and
Presbyter.

This book is well filled with sound argument and criticism, and is of
great importance. — Christian Record.

The work is scholarly, the argument clear and forcible, the facts well
chosen and arranged. — The Evangelist.

We have read it with almost unmixed satisfaction, and commend it as
a valuable, popular manual, in which the latest materials are gathered and
digested, are satisfactorily exhibited, and ably reasoned upon. — Examiner
and Chronicle.

Many will thank him for doing the work so well. — The Advance.

It is an able contribution to our religious literature, and will be especi-
ally valuable to young men, who have not the original documents from
which the author has so judiciously framed this able, forcible, and con-
vincing argument. — PresH MiUigan.

The author is at home in the realm of historical investigation. His
tastes as well as his studies, and more than all, his fine powers of descrip-
tion and honest perseverance in threading his way through discouraging
labyrinths to a satisfactory conclusion, eminently fit him for such a task
as he has here performed. — Isaac En^ett.

We know nc volume of equal size that contains so many valuable quo-
tations from the early Christian writers; or that more thoroughly demol-
ishes the various and variable hypotheses on which attempts liave been
made to reduce the Gospel history to the level of myths, legends, apocrypha,
or uncertain stories. — The Interior.

Sent by mail to any address on receipt of the retail price.

CHASE & HALL Publishers, CINCINNATI.

Publications of Cliastf & Hall, Cincinnati.

COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. UNABRIDGED.
DE. E. EIOHAEDSON'S

MEMOIRS OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL

Erribracing a view of the Origin, Progress, and

Principles of the Religious Reformation

which he advocated.

Containing over 1200 pages, elegantly and substantially bound.

This edition is designed to meet the wishes of many who desire to have
this elegantly written and valuable Biography in condensed form and at
a less price than the edition in two volumes. The Memoirs are here given
entire, without abridgment, in one volume.

Preachers, Teachers, Students and others who desire active out-door
exercise can do much good by helping to circulate every-where among the
public this valuable work.

Price in fine English Cloth, $4.00; Sheep, Library Style, $5.00.

Terms to Agents very liberal and correspondence invited.

CHASE & HALL, PnbHshers, CINCINNATI.

NEW EDITION -NOW READY.
A SOEIPTURAL YIEW

OF THE

OFFICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,

This is a handsome 12mo volume, of 324 pages, bound in fine cloth.
Price $1.50.

The author has made the Office of the Holy Spirit a subject of study for
many years, and gives in this work his strongest reasonings and ripest
conclusions.

" It is a real thesaurus or treasure-house of sound instruction in the
things of the Kingdom of God. The diction as well as the construction
of his sentences mark Dr. Richardson as one of the purest and best writiMs
in the Reformation. We urge the study of this book upon our you.ii,'
ministers as a model of fine composition." — Apostolic Times.

*' There is no one among us nor among any other religious body, bett- r
qualified to present the * Scriptural View ' than our venerable brother, IL
Richardson." — The Christian,

Agents Wanted in every County in the United States.

CHASE & HALL. Publishers, CINCINNATI.

A'
Deacidlfied using the Bookkeeper proc
^ \ Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide
Treatment Date: April 2006

PreservationTechnologi

1 . - >AnLK '^ . .! 0 C ^ WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVA^

. \C^ c^ . ^ WTr^^^>> ." ' /^ ^ ' ■! I ^ Thomson Park Drive

Cranberry Township, PA 16066

,0 o^

^ iit^^^

O^ V

/%. *

^.'^^^.^ ,^^

tf 1 ^ \^

> .0*

.xV '/"^,

.^'

./' \^

^ ^K^.

^

'^^

/

aV

<^/^,

'"-.■

.OC'

x"^'' ^"'^jj^i". '^ . ^'^ *V4:%^^* "^

^^^ '^^

*:<im^j' %'^:--:v;,o

'-:'-^ ^" 0

■>^^,«\o^

8 1 \ \V

'^r

:\

^'

V s - ^^ ^ A

-■^% ^

\r