CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Cornell University Library BX7317.03 H41 Early history of the Disciples in the We oiin 3 1924 029 461 989 'M- ^ Cornell University WB Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 924029461 989 EARLY HISTORY THE DISCIPLES IN THE Western Reserve, OhiO; Biographical Sketches of the Principal Agents in their Religious Movement. BY A. S. HAYDEN. CINCWNATI: CHASE & HALL, PUBLISHERS. ,(,..875. "<■ 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. STEEEOTYPED AT THB PBANKUN TYPE n)UNDBY, CINCINNATI. PREFACE. nPHE 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 j 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. FAGB. Preface, 3 Western Reserve : History and DESCRiFnoN, . . .13 CHAPTER I. Preliminai-y 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 18 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, 54 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 — ^JoKn 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. >AGS. 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, 1828 — 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 VioU, 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. Vii CHAPTER X. 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- vrater 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 Viii CONTENTS. FASE. Brockett, conversion and biography — Other helps — Church in Green— W. Bartlett— E. Wakefield 9S 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 AUerton and Rogers — AUerton's labors — Ground of stability — Experiences of Rev. John Schaeffer — He accepts the union principles and abandons Lutheranism, 3'I CHAPTER XV. Palmyra: spiritual declension — Church formed by Scott and Hayden — ShalersviHe — Opening found — Occupied by Hayden — ^The Disciples called together — Yearly Meetings — Anecdotes-— Brockett's vfork— C. C. Foot— T. J. Newr- 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 f 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 PAQB. 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 3SS 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 b^ins 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, 183S — 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 183S — Anecdote, . . 3S7 X CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER XX. Euclid (CoUamer) — 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 CoUamer — 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 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. An 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 — Foote'ville — 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, Preset, 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 Connecticut 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 ijo 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 Trumbull, in honor of two IN THE WESTERN RESERVE, I J successive governors of Connecticut. Of this mam- moth county Warren was the seat of justice. In May, 179S, tlie 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 million 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 cups- dipping fn^m the broad lake the crystal waters with l6 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES whith 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. I J 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 reforra\ 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 1816. A large major- IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 9 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 foir 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 views 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 Gentries — 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 office 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. Campbell's 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 ovfer 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 fencing, 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. Campbell's first appearance in the Mahoning Asso- ciation : "Answers to the queries from the ckurck at Nelson. " Query 1. 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 wprd, and not the ordinances ? "Ans. We have no such custom taught in the scrip- tures. "Answer to tke 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 Associa:tion ; 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 HISTORV OF THE DISCfPLES 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 safely 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 m 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 ^ 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 otirselves 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 aaivisoary counsel only, diselaiming all snpeiibrity,. jur- isdiction, coercive right aaid 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 (jonstitutional limits, and in some States the association has been made an engine of usurpa- tion and tyranniy, 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 persecutiion, than to the disciples against whom their fulminatians of power were directed. The creed of the association is thus set forth in its constitution : " The doctrfne 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, S- " 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 j 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 rightfeousness 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 j John iii : 23 ; Acts viii : 38, 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 religipn. " 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 many 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 ainchallenged, 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 tim^ 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 iti 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 1^24, 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 chmrch 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 tliese 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 statenient of belief here follows, copied from the records of the association, which met that year in Hubbard : "A Belief of the Welx-sburg 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 32 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 hv 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 renewaFof 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 bom 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 affirmati-on 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 ia 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 bave 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 dr«ss«d m a plain suit of drab. He stood up as a man — a Christian man — rather than as a "ministeri" 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 standard of ministerial qualification among his Baptist brethren. He accordingly en- couraged them to meet statedly for mutual improve- ment. In June, 182 r, the ministers' meeting was held in Warren^ Mr. Campbell attended, and this was probi- 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 speaJcing. He had never seen him, but was fa- miliar with his name and his history. " Who is 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 apostolicpreaching 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, eflfectual 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 conyincing, 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 grasp of Romanism, and established there the Ge- nevan reformation, they enlisted in the defense of IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 4 1 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 1, 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 m.tn, 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 i» 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 tliat 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 tlie 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. Amon^ 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 Eldef 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 12th, 1788, 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 Millennial 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 I^it- 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 i8zo, 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, with 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 ^ 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 povirers, his delighted visitors hung for hours on the wisdom and eloquence of his lips. We do not compare him with John- son dr Coleridge, who, as conversationists won so greac 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 teaf;hing. Briefly, they may be sketched thus : "Christ, the only Master: involving a rejection of all human names and leadersiiips 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 arid 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, arid 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 : ^^ prom- ises of ths gospel, as the evidence of pardon and accept- ance ; and the Holy Spirit, in and Jhrough 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. 5 1 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 symbpls, 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 told 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, i866, 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. 5S •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, 1 827. 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 MESSSNGERS. II > K PI a. B P. i Warren | Jacob Smith 3 I 4 4 2 72 Joab Gaskill 2 I 41 ^ Darwin Atwater Mantua and Zeb. Rudolph 9 -6 Hiram Palmyra Noah Davis I 3 49 William Bacon Jesse Hall Walter- Clark I 37 Braceville ■ Jacob Osborne 3 2 I 36 William McGavern. Thomas Ray Yellow Creek S I 2 30 Val. of Achor/ Canfield | Arthur Wherry John Jackman I 2 70 Myron Sacket Alexander Campbell I I ?S WellsburgVaj f II S 3 I I 56 Salem. C -j Aaron Hise 3 4 34 David Gaskill Hartford No intelligence. Samuel Hayden Youngstown.. - Joseph Pearce Southington Randolph.,... ■< Sandy No intelligence. Abljah Sturdevant.. William Churchill... No intelligence. Total number. 13 34 '3 14 '3 4 492 Besides these accredited messengers, the following preachers were present, who, by a resolution of the IN THE 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 S8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES 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 hjs 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. 25th 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, 60 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 regulating an evangeli- cal agency, or ministry. 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. 6 1 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 HISTORY 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, ai\d not returning as soon as his parents expected, ^t 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 'timcy 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 j 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 EAKLY HISTORY OF THE DISCJPLES 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 Steubenville, 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 ; 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, 1861, 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 hi's 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. 67 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 afid 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, ihe word of God. Rom. x : 1 7. 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 ? the " witness," the assurance of the penitent sinner's acceptance .' " 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 saltation, 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 thq 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,ithe 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. 7 1 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 1 826 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- I 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 tremblitig, 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- •j6 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. "JJ 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 bad 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. Sevetal 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 i8th 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 wish, the remission of our sins ! Oh, that I could hear the gospel in those same word's 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 78 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 han^ds 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 Hughes, 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 Mitchell's, 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, 1801. 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 tff 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, ^^ the eighty-first year of his age. ' He was educated among the Friends, or Qflakers, and imbibed their doctrines. But maturing in mind, as in years, arid 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 haind 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 hini 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, Green, 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 liis 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 L 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 tinije of his death, who was not already a Christian, turned to the Lord. IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 87 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, 1 790. 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 Columbifina 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 froni 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 beginming 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 was very zealous, and sought in every way to teach the people. He was popular as a preacher, convincing in proof, warm and persuasive in exh9rtation, 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 years old, nor any thing for which I had not the evidence uf 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 hear it ? or did you ever feel, 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' go 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 RESER'\^£. 91 CHAPTER IV. Origin of the Church in Warren — Siege ofWarren — 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, 18 10, 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, 181 2, 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, ofB- 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. Heie 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 condone 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 matle. 94 EAKLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES 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 metnory, and Lewis Hamrick, re- vivalists of the " Christian connection," found them, and led them, 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 custom, 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 httle 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 Ijad 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. iHold 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 concerning 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 KESERVE. 97 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 " lost" The great loss, ah ! the greatest, was to lose the soul ; to be lost to God and Christ ; and heaven IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. gg 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 fi-ee." 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 lOO 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 183 1, Cyrus Bosworth and Benajah Austin were chosen bishops of the church, and Richard S. Brooks, James Gibson, and Moses Haskell, deacons. The members in Lordstown, 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 faitli 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 foimtain 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 moimtain 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. Gill'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 ; 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 tp 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 silenee 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. 1 07 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 on 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!" 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 theweight 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 Bos worth. 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, 1791- 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 181 1, 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 181 3 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 reasoning, 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. I 1 1 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 " it was 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 was 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 ; 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 giftedwith 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 WiUiam 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 to 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 tinie 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 Marcuj 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 fentecost. 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. I17 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 Il8 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 ^nd 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. HO day. Hayden could sing, and soon he was called tc 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 V/ESTERN 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 1 1 122 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 foi' 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. 1 2$ 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 resurrectipn 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 aB 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 thenij and they sought to recon- cile the disagreement, each honestly supposing the other would yield to increased Ught. 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. 1 25 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, 1 828, 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 Brb. 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 23, 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 njear the center of the township, the church gave consent for them to form a separate congregation. Accordingly, in the spring of 1 847, about twer>.ty associated themselves IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. J 27 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 18 16, a revival occurred under the labors of Elder Joshua Wood- worth, a humble and devoted minister. About forty were gonverted ; among the converts were 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 iila- 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 i " 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 failings 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.'" 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 preachipg 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, pei-sons 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 bilious. 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 toitch 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: ii. William Hayden preached ip the afternoon the same day, and baptized several converts. The church of Austin town 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 all the rest, and also the brethren to whom we owed so much under Christ, and who were, in the most solemn manner, about to form and declare us an organized qhurch. 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 sinners 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, for 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 was his store-house, his treasury, his exhaustless fountain. He read it morning, at noon and n'ight, 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 Austintown 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. Next 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, 1821, ,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 the church as the council on the occasion. Bro. Bosworth gave himself ardently to the work of preaching. His heart was all agldw with the love of souls, and many were 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 DISCIPLES 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 hpme> 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 WESTEKN RESERVE. 1 39 joys of pardon through the divine promise. The man 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 182 1, at the age of twenty-one, he entered Mr, Campbell's 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. I41 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, and 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 them 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 iinished 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 Word, 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 five 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 DISCIPLES 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 Garrettsville — 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 thigk. 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, 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 anotber, and to be prepared to break the loaf on the Lord's day. Z,ord'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. Robbin's 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, 1S28. 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 inembers." 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. I47 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 euthusiasm 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 j 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 ientj 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 ISO 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 arid 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 advantage to him. He ever bore toward them the profoundest gratitude for theii IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 15! 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 cra.shing against mine seemed so very frail, and made so feeble a defeiise, as rather to confirm me in my errors. I preached Res- torationism 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 152 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- sequentlj^ — 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 whole 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 p.reacher 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 mer 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. Williams, 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, 1815, 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. 1 57 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. 1 59 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, 1 848, 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 grelv 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 DISCIPLES 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 WESTERN 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 rejigious 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 ineeting in Warren was, perhaps, the largest assembly, and the most com- plete, full, and illustrious exapiple 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 1 63 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 sf)iritual 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 \e also shall bear witness, because ye have been IN THE WESTERN. RESERVE. 1 65 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 plausi(ble 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 might 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- reiving 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 differences 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 : These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into lifeetemalt' 'I will pot do anything 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 fectionist.' 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 Cairipbell, 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 mo- 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 chief 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 wheii 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 «in, 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 arid 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. I7I Report of Walter Scott, the Evangelist of THE Association. "Beloved Brethren: — The Christian pf 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 Romej eternal Rome ! terrible in her origin, terrible in her glory, terri- ble in her decline xaAfall! 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 tratisit Gloria Mundi^ " But from amidst the blaze of her glory, see yet loftier scenes arise. Behold the kingdom of our Lord Jesus, awaking un4er the eye of the Cmsars! 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. 172 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES and pearls, behold the apostate church, mounted upon her imperial beast, holds forth to the intoxicated nations a golden Clip 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 non'e shall help him. " All these things, beloved brethren, have passed in re- view before the Christian of the nineteenth century 5 but if we have had to >yitness 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-appdinting 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 bis 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 world." 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. 1/5 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 h3rmns 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 r "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 1 " 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 bom 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 ^^ '\i nothing had eternally or primarily existed, nothing could have been originated, 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. 1 77 inhuman treatment of Christ from the garden to the sep- nlcher, 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 ! 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 thou shalt be justiiied, 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 Woodworth, and united with the Baptist church, of which his parents were members, December 20, 1818, he married Miss Mary McCoUum, 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 in 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 178 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 ' Ae true disciple of Christ will follow the truth wherever it leads.' Upon a moment's reflectiwi, 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 woflder, 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, I79 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 dthers. 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 cate 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 chuT-ches 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 leaming-^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 efificient 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 foimdations 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 traveled 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 irreverentl}^ 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— r-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, affecting his speech in common with every other muscular action. Without pain, and with the full execcise of his mental powers, he died at his home. IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 1 83 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 1836, 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 Zion, 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 theonly 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 boot to the Doctor, "f his 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 Sr 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. T-his 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, dnd 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 faith. 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. l8g essays were written with marked ability. The}' 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 copsiderations. 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 tlieir 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 OP 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. I91 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 19? 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 ; ^ut 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. 193 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 fhe 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, Osee 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. 1 95 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, ?ind 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 afiRrmed 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 born in Mentor, February 1, 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 EARLV HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES boyhood passed during the war of 1812-14 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. Campbell's 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- theiif 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 sufier. 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 inarriage 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 Abraham 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 PISTORY 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 1 7 th, 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 gi-eat 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- lerest. His own taste, critical and chaste, furnished him IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 2O3 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 fa.niily, 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 1821, 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 183s 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 ^ible scholar, and was well informed in history as it relates to prophetic subjects. IN THE WESTERN KESERVE. 20$ His 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 oi 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* iul, 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, aqd 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. VioU 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. VioU, it must se^m 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 apfH-oaches to the dark stream. Perhaps he then thought of his friend VioU's 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, be 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 bd 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 Violl 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 18 1 8, 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. ."Ans. 'My parents told me that I was sprinkled when - 1 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 pfivileges, 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 j ' 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, on 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 from 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 sometimes 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 ray 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. Schaeffer was receiving a salary for preaching. I received only thirty-seven dollars of the amount, and unwilling to give further offense, I never jisked 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., August, 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 CHAPTE-R 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 — AUerton, 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 deUvered 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 Ejavid 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 Jiis 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 fox 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 EARUY HISTORY OF THK DfSClPLKS brethren in Deerfield, also C. P. Finch, E. B, Hub- bard, and A. AUerton, helped much both to sow, to 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 AUerton 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 inorning, 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, the 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. G. 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- clinations 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 become 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. 339 In the year 1849, Bro. 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 Bloomin'gdale, 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 1^19, 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. 34I 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 de.acon. 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. DearBro. Campbell: Our general meeting closed yesterday. Such love, such union, not of opinion, but of feith 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 ; 2ndi 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 grekt 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 s6e 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 Ood 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 AUerton, 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, who 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. 34^ EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCipLES CHAPTER XVI. The Churches in North Perry, PainesviUe, 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, families 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, 347 News of this act came quickly to Perry. It was too much ; David Parmly was an offender, 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'." 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- plished, 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 84 1, 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 ?tood by them as a chief dependence, and Bro. Violl 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 18SS1 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 format occupancy of the ground was decided upon. A meeting was held in the month of January, 1843, by E. Williams and Abram Saunders, of Say brook ; 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 William 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 VioU 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 to 1859. ^^°- J°^^ Encell 35° 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. EagleviEle. This church came into existence amidst a " great fight of afflictions." • 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. 351 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 2 1st 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 : " Resolved, 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 quarts, 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 chiirc^. 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 " prove 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 S, 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 been 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, falling 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- 356 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 hdd 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 respectab'e 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 arid see the disciples scattered, and the cause pros- trate. She found another whose Jieart 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, like 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- 3S8 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, VVm. 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 di&ciples 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 tesolved 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 straitness 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 1 836. 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 Taffe being there at the time, he accom- panied Cochrane to Middlebury. The meeting arose to high interest, conversions were taking place 360 EAKLY 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 home, 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. Jewett 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. Broclc- 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 th'e 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 EARLY 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 : 38 ; " 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. 365 Timothy, to go forth proclaiming the glad tidings. His first mission-trip opened at Stovre, 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 hag ' ' 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 1818, 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 hot. 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 miud 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 Jfible — 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 with 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 afflicted, let him pray.' I think the people here must be afflicted — let us pray ! " This excellent man passed away universally respected. He died October 4, 1847, aged 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'encourag-ement 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 Pardeie 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 once 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 Metbodist 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 tff 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 Watehman," 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, 181 5. 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 welcohie. 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 : " WJiereas, 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 devpted husband and their affectionate father. A. S. Hayden, \ F. M. Green, Sec. E. H. Hawley, [■ Com. L. COOLEV, 3 The Church in Aurora. This church was established October 17, 1830, by the indefatigable William Hayden. He laid Tiis 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 iti 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, 376 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 aqd 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 Ruggles, 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 it4:hat 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, frqm 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 must 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, 379 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. Bos worth, A. S. Hay- den, A. Bentley, J. J. Moss, John Henry, Charles McDougall, J. T. Smith, T. Munnell, J. Hartzel. A. AUerton, 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. 381 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 Campbellite 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 was 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 foJlow 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 1 83 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 usedevery 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 few 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, ahd 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. ^8$ 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 Universalism 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, a new 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, i^s first 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 audiencfe 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 chiefiy as a motive to lead man to repentance. He rose above all scholastic philoso- phies, and treated the sacrifice of our holy Redeemer as having a relation To God; To his goviernment ; 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 ; Amy, 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, 18 13, 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 Ijis 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 5th 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. 39$ " Dear Bro. Hayden : "Allegheny, z\st Feb., 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 PittsburRh 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, "J. 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. Havden : "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 loi^-sufTering, 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 hon^e from Pittsburgh, one hundred and twelve in all — four Lord's days. "Yours in the Beloved, "J. P. 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. P. R." " PiXsxys, 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 — Middjebury brethren and all. We have a happy time. " Yours in the hope of Jesus Christ, "J. 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. "J. 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. ^'^ 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 ; ^^^ 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 J 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 i 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 KARLY 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 thfeir 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 r 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 was 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. CampbeJl'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 L9rd'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 6f the cause in £uclid — 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 Euch"d 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 hpnesty 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 35 410 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- iitted. 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 commuility. Bro. Washington O'Connor IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 4H 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, aged 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, and 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 dptain, 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 whiph 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. Allerton, 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 fout 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, Bro. Isaac Errett labored a week, gathering in twenty; and in 1851, 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, it 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 4l8 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 bearing^, 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 ray 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 t)f 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. 42 1 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, the 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. Copley, 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. Finkerton. It is now widening its influence and enlarging its activi- ties under the oastoral charge of £ro. 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, established 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 lines 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 18 1 7 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 Baptiist " 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 11829, ^^ 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'll. go," and Leonard gave notice in Richfield, at Bangs' Corners, that a preacher from Trumbull County would come and preach the everlasting gos- pel. Hayden's limping, white-faced horse, sharing the high enthusiasm of hjs 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 schpol-house. The candles were without candlesticks. Setting them here an^ 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 put: "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 don'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 offered 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 hoyrs 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, Seovill, 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 Bang.s, 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 rilany 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- irrg at all," she said. " Why ? " " Because I believe him to be an impostor." " But why do you wish to 1)elieve 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, tlie 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. AUerton, 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 fulfUling its mission. McDougall became an elder, and died in the faith, honored of all. After a, little, Bro. Wra. 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, Burr 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, 1810, was de.scended 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 <•«//, as he felt and related it, was,, that he loved God and loved meUi 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 ./or the onset by a fresh study and array of his proofs ; but he found bis 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 vpice 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 Jiis 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 Brunswrick 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 1814. 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 iifteen 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, 183s, 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, Fa., 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 HaiRil- 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. EUery 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 an 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. Churclies 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, on 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,i 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 ability. 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. 441 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 1864, 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 1831 ; 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 first 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 oreacher, 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. His 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. Cooley'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 " Eider " 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 RESEIfVE. 447 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 Hayden was frequently with the brethren ; and William Moody is also well remembered "as handling the Universalisls 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 1 862, 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" 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 ? " 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 Coimty 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. 451 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 per^ns. "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 ohe 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 yours, 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 haptizo. The primary meaning of the word is to dip pr 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 and Rice s 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 re'bently 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- -^"V. 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 kullis 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 whple 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 gos'pel. 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 little was thought of but the speedy and certain capture of the world for Christ The 4S6 EAKLY 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. 457 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 4S8 EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISCIPLES fox go up upon it, he shall even break down thcsir 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 qf 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 jind 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 by delegation in Warren. This convention chose and sent out Walter Scott and William Hayden. In 1829, ^^^ association repeated its work, sending into the evan- gelical field four men — Scott, Hayden, Bentley, and Boswotth. 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 ; (b) 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 bettfer 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 failtires.' 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 ofJpositibn, 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 bfe- 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 VioUs. 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. 46$ CHAPTER XXIV. AN ABBREVIATED ACCOUNT OF CHURCHES OMITTED, OR RECENTLY ORGANIZED, Alliance, Stari 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, 3aml. 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; jEUis 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 ShafiFer, 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 Cyfenius, B. Al- 466 EARLY HISTOKY OF THE DISClPLES ton, W. O'Connor, J. Encell, and R. G. White. Bio. G. W. Mapse, of Illinois, arose in this church. Brookfield, Trumbull 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 ahd Henrjr Hamilton. FreSent 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 6V>.^— Organized May 21, 1842, with five names; John Cyrenius, elder; Established in Kipton, November 27, 1872, with thirty-eighti Daniel Kingsbury and R. C. Eastman, elders j 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 Danzyi Pastor, James Vernon. Chester, Geauga Co. — At the instance of W. A. Lillie and A. Harper, Bro. Hartzel came in October, 1842, when the meet- ings began and continued. Reorganized October, 1852, by C. Smith and A. L. Soule. AloJizo Matthews, overseer ; Cyrus Millard and A. Scott, deacons. A. Burns, W. A. Lillie, and j. G. Coleman, efficient helps. Present oflicers : C. Millard, A. Harper, and C. H. Weltoti, elders ; Porter Scott and Albert Phinney, deacoriS. About forty rtiembers. Denmark, Ashtabula Co.— Planted January, 1857, by Orrin Gates. It had sixteen menkbetS; S. S. Chapiiiiil 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. Chapliian, and the three brothers H. J. White, D. J. White, and R. G. White. Edinburg, Portage Co.— In 1865, a church of thirty members was planted here by S. S, Chapman, with Wm. Cowell and Cyrus IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 467 TuthbuU, elders ; and Jesse Rogers and Gftorge 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. i Edwin Rogers, Linas Rogers, and W. H. kogers, sons of Jesse Rogers. Elyria, Lerain 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 Eira Leonard, A. B. Green came July 4, 1835. In 1836 he 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 AUerton. Reorganized March, 1851, by C. Smith and J. T. Phillips, with thirty-five members. Elders, A. W. Porter and Mile Dugan ; deafcohs, J. L. Jones, Menville Tyrrell. Succeeding elders, A Humeston, Chas. Fowler, H. C. Williamson, 4nd David Campbell. Dea- cons following : Hiram Porter, James McCleeiy, Alex: Camp- bell, Addison Dawson, Jasper Kingsley. Preserit officers j A. Dawson, Lewis Alderman, Menville Tyrrell, overseers ; N. C. Fjsk and S. J* Rand, deacons. GKNEva, Ashtabula Co.— Formed October 17, 1868, with thirty-four members, under the auspices of the Ohio Missionary Society. Present, R. R. Sloan, Isaac Eirett, 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 thby 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, 1871, 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. McKiuney, and Edward Lee. Present number, sixty-fi*e. 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 K. MofTett. 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. 6. Cox. A good church property. IN THE WESTERN RESERVE. 469 HoWLAND, Trumbull 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. Tnttle, 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, Trumbull Co.— In 1842, H. Brockett and J. Henry built up the church with 90. Jeshua Carle and A. J. Luse were the first elders ; Lewis Helton, 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, Mediua Co.^This arose from the church in Wadsworth. It was organi^eid in 1837. 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, Okange, North, Cuyahoga Co. — Formed by A. S. Hayden and M. N. Warren, Jui»« 28, 1845. with fifteen members, I' Increased to about seventy. The elders from the first wfre 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 Boyn ton and Zenas Smith were the overseers ; W, A. Lillie, M. N. Warren, and Solyman Hubbell, were useful helps. Russell, Geauga Ca. — 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, '" *<""' eon- verts. Others were baptized by Lillie. The church was formed with fifteen members, by Chas. F, Bartlett, A. L. M}rron, 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 Eurpka 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 b^gan here his i^seful career. SoUTHINGTON, Trumhtill Co. — An old, stable church. Most of ihe Baptists accepted the principles of reform, when tins 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. 'Branson, 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 liames. Jacob Norman and Simon Baur, elders ; Fiiul Baur and Hiram Stevens, deacons. Bro. O. Gates was a frequent and efficient help, by whom many were added ; also H. 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 Kee&er, 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 Tvith forty- five names. Wm. Nelson was elder ; and Harvey Curtiss, dea- con. H. Reeves and J. Bartholomew, were cooperating {>reachers. 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 was 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, was 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, 1843, 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. - WlLT-OUGHBY, Lake Co. — The members on Waite Hill and about Willoughby were congregated as a church in thattown, 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. Lillie ; 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. AUerton, 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, 38st. 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, 161; 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 Oeveland by the Dis- ciples, 4x9. 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. Eentley, A., 19, 91 ; biography, 102. Birmingham, church, 465. Bloomfield, North, church, 300; reor- ganized, 304. Bloomingdale, Mich., church, 447. Board of managers, Miss. Society, 397. Booth, Rev. Ezra, 250, 251, 252. Bosworth, Cyrus, biography, 109. Boswortb, Marcus, biography, 136. Braceville, church, lyfi, 139. Bristol, North, church, 466. Brockett, H., biography, 307 ; in Sha- lersville, 337. Brookfield, church, 46^. Brown, O. E., 159. Burnet, D. S., 385, 448. Brunswick, [Pompey Street), 432. Burns, A., 466, 467, 470. Burton, church, 234. Butler, Dr.*, 446. Camden, {Ki^ton), Church, 466. Campbell, Thos., biography, 41; visits the Western Reserve, 147 ; letter to Rigdon, 2x7. Campbell, A., messenger to the M. As- sociation, 3X ; notable sermon, 35 ; bi- ography, 45 ; visits the Western Re- serve, 370; before the skeptics, 366, 37X ; eloquence described, 377 ; ser- mon in Bedford, 390 ; visits Youngs- town, 449, 450. Call, Dana, 448, 467. Canfield, church, 120; established at the Center, X26. Carpenter, L. L., 470. Carson, Alex., 267. Center, Wis,, church, lafi. Chagrin Falls, church, 438. Chapman, S. S., 466. ib. Chardon, church, 223. Chester, church, 466. Christian Baptist, 21, 37. (473) 474 INDEX. Christian ministers of note, 80. Church, Samuel, 284, 253. Clapp, M, S., 193, 195 ; biograpKy, 197. Cleveland, church arising, 4x5 ; organ- ized, 420. Coleman, J. G., 232, 464, 470. Collamer, (Euclid), church, 408. Collins, Wm., 22, 215; biography, 225. Community system, urged by Rigdon, 298. Cooley, L., 421, 444. Correspondence, Dr. E. Parmlv and Prof. Anthon, 452, Creed of the M. Association, 27. . Cyrenius, John, 465, 466. Death of Prominbnt 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, 4x5. Discburses, x8, 35, 320, 366, 390. Discussions, Campbell and Walker, 18 ; Campbell and McCalla, 2x ; 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 Hayden, with Stedman and Locock, 439 ; Garfield and Denton, 441 ; Campbell and Un- derbill, 417. Dixon, Henry, 447, 448, 467. Eagleviixe, Church Formed, 350. East Cleveland, church, 421. Eaton, North, church, 443. Eclectic Institute, origin and establisb- ment, 260. Edinburg, church, 466. Elyria, church, 467. Errett, Isaac, loi, 304, 44a Errett, J. W., loi, 228, 471. Euclid, (CoUamer), church, 408. Evangelist, call for, 55 ; Scott appointed, 58. Everest, H. W,, 448, 470. Expectation of the millennium, 183, Fairfield, East, Church, iix. 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 £., 86, lox, xxS. 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. Hahden, Church, 468. Hamilton's Corners, church, 4^. Hartford, church, 468. Hartsgrove, church, 468. Hartzel, Jonas, experiences of, 313. Hawley, E. H., 359, 349. Hayden, William, chosen evangelist, X74; biography, 176. Hayden, Walter S., 228, 442, 453. Hayden brothers, William W., Warren L., and Morgan P,, 323. Henry, John, X29 ; 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., sketch of, 31X. Hubbard, church, 272. Hudson, church, 384. Huntsburg, church, 468. Incidents, 406. Itineracy, system of, 370. 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, 2x5. 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, x8. 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, I 395»396. LilUe, W. A., 230, 466, 470. Little Mountain, church, 469. Lordstown, church, loi. Lucy, G. W., n8, 304, 461. 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 sisters, 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. "3- Mitchell, James, Nathan, David, 94. Mitchell, James, 115. Moffiit, Robert, 397, 468. Mogadore, church, 361. Montville, church, 469. Moody, Wra., 430. Morgan, (Rock-Creek), church, 469. Mormonism, advent of, 209. Moss, J. J., ig6, 215, 410. Munson, church, 229. Nelson, {Saptisf}^ 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. Nickei^on, 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, xi8. Pinkerton, Dr. L. L., 423. Pompey Street, {Brunswick), church, 432. Pool, Dr. W. F., 360. Porter, Nathan, 22, 225. Pow, George, 1 19. Preacher's meeting, origin of, 403. Preliminary agencies, 18. Quarterly Meeting in Bkaceville, 65. Quarterly Meeting in East Fairfield, III. Queries, 24. Raines, Avlett, 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, 938. 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, 245. Sackbt, Myron, 224. Salem, church, I iG; re-established, 1x9. Saunders, Abram, 348, 468. Schaeffer, John, experiences of, 324. Schooley, Wm., biography, 83, 125. Scofield, Edward, 23, 281, 424, 428. Scott, Walter, appointed evangelist, 58 ; biography, 61 ; among the churches, 65; begips in New Lisbon, 72; in Canfield, 120; in Austintown, 129: report to the association, 17X. Secrest, John, So. Shalersville, church founded, 334. Sharon, Baptist church, 267 ; McCleery family, 267 ; church formed, 269 ; as- sociation in, 270. Sloan, R. R., 467, 472. Smith, Calvin, biography, 284. Smith, John T.,^73. Solon, church, 471. Southington, church, 47Z. Stewart, John B., 434. Stowe, church, 382 ; reorganized, 385. Streator, L. P., 146. Streator, M. J., 146, 443. Sullivan, church, 472. System of itiueracy, 270. Tbagardbn, S. B., 1Z9. Thayer, Dr. I. A., 2S3, 466. Thompson, church, 471. Trumbull, church, 471. Turney, A. S., 348, 467, Union of "Christians" and Disci- ples, 125. Union o( Christians illustrated, 162. Union of principles explained, 163. Van Hokn, x27. 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, {Baptts^f church, origin of, 91. Warren, siege of, 95. Warrensville, church, 472. Webb, E. H., 348. Wellsburg, church, 31. West, Eld. Wm., 127, laB. 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It is a neatly printed and well bound 12mo vol., of 667 pages. Price $2.50. Agents Wanted in every State and county. Genuineness and Authenticity OF 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 PreAyter. ' This book is well filled with sound argument and criticism, and is of great importance. — Gkrvstian R&iord. The work is scholarly, the argument clear and forcible, the facts well chosen and arranged. — The Evangelist. We have read it with alrtjost 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 arid Chronicle. Many will thank him for doing the work so well.— TAe Advance. 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PubUshers, CINCINNATI. Publications of Chase & 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, wUhout 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 tine English Cloth, $4.00 ; Sheep, Library Style, $5.00. Terms to. Agents very liberal and correspondence invited. CHASE & HAI.L, PnbUshen, CINCINXATI. NEW EDITION.-NOW READY. A SOEIPTUEAL YIEW OF THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, BIT iDi?/. :hj. i?.ios:^K.iDso3sr. 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 conRti-uction of his sentences mark Dr. Bichardeon as one of the purest and best writers in the Reformation. We urge the study of this book upon our youiif; ministers as a model of fine composition." — Apostolic Times. " There is no one among us nor among any other religious body better qualified to present the ' Scriptural View ' than our venerable brother, K. Bichardiion." — The Ohrislian. Agents Wanted in every County in the United States. CHASE & HALIi. PubUiibers, CINCINNATI.