KJLiJlhiJktJiMA*^ib^i^^mJkt>J^mtkbjkmJkKtit^,^^kmJ^^ rt w m* mmmmmmmmumpatamm mmmmammmtmmemm uamammmmim WWW V W "¥" f W ' T ' 'yiT' i f ^ r y y y y y y T y y '» ^P " !' yy y f ' v y t A AAA^AAA^AH (tiifcibA4ihAA AAA i 4A A A A , , j i| ft , Ai Ai m ^. ri tfci i A li A i k IHi h A k i*«aw«waBaM«nia ■■■■■HiHaanansBaaaanRiQBaaMBBawiM ■■■■■■■■■■■■■BBMW MI III Iil l 'l — B— WMM ^ yy y fyyyyyy y yyyyyy y>yv < y i y yiy y ny < 4i>j >in y> n y»^iyN. i ^ iiii ^ .i "yyiF" tftffliMBttilM^M» ^rt ^^M 1 ^^-|y, ,ja^ ^5^^^P M CABIN IN AVHICH THE FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED. HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF — IOWA BAPTISTS COMPILED AND EDITED UNDER THE AUTHOKITY OF THE IOWA HAPTIST STATE CONVENTION BY REV. S. H. MITCHELL, HISTORIAN OF THE CONVENTION, WITH AN INTRODUCTION T5Y D. P. SMITH. D. D. ---^^#^ BURLINGTON, IOWA: BURDETTE COMPANY. V C\/ •^-^-^^c^ COPYRIGHT 1886. BURDETTE COMPANV, ISI^RT-INCTON, IOWA. COKTEMTS. I»AGE. Prel'acu 5-7 Introduction i)-17 First Church 19-22 First Association 23-28 Early Worli 29-34 Pioneers— Educational Plans 35-40 Rapid Growth Home Miss. Soc.\ . . 41-46 Am. S. S. Union 47-52 Missionary Work— State Convn. . . 5'5-fiO Progress tjl-6ti Educational Society, etc 67-72 Western and North-Eastern la 73-80 Reminiscence 81-100 Associations: Des Moines 101-114 Davenport 115-132 Oskaloosa 133-144 Fox River 145-1.54 Centerville 155-164 Central , 16.5-17S Eden 187-196 Dubuque 197-218 Cedar Valley 219-236 Bedford 237-242 Southwestern , 243-251 Linn 2.55-26:i Iowa ^"alley 267-276 PAGE. Western 277-284 Keokuk 28.5-294 Burlington 29.5-310 Washington 311-324 English River 32,5-3:^2 Turkey River 33;i-344 Upper Des Moines 345-368 East Grand River / •J68-"8'> Murray * ' East Nodaway , 383-386 Sioux Valley 387-392 Atlantic , 393-400 Colored 401-406 German 406-407 Scandinavian 407-408 Swedish 408 Danish and Norwegian 408 Early Mlss'y Work in Central la.. 179-186 Reminiscence 4D9-416 State Convention 417-424 Educational Work ^ 42.5-434 Home Mission Society 4.3.5-440 Foreign Missions 441-446 Sunday School Work 447-4.54 Institutions of Learning 455-463 Biographical 464-470 ( )bituary Notes 471-504 LIST OF ILLUSTR/ITIOKS. PAGK. Cabin in which Danville Church Organized Frontispiece Organization of First Association 24 Portraits: page. Rev. Charles E. Brown 40 Rev. J. F. Childs .56 Rev. John E. Clough 72 Dexter P. Smith, D. D 104 E. E. Lewis, Esq 136 J. A. Nash, D. D 168 Rev. James Sunderland 300 R. Garton,, D. D 232 Hon. M. T. V. Bowman 264 John W. Burdette '. 296 Rev. Morgan Edwards 328 Rev. S. H. Mitchell 360 Rev. T. S. Griffith 392 Rev. C. E. Hlggins 434 E.G. Spinney, D. D 456 Rev. A. G. Eberhart 488 ERRATA. Page 106, line 20, for 1848, read 1845. Page 115, line 2, for Dubuque, read Davenport. Page 215, line 31, for Winterset, read Winthrop. PREFACE. The writer of the following Sketches would fain preoccupy the mind of the reader with a few preliminary observations, the better to prepare the said reader to take the succeeding pages at their true value and to get the most out of them. First: If he is examined as to how he came to undertake the work, such as it is; ask the bud just ready to change into the most common of flowers, how it came to be the bud that it is. It cannot tell. You can not tell. There has been a beginning— back where? A process of growth —how? perhaps long before it developed into conscious bud (ism). So the present work has been a growth; long a hidden growth, so to speak, be- fore there was any conscious purpose in the mind of the writer. He will try to explain. When, twenty-four years ago this past January, the present writer was appointed General Missionary and Financial Agent of the Iowa Baptist State Convention, Baptist work in the largest part of the State was in its infancy. Newer than we then realized. Only three Associations in the State were more than ten years old, and one of them had already passed away, giving place, however, to two others. Entering into the State work under these conditions with everything abcut it to learn; entering into it with all the energy of our being, and making it a part of our life, and our life a part of its life, we were compelled to study the situation in all its phases. Nothing in its past history escaped our attention. Nothing that came into notice at all. Seven years were thus spent in continuous annual contact with the work and workers. Now in the centers, now off on the borders. Most of those who had made beginnings were still at their posts and we learned to know them and to love them. During the whole quarter of a century our relation to State work has been almost continuous,either as a member of the Board or as a Missionary pastor. For twenty-tive years we have attended every annual meeting of the Convention but one. Incidents, names, ;ind associations were all this time being cherished in the memory, and others laid by in the library, most of the time without any conscious purpose as to their future use. So much for predisponent growth. Again in 1884, the fifti- eth year of Baptist life in Iowa, in the ordering of Providence the writer was pastor of the Danville Church which should have celebrated its fifti- eth anniversary at the close of that year. This Drought the matter up afresh, and with the advice of friends the Historical Sketches of Iowa Baptists began, in a series of numbers in the Standard. The rest the reader knows. 6 pk?:face. Secoxd. The reader must be reminded how ruefully condensed, much of such a history must be in order to at all touch points in them- selves all worthy of a larger place. In 1876, in one of the oldest Associ- ations a committee was appointed to prepare "a Centennial History'' of the Association. The chairman of that committee was a very intelligent minister and a scholar, not now in the flesh. After carefully looking over the ground for a year, and taking in something of its dimensions he did not attempt to write a history but made a report in which he said: "A history of the Association that would be at all satisfactory, must necessarily embrace an extent of matter which would make a volume. For example. The Association, organized in 1839, has been perpetuated, through a series of changes, to the year 1877 (the date of the report). The law of its preservation is deserving of attention as well as the body of the principles involved in its organization. The names of seventy- flve churches appear on the record, having been in existence for longer or shorter periods. Their localities and the causes which effected their extinction, and other matter connected with their existence ought to be noticed. On these same records we find the names of 153 ministers of the gospel. Historical sketches of many of these men would be essential to the history of the Association. Other faithful laborers in the vine- yard, both brothers and sisters, would need mention. The labors of these ministers and others furnish an exhibition of zeal, self-denial, and devo- tedness, and a constancy of faith and noble endurance for Christ's sake, which ought to have special mention in detail. '1 he territory at the time these elder brethren begun their work was largely in possession of various Indian tribes, and consequently uncultivated, and, though a beautiful country, was, still a wilderness. Then it ought to be shown in the history that the distinguishing characteristic of the Association in point of doctrine is, as Dr. Mosheim defines it with regard to that long succession of ancient Baptists, who lay concealed in almost all the coun- tries of Europe, before the rise of Calvin and Liuther and who held 'that the invisible church is inaccessible to the wicked and unrighteous, and is exempt from all those institutions which human prudence suggests to oppose the progress of iniquity, or to correct and to reform transgres- sors." It will be seen by the above that an adequate history of a single association would require a vobme of little less dimensions than that which has been practicable to us in sketching the whole state. After the printing of the first few forms the assiduous application of the con- densing process was ever present as an imperative necessity. Third. The friendly reader will bear in mind that, whatever may have been our means of knowing of the things whereof we have written, many things have transpired in the history of Iowa Baptists, known and PREFACE. 7 remembered by ditt'ere lit brethren, that it has been impossible for the writer, or any other one person to know, and that there has been no ap- propriation of money nor other means provided to enable the historical committee to go about the state and hunt up all the pioneers and find out all they know. Furthermore, it was said some years ago by a once distingu'shed divine, that it was quite possible for people to remember very distinctly events that had never taken place. It will not be sur- prising if some who were active in the earlier years, may, in the infirm- ity of years, remember things differently than they appear on such rec- ords as have been accessible. That errors will have crept into the book, is doubtless inevitable, but great pains have been taken to make it as ac- curate as possible, depending upon, and carefully consulting the records wherever personal knowledge, or the Knowledge of some well-known brother has not been available, and imparting only such facts as are borne out by these sources. Fourth. Our venture is sent forth with no claims for literary ex- cellence. We have not attempted to write essays on the matters intro- duced, nor to exhibit rhetorical skill, nor to deal in figures of speech. The one paramount desire that has dictated these sketches has been to honor God by presenting and preserving a record that would justify the now historic exclamation, "What hath God wrought!" in looking over our past history; to awaken pious recollections, to sanctify personal and religious associations as God does in His providence, turning the hearts of the pious to holy remembrances of the past, and to afford pleasure to the toilers in life's vineyard, and especially to the fathers and mothers in Israel yet among us, by turning their thoughts to their co- laborers who have gone before, and to the displays of divine grace with which our past history abounds, and finally to preserve for the future historian a mass of material which, else, must in a few years have been lost. We are persuaded that whatever the merit of the book, the time is fast passing when its preparation on its present plan would have been possible. S. II. M. IKTRODUCTIOK. FAITHFUL transmission of the recoi'ds of each generation, involves a legitimate re- sponsibility. "One generation shall praise thy works to another." Psalms 145:4. From the earliest ages, stones have been set up, monuments builded, histories, more or less in detail written and repeated to children and children's children ; enabling them intelligently, and as enjoined, "abundantly, to utter the memory of God's great goodness." Psalms 145:7. "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty j^ears." Deut. 8:2. Iowa Baptists, acknowledging the validity of the obli- gation, requested Rev. S. H. Mitchell to write their history and cancel the claim. Mr. Mitchell has not betrayed the trust committed. Pledges of fidelity to persons, organiza- tions, and the denomination, have been scrupulously kept, and the sanguine expectations of his many friends more than realized. For his exhaustive, painstaking labor, in gathering material, and pushing the work to an early com- pletion, he is worthy of all praise. The history of Iowa Baptists is nearly or c|uite co-ex- tensive with the history of the State. The exhaustive his- tory of the one involves frequent allusions to the other. 10 INTRODUCTION. Baptist churches, with other Christian organizations, liave exerted a silent, nndictatorial, but felt, modifying influence, in the enactment and execution of laws, and the founding of humane institutions. There has always been a vital, though not organic union of this Commonwealth with Christianity. True, the Puritanical "Blue Laws" have been indignantly repudiated ; nevertheless, in the language of E. G. Robison, LL. D., president of Brown University, " the religious wave of the Puritan and Colonial periods, has not become a spent force " in Iowa, The trend of the church has been to unify the people in planning and exe- cutin^for the public weal. It Avas wisely and truthfully said by Carlisle, "there never has been a nation yet, that did anything great, that Avas not deeply religious." The church and the school house (which Baptists have always fostered) have been important factors in the devel- opment of Iowa. By unanimous consent they have been pushed to the front in the progressive line of march. On a time, three Baptist ministers, including the Corre- sponding Secretary and Financial Agent of the Iowa Baptist State Convention, and a distitiguished pastor, while exploring in a destitute part of the State, approached a beautiful lake. The first indication of civilization which attracted their attention was a very beautiful and sub- stantially constructed school house, painted and furnished in a style that would have honored Massachusetts, or any State in the Union. Upon meeting a boy, they asked, "have you a school here?" "Yes," was his reply. "How many scholars attend?" "Three," was the prompt re- sponse. Judge of the surprise of those gentlemen to learn that there was only one family within twelve miles of that lake. But a school house was there, and a trio of Baptist ministers looking for an opening for a mission outpost, and an eligible site for a meeting: house. INTRODUCTION. 11 In another locality, business men of enterprise and push, compreliending the exceptionally rare advantages of the place, liad built a school-house and laid out a town. These gentlemen, making no pretentions to personal piety, but, appreciating the absolute necessity of some religious organization to facilitate the speedy development and highest prosperit}^ of their embryo town, said to one of the Baptist trio of explorers, "send us a preacher and we will build a church at once." The author of these well delineated sketches, causes to pass before the reader a life-like panorama, a pen-picture, illustrating the various stages of development. In this panoramic view, we are first introduced to the early pioneer Baptist, voicing the Macedonian cr}-, "Come over and help us."' In respons(?, a modern Elijah, — a Baptist mis- sionary appears in the scene, crying, in groves and unpre- tentious school houses, "prepare ye the way of the Lord." Soon a Mission Station and a Sunday school spring up, followed by a church and a meeting house. Interested, captivated, we gaze, and lo, and behold, churches are mul- tiplied, associations and the Iowa Baptist State Convention are organized, combining strength, and utilizing agencies, and means for aggressive work. In the back ground are the pastures of tlie buffalo, the elk and the deer, the hunt- ing grounds, the camp fires, the trail of the retiring Indian, who, not infrequently puts in an exciting appear- ance, but wliose trails are often utilized by the pioneer missionary in exploring his field. The passing view, is varied by defeats and victories, clouds, sunshine, seeding and li^rvest. The closing scene anticipates the end — the mutual rejoicing of the sowers, and the reapers, who, hav- ing shouted, "Harvest home!"" will swell the enthusiastic Hosannas, and the Amen ! Made familiar with the mustard-seed sowing, the ger- 12 TNTRODUOTIOlSr. mal life, and incipient growth, we more fully appreciate the subsequent marvelous development. That in the his- tory of Iowa Baptists, there was emphatically a day of small things, is not disguised ; a day when in conscious weakness, the incxuiry doubly italicised, echoed, and re- echoed all along the line, "by whom shall Jacob arise?" for he is small. As we listen, from behind the clouds, the girding response, comes thrilling from lips divine, " not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. " The means and available force, seemed unequal to the work demanded, or the results anticipated. But earnest men, — men of prayer, in the name of the Lord accepted the situation ; and before their practical faith, difficulties gave way, and seemingly, insurmountable obstacles were converted into auxiliaries, to push on the work, and con- summate their hopes. With a faith, which took hold of the Divine arm, — made available the Divine promise, — they identified themselves with the cause while in the dark, and helped it struggle up to the light, — adopted it in its infancy, and helped it on to the maturity of man- hood; — burned the bridges behind them, staking every- thing upon the issue. Some of those self- forgetting, self- sacrificing workers, have lived to see the little one become many thousand, and the small one a mighty force for aggressive work. The reader, as he considers the wonderful change, the multiplied churches, and associations, efficient auxiliaries of the State Convention, marshaling under the watch-word, " Iowa for Christ, " is prompted to underscore the exclam- ation, "What hath God wrought ! " and exultantly call upon the early croakers, to come and walk around our Iowa Zion, — counting her towers of strength, considering her bulwarks of defense, and join in magnifying God's abound- ing grace ; who by favoring providences, and his guiding INTRODUCTION. 13 spirit, led his people, as " by a pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night," into the efficient occupancy of this broad field.^ — this goodly land, than which the sun never rose on one fairer, or invested with more startling possibilities. The uncancelled debt of gratitude, due the American Baptist Home Mission Society, for primary and important work, in planting and fostering the early, and some of the more recently organized churches of Iowa, has not been ignored in these Sketches. She is our acknowledged alma mater- Yes, in a very important sense, the mother of us all. True to her maternal instincts, when her precocious Iowa child, (I. B. S. C.) ambitious to setup independently, and manage for herself, assumed a load too heav}^ for her years, staggered and stumbled, she did not scold ; but, with maternal consideration and sympathy, reached out a helping hand, and established her goings upon a more per- manent basis. Ignore the help of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and some of the most stirring pages in these Sketches, had never been written. Aye, you change the entire record. No marvel, then, that her praise is upon the lips, and her practical sympathy embalmed in the memory and liearts of Iowa Baptists. Long live our fostering mother ! May her efficiency be more and more augmented as the decades roll on. The author has acknowledged and underscored the importance of the Sunday School work. Indeed, the Sun- day School is recognized as an essential factor in the high- est efficiency of the church, an indispensable auxiliary in the execution of her sublime mission. From this source, under God, she has come largely to look for recruits. In- deed, many of her most efficient workers, are honored graduates from the Sunday School. Point us to a church in these times, which ignores the Sunday School, and we will point you to a church whose banners trail in the dust. 14 INTRODUCTION. Every intelligent Baptist will rejoice In the prominence given in this volume to educational matters. There was early manifested a commendable zeal in this direction; that it was always according to knowledge, is not claimed. Pri- mary schools and higher institutions of learning have been established. Burlington College. Osage Seminary, Central and Des Moines Universities, have done a grand work. But, that early and continued concert would have augmented the efficiency of that work, is not questioned. Proposals for the unification of the two Universities, on a liberal basis, have been made, which inspires hope of a brighter day. May it not prove a forlorn hope. The Iowa Baptist Union for Ministerial Education, is the legitimate offspring of the Convention. The author magnifies, but not unduly, the importance of its work. Many of its beneficiaries have developed into efficient pas- tors. Ignore the work of ministerial education, and you strike down many a standard-bearer from Zion's stormy battlements, multiply the number of pastorless churches, recall some of the most successful workers in the foreign field, and forestall some of the grandest achievements for the world's redemption. Said Spurgeon, "The first and most important work of the church, is the multiplication of laborers." And is not that orthodox i Were Christ in person to attend some of our Baptist anniversaries, he doubtless would endorse many resolutions which are spread upon their minutes, sustaining them with overwhelming arguments and moving appeals, stirring the hearts of the most covetous, intensi- fying the practical sympathy of the most benevolent, emptying the coffers of the rich, and calling forth the wid- ow's mite. But were he with his own Divine hand to frame an article to be placed upon these annual documents, char- acteristic of- himself, and bearing upon its very face, a INTRODUCTION. l5 distinctive feature of his own views of Christian agency in building up his kingdom, it doubtless would be couched in his memorable words ; " The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that lie id ill send forth laborers into his harvest.'^'' An enlightened acceptance of the implied conditions of that prayer involves the legitimate work of the Iowa Baptist Union for Ministerial Education. With stirring Macedo- nian appeals coming from the East and the West, — the North and the South ; and harvest fields ripe for the reap- ers, deepening and widening, and waving in the distance, shall that prayer be ignored % Nay verily. It shall never become obsolete until every land, every mountain and val- ley and heathen jungle shall echo and re-echo with the herald voice of salvation. Aye, until the exultant acclaim shall echo from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth, " the kingdoms of this world, are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. " These pages are also enriched with the exceptionally bright record, which Iowa Baptists have made in the Foreign service. Home demands, home destitution, have not been made a pretext for ignoring the claims of the perishing millions in heathen lands. Not only has a liberal response been made to appeals for funds, but some of the choicest of their sons and daughters have been con- secrated to the work; have borne the lamp of life amidst the death shades of benighted millions, perishing beyond the seas. Miss Garton, Miss Miller, Rev. Loughridge and wife, Rev. J. E. Clough and wife, Rev. Dr. Keith and others have performed a work there, the results of which can never be measured, until the influence of their earnest, self-sacrificing toil, reaching down the revolving ages to the end of time, shall have been gathered up and reviewed under the blaze of eternity's broad sun light. 16 INTEODUCTION. Iowa cliurclies instead of being depleted, weakened by this liberal polic3% have been strengthened, built up; for "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and run- ning over," lias been returned. Never were the Iowa churches stronger, or served by more efficient pastors, and educators than now, — men able to measure swords with the champions of infidelity; and, in the name of the Lord, to lead Zion's marshaling hosts into the gathering conflict— a conflict, which in the words of the late George W. Eaton, LL. D., is "more fearful in its aspect and more tremendous in its final issue than ever raged upon the battle field of nations." These sketches were not written by a pessimist or a croaker: they are replete with cheer and hope, coufidentl}^ predicting continued and enlarged success, and in the near or more distant future, a brilliant victory. God speed the predicted day ! I take great pleasure in commending to Iowa, and all Baptists and the reading public this beautiful, well-written volume — replete with facts, stranger than fiction; involving some of the brighest pages and most stirring chapters in the records of the denomination. The author, like Paul, might have indulged in some personal reminiscenses, as of "labors more abundant, in journeyings often, in weariness, in hunger and thirst, in perils by land and by water," amidst burning prairies, blinding- blizzards, storms and devastating cyclones, including provi- dential escapes and miraculous deliverances from the very jaws of death. But constitutional modesty restrained his pen. Moreover, an exhaustive history of Iowa Baptists would involve copious extracts from the great memorial book on high, upon whose enduring pages, unwritten chapters have been stereotyped. INTKODUCTIOI^. 17 But when we meet and greet in the great beyond, having access to those imperishable records, we shall review this history more in detail; not to boast of any labor performed or to murmur of any trials endured. No, no. But to mag- nify the grace which girded for the toil, and sanctified to us the trial; that with a more bounding throb of gratitude and a richer song of praise, we may celebrate the wonderful achievements of the Great Captain of our Salvation; and adoringly cast ourselves and our crowns at His feet, voicing and underscoring those stirring words, '"'■not unto us, not unto 2is, M/t unto tliy name give glory.'''' Dexter P, Smith. CHAPTER I. Beginnings — The First Church — Constituent Members. Illinois Preachers. lOME few years prior to 1834, the date at I which our story begins, in a revival of relig- \ ion, it is supposed, in the Brush Creek Bap- 1 tist church in Green County, Kentuclvy, two young persons of humble parentage and cir- cnmstances were converted to God and immersed into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Their names were William Manly and Hepzibah Mathes. The latter and her sister, afterwards Mrs. Chandler, were baptized into the fellowship of the Brush Creek church by Rev. Johnson Graham, their pastor. In a year or two after their baptism these two were united in marriage, and in 1834 removed to the then territory of Iowa, on the west bank of the Mississippi river. When they landed, where the city of Burlington now is, they found four or five log huts. The spring of 1835 may be regarded as the begin- ning of white settlements in this part of Iowa. There was, as far as is known, no religious organization. Brother and sister Manly and a few other Baptists from Illinois and Kentucky were among the earliest settlers. Though young and inexperienced, and coming to take up their abode in 20 HISTORICAL SKETCHES an almost unbroken wilderness, they had had the fore- thought to bring with them a copy of the articles of faith of the Brush Creek Baptist church, and thej^ were not long to remain without church privileges. There was evidently the will, and the Lord soon opened the way. Desirous of organizing themselves into a regular Baptist church, the hardy pioneers invited Elder John Logan, of McDonough county, Illinois, to come over and preach to them and as- sist them in their purpose. On the 19th day of October, 1834, Elder Logan and Gardner Bartlett arrived in the settlement. On the same evening, in the rude hut of Noble Hously, Elder Logan preached, it is believed, the first sermon ever preached in this part of Iowa, by an evangelical minister to a congrega- tion of white people. On the next day after another ser- mon in the same place, by the same preacher, the following brethren and sisters were organized into the Regular Baptist church at Long Creek, Iowa, now the Danville Baptist church. Their names were : Enoch Cyrus, Rebecca Cyrus, Anna C^-rus, Frank C^a-us, Rachel Dickens, Mary Ann Dickens, Noble Hously, Naomi Housley, William Manly, Hepzibah Manly and Jane Lamb. The Articles of Faith adopted were those of the Brush Creek church, brought by sister Manly, and are still preserved in the records of the Danville churcn. Though somewhat crude in their phrase- ology, they are eminently sound and clear in all the doc- trines that characterize Baptist churches at the present day. Thus we have the record of the planting of the Baptist tree in the soil of Iowa. Before we proceed to note the successive steps of its growth, let us pause for a moment's meditation upon the time. Fifty years ago ! What changes have marked this half OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 21 century in the world's history ! AVhat an epoch in the annals of our Baptist life ! The greatest preacher of mod- ern times, C. H. Spurgeon, was then an infant in his moth- er's arms. A few months before Barnas Sears had baptized that historic group, the hero Oncken and his five associates in Germany. By and by Oncken was to be welcomed, as our annals will show, under the shadow of this Iowa Bap- tist tree, and to water its roots with the refreshing stream of his own gracious life and words. One of the ministries of these reminiscences, we trust, will be to emphasize the preciousness of these sanctified associations of the great Christian brotherhood, to remind us of the connection we are permitted to have with the mighty movements of the age. This Iowa Baptist brotherhood now, in 1834, begins its history with a single church and a membership of eleven souls. A few more may have been received before the year closed. One, still living, sister Chandler of the Danville church, then a widow and sister of Mrs Manly, came within a week or two after the organization. Also AYm. Matlies and family. ''The visits of the Illinois preacher. Elder Logan, were continued, at irregular intervals perhaps, up to the spring of 1836. " Up to this time we have no record of any Baptist minister settled in Iowa. The next record of organization is that of a church about six miles southwest of Burlington, by Elders James Lemen, Moses Lemen and John Clark, from Rock Springs, Illinois. The name at first adopted for this church and an incident out of which the name grew, are suggestive of a struggle already begun, which has since borne a ric^h har- vest to humanity. The name chosen for this second organ- ization was " The Baptized church of Christ, Friends to Humanity. " It had its origin in Kentucky under the labors of Elder Clark who had formerly been a member of 22 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES the M. E. church. When about to close his connection with that body he refused to take his pay for services ren- dered ; the reason stated in his own words being, " It is the price of blood. " When asked, "What shall we do with it then ? " he replied, "Buy a place to bury the negroes in, " which it is said they did. This second Iowa organization was afterwards called" Rock Spring, " and after a few years became extinct. Of the Illinois ministers mentioned above we find the names of Gardner Bartlett, John Logan, Moses Lemen and John Clark, as missionaries of the American Baptist Home Mission Societ}^ in 1834. Some of them two or three years earlier. In 1889 material for histor}^ began to increase, with the first associational organization. This we reserve for the beginning of the next chapter. CHAPTER II. First Association — Name — Ministers. — Second Asso- ciation — Early Churches. jT is the characteristic of Baptist churches to seek association as drops of water flow into each other. Accordingly, as soon as there are three or four churches in the new territory of Iowa, we find tliem moving into association. The third church organized seems to have been the Pisgah church, twelve miles north of Burlington, in 1838, and the fourth probably the Union church, in Lee county, not far from the Des Moines river, in 1839. In August, 1839, at the regular monthly meeting of the Long Creek (now Danville) church, they were met by delegates from the Rock Spring and Pisgah churches, and the first asso- ciational organization took place. The place of meeting was in a grove about fourteen miles west of Burlington. The entire membership of the three churches was less than ninety, the number of delegates present ten. "The organ- ization was effected and the entire business of the meeting transacted, while nine of these delegates sat in a row on a log, and the Moderator stood before them supported by the back of a chair." 24 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES It appears from the only data in my possession that Jonah Todd was Moderator, and Alexander Evans, Clerk, and that Hezekiah Johnson preached the introductory sermon. The name at first chosen was "The Iowa Baptist Association." This was afterwards, upon the organization of another, changed to the Des Moines Association. It did not, perhaps, occur to the brethren at the time that they should, in many years, be under the necessity of changing the name to make it appropriately descriptive. As illustrative of the '"unexpected" that has been con- stantly "happening" in the growth of this great region, I am reminded here of an incident related to me by one who was, if I remember correctly, present, at a somewhat earlier date. It was in Northern Ohio or Western New- York. A Baptist Association was being organized, and it had been proposed to call it the Northwestern Baptist Association. It was then the farthest northwest of any Baptist organization. The name seemed appropriate, and was about to i)ass unchallenged. But there was one brother more sanguine than the rest who, with some hesitation, evidently feeling that he might be regarded as a little wild, drew himself up and said something like this; "Brethren, I don't know about the name. It maybe that the time may come when it would be a misnomer. Indeed," said he, "I should not be surprised if some of us should live to see the day when there will be a Baptist Association still west of us^ This was scarcely more than two generations ago. Comment is not needed. We come now to note the beginnings of growth. The mustard seed has been planted in the garden of Iowa soil, and the branches have begun to put forth. We take our first standpoint at the year 1840. The mother church is now six years old. To the four churches OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 25 before iianied, Long Creek, Rock Spring, Union and Pisgah, liave now been added one each at Davenport and Le Claire, and possibly at Dubuque and Keosauc^ua. Later tables place the organization at Dubuc^ue in 1841, and the one at Keosauqua seems never to have had more than a very dim "visibility." The ministers who entered the State prior to 1840, were Alexander Evans, Hezekiah John- son, Ezra Fisher and Calvin Greenleaf. The only account I have found of the last is that he was under commission of the Home Mission Society at Davenport, in 1839 eight weeks, and from 1835 to 1838 at Griggsville, Illinois. Alexandei" Evans was under appointment at Burlington and surrounding country four years — 1839 to 1841 inclu- sive — except less than half of 1841. Hezekiah John- son was under appointment most of the time as an itin- erant from 1839 to 1844. He came from Ohio in 183G, and left for Oregon in 1844. Elder Evans came from Indiana in 1839, and left for Oregon in 1845. During four j^ears of this time he was pastor of the Long Creek Church. The spiritual activity of these pioneers must have been remark- able. In a history of the oldest Church, Rev. R. King says, ''One peculiar feature was its gradual and constant growth. Conversions seemed to take place through the entire year, and baptisms are reported at twenty-three regular monthly meetings, in a period of four years and ten months." In 1841 a Church was organized at Farmington, and also one at Muscatine, then called Bloomington, probably by Ezra Fisher. In the same year W. B. Morey is commissioned by the Home Mission Society thirteen weeks at Iowa City. The next year, 1842, marks an epoch in our history upon which we may well bestow more than a passing notice. "In response to a call voted by the Des Moines Association in 1841, a Convention of brethren from the Baptist churches in Iowa Territory, was held in Iowa City on the third and 8 r ~ ^ "~™~ 26 HISTORICAL SKETCHES fourth days of June, 1842, to consider the expediency of forming a Territorial Association for Missionary purposes." The names are preserved of twenty -five delegates who were present at tliis meeting, eight ministers, and seventeen laymen. The names are as follows: Elders Ezra Fisher, B. Carpenter, Hezekiah Johnson, J. W. Todd, M. J. Post, W. B. Morey, Charles E. Brown and Ira Blanchard. Lay- men, Stephen Headly, Amos Matthews, M. W. Rudd, J. M. Choate, J. Brown, A. Denison, J. Parks, J. Wolf, R. C. Mason, Henry A. Ritner, Joseph Downing, E. Whipple, Henry Headly, John N. Headly, AVm. Elliott, John Potter and Benjamin F. Pike. Of these Rev. Charles E. Brown is still living in Northern Iowa, his praise in many churches where he has labored in word and doctrine during the forty -four years of the Convention history. M. W. Radd recently closed a quiet and useful life in Washington, Iowa, and was pro- moted to a well-earned rest above. This brother, with perhaps some others, walked seventy-five miles to attend the meeting for organization of the Convention. Of another brother yet living, we use his own words: He was "a poor bashful boy, afraid of his own shadow, far from home, in a land of strangers, glad to be let alone." This was William Elliott. A licentiate at rlie time, he was not long let alone. His shadow certainly never grew less, nor is it likely that his fear increased. He was ordained in the fall of the same year at Rochester, three miles from Keusauqua. Members of the council were, Hezekiah Johnson, A. Burnett, Alexander Evans, M. J. Post, John Bond, Daniel Jewett and M. W. Rudd. For over forty-one years he "has travelled over the trackless prairies, by night and by day, swimming swollen streams and preach- ing the Gospel continually." "His natural force," not yet OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 27 greatly "abated,*' lie has recently gone to Nebraska to try again pioneer life. Bro. Elliott was probably the first Baptist minister ordained in Iowa, unless M. J. Post was ordained here. There were now, at the organization of the convention, 382 members in the territory in somewhere from ten to fifteen churches. At the same meeting at Iowa City, "delegates from the churches north of the Iowa River had an informal meeting and considered the matter of forming another dis- trict association;" and September 16, of the same year, a meeting was held in Davenport, "in a small one-and-a-half story building on Front Street," and the Davenport Asso- ciation was constituted. There were delegates present from seven churches, including the one at Rock Island in Illinois. The aggregate membership was eightj'^-six. As illustrating some of the experiences of these pioneers, and the questions to be settled. Rev. Charles E. Brown, who was at the organization, says, "Fixing the time of year for the annual meeting of the Association was attended with some difficulty. There were two considerations to be taken into the account. (1), To avoid the sickly season, and (2), to have the meeting to occur at the time of the year when wild fruits, fresh vegetables and fat chickens would be plenty. The Friday before the third Sunday in September was fixed upon, and so remained until 'wise men came from the East' and said the time must be changed to the middle of the week." AVe will now take our stand at 1844, the completion of one decade. Membership in the State has increased to 592; forty-two baptisms are reported for the year. Churches, not before mentioned, have been organized, at Washington in 1841, at Bonaparte in the same year, at Iowa City 1842, and the Providence church near Troy, 28 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. Davis county, in 1842. The last is a country church and seems to have maintained its existence until the present time. Of the beginning of the work at.Washington, we have some data worth the mention. The town of Wasliington, Washington county, was located in 1839. The first Bap- tists in the county were Deacon Calvin Craven and his wife, who settled six miles northwest of the town in 1840, On Saturday, October 2, 1841, they, with Isaac Arnold and wife, and Samuel Kitz and wife, with perhaps some others, were organized into a Baptist church. Elder H. Johnson preached a sermon from Daniel ii. 44. This is probably the oldest record of the text of a sermon preached in Iowa. Bro. Craven is still living at his home occupied in 1840, his wife having recently preceded him to the better home above. At the close of this first decade the Home Mission Society is found vigorously pushing its work in Iowa Ter- ritory. In 1842 it has had seven missionaries here, and in 1843 eight. But in 1844 the number is increased to twelve. They are H. Johnson, itinerant, C. E. Brown, Davenport (twenty-six weeks), B. Carpenter, Dubuque, M. J. Post, Fox River, Wm. Elliott, itinerant, J. N. Seeley, Bloom- ington (Muscatine), W. B. Morey, Iowa City, Daniel Dye, Davenport (twenty-six weeks), Edwin S. Byron, Dubuque (twenty-six weeks), Hamilton Robb, Keosauqua, Horace Eaton, Davis county, and Wm. Sperry, Dubuque (twenty- six weeks). It will be seen then how the branches of the Baptist tree are gradually spreading over Iowa soil. CHAPTER III. Peculiarities of the Field— Ai>f ecu otes of Early Iowa History — Elements of Growth— Seed- Sowing — Colporteur Work — Baptist Centres — Disappointments. EFORE proceeding to sketch the growth of Iowa Baptists in the second decade, begin- ning with 1845, it may be well to note some of the peculiarties ot the field in which this growth was to take place. In 1834, when onr story began, the territory now com- prising the state of Iowa was "placed under the jurisdiction of the territory of Michigan. Two years later the territory of Wisconsin was created, including what is now Iowa. In 1838 Iowa itself was made a territory, and December 28, 1846, it was admitted to the Union as a State." [See Ency- clopedia Britannica; Article, Icnoa.^ In 1836 there were but two counties, Des Moines, with a population of 6,257, and Dubuque, with 4,274 ; total 10,531. It would be safe to assume that the elements of society opposed to the gospel would be about the same here as elsewhere. The followers of Cain had preceded, probably, those of him whose blood "speaketh better things than that 30 HISTORICAL SKETCHES of Abel." The first execution for murder was in June, 1834, that of Patrick O'Connor, at Dubuque, for the murder of one George O'Keaf. Judge Lynch presided at the trial. Two or three anecdotes will serve to show some of the forms of sin. About 1839 there was a dispute between Iowa and Missouri concerning the boundary line between them. A strip of territory six miles wide was claimed by both. It was likely to come to arms. Angry forces were gather- ing on either side and moving to the front, when happily better counsels prevailed, and the dispute was settled in favor of Iowa. It is related that before the settlement one Iowa officer started to the Missouri border with rliirty men and six provision wagons. Of the ^ys. fixe were freighted with whisTiey. In 1841 an anti-slavery meeting at Washington was being addressed by Samuel Howe, of Mount Pleasant, and a Congregational preacher from Brighton, Iowa. An attempt was made to break up the meeting. Here again the principal disturbing elements were whiskey and the loungers about the saloon. There is evidence that our Baptist fathers were actively engaged for the right from the first. The following anecdote illustrates the kind of appeal our hardy pioneers were wont to make, and their success, often- times, with the roughest characters. It was in Dubuque. A person was soliciting aid of a number of young men to build the first meeting house in the territory — a Metho- dist. The solicitor is described as a tall, angular, some- what uncouth frontiersman, with only one eye. One of the group of young men solicited, responded, '"he would give a dollar towards the building of a gambling house, but nothing for a church." The old man drew himself up, and directing his one eye upon the group, said in a mild OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 31 tone of voice: "You are all young men who, I have no doubt, have been raised by Christian parents. Many of you may live to raise families upon 'the Purchase.' If so, I am sure none of you will blush when you tell your children that you helped to build the first meeting house on the 'Blackhawk Purchase.'" After two or three min- utes' silence, the young man broke out: "Old Hoss, here's a dollar," and was followed by all the others with from fifty cents to a dollar each. We turn now more directly to our own history for the second decade. During the first half of this period, from 1845 to 1850, the growth seems to have been rather slow. It was the time of the great movement across the plains to Oregon and California. Prior to 1850 no less than five of the pioneer Baptist ministers of Iowa had removed to Oregon, and were followed soon after by two or three others. In 1845 there were 190 Baptisms, and the total membership was 523. There were yet but the two Associa- tions. The third Association, the Fox River, was not organized till 1849. This was on the southern border, stretching towards the Missouri River. Churches not before mentioned had been organized at Mount Pleasant in 1843, at Agency City in 1844, at Liberty ville in 1845, and at Fairfield in the same year. At Blue Grass, in Scott county, there was an organization in the same year (1845); also the Liberty cliurch, near Charleston, in Lee county. At Lamotte, Jackson county, in 1844, and Maquoketa in 1848, and in the same year at Marion, Linn county. In 1849, probably, there were two churches organized in Davis county,— North Union and Chequest Union. There seems to have been an organization at Leon, in Decatur county, as early as 1848. To those at all observant of the geography of Iowa, these figures will be instructive as to the spread of the work in those parts of the state. 32 IIISTOEICAL SKETCHES From a table furnislied by Rev. T. S. Griffith, then of Keokuk, in 1862, for the dates respectively of 1850 and 1861, we have the following facts. The statistics are said to be as nearly correct as could be furnished at the time. There were, in 1850, Baptist churches in 25 of the 100 coun- ties of the state. Whole number of churches 54 ; ministers 32; members, 1,654; baptized previous to that date, 1,095; meeting houses, 13 in 9 counties. According to the Con- vention Minutes the whole number in 1850 Avas 1,144, The discrepancy would be easily accounted for by allow- ing for unreported churches and members. The estimated value of church property at this time was $23,700. In the foregoing statistics I have tried to photograph the elements of growth in our Baptist Zion up to the date named. One of the earliest pioneers, speaking of the con- ditions of this work, says: "These were not the days of railroad coaches and cushioned carriages, but of immigrant trails, unbridged rivers, creeks and sloughs, old lumber wagons, prairie schooners and worn-out saddles. One missionary and his wife came forty miles to the first meet- ing of the Davenport Association on a one-horse cart, constructed out of the hind wheels and axle of an old lumber wagon, with a couple of old rails for thills and a bundle of oats for a cushion.'' It is said that the good people of Davenport, even at this early day, evinced a little pride in the nervous haste with which, as soon as the min- ister and his wife had alighted, they "hustled the cart behind the barn." Doubtless an important factor in the seed-sowing of these early days, from which a rich harvest has since been reaped, was the dissemination of religious books. In 1844, Lewis Colby, a publisher in New York, consigned to M. W. Rudd six hundred dollars' worth of books, which Bro. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 33 Rudd carried from settlement to settlement, on his back, and on foot, striding his way often, he says, for miles, with a pack of books almost as heavy as a bushel of wheat upon his shoulders. One trip he gives an account of, in which he visited Maquoketa, Anamosa, Marion and Cedar Rapids, and thence to the home of L. F. Temple, near Agency City; thus almost encircling the settlements of the entire territory -of that time. Who can estimate the fruits that may be gathered in tlie Lord's own way and time, from the seed thus laboriously sown 'i L. F. Temple and the Baptist settlement at Agency City, evidently, at one time, promised to become an important Baptist center. It was at the very border line of the "New Purchase," and to all appearance an important strategic point for our broad-minded fathers to occupy for the prosecution of the great work which they already discerned in the opening domain, stretching out to the west and north beyond. Although unforseen changes caused their plans seemingly to fall to the ground for the time, we cannot but admire the courage and tlie foresight, as well as the conse- cration to the Master's cause, that show themselves in the plans proposed by those who first began to occupy this field. L. F. Temple yielded to the force of the gold excitement that swept so many across the plains, went to California, and died of cholera at New Orleans on his return to "the States." How many disappointments of our work have grown out — not of mistakes in locating churches and enterprises, we can hardly call them mistakes; but — of changes in sur- roundings and conditions that have rendered it necessary to do our work over again. Many of the churches organ- ized in the first two decades of our history did not survive the third. Camps of drill, they were, and halting stations, 34 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. and like individual Christian lives, though dead they yet speak. Nothing has been lost that was done for Christ. "Man proposes but God disposes." In our next chapter we shall seek to unfold the history of movements in connection with missionary and educa- tional work, to be followed by the spread of associational and church organization in the newer parts of the state. There will necessarily be less of detail and more of general survey. CHAPTER lY. OuK Cultured and Broad-Minded Pioneers — Educa- tional Plans — Institutions of Learning — Con- ventions, Etc — Items from Records of 1853. E have already referred to the foresight and breadth of view of the Iowa Baptist pio- neers. While, as a rule, it is necessarily true that pioneer work is largely done by hardy but illiterate men, it is a notable fact that among the first Baptist ministers of Iowa were a goodly number of educated and thoroughly well-informed men who knew the value of missionary and educational insti- tutions, and who were profoundly impressed with the possibilities and necessities of the opening fields west of the Mississippi. As early as 1844, at the third annual meeting of the convention held at Mount Pleasant, a com- mittee was appointed to report on "the expediency of es- tablishing an institution of learning" in the territory. There were then 502 members in a population of 75,450, or one Baptist in 150 of population. The report of the com- mittee was in these words : '■'' Itesolmd, That the establishment of an institution of learning at some eligible point in the territory by the Bap- 36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES tist denomination is a subject of vast importance, and that it is the duty of this convention to take immediate and vig- orous measures towards the consummation of this object." A committee was appointed "to confer with citizens in the territory and receive proposals towards procuring a site for and defraying the expenses of erecting suitable build- ings for said institution." The Davenport Association in the following September endorsed this action and pledged co-operation. In May 1845 the General Association, though no place had been fixed upon, resolved, "still urg- ing the importance of the subject upon the attention of the brethren," and appointed a committee "to take the prelim- inary steps for commencing a literary institution adequate to the wants of Iowa Territory." Rev. Luther Stone, then of Burlington, was chairman of this committee, and asso- ciated with him were Revs. J. N. Seele}^, C. E. Brown, Wm. Elliott, M. J. Post, and several la3^men. At the meeting in 1846, held at Iowa City, the chairman of the committee, Luther Stone, having removed from the territory, the other members of the committee held a meet- ing and reported that "we deem it highly important to enter into immediate arrangements for establishing said literary institution, and that we present the various propo- sals received to the Convention in committee of the whole, to discuss and decide upon the respective claims." After a lengthy discussion it was voted by a majority of three to locate at Agency City, Wapello county. This vote, how- ever, was immediately after reconsidered and so the matter rested for a brief space. Incipient steps had already been taken looking to the formation of an Iowa Baptist Educational Society. This society held its annual meeting in connection with the Con- vention in 1847, and records this item in the minutes : OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 37 "In consideration of the donations and subscriptions of the citizens of Agency City, ^^ Resolved, That an institution of learning be located at that place."' Though nothing more seems to have been done for some four years after this, it is plainly seen how much the hearts of those then toiling on this field were enlisted in laying broad foundations for its effective cultivation for Christ. It is a reasonable inference that the removal of Mr. Temple from Agency City, as noticed in the last "Sketch," and the changes attending the "California fever," had much to do with the delay. In 1851 the Convention held two sessions; one in Musca- tine the other in Burlington. At the Burlington meeting, in September, the subject of an educational institution for Iowa was again revived. "It appears that a committee had been previously appointed to correspond with the Baptist ecclesiastical bodies of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, with regard to the establishment of a Baptist theological institution for the Northwest." This committee, in connection with a report of considerable length, submitted a resolution : "That a committee of five be appointed whose duty it shall be to make investigations, solicit proposals, etc., with reference to the immediate es- tablishment of a denominational university in the State."' Thus early did the educational idea in Iowa grow into that of a universit}^ This committee were also authorized to call an educational convention at such time and place as they might deem expedient, "when the whole subject might be considered in detail." The committee consisted of "five representative and prominent brethren." The president of the Convention was afterwards added to the committee and the six, "according to instructions of the State Convention," 38 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES called an educational convention at Iowa City to meet April 13. 1852. This convention met and was in session two days. The final result is recorded in these words : "On motion, after an extended, free and full interchange of opinion, it was unanimously resolved that tlie contemplated university be located at Burlington." Articles of incorporation were adopted, trustees elected, etc. The names are recorded of eighteen bretliren present at this convention, and two visitors from St. Louis. The Iowa delegates represented such places as Davenport, Musca- tine, Iowa Cit}^, Des Moines, Marion, Knoxville, Brighton, Le Claire, Burlington, Keokuk, Bella, Columbus City and Wapello. It appears that there were some brethren not present at the Iowa City convention of April, 1852, who were not sat- isfied with the result of that convention, and who, raising the claim that "the denominational institution for the State ought to be located in some central portion of the State, " began an agitation for the calling of another convention. It was said that "conversations on the subject resulred in an agreement on the part of brethren of the north and of the south to call a convention to be held at Oskaloosa in November, 1852. " " The weather being unpropitious " at the time appointed " the attendance was small and there was an adjournment to the following June, 1853, at Bella." By this convention, was located the Central University at Bella. We have the names of eleven delegates represent- ing the following places : Brighton, Danville, Bella, Auro- ra church. Liberty ville, Oskaloosa, Bonaparte, Farmington, and Union church. In the mean time Burlington has begun to build, and soon a building is erected at Bella, and the two schools be- gin their history. Into the controversies that ensued, and OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 39 whatever of painful experiences liave attended their growth, it is not ihe purpose of these sketches to enter, nor would the subsequent educational movements in the state be in place among these earlier records. The sketch of these earliest days of educational work would, however, not be complete without a brief notice of the State Conven- tion proceedings for 1852 and 1853. In 1852 the Convention was held at Marion. It appears that a resolution was passed and recorded in the minutes in the following words : '^Resolved, That this Convention cannot sanction the proceedings of the educational meeting held in Iowa Cit}^, in locating an institution of learning. " At the Convention at Keokuk in 1852 "a memorial of the trustees of Burlington University, in behalf of that institu- tion" was read and referred to a committee. That commit- tee submitted a report, and, pending its discussion. Rev. H. R Wilbur, of Mt. Pleasant, presented a substitute in the following words : '"Resolved. That the resolution in the minutes of last year (and quoted above) be rescinded. '' The substitute of Bro. Wilbur was adopted. The yeas and nays being called were recorded. There were thirty- three yeas and eleven nays. At this same meeting was presented an obituary report containing "suitable notice of the death of brother B. F. Brabrook, " whose name liad stood first among the dele- gates of the Iowa City convention of April, 1852. He died at Davenport, June 9th, 1853. That these schools, thus started, and others later, have all done and are still doing much good, no careful and unprejudiced observer, and certainly none who has been conversant with the work in Iowa for the last twenty-five 40 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. years, will for a moment question. The facts we have been sketching illustrate what has long been, to the mind of the writer, a settled principle, that in the development of God's plans, especially in a rapidly growing country where large foresight is required, no resolutions of Associations, nor votes of Conventions, nor even the wisest forethought of finite minds, can determine for a great length of time what will be best, nor what the subsequent unfoldings of Provi^ dence may require for the efficient carrying out of his pur- poses for the race. We must ever continue to walk by faith, not by sight, and we shall never pass the time when it will be necessary that "if any man lack wisdom" he "ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraid- eth not. " Whatever may have been the mistakes and the unhappy rivalries'of the past, let us be thankful that there were among the foundation-builders in this goodly field a spirit of enterprise and a thoughtfulness for the future, leading to so much earnestness in efl'orts to lay the foun- dations broad and strong. We will close the present sketch with one or two items of interest from the records of the lasc mentioned year, 1853. I find here a record of "life-members resident in Iowa of the different Baptist societies generally supported b}^ the denomination in the Northern and Western States. " There are thirteen of the Missionary Union, and twenty-one of the Home Missionary Society. These represent the names of nearly all of our leading ministers and others, and money paid out of meagre earnings, that the work might not be hindered for want of means. There was also about that time a "German Mission Society of the Mississippi Valley, " in the interest of which Rev. D. Read, as chair- man of a committee, presented an able report. Rev. J. G. Oncken, of Germany, was present and greatly interested the Convention by his remarks. CHARLES E. BROWN. CHAPTER Y. Acknowledgement — Rapid Growth — Boundaries — Associations Multiply — Great Revivals — Bap- tisms — Home Mission Society — 1859. OR many of the facts contained in the last cliapter, I am very largely indebted to a paper written by Rev. J. F. Childs, and read before the State Convention in 1874, and which has never been published. From his connection with the Secretaryship of the Convention for so many years, and his energy and zeal in gathering documents * and facts, there probably is, or has been, no man in Iowa whose facilities for historical accuracy in these matters are equal to those of Bro. Childs. In the present chapter we shall note the rapid growth of the general work in the decade from 1852 to 1862. In 1852 there were yet but three Associations, 50 Churches, and 1,996 members; one Baptist to 115 of the population. There were then 30 ministers. A year later, 1853, there are four Associations, 65 Churches, 36 ministers, 299 bap- tisms and 2,385 members. The border line of Baptists at this time might be drawn from Decatur county on the south, through "Fort Des Moines,"' bending to the eastward 42 HISTORICAL SKETCHES till it touches Marion, in Linn county, thence northward to West Point, in Fayette county, thence to Eossville, in Allamakee. It does not appear that there was an organi- zation of Baptists west or north of this supposed line. Marshalltown, A\"aterloo, Cedar Falls and points north on the Cedar River, had then not been heard of as regards Baptists. The same is true of the territor}^ stretching away westward towards the setting sun. J can hardly forbear to pause and let imagination make her utmost effort to take in the situation. The Standard, our great denominational paper for the north- west, under its present management, was about beginning its career of untold usefulness for this vast domain That "Kansas-Nebraska Bill," which, by its repeal of the "Mis- souri Compromise" — thus seeking to open up to slavery the territories west to the Rocky Mountains — inaugurated the new "irrepressible conflict" which put an end to slavery in the United States, had not yet passed through Congress. It was indeed the beginning of a new era in many respects, and we shall find it the beginning of a new era with the Baptists of Iowa. We have seen that, for the ten years previous, growth had been slow; from 463 to 2,385, or an average of 192 2-10 per year. We may antici- pate the next ten years' growth, from 1853 to 1863, by pointing out, here, that it is to be 10,208 or an average of 1,020 8-10 per 3^ ear. We will take a bird's-eye view of this growth of Associations and Churches, mentioning the names only of such Churches as are, for geographical or other reasons, central or typical. Turning over two years to 1855 we find three new Asso- ciations had been added, the Eden in 1853, and the Du- buque in 1855, while the Fox River Association, though organized several years earlier, does not appear in our OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 43 records till about this time, and is not counted in the list previous to this date. The Central and Oskaloosa Asso- ciations had both been organized in 1852, making five at that date if Fox River had been counted. As near as I can get at the facts now, the Fox River Association was organized in 1840 as an Old-School Baptist Association, and came into our ranks about 1855. At this date there are unassociated Churches at Waterloo, at Oskaloosa, at Ottumwa, at Bedford, and at several other places. A year later at Council Bluffs and Red Oak Grove. These are picket posts. Others follow soon at Denison, with Rev. J. W. Denison on guard, and at Webster City, with Rev, O. ii. Holmes, who had for several years previously held the fort at Maquoketa. Several of these unassociated Churches remained in that condition for a number of years — we speak now of these as central points — because they were too remote from other Churches to find associa- tion. We can understand by this something of what it cost to occupy these frontier posts. To name the noble brethren who did it, and many of whose names have run through all the subsequent history of our State, while some have gone hence to stand on guard here no more, would be to lengthen these Sketches beyond the publisher's, if not the reader's, patience. Indeed, we can begin nowhere and end nowhere in the mention of names without the fear of omitting many just as worthy of mention as those named. Turning now to the records as they stand in 1860, and looking back over the decade, Avhat do we see of the growth of this active period ? Here is the Bedford Asso- ciation organized in 1856. Ii had in 1860 twenty-five Churches and 1,] 16 members. All of these churches except one had been organized within the ten years. The Cedar Valley Association, organized in 1856, has in 1860 nineteen 44 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES Churches and 598 members, and every church organized since 1850. The Iowa Valley Association, organized in 1858, has seven Churches and 220 members, not a Church more than five years old, in 1860. The Linn Association, organized in 1857, has eighteen Churches and 617 members, and only two Churches that were organized prior to 1850. Fairview in 1848 and Marion in 1843. The Western Asso- ciation, organized in 1859, has in 1860 ten Churches and 206 members, all the Churches organized within three years. The Dubuque Association, organized in 1855, has in 1860 eighteen Churches and 724 members. This Association was drawn largely from the Davenport and contains some of the older Churches of the State ; nevertheless, of the eighteen Churches in 1860, twelve have been organized within the decade. Thus we have, leaving out the growth during the same period in the old Associations, added within this decade five new Associations (from 1858 to 1860) containing at the latter date eighty-seven Churches and 8,270 members. But the growth had been chiefiy in the last lialf of the decade. Of the eighty-seven Churches only fifteen having been organized prior to 1855. The Upper Des Moines, the English River, and the Turkey River Associations followed quickly in 1860, and the work has spread itself over the settled parts of the State ; keeping pace, and more than keeping pace, with the rapid settlement of the State itself. In eight years the ratio of Baptists to the population has risen from one in 115 in 1852 to one in less than fifty-nine in 1860. The population of the State in the eight years has increased from 230,888 to 676,485, or nearly as multiplied by three. The period under review was not only one of growth by immigration, the rapid filling up of the State bringing in many energetic Baptists with the tide. It was evidently OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 45 a period of great revival and spiritual activit}^ among the Churches. The former period of seed sowing and slow growth was succeeded by one of ripening grain and Joyful reaping. It is refreshing to study the records of those 3^ears, and witness the evidence of God's gracious presence. It causes the prayer to rise up in my own heart as I write, "O Lord revive thy work." "Wilt thou not revive us again?" and "Restore unto us the j 03^ of thy salvation?'' that we may " teach transgressors thv" ways and that sinners may be converted to thee ! " May I not pause here to ask that the Iowa readers of these imperfect sketches, when they read these lines, will Join the ^vriter in this fervent prayer? The number of ba])tisms reported in 1853 was 299. This was the largest number that had ever been reported in any one year. The whole number reported for the ten years ending with 1853 was 1,513 ; an average of 151 per 3^ear. The whole number of baptisms for the ten years ending with 1863 was 8,998, an average of 899 per year. The great revival continued through the j^ears 1858, 1859 and 1860 ; the baptisms were respectively 1,890, 1,173 and 1,324. In our next chapter we shall give attention to the mis- sionary activity of Iowa Baptists, and the origin and progress of the strictly Missionary History of the State Convention, with other features of Missionary growth- It will be proper to close this chapter with a notice of the Home Mission Societj^'s work in Iowa during the period we have had under review. During the decade, 1852 to 1861, inclusive, the Society issued to missionaries in Iowa 194 commissions, an average of over nineteen per 3^ear. Their reports summarize as follows: Weeks of labor, 7,426 ; number of baptisms, 1,860 ; amount of appropriations, 138,917 ; amount of receipts, $4,990. 46 HISTORICAL SKETCHES We will take the year 1859 as the period of high-tide. We find the Society's work for the year represented by the following weeks of labor: James Schofield, Hardin, 26; A. Chapin, Vinton, 13 ; J. Woodward, Cedar Rapids, 52 ; L. M. Newell, Waukon, 18 ; Thomas M. Ind, Burlington, 52 ; George Scott, Strawberry Point, 26 ; Charles E. Brown, Vernon Springs, 26; P. P. Shirley, Le Claire, 13; J. M. Coggshall, Wapello, 46; G. G. Edwards, Toledo, 39; J. F. Childs, Oskaloosa^ 52; O. A. Holmes, Webster City, 52 ; A. G. Eberhart, Waterloo, 52; S. H.Worcester, Ottnmwa, 52; J. Currier, Central Association, 29 ; Alvah Bush, Straw- berry Point, 26; A. H. Starkweather, Lyons, 39; John Fulton, Independence, 26 ; A. W. Russell, Winterset, 26 ; F. D. Rickerson, Grinnell, 13 ; L. L. Frisk, Swede Bend, 26; Morgan Edwards, Burlington, 26; Wm. A. Eggleston, Denmark, 26 ; I. Butterfield, Davenport, 26 ; U. R. Walton, Cedar Falls, 13; T. S. Griffith, Keokuk, 26: L. Yarnell, Adel, 26. Of the above, eight are known to have dis- charged their last commission and gone over the river. Some are waiting at its borders and several are still in the harness in this and other States. The present writer is privileged to acknowledge his own baptism by one of the missionaries, as one of the fruits of that same year, 1859. CHAPTER YI. An Instructive Incident — American Sunday School Union — A Mysterious Subscription — The Appropriate Work of the State Con- vention — An Able Address. N our last chapter was sketched the almost phenomenal growth of our Iowa Churches and Associations during the years from 1852 to 1862. The present we will devote to an account of the formulation and early growth of our own State Missionary organization, State Conven- tion, etc. Before entering upon this, however, I wish to introduce an incident, which, though not strictly "Baptist history,'' is in close connection, is unique in itself, and highly suggestive, and is exceedingly good reading. It is in connection with the labors of Rev. Dexter P. Smith, D. D., now of Santa Anna, California. From 1845 to 1851 Bro. Smith was missionary of the Home Mission Society at Iowa City. From 1851 to 1859 he was "employed by the American Sunday School Union as General Sunday School Missionary for the State of Iowa." I give the following- sketch in his own words, as furnished to Hon. N. Littler, of Washington, Iowa, and by him furnished to me for these sketches. Bro. Smith says : 48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES '•As tlie salary of General Missionary was provided for by friends East, all collections were paid into the treasury of the American Sunday School Union, and expended in supplying libraries for Iowa. Each new school, upon re- (Xuest, received a donation of one-half the cost of a good library. February 17, 1856, I was in Davenport. In the morning I preached in the Congregationalist Church and received a collection of ^60.25. In the evening I addressed a union meeting at the Baptist Church. Cash collection '^103. Slips of paper were circulated for subscriptions. Upon one of these small slips was the following subscrip- tion : 'Mailin Reisarf one thousand dollars ($1,000) pay- able at Cook & Sargent's bank, Davenport, Oct. 2, 1856.' As no one of the friends knew any person in Davenport by the name of Mailin Reisarf, the subscription was valued at a discount of about one hundred per cent. The next morn- ing, with a friend, I inquired at Cook & Sargent's bank, but the officials knew no such person, which strengthened the belief that it was a mere hoax, and that we should hear no more of it. But my own mind was strongly impressed that God had touched the heart of some one, and disposed him to do a noble thing for the good cause. Just before the subscription matured, upon the streets of Davenport, a stranger met the Rev. E. M. Miles, pastor of the Baptist Church, and inquired, 'Do you recollect that a subscription of $1,000 for the Sunday School work was given in response to Mr. Smith's recent lecture and appeals '"I recollect it very well,' said Mr. Miles, and the stranger continued : '"Can you convey the funds to Mr. Smith without trouble i ' "Mr. Miles assured liini that it could be done without the least trouble. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 49 "'Then,' said the unknown stranger, 'I will pay the amount to you instead of depositing it at the bank,' and handed him a purse of gold containing a thousand dollars in fifty pieces of twenty dollars each. In the excitement of the moment the stranger passed from sight, and from that day search was made in vain for the generous donor. '•But, " says Mr, Smith, "the name and the act have re- ceived an imperishable record in the great memorial book on high. Stranger than romance, it was a God-send to Iowa. By it influences were started which will reach down the ages to the end of time, to be gathered up, reviewed, and fully appreciated only under the blaze of eternity's broad sunlight. " In accordance with instructions, the funds were paid over to Mr. A. W. Corey, of St. Louis, who had charge of a branch book depository of the American Sunda}' School Union, from which Sunday School libraries for Iowa were furnished. The Union was at that time doing a great work for Iowa, planting Sunday-schools " where no Church or mission out-post could be sustained. " Each Sunday school was "the nucleus around which gathered a congregation and a permanent interest," and "many of these schools sub- sequently developed into churches.'' Our broad-minded Baptist workers were quick to recog-. nize and to identify themselves with such beneficent move- ments where they were needed, and also quick to avail themselves of the development, and to advance every de- nominational organization so soon as the field was provi- dentially open to such work. When the Iowa Baptist State Convention was first organized, and up to 1855, its object was to awaken interest in, and devise means for the promotion of the missionary work of other existing missionary organizations. In 1865,. 50 HISTORICAL SKETCHES J. M. Withervvax, of Davenport, treasurer of the Conven- tion, reported, "Received for the American Baptist Home Mission Societ}^ $161.40 ; for the American Baptist Mission- ary Union, 8288.08, and for the American and Foreign Bible Society S24.10. "' This was the aggregate of collec- tions for missionary purposes in one year, after the Con- vention had been at work thirteen years. Although great financial embarrassment is spoken of this year, limiting the work of all the societies, the amount two years earlier, for 1853, was still less. The day of small things, truly, in missionary collections for a state organiza- tion ! But it did not daunt the spirit of our earnest pio- neers. It seems that in 1854 the Convention began to consider the question of taking up and maintaining mis- sionary work in its own name and by funds of its own raising. A committee had been appointed to secure a German missionary to labor among the Germans of the state, and to raise money to provide in whole or in part for his support. This committee seems to have made a report which was referred to the Board at the meeting in 1855, but no record is left of its work. At the same meeting in 1854, a committee was appointed "to prepare and offer" at the subsequent meeting "a revi- sion of the constitution " which in its existing form did not "contemplate the department of domestic missionary ef- fort. " Rev. T. S. Griffith was chairman of this committee, but in his absence the report of the committee was read by Rev. E. Gunn, and after some amendments was adopted, looking in its provisions to " the (ippropriaie worTi of the Convention" the prosecution of domestic missions. This was in 1855. The secretary of the previous year. Rev. H. R. Wilbur, mentions in his annual report that "this sub- ject has already received the attention of several Associa- • OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 51 tioiis ill the state, '' and that '' at their recent annual meetings resolutions were passed of very decided character, commending this matter to the favorable regard of the Convention." A missionary board was appointed at this meeting, which was held at Mount Pleasant, and a collec- tion was taken to aid in its work, which amounted to §18.50 in money and 1 175 in pledges. Directed by a resolution of the Board, the Correspond- ing Secretary, Rev. E. Gunn, prepared and printed with the Minutes of that year, a circular, addressed "To the Pastors and Members of the Baptist Churches in Iowa, and to the Friends of the Baptist Cause, and the Cause of Christ generally," commending unto them this new work of domestic missions. The address is a very able one and in Bro. Clunn's own strong and earnest style. It took a comprehensive view of the rapid growth and present and prospective needs of the great state, the evangelization of which from within itself was just beginning to be con- sidered as a pressing duty. A few sentences we transcribe: "The State of Iowa is at present filling up by an immigration altogether unex- ampled in the history of our country. It is computed by those best qualified to judge, that not less than two hundred thousand people have found homes within the ample borders of our State within the last two years." "The great thoroughfares of travel along the line of the lakes, uniting the Atlantic cities with the Mississippi River, have been choked with emigrants from all the Eastern and Middle States." "Every point of transit across the Mississippi has been crowded with the canvass- covered wagons of the hardy pioneers from other Western States." "Whole townships and counties have been taken up and settled as by magic. Tracts of country, scores and 52 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. even hundreds of miles in extent, where but two years ago the wild Indians disputed the possession only with the prairie wolf and the elk, are now dotted all over with the rude cabins of the settlers." Such is Iowa as a missionary field in 1855. The address takes a comprehensive view of the necessity of evangelizing this moving, seething mass of humanity. A single sen- tence, or two, must sufiice for reproduction here: "Neglect this field for ten years, and it is possessed by the man -of sin, by the disciples of Abner Kneeland, of Andrew Jack- son Davis, or of the Mormon prophet. Let Satan make such a disposition of this great central valley, and he will have but an easy task with the rest of our country and the world." As we read these words, by one who has been so widely known tliroughout the West for his almost consuming zeal in fighting the fight of faith for nearl}^ thirty years since they were written, and when we think of the many others equally as well known, we cannot but thank God for the forces thus early marshalled against the combined powers of evils that have contested every inch of ground, and for the measure of success which has been achieved. We have found it well nigh impossible not to tarry thus long in contemplation of the conditions under which the '"^a^oproiyrlate loork''' of our State Convention was begun. The development of it, which we had hoped to reach in the present chapter, must therefore, wait until the next. As these Sketches have largely to do with beginnings, the subsequent growth will require less of detail. CHAPTER VII, Missionary Work — Two Methods — Distrust — Faith — State Convention — First Missionary Appoint- ments — First Agents— An Ideal — Oppos- ing Forces — A War Cloud — A Period of Unusual Interest. ]|HERE are two opposite principles that are sometimes insisted upon for tlie government of misisonary boards in laying out and car- rying forward the work for which they have been appointed. (1) That no contracts should be entered into for the payment of money until the money is already in hand to meet such obligations, where benevolent contributions are depended upon for the raising of funds. This is the position taken by strict constructionists, as to the province and duties of boards. (2) The other principle is that, being appointed to execute the beneficent purposes of the Societies appoint- ing them, these boards should exercise an intelligent faith as to the work proposed, and should lay out a reasonable amount of work for the year, and, placing confidence in the supporters of the Society, should appeal to them for the money to meet the obligations already assumed in their name. 54 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES That the latter is the only practicable plan, we think the history of all our missionary operations will attest. A vivid illustration is foimd in the beginning of Independent Missionary work by the Iowa Baptist State Convention, of which we began to write in our last chapter of these "Sketches." We there noted the growth of the idea, and its formal expression in the appointment of a Missionary Board, and the adoption of a Constitution in 1855, looking to this as the "appropriate work" of the Convention. At the annual meeting in 1656, the Secretary, Bev. E. Gunn, in his annual report, says: "The Board held its first meet- ing at Mount Pleasant immediatel}^ after the final adjourn- ment of the Convention last year. At that meeting it was decided to hold four quarterly meetings during the year, and the time and place of holding them were fixed. It was also agreed not to appoint an agent for raising money, but a committee was selected, of one from each Association in the State, to correspond with the pastors and urge it upon them to take collections in their Churches. The question then came up whether missionaries should be immediately appointed, and after a good deal of deliberation it was decided that no appointments should be made until the money should be forthcoming for their support." The Secretary adds: "This last resolution was doubtless an ill- considered one. We ought to have had sufficient confi- dence in God, in our Churches, and in the Baptists of Iowa to have entered, at once, fearlessly upon the work." The result of the policy was that many, "seeing nothing done, were led to believe that nothing would be done," and the}^ "neglected to make those exertions that they would have made had they understood that brethren were already in the field, and, in need of the contributions of the Churches'' for their support. Some "who had actually pledged monej^ at the last meeting of the Convention, not OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 55 being called upon for it, made other disposition of their means," and afterwards declined to do anything. "In one case quite a large sum of money was actually raised for the objects of the Convention, and afterwards appropriated to the home necessities of the Church." The inexpediency of this policy of distrust had become manifest by the second meeting of the Board, held in January, 1856, at Burlington, and the policy ot faith took its place; faith, though in its practical expression, "'small as a grain of mustard seed." It found expression in the appointment of a single missionary. This first missionaiy commissioned by the Iowa Baptist State Convention was Rev. I. M. Seay. It was understood that his labors were to be principally expended within the bounds of the Eden Association. It was voted at the same meeting to assist in maintaining a man at Decorah, county seat of Winnesheik county, pro- vided a suitable man could be found. This, however, was not done, and it is a notable fact that that flourishing county seat is to this day without a Baptist Church. A very interesting incident in the writer's missionary labors, years later, is associated with a visit lo this place, but it would be chronologically out of place here. Perhaps it may find record later. Xn organization was subsequently had at Decorah, but it in a few years became extinct. The second missionary actually commissioned b}" the Convention, was Rev. Richard King, appointed at the end of the third quarter of 1856, to labor in Benton county the remainder of the year. These two veteran missionaries are still living and faithfully witnessing for the Master; Bro. Seay in the southwest part of the State, and Bro. King at the Danville Church — the ''motht r of us all.'' The treasurer's report for 1856 shows receipts, $285.40, and after paying Missionary Seay $75.00, and Missionary 56 HISTORICAL SKETCHES King 825.00, and paying for printing minutes and postage and traveling expenses, shows a balance of 8103.40. Dea- con Calvin Craven was treasurer. Thus we have the begin- ning of a work which has since grown to be a tree, having, like the mustard tree of the parable, many branches and many flocking into them. The secretary's report for the year 1856 ch)sed with these words: "Your board would express again the confi- dent assurance that the time has fully come when this work of domestic missions should be prosecuted by the Baptists of Iowa with energy and determination, and that we are now, by the blessing of God, fully able to enter upon it. We would therefore recommend that 'the Con- vention instruct the new board to originate and prosecute some efficient and thorough system of agency for the ensu- ing year. " At the same meeting, after much discussion of the educational problem, then dividing the state, it was re- solved that "in view of the paramount importance of our domestic mission work, we do not think it, on the whole, best to take any further action in this body on [that] sub- ject." This became the settled policy of the Convention ior many years. We see by what has gone before how thor- oughly the minds of the brethren at this time were satura- ted with the imporcance of the work of domestic missions. We trust that the importance of the subject will fully warrant the detailed attention given to its beginnings in these sketches. In pursuance of the recommendation of the board noted above, Rev. J. Y. Aitchison, then just from Brooklyn, N. Y., being present at the session, was appointed financial agent of the Convention in 1856, and entered at once upon the duties of his appointment. He was the Convention's first financial agent. According to the plan as expressed in the next annual report, the financial agent was to be OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 57 much more than that. He was "to travel over the length and breadth of the state, visit as far as possible all the churches, the smallest as well as the largest, preach to them Christ and him crucified, hold protracted meetings and do the work of an evangelist, etc.," as well as lay be- fore them the claims of the Convention, and ask for liberal contributions. A great forward stride was made during the years 1856 and 1857. Besides the agent, seven other missionaries were appointed, and labored all or a part of the year ; $2,087.20 were raised and appropriated, besides large subscriptions pledged towards future work. Fields occupied were Bedford Association, Benton county, Fair- field, Dewitt, — Clinton county, — Bloomfield, Keokuk (Sec- ond Church), and AVinterset. It appears that several other appointments were made, but no reports received from them. There are many contingencies in domestic mission-work, all of which need careful study and the ex- ercise of care and wisdom tliat the cause be not hindered. When the first year of work under the agency system came to be summed up, it was found that of the $2,087.20 raised it had cost for agent's outfit, salary, expenses, horse- feed and medicine, $1,233.78, leaving for the missionary and other expenses of the Convention, other than mission- ary work done by the agent, only 8853.42. The work done by the agent had of necessity been, much of it, breaking- ground, sowing seed and nurturing it, the fruit of which, even financial, must be gathered another year. At the beginning of the next convention year, October, 1857, the board resolved instead of a collecting agency for the state, to appoint a missionary in each Association whose duty it should be, in addition to his itinerant missionary work, to collect funds for the Convention. Such appointments were made in five of the Associations. At the April meeting, in 1858, it was deemed necessary to appoint an agent for the 58 HISTORICAL SKETCHES remainder of the 3^ear, and Rev. N. S. Bastion, of Dubuque, was appointed and labored for five and a half months. Tlie year had two noted features, entering with opposite effects into the problem of success or failure. These were (1) the great financial crisis which "well-nigh palsied our benevolence, suddenly dissipating the means whicn it had been hoped to expend in the cause of God." (2) The great revival which we have elsewhere noted in these sketches, and which doubtless did much to stay the tide of reac- tion that tended to dry up the springs of benevolence. ^2,326.32 were raised at an expense for agents' salary, trav- eling expenses, etc., of only $413.66 ; counting the work ©f the Associational missionaries only as missionary work. As noted above, a large proportion of the $2,326.82 raised in 1857-8 was doubtless from the ptayment of sub- scriptions taken by Brother Aitchison the year before, and should be credited to that year's work of the agent. The experiment of getting along without a financial agent did not prove a success, and at the annual meeting in 1858, after thorough discussion of the subject, an ap- pointment was tendered Bro. Dexter P. Smith, of Iowa City, and "after much prayerful deliberation, he accej^ted, received his commission, and immediately entered upon the work.'' The following description of the ideal finan- cial agent, found in the annual report of the secretary, in 1850, is worthy of being emblazoned upon the banner of every missionar}'^ society: "It should be deemed all-im- portant that a financial agent possess peculiar qualities, besides a faculty to procure large subscriptions. He should possess such traits of character as will make his visits to the churches agreeable, desirable, and withal prof- itable to them" It is added concerning our brother that "his praise is in all the Churches." Bro. Smith continued OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 59 bis labors for two and one-lialf 3^ears, when sickness and subsequent death in his family compelled his resionatiou, greatly to the regret of those who were then sharing with him the burdens and cares of our domestic mission work. Perhaps no part of our missionary histor}- is more fruit- ful for study, or will reward it with more profitable lessons, than this under review. The great revival and consequent spiritual activity on the one hand ; the financial stringency and consequent debt on the other ; the gathering war-cloud that was distracting the counrrj', resulting soon in the great rebellion, and the intiamed passions and prejudices that had everywhere to be met, and as far as possible mol- lified, all conspired to make it a period fraught with unu- sual interest. Beginning when the Convention was at least si, 000 in debt, Bro. Smith's labors and those of the Board were crowned with a remarkable degree of success, in see- ing all the old debts cancelled, in the employment of from six to twelve missionaries besides himself, and in raising and disbursing !sl,922.90 in 1850 and s2,925.o5 in 1860. The Avriter of these notes had many oppoitunities to verify, years afterward, the most excellent infiuence left upon the Churches throughout the State by these two and one-half years of gracious work. The impulse given to the work of the Convention, by his careful and wise eft'orts, will be needed to stem the tide of adversity, coming in like a flood through 1862, and after. The war of the rebellion was making- its fearful inroads upon our Churclies. The Board during the last half of 18G1 and the whole of 1862, is unable to secure a financial agent. At the January meeting in 1862, "a very worthy and competent brother was appointed; but, after thoroughh^ considering the whole matter, he declined, in view of the improbability of 60 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. raising an adequate amount of money," owing to the pressure of tlie war and taxes upon the people. The work did not, however, wholly cease. - Six missionaries were appointed; five laboring the whole year, and one nine months. Among them was the late Alva Bush, who lived then at Fayette, in Fayette county, and divided his labors between that place and Strawberry Point, in Clayton county, and Erie, in Buchanan county. It was not long after that, he started Osage Seminary. During the year a good deal of volunteer agency work was done. The Secretary, Rev. J. F. Childs, gave three months to this work, the Church at Oskaloosa cheerfully releasing him for that time. All the expenses of the year were met, a debt of 825(1.00 paid, and a balance left in the treasury, of $111.06, the entire amount raised being $964.63. The writer well remembers hearing Rev. J. L. Douglass, of Burma, who was present at the Convention, speak of that balance in the treasury as the only discouraging feature in the whole meeting. Of course it was a humorous way of saying that a Missionary Society ought to use all that is contributed in tlie work of the year, and that a surplus in the treasury is a temptation to give less the next year. A thought worth considering. One cannot read the records of these years without being impressed how deeply in earnest the brethren of that day were, in this work of evangelizino- the State. .fi-' CHAPTER YIII. Appointment of Financial Agent — Recollections. A Day of Small Things — Progeess — Com- PAP.isoN — Death of a Pioneeii. iT the meeting in 1862, held in Des Moines, Revs. J. T. Westover, J. A. Nasli and I. J. Stoddard were a committee on agency. They brouglit in a report recommending the ap- pointment of a general missionaiy, whose duty it should be to "collect funds for the treasury," and to "encourage the feeble interests and scattered brethren in this State, by counsel and the preaching of the word, etc." There were other recommendations in the report and, "On motion the report was divided, and the portion of it per- taining to the emploj^ment of a general missionary, after a free and pretty general discussion, was especially referred to the Board with the recommendation that it be adopted." At the end of the first quarter, January, 1863, after a good deal of "casting about,'' the writer of these Sketches, then recently licensed to the ministry by the Church at Oskaloosa, of whicli he had been a member about three 3^ears, meanwhile engaged in the occupation of teaching, was appointed by the Board as "General Missionary and 62 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES Financial Agent" for the remaining nine months of the year. It may be a scarcely pardonable weakness if rli,e sketcher's pen should linger tremulously for a moment, with the rush of recollections that are awakened by the mention of that experimental date in our history. Though not a very young man, the agent employed was exceedingly immature in every qualification for the responsibilities of the great work to be done ; aye^ in any ade(iuate aj^pre- hension of the mafjnltude of the Interests in hand. The marvel now is that the Board should have risked, or that he should have ventured upon it at all. It is, however, to be remembered that it was a day, not only of small things, but of suppressed expectations. The country was stag- gering and almost paralj'zed under the cruel blows of a gigantic rebellion. ''TJie continuance of blood-shedding, the fall of our noble braves by thousands on the battle- fields, the niHltiplying of widows and orphans, the dis- tressing fears of the faint-hearted and the trembling of the unbelieving,"' were on every hand. The recuperative power of the nation's unparalleled financial policy liad not yet fully shown itself, and the struggle for existence was a doubtful one, in a money point of view. The salary offered to the new agent was only 8100 per quarter and his neces- sary traveling expenses. The entire cost of his work, for the nine months, was ^325.05. Verily, they were "times that tried men's souls," and as we look back over the twenty-three years, and think of the true and tried souls with whom we were then brought into association, Ave thank God and take courage for whatever trials are yet to come, believing that then, as oftentimes, we were being "led by a way which we had not known.'' It was the beginning, the coming years proved, of a new departure in Convention work. The six years of distinct- ive missionary history had been a period of unsteady OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 63 growth, full of ups and downs; now a year of active ad- vance, now of contraction and struggle in payment of debts. The relative expense of collecting funds had necessarily been lieavj^, though the work was worth much more than it cost. With 1866 began a period of seven j^ears' steady growth. The following statement Avill exhibit it in the clearest light: In 1863 there were 9 missionaries employed, and the total receipts of the Convention were §1,519.48 ; in 1864, missionaries 10, receipts 83,820.91 ; I860, missionaries 15, receipts $4,405.68 ; 1866, missionaries 16. receipts 3,929.75 ; 1867, missionaries 23, receipts $5,338.25 ; 1868, missionaries 25, receipts §6,494.88 ; 1869, missionaries 37, receipts §5,766.- 10. The general missionarj^ first employed in January 1863, served continuously until October 1869. This portion of the history would be incomplete without the mention that for all these years, and from 1859 to 1871, Rev. J. F. Childs filled the office of secretaiy, doing more work of the kind for less remuneration doubtless, than has ever been done by any other one man in Iowa. During the same period of thirteen years the Convention was presided over by A. G. Eberhart, G. J. Johnson, J. M. Cogshall, T. S. Griffith, J. A. Nash, M. Sutton, D. S. AVat- son, J. Fulton, J. T. Westover, E. Eaton, T. F. Thlckstun and F. Mott. During the ^ears included in the above statement the American Bax^tist Home Mission Society had missionaries commissioned in Iowa as follows : In 1863, twenty ; in 1864, thirty ; in 1865, thirty-five ; in 1866, thirty; in 1867, twenty-five; in 1868, thirteen, and in 18(59, ten, making the number of missionaries of the two societies to- gether for the same years respectively, twenty-nine, forty, fifty, forty-six, forty-eight, thirty-eight and forty-seven. For ten years, 1862 to 1872, the receipts of the Home Mis- 64 HISTORICAL SKETCHES sion Society in Iowa amounted to ^5,858, or a little less than $600 per year. As the falling off in the number oi ap- pointments was in the last years of the decade, 1870 only having six in the State, it is reasonable to conclude that the falling off in receipts would correspond so that the re- ceipts of the Home Mission Society for the seven years taken above would probably be from ^600 to $700 per year on an average ; or by adding $600 to the total receipts of the Convention in the statement, we would have about the sums contributed for home and domestic missions during this period. In our statement Ave have taken the entire amounts shown in the treasurer's report for the respective years, which would include the annual collections taken at the State Convention for foreign missions and other like objects. We have given this statement in the interest of historical accuracy ; believing that a period of that length in an un- broken, continuous policy", is almost unique in Western domestic missions, and in its results is suggestive of les- sons that might be studied to advantage in planning mis- sion work for a long time to come. Another element to be taken account of is the fact, that during the time we have been reviewing, the Churches were taxed as in no other period of our history, not only in life- blood poured out in defense of our country, but also in contributions for the Sanitary Commission, Christian 'Com- mission, and other calls for relief of our suffering defend- ers. Is it not true that the interests of religion are most liberally sustained wiien the channels of benevolence have been opened by some great demand upon the people's char- ities, and that they suffer most when God has shielded us from any great calamity and given the greatest occasion for making thank-offerings of our substance to him ? OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 65 We will close this review of the Conventioii's work pri- or to 1870, by mentioning that the success which culmina- ted in 1868 in the largest amount ever raised in one year had the effect of increasing the calls and leading the board to overdo in appointments the next year, and resulted in a debt at the close of 1869 of i^^l, 322.89. It is .not the purpose of these sketches to institute any comparison between the results which are here presented and the subsequent liis- tor}^ of convention work. But the question is one worth}^ of consideration, whether with the noble aid held out to us by the Home Mission Society, and the increased number of individual contributors of larger sums, and the increased expenditure for working machinery, we are reaching re- sults commensurate with our opportunit^y and responsi- bility. Since beginning this chapter of the sketches, there has passed from this to a higher sphere, another of the oldest of our pioneers, Brother Elihu Chandler, in his ninetieth year. Born in Maine, January 27, 1795, he came to Ohio in 1830, and to Illinois in 1831. He helped to build a fort in Henderson county during the Black Hawk war. In the fall of 1833 he came to Iowa, one among the first to stop where Burlington now is. He spent six weeks, most of the time '"splitting rails " for Dr. Ross, returned to Illinois, and in February 1834, returned to Burlington, and soon afterward came to the neighborhood west of Danville, where he has since lived. He was married to Mrs. Jemima Dobson, June 21, 1835. Mrs. Dobson, now Chandler, had arrived in the neighborhood about a week after tlie organ- ization of the Long Creek Church, noticed in the beginning of these sketches, and is the only survivor of its member- ship from the first year until now. Bro. Chandler was baptized by Rev. Alexander Evans, in June 1837, and was the third person baptized into the fellowship of what is 66 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. now the Danville Baptist Church, and therefore probably the third in the territory of Iowa. In connection with this we would say that since writing the first few chapters of these sketches, we have received a very interesting letter from the eldest daughter of Elder M. J. Post, the first Baptist minister ordained in Iowa. She was fourteen years old at his death, had been for sev- eral years his "pet" and constant companion, and gives some interesting reminiscences of his life and labors. These will appear in due time. •t? iW ^^ir^JC.^^^; CHAPTER IX. Educational Society — A Wide Kange of Membership. Qualifications for the Ministry — A Distin- guished Beneficiary' — Farewell Ser- vices — A Costly Contribution. AKING lip the pen to write this Sketch, I have before me the third annual report of the Iowa Baptist Educational Society, held in Burlington, July 6, 1858. Glancing over its pages, we are afforded some very interest- ing reminiscences, and may find some profit- able suggestions by comparison of the work of the year, with what has been done in recent years in the same line of work. The first page of proceedings tells us that "the Presi- dent being absent, the meeting was called to order by Rev. Silas Tucker, of Galesburg, Illinois." The Vice-President of an Iowa Society, was a distinguished pastor of another State. Those in other States acquainted with that historic family of Baptist ministers, the Tuckers, will not be sur- prised at the interest he was taking in so important a work, even beyond the borders of his own State. 68 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Besides tliose resident in Iowa, we find solicitors for tiie Society in Oquawl^a, Monmouth, Fall Creek, Gales- burg, Aurora, Sublette. Roseville and Peoria, in Illinois, and in St. Louis, Missouri. Also life-members of the Society, constituted by the payment of ten dollars each into its treasury, in Illinois, New York Cit}^, St. Louis, Worcester, Massachusetts, Middletown, Connecticut, Glov- ersville, New York, and in Stockholm, Sweden. The last w^as Rev. Andreas Wiberg. TJiere are recorded eighty -five names of life-members at this date. The Treasurer's r^iort sliows rt^ 986.70 raised and expended. Eleven young brethren had been aided in their studies. It is to be regretted that their names are not given in the report. Doubtless the list would include some who have made a creditable mark in the aclive work of the ministry during the nearly thirty years of histoiy-making since. E. Crane, Silas Tucker, Isaac Butterfield, G. J. Johnson and Isaac Leonard were the Executive Board ; Isaac Leonard, Secretary. They speak especially of tlieir desire, in seeking out young men. and aiding- them in their prepa- ration for the ministry, (1) ''to discover the evidences of a Divine call to the ministr}'."" All other qualifications without this, "would render such a ministry powerless to save souls.'' "A soul-saviiig ministry is the standing want of the Church and the world, in every age and clime, and nothing, however splendid, learned or brilliant, will or can supply its absence.'' Their desire was (2), to dis- cover "mental power to capacitate the person for work." First, a heart — largeness of heart; second, a mind open to light and knowledge. "A desire to acquire and some apti- tude to receive instruction." Several of these students received instruction "under the judicious training and excellent tuition of Rev. Prof. L. B. Allen, of Burlington, University. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 69 The seventh annual report of the Society for 1862, is also before me. It shows si, 143. 04 raised and thirteen beneficiaries aided. Bro. James Sunderland had been acting as financial agent, but owing to the hardness of the times, was dismissed, at his own request, early in the year. Rev. O. T. Conger, then of Edgington, Illinois, preached the annual sermon, and Rev. A. F. Willey was elected Secre- tary. The number of life -memberships, by the payment of ten dollars each, has arisen to 241. What landmarks along life's journey, to be traced in after years, do these records of society work produce ! How many familiar names here cheer the eye ! Among the beneficiaries of the Iowa Baptist Educational Society about the time of wliich we now write, was one whose sub- sequent career will warrant a larger place in these sketch- es. Born in Chautauqua county, New York, removed when a child by his parents to Illinois, and soon afterwards to the prairies of Iowa, the age of fourteen or fifteen finds him an active, healthy boy on his father's Iowa farm. A .party of surveyors going farther west to survey the vast prairie domains of Western Iowa and possibly still farther west, are in need of a boy to "carry the hatchet and make himself generally useful. " With father's consent and mother's blessing, our pioneer boy joins them and spends three or four years amid the exposures incident to such a mode of life. The rough language and demoralizing influ- ences of such a life are well known, but they seem to have made little impression upon him. "His eyes were open to see all that was w^orth seeing. His ears were open to hear whatsoever was worthy of being treasured up." His hands were ready to handle the various implements of the craft, and "quietly and almost unconsciously he learned the art of surveying." Soon "he was master of the situation," "self-revealed, a new man to his own recognition. " 70 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES Before leaving camp he had changed the whole plan and purpose of his life. Ont of his own deep consciousness he said, "There is something in me. I do not follow this business as a life work." Neither would he go back to the farm as a permanenc}^ He would seek a place of instruc- tion, would apply himself to books, would become a law- yer, "and in that service fight the battle of life." He came to Burlington and entered upon his studies at the Burlington University. "Without any purpose of his own, or any plan on the part of others, his attention was arrested by the differences between the character and bear- ing of the persons whom he had recentl}^ left and those with whom he was now associated, and in daily and hour- ly contact. 'AVh}^,' he asked himself, 'this difference?' What can it be that makes everj^thing here so gentle, kind, affectionate and pure, as compared with the scenes and persons left:"" These people read the Bible and pray to God. "So his thoughts labored. His laboring thoughts drove him at length to the Bible. The Bible drove him to a throne of Grace : the throne of Grace led him to the life and love -of a bleeding Redeemer Avhere he found peace in believing. " That boy, surveyor, student, inquirer, con- vert, was John E. Clough. We have condensed the above graphic account of his early life from a paper written some time ago by the late Jonah G. Warren. From the same source, and from per- sonal acquaintance beginning soon afterwards, we know that "old plans w^ere now changed for new. A new law of life in Christ Jesus had sprung up. On the spontaneous utterance of this new life he said, "If there is a spot on earth .where the darkness of sin is more dense than any other, to that let me go, and there let me spend my life in telling my fellow sinners what a treasure I have found.'" Soon after the completion of his studies, he entered upon OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 71 colporteur work, and in a short time, with liis no))le Avife, applied to the committee of the Missionary Union for ap- pointment to the foreign field. The writer has a most vivid recollection of an afternoon spent with them at their home in Strawberry Point about this time. The determination had been formed on their own part and correspondence with the Boston Committee was soon to determine whether it was worth while to go to Boston for a personal examination. There Avas no ebulli- tion of enthusiasm, nor a very sanguine expectation. Nothing had as yet been said to either of their parents, or to near relatives, of their purpose, though one mother lived in the same house and the other in the same village. The view taken was that it would be time enough to tax their affections with the trial of separation when it became certain tliat they might go. We greatly admired their thoughtfulness and their calm delibeiation, and have since discovered that there was evinced in it all a very important qualification for the Herculean work for which God was preparing tlieni. A different temperament would many times have broken down under the mighty burden. At the meeting of the State Convention in 18(54, held at Cedar Rapids, farewell services were held on the Sabbath. Man}^ still remember with a thrill of interest the scene. There was one part of the farewell service that made an ineradicable impression upon at least one mind. Father Asa Chapin gave the farewell address with hand of fellow- ship. In the beginning of his remarks he seemed over- whelmed with embarrassment, and almost want of any words to say. As he felt his way with trembling and falt- ering words, the thought seemed to spring up, as if sud- denly, in his mind of the communication which we of Iowa 72 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. should keep up with the departed missionaries through the medium of prayer. It would be lils:e a telegraphic com- munication. We here at one end of the line and they at trhe other, and God's spirit the medium of transmission. We have seldom heard more eloquent strains than those of Father Chapin when fully possessed of that thought. And what messages there have been since to flash over that spiritual telegraph ! For a part of the year 1859, Brother Clough was treas- urer of the Iowa Baptist State Convention. He was then a student in Burlington. Apropos of the beginning of this sketch, we may close it with this incident : Dr. G. J. Johnson has somewhere related that once when pastor at Burlington he "crossed over into Illinois to solicit aid for some needy students in the Burlington In- stitute. '' At Roseville a brother promised to give ten dol- lars iu thirty days. The money came, and a short time afterwards Dr. Johnson met the donor again and was told that the money was raised in this way : The man had been obliged to carry eighty bushels of corn eighteen miles to Monmouth over muddy roads, and sell it for twelve and a half cents per bushel. He very naturally intimated that it was ''more than he bargained for. " Years passed and Dr. Johnson met the man again and asked him if he remembered the fact of his giving the ten dollars and how he raised it. He replied that he did decid - edly and that he had always thought it was a hard-earned ten dollars. When told that the money he gave went to assist JohnE. Clough in his studies, than whom there had been no more successful missionary in foreign lands, he was greatly surprised, and exclaimed, "Thank God that I did it, now ! " REV. J. E. CLOUGH, CHAPTER X. Western Iowa — Denisojst — A Blizzard and an Inci- dent — Reminiscences — North Eastern Iowa. The Providence of Missions— In- direct Results. E write this sketch in one of the newest parts of Western Iowa ; in the Maple Valley. As we write in "Sketches" we may follow the suggestions of Association, and dot down, here, some recollections of this Western part of the State. As previously noticed, the Western Iowa Baptist Association was organized in 1859. For two or three years previous there had appeared in our records the name of the Denison Church, unassociated, with sixteen members. Denison is seventy -five miles northeast of Council Bluffs, and about the same distance southeast of Sioux City. At neither of these places Avas there yet a Baptist Church, nor at any point between, prior to 1860, except that there had appeared at Council Bluffs, in 1850, a Church with thirty-five members, which is noted for three or four years, without change, and then disap- pears for several years after. At Sac City was a Church of eleven members in 1859, with Charles Oldfield as pastor. 74 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Denison may be taken, therefore, as the typical pioneer point for Baptists in a large district in Western Iowa. An incident of its early settlement may be cited as typical of what it cost to take and hold some of these outposts for Christ and civilization thirty years ago. Rev. J. W. Deni- son "came to Crawford county, Iowa, in the Autumn of 1855, and, during that and the next year, selected a quan- tity of land for the Providence Western Land Company, and in September, 1856, began the settlement of the town of Denison,'' which took irs name from him. The incident we are about to recite was related to the writer several _years after, b}^ Mr. Denison, in his own home in the then nour- ishing village. It was in the severe winter of 1856 and 1857. There were three or four settlers' shanties in groups, some distance apart, on the new town site. There came one of those terrific western " blizzards " so well remembered by the early settlers. The wind and snow, driven with unob- structed violence into the faces of an^^ who ventured a few feet from shelter, rendered it impossible to see any guiding object. A man might be totally bewildered and lost within a rod of his own door Becoming anxious for the welfare of the families in another group of cabins a little distance away, two men started out in tlie blinding storm to try and make their way to the rude houses of their neighbors. Becoming separated in a little time, one of them was fortu- nate enough to find the shelter sought; but the other wan- dered about in the storm until exhausted, and laid in the pitiless cold all through the night. When found the next day he was still alive, but so badly frozen that it was evi- dent his life could onl}^ be saved, if at all, by the help of a surgeon to amputate the frozen members. But there was no surgeon nearer than Council Bluffs, seventy-five miles distant. What could be done? Humane feeling OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 75 and frontier courage did not hesitate. Through the stinging cold, that always succeeded a regular blizzard, and over the unbroken roads, down the Boyer and the Missouri Valleys, J. W. Denison himself made his way on horseback, to Council Bluffs, to procure the necessary assistance. Relat- ing this incident as he remembered it, at a late meeting of the Western Iowa Association, the writer was met soon after by an old settler of the lower Boyer, who assured him that the facts were substantially as related, his home being on Bro. Denison's way as he made his perilous journey. Whether th^ man recovered or not, we are not now able to say ; but we deem the incident worth}- of record here, as a reminder of what had to be endured to secure for us the heritage of sucli a field for missionary toil as Western Iowa now affords. AVe make the record, not without the hope that some hearts, in homes of comfort and luxury, ma}^ be softened thereby, to look more kindly upon, and to jie\d a more cheerful and liberal support to a mission that has been handed down to us by such courageous struggles. The Western Association, planted in such soil and nur- tured by such hands, made steady if slow growth. Up to 1867, comprising as it did the territory from Winterset, Madison county, and Jefferson, Greene county, all the way to the Missouri river and north to the northern line of the State, there were reported only 309 members. George Scott, at Denison, A. W. Russell, at Jefferson, B. Robin- son, at Rippey, J. E. Rockwood, at Sioux City, and W. A. Eggleston, at Winterset, were the pastors this year. The same territory now reports about 1,650 resident members. One of the earliest missionaries on this field was Rev. Charles Oldfield. We find him at Sac City in 1859 wath a church of eleven members. In the fall of that year, or during the Convention year, he was under appointment of 76 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES the Convention Board and was re-appointed in October, 1860. His field is thus described in 1861 : "This is the most western mission in the state. It is at the head-waters of the Coon river, running into the Mississippi, and of the Boyer, running into the Missouri, about midway in the State north and south. Its importance as a missionary field no one will question, noi- the fact of its destitution. " In the report of 1860 it is said: "The Church at Sac City is forty miles from the nearest Baptist Church." The mis- sionary traveled, to fill his appointments in two counties, most of the time on foot. His appropriation from the Board was '$1U0, of which he collected on the field :^5.03, and also collected on salary $60, from which we understand that his salary for the year was $160 ; and from the treasurer's re- port it appears that of the one hundred appropriated by the Convention only $12.50 was received until the end of the year (October 19) when $82.50 was credited as paid to him. We have thought these particulars^worth mention, as the best index to the real sacrifices of this first seed- sowing, from which we are permitted to reap the harvest. While sketching the history of the Avork in the thinly populated parts of the state, the writer may be permitted to introdtice a personal recollection or two illustrating some of the lines of influence by which, in the Providence of missions, indirect results are often reached. In the fall of 1865, Rev. Gr. S. Bailey, D. D., was Super- intendent of Missions in Illinois, and the writer General Missionary in Iowa. A letter was directed to Dr. Bailey by mistake from a neighborhood in the northern part of Winneshiek county, Iowa. Upon opening and discovering that it was in our field, he forwarded it to me. It was written by a Baptist sister, and set forth that there were several Baptist families in the neighborhood ; that there had been some religious interest in the community, and a OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 77 number of persons liacl been converted and wished to be baptized, among them an old lady of seventy years. They did not know where to send for a Baptist minister, and wanted a missionary sent to look after that field. It being impossible to visit that distant field before the following spring, we wrote such encouraging words as we could, and so the matter passed for the time. In the spring of 1866 we directed our way by horse and buggy from the south- ern to the northeastern part of tile state. Rev. C. D. Farnsworth was pastor at Waukon, in Alla- makee county. He volunteered to go with the writer twen- ty miles to Decorah, in AVinneshiek county, and thence fourteen or fifteen miles to the north in search of those few sheep in the wilderness, spoken of in the correspondence of the previous fall. Late in the afternoon we joassed three or four emigrant wagons camped by the roadside, and wondered that they had stopped so early, for the}^ seemed to have been camped some time. Reaching the neighbor- hood where we hoped to find the objects of our search late at night. We were met with this sorrowful stor}^ The families we were looking for, becoming discouraged, and tired of waiting for the religious privileges they so longed for, had sold their possessions and started together to seek a new home in Western Iowa. While the men were training the loose stock into the way, the women were driving the teams. Only a few miles on their wa.y, a team had become unmanageable, a wagon had been upset, and the driver, the mother of a large famil}^ killed. Another, an old mother in Israel, was severely injured. These were the emigrants we had seen by the roadside, waiting to bury their dead and take care of. the surviving sufferer. We visited them tlie next day, and administered such poor comfort as we could. We received more than we gave, in 78 HISTORICAL SKETCHES the lesson of sweet Christian resignation and patience shown by the suffering saint. This ended, seemingly, a correspondence from which we had hoped might spring a very different class of direct results. Seemingly, but that was not the end. Five or six weeks afterwards, the General Missionary, having zigzagged his way with horse and buggy, from the northeast to the southwest corner of the State, was address- ing a missionary meeting in Glenwood Very naturally, he dwelt upon the correspondence and the incidents above nar- rated. An indelible impression had been made upon the speaker's mind. Two years later, being again in that part of the State, we met a brother whose zealous and success- ful work for the year or two back as a colporteur and evangelist, had been frequently noted. To our surprise, he told us that the incident related in the missionary meeting at Glenwood had been the means of his quicken- ing from a backslidden and spiritually torpid state, into the life he now so much enjoyed, and that God had so greatly blessed. He said, "I can distinctly remember the very seat in the Glenwood meeting house where I sat when you gave this recital, and how it thrilled mv whole being." In the report of Convention receipts for 186(5 is found this item: "Missionary meeting at Glenwood, $74.20." Another incident of the same visit, "Seeking the few sheep in the wilderness'' of Winneshiek county, will appropriately close this sketch . Leaving the sorrowing emi- grants, as noted awhile ago, Bro. Farnsworth and the writer returned to Decorah, where we had left an appointment to hold service in the Methodist Church. The object was to call together the eight or ten Baptists in the flourishing little city, and confer with them relative to organizing for work. There were but two Protestant English-speaking OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 79 Churches in this city of nearly 3,000 inhabitants. The Methodist and the Congregationalist were the two. After the service the Baptists were invited to tarry for a confer- ence, and any others who would. Three or four brethren spoke freely their sentiments. They were Baptists, and would prefer to work and worship in a Church of their own faith. But they would deprecate at present any effort, to start another Church. They wished first to see the two Protestant Churches on a firm footins;. One Methodist brother whose wife was a Baptist, would like to see a Bap- tist Church, and would contribute cheerfully to aid it. Rev. Mr. Swearingen was the Methodist pastor. He was invited to speak. He said he hardly knew what to say. He knew what he would say were he a Baptist. He would not talk as these Baptist brethren had. If there were only six Metho- dists in the place, he would say, Organize and go to work. He did not believe the organization of another Church would weaken those already there. The meeting closed in excellent feeling, and the next morning we took our departure. After a lapse of several months, the writer received a letter from one of the Baptist brethren who had discour- aged organization. He had seen his mistake and had changed his mind. A missionary was afterwards located at Decorah, and in 1868 we find reported eleven baptisms, and a church of thirty-three members. True, there were adverse conditions. The field was not very fruitful, and the Church was short- lived. But what of those eleven converted and baptized ? Who knows 'i It will be remembered, as before noted in these sketches, that the Convention Board, in the very beginning of its work, voted to assist in maintaining a man at Decorah, 80 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. "provided a suitable man could be found to occupy that field ;" but "no way was found for completing the arrange- ment, and that point is still unoccupied.'' And so it is still, after more than a quarter of a century. Thus "Man proposes and God disposes." More and more does the conviction fasten itself upon us as we study the past, that in this exercise of faith we must "sow beside all waters, " entering open doors as they are made open unto us, but leaving the disposing of the event to a wis- dom higher than our own. But let us not be deceived, and credit our failure to enter the open door to His disposal, when, as may be the case, it is due to neglect on our part. Among the Baptists at Decorah at the time of our visit, there was one brother and his wife, who had been members of the Church at Burlington. They and a few others occu- pied social positions that would have been, if consecrated, a power in behalf of the truth as we hold it and as they believed it. CHAPTER. XI. '<^'<1j)QJ/ An Appreciative Letter — Remhstiscence — A Hundred Cents on the Dollar — Another lp:tter — A Death Bed Scene — A Life Member- ship IN a Defunct Society. |HIS cliapter is^written with a veiy apprecia- tive letter from Rev. Dexter P. Smith, D. D., of Santa Anna, California, lying before us. He says : "In your reference to the indebt- edness of the Convention in 1858, when I accepted the appointment of financial agent, involving the work of general missionary, you say, 'the Convention was at least $1,000 in debt,'" and he adds, "yes, $2,000. The paper of the Convention was accepted in the market at the time only at a heav}^ discount, and so stringent were financial matters that some good brethren expressed a fear that the Convention would have to repu- diate the debt, while most felt that we could not aflord such a blot upon our history. The orders of the Conven- tion were found in the hands of various business men — some of them Catholics — to whom embarrassed missiona- ries, compelled by pressing wants, had sold them for what they could get. " When, therefore, the oiders were all 82 HISTORICAL SKETCHES looked up and paid at their face value, every debt can- celled, the paper of the Convention advanced to par value, and with our self-sacrificing missionaries provided for, it is no marvel that we breathed more freel}', thanked God and took courage ; aye, that we felt like erecting an Ebene- zer, ncknowledging 'hitherto the Lord hath helped us.-" There are many in Iowa who will remember those trying days, and that rejoicing at the emergence. And all of us together can rejoice to-day that repudiation has never soiled the banner of the Iowa Baptist State Convention. We remember how Dr. Murdock told us in 1882, at Davenport, that the paper of the Missionary Union was bought in the exchange marts of the world because of its high character as a security. Have we not here a testimo- nial worth considering to the inherent excellence of the Christian religion ;; What other class of securities based upon whatever foundation can say as much as this — that through a long series of years its paper has never been paid at less than one hundred cents on the dollar- — and that where the only foundation is the plighted faith of a covenanted Cliristian brotherhood? Brother Smith, with his most estimable wife, is now en- joying a serene contemplation of life's declining sun at Santa Anna, California He says : "Your sketches awaken many precious memories of Iowa. I love Iowa ;. I love her prairies, her rivers, and her groves. I love her people, her churches, her work, and her noble workers. God bless them ; man}* of tlieir names are embalmed in my choicest recollections. The very thought of meeting and greeting them 'over there' is an inspiration. " We have said earlier in these sketches that we hoped one of their ministries might be to revive and to emphasize many of these sancti- fied personal associations of our Iowa Christian life. How often are we reminded of what is said by the writer of the OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 83 Epistle to the Hebrews as to what we have come to in com- ing to Christ by faith, and accepting him as our High Priest. (Read Hebrews xii, 22-24). Referring again to these earlier days for the purpose of introducing facts gleaned since our sketches of those days were written, we may suitably insert some extracts from a letter received some time ago from Mrs. John Hagy, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. Hagy was the eldest daughter of Elder M. J. Post, referred to at the proper time as the first Baptist minister ordained in the Territory of Iowa. She gives us these ad- ditional facts about her father : M. J. Post was born in Franklin county, Vermont, June 8th, 1812. He was educated there, and baptized when fourteen years of age. Coming West, he preached first a while ill St. Francisville, Missouri, and then came to Iowa in 1842. His daughter says: "At Rochester, Van Buren county, Iowa, he started a prayer meeting when I was only seven years old, and Mr. Rudd came there the next year and taught school.'' She refers, also, to "a Baptist minis- ter, by the name of Elliott, who used to visit them often, and who used to travel a good deal with her father. This, of course, was William Elliott. From Rochester they removed to Fox River, and lived there three years, where she says: '.'I remember his baptizing a good many in the Fox River." "After I was nine years old I went with him a great deal. I remember once going with him on Sunday morning to fill an appointment on Fox River, after a very hard rain. AVe had to cross a creek called Chequest. He was to preach just on the other side. When we got there the stream was so high that drift-wood was floating, and the people were on the shore waiting to rell my father not to cross. He turned to me and asked me if I was afraid. I told him no, and so I stood behind him on the horse and 84 HISTORICAL SKETCHES held his saddle-bags, in which he carried his books, and he swam the horse across the stream. He was not afraid of anything when he knew he was doing his Master's bidding.'' It seems the daughter was then about ten jears old. She speaks of seeing him baptize quite a number in this same Chequest Creek. She remembers one gentleman, about seventy years old ; his hair as white as snow, among the number thus baptized. From Fox River they removed to Edd3^ville and lived one year, he preaching 'twice a month. She speaks of a Baptist minister by the name of Bond who staid with them; he and his family, for tliree months. "We went from Bddyville to Fairfield and staid there two years ; and then moved to Pella in 1847 and settled with the Hollanders." Mr. Post accompanied the pioneers in selecting a site for the colony formed there, and then in November of the same year moved liis family there to live. "And while he lived," the daughter continues, "we were the only Ameri- can family in the place." He had a stated appointment to preach about five miles from Pella, in the Noseman settlement. "He was to have preached there on Sunday, iVpril 2, 1848. He was taken sick on Saturday morning at 2 o'clock and was very sick all day, my mother and my- self waiting on him and doing all we could for him, not having a doctor that understood his case. On Saturday night at 9 o'clock he got up and dressed and had the barber come and shave him. Then he called me to him and told me to get his clothes ready and have the hired man get the buggy ready early in the morning, and for me to get ready to go with him, for he would start at eight o'clock, so as to get there and have two hours to rest before preaching. But the next morning at five I was called to OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 85 his bedside, for he was dyinoj; and at 2 p. m. his Father called him. That was thirty-six years ago, and I was but thirteen years old ; but the memory of that death-bed will never be forgotten. It is as fresh in my memory as though it had been yesterday.'' The loving daughter begs to be excused for writing so much of herself, saying, "I was with him so much that I could not write of him without putting myself in with him." Just what we want. Would that many others, whose lives were intertwined with the early pioneers of Iowa, so that the old should alwa^^s remain a part of the new, would write as well of those early days. A letter has been received from a brother in Roseville, 111., which will serve to "point a moral." It has reference to a reminiscence mentioned in a recent sketch, and says: "The Roseville man who hauled corn under such discour- aging conditions to pay a ten dollar subscription to Rev. G. J. Johnson, has an unsettled account with him.'' It ap- pears that a life-membership in the Iowa Baptist Educa- tion Society was involved, for which the contributor has never received his certificate. The jnoral, or ratlier prob- lem, is how to maintain a life-membership in a defunct Society. The Iowa Baptist Education Society, which then did such noble work, has long since ceased to exist. And yet the brother's contribution, with many others like it, is still a living power in the kingdom of God and his Christ. Such contributions are good seed multiplying themselves many-fold in God's own blessed way. The outward sym- bol that associates your name with a given act or inlluence may be wanting or lost, but the inherent seed-power that lay in this act itself can never die. The Society to which, as we suppose, reference is made, was the child of Iowa's very early years, having its birth as early as 1845 or 184(3. 86 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. Though long since dead itself, its children may be found, in some sense, in all the educational institutions and inter- ests among Baptists in Iowa, and among the Telugus, and doubtless in many other places. Its constitution was drafted by Rev. J. N. Seele}^, now of Clinton, Iowa. In 1847 its officers were : President, Jos. T. Fales ; Vice-Pres- ident, Rev. R. Cheedle ; Recording and Corresponding Secretary, Rev. M. J. Post; Treasurer, Obed . Stannard ; Managers, Daniel Jewett, William Elliott, J. N. Seeley, William Sperry, L. F. Temple, John Besecker, Otis Thom- son. Caleb Brooks, James Stewart and Calvin Craven. As these sketches grow, man}' of these earh' names are growing to be more and more like household words Is it not well that so it be? In the minutes of the State Conven- tion for 1847, I find this obituary notice: "Death for the first time since the organization of this body, has, in the inscrutable providence of God, been premittecl to enter our executive department, calling from our counsels and mut- ual responsibilities one of our most valued and cherished members. Rev. P. Robinson, of Marion, who departed this life September last. In his death we sustain an irre- parable loss. Amiable, discreet, devout and indefatigable, may his mantle rest upon us. Blessed dead! 'He rests from his labors, and his works do follow him.'" We find here also another illustration of how cherished names, with which we have become familiar in after years, flash upon us in unexpected places. At the sixth anniver- sary of the Iowa Baptist State Convention, held at Farming- ton, in 1847: "Rev. CI. S. Bailey appeared as a delegate from the lUinoi* General Association."' Many years later he becomes an active pastor in Iowa. CH/oPTER XII. Missionary Remixiscences^Jennie L. Peck — Deacon Bryson — Music in the Soul — Revivals. Salem — Meciianicsville. |N the present chapter we shall continue per- sonal reminiscences, of a like kind with some wliich have gone before. We seek to select such as illustrate God's gracious dealings witli his childien in the promotion of his Kingdom. In 1868 the writer, as General Missionary, was making a few periodic visits to the Little Church in Brooklyn, Powesheik county, Iowa. In one of these visits liis atten- tion was directed to a family that had recently moved into the village. Tiiere were six in the family, all to be received into the Little Church. They had been living on the prairie frontier, in Tama, or Grund}^ county. On our first visit to the liome, one daughter was unable to leave her bed, by reason of a painful and protracted sickness. Although in much affliction, and surrounded by circum- stances most depressing, her Christian cheerfulness was a joy to behold. It made her sick-room more like a home of cheer than a place of pain. It was our privilege to extend the hand of fellowship, in a short time, to this family of six, who had all been baptized before. 88 HISTORICAL SKETCHES A few months later, raised from her bed of pain, but with a chronic lameness that rendered her unable for many months to walk without crutches, this sister was engaged, unaided, in conducting a Sabbath School in one of the most destitute neighborhoods in the surrounding country. Unaided by human hands, but it was evident that the Friend of Sinners was with her in her noble endeavor. Her heart was poured out in behalf of the destitute, and needy ones. She prayed, she taught, she wrote letters. A willing brother would drive her in his buggy to the school house door, and so the work went on. Some friends in the east, becoming interested by her letters, donated an organ, others gave books and papers. What the final results of those efforts in that country school district were, eternity only, will .perhaps, reveal. But the Divine purpose soon began to ripen. That young Christian lady was Jennie L. Peck. From that lieart-trying labor in the country school house, she is soon l)romoted to other fields. In Grinnell, and in Oskaloosa, she is an active City Missionary. Though still a cripple, and traversing the busy city on crutches, she is received with cordiality, and her earnest Christian spirit touches man}'- hearts. The Lord, in d^ue time, healed her lameness and gave health, and her later, and present connection with the AVomen's Home Mission Society, as one of their most efficient missionaries, needs no record here. But these recollections are wort!iy of a place in these Sketches as a memorial of the way in which the Lord often chooses and prepares his instrumentalities, and how "out of weak- ness" his willing ones are "made strong.'' Another reminiscence, of a different kind, the writer has often thought of putting into print, and has frequently been told that he ought so to do. It will find a suitable place OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 89 here. In the Church at Bonaparte lived a most cheerful and exemplary Christian, Deacon Bryson. He had raised a large family, and taught them in the ways of the Lord. He Avas very fond of singing the songs of Zion ; for he had music in his soul. In his later years this brother became blind. Gradually, for two or three years, his eye-sight went out, till he was left in almost total darkness. During these years it was our privilege, in the annual missionary visit to his Church, to be entertained in his hospitable home. The Deacon's spiritual vision was never dimmed. After his blindness had become almost total, the wife of his youth and age, sickened and died. She had been his constant companion ; ever sitting at his side in the gathering gloom ready to render every needed care and comfort. At her loss his sorrow was overwhelming. In a visit, a short time after her death, he related this incident. He was sitting one day in his accustomed place, his head bowed upon his hands in the abstraction of an overwhelm- ing grief, hardly conscious of passing events. The spirit of song seemed to come like a soothing Angel into his soul, and he began, in an under-tone to sing : "Must Jesus bear the cross alone And all the world go free ■i' Xo. there's a cross for every one, And there's a cross for me." He said it seemed there was a complete response in his own soul to those words of the poet. They seemed exact- ly to voice his present experience, and he would try cheerfully to bear his cross of bereavement, heavy as it was. His mind then passed to the second verse as he had been accustomed to sing it: •• How happy are the saints above, Who once went sorrowing here ; But now they taste unmingled love And joy without a tear. " 90 HISTORICAL SKETCHES This too, lie said, completely voiced what was in his own soul, and he could think with comfort of that one who had so recently joined the happy throng. But now, he said, as he passed on in thought to the next verse of the hymn, there was something lacking: something in his present soul-experience that the Hymn did not voice. As he sat in deep thought, in mingled sorrow and comfort, scarcely conscious of what was passing in his mind, only that there was something wanting in the poet's familiar lines to fit them exactly to his present need. Some one of the family spoke to him and aroused him just enough from his abstraction to say, "Wait till I finish my stanza." Then these lines took shape in his mind, and he broke out in audible tones, "Now I have it!" and sung: "Tliis is the coiisecriited spot. Where side by side sat we, Till she went home to wear the crown. And left the cross for me. " Then followed : "The consecrated cross I'll bear. Till death shall set me free, And then go home my crown to wear. For there's a crown for me. '' Read the four stanzas together and see how, in the given experience, they voice just what the pious soul would wish to sing. As we sat by the side of the sorrower, in the same "consecrated spot," and sang with him these four verses, — for it was a part of the song for liim ever after — we thought what a blessing is the Spirit of Chris- tian poesy. We have never sung, nor heard tliat sweet song since, without a vivid recollection of the scene just described. Good Deacon Bryspn has long since joined the happy company of "saints above who once went sorrowing here." Doubtless there are many readers of these sketches who will remember his cheerful songs and services. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 91 The writer may be permitted to mention to the praise of God, in this connection, one or two instances of revival work that" remain as green spots in the memory, and may suggest lessons of useful import. The little Church at Salem, Iowa, was constituted in 1866. The active work of the Church, if we remember rightly, was, for the first year or two, out of town, and the few baptisms administered had been some distance from Salem, so that the people of that town had never seen an immersion. An intelligent little Baptist nucleus in the village were worshiping with the Congregationalist people. The domestic and social relations of the two societies were very intimate, parts of families being of the one connection and parts of the other. Our Baptist friends, however, true to their convictions, felt that something ouglit to be done for the establishment of the Baptist Church in the village. Early in 1868 arrangements were made with the writer, then engaged as General Missionary in the State, to hold a series of meetings with that special view^ The Congregational Meeting House was engaged for this purpose, a small brick school house purchased by the Bap- tists and work begun, simultaneously with the beginning of the meeting, to fit it up with seats, baptistery, etc., for a Church home. The Congregationalist pastor tried at first to thwart the meeting, saying he thought that this was not the kind of work needed now in the village,4)ut when he found that the meeting would go on, consented to the use of their house, while fitting up one of our own, it was very evident hoping, for some time, that the work would yet be given up or indefinitely delayed. A special efl'ort was made the Sunday before our meet- ing begun, and all who could be persuaded to do so, united with the Congregational Chuch. Among the number was a 92 HISTORICAL SKETCHES very intelligent young lady, wlio had been converted several months before, and who was a firm Baptist in principle. She had planned once or twice to go to Mt. Pleasant, the nearest Baptist Church, relate her experience and receive baptism. She was very sensitive about her influence over other young people, and the pastor taking advantage of this, and persuading her that her position outside of the Church'might hinder the salvation of some soul, and she, not knowing of the contemplated Baptist effort, yielded under protest, and was sprinkled and united with the Con- gregational Church. The pastor had also preached a sermon on amusements, in wliich he evidently tacitly encouraged dancing and simi- lar amusements by church members. He had also urged an irreligous young man who made no pretensions what- ever to a religious life, to join the Church, using as an ar- gument, the influence he would have over a certain young lad}^ to induce her also to join. These particulars of the conditions under wliich our meetings began, will serve to magnify that Divine favor which made the meeting a success. The interest grew from the beginning. Such an impression was made upon the people as, it was said, Salem had never witnessed- The work' of course was limited, for the means were circum- scribed, but the mighty power of the Spirit within the com- pass reached, has been seldom equaled within our know- ledge. The little house being prepared for a Church home was entered the third week of the meeting. Twelve were bap- tised during the meeting^among them the young lady who had entered the Congregational Church under protest, and her sister. A larger and better house was afterwards built and the Church has maintained its visibility ever since. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 93 For much of the time Brother Lee, one of the veterans of the Keokuk Association, has been its pastor. Another reminiscence of a revival. One of the Lord's revivals, beginning in the day of small things, will, like the foregoing, be chiefly of interest to those who may thus recall the goodness of God, from the recollection of a per- sonal participation in its blessings, > It is hoped that these Sketches may be useful in thus awakening sanctified recollections. Good Oliver Haywood, writing over two centuries ago of Heart Treasures, men- tioned among other sources of heart treasure " The recol- lection of lively religious exercises and experiences. " So we would make these Sketches as they voice these recol- lections, sources of heart treasure. In the winter of 1875, in the midst of one of the notable periods of snow blockades, the writer, who was at that time engaged in an Educational Agency, reached the vil- lage of Mechanicsville late in the week, and arranged to stay over Sabbath. A very feeble Church was then, and had been for some time, without a pastor. A Sabbath School of about twenty or twenty-five had been kept up, but a little while before the question of suspending it had been seriously considered. Two or three earnest souls had felt that the work could not be given up. A cheap organ had been bought; one sister could play the organ and an- other could sing, and by these^means the school had been kept alive. When the writer arrived at the home of good Sister Cook, he was greeted with the earnest exclamation, "The Lord hath sent you ! We've been praying that somebody might come along !'' We stayed over the Sabbath. Con- gregation small, weather intensely cold, roads blocked. A more unlikely time to begin a meeting — and more unlikely 94 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. surroundings could scarcely be imagined — with this one exception, that the " Lord was in the place '' though we "knew it not. " From the very first it was a Betliel. We had not had the slightest thought of a protracted meeting. The suggestion would have seemed preposterous. But be- fore that Sunday was over six of those Sunday School scholars had arisen for praj'ers. To have left would have been to defy God, to have despised the Holy Spirit. It was one of God's revivals. It went on in spite of storm or any other obstacle for four w^eeks. Twelve were baptized as a result, ranging in age from seven to seventy; three generations in one family. The Church was placed upon its feet, in a year or two a good brick church edifice was built, and most of the time since they have enjoyed the stated ministrations of the Word. It was not a great W'Ork as the word goes, but it was great in its littleness ! It was valuable as an experience because of the certainty that God had planned it. Oh ! for an increase of this kind of revivals that His servants dare not claim the credit of, and dare not run awa}^ from. The history of Iowa Baptists for the half century cov- ered, would furnish volumes of proof that God is in the midst of his people, working as none but he can work for the redemption of men. CHAPTER XIII. Reminiscences of Dextek P. Smith, D. D.— Counting THE Cost— Sickness and Death — A Pekilous Ride — "One Taken and Another Left" — A Child's Pkayee. |N this chapter we will give some personal rem- iniscences from the pen of our dear Brother, Dexter P. Smith, D. D., now of Santa Anna, California. He introduces the subject by say- ing, "Personal reminiscences are solicited, which necessitates a little seeming egotism. '' It is true that the personal element in a narrative is that which gives it its chief interest, and this in a self- conceited person will easily develop into egotism, but no one who ever knew Brother Smith will ever think of egotism in his personal narrative. He says : "In May, 1845, under appointment of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, I commenced work in the Davenport Association, at Iowa City. Iowa City was then the capital of the territory. The general government had erected a very fine building, in which the Legislature was then holding its first session. By request, and permission of the honorable legislators, I preached my first, and many subsequent sermons in thecapitol building. Iowa City, strange as it may now seem, was then the 96 HISTORICAL SKETCHES extreme western Baptist mission outpost. There was no church or mission station between Iowa City and the Rocky Mountains or tlie Pacific coast. Moreover, at tbat time, the Davenport Association embraced all the Baptist inter- ests in Northern Iowa and Minnesota. The early occupan- cy of this field required large faith. In response to repeated and underscored Macedonian appeals, in 1846, other good men were commissioned and sent out to supple- ment the little band of workers. One of their number, a noble young man, a fine preacher, a graduate of one of our best eastern universities, called on me at Iowa City, for advice in the choice of a field. I took him in my buggv to the annual meeting of the Davenport Association at Du- buque. The Dubuque Church was without a pastor, and very anxious to settle one. But our young brother under appointment from the East, after surveying the Iowa field in its length and breadth and destitution, not only declined the call of Dubuque, but, strange as as it may now seem, resolved to abandon this western field and return east. Aye, more, advised me to do the same, saying, "you are here enduring many hardships, practicing much self-deni- al — 3^our sick family suft'ering for the comforts of life, while in the east you can command a good salary, enabling you to enjoy the comforts, and even the luxuries of life. And moreover, '" he continued, "in my opinion, there never will be a population in Iowa, in your day, sufficient to Justify the sacrifice of your life here.'' With such impres- sions he returned to his eastern home. In response how- ever, to his logic and advice, I assured him that when we accepted our appointment to this field, we endeavored to count the cost. That we had come here, prepared to sacri- fice everything, not excepting life itself ;^ — and having put our hand to the plow could not look back, never, no never! And yet, there were paragraphs and chapters in the early OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 97 history of Iowa Baptists, which seemed in liariiiony with the prediction of our retiring friend and brother. At that time, the membersliip of the Iowa Baptist State Conven- tion did not equal the membership of a single Church in some of the older states. Not a Church able to give its pastor a support. Davenport. Dubuque, and a majority of the Cliurches loithout pastors, all combining to underscore the inquiry, " by whom sliall Jacob arise:! for he is small." While returning from that meeting at Dubuque, I was met by a messenger from Iowa City, who startled me with the announcement, " Your little bo}^ is dead I and your wife dy- ing I " It required strong faitii withouta murmur, to respond, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath tal^en away; and blessed be the name of the Lord. " And. although the pre- cious life of my wife was graciously spared, yet, under the circumstances, and while under the cloud, it required no small faith in my next report to the Board in New York, to voice the minority of the Commission, sent to survey the land of Canaan, and report prospects, "The land is an ex- ceeding good land ; let us go up at once and possess it, for (in God's name) we are able to overcome it.'" In that dark place and hour I find wi-itten in my memorandum "JEHO- VAH JIRAH. " As in contrast with 1845, I consider our Iowa Zion of 1885, her bulwarks and towers of strength,* her auxiliaries of efficiency, count her multiplied and mul- tiplying Churches, with a membership of 20,000, led on by men wliose practical faith comprehends not only this com- monwealth, but the world for Christ, inspired by the review I underscore the triumphant acclaim, "What hath God wrought ! " and call upon my soul and all within, around, ABOVE me to bless the name of the Lord, and magnif}^ his rich and abounding grace. " Dexter P. Smith. Santa Anna, California, June 5th, 1885. 98 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 111 another cominunication, after speaking of the death of such men as Robinson, Post, and Braybrook, noticed in these Sketches, Brother Smith says : "With the harvest so abundant, deepenins; and widening and waving on every hand, the removal of such workers sorely tried the faith of the few upon whom devolved double responsibility, and augmented work. An unvarnished record of the early Board meetings of the Convention, would involve items more stirring than fiction ; the personal exposure and sac- rifice of the members of the Board, the long distances trav- eled, — long because of the modes of travel — facilitated by no railroads with costly upholstered coaches. A worthy pastor having been requested to accept an appointment, to visit some corresponding body, did not positively decline, but said, "I have no way to go but to walk or ride an ox." The long anxious night sessions, often extended into the small hours of the morning, in the careful consideration of the situation, precipitated by an exhausted treasury ; not because any diplomacy could replenish it, but because there was demanded a prayerful impartial discrimination in granting applications, even necessitating the postponement oi urgent, afrvcting appeals irom struggling interests in county seats and other important locations — interests whose •very existence seemed to depend upon immediate encourage- ment ; all of which can only be appreciated by the actors in those scenes, the participators in those gratuitous services." To those of us who knew Brother Smith twenty-five years ago, with his frail body, delicate health and low vi- tality, the following incident seems little less than a mira- cle of preservation, as well as a marvelous instance of human courage and endurance. In 1860 or 'Ol, while act- ing as Financial Agent of the Convention, he started from Iowa City on horseback to attend a Board meeting of the Convention at Dubuque. "With the mercurj^ ranging OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 99 fearfull}^ low and still sinking," he reached and passed the night at Anamosa. ''The next morning ushered in one of those terrible blizzards during which so many early resi- dents perished. One," he says, " of the most bitter days of my experience. '' Kind friends urged him not to start ; but to delay was not to be on time at Dubucjue. "So I ventured out with the wind directly in my face, and so very sharp that I was obliged frequently to wheel my horse in order to breathe. '' He called at a house and procured a veil and tied it over his cap and face. His breath soon iced over the veil, which afforded a partial protection. Being obliged occasionally to dismount and walk to pre- vent freezing, he found this attended with no little hazard, for becoming exhausted he could with difficulty regain his seat in the saddle. Here we quote his own words. "Dur- ing tliat forenoon I passed over what was known by early residents as 'Bowen's Prairie', a notoriously bleak, exposed, uninhabited section. After zigzagging my wa}^, as best I could, some ten ijiiles without seeing a house, sometimes losing m}^ track, I happened, or rather providentially came upon a cabin, then the only dwelling where now stands the flourishing village of Monticello. A stranger opened the door, and kindly, but with language which involved a merited rebuke, said, 'Get oft' and come in as soon as pos- sible ; you have no business to be out on such a day as this,'' continuing, "I will take care of your horse." The good man rushed me into the house, but froze himself while caring for my horse. Warmed and refreshed, but with no abatement of the storm, and against the protest of the kind family, I started out again, reaching Cascade that night. The next morning a man was frozen to death, wrapped in his winding sheet of snow, on the same track over which I had traveled. " "One had been taken and the other left. " Reaching Dubuque next day in time for the 100 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. Board meeting, although but few of the members were able to be present, nevertheless legitimate business was trans- acted, and the agent says, " Doubtless many from the pres- ent standpoint, unable to comprehend the situation of those trying times, would denounce such a trip, involving such a tax upon vitality, as unjustifiable and foolish in the ex- treme. We only say in reply, "there was inexpressible satisfaction to know that provision was made immediately to pay tlie accrued claims of our faitliful, earnest mission- aries, forestalling embarrassment and suffering." "Rev. T. S. Griffith was then the worthy pastor at Dubuque. I shall never forget the kind attention received at his hospi- table home. His little boy of tender years, listened with great interest to the free discussion of our mission work ; his little heart throbbed with anxious sympathy for ex- posed workers. His father told me that ever after, the nightly prayer of his little boy closed with ' O Lord, bless Brother Smith, Amen,' — a guiding inspiration in subse- quent emergencies, for the little ones are the favorites of the Master. " "There are unwritten paragraphs and chap- ters in the early experiences of Iowa Baptists, forgotten or modestly suppressed, which will never be revealed until the final review ; and even then, not to complain of any- thing endured, nor to boast of anj^thing done, but to mag- nif}^ the abounding grace, and underscore the united acclaim, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.'" The above communication was written on our Brother's seventy-fourth birthday, December Kith, 1884. jtik. CHAPTER XIV. The Df:s MoijSTEs Associations^ — 1839—1859. Great Prosperity. |HE present and subsequent chapters will be devoted to a sort of bird's-eye view, of the growth of the different Associations in Iowa, so as to show,. 1st, the growth of each con- sidered in and of itself, and 2d, the growth of each as related to the growth of the denomination at large in the State. The present chapter will have to do with the first of all the Associations, the old Des Moines. We shall endeavor lo sketch its history from the time of its organization in 1839, down to the time ir, was disbanded, and the Churches composing it, by mutual agreement, were organized into the Keokuk and Burlington Associations. The account of the organization of this Association in August, 1839, at Long Creek — now Danville — was given in the beginning of these Sketches. The Churches composing it were three, Long Creek, Pisgah and Rock Spring. There were about 80 members in the three Churches. The first Moderator was Rev. Jonah Todd, Clerk, Rev. Alexander Evans, Preacher of Introduc- tory Sermon, Rev. Hezekiah Johnson. The name of the Association at first was the Iowa Baptist Association. 102 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The data for its history and its meetings for the first five years are very meagre. It appears that annual meetings were held in 1840 at Rock Spring, 1841 at Danville, 1842 at Rochester Church, near Keosauqua, in 1843 at Portland Church, and in 1844 at Danville again. For these years we have no means of knowing who were the officers, nor an}^ statistics. At the second meeting of the Iowa Baptist State Con- vention, held in Davenport in 1848, this Association was represented by Elders A. Evans, H. Johnson, D. Jewett, and M. J. Post. There were then reported ten Churches, six ministers, 43 persons baptized during the yeav and 223 members. The name of the Association was changed to Des Moines, either that or the next year. The ten Churches and the dates of their organization, were, as near as we can ascertain, Danville, 1834 ; Rock Spring, 1836 ; Pisgah, 1839 ; Union, 1839 ; Farmington, 1841 ; Washington, 1841 ; Mt. Zion, 1842 ; Mount Pleasant, 18i3 ; Keosauqua, 1638, and possibly Fox River, 1842. The ministers, in addition to those mentioned above, were Wm. Elliott and H. Bur- nett. The latter arrived in the territory in 1842. , o /I /I Number of Churches, 14, ordained ministers, 8, i o44t baptized, 100; whole number, 361. The Association met with the Ebenezer Church, Lee county. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder 1 RzLR ^^' *^* P^s^' ^^^^^ ^^^ elected Moderator and Broth- er Otis Thompson, of the Farmington Cliurch, Clerk. Among the ordained ministers are found Wm. Sperry and R, Cheedle. The Rock Spring Church seems to have previously lost its connection with the Association and, on application, is received again with 14 baptisms and 18 received by letter; members, 56. Brother S. Pickard appears as a Licentiate of the Lib- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 103 erty Cliurcli, also received this year with 27 members. New Churches were also received, viz: Shiloh, 8 members; Oskaloosa, 20; Village Creek, 8; Toolsborough, 8; Edd}^- ville. 7, and Fairfield, 22. Whole number of Churches, 25; baptisms, 11; members, 656. Met at Round Point, September 4. The preacher of the introductory sermon, Elder Sperry, being absent, Elder Q Hiram Burnett preached and was chosen Modera- tor, W. B. Morey, Clerk, Daniel Jewett, Secretary. Delegates from the Davenport Association Rev. Dexter P. Smith and J. N. Seeley. The Tabernacle, Mount Moriah and Ft. Des Moines Churches were received. The name of the Oskaloosa Church has been changed to Union. Elders Shaply Elmore, J. Moore, J. Bond, B. B. Nichols and H. Worden are among the ministers not named above. Num- ber of Churches reporting, 24; pastors, 11; baptisms, 71; total membership, 563. "Elder John Rexford, from the Free Communion Bap- tist Church, stated that he had embraced our sentiments, and enquired wliether his ordination would be accepted b}^ this body." After reading his certificate and some dis- cussion, the Association voted satisfaction and invited, him to a seat with the body. A request came up from the Eddj'ville and Tabernacle Churches for the ordination of Brother G. W. Bond, but after examination it was deemed inexpedient at present, and the Churches "advised to aid our brother in the support of his family, that thereb}^ he may be enabled to study to show himself a woi'kman that needeth not to be ashamed." There is evidence of an intelligent (lonservatism in such matters in those early days, tliat it would have been well in some quarters to have emulated later. The place of meeting in 1847 was Mt. Zion. William 104 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Elliott had been appointed to preach the introductory sermon. No record of this meeting nor statistics of the year have been found. The Association met in its tenth session with the church at Washington, Iowa. Rev. Horace Warden preached RAR ^^^ introductory sermon from Titus, 1st chaptei-, 3d verse. Rev. R. Cheedle was elected Moder- ator, and Rev. W .B. Knapp, Clerk. There are now 21 churches, 104 baptisms reported and 717 members. Rev. James M. Hope of Keokuk, appears among the ministers. The name of the Keokuk church appears with 13 members. A year earlier, in 1847, Keokuk was represented in the State Convention l)y Rev. J. W. Seely. The tjuestion of a division of the Association, already began to be discussed. The death of the late beloved M. J. Post, was reported and the Association most painfully mourn his loss. Near the close of 1848, began a work at Burlington, which claims more extended notice. The beginnings of Baptist seed-sowing here date still further back. In 1848. Rev. Luther Stone, now of Chicago, spent a number of weeks in Burlington, found a few Baptists, and preached a number of sermons. Rev. Alexander Evans and perhaps one or two others had also preached occas- ional sermons, but there was no organization. Rev. Ceorge J. Jolinson "first arrived in Burlington, on the evening of the first Wednesday in November, 1848, the da.y following the election of Gen. Zachaiy Taylor, as President of the United States "' The population of the cit}^ at that time was between one and two thousand. In a reminiscence of the time, Brother Johnson says that on his arrival at Bur- 'lington, "there was no Baptist Church or any other friends " that were under any special obligations to receive him, and that he had not money enough to pay his way for half a DEXTER P. SMITH, D. D. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 105 week. ' He however found, the next day, a "Kentnckian,'^ who with genuine Kentucky like hospitality, invited him to his home and made him welcome. This was John H. Webber who was afterwards the first person ever baptized by Brother Johnson, and so far as known, the first in the Mississippi River at Burlington. He is supposed to be still living at East Portland, Oregon. On the first Lord's day, in April, 1849, the First Baptist Church of Burling- ton, was organized with twelve members, and six others were baptized on the same day. In 1849 the Church was represented in the State Convention and in 1850 became connected with the Des Moines Association. In June, 1851, the Church entered, though it was far from being com- pleted, the house, where its services were regularly held for about thirty-four years, until the conference rooms of the present house were occupied. We have no record of this year. The Association was to meet at the Liberty Church, near Charleston, and Rev. J. M. Hope was to preach the sermon. August 8, 1848, Brother Hope had been recommended to the Home Mission Society, by the Executive Board of the Convention, "to labor with the Baptist Church in Keokuk, with an appropriation of $250.00 for one year from June 1, 1848,''but the record says, "withdrawn by Brother Hope at the expiration of six months, on account of impaired vision." Met for the fourth time, at Danville. The introductory sermon was preached by Brother Burnett, from Acts 20: 24. Rev. H. Burnett was chosen Moderator, Rev. E. Gunn, Clerk and M. W. Rudd, Treasurer. This is Brother Gunn's first introduction to the Association and to the State. He is pastor at Keokuk where 7 baptisms are reported, 15 received by letter and the church numbers 36. 106 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Brother Gunn received his first appointment from the Home Mission Society to labor at Keokuk in 1849, laboring 13 weeks in that 3"ear. Delegates of the Burlington, Bright- on, Richland, Charleston and Aurora Churches came for- ward and requested admittance into the Association, and upon favorable report of a committee, they were all received. There were now 27 Churches, 71 baptisms reported, 139 received in other ways and a total membership of 912. The Burlington Church reports 13 baptisms, 35 received in other wa3^s and 41 members. The Association met at Agency City. Rev. O. Ormsby, of Troy, preached the introductory sermon and was chosen Moderator, Brother Gunn of Keokuk, Clerk and M. W. Rudd, Treasurer. The great revival elsewhere noticed in the Sketches, as setting in soon after 1850, is fully inaugurated, 219 baptisms are reported. Rev. G. J. Johnson reports 77 baptisms at Burlington. They were permitted to visit the baptismal waters for thirteen con- secutive Sabbaths, and have now 136 members. Members in the Association, 1126, in 27 Churches, with 11 pastors. Wm. A. Wells is pastor at Danville, O. Ormsby at Keosau- c[ua and Fox River, W. H. Turton at Farmington, G. W. Bond at Oskaloosa, Aurora and Knoxville, Wm. Elliott at Fairfield and Brighton, Hiram Burnett at Mt. Pleasant, Eiihu Gunn at Keokuk, T. J. Penny at Pisgah, G. J. John- son at Burlington, and J. B. McGlasson at Blakesburg. At this meeting in 1851 the division of the Association which had been impending for some time took place, and the West Des Moines, afterwards Oskaloosa, Association was formed. Prior to this division the Des Moines Asso- ciation had extended from Keokuk and Burlington on the Mississippi, to Knoxville in Marion county, and at one time to Fort Des Moine^, and embraced all the territory south of the Iowa River. The division was amicably arrived at OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 107 and was made "On a line to be drawn from Keosauqua to Fairfield, and from thence to Brighton, thence on the line dividing the counties of Keokuk and Washington, '' the Churches at the places named, on this line to be in the western division. This divided the then existing Churches south of the Iowa River into two respectable Associations in point of numbers, and of nearly equal strength. Keo- kuk "have disposed of their old house of worship and lot, and purchased a new and better lot, upon which they ex- pect soon to have a new and commodious house of worship erected. " It sounds strangely to hear a Church not yet five years old talking of its old house of worship, but it illustrates how rapidly changes came about in those stir- ring pioneer days. Burlington had been enabled to enter their new house of worship, the interior of which was now "entirely completed." The Association met at Keokuk. Rev. Wm. H. Turton preached the introductory sermon. Rev. E. Gunn was chosen Moderator and Brother Turton, Clerk, and Deacon E. Cady, Treasurer. Though the As- sociation has been reduced by the organization of a new one on tho west, from about 30 Churches to 16, yet an era of unparalleled prosperity is about to be ushered in. Two new Churches are received ; the Jefferson and Augus- ta Churches, and there are now 16 Churches, 71 baptisms reported, 69 received in other ways, and the membership is 725. Burlington have baptized 26, and the new Church at Jefferson organized last March, report 19 baptisms. Elder Burnett is preaching the Word to them. The Association met at Farmington, in the Congrega- tionalist House of Worship. Introductory sermon by Rev. Geo. J. Johnson. H. Burnett Moderator, and W. H. Turton Clerk. The Church at Keosauqua 108 HISTORICAL SKETCHES seems to have, for a time, lost its visibility, and is again re- ceived into tlie body. Glasgow is also a new organization where 38 have been baptized and 56 members are reported. Rev, H. R. Wilber appears as pastor at Mt. Pleasant, Obed Sperry at Pisgah, and Isaac Leonard at Rock Spring. Brother Sperry should have been noticed at Pisgah a year ago. Also Rev. E. O. Town at Mount Zion. Brother Leon- ard has been reported as a Licentiate of the Burlington Church for a couple of years ; was ordained in 1851, Broth- er Town in 1852, Rev. B. F. Bray brook preaching the ser- mon in both instances. Churches in 1852, 17; pastors, 8; baptisms, 136 ; total membership, 812. Perhaps the pro- gress of the great revival in this Association for the next five years will be best shown by exhibiting in a condensed statement, the names of Churches, pastors and number of baptisms each year, in the principal places visited by the Saving Power of God. Beginning with 1853, and ending with 1857. 1853. Danville, Obed Sperry, 12; Bonaparte, no pas- tor, 15 ;Mt. Pleasant, H R. Wilber, 25 ; Burlington, G. J. Johnson, 13 ; Jefferson, H. Burnett, 13 ; Glasgow, Wm. El- liott, 16 ; other baptisms, 19 ; total, 139. 1854. Union, S. Pickard, 12 ; Liberty, S. Pickard, 21 ; Keokuk, E. Gunu, 29; Burlington, G. J. Johnson, 124; Jef- ferson, no pastor, 17 ; Richmond, Charles Thompson, 15; Lockridge, Wm. Elliott, 16 ; other baptisms, 13; total, 247. 1855. Union, S. Pickard, 37 ; Bonaparte, M. Sutton, 10 ; Washington, C. Thompson, 15; Burlington, G. J. John- son, 17 ; Glasgow, Wm. Elliott, 12 ; Tuscarora, S. Pickard, 23; other baptisms, 27 ; total 140. 1856. Danville, J. G. Bowen, 20; Bonaparte, M. Sutton, 15 ; Liberty, S. Pickard, 42; Keokuk, E. Gunn, 11 ; Burling- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 109 ton, G. J. Johnson, 26; Jefferson, W. Elliott, 15 ; Glasgow, W. Elliott, 12; Tuscarora, S. Pickard, 12; other baptisms, 16; total, 169. 1857. Pisgali, Isaac Leonard, 46 ; Bonaparte, M. Sutton, 7; Mt. Pleasant, H. K. Wilber, 37 ; First Keokuk, E Gunn (resigned), 85; First Burlington, G. J. Johnson, 27; Jeffer- son, W. Elliott, 23 ; Glasgow, W. Elliott, 7; Tuscarora, S. Pickard (resigned), 10; Second Keokuk, S. Pickard. 30; Denmark, M. Edwards, 1 ; total, 223. Total baptisms for five years, 917. The above will show the pastors doing service during the same period. The Association met at Jefferson in 1854. Introductory sermon by H. R. Wilber. H. Burnett, Moderator, H. R. Wilber, Clerk. In 1855 meeting at Burlington. Preacher, M. Sutton ; Moderator, M. Sutton ; Clerk, H. R. Wilber. Place of meeting in 1856, Glasgow. Preacher^ Morgan Edwards; Moderator, Wm. Elliott; Clerk, H. R. Wilber. Bonaparte. Preacher, Morgan Edwards ; Moderator, T. J. Penny ; Clerk, H. R. Wilber. There are now— 1867— 22 Churches, 11 pastors, — 7 other ordained minis- ters, 12 Licentiates — and 1,609 members. Among those just licensed to preach, are E. C. Cady, of the Ban- ville Church, W. A. Eggleston, of Mount Pleasant, J. M. Wood and J. Lee, of Glasgow, who have since been long and. well known among Iowa Baptist ministers. The Association held its Twentieth Anniversary with the Baptist Church at Richmond. Annual sermon by Rev. G. J. Johnson, who was elected Moderator, Rev. M. Sutton, Clerk and Calvin Craven, Treas- urer. Throughout 1858 the revival work seems unabated. Before its close. Brother Leonard has baptized at Pisgah 14 ; Brother Sutton at Bonaparte 26 ; Brother Moore at 110 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Charleston 15, and at Bethlehem 13 ; G. J. Johnson at Bur- lington 25; Brother Elliott at Glasgow 31; G. W. S. Bell at Richmond 45; W. A. Eggleston at New London 14; Jonathan Lee at Tuscarora (Pilot Grove) 11 ; Pickard at 2d Keokuk 27, and Thomas M. Ind at 2d Burlington 32. Other baptisms had been 30, and the whole number 283. Rev. P. P. Bishop during this year becomes pastor at Burlington, and Rev. G. J. Johnson, having closed his labors there, goes to Fort Madison, where 53 converts have been baptized and a Church of 102 members raised up. Rev. W. W. Allen is pastor at Keokuk and A. Edson at Washington. We have dwelt in considerable detail on these revival years in the hope that their perusal by such of those who were permitted to mingle in these Spiritual awakenings, as are still in the flesh, and by all of us, may awaken the memory of their blessedness, and create an earnest longing for a return of those days of the mighty power of God. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteous- ness for they shall be filled." The earnest spirit of devotion that showed itself, and the patient continuance in religious exercises that show them to have been a joy, are worthy of a little careful study. This will be best seen in a sketch of the doings of one Associational Sabbath. In August, 1858, the Des Moines Association met at Richmond, Iowa. The follow- ing is a full minute of the services of Sunday, August 22. Prayer meeting was held at 7 a. m.; Brother Ford addressed the Sabbath School for about one hour at 8:30 a m.; Brother Sutton preached at 10 a. m., from 2 Corinthians v: 20, 21; Brother Bastion preached at 11 a. m., from Romans X. 13, after which a collection was taken for the State Con- vention amounting to §i21.60; Brother W. W. Allen OF IOWA BAPTISTS. Ill preached at 2:'Si) p. m., from Matthew 10: 8, after which Brotlier Johnson made remarks and took np a collection for the Publication Society, of 114.35. Prayer meeting was held at night, and then Brother Edson preached from Jobix: 2, and Brother Eggleston from Galationsv: 6. The services of the day were throughout largely attended, and seemingly attended with a solemn sense of the Divine presence." Seven sermons and two prayer meetings in the same house in one day! What else than "a solemn sense of the Divine presence'' could make such a bill of fare possible? Doubtless, many will read this account with a smile to-day, and think of that day's services as belonging to a past order, when people had not yet learned to free themselves from the bondage of long and, perhaps, dry sermons, etc. But as we have studied it in connection with the evidences of the mighty power of God in the Churches during those years, we cannot doubt that such a lingering in the sanctuary, and such prolonged listening to God's Holy Word, was a most natural and a most delightful thing. May the reminiscence of it tend to hasten the return of a similar sense of the Divine presence in all our associational gatherings ! The Des Moines Association has had a prosperous his- tory. Though the territory has been reduced by the organi- zation of the Oskaloosa Association, the necessity or ex- pediency of further dividing it had been agitated for a year or two. The question has been submitted to the Churches in 1856, and at the Annual Meeting in Bonaparte in 1857, a committee was appointed "to examine the votes of the Churches'' in reference to the matter. This com- mittee reported tliat five Churches had voted for, and ten against division. At the meeting in Richmond in 1858, "on reqnest of 112 HISTORICAL SKETCHES the Glasgow Clinrch, and on motion of T. R. Carter, a special committee was appointed on division of the Asso- ciation, as follows: C. Craven, T. R. Carter, E. Cady; J. W. Ratliff and D. W. Ford." A majority of this committee reported, through the Chairman, C. Craven, against divis- ion. A minority report brought in by Brother Carter, favored division. Tiie question was again submitted to the Churches, with the recommendation "that the Churches desiring a division, communicate that desire to the next Association for such action as may then be deemed proper." The Twenty first and last Anniversary of the Des Moines Association was held with the Pisgah Baptist Church, near Dodgeville, Iowa, August 27, 1859. The tide of revival and of prosperity is still una- bated. TJiere are now 24 Churches, with 14 pastors, 321 baptisms are reported, 213 other additions, and a total membership of 2,036. A net increase for one year of 316. Under the powerful revival efforts of Rev. Morgan Edwards a Church of 102 members has been raised up at Fort Madi- son within a year ; 53 of whom have been received by bap- tism, and Rev. G. J. Johnson settled as pastor. Also by Brother Edwards' labor, a Church of 75 members at West Point, of whom 57 are by baptism. The proposition to divide I lie Association has at last prevailed. In a report made by Rev. G. J. Johnson, Corre- sponding Secretary, to the Slate Convention at Oskaloosa, in October, 1859, we find the following. After stating some of the cheering facts of the Association's prosperit}" in the year past, he says: "In view of the enlarged mem- bership of the Association, the throngs drawn together thereb}' to attend upon its meetings, " * and the great distance to be traveled over in order to attend its sessions, the Association was divided and resolved into two new OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 113 Associations, named respectively, Bnilington and Keolvuk Associations."' The report then closes with a just tribute to the memoiy of the Des Moines Association, as follows: "Surely the Lord has done great things for the Des Moines Association, whereof we are glad. It was organized just twenty years ago last August, under the name of the Iowa Association, and then embraced the whole State. It has since been changed in its name, divided and sub-divided repeatedly in its territory, and now, finally has passed out of being and taken its place among the things of the past. And yet, though this Association has ceased to exist, the name will be associated in many minds with hallowed interest, with scenes gone by and long cherished in the heart of sacred memory, by many friends of our Zion in Southeastern Iowa." Among the pastors of the Des Moines Association, perhaps not mentioned before, are D. H. Paul, at Danville in 1858, and W. J. Cochran, at Bethlehem in 1859, and others may have been unintentionally overlooked. At this last meeting of the Des Moines Association Rev. M. Sutton preached the annual sermon, Charles Hlibbell, Esq., of Keokuk, was Moderator, P. P. Bishop, of Bur- lington, Clerk, and Isaac Leonard, Treasurer. The history of the Des Moines Association is a history of a most important epoch in our growth as a common- wealth, and is full of the deeds and thoughts of a class of men who would do honor to any State in any age. Many of these noble men of God are still living and doing for God and humanity. With them these reminiscences must be of intense interest. Youth, vigor, anticipation, sancti- fied ambition, entJiusiasm, are atone end of the view. Gray hairs, experience, sober reflection, trials endured, coura- geously met and surmounted at the other. In many in- stances doubtless, mistakes made, discovered, repented, and, alas! sometimes when too late to make amends, all 114 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. reminding us that the treasures of gospel grace have been committed to "earthen vessels," and yet in view of all, what was said above in 1859 is true in 1886, the name of the Des Moines Association is still associated in many minds with hallowed memories and scenes of those early days of our Iowa Zion. CHAPTER XV. The Davenport Association — The Second in the State. Organized — September 1842 — 1842 to 1862. HIS was the Second Association organized in the State. It was organized in the City of Du- buque, in September, 1842. It embraced all the Baptist Churches then existing in the territory north of the Iowa River, except one. There names were, Bath (afterwards Le Clair), Bloomington (now Muscatine), Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City and Maquoketa. There was also a Church at Delaware, on the line between Delaware and Jones counties, which afterwards united with the body. The pastors at the time of the organization were Burton Carpenter, ot Dubuque; W. B. Morey, of Iowa City; Ezra Fisher, of Bloomington and Charles E. Brown, of Maquoketa. Du- buque had the only meeting house for the Baptists in the territory, "a low wooden building 18 or 20 feet wide by 30 in length." The Church in Davenport had succeeded in "getting up the brick wall for a house about the same size, which was enclosed during a thaw in the month of Janu- ary, 1843." The Churches at Iowa City, Muscatine and Le Clair built houses about 1846 and 1847. In 1843, the 116 HISTORICAL SKETCHES year after its organization, tliis Association comprised 7 Churches, 5 ministers, had baptized 11 persons and had a membership of 134. The membership had reached 257 with only 13 baptisms reported. Churches 11. Up to 1850 the growth of this ^ ^ , _ Association seems to have been very slow. 1845 Churches were added at Marion, in 1843 ; La Motte, in 1844: Blue Grass, Scott county, in 1845; Cas- cade, in 1846; Clayton county and Fairview, in 1848; and Hickory Grove, Scott county, in 1849. Maquoketa also seems to drop out of notice after 1842 and appears again in 1848. The ministers in this Association prior to 1850 and not named in its organization were, T. H. Archibald, 1847; B. F. Brabrook, 1844; Dexter P. Smith, 1844; Ira Blanch- ard, and perhaps a few others. The only indication of revival we find up to this lime, is that in 1847, there were baptized at Dubuque 20, at Bloomington 8, at Iowa City 9 and at Davenport 8, with 6 in other Churches, making 51 in all. The Association met at Cascade. B. F. Brabrook, of Davenport, Moderator ; T .H. Archibald, of Dubuque, Clerk. 1 RAQ '^^^^ minutes of this year bear evidence of vigor- ous and earnest thought, on all the questions agitating the times. There are resolutions against slavery, against members of the Churches being members of secret societies as ''anscriptural and injurious in their influence and dangerous in their tendenc}'," against countenancing circuses and theatres, in favor of total abstinence, and re- commending the first Monday of the next January, as a day of fasting and prayer, "if God peradventure will turn again the captivity of Zion." There is also a circular letter of marked vigor of style on "The Nature and Impor- tance of Scriptural Discipline in the Church." OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 117 Met at Marion. Dexter P. Smith, Moderator ; Geo. H. Gorliam, Clerk. There are now 17 Churches, 12 ordained ministers, 37 baptisms and and 534 members. John Williams is pastor at Marion^; John Bates, at Cascade; J. Currier, at La Motte ; T. H. Archibald, at Davenport, G. H. Uorham, at Dubuque; W. Rutledge, at Le Clair ; S. P. Johnson, at Muscatine ; D. P. Smith, at Iowa City; C. E. Brown, at Maquoketa and O. S. Harding, at Fairview. Met at Maquoketa. B. F. Brabrook, Moderator; S. B. Johnson, Clerk. Churches have been admitted at Coles- burg, 26 members, and Comanche, 13. J. Bald- win is preaching at Comanche and C. D. Farns- worth, Licentiate, at Colesburg. George Scott, at Maquo- keta. There are 17 Churches, 44 baptisms reported and 620 members. Rev. G. J. Johnson, of Burlington, is here as a visitor from the Des Moines Association. Met at Iowa City. Moderator, Rev. John Bates, of Cas- cade; Clerk, Rev. A. Russell Belden, of Iowa City. Church at DeWitt received with 13 members and Second ' Davenport with 29 members, 702 members in the Association, of whom 22 have been baptized within the year. Rev. E. M. Miles has became pastor at Second Dav- enport; A. R. Belden, at Iowa City; W. A. Wells, at Mus- catine; and J. C. Ward has succeeded Pastor Williams at Marion. The minutes this year contain a fine cut of the Iowa City Church which was dedicated Nov. 2, 1848, size 41 by 63 and cost S4,300. Met at Colesburg. Rev. E. M. Miles, Moderator; iV. S Bastion, of Dubuque, Clerk; Rev. A. R. Belden, of Iowa City, Corresponding Secretary. Five new Churches in north-east Iowa have been organized within the year, viz., Rossville, West Union, Yankee Settlement, 118 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Delhi and Bear Creek. These aggregate 67 members. There are marked indications of revival, 84 have been bap- tized during the year and 107 received bj^ letter. Of the baptisms, Iowa Cit}^ has received 21, LaMotte 26 and Mus- catine 21. Churches 24, members 862. Among the pastors this year appear O. A. Holmes, at Maquoketa and T. W. Clark, at DeAVitt ; also Elder Thomas Slade is pastor at First Davenport. A committee consisting of Brethren Scott, Rupert, Currier and Slade were appointed to consider the propriety of dividing the Association. This committee re- ported recommending "in view of the vast extent of terri- tory and the rapid increase of our Churches in numbers and strength," that a division be made "on the south line of Jackson and Jones counties,"' and that "to accomplish this object properly, the subject be referred to the Churches for their decision, to be sent in rheir letters to the Asso- ciation next year." A resolution was also passed most earn- estly recommending to the Home Mission Society, the appointment of a missionary in Allamakee and Clayton counties. The anniversary was to be with the Comanche Church. For the j^ears 1854 and 1858, inclusive, we have no minutes of this body at hand as we write. From other records we gather such facts as we can. The revival interest continues. There are 22 Churches, 73 bap- tisms, 201 received by letter and 1,022 members. The Churches sharing in the revival, as indicated by the bap- tisms, are Muscatine 21, A. G. Eberhart, pastor; Cascade 15; Maquoketo 7, and 2d Davenport 13. Besides the com- ing of A. G. Eberhart to Muscatine, the changes in pastors are, G. D. Simmons to Iowa City, D. H. Paul to Comanche and J. Schofield to Rossville. Met at Muscatine. During this year Rev. A. R. Belden, Lza - OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 119 of Iowa City, has been removed by death. By the organiza- tion of the Dubuque Association, August 30, 1855, taking off considerably more than half the Churches of this body, the Davenport Association lias become very much reduced in members and territory. Only nine Churches remain, viz.: 1st and 2d Davenport, Le Claire, Muscatine, Iowa City, Blue Grass, Comanche, DeWitt and Hickory Grove. The levival, however, has greatly increased. Baptisms reported, 106: whole number of members, 634. Davenport 1st has baptized 31, Wm, Rutlidge, pastor ; Le Claire, P. P. Shirley, 40 ; Muscatine, A. G. Eberhart, 16, and Davenport 2d, 12. Besides the pastors named, Rev. C. Billings Smith is at Iowa City, W. J. Parkhurst at Comanche and L. Carpenter still at Blue Grass. The next meeting of the Association is to be at Blue Grass. There are but few changes to note. N. S. Bastion has become pastor of First Davenport, and Geo. J. Miles, a brotlier of the Second Davenport^ yjastor, at Mus- catine. A small Church has been organized at Alill Creek, in Cedar county, with P. A. Gates pastor, which is to be shortlived liowever, and a German Church at Mus- catine, with Rev. C. Shoemaker as pastor, and 54 members, 9 of whom have been baptized daring the year. The glo- rious revival has continued with evident increase and great power. The eleven Churches have reported 188 baptisms and 837 members. Of the baptisms Rev. P. P. Shirley, LeClaire reports 42 ; G. J. Miles, Muscatine, 69 ; L. Car- penter, Blue Grass, 13; W. J. Parkhurst, Comanche, 33 ; and E. M. Miles, Second Davenport, 20. Next Anniversa- ry at LeClaire. Rev. I. Butterfield has assumed the pastorate at Second Davenport, Rev. Wm. Wood at DeWitt, and a Church has 1856. 120 HISTORICAL SKETCHES been formed at Lyons with 23 members and A. A. Sawin as pastor. Also Zion Church near LeClaire where Rev. P. P. Shirley has baptized 31 and there are 79 mem- bers. Baptisms in the Association 121, members 1025, in 13 Churches, with 11 pastors. It is a time of won- derful growth in the Association and in the entire state. Comanche is the place of meeting. Another 3^ear of unprecedented prosperity, the baptisms indicate. Two hundred and forty-one baptisms are reported and the total membership in 15 Churches, with 10 pastors, has been swelled to 1,311. A Church has been formed at Clinton where H. R. Wilber is pastor and reports 23 members. Zion, P. P. Shirley, pastor, reports 87 baptisms ; Davenport 2d, I. Butterfield, 42 ; Iowa Cit}^ C. Billings Smith, 35 ; others smaller numbers. JSTot a Church reporting at this anniversary meeting but reports some baptized. Rev. H. R. Wilber, the Secretary, in a note to the State Convention, makes glowing mention of these Spiritual blessings and says, ''Nor have we ground to suspect that the outward advancement of the Churches has outrun their inward and Spiritual prosperity. We will fain believe that with the lengthening 'cords' the 'stakes' have been strengthened also." It is refreshing even now, at the distance of almost 30 years, to sketch this period of the "3'eavs of the right hand of the Most High." The Association met at Davenport with the 2d Baptist Church. Rev. J. Edminster preached the introductory sermon, Rev. C. H. Remington, Moderator and Rev. G. W. Folwell, Clerk. Two Churches are received, Mt. Joy and Princeton. At the latter place there had been an organization earlier which had become extinct The present organization was not to be very long lived. New names of pastors appear upon the records as follows : OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 121 J. Edmiiister, Comanche (1858); G. W. Folvvell, First Dav- enport, (1858); and in 1859 D. D. Gregory, DeWitt, A. H. Starkweather, Lyons, James H. Noble, Mill Creek, C. H. Remington, Mnscatine, and S. Morton, VanBuren. There are now 17 Churches, 14 pastors and 1282 members, of whom 62 have been baptized during the year, and 157 received from all sources. The name of the venerable Thomas Powell, so long and honorably connected with Home Missions in the west, appears this year as a delegate from the Second Church in Davenport. Also that of Re«^. I. J. Stoddard, representing Foreign Missions, is among the visitors. The year has been one of reasonable prosperity, and the Churches seem to be well manned for work; but the great revival of last year has manifestly in a measure passed away. Zion Church near Le Claire is the place of meeting, time Wednesday, September 12. Moderator, Rev. I. Biitterfield: clerk. Rev. A. H. Starkweather. The introduct- ory sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas Pow- ell. During the past summer the Church at Comanche have lost their House of Worship, some of their valuable members tlieir lives, and others their homes, in the terrible tornado which swept away much of the town, in the month of June, 1860. The pastor, Bro. J. Edminster, also lost his librar}^ and furniture. By the energy of the pastor however, and the liberality of friends abroad, the meeting house has been replaced with another and the Church still lives. Complaint is made of a rather unfruit- ful year in spiritual things. There are 19 Churches, 17 pas- tors, 73 received by baptism, 227 from all sources, and a to- tal membership of 1238. Rev. John Scott has been settled as pastor at Clinton, James Dixon at Iowa City, and E. D. Philips has been ordained pastor at VanBuren. Brother Starkweather, in a report to the State Convention, while 122 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. lamenting the barrenness of spiritual frnits expresses hope for a better report in the year to come. He says, "Indeed, if the interest manifested at our annual gathering may serve as a criterion, we shall doubtless have much good news to relate in our next report." Met at DeWitt. Rev. C. H. Remington preached the sermon. Moderator, J. Edminster; clerk, A. H. Stark- weather. The hoped-for increase of spiritual iDDi. power has not been fully realized, but perhaps we shall discover that the inspiration noticed last year had been given for ^another purpose. The great National crisis just breaking out in the Rebellion will demand all our resources of courage, grace, and grit. The Davenport Association will not be lacking in the support of our coun- try. A letter was received from R. B. Fulton of the army in camp at Burlington, Iowa, setting forth the temptations and the needs of army life, and earnestly pleading for christian sympathy and prayer in their behalf. The let- ter was ordered printed in the minutes and hearty reso- lutions of sympathy with the Government were passed. There are still some indications of spiritual life in the Churches, notwithstanding the adverse conditions abound- ing. There have been baptized 61; received in other waj^s, 112; present total 1346 in 20 Churches, of which 15 are supplied with pastors. The First Davenport Church has disbanded and given place to a new organization called the Main Street Baptist Church, with Wm. Storrs as pastor. Have had a revival and baptized 13. Second Davenport is still prospering, with pastor Butterfield and have baptized 11. Zion Church is oppressed with a debt. Bro. Arthur Stott, a Licentiate, is supplying the pulpit. Lyons have completed and dedica- ted a new house of worship. CHAPTER XVI. Davenport AssociATioisr Continued — From 1862 to 1886. JJV 1862 the Association met at Lyons. Moder- ator and clerk the same as last year, and Bro Edminster preached the sermon. Only 25 baptisms are reported ; the total member- ship being 1315. The absorbing interest is the state of the country, yet there is reported at the annual meeting ''a season of delightful brotherly interchanges" which it is believed "will result in much good to all the Churches." We find this year, Rev. J. T. Westover be- ginning a pastorate at Iowa City. G. W. Dowd is also preaching at Zion. Comanche have given 17 of their mem- bers to the army. Assembled at Iowa City. J. T. Westover Moderator, S. L. Burnham, clerk. Rev. E. M. Miles preached the introduc- tory sermon. Several Churches lament the loss 1 O C; Q '' of faithful members who have fallen in the service of their country. Iowa City alone has been visited with a revival. Brother Westover has been permitted to baptize 88. A new Church at Clear Creek, 8 miles west, report 6 baptisms. Besides these there are only 6 baptisms report- ed in the Association. The Clear Creek Church is received into the body Rev. S. L. Burnham has become pastor at 124 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Muscatine, and the ladies of the Church have secured a lot on which it is hoped to build a new edifice ere long. The present is a time of great trial but faithful holding on. Met at Muscatine. Rev. D. P. Smith preached the ser- mon and was elected Moderator, and James T. Lane of Davenport, clerk. The spiritual dearth lament- ^o^-±. ^^1 ^^^. ^1^^ jg^g^ j.^^^ Q^. tiii^ee years seems to have passed and showers of blessing are manifest; 115 baptisms are reported, and 1177 members in 14 churches. Several small churches have evidently become extinct or do not report. The boundaries of the Association have varied but little since the organization of the Dubuque Association ten years ago. The name of the Second Baptist Church at Davenport has been changed to the Calvary Church, and the Main Street Church become extinct and many of its members have been received with open arms into the Cal- vary Church. Rev. D. S. Watson has succeeded pastor Butterfield ; 52 have been baptized in this Church and 44 received by letter, and a debt of $6,000 has been paid. Muscatine have baptized 36, S. L. Burnham still pastor; Ly- ons, Pastor Starkweather 15, and Bro. Edminster at Coman- che 11. Rev. B. F. Ashley has become pastor at Iowa City. Muscatine have nearly completed their new brick meeting house. At this meeting the writer of these Sketches for the first time met with the Davenport Association as Agent of the State Convention. His cordial reception is a cheering recollection after the lapse of twenty-two years. The place of meeting this year is Comanche. S. L. Burnham is clerk. W. G. Moore has become pastor at Clinton, A. Kenyonat Iowa City ; Calvary Daven- ^^^^- port have baptized 51, Clinton 8, Lyons 10; total Churches 18, baptisms 82, other additions 178. membership 1402. The Church at DeWitt have during the year com- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 125 pleted and paid for their house of worship, and are in a healthy condition, and Comanche have built a good par- sonage. On the whole there is a good degree of vitality and some of the Churches have made material advancement. The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary is held at Davenport, the city whence the Association takes its name. Introduc- tory sermon by Rev. A. Kenyon of Iowa City, J. Edminster, Moderator, Rev. Edwin Eaton, clerk. Mr. Eaion is pastor at Muscatine, having succeeded S. L. Burnham, A. D. Freeman at Clinton, and J. M. Lackey at DeWitt. Another revival season has visited many of our Churches ; 40 have been baptized at Comanche, 20 at Iowa City, 25 at Muscatine, 14 at Zion, and 29 at Downey, where a new Church is added to the Association. Total baptisms 146, additions from all sources 258, members 1415. Met at Zion, Scott county. Officers same as last year. Rev. A. H. Starkweather, who was to have preached the annual sermon, has been called to his heavenly rest.and his alternate, Rev. Edwin Eaton, has the painful duty of filling his place. A good degree of the "re- freshing from the presence of the Lord" continues to be manifest in the reports from the Churches. Baptisms 148, additions 262, members 1532. The largest sharers in the revival are Calvary Davenport, D. S. Watson, pastor, bap- tized 50 ; DeWitt, J. Edminster, 32 ; Iowa City, A. H. Stow- ell, 35; and Muscatine, E. Eaton, 10. The Iowa City pastor has just come on tlie field this 3 ear. Brother Edminster has removed from Comanche to DeWitt and Brother Lack- ey has taken his place at the former Church. Rev. A. D. Freeman has resigned at Clinton ; Bro. Robert Leslie, li- censed by this Church, has supplied them very acceptably for a time, and Rev. \ym. Roney has been called to the pastorate. 126 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The Association held its annual meeting at Clinton. Moderator, E. M. Miles, clerk, Rev. E. C. M. Burnham. Baptisms, 45 ; total membership, 1534. Rev. T. W. Powell, from Ohio, has succeeded Bro. Wat- son, at Davenport, and Rev. E. C. M. Burnham is preach- ing at Lyons. There are now 16 churches in this Associa- tion. For a number of 3^ears the churches becoming extinct and being dropped from the list have outnumbered the nevv organizations, and the territory of the Association has remained about the same, comprising the counties of Mus- catine, Scott, Clinton and Johnson. The Clinton Church have sold the old meeting house and propose to go forward in the erection of a new one to cost .siO,000, of which sum only $3,000 are as yet provided. Rev. H. A. Guild has succeeded A. H. Stowell at Iowa City, and the name of M. T. Lamb appears among the delegates from Davenport. Met at Iowa City. T. W. Powell, Moderator, H. A. Guild, Clerk. Baptisms 114, total membership, 1606. Dav- ^ PP^Q enport, T. W. Powell pastor, has baptized 57; Dewitt, J. Edminster, 18 ; Lyons, E. C. M. Burn- ham, 12 ; and Muscatine, E. Eaton, 12. R. Dunlap is preach- ing at LeClaire and Zion. Rev. E. N. Elton had been employed b}^ a committee appointed the previous year, to labor as As#ociational Colporteur. He labored from Octo- ber 1st to April 1st, when it was deemed by the committee thar, "further efforts in the same general direction might be dispensed with without detriment to the end had in view,'' and " the engagement with Brother Elton was terminated with his full consent. ' The committee con- sisted of Revs. H. A. Guild, J. Edminster, Edwin Eaton and E. M. Miles. Rev. C. E. Brown, from a committee appointed last year to prepare and "present to this body a history of itself,'' "presented an exceedingly interesting document, covering the first nine years of said history. ■. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 127 The report was ordered on file with the valuable papers of the Association, and Bro. Brown, having performed the part assigned him in the committee was released from further service, and Rev. E. M. Miles was added to the committee, the other members being Dexter P. Smith and D. O. Montague. How much such valuable labor in gathering and compiling historical facts has been per- formed and then dropped out of sight never again to see the light ! Met at DeWitt. Rev. C. H. Remington, of Clinton, Moderator and Rev. F. Adkins, of Iowa City, clerk. These are both new pastors in the Association, though Bro. Remington had spent a number of years in this Association in its earlier history. Rev. S. H. D. Vaughn has also succeeded Bro. Edminster at DeWitt, and Rev. E. P. Savage is preaching at Lyons. These new names yearly are an index to the frec^uent changes in the pastoral relation, the causes of which cannot be discussed here, but are the subject of much perplexity and the occa- sion of no little crippling of our Church work. It has been another year of encouraging growth, in which Daven- port has reaped the largest share. Brother Powell reports 74 baptisms ; Clinton, Comanche and Iowa City follow with 14, 12 and 12 respectively. Whole number of bap- tisms, 134; members, 1,679. Downey are now worshiping in their own house and Rev. A. C. Sangster preaching for them. Downey is the place of meeting. Rev. N. S. Burton, D. D., of Davenport, Moderator, F. Adkins, clerk. Bro. Powell's health failing under his arduous revival work, he is compelled to resign at Davenport, and at his suggestion his old pastor. Rev. N. S. Burton, of Ohio, succeeds him. Rev. N. A. Reed has also become 128 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES pastor at Muscatine. Fifty-four baptisms are reported distributed in 7 Churches, Iowa City, Clinton and Lyons having the larger number — 16, 11 and 18 respectively. Ten of the 17 Churches report no baptisms. Whole num- ber of members, 1,654. Calvary Church, Davenport, is the entertaining Church this year. Moderator, Rev. N. A. Reed; clerk, Rev. M. T. Lamb, of Clinton, where he has become pastor. A. F. Sharpnack is reported pastor at Blue Grass. The baptisms this year are only 38, whole number 1,631. A Missionary Committee for the Association, appointed last year consisting of N. S. Burton, S. H. D. Vaughn, H. H. Smith and F. Adkins, report considerable effort " by occasional meetings and by correspondence to, accomplished the design of their appointment," but have to report that ''so far as the missionary labor contem- plated is concerned, their efforts have failed." Tliey re- commend the holding of bi-monthly meetings, to consist of devotional services, etc., for the promotion of the mission- ar}^ idea within the bounds of the Association. The Association met with the Zion Church, Le Claire township, Scott county. Moderator, N. A. Reed; clerk, C. E. Bentley, of Clinton. The Monmouth Church, Jackson county, H. Holmes, pastor, with 11 members is received from the Dubuque Association. The Big Rock and Wheatland Church received in 1871 keeps its place with diminishing numbers. Baptisms reported this year 145, whole number of members 1,745. Comanche, Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine report most of the gain. L. L. Lansing is pastor at Comanche and G. W. Lewis at Zion and Le Claire. Two brethren have been ordained in the Association during the year, viz: Jacob Meier, of the German Baptist Church, Muscatine, and A. mgr ■mssarKatma OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 129 F. Sharpnack, at Blue Grass. Lone Tree and Solon are mentioned as hopeful places for missionary work. For tins and the subsequent years of this history, the compiler is not in possession of the records of the Asso- ciation and can only s:ive such facts as are 1 RV4- gleaned from other sources. This year has been one of great spiritual quickening. Eleven of the 13 Churches report baptisms, aggregating 178 in all ; present membership 1,686. Lone Tree, favorably mentioned last year as a missionary point, appears in the records with 11 baptisms and 40 members. Rev. J. Y. Aitchison is pastor at Clinton, H. N. Millard at Lyons and G. Parker at Blue Grass. These are the new pastoral arrivals. In 1875 we find Edward Jones, pastor, at Comanche, C. C. Smith at Clinton, T. W. Powell again at Davenport, E. T, Hiscox at Iowa City, G. W. Prescott at Le Claire and W. H. Barnes at Monmouth. Baptisms 102; membership 1,850 in 15 Churches with 12 pastors. 1876: Baptisms, 41 ; total membership, 1,610. Ten Churches out of 16 report bap- tisms, but none large numbers. Comanche, 13, is the larg- est. None others over 5. Rev. C. Swift has succeeded L. L. Lansing at Comanche, J. C. Douglass is pastor at De Witt, and A. C. Kelley at Downey. Of late the Churches are reporting their financial statistics much more fully than formerly, and the results are increasingly to their credit. No notable changes among the pastorates except that Muscatine, which was last year without a pastor, reports A. G. Eberhart, who had served this Church in "I pY'V' the same capacity in 1854 and 1855. This has been another year of revivals. One hundred and eighty baptisms, 96 other additions and a total membership of 1,750 in 15 Churches with 13 pastors. Muscatine leads with 44 baptisms; Davenport, 43; several others ranging 130 HISTORICAL SKETCHES from 10 to 14. Eleven of the 15 Churches report baptisms. Over $10,500 reported for Home expenses, and over $2,600 for Benevolence. 1878: Fifteen Churches, 12 pastors, 102 baptisms, and 1,850 members ; contributions, a little increase over last year. Rev. D. T. Richards is pastor at Muscatine. Rev. F. A. Petereit has been for two years pastor of the German Church, Davenport, and now -Rev. G. Chambers reports a Colored Church of 19 members in the same city. 1879 : Only 57 baptisms reported this year in 8 of the 16 Churches ; whole number of members, 1804. A new Church at Nash- ville appears with 15 baptisms and 31 members. Rev. W. H. Stifler has succeeded Pastor Powell at Davenport. This has been a 3^ear of evident Spiritual dearth, only 12 baptisms are reported in the 14 Churches on the list. Doubtless, Eternity may disclose as faithful work in sowing seed and training for future har- vesting, as in the more immediate reaping of revival 3^ears. "The wind bloweth where itlisteth" and, "Thou canst not tell whether will prosper this or that." Rev. C. C. Smith, of Clinton, and Rev. E. T. Hiscox, of Iowa City, each of whom began the present pastorate in 1876 are the only pastors who date back more than one year or to 1879. The new pastors this year are W. H. Whitelaw, Comanche, Edward Wilson, Davenport (Colored), H. W. Wilson, DeWitt, Jacob Shutz, Lone Tree, T. A. Maxon, Nashville and W. L. Wood, Zion. Not much increase by conversion for 1881. Thirty-six baptisms, 1,397 members. George Houghton has become pastor at Comanche, James Jeffries at Downey and G. F. Linfield, at Muscatine, has succeeded BrQ. Richards. Emi- gration to the west is beginning to tell upon these older fields, visibly, the membership of this Association having fallen off in two years from 1,804 to 1,397; over 400 loss. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 131 Again the Spiritual pulse begins to quicken. Pastor Stiller, at Davenport, has baptized 55 and Linfield, of Mus- . catine, 13; other baptisms, 20; total, 88; total ; membership, 1,368. Rev. H. M. Thompson has succeeded Pastor Hiscox, at Iowa City. Other pastors are holding. on. A. H. Lyons appears as pastor at Monmouth and Nashville in 1883. Baptisms this year, 28 ; total mem- bership, 1,281. Pastors nearly all maintaining their ground. Be faithful, the reaping time will come. Four- teen baptisms and 1,279 members in 1884. H. D. Weaver is pastor at Comanche, E. P. Savage at Clinton, S. E. Wil- cox at Muscatine, and J. C. Johnson at Downey and Lone Tree. Again there is only one pastor in the Association who has been with his Church more than one year. Dr. Stiller, at Davenport since 1879. The Spiritual tide is again coming in. There have been in the Association 138 baptisms; membership 1,371, an increase of nearly 100. Comanche, Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine have been blessed with 28, 53, 40 and 12 baptisms respectively. Rev. F. L. Wilkins has succeeded Dr. Stiller at Davenport, he having resigned to assume the Presidency of Roger Williams' University, of Tennessee. As we close this chapter the Minutes for 1886 have not been received. We are able to state, however, that steady work is being pursued. Few, if any, changes have taken place in the ministerial forces. Iowa City, after an interval without a pastor, has probably been supplied. Daven- port, Muscatine, Comanche and Clinton are ably manned as a year ago. One ver}^ sad record must close this chapter. On the way home from the State Convention, at Cedar Rapids, October 25, the pastor of the Le Claire and Zion Churches, 132 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. Rev. Lewis Brasted, fell dead in the coacli a few miles out of the city. In a group picture of the ministers present at the Convention, taken a few days before, the brother of the deceased, Rev. B. H. Brasted, appears standing with his arms thrown lovingly around him. That picture will remain as a memorial of a very graceful exhibition of brotherly affection. Brethren let us love one another. CHAPTER XVII. The Oskaloosa Association — At First Called the Sec- ond Des Moines— The Third Association ON Our Records— 1851 to 1886. ;P to 1851 we find record of but two Associa- tions of regular Baptist Churches in Iowa. These were the Des Moines, organized in 1838' and the Davenport, organized in 1842. (But see History of Fox River Association.) In 1851, 13 Churches were set off from the Des Moines Association and called the Second Des Moines Association. These were Agency City, with 42 members; Au- rora, 25 ; Brighton, 18; Fairfield, 16; Fox River, 33; Keosauqua, 32; Blakesburg, 35; Knoxville, 30; Liberty- ville, 26 ; Mount Moriah, 31 ; Oskaloosa, 31 ; Richland, 44; and Sigourney, 38. Of these Keosauqua had been organ- ized in 1838 ; Fox River, in 1842 ; Agency City, in 1844 ; Fairfield and Oskaloosa, in 1845 ; Mount Moriah, in 1846 ; Sigourney, in 1847; Liberty ville, in 1849; Aurora, Brighton, Blakesburg and Richland, in 1850; and Knoxville, in 1851. The next year, 1852, these with the exception of Mount 134 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Moriah, which disappears, and with the addition of Steady- Run, organized 1852 ; Cedar Creek, 1844 ; and Middle Creek, 1852 ; were constituted the Oskaloosa Association, with 15 Churches, 9 ministers and 455 members, of whom 64 had been baptized within the year. The pastors were Wm. Elliott, J. L. Cole, B. B. Arnold, John Bond, I. C. Curtis, G. W. Bond, G. W. Olne}^ and A. N. Atwood. The Oskaloosa Church named here is not the Church in the city of that name, which was not organized for several years after. Churches 16, pastors 5, baptized 32, whole number 502. The name of J. Mitchell appears among the ministers as pastor at Sigourney and Richland, and that of J. Parker at Walnut and Brookville. The latter two Churches and that at Pella. appear for the first time, while Aurora and Keosauqua have disappeared. Two or threo small Churches are added in 1855, and 120 baptisms are reported. Rev. E. H. Scarff is pastor at Pella and reports 40 baptisms and 150 members. C. Bullock, W. Drummond and J. T. Milner are new pastors. The country Church called Oskaloosa is missed from the record. There are now 627 members. The number of Churches has increased to 25; pastors 15; baptized 134. Total 934. A Church has been organ- ized at Ottumwa with 16 members, Rev. J. T. Robert, pastor; at Oskaloosa, J. P. Chi Ids, pas- tor, 32; Fremont, J. Ferguson, 36; one at South English with 39 members; and the Little Mount Church near Mon- tezuma, Rev. M. Gregson, pastor, with 30 members. Rev. John Williams has become pastor at Fairfield and Bright- on. Rev. A. Saladay is pastor at Fox River, near Troy, Davis county. Rev. N. Hays is pastor at Eddyville. In 1857 we find Churches 29, pastors 14, baptizing 92, whole OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 185 number of members 1065. The largest Churches are Blakesburg 128, and Pel la 193. Rev. Wm. Elliott is pas- tor at Brighton and Martinsburg, and Rev. J. Frey at South English. 1858 "has been a year of the Right Hand of the Most High." The membership has reached 1150, of whom 264 have been baptized during the year. Rev. E. Gunn is pastor at Pella, and there is a Second Pella Church of 75 members, with Wm. Elliott pastor. Rev. J. M. Wood is ordained this year at Glasgow in the Des Moines Asso- ciation, but is preaching also in this Association. Rev. E. Ward is also among the preachers. This year is memorable with the writer of these Sketch- es as the one in which he was baptized into the membership of the Oskaloosa Church by Rev. J. F. Childs, 1859 the pastor, and attended his first meeting of the Association at Fremont. There were reported 119 baptisms 252 additions from all sources, and a total membership of 1307 in 26 Churches. All of these Churches have been or- ganized within less than ten years. Rev. S. H. Worcester has assumed charge of the Ottumwa Church and Wm. and F. J. McEwen have entered the Association. The year 1860 is complained of as one of coldness and discouragement, yet there are 183 baptisms reported ; 24 Churches, 14 pastors and 1146 members. Three Churches have been dismissed to unite with the English River Asso- ciation which was formed this year. Of pastors not before named are H. S. Cloud, Bellefontaine, and E. S. Ayers, Blakesburg. The annual meeting in 1861 was held with the Bluff Creek Church a few miles west of Eddyville. Many of the letters lament the "wicked rebellion and the war excite- ment as unfavorable to the cause of religion.''' Churches 138 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES 25, pastors 20, baptisms 177, members 1247. Rev. I. J. Stoddard is preachiag at Bellefontaine, T. J. Arnold at Brookville, J. C. Burkholder at Fairfield, and G. W. Gunnison at Pella. Most of the Churches are in the coun- try, meetinf? in school houses and have preaching only once a month. The writer was clerk this year. Baptisms 123; mem- bers 1,286. Wm. Hildretli is pastor at Blakesburg and has baptized 46. A. Robins, 21, at Lovilla, where a Church is received with 66 members. Place of meeting, Pleasant Grove, five miles south of Chilli- cothe. We well remember an incident of this anniversar}^ Owing to heavy rains there were but very few delegates present at the time appointed. As it cleared away and we were speculating upon the probabilities of a failure of the meeting, the question went round, "Had any one present ever known a Baptist Association to prove a failure?" IVot one had ever heard of a case. This was no exception. The weather cleared and man}' came, though late, and it was a good meeting. The Association met in 1863 at Fremont. The war is telling upon the condition of the Churches. Many of the best brethren have gone into the army. But 27 baptisms are reported and 1,078 members. Rev. I. J. Stoddard, of Pella, is clerk. Only two Churches now have above 100 members. In 1864 the Association met at Pella. Same clerk as last year. Baptisms 57; members 981 in 18 Churches. Met at Oskaloosa. J. O. Wilson, of Eddyville, clerk. A little increase; 91 baptisms; 1,041 members. Rev. J. O. Wilson, from Muscatine, recently ordained, is preaching at Eddyville. This brother did not remain long in the ministry, but owing to financial bur- dens deemed it duty to resort to business, for which he K. K. LEWIS. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 137 seemed to have special qualifications, and never returned to the ministry. Of the 91 baptisms, 60 were reported from Lovilla, where E. B. Hicks, a licentiate, was preaching. The writer baptized 25 for him in one day. Met at Lovilla, in the northwest corner of Monroe county. The writer was again clerk. On arriving upon the ground it seemed that no preparation had been made to entertain delegates; the weather was lowering, and the outlook was forbidding enough. But the skies cleared, houses were opened, and before we were through it was agreed that we had had a splendid meeting. There are now but 17 Churches; 9 pastors; 105 baptisms reported; and 1,028 members. Rev. S. L. Burnham lias removed from Muscatine, and is pastor at Ottumwa. In 1867 the Association met at Ottumwa; 152 baptisms; 1,142 members. Among the baptisms are 35 at Ottumwa; 25 at Eddy ville, J. T. Wilson, pastor; and 37 at Mt. Carmel, where Rev. J. Ferguson is preaching. Of the 16 Churches, 6 have meeting houses, viz.: Blakesburg, Ed- dy ville, Lovilla, Mt. Carmel, Oskaloosa and Ottumwa. R. M. Tracy, a former member of the Oskaloosa Church, is preaching at Brookville, and at points in the English River Association, with marked success. But few changes. Rev. R. A. Clapp is preaching at Ottumwa, and Rev. J. F. Childs having resigned to give his entire time to convention work, Oskaloosa is without a pastor. Rev. John Williams having returned to the vicinity of his old field has been preaching the last three years at Ashland. There are now 16 churches; i 1 pastors; 82 baptisms during the year; and 1,059 mem- ]jers. In 1869, John Williams, ^loderator, J. L. Cole, clerk. J. Kingdon is pastor at Oskaloosa. J. Cheetman and Rev. Wm. Stonaker are among the pastors, the latter at 138 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Eddyville. Churches 18, baptisms 62. Total 1,067. For 1870 but little change since last year; 64 baptisms. Os- kaloosa is a^^ain without a pastor, Mr. Kingdon having remained but for a short time. Rev. E. H. Scarff has been for several years supplying the Pella Church acceptably, while teaching in the Central University. Rev. J. F. Childs has returned to Oskaloosa. Rev. R. A. Clapp has resigned at Ottumwa. Rev. J. R. Shanafelt is preaching at Pella and Nine Mile. Rev. W. N. Whitaker at Batavia. N. Hafs at Ashland, and W. L. jMiller at Frederick. Churches 17; baptisms 40; members 1,141. In 1872 there were Churches 18; pastors 9; baptisms 132; members reported 1,069. H. G. Cur- tis, of Pella, is clerk. Pella the place of meeting. Rev. J. R. Shanafelt is preaching at Brookville and at Fair- field, in the Burlington Association. Rev. E. C. Spinney, at Pella; Rev. C. Darbey, at Ottumwa; J. H. Miller is at Ashland, and W. L. Miller, at Blakesburg, Frederick and Pleasant Grove, R. M. Tracy has baptized 53 at Forest Home, and has the largest church membership in the Association, 178. Met at Forest Home. J. F. Childs, clerk; 95 baptisms; 1,158 members. About the only notable changes are that Rev. W. L. Brown has succeeded Bro. Darbey as pastor at Ottumwa, and T. L. Crandall is at Richland. Pella, E. C. Spinney still pastor, has baptized 52, and Eddyville reports 21. Rev. Wm. Stonaker has held on here since 1869. Pleasant Point is the place of meeting. Same clerk as the last two years. Only six pastors for the 18 churches. Nevertheless pastoral work must have been done in several other churches part of the year. Abingdon reports 24 baptisms and no pastor; Brookville 6; Forest Home 9. A OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 139 part of tlie above presumably the work of Brotlier Tracy. Pella also reports 10 baptisms and no pastor, Brother Spinney having returned east to finish his studies. He will be heard of again in Iowa. Brother Brown lias bap- tized 31 at Ottnmwa, and Pastor Stonaker, 15 at Eddyville. Baptisms in all, 103. Total membership, 1,149. Pella is the entertaining Church, Rev. J. Sunderland, clerk. Rev. T. ^Y. Powell has become jDastor at Pella. Rev. H. R. Mitchell at Oskaloosa, Rev. J. F 1875 Childs is preaching at Nine Mile, C. Martin at Brookville, John Williams at Bladensburg — a new interest with 11 members — and J. Z. Zimmerman at Abingdon, Blakesburg, and Forest Home. Bro. Sunderland has suc- ceeded Brother Brown at Ottumwa. Baptisms 21 ; total membership 1196 in 19 Churches, with 9 pastors. Meets at Ottumwa. J. Sunderland Clerk. Baptisms 46, total membership 1203. A new interest has been start- ed at New Sharon and Rev. J. F. Childs is preaching there and at Nine Mile, Leighton, Post office. Rev. G. W. Hertzog is preaching at Ashland, and Batavia, F. J. McEwen at Frederick, Wm. Stonaker at Competine, J. Ferguson at Pleasant Grove, Post office Fred- erick, and T. Davis at Pleasant Point, Albia Post office. The last two should have been named in the same connec- tion last year. Ashland has the privilege of greeting the Association this year. Rev. H. R. Mitchell Clerk. Rev. A. J. Fur- man has become pastor at Oskaloosa, succeeding Bro. H. R. Mitchell, who is now pastor at Pella. Rev. Felix Dickerson is preaching at Frederick. Brother Furman reports 36 baptisms at Oskaloosa, Pastor Sunder- land 28 at Ottumwa, Bro. Mitchell 43 at Pella and Dicker- 140 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES son, 13 at Frederick. Whole number of baptisms 189 ; to- tal membership 1231. In 1878 Competine has the Anniversary. Rev. Wm. Stonaker, clerk. Only 18 baptisms are reported from the 20 churches, and only 7 pastors ; total membership 1151. These figures tell their own" story. But let us not mis- interpret them, nor undervalue the faithful work of holding on and seed sowing. The harvest time will sure- ly come again. Rev. Charles Pa3^ne has become pastor at Pella, while H. R. Mitchell has returned to the east. " We have no abiding city here. ■' Annual meeting at Frederick. Rev. J. W. McMahill, clerk. Only 8 baptisms; members 1041. Rev. R. M. Tra- cy has returned to the charge at Abingdon and Competine. J. W. McMahill is preaching at Blakesburg, Cedar Creek, and Washington; this last a new church with 22 members and 6 of the 18 baptisms. Rev. S. West is preaching at Nine Mile, J. Sunderland is still at Ottumwa, and Charles Payne at Pella. Brookville is the entertaining Churcli in 1880. A. N. Cain, clerk. Fifty-nine baptisms ot which 40 are at Com- petine. R. M. Tracy still pastor. S. E. Nelson is preach- ing at Abingdon, and has baptized 7 of the remaining 18. Rev. A. E. Simons has become pastor at Oskaloosa after an interval without a preacher, and ^Geo. E. Tufts suc- ceeds Bro. Sunderland at Ottumwa. Bro. Sunderland has become General Missionary of the State Convention and Home Mission Society. Met again at Ottumwa. Rev. T. F. Thickstun of Pel- la is clerk Brother Charles Payne resigned to return to England, and Brother Thickstun succeeds him as pastor at Pella. Only three baptisms are reported in the entire Association. This is a very un- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 1.41 usual barrenness. Total membership 947; 7 pastors, 14 cliurclies. Rev. G. S. Bailey has become pastor at Ottum- wa, and they are moving, or soon to do so, to build a more commodious meeting house, in a very desirable location. Oskaloosa has bought the old Presbyterian church and very much improved their condition. Oskaloosa is the entertaining Church in 1882. T. F. Thickstun clerk. Some improvement this year in fruit- gathering. Competine, R. M. Tracy yet pastor, report 42 baptized, Ottumwa 15, Pellal9; whole number baptized 82; total membership 1005. Rev. H. Shallenberger is preaching at Abingdon, Batavia and Brookville, and Rev. B. P. Mace at Albia. Only six pastors in the Associa- tion. Oskaloosa is again vacant. Pella has now the largest membership, 215; Competine comes next with 180, Ottumwa 170 and Oskaloosa 136. These are all that have over 100. Met at Pella. T. P. Thickstun still clerk. W. H. Dorward is pastor at Oskaloosa, the only material change in the pastoral force. Forty-seven baptisms and 1,018 members in 11 Churches, with 8 pastors. Pella reports 27 of the baptisms. In 1884, Competine was the place of meeting. A. IS. Cain, clerk. Baptisms 58, of wliich number Oskaloosa reports 21; Pella 19 and Ottumwa 7. A new Church is reported at Hedrick. Oskaloosa is again without a pastor, and there are only 5 in the Asso- ciation. Total membership in 11 Churches 984. In 1885 Hedrick is the place of the gathering tribes. S. A. Swiggett, clerk. Twenty-seven baptisms; present member- ship 918. Rev. James Prey is preaching at Competine and reports 20 of the 27 baptisms in the Association. Thus has been traced the history of the Oskaloosa Baptist Association from 1851 to 1885, a period of 30 years. 142 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Like every other organization it has had its own peculiar- ities. One peculiarity of this field has been that most of the Churches, especially in the earlier parts of its history, were organized in the country, often, only a short distance out of the towns. In the older States, and in earlier days, many strong Churches have grown up and made enduring history in the rural districts. But in Iowa we have suc- ceeded in maintaining very few even comparatively strong Churches away from the centres of population. As a consequence of the policy referred to the Churches in the towns have, with few exceptions, remained also weak. Another peculiarity has been that the centres of this dis- trict Association, notabl}' Oskaloosa itself, has been for the most part of its history, a sort of drill camp for other fields of work. Being the point where the lines of emigration from the Mississippi River westward converged to a sort of focus, mau}^ emigrants would settle here for a time and then move on westward. A portion of these would be absorbed into the Church, and it is hoped be drilled here for work to be taken up further on, so that while the Churcli has always remained weak, it may have filled a relatively large place in the year's work, of which it is seemingly a small part. The same may be true, in a measure, of the small Churches that have sprung up in country neighborhoods, to exist for awhile and die out. The candle stick — the light bearer— has been removed but the lights have been multiplied many fold. The growth of the Church at Bella, owing to the inter- est centering in the Central Universit}^ there, was almost phenomenal for a time, buL with other changes there were afterwards great fluctuations. For instance, in 1857 they reported 193 members and in 1869, 12 years later, only 83. But who can estimate the good that may have been accom- plished even through the dispersion of the elements thus OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 143 gathered and drilled for work. Another 12 years, however, and in 1880 this same Church numbers 182. The history of this Association would be incomplete without a further mention of Rev. J. F. Childs. the pastor at Oskaloosa from 1856 to 1866, and at intervals thereafter; serving the Church and the State Convention at the same time; often giving — with the consent and approval of the Church — ^fuU one quarter of the year to work for the Con- vention, while acting, through all the years as its Corre- sponding Secretary, and all the time with a very small salary. It is doubtful if any man in Iowa did more self- sacrificing and arduous toil for the denomination and the Master, during the 15 years from 1855 to 1870, than did Brother Childs. Being a member of his Church during all the time of the writer's service as General Missionary and Financial Agent of the Convention, and being associated with him in the financial details of the work, we can bear witness to the fidelity and sacrifice of those years. Often the hours have been spent in his study till midnight in careful inspection of the finances, and planning for the most efi^ective prosecution of the work. It has been our lot to meet few men who had greater endurance, and who seemed to court hard work more than he. Taking charge of the Church at Oskaloosa in its infancy, in 1856, and almost at his own charges serving them as pastor, not spar- ing his own means in order to secure them a house of wor- ship, it was two and one-half years before he sought or accepted aid from the Home Mission Society. He received his first appointment from the Society in 1858, and was aided for six years. During all the time of his pastorate here he was an active agent in whatever effected the inter- est and growth of the Oskaloosa Association. Mention should also be made, in order to complete this 144 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. record, of the active influence of Rev. E. H. Scarfl' and Rev. Eliliu Gunn, and their families, lono? connected with the Central University of Pella, and of Rev. I. J. Stoddard and family, returned missionary from Assam, India. All these brethren whether active pastors of churches in the Associa- tion or not were always living factors in its life, and with others connected with the University, contributed to its effi- ciency as a Missionary Association. The record of the Pella Church has always been high, especially in contri- butions to Foreio;n Missions. CHAPTER XVIII. The Fox River Association — Organized in 1849— Is Found on our Records in 1855 — 1855 to 1886. jHE first appearance of the Fox River Associa- ation in our denominational records is in 1855. In a foot note in the Convention min- utes for 1854 there Is mention of such a body, *'vvhose churches" it is said "though not for- mally connected with the Convention, occupy similar ground with their Baptist brethren generally in the State. " It was said to comprise 17 Churches, 7 pastors, 69 persons baptized in 1854, and 628 members. In 1855 there are 15 Churches, 6 pastors, 61 baptisms reported and 578 members. In subsequent tables this Association is said to have been organized in 1849. As nearly as can be ascer- tained, when first organized tliey were not in full sympathy with the missionary ideas of our denomination : were in fact an Association of Old- School Baptist Churches. The Churches connected with the body when it became identi- fied with us in 1855 were North Union with 51 members, Chequest Union, 52, Zion, 18, Centerville, 47, Bloomfield 23, Liberty, 44, Salem, 39, North Fabius, 53, Bethlehem, 88. New Hope. 34, Pleasant Grove, 20, Lebanon, 14, Mars Hill, 32, Concord, 23, and Mount Pleasant, 40. Of the above named Churches, the first two were organized in 1849, the third in 1850, Centerville, Bloomfield, Liberty and North 146 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Fabius in 1851, Betlilehem, Pleasant Grove, and Mt. Pleas- ant in 1852, Mars Hill in 1853, and Concord in 1854. Of these the North Fabius Church, with W. Seamster, pastor, reports in 1855, 18 baptisms, and Bethlehem, Sharon Post office, A. Thompson, 23. TJie pastors are H. Dooley, Abel Edwards, J. W. Osborne, J. Ferguson, W. Seamster and A. Thompson. The Churches remain tlie same except that Salem has dropped out and Union is added witli 87 members. The Fremont Church in the Oskaloosa Association 1 Q p: c seems to have talven the place of the Salem Church. Rev. D. H. Paul is preaching at Bloomfield in 1856, I. Newland at Liberty, A. Smock at Mars Hill, and J. W. Osborne at Concord. Abel Edwards of Drakeville is clerk of the Association, and the plaCe of meeting North Fabius, ten miles south of Bloomfield. Baptisms 55, total mem- bership 630. Of the baptisms Chequest Union reports 13, Liberty 9 and North Fabius 25, In 1857 the annual meet- ing was at Bloomfield. Rev. Abel Edwards is still clerk. D. H. Paul is laboring at Bloomfield un.der appointment of the Convention Board. Lebanon Church, Drakeville Post- office, disappears ; also Bethlehem, Sharon Post office. There are now 13 Churches, 6 pastors, 114 baptisms, and 584 members. Besides pastors that have been before named we find J. Farquarson at Mars Hill, and F. J. McEwen at Mt. Pleasant. The chief ingatherings by baptism have been Chequest Union 34, North Fabius 24, Mars Hill 27, Concord 10 and Union 7. Mars Hill is the place of meeting. D. V. Lewis is clerk. Six new Churches are added, and the year has been one of prosperity. J. L. Cole, G. J. Line, J. T. Milner, B. Ogle, and J. Parker are new pastors. There are now 20 Churches, 10 pastors, 130 Baptisms reported OF rOWA BAPTISTS. 147 and 842 members. In 1859 this Association met at Con- cord, September 23d, D. V. Lewis clerk. There were 19 Churches, 11 pastors, 55 baptisms and 812 members. Rev. E. Kinman appears as pastor at Bloomfield and Mars Hill, A. J. Hopkins at Pulaski, C. Daughters at Little Fox River, and W. H. Turton at Indiai^Prairie, Lebanon Post Office. Of these Brother Kinman especially is long to be an important factor in this Association. Meets with the Liberty Church 13 miles southwest of Bloomfield. Clerk same as for the last two years. A fruit- ful year; 164 baptisms being reported, of which Chequest Union reports 37, Mount Pleasant 31, North Union 31 and Zion 20, with several others smaller numbers. Mention is made of four ministers ordained, but we have no means of knowing who they were. Rev. J, C. Burkholder is preaching at Centerville. One small Church, Freedom, with 10 members organized this year. Clerk says in a report to the State Convention; "We had the pleasure of hearing our gifted brother G. J. Johnson of Fort Madison for the first time at our Association, and the presence of several visiting brethren contributed to the interest of our session." The present membership is 935 in 19 Churches with ten pastors. Chequest Union is the place of the annual convocation. D. V. Lewis, clerk. But little change. Baptisms are -. PP^ -, reported in 12 of the 19 Churches, aggregating 54. Total membership 933. Rev. J. Redburn is pas- tor at Centerville. In 1862 the Association met with the North Union Church. Lewis still clerk. Rev. R. T. Peak appears as pastor at Bloomfield. Baptisms 49, total mem- bership 923. A new Church called Hopeville, Blakesburg Postoffice, appears with 16 members. Organized 1861. The annual meeting was held with the New Hope 148 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Church, 12 miles east of Centerville. Elder John Red- burn, Moderator. The clerk, D. V. Lewis, being -1 p O Q ■ '' ;■ cj absent, A. F. Haines was elected clerk this year. Baptisms 32; total membership 891. Nearly at a stand still. The writer of these Sketches met with the Fox River Association for the first* time, as agent of the State Convention and was cordially received, though there had been some doubt as to the reception of Mission- ary Agents in this quarter. The Minutes say it was "decided that Bi'other S. H. Mitchell be j)ermitted to speak." Of course the permission was to speak in behalf of the missionary work, which he was here to represent. The Constitution ot the Association then in force had this article, Art. lOt/i. "Each Church and member of this Asso- ciation shall be left free to act or not to act on benevolent institutions, and it shall be no bar to fellowship." His- tory would not be true to itself did it not make note of the effects of the prevailing idea in organizations upon the life and perpetuity of the same. At another place we may do this more fully as to the attitude of our Churches and Associations toward the mis.slonary idea. It need only to be said here, that notwithstanding, anti-mission teaching had prevailed in this Association in its earlier history, and its effects will be manifest yet for a long time to come, as noble spirits are to be found here as elsewhere and the future life of our institutions of benevolent Christianity is always in the keeping of these noble spirits. The records show a response to the appeals of the State Con- vention in 1863 of 30.80, against 11.36 in 1862 and 20.74 in 1861. The obituary report of this year mentions the depart- ure to his reward ot one who, though never known in the flesh by the writer, yet came to be known by the testimony he had left in all this region, as one of God's noblemen. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 149 This was Elder Abraliain SmocJi. He had been for several years "Moderator of this Association, and was much beloved by all who knew him.'' "He had give* two sons to the service of his country, and although at that age of life when one clings with greater tenacity to home and the retirements of private life, he left his quiet retreat and the peaceful duties of the ministry, and entered the service," where "he died of disease in Camp McClellan, with the words of faith and triumph on his lips, trusting in the Lord Jesus." The Association met at Centerville. Elder John Red- burn, Moderator, D. \. Lewis again clerk. It is a time of great spiritual barrenness. Only 9 baptisms are reported for the year. Eighteen Churches and 708 members. The distracted condition of the country absorbs everything. Nowhere were there stronger feelings of sympathy and loyalty to the Government than here on the border. But it is sad to relate that those to whom this remark would apply were sometimes in the minority, and there was very strong opposition — in most part from conscientious motives — to any expression of sympathy and devotion to the Government, in religious bodies. This meeting of the Fox River Association at Centerville, in 1864, is remembered as a critical period. It was a time that "tried" some "men's souls.'' A reminiscence of it may appear in another place. The writer, with a vivid recol- lection of the discussions of that session, is surprised to turn to the Convention Treasurer's report of the year and find a credit of $20.25 as the response to his appeal at the Association. Met at Chequest Union, Davis county. D. V. Lewis, clerk. Churches 17; pastors 13; baptisms 24; members 686. Among the pastors of former years not before mentioned, were A. Saladay and A. P. 150 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Berry. The latter does not appear this year. New names in the pastorate are J. W. Bolster, Centerville, J. A. Clark, East Shoal Creek, T. W. Wisdom, Hopewell and Mount Pleasant, E. Carey, Liberty, F. M. Fenton, New Hope, and E A. Packard and D. Richards, Union and Zion respec- tively. In 1866 the Association met at North Fabius, 9 ndles south of Bloomfield. The veteran clerk still at the helm. Few Associations have ever had a better clerk than D. V. Lewis. There are some more hopeful indications in the Association. One or two new Churches added. Baptisms 50; total membership in 19 Churches 738. Added from all sources 129. New pastors J. T. Gunter, Chariton Kiver, A. Huckaby, W. B. Shoemake and J. H. Pry. The Fox River Association runs up its contribution to the work of the Convention this year to $79.75. Met with the Concord Cliurch, 9 miles northwest of Centerville. No change of clerk. Nineteen Churches, 12 pastors, 142 baptisms, 915 members: 239 added from all sources. The reports indicate a good degree of prosperity, much better than for several years past. Rev. Arthur Stott is pastor at Centerville, and P. Inskeep at Milton. Ten of the 19 Churches have meet- ing houses. A number begin to report contributions and Sabbath School statistics. The next year, 1868, the annual meeting was at Milton. The only report found in accessi- ble records this year is that of contributions to the State Convention, amounting to $84.85. This indicates a good degree of life. In 1869 the place of meeting is not known. Rev. E. Kinman was Moderator, Jesse Reckner, clerk. Churches 20 ; pastors 17 ; baptisms 77 ; members 1,044. The largest number of baptisms is at Bethel, T. W. Wisdom, pastor, 24. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 151 The next largest, New Hope, A. P. Berry, 10. The contri- butions to the State Convention this year reached $1'\6.50. This is probably the high water mark of contributions in the Fox River Association. Met at Monterey. Jesse Reckner is again clerk. Churches 21, pastors 10, baptisms 150, members 1109. But little change of the working forces. Many of the pastors change Churches within the Association almost yearly. These changes the historian does not attempt to note. But the pastoral forces in the Association remain nearly the same. A few have remained with some permanence in one place, notably Rev. R. T. Peak at Bloomfield. The number of baptisms and their distribu- tion among 14 of the 21 Churches, indicate more than usual fruitfulness in the year's work. Also the number in indi- vidual Churches shows quite extended revivals in some parts of the field. Bethel, Rev. T. W. AVisdom pastor, reports 36 ; Hope Church, Rev. J. H. Miller, 23; Bethle- hem, F. M. Fenton, 17 ; and several others range from 7 to 15. Chariton River Church has the privilege of entertaining this year, Jesse Reckner still clerk. 21 Churches, 14 pas- tors, 74 baptisms and 1106 members, 140 added ill all ways. Only three of the 21 Churches have been organized since 1865. Most of the Churches in this Association are found in Davis and Appanoose counties with perhaps the south part of Monroe. The annual meeting in 1872 was at East Shoal Creek. No account of this meeting comes down to us by the only sources at hand ; neither of the work of the year. Ir, is suggestive of a breaking up somewhat of relations that were cultivated with marked benefit to the cause a few years ago, that only 15.00 went from this entire Association to the work of the State Convention in 1872. 152 HISTORICAL SKETCHES By the organization of the Centerville Association on the west part of its field the territory of this Association is re- duced to about one half its former extent and the number of its Churches to 18 with 6 pastors, and 628 members, of whom 83 were baptized during the year. The pastors are E. Kinman, J. Ripley, B. F. Ford, S. E. JN'elson, J. W. Seamster, and A. Saladay, serving re- spectively the Floris and North Union, the Hopewell, the Liberty and New Hope, the Milton, the North Fabius, and West Grove Churches in the order named. The Bloom- field, Bethlehem, Chequest Union, Providence and Zion Churches are without pastors. Brother Reckner still serves tlie Association as clerk. We have missed from the roll of pastors now for two or three years the name of our esteemed brother R. T. Peak. Few ministers have a more honored record, none a purer. Of the anniversary of 1874 which was to take place at Bethlehem we have no account. Churches 12, pastors 6, baptisms 26, membership 571. It is something like a bereavement to find so meagre a record and no representation at all in our State Mission- ^^■^^- ary work. 1876 is not reported. For 1877 the clerk, Jesse Reckner, reports September 28, 1877, the fol- lowing statistics: Churches 11, Baptisms 65, lotal member- ship 590, pastors 7 The pastor at Bloomfield is Rev. J. B. Edmonson. He is the step-son of Rev. R. T. Peak. He will honor the exemplary family in which he was raised. The Association falls into line again with a contribution to the State Convention of $8.65. Place of meeting Bloomfield, September 21, 1878. A measure of prosperity seems dawning again. Churches 11, pastors 7, baptisms 123, members 692. J. B. Edmonson reports at Bloomfield 86 baptized ; Wm. Beard 10 a Beulah, a new Church, and 17 at Hope- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 163 well ; Rev. J. W. Seamster 39 at Providence. In 1879 the meetina- wns at Hopewell Church, September 27, Jesse Reckner clerk still. 10 Churches, 4 pastors, 36 baptisms, and 621 members. Rev. D. S. Starr has been preaching in this Association last year and this. Rev. Wm. Beard is supplying -3 Churches and reports 24 baptized at Chequest Union. The Association has again increased its contribu- tion to State and Home Missions to $23.96. Meets at Floris. Churches 10, pastors 5, baptisms 10, members 673. A. C. Edwards has become pastor at Bloom- field. If but little is contributed in this field for state Mission Work, it ought to be remembered also that but little missionary work has been done on this field. Nothing for years, unless it be a very rare visit by the General Missionary. There were in 1881 still 10 Churches but only 3 pastors, supplying 8 of the Churches; baptisms 7, total membership reported 688. The pastors are A. C. Edwards, J. W. Seamster and E. Kinman. Bro. Kinman has become the veteran of the Fox River Associa- tion, and a right noble record has he made in this trying field. For the year 1882 but two ministers are reported on this field and only three baptized during the year. F. M. Cofi'ey and J. W. Seamster are the pastors. Brother Coffey is settled at Bloomfield. I. F. Jenkins is clerk. We have for 1883 and 1884 no account of the work of this Associa- tion further than [that $36.50 were contributed to the Con- vention in 1883, and in 1884 $16.45. I. F. Jenkins of Bloomfield is clerk. Some little signs of life again. Nine Churches, 5 pastors, 58 baptisms, and 616 members. Rev. H. Shallenberger is preach- ing at Chequest Union and Floris, J. W. Seam- ster at Hopewell and Hickory Grove, C. Daughters at Mil- ton, H. H. Modisett at North Union and W. C. Shoemaker 154 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES.. at Liberty where there are 30 baptisms reported. No con- tributions reported. Bloomfield is without a pastor and reports 42 members. Since the organization of the Center- ville Association in 1873, the Fox River Association has been limited to Davis county and its immediate borders. There is little, if any, more Baptist strength on.its present field now than there was twenty-five years ago. Then, and for years after, there was not a mile of railroad in its bor- ders. Now it is well provided with railroad facilities, and there is evidence of material progress. The ministers of this Association have with few exceptions mainly sup- ported themselves by working or superintending their farms etc. Many most excellent and worthy men have nobly served their generation in that way. But the history we have been sketching will readily suggest that, in the times on which we have fallen, enduring growth is not secured in that method. The early practice of multiplying organizations without the probable conditions of perma- nenc}', and in many instances near, but away from the centers of population, together with the want of sjanpa- thy upon the part of many with the Missionary idea of the New Testament Church, will account for the want of growth and permanency. A careful observation will discover that these causes have produced like effects almost invariably wherever they are found to exist. The Center- Tille Association, absorbing the western half of this has shown more of the elements of life. As its history is essentially a continuation of that of the Fox River, we give it in the next chapter. CHAPTER XIX Centeeville Association Okganized in 1873 — Remin- iscences AND Incidents — 1873 to 1886. N Friday, October 10, 1873, "deleojates for the purpose of forming an Association of regular Baptist Churches met at 10 o'clock a. m., with the Centerville Baptist Church in Appa- noose county, Iowa." An introductory ser- mon was preached by Rev. W. H. Turton and Elder A. P. Berry was chosen Moderator and G. C. Goodenough, Secretary of the meeting. The organization thus formed was called the Centermlle Baptist Associa- tion, and was permanently organized by the election of A. P. Berry, Moderator and A. F. Haines, clerk. The Churches composing the body, mostly situated in Appa- noose county, were the following: Centerville, no pastor, 47 members ; Concord, F. Edwards, pastor, 102 members ; Chariton River, A. Jackson, pastor, 41 members; East Shoal Creek, J. T. Milner, pastor, 26 members ; Franklin, W. H. Turton, pastor, 45 members; Little Flock, Wm. Barnett, pastor, 60 members; Mount Ararat, D. Winters, pastor, 122 members ; New Salem, A. Huckaby, pastor, 46 Miembers ; Pleasant Grove 52, and Union, A. Saladay, pas- tor, 26 members ; total Churches 10 ; pastors 8 ; members 156 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 567. Five of the above named Chiirclies were from the Fox River Association and five from the Eden Association on the west. But one person is reported baptized during the year. The Association held its Second Annual Meeting with the New Salem Church, at Seymour, Wayne county. A. P. Berry, Moderator, N. Rogers, Clerk. Intro- 1 RY4. i-> ^ ductory sermon by Elder W. H. Turton. Invi- tation to visiting brethren was accepted by Rev. J. M. Wood, agent of Central University at Pella, Rev. M. T. Lamb, State Sunday School Missionary and Rev. T. M. Colwell, Assistant Secretary of the Baptist Publication Society. The Unionville Church was added to the list of Churches with 41 members. Rev. Z. Thomas is pastor at Chariton River. Other pastors the same as named last year, except that the names of A. Jackson, J. T. Milner, and D. Winters do not this year appear. Churches 11, pastors 6, baptized 22, members 653. Met at Mt. Ararat, J. Redburn Moderator, L. Gr. Parker clerk and treasurer. Rev. F. Edwards preached the intro- ductory sermon from Galatians IV:24. Mount ■ Pleasant Church, Monroe county, was received with 30 members. Churches 12, pastors 5, baptized 26, total membersliip 701. The Mt. Ararat Church reports 12 baptized and Pleasant Grove 13. The name of the New Salem Church has been changed to Seymour. The year has been one of some advance. In 1876 the Association met with the Concord Church, Moderator and clerk same as last year. Rev. L. G. Parker preached the introductory sermon from 1st Samuel VII: 12. The name of the Union Church, which last year reported 29 members disappears from the minutes. There are now 11 Churches, 6 pastors, 70 baptisms reported and 760 members. Centerville, F, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 157 Edwards pastor, has baptized 40, Mt. Ararat, J. Redburn, 17, and Seymour, F. M. Archer, 9. J. Kincade and F. M. Archer are recognized among the pastors for the first time. Rev. F. Edwards lias been for over 3 years pastor at Centerville and they have completed and dedicated a new house of worship. The veteran J. M. Smith of southwest- ern Iowa was with them at the dedication and remained some 8 or 9 days preaching the word with great acceptance. At this meeting of the Association it was voted that ''A. F. Haines and Elder Parker be requested to write out and forward to the Historical Committee of the State a history of this Association, and such other historical sketches concerning the early Baptists in this vicinity and contigu- ous territory, as they may think proper. " The present "Sketcher" does not know whether this was ever done or not. The Association met at Franklin Church, Livingstone Appanoose county. Moderator F. Edwards, clerk Rev. L. Gr. Parker still. Introductory sermon from Amos 1 877. ^jj. 2 ^^^ ^^^ -p 5^(j^j^j.(-|g rpj^^ Moulton Church was received with 22 members, J. Redburn pastor. Churches 12, pastors 8, baptized 61, total membership 820. Center- ville has again shared most largely in the blessing and baptized 31, Franklin 11, F. M. Archer pastor. The evidences of vigorous life are refreshing. The Moulton Church, received this year gathers up the fragments of the Union Church which had dissolved. Unionville is the place of assembly in 1878. Elder A. P. Berry preached the introductory sermon from Hebrews XIII: 1. Moderator F. Edwards, clerk L. G. Parker. The number of Churches remains un- changed though Mt. Ararat has not reported for two years ; baptisms 29, present membership 646. This is a large 158 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES falling off from last year; 25 have been dismissed by letter and 3(j excluded, 28 of these from the Little Flock Church. Rev. L. S. Livermore is preaching at Concord and Mt. Pleasant Churches. The Association met with the Little Flock Church in Appanoose county. Rev. A. P. Berry preached the sermon from John Y: 8. Officers unchanged. We recog- nize Rev. A. W. Sutton as pastor of the Franklin, Little Flock and Seymour Churches. Rev. T. Davis is preaching at Chariton River. Rev. F. M. Archer has re- moved to the Eden Association. Churches 12, pastors 6, baptisms 9, total membership 706. Seymour liad been for a time without the ministrations of the word. They say "After we had secured a man of God to go in and out before us a meeting place was denied us, and in this emergency we resolved to arise and build, " and " by the grace of Him who said 'I am with you always' they have a house inclosed, of goodly size and fair proportions. " Centerville has the privilege of entertaining the "an- gels'' again. Introductory sermon by Rev. A. W. Sutton from Acts XVII: 6. Officers the same as for several years past. Churches 12, pastors 8, bap- tisms 8, total membership 668. Besides the pastors before mentioned Rev. A. C. Edwards is preaching at Little Flock and J. R. Chance at Mt. Pleasant. Great barrenness of spiritual results is manifest in the small number of baptisms. Meet with the Mt. Pleasant Church. Annual sermon by Elder A. P. Berry from John III: 14-15. A. P. Berry Moderator, D. Given clerk and treasurer. Rev. F. Edwards who has been connected with this Association for eight years, much of the time as its Moderator, and since 1874 pastor at Centerville, is missed OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 159 from its councils, having removed soon after the last Annual meeting and taken up work at Leon in the Eden Associa- tion, where we shall hear from him again. Rev. A. Rob- bins has succeeded pastor Edwards at Centerville. The name of G. W. Bagwell appears as pastor at Chariton Riv- er. The state of religion runs low, which is deplored and felt to be "an alarming condition, and one that will finally lead to an utter disregard of the responsibilities resting upon us as a denomination, " yet there is "a balm in Gil- ead" and the churches are recommended in order to "raise the standard of our religious life" to "get nearer to Jesus." Churches 12, pastors 7, baptized 17, whole number 631. A difficulty having arisen between the Seymour and Little Flock Churches, growing out of the reception by the latter Church of a member excluded from the former; a commit- tee had been appointed last year to report on the case. The committee brought in a report at this meeting covering four full pages of the printed minutes. The report was ev- idently drawn up by Rev. A. Robbins, chairman of the committee, than whom Iowa has had few pastors able to set out in clearer light the principles involved in such a case. The case is one often repeated, with perhaps some variations in detail. A member of the Church is at vari- ance with its pastor, absents himself from its meetings, vi- olates his covenant vows, is disciplined by the Church, and, perhaps, somewhat hastily, excluded, without any charge against his moral character. He calls an ex-parte council, without any effort to secure redress by a mutual council. The ex-parte council meets in the M. E. Church of the village, with open doors, decides that the member had not been fairly dealt with, and under these circum- stances he seeks and obtains membership in another Church in the same Association with the usual result of disturbing the relations of the two Churches. The com- 160 HISTORICAL SKETCHES mittee have viewed and treated the whole case with very great skill and wisdom, pointing out, in a kind and chris- tian spirit, the errors in every step on both sides of the controversy, and especially that an ex-parte council in such a case should never be called except as a last resort. For "However honest and well-meant their efforts may be, they seldom succeed in settling difficulties, and often complicate and intensify them. " Met with the Concord Baptist Church in Appanoose county. A. P. Berry, Moderator, A. Robbins. clerk and preacher of annual sermon. Text, Amos YII:2. "By whom shall Jacob arise. " Twelve churches, 5 pastors, baptized 14, present membership 592. The pas- tors are A Robbins, Centerville ; C. Lippitt, Franklin ; D. Given, Little Flock ; W. H. Eaton, Mt. Ararat, and Wm. Barnett, Unionville. Seven churches are without pastoral care. In 1883 the Association met for its eleventh anniver- saiy with the Franklin Church, Livingston, Appanoose county, on Wednesday, September 12. The annual ser- mon was preached by Rev. D. Given, of Promise City, from Isaiah XL:31 ; who then called the Association to order. Rev- D. Given Moderator, A. F. Haines clerk and treasurer. Churches 12, pastors 8, baptized 22, total membership 552. Of the 22 baptisms, 21 were in the Pleasant Grove Church, W. H. Eaton, pastor. Brother Robbins is still pastor at Centerville, D. Winters at Chariton River, Rev. S. H.Gunn of St. Johns, Mo., at Franklin, D. Given at Little Flock, Joseph Baker at Mt. Ararat and Unionville, B. F. Mace at Mount Pleasant and W^. H. Eaton at Pleasant Grove. Place of meeting Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, near Dennis, Appanoose county. Rev. A. P. Berry, Moderator, and S. T. Shepherd, clerk and treasurer. Rev. D. 1 RR4- D. Proper, of Des Moines, General Missionary of OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 161 the State Convention, preached the annual sermon from Isa- iah LIV:2 Rev. George E. Eldridge has succeeded pastor Robbins at Centerville. The other pastors of the Associa- tion are about the same as last year with perhaps some changes of fields. It is a year of better spiritual results than for several years past. Fifty baptisms and 659 mem- bers reported. Six of the 12 Churches report baptisms ranging from 2 to 15. The time of meeting of the Associa- tion had been changed two or three years ago to the mid- dle of the week. This year it is changed back again to Friday, so as to hold over Sunday. Met with the Unionville Church, Rev. L. G. Parker Moderator, S. T. Shepherd clerk and treasurer. Rev. Geo. E. Eldridge preached the annual sermon from 1885. Psalm 85:6. A little falling off in results from last year. Churches 19, pastors 8, baptisms 34; 25 of them in the Unionville Church ; total membership 638. While the work seems to have remained, in one sense, almost stationary on this field since the organization of this Asso- tion, the number of Churches varying only two and the membership only one or two hundred, yet there has been evidence all along of a good degree of vigorous religious life, and the Association has made, for its surroundings, a very creditable record. The representatives of Missionary interests have been cordially received and contributions have been cheerfully made and encouraged. We have the means of verifying this statement only in the case of State Missions. Taking the 11 years from 1875 to 1885 inclusive, we find contributions reported every year ranging from $8.15 in 1876, the smallest, to §69.12, the largest in 1881, and aggregating in the 11 years $379.86. It is also a re- markable fact that in that time not a dollar has been expended in Missionary appointments within the territory of this Association, nor so far as appears ever asked for. 162 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES Resolutions and words of cheer for the various objects of benevolence seem never to have been wanting. Before closing this sketch a reminiscence of this field not easily forgotten may properly find place here. In tlie earlier years of the Centerville Association tlie name of C. H. Kichardson appears regularly among the delegates of the Centerville Church, bearing evidence of an abiding interest and active usefulness in the cause. The incident about to be related is of the first appearance of Brother Richardson in this field. It was in the exciting period of 1864, the most critical time in the government's gigantic work of suppressing the rebellion. The Pox River Association was in session with the Centerville Church. As was usual in that critical time, resolutions had been presented ex- pressing strong condemnation of the rebellion, and sympathy with the Government. The Moderator of the Association had declared the resolutions out of order, and as the only way of getting the matter before the body an apx)eal was taken from the decision of the chair. There was no ex- pectation that the appeal would be sustained by a vote of the Association, but so strong was the feeling that something ought to be said then and there in behalf of what was deemed a matter of so much importance that, regardless of parliamentary restrictions a three- hours discussion of the resolutions followed on the motion to appeal. All was said that needed to be said, and the yeas and nays were called and the appeal was voted down, and the chair sustained. Brother D. V. Lewis was clerk of the body and strongly in favor of the resolutions. He suggested that as the yeas and nays were to be recorded it would be necessary to print in tlie minutes the matter voted upon, and this was per- mitted to be done, and the resolutions went before the people with their sentiments of loyalty to work as leaven wherever the minutes were read. Brother Richardson OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 163 owned some land in Appanoose county, which he had never seen. Deciding- in the summer of 1864 to emigrate from Vermont to the west, he had brought his family into Southern Iowa to hunt up his land and settle upon it. Arriving late in the week in the neighborhood of Center- ville he heard of the Association then in session, and being a loyal Baptist he came into the meeting and entered during the discussion referred to above. Being just from the intensely loyal state of Vermont he had never heard such sentiments as he was compelled to listen to here among entire strangers. He had not imagined that such sentiments could be heard among Baptists north of the precincts of slavery itself. His homesickness and disap- pointment can be better imagined than described. As he told the writer afterwards, his mind was made up during that afternoon that he could never settle in such a com- munity. Said he: "On Monday following I went out to look at the land, " and though thib was years afterward, he said "this land never looked so beautiful as it did that Monday morning.'' Then he says: "I said to myself, Calvin Richardson, you never have backed out yet and you are not going to do it now. " And he did not. A home was made on the farm and in the Church, and the record of his name in connection with the Association shows that he was made of the stuff that does not "back out' from the duty of the Christian and the citizen. In 1885 we find Thomas Wharton, postoffice, Exline, pastor of the East Short Creek Church. Other pastors are Geo. E. Eldridge, W. H. Eaton, Wm. Barnett, Joseph Baker, B. F. Mace, preaching to the Mount Pleasant Church, and L. G. Parker. Rev. Wm. Barnett and Rev. L. G. Parker have done long and faithful service in this part of Iowa; the former since 1855, and the latter since along in the sixties. Brother Barnett was a member, in all its early 164 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. years, of the Eden Assciation. The Franklin Church, Liv- ingston postoffice, has a history peculiar to itself. This is the home of Rev. L. G. Parker. The Church in all its earlier days was far in advance of all the surrounding country in its ideas of benevolence. It was a pleasure for the representatives of missionary organizations to visit them, and a manifest pleasure to them to receive such visits. A kind of oasis in the desert it seemed. Doubtless the reports of treasurers would verify the assertion that though a small body, and much scattered, they were a peculiar people, and zealous of good works. As this chap- ter goes to press the report for 1886 has not been received. CHAPTER XX. The Central Iowa Association— Organized in 1852. A Large Field— 1852 to 1886. piE fourth to appear on the list of Associa- tions was the Central Iowa, organized in 1852. A meeting of delegates from the Bap- tist Churches of Des Moines, West Union (Vandalia), Harmony (Monroe), and Coal Ridge was held with the West Union Church (Vandalia), July 3, 1852, "for the purpose of organizing an Association." "Rev. I. C. Curtis was called to the chair and Rev. J. A. Nash appointed clerk.'- A constitution was adopted and the Central Iowa Baptist Association began its career. Churches 6 ; members 114. The first meeting of the Association was held with the Harmony (Monroe) Church, October 15, 1852. Rev. J. Bond preached the introductory sermon, W. D. 18S2. j^ye^-ett. Moderator, J. A. Nash, clerk. The next year, 1853, there appeared the following Churches in the list: Monroe (formerly Harmony), E. Evans, pastor. 166 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 30 members, Fort Des Moines, J. A. Nash, 24; Core}^ Grove, ](); Union, I. C. Curtis, 12; Coal Ridge, W. D. Everett, 23; Pleasant Grove, 33; West Union, E. Evans, 23; Newton, E. Evans, 12; Hartford, B. B. Arnold, 16; total, 9 Churches; 5 pastors; 12 baptisms reported and 183 members. Of the 9 Churches, the first was organized in 1850, the following three in 1851, the next four in the order named in 1852 and the last in 1853. These Churches were located in Polk, Jasper, Marion and Warren counties, and comprised all the Baprist Churches then known in the west two-thirds of the State. The anniversary in 1853 was with the West Union Church. Rev. J. A. Nash preached the sermon. B. B. Arnold, Moderator, J. A. Nash, clerk. Met at Hartford. Rev. J. A. Nash preached the ser- mon, E. Evans, Moderator. The following additional Churches are found on the list: Boone Forks, W. J. Sparks, pastor, 22 members; Knoxville, 52; North River, 18; South River, S. G. Hunt, 13; North Union, W. J. Sparks, 17. Knoxville came from the Oska- loosa Association and had been organized in 1851. There are now 14 Churches, 6 pastors; 98 baptisms are reported, 118 received by letter and experience, and a total mem- bership of 384. It has been a year of remarkable revivals. Eleven of the 14 Churches reported baptisms. Rev. W. D. Everett, pastor at Coal Ridge, reports 17; Rev. B. B, Arnold, at Hartford, 27, and Rev. W. J. Sparks, at North Union, 29. The annual meeting in 1855 was at Fort Des Moines. Rev. J. A. Nash still Corresponding Secretary. Iowa Centre and Newburn Churches are added; and Ira H. Rees, A. W. Russell and H. Haley to the list of ministers. Sixteen Churches, 8 pastors, 47 baptisms and 489 members. The name of E. Evans disappears this year from the list of pastors. North River has the largest number of bap- tisms, 16. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 167 The place of meeting is Knoxville. Otter Creek, Hand- some View, Winterset, and Mount Pleasant Churches are „ added. H. Haley is pastor at Otter Creek and 1 SS6 J. Ellege at Winterset. New names in the list of ministers are A, Dana, Coal Ridge; D. Taylor, Hartford; J. Ellis Guild, Newton, and H. C. Warson, Pleasant Grove and South River. There are now 20 Churches, 10 pastors, 40 baptisms reported, and 671 members. In 1857 the meet- ing was at Monroe. Rev. B. B. Arnold preached the ser- mon, and J. Currier was Moderator. Rev. A. W. Russell removed from Monroe in June of 1857, and began work at Winterset, under appointment of the State Convention. The annual report says: "The Church was rent by. divis- ions and difficulties, and was in other respects feeble and inefficient. In removing these difficulties; however, encour- aging progress has been made, and the prospect for the future seems much more encouraging. The Association is now composed of 24 Churches, 5 of which were added the present yeai'. These were Buffalo Grove, Bethel, Boonsboro, Green Bush and Good Hope. There are 15 ordained ministers within the bounds of the Association; but as but few of them are devoting tlieir whole time to the ministr}- there is much destitution. Considerable success has, however, attended the labors of the year, and this region, so lately the abode of the red man and the Buffalo, is rapidly being pre-empted for the Lord and for Christian civilization. The number baptized during the year is 120, and the Association now numbers 911 members. Rev. Ira H. Rees is occupying Boone and Story counties, under commission of the Con- vention, at a salary of |;300.00, one-half of which is to be raised on the field. For a number of years Brother Rees continued a heroic and self-sacrificing struggle on this frontier, and then removed farther west, doubtless to repeat 168 HISTORICAL SKETCHES the struggle. A correspondent of the Standard, in 1886, visited this same dear brother in southern Kansas, and found him desirous of disposing of sundry lands he pos- sessed, in order to devote himself again to the active work of the ministry. The Association met at Vandalia and received reports of several revivals of special interest, while other fields, not blessed with abundant showers, have been refreshed with heavenly dews. Rev. Joshua Currier, formerly of the Dubuque Association, has been sustained by the Association and the Home Missionary Society to supply destitute Churches a part of this and the last year, the beginning of a number of years of faith- ful labor by Brother Currier in the Central Association. Rev. T. J. Arnold and Rev. T. C. Townsend also begun work here in 1859. Rev. J. A. Todd, E. Whitaker, and L. L. Frisk are noted in the list. Churches 24, pastors 11, baptisms 111, added from other sources 188, total member- ship 921. E. O. AVhitaker preached the annual sermon and is clerk of the body. Rev. J. Currier, Moderator. Met at Sandyville, Warren county. Rev. T. C. Town- send preached the sermon. J. Currier, Moderator, J. A. Todd, clerk. Five Churches have been dismissed 1 RfiO to form the Upper Des Moines Association and it has been a year of spiritual dearth. There are now 18 churches, 7 pastors, 33 baptisms reported and 739 members. There is not as yet a Church in the Association having 100 members. Des Moines is the nearest with 92. In 1861 Newton extends hospitality to the brethren. Rev. R. D. Hartshorn has become pastor at Knoxville and is clerk of the Association. Rev. J. Currier is Moderator. One small Church with 11 members, called Prairie Church, near Des Moines is the only addition to the list. Baptisms 44, J. A. NASH, D. D. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. ' 169 members 755. Rev. Wm. Parker is preaching at Iowa Center, bpiiii.v ordained tliere this year. This year the Anniversary is at Knoxville. Eev.. J. A. Nash preaclied the introductory sermon. Rev. J. Currier was elected Moderator and R. D. Hartshorn clerk. At this meeting the present writer was present as a visitor. It is hard to realize that at that time our Baptist cause in all this great Central District of Iowa was only ten years old, yet there are only two Churches in the Central Association that were organized prior to 1852. Des Moines and Knoxville each dates back to 1851. The meeting at Knoxville this year is remembered as a pleasant and harmonious occasion. The Church at Des Moines have had a revival of great power and have baptized 60, giving them a membership of 165. Baptisms in the Association 118, total membership 864. The Association met at Des Moines. Moderator and clerk the same as last year. The Churches of this Asso- ciation, as elsewhere, are suffering depletion as a consequence of the Civil War, but "exhibit an almost united devotion to the Government in its struggle to subdue the Rebellion. '' But little evidence of revival in the Churches this year, though the Vandalia Church, Rev. J. Parker pastor, has baptized 37, showing a good work. Total baptisms 45, membership 833. In 1864 the Association met at Vandalia. There were only 4 pastors reported, Rev. Demas Robinson at Iowa Centre and Van- dalia, Wm. Hildreth at Knoxville, J. Currier at Monroe, and J. A. Nash at Des Moines. The Church at Avon reports 33 baptized, Carlisle 34, and Hartford 12, and these Churches are all now without pastors. Rev. J. Parker, an active worker, and pastor of several Churches, has died during the year. Whole number of baptisms 82, members 817 in 18 Churches. 172 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Churches 11, pastors 13, baptisms 155, added in all ways, 249. Total membership, 1,773. Rev.R Garton has suc- ceeded Rev. O. T. Conger at Winterset. There are now six Churches having over 100 members each, viz: Carlisle, Des Moines, Indianola, Knoxville, Monroe and Winterset. Rev. Amos Robinson becomes pastor at Newton late in this year. In 1872 the Association met at Otley; D. N. Mason, clerk. A year of somewhat limited results. There are 22 Churches, 13 pastors, 57 baptisms reported, and 1,599 members; a decrease from last year of 172. The Church at Otley, midway between Pella and Monroe, organized in 1871, is called Mount Moriali Church, and has 69 members. Elm Grove Church, seven miles south of Des Moines, also organized in 1871, Rev. Uriah McKay, pastor, has 40 members, 11 of whom were baptized during the year. The Enon Church, Rev. J. L. Wyly, pastor, is a new organization with but 9 members. Rev. Amos Robinson, of Newton, is preaching to the Sherman Church. Rev. A. Wells seems to have been pastor at New Virginia this year and last. Of the 22 Churches in this Association, 11 are less than five years old, and six of them without pastors. Rev. J. R. Murphy, D. D., recently from Salem, New Jersey, has become pastor at Des Moines, suc- ceeding Rev. J. Y. Schofield after a two years' pastorate. The meeting this year is at Norwalk. Rev. A. Robinson, of Newton, is clerk. Brother Robinson is still pastor, and patiently laboring on at Newton. Refreshing showers of Divine Grace are again evident this year. The 21 Churches with 13 pastors report 227 bap- tisms, and 1,740 members. This is within five of as many baptisms as in 1869, which was noted as one of the high tides in the history of the Association. The Churches sharing most largely are Des Moines, Rev. J. R. Murphy, pastor, 56; Monroe, Rev. G. W. Hertzog, 31; and Winterset, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 169 members 755. Rev. Wm. Parker is preaching at Iowa Center, bpiiio,- ordained there this year. This year the Anniversary is at Knoxville. Rev. J. A. Nash preached the introductory sermon. Rev. J. Currier was elected Moderator and R. T). Hartshorn clerk. At this meeting the present writer was present as a visitor. It is hard to realize that at that time our Baptist cause in all this great Central District of Iowa was only ten years old, yet there are only two Churches in the Central Association that were organized prior to 1852. Des Moines and Knoxville each dates back to 1851. The meeting at Knoxville this year is remembered as a pleasant and harmonious occasion. The Church at Des Moines have had a revival of great power and have baptized 60, giving them a membership of 165. Baptisms in the Association 118, total membership 864. The Association met at Des Moines. Moderator and clerk the same as last year. The Churches of this Asso- ciation, as elsewhere, are suffering depletion as a -I p O Q ' ' O i consequence of the Civil War, but " exhibit an almost united devotion to the Government in its struggle to subdue the Rebellion.'' But little evidence of revival in the Churches this year, though the Vandalia Church, Rev. J. Parker pastor, has baptized 37, showing a good work. Total baptisms 45, membership 833. In 1864 the Association met at Vandalia. There were only 4 pastors reported, Rev. Demas Robinson at Iowa Centre and Van- dalia, Wm. Hildreth at Knoxville, J. Currier at Monroe, and J. A. Nash at Des Moines. The Church at Avon reports 33 baptized, Carlisle 34, and Hartford 12, and these Churches are all now without pastors. Rev. J. Parker, an active worker, and pastor of several Churches, has died during the year. Whole number of baptisms 82, members 817 in 18 Churches. 172 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Churches 11, pastors 13, baptisms 155, added in all ways, 249. Total membership, 1,773. Rev.R Garton has suc- ceeded Kev. O. T. Conger at Winterset. There are now six Churches having over 100 members each, viz: Carlisle, Des Moines, Indianola, Knoxville, Monroe and Winterset. Rev. Amos Robinson becomes pastor at Newton late in this year. In J 872 the Association met at Otley; D. N. Mason, clerk. A year of somewhat limited results. There are 22 Churches, 13 pastors, 57 baptisms reported, and 1,599 members; a decrease from last year of 172. The Church at Otley, midway between Pella and Monroe, organized in 1871, is called Mount Moriah Church, and has 69 members. Elm Grove Church, seven miles south of Des Moines, also organized in 1871, Rev. Uriah McKay, pastor, has 40 members, 11 of whom were baptized during the year. The Enon Church, Rev. J. L. Wyly, pastor, is a new organization with but 9 members. Rev. Amos Robinson, of Newton, is preaching to the Sherman Church. Rev. A. Wells seems to have been pastor at New Virginia this year and last. Of the 22 Churches in this Association, 11 are less than five years old, and six of them without pastors. Rev. J. R. Murphy, D. D., recently from Salem, New Jersey, has become pastor at Des Moines, suc- ceeding Rev. J. Y. Schofield after a two years' pastorate. The meeting this year is at Norwalk. Rev. A. Robinson, of Newton, is clerk. Brother Robinson is still pastor, and patiently laboring on at Newton. Refreshing showers of Divine Grace are again evident this year. The 21 Churches with 13 pastors report 227 bap- tisms, and 1,740 members. This is within five of as many baptisms as in 1869, which was noted as one of the high tides in the history of the Association. The Churches sharing most largely are Des Moines, Rev. J. R. Murphy, pastor, 56; Monroe, Rev. G. W. Hertzog, 31; and Winterset, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 173 Rev. R. Garten, 83. A Church has been organized at East Des Moines, Rev. Granger W. Smith, pastor; 9 baptisms and 63 members. Tlie contributions for the Convention this year are $380.90. Keeping pace pretty well with the spiritual prosperity. Rev. T. R. Stitt is preaching at Hart- ford. Rev. Wm. Tilly has become pastor at Indianola. S. Funk at Norwalk and Spring Hill; Rev. Thomas Miller at Woodland. Knoxville is without a pastor, Brother Frey having returned to the English River Association, after a three years' service there. Monroe entertains the Association this year. Amos Robinson is still clerk. The names of several Churches not represented are dropped out of the table this 1 RVzL ^ year. Some of them will certainly reappear. Churches 17, pastors 12, baptisms 63, members 1487. Rev. John Bodenham appears as pastor at Carlisle, A. Rob bins at Knoxville, D. Simons at Hartford and Vandalia, H. S. Fish at Otle}^, H. C. Warson at Spring Hill, Samuel W. Lee at New Virginia, and J. Messenger at Clanton Church. This Church some 10 miles south of Winterset was dis- missed from the Western Iowa Association in 1868, and first appears in these minutes in 1870 but seems to have very little prosperity. Reports 26 members. In 1875 the meeting was at Vandalia. The same clerk continued. Churches 21, pastors 12, baptisms 39, total membership 1463. Rev. A J. Delano has succeeded pastor Garton at Winterset, after an interval of one year. Brother Garton, after a pastorate of three years here, removes to Waterloo, Iowa, to begin one of the notably long and successful terms of pastoral work in Iowa. Rev. J. A. Abbott appears as pastor at Monroe. Brother Messenger at Clanton reports. 8 baptized and an increase of membership to 33. The Patterson Church, S. W. Lee pastor, is enrolled with 61 members and 6 baptisms. 176 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES The Association meets with the East Des Moines Church. Churches 25, pastors 10, baptized 19, present membership 1412. A year of great barrenness of spiritual results. Of most of the larger Churches there is a large decline in membership compared with 10 years ago. Des Moines 1st is without a pastor. High Street Church, recently organized, has 46 members, S. A. Beaman pastor. Rev. W. A. Cain is pastor at Indianola, C. J. Pendleton at Knoxville and Rev. J. H. Miller is preaching at Ceer Creek, Hartford and Patterson. No pastor's settlement earlier than last year except G. W. Hertzog whose present settle- ment at Monroe dates from 1880. In 1883 the Annual meeting was at Knoxville. Churches 24, pastors 13, baptized J09, total membership 1477. Rev. C. M. Brink has become pasior of the 1st Church Des Moines, Rev. F. D. Rickerson, D. D., of the High Street Church ; Rev. Wm. Tilly at Knoxville, and Rev. Amos Weaver at Winterset. Most of the baptisms are in the three Des Moines Churches. 1st 17, East Des Moines 25, High Street 11. In Patterson, J. H. Miller pastor, 24, and in Winterset 16. Rev. W. A. Cain is doing a good work at Summerset. Indianola is pastorless. Meet at Yandalia. Churches 28, pastors 12, baptized 292, total membership 1802. Additions from all sources 490. East Des Moines reports 60 baptized and 1884, Indianola 129, Monroe 34 and Ohio Church in Madison county, J. H. Miller pastor; 23. These are the principle larger numbers. The numbers of baptisms and additions exceed those of 1869 but considering all the Churches that remains the most prosperous yeai-. Several new Churches have been organized. Among them Kilduff, Rev. Z. A. Bryant pastor with 11 members, Milo, T. R. Stitt pastor with 20 members, and Ohio and Olivet, J. H. Miller pastor with 46 and 26 respectively. Indianola en- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 178 Rev. R. Garten, 83. A Church has been organized at East Des Moines, Rev. Granger W. Smith, pastor; 9 baptisms and 63 members. The contributions for the Convention this year are $380.90. Keeping pace pretty well with the spiritual prosperity. Rev. T. R. Stitt is preaching at Hart- ford. Rev. Wm. Tilly has become pastor at Indianola. S. Funk at Norwalk and Spring Hill; Rev. Thomas Miller at Woodland. Knoxville is without a pastor. Brother Frey having returned to the English River xVssociation, after a three years' service there. Monroe entertains the Association this year. Amos Robinson is still clerk. The names of several Churches not represented are dropped out of the table this 1 RVzL '^ ■ year. Some of them will certainly reappear. Churches 17, pastors 12, baptisms 63, members 1487. Rev. John Bodenham appears as pastor at Carlisle, A. Robbins at Knoxville, D. Simons at Hartford and Vandalia, H. S. Fish at Otley, H. C. Warson at Spring Hill, Samuel W. Lee at New Virginia, and J. Messenger at Clanton Church. This Church some 10 miles south of Winterset was dis- missed from the Western Iowa Association in 1868, and first appears in these minutes in 1870 but seems to have very little prosperity. Reports 26 members. In 1875 the meeting was at Vandalia. The same clerk continued. Churches 21, pastors 12, bajjtisms 39, total membership 1463. Rev. A J. Delano has succeeded pastor Garton at Winterset, after an interval of one 3'^ear. Brother Garton, after a pastorate of three years here, removes to Waterloo, Iowa, to begin one of the notably long and successful terms of pastoral work in Iowa. Rev, J. A. Abbott appears as pastor at Monroe. Brother Messenger at Clanton reports 8 baptized and an increase of membership to 33. The Patterson Church, S. W. Lee pastor, is enrolled with 61 members and 6 baptisms. 176 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES The Association meets with the East Des Moines Church. Churches 25, pastors 10, baptized 19, present membership 1412. A year of great barrenness of spiritual results. Of most of the larger Churches there is a large decline in membership compared with 10 years ago. Des Moines 1st is without a pastor. High Street Church, recently organized, has 46 members, S. A. Beaman pastor. Rev. W. A. Cain is pastor at Indianola, C. J. Pendleton at Knoxville and Rev. J. H. Miller is preaching at Geer Creek, Hartford and Patterson. No pastor's settlement earlier than last year except G. W. Hertzog whose present settle- ment at Monroe dates from 1880. In 1883 the Annual meeting was at Knoxville. Churches 24, pastors 13, baptized 109, total membership 1477. Rev. C. M. Brink has become pastor of the 1st Church Des Moines, Rev. F. D. Rickerson, D. D., of the High Street Church ; Rev. Wm. Tilly at Knoxville, and Rev. Amos Weaver at Winterset. Most of the baptisms are in the three Des Moines Churches. 1st 17, East Des Moines 25, High Street 11. In Patterson, J. H. Miller pastor, 24, and in Winterset 16. Rev. W. A. Cain is doing a good work at Summerset. Indianola is pastorless. Meet at Yandalia. Churches 28, pastors 12, baptized 292, total membership 1802. Additions from all sources 490. East Des Moines reports 60 baptized and ^^^^- Indianola 129, Monroe 34 and Ohio Church in Madison county, J. H. Miller pastor; 23. These are the principle larger numbers. The numbers of baptisms and additions exceed those of 1869 but considering alj the Churches that remains the most prosperous year. Several new Churches have been organized. Among them Kilduff, Rev. Z. A. Bryant pastor with 11 members, Milo, T. R. Stitt pastor with 20 members, and Ohio and Olivet, J. H. Miller pastor with 46 and 26 respectively. Indianola en- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 177 tertains again in 1885. Cluirches 28, pastors 12, baptisms 95, members 1834. Rev. T. S. Bovell has become pastor at Indianola, L. F. Compton at Newton, and Harry Woodson at Carlisle and Hartford. The Central Association held its thirty-fifth annual meeting at Carlisle. Brother E. F. Sperry has been clerk since 1878. The number of Churches is now 25, pastors 13, baptisms reported 79, total member- ship 1785. Rev. F. D. Rickerson, D. D., closed his work at High street Des Moines in the fall of 1885, and became pas- tor at Sioux City. He is succeeded at High street by E. F. Strickland, D. D. Rev. L. F. Compton is pastor at New- ton and at Killduff, and Rev. G. C. Peck at Winterset. Other new names in the pastors' list are W. H. Sayre at Deer Creek, R. R. Albin at Knoxville, and C. A. Price at Sherman. The post office address of the last named is at Colfax. The great revival at Indianola in 1884, wherein 129 were baptized was under the powerful ministrations of the spirit through Rev. W. A. Welsher, D. D. who remained with the Church through several months and was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. T. S. Bovell. The Moderators of the Central Association have been: 1852, W. D. Everett; 1858-4, B. B. Arnold ; 1856, D. Taylor ; 1857 to 1865 inclu- sive, Joshua Currier ; 1866-7, J. A. Nash ; 1868-9, T. R. Cressey; 1870-72, J. Frey; 1873, J. R. Mnrphy; 1874,0-. W. Hertzog; 1875, F. Mott; 1876, J. A. Abbott; and for the successive years since, J. Fulton, Amos Robinson, W. A. Cain, D. D. Proper, W. A. Welsher, D. D., J. A. Nash, D. D., J. H. Miller, C. M. Brink, W. A. Cain and T. S. Bovell. The clerks from the organization in their order have been : J. A. Nash, three years; S. G. Hunt, three years; E. O. Whitaker, one year ; J. A. Todd, one year; R. D. Harts- 180 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Bond and liis father, (there was as early as 1848 a small organization near Oskaloosa, reporting 31 members, Rev. J. Bond, pastor; Ed.), but in the main the statement was correct. The town of Fort Des Moines^ at that time, contained about 500 inhabitants. On the 18th day of January, 1851, a Baptist Church was organized consisting of 14 members. This body at once proceeded to secure a lot and inaugurate plans for building a house of worship, occupying in the meantime, the court house, dividing the time with several other denominations; sometimes permitted to have it one- half of the time, sometimes one-fonrth and one fifth of the time, according as the other denominations had or had not preachers. Most commonl}^ the time was divided with the New School Presbyterians, Rev. Thompson Bird, pastor, with whom the missionary labored side by side until the death of Mr. Bird, some 15 years in all. He was a friend and brother and counselor, and the highest type of a Christian minister and gentleman. It was the intention of the Home Mission Society to have the missionary to preach in Des Moines every Lord's Day, but for reasons above mentioned this was impossible. Hence he established appointments in the surrounding regions, not only on Lord's Days but on week day evenings. The Church next organized after Des Moines (first called Fort Des Moines, but now taking the simpler name), was Corey Grove, some 15 miles to the northeast of the city. There were several families of Baptists and the Church prospered for several years, and a few were baptized, but by removals the Church became essentially merged in the Church which was subsequently formed at Iowa Center, where a town was laid out, and a house of worship was erected. It may be remarked here once for all, that the mis- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 177 tertains again in 1885. Churches 28, pastors 12, baptisms 95, members 1834. Rev. T. S. Bovell has become pastor at Indianola, L. F. Compton at Newton, and Harry Woodson at Carlisle and Hartford. The Central Association held its thirtj^-fifth annual meeting at Carlisle. Brother E. F. Sperry has been clerk since 1878. The number of Churches is now 25, 1886. r. , . pastors 13, baptisms reported 79, total member- ship 1785. Rev. F. D. Rickerson, D. D., closed his work at High street Des Moines in the fall of 1885, and became pas- tor at Sioux City. He is succeeded at High street by E. F. Strickland, D. D. Rev. L. F. Compton is pastor at New- ton and at Killduff, and Rev. G. C. Peck at Winterset. Other new names in the pastors' list are W. H. Say re at Deer Creek, R. R. Albin at Knoxville, and C. A. Price at Sherman. The post office address of the last named is at Colfax. The great revival at Indianola in 1884, wherein 129 were baptized was under the powerful ministrations of the spirit through Rev. W. A. Welsher, D. D. who remained with the Church through several months and was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. T. S. Bovell. The Moderators of the Central Association have been : 1852, W. D. Everett; 1853-4, B. B. Arnold ; 1856, D. Taylor ; 1857 to 1865 inclu- sive, Joshua Currier ; 1866-7, J. A. Nash ; 1868-9, T. R. Cressey; 1870-72, J. Frey; 1873, J. R. Murphy; 1874, G. W. Hertzog; 1875, F. Mott; 1876, J. A. Abbott: and for the successive years since, J. Fulton, Amos Robinson, W. A. Cain, D. D. Proper, W. A. Welsher, D. D., J. A. Nash, D. D., J. H. Miller, C. M. Brink, W. A. Cain and T. S. Bovell. The clerks from the organization in their order have been : J. A. Nash, three years ; S. G. Hunt, three years ; E. O. Whitaker, one year; J. A. Todd, one year: R. D. Harts- 180 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Bond and his father, (there was as early as 1848 a small organization near Oskaloosa, reporting 31 members, Rev. J. Bond, pastor; Ed.), but in the main the statement was correct. The town of Fort Des Moines, at that time, contained about 500 inhabitants. On the 18th day of January, 1851, a Baptist Church was organized consisting of 14 members. This body at once proceeded to secure a lot and inaugurate plans for building a house of worship, occupying in the meantime, the court house, dividing the ^time with several other denominations; sometimes permitted to have it one- half of the time, sometimes one-fourth and one-fifth of the time, according as the other denominations had or had not preachers. Most commonly the time was divided with the New School Presbyterians, Rev. Thompson Bird, pastor, with Avliom the missionary labored side by side until the death of Mr. Bird, some 15 years in all. He was a friend and brother and counselor, and the highest type of a Christian minister and gentleman. It was the intention of the Home Mission Society to have the missionary to preach in Des Moines every Lord's Day, but for reasons above mentioned this was impossible. Hence he established appointments in the surrounding regions, not only on Lord's Days but on week day evenings. The Church next organized after Des Moines (first called Fort Des Moines, but now taking the simpler name), was Corey Grove, some 15 miles to the northeast of the city. There were several families of Baptists and the Church prospered for several years, and a few were baptized, but by removals the Church became essentially merged in the Church which was subsequently formed at Iowa Center, where a town was laid out, and a housd of worship was erected. It may be remarked here once for all, that the mis- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 181 sionary many times organized cliurclies where he had no strong expectation or prospect of the organization becoming permanent or perpetual. For intance, there were found in a neighborhood several Baptist families and individuals, or, a revival breaks out and the converts too far away to be identi- fied with an existing Church. There is no town near, nor can it be foretold where a town will be located. The obvious duty is to gather them together, organize a Church, start a Sunday School and get the members actively at work, and then look after them, preach to them or provide them with preaching until they are strong enough to care for themselves. In this way families and members are kept under Baptist influence, and in active sympathy with Baptist work. Thus they are ready when they remove to other homes, or the center of population changes, to iden- tify themselves with, perhaps to lead out in establishing Churches which become permanent organizations. From long experience and observation he became more and more convinced of the wisdom and necessity of such procedure, and that the opposite course would be often to throw away the fruits of much of the severest missionary toil, to be harvested by other denominations. This is too obvi- ous to need argument. In the following summer and autumn preaching was commenced in Hartford, 15 miles south and east from Des Moines, where there was a hopeful outlook for a revival and for a Church. In the mean time, learning that there were some Baptists about six miles south in a neiglibor- liood called Keokuk Prairie, near the site of one of Keo- kuk's villages, and where there then existed an Indian burying ground ; the missionary sought them out, but found that they were anti-mission Baptists and opposed to Sunday Schools. He obtained an invitation to preach there, which he acc^epted, or left an appointment, and in due 184 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ences in order to maintain the particular views of the Baptists, and were worshiping happily together. The pastor .from Des Moines visited them, preached to them, and ultimately secured for them a pastor of Missionary Baptist views. In process of time, and with advance sen- timents, a Church of our order was duly organized at Monroe, a house of worship built, and the visibility of the old organization disappeared. Preaching was commenced at Newton, the county seat of Jasper county. Here, too, a Church was formed, a house of worship and a parsonage erected, and a pastor settled. Calls for aid came from Panora, county seat of Guthrie county. The Des Moines pastor visited them and a Church was finally organized; and another at A del, county seat of Dallas county. An urgent call came from Winterset, the county seat of Madison county, to the Baptist pastor at Des Moines. He visited them, hunted up the Baptist members, and some months later a Council met and recog- nized them as a Church. The}^ settled a pastor and built a commodious house of worship In the winter of 1863-4 he visited them again, and a series of meetings continued nearly a month, and near thirty were baptized into the fel- lowship of the Church. The Church was greatly strength- ened, and under successive pastors, and in general revivals so increased in numbers that at one time it was one of the strongest Churches in Iowa. In Grinnell were some Baptists from northern and western New York, some of whom had known the missionary in years gone by, at the former home in'the older state. They suggested and procured from the others an invitation for him to visit them and assist in gathering together and organize them into a Churcli. He went and preached, and baptized several converts from a revival previously en- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 181 sionary many times organized churches where he had no strong expectation or prospect of the organization becoming permanent or perpetual. For intance, there were found in a neighborhood several Baptist families and individuals, or, a revival breaks out and the converts too far away to be identi- fied with an existing Church. There is no town near, nor can it be foretold where a town will be located. The obvious duty is to gather them together, organize a Church, start a Sunday School and get the members actively at work, and then look after them, preach to them or provide them with preaching until they are strong enough to care for themselves. In this way families and members are kept under Baptist influence, and in active sympathy with Baptist work. Thus they are ready when they remove to other homes, or the center of population changes, to iden- tify themselves with, perhaps to lead out in establishing Churches which become permanent organizations. From long experience and observation he became more and more convinced of the wisdom and necessity of such procedure, and that the opposite course would be often to throw away the fruits of much of the severest missionary toil, to be harvested by other denominations. This is too obvi- ous to need argument. In the following summer and autumn preaching was commenced in Hartford, 15 miles south and east from Des Moines, where there was a hopeful outlook for a revival and for a Church. In the mean time, learning that there were some Baptists about six miles south in a neighbor- hood called Keokuk Prairie, near the site of one of Keo- kuk's villages, and where there then existed an Indian burying ground ; the missionary sought them out, but found that they were anti-mission Baptists and opposed to Sunday Schools. He obtained an invitation to preach there, which heacciepted, or left an appointment, and in due 184 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ences in order to maintain the particular views of the Baptists, and were worshiping happily together. The pastor from Des Moines visited them, preached to them, and ultimately secured for them a pastor of Missionary Baptist views. In process of time, and with advance sen- timents, a Church of our order was duly organized at Monroe, a house of worship built, and the visibility of the old organization disappeared. Preaching was commenced at Newton, the county seat of Jasper county. Here, too, a Church w^as formed, a house of worship and a parsonage erected, and a pastor settled. Calls for aid came from Panora, count}^ seat of Guthrie county. The Des Moines pastor visited them and a Church was finally organized; and another at Adel, county seat of Dallas county. An urgent call came from Winterset, the county seat of Madison county, to the Baptist pastor at Des Moines. He visited them, hunted up the Baptist members, and some months later a Council met and recog- nized them as a Church. They settled a pastor and btiilt a commodious house of worship In the winter of 1863-4 he visited them again, and a series of meetings continued nearly a month, and near thirty were baptized into the fel- lowship of the Church. The Church was greatly strength- ened, and under successive pastors, and in general revivals so increased in numbers that at one time it was one of the strongest Churches in Iowa. In Grinnell were some Baptists from northern and western New York, some of whom had known the missionary in years gone by, at the former home in'the older state. They suggested and procured from the others an invitation for him to visit them and assist in gathering together and organize them into a Church. He went and preached, and baptized several converts from a revival previously en- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 185 joyed in tlie town, and aided tlieni in organizing the Church; nnd although their number was small, and finan- cially tli(^y were weak, they resolutely, and as rhe heart of one man, set to work to erect a house of worship; some going to the woods, cutting logs, hauling them to the mill and getting them converted into lumber, some doing the carpenter work, others the mason work, and some con- tributing money. The people had a mind to work, "and so the walls were built" and the finishing was completed, and "there were shoutings of grace, grace unto it.'' It should be added that the railroad company gave them the lot, and thus the first house of worship raised in Grinnell was built by the Baptists. The founder of Grinnell, and after whom the town was named, met the aforesaid Des Moines pastor away from their respective homes, during the work of the Church building, and remarked, "I do not see how those Baptists can build a house of worship, I do not know that any of them have much means, and I am sure the Congregationalists would not dare to attempt building." CTrinnell was settled by a colony of Congrega- tionalists, and it was their aim and boast that the plat- form of their Church was so broad and liberal and their creed so elastic and accommodating as to embrace all religious creeds and views, and so have but one denomina- tion of Christians in the town, namely, Congregationalists. But the "iron bed-stead" of the Baptists could neither be "stretched" nor "cut off" with facile adjustments, and hence they went on and formed a distinctive Church, and history shows that many have found their home and the inspiration of their religious life and work therein. But time and space forbid to speak in detail of the Churches gathered at Indianola, Summerset, Adel, Pe- oria City, Norwalk, Reeve's Settlement, Montpelier, Stuart, Prairie City, Polk City, East Des Moines, etc., etc., som>e 186 HISTORICAL SKETCHES.. 30 in all, which are now or have been connected with the Central Association. Among the earlier ministers associa- ted in this field vve name in this reminiscence, Russell, Evans, Guild, Currier, Bond, the Arnolds, Townsend, Sparks and others who hare wrought well in their various spheres. The Central Association was organised at Van- dalia and held its first regular meeting in the autumn of 1852 with the Church near Monroe, then called Harmony Church. Besides the houses of worship now owned by Baptists in Des Moines, there are houses on the field covered by this sketch in Winterset, Boone, Perry, Peoples' Neighbor- hood, Newton, Killduff, Hartford, Carlisle, Indianola, Van- dalia, Sandj^ville, Stuart, Monroe, Norwalk, Summerset, Kinsey Settlement, Grinnell, and perhaps other points. Some anecdotes connected with the subject of this chapter will appear in another place. -'^^^s CHAPTER XXII. Eden Associatiois' — OrgajS^ized ix 1853 — First Appears Upon our Records in 1856 — The Pioneer IN State Convention Missions. 1855 TO 1886. DEN Association comes next to the Central in date of organization. Said to have been or- ganized in in 1853, its first appearance in our records is in 1855, when the list of churches, pastors, numbers baptized for the year, and total membership in the order named is as follows : New Garden, A. Yanderpool, 1, 51 ; Peoria, Wm. Barnett, 5, 37; Bethel; 16 members ; New Providence, no pastor, 14 bap- tisms, 44 members ; Pleasant Hill, I. M. Seay, 20, 71 ; Vernal, I. M. Seay, 6, 56 ; Goshen, no pastor, 12 members ; Walnut Creek, 40 members ; Unionville, 1, 13 ; Bethesda, H. Pearce, 12, 39 ; Bremen, S. Dewese, 2, 18 ; Union, A. M. Green, 1, 13; Mount Eden, no i^astor. 3, 20 ; Mount Pleasant, no pas- tor, 3, 20. The Association therefore starts out with 14 Churches, 6 pastors, reports 66 baptisms and 450 members. The Bethesda Church was in the southwest part of Madi- son county some 12 or 14 miles from Winterset. Bremen about the same distance northwest of Albia, Monroe county. 188 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES Otherwise the territory of the Eden Association was chiefly in Wayne, Ringgold, Lucas, Claris, Union, and possibly Appanoose counties. In 1856, as elsewhere noticed, Rev. I. M. Seay received the first commission issued by the Iowa Baptist State Convention to labor as its Missionary, " It being understood that his labors should be principally expended within the limits of the Eden Association." In 1857 there were Churches 16, pastors 8, baptized 49, total membership 552. Chariton, Moravia and Albia are repre- sented by small Churches. The pastors are T. Davis, Wm. Barnett, A. M. Green, A. Thompson, S. Dewese, J. AV. Bolster, and L. L. Greenlee. L. L. Greenlee is clerk. The Annual meeting is with the Bremen Church in the northwest part of Monroe county. J. D. Morris, Corydon, is clerk. A year of very great prosperity. Rev. A. Thompson has labored as Missionary of the Convention for this Association with marked success ; has baptized 82 himself and reports that 214 have been con- verted. Churches 19, pastors 9, baptisms 205, total mem- bership 774. Chariton reports Rev. Wm. Whitehead as pastor, and Albia Rev; J. W. Bolster. In 1859 Mount Eden is the place of meeting, N. M. Longfellow of Center- ville clerk.. Churches 21, pastors 10. baptized 110, total membership 868. Rev. John Warren is pastor at Chariton where he has been ordained during the year. This is the step-father of Dr. G. J. Johnson. Rev. D. Winters is active among the ministers of the Association. Rev. J. Parker is preaching at Walnut Creek and Moravia, and Rev. 'N. Hays is at Albia. Peoria is the place of the Annual meeting this year, N. M. Longfellow clerk. Another quite successful year is reported. One new Church, the Little Flock, is added this year. Churches 22, pastors 10, bap- tized 135, members 965. Nearly all the Churches are OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 189 supplied witli preaching a part of the time. Among the pastors not noticed before is Rev. J. L. Cole at Corydon, W. Drummond at Pleasant Hill, and H. S. Cloud at Bremen, Lovilla PostofRce. The Association met in 1861 at Union- ville. Brother D. T. Case is clerk. Churches 24, pastors 11, baptized 48, total membership 980. Received the New Hope and Wayne Churches, and dismissed the Bremen (Lovilla) Church to unite with the Oskaloosa Association. Rev. J. L. Cole has labored at Corydon as Missionary of the Convention part of the year but finds it a very dis- couraging field at the present time. The proximity to Missouri and the unhappy state of things there, are men- tioned as principle elements of discouragement. The Association met with the Bethlehem Church, Wayne county, D. Given clerk. The statistics this year are very imperfect, and results nearly the same as last year. In 1863 the Mt. Ararat Church, six miles east of Centerville, is the place of meeting, T. Davis Greenville, clerk. Churches 25, pastors 15, baptisms 57, total membership 1029. Met in 1864 with the Union Church, A. H. Dunlap, Chariton, clerk. Six Churches not reporting this year are left out of the list, leaving Churches 18, pastors 9, baptized 48, total membership of the reporting Churches 728. Pastors not before noticed in the Associa- tion, Wm. Hildreth at Chariton, I. Blakely at Columbia, A. Haines at Little Flock, J. Christie at New Providence, C. Bullock at Union, and T. W. Jones at Wayne. Met with the Chariton Church, Friday before the third Sabbath in September. A. H. Dunlap, clerk. Eight Churches of this Association were dropped from the list, not having reported for several years. Two of the pastors have died during the year, viz., Rev. Isaac Christie and Dr. A. W. Everett. Rev. N. Hays has 190 HISTORICAL SKETCHES labored as itinerating missionary under the appointment of the State Convention, and reports 56 baptized. There are now 18 Cliurches, 7 pastors, 105 baptized and a total membershijj of 798. In 1866 the annual meeting was with the Cambria Church. A. H. Dunlap, clerk. Churches 17; pastors 9; baptized 73; total membership 770. Brother Bolster reports 34 baptisms at Franklin and Brother Haines 18 at Little Flock. Brother Bolster has been laboring for a part of the year as missionary pastor at Centerville, in the Fox River Association, but on the 4th of August was laid aside with a stroke of paralysis, from which he has since only partially recovered. Rev. I. A. Blakesley received appointment and labored in this Asso- ciation as missionary for two or three months, when o wing- to ill health he was obliged to practically suspend labor. The Association at its annual meeting selected Rev. N. Hays as their missionary again and asked the Convention for aid to sustain him. In 1867 the place of meeting un- known. Clerk, A. H. Dunlap. Statistics same as last year. $73.75 were raised for Convention work, and the itinerating missionary was employed a part of the year. Dixon Given is clerk. There are now 22 Churches, 14 pastors, 200 baptisms reported and a total membership of 1,051. It has been another year of revival, evi- dently. Albia reports 29 baptized, J. C. Miller, pastor, transient. Chariton 23, L. Casler, pastor. Noth- ing further is remembered of this name, and it does not again appear — may be a mistake. During a part of this year and last, Rev. P. S. Whitman did valuable work as pastor here at Chariton. The writer remembers a Sabbath spent here and a sort of dedication, or reopening of the meeting house which had been undergoing repairs. There were four or five hundred dollars to raise, and it was a doubtful pull. During the effort a stranger arose in the OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 191 congregation and gave 850. No body knew him, and it was a surprise and an inspiration. The name is not remembered, but he had just moved into the neighborhood of Russell, some 9 miles east of town, and hearing of the meeting at Chariton, he "came" and "saw" and "con- quered " that debt with his gift, for the effort was a suc- cess, assured thereby. Mount Ararat, A. Saladay, pastor, also reports 22 baptisms. Rev. AV. H. Turton appears as pastor at Franklin; Livingston P. O. The Association in 1869 met at Goshen Church, west of Chariton. Moderator, Wm. Barnett, clerk, D. Given, Churches 23; pastors 13; baptisms 132; members 1,270. Prosperity again attends. Rev. L. S. Livermore is preaching at Chariton. Albia is pastorless, but reports 36 baptisms and 100 members. But numbers do not always assure an efficient or a living Church. They must be lively stones or the work of gath- ering is in vain. Met with the Mount Pleasant Church. Elijah Craw- ford, of Corydon, clerk. Churches 25; pastors 12; bap- tized 96; total membership 1,312. Eleven of the Churches report Church property valued at $22,- 800. The largest number of baptisms is at Livingston. Franklin Church, Rev. L G. Parker, pastor, 25. The largest Churches in the Association are in the country. Mount Ararat leads with 166 members, Goshen 107, Albia makes no report this year but is counted 100 members, from last year's report, Chariton 91 and Corydon 47. In 1871 the Association met at Livingston. Elijah Crawford, clerk. Churches 25; pastors 15; baptized 95; total membership 1,355. Albia drops to 69. Only one Church reports above 100. Meeting in 1872 at Peoria, September 10. Elijah Crawford still clerk. Churches and pastors without marked charge. Sixty-six baptisms reported and 1,346 members. Chariton and Corydon, county seats, without 192 HISTORICAL SKETCHES pastors. The name of the Albia Charch disappears, and reappears in the Oskaloosa Association with 14 members. In 1873 Otter Creek was the place of the annual gathering. E. Crawford, Peoria, clerk. The organization of tlie Centerville Association on the east takes several Chnrclies from this body. We miss Mount Ararat, the largest Church in the Association. Churches 15; pastors j9; baptized 85; present membership 649. Rev. W. Stur- geon, from Illinois, is pastor at Chariton, Rev. J. M. Nel- son at Corydon. Peoria, Rev. Wm. Barnett, pastor, is now the largest Church, having 102 members; 21 baptized the present year. Met iii 1874 at Corydon. E. Crawford still clerk. Rev. L. M. Newell appears as pastor at Cory- don. Churches 18; pastors 10; baptisms 29; members 762. Chariton, Rev. Wm. Sturgeon, reports 12 baptized. None other more than three. The Association met with the Goshen Church. Brother Crawford still serving as clerk. Churches 17; pastors 6; baptized, onl}' 3; total membership 690, against 700 last year. The figures need no comment to show fearful decline in spiritual power. Doubtless, could we have attended this anniversary we should have found faithful hearts bowed low in humiliation and anxi- ous supplication for a return of the Spirit's c|uickening presence. Shall we see evidences of it in the next or sub- sequent reports? Assembled in 1876 at Bethlehem Church Elijah Crawford, clerk, is now located at Allerton. An improvement upon last 3^ear is shown in the reports, though no very marked revivals. Churches 16; pastors 5; baptized 39; total membership 522. Rev. Wm. Stur- geon has closed his labors at Chariton and is preaching at Corydon. Ten were baptized at Chariton and they are now without a pastor. The anniversary is at Confidence; clerk, Rev. D. Given. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 193 A Church at Allerton is reported with nine members. Churches 14, pastors 4, baptized 43, members 611. Cambria, J. M. Nelson pastor, report 18 baptisms; Peoria, Wm. Bariiett, 15, and Highland, L. L. Greenlee, 5. Ten churches report no preaching, among them Corydon and Chariton, although the latter reports three baptized and twenty added by letter. Evidently they have had preaching a part of the year. Cambria has the Associa- tion again in 1878. D. Given clerk; churches 13, pastors 4, preaching to 9 churches; baptized 49, membership 565. Rev. F. M. Archer is preaching at Cambria and Corydon, the other pastors are D. Winters, Wm. Barnett, and G. W. Smith who reports 22 baptisms at Otter Creek, Brother Barnett ]? at Goshen. Met in 1879 at Highland Church, M. Nelson, Cambria, clerk. Rev. B. F. Mace is pastor at Chariton and reports 8 baptized. F. M. Archer 13 at Cam- bria and G. W. Smith 18 at Otter Creek. Rev. A. C. Ed- wards appears at Allerton. A church at Russell has ap- peared in the minutes this year and last with 22 members and no other statistics. There are good elements here and this Church will be heard from ere long. Churches 14, pas- tors 5, baptized 48, total membership 616. Chariton welcomes the Association. M. Nelson, clerk. Churches 12, pastors 6, baptized 27, total membership 590. Rev. C. E. Higgius joins the roll as pastor at Al- lerton. Corydon has no pastor. Little other change to note. In 1881 the Association was at Sharon Church, C. E. Higgins clerk. Churches 13, pastors 6, bap- tized 31, members 632. Rev. F. M. Archer succeeds Pastor Mace at Chariton and E. A. Spring appears at Corydon. But one pastor has been with his present charge since 1879, two years. This is Rev. Wm. Barnett, Highland Church. In 1882 Allerton entertains the Association. J. F. Moody, Allerton, clerk. A year of great revivals in some of our 194 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES churches, and great religious activity, Churches 13, pas- tors 7, baptisms 231, total membership 859 — A larger num- ber than any other Association in the State. Brother Archer at Chariton has baptized 100, considerably more than doubling the membership of the Church ; Spring of Corydon 69, six other churches from 2 to 15. The appear- ance of the Leon Church in this Association in 1881 should have been noticed. Rev, F. Edwards began a good work here in 1880. He has baptized 15 in 1882. Rev. C. E. Hig- gins resigned his Avork at Allerton to take charge of the Walnut Street Church Burlington, and Rev. J. F. Moody succeeds him. The Association met at Corydon, R. E. Dye clerk. Churches 16, pastors 9, baptized 17, total membership 866. Rev. M. W. Akers is pastor at Allerton. Rev. N. H. Dailey has succeeded F. M. Archer at Chariton, he having removed to Ida Grove in the Western Iowa Association. Rev. T. K. Tyson has become pastor at Russell, where he reports 7 of the 17 baptisms in the Association. A very neat house of worship is about or quite completed. They report a grand total of expendi- tures for the year of $3,239.47, a good showing for a Church of 46 members. Rev. F. Edwards has been leading a like work at Leon. They have raised this year $2,394. 75. Russell with their new house is permitted to welcome the Associa- tion in 1884, R. E. Dye clerk. Churches 17, pastors 9, baptized 94, total membership 929. There is something that looks a little more like permanency in the pastoral relation. Most of the pastors date their present settlement back to 1883 and one to 1880. Rev. R. H. Shafto is settled at Corydon, but Allerton is without a pastor, and as we write this in 1886 it is with the knowledge that Brother Tyson has been away from Russell almost a year, that Brother Shafto has gone from Corydon, and that Brother Daily has re- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 195 moved to Nortliwood in the Cedar Valley Association, and Brother Archer has been recalled from Minnesota to Chariton. Rev. F. Edwards is becoming quite a veteran in Leon and Cambria. Leon welcomes the Association into her new house of worship. R. E. Dye is still clerk. Churches 16, pastors 7, baptized 9, total membership 889. Newly settled pastors are Wm. Carpenter at Corydon, and T. M. Rickman at Russell with F. M. Archer recalled to Chariton. It is an off year truely as to baptisms. But one Church in the Association numbers over 100 members. While the history of this Association shows the great frequency of changes as to pastoral service, yet there are honored names of ministers who have held up the standard of truth through a long period within the bounds of the Association, some of them through very nearly its entire history of over 30 years. Revs. D. Winters, Wm. Barnett, J. M. Nelson, L. L. Greenlee, and F. Edwards come now to mind. Others might be named who have made an honorable record, laboring much of the time at their own charges. An encouraging feature is the increased contri- butions to Missionary objects. Without taking time or space to verify the statement, the writer can state from a careful examination of the figures that the times of greatest spiritual prosperity in this Association are the times when most liberal contributions have been made to the Missionary work of the denomination. In 1886 the Eden Association furnishes a creditable re- port, evincing considerable vigor of life. Baptisms 91, to- tal membership 873; contributions for home expenses, $3,360.43 ; Foreign Missions, $85.72, eleven churches con- tributing; State Missions, $105.33 from seven churches; total Denominational Benevolences $208.39; grand total for 196 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. all purposes, $2,568.82. Pastors generally holding on. A good sign. Rev. F. Edwards settled at Leon in 1880. He reports 26 baptized in 1886, and there is every evidence of a healthy activity. This, prior to his settlement, had been for many years seemingly an unfruitful field. Rev. Gr. W. Smith has been at Highland church since 1882, and they report 58 members. Chariton reports 27 baptized. At this writing Rev. F. M. Archer has again resigned and been succeeded by Rev, A. H. Post, recently of Harlan, Iowa. As compared with last year the figures are ver}^ encouraging. Baptized in 1885, 9 ; in 1886, 91. CHAPTER XXIII. NORTH-EASTERlSr lOWA — 1855 — DUBUQUE AsSOCIATIOIT. Distinguishing Features — Turkey River Association goes out, Circumscrib- ing THE Field — 1855 to 1869. RIOR to 1855 all the Baptist Churches in Iowa north of the Iowa River, and of a line run- ning through Des Moines, with the exception of two or three churches in Boone county, belonged to the Davenport Association, ex- cepting also an unassociated church at Waterloo with 20 members, and one at Toledo with 15. August 30, 1856, messengers from the churches north of the south line of Jackson county and of counties west, met at LaMotte, Iowa, for the purpose of forming a new Association. Rev. T. S. Grriffith of Dubuque preached a sermon from Psalm XC:17. Rev. John Bates of Cascade was chosen Moderator, and M. A. Clark clerk. The churches represented at this meeting were Bear Creek with 19 members, Bellevue 33, Cascade 65, Delaware 36, Delhi 61, Dubuque 54, Fairview 44, Kingston (West Cedar Rapids) 16, LaMotte 60, Linn Grove 17, Makee 38, Maquo- keta 103, Marion 91, Quasqueton 24, Rossville 34, Shells- 198 HISTORICAL SKETCHES buro- 22, West Union 20, and Yankee settlement 26; total 769. The venerable Joshua Currier was at the time pastor at LaMotte. Other pastors were Luther Holmes, Bear Creek, John Bates, Cascade, C. D. Farnsworth, Delhi, T. S. Griffith, Dubuque, O. S Harding, Fairview, O. A. Holmes, Maquoketa, J. V. DeWitt, Marion, A. G. Firman, Quasque- ton, James Schofield, Rossville, Richard King, 8hellsburg, and George Scott, Yanlvee Settlement. A. G. Firman was by request of the Quasqueton Church ordained at this meeting. Thus was launched upon the sea of trial and of gracious ministry thirty-one years ago the Duhvqiie Bap- tid Association. Two things strike us as of special interest in the commencement of this history : First, The large ex- tent of territor}' for the cultivation of which the new Asso- ciation became responsible, comprising, substantially, all that part of the State north of the (now) main line of the North Western Railroad. Second, The number of promi- nent brethren connected with it. How has the subsequent history of Baptists in Iowa, and in the countr}^ at large been afi'ected by the labors and influence of Brethren Bates, Griffith, Holmes, Schofield, Currier, King, Dewitt, Scott, and others whose names are connected with the early history of this Association ! The second meeting of the Association was held at Du- buque, October 3, 1856. In the absence of the brother ap- pointed to preach the annual sermon, Rev. G. J. Johnson of Burlington preached, Hev. Jolin Bates was Moderator, Benjamin Rupert, clerk. Strawberry Point was added to the list of churches, and D. M. Root of Del- hi, J. Woodward of Cedar Rapids (Kingston Church), D. Rowley of Quasqueton and J. H. Parmelee of West Union, appear among the pastors. Rev. Samuel Hill, postoffice Waukon, appears also as pastor of the Makee Church. He came from Massachusetts and it seems, returned to that OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 199 state in 1857. N. B. Homan seems to have been ordained about this time and is pastor at Simmon's Creek, which is a new Church with 21 members. Among the delegates from the Strawberry Point Church are the names of Alva Bush and James Sunderland, familiar names to Iowa Bap- tists since. Dubuque mentions having paid $900 during the year to Burlington University, and that one of her members has been licensed to preach and is studying at that Institution. Baptisms reported this year 59, churches 21, members 948. Correspondence is opened with the Ce- dar Valley Association, organized this year on the west. There appears to be an unassociated church at Hopkinton with 20 members. There is some evidence of revival. The Association met at AVest Union. Rev. C. E. Brown, Moderator, James Sunderland, clerk. Brother Baldwin preached the introductory sermon. The Hop- kinton and Oran Churches wer© received. Bmt in the meantime the Linn Association has been formed on the southwestern border, and the Marion, Linn Grove, Simmon's Creek, Fair View, Quasqueton, Shellsburg and Kingston churches have united therewith, leaving in this Association 16 churches, 54 have been added by bap- tism, 90 by letter and there are 622 members. There is an unassociated Church at Epworth with 16 members. Jamei Kay is pastor at Hopkinton, L. M. Newell at Makee Church, J. H. Ross at Oran and Horace Holmes at Bear Creek. Rev. H. R. Wilber appears as a visitor from the Des Moines Association. Horace Holmes seems to have been ordained this year. The Fourth Anniversay was held at Strawberry Point. Rev. L. M. Newell preached the sermon. Rev. O. A. Holmes, Moderator and James Sunderland, clerk. Rev. J. Y. Aitchison is pastor at Delhi, where he reports 24 baptisms. He is also pastor at Manchester, 200 HISTORICAL SKETCHES and the Manchester, Erie, Westfield and Hardin churches .are received into the body. Yankee Settlement and Fair- field churches are reported extinct. It has been a year of unusual revival and prosperity. Churches 18; pastors 10; baptisms 138; membership 862. Cascade reports 20 baptisms, Delaware 11, Delhi 24, Dubuque 44, and Straw- berry Point 15. Brother Sunderland writing to the State Convention, mentions "some remarkable manifestations of Divine power, not only in conversions, but in leading converts to to scriptural views of his kingdom and ordinances." Churches were "organized where there had been previ- ously neither Baptist minister nor members," and "con- verts have sent for a distant pastor, been baptized and formed into a church, upon which Salvation has continued to fall, evincing the power of the Word and Spirit of God to awaken the conscience and lead men into all truth." June 10 the Association met at Maquoketa. Rev. J. Y. Aitchison preached the annual sermon. Rev. James Scho- field Moderator protem. This, if we mistake not, 1859 ^ , ' ' is the father of G-eneral Schofield and of Rev. J. Y. Schofield of St. Louis. Jesse Clement of Dubuque was elected Moderator, James Sunderland clerk. Five new Churches are received, viz. J^lonmouth, North Bend, Iron Hill, Plum Creek and SpriHg Brook. Three of these are the fruit of revivals the present year, and the other two of the previous year. A striking feature of our history is the number of small Churches organized, never to attain to anything more than a most precarious existence, and in a few years to disappear from the records : while on the other hand, the vitality and tenacity of life of many of these feeble interests is a marvel of grace. And even where they do not abide, who can measure the good that may grow REV. JAMES SUNDERLAND. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 201 out of the work of these fleeting years ? There are now 23 Churches, 120 baptisms reported, and a total membership of 1021. The largest part of the baptisms are among the new Churches just received into the body. Monmouth reports 18, North Bend 12, Spring Brook 40, and Iron Hill 11. There are but 9 pastors within the bounds of the Association. These are John Bates, James Kay, J. Y. Aitchison, C. Bill- ings Smith, Alva Bush, James Schofield, Luther Holmes, S. Morton, and Charles E. Brown. Rev. T. S. Grrifiith has removed to Keokuk and become pastor, and Rev. C. Bill- ings Smith has succeeded him at Dubuque, and Rev. O. A. Holmes left Maquoketa a year or so ago and is pastor of an unassociated Church at Webster City. Rev. George Scott is this year without charge at Strawberry Point. The Association met at Delhi. Rev. George Scott preached the sermon, John Bates Moderator, Jesse Cle- ment clerk. Two new Churches are received, viz. T D ^ ^ Sand Spring in Delaware county, and Water ville in Allamakee, the latter with 5 baptisms and 11 members apparently never reported after this meeting. There are now 25 churches and 1025 members. The trial time is coming on, only one church reports more than 5 baptisms. Vernon Springs with Rev. Charles E. Brown as pastor reports 22. New pastors this year are John Cummings at LaMotte and Maquoketa, H. G. Davenport at North Bend, and Alva Bush at Westfield (afterward Fayette). Also John Williams at West Union. In the meantime, during 1860 the Turkey River Association was organized, taking from the north part of this field 12 churches with 352 members. The Dubuque Association has reached its high- est point as to numbers up to the time of writing this sketch, but not necessarily in usefulness. Rev. Dexter P. Smith is the agent of the State Convention. 14 202 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Friday, June 7th, the Association met at Cascade. Rev. C. B. Smith preached the sermon and was elected Moderator and Samuel Skemp, of Dubuque, clerk. By the organization of the new Association, on the north, cutting down the territory of this about one- half, the number of Churches is reduced to 16; reporting 62 baptisms and 595 members; though in the Convention records, for the year 1801, the number of members is 683. There is frequently a discrepancy between the numbers reported in the Association and in the Convention Minutes. This may be accounted for by the changes that have taken place after the Association, and is more likely to occur when the meeting of the Association is early in the season as is the case with this. Rev. T. W. Clark, who has lived at DeWitt, in the Davenport Association since 1857, is preach- ing at Spring Brook and reports 20 baptisms. The Water- ford Church, in Jackson county, and Worthington, Du- buque county are received this year. Elder Cummings requested, for Maquoketa, the privilege of withdrawing to unite with the Davenport Association. The matter was referred to a committee who reported, "that as the Asso- ciation had been divided, the Maquoketa brethren be requested to remain with us and strengthen our hands." The report was adopted and the Maquoketa Church has remained for a quarter of a century, one of the strong sup- ports of the Dubuque Association. The Ciril War having broken out, and become the all-absorbing topic of consider- ation, Rev. J. Y. Aitchison read a circular letter urging especiall}^ that our patriotism be supplemented by prayer. Rev. James Hill of Cascade is pastor of the Worthington Church and reports 3 baptisms and 10 members. Met at Spring Brook. Rev. John Bates preached the sermon, George Scott Moderator, John Bates clerk, D. O. Montague treasurer. Churches 15, pastors 7, baptisms OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 203 66, total membership 580. Rev. Elam D. Phillips is pastor at Spring Brook, and they report 29 of the 66 bap- tisms ; also at Maquoketa where 12 have been baptized. Rev. John Bates writing of this meeting, voiced the Missionary and the Christian that he was wlien he said, "Brethren, we need more of the spirit of God, more of a Missionary spirit, individual zeal, and enlarged benevo- lence in sustaining Sabbath Schools, and a better support could and ought to be given by the Churches to those ministers who labor in word and doctrine. Let us take heed that we are not absorbed too much in war. We are Christians as well as patriots. The first honor is to be self-denying and ready to die as martyrs in the cause of Christ; the next honor is to be self-denying and ready to die as patriots in the cause of our country." Met at LaMotte Friday, June 12, sermon by Rev. James Kay, John Bates Moderator, Jesse Clement clerk. Churches 16, pastors 8, baptized 41, total membership 648. At this meeting the writer of these sketches first met with, the Dubuque Association as agent of the Iowa Baptist State Convention. On his way to LaMotte he stopped over night with the family of Elder John Bates at Cascade. Brother Bates had gone on to LaMotte a day in advance. On entering the home we found it wrapped in a cloud of sadness never to be forgotten. Intelligence had just been received of the first great assault on the fortifica- tions at Yicksburg. A breach had been made in the walls and the company to which Brother Bates' eldest son, Sam- uel, belonged had fallen within the fortifications upon the repulse of the Union forces. Whether the noble young man had met immediate death or awaited the tortures of a rebel prison was wholly uncertain. We have never wit- nessed a deeper sorrow nor borne with more noble Christian 204 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES courage. In the grief-stricken home were two beautiful young ladies who afterward became the wives of two of our Foreign Missionaries, Mr. Tympany and Mr. McLaurin of Canada. At this meeting the 2d Dubuque Church appears upon the records with 44 members, and Rev. A. Chapin soon after becomes pastor. The name of the 1st Dubuque Church continues upon the records for two or three years without any report and then disappears. H. G. Davenport is preaching at North Bend, J. Z. Zimmerman at Spring Brook, and E. D. Phillips at Maquoketa. Manchester is the place of meeting. Brother Phillips preached^the sermon. Rev. A. Chapin Moderator, and J. Z. Zimmerman clerk. Rev. H. Samson has succeeded E. D Phillips at Maquoketa, and H. H. Half is preaching at Delhi, and Rev. T. W. Clark at North Bend. Rev. J. Y. Aitchison has closed a very successful pastorate of six years or more at Delhi and Manchester, where he has baptized over 50 into the two Churches, which number now (1864) 43 and 38 respectively. It has been a year of very limited spiritual fruitage, and great destitution. Only 11 baptisms are reported, 14 Churches, and 550 members. This year the Annual meeting was at Cascade, Elam D Phillips Moderator, Jesse Clement clerk, T. H. Bowen treasurer. Rev. H. Samson preached the annual sermon from Job 19:25. There are now 13 Churches, 9 pastors, 28 baptisms reported, and 588 members. The Cascade and Manchester Churches show the only signs of revival. Cascade reports 12 baptisms, Manchester 13. The decease is reported of Rev. Luther Holmes at Monmouth. Born in Vermont, he had removed first to New Yorl>s:, where he was converted under the ministry of "Father John Peck," and united with the Baptist Church at New Wood- stock, Madison county. He afterwards removed to Ohio, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 205 and in or about 1853 to Jackson county, Iowa. He had been in the ministry about 16 years. (See Obituary Notes). Rev. John Bates, after 14 years labor at Cascade, has re- moved with his excellent family to Canada. At this meeting it was voted that one Church, each year, beginning with the oldest in the Association, present a brief history^ to be, if practicable, printed in the minutes. Brother Car- los Wilcot, a Licentiate from Fulton, Illinois, is preaching at Spring Brook. Rev. E. D. Phillips has removed to and is pastor at Manchester, and Rev. James Kay has succeeded Brother Bates at Cascade. Maquoketa entertains the Association. Rev. A. Chapin preached the [sermon. Moderator James Kay, clerk Jesse Clement. The Delaware Center, Masonville, and Epworth Churches are received. The history of the Cascade Church appears in the minutes. About 1845, at the request of John Raferty and a few others. Rev. Ira Blanchard of Delaware county began to preach once a month. A Campbellite minister coming about the same time, a Church was formed called the Baptist Christian Church, evidently intended to absorb the two elements, Baptist and Disciples, or Campbellites as they were known. As might have been expected, this organization did not survive, and on the 16th of May, 1846, the Baptist Church of Cascade was organized with 9 members. Brother Blanch- ard continued to serve the Church as pastor until 1850, when he removed to California, where he died in 1852. He was assisted at various times at Cascade by Elders Morey of Iowa City^T. H. Arcliibald of Dubuque, and Charles E. Brown of Maquoketa. In July 1850 Rev. John Bates, just from Ireland, became pastor and continued in faithful labor for 14 years. In the year now under review, 1866, there have been in the Association 69 baptisms, of which number Cascade reports 28, Delaware Center 12, Masonville 16, and 206 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Manchester 8. The whole number of members is 643. Among the pastors appear Rev. James Hill at Epworth and Worthington, J. Carrington at Delaware Center, and Isaac C. Jones at South Fork (Sand Spring). Dubuque is the place of meeting. Rev. James Kay preached the sermon, Rev. E. D. Phillips, Moderator, Jesse Clement is still clerk. Brother Phillips is about to go into Home Mission work in Ne- braska, where in 1870 and 1871 he appears under commis- sion of the Home Misson Society at Tecumseh. He soon after removed to Eastern New York, where he is still serv- ing in the '"Kingdom and Patience" of our Divine Lord. Revs. J. Carrington and Isaac C. Jones also soon removed to Nebraska. Brother Jones served the Home Mission Society at various places from 1866 to 1871, and Brother Carrington was under commission of the Society at Peru in 1871. It is interesting to follow our Iowa bi-ethren thus and trace their activities into other states. In the year now sketched. Rev. N. Whitmore has been preaching at LaMotte, J. C. Johnson at Epworth and Wm. E. Reed at North Bend. Maquoketa is without a pastor. Rev. H. Samson having resigned more than a year ago. This meet- ing is noted for the number of representatives of our Denominational Societies present. Revs. G. J. Johnson, S. M. Osgood and Thomas Powell are of the number. A period of great activity and large planning has followed upon the close of the war, and claims of the different So- cieties are being warmly and successfully pressed. The Associational gathering is at Delaware Centre. Rev. A. Chapin, Moderator, Caleb Saddler, clerk. Rev. J. F. Childs, being present in the interest of the State Convention, preached the opening sermon, both appointees being absent. The Association mourn OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 207 the decease — on the previous 4th of July— of Rev. James Kay, pastor of the Church at Cascade. Brother Kay was born in Lancashire, England; was for a time on the city -mission staff of the City of Manchester. Coming to this country about 1858, he became pastor of the Little Church of Delaware, in Delaware county, Iowa, preaching also at Hopkinton, and at Sand Spring. In 1864 he succeeded Elder John Bates as pastor at Cascade, where he labored with great acceptance until laid aside by his last sickness. He is much lamented and greatly honored. "His life was holy, his ministry a great success, his death triumphaiit, •his memory blessed." There were this year 15 Churches in the Association, 25 baptisms reported and 673 members. The history of the Maquoketa Church was given. Organ- ized in 1848, the first pastor was Charles E. Brown. He was succeeded in 1851 by Rev. George Scott, and he by Rev. O. A. Holmes in 1853 or 1854. Brother Holmes con- tinued 5 or 6 years, and 1859 removed to Webster City to begin many years of most useful service in the newer fields of the upper Des Moines and Iowa Valley Associations. In May, 1859, the house of worship of the Maquoketa Church was entirely destroyed by fire. The lot had to be sold to pay a debt, and dark days set in. The day of adversity was set over against the day of prosperity. But the Church, though cast down, was not destroyed. The last year of Brother Holmes' pastorate the Church had reported 115 members. In 1861 they were reduced to 74. Subsequently they prospered again and were able, in 1867 or 1868, to purchase of the Presbyterians a comfort- able brick building, in which again to "keep house for the Lord." The Association met again at Cascade. Rev. William Aitchison, Jr., preached the annual sermon, and was 208 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. ♦ elected Moderator, and Carlos Wilcox, of LaMotte, clerk. Fifteen Churches, 9 pastors, 44 baptisms reported and 623 members. Maquoketa with Henry L. Field ordained as pastor and 17 baptisms to re- port, and North Bend with 20 baptisms indicate the only revivals. Worthington has completed a house of worship. Delhi is building, and Monmouth is gathering material. Manchester has given up the hall which the}^ have occu- pied for four years, but which is used through the week for a dancing hall- They are discouraged, but have se- cured another room and are struggling on. Brother Carlos Wilcox has been ordained at Spring Brook, and is preaching also at LaMotte, and Rev. J. A. Ab- bott has been ordained at South Fork Church (Sand Spring). Rev. John Brown has become pastor at Cascade, beginning some time in 1868. The history of the Delaware Church was given this year. Organized June 30, 1844, by Rev. Ira Blanchard. Its subsequent pastors were John Bates (supply- ing from Cascade), Luther Holmes, Hiram Barden, C. D. Farnsworth, and James Kay. This was always a small country Church, never becoming strong; it nevertheless occupied a prominent place in the pioneer religious work in this region. It was located on the line between Delaware and Jones counties and is not to be confounded with the Church at Delaware Centre, now bearing the simple name "Delaware." ■^--^^' CHAPTER XXIV. Dubuque Association Continued — Faithful Holding On — A Church Building Society — Every Church Provided with a Home — Dubuque Church Served — A Holocaust — 1870 to 1886. jHE Anniversary was at Delhi June 10. Ser- mon by'Rev. James Hill of Cascade, Moder- ator, and Wm. Aitcliison Jr. clerk. Bap- tisms 84, other additions 56, whole number of members 794. A year of some spiritual quick- ening, in which Cascade, Dubuque, and Ma- quoketa have shared most fully, reporting 14, 26, and 13 bap- tisms respectively. Epworth have let contract for building and Delhi report progress but cannot complete their building without help. A movement was inaugurated to combine the aid of the Churches in the Association to help one, where most needed, each year in building, and by this unity of ef- fort, in a few years, almost if not every Church in the Du- buque Association was provided with a house of worship. Rev. A. Whitman has succeeded Brother Chapin as pastor at Dubuque. Rev. Wm. Tilley has followed H. L. Field at Maquoketa, and Rev. Asa Prescott has settled at Delaware Centre and Delhi, succeeding J. Z. Zimmerman after a short 210 . HISTOEIC AL SKETCIffiS ' pastorate at Delaware Centre, and J. C. Johnson after an interval at Delhi and Delaware Centre. The history of the LaMotte Church is given this year. It was organized first at Andrew, January 4, 1845, "By the assistance of Rev. Horace Eaton of New Hampshire." He was called to the pastorate, but declined the call and seems to have remained in the state only about a year. Horace Eaton seems to have been under appointment of the Home Mission Society in Davis county 20 weeks in 1844 and 26 weeks in 1845. The Church was removed from Andrew to LaMotte, and in 1848 Rev. Joshua Currier became pastor. During his pas- storate of nine and one-half years the membership increased to 62, and a comfortable house of worship was built. Since that time the Church has declined in membership and in- fluence, and when the history was written in 1870 there were only 17 members. Met at Epworth, sermon by Elder John Brown, James Hill Moderator, Wm. Aitchison clerk. Brother C. W. Skemp of I)ubuque has been very acceptably supplying the Church at Epwortli and Farley for two or three years past. They have completed a house of worship at Epworth, at a cost of $2,125, and are rejoic- ing. There are now 15 Churches, 8 pastors, and 15 meeting houses, including those under way ; members 753. Only 14 baptisms are reported for the year, and a net loss of 41 members. A series of " Regulations " were adopted. at this meetingiiqr a "Church Building Fund." The name and wise councils of Rev. A. Chapin are missed from the delib- erations of the body. The stay of his successor at Dubuque has been short, and they are without a pastor. Maquoketa have expended $1,50D in repairs on Church edifice, and have now the best in town. Maquoketa enJo3's the anniversary. Rev. Asa Prescott OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 211 preached the sermon and was elected Moderator. Rev. Wm. Aitcluson still clerk. Baptisms 63, of which num- ber 46 are at Diibnque, where Rev. L. F. Raymond has become pastor and has been assisted by his father, the veteran Lewis Raymond, of Chicago, in a remarkable revival. Whole immber of members in the Association, 775. Cas- cade have had some trouble, but the Church is never- theless prospering. Manchester have no pastor, but are building a meeting house, and Monmouth have recently dedicated. In 1873 the Association met at Manchester. L. F. Raymond, preacher; Asa Prescott, Moderator ; L. M. Newell, clerk. For a number of years there have been no new organizations, nor any change of boundary of the As- sociation. This year the Monmouth Church is dismissed to the Davenport Association, and the Forestville Church is received from the Turkey River. Rev. T. F. Thickstun is present as State Superintendent of Missions, and J. E. Rockwood as State Sunday School Missionary. Of the 14 Churches comprising- the body, six are witliout pastors. Baptisms 55, members 775. Rev. L. M. Newell has become pastor at Manchester. Maquoketa reports 14 baptisms, but Brother Tilley has resigned. Rev. James Hill is pastor at Cascade, and they report 18 baptisms. The Twentieth Anniversary was held at Dubuque. Rev. Wm. Aitchison, Jr., preached the introductory sermon, and 1 R VA ^^^ Moderator ; T. H. Bowen, clerk. The churches all send letters except Spring Brook. Fourteen churches, 57 baptisms, 41 other additions ; loss 83. Present membership 776. Of the baptisms, Delaware Centre re- ports 19, Manchester 11, Maquoketa 10 and Cascade 7. These annual figures are interesting in as much as they in- dicate, at least in part, the process of spiritual growth. Sympathetic mention is made of the loss by death of the beloved wife of Rev. James Hill, of Cascade, who was called 212 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES up higher, March 12th, 1874. North Bend Church asked dismission to unite with the Davenport Association. The request was deferred for one year, and the Church seem not to have renewed it, nor to have made any further re- port to this body. The name stands upon the record for a few years and then disappears. Rev. J. M. Ferris is pas- tor at Dubuque, N. F. Hoyt at Maquol^eta and W. H. Irwin at Manchester. The LaMotte Church are reduced to 10 members, and asl^ advice of the Association. They are advised to sell their meeting house in order to pay a debt of three hundred dollars, and to retain the balance, if any- thing remains, in the Association. Rev, M. T. Lamb was present as Sunday School Missionary, having succeeded Brother Rockwood in that office. Met May 28th at Delaware Centre. Rev. N. F. Hoyt, of Maquoketa, preached the annual sermon. Rev. James P Hill was again elected Moderator, and J. W. Beatty is clerk. It appears that a committee had been appointed to consider and report upon the propriety of disbanding the Association and uniting with the Linn. This committee reported, and after some discussion, it was resolved that "as an Association we discard all idea of disbanding the body and uniting with any other." At this meeting a constitution was adopted organizing an "Iowa Baptist Church Building Society." Resolutions were passed in tender memorial of Rev. John Bates, long a member of this body, who had recently deceased in Canada. (See obituary notes.) Maquoketa mourns the death of the loved wife of their pastor, Rev. N. F. Hoyt. Rev. W. H. Irwin has resigned at Manchester. It is evidently a time of great spiritual dearth. Onl}^ six baptisms are reported in the entire Association. Whole number of members 781. Cascade is the entertaining Church. Rev. J. Hill was OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 213 Moderator protera, but at liis earnest request to 'be released from the duties he had discharged so long and well, Kev. N. F. Hoyt was elected permanent Moderator for the year. Rev. J. W. Beatty, of Cascade, clerk. Allen Curr, of Dubuque, preached the annual sermon. Rev. James Hill has now been preaching at Cascade since 1873. The letters from the Churches are hopeful but report no great revival. Only 8 Churches report this year. Baptisms 17; whole number of members 738. Spring Brook has become extinct, and the name is dropped. Rev. J. M. Ferris, pastor at Dubuque for the last two years, has withdrawn from the denomination and united with the Methodists. He is succeeded by Allen Curr, and they are much encouraged and are engaged in building a house of worship. Rev. L. M. Whiting has become pastor at Man- chester and Epworth. Rev. C. W. Skemp, of Dubuque, who has been supplying the Church at Epworth eight years, surrendering, with much honors, the trust, for a time at least, to others. Met at Maquoketa. The veteran Moderator, Brother Hill again at his post, and J. W. Beatty again clerk. Brother Hill also preached the sermon. The returned missionary. Rev. T. J. Keith has be- come pastor at Maquoketa and welcomes the Association handsomely. Brother Hoyt after four years of honorable service here has removed to Minnesota. The hopeful spirit of last year is on the increase and some fruit has appeared. Forty have been baptized, 15 of them at Maquo- keta. LaMotte, Delaware and South Fork Churches have not reported for three years, and committees are appointed to inquire into their state. Rev. H. D. Weaver is pastor at Delhi and Delaware Centre. The time of meeting has been changed to September, 214 HISTORICAL SKETCHES assembling at Delhi on the 18th. The annual sermon was preached by Allen Curr. H. D. Weaver was Moderator and J. G. Johnson, clerk. There 9 Churches, 42 baptisms reported, of which 28 are at Man- chester where L. M. Whiting is still pastor. Total mem- bership 682. The Convention Minutes this year report ten Churches and 700 members. Rev. James Hill has closed a five years' pastorate at Cascade, and Rev J. Bodenham is his successor. Dubuque has made progress. The value of Church property is now estimated at s21,000. The pastor having been absent about three-fourths of the year, the pulpit has been acceptably supplied by Brethren Millard and Skemp. Pastor Keith has resigned at Maquoketa to accept a call at Waverly. The Church at Maquoketa has paid a debt of )^500. Met at Epworth September 12. Sermon by Rev. L M. Whiting, Rev. T. S. Crandall Moderator, Prof C. S. Chap- man clerk. Churches 8, baptisms 29. members 1879 680. Of the baptisms 16 were at Dubuque, where Alleu Curr has been succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. C. H. Kimball. Rev. T. S. Crandall has settled at Maquoketa. Dubuque is greatly embarrassed by debt and her property endangered. A memorial to the State Convention, to meet at Dubuque in October, pleads earnestly for some method of deliverance to be devised for this Church. It may not be too much to say that, to all human appearance, the interposition of the State Convention and Home Mission Society in the fall of 1879 saved the Dubuque Church from ruin. As we now write, 1886, the Church is out of debt, self-sustaining and prosperous. Probably no Church in Iowa of its relative strength has made a better record, raised more money, nor by greater devotion and personal sacrifice, and at the same time been more blessed in its OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 215 spiritual work than the Dubuque Church during] the last six years. In 1880 the Association met at Manchester. Rev. H. D. Weaver was the preacher, Eev. James Hill Moderator, C. S. Chapman clerk. Very little spiritual growth is reported, but there is a hopeful, courageous spirit. Some progress has been made in removing debts and financial burdens. Rev. J. B. Thomas has begun the work in Dubuque, and starts the imperrilled interest there upon the noble effort the success of which is anticipated in a previous paragraph. Tlie financial record of the Association is a decided improvement upon the past. There were reported for current expenses $3,053, against $1,941.52 last year. Grand total for all purposes §5,851.94, against $2,967.30 last year. In 1881 Dubuque entertains the Annual gathering. Rev, T. L. Crandall of Maquoketa delivered the annual sermon. Rev. A. D. Abbott Moderator, C. S. Chapman clerk. Churches 8, baptisms 42, members 619. Five of the 8, Churches share in the baptisms. Dubuque with 14 and Manchester with 18 are the most" fortunate. The financial record is still improving. Pastors Weaver and Bodenham have resigned and leave the Association, the former to take charge of the Church at Ames, Iowa. Rev. A. D. Abbott is pastor at Delhi and Delaware Centre. D. Howard Hall of Dubuque is preaching both this year and last at Ep worth. Met at Delaware Centre. Rev. F. Bower, of Jessup, was the annual preacher. Rev. Wm. Aitchison was elected Q Moderator, and Mrs. S. E. Harger, of Delhi, clerk. The Independence and Jessup Churches, from the Cedar Valley Association, and the Winterset Church, from the Linn, were received into this body, with an ag- gregate membership. of 207: This adds an appreciable ele- 216 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES ment of strength that must greatly encourage the members of the Association. There are now 11 churches with, 829 members, of whom 38 have been baptized within the year. The pastors of the three added churches are, Rev. C. F. Hahn, Independence, Rev. F. Bower, Jessup and Rev. John Couch, Winthrop. Rev, L. M. Whiting has closed at Manchester, seven years of devoted and self-sacrificing toil in this Association, that will not be easily replaced. Rev. W. E. Walker is his successor. Brother Wm. Aitchison has again been called to the pastorate at Cascade. Pasror Thomas, at Dubuque, reports encouragement. They are grappling manfully with almost insurmountable difficulties. Independence entertains her newly adopted sister churches in Association this year. Rev. Wm. Aitchison preached the annual sermon, and was again called to preside. Rev. C. E. Higgins, the new pastor at Independence, is clerk. The Dubuque Baptist Associa- tion, after a long and heroic struggle to hold the fort, and to lay permanent foundations, seems now to see the day of prosperity set over against the day of adversity. Over 100 additions are reported, 64 of them by baptism. The finan- cial record is far in advance ; $12,078.26 are reported for all purposes. Cascade are building a new meeting house, and have expended over $4,000.00. They are also building the spiritual house ; 18 have been added by baptism. Dubuque reports 39 by baptism. Epworth and Maquoketa are with- out pastors. Brother Hall having ceased his labors at Epworth the 1st of July, and Brother Crandall having closed a four years' useful pastorate at Maquoketa. Bro- ther Hahn has given place to C. E. Higgins, at Indepen- dence, and J. W. Allen has succeeded Brother Couch at Winthrup. Met at Cascade. Sermon by J. W. Allen, J. B. Thomas, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 217 Moderator and C. E. Higgins, clerk. Churches 11; pastors 8; baptisms 79; membership 890. The largest 1884 I 7 J- o membership since the organization of the Turkey River Association, 25 years ago. The Churches all, or nearly all, seem to be in a healthy condition, and give promise of continued usefulness and prosperity. In 1885 the Association met tor its Thirty-first Anniversary at Maquoketa. The annual sermon was preached by Rev. C. E. Higgins; Moderator and clerk the same as last year. Eleven Churches, 24 baptisms and 889 members. Rev, George Houghton has become pastor at Delaware Centre and Epworth. Rev. J. W. Hough, at Maquoketa, and Rev. J. Y. Aitchison, D. D., at Manchester. In 1886 — baptisms 74; members 910. Foreign missions $288.39 ; state missions $240.13 ; total local expenses $8,090.16; denominational benevolence $810.38; grand total for all purposes $8,900.64. On July 4th the Dubuque Church celebrated their own independence from debt with the National Independence, by publicly burning the notes, mortgages, etc. which had constituted the evidences of indebtedness against them. Rev. R. J. Langridge has become pastor at Maquoketa. Rev. James Hill, of Cas- cade, who has been preaching at the Little Church at Worthington nearly or quite ever since its organization in 1861, has baptized five there this year, and they report ten members. This is [a remarkable instance of fidelity and vitality. Rev, J. W. Beatty is pastor at Cascade, O. W. Catlin at Jessup, Wm. Swinden at Manchester, succeeding Rev. J. Y. Aitchison, D. D., who resigned on account of poor health. Rev. C. E. Higgins resigned at Independence to accept the appointment of General Missionary, At this writing, Rev, D, N, Mason is supplying the pulpit with 15 218 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. great acceptance and hope of his returning to tlie work to which he is so well adapted in the pulpit. He has been for a few years engaged in teaching, for which work he has also special adaptation . There is perhaps, no part of Iowa that has required greater fortitude and courageous faith to maintain the cause of the Master during the whole 30 years of its his- tory, than that occupied by the Dubuque Association, and in none have these qualities been more fully evinced. The largest number of churches reported any one year has been 25, and the smallest number 8. There were 25 churches in I860, before the organization of the Turkey River Association, and in 1878 and 1879 only 8, which number has been increaced to 11, The number of mem- bers since 1860 has ranged from 550, in 1864, to 910, in 1886. Only twice has the membership reached 1,000, and that in 1859 and 1860, and only two years the number of baptisms has reached 100, and that was in 1858 and 1859. CHAPTER XXY. The Great Ceis^tral A'^ alley of Northern Iowa. 1855 — The Cedar Valley Association^. Organized in 1856—1856 to 1886. |N 1855 a Clmrcli was organized at Waterloo, Iowa, and is reported among the nnasso- ciated Churches that year, with twenty mem- bers, also one at Toledo, Tama connt}^, with fifteen members. These seem to have formed the basis for the organization in 1856 of the Cedar Valley Association. 1856, This Association was constituted with six Churches, as follows: 1st Waterloo, organized in 1855, J. C. Miller, pastor, baptized 74, members 112; St. Charles, or- ganized 1856, G. F. Brayton, pastor. 24 members; Toledo, organized 1855, G. G. Edwards, pastor baptized 18, members 58 ; Waverly, organized 1856, D. Terry, pastor, members 17; 2d Waterloo, J. C. Miller, pastor, members 17, and Vinton, Rev. A. Chapin, pastor, one baptism and 22 members. Six Churches, 5 pastors, 93 baptisms and 250 members. There is here the anomaly of two Churches in the same place with a membership of only 129, neither of them two years old, and the same person named as pastor of 220 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES both. Second Waterloo Church is not heard of again after another year. Rev. G. F. Bray ton, Freeman, Floyd county, is corresponding secretary of the Association. The First Anni- versary was held in 1857, at Waterloo, A. D. Bush, secre- tary. Three new Churches are added, all organized the present year, viz: Horton, D. Terr}^, pastor, 11 members; New Hartford, J. R. Dean, pastor, 22 members and two baptisms; Riceville, G. F. Brayton, pastor, 10 members. A. G. Eberhart appears as pastor at Waterloo, with 102 members and A. D. Bush at Waverly. The youiTg Asso- ciation starts oft' in the great Cedar Valley with a cluster of names in its ministry that are destined to be historic in Iowa Baptist annals. It is hard to realize that less than thirty years ago there were to be found here only these small beginnings. The Second Anniversary was held at Waverly. A. D. Bush is still secretary. Already the cords are rapidly lengthening. The year has been one of great prosperity, Seven new Churches are added, six of them organized within the year. These are Cedar Falls, Chickasaw, Clarksville, Independence, Janesville, Rockford and Rock Grove. U. R. AValton is reported pastor at Cedar Falls, D. B. Mead at Rock Grove, and J. H. Parmelee at St. Charles City. Other pastors are Terry, Chapin, Eberhart and A. D. Bush. Brother Eber- hart has baptized 23 at Waterloo, and Brother Bush 16 at Waverl}^ Churches 13; pastors 7; members 494; bap- tisms 78. The Churches in the Association are scattered over Benton, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Butler, Bremer, Chickasaw, Floyd and Mitchell counties, the very heart of northern Iowa. Three meeting houses have been completed during the year. The Toledo Church withdraws to unite in the organization of the Iowa Valley Association just organized this year. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 221 Meets at Independence September 23. Rev. U. R. Wal- ter is Secretary. New Churches have been organized at Floyd, Providence, and Fairbank. These unite with the Association, making, with the Polk Church, also enrolled for the first time, IG Churches, with 9 pastors, who have baptized 60 persons, total membership 517. Rev. H. H. Burrington has succeeded Rev. A. I). Bush at Waverly. Rev. John Fulton lias begun pastoral work at Independence. Rev. E. G. O. Groat is preaching at Chickasaw and Providence, and Rev. P. Colgrove at Fairbank. The Vinton Church is transferred to Linn Association. Brother Eberhart has baptized 26 at Water- loo and now reports 140 members. In 1860 the Association met at Charles City. Rev. H. H. Burrington is Secretary. New Churches are admitted from Fredericksburg, Rev. E. G. O. Groat, pastor; Frederica, Rev. J. F. Rairden, pastor; Lester, same pastor, and Osage and Mitchell, A. J. Colby, pastor. Rev. Alva Bush is preaching at Fairbank. The first mentioned in connection with this Association of a name than which none, in its subsequent history, is sug- gestive of more sacred memories. Rev. A. D, Bush is now located at St. Charles. New Hartford, Rockford, Water- loo and Cedar Falls are pastorless. Churches 19; pastors 10; baptisms within the year 82, and a total membership of 593. Rev. A. G. Eberhart has removed to Cedar Rapids. The annual meeting is at Cedar Falls. Brother Bur- rington continues as clerk. Rev. C. E. Bailey is pastor at Cedar Falls, and Brother S. Sherman at Eden, a new Church with 12 members. The largest number of baptisms is by Rev. A. I). Bush at St. Charles, 6. It is a year of spiritual dearth. The Frederica Church received last year does not appear, while the Eden Just received takes its place, making the number the same. The name of the Lester Church is changed to Lester and 222 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Barcley. While it is not the purpose of these Sketches to perpetuate tlie names of unworthy men who have dis- honored the ministerial office, yet the truth of history, and the lesson it conveys, warrant the following reminiscense of this period. In 1861 the name of C. E. Bailey appears as pastor of the Baptist Church at Cedar Falls, and they report 64 members. The next year his name appears in the list of ministers as living at Cedar Falls, but "without charge." A. G. Eberhart has succeeded him and they report 37. Bailey's name is no longer found. As we write this sketch in 18SG the same man has just visited the village where we write as one of the principle participants in a Horse Trotting and Racing Association, where gambling is the principle business. ''He went to his own company.'' The Seventh annual meeting took place at Waterloo. y. W. Baker, Charles City, clerk. Rev. A. G. Eberhart has returned and become pastor at Cedar Falls; 1862. 2. A. Bryant at Chickasaw. Rev. E. G. O. Groat has removed from Fredericksburgh to New Hartford. Rev. C. Billings Smith is pastor at Waterloo, and Rev. H. I. Parker at Osage and Mitchell. The Churches in this large field are very weak. Only three in the Association report more than 50 members. These are Rock Grove 55; Water- loo 105 and Waverly 60. Waterloo reports the small- est number this year, since the organization of the Associa- tion. The Clarkesville Church is no longer found. Rev. J. R. Dean, the last pastor, died August 19, 1863, of hemor- rhage of the lungs. He had removed, with his family, to Pike's Peak, hoping to regain his health, but God ordered it otherwise. Brother Dean was a graduate of Kalamazoo Theological Seminary. He came to Iowa in 1857 and was ordained pastor of the New Hartford Church at the meet- ing of the dissociation at Waterloo, September, 1857. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 223 Another pastor of the Associatioii, Brother Colgrove, of Fairbank, Fayette county, died August 1, 1869. [See obituary notes.] Met at Waverl} . Clerk same as last year. In a report to tlie Convention in October of this year, Rev. Wm. Wood says this meetins: was " characterized by 1 o « q '' harmony and a commendable devotional spirit. Every Churcli in the Association was represented, and two new ones added. The letters indicated increased prosper- ity.'' Brother Wood makes his first appearance in this field this year, and labors as a missionary of the Conven- tion in the northern part of this Association. The new Churches organized are Jacksonville, H. Green, pastor, and Grove Hill, J. F. Eairden, pastor. Other new pastors are J. C. H. Miller, at Chickasaw, and Brother Gibbs, at New Hartford. Brother Eberhart has baptized 26 at Cedar Falls, J. Fulton 11 at Independence, and S. Sherman 11 at Fredericksburgh. Met with the Church at Osage, Rev. Wm. L. Hunter, clerk, Waterloo. A Church has been organized at Hardin City, A. Orcott pastor. Shell Rock has also or- ganized with 21 members. Rev. S. Sill pastor here and at Janesville. The name of the Polk Church is changed to Syracuse. Rev. H. I. Parker has removed from Osage and Mitchell, and W. Ross is pastor. Brother Parker's stay in Iowa was short, but as he labored just over the border in Minnesota for a number of years he was not lost sight of in Iowa, nor did he lose interest in Iowa affairs. A man of marked culture and ability, but not very firm health, he spent his later life in California and died there only a year or two ago. Rev. A. Marsh has begun a long and useful service at Riceville. Another name prom- inent in later years is that of Rev. T. H. Judson, pastor at 224 HISTORICAL SKETCHES West Fork. The column of Benevolent Contributions tins year amounts to $515.43, Rev. Wm. L. Hunter is pastor at Waterloo. The Annual meeting is at Charles City, J C. Whitney clerk. Four new Churches are received in 1865, Mission Kidge, Wayne, Hampton, and Chapin, The reports bear marks of increased prosperity and spiritual power. Brother Hunter reports 19 baptized, and 34 additions in all at Waterloo, and Brother Judson 18 baptisms, and 26 additions at West Fork. Rev. J. C. H. Miller has baptized 20 at Riceville, Rev. J. Fulton 20 at Independence. Churches, 29, pastors 16, baptisms 110, total membership 1,063, for the first time above 1,000. Rev. J. M. Wedgewood appears as pastor at Eden Church, R. L. Jones at Floyd, Rev. T. F. Thickstun at Waverly. The Iowa Baptist State Convention is taking hold in this large field, and helping forward the growth of this Association. Besides Rev. Wm. Wood, Associational Missionary this j-ear, Rev. T. H. Judson was under appointment at Hamp- ton, Chapin, etc., and Rev. Rev. S. Sherman at Tripoli. In 1864 Revs. J. C. H. Miller, S. Sherman, and Wm. Wood were under appointment in this Association. One effect of this close relation to the Missionary Societies will always be to stimulate the benevolence of the Churches, and that is to stimulate and keep in tone the active Christian spirit. The eleventh Anniversar}^ — so called, though it is only the tenth Anniversary^ — of the Association occurred with the Church at Waterloo, convening September 21, at 10 a. m.. Rev. John Fulton of Independence Moderator, J. Cheston AVhitney of Hampton clerk. Brother S. Sill of Shell Rock preached the introductory sermon from Proverbs XI:30. The Church at Jessup was received into the Association. The year has been one of unusual OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 225 prosperity. There have been received into the Churches by baptism 150, and by letter 194, and the present member- ship is 1291, a net increase for the year of 222. At Waterloo Rev. W. L. Hunter has baptized 41, at AVaverly Rev. T. F. Thiclvstun 23, Hardin City, Cedar Falls and New Hartford follow with 20, 18, and U respectively. Rev. John Fulton retires from a six or seven years' pastorate at Independence, and is preaching at Jessup and other points. Rev. W. C. Learned is the young pastor at Independence. Rev. C. T. Tucker has entered the work as pastor at Charles. City, Rev. A. W. Hilton at Gfrove Hill, Rev. C. D. Farnsworth at Syracuse. Rev. A. Bush is preaching at Osage and Mitchell in connection with his work in the Cedar Valley Seminary. This Anniversary at Waterloo was a very in- spiring occasion, partaking of the aggressive zeal and quickened activity that so generally marked these 3^ears of the sixties in Iowa and the west. Rev. G. J. Johnson was present and preached and took a collection for the Publication Society, amounting in cash and pledges to ^100. A resolution was passed heartily approving " the Prohibitory Liquor Law of the state, and that we as heart- ily condemn the inefficiency of those Judicial officers who, for political or personal considerations neglect to enforce it." The Obituary Committee make sad mention of the loss by death of the wife of our beloved brother. Rev. John Fulton of Independence, and of the serious and lingering sickness of Rev. Hazzard Green of Jacksonville, Chickasaw county, who subsequently died January 6, 1867. The har- vest of the stern reaper in Iowa during this year was one of very choice sheaves, of which notice will appear in the proper place. The Association met at Janesville. W. L. Hunter, clerk, Waterloo. The Church at Mason Ciry was organ- ized in 1866. There are also Cliurches reported at Nashua, 226 HISTORICAL SKETCHES ISTorth Washington and at Applington. Some of these, at least, are destined to be of short duration. 1 RRV G. W. Goodrich is reported pastor at Eden Church, and D. P. Maryatt, this year and last, at New- Hartford. This Association, now eleven years old, is the largest, as to number of churches and pastors, in the State. There are now, churches 33; pastors 20; baptized within the year 151; received from all sources 356, and a total membership of 1,526. Rev. L. N. Call has become pastor at Hampton and Chapin. The annivesary in 1868 was at New Hartford. W. L. Hunter, clerk, Waterloo. Rev. A. G. Eberhart has closed a six years pastorate at Cedar Falls, and is succeeded by Rev. D. N. Mason. Rev. W. C. Learned made but a brief sta3^ in our Iowa ministry, though long enough to be much esteemed, and after an interval is succeeded at Independ- ence by Rev. A. D. Bush, who returns to Iowa after several years absence in the east. Rev. A. Carpenter is preaching at Hardin City and Rev. C. Spragg at Jessup. Brother John Fulton has transferred his labors, for a time, to the State of Illinois. One hundred and seventy-nine baptisms were reported, and a total membership of 1,699. Of the 35 Churches in this large field, including a number of central and growing towns, there are only two Churches of over 100 members. Waterloo has 252 and Waverly 135. Rev. T. F. Thicks tun, who began his ministry in Waverly in 1865, has resigned to take up the important work awaiting him at Council Bluffs. Osage is the place of meeting. Moderator, Rev. J. Hall, D. D., clerk, Rev. W- L. Hunter, Independence. Brother Hunter after baptizing 44, at Waterloo 1869 in 1868, closed a four or five years' pastorate there, and is pastor at Independence. He is succeeded OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 227 at Waterloo by Rev. Wm. Tilley. Rev. D. N- Mason has resigned at Cedar Falls, and they are without a pastor though they report 30 baptisms this year. How sad it is that just after a revival of religion, and oftentimes when there has been a large in-gathering, needing the greatest care, then the minister has to leave, and the lambs are left to the wolves! Is it the fault of the minister? or of the Church^ Or of both? Is it not true that while in modern times we magnify the first part of the Great Com- mission, "Go, and make Disciples," we have too much over- looked the second part, " teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you"^ Rev. Thomas Ure is now preaching at Mitchell, P. S. Crandall at Mason City, and A. T. Cole at Waverly. The Winthrop Church comes into the Association, Rev. Myron Root, pastor. Churches 36; pastors 21; baptized 121; present membership 1,851. The largest now, as to Churches and members in the State. The contributions for the Convention, in 1869, were $608.50, the largest of any Association except the Linn, which was S670.58. The previous year the amount raised in the Cedar Valley was $932.05, of which, however, $542.35 was raised by, and paid to Rev. Wm. Wood, Asso- ciational Missionary. The Association convened at Waverly September 23, W. L. Hunter, Independence, clerk. Among new pastors we notice D. S. Starr at Cedar Falls, C. T. Roe, 1 Rvn Charles City, W. M. Simons, Jessup, A. Plum- ly, Rockford, G. M. Adams Shell Rock, and E. K. Cressey Waterloo. Zion Church, southwest of Waterloo, has just been formed, L. H. Thompson pastor, where 17 have been baptized. 136 baptisms reported and 1880 members. The value of Church property is placed at $75,000. In 1871 met at Charles City, E. K. Cressey of Charles City clerk. The number of Churches has fallen off to 30, pastors 18, 228 HISTORICAL SKETCHES baptized 149. Received from all sources 349, total member- ship 1879. Rev. E. K. Oressey lias removed from Waterloo to Charles Cit}'-, and the veteran Rev. A. G. Eberhart is again preaching at Waterloo. Rev. H. C. Henry is preach- ing at a new Church called Geneseo, organized the past year. Rev. M. E. Arkills has been several years pastor at Fredericksburg, Rev. L. Ellingwood a year or two at Otter Creek, and Rev. E. P. Barker at Parkersburg. Rev. S. C. Sale is pastor at Mason City. J. S. Cox at New Hartford, and Rev. J. N. Lukins at Riceville. The Association met at Mason City Rev. L. N. Call, of Hampton, clerk. Rev. W. H. Stiller is pastor at Cedar Falls. Charles City has Rev. W. W. Whitcomb as pastor, and reports 50 baptisms. Rev. T. H- Judson, at Rock Grove, reports 34. Rev. G. W. Preston is pastor at Independence, Rev. F. A. Marsh at Waverly and J. Hall, D. D., at Shell Rock. Rev. S. Sill is preaching at Plainfield. There are noAv 31 Churches reporting, 20 pas- tors, 151 baptisms reported, and a total membership of 2,050. The only Association reporting over 1,800. In 1873 Shell Rock is the place of meeting. Rev. L. N. Call, of Hampton, clerk. Rev. C. T. Tucker, after an absence from the Association and the State, returns and is pastor at Mason City. Rev. E. L. Benedict is pastor at Mitchell, N. H. Daily at Plainfield, J. A. Abbott at Rock Grove and Rev. A. A. Russell atAVaterloo. Churches 30; pastors 18; baptized 59; total membership 1.969. The Association occupies the great central district of Northern Iowa, com- prising the counties of Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Floyd, Chickasaw, Mitchell, Cerro Gordo and Franklin, and at times, parts of other counties. The anniversary takes place at Jessup. Rev. W. H. Stifier, clerk. Cedar Falls. Rev. Wm. M. Simons has OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 229 removed from Jessup to Fredericksburgh. Rev. F. A. Marsh has succeeded Brother Hunter at Independence. Rev. H. I). AVeaver is at New Hartford.Rev. R. Garton begins his long and successful pastorate at Waterloo. Rev. T. F. Thickstun has returned to his old field at Waverly. Brother Stiller has baptized 68 at Cedar Falls, and Waterloo reports 55 baptisms. It is a year of progress in the Association, and of labor well repaid. Baptisms 266: members 2,070. In 1875 the Association met at Cedar Falls. W. H. Stiller, clerk. At Shell Rock Rev. B. H. Bras led has bap- tized 32, and at Waverl}^ Rev. Robert Leslie, pastor, 28. Rev. W. L. Hunter is preaching at Charles City, F. H. Hannah at Clear Lake, G. W. Prescott at Nora Springs and Rock Grove, A. J. Amerman at Plainfield and C. T. Emerson at Riceville and Wayne. The aggregate amount paid for Church expenses is put down at $15,319.70, and the benevolent contributions at $2,125.15. Rev. L. N. Call has closed a pastorate of eight years at Hampton and become Financial Agent of the Cedar Valley Seminaiy, at Osage. The Church at Hampton is doing without a pastor and making an effort to pay off their debt of $3,200 by July, 1876. An obituary report tells of the death of Rev. Shadrach Sherman, who died at Riceville, Iowa, January 7, 1875. The Church at Nora Springs was organized last February, recognized in July and admitted to the Asso- ciation at this session. Rev. Alva Bush was Moderator. Rev. Wm. Whitney, of Osage, preached the introductory sermon. Rev, Robert Leslie has succeeded Pastor Thick- stun at Waverly. The Twentieth Anniversary was held with the Church at Fredericksburgh, September 8. Rev. Richard Garton preached the introductory sermon and was elected Mod- 230 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES erator, and Rev. Robert Leslie, of Waverl}^, clerk. Upon the report of tlie proper committee the names of the Chap- in, Geneseo and Otter Creek Churches were strick- en from the Minutes. Rev. W. H. Stiller has closed a four years' pastoral term at Cedar Falls, and has removed to Cedar Rapids, in the Linn Association. Appreciative mention is made of the missionary work of Rev. E. L. Benedict among the feeble Churches in the western part of the Association. Rev. S. H. Mitchell became pastor at Shell Rock in February last. Much in- terest is felt in the affairs of the Cedar Valley Seminary, and in the efforts being made to increase its finances. A good revival spirit has pervaded many of the Churches. There are now in the body 30 Churches, 19 pastors, 167 have been received by baptism, 125 by letter, and the present membership is 2,068. Brother Carton has bap- tized 60 at Waterloo and they have now 275 members. Charles City is the place of the anniversary. Rev. R. Leslie, clerk. Another year of glorious reaping. Bap- tisms 218: total membership 2,267. More than 1 RVV ever before, and more, by 500, than any other Association in Iowa. Rev. L. T. Bush is pastor at Cedar Falls, where his admirable spirit is very helpful in a time of need. The Church have suffered greatly during the last year by the abuse of an unworthy minister. Rev. James Patterson is pastor at Independence. Rev. Wm. M. Simons has returned from Fredericksburgh to Jessup. Rev. C. H. Mitchelmore has succeeded, at Shell Rock, the one Mitchell, who has removed and become pastor at Grundy Center, in the Iowa Valley Association. In 1878 the Association met at Clear Lake. Rev. Robert Leslie, of Waverly, clerk. Baptized 150; present member- ship 2,422. Rev. A. Myers is pastor at Charles City, H. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 231 C. Nash, at Clear Lake, W. L. Hunter at Floyd, J. A. Abbott, at Fredericksburgh, Rev. Wm. Wilder lias become pastor at Hampton, L. D. Lamkin at Nora Springs, A. B. Coates at Mitchell, N. F. Hoyt at Northwood, Thomas lire at Riceville and Wayne and A. E. Spring at Plainfield. Met at Hampton. J. C. Whitney, of Hampton, is clerk. Cedar Falls is again without a pastor. Rev. C. T. Tucker has returned to Charles City. Rev. G. Suther- 1879 land is at Independence. Rev. A. E. Simons has taken up the work at Parkersburg, where a house is to be built for the Lord. Rev. D. B. Mead is preaching at Rock Grove this year and last. A Church has been organ- ized at Rudd where twenty have been baptizt^d and there are 41 members, with M. E. Arkills as pastor. Rev. B. H. Brasted has served the Shell Rock Church for two years. Rev. Robert Leslie has closed a four years' pastorate at W^averly, and Rev. T. J. Keith has succeeded liim. There are now in the Association, 34 Churches, 20 pastors, 143 baptisms reported and a total membersbip of 2,524. The largest by over 700 in the State, and the greatest number of Churches by ten. Of the 20 Churches having pastors, seven have begun their work in 1879, six began in 1878 and are on their second year, while Rev. J. A. Abbott, of Fredericksburg! 1, Wm. Wilder, of Hampton, Wm. M. Simons, of Jessup, and Thomas Ure, of Riceville, settled in 1877 and are now on their third year, and Rev. Richard Gar ton, of Waterloo, is on his fourth. The anniversary this year is at Independence. J. C. Whitney still serving as clerk. Rev. O. T. Conger has become pastor at Osage, A. R. Button at Cold Water, a new organization. Rev. M. H. Perry at Fredericksburgh, succeeding J. A. Abbott who is now 232 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES preaching at Plainfield, and Thomas Ure is preaching at Wayne. Rev. A. R. Button is preaching also at Rockwell and Sheffield Churches. Waterloo entertained the Asso- niation in 1881. J. C. Whitney, clerk. Of 20 Churches having pastors, eleven date their settlement the present year. We are introducted to quite an array of new names, S. M. Davis at Bethel Church, Henry Williams at Cedar Falls, H. B. Waterman at Clear Lake, J. G. Johnson at Fredericksburgh, F. Bower at Jessup, W. H. H. Avery at Mason City, J. W. Daniels at Northwood, E. H. Page at Osage, L. W. Atkins at Rock Grove, and J. J. Mclntyre at Shell Rock. Hampton, Waverly and Independence, with ten other churches, are without pastors. Rev. Wm. Wilder, in infirm health, has removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, there to tarry for a few years and to obtain his honorable discharge and go to his well-earned rest. Rev. T. J. Keith has resigned at Waverly to take charge of the East Side Baptist Church, Des Moines. The only form of activity that seems to have characterized this year among the churches, is activity among the ministers and their families moving from field to field. The}^ at least are not likely to become sluggish for want of exercise. It is noticeable, however, that the spiritual dearth is general. Only 638 baptisms are reported in all the State, against 1,075 the year before. The first year that less than a thousand have been reported since 1863, when tlie war was distract- ing the country. It will be a relief to note, as we shall, that the low water mark has been reached, and that the Lord has not forgotten to be gracious to his Zion. The Association met at Osage. A. R. Button, of Osage, clerk. A general weeding has taken place and the names of 10 churches are missed from the list. 1 p p o churches 23; pastors 18; received by baptisms 106; by letter 59; present membership 2.059. Of the EICHABD GARTON, D. D. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 233 Cliurclies having pastors, ten date their settlement within the year. Wt> note Rev. C. Holroyd at Charles City, J. F. Bryant at Sheffield and Cold Water, James Mitchell at Fredericksburgh, L. B. Plummer at Hampton, W. C. Pratt at iS^ew Hartford, F. W. Gardner preaching at Plainfield, Gr. G. Dougherty at Rock Grove, and G. W. Burnham, of Leroy, Minnesota, at Wayne Chnrch. Rev. W. M. Simons has removed from New Hartford, to which place he had removed from Jessup, in 1880, to Waverly. Rev. C. T. Tucker has removed from Charles City, closing a three years' second pastorate with that Church, to Clarinda in the South- western Association, taking up there a very important and arduous work for which he seems to be the one man espec- ially fitted. In 1883 Mason City is to entertain the Asso- ciation. Rev. A. R. Button, of Osage, clerk. Brother Button has been for a couple of years engaged in a most important and successful work as Financial Secretary of the Cedar Valley Seminar}^, for which he resigned his work at Sheffield and Cold Water, some two years ago. Rev. I. W. Edson is pastor at Charles City, Rev. A. C. Nichols at Plainfield. Rev. Henry Williams has closed a three years' pastorate at Cedar Falls and is preaching at Rock Grove, P. O. Nora Springs. The Association met at Waverly. Rev. A. R. Button still serves as clerk. Churches 26; pastors 17; received by baptism 57 ; by letter 68 ; present member- ship 2,041. The ratio of baptisms in this, still the largest of the Associations, to those in the State — 57 to 1,538, seems to indicate an almost phenomenal barrenness in this part of Iowa. We notice, however, that only three Associations in the State report above 100 baptisms this year; Keokuk 126; Southwestern 142, and Central 292. These bring up the aggregate to the figures stated. There is no general revival. Of the pastors in 234 HISTORICAL SKETCHES this Association this year, the following are introduced for the first time: Rev, J, C. Shipp, Charles City; Rev. Robert Smith, Fredericks burgh; Rev. B. G. Boardman, Hampton; Rev. A. J. Colwell, Mason City, and Rev. A. M. Duboc, Osage. Rev. J. B. Edmonson has removed from Parkersburg to Shell Rock. Rev. A. M. Duboc begins a work at Osage, that is to culminate in a new and commo- dious Church Edifice soon. The place of meeting is Charles City. Rev. H. H. Bur- rington, of Waverl}', is clerk. Brother Burrington returns thus to the position which he honored in 1860 and 1861, 25 years ago. The brethren honor themselves by thus honoring him. Churches 25; pastors 16; baptized 202; total membershii3 2,052. The number of baptisms is the largest of any Association in the State, Only three others reach 100 or over, Davenport 138, South- western 142 and Upper Des Moines 100, Mason City reports the largest number of baptisms, 63; Waterloo 38. Rev. W. W. Onderdonk has been ordained pastor at Cedar Falls. Rev. A. Hunt is pastor at Cold Water and Sheffield Robert Smith at Fredericksburgh, J. P. Stephenson at Hampton, P. E. Moore at Waverly, Rev. E. Pierce, of the Wayne Church, and Rev. L. A. Hall at Mason City. Rev. W. L. Hunter is now preaching at New Hartford. Being, as has been seen, much the largest Association in the State. Occupying one of its greatest and most prosperous vallej^s, with a large number of thriving towns and cities. Having always a full share of the ablest ministers in the State and early made the field of the missionary activity and beneficence of our State and Home Mission Societies. The Cedar Valley Association may fairly be taken as a representative body in the respects named, and its history may be studied with profit in the light of the bearing of OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 236 the past upon the future. A brief comparison of the past ten years, with the decade just preceding, presents some figures that may safely be left without comment by the historian. The contributions of the Churches and mem- bers of this Association from 1876 to 1885 and inclusive, to the treasury of the Convention, were $2,099.25, or an average of S209.92i per year. From 1866 to 1875, the pre- ceding decade, they were $3,998.95, or an average of $399.89^ per 3^ear. Two things need to be taken into con- sideration in giving these statements their proper weight, 1st, that during the earlier half of the earlier decade, when the largest amounts were raised, a larger portion of it was for Associational Missionary work, conducted by Rev. Wm. Wood, who was a very successful collector; and, 2d, that during the last half of the later decade collections have been in the name of the Convention and Home Mis- sion Society, whereas, during the earlier ten years what- ever was collected for the Home Mission Society would be additional to the amount given above. During a part of this time not less than eight pastors or missionaries, in the field of this Association, were being aided by the Home Mission Society. It is reasonable to infer that con- tributions, to that Society, were considerable in addition to amounts reported for the Convention. From whatever cause, the benevolence of the Churches of this Associa- tion in the direction of contributions to State and Home Missions during the last decade, shows a remarkable fall- ing off from the decade immediately preceding. A com- parison of spiritual results for the same period gives the following results: The number of baptisms for the ten years, from 1866 to 1875, was 1,447, or an average of 144 and 7-10 per year. From 1876 to 1885 the whole number of baptisms was 1,250, or an average of 125 per year. But for the last half of the last decade they were only 480, or 236 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. an average of 96 per year. If the spirit of giving and the reaping of spiritual results sustain to each other, as is 'generally supposed, the relation of cause and effect in any measure we may begin to look for an increase of prosper- ity in this Association. During the last half of the last decade the contributions for the Convention were an average of $323.70 per year, against an average for the whole decade of only $209.92^ per year. The year 1886 presents a good measure of prosperitj^ One hundred and forty-seven have been baptized, 259 added from all sources, and there are now 2,172 members. Rev. Richard Garton, D. D., has closed his 12 years' pas- torate at AVaterloo and become leader of the forces at Cedar Rapids. Rev. D. Read, LL. D., has succeeded him without an interval at Waterloo, G^ t^r'. CHAPTER XXVI. The Bedfort) Association — 1856 to 1865 — A Thrifty and vigorolts beginning in southwestern Iowa — Multiplying and Bearing Fruit — An Inspiring History. ^OT least among the vigorous and aggressive Baptist Associations in Iowa from 1856 to 1865 is to be recorded the Bedford Association. In 1854 Rev. James M. Smith came from In- diana and settled at Bedford, Taylor county, Iowa. In 1855 there was reported an unassociated Church at Bedford, with J. M. Smith pastor, and 48 members. In 1856 the Bedford Association was constituted with the following Churches and statistics: Bedford, J. M. Smith pastor, 57 members ; Bethel, A. Yanderpool, 24; Bethesda, E. H. Pearce, 45 ; Hawleyville, J. M. Smith, 19 ; New Garden, A. Vanderpool, 44 ; Platte Branch, V. Night, 27; Decatur City, I. M. Seay, 18 ; Vernal, I. M. Seay, 97 ; Salem, V. Night, 10 ; making 9 Churches, 5 pas- tors, and 341 members. The New Garden, Bethel, Vernal, and Bethesda Churches were found a 3^ear earlier in the Eden Association. In 1856 there was an unassociated Church in Adams county and one at Red Oak Grove. Rev. J. W. Nye was pastor of both. Neither of these 1856. 238 HISTORICAL SKETCHES appear in subsequent reports for several years, yet they doubtless mark the beginning of Baptist work in Adams and Montgomery counties, as early as 1856. Rev. I. M. Seay was the first clerk of the Bedford Association. The first Anniversary was held with the Vernal Church in 1857. This was in Clark county, ten miles southwest of Osceola. Rev. I. M. Seay was continued as secretaiy. Four new Churches were organized during the year, viz. Freedom, near Decatur City, with 10 members ; Mt. Ayr, 13 ; West Union, (Postoffice Princeton, Mo.) 30; and Winterset, Madison county, 25. Rev. A, W. Russell was pastor at Winterset, D. Ivens at Bedford, Rev. Thomas Miller at Decatur City, and I. M. Seay at A'ernal. Sixteen baptisms were reported, and 446 members in 13 Churches. The annual report of the Convention Board for 1857 mentions Brother Seay as its Missionary in the Bedford Association, and sa3^s, "The field which he occupies is a large and desti- tute region in the southwestern portion of the state " "^' The Association was formed last year, and the Churches are nearly all of them of not more than two or three years' growth.'' Rev. A. W. Russell was also a missionary of the Convention at Winterset, his appointment dating from the first of June. Thus, although the Iowa Baptist State Convention had only been doing independent missionary work about two years, we see it thrusting its beneficent efforts forward into the most destitute fields and the re- motest parts of the state. In 1858 the Second Anniversary was held with tlie Bethesda Church, southwest of Winterset, in Madison connty. It has been a year of almost unparal- leled growth and successful revival work. Seven new Churches have been organized and 304 persons bap- tized. The new Churches are Camden, Clarinda, Hayden Grove, New Salem, Platte Valley, Mount Olive and Xenia. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 239 Rev. J. M. Smith, at Bedford, reports 74 baptisms and 146 members. Sixteen of the 20 Churches report baptisms, 11 of them 10 or more. Brother Seay reports 64 at Vernal. He has labored again this year as Missionary and Finan- cial Agent of the Convention, but owing to infirm health is compelled to rest from labor for a season, and the Asso- ciation have requested the appointment of another brother to be named by them to fill the vacancy. Rev. A. W, Russell, in a note to the Convention, says, "Many of the Churches that have hitherto received aid from the Con- vention have become self-sustaining. Among these is the Winterset Church, who, in addition to sustaining their pastor, are building a commodious house of worship. They acknowledge their indebtedness to the Convention and hope soon to be able to repay many fold." The Winterset Church have since, many times, redeemed the pledge. Rev. J. Woodward is pastor of the 1st Leon Church, his post office, Canesville, Missouri. Tlie next year we find the same name at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and conclude therefore that it was Rev. Jonah Woodward who died, at an honored old age in Illinois a very few years ago. Revs. J. A. Todd and D. Ivens are pastors, the for- mer at Camden, and the latter at Platte Branch and Platte Valley. Bedford entertained the Association in 1859. Rev. I. M. Seay is still corresponding secretary. The Church at Winterset transfers its associational connection to the Western Iowa Association, just organized. The 1st Church, Adams county, and the West Nodaway Valley Church are received, making now 21 Churches, with 6 pastors, reporting 1B6 baptisms, 218^additions, and 910 members. Rev. E. W. Hall is pastor at Clarinda and Hayden Grove, P. Andrews at Mount Ayr, and J. Lambert at Platte Valley. Rev. J. M. Smith was appointed 240 HISTORICAL SKETCHES missionary of the Convention at a salary of S-iOO, to be raised on the field. He reports, in connection with his labors, 52 persons baptized and 69 added by letter and experience, two new Churches organized and two minis- ters ordained. He has preached in ten counties in south- western Iowa. Rev. Joshua Currier, a visitor to the Asso- ciation, writes to the State Convention, in 1859: "The Christian activities of this Association the past year have been peculiarly successful. From a small beginning three years since, it has become a large and efficient bod}^ A missionary was employed through the year, whose labors were abundantly blessed in the conversion of souls, their addition to the Churches, and in constituting new Churches." Remarkable liberality was shown in benevo- lent contributions, especially in pledges and contributions to sustain a missionary another j^ear. Met at Leon. Rev. E. W. Hall, of Bedford, was clerk. "The reports from the Churches exhibited the fact that the revivals of the previous year were not ficti- tious, and also that the Redeemer's Kingdom was still advancing in our midst." Eight Churches " were visited with special revivals and received tokens of Divine favor." Five new Churches were received at this session. One hundred and seventy-four baptisms were reported, 300 added from all sources, and the membership 1,116. In 1861 the meeting was at the Camden Church, E. W. Hall, clerk. Twelve pastors now dispense the Word. Rev. Edward Otis, C. Bullock, P. Doty, S. HoUen, J. L. Cole, G. Elmore and J. Evans have not been named before. Rev. James M. Smith is still greatly blessed as missionary of the Association and Convention, though the cause is suf- fering from the unfavorable influences of the rebellion in the south. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 241 Met in 1862 with the AVest Nodaway Valley Church, in Page county. New pastors are Revs. F. Edwards, J. T. Mercer, A. Stanley and S. White. There seems to have been but little revival, though the meeting was an occasion of "rich spiritual enjoyment." In 1863 the Association met at Lewis, Cass county, where a Church was organized in 1860 and has now 51 members. James W. Brown, of Lewis, was clerk. In a report to the Convention, Rev. I. M. Seay says, "Many of the Churches are in a very low state and without pastors, yet we have occasion to thank God and take courage, for some have been blessed with precious revivals, in which souls have been converted and added to them through the instrumentalitj" of our missionar}^" Rev. S. E. Baldwin and C. C. Baird are added to the list of pastors. There is a Church at Sidney with 42 members but no pastor. Of the 29 Churches in this Association only three are yet ten years old. Occup^dng a territory of not less than ten counties, and having had at one time over 1,000 members, Where can ten years of more inspiring history be found ''( The surviving pioneers of that period must look back upon it with feelings somewhat like those of the inspired Psalmist, when he sung "I will remember thee from the land of Jordan and the Hermonites, from the Hill Mizar." The Bedford Association met in 1864 with the Bethesda Church. J. H. Miller was clerk. In October, 1863, the Southwestern Iowa Association had been formed 1 R RZL which, in a year or two, will absorb into itself largely the vital energies of the body we are now sketch- ing. The days of the Bedford Association, as an organiza- tion with that name, are fast being numbered, but it has made an undying record, and has much vitality yet to be merged in other organizations. There are yet, in 1864, 22 242 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. Churches and 770 members. Rev. S. E. Baldwin, mission- ary of the Convention in this Association, has baptized 52 persons, and reports that 107 have been added to tlie Churches in connection with his mission. In 1865 the Bedford Association met with the Grand River Church, in Decatur county, where its name was clianged to that of the East Grand River Association, As the Southwestern Association has already absorbed the Cliurches in five county seats, viz: Bedford, Clarinda, Lewis, Red Oak and Sidney, and as its history seems to be the logical continuation of that of the Bedford Association which formerly occupied the whole southwest part of the State, we drop here the history of this body and take up, in the next chapter, that of the Soutlnvestern Association; reserving the East Grand River Association for a subse- quent sketch. CHAPTER XXVII. Southwestern Iowa Baptist Association — The Logi- cal Continuance on its Territory of the Bedford Association — 1863 to 1886. F^?5>5^t^N Friday October 23, 1863, a council of dele- ig^j^^gl gates from several Churches convened with the Baptist Church at Sidney, Fremont county, Iowa, for the purpose of forming a new Association. An introductory sermon was preached by Elder R. Alexander of West Union Association, Missouri, from 1st John 111:2. Rev. I. M. Seay was chosen Moderator and Rev. C. C. Baird clerk, protem. The same ofhcers were continued in the perma- nent organization. Letters were presented from the Churches at Sidney, with 40 members ; Nodaway, 56 ; Clarinda, 38 ; Lewis, 53 ; and Milford, 23. Also from Glenwood with 30 members, Big Grove 26 and Silver Creek 22. Glenwood and Silver Creek seem to be new organizations. The others are all from the Bedford Association. A Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, and thus was organized the South- western Iowa Baptist Association with 8 Churches, 4 pas- tors, and 288 members. The pastors were E. W. Hall, Big Grove, I. M. Seay, Clarinda, A. Martin, Glenwood, and C. C. Baird, Lewis. 244 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The Association met for its first anniversary with the Church at Clarinda, Page county, in 1864 on Friday before the second Sabbath in September. The intro- ductory sermon was preached by Elder I. M. Seay from Deut. 1:30. Brother Seay was elected Modera- tor and James W- Brown clerk. The Bedford church with 79 members, Platte Branch 12, and Red Oak 12, presented letters and were received. There are now 11 churches, 85 baptisms reported, and 497 members. A Missionary Board was appointed and Rev. J. C. Otis elected Missionary of the Association. Though beginning missionary work in its own name and under direction of its own Board, there is hearty sympathy with other missionary organizations. Collections were taken at this first anniversary for the Foreign and Home Mission Societies, and for the State Convention. During the year 27 have been baptized at Lewis, 19 at Milford, and 32 at Sidney. Rev. C. C. Baird is pastor at Lewis and Milford, I. M. Seay at Sidney, Bed- ford and Clarinda, J. A. Martin at Silver Creek and J. Lambert at Platte Branch. In 1865, the Association convened with the Milford Church, Montgomery county. Sermon by Rev J. C. Ren- ^ P„p, fro. I. M. Seay Moderator, James W. Brown clerk. The Nishnabotana Church was received. The churches in this vicinity are suft^ering from their prox- imity to the late Rebellion, and the consequent distraction of the public mind, nevertheless there has been some revi- val, and 71 baptisms are reported. Rev. J. C. Otis, the Missionary of the Association, who is also commissioned by the State Convention, has been very successful. He has held eleven protracted meetings, baptized 60 persons, and received into the churches 53 by letter and experience. At the meeting in 1865 a "Board of Conference and Solicitors" was appointed for the "South Western Iowa Seminary." OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 245 The anniversary in 1866 was at Sidney. Introductory sermon by Rev. J. C. Otis from Luke XV:10. Officers the same as last year. The Tabor and Providence Churches were received, Tabor 14 members, Providence 6. The Mis- sionary of the Association and Convention this year was Rev. I. M. Seay, who labored nine months and resigned on account of failing health. The annual report of the Convention Board says: -'In no part of the State are there more earnest and noble missionary spirits than in that body. In co-operation with the Convention they did not only as we had expected, but went far be3^ond, and gave most liberal contributions into your treasury. You will be ready to help them when they shall ask again. " In ad- dition to $350 paid to Brother Seay, $130 were paid into the general treasury. Mention is made elsewhere of a mission- ary meeting at Glenwood during this year under review, in which, in a single collection $74.20 were contributed. It was decided not to assume control of the "South Western Seminary," but Sidney was endorsed as a suitable place for such an institution. These resolutions reveal the deep interest felt in educational matters, though the institution never materialized. The meeting in 1867 was at Bedford, sermon by Rev. R. R. Hanley, Moderator and clerk the same as the last two years. The Middle Valley Church was re- ceived. There are now 14 Churches, 11 ordained ministers, 81 baptisms reported, and 777 members. Rev, Wm. F. Arnold has been employed as Missionary Colpor- teur, by the Association in cooperation with the American Baptist Publication Society, and the work is reported as very satisfactory. In 1868 the annual meeting was at Glenwood. Rev. T. F. Thickstun preached the sermon. Rev. J. C. Otis Moderator, James W. Brown clerk. Four new Churches received. Council Bluffs, 19 members; 246 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Harlan, 26 ; Buclianan, 26 ; and Bartlett, 14. The ordained ministers, most of tliem, probably pastors, are Revs. J. C. Otis, Glenwood; C. C. Baird, Bedford; Wm. F. Arnold and R. R. Hanley, Tabor; I. M. Seay and S. E. Baldwin, Sidney ; B. S. F. Cake and Silas AVhite, Clarinda ; T. F. Thickstun, Council Bluffs ; James Lambert and A. Blanken- ship, Harlan ; P. Andrews, Quincy ; M. F. Williams, Hamburg ; James Morris, Lewis ; John Evans, Bedford ; and J. A. Martin and C. L. West, Glenwood. The beauti- ful edifice of the Glenwood Church was dedicated on the Sabbath during this Association, Rev. G. J. Johnson preaching the sermon. A committee of seven brethren were appointed to work together for the organization and estab- lishment of a Baptist Church in Hamburg. In 1879 the Association met at Sidnej^ Rev. C. C. Baird preached from Gallatians vi: 1. Rev. J. C. Otis, Moderator, C. M. Robins, of Harlan, clerk. 1869 The Atlantic church w^as received with 11 mem- bers, Hamburg 46, and Shiloh 14. Rev. James M. Smith, who, about 1864 had removed to Indiana, has returned and settled at Bedford. The Glenw^ood, Bedford and Sidney Churches now number over 100 each, Lewas 86 and Harlan 66. None others above 50. Council Bluff's has 46 mem- bers. Brother Thickstun and his family have begun a heroic effort to establish a Baptist Church in that city. Rev. J. W. Roe is preaching at Sidney. The Seventh Anniversary was held at Lewis, in 1870. Rev. J. W. Roe preached the sermon. Moderator, Rev. J. M. Smith; clerk, L. Bentley, of Sidney. The Yillisca, Sciola, and Tarkio Churches were received. A number of churches were struggling to build houses. Rev. J. W. Roe had labored six months as missionary, and had bap- tized 108 persons. At the middle of the year the Board OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 247 released him at the earnest request of the Sidney Church to become their pastor. A great advance has been made. The Bedford Church now numbers 204 and there are in the Association 22 churches, 10 pastors, 183 baptisms reported, and 1,166 members. The next meeting was at Red Oak. Brother Currier, who was to preach the sermon, not being able his place was filled by Rev. T. F. Thickstun. J. C. Otis, Moderator, Rev. C. Brooks, Grant post office, clerk. The Shenandoah, Pleasant Grove, Lacy Grove and Civil Bend Churches were received. Another year of almost phenomenal growth. Baptized 226, added in all 447, and members 1,451. Pleasant Grove reports 48 bap- tisms; Sidney 66; Clarinda 20; Glenwood 16, and Civil Bend and Council Bluffs 15 each. Nineteen of the 26 Churches report baptisms. Rev. B. H. Brasted is preach- ing at Atlantic and Lewis, Rev. W. P. Pattison at Red Oak, and J. W. Roe at Villisca. In 1872 the Association assembled at Villisca. Sermon by Rev. J. C. Otis from 2d. Corinthians X:45. Rev. W. P. Pattison Moderator, G. W. .Gunnison of Shenan- doah clerk. Memor}^, Page county, Riverton in Fremont, Newlon's Grove in Cass, and Malvern in Mills counties, were new churches received. Churches 30, pas- tors 9, baptisms 160, members 1590. Resolutions were adopted favoring a Baptist Academy for the Western Slope and encouraging Rev. A. Robbins in his effort to establish the Baptist Beacon for Iowa. In 1873 the Association met at Hamburg. Annual sermon by Rev. James M. Smith, who was made Moderator and Rev. G. W. Gunnison clerk. Rev. Arthur Stott is preaching at Atlantic. G. W. Robey at Hamburg, J. R. Shanafelt at Red Oak and Malvern, E. G. 0. Groat at Harlan and Avoca, W. J. Gates at Liberty, 248 HISTORICAL SKETCHES C. L. Butts at Fremont, L. H. Thompson at Percival, W. C. Cnnningham at Pleasant Grove, E. Burch at Big Grove, D. C. Ellis at Carbon; and last year, W. A. Cain at Mal- vern, J. Lambert at Harlan, T. Muxlow at Riverton and Sidney, and R. R. Hanley at Milford. There were 193 bap- tisms reported and 1654 members. The Nodaway Church has disbanded. Rev. J. C. Otis of Glenwood is overworked, and is given a three months furlough. Rev. T. F. Thick- stun of Council Bluffs resigns and becomes Secretary of the State Convention. In 1874 the eleventh anniversary was held with the Bedford Church. Rev. G. W. Robey preached from John 11:17, "The zeal for thy house consumes me." ^^^^- (Bible Union Aversion.) Rev. J. M.. Smith Moderator, G. W. Robey clerk. The Atlantic, Big Grove, Harlan, and Newlon's Grove churches have united in forming the Prairie Association, and cease their connection with this body. A committee report in favor of "a new Association from the eastern part of the Southwestern, and the western part of the East Grand River Associations." There are yet in this Association 94 churches, 14 pastors, 209 baptisms are reported, and 1602 members. Rev. Wm. Tilley is pastor at Bedford, E. C. Cady at Glenwood, J. W. Roe at Malvern, Amos Pratt at Shenandoah, W. A. Dor- ward at Milford and Sciola, and D. C. Ellis at Carbon near Quincy. Rev. R. R. Hanley has been holding the fort at Tabor for several years. Rev. J. C. Otis is still living at Glenwood but very feeble. In 1875 the Association met with the Percival Church. Sermon by Rev. Amos Pratt, who was elected Moderator and W. S. Goodell of Emerson clerk. 206 baptisms were reported, and 1730 members. Rev. T. J. Arnold of Plattesmouth, Nebraska, has labored successfully a part of the year as Missionary of the Association. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 249 The Thirteenth Anniversary was held in 1876 witli the Clarindn chiiicli. Rev. D.C.Ellis preached the sermon, Uev. \V. P. Pattison, Moderator, W. S. Goodell, clerk. To this occasion belonged tlie sad, and yet not unexpected duty of recording the death of the greatly beloved, Rev. J. C. Otis, of Glen wood. We copy in full the report of the Obituary Committee: " It, is the painful duty of your committee to report an unusual num- ber of deaths during the past .year, many of whom were most faithful workers in our Zion. Prominent among those who have fallen asleep in Jesus, is our beloved brother, Rev. J. C. Otis. To speak that name is to use a household word in all western Iowa, that will ever stir the hearts of the thousands that knew him only to love him. With his name will ever be associated pleasant memories of happy meetings and sad partings. His was a life of unremitting toil in the Master's Kingdom, inspiring us all to noble deeds. His death was a triumph awarded only to those who fall with the armor on." As recom- mended a new Association^ — the East Nodaway — has been formed to the east of this. There are now in this body 23 churches, 7 pastors, 196 persons baptized during the year, and 1,653 members. Malvern has become the largest church, with 210 members, 45 baptized during the year. In 1877 the Fourteenth Anniversary assembled at Emerson. Rev. J. H. Pratt, pastor. Sermon ^by Rev. L. E. Martin, of Hamburg, Rev. W. P. Pattison, ^^^^- Moderator, H. C. French, of Red Oak, clerk. The Essex, Fairview and Clarinda (Colored) Churches were received. Rev. J. W. Roe, of Malvern, died i: Octo- ber, 1876. He was chairman of the committee that made the excellent report of Rev. J. C. Otis, given above. So soon has he been called to follow. A full notice of him will be found in "Obituary Notes.*' The decease is also 250 HISTORICAL SKETCHES mentioned of Sister Woodrow, of the Grienwood church. She and her sister, Mrs. J. V. Hinchman, are remembered as bearing almost alone, for years, tiie burden of keeping- life in the Glenwood Church, when the present writer first knew them, and tlie Church; and right nobly did they stand by their colors till the victory came. The Council Bluffs Church, in 1875, united with the new Associa- tion called the Prairie Association, afterwards the " Coun- cil Bluffs." Rev. O. T. Conger has taken the place of the lamented Roe, as pastor at Malvern. Rev. S. C. Sale is at Glenwood. Rev. C. Tilbury is preaching at Clarinda and Amity and Rev. John Davies at Riverton. The annual meeting in 1878 was at Riverton, sermon by Rev. S. C. Sale, W. P. Pattison Moderator, H. C. French clerk. Rev. H. B. Foskett has become pastor at Shenandoah and Essex, and A. V. Bloodgood at Red Oak. There are 25 churches, 11 pastors, 197 bap- tisms are reported, and 1687 members. In 1879, met at Glenwood. Introductory sermon by H. B. Foskett, text, 1st Thessalonians 11:4. Rev. J. H. Pratt Moderator, H. C. French clerk. The Carbon church has united with the East Nodaway Association. Rev. T. F. Borchers has suc- ceeded S. C. Sale at Glenwood, after an interval of nearly a year. Rev. J. B. Edmonson is preaching at Riverton, and Rev. John Barr at Villisca and Sciola. The wife of Rev. L. M. Newell, late pastor at Yillisca, died during the year. Rev. George Weavers is preaching at Civil Bend and Lacy Grove. Four pastors are on their third year on their present fields, two on the second and eight on the first. In 1880 the seventeenth anniversary was held with the church at Hamburg, Rev. J. H. Pratt preached the sermon. opn Text, 2d. Kings 11:10, "Thou hast asked a hard thing." H. B. Foskett Moderator, H. C. French clerk. Rev. H. B. Foskett, Jr. has been preaching at Clar- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 251 inda three months, but has returned to his studies at Mor- gan Park. Rev. F. W. Parsons has settled at Glenwood„ Rev. T. F. Borchers was not able to continue there on ac- count of ill health. Rev. F. Hill is pastor at Hamburg. Rev. O. T. Conger has resigned at Malvern and Rev. A. H. Rhodes is pastor there, and Rev. E. P. Savage at Red Oak, Brother Bloodgood having removed from there. Shenandoah have had to give up their place of worship, leaving them but one alternative, to build or disband. They resolved to build, and have a house nearly com- pleted which will cost $3,000. Malvern entertained the Association in 1881. Rev. F. W. Parsons is preacher, F. Hill Moderator, H. C. French 1881 <^l®i"l^- ^^v- ^- ^- Cloyd is preaching at Clarin- da, A. W. Webb at Coin, P. M. Best at Sidney and Lacy Grove, and F. N. Eldridge at Shenandoah. Rev. H. B. Foskett is supplying Rivertonin connection with Es- sex. Rev. T. M. Coffey has been preaching at Silver City since 1880, and Rev. W. K. Miller at Villisca. The church at Coin is called Bethel in the digest of letters. It was or- ganized Nov. 29, 1880, as a result of meetings held by Rev. J. W. Thompson, was recognized and pastor Webb ordain- ed since, and admitted to the Association in 1881. The Ingraham Church organized in 1876 has been changed to Silver City. Rev. J. H. Pratt has resigned at Emerson, after a successful service of four years. He and his fam- ily are greatly missed. In 1882 the Association met at Shenandoah. Rev. J. C. H. Reed has settled at Emerson, and preached the introductory sermon. H. B. Foskett, Moderator, J. S. Frazee, of Glenwood, clerk. Rev. C. T. Tucker has begun work at Clarinda, Rev. J. C. Foster is pastor of the Colored Church, where Rev. J. A. Baker 252 HISTORICAL SKETCHES had been since 1878. Rev. H. B. Foskett, Jr., was ordained pastor at Red Oak, July 11, 1882. Rev. E. G. Trask is preaching at Silver City. Sidney report 36 baptized. Brother Best having resigned Rev. R. R. Hanley is kindly supplying. Nineteen have been baptized at Malvern, Rev. A. H. Rhodes still pastor, and 13 at Hamburg. Rev. F. Hill has resigned, and goes to Grand Junction. In 1883 the Twentieth Anniversary was at Red Oak. Sermon by Rev. A. H. Rhodes, Rev. C. T. Tucker, Moder- ator, W. S. Goodell, clerk. The total membership is 1,335; a falling off from last year of 102. This is probably in part owing to a cutting off of dead branches. Rev. J. F. Leek is preaching at Bethel, Rev. D. F. Beebe at Hamburg, and O. T. Conger, D. D., at Shenandoah. Brother Conger returns to this field after an absence of three years. The meeting in 1884 was at Emerson. Brother C. T. Tucker preached the sermon, F. W. Parsons Moderator, W. S. Goodell clerk. There are more evidences of revival than for several years; 142 have been baptized, and there is a net gain in membership of 130 with no new organizations. Shenandoah have baptized 25, Silver City 23, and Emerson and Malvern each 18. Rev. G. W. Robey is pastor at Malvern, A. H. Rhodes has re- moved to Sidney. The meeting in 1885 was at Silver City. Brother Robey preached the annual sermon. The 1st Baptist Church at Council Bluff's, and the Scandinavian Church of the same city, were received into the body. Al- so the Lone Willow Church of Fremont county. Owing to serious and seemingly insurmountable difficulties the old 1st Baptist Church in Council Bluffs disbanded, first transferring their fine propert}^ to the Home Mission Soci- ety, and the present organization was formed, received the property, and now reports 91 members. Rev. D. H. Coo- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 253 ley, D. 1)., is pastor. Rev. H. A. Reichenback is pastor of the Scandinavian Church, and they have 57 members. The}^ are building a commodious house of worship, and give evidence of a healthy life. The old missionary, I. M. Seay is pastor of the new Lone Willow Church with 11 members. Rev. J. L. Shoemaker is pastor at Shenandoah, and Gilman Parker at Emerson, beginning in the fall of 1884. Baptisms 142, members 1521, in 22 churches with 12 pastors. In 1886 the Association met at Sidney. Another pros- perous year ; 234 baptisms reported, members 1798. This is a net gain for the year of 277. D. S. Dodd is pastor at Bethlehem, A. Jacobs at Cireenfield, P. M. Wadley at Hamburg and Mount Olive, N. M. Allen at Pleasant Valley, I. W. Edson at Red Oak, and John Barr at Villisca. Others as before noted. Brother Rhodes has resigned at Sidney, and probably A. Jacobs at Greenfield. Elder Graham is pastor at Riverton. Of the 234 baptisms in 1886, Council Bluffs reports 27; Glenwood 55; Green- field 39; Shenandoah 39; Percival 16; Pleasant Valley 14; Bethlehem 13; Sidney 9, and Emerson 8. This is a grati- fying evidence of a general revival spirit. Probab.y no part of the State has shared more largely in the displays of saving grace. The Southwestern Association is, at the time this his- tory closes, a very healthy and vigorous body, well manned in its ministry and possessed of a spirited and aggressive membership. These same qualities have indeed marked its history through the 22 years of its existence, and were projected into its earliest life by the elements of the Bedford Association, which occupied the ground be- fore it. Probably few Associations in the west have had a more prosperous career during the last quarter of a cen- tury. The Association has always given a hearty wel- 254 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. come to the representatives of our Denominational Socie- ties and this welcome has attracted to its anniversaries to an unusual degree, talent and inspiration from abroad. Its records also show a home talent consecrated to these great enterprises, equaled by few similar bodies. Com- ment upon the facts just mentioned, in their connection with what was said of the growth and prosperity of the body, is unnecessary. CHAPTER XXYIII The Linn Association — Beginning in 1857 — The Lower Cedar Valley — Linn, Benton, Jones AND Other Counties — 1857 to 1886. •UICKLY following the formation of tlie Cedar Yalle}" and Bedford Associations comes the Linn. This Association was orp;anized in 1857, at Marion, Rev. J. V. Dewitt was its first Moderator, Rev. R. King, clerk, A. Chapin, preacher, and N. B. Homan, writer of circnlar letter. The Association was made up of the following churches: Marion, J. V- Dewitt, pastor, 109 members; Linn Grove, N. B. Homan, 21; Simmons Creek, N. B. Homan, 21; Fairview, N. B. Homan, 43; Harrison, R. King, 9; ShellsbUrg, 49; Jordan's Grove, D. Rowley, 17; Quasqueton, J. Woods, 25, and Kingston (West Cedar Rapids), J. Woodward, 52. Nine churches, six pastors and 346 members. Rev. Richard King was laboring at the time as missionary of the Iowa Baptist State Conven- tion. The annual report of the Board for 1857 says, "Brother King has labored several years on this field amid great ditiiculty and destitution, and with gratifying success. His field is one of great importance, situated in the heart of the Cedar Valley, and comprising in its borders some of the most fertile soil in the State." It "must soon 256 HISTORICAL SKETCHES become densely populated, hence the importance of plant- ing here, early, the seeds of the truth as it is in Jesus." The First Anniversary was held in 1858, at Shellsburg, Rev. J. Woodward preached the sermon and was Moder- ator, J. Hays, clerk. The Bear Creek Church, Wyoming post office, Jones county, transferred its connection from the Dubuque Association. Four newly organized churches were received, viz: Anamosa, with 9 members; Center Point 12; Parker's Grove 27, and Palo 19. Rev. R. King was pastor of the last two and of Shells- burg, Rev. A. G. Firman is pastor at Quasqueton. Rev. Jonah Woodward reports 29 baptized at Kingston. Brother King 19 at Shellsburg and Rev. J. V. Dewitc 10 at Marion. Seventy-one have been baptized in all and the membership is 496. " One house of worship completed and two others in process of erection. Rev. D. Rowlej^ was missionary of the convention on this field, at a salary of ii5300 to be raised in the Association. He reports $327.80 raised. Brother King was appointed to labor in Tama and Benton counties but before entering upon his labors the indications of Providence plainly pointed to his continuing with the churches he had served in this Association where his labors were greatly blessed. Rev. H. Holmes also labored under appointment of the Board at Bear Creek and other points. It is of historic interest to notice the convention rendering a helping hand in the Linn Association, where its appeals for aid have always, since, met with a ready and generous response. In 1859 the annual meeting was held at Fairview, J. Hays Moderator, M. B. Allen clerk, D. Rowley preacher of the introductory sermon. The Church at 1859 Rogers' Grove, organized in 1858, was received. Only 5 pastors for the 15 churches. In 1860 met at Cedar OF IOWA BAl'TISTS. 257 Rapids. N. B. Homan preached the sermon, Rev. A. A. Sawin Moderator, J. Crawford clerk. The Kingston Church has o-iven place to anew organization at Cedar Rapids, the 1st Baptist Church of Cedar Rapids, Rev. A. G. Eberhart pastor, with 36 members. The Prairie Hill Church, Rev. James Kay pastor, was received, and the Vinton Church came in from the Cedar Valley Association, A. Chapin pastor. There are now 18 churches, 9 pastors, 27 baptisms reported, and 617 members. Rev. A. A. Sawin has become pastor at Marion, and Rev. J. B. Peat at Rogers' Grove, where he seems to have been ordained about this time. The Jordan's Grove Church entertained the Association in 1861, Rev. A. Chapin Moderator, C. C. Buell clerk. The annual sermon was preached by Brother King, and Rev. J. B. Peat wrote the circular letter. In 1862 met at Vinton. Rev. J. B. Peat preached the sermon, N. F. Ravlin Moderator, A. A. Sawin clerk. Rev. „ N. F. Ravlin is pastor at Cedar Rapids and they report 116 members. Two new Chnrches have been organized, Clinton, IS. B. Homan pastor, and Bell Prairie, a few miles west of Cedar Rapids. Jackson Town- ship Church, organized in 1861, was received. Rev. J. Carrington is preaching at Fairview, and D. S. Starr at Jackson Township. Rev. J. C. Burkholder is preaching at Quasqueton. The meeting in 1863 was at Quasqneton, preacher Rev. James Kay, Moderator N. B. Homan, clerk N. F. Ravlin. Rev. J. Fulton of Cedar Valley Association is the preacher at Quasqueton and J. C. Burkholder now at Rogers' Grove. Cedar Rapids reports 25 baptisms, and Prairie Hill, where Rev. James Kay is serving, 16, while 58 are reported in all, and 760 members. In the annual re- port cf the Convention Board for 1863 Brother Childs, the secretary, said, ''The days in which our lot is cast are eventful. The nation is passing through a fearful strug- 258 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES s^le, out of which, under the sovereign purposes of God, she is to rise to a higher plain of political and national life." The Association in 1864 held its eighth anniversary at Rogers Grrove. Rev. John Fulton preacher and Modera- tor, N. B. Homan clerk. "During the session peace and harmony prevailed, and the exercises were marked by humble, earnest devotion." The membership has been much reduced by the war and by removals. To the present writer, this meeting at Rogers Grove in 1864 is a cherished recollection. A few months before we had met, for the first time, at his own home in Strawberry Point, John E. Clough, who, with his accomplished wife, was seeking an appointment as missionary to the Foreign field. At the time of this session of the Linn Association the appointment had been made, and Brother Clough was at the meeting, preparing for and looking forward to their departure later in the fall. His presence gave an abiding interest to all that pertained to this session. As we look back to it now, the thought comes to us, ''In that rather spare, unpretending, and in no way, except for his honest earnestness, especially striking 3^oung man, who would have seen the prophesy of the most renowned missionary of modern tiniest" Truly ''It is the Lord's doing and marvelous in our eyes. " Rev. N. F. Ravlin has been suc- ceeded at Cedar Rapids by J. Y. Aitchison; Rev. G. B. Bills is preaching at Marion, and Rev. A. Bardin to three of the country churches. In 1865 the anniversary was at Marion. Rev. J. Y. Aitchison preached the introductory sermon and was chosen to preside. Rev. A. H. Harris, clerk. Brother Harris had taken charge of the Church at Vinton, but died November 26, of this same year, at only thirty-eight years of age. It is said of this meeting that " the Spirit of the Master was present. The letters did OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 259 not sliow anj large increase of membership, but were char- acterized by unswerving fidelity to the truth." In 1866 Parker's Grove entertained the assembled breth- ren. Rev. Amos Pratt was preacher and Moderator, and -, o(=jf- H. R. Wilber clerk. Brother Pratt is pastor at Marion, and Brother Wilber at Cedar Rapids, Rev. H. Samson at Mount Vernon, J. Z. Zimmerman at Jordan's Grove and Roger's Grove. Brother Fulton reports 27 baptized at Quasqueton, Homan 22 at Fairview, Pratt 21 at Marion. Also there were 8 at Cedar Rapids and ] 1 at Roger's Grove. There are now 18 churches, 8 pastors, 107 baptisms and 902 members. This is the first year that above 100 baptisms have been reported. Rev. Charles Perkins has labored as Missionary of the Convention about ten months. The amount reported from the Association is $416.35. The anniversary in 1867 was at Fairview. Rev. John Fulton Moderator, Rev. H. R. Wilber preached the sermon and served as clerk. Revivals have increased, 128 have been baptized and 230 added in all ways- Rev. J. Sunderland has entered this field as pastor at Vinton. Rev. G. W. Gates has succeeded A. Pratt at Marion, and Rev. M. Hazen is preaching at Shellsburg and Parker's Grove. Brother King, after long and faithful service here has removed to the Burlington Association and is preach- ing at New London. In 1868 the meeting was at Shellsburg, J. Sunderland preacher and Moderator, N. B. Homan, clerk. The growth of the Linn Association had for the first 8 or 10 years seemed relatively slow. Now it is quite marked, not so much for increase in the number of its churches, but in the development of existing re- sources. 165 baptisms are reported and there are 1,284 members, a gain of 213 over last year. The amount 260 HISTORICAL SKETCHES reported for Convention work was ^741. 44. Rev. D. H. Cooley has become pastor at Cedar Rapids, and reports 80 baptisms and 251 members. The wife of our beloved brother, H. R. Wilber, has been removed by death and he has returned with his stricken family to his friends in Massachusetts. We shall miss him sadl}^ in our Iowa counsels. A brother of rare excellence was Rev. H. R. Wilber. He was the son of Deacon Wilber, of Boston. Rev. M. C. Kempsey is pastor at Anamosa and Rev. J. V. Dewitt is occupying, for a time again, his old place at Marion. The Mechanicsville, Monticello, Springville,yiola, and Missionar}^ Union Churches were received. Annual meeting in 1869 at Anamosa. Rev. I). H. Cooley preached the annual sermon and was Moderator, I^lilton Remley, Esq., clerk. In all the seven years' 1869 work of the writer as General Agent of the Con- vention, the culmination of interest and success in taking a collection was at Anamosa in 1869. Rev. Br. Cleghorn, then of Illinois, but since of Northwestern Iowa, preached the Sabbath morning sermon. In its general effect it is remembered as the best preparation for a benevolent ap- peal to the congregation that we ever witnessed, though the preacher had probabh' no thought of the kind in its delivery. The agent followed the sermon as had been ar- ranged with a brief presentation of the cause. Rev. M. C. Kempsey was acting pastor of the Anamosa Church. As the enthusiasm in responses rose, Brother Kempsey went into the congregation and announced the names with their pledges. In some instances, in his enthusiasm, it was said he did not get the consent of the owner of the name. But the agent being informed of this took the necessary pre- caution tliat no attempt should be made to collect any pledge that was not voluntary, and no trouble was known by him to grow out ot it. The pledges were mostly OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 261 in life memberships, to be paid in $5.(H) and $10.00 install- ments, and we probably hazzard nothint; in the opinion that more money was pledged and afterwards paid at that meetino- than at any single district associational meeting in the history of Iowa Baptists for this one object. Linn's report of money paid to the convention in 1869 is 1670.58, and the church at Anamosa, of less than 100 members, is credited in this and the next three years (the time required to pay the installments on a life membership), with $312. Rev. S. West was preaching at Jordan's Grove. J, B. Port- lock at Center Point; E. S. Edwards at Mechanicsvillje ; P. P. Shirley at Parker's Grove and Shellsburg, and F. Kidder at Quasqueton. In 1870 Jordan's Grove entertained the brethren. Rev. N. B. Homan preached the sermon and presided, J. Sun- deiiand clerk. Rev. Robert Leslie has settled at Anamosa, J. L. Coppoc is preaching at Center Point, J. S. Ward at Jackson Township, J. A. Abbott at Prairieburg, J. Cauch at Quasqueton, and J. W. Thomp- son at Shellsburg. Brother Cooley is still preaching at Cedar Rapids. He has baptized 48 this year, and 147 in three years on this field ; 155 have been baptized this year in the Association, and the membership in 20 churches is 1407. The meeting in 1871 was at Cedar Rapids, P. P. Shirley Moderator, A. St. Clair Smith clerk. Rev. J. W. Thompson preached the annual sermon. Four new Churches were received, viz.: Urbana, Troy, Florence, and Winthrop. The last was organized in 1859 and comes from the Cedar Valley Association. Rev. G. W , Lewis is pastor at Me- chanicsville, J. T. Long at Mt. Vernon, and A. V. Blood- good at Florence. Rev. D. H. Cooley has resigned at Cedar Rapids, and Brother Sunderland has removed from Vinton to Sioux City after a four years' pastorate. Vinton was the place of assembling in 1872. Rev. G. 262 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES W. Lewis preached the sermon, N. B. Homan Moderator, P. P. Shirley clerk. Brother Shirley is pastor at Marion, A. Chapin again at Vinton, J. W. Daniels at Cedar Rapids, and C. J. B. Jackson at Anamosa, Brother Robert Leslie having closed a two years' pastorate there. In 1873 met at Marion, preacher Rev. C. J. B. Jackson, Moderator N. B. Homan, clerk Milton Remley, Esq. Rev. Wm. Wilder has succeeded Brother Daniels at Cedar Rapids, and N. B. Homan has taken charge at Vinton. It is a time of spiritual decline, only 17 baptisms in the Association. In the following year there is more light. The meeting was at Anamosa, preacher Wm. Wilder, who was also Moderator, A. St. Clair Smith clerk. 127 bap- tisms were reported and 1,298 members. Brother Wilder has baptized 69 at Cedar Rapids, and Brother Cauch 27 at Winthrop. In 1875 the Association met at Winthrop for its ]9th anniversary". Rev. J. W. Daniels Moderator, Smith still clerk. Brother Homan the preacher. Rev. L. H. Thompson is preaching at Castle Grove and Parker s Grove, G. D. Simmons at Marion, H. N. Millard at Mechanicsville, J. McCulley at Troy Church, F. W. Alnut at Fairview, and J. W. Daniels at Palo and Rogers' Grove. In a previous chapter is mentioned a meeting held by the present writer at Mechanicsville during the previous winter. It is mentioned in the letter of the Mechanicsville Church at this session. The twentieth anniversary took place in 1876 at Marion. Rev. Wm. H. Stiller Moderator, clerk without change. J. W. Daniels preached the sermon. Rev: AVm. Wilder has resigned and accepted the appoint- ment of Superintendent of State Missions, and Rev. Wm. H. Stiller has removed from Cedar Falls and is pastor at Cedar OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 263 Rapids. Rev. C. Brooks is preaching at Center Point, L. S. Livermore at Fairview, and Rev. D. N. Mason is pastor at Marion, Rev. Amos Weaver at Vinton, and H.W. Theile at Anamosa. A church lias been organized at Martelle Avith ten members, J. V. Dewitt pastor. In 1877 Shellsburg was the entertaining church. Rev. John Cauch preached the sermon and was Moderator. A year of changes and of in- creased activity. One hundred and twenty -five baptisms reported and 1392 members. Rev. C. T. Tucker has be- come pastor at Anamosa, J. C. Johnson at Belle Prairie, James Mitchell at Fairview; J. G. Craven is preaching at Benton Center, G. D. Simmons at Florence, and J. W. Daniels at Shellsburg. Marion reports 44 baptized, Cedar Rapids 24, Anamosa 15 and Vinton 10. Met in 1878 at Mechanicsville, Rev. Amos Weaver Mod- erator; Rev. C. T. Tucker preached the sermon. A. St. Clair Smith, Esq., has now been the clerk five years, No important changes to note. In 1879 Fairview was the meeting place. Rev. D. N. Mason preacher and Moderator, H. M. Remley, Esq., clerk. Rev. Wm. H. Stiller has resigned at Cedar Rapids and goes to Davenport. Rev. H. N. Millard has also resigned at Mechanicsville, and is succeeded by Rev. M. W. Akers. R. King returns from Danville to his old field at Parker's Grove for a season. Rev. J. C. Douglas has been called to Shellsburg. During Brother Daniels' yjastorate here, a debt of nearly i?3,0U0 has been paid and* their large and commodious house of worship Las been finished at a cost of nearly §1,000 more. Met at Belle Plaine, officers same as last }■ ear, and Rev. J. C. Johnson preached the sermon. Rev. J. C. Burkholder has become pastor as Anamosa, Brother Tucker 1 880. , - - ,- 1 T /--.I T having returned to a former field at Charles 264 HISTORICAL SKETCHES City. Rev. D. C. Ellis is at Belle Plaiue, H. C. Bristol, at Cedar Rapids, W. C. Pratt at Mechanicsville, and Rev. E. Eno'lish has succeeded Amos Weaver, at Vinton. A second interest called the Olivet Church at Cedar Rapids has Rev. John Fulton as pastor. In 1881 the Association met with the First Cedar Rapids Church. Rev. J. C. Burkholder was preacher and Moder- ator, H. M. Remle.v, clerk. Rev. J. L. Coppoc has been preaching at Jordan's Grove since 1879, and has now re- moved to Benton Center. Other pastoral changes are: J. Bodenham to Castle Grove and Prairieburg, J. C. John- son to Fairview, Wm. L. Hunter to Winthrop and Rev. A. M. Duboc succeeds D. N. Mason at Marion. In 1882 Vinton is the place, D. C. Ellis the preacher, Rev. John Fulton, Moderator, and A. J. Malahan, clerk. The church at Benton Center has changed 1 po o ~ its name to Van Horn and is making progress. Rev. G. L. Morrill succeeds J. C. Burkholder at Ana- mosa, and Rev. L. B. Hibbard is pastor at Cedar Rapids, Rev. H. C. Bristol having gone to California in pursuit of health. Brother Fulton also accompanies a son to the Pacific in the same pursuit. Rev. A. Whitman, of Minne- sota, has settled at Mechanicsville. In 1883 tlie association met at Anamosa. Rev. E. Eng- lish preached the sermon and was elected to preside, A. J. Malahan, clerk. During the year Rev. C. H. DeWolf has succeeded L. B. Hibbard at Cedar Rapids, and A. H. Lyons has settled at Fairview. The meeting in 1884 was at Marion, G. L. Morrill preached and presided, F. N". Eldridge, clerk. Rev. A. F. Howell, of Toledo, is preach- ing at Belle Plaine, H. E. Fuller at Marion, J. W. Allen at Quasqueton, H. L. Clouse at Van Home and F. N. Eld- ridge at Vinton. Other pastors same as last year. M. T. V. BOWMAN. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 265 In 1885 met at Fairview. Rev. C. H. DeWolf preached the sermon, H. E. Fuller Moderator, C. H. Smith clerk. ^ , ^„ Rev. C. C. Smith, late of Clinton, Iowa, has suc- ceeded Brother Morrill at Anamosa. Rev. F. IN". Eldridge has resigned at Vinton to become State Sunday School Missionary, and Rev. A. W. Fuller of Burlington has taken the Vinton field. E. E. Packer preaches at Jordan's Gfrove. The Olivet Church, Cedar Rapids, has disappeared from the records. It is understood that most of the membership have united again with the First Church. This Church has paid oft' a troublesome debt of )r^2,300.00 during the last year, have improved their property at a cost of nearly $1,000, and have bought property for their Mission School on the west side costing $1,300.00. In 1886 the outlook has brightened somewhat. 118 baptisms are reported, and 1127 members. A gain of 111 over last year, and a larger number of baptisms than in any year since 1877. Rev. D. Griven is preaching at Fair- view where 20 of the baptisms are reported. Anamosa re- ports 29, Marion 26, and Vinton 17. J. R. North is pastor at Shellsburg and Parker's Grove. Some comparisons of the condition of this Association, and of its chief city now, and ten years earlier, will give a correct idea of the struggle that it has required to main- tain the institutions of religion in these older parts of the State. In 1876, the total membership in the Association was 1333, and in Cedar Rapids 259; and in 1886 the Asso- ciation 1127 and Cedar Rapids 208. Taking the two peri- ods named, and we have a loss within the ten years of 206 in the Association, and of 51 in Cedar Rapids. The ex- planation is not difficult. The emigration to the west, the peopling of the vast domain opened up by railroad en- terprise, has drawn off the young blood from our churches 18 266 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. and societies and made it a continuous struggle for exist- ence in many of these older fields. But we must not be too much discouraged at this. The seed of the kingdom, ma- tured in these fields, has been cast into a larger; the leaven into a larger "three measures of meal." These older churches and Associations have much vitality yet, and when the reaction comes, as it will come, a rich harvest ma}^ yet be gathered here. It is probable that Linn Asso- ciation is entitled to the proud distinction of having con- tributed more monej^ to the State Convention, in proportion to the amount appropriated within its borders, than any of the larger and older Associations. Without attempting to verify this remark, the following comparison of contribu- tions within the Association for the last two decades re- spectively wil' make a very creditable record, of the 20 years, while suggesting herhaps the need of looking well to the present tendency and the future record. From 1866 to 1875 inclusive, the contributions in this Associa- tion for State Missions amounted to $4464.12, or an average of $446.41| a year. From 1876 to 1885 they were $2595.37, or an average of only $259. 53| a year. A falling ofl" for ten years of nearly one half. For the last five years of the last decade, when, be it remembered, the collections have been made in the name of the Home Mission Society and Convention both, the amount has been $1434.32 or an av- erage of $286.86 a j^ear. CHAPTER XXIX. Tpie Iowa Valley Association — The Edwards Broth- ers AND Other Pioneers — Toledo in 1855. Association Org'anized in 1858. — Un- fruitful FOR A Time but not Aban- doned— 1858 TO 1886. ECORD was made in a farmer chapter of a Chnrcli orojanized in Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, in 1855. The next year it was found in the Cedar Valley Association. Rev. Gr. G. Edwards pastor, 18 baptisms and 58 members. In 1857 a Church was organized in Hardin coun- ty, called the Eldora Church, though most likely not in the town of Eklora. Churches were soon afterwards found- ed at Cedar Creek, Green Mountain, Grinnell, Redman, and Richland. For two or three years the only pastors were Brother G. G. Edwards, his brother E. S. Edwards and A. Dwight. In September 1858 pursuant to a call of the Toledo Church, a Convention met in that place to organize the Iowa Valley Association. Churches represented were Eldora, Green Mountain, Grinnell, Redman, Richland and Toledo. A sermon was preached by Rev. G. 1858. 268 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES G. Edwards. Dr. Jarvis was Moderator, and H. S. Cloud clerk. The territory of the new organization was in Tama, Hardin, Marshall, Poweshiek, and later, Grundy counties with parts of Benton and Iowa. In 1859 the first anniver- sary was held at Green Mountain. Deacon John Higgins was chosen Moderator and F. D. Rickerson clerk. Broth- er Rickerson was preaching at Grinnell. The name Eldora disappears and Cedar Creek is added. It may be but a change of name of the same church. The membership is now 163 in five churches. Already four Sabbath Schools are reported with 32 teachers and 135 scholars. Rev. J. C. Miles of Brooklyn was preacher. Rev. G. G. Edwards read an earnest Circular letter on "Present efforts and responsi- bilities." Met in 1860 at Grinnell. Brother Rickerson preached the sermon, Moderator Higgins, clerk. Rev. Robert Turner. Columbia and Marietta Churches were received. 1 RFsn Grinnell reports 15 baptisms and Toledo 12. Rev. Dexter P. Smith represented the State Convention, and Thomas M. Ind of Burlington was present. Brother Rickerson read a Circular letter on the "The importance of studying and applying the laws of efficiency and success in religious and Church work." In 1861 met at Marietta. Deacon Higgins Moderator C. D. Kelsey clerk, and in 1862 at Toledo. Same chairman with Joshua Burley clerk. It seems a little remarkable that in this central part of the State the growth should, these early years, have been so slow, and that so little notice should have been taken of this rich valley by the State Convention. From 1857 to 1860, however, Rev. G. G. Edwards was under appointment of the Home Mission Society, and in 1859 and '60 Brother F. D'. Rickerson. About this time — 1862^ — Rev. A. A. Saw- in removed from Marion, Iowa, and settled at West Irving, Benton county, where he began with much zeal the estab- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 269 lishment of an Institution of Learning called "Addison Collegiate Institute." Green Mountain was the place of meeting again in 1863. R. Turner preacher and Moderator, Spencer Day clerk. The Edwards Brothers, CI. G. and E. S. are both "I Q « O in the Union Army. The Marshalltown Church had just been organized and reported 16 members. Rev. AV. H. Bibb is preaching at Honey Creek Church which comes in this year, though said to have been organized in 1860; H. S. Cloud at Green Mountain, and A. A. Sawin at Toledo, Not a baptism reported. It is, we believe, the only instance in the history of the State where an Associa- tion came together and held its anniversary and there was not a single baptism to report for a whole year. Here there was but one in two years. Five years history have added but one to the number of churches, and 30 to the number of members. In 1864 met in Marshalltown. Rev. John Cauch (?) preached the sermon. Deacon Higgins Moderator, Spencer Day clerk. Rev. A. A. Sawin died of small pox at West Irving during the 3^ear. Rev. R. D. Hartshorn at Grinnell, and W. H. Bibb at Honey Creek, are the only pastoiK. One solitary baptism. The outlook waa truely discouraging enough, yet this field was not aban- doned nor the existence and future of the Iowa Valley Association despaired of In 1875 the Association met again at Grinnell. Rev. A. D. Lowe preached the sermon, officers the same as last year. This meeting at Grinnell was a very inspiring one. The West Irving and Helena churches were received. Also the Xenia Church, Hardin county. Rev. A. D. Lowe is pastor at Toledo, and Rev. A. F. Willey, late of Burlington, at Marshalltown, Rev. J. C. Miles, Helena, J. C. Corey, Honey Creek, P. S Whitman, 270 HISTORICAL SKETCHES West Irving, and Brother Dunbar and H. H. Half at Xenia make up the increased ministerial force. Rev, P. S. AVhit- man and his accomplished wife are in charge of the school at West Irving. The rebellion has been suppressed and Rev. G. G. Edwards has returned from the south with his heart all aglow in the interest of the Freedmen. He preached and took a collection amounting in money and pledges to $110.73. At 3 p. m. on Sabbath the congregation repaired to the^water side and Pastor Harrshorn baptized three persons into the fellowship of the Clrinnell Church. The meeting in 1866 was at West Irving. Rev. L. S. Livermore., who is preaching at Grinnell, delivers the -, r^r^r^ auuual sermon. Officers unchanged. Grinnell have improved their meeting house and Mar- shalltown are building. The Grinnell meeting house was at first unfortunately located, and had afterwards to be removed to a more eligible site. Rev. A. F. AVilley has been compelled, by feeble healthy to resign at Marshall- town. Rev. G. G. Edwards is again preaching at Toledo, Rev, B. W. Stilson has labored part of the year as mis- sionary in a new and neglected field in Franklin county. The anniversary in 1867 was at Xenia Rev. P. S. Whit- man preached the sermon, O. A. Holmes, Moderator, Spencer Day, clerk. Brother Holmes, after" nine years of pioneer work at Webster City and other points, takes up the work laid down by Brother Willey, at Marshall town. Rev. A. Carpenter is pastor at Xenia. This meeting was made interesting by the presence of Rev. Dr. Kincaid, long a missionary in India. Toledo entertained the Association in 1868, Brother Holmes preached and presided. L. A. Scott, clerk. The Friendship Baptist Church, of Timber Creek, and the Grundy Center Church were received. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 271 A. B. Masterson and A. C. Brockway, delegates. Rev. Thomas Brand has become pastor at Grinnell. Brother Brand spent a short time with the church in its earliest years. Marshalltown has been greatly blessed, 74 having been baptized and they now number 170. A church was reported at Orford this year and last, E. G. O. Groat, pas- tor. The annual meeting in 1869 was at Marshalltown. Thomas Brand preacher and Moderator, H. A. Brown, clerk. A church has appeared at Eldora, E. P. Barker, pastor. Rev. H. A. Brown is preaching at Toledo. It has been a prosperous year, especially in the Marshalltown Church. Brother Holmes has baptized 61 and Brother Brown, at Toledo, 33. One hundred and twelve baptisms are reported in all and 610 members in 10 churches with 6 pastors. Growth has begun in this region as it had not been seen before. The largest number of baptisms in one year previous to 1868 was 31. Rev. A. Carpenter has begun work at Grundy Center. Met in 1870 at Grinnell. Rev. H. A. Brown preached the sermon, O. A. Holmes Moderator, Spencer Day clerk. Tama City Church is received, L. L. Gage, pastor. Rev. Myron Root is pastor at Eldora. Marshall- town has 238 members, and her church property is valued at $18,000. Tama City already has a $7,000 house, Grin- nell a $6,500, and Toledo a $2,500. In 1871 Grundy Center was the entertaining church. Rev. T. Brand preached the introductory sermon. Officers unchanged. Steamboat Rock has been organized with 14 members, M. Root pastor. W. L. Cook is preaching at Eldora and A. V. Bloodgood at Irving. Rev. T. W. Powell with enfeebled health has re- signed at Davenport and takes up lighter work at Tama City. Seventy baptisms are reported and 691 members. Union Church is received. Met in 1872 at Tama City. Rev. A. Carpenter preached 272 HISTORICAL SKETCHES and presided. Spencer Day clerk. The Point Pleasant Church was received. Brother Holmes has closed a very successful pastorate of five or six years at Marshalltown and goes to Tama City. He is suc- ceeded at Marshalltown by Rev L. J. Fisher. The annual meeting in 1873 was at West Irving. A. Carpenter Moder- ator, H. A. Brown clerk. The, Brooklyn Chii^rch was re- ceived from the English River Association. O. M. Merrick pastor. There is a new organization called Oakwood Church, C. Spragg, pastor. The name of the village and church of Orford is changed to Montour. Rev. A. Orcott is preaching at Xenia. The Association is now having a healthy growth; 70 baptisms'are reported against 17 last year. In 1874 the meeting was at Steamboat Rock. Rev. ]). N. Mason has succeeded Brother Fisher at Marshalltown. The Union Church after reporting only a year or two disappears. Many churches have very brief history. Officers, O. A. Holmes Moderator, H. A. Brown clerk. Brother Brown preached the introductory sermon. In 1875 Marshalltown again entertained the Association. Rev. E. P. Barker preached the sermon, W. L. Cook Modera- tor, H. A. Brown still clerk. Rev. J. C. By water is preach- ing at Brooklyn and Rev. E. Wood at Irving. Grundy Center dedicated a good and commodious meeting house in December, 1875. This church has shown a healthy though not rapid growth. Brother Carpenter has been its only pastor since its organization in 1868. In 1876 the Anniversary was at Grundy Center, Rev. J. C. Hurd Moderator. E. P. Barker clerk. Rev. W. L. Cook preached the sermon. Rev. A. H, Post is preach- ing at Brooklyn and Gifi'ord. The latter is a new organization with 27 members, 9 of whom were received b}^ OF rOWA BAPTISTS. 273 baptism. Rev. J. C, Hurd has become pastor at Marshall- town, succeeding Brother Mason who removes to Marion and becomes pastor there and secretary of the State Convention. Brother Hurd at Marshalltown reports 24 baptisms, Pastor Holmes at Tama City 53, Carpenter at Grundy Center 11, and Cook at Pt. Pleasant 10. Whole number of baptisms 130. The largest in the history of the Association. Rev. J. C. By water of Brooklyn died during the year. In 1877 the Association met at Tama City. Rev. J. C. Hurd preached the annual sermon, O. A. Holmes Mod- erator, S. H. Mitchell clerk. Rev. A. Carpenter has resigned his long and successful pastorate at Grundy Center, and S. H. Mitchell has succeeded him. Brother Brand has served nine years as pastor at Grinnell, H. A. Brown eight at Toledo, and O. A. Holmes five at Tama City. These with Brother Carpenter's eight years of service just closed make an encouraging record for pastoral permanency. In 1878 Grinnell was the place of meeting. Sermon by S. H. Mitchell. Officers the same as in 1877. The Marengo Church transfers its connection from the English River Association to this body. Rev. George E. Eldridge is pastor. This is really a restoration of the Marengo Church which was dropped from the records of its Association some years ago. Marengo is a hard field for a Baptist church, but Brother Eldridge is doing a good work for the time being, and be will have his reward. Rev. J. C. Hurd has resigned at Marshalltown and become pastor of the 1st Church of Burlington. Marshalltown reports 23 baptisms but no pastor. Rev. George Houghton is preaching at Eldora and has led the church in a move- ment to secure a church home. In 1879 the Association met at Eldora, in their new church home. Brother Hough- ton, who was ordained here last April, has resigned and Rev. T. F. Babcock is on the ground read}' to enter the 274 HISTORICAL SKETCHES vacant place. Rev. O. A. Holmes preached the sermon and was Moderator, and S. H. Mitchell still clerk. Rev. Thomas Brand has resigned after eleven years constant service at Grinnell, and Rev. H. C. Leland is pastor. Rev. H. A. Brown, in addition to his pastoral work at Toledo, has for a number of years been county superintendent of schools in Tama county. He has now resigned at Toledo and they are without a pastor. Rev. T. W. Powell has become pastor at Marshalltown, and has set about the arduous task of freeing the church from a $4,000 debt. In 1880 the Association met at Marshalltown. The time of meeting has been changed to the middle of the week. . PPP^ Rev. I. W. Reed, who seems to have been a vis- itor, preached the sermon. Hon. Delos Arnold was Moderator. Clerk the same as for the three years previous. Baptisms 125, members 927. This is the third time in the history of the organization that the number of baptisms has exceeded 100. Grinnell reports 69; but Bro. Leland, after this great ingathering, has resigned and re- moved to Chicago. Rev. C. E. Taylor, late of Illinois is his successor. Brother Powell, having accomplished the work at Marshalltown for which his faith and tact so well fitted him, the entire removal of their troublesome church debt, has removed and become pastor of the Grand Avenue Church, Milwaukee. Rev. J. C. Johnson is preaching at Toledo. Rev. A. Carpenter has been preaching at Oak- wood and Point Pleasant since 1878. The church at Grun- dy Center, twelve years old, is receiving missionar}^ aid for the first time in its history; the occasion now being a debt of 'S500, caused by the failure to collect pledges made at the dedication of its meeting liouse in December, 1875. The 'debt when the pastor Mitchell first took charge of the church in 1877 was considerably larger. The Anniversary in 1881 was at Toledo. Rev. T. F. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 275 Babcock preached the sermon, S. H. Mitchell Moderator, ^ QQ Spencer Day, after an interval of eight years, is again clerk. Rev. A. C. Wilkins has settled as pastor at Marshalltown. The Gifford Church, virtually extinct for a number of years, has been reorganized, and recognized by a Council, but with limited prospect of dura- bility as a church. Brother Taylor has resigned at Grinnell and gone to Bedford, Iowa. Rev. A. J. Delano labored a part of the year at Marengo, but the field does not give promise of success. In 1882 Grundy Center again enter- tains the Association. Rev. J. L. Coppoc is the preacher A. Carpenter Moderator, Spencer Day clerk. Brother Coppoc is preaching at Toledo. S. H. Mitchell closes a pastorate of five and-a-fourth years at Grundy Center and goes to take charge of the church at Danville, Iowa. The Grundy Center Church have been regularly paying the interest and $100 a year on the principal of their debt. Tama City has the Association in 1883. Rev. H. B. Fosketfc, who has become pastor at Marshalltown, preached the sermon. Rev. T. Brand Moderator, S. Day -[ o o q ' 1 J clerk. Rev. Thomas Anderson is ordained pastor at Grundy Center. Harry Woodson is preaching at Eldora, Rev. C. H. DeWolf at Grinnell, and Rev. D. T. Richards succeeds pastor Holmes after eleven years of labor at Tama City. Brother Holmes goes to Nebraska. Few men in Iowa could be more reluctantly spared. Rev. H. L. Steele is preaching at Marengo. A church has been organized at Ferguson. In 1884 Grinnell entertained the Association for the 5th time. H. B. Foskett Moderator, Spencer Day clerk. In the 27 years' history of the body up to 1884 Brother Day has been its clerk 12 years. Rev. C. H. De- Wolf, after a brief stay at Grinnell, becomes pastor of the First Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, and Rev. E. English has removed from Vinton to Grinnell. Rev. A. F. Howell 276 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 1885. is preaching at Toledo in connection with Belle Plain. Rev. H. H. Clouse of Van Home is supplying Ferguson. Brother Harry Woodson was ordained at Eldora in April. The Association in 1885 convened at Marshall town. Elder Brand again serving as Moderator, Thomas Anderson clerk. Brother Anderson was the preacher of the annual sermon. Baptisms reported 71, members 759. This Association has changed but little in territory. It has never had a thousand members, and for several years the number has been diminishing. But it has an honorable record. In one respect it seems to have excelled. That is in its long pastorates. 1886 exhibits increased diminu tion. Only 11 baptisms and 673 members. Brother Anderson has resigned at Grundy Center. CHAPTER XXX. sociatioii. The Westerist Iowa Association — Organized at Adel IN 1859 — Comprising the Entire North-West (q^UAIlTEK of the StATE — AnD AT ONE Time Dakota--18o9 to 1880. i"¥'GrREEABLE to a request of the clinrches at Adel, Dallas county, and Panora, Guthrie county, a council convened at Adel on the 23d day of September, 1859, for the purpose of organizing the Western Iowa Baptist As- Elder A. W. Russell was chosen Moderator and Cole Noel of Adel clerk. The churches represented at this meeting were Adel, Wintersett, Panora, Sac City, Jef- ferson and Buffalo Grove. The membership was 154 in the six cliurches. These, with a single exception so far as known, comprised all the Baptist churches then existing west of Des Moines, and north of a line running through Winterset, 25 miles south of that city. The first seed sown by Baptists in all this great region was probably at Deni- son, Crawford county, the exception referred to above. Rev. J. W. Denison "came to Crawford county in the autumn of 1855, and during that and the next year select- ed a quantity of land for the 'Providence Western Land Company,' and in September, 1856, began the settlement of 278 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES the town of Denison" which jook its name from him. In 1857 there was here an unassociated church with 16 mem- bers. The ministers present at this first meeting of the Association were A. W. Rnssell, Winterset, J. Ellege of Madison county, L. Yarnell of Adel, Charles Oldfield Sac City, and Barton Robinson of Buffalo &rove or Rippey. The first anniversary was held August 31, 1860, at Pa- nora. A. W. Russell preached the introductory sermon and was elected Moderator, and J . W. Denison clerk. The Denison, Guthrie Center, Rippey and Montpelier churches were received. The Rippey Church probably took the place of Buffalo Grove which had dis- banded. Rev. J. W. Denison, R. D. Tisdale and T. C. Townsend are additional ministers. Among visitors were the Rev. John Warren of the Eden Association, step-father of Dr. G. J. Johnson, Rev. Wm. Sparks, who may be called the father of the Upper Des Moines Association, and Rev. N". J. Rundquist, Colporteur of the American Baptist Pub- lication Societ}^. This brother was a Swede, and if we are not mistaken, one of the early converts in Sweden under the Baptist movement fostered by the Society in that country. The second anniversary was held in 1861 at Jefferson. Brother Barton Robinson preached the sermon. Officers the same as the previous year. Belonging to the Jefferson Church, and taking an active part in these early days, was Brother Dan. Mills, father of the founders of the great printing house of Mills & Co. of Des Moines. The Sioux City Church was received in 1861. The meeting in 1862 was at Denison. Barton Robinson preacher again, R. D. Tisdale Moderator, E. S. Plimptofi clerk. Winterset had completed a neat and comfortable house of worship and was out of debt. The next meeting was held at Winterset in 1863. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 279 Rev. J. W. Denison had been appointed to preach, but not arriving in time, the writer of these sketches being present was invited to preach. Text, " Let him that hear- eth say come." Rev. W. A. Eggleston was pastor at Winterset and was elected Moderator, E. J. Ayers clerk. The Clanton Church, Madison county, was received. This was the home of Elder EUege, active in the early days of this body. In 1864 Adel was the place of meeting, J. EUege preacher and Moderator, George Scott clerk. Brother Scott has just entered this field from a considerable term of similar service in northeastern Iowa. He appears at this time to have been living at Lake City, Calhoun county, and preaching there and at Denison, to which place he removed shortly after. Pastor Eggleston of Winterset was reported dangerously sick, and prayers were offered in his behalf. Elder Wm. E. Reed, also of northeastern Iowa, is preaching at Guthrie Center and Panora. The Association is now five years old and has 12 churches and 253 members. Jefferson entertained the anniversary in 1865. Brother Denison preached the sermon, George Scott Moderator, J. E. Rockwood clerk. Brother Rockwood has be- 1 obb. come pastor at Sioux City, and they are building. For the next five years the Association met respectivel.y at Denison, Lake Creek, Sioux City, Denison again, and Jefferson. Moderators were Brothers Eggleston, Russell, Scott, W. M. Simons, and Scott again. Brother Rock- wood was clerk during this period, and the preachers of annual sermons were Rockwood, Ed Tuffin, Simons twice, and Scott. In 1866 " A letter from brethren calling themselves the Maple Valley Church " was received and the Church welcomed with 9 members. This afterward became the Mapleton Church. Sioux City dedicated its house of worship and Jefferson has begun to build. In 1867 the 280 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Kendrick Cliurcb in Green county was added, also Yankton, Dacotah, with (5 members, and, soon after, a cliurcli at Vermillion, Dacotali. The Western Iowa Association at this time comprised all the Baptist churches in all northwest- ern Iowa and Dacotah. In 18(38 there was an encouraging revival. 110 baptisms were reported, of which Denison reported 11, Guthrie Center 16, Jefferson 21, Maple Valley 11, and Winterset 50. Winterset now dissolves her con- nection with this body and unites with the Central Iowa. Rev. Wm. M. Simons is pastor at Jefferson, and James Patrick at Maple Valley. ^The Logan Church was re- ceived, George Scott pastor in connection with Denison. In 1869 Modale and Soldier Valley Churches were added. C. G. Smith appears as pastor at Guthrie Center and Rippey. Hon. A. Abernathy was in attendance as a worker in the Association. Maple Valley reported 45 baptisms, Panora 28, and there were in all 105. The year of 1870 witnessed the addition of the Panther Creek, Grant City, Woodbine and Castana churches. Amos Robinson was pastor at Jefferson, and E. G. O. 1 RVD Groat was welcomed back from Nebraska. Bro. Rockwood removed about 1869 to Logan. In 1871 Rev. James Sunderland has taken up the work at Sioux City. Cherokee and Union Ridge are added to the list of church- es. Robert Dunlap has become pastor at Denison. The Wolf Creek, Dunlap, and Pioneer Church in Clay county unite with the Association in 1872. Mention was made at this time of a number of unassociated churches in the north-west part of the State, indicating activity in occupy- ing that new field. A good revival interest has been en- joyed in places. The new Wolf Creek Church reports 29 baptisms. Rev. A. W. Hilton has become pastor at Cher- okee, hailing from north-eastern Iowa. In 1873 six new churches were made welcome in the body. These were OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 281 Storni Lake, New Testament Church, Newell, Spirit Lake, Sioux Rapids, and South Plymouth . Elder J. E. Sanders is preachiiigat Sioux Rapids, Norman Parks atStorm Lake, B. F. Goldsby at Logan, A. M. Duboc at Denison, Jacob Hockett at New Testament, J. W. Jones at Pioneer, and A. J. Delano at Jefferson. In 1874 at the anniversary at Dunlap, a letter was received from Elder Sunderland stat- ing that the Sioux Valley Association had been constituted in August of that year with 11 churches and 349 members, of whom 88 had been baptized during the year. This left the Western Association with but 8 churches two pastors and 259 members. This is its fifteenth anniversary. The two pastors were A. M. Duboc and B. P. Goldsby. For the five years, 1871 to 1875, the successive anniver- saries were at Logan, Mapleton, Cherokee, Dunlap, and Soldier Valley. The Moderators were Georse Scott, R. Dunlap, J. Sunderland, B. F. Goldsby, and John Patrick. The clerks were Rockwood, Sunder- land, Sanders, Duboc, and Sanders again. The annual sermons were preached by Sunderland, Dunlap, Groat, Goldsby and Sanders. These names for the respective periods serve to show who were the active burden bearers. In 1S76 the New Union Church united. While the records show, as reported above, only two pastors left after the organization of the Sioux Valley Association, yet the Patricks, James and John, were undoubtedly preaching in their vicinity and in 1876 the latter is said to have closed a pastorate of eight years at Soldier Valley. There were some glorious revivals in 1877. Denison reported 35 bap- tized, J. B. Hawk pastor; Logan 19, and Maple Valley 14.. J. E. Sanders was preaching at Maple Valley, Rev. J. E. Rockwood closed about this time an active service of thir- teen years in this Association and removed to Nebraska. The Carroll Church was received in 1878. Magnolia and 282 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Missouri Valley applied for admission, but, Laving neglected to call Councils for recognition, were advised to wait until the neglect was remedied. Rev. J. M. Bay appears as pastor at Modale. In 1879 the Magnolia and the Sheridan Township Church, Carroll county, were received. Rev. Ira E. Kenney was a delegate from Dunlap. Hon. Alonzo Abernathy was elected Moderator in expectation of his arrival, but not appearing in time Brother Sanders was sub- stituted. At the session at Dunlap in 1879 their meeting house was dedicated, Rev. J. A. Nash, D. D., of Des Moines preaching the sermon. The Ida Grove and West Side Churches were added in 1880. Rev. J. W. Daniels was pastor at Ida Grove, and Demas Robinson at the Sheridan Church. For the five years, 1876 to 1880, the anniversaries were at Denison, Logan, Soldier Valley, Dunlap and Carroll. Moderators, George Scott three years in succession, J. E. Sanders and Ira E. Kenney, D. D. The introductory sermons were by J. E. Rockwood, John Pat- rick, J. B. Hawk, J. E. Sanders, and Ira E. Kenney. From 1881 to 1885 the meetings were at Denison, Ida Grove, Dow City, Logan and Mapleton. Moderators, Ira E. Kenney, Amos Robinson, Thomas Reese, S. H. Mitchell, and W. H. H. Avery. Clerks, J. E. Sanders, W. H. Dorward, F. M. Archer, and H. S. Fisher the last two years. The intro- ductory sermons were by F. W. Foster, A. Robinson, Thomas Reese, Wm. E. Randall, and Brother Avery. Brother Amos Robinson succeeded pastor Hawk at Den- ison in 1881. W. H. Dorward was pastor the same year at Mapleton, J. E. Sanders at Carroll, C. A.McManis . ^^S^- at Ida Grove, F. W. Foster at Dow City and E. G.O. Groat at Logan. Ida Grove completed, led by Brother Daniels, a beautiful house of worship. The meeting at Ida Grove in 1862 was pronounced on adjournment "the best Associational gathering in our history.'' The fre- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 283 quent change of pastors is the subject of anxious regret. Not a pastor had been with his church three years. The Denison Church reported the decease of the honored Rev. J. W. Denison. A. J. Delano was preaching at Dunlap. During 1883 four churches completed houses of worship, viz. Missouri Valley, Woodbine, Dow City, and Mapleton. Dr. I. E. Kenney has been a liberal fosterer of these church building enterprises along the Boyer Valley. He preached dedicator}^ sermons for three of these cliurches within the year, and had contributed liberally towards their erection. Rev. T. S. Bovell was preaching at Carroll, F. M. Archer at Ida Grove, and J. C. Carter at Logan in 1883. In 1884 Rev. Wm. E. Randall is found at Missouri Valley, J. F. Heilner at Ida Grove, W. H. H. Avery at Denison and S. H. Mitchell Just settling at Mapleton. Not a pastor in the Association had been two years on his field. The year 1885 exhibits some religions improvement. There were 71 baptisms reported. The largest number in any one year since 1869. Rev. W, N. McKendrick has been preaching at Grant City. Brotlier Mc- Kendrick was pastor at Mapleton a year or two at an ear- lier date which was not noticed in its proper place in this sketch. Rev. Wm. E. Randall removed late in 1884 from Missouri Valley to Dow City where he is being greatly blessed. Elder Reese is preaching at Dunlap. Of the baptisms reported in 1885, 36 were at Denison and 28 at Dow City. The Grant City Church, for several years con- nected with the Upper Des Moines Association, has re- turned to this body, and the Riverside Church in Sac county was received. The meeting in 1886 was at Wood- bine. Elder Thomas Reese of Dunlap preached the annual sermon. H. S. Fisher Moderator, S. H. Mitchell clerk. It has been a year of increased spiritual blessing. Ninety- 284 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. seven baptisms were reported; Dow City 28, Mapleton 21, Woodbine 12, Schaller 10, Ida Grove 9, Carroll 7, and Den- ison one. Mapleton has considerably more than doubled its effective membership. The meeting of the Association in 1886 was to have been at Denison, but during the pre- vious winter their house of worship was entirely destroyed by fire, together with the pastor's library and many valua- ble papers. They are doing what they can to repair the damage, and ere another year will have a new and better home completed. At the annual meeting at Woodbine, Brother W. F. Gray of the new church at Schaller, or- ganized during the year, and C. M. Wilcox of Grant City were, by request of their churches, publicly ordained as their pastors. Brother J. S. Norvell has been supplying for six months at Carroll with marked acceptance and success. It was gratefully mentioned as a source of encour- agement that "most of our churches have pastors, and that permanency in the pastoral office is coming to be the rule and not a rare occurrence," but alas I alas, before the year expires, Carroll, Dow City, Ida Grove, Mapleton, and Woodbine are all actually or prospectively vacant, or bave changed pastors. CHAPTER XXXI. Keokuk Association (Formerly Des Moines)— Remark- able AND Continuous Revivals — History From 1860 to 1886. g^PON tlie dissolution of the old Des Moines Association in 1859, the new oi'o'anization comprising the south division of its territory- took the name of the Keokuk Association, This body held its first meeting at West Point in August, 1860. The following churches were re- ported: Bethlehem, 28 members; Big Mound, 47; Den- mark, 47 ; Farmington, 26 ; Fort jNladison, 140 ; Glasgow, 96; 1st Keokuk, 96; 2d Keokuk, 82 ; Liberty, 106 ; Mt. Zion, 119 ; Pilot Grove, 82 ; West Point, 111 ; Warren, 30 ; making 13 churches with 998 members. The year had been one of re- markable prosperity. Pastor Cochran reported 16 baptisms at Big Mound, Egglestou 24 at Denmark, Johnson 54 at Fort Madison, Lee 18 at Pilot Grove, and Coggshall 23 at West Point; and Liberty, though without a pastor, reports 14, also W. S. Cochran 17 at Warren. Total in Association 173. Besides the above, W. H. Turton was pastor at Farm- ington, T. S. Griffith at 1st Keokuk, and M. Sutton at Mt. Zion. For the next five years respectively the anniversaries were held at Fort Madison, Liberty, Bonaparte, Denmark, and Keokuk. Moderators in their order were R. Hubbard, 286 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES Ct. J. Johnson twice, M. Sutton, Hon. J. M. Beck. The clerks for the same years were Charles Hubbell two years, W. H. Turton and D. W. Ford twice. And the annual preachers were T. S. Griffith, J. Lee, J. Lewelling, and J. T. Westover. The revival continued through 1861 with great power. 265 baptisms were reported. Rev. W. A. Eggleston has be- come pastor atMt. Zion (Bonaparte) and reports 48 baptized. Brother Griffith 72 at Keokuk and Johnson 36 at Fort Madison. Rev. P. Inskeep is preach- ing at Bethlehem, Jefferson, and Charleston and reports 53 baptisms at the two latter churches — 28 and 25. Brother Sutton is preaching at Big Mound and Glasgow. The As- sociation was held in the spacious new edifice of the Fort Madison Church. After the morning service on the Sab- bath the congregation repaired to the banks of the Missis- sippi, three squares distant, and witnessed the baptism by the pastor, G. J. Johnson, of four young ladies, recent con- verts. In 1862 two small churches were added, bearing by a singular coincidence the same name. Cedar Church, Lee county, organized in 1862, and Cedar. VanBuren county, from the Oskaloosa Association. The Liberty Church, near Charleston, where the Association was held, had lost its meeting house by fire during the year. West Point had given more than half her male members to the Union army. The Keokuk Association was intensely loyal ; acknowl- edged in the clearest terms the wrong that had brought on the war, and resolved most distinctly upon the putting away of slavery as necessary to a permanent peace. Notwith- standing the distractions of the times there was a good de- gree of spiritual prosperity. Twelve of the 15 churches reported baptisms. Fort Madison had a precious revival in March and baptized 27. They have finished and are occupying the basement of their church edifice. The name OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 287 of the 2d Keokuk Cliurcli is dropped. It -oras estimated thiat of the 1202 members in the Association 200 were in the Union army. Rev. J. Lewelling was pastor in 1862 of the Bethlehem and Jefferson Churches. In 1863 a church was organized at Rome. The name of the Cedar Church, Yan- Buren county, was changed to Bratton's Grove. The Tip- pecanoe Church, J. M. Wood pastor, was admitted .to fellowship. This was afterwards called Locust Grove. Pastor J. M. Coggshell of West Point followed many of his members into the army where he died, October 29. 1863, at Little Rock, Arkansas, after only a few days sickness. Rev. T. S. Griffith, four years pastor at Keokuk, has re- turned to New Jersey. He had identified himself as a stir- ring man and an untiring worker, with all our Iowa Baptist interests, and will be much missed. The eminent evangel- ist Morgan Edwards has supplied the church at West Point. An incident of the anniversary in 1863 was the baptism of 14 happy converts in the Des Moines river at Bonaparte, the fruits of a revival in progress in an adja- cent neighborhood. Baptisms reported in all 141, mem- bers 1290. The report in 1864 was again encouraging. A number of the churches reported revivals. The First African Bap- tist Church, of Keokuk, was received. The Keokuk Asso- ciation had at that time the largest membership of any Association in the State. Rev. G. J. Johnson resigned at Fort Madison and was succeeded by Rev. C. F. Tolman. Rev. J. T. Westover also became pastor at Keokuk. In 1865 Rev. J. Lewelling is found preaching at Farm- ington, M. Sutton at Harrisburg, P. Inskeep at Mt. Zion, S. Pickard at Jefferson and G. W. Shelton at the Keokuk African Chnrcli. The Locust Grove Church, formerly called Tippecanoe, was the home of Hannah Beard, and the scene of her first successful effort at supplying desti- 288 HISTORICAL SKETCHES tute churches with meeting houses. Here was converted her brother Rev. Wm. Beard, since an active minister of the Word. About this time the writer formed the acquaintance of anotlier name that is a green spot in the memory of a Mis- sionary Agent. A letter was received from Denmark, Iowa, bearing these words, "Dear Brother, inclosed find $25.00 for the State Convention, to be credited to the Lord Jesus," and signed L. M. W lilting. Brother Whiting kept a small dairy a few miles from Denmark. He said "a few cows belonging to the Lord," and he was accus- tomed to give his entire income, above a certain amount for current expenses, usually in $25.00 contributions, to benevolent objects. He became afterward an active min- ister of the Gospel. Tlie anniversaries for the next half-decade, 1866 to 1870, were held at Fort Madison, Pilot Grove, Rome, Harrisburg and Bonaparte. The Moderators were J. T. Westover, four years, and W. H. Lane, one. Clerks, D. T. Brown, W. H. Turton, W. A. Clark, Charles Hubb.ell and Rufus Hubbard. The introductory sermons were preached by L. Frescoln, J. Trevitt, W. G. Johnson and W. C. Pratt, all in the order named. In 1866 Brother Tolman had resigned at Fort Madison. A church had been organized at Salem, 29 members, D. Simons, pastor. Rev. J. C. Burkholder was pas- tor at Bonaparte, L. Frescoln at Glasgow, R. C. Hixon as Union, W. G. Johnson at Jefferson and John Trevitt at West Point. A good degree of revival charac- terized the year, 102 baptisms were reported and 1,567 members. "Two of the churches have completed houses of worship, and two others are in process of construction, one of which, when completed, will be the best in OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 289 Southern Iowa,'' so wrote Rev. J. T. Westover. The house referred to as the best was that being erected by liis own beloved church in Keokuk. In 1867 Rev. John Packer appears as pastor at Fort Madison, and J. C. Carey, of the First African Church, at Keokuk, and the last named church reports 43 baptisms; Pastor Hixon at Charleston 25, and a new organization at Clay Grove 12; First Keokuk reports 17; Pilot Grove 22; String Prairie 12; Warren 9, and Croton 9. Rev. W. G. Johnson was pastor at Warren and Croton. The whole number of baptisms was 189, in 21 churches with 10 pastors and 1,666 members. The Clay Grove and Croton Churches were received in 1879 and Bethlehem and Union disap- pear. The Keokuk Association has still the largest mem- bersliip in the State, the Davenport coming next with 1,532. In 1868 the Pleasant Hill and Birmingham Churches were received. Rev. G. H. Berr}' was preaching at Pleas- ant Hill (post office Rome) and at Bratton's Grove, S. Pickard at Charleston and Mt. Zion, Wm. Potts at Clay Grove, H. Burnett at Locust Grove, J. T. Milner at Pilot Grove and Rev. John Trevitt at West Point, where he had been pastor three years. Baptisms in 1868, 114. Among the number were 12 at Salem, who were immersed by the writer in a meeting at that place, of which grateful men- tion is made in a previous chapter. In 1869 the Hebron Church was received, G. H. Berry, pastor. Rev. H. McAllister was pastor of the Keokuk African Church and reported 78 baptized. Rev. J. H. Delano was dispensing the Word at Charleston, W. C. Pratt at Denmark and R. F. Gray at Fort Madison. The Association now takes the second place in number of members, having 1,678 while Cedar Valley has 1,851. In 1870 Rev. J. T. Westover has closed his seven years' 290 HISTORICAL SKETCHES paetorate at Keokuk and gone to take charge of tlie North Baptist Church, Chicago. He is followed at Keokuk by Rev. S. K. Leavitt, of Indiana, who recently left the bar for the pulpit. Rev. John Trevitt resigned a four of five years' pastorate at West Point. Pastor W. G. Johnson has been supplying Bonaparte, with other points, for two or three years. A church has been formed at Dowd's Sta- tion, J. L. Cole, pastor. One hundred and forty-five bap- tisms were reported. From 1871 to 3875 the anniversaries were held at Glasgow, Charleston, Salem, Denmark and Keokuk. Moderator: W. H. Lane, two years, S Pickard, E. C. Cadey and W. C. Pratt. Clerks: Royal N. Joy, W. H. Turton W. C. Pratt, R. Hubbard and Turton again. The year 1871 finds Rev. J. Trevitt preaching at Bona- parte, E. Anderson at Denmark, following W. C. Pratt, who soon succeeded Brother Trevitt at Bona- parte, W. Young at Charleston, D. C. Adams at Fort Madison, J. H. Miller at Dowd's Station, D. Moore ar Pleasant Hill, and E. Crane at Glasgow. Baptisms only 57. For the first time in nine years and the second in the history of the Keokuk Association the number of baptisms falls below 100. In 1872 Rev. H. L. Field began preaching at West Point and D. D. Proper at Pilot Grove. A great revival has broken out again and 271 baptisms are reported and 1,765 members, a gain over the previous year of 420. In 1873 D. C. Adams was succeeded at Fort Madison by Brother E. E. Cadey, and Brother Leavitt at Keokuk by Rev. F. D. Bland, who also came from Indiana. Pas- tor Leavitt went to take charge of one of the churches at Cincinnati. A Colored church appeared at Fort Madison in 1874, and the Glasgow Church did not report. Rev. S. H. Worcester, of Ottumwa, was supplying at Dowd's Sta- tion. In 1875 Pastor Bland has been succeeded at Keokuk by Rev. S. Washington, J. B. Edmonson is preaching at OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 291 Harrisbm-o- and W. N. Whitaki^r at West Point. The next five years, 1876 to 1880, the Association met at Harris- bnrg, Glasgow, Fort Madison, Farmington and Charles- ton. Rev. Arthur Stott was clerk all these years. In 1876 Rev. J. W. Hough had become pastor at Den- mark, and was Moderator of the meeting at Harrisburg. Brother Stott was at Fort Madison. Rev, J. Lewelling, who began his ministry in this Asso- ciation in 1862, and who was for several years pastor at Denmark, removed about this time to the West, and is either in Kansas or Nebraska. In 1877 some of the churches, notably Big Mound and Harrisburg, were blessed with revivals, but there was little change in the working forces. Brother Stott removed in 1878 from Fort Madison to Den- mark, succeeding Brother J. W. Hough who* removed west to Prescott, Iowa. Rev. S. Washington resigns at Keokuk after three or four years' service, and W. C.Pratt, after five or six years of faithful labor at Bonaparte goes to Monroe, Iowa. R. P. McAuley is preaching at Charleston, and C. R. Workman at Pilot Grove. Revs. Wm. G. Johnson and Wm. Young were very successful in revival work. In 1879 Rev. C. H. Moscrip is found settled at Keokuk, Rev. L. S. Livermore preaching at Bonaparte and Harrisburg, and Wm. H. Turton to his old charge at Farmington. But in 1880 Rev. D. L. Clouse occupies Bonapart and Harrisburg. Rev. Thomas Powell is supplying Charleston, Fort Madi- son and West Point. The Association met in 1881 at Bonaparte. Brother Stott still continues to act as clerk. Brother William 100 1 Young had, during the year, been cut oft' by death. He had been very active in evangelistic work. Rev. Thomas Powell was also called up higher. Brother Powell had impressed himself upon the people, 292 HISTORICAL SKETCHES by his brilliant qualities of mind, and consecration of heart and life, as few ministers are able to do in so brief a time. At this time, 1881, thechurches were more than usu- ally well manned for work, in their pulpits, and gave evi- dence of solid work, though there was little marked progress in spiritual results. In 1882 the Association met at Denmark. Rev. D. L. Clouse had become pastor at Bo- naparte, and was made clerk. Rev Elihu Gunn, D. D., who so long and faithfully served his generation in south- eastern Iowa in the early days, but has been laboring in Kansas for the last twelve years, has returned and is pas- tor at Fort Madison. Keokuk, under the lead of pastor C. H. Moscrip, is vigorously pushing the work. The Associ- ation adopted a "Xew Constitution, and Articles of Incor- poration, " and they were duly signed by one member from each church represented, acknowledged before Geo. F. Hilton, a Notary Public of Lee county, and recorded as required by law. This is the only instance within our knowledge of an Association becoming an incorporated body capable of owning property, suing and being sued, etc. The principle object was probably the control of a Ministers^ Widoics and Orpliaiu Fund, which at the last report in 1886 amounted to s474. 65. The Anniversary in 1883 was at Keokuk, Rev. E. Gunn wasModerator, D. L. Clouse clerk. Rev. Wm. Beard was preaching at Bethel (formerly Big Mound), H. R. Yolton at Fairview, and J. Lee at Harris- burg. A year of prosperit}^ 180 baptisms and 1263 members. The Association leads in the state in the number of baptisms. The church at Keokuk, with 325 members, makes an excellent record, especially in Sunday School work. The average attendance at the Home School is 239, and at the two Mission Schools respectively^ 116 and 147, making a total Sunday School attendance under direction OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 293 of this cluircli of 502. Tliey report 76 baptisms. In 1884: the Anniversary was at Harrisburg, Arthur Stott Moderator, C. L. Custer clerk. Rev. D. L. Cloiise closed his labors at Bonaparte and removed to Grand Junction. Rev. C. L. Custer is preaching at Charleston and H. H. Depperman at West Point. Brother Stott reports 44 baptized at Denmark, Gunn 25 at Fort Madison, and Beard 24 at Warren and 5 at Bethel. Rev. C. H. Moscrip, pastor at Keokuk since 1879, has resigned and gone to -Jerseyville, 111. His one pastorate of five years in Iowa has earned for him a large place in the confidence and esteem of his brethren, and the growth witnessed at Keokuk under his ministry makes for him an honorable record. Brother Lee has been pastor at Salem ten years and Stott at Denmark six. Met in 1885 at Salem. Officers the same. A year of changes. We note Brother Gunn from Fort Madison to his old and "first" Iowa *'love," the 1st Baptist Church of Keokuk. Brother Stott from Denmark to Bedford, Iowa. Rev. F. M. Coffey is preaching at Farmington and Bethel, J. A. Stanley at Croton,C. R. Workman at Glasgow, and E. M. Jones afFort Madison. Except Brother Lee at Harrisburg, old pasto- rates are terminated and new relations formed. Brother Caster has been ordained at Bonaparte. In 1886 the Association met at Farmington, J. Lee Moderator, C. L. Custer still clerk. Brother Gunn, owing to continued poor health has been compelled to give up work at Keokuk and repair to his home and family in Kansas. Brother Jones goes from Fort Madison to Morgan Park, and thus the pulpits in the two principal cities are left vacant. Brother Coffe}^ at Farmington has suspended active work for a time, on account of impaired health, and Rev. G. C. Goodenough who resides here is supplying. The churches in this Association are situated chiefly in Lee, Yan Buren and Henry counties, and in common with 294 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. other localities in the older parts of the state, their strength has been diminished by emigration to the west. Eight of the churches have less than fifty members each, six have between 50 and 100, and four have over 100. The 18 church- es report 1342 members. During tlie first thirteen years of this history from 1860 to 1872 the number of baptisms fell below 100 only twice, and in 1861 and 1872 they were above 200, The largest number in any one year was in 1872, 271. In the fourteen years since 1872 the number baptized has been 100 or over but four times, and the largest in any one year was in 1883 — 180. The lowest number of members reported any year since 1861 was in 1882 — 1069. The high- est number was in 1872 — 1765. For the last five years there has been a steady but slow increase, while for the ten years' previous there had been a steady decline. CHAPTER XXXII. Burlington Association — North ])ivision of the Old Des Moines— Prosperity and Again De- cline — A Circumscribed Field. 1860 to 1886. HEN the Des Moines Association dissolved in 1850 the churches in the North Division formed the Burlington Association. Its first meeting was held at Mount Pleasant in 1860. Rev. L. B. Allen preached the introductory sermon. Isaac Leonard Moderator, P. P. Bishop clerk. There were 12 churches reporting 68 bap- tisms and 1087 members. The churches were 1st Burlington 213 members ; 2d Burlington 125; Co- lumbus City 80; Danville 45; Flint River 24; Jefferson 125; Marion 18; Mt. Pleasant 110; New London 56; Pis- gah 128 ; Richmond 62 ; Wapello 29 ; and Washington 72. The pastors were W. R. Woodruff, Columbus City; J. B. Knight, Danville ; Isaac Leonard, Pisgah and Flint River; J. Lee, Jefferson ; Charles Thompson, MarioB, Washing- tom county ; P. P. Bishop, Mt. Pleasant and D. C. Maybin, Washington. In 1861 the Association met at Jefferson. Brother Leonard preached the sermon, H. Burnett Moder- ator, A. F. Will«y clerk. The Huron and Ononwa church - 1860. HISTORICAL SKETCHES es had been ors;anized. and 2d Biirlinojton disbanded. Rev. A. F. Willey. pastor at 1st Burlington. Rev. Moses Par- ker was reported pastor at Huron and J. Warren New London. Mr. Maybin has left Washington and Father Thompson is preaching there and at the Marion Church. In 1862 New London was the place of meeting. Moderator, Brother Gunn who has assumed pastoral charge at Mt. Pleasant, and A. F. Willey clerk. Brother Willey at Burlington has been per^nitted to baptize 45, and reports 77 additions in all. Rev. Charles Thompson is preaching at Richmond and Washington. Rev. E. Russ has become pastor at Danville. Morgan Edwards is preaching at New London. The Brighton Church was. received from the Os- kaloosa Association. The "gathering was large, and the exercises throughout were harmonious and profitable." Met at Columbus City in 1863, Isaac Leonard Moderator, H. H. Hawley of Burlington clerk. Brother Willey preached the sermon. The Davis Creek Church -1 O (^ Q was received to membership. Baptisms reported 108, members 1086. A "war record" was published in the minutes by vote of the Association, showing that "Baptists have not been behind others in their loyalty and self- sacrificing devotion to the best government on earth, and in their determination to preserve, intact, that glorious heritage of liberty which our fathers purchased with their blood and bequeathed to us." We may learn hence, how much our brethren and sisters of that day had to burden their hearts and minds,in addition to the care of the Churches and the benevolence of the denomination. We wonder that they accomplished so much, and yet it would be seen by a comparison that the contributions to our benevolent societies were more on the average than they have been in times of peace. The Obituary record mentions the death near Dodgeville, Iowa, of Rev. Jonah Todd, the first Mod- J. W. BURDETTE. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 297 erator of flio Dos Moines Association. Also of Deacon Anioii (JliambeiJain of Burlington and Abijali Fisher of Eriglitoii. It had been the one desire of Father Fisher, as every one called him, to live to see a Baptist Church at Brighton with a house of worship of its own. He lived to see the beginning of the end. "There is our meeting house,'' said he to the writer on our first visit to Brighton, pointing at the same time to a pile of stone — a wagon load or two— on a vacant lot near by. In a few months he was promoted to a better " House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The Fifth Anniversary was at Danville, in 1864. Rev. Prof. Allen, of Burlington, Moderator, N. Littler, clerk. Brother Gunn preached the sermon. Two new churches were received. The Benton Church, opposite Oquawka, in the Mississippi bottom, the fruit of a "remarkable revival, in which more than a hundred were converted," Rev. Nor- man Parks, pastor. "The other," wrote Brother Gunn, "the fruit of the rebellion in Missouri." This was the African Church of Mount Pleasant, J. D. Wilson was pas- tor. Rev. J. W. Coffman, was preaching at Davis Creek. Brother Willey has closed his labors at Burlington. Rev. W. E. James was preaching at Pisgah. The Fairfield Church, Brother Leonard, pastor, was received from the Oskaloosa Association. Baptisms reported, 171; members 1,264. Brother Gunn wrote of this occasion; "The meet- ing at Danville was of deep interest. Frequent seasons of prayer and conference were held. The people of God were much revived, one soul at least was hopefully converted and many were led to exclaim, 'It is good to be here!' Surely the fruit of that meeting must be visible before the year shall close." Washino'ton was the church which entertained in 1865. 1 298 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Moderator, E. Gunn, clerk, Littler. E. Russ preached the sermon. Rev. D. F. Carnahan is pastor at Bur- lington, J. C. Burkholder at Brighton, and C. Darby at Fairfield. Rev. W. R. Woodruff has held the ground at Columbus City since 1851. The church express anxiety concerning his health. The Benton Church num- bers 60. Some one wrote about this time "Rev. John E. Clough and his wife have gone out from us to India, the first Baptist missionaries from our Association and State on heathen soil. " Brother Clough is a member of the 1st Baptist Church in Burlington. The Association met in 1866 at Richmond. Brother Carnahan preached the introductory sermon and was cho- sen Moderator, and N. Littler clerk. Some of the churches have enjoyed special tokens of divine favor. Fairfield reports 37 baptized and 60 additions in all. Brother Darby is still pastor and they are building a neat chapel. About this time Hon. M. A. McCoid was converted and united with the church of which he has been a member since. Burlington 2d Church — the fruit of a revival among the colored people, report 17 baptized. Rev. John Warren pastor. Mt. Pleasant 1st church 16, 2d Church — colored — 12, Pisgah, W. E. James pastor, 24, and Washing- ton, Father Thompson, 20 baptisms. Rev. E. Ward is preaching at Richmond and Davis Creek, D. W. Shacklee at Huron, and in the west part of Henry county a faithful little band of Swedes, who have been liolding on for several years alone, have Rev. L. L. Frisk for their pastor, and are received into the Association. Rev. L. Frescoln is preaching at the Jefferson Church. Churches 18, pastors 12, baptized 254, total membership 1447. Amount of be- nevolent contributions $1240.35. For the Convention, $264. Met at Fairfield. Rev. E. Gunn preached the annual OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 299 sermon and was elected Moderator; N. Littler clerk. Rev. D. F. Carnalian having resigned at Burlington, Rev. J. B. Fuller has become pastor. Brighton has settled Rev. D. Morse as pastor. Rev. W. E. James, pastor at Pisgah, is away on leave of absence, and they are anxiously praying that he may be restored to them in health. At Columbus City Rev. W. R. Woodruff, who has so faithfully' served the church as pastor for 17 or 18 years, has resigned on account of ill health, and Rev. J. L. Cole is their pastor. Danville is without a pastor but Rev. S. West settles with them before the year is out. Rev. Rich- ard King well known further north in the State, and des- tined to be favorably and well known here, has begun preaching at New London. Rev. Charles Thompson hav- ing resigned at Washington, where he has faithfully served the church twelve years. Rev. A. Pratt has settled with them. At Richmond Rev. A. C. Sangster of Iowa City is administering rich gospel food to the church. Father Sang- ster is an English Baptist, and possesses a mind and heart exceptionally well stored with knowledge of divine things. More than one night did the way-faring General Mission- ary of those days spend with this old Father in Israel, lis- listening to his profitable talk. The pastor at Pisgah supplied the Benton Church a part of the time and in con- nection with the labors of Rev. Moses Parker, Colporteur of the American Baptist Pnblication Society, they have been blessed and 14 have been baptized into their fellow- ship. The New Sweden Church spoken of last year, in Henry county, report 24 baptisms and 30 additions in all ; but Rev. L. L. Frisk has left them and they are without a pastor. Churches, 18; pastors, 14; baptized, 102; present membership, 1465; contributions to the Convention this year $417.34; total benevolence reported $1614.43. It is a year of change in pastors, but of activity and success other- 300 HISTORICAL SKETCHES wise. Thirteen of the 18 churches have meeting houses. Met with the 1st Baptist Church in Burlington. Rev. C. Darby preached the sermon and was elected Moderator, Prof. Jas. Henderson cleric. A church at Ains- -| Q « O worth organized in May last, was received with 14 members. The year has been one of faithful holding on but not much gain. Several pastors settled last year did not stick, and one or two have resigned who have been longer on the field. Rev. W. E. James is missed at Pisgah and Rev. S. Brimhall is their pastor. Rev. P. Morse left Brighton and they are destitute and much discouraged by reason of the influence the Adventists are exerting in the community. We remember visiting Brighton during this infliction, and it was one of the worst of the efforts of that aggressive people to build up by tearing down other inter- ests, and for a time wonderfully successful, "carrying away" many people with them. Rev. E, Ward is preach- ing at Richmond where Father Sangster was last year, and Rev. A. Pratt is succeeded by H. A. Barden at Washing- ton. Two of the members of the Richmond Church, J. W. and J. P. Coffman are attending the Baptist Theological Seminary at Chicago. There are now 19 churches, 10 pas- tors, 89 baptisms reported, and a total membership of 1485. In 1869 the anniversary was at Mt. Pleasant. J. B. Fuller preacher and Moderator, R. King clerk. We find this year A. W. Sutton at Ainsworth, W. R. Woodruff in charge again at Columbus City. Brother King succeeding S. West at Danville, where he is to make his home. Rev. J. Warren is preaching at Jefferson, * Rev. H. Burnett at Pisgah, and Arthur Stott at Washington. Baptisms 121, of which number Brother Gunn reports 43 at Mt. Pleasant. Rev. E. Burkett of the Burlington (colored) Church died during the year. The liquidation of a debt, and the general prosperity of the church attest his fidelity as a minister of OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 301 Christ. For the next five j^ears, 1870 to 1874, the Association held its anniversaries at Danville, Pisgah, New London, Jef- ferson and Spring Creek. The Moderators were Eber Crane, R. King, W. L. Brown, R. W. Benton, and 'A. E. VanMe- ter. The clerks were A. E. VanMeter the first three years of this period and S. A. Flanders the last two. The preach- ers of the introdnctory sermons were W. H. Lane, L. W. Hayhurst, W. L. Brown, R. W. Benton and J. H. Storms. This is the sixth time that the Danville Church has en- tertained its Association since the organization of tlie Des Moines Association. The organization of the 1 RVD Washington Association has reduced the mem- bership and territory of this, making it now one of the smaller bodies of this class in the State. Rev. L. W. Hay- hurst, who is connected with Burlington LTniversity has succeeded J. B. Fuller as pastor. J. C. Cary is serving the Colored Church in Burlington, H. H. Parks at Brighton, J. Lee at Jefferson, W. Webster at 2d Mt. Pleasant (colored) and T. J. Penney at Pisgah. The Mount Carmel Church was received. In 1871 we note the introduction of the South Hill Church, Burlington, with 28 members, and Spring Creek, six miles west of that city, with 35. Pastor Gunn has closed nine years' faithful labor at Mt. Pleasant, and is succeeded by Rev. W. L. Brown. A house had been erected by the untiring efforts of Brother Gunn, which is the best in the place, but adverse influences make it a great struggle for the church to maintain the position thus hoped to be given it. The New Sweden Church noticed in 1865, L. L. Frisk then pastor, has been reported in the minutes of re- cent years without change until now. Rev, Peter Carlson is pastor and four have been baptized and they report 30 members. Fairfield reports C. B. Egan as pastor. In 1872 Rev. J. E. Hopper has appeared as pastor at Burlington, J. R. Shanafelt at Fairfield, J. W. Coffman at New London, 302 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES and J. B. Faller is supplying South Hill Burlington, and D. Simons is at Beulali, a new organization in the northeast part of Henry county on "Canaan Prairie." In 1873 Broth- er Brown has resigned at Mt. Pleasant and removed to Ot- tumwa. J. H. Storms has succeeded J. R. Shanafelt at Fairfield, and A. F. Sharpnack is at Spring Creek. A year of cheering revival work. Burlington reports 42 baptisms, Danville 30, 1st Mt. Pleasant 33, Mt. Pleasant (colored) 15, New London 16, and Spring Creek and Fairfield each 6; baptisms in all 153, total membership 1171; a gain of 185. In 1874 J. W. Coff'man has resigned his two years' pastorate at New London. G. H. Berry is supplying Beulah, E. Crane at Mt. Carmel, and M. Sutton at Mt. Pleasant, and the Colored Church at Mt. Pleasant has A. Colston for pas- tor, and at Burlington G. W. Shelton. For the years 1875 to 1880 the meetings of this Associa- tion were at Mount Carmel, Pisgah, Danville, Burlington, Fairfield and Mount Pleasant. Introductory sermons were preached by R. King, Wm. Wilder, T. J. Penney, J. F. Merriam, King again, and E. C. Spinney, D. D. Modera- tors, E. A. VanMeter, King, W. W. Perry, and A. H. Stutsman. Clerks, L. E. Wortman, W. B. Murray, M. A. McCoid, F. T. Parsons, and B. F. Crane. In 1875 we are introduced to several new pastors. J. Frey at Fairfield, h. M. Berry at Mount Pleasant, B. F. Goldsby, from Western Iowa, at New London and Mount Carmel, George Chambers of the Burlington Colored Church and G. H. Berry supply- ing Beulah and Jefferson. The Benton Church, beginning in 1864 with the baptism of over 100, has dwindled down to 5 members and is practically extinct. The same is true of the Huron Church. In 1876 we find Rev. J. F. Merriam pastor at Mount Pleasant, M. T. Lamb at Spring Creek, and I. H. Denton at New London. Rev. A. F. Sharpnack had been two or OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 303 three years at Spring Creek and is succeeded by Brother Lamb. The Morning Sun Church was received in 1877, J. D. Stapp pastor. A committee made a report on the Benton and Huron Churches, by which it appears that the Benton Church, uniting with this body in 1865, made no report after 1867 when 14 baptisms were re- ported ; that including the 103 baptized the year of its organization, 117 persons have been immersed into this organization, and but three members can now be found. That the Huron Church united with the Association in 1861 with 16 members; reported 6 baptisms and 24 mem- bers in 1862, and 7 baptisms and 30 members in 1864; that they have made no report for 13 years, and only 4 members can now be found. In all 29 persons have been baptized in connection with this field. Both of these names were thereupon dropped from the records of the Association. How many of the persons baptized on these two fields were genuine converts, how many have removed to other fields and are fulfilling their baptismal vows, and how many have gone to join the church triumphant above, none can tell. But we have here an illustration of the losses to our statistical and historic registers that are continually tak- ing place in the same way. The report on the state of religion in the churches this year says, among other excellent suggestions : "There has been but little revival in our churches, (and pastors and people will grow restless as soldiers in camp with nothing to do.) We must be up and doing the will of the Master or we die." Mention is made of the death of Rev. John Warren, with a number of others in the Burlington Church. The Fairfield Church, under the lead of Rev. James Frey, have built a good meeting house and parsonage, but they have been led into great trouble by the failure of a con- tractor, and greatly need christian sympathy and prayer. 304 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The pastor has resigned. Churches 14, pastors 9, baptisms 80, other additions 57, total membership 1108. Rev. H. W. Thiele has succeeded pastor^ Frey at Fairfield. Joel H. Austin is preaching at Spring Creek, and Rev. J. D. Stapp at Morning Sun and Beulah, W. M. Washington at the colored church Mount Pleasant, G. H. Berry at Jeffer- son, and I. H. Denton at New London and Mount Carmel. In 1878 J. E. Hopper has resigned at Burlington and is succeeded by his friend Rev. J. C. Hard. Brother Hopper served the church, and the denomination in Iowa, to very great acceptance for about six j^ears, and then returned to New Brunswick. His cultured mind, his genial and ex- cellent spirit, and his valuable counsels will long be remembered by his Iowa brethren. At the meeting in 1878 Rev. E. C. Cady reported for a special committee on "History of the Association," and read such items as he had been able to gather, all of which was referred to a committee on printing, etc., but, so far as the present gatherer has been able to find out, that was the end of the matter. Gone, we suppose, into the historical waste basket. In 1879 we find Rev. H. Shallenberger preaching at Danville, J. H. Miller at Jefferson, and W. A. Welsher, following Brother Merriam, at Mount Pleasant. Rev. T. J. Penney is still at Pisgah, but 6 of the 11 churches in the Association are without under sheplierds. The lamented death of Dr. Hurd is recorded in 1880 and he is succeeded by Edwin C. Spinney, D. D. The death is also mentioned of Col. John S. David, 1880. ^^ Burlington, and Deacon P. A. Lee, of Mount Pleasant. Brother Lee, as one of the most devoted and consecrated burden-bearers in the Mount Pleasant Church during their long struggle to build their meeting house and maintain their ground under great difficulties, de- serves special mention. He has gone to a well-earned rest. OF lOAVA BAPTISTS. 305 Rev. R. J. Laiigridge lias succeeded Rev. W. A. Welslier as pastor at Mount Pleasant. Rev. J. H. Miller is preach- ing at Beulah, Mount Carmel and New London. Fairfield and Jefferson report no pastors and Spring Creek and Morning Sun send no letters. Rev. E. C. Spinney, the new- pastor at Burlington, comes from Concord, New Hamp- shire, but he is not a stranger in Iowa, having spent a number of years as pastor at Pella, at an earlier date. Rev. W. A. Welsher, late pastor at Mount Pleasant, has gone to take charge of the church at Harlan, Iowa, in the Council Bluffs Association. The Twenty-second Anniversary took place with the Pisgali Baptist Church. Rev. J. H. Miller, Moderator, Rev. George A. Hertzog, clerk. Rev.R. J. Lang- 1 R R 1 ridge, of 3fount Pleasant, preached the introduc- tory sermon from Isaiah 54: 2: "Lengthen thy cords and strengthening thy stakes." Danville mentioned in their letter the loss by death of Deacon E. Cady, who has been an active member of that church for forty-two years. But few men have a record for benevolence, according to their means, equal to that of "Father Cady." Few meeting houses or other Baptist enterprises anywhere in this part of Iowa but have some offering from him registered within their walls. Rev. H. Burnett, of Mount Pleasant, "departed this life January 8th, 1881, aged nearly 80 years," for 38 years connected with this church. Bur- lington reports 32 Baptisms; Danville 5. Rev. R. H. Tracy is preaching for the Beulah and Jefferson churches. After an interval of nearly two years without regular preaching the Fairfield Church have procured the services of Rev. G. A. Hertzog, and are somewhat encouraged. Debt gradually diminishing, having received timely aid from the Home Mission Society for which they are thank- ful. This Association has two representatives in the For- 396 HISTORICAL SKETCHES eign Mission field. Rev. John E. Clougli and Miss Norwood. Met with the Danville Church. Rev. G. A. Hertzog, of Fairfield, preached the introductory sermon. Rev. E. C. Spinney, D. D., Moderator, G. A. Hertzog, clerk. Rev. H. Shallenberger closed his labors with the Danville Church last April, and Rev. S. H. Mitchell has accepted the unanimous 'call of the church to begin his labors with this meeting. The South Hill Baptist Church, Burlington, having lost visibility and almost its property, some time ago, has been redeemed by the persistent, cordial and unselfish interest of Dr. E. C. Spinney, pastor of the First Baptist Church, and his noble wife, the property and the Walnut Street Baptist Church has been organized and duly recognized by a council of brethren, and is now received into this body with 61 members. Rev. C. E. Higgins is the pastor. The First Church, of Burlington, the pastor being assisted by the evangelist, Rev. O. L. Leonard, in a series of meet- ings, has had a great revival and reports 129 baptisms and 16 received by letter. Rev. R..H. Tracy has been ordained during the year pastor of the Beuiah and Mount Carmel Churches, and the latter has moved its meeting house to the village of Yarmouth, and neatly fitted it up. The church now takes the name of the Yarmouth Church. The Mount Pleasant Church, since their last letter to the Association, has been led in a strange path. On the ITtli of June their beautiful house of worship was laid in ruins by a cyclone. " It seemed like a crushing blow to a church already weakened by the losses of able members to whom they were accustomed to look for help in all undertakings of the church. For some time after the event the prospect of rebuilding seemed hopeless,' but ''waiting the indica- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 307 tion of Providence, there seemed to be a way opened. The Lord raised up friends who were not themselves con- nected with the church, who said 'go forward and we will help you.'" So the old church, weakened and afflicted, are making a heroic effort to maintain the ground gained by so many years of toil and sacrifice, and they are worthy of the sympathy and aid they ask. There are now in the Asso- ciation 11 churches, 7 pastors, 145 baptisms reported and a total membership of 1,017. The baptisms, it will be seen, are mostly in the First Burlington Church. Walnut Street reports one; Fairfield 4; Pisgah 4, and Yarmouth 7. The Association met at Yarmouth Rev. J. R. Murphy, D. D., Moderator, and Rev. A. W. Fuller of Burlington, . clerk. Rev. C. E. Higgins preached the intro- ductory sermon. Rev. T. J. Penney of Pisgah, after serving thirteen years as .pastor has resigned and re- moved to Nebraska, and the Pisgah Cliurch are without an under shepherd. Rev. A. W. Fuller has been called as assistant pastor of the 1st Burlington Church. Dr. Spin- ney, under the double labor of pastor of the church and president of Burlington College, has broken down in health and is now east seeking restoration. Many prayers are con- tinually being offered in his behalf that he may be com- pletely restored. Rev. J. R. Murphy, D. D., who retired from the 1st Baptist Church Des Moines a few years ago, and settled on a farm near Winterset for a few years of rest, has been restored to health, and has been fortunately secured to take charge of the arduous work of building up again at Mt. Pleasant. Rev. C. J. Thompson has succeed- ed Brother Higgins at Walnut Street Burlington, and Bro. Higgins has settled at Independence, Iowa. Rev. E. W. Hunt is pastor at Fairfield, Rev. G. A. Hertzog having re- signed to take charge at Creston. The writer of these sketches, having been in the Association just one year, is 308 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES now the senior pastor in the Association engaged in the work. The jeav has been one of spiritual dearth. The only baptisms reported are, Beulah 4, Burlington 1st 4, Walnut Street 9,' and Danville 5. Churches 10, pastors 6, baptisms 22, total membership 969. Rev. John Wilson, recently from England is pastor at Yarmoutli. The Asso- ciation met at the 1st Burlington Church in 1884. S. A. Marchant of of Danville clerk. Not much advancement to note this year. Mt. Pleasant reports 11 baptisms, Walnut Street 7, and Danville 2. Dr. Spinney has resigned the pastorate to give his entire time and energy to the excel- lent work he is doing as president of Burlington College, and Rev. A. W. Fuller is now pastor in full charge of the 1st Burlington Church. Rev. John Wilson pastor at Yar- mouth and Beulah died during the year. Rev. S. H. Mitch- ell is just closing his labors as pastor at Danville. This year is the semi-centennial of the organization of the Dan- ville Church, and of the beginning of Baptist work in Iowa. The beginning of these Historical Sketches of Iowa Bap- tists, is the only effort to signalize this fiftieth anniversary. Mt. Pleasant is the place of the meeting this year. J. W. Burdette, Moderator, and Rev. C. J. Thompson of Wal- nut Street, Burlington, clerk. Another year of meagre spiritual results. M-ount Pleasant reports 9 baptisms, Fairfield 8, Walnut Street 5, and 1st Burlington 1. Churches 9, pastors 5, baptisms 23, total membership 932. Fairfield and 1st Burlington are without pastors. Rev. A. W. Fuller becomes pastor at Vinton, Iowa. Before this sketch closes, a singular coincidence of returning to former, if not to first loves, takes place. Rev. R. King has already returned to the pulpit at Danville, where he labored so long and so faithfully. Rev. Isaac Leonard, for many years pas- tor at Pisgah, and who has been living in New Jersey for a score or more years, has returned and is again preaching at OP^ IOWA BAPTISTS. 309 Pisgab, and now comes Rev. G. J. Johnson, and returns to his first love at Burlington. Many hearts must rejoice in the Burlington Association, and perhaps some ancient men, as in Zerubbabel's time, who remember the former days, may mingle weeping with the rejoicing at the comparison of our present state with those former days. May it yet be that the return of those brethren may be as the coming anew of the Messiah to his temple, and the glory of these latter days may be even greater than the former. In 1886 the Association met with the Walnut Street Church Burlington in the most remarkable session it had lield for many years. J. W. Burdette was again Modera- tor, and Rev. H. M. Jones clerk. The meetings of the body throughout were pervaded by a deep spiritual sentiment and the delegates were often in prayer, being called there- to by the Moderator, at every opportunity while waiting for committees to report. The deep devotional character of the sessions was a hopeful indication of the refreshing presence of the Lord, which has since, at least in the church which entertained the body, been brought to partial fruition. As we close this record January 1887, it is witli but lit- tle change to record. Onl}^ 22 baptisms are reported and 799 members in 1886. The 1st Baptist Church Burlington has just dedicated its beautiful new edifice, erected at a cost of nearly $25,000, and I)r. Johnson is laboring very hard to build the spiritual house of the Lord. Rev. Henry Williams succeeded C. J. Thompson as pastor at AValnut Street, Burlington, in 1886. He is -laboring with marked success in that field. x\s we close this sketch he has, dur- ing the present winter, baptized 21 and the work goes hope- fully on. The number of persons admitted to the churches of the Burlington Association, since and in closing the 310 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. year 1860, by baptism alone, saying nothing of those who have come in by letter and on experience and former baptism, is 2026. The largest number of members reported in any one year was in 1868, the membership of that year being 1485. This was just before the organization of the Washington Association, which reduced the membership in this Association, while it was greatly increased on the field that the body had occupied up to that date. For in- stance, add to the number reported in 1870, the next year but one, 1142, the number reported in the Washington Association by churches formerly belonging to this, and we have 1546, and as the years advance the number from the same churches would doubtless increase. So that while the statistics of the Burlington Assoication give, at first view, the impression that the cause has greatly de- clined in the last few years, when we take all the conditions into account the decline is not so great as it seems. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that there has been in these older fields generally, a relative decline, and perhaps there is no better place than here to say a word on the importance of awaking to vigorous and effective Mis- sionary work in these older fields, and especially in and about the cities. The relative increase of city over rural populations for the last quarter of a century has been startling. The cities are fast coming to rule the social, material and political interests of the whole country, and rum, pleasure and other demoralizing forces which center largely in the cities are seeking, more and more to domi- nate the whole. The remedy for these tendencies must be sought in leavening both city and country with the saving power of the Gospel and the righteousness of the Bible. Oh ! for a general awakening and consecration of the resources that are being wasted on levity and lucre. CHAPTER XXXIII. Washington Association — An Organization with a History Peculiar to Itself — Some of the Oldest Churches — Special Fea- tures— 1869 TO 1886. UCH is the relation of the Washington Asso- ciation to the history that has been given in the previous chapter that we give it place here as a continuation. The origin of the older churches takes us back even to the old Des Moines Association, so that, though a young Associa- tion it nevertheless has the marks of age. On the 11th of September, 1869, according to previous arrangements, delegates met at the New Haven Church, 8 miles west of Washington, and organized themselves into the Washington Bajdist Association. There were repre- sented the Ainsworth, Talleyrand, Washington, Columbus City, Davis Creek, New Haven and Richmond Churches. An opening sermon was preached by Rev. A. W. Sutton, from Acts 17: 6. Rev. W. R. Woodruff was elected Moder- ator, N. Littler, clerk and Calvin Craven, treasurer. Rev. Arthur Stott reported for a committee previously ap- pointed, a Constitution and By-Laws which, after discus- 812 HISTORICAL SKETCHES sion and amendments, were adopted and the organization completed. The following roll of churches appeared in the Minutes of 1S69: Ains worth, 16 members; Columbus City, 111; Davis Creek, 48; New Haven, 78; Talleyrand, 37; Richmond, 104; Washington, 53; Zion, 98. Churches 9, members 555. The situation gives promise of a history differing in some respects from other like bodies in the State. It is located where nine Baptist churches, com- prising over 500 members, are thickly clustered, having Washington for a center, and any one of which, as well as the center, can be reached without much travel. The com- mittee on state of religion in making a note of this peculiar situation, say further, "In parting with the Burlington and English River Associations, none but the kindest feel- ings exist between these churches and those Associations; and we pray the Lord of the harvest to increase theiff a hundred fold. Brethren we have cast ourselves into the breach to fight the Lord's battles, let us equip ourselves for the work and prove ourselves good soldiers of the Captain of our Salvation." The pastors at tlie time of organ- ization were: A. W. Sutton, Ainsworth, W. R. Woodruff, Columbus City, J. M. Wood, Xew Haven, Arthur Stott, Washington and E. Ward, Zion. The Zion Church reported 61 baptisms; New Haven 10; Columbus City 2, and Washington one. For the years from 1870 to 1875, the anniversaries of the Association were at Davis Creek, Zion, Washington, Rich- mond, New Haven and Columbus City. The introductory sermons were preached by Brethren J. M Wood, A. Stott, S. M. Cramblet, E. C. Cady, Father Warren and J. H. Miller. The Moderators, in the order named, were: Dea- con A. A Smith, Wood, Cramblet, J. P. Coffman, Warren and Miller. N. Littler was the only clerk during these years and up to 18S4. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 313 The first anniversary in 1870 revealed a beginning of marked acriviry. An enterprise liad been inaugurated at the first meeting for establishing a Book Fund. Also Special Mission work in the Association. In conn(H',tion with a temporary Mission conducted by Brother AVood, pastor at New Haven, the Eurek-a Church, six miles southwest of Washington, was organized and a good brick house built costing S1594.66. The church was received into the Association with 25 members, 12 of them received by baptism. The Howard Grove Church was received from the English River Association, H. H. Parks pastor. There were 87 baptisms reported and 644 members. Pastors J. W. Coffman of Richmond and J. P. Coffman of Zion Church are in addition to those before named. Brother Stott resigned about this time at Washington. It was resolved in 1870 "That we take immediate steps to collect and preserve the history of ihis Association, and that Brother Littler be our historian.'' In 1871 we find Rev. S. M. Cramblet pastor at Washington and Richmond, E. Ward preaching at Ainswortli and Davis Creek, A. Stott at Columbus City, and J. P. Cofi'man still at Zion. In 1872 the Louisa Center Church was received. Rev. A. W. Sutton appears again at Ainswortli. E. C. Cady is at Washington, and J. B. Hawk at Howard Grove and Tally- rand. From the first this Association has had a monthly conference, which is now mentioned in the report of the committee on State of Religion in the Churches as "A power for good, the influence of which cannot be fully esti- mated. Social ties are created by it, and it calls out the talent, ability and energies of all, and at once becomes the academic and normal school of the Association, and a means of improvement and growth in the knowledge of the way to work in the Master's service." This monthly conference seems to be at the same time a sort of executive 814 HISTORICAL SKETCHES committee of the whole, having charge of the benevolent work of the Association. This year, at a meeting at Louisa Center, it adopted the building of a Baptist church tit Keota as an object of concentrated effort. This the Asso- ciation approves and already tiie work is well under way. The meeting was enlivened Just at its close by the arrival of Rev. J. E. Clough, who had been expected earlier, but failing of the necessary railroad connections did not ar- rive until this late hour, when he addressed the Association for 30 minutes. In anticipation of his coming, however, a collection of $67 cash had been taken up for Foreign Mis- sions, and the amount of $775 pledged toward the endow- ment of the Telugu Theological Seminary in India. A collection was taken up for ''Our distressed sister, Hannah Beard, the church builder, now in Chicago receiving medical treatment for disability caused b}^ railroad accident while engaged in her noble enterprise," which collection amounted in cash to $19.16. In 1873 the Keota Church was received with 24 mem- bers, 13 of whom had been received b}^ baptism. Rev. Jas. Fre}^ is preaching at Keota, W. N. Whitaker at Richmond, and E. Ward at Columbus City and Davis Creek. Brother Wood served part of the year as Missionary of the Association. He has resigned at New Haven after a successful pastorate of six years since the or- ganization of the charch. In 1874 we find recorded a deci- ded increase of spiritual interest; 113 baptisms are reported and 675 members. Rev. John Warren is pastor at Ains- worth, J. H. Miller at New Haven, J. T. Long at Howard Grove, R. M. Tracy at Keota, C. Brooks at Louisa Center, and N. H. Daily at Richmond. Brother Ward at Davis Creek and Cramblet at Washington are still holding on. Rev. J. P. Coffman has resigned a three years' pastorate at Zion. Of the baptisms reported this year, Ainsworth is OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 315 credited with 10, Davis Creelv 30, Riclimond 28, New Ha- ven 8 and Washington 35. The Brighton Church transferred its connection, in 1875, from the Burlington Association; J. 0. Johnson pastor. Tallyrand, under the lead of Brother Tracy have "1 Q TT P? mJ ^ c/ built a neat chapel and are looking for a revival. Rev. J. M. Wood, one of the most active workers in this Association from its organization, has removed to Pella and become the Financial Agent of the Central University. At the anniversary in 1875, Brother Bronson, one of the oldest members of the Columbus City Church, gave a touching account of the feeble condition of the Baptist cause inLou- isa county, and the religious destitution among other denominations in the county, and quite an interest was awakened in behalf of a better provision to meet this des- titution. A committee was appointed consisting of Elders Woodruff and Ward, and Brothers Bronson and Jennings, to lay the matter before the State Convention, and to urge upon it the duty of taking prompt and effective action, and pledging the Association to assist, and a subscription amounting to $62 was promptly pledged to aid on the part of the Association. The Eighth Anniversary was held at Talleyrand. In the absence of the preacher or alternate appointed last year. Rev. A. V. Bloodgood, of Washington, was invited to preach, which he did from Acts 5: 20. Elder R. M. Tracy was elected Moderator, N. Littler, clerk. Rev. S. M. Cramblet after several years of service at Rich- mond and at Washington, has taken his departure for another field of labor, and Rev. A. V. Bloodgood has suc- ceeded him at Washington. Rev. John Warren still holds on as pastor of the Ainsworth Church. Rev. R. M. Tracy is now supplying Keota and Talleyrand, J. H. Miller 316 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Eureka and Howard Grove, and N. H. Dailey, Richmond and Zion. Rev. J. C. Johnson is preaching at New Haven. From 1877 to 1880 the respective annual gatherino-s were at Ainsworth, Washington, Brighton and Zion. Moder- ators: J. M. Wood, two years, A. Robbins and Wood again. Annual sermons were preached by A. V. Blood- good, M. D. Murdock, A. Robbins and Wood. In 1877 three new churches were received, Pleasant View, Iowa County, Wapello and Toolesboro. A 3^ear of spiritual de- velopment was granted to the churches. Three hundred and, ten baptisms were reported and a total membership of 1,134. Every church in the Association reported baptisms, the smallest number being two, at Columbus City and the largest 59, at Talleyrand. It is doubtful if a parallel to this increase, all things being considered, can be found m the history of Iowa Baptists. The committee on "State of Religion" said, "The sense of increased responsibility in the churches, the care of the tender lambs of the flock, added to the fold, the new fields of labor opened up, and our largely increased duties in many directions press us to exclaim 'who is sufficient for these things?' " Rev. M. D. Murdock labored part of the year as a missionar}^ in Louisa county, a result, probably, in part at least, of tlie interest awakened two years earlier at the meeting in Columbus City. Rev. B. H. Brasted spent several months in ev^angelistic work, "assisting in the most of the churches.'' Rev. John Warren, for a number of j^ears the faithful and most beloved pastor at Ainsworth, quietly passed away during the year. Also Mrs. Rebecca Groat, mother of Rev. E. G. O. Groat, a member of the Columbus City Church. Rev. J. M. Wood has returned to this field as pastor at Ainsworth. M. I). Murdock is supplying at Columbus City and Louisa Center and E. B. Porter is j)as tor at Zion. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 317 In 1878 the Riverside Baptist Church was received. Rev. A. Robbins has succeeded Rev. A. V. Bloodgood at Washington, Rev. James Jeffreys is preacliing for the Columbus City and Louisa CenterChurch- es, and Rev. A. C. Kelly, brought up in this neighborhood, is the pastor at Riverside and Davis Creek Churches. Brother Robbins preaches also at Eureka. The revival interest of last year has been reasonably well sustained. Churches 17, pastors 10, baptized 119, added in other ways 77, total membership 1118. It is remarked in the able report on the State of Religion, that the number of dead branches cut off in the necessary process of pruning has about equaled the additions. The total number of addi- tions, as seen above, is 196. The number excluded and erased is 187. After the phenomenal ingathering of the last year it is not surprising, in the light of experience, that this pruning should have been needed so soon after, but is rather a proof of vitality in the churches that it is so faithfully done. Rev. N. H. Daily has closed his work at Richmond, and is supplying Howard Grove and Brighton. In 1879 Rev. T. H. Jones is found pastor at Zion. A change of the constitution brought the meeting in the middle of the week. It was an experiment, but in the minutes for 1880 we find this said of its "I Q p (^ success: "The lingerino; doubt, heretofore exist- ing in the minds of some good brethren, that our anniversary meeting could not be successfully held during the middle of the week, especially in the busy season of the year, was completely and satisfactorily removed by the large attend- ance at this, the first annual gathering held under the new arrangement." Only one baptism was reported this year, while on the other hand the spirit of active benevolence was an advance on the last year. Rev. E. A. Spring is preaching at Brighton and Howard Grove, A. J. Delano at 318 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES Keota, and H. L. Steele at New Haven. Rev. J. H. Miller, who has been an important factor in this Association for some six years, is missed from its councils, though still in the neighboring association, the Burlington. For the years 1881 to 1886 the places of annual gathering have been Howard Grove, New Haven, Richmond, Washington, Ains- worth, and Columbus City. The annual sermons have been delivered by Gilman Parker, W. T. Rice, R. J. Lang- ridge, W. L. Wolf, W. D. Elwell, andN. B. Rairden. The Moderators have been J. M. Wood, A. A. Smith three years, W. D. Elwell, and Smith again. N. Littler continued as clerk till 1884, and N. B. Rairden has served the two years since. In 1881 Pastor Robbins has resigned a three years pas- torate at Washington and Rev. Gilman Parker has suc- ceeded him. W. J. Hatch is preaching at Colum- bus City, and other points, and George E Eldridge at New Haven and Tallyrand. Rev. A . Robbins has removed from Washington to Centerville, Iowa. In 1882 Brother J. M. Wood, so long and actively connected with the work in this Association and State, has removed from the State and become a citizen of Harper, Kansas. An interesting com- munication from him was read, and the clerk directed to make suitable response. Rev. T. H. Jones for the last three years a pastor in the Association is also missed from the pastoral roll, and Rev. L. W. Atkins is the pastor at Richmond and Zion churches. At Washington Rev. Gil- man Parker resigned to accept the appointment of State Sunday School Missionary, and the church have called Rev R. J. Langridge to the pastorate. Rev. W. T. Rice is preaching at Ainsworth, and Rev. Jacob Kissell at Louisa Center and Columbus City. Rev. William Elliott, one of the earliest pastors of the Washington Church — active on this field more than thirty years ago— was present at this OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 319 meetins^, fresh almost as youth, and is preaching to the Howard Grove Church. The meeting at Richmond in 1883 was the Fifteenth Anniversary. Rev. W. L. Wolf is pastor at Keota and reports 10 baptized. Richmond, L. W. Atkins 1 QRQ pastor, reports 14. Only two other baptisms in the Association. F'or two or three years a spiritual dearth has prevailed. Rev. C. L. Custer, of Bonaparte, is supply- ing Ainsworth half the time. Rev. G. M. Vallandingham at Howard Grove and Father Elliott at Davis Creek and Louisa Center, also Jacob Kissell at Columbus City, Toolesboro and Wapello. In 1884 we find the Wapello Church disbanded, and Pleasant View and Eureka drop- ped from the minutes according to rule. This reduces the Association to 14 churches, only three or four pastors, 40 baptisms reported and 685 members. A strong appeal was made to the State Convention to aid in the support of a missionary in this field. At the meeting at Ainsworth in 1885, it appeared that not a settled pastor in the Association was in it the year before. Brother Custer supplying at Ainsworth half the time since 1883, but not living within the bounds of the Association, was the only seeming ex- ception to the above remark. The settlement of several new pastors is, however, a hopeful sign. Rev. N. B. Rairden at Washington, W. D. Elwell at Keota, New Haven and Zion, W. L. Wood at Columbus City and J. T. Long at Howard Grove, are the pastors. The record for 1886 is a decided improvement again. Keota reports 53 baptisms and Washington 18. Altogether there are 83 baptisms, 41 other additions and 689 members in 13 churches with .five pastors. Rev. Amos Weaver is pastor at Keota. Other pastors named lastyear. 320 HISTORICAL SKETCHES The liistoiy of the Washington Association has had, as already intimated, some distinguishing features, that mal\e it a study b}^ itself. 1st. Its circumscribed territory and the close neighborhood of its churches to each other. How it contrasts with many of the earlier Associations where attendance on the annual meeting, or a visitation of a missionary character would require, often, the traversing of 50 or 75 and some times more than a hundred miles. In this Association the distance of the farthest churches from each other has at any time been scarcely more than 30 miles, and a majority of them come within a circle of 25 miles. All but one or two are situated in the two coun- ties of Washington and Louisa. Circumscribed, too, by working Associations on every side, there could not be the feeling of "land to be possessed" beyond the present limits, so that the zeal of the body could spend itself on its own narrow field. Not in a selfish sense, for the Wasliing- ton Association has from the first been to the front in its zeal in behalf of the world, but the cultivation of the home field as a special object of effort has been the more effect- ual, doubtless because of these circumscribed limits. Again this Association, in the very beginning, incorporated into its life some methods that have not been so well tried in any other in the State. It is too soon to determine the ultimate practicability- and utilit}^ of these methods, and whether the limited territorj^ has not favored them as a wider range would not, may be a question, but a brief review of one or two of these may be profitable as it is. Before the meeting for the organization of this body, at the recognition of the Zion Church, in May, 1869, the "monthly ministerial and lay conference'' was inaugurated and at the meeting of tliis conference, in Washington, in July, "a fund of $50.00 was raised to purchase books to sell and distribute throughout the country as a means, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 321 under God, to circulate the trutli. as it is revealed in the Bible," etc. Upon the organization of the Association this movement was endorsed, and the Book Fund was increased to $132, and it was provided that the monthly conference of ministers and members should constitnte a board of directors, to whom report might be made when they should direct. This book enterprise was started by voluntary colporteur work on the part of Brethren Wood and Ward, and at the First Anniversary of the Association, that is the second meeting at Davis Creek this report was made: "Books and tracts bought to date, $530.73. Amount dis- posed of, $323; about 15 per cent of which has been given away. Books on. hand, $207.73; on which a debt of $27.28 remains unpaid.'' The same report also states that the monthly conference has been regularly held during the entire year, and has been generally well attended and alway interesting. "At each meeting, with perhaps a single exception, not less than two sermons were preached," besides essays on practical religious topics and appro- priate devotional exercises. In 1872 Elder Ward, Missionary Colporteur re])orted : ''Books and tracts on hand last year, $118.51. Bought dur- ing the year $107. !Sold during the year, $109. Balance stock on hand $116.51. Amount uncollected $4.64. Cash on hand $23.66. Total assetts $144.81. In 1873 Brother Ward is still Colporteur and Agent of Book Fund. He has sold during the year books and tracts to the amount of $88.71, has paid for books, etc., $87.50, and has cash on hand $25.05 and balance of assetts $175.72. In 1875 Broth- er Ward, still Missionary Colporteur reported for two years. He had sold $148.85 worth of books and tracts ; had paid out for new books and tracts, $193.95 and had a bal- ance on hand of $156.32. In 1878 Brother Tracy made a report of fourteen months in which he had sold about $100 322 HISTORICAL SKETCHES worth of books. There was at this time belonging to the Book Fund in money safely loaned, $51.45. Nearly all the Colporteur work, if not quite all, had been free of charge; volunteer work done by the brethren named while acting as pastors. In 1879 a special committee was appoint- ed to take charge of and superintend the "Book Concern." Brethren Littler, Wood, and Jeffries were the committee. Later on the clerlv of the Association seems to have been made the custodian of the Bool^ Concern, and made report annually of purchases, sales etc., amounting to hundreds of dollars. In 1882 a proposition was introduced to divert the funds of the Book Concern into a permanent endow- ment fund, the interest to be used for the-relief of the fam- ilies of deceased Baptist ministers residing within the bounds of the Association, and to provide for the regular increase of the principal of said fund. The whole matter was referred to a committee to report at the next annual meeting, consisting of Rev. R. J. Langridge: Rev. L. W. Atkins and the Moderator, Deacon A. A. Smith. The fol- lowing year, 1888, report was again made by the custodian of the Book Concern by which it appears that the cash in the Fund amounted, including interest to October i, to $100,85. The special committee appointed on "Deceased Baptist Ministers' Widows and Orphans' Fund," reported and after discussion the whole matter was referred back to the same committee and Deacon C. Craven added to the committee, The next year, 1884, on report of this commit- tee it was resolved to create such a fund, by taking up a collection annually at the close of tlie Associational ser- mon, but it does not appear that the suggestion to divert the surplus of the Book Fund into this Second Fund was adopted. . The invested Book Fund in 1884 amounted to $109.41. A like report in 1885 shows a slight increase of cash on hands. We have deemed this history of a special OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 323 enterprise wortliy of detail, because as a factor of Associa- tional history it is uniqae and will at least bear study. It must be admitted that during the last few years the interest has waned to some extent and that in its most prosperous times it has required an amount of gratuitous work that it might be difficult in most Associations to find men so sit- uated that they could render it. Take it all in all the history of the Washington Asso- ciation is full of suggestive seed-thoughts in christian activity, than which few bodies can present more. But little appears concerning the Monthly Conference in the annals of the last few 3'ears, but it is understood that for the most of the time it has been maintained, though not, perhaps, with quite the success of earlier years. The record as to benevolent contributions and missionary spirit is without doubt better than in most bodies of its strength. In connection with the State Convention we have data for an exact statement which we give, and we have good reason to believe that the contributions to other objects are rela- tively as good. In the seventeen years of its existence the Association is credited with the contribution in the regular way to the Convention of $1780.96, or an average of $104.76 per year. To this may be added a special individual con- tribution in 1881 of $406.86, which would make the grand total $2,197.81, or an average of $129.22 per year. During this entire period only $381.96 were appropriated from the Convention treasury for missionary work within the bounds of this Association, and most of the time the churches were contributing more or less for Associational missionary work, under direction of a board appointed from year to year. Brother N. Littler continues to be custodian of the Book Concern, which reports, in 1886, cash on hands $127.40. Amono- the veterans of this Association still living 324 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. thouo'h in feeble in health, is the excellent Rev. W. R. Woodruff. As an illustration of his spirit we take the followino; extract from a report on the State of Religion in the Churches, presented and presumably written by him in 1874. • "By the reading of the letters from the churches, it is plainl}^ seen that an active christian zeal is moving the general interest in tlie Association to a higher plane than we enjoyed one year ago. The lull that seemed to rest upon us then has been broken by precious revivals and additions to the membership, in several of the churches, and consequently greater consecration to the work of the Master, and from them the brethren along almost the entire line have caught the inspiring intiuence, and are earnestly pleading the Divine blessing to rest upon the pastors and brethren, * " ""• that christians may do all they re- solve, till many shall stand where Moses stood and view the promised land, and from thence, like him, cross the flood, borne on in angel hands. AVe do not forget, how- ever, that there are some still reclining by the way. even following at a distance, 3'et we are glad to know that they foUou' with uncovered, fires ready to blaze into active life. "■ '• "■ JS'ow, dear brethren, move on to the conquest. Be encouraged by the past. Trust in the presence and help of our dear Redeemer. His arm is not shortened that it can- not save, nor His ear heavy that he cannot hear. '' This exhortation will al\^ys be appropriate to the readers of this sketch in every time and place. We have no better words with which to mark its final close. CHAPTER XXXIV. The English Rivek Association— Keokuk, Iowa— Powe- sheik and otiiek counties — organized IN 1860—1860 TO 1886. S^HREE new Associations were organized in 1860. One of these was the English River Associa- tion. This body was organized, and had its first meeting with the Church at {South Eng- lish. Rev. J. C. Miles was its first cleric. There were in the organization 8 churclies, 5 of whicli had never been associated. The following is the list: Brooklyn, eJ. C. Miles pastor, 13 members; Cedar Creek, J. Frey, 40 ; Clear Creek, E. Ward, 48 ; Deep River, J. C. Miles, 31 ; Montezuma, 11 members ; 2nd Pella, Wnj. Elliott, 102 ; 2nd Sigourney, J. Frey, 59 ; and South English J. Frey, 50. Total 370, of whom 84 had been baptized and 134 received from all sources duri% the year. 36 had been baptized at 2nd Pella, 13 at Sigourney, and 20 at Deep River. The field of the new Association lay in Keokuk. Powesheik, Iowa, Mahaska, and Marion counties. In 1861 the Association met with the Deep River Church at Dresden, Powesheik county. J. H. Sanders was secre- tary. Rev. J. C. Miles wrote of this field then: "We look upon a large portion of our Association limits as Missionary ground." Some of the churches had 1861. 326 HISTORICAL SKETCHES already received aid from the Convention but tliey were very feeble and would still need it. $85.78 bad been con- tributed in 1861. A good beginning for this pioneer body. A good revival interest when the Association was organ- ized seems somewhat to have abated. Only 10 baptisms reported. Rev. Samuel West is preaching at 2d Sigourney and South English, (There is no 1st Sigourney Church.) Rev. J. C. Miles was missionary of the Convention, preach- ing at Dresden and Brooklyn. The latter piace was at the time "the terminus of the Mississippi & Missouri River R. R., now the Chicago & Rock Island.'' The Third annual meeting, in 1862, was held at Indi- anapolis, in Mahaska county. Samuel Harlan, clerk. Howard Grove, Madison, Marengo and Martins- burg Churches were added. The Martinsburg Church (^ame from the Oskaloosa Association, and was organized in 1852. There are now 493 members in twelve churches. Rev. J. M. Wood is the pastor at Howard Grove. Second Pella and Sigourney are without pastors. Rev. Wm. Elliott is preaching for the Madison Church, six miles north of Oskaloosa and has baptized 16 of the 36 reported. The anniversary in 1863 was at Martinsburg. Samuel Harlan still clerk. Rev. O. L. Crittenden has become pastor at 2nd Pella, Rev. J. Frey at Sigourney; no longer called 2d Sigourney. A church appears at Millers- burg with 9 members, J. C. Miles, pastor. In the winter of 1863 the writer, having just received his appointment as General Missionary and Financial Agent of the Iowa Bap- tist State Convention, made his first trip, on horseback, down through the region of which we now write, Monte- zuma, Dresden, Millersburg; over the bleak, snow covered prairies, from settlement to settlement; the results of course were meagre, but thej^ were something, and they marked the beginning of a period, now looked back to through the OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 327 vista of nearly a quarter of a century with deepest interest, as one of great blessing to tlie worker, and it may be humbly hoped to some others as well. Rev. J. C. Miles was one of the nine missionaries of the Convention that year including the general missionary, and the little Asso- ciation is credited with the honorable sum of $138.25, con- tributed to its treasury. The Association met at Sigouruey in 1864. S. Harlan, clerk. The Montezuma Church does not appear. We were present about 1860 at a council for recogni- tion of a church at Montezuma. There was a good deal of zeal in tlie council^ if not in the church, for the establishment of a live gospel church in this county seat. But alas! the name appears on the records for the next three years with 10 members, no pastor, so far as appears no services, no administration of the ordinances and then disappears. Query: was there ever a Baptist Church at Montezuma? One lesson we learn by such experiences, namely, that we cannot build a New Testament Church in any place unless the Lord give us lively stones to build into the structure. True, there were excellent Christians in this little band at Montezuma, and there may have been at the time good reason to hope for growth, but changes came about, and hence the result we have noted above. The year 1864 seems to have been a fruitful one. One hundred and twenty-three persons were baptized and there were 704 members. The Richland Church, John T. Walker, pastor, was added to the list. There was a church organized at Richland in ] 850, and for several years belonging to the Oskaloosa Association, but of late the name has disappeared. Brother Frey, pastor, reported 30 baptisms at Sigourneyand 27 at Cedar Creek (Indianapolis) Wood at Madison Cliurch 23, Miles at Marengo 11, and West at South En2:lish 13. 328 iiiSTorjCAL sketches 111 1865 the Fifth Anniversary was at Howard Grove. Fremont Church from the Oskaloosa Association and the Brushy Bend and Rock Creelv Churches were re- ceived. It was another year of revivals; 116 bap- tisms, 184 additions, and 859 members. Rev. O. L. Critten- den has been pastor of the 2d Fella Church since 1863 and reports 26 baptized; Frey at Sigourney 10, Wood at How- ard Gfrove 15, and at Madison 27. Wheu we record these successes in winning souls, and then remember the churches as they are known a little later we are reminded of the Sa- viour's words ill reference to the lepers that were cleansed, "Where are the nine T' But we rejoice that there were some to "give glory to God." In 1866 the Association was to meet at 2d Fella" Rev. S. West clerk. Deacon Samuel Harlan liad served as clerk four years. Five new churches were added, viz.: Cherry Grove, Farmersville, Forest Home, Little Mount and Pleasant View. Rev. A. P. Berry is pastor at Fremont, R. M. Tracy at Forest Home and Pleas- ant View, and S. E. Nelson at Richland. Rev. Wm. Elli- ott labored as Missionar}" of the Association, receiving i^550 for his services, besides which the ciiurches of the Associ- ation contributed sB 115.90 to the Convention treasury in 1866. South English entertained the Association in 1867. The Agricola, New Haven, Pleasant Ridge, and South River Churches were received. The name of the Clear 1 Q p; Y Creek Church is changed to Talleyrand. There are now 24 churches, 8 pastors, 230 baptisms reported, 408 additions from allsources, and 1235 members. The growth in 1867 is something remarkable. It is a revival year throughout tlie state, the whole number of baptisms being 1673, the largest number readied since 1857, wlien there were 1800 baptized. Eiglitof the 24 churches have meeting houses, viz : Cedar Creek, Fremont, Howard Grove, New R LV. MORGAN EDWARDS. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 329 Haven, 2d Pella, South English, Forest Home, and Sigour- ney. On t]iis field oE 24 churehes and over 1200 members, ten Noais tailier there were not to exceed four or five churcht'S and perhaps 150 members. In 1868 the Association met at Indianapolis. J. McCoy clerk. Rev. R. M. Tracy had been for two years Mission- ary of the Convention in a part of this field. In acknowledging the favor of the Convention in his report lie says, " though we shall attempt to sustain our- selves, it will be a pleasure to welcome 3'our agent in our mid?'. We believe it is 'more blessed to give than to re- ceive. '" In 1869 Marysville was the place of meeting. Samuel Harlan Moderator, James McCoy clerk. The revi- val of the last two or three years has in a measure subsided; 71 baptisms are reported, and 1381 members; 29 of the bap- tisms were at the South River Church, S. Ferguson, pastor. Rev. J. G. Craven had been pastor a year or so at 2d Pella, but had resigned. Met in 1870 at Agricola Church. Bro. McCoy still clerk. Rev. M. Gregson is preaching at Agri- cola and Little Mount, S. E. Nelson at Cedar Creek and Springfield — the latter a new organization with 22 mem- bers, 12 of whom were baptized during the year. Wm. Elliott at Cherry Grove and Linn Grove, G. W. Cutting at Deep River; S. Ferguson at Farmersville and South River, R. M. Tracy at Forest Home, H. H. Parks, at Howard Grove, O. L. Critenden at his old place in 2d Pella, and Amos Pratt at Sigourney and South English. The value of church property in the Association is )^20,500. In 1871 met at Cherry Grove, Mahaska county. Rev. J. W. CofTman clerk. Baptisms 119. Rev. O. M. Merrick was pastor at Brooklyn and at Malcomb, a new organization on the Rock Island railroad. Rev. J. McCoy at Cedar Creek (In- dianapolis), G. M. A'allandingham at North River, G. W. Dowd at Fremont and Richland, H. A. Sarvis at South 330 HISTORICAL SKETCHES' River, J. W. Coflmanat Sigourney, and M. Gregson at Little Mount and Springfield. The Little Mount Clmrch, seven miles west of Montezuma, is the oldest anywhere in its vi- cinity, having been organized in 1855. Brother Gregson, whose home is here, was probably instrumental in its organ- ization. He was here in 1856. Forty-one baptisms were re- ported at Rock Creek (What Cheer), and 24 at South English. Met in 1872 at Sigourney. Rev. S. West has returned to the pulpit at South English and Wm. Elliott at Cherry Grove. Agricola now numbers 160, 15 of whom -I QY9 have been baptized during the year, H. A. Sarvis pastor. Prairie View Church is just received, with 18 bap- tisms and 33 members, S. E. Nelson pastor. The Howard Grove, New Haven and Talleyrand Churches united, in 1870, with the Washington Association. The anniversary in 1873 was at Springfield. Rev. A. W. Sutton has become pastor at 2d Pella, J. C. McSpadden at South River. Met in 1874 at Little Mount. Rev. J. T. Long appears as pastor at Richland. For the last three years James McCoy, S. West and J. Frey have served as clerks. For the years 1875 to 1880 inclusive, the anniversaries have been at Rich- land, What Cheer, South English, North River, Fairview Church and Fremont. Brethren West and McCoy served as clerks. Brother West for 1875 and 1880, and Brother McCoy the four intervening years. In 1875 the Agricola Churcli, seven miles soutlieast of Montezuma, reported 4 baptisms and 100 members, against 160 three years before. This church, organized in 1867, out of the raw quarry as we might say, and reporting the next year 110 members, has a history that will do to study as a type of its class. 9 of 16 churches in the Association in 1875 report no additions and 10 of them no preaching. In 1876 there is some increase, 87 baptisms were reported, and 843 members against 761 the previous OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 331 year. Rev. J. M. Wood is at Fremont and Fairview, and reports on the two fields 43 baptisms. Rev. T. L. Crandall, a recent student of the Central University, is settled at Sigourney. Rev. E. B. Porter preaclied at Rock Creek (What Cheer) and at Prairie View. In 1877 Rev. H. Whitney appears as pastor of the Springfield Church, now Delta, and in 1878 S. J. Davis at Cherry Grove. The 2d Pella Church, after a career, at first prosperous, then va- riable, then of steady decline, has finally disappeared from the records. Some veiy excellent spirits have been in the ministry and in the membership of that churcli and it had its day of usefulness and made an honorable record. Its contributions to the benevolent work of the denomination were exceptionally liberal. Though the candle stick may not be longer needed in that place, the light that was kin- dled upon it has not gone out. loka reports with B. Hol- lingsworth pastor in 1879, and Brother Crandall has resigned a three years' pastorate at Sigourney. S. E. Nel- son, S. J. Davis, M. Gregson, J. Grey, G. M. Vallandingham, and S. West are the pastors. In 1880, R. M. Tracy has assumed the pastorate at loka, and reports 14 baptisms and 57 members. The Rock Creek Church has changed its name to What Cheer. Rev. James Frey, Sr., who came to Iowa when he was seventy years old, and who was instrumental in organizing the Rock Creek Church, quietly passed to his rest January 3, after two years' painful suffering from cancer. From 1881 to 1886, the Anniversaries were held at Wi}at Cheer, loka, Sigourney, South English, What Cheer again and Fremont. Its records were kept for the respec- tive years by S. West, James McCoy, West again, and Mc- Coy the last three years. In 1881. we find F. N. Byram pastor at Fairview, and in 1882 A. C. Edwards at Sigourney and Delta. In 1883 H. Shallenberger is preaching at loka 332 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. and James Jeffries at AVhat Cheer, and in 1885 A. H. Ly- ons at Sigourney. A number of pastors in this Associa- tion have done patient and steady worlv in their fields for many years; notably Brother Gregson at Little Mount, fifteen or more years of steady work, Brother West at South Englisli and Brother Frey at Sigourney and other points. Mention has been made of Agricola Church. A. compari- son of this and the Little Mount Church, about the same distance in opposite directions from Montezunm, the coun- ty seat of Poweshielv county, will give a fair illustration of two opposite types of Church life. From the organization of the Agricola Church it was but a very few years until it numbered 160 members, most of whom had been baptized into its fellowship. Then it began to depline as rapidly — nothing to report, and in about fourteen years from its or- ganization disappears from the records. For three or four years S. E. Nelson was the successful pastor, then for a few years more there were different supplies, and after about eleven years no further service reported. On the other hand, from the organization of the Little Mount Church in 1855 Rev. M. Grregson, with an occasional year or two of intermission, has been their steady pastor, most of the time doubtless laboring at his own charges, and though in an obscure field witli limited opportunities for growth, there have been many evidences of church life through at least 25 years of its existence. In 1885 there 12 churches, 7 pastors, 36 baptisms reported and 705 mem- bers. In 1886 there is not mucli to report. This Associa- tion is evidently suffering depletion from the same causes as many others in the older parts of the State, and there may be causes peculiar to itself. It has no strong church- es. The only church numbering 100 is Sigourney. The largest number of baptisms in the last six years was 56 in 1884. The average per year has been less than 30. CHAPTER XXXV NoKTH Eastern Iowa — Tukkey Rivek Association. Territory Occupied by the Davenport — Then Dubuque— Then the Turkey River Asso- ciation-Organized 1860-1860 TO ]886. yOR much of the matter contained in this Sketch we are indebted to a history of the Tur- key River Association, written by Rev. Charles E. Brown and printed in tlie minutes for 1875. The oldest churches of this Association were found, first in the Davenport, and afterwards in the Dubuque Association. At the meeting of the Dubuque Association, held at ])elhi in 1860, a resolution was pre- sented by Rev. Charles E. Brown and adopted, recom- mending a division of the Association, and granting letters of dismission for the purpose, to such churches as might desire to enter into the formation of a new Asso- ciation on the north. At a meeting of brethren inter- ested, during a recess of the same S(?ssion, a convention of delegates from churches so desiring, was called to meet at West Union in the following month. This Convention was held in July, 1860. An introduc- tory sermon was preached b}' Elder Brown. Elder John 334 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Williams, of West Union, called the Convention to order. Brother Brown was elected Moderator and A. Bush, clerk. Revs. George Scott, L. M. Newell, E. G. O. Groat and John Williams were appointed a committee to draft Con- stitution and By-Laws, which, as reported by the commit- tee, were adopted, and the organization completed. The churches named in the organization are: Erie, lUyria, New Oregon, Oran, Rossville, Strawberry Point, Vernon Springs, Waukon, Westfield and West Union. There are 10 churches, 6 pastors and 352 members. The pastors were: George Scott, C. E. Brown, James Schofield, L. M. Newell, A. Bush and John Williams. In his historical paper, Brother Brown gives us this in- formation concerning the beginnings of Baptist work in what is now the territory of the Turkey River Association. "The first Baptist Church in this territory was organized by Elder Miles, in January, 1841, at Winnebago Mission, on Yellow River, in Allamakee county, consisting of 11 members. Elder Miles and some of the members removed to Wisconsin; others left and this pioneer church soon lost its visibility." This Elder Miles came from Indiana and is supposed to have been the first Baptist minister to preach the Gospel in Northeastern Iowa. "Two of the constituent members of this church were still living in Iowa in 1875, — John and Hiram Francis — one in Clayton county near National, the other in Allamakee near Ross- ville." "The second Baptist Church within the territory was organized in 1848, by Elders B. F. Brabrook, Ira Blanchard and C. E. Brown, in a settlement a short dis- tance northeast of Elkader, and called the First Baptist Church of Clayton county. Several persons were baptized on the day the church was organized." Elder Blanchard was instrumental in gathering this church, and traveled a distance of 40 miles and back to supply them with preach- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 335 ing once a month. In 1849 we find this church represented by Rev. Ira Blanchard in the State Convention, meeting at Iowa City. Also in the report of the Executive Board of the Convention made at this same meeting, it? is stated that Rev. Ira Blanchard, on the 2nd of October, 1848, was re- commended to the Home Mission Society, " to preach at the Delaware county, Cascade, Fairview and Clayton county churches, with an appropriation of $100 for one year. The first statistical account we have of this church is in 1861, when in the Davenport Association it is named without a pastor, with these statistics. Received by letter 11; by ex- perience 1; dismissed 21; died 1; present number 15. Soon after, or about this time the First Baptist Church of Clay- ton county ceased to exist. These organizations represent the first beginnings of Baptist work in Northeast Iowa. The third organization was at West Union, in 1852. "On the 19th day of May, 1853, this church resolved to purchase a lot and proceed to erect a small house of wor- ship, not to exceed in size 20x26 feet. This was the first meeting house built in the territory of this Association. The second was built by the church at Strawberry Point and dedicated August, 1857. Of the field to be cultivated by this new Association, Rev. George Scott says in a report to the convention in the fall of 1860, "It embraces a terri- tory of a little more than 3,346 square miles, with a popu- lation of no less than 60,000. It has within its bounds only three Baptist Church edifices, and one of these is so small that it is not occupied. Allowing the other two to afford accommodations for 500 each — which is probably beyond their capacity- -we have sanctuary accommodations for only one in sixty, and one minister to 8,571 souls. Truly the field is already white to the harvest." The first anniversary of the Association was held at B36 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Waukon September 6tli, 1861. Rev. A. Busli preached the introductorv sermon, from Galatians YI:2. 1 RR 1 " Rev. J. Schofield was chosen Moderator and Alva Bush clerk. Tlie^ Baptist church at McGrregor was received into the Association with 28 members, Rev. L. M. Whitman pastor. They have just completed a house of worship and bid fair to exert an extensive influence in the community and the Association. There are now in the Association 13 churches, 7 pastors, 10 persons baptized during the year, and 418 members. The pastors are George Scott, Strawberry Point and Erie; C. E. Brown, Lime Springs and Yernon Springs; L. M. Whitman. McGregor; J. A. Pool, Rossville ; J. Schofield, Waukon; A. Bush, Westfield, and John Williams, West Union. The second annual meeting was held with the McGregor Church Friday, June 13, 1862, the time of meeting having been changed from September to June. The 1 RR 9 introductory sermon was by Rev. John AYilliams of West Union, from 1st Timoth}^ 1:11, ''The glorious gospel of the blessed God.'' Brother Williams was chosen Moderator, and G. M. Colgate of McGregor clerk. Some evidence of revival appears in the statistics. Two new churches have been organized this year; the Union Church at Pleasant Ridge with 41 members, of whom 35 were re- ceived by baptism, and the Paint Creek Church with 14, of whom 9 have been baptized during the j^ear. Seventy- three baptisms reported and 525 members. The name of Brother Scott is not found, but reappears two years later in the Western Iowa Association. Brother James Sunder- land is preaching at Strawberry Point. Among the visitors is Brother Jackson of Milwaukee, who soon after becomes pastor at McGregor, Elder Whitman having resigned. At Rossville Rev. John A. Pool had baptized 27 of the 73 reported. • OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 337 The Third Anniversaiy was at West Union, in 1863. May 27, Elder John A. Pool preached the sermon. Moder- , „ „„ ator C. E. Brown, clerk G. M. Colgate of McGreg- 1 obo. gor. Brother Bush read a Circular Letter upon the "Importance of Love for the Church.'' The Fourth Anniversary was held at Strawberry Point in 1864. Eev. John Jackson preached the sermon, C. E. Brown, Modera- tor, Brother Colgate again clerk. The Volga City Church was received and the Hardin Church dropped. Brother Sunderland read a Circular Letter upon " The Importance of Fidelity in Maintaining our Denominational Principles. " Rev. J, B. Ward is preaching at Ward's Corners and Fay- ette, and F. Hill at West Union. Pastor John Jackson is succeeded at McCirregor by Rev. C. T. Tucker. The begin- ning of an honorable record of service for the Master in Iowa. Brother Sunderland supplies the new church at Volga City in connection with his home church at Straw- berry Point. The Fifth Anniversary in 1865 was at Rossville, com- mencing on Friday, June 2. Brother Tucker presiding and Deacon Colgate still clerk. Sermon by Brother 1 p « R ^ "^ Sunderland. The Ossian Church was received. Rev. J. M. Wedgewood pastor. Organized in April, 1864. The McGrregor Church have been specially prospered, re- porting 33 baptized, Volga City 10, and Ossian 7; whole number of baptisms 57, members 563. In 1866 McGregor was the place of meeting. Preacher and Moderator, James Sunderland, clerk unchanged. The York Church on Bro. Sunderland's field was received with 14 members. The Paint Creek and lUyria Churches have become extinct. This was an inspiring session. The clerk made this mem- orandum. "On Monday morning the delegates separated for their homes delighted with their pleasant visit and suc- cessful anniversary, while the friends in McGregor felt sad 338 HISTORICAL SKETCHES that the session was not of longer duration. '' Collections were taken amounting to $73.10 for the Convention, and $55.91 for the Missionary Union. The present writer had the honor of taking that collection for the Convention, Rev. C. F. Tolman representing the Missionary Union. Rev. C. D. Farnsworth was at the time pastor at Rossville and Waukon. Other pastors were Ward, Wedgewood and Sunderland, Brother Tucker having about this time closed his labors at McGregor and removed to Charles City, Iowa. In 1867 the Anniversary was at Strawberry Point. The opening sermon was delivered by Elder J. B. Ward of Ward's Corners. Rev. F. Kidder Moderator, Colgate clerk. Only six baptisms reported. Rev. John Jackson returned to the pastorate at McGregor aud died during the year, greatly beloved and lamented. Deacon George M. Colgate of McGregor, the excellent cferk of this Association since 1862, also "died full of faith and good works. " Brother Colgate was connected with the well-known Colgate family of NewYork, and did not fail, by his earnest and christian life, to honor tlie name here in the west. Rev. F. Kidder is the pastor and able preacher at Strawberry Point and Volga City. D. S. Starr, at Wau- kon and West Union, is Missionary of the Association and Convention. Rev. A. W. Hilton began about this time a few years of earnest and self-sacrificing work in this part of Iowa. This was the fifth consecutive anniversary of the Turkey River Association that the writer had attended. As we write, this history of the Association during the event- ful years of the "Sixties" seems like a part of our own his- tory. The Eighth Anniversary was held with the church at West Union in 1868. Sermon by Rev. F. Kidder, who was elected Moderator, and J. M. Wedgewood clerk. Some advance movement is apparent in the reports. Nearly all the churches are supplied with preaching at least a part of OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 339 the time. Three new churches have been organized, viz. : Decorah, Castalia, and Grand Meadow, 'under the labors re- spectively of Brethren Starr, Wedgewood, and Hilton. Rev. J. M. Stiller (now Dr. Stiller ol: Penn.,) supplied the church at McGregor for a time. Volga City was supplied by A. G. Emery, a member of the church. Whole number of bap- tisms 39, members 540. In 1869 the ninth annual meeting was at Ward's Corners. A. W. Hilton preached the ser- mon. Deacon Benjamin Morse of West Union was Mod- erator, L. F. Carrier of Strawberry Point clerk. Rev. R, P, Powers was pastor at Fayette and West Union, P. S. Whitman at Lime Springs, S. Sill at Strawberry Point, and W. Chapman at Vernon Springs, besides pastors be- fore named. The church at Ward's Corners was formerly the Erie Church. Rains and high waters greatly hindered the success of the meeting in 1869. The tenth anniversary in 1870 was at Rossville, preach- er S. Sill, Moderator J. M. Wedgewood, clerk L. F. Carrier. The Taylorsville Church was organized in 1870, F. Kidder pastor. Rev, W. C. Wright is preaching at McGregor, L. L. Frisk at Waukon, and C. J. B. Jackson at West Union. Also C. Spragg at Volga City. There are now (1870) 16 churches, 12 pastors, 30 baptisms reported, and 605 members. The largest church as to membership is Ward's Corners, with 71. Only three others have over 50, and no church in the Association has ever had 100 any one year. Met in 1871 at McGregor. Rev. W. Chapman, pastor for two or three years at Vernon Springs, preached the ser- mon, Moderator C. E. Brown, clerk Carrier. Rev. F. Kidder has succeeded S. Sill at Strawberry Point. Lime Springs entertained the body in 1872. Brother Wedge- wood preached the sermon, C. E. Brown clerk. Brother Hilton closed, about this time, his labors in this part of the state, and another year will be found in Western Iowa. 340 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Rev. D. p. Maiyatt is supplying Council Hill, J, H. Beach Forrestville, Thomas Lire Lime Springs, and G. M. Adams at Waukon. Forrestville Church was received in 1871. Decorah and Tajlorsville Churches have disappeared. In 1873 met at Waukon, C. E. Brown preacher and Moderator, Thomas Ure clerk. Rev. E. K. Cressey, preaching at Mc- Gregor, reported 36 baptized, Brother Ure at West Union 6, Lime Springs 6, and Castalia 2. Total baptisms 50, members 551. Rev. J. E. Rockwood was present represent- ing the Baptist Sundaj^ School Union. Brother Ure preached an annual missionary sermon, and a collection of $40 was taken for the Convention. The Forrestville and Volga City Churches disappear from the records. Waukon and West Union are engaged in building. The anniversary in 1874 was at Strawberry Point. Rev. F. Kidder preached the opening sermon. Thomes Ure, clerk. Rev. E. P. Dye is preaching at Rossville and reports 65 baptisms, Council Hill reports 16, and Rev. L. M. Whiting is pastor at Strawberry Point and reports a new organization at Edgewood, with 13 bap- tisms and 42 members. Whole number of churches 14; pastors 6; baptisms 106; members 671. A revival has been enjo^^ed, greater, seeminglj^, than ever before in this Asso- ciation. The Fifteenth Anniversary in 1875 was held at McGregor. L. M. Whiting, annual preacher. J. M. Wedge- wood, Moderator, Thomas Ure, clerk. Rev. J. C. Douglass preaclied for a short time at West Union. At this meeting Rev. Charles E. Brown read his history of the Association for our indebtedness to which acknowledgment was made in the beginning of this Sketch. Brother Morse wrote a circular letter which was adopted and ordered printed in the Minutes. The annual meeting in 1876 was at West Union. A. A. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 341 Johnson, of A¥est Union, clerk. A cliurcli had been organ- ized at Clearmont, and appears upon the records -1 QVP) with 10 members, and Volga City is restored with 12. A committee, consisting of Brethren Whiting, Wedgewood and Williams, had been appointed to visit the brethren at Volga City during June, 1875. Rev. John Brown is their pastor. Brother Wedgewood is still pastor at Waukon, the only old pastor left. Rev. L. M. Whiting has removed from Strawberry Point to Manchester, Epwortli and Farley in the Dubuque Asssociation. Rev. C. H. Mitchel- more is at Strawberry Point. Tlie great revival at Ross- ville two years before had been followed by the usual reaction, but they rejoice that some seed fell upon good ground and is bringing forth fruit to the glory of God. In 1877 Clearmont was the place of meeting. A. A. John- son, clerk. Rev. C. E. Brown has again taken up the gos- pel trumpet at Lime Springs. Rev. M. H. Perry is pro- claiming the glad tidings at West Union and Clearmont. Castalia entertained the meeting in 3878. Brother Johnson still clerk. Rev. F. N. Eldridge has succeeded Brother Wedgewood at Waukon. The Vernon Springs Church has disappeared and Cresco Church seems to take its place. Randalia has a church of 34 members, of whom 13 have been baptiy>ed during the year, Rev. M. H. Perry pastor in connection with West Union. Rev. E. W. Green is the preacher at Cresco and Lime Springs. In 1879 Rossville was the place of meeting. Rev. J. C. Harrington appears as preacher at Ward's Corners. Brother Green at Cresco is sustained by the Convention, and a meeting house is the great need there. From 1880 to 1886 the anniversaries have been at Ward's Corners, Cresco, Waukon, West Union, Strawberry Point, Lime Springs, and Rossville. A. A. Johnson continued to serve 342 HISTORICAL SKETCHES as clerk until 1885, when Rev. F. W. C. Wiggin was clerk, and in 1886 F. Y. Whitmore. A church had been organized at Fort Atkinson in 1880, and Elder C. E. Brown was pastor. Rev. E. W. Green baptized 16 at Cresco. Rev. A. F. Sharpnack is at Strawberry Point, and R. H. Shafto at Ward's Corners. M. H. Perry has removed from the Asso- ciation and become pastor at Fredericksburg, in the Cedar Valley. The Castalia, Edgewood and Grand Meadow Churches have disappeared from the list. In 1881 Rev. E. W. Green had removed to Wisconsin and A. H. Carman had succeeded him at Cresco, and F. N. Eldridge from Waukon to Shenandoah in Southwestern Iowa. But M, H. Perry had returned and was preaching at Waukon. Rev. A. C. Nichols began labor about this time at West Union. The McGregor Church made no report. But two baptisms were reported in the Association. These were in Waukon. Rev. A. F. Sharpnack removed from Strawberry Point to Audubon, in the west part of the State. In 1882 Brother Perry appeared at Strawberry Point and Ward's Corners, and Rev. Robert Smith was pastor at Waukon. Only 11 persons were baptized and the membership 485. In 1883 Pastor Robert Smith immersed 12, buttlierewas little other advance. In 1884 Rev. E. R. Pierce appeared as preacher at Lime Springs. Brethren Carman and Perry are the only other pastors. The McGregor Church finally disappears from the records. This is the saddest case of church mortality in our knowledge. A live town like Mc- Gregor! A church containing the live elements that this once did, with a good live Sabbath School, become com- pletely extinct! Can this be the final end^ In 1885 Rev. F. W. C. Wiggin had been laboring at Waukon and perhaps some other points with marked sue- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. ^ 343 cess. Baptisms at Waukon 23, Cresco 15, West Union 15, Rossville 7, Lime Springs 6, and Hawkeye and Strawberry Point one each. Whole number of baptisms 68, members 511. Brother J. O. Dean was preaching at Olwein and Randalia. Rev. M. H. Perry removes to western Iowa, and after a brief stay in the Sioux Valley is found preach- ing at Silver City in southwestern Iowa The year 1886 found Rev. G. H. Starring at Waukon, and P. Bower at West Union. Other pastors are Carman, Wedge wood, Brown and Kidder. Number baptized 33, members 519. From reports since the annual meeting there is reason to hope for an increase and a better report in 1887. The Turkey River Association occupies the terri- tory comprising the counties of Fayette, Clayton, Allama- kee, Winneshiek and Howard. It has been from the first a most unfavorable soil for the growth of Baptist churches, and as time has wrought its usual changes in the character of the populations the unfavorable conditions have in- creased instead of diminishing. A large part of the popu- lation of the counties named is foreign, and the Catholic church has here a very strong hold and is increasing that hold by buying out the settlers who remove farther west. There is also a large Scandinavian population which is anti-Baptistic. The largest Norwegian College in the west is located within the territory of this Association at Deco- rah. The brethren who have labored on and held on in this barren field are worthy of all praise for their fidelity to the principles we all hold dear. The church at Strawberry Point has had a history that is worthy of special mention. Organized in 1856, it ap- peared in the Dubuque Association with 21 members that year. Rev. George Scott pastor. This brother seems to have remained as pastor most of the time for six or seven years. The growth was never rapid nor did it ever attain 344 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. to a large membership even for a village church, but among those connected with it have been some of the brightest families that Iowa has known, and from its ranks have come such workers as Rev. Alva Bush, James Sunderland and wife and John E. Clough and wife. Brother Clough may not have been at any time a member of this church, yet his home was there, and his wife's family, and they are intimately associated in the thought of many with Straw- berry point. Few churches are so honored in this respect. Brother Scott's ministry at this place was one of faith if not of sight. His account of their struggle to get a meeting house, we well remember. They had come to a stand -still financially and the work had to stop. Money was not to be had. Finally the pastor went out among the farmers, and prevailed with them to consecrate, perhaps one a colt, anotl}er a calf or a pig, etc., etc. These animals to be tak- en care of by the donors until ready for market, when they became the property ol the church and were sold, and the work completed and paid for. CHAPTER XXXYI. North and West — The Great Northern Valley of THE Des Moines River — 1852 — Upper Des Moines Association Organized IN 1860— 1860 to 1870. E desire hereby to acknowledo-e indebtedness, in tlie preparation of this sketch, to N. E. Gfoldthwaite, Esq., o£ Boone, Iowa, for a painstaking history furnished by him to the Historical Committee of the State Conven- tion in 1884, and used extensively in our preparation of this chapter. In his paper Brother Gold- thwaite says: "The territory embraced in this Association consists of the counties of Story, Boone, Green, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Wright, Humbolt, Pocahontas, Palo Alto, Kossuth, and half of one or two others, or about one-seventh part of the state of Iowa. The population, by the census of 1880, was 126,519. In climate, soil, surface, minerals, timber and well watered prairies it is probably unsurpassed by any other region of equal extent on the face of the globe. In the last few years this vast extent of arable land, containing over 6,000,000 acres, has been penetrated in every direction by railways and telegraphs, while little towns, centers of future populations, are spring- ing up with wonderful vigor and rapidity." A grand "field for planting and watering the germs of future gospel 346 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES cliurclies ! '' "Tlie history of Baptist work in tliis territory dates back as far as 1851. About that time Rev. Wm. J. Sparks, formerly of North Carolina, came from Indiana and settled near the Des Moines River in Boone county. Father Sparks was one of that numerous class of non-slave- holding whites who tied with their families from the blighting influence of human chattelism to enjoy the free institutions of the North. Many of the early settlers of Boone county were of this class. Very soon after the arrival of Brother Sparks appear evidences of his work, extending from the southwest part of Boone count}^ to Homer, in Hamilton county." The North Union Baptist Church, now five or six miles south of Moingona, was the first Baptist church organized in the large territory now occupied b}^ this Association. This was in 1852, and was probably at that time the farthest northwest of any Baptist church in existence on this continent, unless Ezra Fisher or Hezekiah Johnson, who left Iowa for Oregon, the one in 1844, and the other in 1845, may have founded churches on that far distant coast at an earlier date than that of which we now write. This they and other pioneers to the Oregon coast undoubtedly did. But taking our stand with this infant church at North Union 34 years ago as we now write, (1886) we may safely assume that there is not, in this vast expanse between us and the Pacific Slope, a single Baptist church. In 1851, it is true, one 3'ear prior to the organization of this church there is mention of a church at Corey Grove, near the line between Polk and Story counties, that might be considered as bordering on the territory of this Association and should have mention here, but this church is simpl}^ named in the minutes of the Central Associ- ation — then occupying this ground — with 10 members, but no other statistics, for a few years and then disappears. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 347 The following account of the organization of the North Union Church is from Rev. E. G. O. Groat, at one time (la- ter) pastor of the church, and is evidently taken from the church records. "Perry township, Boone county, Iowa, February, 1852, a few brethren and sisters met on Saturday before the second Sabbath to consult whether they would unite in constituting a church. It was resolved to proceed to organization. Letters were read recommending Rev. Wm. J. Sparks, Sarah Sparks, Jesse Williams, Susan- nah Williams, Samuel Williams, and Susannah Hursh, Organized by choosing Wm. J. Sparks Moderator and Samuel Williams clerk. As there were no other churches in the country for many miles from which to get helpers, therefore the church was constituted by Elder Wm. J. Sparks and called the Union Baptist Church. The door was opened for the reception of members, and John King was received by relation and Linda Hurst by experience." Rev. Wm. J. Sparks became pastor and Samuel Williams clerk. In August 1852 Articles of Faith were adopted. The church prospered and gathered many members, reach- ing out north, south, east and west for many miles around. Members were received by letter, others were baptized. The church extended an arm into Webster county, another into the north part of Boone county, and still another arm to the east side of the river, which afterwards became the Boonsboro Church. In July, 1853, a number of members were dismissed to form the Great Bend Church, in Webster county, and August 13, 1853, several more received letters to form the Mount Pleasant Church, at Mineral Ridge. It has also con- tributed to nearly all the churches for many miles around, both members and ministers. These churches remained unassociated until 1854, when the North Union Church appears as connected with the Central Iowa Association, 348 HISTORICAL SKETCHES and reports 29 baptized and 31 received by letter and experi- ence. The total membership is reported — probably by mistake — at only 17. It may have been, however, that the baptisms and additions were the total since the organiza- tion, and include those in the organizations that have gone out; for the next year North Union reports but 21. There also appears in the Minutes of the Central Association, in 1851, a church called Boon Forks, W. J. Sparks, pastor, reporting 8 baptisms, 4 received in other ways and 22 mem- bers. This church continued to be reported under this name for several years, and then disappeared. It was prob- ably the station at or near Homer, where Elder Sparks is noticed as preaching in these early days. The churches at Swede Bend and Mount Pleasant, formed by dismis- sions from North Union in 1852, as noted above, do not appear associated for several years yet. In 1855 a church was organized at Iowa Center and reports 14 members. Rev. Ira H. Rees, pastor. Brother Rees was probably the second pastor on this great field. He came from Indi- ana in 1855 and located in Story county. In 1858 we find Brother Rees appointed by the Convention Board to labor in Boone and Story counties. In a report drawn up by Rev. T. S. Griffith, secretary of the convention, we find these words: "It has fallen to him to lay foundations where none have preceded him. A church has been organized at Boonesboro, which he makes the center of his labors. Baptist sentiments find favor with the people, and if he can be sustained we may reasonably expect to see large returns for the means expended upon this important sec- tion of the State." He had baptized 12 persons. We have dwelt thus upon the history of Baptist work preliminary to the organization of this Association for the reason that it is the beginning, in a very large and repre- sentative section, of our great Baptist, as well as civil cohi- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 349 monwealth. In 1858 Rev. O. A. Holmes removed from Maquoketa, Jackson county, to Webster City, and we find there an unassociated church of 12 members, and in 1859 still unassociated with 31 members, of whom 12 have been added by baptism and 19 from all sources. Brother Holmes was probably the third minister on this entire field, though in the same year we find the name of J. Corey preaching at Iowa Center, and it may be that he was at Corey Grove in the organization there in 1851. In 1860 we find mention in the Central Association of "the dismission of five churches to form a new association. Accordingly, the Upper Des Moines Association was organ- ized in 1860, at a meeting held with the Mount Pleasant Church, in Boone county. Rev. O. A. Holmes preached an opening sermon and was elected Moderator. The churches represented in the organization were: Great Bend, Jno. D. Cassaday,pa8tor, 23 members; Mount Pleasant, Wm. J. Sparks, 89; North Union, W. J. Sparks, 35; Swede Bend, L. L. Frisk, 25; Squaw Creek, no pastor, 8, and Webster City, O. A. Holmes, 48. Webster City reported 27 bap- tisms that year, Mount Pleasant 4, and Swede Bend 6. There were therefore in the organization 6 churches, 4 pas- tors, 37 baptisms reported and 178 members. Rev. Ira H. Rees was the clerk. There were at the time, in the State, sixteen associations, 246 churches and 11,484 members. Besides the churches mentioned above as organized by Rev. Wm. J. Sparks, was another in the western part of Boone or eastern part of Greene county called Buffalo Grove, in 1858. This organization, which continued only for one year, is noticed in the history of the Western Iowa Association. The Association met at Great Bend. Rev. Wm. J. Sparks preached the sermon, O. A. Holmes Moderator and I. H. Rees clerk. Churches at Algona, Boonsboro and Fort 350 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Dodge, all organized in 1861, are added with 18, 13 and 10 members respectively. The organization by Brother Rees at Boonsboro in 1858, seems to have become extinct, hence the new organization. L, L. Frisk is pastor at Boonsboro and Swede Bend, O. A. Holmes at Fort Dodge and Webster City, J.D. Cassaday at Great Bend, Wm. J. Sparks at Mt. Pleasant and North Union, and I. H. Rees at Squaw Creek. Churches 9, pas- tors 5, baptisms 8; total membership 234. Met at North Union in Father Sparks' barn. Preacher, O. A. Holmes, who is again Moderator, and I. H. Rees, clerk. "It is evidently a year of dearth, and walkingby faith not by sight. Only two persons added by baptism and only ten added in all. " The name of L. L. Frisk disappears from the list and no new pastor is added. In a report to the Convention of this meeting. Brother Rees says, "We were permitted to enjo}^ a very harmonious and pleasant session. We occupy a very im- portant field. The whole of the northern valley of the Des Moines River seems in the Providence of God, to be our field. Our churches are weak. We pray and have faith in the Great Head of the church, that these churches will yet be, under God, strong and efficient. We are now lay- ing the foundation upon which future generations are to build. We hope to, under God, lay the foundation in the right direction upon the missionary question. We have spread upon our Minutes a request for each member to do something each year for missionary purposes. '' Webster City is the place of meeting. Ira H. Rees preached the annual sermon. Holmes Moderator, Rees -, op^a clerk. Churches 10, baptized 16, whole number 239, pastors 5. Rev. A. W. Russell is preaching at Boonsboro and Fort Dodge. A church was organized at Iowa Falls in 1862, and is received this year with 20 mem- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 351 bers. Rev. O. A. Holmes is dividing his time between this and the Webster City church. Three baptisms were reported at Squaw Creek, 6 at Webster City, 4 at Boons- boro, 2 at Great Bend and one at Swede Bend, We have in the annual report of the State Convention for 1863, drawn up by Bro. J. P. Childs, the Secretary, a most striking view of the situation of the great field largely dependent then upon this little Association for the means of grace. The report says: '* Supposing for the present the eye be turned from three-fourths of the State, * * " and turn it upon the north-western part of the State included in a line directly north of the capitol, to Minnesota, and west from the same place of beginning to the Missouri River. This includes about 40 counties, many of whicli are pretty well settled, and in many of them are centres of important rail- road, commercial and social interest. In all this vast ter- ritory there are not more than two Baptist ministers, and one of these is in too infirm health to preach, or at most, only occasionally. To say it is destitute, extensive, impor- tant and very needy, conveys only a very inadequate idea of the real state of things." To harmonize this statement with the number of ministers, though small, in this Asso- ciation at the time, it will only be necessary to mention that most of these were located east of the supposed line from the capitol north to Minnesota. The secretary in com- pany with Rev. Dexter P. Smith, then of Iowa City, and Rev. T. S. Griffith of Keokuk, had only a few weeks before visited a large part of this northwest quarter of the State, so that the description quoted above was founded upon actual observation. Doubtless there are those still living at Algona in this Association who will remember the visit of those three brethren to which we refer. One Sunday School is reported this year. This at Webster Cit}^, with 9 teachers and 40 scholars. 352 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Boonsboro entertains the Association. Rev. Wm. E. Reed a visiting brother preached the opening sermon, O. A. Holmes Moderator, A. W. Russell clerk. "I Q (^ /I Churches 12, pastors 5, baptized 26, total mem- bership 277. Benevolent collections are reported by nearly all the churches, aggregating $61.81. Five Sunday Schools are reported with 37 teachers and 325 scholars. Rev. Wm, Leggett is pastor at Algona and Fort Dodge. A church has been organized at Nevada, Rev. A. W. Russell pastor, with 8 members, also one at Lakins Grove, O. A. Holmes in charge where 12 have been baptized, witli 14 members. The fifth anniversary was held at Fort Dodge. Rev. Wm. Leggett preached the introductory sermon. A. W. Russell Moderator, Theo. Hawley, clerk. The "I o cp: "^ Lakins' Grrove and Nevada Churches, added last year both disappear, Lakins' Grove to be known no more, Nevada only after a lapse of several years to be reorgan- ized. Rev. P. C. Walberg is preaching at the Swede Bend Church. This is a Swede church, and this brother a native of Sweden. Mention should have been made of the depart- ure of Rev. Ira H. Rees , two years ago, for a field farther west. The experience of this brother is a sad one to con- template. He had settled on the land on which the south half of the town of Ames now stands. Undergoing here hardships, poverty and sickness, almost to the verge of de- spair, he finally sold out in the hardest times Just before the railroad came to relieve the depression, and went west to try the realities of another frontier settlement. The annual meeting took place at Iowa Falls, O. A. Holmes preacher and Moderator, S. G. Gibbs clerk. The Squaw Creek Church disappears from the records, to reappear after an interval in the Ames Church. Churches 9, pastors 5, baptisms 4, added from all sources OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 353 87, present number 229. The present writer had something of an adventure in reaching this meeting. Rev. O. A. Holmes was, in the earlier part of this year, about the only working pastor in the Association, though valuable acces- sions came later. He was likely to be almost alone at the Association, and in correspondence we had promised to be in attendance without fail. Coming in from the east on the day of the meeting, we reached Parkersburg in the fore- noon and found the Beaver River swollen to its banks and the wagon bridge out. Meeting parties Just before reaching the stream we were told there was no way of crossing but to swim the horse. To turn back and leave Brother Holmes probably alone with the Association was not to be thought of. The stream was swift and the landing against the current, but it was narrow and by the time the buggy got afloat the horse would soon find footing on the other side. After some hesitation we decided to venture, drove safely through, and wrapped with blankets drove on to Iowa Falls, 20 miles, without change of clothes. We found the Association in session in a little hall in the town. "The meeting was one of more than ordinary interest."' Rev. I, A. Cain was ordained pastor of the Algona Church during the session. Owing to the distance it was almost impossi- ble to convene a council with the church at Algona, so they sent down a request that a council of brethren present at the Association should sit with their delegates for the purpose. This Brother Cain is the same who has for a few years past (1886) been connected with the Indian University in the Southwest as Financial Agent. Before the close of 1866 Rev. A. L. Farr was settled at Iowa Falls, and Rev. A. E. Simons began work at Boone, then called Montana. A more hopeful day seemed to be dawning for the Upper Des Moines Association. Brother Holmes in a report to the Convention in October mentions the accession 354 HISTORICAL SKETCHES of the three new pastors, and adds, " Though the past is not all we could desire, the future is full of hope." The annual meeting had been appointed at Algona, but from the records at hand it seems to have been changed and held at Webster City. Brother Holmes 1 RRV preached the opening sermon. Kev. A. L. Farr, Moderator and A. E. Simons, clerk. Two new churches organized in 1860 are received. Homer, J. C. H. Miller, pastor with, 14 members and Montana (now Boone), A. E. Simons, pastor with 13 members. Scj^uaw Creek is again put in the list with 19 members but no statistics. Churches 12; pastors 8; baptisms 35; added from all sources 107; present membership 358. Rev. G. D. Simmons is pastor at Boonsboro, S. Funk at Great Bend and C. P. Frodig is the way the name of the Swede Bend pastor appears this time. Fort Dodge appears with 7 members and no pastor. The constituent members of the Montana Church, five, were "Allen Parker and wife, Samuel M. Ives and wife and Mrs. Mary Smith. Organized December 30, 1866. Houses of worship are in process of construction at Iowa Falls, Great Bend and Montana. In the latter they "held their first prayer meeting in the lecture room, ^Vovember 23, 1867." As the town grew the location proved to be unfavorable, and the site was afterwards abandoned for a place of wor- ship elsewhere. With other evidences of vitality we begin to note the increase of contributions for the State Conven- tion. In 1864, $17.50; 1865, $16.25; 1866, it was 855.30. All or nearly all contributed at the meeting at Iowa Falls, 1867, 847.60. This year $300 were appropriated to the sup- port of Ira A. Cain, missionary at Algona. 82,300 are re- ported raised for a meeting house at Algona. The Association held its annual meeting with the Baptist church in Montana, commencing Friday, October 4. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 355 Rev. A. L. Farr preached the sermon and was elected Moderator, and A. E. Simons clerk. The church at Fort Dodg-e has become extinct, and the name is drop- ped from the records. The old Squaw Creek Church has been reorganized into the church at Ames and is re- ceived with 23 members ; also a new church at Yatesville with 11 members. Five meeting houses are reported in process of construction this year. Sermons were preached at this meeting by Revs. T. H. Judson, E. R. Swain, J. C. H. Miller, E. G. O. Groat, I. A. Cain, J. F. Childs, and A. L. Farr; the last two on the Sabbath. Brother Cain has continued Missionary pastor at Algona and " has secured the erection of their meeting house at the county seat, the only one in the county, and the only one within a circle of 80 miles."' He has traveled abroad among personal friends and raised in this way '*^675. Churches 12, pastors 6, bap- tized 41, added in other ways 41, present membership 395. Pastors are Cain, Algona ; Farr, Iowa Falls ; Miller, Homer; Sparks, Mt. Pleasant and North Union ; Simons of Montana, and A. Norelius of Swede Bend. The removal should have been noticed in 1867 of Rev. O. A. Holmes from Webster City to Marshalltown in the Iowa Valley Association. Brother Holmes had been in this Association nine years pastor at Webster City, and a part of the time preaching at Iowa Falls on the one side and at Boonsboro on the other, making the extremes of his field of labor 70 miles apart. Full half this distance was, in those years, an almost unbroken prairie. The largest number of bap- tisms this year (1868) were at Great Bend, 15, and at Mt. Pleasant, (Mineral Ridge) 15, Algona 4, Boonsboro 3, Mon- tana 2, and Swede Bend 2. Boonsboro and Webster City are both pastorless. Contributions for the Convention have reached $356.53. The Convention has taken a vigorous hold upon this great field, appropriating this year $320 to 356 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 1869. I. A. Cain at Algona, and $300 to A. E. Simons at Montana. The tenth annual meeting was held at Mineral Eidge. J. C. H. Miller preached the opening sermon, A. L. Farr Moderator, A. E. Simons clerk. The name of a church at West Dayton is found upon the list with 18 members, but neither statistics nor pastor. Rev. James Jeffries is pastor at Algona, and H. A. Barden at Ames, S. Funk at Webster City and Yatesville. Other pastors unchanged. Churches 13, pastors 8, baptisms 69, total memebership 517. The first time in the history of the Association that the membership has reached 500. Eight of the 14 churches report baptisms. Iowa Falls has been most blessed, baptizing 31 ; North Union 11 ; Homer 9. A good degree of spiritual activity indeed. At Iowa Falls some of the leading business men have been convert- ed. With suitable consecration this church will prove a mighty power for good. Will there be this consecration ? That is the vital question in many similar cases. ^fe> (5)'t#4le, and not ours, we, if invited, go, leaving others unrestricted to do as they deem best. We neither jnctting up nor taMnq doton bars at a table which belongs exclusively to God and not to us." Relating the above incident to a clerical friend who was preparing a treatise on the Lord's Supper, he inserted it with due cred- it, but represented the minister as actually going to the door and giving the invitation, which would certainly have been carrying a joke too far. However there is a great difference between an actual and a suppositional fact. Incident No. 4. — The same minister in another town was, after sermon, invited to dinner at a Pedo-Baptist house The lady, with a perceptible asperity of emphasis, asked Mr. Blank, don'tyoii believe that any person can go to Heaven unless they are diiyped,f He, assuming an air of great astonishment, replied, That is a singular questionto asTc a Baptist ^ If you had asked those who sprinkle or baptize unconscious babies or unconscious adults in sick- ness if they do not believe that none can be saved, even 414 ' HISTORICAL SKETCHES infants unless they are baptized, tliere would be some pertinency. But to aslv a Baptid, a people who for 18 centuries have never immersed a person and never will unle-'is they x>Tofess to he saved already, is indeed a very surprising question. One or two incidents from our own memory must serve to complete the chapter. In 1867, as mentioned elsewhere, Rev. Dr. Eugenio Kincaid, the "hero missionary" who had then spent 37 years in India, was visiting some of the Associations in Iowa and stirring the hearts of our people in the missionary cause. Going in compan)^ from Indian- ola up into Hardin county to the Iowa Valley Associa- tion, we staid over night at Newton, where Rev. J. Y. Aitchison, D. D., was pastor. Brother Aitchison enter- tained the missionary in his hospitable way. In the morning he was very anxious for Brother Kincaid's photo- graph. There was a French artist in the town that made very good pictures. Wouldn't the good Doctor go round and sit for his negatived The doctor was very reluctant, had been decoyed into a photograph gallery but once for many years, and that was in Scotland. Finally, however, he gave his consent. He was introducted to the polite Frenchman in his little gallery. The distinguished mis- sionary was, of course, an unusual subject in the remote Iowa town. The artist was suavity and politeness itself. Adjusting his instruments and seating the missionary ready for action, he turned to him with the blandest smile: "Now doctor how much of your picture do you wish to show^' With a deprecating wave of both hands, but with equal politeness and humility came the answer; ''Oil! just as little as possible."^ The look of surprise on the face of the artist, and the unfeigned modesty of the really great man before him, were a subject for a picture that the reader's imagination will haive to paint. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 415 Live for Eternity. In 1869 Rev. O. T. Conger was pastor of the Winterset Baptist Church, and reported 140 baptized and 397 members. A year or two before, and when the churcli was without a pastor, we remember to have heard a member give his views with great distinctness as to what they wanted a pastor to do. The whole county was missionary ground. It was all very nice to have a pastor preach to them twice a day and feed them in the town, etc. But what he wanted was a vigorous man, and they would support him, and let him preach perhaps Sun- day morning in the church and then go out in the school houses and labor anywhere in the county and bring the people to Christ. Brother Conger became their pastor and entered with great zeal and spirit into the idea. He held meetings in six or eight school houses if not more, and the result was as stated above— 140 baptisms, and 50 the year before. At the close of the revival in the spring of 1869 the General Missionary was invited to spend a week with the pastor in interesting the young converts in the missionary work, preaching Sunday morning at the church, then going the rounds of the school houses, visiting through the day and preaching at night, and taking a collection for the Convention. The pastor would open the meeting in about these words: " Brethren, we are going the Grand Rounds this week. As in military life they have what they call the grand round ; they have a watchword, and I have thought it would be a good thing for us to have a watch- word too. Our watchword is ' Live for Eternity.'''''' We have seldom heard more inspiring exhortations, nor with better effect. Most of the converts were from a class that had hardly heard the gospel in their past lives, raw re- cruits indeed, but an impression was made in these rural neighborhoods that must have led some to desire to live 416 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. for eternity. A number of churchea afterward sprung up in these neighborlioods. How many of the members were converted in the revival of 18(58-9 we do not know. CHAPTER XLV. Iowa Baptist State Convention — Sistory resumed FROM 1869 — Official Missionary and Fi- nancial Record — 1859 to 1886. ARLIER chapters gave in a summary way, the history of the Iowa Baptist State Convention down to 1869. Recognition of its work will be found on many pages of the Associational Sketches, but a fuller notice of its work and workers is required and will be the subject of the present chapter. Before taking up the thread of Convention his- tory at 1869, however, we must supply some omissions in the earlier history. On page 63 will be found mention of the years in which Rev. J. F. Childs served as Secretary, and the names of those who were presiding ofhcers for the same period. We here supply the names of those who served in these capacities from the organization in 1842 to 1859, the year that Brother Childs first became Secretar}^ The presidents were Burton Carpenter, Hezekiah Johnson, Ezra Fisher, Hiram Burnett, B. F. Brabrook, J. T. Fales, Dexter P. Smith, Elihu Gunn, E M. Miles, Charles Thomp- son, A. G. Eberliart, and I. Butterfield; H. Burnett in 1845 and again in 1854; B. F. Brabrook in 1846 and in 1849; J. T. Fales in '47 and again in '51; D. P. Smith in '48 and in 418 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES 50, and Charles Thompson in 1855 and '56. The others, one year each in the order named. The secretaries in these earlier years were W. B. Morey, Charles E. Brown in 1843 and again in '45, C. CI. Blood, J. T. Fales, Dexter P. Smith, T. H. Archibald 1848 and '49, S. B. Johnson 1850 and '51, I. C. Curtis, Wm. H. Turton, H. R. Wilbur, Elihu Gunn 1855 and '56, and T. S. Griffith the next two years. As these lists are published annually in the Convention min- utes it is not necessary to continue them. But we will sketch briefly the Missionary work of the Convention from where we left ofl" in 1869. In the fall of that year, Rev. J. Edminster was appointed Superintendent of Missions, and entered upon his work with a debt of $1,400. It was a time of great difficulty; the setting in of a strong reaction from a period of inflation, or success overdone. Nineteen missionaries were employed in 1870, with the Superintend- ent, and about $4,000 in all raised, but in spite of hard work and fewer missionaries, the year closed with an in- debtedness increased to $1,900. A paid agency was dis- pensed with the next 3'ear and volunteer agency work depended upon. Only twelve missionaries were appointed to serve in 1871, and the whole amount raised was a little less than $3,000. The debt was reduced by more than $1,300, leaving $640 at the end of this year. This debt was supposed to be provided for at the meeting at Waterloo in October, 1871; but about one-fourth of the pledges were yet unpaid at the next annual .meeting. Through 1872 the same general plan was pursued. No paid agent was employed. Twenty missionaries were em- ployed and the amount raised nearly the same as last year, being, from all sources, including collections at the annual meeting for various benevolent objects, $2,932.72. The debt in October, 1872, was also nearly the same as a year earlier, being $624.52. In October 1872 Rev. T. F. Thick- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 419 stun succeeded Brother Childs as secretary, entering, at the middle of the year 1873 upon tlie work of General Missionary also. Twentj^ missionaries were under ap- pointment, and §2,691.71 raised, and the year closed with a deficit of $1,416.07. Brother Thickstun continued to serve as secretar}^ till 1874, and devoted all his time for the first three months; §3,246.03 were received, 12 missionaries sus- tained, and the debt reduced to $401.92. Rev, D. N. Mason was elected secretary in 1874 and re-elected the next two years. For the year ending October, 1875, no financial- agent was employed. Seventeen missionaries were em- ployed for all or part of tlie year, and §3,018.49 received, including over §600 received at the annual meeting. The debt seems to have been all paid and a surplus of several hundred dollars left over. Rev. Wm. Wilder was ap- pointed Superiutedent of Missions at the annual meeting in 1875, and entered upon his work January 1, 1876. Eleven missionaries were commissioned during the year, but financial stringency increased and the whole amount raised for the year, including balance, was a little over $2,000, and a debt again appeared at tlie end of the year of §2,360.55. For the following year, closing October 1877, no mis- sionaries were appointed and no missionary work done except in the Sundaj^ school department. All the money collected, except for printing minutes and other incidental expenses and secretary's work, was applied to the debt. Brother Mason continued to serve as secretary until Octo- ber 1877. when Rev. James Sunderland was elected Missionary Secretary. Brother Mason, in the annual report of the Board, said : "With sorrow and a sense of defeat we record that no missionary work has been done the past year, except in the Sunday school department. Stopping our ears to all cries for help, we have vainly applied our- 420 HISTORICAL SKETCHES selves to the task of paying off the debt brought over from last year. Leaving our legitimate work, we have made ourselves into a collecting agency. We have shut up our shops, closed the blinds and locked the doors till we should be able to pay our debts." The policy was one occasionally resorted to by churches under similar circumstances, but rarely, if ever, with favorable results. As well go in debt for seed and means to sow your fields and then turn them over to weeds until you have found some way of paying the debt incurred. Many brethren were dissatisfied from the beginning of the year, but the Board were bound to the course by a majority vote at the annual meeting of the Convention, a.nd did not find how they "might depart from it and carry out the wishes of the majoiity.'' At the end of the year however they were ready to recommend and the Convention to adopt the following: "We recom- mend, therefore, that with faith in God and renewed confidence in our Baptist churches, the Convention take up again her proper work, reduce her running expenses to the lowest sum which will procure efficient service, and make moderate appropriations to the most needy, deserv- ing and hopeful fields " "' '" and that, as heretofore, the Convention shall aim at permanent results." The debt remaining uncancelled was $1,376.48, with $75. 11 in the treasury. A brother was elected General Missionary and Financial Agent, but did not see the way clear to accept, nor was the " Board able to find any other man deemed suitable for the position," hence another year passed with- out any paid agency in the field. Brother Sunderland acting as Missionary Secretary and doing wliat lie could, with the aid of Cooperative Committees, towards the raising of funds. Ten missionaries were employed, a little over $3,100 raised, a gain of $850.66 over the previous year, the debt all paid, and $66.31 left in the treasury. The OF IOWA BAPTISTS. amount necessary to pay off tlie debt liad been pledged at the meeting in 1877. Some of the pledges remained un- paid, and of course many of them took the place of regular contributions for the current year. About this time, 1878, the Home Mission Society, always a cherishing mother to our Baptist cause in Iowa, began to come forward with new assurances of sympathy and help in time of need. Of this more especial mention will be made in our chapter on the Home Mission Societies work among Iowa Baptists. It may be said here, that un- der the wise leadership of Brother Sunderland, who was continued through the year 1878 and 1879, a plan of or ganic cooperation lolth the Home Mission Society was full}^ discussed by our Board, proposed to the Society ^i substantially adopted by them, and entered upon in 1879, which remains in force .to the present time. During the year ending October,1879, nineteen missionaries were under appointment for the whole or a part of the time, and $2,311.69 received into the treasury. In January, 1880, the Missionary Secretary, Rev. James Sunderland, was elected General Missionary and began his labor in March following. The amount received from within the State up to October, 1880, was $8,427.63. The amount received from the Home Mission Society, according to the plan of cooper- ation which had been adopted, was $1,620.42, making for the work in the State, $5,048.05. The amount raised in the State was a gain of $1,115.94 over the previous year, Brother Sunderland continued to fill the position of Mis- sionary Secretary and General Missionary until May the 12th, 1882, when on account of continued ill health he was obliged to close his labors, and the Board "very reluctantly" accepted his resignation. For the year closing October, 1880, the first year of the "coopera- tion," thirty missionaries were appointed, eight of whom 422 HISTORICAL SKETCHES were serving under appointment of the Home Mission Society before, and the amounts raised and expended as stated above. For the year ending October, 1881, fifty-one missionaries in all were under appointment, serving sixty- seven churches, an average of thirty-one for the entire 3^ear. The receipts for the year were $4,970.99, an increase of over 11,500 from the previous year. Upon the retirement of Brother Sunderland, in the spring of 1882, Rev. D. D. Proper was appointed Mission- ary Secretary and General Missionary, and entered upon the work May 1st. Brother Proper continued in this posi- tion, prosecuting the work with very great energy and endurance until earlv in 1886, when he resigned and soon afterwards took a similar position in Kansas, which he continues to fill. Rev. James Sunderland, with restored health, has been for two or three years Superintendent of Missions in Minnesota. Thus has Iowa trained workers for her neighboring States. In 1882, $3,711.77 were reported for State Missions, and 56 commissions issued to missionaries for the whole or parts of the year. The year closed with a balance in the treasury of over a. thousand dollars to begin the next year's work. The receipts for the year ending October 1883, were $5,230.55, and the number of missionaries employed 48. For 1884, $4,420.40 and 40 missionaries; 1885, $5,308.44 and 51 missionaries. Since 1870 the following brethren have presided over the deliberations of the Convention at its Anniversaries, and at many of its Board meetings: F. Mott four years, T. W. Newman three years, S. Washington one, J. C. Hurd two, J. J. Powell three j-ears, M. T. V. Bowman two, and J. W. Burdette two years. It costs con- siderable of money as well as valuable time in the course of the year to serve the Convention faithfully as these OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 428 brethren have done in this capacity. Besides that, those who bend their necks to bear the onerous yoke of office, invariably become liberal contributors to the general fund. All honor to those who have the ability and the willing-- uess to thus serve their generation in the Lord ! Those also who have taken care of the funds, kept the accounts, and with great ability and care watched over the eleemosyn- ary assets of our missionary organizations are worthy of mention in our permanent records. The brethren who have served as the treasurers of the Convention since, in 1856, it began to do independent Missionary work, have been, D. W. Ford three years, 1856 and 1858; Robert Irvin, ten years, 1859 and 1868; J. O. Wilson 1869; Dr. H. C. Huntsman two years, 1870 and '71; E. T. Cressy, 1872: H. H. Smith two years, 1873 and '74; G. W. Carter, M. D., four 3'ears, 1875 and '78; Hon. N. Littler, six years, 1879 and 1884; and E. E. Lewis 1885 and '86. In 1886, after the withdrawal of Rev. D. D. Proper, Rev. C. E. Higgins was appointed Missionarj^ Secretary and General Mission aiy, Avhich position he continues to fill. There are other depart- ments of Convention work, as the Sunday School depart- ment. Woman's Work in Missions, etc., that require notice, but as these are, more especially in their present form, of recent date, we defer them till after we have introduced the work of Ministerial Education and Home and Foreign Missions. By way of closing the present chapter, and apropos of the ups and downs, the advance movements and then again the reactions that come in the financial support given to our missionary organizations, we may introduce the following, presented in a report by Rev. Elihu Gunn at one of our oldest associations at a time when one of tliese crises had come in missionary finances: It was in 1856 when it seems our Home and Foreign Mission societies 424 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. were both languishing and heavily burdened with debt. The Des Moines Association met at Glasgow, Iowa. Brother Gunn presented a report in which he said, "That just at this moment, when both in the Foreign and in the Home field God is giving most unmistakable tokens of his approval in the unexampled prosperity and suc^cess which attend our efforts, that they should be paralyzed by any cause is to be regarded as a great calamity. ""' * That in a time of unprecedented commercial and financial prosperity in all parts of our country, and when, of course, our ability as a denomination is rapidly increasing, our denominational respect, not to speak of motives infinitely higher and more solemn, should allow us to see our Home and Foreign Missionary societies both languishing, and our Missionaries actually suffering, is liumiliating indeed. But it seems to be true that our worldliness and pride must have an occasional humbling in order that we make the necessary sacrifices to carry out the christian faith. Our Master '■^humbled himself .^^ 2 1866-67 1867-68 1868-69 1869-70 1486.79 1505.78 2517.32 2410 53 1881-82 1882-83 . 4131.05 1852-.5;i .. 241.15 . 9085.50 1853-54 1854 55 225.62 295 28 1883-84 1884-85 . 2733.17 . 2954.63 1855-56 446.12 1870-71 1871-72 1886.07 1384.82 1885-86 . 3269.64 1856-57 4.51.30 Since April, 1886. . 1031 ai The total contributions in Iowa for the Missionar.v Union amount to $68,893.07. It will be noticed that after the going out of Brother Clough in 1864 the contributions nearly doubled those of the preceding year. The exceptionally large amount re- ported for 1882-83, $9,085.59, included a legacy of $5,000, from the late Spencer Alden of Anamosa. Missionaries of the American Baptist Missionary Union who have gone from Iowa or whose friends live in the State: Rev. I. J. Stoddard, was born in Eden, New York in 1820, entered the preparatory department of Madison Uni- versity in 1839, graduated in 1845, and from the theological department in 1847. Sailed with his wife for Assam, No- vember 3, 1847. Returned to this country in 1856 and lived in Pella, Iowa. With restored health they were reappoint- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 443 ed and returned to Assam in 1866. After a number of years of labor returned and still live at Pella. Rev. J. E. Clough and wife from Strawberry Point, Iowa, received their appointment and sailed for India in 1864. A more extended notice of Brotlier Clougli will be found on pages 69 and 70 of this volume. Rev. T. J. Keith and wife went from Waukesha, Wis., to the Garo work in India in 1871 and returned in 1876, af- terwards settling in Iowa, where Brother Keith has been in the active work of the ministry since 1877. Brother Keith did work in Iowa, supplying the church at Oska- loosa some months before going to India, and before the completion of his studies. Mrs. Lavinia Clough Williams sailed with her hus- band in 1873 for India and died on the field a few years later. Rev. Albert Loughridge and wife, both of Iowa, sailed for India in 1875. After a number of years of faith- ful service the health of Mrs. Loughridge gave way and they are now in Iowa again, she at her old home in Mount Pleasant, he teaching in Burlington College. Brother Loughridge was of excellent United Presbyterian parent- age, was a pupil of the writer in his early schooldays, went into the army at sixteen or under as a member of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, returned and graduated at the State Univer- sity at Iowa City. While pursuing his studies he became a Baptist and united with the Iowa City Church. He taught in the Central University at Pella before going to the foreign field. Miss A. S. Norwood went to China in 1877. Miss Norwood was from Nova Scotia. She spent a number of years in Iowa and taught in Burlington College before her departure for China. Since going to China she has been married. 444 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Rev. G. L. Mason and wife were set apart to the work at Ningpo, China, at the Convention at Mason City in 1880. Brother Mason's parents live at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Miss L. Ella Miller is the daughter of Rev. Thomas I Miller, who is well known in these sketches since as early as i 1856 in Iowa. Ella graduated at the University of Des | Moines and went to Burmah in 1877. She is now in this country. 1 Miss Naomi Garton long lived with her family at j Carlisle and East Des Moines, Iowa, was a successful I teacher in the East Des Moines schools for a number of | years, and went to the Foreign field in 1881, where she | remains. Mrs. Timpany and Mrs. McLaurin, of the Canadian Mission, are daughters of Rev. John Bates and lived four- teen years in Iowa shortly before they went to India. Rev. Lyman Stilson, for many years a missionary of the Union in India, the hero of toil and suffering for his divine Master, spent fifteen years of his later life at Jeffer- son, Iowa, where he died March 23, 1886, aged 81 years, 1 month and 25 days. I The history of the connection of Iowa Baptists with Foreign Missions would be incomplete without a reference to Rev. S. M. Osgood, D. D., for many years agent of the Union and making annual visits to our state. How well we remember the moving tones of the saintly old man as he used to thrill us with his appeals in behalf of the "missionary enterprise." Could ever anyone else put so much meaning into those two words ? For more than a score of years Rev. C. F. Tolman has been so much a part of many of our Iowa gatherings every year, that we have long since ceased to think of him in any other light than as an important factor in Iowa Baptist life. Rev. W. C. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 445 Gunn also did important service in stirring our hearts in the cause of Foreign Missions, and is, by association as well as by marriage, a connecting link between us and Foreign Missions. Trul}^ has Iowa been owned of God in her part in preaching the gospel to the heathen. In a report in 1886 we find this suggestive comparison : "Twen- ty-one years ago, when John E. Clough, missionary to the Teloogoos, baptized his first convert, our membership was 13,372 and the number of Teloogoos converted to Christ 25. Now our membership has increased to about 27,000, while the Teloogoo Baptists have increased to 26,400. We have doubled while they have multiplied more than a thousand fold." We close this chapter with a notice of the Woman's Baptist Foreign Mission Society of Iowa. This Society was organized in 1880 at Mason City. In 1877 at the annual meeting of the Convention at Bella, "Mrs. Tolman spoke of the degraded condition of heathen women, and what the Woman's Mission Society is doing for them, and a collection was taken amounting to $9.10 to be divided equally between the Woman's Foreign and Home Mission Societies." This is the first notice which we find in our annual records of the Woman's Foreign Mis- sion Society of the West which was then six years old. In 1878 Mrs. M. A. McGonegal was State Secretary for the Woman's Society of the West and Mrs. John Fulton of Winterset and others spoke in favor of the Society, and at the close of an address by Mrs. McGonegal a collection was taken amounting to $24.41. In 1879 Mrs. E. O. Camp- bell is mentioned as making an address on "Woman's Work in Foreign Missions." At the organization at Ma- son City in 1880 services were conducted by Mrs. L. A. Dunn of Bella. Mrs. T. F. Thickstun was called to the chair and Mrs. E. O. Campbell of Clarence acted as Secre- tary. Committee on Constitution, Mrs. John Fulton, Mrs. 446 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. M. A. McGonegal, Mrs. J. C. Burkholder, Mrs. T. W. Newman and Mrs T. F. Thickstun. The organization was perfected by the adoption of a Constitution presented by the Committee, and the election of Mrs. Fulton as presi- dent, Mrs. McGonegal as corresponding secretary, and treasurer, and Mrs. E. O. Campbell recording secretary. By a collection of 85.01 and $16.91 "previously contributed for the inauguration of that organization" the Society start- ed with $21.92 in its treasury. In the Annual of 1881 we find the Constitution and By-Laws, but no account of the annual meeting. In a report on Foreign Missions are these words: "The records show a steady advance on the part of the Women's Circles, from $1,159 three years ago to $1,901 1880-81." In 1882 Mrs. S. M. Dickinson of Des Moines presided at the sessions and Mrs. M. A. McGonegal pre- sented the annual report as corresponding secretary. At the close of the annual session the following officers were elected: Mrs. T. W. Newman, Burlington, president; Mrs. Linfield, Muscatine, vice-president; Mrs. C. E. Higgins, Burlington, corresponding secretary and treasurer; Mrs. E. O. Campbell, recording secretary. The officers since 1882 have been: presidents, Mrs. H. E. Page in 1883 and Mrs. W. A. Cain for the three years since; vice-presidents, Mrs. Cain in 1883 and Mrs. E. C. Spinney since; corresponding secretary and treasurer, Mrs. G. F. Linfield in 1883 and Mrs. E. O. Campbell since; recording secretary, Mrs. Camp- bell in 1883. Miss Ella Berger of Sioux City in 1884 and Mrs. A. W. Fuller since. The names of the women who have been active in the work of this Society and other de- partments of Woman's work in Missions are w^orthy of honorable mention but as our space is filling up and as the organization of these societies is of recent occurrence we may leave some of them for the future historian to record. CHAPTER XLIX. Iowa Baptists and the Sunday School Work — Sunday School Union — Publication Society, etc. ROM the first Iowa Baptists, the Baptists that have made history in Iowa, have shown a deep and abiding interest in the promotion and efficiency of Sabbath school work. It is true that the line between what was called antl-'mission and missionaiy Baptists was as sharply drawn on the Sabbath school question as any other, the Old School insisting that Sabbath schools, as well as mis- sionary societies and temperance societies, were not author- ized by the scriptures, and that they were therefore of the devil and it was not safe to have anything to do with them. Many who came out from their churches and adopted missionary ideas were from habit slow to engage in, and from want of knowledge and experience inefficient in Sun- day school effort But these were the exceptions, and the remark holds true that the Baptists who have made history in Iowa as elsewhere have from the first been earnest pro- moters of the Sabbath school enterprise. In 1848 we find the following report in the Convention minutes, signed R. Weston, chairman of committee . "Believing that the in- stitution of Sabbath schools is approved by our Heavenly 448 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Father, and that it is among the most effectual instrumental- ities to promote the social, moral and spiritual interests of the inhabitants of the west, " " " your committee would earnestly recommend that the members of the churches of this Convention engage personally in the Sab- bath school work, and bring their own children, and as far as they can consistently, the children of their neighbors under Sabbath school instruction." Similar resolutions were passed in the Des Moines Association in 1851 and in other years, and in fact in nearly all of the Associations and Conventions of those earlier as well as in later years. A great defect of our earlier records is the want of ade- quate statistical and classified information of the work done. This will apply especially to Sunday school work. The first attempt at Sabbath school statistics we find in 1855, when in 5 Associations there were reported 15 schools, 147 teachers, 1401 scholars, and 3947 volumes in libraries. These were, of course, only partial statistics, while in 3 Associations there was no report at ^all. But little im- provement was made in reporting Sunday school work until 1864, when the first steps were taken towards organizing The Iowa Baptist Sunday School Union. Rev. D. S. Watson of Davenport intro duced the follow- ing: " Whereas, The importance and necessities of the Sunday School work call for the adoption of some system of measures which will result in an increased efficiency in this department of christian effort, and believing that the organization of a Sunday School Convention embracing the schools of our churches throughout the State would tend largely to promote this end. Therefore, Resolmd, That such steps be taken at this time as are necessary to secure the organization of a State Sunday School Convention, whose session shall be held the day OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 449 preceding the annual meeting of the Ministerial Union." The foregoing preamble and resolution were adopted and " Brethren Watson, Westover and Wilson were appointed to prepare for carrying out its object." This committee re- ported the next year, 1865, and presented a Constitution which was accepted, and the Iowa Baptist Sunday School Union organized. Officers elected for the ensuing year were: president, J. T. Westover; vice-presidents, Jesse Clement, F. Mott and J. E. Rockwood; corresponding secretary, D. S. Watson; treasurer, J. O. Wilson. Subsequent officers of the Union were: presidents, D. F. Carnahan, H. R. Wil- ber, L. W. Hay hurst, J. Edminster, A. Bush, C. H. Rem- ington, S. H. Mitchell two years, 1872-73; Wm. H. Stiller, 1874-75; secretaries, D. S. Watson, R. King, J. Sunderland 1868-70, E. K. Cressey and J. Sunderland, 1872-75; treasur- ers, J.O. Wilson, 1866-67, J. Sunderland, 1868, S. H. Mitch- ell, 1869-71, E. T. Cressey, E. E. Lewis and Henry Williams, 1874-75. Vice-presidents were chosen, most of the time, one from each Association in the State. The interest in the Sunday School work received, through the Union, increased attention at each anniversary, and after a few 3- ears the statistics began to show a marked increase throughout the State. Although at the organization in 1865 a constitution was presented by the committee and after some alterations adopted, nothing more appears on that subject until 1869, when Bros. C. T. Tucker, T. W. Powell and J. S. Mabie were appointed a "Committee to present a Constitution for this body." They reported a Constitution which was adop- ted ^nd printed in the Minutes. The president, secretary and treasurer constituted an executive committee to trans- act the business of the Union and report at each annual meeting. The annual reports of this committee from year to year show that efficient work was being done. As early as 1870 we find a quite full report of Sabbath School work 450 HISTORICAL SKETCHES from all the Associations in which the following summary appears: Number of churches, 330; Sunday Schools includ- ed in the report 158, churches having Baptist schools, 108;, churches having Union schools, 33; churches not reported, ]65; number of Bible classes, 272; pupils in Bible classes, 2989; officers, 537; teachers, 1443; scholars, 13,824; total membership of schools, 15,907; total membership of church- es (1869) 19,149; number of schools holding all the year, 84; number holding only in summer, 41; volumes in libra- ries 26,092, children's papers, monthly, 12,687; teacher's pa- pers 527; teacher's meetings, weekly, 34: Sunday School concerts, 53; conversions, 357; money raised, $5,681.44. As the years rolled by it came to be felt by earnest Sun- day School workers that a more efficient agency was need- ed to awaken interest in the work generally, and especially to provide the schools with more and better qualified teachers. Teacher's meetings and teacher's training classes were recommended, but it must be admitted that the way has not yet been found out to make these, except in a few instances and to a limited extent, a success. Accordingly in 1870 the Executive Committee recommended the appoint- ment of a State Sunday School Missionary under the aus- pices of the Bible and Publication Society. The recom- mendation was referred to a committee consisting of Breth- ren D. H. Cooley. J. C. Otis, and A. Bush. This committee reported favorably and recommended the name of Rev. T. W. Powell of Davenport for such appointment. The next year, 1871, however, the executive committee reported that " the attempt to secure a Sunday school mis- sionary for the state" had not proved successful. They still renewedly expressed their conviction of the importance and need of such a service, and strongly urged the contin- uance of effort to that end. A special committee was appointed who conferred with Rev. G. J. Johnson, district OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 451 secretary of the Publication Society, who submitted a proposition which tlie committee thought probably practi- cal, but nothing really came of it until 1872, when at' the annual meeting at Clinton action was taken appointing Rev. J. E. Rockwood of Logan as State Sunday School Mission- ary, and asking his appointment of the Bible and Publica- tion Society, with the understanding and pledge that the Baptists of Iowa would " if possible, as a special contribu- tion, provide for all the expenses of the Sunday school work." Brother Rockwood entered upon the work January 1, 1878 and at the annual meeting in October of that year it appeared that the expenses had been $1,126.32- and the receipts $1,027.04, leaving a balance of only $99.28. This was under the joint appointment of the Iowa Baptist State Sunday School Union and the American Baptist Bible and Publication Society, and was for the first year, a gratify- ing success. Brother Rockwood was continued in the field until March 10, 1874. Rev. M. T. Lamb was appointed by the Executive Committee and the Publication Society jointly and entered upon the work June 1, 1874, and con- tinued till about August 1875. As early as the annual meeting in 1871, the question of consolidating the Sunday School Union with other organi- zations was agitated and it was " voted that the Moderator, Rev. C. H. Remington, act as a committee from this Union with similar committees from the State Convention and Ministerial Union relative to consolidation." Nothing, however, seems to have been accomplished in this direction till 1875, when a committee was appointed to "make over- tures to the State Convention to adopt and prosecute the work in which we have hitherto engaged " and it was re- solved "that in the event of the State Convention comply- ing with the terms of this recommendation and giving satisfactory proof thereof to the executive committee of 452 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES this Union, then this Union shall cease to exist as a sepa- rate organization, its work and results becoming a part of that of the State Convention of this State." The proposi- tion was unanimously adopted by the Convention at its session in 1875 and Rev. James Sunderland was elected Sunday School Secretary of the Convention. In 1876 and '77 Rev. Wm. H. Stifler served as Sunday School Secre- tary, D. D. Proper in 1878 and J. H. Delano in 1879 and W. H. Stifler-again in 1880. Brother Stifler then filled the place with great ability.and fidelity to our Sunday School interests until October 1884, when Rev. C. H. DeWolf was elected to the office. During the year ending October 1877 Rev. G. W. Prescott was employed as State Sunday School Missionary for four months and nine days, when the work was suspended for want of means to carry it on without a debt. In 1878 a plan of co-operation with the American Baptist Publication Society was agreed upon and the Rev. D. D. Proper was appointed and entered upon the work of Sunday School Missionar}^, Januar}" 1879. Brother Proper continued to serve until April 1880, when he resigned and Rev. B. H. Brasted was nominated by the Board, and "duly commissioned for the period of six months," or up to the annual meeting in October 1880. Rev. D. D, Proper again took up the work of State Sunday School Missionary, entering upon it January 1, 1881. He continued until April 1882, when he became Missionary Secretary and Gen- eral Missionary of the Convention and Rev. Gilman Par- ker was appointed later, began the work in Juh^ 1882, and continued until September 1884. After an interval, in June 1885, Rev. F. N. Eldridge entered upon the work and continues to the present time. After, in 1875, the Union was merged in the State Con- vention, and its "special work entrusted to a special secretary," as we have seen above, the work continued to OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 453 drag and very little was done. The first year the receipts from the Sabbath schools were only $67.85. The plan of co-operation with the Publication Society, agreed upon at the annual meeting at Bedford in 1878, contained the fol- lowing provisions : We give them in condensed form. I. The Sunday school committee of the Convention to nominate the missionary, suggest his salary and supervise his labors, subject to the approval of the society. II. The missionary to do a general pioneer missionary work, establish schools, organize churches, hold meetings with feeble churches, and improve existing methods of instruction by holding Sunday School Institutes ; circulate publications and periodicals and obtain subscriptions for the society ; and take collections for the Sunday school work in the state, so far as should not interfere with his missionary work. III. The society to assume the prompt payment of the missionary and the necessary expenses of the secretary. The Board of the Convention to use their utmost endeavors to aid the committee to raise on the field, at least the salary and expenses of the missionary. IV. All the appeals, oral or printed, to be made in the name of the xlmerican Baptist Publication Society and the Iowa Baptist State Convention. Under this agreement the efficient work of the last few years has been done. At the annual meeting in Des Moines in 1884 the Convention, at the suggestion of the secretary, voted " that the Board take the work into their own hands and carry it on independent of the Publication Society," and "the Sunday school committee set about securing a missionary to enter the field under the changed order of things.'' But they were not successful. The con- viction soon began to ''force itself upon the minds of 454 HISTORICAL SKETCHES. many brethren that a mistake had been made in sunder- ing relations with the Publication Society, and after not a little correspondence and discussion the Board decid- ed to return to substantially the former plan of co-oper- ation, and action to that effect was taken at the February meeting " in 1885. The plan of work has been to enlist the Sunday schools of the state to contribute for thqieupport of the missionary, thus developing their benevolence while securing the work. In 1881 65 schools contributed $400.27; in 1882, 59 schools, $375.53; 1883,61 schools, $512.19; 1884, 55 schools, $340.35 ; and in 1885, 36 schools and one Asso- ciation, $296.06. This last year there was a break in the Sunday school work, and contributions were for but a part of the year. In 1884 "Childrens' Day" contributions from Iowa were $601.29, making in all nearlj^ $1,000 from the schools that year. CHAPTER L. Iowa Baptists and their Institutions of Learning. Work and W orkers — Other Means of Improve- ment — Ministers' Institutes — The Stand- ard AND OTHER RELIGIOUS PAPERS. VIDENTLY the time has not yet come to write the history of Iowa Baptist Institutions of Learning, nor is (he writer of these Sketches the one to be the historian of that depart- ment of effort. It should be the prerogative of some one connected with each school, perhaps, to hand down its history to those who are to bear the burdens after them. This, in some instances, it is highly probable will be done in due time. Our work however, would be too in- complete without such mention of those who have toiled and sacrificed in the cause of christian learning as our memory, with the aids at hand, will enable us to make. We have given some account of the founding of the insti- tutions at Burlington and Pella. Of the men and women who have labored in the departments of instruction in these institutions we can only give the names of such as come to mind: Rev. G. W. Gunnison, Lorenzo B. Allen, D. D., James Henderson, Joseph T, Robert, LL. D..Prof. L. E. 456 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Wortman, Prof. Stearns and wife, Miss Norwood, Prof. Clement and others doubtless as worthy of mention have been instructors in this Institution. Rev. E. C. Spinney, D. D., president of Burlington College since 1883, was born in Wilmot, N'. S., March 27, 1845; matriculated at Horton Academy in 1864, graduated at Acadia College in 1868 and at Newton Theological Seminary in 1876. Entered senior year at Harvard College. Was pastor of First Baptist Church, Pel la Iowa, 1872-8-4, also Professor of Greek in Central University. He was pastor of Pleasant Street Baptist Church at Concord, N. H. 1876-78, and of First Baptist Church Burlington, Iowa, 1880-84. Also member of Board of Hebrew School at Chicago, and one of the spe- cial editors of the " Western Pulpit and Pew. " He has had associated with him in the Faculty of Instruction his excellent wife. Prof. Clement, Miss Rudd, Profs. Lough- ridge, Forward, Forbey and others. In Central University Prof. E. H. Scarff, Mrs. B. C. A. Stoddard, Rev. Elihu Grunn, Prof. A. N. Currier, and others whose names are not recalled, did long and excellent service in the earlier days. Rev. L. A. Dunn, D. D., was called to the presidency in 1871, and continued for ten years. He was succeeded in 1881 by Rev. G. W. Gardner, D. D., who filled the position for three years, when failing health compelled his resignation and return to Massachu- setts. Dr. Gardner had associated with him as Chancellor during his administration Deacon F. E. Balch, who had earned a reputation and valuable experience as a financier in the east. Rev. D. Read, LL. D., was president during 1885-6, previous to which Prof. R. H. Tripp had been Act- ing President since the resignation of Dr. Gardner. Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage, Iowa, was started by Rev. Alva Bush about 1863. The citizens of Osage made a proposition in September, 1862, to the Cedar Valley E. C. SPINKEY, D. D. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 457 Association, to " f urnieh appropriate buildings if the As- sociation would establish and maintain an institution of learning? suited to the wants of the community." The Association voted to accept the proposition, and after canvassing the subject Rev. Alva Bush, "who had just completed an engagement as Professor of Mathematics in the Upper Iowa University, moved his family to Osage, and on January 10, 1863, commenced a school in the Court house, which was given the name of Cedar Valley Semi- nary. The entire meeting of the prescribed conditions and the transfer of the fine property of the institution by the citizens to the Association did not take place until 1870, though excellent work had been done in the meantime, the seminary sending out its first graduating class in 1871. Brother Bush continued to serve as president and princi- pal until his death, July 26, 1881, eighteen years. It is safe to say that through its entire history this has been the most successful, in the work undertaken, of all our Iowa Baptist schools. Hon. A. Abernethy is the present principal. The University of Des Moines originated in 1865 in a conviction in the minds of many Iowa Baptists that providential circumstances favored, and that the Baptists ought to have an institution located at Des Moines, the growing capital of the state. A building that had been de- signed and partially completed by another denomination for educational purposes was offered for sale on reasonable terms. Rev. Luther Stone of Chicago, who from the first had evinced a deep interest in educational affairs in Iowa, advanced the money to purchase the property and hold it for the denomination until further steps could be taken. A school was started in 1866. Rev. J. A. Nash, D. D., had been interested in the education of the young from the early days in Des Moines, keeping for years a sort of 458 HISTORICAL SKETCHES private school for such as came to him to receive instruc- tion. He has been closely identified with the interests of the University from the first, and was for years its presi- dent. Rev. J. F. Childs, Rev. Thomas Brand and others have borne financial burdens to maintain its existence. Judge Frederick Mott, Hon. A. Abernethy, Rev. Ira E. Kenney, and the late Prof. D. F. Call were called to pre- side over the institution, and a goodly array of teachers have given instruction in its walls. The old campus and building were disposed of and the institution removed to its present site at Prospect Park under the presidencj'^ of Dr. Kenney. Prof. A. B. Price is the present principal. During 1886 the expecta tions of many Baptists were turned anew towards this institution and many hopes and resolu- tions have been expressed for its prosperity. The one thing now needed is for its friends to arise and meet the emergency of the times and Iowa Baptists may have an institution at the state capital that will be a source of good to the generations to come. Will they do it,^ Prof. Goldthwaite, Rev. H. A. Brown, Mrs. Sawin,and a number of others have done good work teaching in this institution. Many names of ministers and missionaries who stand high in the roll of the Master's owned and honored servants, both in the Home and in the Foreign field, have been stu- dents in these several Iowa institutions. Though we Lave not the data nor the memory to name them, all their names are written above, and the record is one that we can trust to honor God and the memory of sacrificing ones who have toiled in the years gone by with perhaps little reAvard or recognition here. Ministers' Institutes. Among modern methods for mutual improvement the Ministers' Institute was doubtless suggested by the success OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 459 of Teachers' Institutes, which had, since about 1855 or a little later come into general use and proven so beneficial to the teaching forces in our public schools. The writer attended and participated in the first Teachers' Institute held in Iowa between 1855 and 1860. The Ministers' Insti- stitute was first suggested, if we mistake not, by Dr. G. S. Bailey, tlien of Illinois, later of Iowa, now of California. The first of these in Iowa was at Oskaloosa about 1873, within a year, at least, of that date. Rev. E. C. Spinney was the secretary and kept a full minute of the proceed- ings, but the record has been mislaid and cannot be found. This is much to be regretted, as the occasion was one of very great interest. The attendance was large, and the people of Oskaloosa, many of them, became so deeply engaged that they listened hour after hour to lectures on theological subjects without once thinking of their being dry. Rev. G. W. Northrup, D. D., of Chicago, the late Jeremiah Hall, D. D., J. A. Nash, D. D., Rev. J. E. Hopper, N. S. Burton, D.D.,and perhaps some others delivered lec- tures. Dr. Northrup on the Holiness of God as Fundamen- tal, and the relation of this doctrine to the Atonement, and other doctrines in theology, in a course of lectures running through the entire week; Dr. Hall several lectures on Homiletics, Dr. Nash on Worship, Dr. Burton, The King- dom of God and the Church of Christ, and Brother Hopper on the Higher Life. Subsequent Institutes were held at Des Moines, at Burlington and at Marshalltown, in which, among other lecturers, we can remember as we write. Rev. Lemuel Moss, D. D., E. C. Mitchell, D. D., G. W. Gardner, D. D., Rev. Henry G. Weston, D. D., Dr. J. M. Stifier, Dr. Galusha Anderson, Justin A. Smith, D. D., Dr. T. J. Mor- gan, and others, whose words ^of counsel and instruction stirred and quickened many an humble Iowa pastor, and doubtless were felt on many a field of toil in influences, the 460 HISTORICAL SKETCHES results of which only eternity will measure. It is to be regretted that such means could not be more frequently available to the toilers in the Master's humbler fields of patient usefulness. The Religious Newspaper as a Means of Improve- ment Among Iowa Baptists. The religious press has been recognized by Iowa Baptists from the first as a necessary concomitant of a productive religious life. It appears that at the meeting in 1842 for the organization of the State Convention, a committee was appointed on the subject of a periodical. At the first anniversary in 1843 Elder Hezekiah Johnson from the committee reported, recommending ''that the Baptists of Iowa patronize the North Western Baptist^ published at Chicago, at $1 per year," Tlie Macedonian, "published by the Board of Foreign Missions," was also represented at this meeting. A similar resolution commending the North Western BaiMst was passed in 1844, and Rev. Charles E. Brown appointed a committe of correspondence with the paper. A year later we find the Convention "adopting" and endorsing the Western Star, published at Jackson- ville, 111., and edited by Rev. A. Bailey. Also in 1846 the Des Moines Association passed resolutions endorsing the Western Star and the "Mother's Journal, Missionary Magazine and Macedonian." About the year 1847 Rev. Luther Stone started a paper in Chicago called the Watchman of the Prairies, and in 1848 the Des Moines Association recommended this paper to the patronage of the churches. We note these proceedings as illustrating how thoroughly alive our Baptist fathers were to the value of this species of religious reading for the families of their churches. In 1853 the subscription list of the WatcJiman of the Prairies was sold by Rev. Luther Stone to Rev. J. C. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 461 Burroughs, and the resultant new paper, the CJtiistian TiTnes, was published for a few months by Dr. Burroughs, "in association with Rev. Henry G. Weston, then of Peoria, and Rev. A. J. Joslyn of Elgin. In November 1853 Rev. Leroy Church and Rev. Justin A. Smith became joint proprietors of the Christian Times. Mr. Smith - soon transferred his proprietary interest to Rev, J. F. Childs, who was in turn succeeded by Edward Goodman, the pres- ent senior proprietor of the Standard, the name finally taken by the paper. So much preliminary history, as to the origin of the paper itself, seemed to be necessary in order to properly represent The Standard in Iowa as one of the efficient forces in the history of the denomination in the state. The circulation of the paper in Iowa was quite limited until October, 1854, when Mr. Edward Goodman, the present senior proprietor, visited the state with a view to introduce it more generally among the churches. He began at Davenport, October 20th of that year, the Iowa Baptist State Convention being in session at that place, and .traveled as far west as Des Moines, through a large number of counties, visiting every church, and a great many of the members at their homes. The canvass con- tinued for seven months ; a large number of subscribers was obtained, and thus began a general circulation of the Standard in Iowa that has continued and incieasedas the years rolled by. The conductors of the paper regard Iowa as one of the most interesting sections of their large field, and have shown their desire to serve the cause in the state, not only by allowing a liberal space for church news in the columns of the paper, but also by the publishing of large Supplements at various times, devoted especiall}^ to Iowa interests. As regards questions upon which the de- nomination in Iowa is divided, such as that of the location of the Baptist State University, the conductors of the 462 - HISTORICAL SKETCHES. Standard have kept in mind the fact that such questions are rather to be determined by the wisdom of Iowa Baptists themselves, than by their brethren elsewhere, however much interested while, when it seemed duty, they have frankly expressed their views upon certain phases of the question. They have borne in mind the fact that the Standard is the organ for the whole body of Baptists in Iowa, and that brethren holding opposite views upon special questions are, in the same, entitled to a hearing in its columns. The endeavor of those engaged on the paper has been to show their good will toward all denominational interests in Iowa, and, as in other states, to serve not to rule. The present conductors of the Standard are Rev, Justin A. Smith, D. D., Edward Goodman, Mrs. E. R. Dickerson, and J. Spencer Dickerson. Other Baptist papers have had considerable circulation in Iowa, as the Examiner of New York, the WatcJiman of Boston, the National BaptutQi Philadelphia, the Journal and Messenger of Cincinnati, the Central Baptist of St. Louis, and some others. In earlier days the American Baptist, published by Dr. Nathaniel Brown in the inter- ests of the American Baptist Free Mission Society, had quite a circulation in some of our churches where the anti- slavery sentiment was the strongest. About 1874-5 Rev. A. Robbins, afterwards associating with him Rev. J. B. Hawk, and subsequently Rev. J, D. Morris, started the Baptist Beacon, published first at Pella and then at Des Moines, Iowa. Brother Robbins made a good paper, but for want of means it was suspended after a few years. The Western Bulpit and Pew was a monthly, periodical started and edited by Rev. W. A. Welsher, but only continued for about one year. CHAPTER LI Retrospectivt]— Biographical — A Growth — First Cap- itol OF Iowa as a State and its Bap- tist Church. |UCH a volume as this upon which we are en- gaged, like its subject matter, is a growth. It was unavoidable that most valuable materials that ought to have had place in the beginning of these Sketches, should come to hand after the earlier pages had gone through the press. But as we have undertaken to write, only in Sketches rather than, what will undoubtedly come later from an abler pen, a con- nected history, the introduction, in a retrospective chapter, of some very valuable matter belonging to the earlier peri- ods will be admissible. The only remaining constituent member of the Iowa Baptist State Convention, so far as we know now living in Iowa, is Rev. Charles E. Brown of Lime Springs, Howard county. The only other one known to be living at all is Rev. VVm. Elliott, if still alive, who went to Nebraska a few years ago. Rev. Charles E. Brown was born in Augusta, Oneida county, New York, February 23, 1813, son of Rev. P. P. Brown, one of the successful pioneer ministers in Central 464 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES New York. Converted when 19 years of age, he became a member of the Baptist church in Augusta, of which his father was pastor. He was educated at Madison Univer- sity and ordained in September 1838, and married the same month to Miss Frances L3^on of Little Falls, New York. He commenced labor as pastor of the Norway Baptist Church in the following November, and continued four and one-half years here, and at Warren in the same county, bap- tizing nearly 40 persons. In May, 1842, he was appointed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society to Iowa, at a salarj^ of $100 per annum, and S75 to pay expenses of moving to the field. He had then a wife and two children to support. After a journey of nearly 4 weeks, 200 miles by canal boat, nearly 900 b}^ steamboat, and about 150 by lumber wagon, he reached his field of labor, the Forks of Maquoketa, territory of Iowa, the last of May, 1842. The next month, June, 1843, he and his wife went to Iowa City, 60 miles, over an almost uninhabited prairie, to aid in the formation of the Iowa Baptist State Convention. The means of conveyance for the assembling brethren and sisters was "on foot, on horse back, and in prairie schoon- ers." Mr. Brown says, "Elder M.J. Post came over a hundred miles on horse back, with Brother Rudd walking by his side holding on to the stirrup of his saddle. It was a glorious meeting, and the brethren and sisters parted full of faith and courage for the religious future of Iowa." Elder Brown and his wife were the missionaries who, the following September, "rode 40 miles in a one-horse cart constructed for the occasion out of the hind wheels and- axle of an old lumber wagon," to attend the organization of the Davenport Association. Elder Brown furnisjies some additional information in regard to tlie organization of some_of the early churches in this Association. The LeClaire Church, at first called Bath, was organized in 1839 OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 465 by Elder Rodolphus Weston, a classmate of Elder Brown, and at the time pastor at Carthage, Illinois. Davenport Church was organized in August of the same year. Xot being prepared for winter in the unfinished log cabin then occupied. Elder Brown moved with his family to Davenport in November, 1842, and became the joint pastor of the Davenport and Rock Island Churches. The following winter is remembered by the early settlers as the long, cold winter of 1842-3. During that year Elder Brown bap- tized 50, most of them into the two churches whicli he served as pastor, two or three at Port Byron, Illinois, and a number at Comanche Iowa, where he organized a church. His next pastorate was at Le Claire. In 1847 he returned to Maquoketa and reorganized tlie church there. In 1851, with broken health he returned to the state of New York, where he remained as pastor six years, and then, in 1857, returned to Iowa and settled in the extreme northern part of the state, in Howard county, to avoid the ague and fever, "the annual dread of the people further south," he says, in those earlier years. In Howard county, where he has lived most of the time for 30 years, he organized the church at Vernon Springs (now Cresco) and the Lime Springs Church. Of these he was pastor many years. The people of Howard countyjelected him the first count}'^ super- intendent of schools under the present school law, and also honored him with a seat in the Seventeenth General xVs- sembly of the State. Note. The Rev. Rodolphus Weston, (printed by mis- take Adolphus in the Baptist Encyclopedia) who organized the Baptist Church at LeClaire in 1839 was appointed Missionary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society to Hancock county, Illinois, in that year. He preached in many places, and became pastor at Carthage, where he had a great revival and remained pastor for 12 3^ears. In 1852 466 . HISTORICAL SKETCHES he went overland to Oregon, where he was pastor of the West Union Church, and Missionary of the Willamette Association until 1863, when he r-emoved to Washington Territory. He was "the pioneer Baptist preacher" of that Territory: the only Baptist preacher for many years in a large district of country. It is said "The churches at Elma, Centerville, Olympia, Seattle and other places all recog- nize in 'Father Weston' one of the chief founders of the Baptist cause in Washington territory." Another connect- ing link between the Baptists of Iowa and this part of the Mississippi Valley, and those of the North Pacific coast, Oregon and Washington Territory. Iowa City and its First Settlers, and Organization OF THE Baptist Church. From a sermon preached by Rev. Dexter P. Smith, D. D , on the 17th of December, 1876, we take a few facts that are too valuable to miss of preservation in this retrospect. "In 1837 the only civilized inhabitants of Johnson county were Col. S. C. Trowbridge, Eli Myers, Philip Clark, Sam- uel Walker and Eli Simms. In 1839 the capitol commis- sioners: Chauncy Swan of Dubuque county, John Ronnels of Louisa county, and Robert Ralston of Des Moines coun- ty, surveyed and laid out the capitol of the Territory on the section now occupied by Iowa City. Tlie only improve- ments indicative of civilization were two unfinished cabins. During the autumn of the same year, his excellency, Rob- ert Lucas, Governor of the Territory, accompanied by his wife and daughter, visited the new capitol, traveling from Burlington to Iowa City on horseback. They were provi- ded with what was then deemed ample accommodations, at a log cabin, the sleeping rooms of which were reached by means of a ladder. By January 1, 1840, the population had increased to twenty families, and in April of that OF IGWA BAPTISTS. 467 year, Cliauncey Swan, Commissioner, commenced the erec- tion of the Capitol building. In December, 18-11, the Leg- isture convened at Iowa City. In 1842 $50,000 liad been expended on the State House, and the population had in- creased to nearly 1.000. Iowa was admitted to the Union as a State, December 28, 1846, and the Capitol was subse- quently re-located at Des Moines and the State University established at Iowa City as a compensation. The State building was donated to the University with other valua- ble property which has since been greatly augmented. The first Baptists who settled at Iowa City were Isaiah Choate and I. N. Sanders and wife. In 1841 other mem- bers of the denomination having located at or near the Cit}^, it was deemed advisable to organize a Baptist Church. A Council met at the Choate school house, June 28, 1841, com- posed as follows' Galena, Illinois, Rev. John Champlin; Dubuque, Iowa, Rev. Burton Carpenter, and Rev. W. B, Morey, late of New York; of the resident members. Elder B. M. Parks, Isaiah Choate, Newton Sanders, Jehiel Parks, Julius Brown, Jas. N. Ball, Julia Ball, Harrison Parks, Lucy Parks, Eliza Parks, and Orville Parks. Elder Parks was appointed Moderator and Isaiah Choate, clerk. All concurred in the expediency of the organization. Mr. Car- penter preached in the evening and W. B. Morey on Sun- day morning, and at the close of the morning service bap- tized in the beautiful Iowa River, Brothers F. Hardee and John Wolf. A call was extended to Rev. W. B. More}^ July 24, 1841, who thus became the first pastor of the Iowa City Church, services beginning in October of that year and preaching one-fourth of his time. Some things in the subsequent history of the Iowa City Church are too good to be left out of this reminiscence. "The Iowa Baptist State Convention met with the Iowa City Church in June, 1846. Over thirty of the delegates 468 HISTORICAL SKETCHES were lodged at the pastor's house. Cots were obtained from the American Hotel for the women, who occupied the upper rooms. Buffalo robes, quilts and blankets were spread upon the floor below, where some of the brethren were ''packed'; others retired to the horse barn. The matron who superintended the cooking stated that over three hundred meals were provided at that house during the meetings. The formidable array of Baptists made an impression on the capital city. A good Methodist sister, awestruck, exclaimed, 'I did not suppose there were so many Baptists in the world.'" In Obituary notes will be found an account of the death of Rev. A. Russell Bolden, brother Smith's successor in the pastorate. We subjoin here another thrilling account : "The city had just been startled by the announcement of the death of Mrs. Col. Allen with cholera. Mr. Belden joined with the bereaved family in requesting Rev. Dexter P. Smith to preach the funeral sermon the following Sunday. "Revs. Belden and Smith, with a few friends, met at the house of Col. Allen for a short service, after which the remains of Mrs. Allen were conveyed to the cemetery for burial. Mr. Belden, in ap- parent good health, rode with Mr. Smith. They returned about noon, and before the close of that day Mr. Belden had passed away. The city was clouded with gloom ; all felt that God was near. Mr. Smith preached his funeral ser- mon at the same hour previously fixed for the funeral of Mrs. Allen." The writer of these sketches, with his wife, had just arrived in Iowa in September, 1855. Spending a week in Muscatine we then "took stage -'for Oskaloosa, via Iowa City, Washington, Fairfield and Ottumwa. Ar- riving at Iowa City on Friday night we were informed that no stage ran on Saturday for Oskaloosa, so there was no way but to stay in that city till jMonday morning. We put up at a hotel and spent the time as best we could. We OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 469 remember distinctly the awe and gloom that pervaded the place on account of a number of cases of cholera, though the people kept it as still as they could. This was still in September, and though we have not the exact date of the death of Mrs. Allen and Mr. Belden, it is very likely we were there just at the time. The experience of getting the first church building for the Iowa City Church, which was at the time the best Baptist church edifice westof the Mississippi, and is the one occupied by the church yet, is worth a permanent record. A large Sabbath school had been gathered. The church had occupied different places of worship, the Universalist Church, the Mechanics' Academy, and subsequently a building afterwards known as the Christian Chapel. "In the midst of cheer and hope," a time of "incipient pros- perity," the church was unexpectedly informed by the proprietors of the building they occupied at the time that it would not be convenient longer to rent the chapel. The next Sunday morning some of the children, not knowing what had been done, gathered around the closed building. The pastor met them, met their sad and imploring looks, "spoke words of cheer and hope, and assured them that an effort should be made to secure for them a permanent place of gathering. But where, and how, were questions not so easily answered. The church was too poor to pur- chase even an eligible lot upon which to build." After much prayer, and at great sacrifice upon the part of the pastor and his sick family, Mr. Smith, in the fall of 1846, "went east to solicit of personal friends and the churches in New York, funds to build a church.'' The effort was remarkably successful, exceeding the most sanguine hope; $4,067.89 were obtained. The house was built, 41x63 feet, and was dedicated November 2, 1848. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. B. F. Brabrook, 470 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES. and Rev. George J. Jolinson, then just from the state of New York, being present and assisting in the services. A beautiful cut of the house is found in the minutes of the Davenport Association for 1852 Iowa Baptists and EvangelisjM. We have before us as we write a pamphlet written in 1855 by Deacon A. Wilber of Boston, father of Rev. H. R. Wilber, one of our pioneer ministers, entitled '• An Exami- nation of the Comparative Results of the Labors of Elder Jacob Knapp," in and about Boston. The prejudice against Evangelists was very strong and the paper was intended to answer some of the objections by showing that the sub- sequent life of the churches vindicated the soundness of conversions and the healthfulness of revivals. Iowa Bap- tists from the first have honored and been in return blessed b}^ that among other of the Ascension gifts of the risen Lord, ''//e gave some as evangelists^ Rev. Jacob Knapp did some valuable work at Burlington, and perhaps other of our Iowa churches. But eternity alone will divulge how many of the reliable members of nearly all our churches, in Southeastern Iowa especially, attribute their awakening and conversion to the labors of Revs. Morgan Edwards, Samuel Pickard, Wm. Elliott, J. M. Wood and others, not to speak of the strictly evangelistic labors of Pastors Johnson and indeed all the earlier pastors in that part of the state, for in the newer settlements more than later, pas- tors necessarily must obey the instruction, "Do the work of an evangelist," and right well they did it. Other evangelists. Revs. H. W. Brown, A. P. Graves and wife, E. C. M. Burnham, James M. Smith, and many others in the earlier days. Brother Chubbuck and wife, B. H. Brasted and others more recently, have all done much to fill up our churches with the best material. CHAPTER LII. Obituary Notes — From Works to Rewards — An Evek- Increasing Record. OW often have tliose words of the poet been repeated and applied to brighten the otherwise sombre aspect of those scenes that separate between the life that now is and that which is to come. They are not worn out, but will serve to introduce our me- morial of those, who from making Baptist history in Iowa, have gone to join the acclaim of those who glorify God in the better land, '•The chamber where the good man meets his fate, Is privileged above tlie common walks of life. Quite on the verge of Heaven." Our obituary record begins with 1846. Rev. Peter Robinson died at Marion, September 1846. His death is noticed on page 86 of this volume. Rev. Dexter P. Smith, says of him, "I was associated with Brother Robinson as a student in Madison University, and in 1846 hailed him as a fellow laborer in Iowa. But while admiring his work of faith and brightening prospects at Marion, the sum^nons came. It only remained to comply with his request, go to Marion and preach his funeral sermon, comfort the be- 472 HISTORICAL SKETCHES reaved cliurcli, accept the situation, be faithful unto death and meet him in glory." Rev. D. Whitmore died in Jack- son county in 1846 but we have no further particulars of his life. Rev. M. J. Post died in Pella, April 2, 1848. An ac- count of his death from the pen of his daughter is given on pages 84-5 together with an account of his life. Rev, Wm. B. Knapp of Charleston and his entire fam- ily, consisting of wife and two or^three children, died of cholera in 1849. The family had entertained a stranger at their home, who, either before or immediately after leav- ing, sickened and died with the fatal disease. They had entertained an angel unawares but it proved to be the an- gel of death. Mr. Knapp left his home to fill an appoint- ment at Denmark, and^while there was attacked with the cholera and died in a few hours. About the same time death smote his wife and one of the children, and while a messenger was bearing to his home the sad news of his death, another was on the way to convey to Denmark the sorrowful tidings that he never received. Mrs. J. A. Nash, wife of Rev. J. A. Nash of Des Moines died in 1851. In the Annual of that year, after making glad mention of the coming of Brother Nash as a helper in the great work committed to Iowa Baptists, it is added, "Soon after his arrival he was called to drink the bitter cup of affliction in the removal of his companion to the haven of eternal rest. Those of us who became acquainted witli sister Nash esteemed and loved her, and we mingle the tear of sympathy with our bereaved brother, early called to mourn, while yet a stranger in a strange land," Rev, Ira Blanchard died in California about 1852. He was settled in Delaware county, Iowa, as early as 1844. He was instrumental in organizing the church at Cascade OF lOVVA BAPTISTS. 473 and labored there and in Delaware county until 1850, when he went to the Pacific coast where he died. He organized the first Delaware Church Delaware county in 1844. Morgan. A minister by the name of Morgan died in Bellevue in 1852, but#)tliing further is known of him. Rev. B. F. Bra brook died at Davenport June 9, 1853, Born at Acton. Massachusetts, September 15, 1809, baptized in 1829; graduated at Columbia College. D. C,. and studied theology at Xewton Theological Seminary. He was or- dained April 19, 1837, and immediately started for St. Louis, where he labored until his health failed and he was compelled to return east. In 1843 he engaged as agent of Foreign Missions in the Western States. He visited Iowa, and on the day he entered the state said, "To-day, for the first time my feet press the soil of Iowa, and beneath its sod my bones may rest.'' In 1845 he settled as pastor at Davenport, and afterward, upon the failure of his eyes, entered the agency of the'Home Mission Society. He was continuous!}^ under appointment of this society from 1846 till 1852. "As a christian, a pastor and an agent Brother Brabrook was pious, devoted, talented and beloved. The infiuence of his labors will long be felt in Iowa, and the record of tliem is in heaven." Rev. a. Russell Belden died of cholera in Iowa City in 1855. Mr. Belden came from New York in 1851 and was successor of Dexter P. Smith as pastor at Iowa City. Af- ter a pastorate of less than three years he "conceived the idea of founding an orphan college in that city. A site was secured and a foundation laid, when death suddenly called him away. A list of ministers who died in 1855 also contains the names of W. S. Ba?'ne.s', J. McKaln and W. T. Martin, but without particulars. Rev. George I. Miles died at Muscatine, Iowa, in No- 474 HISTORICAL SKETCHES vember, 1857, having been pastor of the church there only a little more than a year. One who had known him well in Pennsylvania wrote: "Brother Miles was extensively known to the denomination for his sterlino- piety, and as a zealous and successful minister of the cross. " *' A prominent actor in all the benevolent operations of the day, his pres- ence and counsels were sought in the convocations of the denomination in the east." His coming to our State was hailed with joy. But alas ! "In the midst of his useful- ness he was cut down and his active, lively and eloquent tongue lay motionless and still in death." Rev. a. Thompson died in the Eden Association in 1859, He was ordained in Indiana in 1847, and came to Iowa in 1848 and located in the new and destitute region southwest of the Des Moines River. In 1857 he was ap- pointed Missionary of the Eden Association and the State Convention, and labored with gr.eat success, baptizing with- in the year '" not less than ninety-nine converts with his own hands." Rev. N. Richmond, also of the Eden Association, died in 1859. He removed from Indiana to this State three years before his death. He preached in the midst of man}-^ privations, to several churches, " with a good degree of success." Rev. — Hewson died in the Iowa Valley Association some time in 1859. He had re- cently come from Illinois and settled on a farm, and after preaching to one of the churches with much acceptance for a few weeks " was stricken down with sickness and sum- moned away." Rev. S. B. Baker died near Winterset, April 25. 1859. He had removed from Indiana to Iowa some four or five years before. Was regularly ordained to the work of the ministry only about a 3^ear before his death, though he had preached more or less for many years. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 475 Rev. Petek Colgrove died near Fairbank, Fayette county, Iowa, August 1, 1860, after a sickness of only two days. He was born in Tompkins county, New York, June 10, 1817. United with the Baptist church at Mecklenburg at the age of 16, entered the institution at Hamilton June 27, 18B4, and completed their full course of study. He was ordained at Mecklenburg August 25, 1841. He labored with a number of churches in his native state, and received to their membership about three hundred souls. He came with his family to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1859. "As a counselor, judicious and safe; as ^ preacher, instructive and sometimes thrilling ; as a man, a christian and a min- ister, upright and dignified."' He was "just su(th a man as is needed in every new settlement, and greatly missed by the whole community." Rev. J. R. Dean died August 19, 1860. He was a gradu- ate ot the Theological Seminary at Kalamazoo, Michigan. He came to Iowa in 1857 and first settled as pastor at New Hartford, where he baptized 27, and the church increased from 11 to 50. He preached also at Shell Rock and inter- mediate points with marked success, especially in revival work. In the spring of 1860, with impaired health, he went to Pike's Peak, "hoping to regain his health and be useful in helping to cast society in that vicinity in a religious mould.'- But God ordered it otherwise, and he was taken to join the heavenly throng in the mount of eternal glory. Rev. Zophor Ball died near Knoxville, Iowa, August 19, 1860, the same day that Brother Dean passed away. Nothiug is known of this brother further than, it is said, "He was an ordained minister and had labored faithfully for many years, mainly at his own charges." Sister Elizabeth S. Aitchison, wife of Rev. J. Y. Aitchison, died in October, 1860. Her maiden name was 476 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Frazee. She was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She was baptized in Davenport by Rev. E. M. Miles, about 1854. Was married about 1857. "Had lived for six years a highly consistent christian life, and for three years and eight months a loving spouse and helpmeet to her now be- reaved husband." Her end was peace. Deacon John Scott died at Bonaparte in March, 1861. His known integrity and zeal as a member of the Mt. Zion Church (Bonaparte) made for him a cherished place in the annals of that church and in the hearts of all who knew him. His pastor. Rev. W. A. Eggleston, wrote, "He died with a good hope through grace, and the last of earth was peace." He was about 60 years old. Rev. Abraham Smock of Davis county, died at Camp McClellan in the spring of 1863, of disease contracted in the army. A full notice of this brother will be found on page 149, in the history of the Fox River Association. Rev. D. T. Case of Bethlehem, Wayne county, died in 1863. He was in the fatal charge on the intrenchments of Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, and escaped unhurt, but died a few months later at a railroad station almost in sight of friends, on his way home. He died of disease contracted in the army. He was "a young brother, with his ministe- rial vows fresh upon him, and giving much promise of use- fulness." Rev. Jonah Todu died near Dodgeville, Des Moines county, May 12, 1863. He was the Moderator at its organization, of the Des Moines Association, and conse- quently the first to occupy that position in a Baptist As- sociation in Iowa. Rev. Mr. Pratt of Onawa, entered the army and was found dead in the streets of Helena, sup- posed to have been assassinated. No particulars. ■ Dea. Chamberlain of the Burlington Church, died November 12, 1863. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 477 Dp:a. Toogoou of Marion died at the Toogood Settle- ment, and Deacons Hutchinson and Whitney of the Palo Church died in the army, all in 1863 Also Deacon C. W. FoitHES of the Van Buren Church, Jackson county, died in camp near Vicksburg.' Deacon Henky A. Ritnek of Danville, son of Ex-Gov- ernor Ritner of Pennsylvania, one of the founders of our State Convention and a prominent man in the denomina- tion, was killed on the railroad by a singular accident in April, 1863. He had sons in the army and had been at Burlington, as we remember the circumstance, to see some- thing about sending them some reliefer token of affection. He was walking on the track, and being a little deaf, and perhaps lost in abstracted thought, a train struck him from behind and lie was killed. Deacon A. Fishek, of the Brighton Church, died in the spring of 1863. "Father Fisher" will be remembered as long as any live who knew him, for his intense devotion to the church he loved. (See page 297.) Sister Lucy Bra- BKOOK, widow of Rev. B. F. Brabrook, died at Davenport in May, 1863. A noble, earnest christian woman, a helper in every good work. Lieut. Samuel Bates, 21st Regi- ment Iowa Volunteers, son of Rev. John Bates, "was mor- tally wounded on the memorable 22nd of May, 1863 at Vicksburg, and died in a few days." (See page 203.) Rev. John M. Coggshall died at Little Rock, Arkan- sas, October 29, 1863. Born in Bristol, R. I., December 29, 1820, converted at 18 and united with the Baptist Church at Troy, Penn. He studied at Madison University, and was ordained in June, 1843. He served as pastor success- ively of churches in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois and Iowa, and then entered the army as cliaplain of the 1st Iowa Cavalry, where he gave up his valuable life for his 478 HISTORICAL SKETCHES country and his God, leaving an afflicted widow and six children. Rev. a. a. Sawin died of small pox at West Irving in the summer of 1864. He was born at West Minister, Mass- achusetts, and dedicated himself to the christian ministry in his youth. He showed marks of great earnestness and more than ordinary ability. He preached at Ticonderoga, then in Vermont, afterwards at Stillwater, N. Y., at Fulton, 111., Lyons, Iowa, and at Marion, Iowa. From Marion he removed to Benton county and threw himself with all the characteristic earnestness of his nature into the enter- prise of establishing the Addison Collegiate Tnstiiute at West Irving. He was Acting pastor at the time of his death of the Toledo Church where he "was buried among an attached and mourning Hock.-' Rev. James Parker died at Avon, Iowa, early in 1864. He was born in Kentucky, but his parents removed to Ohio when he was about 4 years old. He was converted at the age of 20 under the labors of Rev. J. L. Moore. Was ordained about 12 years before his death, and preached in Washington and Van Buren counties. He then moved to Pella and labored for two or three years with great activity and energy with churches in the Central Association. In 1863 37 were baptized at Vandalia, and the next winter at Hartford, Carlisle and Avon 79 as the result of a great re- vival under his labors. ''Worn down with excessive labors he was taken sick at Avon and died." Deacon Elihu Ives died near Marion, September 12, 1864, aged 77. He had been a resident of Linn county since 1839, and a member of the Marion Baptist Church from its organization. "A man of deep toned piety and uprightness, though an active member of the church he shown brightest in the exemplification of the christian life OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 479 in his daily deportment." Mrs. Williams, wife of Rev. John Williams, one of the early Missionaries of the Con- vention died also in 1864. Dk. A. W. Everett died in the Eden Association in 1864. He practiced medicine and preached as occasion offered. Rev. Isaac Christie, also of the Eden Association, died in 1865 at the age of about 60 years. He labored some years in Indiana, and afterwards removed to Missouri, where he had a good farm and preached to the surrounding- churches. ''In the fall of 1860 he voted for Mr. Lincoln for president, and was soon afterward notified to leave the county or his life would be taken.-' HeAwas an earnest and faithful pastor and a devoted christian. Rev. Luther Holmes of Monmouth died in April, 1865, of congestion of the lungs, in his 70th year. He was the father of Rev. O. A. Holmes, one of the most successful pastors in Iowa for many years. For further particulars see pages 204-5 of this volume. Rev. Lyman Carpenter died in California June 27, 1865. Brother Carpenter was pastor of the church at Blue Grass, Scott county, from 12 to 15 years. He was ordained there in 1846, Rev. B. F. Brabrook preaching the sermon. He went to California only a few years before his death. Rev. a. H. Harris died at Vinton, Iowa, November 26, 1865, aged only 38 years. He was ordained in Michigan about 1860, and came to Iowa perhaps in 1863. He took charge of the Vinton Church in February 1865, but after a painful illness of six weeks, fell asleep in Jesus and went to his reward." "He was retiring, modest and unassum- ing, yet firm and unswerving as a minister of Jesus Christ. A man of strong faith, in his preaching plain, direct and searching, the great burden of his heart was the salvation of souls and the building up of the Redeemer's kingdom." 480 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Rev. Hezekiah Johnson died at Oregon City, Oregon, in August, 1866 He was born in Maryland, March 6, 1799, " the son of Rev. Eleazer Johnson and Martha Rounds." He was ordained in Highland county, Ohio, in 1824, and was pastor at Frankfort and Greenfield in that state. In 1889 he was one of the first three missionaries appointed by the Home Mission Society to the Territory of Iowa, and labored as an itinerant until 1844, assisting in organizing some of the first churches and Associations in the state. " In 1845 he went with Rev. Ezra Fisher to Oregon. He or- ganized the church at Oregon City and labored there under appointment of the Society from 1847 to '51. "He traveled preached, helped to organize churches and Associations and lay the foundations of religious and educational insti- tutions in the new state. He also wrote and published many sermons and pamphlets, completing the last on his death-bed. He was one of the strongest Baptist preachers in the early days of Oregon," as he had been of Iowa. Over his grave and that of his faitliful wife is placed a memorial stone with the simple inscription, '"Pioneer Bap- tist Missionaries. " He was the father of Rev. Franklin Johnson, D. D., of Cambridge, Mass. Mrs. Harriett R. Wedoewood, wife of Rev. J. M. Wedgewood of the Turkey River Association, died Sep- tember 21, 1860. Also the helmwA loife of Rev. John Ful- ton at Independence, March 18, 1866, and the wife of Bei\ A. W. Russell, some time in June after a lingering illness. Rev, a. H. Starkweather, of Lyons, died, much lament- ed, Januar}^ 17, 1867, preceded by his excellent wife not quite tliree months. He was a "graduate of Madison Uni- versity and served the churches at Corning and Bethany, New York." He came west in 1855 and located in Fulton, Illinois, and in 1858 crossed the river and began work in Lyons, Iowa, where he continued almost eight years. Mrs. or IOWA BAPTISTS. 481 Starkweather was born at Bethany, New York; daughter of Deacon Burroughs. "She was a fond wife, and especial- ly a good minister's wife." The}^ left two lovelj" daugli- ters who were "graciously cared for in the Jiome of their uncle, George Starkweather, at Albion. New York." Rev. James Kay, pastor of the Baptist church at Cascade, died at that place July 4, 1867. Born in Westmoreland, in the North of England, he was converted in early manhood, and was for a time on the City Mission Staff of Manchester. See further notice on page 207. Rev. JoiM Jackson died at McGregor, Iowa, in 1867. He was born in England. About 1852 he became pastor of the English Baptist church at Agra, East Indies, and con- tinued five years. His health becoming impaired he left Asia and came to America. He was for six years pastor of the West Baptist church at Milwaukee, and then re- moved to McGregor, Iowa. After serving one 3'ear as pastor of the church here he went back to India and settled at Alahabad. But feeble health soon led him to return to this country and to the bosom of his friends at McGregor, where he "peacefully departed this life to enter into the joy of his Lord." His friends at Milwaukee claimed the honor of his remains and he was buried at that place. Rev. Hazzaud Green of Jacksonville died Januar}^ 6, 1867. "His sickness was protracted and severe, yet he bore it with fortitude and resignation, His end was joy- ous and triumphant." "For several years he had been an honored minister of the gospel in this state." Rev. Wm. McEwEN of Fremont was suddenly called home on the 5th of February, 1867, at the close of a successful revival effort. He was a warm hearted, zealous laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, and respected and loved by those who knew him. Deacon Geokge M. Colgate of McGregor died full of 482 HISTORICAL SKETCHES faith and good works. He was clerk of the Turkey River Association for several years, and was an unusually intel- ligent and devoted christian and church member. See page 338. Brother Colgate was converted when thirteen years of age and baptized by the late Wm. R. Williams, D. D., being the first candidate baptized into the fellow- ship of the Amity Street Baptist Church of New York City, of which Dr. Williams remained pastor until his death, over fifty years. Mrs. Susan E. Wilber died at Cedar Rapids in December, 1867. The wife of Rev. H. R. Wilber, she was the daughter of Prof. D. Knowles. She consecrated herself to the cause of Home Missions, and cheerfully en- dured the privations and made the sacrifices incidental to her position as the devoted wife and helpmeet of a pastor of new and struggling churches. Rev. a. F. Willey died at Oskaloosa April 4, 1868. He was born in Vermont in 1830, and while quite young removed with his parents to Texas, and subsequently to Illinois. He was baptized by Rev. A. J. Joslyn of Elgin, graduated from the University of Rochester in the class of 1858, and from the Theological Seminary in 1860, and in the fall of the same year settled as pastor at Burlington, Iowa. Here he was ordained and remained as pastor four years. His ministry at Burlington was greatly blessed until his health failed under his exhaustive labors. He was afterwards the first pastor of the church at Marshall- town, where he labored fifteen months. Still more enfeebled he spent a year in the country in Missouri. Though but partially restored he was unable to content himself out of the work of his love. He settled with the church at Os- kaloosa. Here he preached his last sermon in February, 1868, from the text Psalm xxxvii:37, '"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." It was a wonderful sermon. Many who heard it OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 483 said, ''He has preached his own funeral." He himself said to his wife on entering his home, "Carrie, I have preached my last sermon.'' But he said to a friend, during his last sickness, "I rejoice to die at the front." Rev. R. D. C. Herring died in March, 1868, at the age of 70. He was born in Kentucky, and spent most of his life in Indiana. He came to Iowa about 1865, and preached in Boone and Story counties. He administered baptism on the Sabbath and died the Wednesday after. Rev. AVm. RuTLEDGE died at LeClaire, October 27, 1868. Born in England August 19, 1804; he rendered excellent service in London in the Temperance Cause, and as a lay-preacher in Essex county. He came to America in 1845 and the fol- lowing year was ordained in Philadelphia. He came to Davenport in 1847 as a Colporteur of the American Baptist Publication Society. He was pastor of the churches at Le- Claire and Princeton, Iowa, and Cordova and Port Byron, Illinois, laboring in this vicinity for twenty-two years. He preached his last sermon October 18, and died just nine days later, in his sixty-fifth year. Rev. Marion Hazen, pastor at Parker's Grove, died in 1868 or '69 "soon after the meeting of the Linn Associa- tion." He was converted at an early age in Indiana and began preaching before he was twenty years old. In the spring of 1867 he settled at Shellsburg. Modest and un- pretending he was yet full of the spirit of the Master, and was owned of God in the conversion of many souls. He was eminently pious, and died sweetly trusting in Jesus, committing his companion and little ones to the covenant- keeping God. His memor3^ is fragrant with the perfume of good deeds and a Christ-like spirit. He has a son now in the ministry. Rev. Phineas Inskeep died September 16, 1869. He 484 HISTORICAL SKETCHES was bom in Ohio, December 31, 1812, converted at the age of twelve, and ordained as a Methodist minister at 21. In 1839 he became convinced that immersion was the only christian baptism and was immersed but remained in the Methodist connection until 1859 when he united with the Baptist church an^-.was ordained at New Boston, Lee county, April 28, 1861. He was pastor at Charleston, at Bonaparte, and perhaps some other churches, and was war- den of the Penitentiary at Foi-t Madison. He had also been a member of the Legislatures of Ohio and Iowa. "Those who attended him in his last sickness, witness to his triumphant death in hope of a glorious immortality." Rev. G. G. Edwards of Toledo, died in 1809. He came to Iowa in 1855 and organized the ■ Toledo Church. "He was a faithful minister of Christ, and active in all that pertains to the work of the Lord." He was an ardent sup- porter of the anti slavery sentiment and of the American Baptist Free Mission Society in its day, also of work among the Freedmen. He was a Missionary of the Convention and though in great weakness, labored at Belle Plaine and West Irving the last year of his life. He had a burning zeal to preach the gospel as long as he had breath and could stand upon his feet. Rev. Hamilton Samson died at Palo in March 1870. He was pastor at Maquoi^eta in 1864 and remained two years; afterwards at Mt. Vernon and other places in the Linn Association. He was one "often seen in our annual gatherings and whom to meet was always a pleasure." Rev. Timothy R. Cresset died at Des Moines, August 30, 1870. He was born at Pomfret, Conn., September 18, 1800. Converted at twenty, graduated from Amherst Col- lege in 1828 and from Newton Theological Seminary in 1830. He was pastor, first at Hingham, Massachusetts, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 485 three and one-half years, and then went to South Boston. While in college he liad solemnly dedicated himself to Home Missions, and in 1835 began Home Mission work in the great west by becoming pastor at Columbus, Ohio, where he remained seven years, and built the church edi- fice now in use. Here he lost his first%^ife, Mary Peck, and married Josephine, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Going, who survived him a number of years. He was two years pas- tor of the First Church, Cincinnati, and then a like time Agent of the Bible Society for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In July, 184G, he became pastor of First Baptist Churcli, Indianapolis. Here he remained six years and secured the erection of a meeting house seating 40U, with Sabbath School rooms, etc. He was the third minister to enter the Territory of Minnesota, May, 1852, and became pastor of the First Baptist Church, St. Paul. He was pastor two years here and then "Home Mission work began in earnest." Journeying on foot, sometimes walking adozen miles with- out seeing a human being. Seven years were mainly em- ployed in such work, preaching the first sermon ever heard in many a place and ''having much to do with the organi- zation of not a few churches." Riding on horseback in the rigors of the Minnesota winters, preaching in log cabins, "all appointments were sacredly kept." In August, 1861, he became chaplain of the 2d Minnesota A^olunteers and spent two years in the service. He was then pastor two years at Kendallville, Indiana, preached at Plainfield and Olney, Illinois, and in 1868 removed and became pastor at Indianola, Iowa. In 1870 he removed to Des Moines. He had accepted an appointment as "Railroad Missionary" to begin labor the first of September, but on the 31st of August he was suddenly taken ill, and soon after uttered his last and memorable words, ''My work is done; I am go- in": home." 486 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Rev. John Trevitt died at Bonaparte in 1872. He had been pastor for several years at West Point, Iowa, and at Bonaparte Just before Lis death. He was a good man and left an excellent record. Rev. Edwin Eaton, D. D., died at Lagrange, Mo., May 10, 1872, aged 54 years. He had been pastor of the Baptist Church at Muscatine, president of the Iowa Baptist State Convention and of the Union for Ministerial Education for the first three years of its existence. " When choosing his life work, under clear and forcible convictions of duty, he abandoned the study of law and the prospects of worldly position and fame, for the ministry." He spent 28 j^ears in his chosen pursuit. Inconsequence of failing health he resigned the care of the church at Muscatine, hoping that rest and the genial influence of a milder climate might restore his exhausted energies. But soon the Master's voice was heard saying, "Come up higher." " He was extensively known in Ohio, Michigan and Iowa as an able and successful minister, a faithful pastor, a thorough scholar and an earnest advocate for an enlightened ministry." "As a man and a citizen he commanded, in an eminent degree, the confidence and re- spect of the community in which he lived." Brother Daniel Johns was drowned in the Missis- sippi at Comanche, July 13, 1872. He was a student in the Chicago University and in the Theological Seminary, and was supplying the church at Comanche. They deeply felt his loss. A native of Wales, he commenced preaching in that country, but coming to this country he had entered the institutions above named, and was n ear completing his course. In the Keokuk Association in 1873, Deacon Jonathan Swan and Father Bristow, of the Denmark church,- and Father George Moore of Charleston all passed away. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 487 Deacon Swan was a constituent member of the Denmark Church, and also the last survivino; constituent member of the church in Massachusetts from which he came. He had lived a christian over half a century. Father Bristow was the father of P. S. Bristow, Esq.. of Des Moines, well known about the capital. Father Moore had followed the f^'ood Shepherd for 73 years. Rev. Ezra Fisher died at The Dalles, Oregon, Novem- ber 1, 1874. He was born at Wendel, Mass., January 6, 18U0, '•when Baptists were sufferino; much persecution in that state by the established church." He was converted at 18, and after many struggles to obtain an education graduated from Newton Theological Seminary in 1829, and was or- dained January 17, 1830. He was pastor one year at Cambridge and two years at Springfield, Vermont, and was very successful in both places, baptizing at the latter 80 persons. He was sent by the Home Mission Society, near the close of 1832, to Indianapolis, Ind., one of the first three missionaries to that state. This was the first work of the society, and 41 missionaries in all were commissioned that year, including two general agents. He remained at Indianapolis something over two years, and in 1836 is found at Quincy, 111., where he remains, three or four years. In 1840 he was commissioned by the Society to Scott and Muscatine counties, Iowa. He was very active in our Iowa work in the years 1841 to 1844-5, when he crossed the plains and was probably the first Baptist minister to enter Oregon. In 1846 he organized the first Baptist church west of. the Rocky Mountains, in Washington county Oregon. In 1847 he and Hezekiah Johnson were the first two missionaries of the Home Mission Society on the Pa- cific Slope. He remained as missionary of the Society at Astoria and Oregon City until 1852, when he became General Agent for Oregon Territory. He had special gifts 488 HISTORICAL sketches for teaching, and at one time toolv charge of the Baptist school at Oregon City, out of which grew the college at McMinnville. He continued, however, in pastoral and missionary work until October 1874, when he preached his last sermon. The Beloved Wife of Rev. James Hill of Cascade departed this life March 12, 1874. She was much esteemed and universally lamented. Also in 1875 the church at Maquoketa lamented the removal by death of the beloved wife of their pastor, Rev. N. F. Hovt. Rev. John Bates died in Canada, May 8, 1875, aged 70 years. He was born in Bugbrook, Northamptonshire, England, January 26, 1805. Baptized December 25, 1829, into the fellowship of the Eagle Church, Rev. Joseph Irv- ing, pastor. He early '"turned his thoughts towards the christian ministiy, intending to go out as a missionary among the colored people of the West Indies." Not car- rying out this purpose, he afterwards decided to enter the service of the Baptist Irish Society to work among the Ro- man Catholics of Ireland. He was appointed by that body in 1833 and labored at Ballina, Sligo, and other localities. At Ballina where he continued for nine years, he baptized 60 persons, the fruit of missionary toil. He was in the em- ploy of the Baptist Irish Society in all, seventeen years. He came to America in 1850 and settled in Cascade, where his efficient labors are noticed in these Sketches. In this state he "came to be recognized as a power, and his coun- sels in Association and Convention were most carefully weighed." He removed to Canada in 1S64 and became pastor of the church at Duiidas. In 1867 he removed to AVoodstock and became identified with the interests of the Canadian Literary Institute located there. He was also for six years pastor of tlu^ cliurch at AVoodstock and re- REV. A. G. EBEKHART. OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 489 ceived into its fellowship by baptism and letter 211 per- sons. Hero lio consecrated two of his daughters to the Foreign Mission work. Mr. Bates was truly a man of great power and ardent piety. Rkv. E. LooMisdied at his home in Emerson, Iowa, Au- gust, 6, 1875. He was "full ofj^ears, ripe in christian expe- rience, loved by all who knew him and assured of his re- ward." Rev. Wm. C. Cunningham of the Southwestern Association, died about 1875. "A young man of more than ordinary promise," and had not been long in the ministr3^ Rev. J. C. Otis died at Glenwood in 1876. See notice on page 249, in the history of the Southwestern As- sociation. He had lived an unusually active and pious life, and died as he had lived glorifying God. Rev. J. W. Roe died at his home in Malvern in Octo- ber, 1876, while the State Convention was in session at Des Moines. He was recognized in the Southwestern Association as one ''whose work in the Association for a number of years had been a succession of victo- ries for the Master, culminating in the founding of Mai vern Academy.'' Brother Roe begun his ministry in the Burlington Association about 1864 as pastor, for a short time, of the Jefferson Church, and also at Charleston in the Keokuk Association. From 1865 to '67 he labored as Missionary of the Home Missionary Society in Missouri, in Gentry, Wortli, Harrison and perhaps other counties. In 1868 he returned to Iowa and became pastor at Sidney. "His life was eminent for usefulness in the upbuilding of churches, the promotion of all worthy benevolent enter- prises, the advancement of our educational work, and es- pecially was he blessed of God in leading precious souls to Jesus." Rev. J. B. Peat died in California November 15, 1876. J 490 HISTORICAL SKETCHES He was born in England September 24, 1816. His father died when he was two years old, and his mother when he was eight, leaving him an orphan. In his young manhood he yielded to the attractions of America and emigrated to the New World. He was converted and gave his whole heart and service to the cause of Christ and won for him- self esteem as a zealous and conscientious preacher. He was ordained in 1860, at Rogers' Grove, Linn county. Iowa, but owing to poor health he was unable to continue long in pastoral work. About 1870 he visited California for his health and received much benefit. He was pastor at, the City of Red Bluff where he died. "He was very active in Temper- ance work and other reform movements," and also with his pen. His first published work was a pamphlet entitled" Tlie Bible and Pedo-Baptists Against Open Communion." The title was afterwards changed to "The Bible Against Open Communion.-' "The Baptists Examined" is a volume of considerable size, probably his principal work. He is said to have published two other works, " Sure," and " Parson- age Pencilings." Rev. John Warren, pastor for four or five years of the Ainsworth Church, died some time in the spring of 1877. "Father Warren," as he was most fittingly called, "was a man of deep and fervent piety, of strong faith and thor- oughly imbued with a spirit of consecration to his Master, walking in the ordinances of the Lord blameless." He was ordained at Chariton, Iowa, about 1859. He was after- wards pastor at New London, Denmark, and perhaps other places, and finally at Ainsworth. He was also chaplain of the Penitentiary at Fort Madison. He had a simple, un- obtrusive, unafi'ected manner, beautifully manifest in all the walks of life, and won the affection and esteem of all who knew him. Rev, L, Frescoln of Brookville died in 1877. He OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 491 spent most of his ministerial life in Ohio, where it is said by one having personal knowledge, " that he served long and faithfull}^ preaching the word of life to perisliing sinners, and gathering many precious souls to the church." Rev. a. H. Rumbaugh of Charleston and Rev. G. W. Dowo, near Ottumwa, passed away in 1878. Of Brother Rumbaugh it is said, "A consistent christian, a zealous worker and a faithful pastor. Brother Dowd was pastor in the Davenport Association as early as 1861, at Zion, LeClaire, Hickory Grove, and Blue Grass. He was pastor of the last named for a number of years. Rev. Wm. J. Sparks died at his home near Moiugona, Boone county, June 30, 1878. "Father Sparks" may well be called the spiritual father of the Baptist Churches in this part of Iowa. He was born in North Carolina, and was one of those who forsook the home of their early childhood to get away from the evils of slavery. He came first to Indi- ana, and about 1852 removed from there to Boone county, Iowa. He was the first Baptist minister in all that region of the Des Moines Valley north of the city of Des Moines. He organized the North Union, Mount Pleasant and Great Bend Churches and preached and labored with unremit- ting zeal as the pioneer in all this region. He had a most tender and afl'ectionate way of calling his brethren and sisters "My Father's children," and he will be remembered for many years for his own fatherly and loving spirit. Rev. R. J. Reynolds died at Ames, August 8, 1879., He was from the state of New York and had been in Iowa onl}^ a little more than a year. This was his first and only pastorate in this state. He was a very earnest and devot- ed christian, and was lamented most by those who knew him best. Rev. Wm. Wood of Cedar Falls died July 21, 1879,- 492 HISTORICAL SKETCHES aged 73 years. He came from the state of Pennsylvania, where he was well known for his activity in the ministry, and settled at DeWitt, Iowa, in 1857. After a few years he removed to Cedar Falls, and for many years, indeed till near the time of his death, was actively engaged in mis- sionary and evangelistic work. He was of fearless and indomitable energy, and rebuked sin with an unsparing but sanctified zeal. Many souls were by him led to the cross, and many churches in Northern Iowa can testify to his success in missionary work. Rev. James Christie Hurd, M. D., on Sunday, Decem- ber 21, 1879, while yet in " the fullness of manhood and activity," " suddenl}^ passed away, in a few hours aft^r preaching to his people with his usual power." He was born in Nova Scotia, April 17, 1829. "He early prepared himself for the practice of medicine, but soon felt that it was his duty to preach the gospel." He became pastor of the Cedar Street Baptist Church, Buffalo, N. Y., in 1873, and while in that city occupied an editorial position on the Buffalo Express. From Buffalo he removed to St. Thomas, Ontario, and in 1876 came to Iowa and took charge of the Baptist Church at Marshalltown. In 1878 he became pastor of the 1st Baptist Church, Burlington, where he " died in the harness " on the date mentioned above. "Though he had been in Iowa less than four years, yet by marked ability and consecration to his work, he had won a y^lace of great power and influence throughout the state." In October, 1878, he was elected president of the Iowa Baptist State Convention, which position he filled with "signal ability" until the time of his death. Rev. Joshua Hill died at Guthrie Center, December 4, 1879. He came to Iowa at the age of 70, nearly ten years before his death. But though so advanced in years he OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 493 was an efficient pastor for three years, and a useful mem- ber of the cliurc]i as long as he lived. Rev. Wm. Roney died at Chicago June 12, 1879, of disease of the heart, aged 64. He was born within the pres- ent limits of Philadelphia, September 6, 1815, graduated from Madison University in 1843, and from Hamilton Theo- logical Seminary in 1845 and married to Irene B. Buell in the same year. His first pastorate was with the Hamilton Baptist Church in Ohio. His last pastorate was in the same state. He was pastor at Clinton, Iowa, in 1868 and '69. The text of his funeral discourse was one of his fa- vorite quotations, repeated with great earnestness on his deathbed; "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Rev. O. L. Critenden died at New Sharon, Februarj^ 23, 1880. He was born in Chenango county, New York, and was 66 years old at the time of his death. He was educa- ted at Madison University and was ordained in Chautauqua county. New York, in 1844. He had been pastor in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, and for sev- eral years at the 2d Church, Pella, Iowa. He was a man of great conscientiousness and purity of life. Rev. James Frey, Sr., at Sigourney, January 3, 1880, Rev. T. C. Briggs at Chickesaw, January 24, 1880, andREV. Wilford Wiiitaker at Iowa Falls, July 9, 1880, make up our record for that year. Rev. F. a. Gates, of Massilon, Cedar county, died sud- denly in Kansas, October 21, 1880, while visiting his young- est daughter. Born at Attleboro, Massachusetts, March 15, 1810, converted in his youth. Was in Waterville Col- lege from 1833 to '36. Was ordained at Marietta, Georgia, in 1842. Spent much of his time in teaching, and preach- ing occasionally as opportunity offered. He came to Iowa in 1852. Brother Gates was a life member of the Baptist 494 HISTORICAL SKETCHES State Convention, used frequently to attend its meetings and contributed liberally to its work. Rev. Hikam Burnett died at Ins home in Mt. Pleas- ant, January 8, 1881, in his 82d year. Born in Georgia in 1799, but removed with his parents when ten years of age to Winchester, Adams county, Ohio. He was ordained about 1832, and labored in Ohio for ten years. He came to Iowa in 1832 and settled at Mt. Pleasant where he labored for twelve years. Many of the churches in the Burlington and Keokuk Associations can testify to the un- tiring activity and devotion of Father Burnett in the ear- lier days of their history and struggles. Rev. Wm. Young of Charleston, Iowa, died March 25, 1881. He was born in Upper Canada. Was "born again" in Wapello county, Iowa in 1862, and ordained at Charles- ton in 1866. "Through the fifteen years of his ministerial life many souls, through him were led to Christ." Rev. Adna Orcutt died at the home of his son in Kansas City, April 19, 1881, in his 77th year. He was born in Vermont, removed when 43 years of age to Rockford, Illinois, was ordained and preached to the Cherry Valley Church. Af- terwards came to Hardin county, Iowa, and supplied the Hardin City, Point Pleasant, Xenia, and perhaps other churches. "He was earnest and conscientious in his work, even going beyond his strength in his old age, to do his Master's service." Rev. Thomas Powell died in Keokuk, May 14, 1881. He was born in Orange county, Ohio, in December 1837. He entered the ministry before the outbreak of the Rebel- lion. He went into the army and served part of the time as chaplain of his regiment. He afterwards preached in Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1878 and preached to the church at Ft. Madison a year and nine months, closing April 1, OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 495 1880. He preached also at Charleston and West Point. He had studied law and been admitted to the bar. "He was a man of marked traits and of true consecration, and as a speaker he had peculiar ability." Rev. Albert G. Ebekiiart died at Waterloo, May 22, 1881, in his 71st year. He was born in Greensboro, Penn- sylvania, in 1810. He was a glass-blower by trade in early life, and was married in 1833 to Miss Eliza Evans. He was licensed to preach by the Greensboro Church in 1813, and was ordained as an evangelist in 1844. He first entered Iowa in 1854 and settled at Muscatine. He was after- wards pastor at Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids, His pastorates were usually short, but he always left be- hind him a healthful religious spirit. He had four or five sons in the army of the Union, and he served for a time as chaplain of the 12tli Iowa Infantry. "Life's fitful fever over, he rests well." Rev. A. W. Russell died at Lake City, June 5, 1881, at the age of 64. He came into Iowa in 1855, and was well known as one of our active ministers, as a missionary and a pastor, in the earlier years. Rev. Alva Bush,LL. D., Principal of Cedar Valley Sem- nary, died June 26, 1881, at Osage. He was stricken with paralysis, in the street, June 23, and lived but three days. He was born January 25, 1830, and was married in 1853 to Eliza J. Moore of Jamestown, New York. His education was, mainly, received at Jamestown Academy and at Bur- lington University, Iowa. He was ordained pastor of the church at Strawberry Point in November, 1859, and was afterwards pastor at Fayette, and instructor in the Upper Iowa University. In 1863 he went to Osage and began the Cedar Valley Seiliinary, where we have already traced his most honorable career for eighteen years. He was recog- nized as one of Iowa's ablest educators. "A thorough 496 HISTORICAL SKETCHES scholar himself, he impressed upon his pupils his own methods of thouojht and study. His bearing and presence were an inspiration to those who learned of him." "Thus in many respects was Prof. Bush a model man.^'' Rev. J W. Denison passed to his rest in 1881. He was born in N'ew York, April 9, 1818. "He entered the ministry in 1846 and served successively the churches at Upper Alton, Brimfield and Rock Island, 111. His health failing, he came to Iowa in 1856 as agent and co-partner of the Providence Western Land Company," and entered over 20,000 acred of land in Crawford county. Here he set- tled down, founded the town of Denison, and during his first year of residence here organized the Denison Baptist Church, of which he was pastor until 1863. After his retirement "every successive pastor found in him a judi- cious counsellor, an earnest co-laborer, and a warm person- al friend." Rev. C. G. Smith died at Creston, Iowa, in September, 1881. He was born at Homer, N. Y., November 27, 1813, and was baptized at the age of 18 by Elder A. Bennett. He attended school at a Methodist institution at Cazenovia, N. Y., and while there became a Methodist, but in 1837 returned to the Baptist faith and was licensed to preach. He went to Ohio and preached with success, then to Mich- igan, where he formed a Baptist church and was ordained as pastor. After a very active ministerial life and much affliction he came to Iowa and went on a farm, and after- wards passed on to his reward above. The records of 1881 bear the names of two deacons and one beloved sister, in addition to the long and notable list of ministers, who went to their rest. Deacon Edwin Cady at Danville, December 14, 1880, Deacon Azel Pratt at Waukon, February 19, 1881, and the beloved wife of Bro- OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 497 ther H. H. Smith of Davenport, December 10, 1880. Of Deacon Cady "Rev. G. J. Johnson once said that in all his extensive travels and acquaintance, he never met with a more benevolent man." The present writer can attest the same characteristic in a remarlsable degree. Deacon Pratt "was an honored servant of the Lord, identifying himself with all the interests of the denomination to which he be- longed," Of sister Smith it is said, "Some who come to earth are ever found in the chambers of the dying. They comfort the bereaved, they lift up the fallen, they nerve the faltering, they lead reforms and are first in the church. Such a person was Sister H. H. Smith of Davenport, who died in that city December 10, 1880, after four years of protracted suffering. She was born February 25th, 1819, and was baptized by Dr. Gillett into the llth Baptist Church of Philadelphia in 1838. Was married to H. H. Smith in 1842, and moved to Davenport in 1850. Kp:v. Philemon Perky Shirley died since 1880, we believe at Cheyenne. He was born December 16, 1827, in Hancock county, Indiana, was converted and baptized in 1840, and in 184 L his parents moved to Iowa. Thirsting for knowledge, he studied, taught, and preached among the destitute, until, with a fair knowledge of natural sci- ence, he entered Madison University, New York. In 1854 he became pastor at Grafton where he was ordained. About 1855 he returned to Iowa. He labored with manj^ churches in Illinois and Iowa, much of the time as an evangelist and helper of other pastors, and baptized about 1,000 converts. In 1879 he went with his family to Cali- fornia, and became pastor at Petaluma, but poor health preventing continuous pulpit work, he had returned part way back towards the east when he was called home. S.ympathetic, genial and eloquent he continued to plead with men to accept the gospel as long as he had strength. 498 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Rev. Joseph T. Robert, LL. D., president of Atlanta Seminary, died in that city, since 1880. (The date in the two last cases not known.) He was born in Robertville, S. C, November, 1807. He was baptized in October, 1822, at Robertville, and in 1825 entered Columbian College, Wash- ington, D. C. He was graduated with the first honors of his class at Brown University in 1828. In 1882 he was licensed to preach by the Robertville Church and entered Furman Theological Seminary, where he remained two years, and was ordained pastor of his home church in 1834 and in 1839 removed to Kenucky to become pastor at Covington. He returned south again about 1848, and was pastor at Sa- vannah, Georgia, and in 1850 was called to Portsmouth, Ohio. About 1856 he came to Iowa, and lived a year or so on a little farm and preached at Ottumwa. He then be- came Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Burlington University. In 1864 he was secured by the Iowa State University as Professor of Languages, and in 1869 accepted the presidency of Burlington University. The necessity of a milder climate soon took him back to Georgia, where he accepted, in 1871 the care of the Augusta Institute for colored ministers established by the Ameri- can Baptist Home Mission Society, which was removed to Atlanta, in 1879 and incorporated with the Atlanta Bap- tist Seminary under the presidency of Dr. Robert, "A scholar of the highest order and a perfect christian gentle- man." Dr. Robert was of Huguenot descent. As a preach- er and theologian he was sound and learned, a scholar of wide proficiency. Rev. Daniel Jewett died in the spring of 1882. He came to Iowa in 1844 and settled in VanBuren county. We have no statistical data of his life. Rev. Edward Otis, pastor of the Hayden Grove Church, died September 1, 1882. He was born in Ohio in 1816, and after three years OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 499 residence in Illinois, removed to Iowa in 1856. IS^early fifty years a christian, and twenty-three years a pastor, he was for seventeen years of the time pastor of the Hayden Grove Church. He was a faithful minister of the gospel and a devout and zealous christian. (See page 386.) Dea. Spencer Aluen of Anamosa, departed this life in 1882, aged 72. He had been a member of the Anamosa church sixteen years. He was greatly afflicted with Asthma for several years, but did not give up doing good. He was greatl}^ interested in church-building and in Home and Foreign Missions, and made liberal provisions for both in the final disposition of his property. He left an earnest, christian ''helpmeet"' who still lives to continue his good works. Clement Leach, Jr., died after only four years residence in Iowa in 1882. Educated for the law, but, "compelled by failing sight to relinquish that profession, he sought to live for Christ." He had been an efficient helper in the Sunday School at Galesburg, Illinois. Mrs. A. Plumley, wife of the veteran Missionary, Rev. A. Plumley, died at Goldfield, March 3, 1882. "Her life was devoted to the cause of Christ from childhood." As a wife and mother faithful and loving, her last work was work for th(5 Master. Mrs. Burkholder, wife of Rev. J. C. Burkholder, died at her home in Dakota. She w^as well known in Iowa where her husband preached for many years. Rev. James H. Pratt died February 6, 1883 at Atlan- tic, Iowa. (See page 398.) He had been but a few years in Iowa, but had attached himself to those who knew him, especially at Emerson and Atlantic where he served as pastor. "As a pastor lie was kind, full of sympathy, like the Master, ready to do the Master's bidding. As a preacher, clear in statements of truth, sympathetic in its utterance, and earnest in its vindication. He ranked among our best men in all departments of ministerial life." 500 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Rev. a, C. Sangster died at Iowa City, January 3, 1883, in the 86th year of his age. He was born in London, England, March 6, 1797. His father was a member of the East India Company. He was ordained to the Baptist min- istry in 1822, at Dummo, Essex. He came to America in 1832, and preached in a number of places in New York, city and state, and in Michigan, and in 1861 he came to Iowa, and though already advanced in years he served ac- ceptibly the churches at Downey, Richmond, Lone Tree, and Columbus Junction, besides preaching betimes at other places. " For six years he was confined to his room, where thrice a day he prayed that he might be' permitted to go away and be with Jesus. He retained his memory to the last to a wonderful degree, and from a mind richly stored with choice Scripture and Hymns, he brought forth for his own encouragement and the edification of all." Some- times the old fire would "flame up again and again,'- and he would sa,y, "I believe I could preach better than I ever could." It has been the present writer's privilege to meet few men whose minds were so richly stored with spiritual truth. Rev. Thomas W. Clark died at DeWitt May 11, 1883, after a residence there of forty-liiree years. So says the Obituary Report of 1883. The earliest record we find of his name in the minutes is in 1858, where he is named as coming into Iowa in 1857. It is possible he may then have returned from a temporary absence from the state, having entered the ministry in the mean time. He was born in Queen's county. New Brunswick, February 24, 1808, and removed to Stark county, Ohio, in 1830. -'He was the founder of the DeWitt Church and for many years the pastor, and was always a read.y and willing worker in every good cause. The later years of his ministerial work he labored in the capacity of an evangelist, and under his OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 501 faithful labors many feeble churches were strengthened and enlarged." Mrs. P. P. Golding, a constituent mem- ber of the church at Mechanicsville, died during the summer of 1883. "She became a life member of the Iowa Baptist State Convention in 1868, and often manifested a grateful remembrance of the Board for its aid to the weak church of whicli she was a member, as well as a deep in- terest in the work throughout the state." Kev. Jeremiah Hall, D. J)., died within the last few years, having resided of late years at Port Huron, Michi- igan. He was born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, May 21, 1805. Baptized in 1816, in 1847 he was admitted by Madi- son University to the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1854 the degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by Shurtleff College. He took the regular course of studies in JSTewton Theological Institution, finishing in 1880. He was ordained February 3, 1831 in Westford, Vermont, and preached there and at Fairfax, and afterwards at Benning- ton. He was much interested in the founding of institiations of learning. In the spring of 1885 he removed to Michigan, and through his influence Kalamazoo College was located where it was, financial obligations assumed to secure it causing him afterwards " great' embarassment and loss."' In 1853 he was elected president of Granville College, Ohio, and soon after entering upon his duties the name was changed to Denison University. He lived for a num- ber of years at Waverly, Iowa, and at Shell Rock, where he was pastor of the Baptist church. It was the writer's lot to be one of his early successors at Sliell Rock, and to take knowledge of the most excellent influence and Godly testimony of his life and work while there. Rev. Eber Crane died at Mt. Pleasant, April 4, 1884 in the 76th 3'ear of his age. He was born in Killingsworth, ™ 502 HISTORICAL SKETCHES Conn. He was converted in his seventeenth year. Recog nizing in early life the divine call to preach the gospel, he spent three years at the South Reading Academy, and in 1831 entered Newton Theological Seminary and graduated in 1832, and was soon after ordained pastor of the Baptist Church at Amesbury, Mass. He came west to Ohio under appointment of the Home Mission Society, and "served with much acceptance, churches at Akron, McConnells- ville and Garrettville."' In August 1853, he came to Mt. Pleasant, and though he held no pastorate in this state, "spent the declining years of his life in supplying pastor- less churches near his home." "Like a shock of corn fully ripe he was gathered to his fathers." Rev. H. N. Millaru died in the Hospital at Indepen- dence. May 2d, 1884 He was born in the state of New York, February 16, 1833. He came to Iowa in 1853, and was afterwards converted and joined the Baptist church at Comanche. He was ordained March, 26, 1872, and settled as pastor of the church at Lyons, where he served two years, followed by three years at Mechanicsville. "Here his ministry was blessed to the conversion of over twenty souls." He was pastor next at Boone, Iowa, nearly four years, and over fifty were" baptized. For the last year and a half of his ministry he was pastor of the Mt. Pleasant and Pilot Mound Churches, and Missionary of the Conven- tion. He was "a good minister of Jesus Christ," kind and loving, and pure in heart and life. "Grreatly loved by all classes, and especially by the young." Rev. John Wil- son died at Winfield in 1884. He was lately from Eng- land, a student of Spurgeon's College. And Dea. Robert Cole, at Council Bluffs, February 22, 1884. Brother Cole was long a useful member of the Mt. Pleasant Church and was well and favorably known all over southeastern Iowa. We close our Obituary Notes with 1884. The annals of OF IOWA BAPTISTS. 503 1885 and "86 contain extended lists which rapidly closing space will not permit us to copy, even in condensed form. We may add here the sug2;estion that those possessing themselves of these Sketches, by taking care to obtain and preserve the Annuals of the two last and of succeeding[years, may have quite an unbroken history both in this and all other departments. For the facts given in the foregoing notes, of the long list of soldiers of the cross who have done duty in Iowa in some part of their service, and have received promotion, we have not been dependent upon any one source of informa- tion; but have drawn upon a variety of different sources, and have been aided in many instances by a long and inti- mate personal knowledge of the individuals. For conven- ience of reference we mention here the names of those who have been called up higher during the last two years, re- ferring to the respective Annuals for the facts of their lives. Professor David Forrester Call at his home in Iowa City, August 1885. Mrs. Josephine Webber Bowmatst, the beloved wife of Hon. M. T. Y, Bowman of Des Moines, at the time the president of the State Convention, in No- vember 1885. Rev. Wm. H. Turton at his homeiuFarm- ington, Iowa, December 19, 1884, in the 78d year of his age. Rev. Nathaniel Hays in the 72d year of his age. Or- dained in 1849, and came to Iowa in 1856. Baptized over 500 converts in the States of Illinois and Iowa. Rev. M. TERwiLLKiER at Murray, September 16, 1885. in the 71st year of his age. Deacon Gideon Bear at Richmond, Iowa, in his 75th year. Sister Howell, wife of Rev. A. F. Howell, at Toledo, Iowa, June 4, 1885. Converted in London, England, under the preaching of D. L. Moody, married in 1875, and came with her husband to Iowa in 1884. Rev. J. M. Mack, at Boyden, Sioux county, Iowa, March 15, 1885, in his 76th year. 504 HISTORICAL ^KETCHES Rev. Thomas Miller, thirty-five years a pioneer minister in Southern Iowa, the father of our missionary sister, L. Ella Miller, died in Kansas in 1885. Rev. Thomas C. Townsend at Sidney, Iowa, March 5, 1885, in the 87th year of his age. Ordained in 1834. Deacox Major W. Rudd, one of the constituent members of the Iowa Baptist State Convention, at his home in Washington, Iowa, Marcli 25, 1885. Rev. J. Hendrickson, "doing a good work among the Danes in our state," died of appo- plexy at Independence, December 17, 1886, in his 59th year. Rev. Andrew E. Lovegreist, at his home in Forest Cit3^ July 17, 1886, only thirty-three years old. Rev. Lyman Stillson, the Hero Missionary, at his home in Jefferson, Iowa, Marcii 23, 1886, in his 82d year. Rev. Elisha R. Swain, April 7, 1880, aged 85 years, 1 month and 25 days. Rev. A. D. Abbott at Delhi, August 11, 1886. Dea. Albion Parsons at his home in Burlington in 1886. Dea. Samuel Harlan at his home in Atlantic, in October 1886. iMrs. Ruth Prey, wife of Rev. James Prey of Sigourney, April 1, 1886. Mrs. Eliza C. Criten- DEN", widow of Rev. O. L. Critenden May 19, 1886, at Des Moines. Mrs. Ada Garton Dewey, a life member of the Convention, daughter of VV. L. Garton of Des Moines, in 1886. Rev. Lewis Brasted. (See page 132.) Rev. Arch- ibald L. Parr at his home in Plorida in the fall of 1886, at the age of 60. "The end of a noble, useful and beautiful life." Some of his most successful work was done at Iowa Palls in our state. Dea. Penny of the Pisgah Church; "A shock of corn fully ripe," late in 1886. And now as we cl()Sf> this record of lives translated from works to re- wards; as in our mind's eye we gaze upward towards the golden streets; as we think of Him who ascended before, may we not hear the angels salving, as to the astonished disciples, "Why stand ye gazing up into heaven '. this same Jesus which is taken lip from you into heaven, shall so come again in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." "Even so, come Lord Jesus." INDEX. Abhott, Rev. A.D 215,504 Ahliott. Kfv. J. A 173, 208,228,231.261 Aheriirthy, HoiV A 280, 282, 457 Abinisj-doii Church 1;J8 Adams, Kcv. D. C 290, 395 Adair County First Church 370 Adams, Rev. G. M 227, 340 Adams. Rev. JC 370 Adams County First Church,239, 369, 383,386 Adams, Rev, J. D 384 Addison ( ollegiate Institute 269, 478 Adfl ( hurch 184, 185, 277, 412 , Adliins. Rev. F 127 ^ African ( hurch, Mt. Pleasant 297 2 Afton Church 369, 373,374 f; Agency City 33, 36, 37 3 Agencv City Church 31, 133 S Agricola Church 328, 329, 3;», .332 Ainsworth Church 300, 311, 490 Aitchison. Rev. J. Y .56, .58, 129, 170, 199, 201, 204, 258, 414, 427,475 Aitchison, Rev. Wm 207, 209, 210, 211, 215 216, 217 Akers, Rev. M. W 194,263 Akers, Rev. W. C 370,372 S Albia Church 188, 190, 191 i Albin, Rev. R. R 177, 380 ■> Alden, Deacon Spencer 442, 499 I Alexander, Rev. R 243 I Algona Church 349, a51, 358, 362, 366 Allen, Rev. J. W 216,264 Allen, M. B 256 Allen. Rev. N. M 2.53 Allen, Rev. Prof. L. U., 68, 295, 297, 4.55 Allen. Rev. W. W 110 Allerton Church 191, 193 AInut, Rev. F. W 262 Altoona Church 171 Amball, Laura 442 American and I'oreifrn Bible Society 50 American Rapt. Hnmc Mission Society ...12, 2s, 511. ti;i, fr,, 1)5. IT'.i, 2:!;5, {rX>, 439.) American Baptist Missionary Union 1.5. 50(441, 446) American Baptist Missionary Union, Missionaries of 1.5, 71, (442, 444) American Bap. Publication Society. 4.50, 4.54 American S. S. Union 47, 49 A merman. Rev. A. J 229 Ames ( hurch 352, a55, 357, 360, 362 Anamnsa Church 33, 2.56, 260 Anderson. Rev. Galusha. D. D 4.59 Anderson. Rev. Thomas 27,5, 276 Andrews, Rc\-.P.,.2;i'.t, 246, 369,373, 374, 383,390 ^ Anni\ crsaiies ot the Union for Minis- terial F.ducatlon 4-33 Anti-Mission Baptists 181, 182, 410 Antioch ( hurch 390, 391 Aiiti-Slavi'r\- Meeting at Washington 30 Apiilinjitnn ( hurch 226 Appropriate Work of the State Con- vention .50 Archer, Rev. F. M 1.57. 17.5, 191, 19.3, 194, 282, 28:^ Archibald, Rev. T. H .116. 117,205, 418 A Remarkable Sabbath's Services 110 Arkills, Rev. M. E 228,2:51 Arnold, Rev. B. B \U, 166 Arnold, Hon. Delos 274 Arnold, Re v. T. J 136, 168, 170, 248 Arnold, Rev. Wm. F 24.5, 394 Ashland Church 138 Ashley. Rev. B. F 134 A Singular Question 413 Atkins, Rev. L. W 175, 232, 318, 322, .379 Atkinson. Rev. E. E :^65 Atlantic A.s.sociation (393 to 400), 399 Atlantic Chur. h 246, 248, 393, 395 Atwood. Rev. A. N 134 Audubon Church 397, 398 Augusta Church 107 Aurora Church 38,106, 133 Au.xicr. Rev. E. E 373, 374 Avery, Rev. W. H. H 232, 282, 433 Avery, Mrs. W. H. H 440 A voca Church 393, 394 Avon Church 169 A Willing Preacher 411 Ayers, Rev. E. J 279 Ayers, Rev. E. S 1:35 Babcock, Rev. T. F 273, 275 Backus, Dr. Jay S 436 Bagwell, Rev. G. W 1.59 Bailey Rev. C. E 221, 222 Bailey, Rev. G. S., D. D 7.5, 86, 141, 459 Bailey, Mrs. R. E S19 Bailev, Rev, T. M 171 Baird, Rev. C. C 241, 243,246 Baker, Rev. J. A 25 Baker, Kev. Joseph 160, 163 Baker, Rev. S. B 474 Baker, V. W., Esq .222 Balch. Deacon F. E 4.56 Baldwin, Rev. J 117, 199 Baldwin, Rev. S. E 241,242,246 Ball, Rev. Zophar 475 Baptist Beacon. The 247, 462 '• Baptist Faith" 439 Baptist Tlieological Institution for the North West 37 BajJtist F.eelesiastical Bodies 37 Bai)tist Educational Society 36 BaiJtist Institution of Learning 35 Barden, Rev. H. A :«), :i56 Barden, Rev. Hiram A 208, 2.58 Barker, Rev. E. P 228, 272 Barnes, Rev. W. H 129,371 Barnett, Rev. Wm 1.55, 160, 163, 187. 188, 191, WS, 195 Barr. Rev. John 2.50, 253 Bartlett Church 246 Bartlett, Rev. Gardner 20, 22 Bastion, Rev. N. S .58, 110, 119 Batavla Church i;J8 Bates. Rev. John .... 117. 197, 201, 202, 203, 205, 208, 112, 488 Bates Family, Sorrow In 203 Bates, Lieut. Samuel 203, 477 Bates, Rev. W. E ;*3 Bath 115 Bay, Rev. J. M 282,364,366 Bavliss. Rev. E. E 174 Beach, Rev. J. H 340 Beaman, Rev. S. A 176 Bear, Deacon Gideon 5C3 Bear Creek Church 118, 197 199, 256 Beard, Sister Hannah 287, 314 Beard, Rev. Wm 152, 288, 292 Bearing the Cross 89 Beatty. Rev. J. W 212, 213 Beck, Hon. J. M 286 Bedford Association 43, 57, (237, 242). Bedford Church 43, 237, 242, 244, 246 383 Beebe, Rev. D. F 252 Beginning at Washington 28 Belden, Rev. A. Russell 117, 468, 473 Belief ontaine Church 135 Bell, Rev. G. W. S 110 Belle Plaine Church 263, 264 Bellevue Church 197 Bell Prairie Church 257 Benedict. Rev. E. L 238, 330 Bennet, Rev. E. C 389, 391 Bennett, Lemon, Esq 371, 374 Bentlev, C. E 128 Bentlev, L. Esq 246 Benton ( h 11 ich 297, 299, 303 Benton, Rev. K. W 301 Berger, Miss Ella 446 Berry, Rev. A. P., 150, 155, 158, 160, 328 Berry, Rev. Charles 379 Berry, Rev. G. H 289, 302, 304 Berry, Rev. L. M 303 Besecker, John 86 Best, Rev. P. M 251 Bethel Church, Audubon County 379 Bethel Church, Bedford Association,237,369 Bethel Church, Central Association 167 Bethel Church, Eden Association 187 Bethel Church, Fox River Association.. 150 Bethesda ( linrch 187, 237, 238, 241, 369, 373, 374 Bethlohf'in (liurch 113, 385 Bethlcheiii ( liurch. Eden Associat'n 189, 192 Bethlclieiii Church, Fox River. 145 Beulah ( hurcli 1.52 Beulah Church, Henry County 302 Bevan, Rev. M. D 399 Bibb, Rev. W. H 367 Big Grove Church 343, 248, 393, 399 Big Mound Church 385 Big Rock and Wheatland Churches 128 Bills, Rev. G. B 258 Birmingham Chureh 289 Bishop, Rev. P. P 110, 113, 295 Blackhawk War 65 Blackhawk Purchase 31 Blakelv. Rev. I. A 189, 190 Blakel v. Rev. J. L 385 Blakelv Church 106, 133, 136 BladoMsbint; ( hurch 139 Blanchard, Kev. Ira 26, 116, 205, 208, 334, 335, 472 Blankenship, Rev. A 246 Bland, Rev. F. D .' 290 Blizzards 74, 99 Blood, C. G. Esq 418 Bloodgood, Rev. A. V 250, 251, 261. 271. 314, ;^15, 360, 361, 362, 390.391 Bloomfleld Church 57, 145 Bloomington 35, 115 Blue Grass Church 31, 116, 119, 491 Blu It Creek Church 135 Boardman, |{ev. B. G 234 Board Meetings 98. 100 Bodenham, Kev. John 173. 214, 315. 366 Bolster, Rev. J. W 1.50. iss. liMi Bonaparte Church 27. :!s. 111. ~'S7 Bond, Rev. G. W 103, lOti. 134. ISO Bond. Rev. John 36, 103, VU, 165 Book Fund of Washington Assn.... 313. 331 Boone Forks Church 166, 183, 348 Boone Church a53, 3.58 Boouslxiro Church, 167. 349, ;i55, 364 Baichars, Rev. T. F 250, 3.51 Border Line of Baptists in 1853 41 Bosisto, Rev. R 3*-5 Boswell, Rev. Jesse 390, 391 Bovell, Rev. T. S 177, 283 Bowen's Prairie 99 Bowen, Rev. F 215, 216, 332, 343 Bowen. Rev. H. L 360, 361 Bowman, Mrs. J. W .503 Bowman, Hon. M. T. V 432, 503 Bowman's Grove Church 395, 396 Bowen. T. H.. Esq .304, 211 Boyer River 75, 76 Brabrook, Rev. B. F 39, 98, 108, 116, 117, 334, 417, 469,473, 477, 479 Bradgate Church .366 Bi-and, Rev. Thomas 371, 374, 275, 376, 427, 437, 458 Brasted, Rev. B. H .... 132, 339. 2:31, 247, 316, 365, 391, 453, 470 Brasted. Rev. Lewis 133, .504 Bratton's Grove Church 289 Brayton, Rev. G. F 219, 220 Breman Church 187, 188, ] 89 Briggs, Rev. T. C 4.'.} Brighton Church 38, 106, 135, 296, 297, 315 Brink, Rev. C. M Ii6 Bristol, Rev. H. C 264, 433 Bristow, P. H , Esq.... 433 Brockway, A. C, Esq. 371 Bronson, Brother, Columbus City. 315 B ooklyn Church 87, 272, 326, 329 Brooks, Caleb 86 Brooks, Rev. C 247, 263, 314, 363, 364 Brookville Church 134, 138, 141 Brown, Kev. Charles E ' 36. 27, 28, 36, 46, 115, 117, 136, 199, 201. 205, 307, 333, 334, 340, 341, 418, • 480, (463,465) Brown, D. T., Esq., 288 Brown, Rev. Geo. H 390 Brown, Rev. H. A 271, 372. 273. 274. 4.58 Brown, James W. Esq., 241, 344 Brown, Rev. John 208. 241 Brown, J 36 Brown, Rev. W. L 138, 301 Brushy Bend Church 328 Bryant. Rev. Z. A 176, 222 Bryant, Rev. J. F 233 Bryant. S. J. B., Esq., 399 Br\s()n. Deacon Wm 89 Buehaiuiii Church 246,383, 384 Buckner, Kev. A. B 386 Buell, C. C 2.57 Buffalo Grove Church 167, 277. 349 Bullock, Rev. C i:J4, 189, 340 Burch. Rev. E 248. 371, 393, 395 Burdette. Hon. J. W .308, 309. 433 Burkett. Rev. E 300 Burkholder. Mrs. J. C 446, 499 Burkholder, Rev. J. C 136, 147, 257, 263, 264, 288, 298, 499 Burlev. Joshua Esq.. 268 Burliii,u-t()n As.sociation 101, (2iB5, 310) Burlington First Baptist Church 104. 105, 106, 2S5, 306, 309 Burlington Second Church 395 Burlington University 38, 68, 70, 199, 429, 430. 455 Burnett. Rev. Hiram 26, 103, 103 105, 289, 395, 300, 305, 417. 494 Burnham, Rev. E. C. M 136, 394, 470 Burnham, Rev. G. W. 333 Hiirnham, Rev. S. L 123, Hiiriisiflc riuirch I'.ujr. Rev. J. I) 371, 373,374,384, Hiiniiitztoii. Ucv. H. H 221, IJmtoii. HfV. N. S, D. D., 1^7, Uiish, Ki'V.A. 1) 230, Utish. Uov. AlVii, LL. D 4(i, 60. 199, 201, 221, 225, 3;«. 336. 344 433, 449, 450, 456, 457, Hush, Kev. S. T IJiittfM-liold. Rev. Isaac... 46, 08. 119. 121, MiittDii. Kev. A. K 231, 2;r2, IJutts. Key. ('. L Hynim. Kev. F. N IJyi'dii. Ivhvin S n'vwater, Kev. .J. (' 272, Cmlv. Deacon Edwin 107, 112, 305, 441, 442, Cadv, D. C, £.^(1... ( 'ady. Re V. E. C 109. 248, 290, 304, ( 'adv. Mrs. Lydia Cain, A. N 140, ( 'ain, Followers of ( 'ain, Kev. Ira A ;i53, 354, Cain, Mrs. W. A Cain, Kev. W. A 174, 176, ( 'ake. Kev. B. S. F. ( 'alanuis Creek Church 37.5, Caledonia Church Call. Prof. D. F 458, < all. Ke\-. L. N., 226, 228, 339, 362, 364, 365, Calvary Baptist Church Davenport. 124, I aTiiliria Church Canulen Church 238, ( 'anii)bell, Mrs. E. O 445, ( 'amp Creeli Church 3f-'8, ( arhon Church 250, 384, ( 'are v. Rev. E Carev. Rev. J. C 289 Carlisle Church 169, 170, 172, ( arlson. Rev. Peter. .' Carman, Rev. A. H ( anialian. Rev. D, F 3a8, 399, Cari)enter. Rev. A :i:iH. 370,273. Carpenter, Rev. Burton, 26,115,417, ( arinMiter, Rev. I.vnuin 119, ( aipenter. Rev. Wni . . . .195, 371, 373, 374, Carrier. L. F.. Esq Carrinfiton. Kev. J 206. < arroU Church ( arson. Rev. Jose h 375, 377, ( arson. Rev. W F Carter, Rev. .7. C 283, Carter, Dr. G. W Cai-ter, T. R Cascade Church "116, 197, 201), 202, 204, 205. 309. 311. 335, Case, Kev. D. T 189, Case, Rev. M. M 370, Casey Church easier. Rev. L Cassadv, Rev. J. D, 171, 349, 350, 358,3.59, ( 'astalia ( hurch 339, Castana Church Catlin, l{ev. <). W 317, Caueli. Rev. .lohn 316,261,263, Cedar ( liiireli. Lee County Cedar Cluueli, Van Biireri County Cedar Creek Cliureh 134, 32,5, Cedar Ci-eek Cliureli. Iowa Valley Cedar I'allsCliurcli 43.46, 220. Cedar Rapids Church 46. 71. 357. 361, Cedar Valley Association..., 43. 199. (319. Cedar A'alley Seminary 330. 3:i:5. 456. Center Point Church 256. Centerville Association (155, 137 366 3«5 .234 459 326 495 230 417 2S! .268 1331 .38 273 .496 396 312 441 141 .37 355 446 248 ,246 377 369 503 4;« 138 193 369 446 391 386 , 150 301 183 .301 449 374 467 479 385 339 2.57 281 378 362 397 423 112 481 476 1383 378 190 361 342 ,280 366 269 ,286 ,286 327 .267 222 2f5 356) 457 261 164) Centerville Church 14.5, 150, 155, 158, Centerville Church, Boone County Central Iowa Association, 43, (165.1171 Central Univei-sity 14. 38. 138, 142. 429._ 455, Chamberlain, Deacon Aaron 397, Chambers, Rev. G i:iO, Chance. Re\-. .]. K Cliandh r. .Mrs. Jemima 19, 21 Chandler. Klilui, Death of Chai>iii Churcli 234, Chai)in, Rev. .A 46. 7 1 , 304, ,3C5, 206, 210, 219, 230, 3.-5, ■ 357, Chaoman, Prof. C. S Chapman. Rev. W ( harle.ston Church 106. Chariton River Church 1.50', ( lieedle. Rev. R 86, 102, Cheetham. Rev. Joseph Che(iuest Creek 83, Che(iuest Union Church 31, 145, Cherokee Church. 380, 381, 387, 388, 389, Cherry Grove Church Chickasaw Church Children's Day Contributions Childs. Rev. J. F . 41, 46. 60. 63. 134. 137 139. 143, 175, 3t)6. 357. a51, 355, 360, 363, 378, 417, 437, 458, Choate, 1 saiah 36, Christie, Rev. Isaac 189, Church Building- Fund Circular. A Important Civil Bend Church : 247, Civil War, The ( 'lanton Church 173, 279, Clapp, Rev. R. A 137, Claiinda Church 2:«. 238, 242, 249, ( larinda (Colored) Church 249. Clark. John 31, Clark, Rev J. A Clark, M. A Clark, Rev. T. W 118,203,204. Clark, W. A.. Esq Clarksville Church 220, Clay Grove Church Clayton Cbunt v Church 116, Clear Creek Church 123. 32.5, Clearfield Church 385, Clearmont Church Cleg-horn, Rev. A., D. D Clement. Jessee, Esq.,... 200, 201. 203, 304, Clinton Church 130, 126, 139, Clinton ChTirch. Linn Association Cloud, Rev. H.8 ... .135. 189, -M)^. 371, 373, 374, 376, 378, Clo gh. Rev. John E 15. 70. 73. 358. 398. 306, 314, 344, 430 44;} Clouse,' kev. D.L .'.'.'.291, '2'9'2','293,' 366', 36'7, Clous e. Rev. H. H 364, Cloyd, Rev. L. L.. Coal Ridg-e Church Coates, Rev. A. B.. 162 3(i6 185 456 476 301 1.58 ,65 ..(•5 230 263 215 3;w 188 1.55 104 137 ,84 154 390 328 220 454 4«1 467 479 210 .51 2.50 203 374 138 251 251 23 150 197 .500 288 222 289 a34 328 386 341 ,260 205 131 385 (\)chran. Rev. W. J.. Coffey, Rev. F. M.... Cotfman. Rev. J. P. . ('off man. Rev. J. W.. Cog-gshall. Rev. J. M Coglan. J. S Coine Bethel Church.. Colby, Rev. A. J Colby, Lewis Cole, Rev. A. T Cole, Rev. J. L..134, 13' 113, 1.5:5.2.5], »)0, 312, 314, . ..397, 30L 302,313, 46,63,28.5,287. .237, '146,' 189; 240, 390, 445 380 276 .251 .166 231 285 293 391 329 ,477 390 2.51 321 .32 437 399 Cole, Deacon Robert 503 Colesburf? Church 117 Colgate, Deacon George M. .336, 338, 481, 483 Colg-i ove. Rev. Peter 231, 223, 475 Colporteur Work 33 Colston, Rev. A 303 Columbia Church 2fi8 Columbus City Church 295, 311 Colvin, Rev. G. T 3F5 Colwell, Rev. A.J 234 Colwell, Rev. T. M 156 Comanche Church 117, 118, 119, 139, 465 Comer, J ^27 Competine Chvirch 139 Compton. Rev. L. F 177 Co-ncorfl Church 145, 1.50, 1.5.5, 1.56, 160 Conser. Rev. O. F.69, 171,231.250,251,252,415 Con\va>' ('lunch 384 Cook, Sister, Mechanicsville 93 Cook, Rev. W. L 271 Cooley, Rev. D. H . D. D.. 2h2, 253, 260, 261, 433, 437, 450 Coon Rapids Church 380 Coon Valley Assoriation (375, 382) Coon Val leV Clui rch 37.5, 377 Coppoc, Rev. J. L 261, 364, 275, 388, 389 Corbett, H e v. R 395, 396, 399 Corey, A. W 49 Corey Grove Church 166, 180, 346, 349 Corey, Rev. J 349 Corev, Rev. J. C 269 Correetidnville Church 3?8, 391 Corydon ( lunch 189, 192 Council IShitl's Association 2,50,253,394 Council Uliitls 43, 73, 74 Council lilulls Church,.. 245, 346, 252, 394, 396 Council lUutts Scandinavian Church 352 Council Hill Church 340 Counties in 1836 39 Cox, Rev. A. W 373 Cox, Rev. J. S 328 Cramblet, R v. S. M 313,315 Crandall, Rev. P. S 327 Crandall, Rev. T. L 138, 214, 215, 331 Crane, B. F.. Esq 303 Crane, Rev. Eber 68, 290, 302, .501, .503 Craven, Dea. Calvin.. 28, 56, 86, 112,311,333 Craven, Rev. J. G 171, 363, 339 Crawford, Elijah, Esq 191, 193 Crawford, Rev. H 371, 372 Crawford, Jennings, Esq 257 Cresco Church 341 Cressey, Rev. E. K 227, 338, 340, 3.59 Cressey. Rev. E. T 175, 423, 449 Cressev. Rev. T. R 171, 431, 484, 485 Cresto'n (lunch 371, 384, 385 Crisis in the Dubuque Church 314 Critendcn, M rs. Eliza C 504 Critondcn, licv. O. L. 336, 328, 339, 427, 493, 504 Crott)n ( lunch 389 Cumniiiifis. Kev. John 201, 203 Cunningham, Rev. W. C 348, 489 Curr, Rev. Allan 213 Currier, Prof. A. N 433, 456 Currier, Rev. Joshua 46, 117, 168, 169, 198, 310, 340, 394, 427 Curtis, H. G., Esq 138 Curtis, Rev. 1. C 16,5,438 Custer, Rev. C. L 393,319 Cutting, Rev. G.AV 339 Cutting, S. S. , D. D 438 Daily, Rev. N. H 175, 194, 338, 314, 317 Dakotali Churches in Western Iowa Association 280 Dallas Center Church 377, 378, 380 Dana, Rev. A 167 Daniels, Rev. J. W 233, 363, 282 Danish and Norwegian Baptist Ch's 408 Danville Church 30, 38, 101, 103, 295, 308 Darbey, Rev. Chancy 138, 398, 300, 437 Daughters, Rev. C 147, 1.53 Davenport 25, 27, 33, 38, 39 Davenport Association 37, 32. 36, 95. (115 to 133), 197, 464 Davenport Church. . . .35, 38, 115, 121, 139, 465 Daveni)()rr Colored Church 130 Da\eiipn at ( niariton 190 Dewnit h ( hurch K»9, 20.5, 209, 210, 213 Erie ( hurch, Ihichanan County 60, 200, S34, 3:39 Esse.v Church 249 Eureka Church 313, 319 Evangelism in Iowa 470 Evans, Rev. Alexander 24, 26, 65, 101, 103 Evans, Rev. E 165 Evans. Rev. .John 240, 369 Everett. Dr. A. W 189, 479 Everett, Rev \V. D 165, 177 E.\ira Church 397, »«) Fairbank Church 221 Fairfield Church. 31, 57. 84, 103, 133, 297, 3a3-5 Fairview ( hurch 44. 116, 197, 199, 255, :$i5 Fairview Church, S. W. Assn 24V(, 374 Fales, Jas./r 86, 417-8 Farmersville Church 328 Farmington Church 25, 38, 103. 385 Farnsworth, Rev. C. D 77, 117, 198, 208, 235, 338 Farquarson, Rev. J 146 Farr, Rev. A. L 353, ^55, 3.56, .504 Fay, Rev. R a58 Fayette Church 60, 3;w Fenton, Rev. F. M 150 Ferguson Church 37.5, 376 Ferguson, Rev. J 134, 137, 146 Ferguson, Rev. Solomon 329 Ferris, Rev. J. M 213-3 Field. Rev. Henry L 208-9, 390 Financial Agent, The Ideal 58 Financial Agent 56, 58, 61. 98 Firman. Rev. A. G 198,3.56 First Agent Ai)])ointed 56 First .Vssdciation Organized 33 First liai>tisiii at Hiuiington 105 First liaptist Church Organized 20 P'irst Mecting-hduscs (nr Raiitists 115 First Missionary A))i)()intiuent .55 Fish, Rev. H. S 173,377 Fisher, Dea. Abijah 397, 477 Fisher, Rev. Ezra. . . .2.5, 11.5, 346, 417, 480, 487 Fisher. H. S , Esq 283, 383 Fisher, Rev. L. J 373 Fi.\ing Time of Association 37 Flint River Church 295 Florence Church 261 Floris Church 153 Flovd ( hurch 221 Fol'^vell, Rev. G. W 120-1 Forbes. Dea. C. W 477 Forbey, Prof. Theo 4.56 Ford, Rev. B. F 152 Ford, D. W 112, 286, 433 Foresight of Our Baptist Fathers 35 Forest Home ( hurch 138, 338 Forrest ville ( hureh 311, 340 Ft. Dcs .Moines Church 103, 106 Fort Dodge ( hureh a50, 353, a55 Forward. Re\ . DeWitt W 4.56 Ft Madison ( 'hurch 110, 112, 28.5, 286 Foskett, Rev. H. B 250, 275 Foster, Rev, F. W 282 Foster, Rev. J. C 2.51 Vox River Association. . .31. 42, (145, 1.54) 162 Fo.\- River Church 103, 1*3 Frain, A. H., M. D 389 Francis, .lohn and Hiram 334 Franklin Church l.':5, 1.57, 164, 190 Frazee, J. S., Esq 3.51 Frederick Church 13.8 Frederica Church 221 Fredericksburg' Church 221 Fredonia Church 379 Freedom Church 238 Freedom ( "hurch. Fox Klver Assn 147 Frt'einan. Kev. A. D 125 Freeman. Kev. G. W 361, 362 Fremout Church 134, 146, 328 French, H. C , Esq 249, 250 Frescohi, Rev. L 288, 293, 49j, 491 Frey, Kev. J . . . .135, ]41, 171, 301, 303, 314, 325, 330, .504 Frey, Rev. J., Sr 331, 493 Frey, Mrs. Ruth : 504 Friendship Church 270 Frisk, Rev. L. L 46, 168, 298, 299, 301, aSO, 349, 350, 361 Frodig-, Kev. C. P 3.54 Fuller, Mrs. A. W. . . .• 446 Fuller, Kev. A. W 265, 307, 308 Fuller, Kev. H. E 264, 265 Fuller, Kev. J. B 299,300 Fulton, Mrs. John 445 Fulton, Rev. John. . . .46, 63, 164, 175, 221, 223, 224. 225. 257. 261, 427, 4^0 Fulton, R. B., Let er From 122 Funk. Rev. Solomon 173, a56, 371 Furman, Rev. A.J 139 Gag-e, Rev. L. L., 271 Gaines, Rev. F. M 379, 380 Gardner, Rev F. W 233 Gardner, Rev. G. W., D. D. 456, 4.59 Garton, Miss Naomi. . ! 15 444 Garton, Kev K 172-3, 229, 231, 236 Garton, Dea. Thomas 427 Garton, Mrs. Thomas 427 Gates, Rev. F. A 119, 493 Gates, Rev. G. W 259 Gates. Rev. W. J 247 Gay Street Chu rch 3S6 Geer Creek t'hureh 176 (General Mi.^^sionarv... .61, 76, 78, 140, 160, 217 Geneseo ( liureh. .". . . .* 228, 230 German Hap'r Association of Iowa. .406,407 German .Mission Society 40 G ibbs. Rev 223 Gibbs, S. G., E-sq a52 Gifford Church 272, 275 Gilbert, Kev. J. M 377, 378, 379 Given, Kev.D 158, 160, 189, 193, 265 Glasgow Church 108, 112, 285 Glenwood Church 78, 243, 246, 250 Goldfleld Church 365 Golding, Mrs. P. P 501 Golding. Kev. Wm 38;^ Goldsby, Rev. B. F 281,302 Goldthwaite, N. E., Esq 345, 365. 366, 458 Goodell. W. S., Esq 248, 249, 252 G(M)tahill, Rev. J. W 140 McManis. Hov. C. A 282, 390, 391 McSpailden, Kev. J. C a30 McSiJurren. Re V. J. S 389, 390 Meachaiu, Rev. Samuel 386 Mead, Rev. D. B 320, 231 Meadow Brook Church 361, 364 Mechanicsville Church 93, 260, 263 Meier, Rev. Jacob 138 Memory Church 383 Mercer, Kev. J. T 341, Wi9 Merriam, Rev. J. F ;503, 304 Merrick, Rev. O. M 372,3:29 Messenger. Rev. J 173, 370 Middle ( reek Church VM Middle Valley Church 245 Miles, Elder 334 Miles, Rev E. M., 48, 117, 119, 123,, 136, 417,476 Miles, Rev. Geo. 1 119,473 Miles, Rev. J. C 268, 269, 32.5, 326, 327 Milford Church 244, 391 Millard, Rev. H. N., 139, 262, 263, 363, 364, 503 Mill Creek Church 119, 121 Miller, Rev. J. Christian 190, 219 Miller, Rev. J. C. H., 333-4, a54, 355, a59, 363 Miller, J. H., Esq 341 Miller, Rev. J. H., 138, 1.51, 176, 390, ;304, :«), 312, 31.5, 374 Miller, Miss L. Ella 1.5, 444,504 Miller, Rev. Thomas 173, 338, 370, 504 Miller, Rev. W. L 138 Miller, Rev. W. K 351, 385 Mills, Brother Dan 378 Millersburg Church 326 Milner, Rev. J. T IM, 146, 1.5.5, 389 Milo Church 176 Milton Church 150 Ministers' Institutes 458, 459 Missionary Activity of Iowa Baptists 45 Missionary-History of the State Con- vention 4.5, ,59 ^Missionary Meeting at Glen wood 78 Missi<)iiai'\' Fnion Church 260 M ission Kidge Church 324 M issouri Valley Church 282, 283 Mitchell Church 221 Mitchell, Kev. E. C, D. D 4.59 Mitchell, Rev. H. R 139 Mitchell, Rev. J 134 Mitchell, Rev. James 233, 263, 390 Mitchell, Rev. S. H, 9, 148, 2m, 273, 275, . . . .383,1.383,^306, 308, a57-8, 360-61, 437, 449 Mitohelmore, Kev. C. H 230, 341 Module ( 'hurch 380 Modisett, liev. H. H 153 Moninouth Church 138, 300, 301, 308, 311 Monroe Church 165, 170-2-.5, 184 Montague. Deacon D. O 137, 203 Montana Church 354, a58 .Monteziinia Churcli 335, 337 Mont iecllo Church 99, 360 Montpelier Church 185, 275 Monthly Conference 313 Moody, Rev. J. F 191, 193, 194 Moore, Kev. D 290 Moore, Rev. J lOSJ Moore, Rev. P. E 234 Mof)re, Rev. S. C 370 Jloore, Kev. W.'.G 124 Moi-a\-ia ( 'hurch 188 Morehead, F. R., Es(i 389 Morev, Rev. W. B.25, 28, 103. 115, 205, 418, 467 Morgan, T. J., D. D 459 Mormontown Church 383 Morning Sun Church 303, 305 M( rris, Kev. J. D 188, 462 Morris. Kev. James 246 Morse, Deacon Benjamin 339-40 Morse, Kev. D 2*19, ;iOO Morrill, Kev. G. L 264 Morris. Rev. J.^K 393, 400 Morton, Rev. S 121,301 Moscrip, Rev. C. H 291-3-3,t 433 Moss, Kev. Lemuel, D. D 459 Mott, Judge Frederick 63, 422, 4.58 Moulton Churcli 157 Mount Ararat Church 155, 189, 191 Mount Ayr Churcli 238, 370, 373-4 ■Mountain. Rev. J 1^4 Mini nt ( armel Church 137, 306 Mount F.dcn Church 187 Mount Jov Church 120 Mount M()riah Church 1C3, 133, 172 Moui t Olive Churcli 338 Mount Pleasant Church, 31, 93, 102.29.5, 304-6 Mount Pleasant Church, Centerville Association 156,158 Mount Pleasant Church, Central As'n..l67 Mount Pleasant Church, Eden Associ- ation 187, 191,[386 Mount Pleasant Church, Fox River Association 145 Mount Pleasant Church, (Mineral Ridge) 347,349 Mount Vernon Churcli 261 MouTit Zion Church 103, 285 Mount'Zion Church. Coon'^Valle , 37.5-6, ;i80 Mount Zion Church, East Grand.River Association 370, 383 Mulloy, Robert, Esi; 377 Miinn, Rev. R. J 389, 391 Murder, First Execution for 30 Murflock, Rev. M. U 316 Murphy, Rev. J. R., D. D 173, 17i, 307 Murray Association (373-374) Murray Church 370, 373 Murray, W. B., Es(i 302 Muscatine Church 25, 38, 118-9, 121, 129 Muscatine German Church 119 Murdocli, Rev, Dr 82 Mnxlow, Rev. M 248 Myers, Rev. A 230 Nash, Rev. H. C 231,386 Nash, Mrs. J. A 472 Nash, Rev. J. A.,D. D., 61,63,165,169,179, . . . .282, 377, 409, 427, 437, 457, 458, 459, 472 Nashua Church 225 Nashville Church ...130, 131 Nelson, Rev. J. M 192, 195 Nelson, Rev. S. E 140, 152, 329, 331, 332 Nevada Church 3.52, 361, 365 Newburn Church 166 New Departure in Convention Worli 62 Newell Church 281 Newell, Rev. L. M., 46, 192, 199, 211, 250, 334, 371 New Garden Church 187, 237 New Hartford Church 220, 222 New Haven Church 311, 328, 330 New Hope Church 145, 150, 369, 38:3, 393 Newland, Rev. 1 146 New London Church 295 Newlan's Grove Church 247, 348, 393 Newman, Mrs. T. AV 446 Newman, Hon. T. W 422, 433 New Market Church 386 New ( )ri'tit ju ( 'hurch SJJ New Pr(i\i(lence Church, Eden Ass'n. . .187 New Salem Church, Bedford Ass'n.. 238, 36'.i New Salem Church 15.Vi • New Sharon Church 139 New Testament Church 281 New S\vcl' I'isKilli '"'04 I'ciiim'. 1{c\-. 'V. .1 101). ;«tl, :«)2, :504, :{07 Tcoplfs ("Imrch :«;i, :it.'5, ;575, :57i» Pcoiia ( h inch 187, litl Peoria I'itv Clnircli 171, 185 IVrk ins, lU'v. ( 'liarlos 259 Pfi-r\- ( luirch 375, *57() Pi'irv. I{cv. M. H 281, :«1, 343. ;»! Pfiiv, Dca. W. \V :«2 Poisi)iis, Hvv. U 364-5-6 Petfixit, Uev. F. H 130 PoUM'soii ( 'liurch 389 JMi(>li)s. A. D., Es(i 378 Phillips, Rev. Eiain D 131,203-4-5-6 I'icK-ai.l. Kev. S 102, 110, 387, 281 Remley. H. M.. Esq 263 Remley. Milton. Esq 260-2 Renfro. Rev. J. C 244 Renwick Chui'ch 366 Revivals, 45, 58, 106, 108, 119, 135, 168-9, 183, 316, 338, 340 Revivals in Des Moines Association 1953 to 1857 108-9 Rexford, Rev. John Ift3 Reynolds, Rev. R.J 363-3. 491 Rhodes, Rev. J. H 2.51-3 Rice, Rev. W. T 318 Riceville Church 330 Richards. Rev. D 150 Richards. Rev. D. T 130, 275 Richardson. C. H., Esq 162 Richland < hurch 106, 133. 327 Richland ( enter Church 377-8 Richland Church, Iowa Valley 267 Richmond Church 110-11. 29.5, 311 Richmond, Rev. N 474 Rickerson, Rev. F. D.. D. D 46, 176-7, 368, SiH. 4.33 Rickman, Rev. T. K 195 Rig-RS. Rev. E. H 370 Ripley, Rev. J 152 Ripley Church 278 Ritner. Deacon Henry A 26, 477 Ritner, Rev. J. B 384 Riverside Chi:rch, Sac Co 2Ki Riverside Church, Worthinfj-ton Ass"n..317 Riverton Church 347, 350 Robb, Rev. Hamilton 38 Robblns, Rev. A . . . .136, 159, 160, 173, 347, 314, 318, 369. 463 Robert, Rev. J. T., LL. D 134, 455, 498 Robey, Rev. G. W 347, 353, 383, 385. Robins, C. M. Esq 346,394,396 Robinson, Rev. Amos 173-3, 175, 378, 383, 363, 433 Robinson, Rev. Barton 378 Robinson, Rev. Burton 75 Robinson, Rev. Demas.169, 383, 361,363,377,437 Robinson, Rev. G. W 366 Robinson, Rev. Peter 86, 98, 471 Rochester, Van Buren County 83 Rock Creek (What Cheer) Church. .338, 330-1 Rookford Church 330 Rock Grove Church 330 Rock Spring- Church 33, 101-3 itockwell City Church 364-5 Kockwood, Rev. J. E 75, 311, 379-80-1, 340, 393, 437, 451 Roe, Rev. C. T ". 337 Roe, Rev. J. W 346=7, 349, 489 Rogers' Grove Church 256, 358 Rome Church 387 Roney, Rev. Wm 135, 493 Root, Rev. D. M 198 Root, Rev. Myron 337, 371 Rose Grove Church 358, 361 Ross, Rev. J. H 199 Ross, Rev. W 233 Rosevllle Church 117, 197, 334, 340 Round Point Church 103 Rowley, Rev. D 198, 355, 356 Rudd Church 331 Rudd, Miss Martha E 4.56 Ru-.d, M. W 36, 33, 83, 105, 443, 464, .504 Rumbaugh, Rev. A. H 491 Rupert, Be jamin 118,198 Rushville Church 175 Russ, Rev. E 396, 298 Russell, Rev. A. A 338 Russell, Rev. A. W 46, 75, 166-7, 338, 377, 350, 353, 359, 480, 495 Russell Church 193-4 Rutland Church 363 Rutledge, Rev. Wm 117, 119, 483 Sac City 73-5-6, 377-8 Saddler, Caleb, Esq 306 Saladay, Rev. A 134, 149, 153-5 Sale, Rev. S. C 338, 350 Salem Church 91, 389 Salem Church, Bedford Ass'n 337 Salem Church, Fox River Ass'n 145 Samson, Rev. H 304-6, 359, 484 Sanders, Rev. J. E 281 Sanders, J. H., Esq 325 Sand Spring Churcti 301 Sandy ville Church 168, 183, 410 Sangster, Rev. A. C 127, 299, 500 Sarvis, hev. H. A 329 Savage, Rev. E. P 137, 131, 251 Sawiii, Mrs. A. A 4.58 Sawin, Rev. A. A 130, 357, 268-9, 478 Saxby, Rev. J. S 361-3 Sayre, Rev. W. H 177,374 Scandinavian Baptist Churches in la., 407 Scartt, Rev. E. H., D. D 134, 138, 437, 4.56 Schaller Church 384 Shoenuiker, Rev. C 119, 406 Scholield, Rev. James, 46, lis, 198, 300-1, 334-6 Schofleld, Rev. J. V 171-2 Scholes, Rev. T. E. S 404 Science Hill Church 371 Sciola Church 346 Scott, Rev. George, 46, 75, 117, 198, 201, 202, 207, 279, 281, 334, a39, 343, 376 Scott. Dca. John 476 Scott, Rev. John 121 Scott, L. A., Esq 270 Seamster, Rev. W 146, 1.53 Seay, Rev. I. M., 55, 188, 235,338-9,341-3, 35;3, 371, 373, 383; 886 Seeley, Rev. J. N 38, 36, 86, 103 Seymour Church 156-8 Shalto. Rev. R. H 194, 343, 374 Shacklee. Hev. D. W 398 Shallcnbcrgcr, Rev, H..141, 153, 304, 306, 331 Shaiinfelt, Hcv. J. R 138, 347,301-3 Sharimaek. Kcv. A. F 128, 303, 343, 397-9 Shell IV ( 'lunch 394 Sheldon ( hurch 391 Shell Roc!< Church 233, 501 Shellsburg Church 197-9, 25.5-6, 263 shelton. Rev. G. W 287, 302 Shenandoah Church 247, 250-1-3 Shepherd, Rev. S. T .161 Shepherd. Rev. W. C 386 Sheridan Church 382 Sherman Church, Jasper Co 171, 175 Sherman, Rev. Shadrach 221, 224, 239 Sheriiiaii, Uev. T. H 399 Shiloh ( hurch 103 Shimel, Rev. A 363 Shii)p, Rev. J. C 234 Shirley, Rev, P. P 46, 119, 261, 497 Shoemaker, Rev. W. B 150 Shoemaker, Rev. J. L 253 Shoemaker, Rev. W. C 153 Shutz, Rev. Jacob 130 Sibk'v Chtirch 389, 391 Sidn('V ( huich 341-3-3-6 Sigler. Key. M.J 374 Sigourney Church 133, 335 Sill, Rev. Samuel 323-4-8, 339 Silver City Church 2.51-2 Silver Creek Church 243 Silver Lake Church 388 Simmons' Creek Church 199, 255 Simmons, Rev. G. D 118, 263, 354 Simmons, Rev. A. E 140. 331, 353, 355, 375, 378, 380, 437 Simmons, Rev. D 173,303 Simmons, Rev. Wm. M. . .337-8, 330-1, 333, 379 Simpson, Rev. D. H 399 Sioux City Church 73, 75, 378-9, 387-8, 390 Sioux Rapids Church 381, 390-1 Sioux Valley Association. . . .381, (387 to 393) Skemp, Rev. C. W 310, 313 Skenip, Rev. Samuel 302 Slade, Rev. Thomas 118 Smith, Deacon A. A 312,321 Smith, A. St. Claire, Esq 261-2 Smith, Rev. C. Billings 119-30, 301, 333 Smith, Rev. C. C 139, 365 Smith, Rev. C. G 280, 496 Smilh, C. H., Esq 265 Smith, Dexter P., D. D.17, 47, 58, 81, 9.5, 103, 116, 124, 174, 201, 368, 351, 417, 418, (427, 433), 468 Smith, Rev. D. T 370. 384 Smith, Rev. Granger W 173-4 Smith, Rev. G W 193, 196, 374 Smith, H. H., Esq 138, 433 Smith, Mrs. H. H 497 Smith, Rev. James M 157, 237, 239, 246-7, 371, 385, 470 Smith, Justin A., D. D 459 Smith, Rev. Robert 334, 342 Smock, Kev. Abraham 146, 149, 470 Soldior Valloy Cluirch :.'8(i-l Sou til Codii Cliiucli 377, :i7'.l Soiitli Creek Clmreli :i7:i South Kntilisli ('liurch 134, IK.") Soutlierlaiiil. Kev. (ioorge '£il Soutli I'ork Cliuich ::08 South PlviiiDutli Cliurch ^81, 388 Soutli River Cluireh 166 South Kiver Church, English Kiver Association 328-9 South Western Iowa Ass'n 241, (243, 254) South Westei-n Seminary 244-5 Sparks, Rev. Wm. J 166, 183, 278, 346, 349, 376-7, 491 Spencer Church 388-9, 391 Sperry, E. F.. Es(i 174, 177 Sperry, Rev. Obed 108 Sperry, Rev. Wm 86,102 Spinney, Mrs. E. C 446 Spinney, Rev. E. C, D. D 138, 304, 306-7-8, 456, 459 Spirit Lake Church 281, 388, 391 Sprag-g. Rev. C 226, 272, ;B9 Spring Brook Church 200-1, 203 Spring- Creek Church 302-;i-5 Spring, Rev. E. A 191, 193, 231 Spring Hill Church 173 Springville Church 260 Squaw Creek Church 349, £52, 355 Stanley, Rev.- A 241, 370, 372 Stanley, Rev. J. A 293 Stannard, Obed 86 Stapp, Rev. J. D 303-4 Stark, Rev. Eli 371 Stark wether. Rev. A. H 48, 121, 480-1 Starr, Rev. D. S 153, 227, 2.57, 338-9 Starring, Rev. G. H 343, 366 Statistics. 1^50 to 1S61 32 Steady Hun ( hurch 134 Steamboat Rock Church 271 Steele, Rev. H. L 275, 318 Stephenson, Rev. J. P 234 Stewart, James 86 Stitier, J. M., D. D 339,459 Stiller, Rev. W. H., D. D 130-1, 228, 230, 262-3, 449, 452 Stillson, Rev. Lyman 444, 504 Stillson, Rev. B. W 270, 3.59 Stitt, Rev. T. R 173, 175, 374 Stoddard, Rev. I.J 61, 121, 136, 442 Stoddard, Mrs. D. C. A 442, 4.56 Monaker, Rev. Wm 135, 138 Stone, Rev. Luther 36, 104, 457, 460 Storm Lake Church 281, 388 Storms, Rev. J. H 301 Stott, Rev. Arthur 122, 150, 247, 291, 300, 311, 386, 393 Stowell, Rev, A. H 125 Strawberry Point Church 46, 60, 71, 199, 334, 34;i-4 Strickland, Rev. E. F., D. D 177 Striking Feature of Our History 200 String Piairie Church 289 Stuart Church.* 1^5,378 Sturgeon, Rev. William 192 Stutsman, Hon, A. H 302 Summerset Church 185 Summerset Church, East Nodaway A ssociation 385 Sunderland, Rev. James. 69, 139, 140, 199, 2.59, 261, 281, 336, 344, 388-9, 419, 421, 449,4.52 Sutton, Rev. A. W 1.58, 300, 311, 330 Sutton, Rev. Milton. .63, 109, 113, 28.5, 287, 'M'Z Swain, Rev. E. R a5.5, 375, .504 Swede Bend Church .348-9, ;i52, 361 Swedish Baptist Association 408 Swi It , Rev. Car, OS 129 Swiggett, S. A,. Esq 141 Swiiiden, Rev Wm 217 Syracuse Church JiSl Tabor Church 245 Tabeinaele Church 103 Tallevrauil Church 311, 313, 31.5, 328, 38(i Tamil City Church 271 Tarkio ( 'hurch 246 Taylor, Kev. C. E 274-5, 38.5-6, 4,33 Taylor, Rev. D 167 Taylorsville Cluirch 340 Temporarj' Chvirch Organizations ,181 Temple, L. F a3, 37, 86 Terre Haute Church 370 Terry, Rev. D 219, 220 Terwilliger, Rev. M .503 Theile, Rev. H. W 263, 304 The "Standard" in Iowa 461-2 Thickstun. Mrs. T. F 440, 445 Thickstun, Rev. T. F., 63, 140, 211, 224-6 229, 245, 248, 394, 396, 418, 419, 4.37 Thomas, Rev. C. S 388 Thomas, Rev. J. B 215,216 Thomas, W. F., Esq 311 Thomas. Rev. Z 1.56 Thompson, Rev. A 146, 188, 474 Thoiiii)son. Rev. Charles 295-6-9, 417 Thompson, Rev. C. J 307-8 Thompson, Rev. H. M 131, 367 Thompson, Rev. J. W 251, 261 Thompson, Rev. L. H 17.5, 227, 262, ,398 Thoniiison, Otis 86, 102 Tillburv, Rev. C 2.50,370 Tilly, Rev. Win 173, 209,227, 248 Timpany and McLauran, Mesdames, 204, 444 Tingley Church 374 Tippecanoe (Locust Grove) Church 287 Tisdale, Rev. R. D 278 Todd, Rev. J. A 168, 239 Todd, Rev. Jonah 24, 101, 296, 476 Toledo Church 46, 197, 219, 220, 267 Tolman, Rev. C. F 287, 338, 427, 442, 444 Toogood 477 Toolsboro Church 316 Toolsborough Church 103 Towne, Rev. E. O 108 Townsend, H. S, Esq 174 Townsend, Rev. T. C 168, 278, 504 Tracy, Rev. R. H 30.5-6 Tracy, Rev. R. M 137-8, 314-5, 321-8-9, 427 Trask, Rev. E. G 252 Travis, Rev. G. J 36;i-4 Trevitt, Rev. John 288-9, 290, 486 Tripp, Prof. R. H 4.56 Troy Church 261 Tucker, Rev. C. T., 225-8, 231-3, 251-2. 263,3:57, 449 Tucker, Rev. Silas 67-8 Tuffin, Rev. Ed 279, 375 Tufts. Rev. Geo. E 140 Turkey River Ass'n 44, 201, (333, 344) Tu rner. Rev. Robert 268 Turtoii, Rev. Wm. H., 106, 146, 1.55, 191, 28.5-6, 290-1, 418, nKi Tuscarora Church 110 Tyson, Rev. T. K 194, 3a5 Union Churcli, Central Ass'n 166 Union Church, Eden Ass'n 187, 369, 373 LTnion Church, Fox River Ass'n 150-5 Union Church, Iowa Valley 272 Union Church, Lee Countj' 23, 102 Union Church, Pleasant Ridge 336 T^nion rhiirch.UppcrDesMoinesAss'n 364-5 riiion \Ui\iiv Cliurch 289, 3S8 riiioiivillc ( lniifh 156, 161, 189 riii\( rsity (if Des Moines 14, 429, 451'. 458 T'])l)('r Uos Moines Ass'n 44, 168, (345, t;68) Urliana ( hurch 261 Ure, Kev. Thomas 227, 231-2, 340 Vallandinf^ham, Kev. G. M 319, 329, 331 VanHiiren Church 121 Viuidalia ( 'hurch If 5, 169, 183 VaudiriKH)]. Rev. A 18T, 237, 370, 372 VanHoni Church 264, 276 VanMeter, B. A., Escj 31)1-2 Vaug-hn, Kev. S. H. D 127 Vernal Church 187, 237, 238, 369, 373 Vernon Si>riugs Church, 46, 201, 334, 341, 465 Village (reek Church 103 Villisea Church 246 Vinfon ( hurch 219, 221, 257, 479 Viola ( hurch 260 Volga City Church a37, 340-1 Wadlev, Rev. F. M 2.53 Walberg, Rev. P. C 3.52 Walker, Kev. John T 327 Walker, Rev. W. E 216 Walnut Creek Church 188 Walnut Church 134 Wiilnut 8t. Church, Burlington, 194, 306-9 Walton, Rev. U. K 46, 220 Wai.ello Church 38, 46, 295, 316, 319 Ward, Rev E 136, 298, 300, 312, 321, 325 Ward, Rev. J. B 337 Wai'd, Rev. J. C 117 Ward, Rev. J . S 261 Ward's (\)rners Church 3:37-9 Warren Cliurch 2^5 War Record of Burlington Ass'n 296 Wairen, Rev. J(jhn, 188, 278, 296, 298, 300, 303, 314, 316, 490 Warren, Rev. Jonah G., D. D 70 Warson, Rev. H. C .167, 173 Washington Ass'n (311, 324) Washington Church. . .0 27, 102, 2S.5, 311 Washington, Rev. S 290, 291, 422 Washington, Rev. W. M 304 Waterfoi d Church. 202 Waterloo 42-6 Waterloo Church 43, 197, 219, 226 Waterman, Rev. S. B 232 Watervllle Church 201 Watson, Rev. A 374 Watson, Rev. D. R 390-1 AVatson, Rev. D. S 63, 124, 126, 448, 449 Waukon ( 'hurch 46, 77, 31:54, 341, 343 Wa\crl V ( hurch 219, 226 Wayne ( hurch. Cedar Valley Ass'n 224 Wavne Church, Eden Ass'n 189 Weaver, Kev. Amos 176, 263 Weaver, Rev. H. D. . .131, 213, 215, 229, 358, 359, 360, 364 Weavers, Rev. Geo 250 Webh, Rev. A. W 2.51 Webber, John H 105 Webster City Church 43, ;M9, 3r6, 360 Webster, Rev. W 301 WedgewGod, Rev. J. M 224, 337, 340, 480 Welsher, Rev. W. A., D. D., 17.5, 177, 304, 305, 379, 396, 462 Wells, Rev. A 172 Wells, Rev. Wm. A 1C6, 117 West, Rev. S., 140, 174, 261, 299, 300, 326, 328, 3:30,331 West Dayton ( Jhurch :i56, .358, :361 Western Iowa Ass'n, 44, 7:5, 173, 2.39 (277, 284) Western l'nli)it and Pew 456,462 Wester\ ille Church ;371 Westtield ( hurch 200. ;3;54 West Fork Church ri24 West Irving Church 269 West Nodaway Valley Church. ,239, 241, 369 Weston, Rev. Rodolphus 447,465,466 Weston, Henry G., U. D 4,59,461 Westover, Rev. J. T.,61-:3, 123, 286-7-9, 427, 449 West Point Chu eh 112, 28.5-7 Westside ( liureh 282 West I'nion Cliurch 117, 198-9, :334-5 West Union Church, Bedford Ass'n 238 Wheeler, Rev. J. R ;394 Whitaker, Rev. E. O 168, 177 Whitaker, Kev. Wilford 493 Wliitaker. Rev. W.N 1:38, ;314 Whiteomb, Kev. W. W 228 Whii elircast Church 369 White, Rev. A. B 385 White, Kev. Silas 241,246 Whitehead, Rev. Wm 188 Whitelaw, Rev. W. H 1:30 Whiting. Rev. L. M 213, 214, 216, 278, 340 Whitman, Rev. A 209, 264 Whitnum, Rev. L. M 336 Whitman, Rev. P. S 190, 269, :339 Whitmore, F. Z., Esq 342 Whitmore, Rev. N 206 Whitney, Rev. H 331 Whitney, J. Cheston, Esq 2;J4, 231-2 Whitney. Rev. Wm 229 Wiberg. Rev. Andreas 68 Wiggin, Kev. F. W. C 342 Wilber, Rev. H. R 39, ,50, 108, 120, 199, 259-60, 418, 449, 470, 482 Wilcox, Rev. CM 284 Wilcox, Rev. Carlos 205, 208, 389 Wilcox, Rev. S. E 131, 4:33 Wilder, Rev. Wm 231, 232, 262, 302, 419 Wilkins, Rev. A. C 275 Wilkins, Rev. F. L 131 Wiiley, Rev. A. F. . .69, 269-70, 295-6, 431, 482-3 Williams, Henry Esq 449 Williams, Rev. Henry 232-3, 309 Williams, Rev. John 117, 1:34, 137, 201, 334, 336, 479 Williams, Mrs. Lavina C 443 Williams, Rev. M. F 246 Wilson, Edward (Colored) 130 Wilson, Rev. H. W 130, 174, 378 Wilson, Rev. John 308, ,502 Wilson, Rev. J. D 297, 423 Wilson, Rev. J. T 1:37 Wilson, Rev. J. O 136, 427, 449 Winnebago Mission, Church 334 Winneshiek County 76-7 Winters, Rev. D 1.5.5, 160, 188, 193, 195 Winterset ( 'hurch 57, 75, 167, 171-2-3, 184, 238, 277-8-9-80, 415 Winthrop Church 21.5, 227, 261 Wiota Church 394 Wisdom, Rev. T. W 150 Witherwort, J. M., M. D .50 Witter, Kev. F. S 3.58 Wolf Dale Church 388 Wolf Creek Church 280, 388 Wolf, J 26 Wolf, Kev. W. L 318-9 Woman's Bapt. For'n Mission Society. 44.5-6 Woman's Bap. Home Mission Soci'ty. 439-40 Women's Home M Ission Society 88 Wonderful Growth in the Davenport Association 120 Wood, Rev. E 272 Wood, Rev. J 375 Wooa, Rev. J. M. .109, i:^5, 156, 287, 312, 314-5, 318, 326, 331 470 Wood, Rev. Win . . 119, 22:^, 227, 2;M, 376, 491-2 Wood, Rev. W. L 130, 319 Woodbine (;hu7-ch 2811, 2KJ Woodland Church 171, 173 Woodrow, Mrs 2.50 Woodruff, Rev. L. M., D. D 175 Woodruff, Rev. W. R. . . .295, 298, ;100, 311, 324 VVoodi?, Rev. J 255 Woodson, Rev. Hurry 177, 275 Woodward, R' v. .lonah 46, 2:}9, 2.5,5-6 Worcester, Rev. S. H 46, 135, 290 Worden, Rev. Hoi'ace 104 Workman, Rev. C. R 291, 293 Worthington Church 202, 208, 217 Workman, Prof. L. E 302, 456 Wrig-ht, Rev. W. C 339 Wyly, Rev. W. L 172 Xenia Church, IJedford Association 238 Xenia Church, Iowa Valley 269 Yankee Settlement Church 117, 198, 200 Yarmouth ( hureh ;j06-7 Yarnell, Rev. L 46, 278 Yatesville Church 3.55, 364 Yolton, Rev. H. R 292 York Church 337 , Young-, Rev. Wm 290-1, 494 Zimmerman, Rev. J. Z., 1:^9,204,209. 257, 359, 360, 378 Zion Church, Cedar Valley 22i' Zion Church, Davenport Ass'n 12('-1 Zion Church, Fo.v River Ass'n 14.5, l.'O Zion Church, Washington Ass'n 312 m f^3 M ^S ^^^^ ^^lT:— J*! 1 b3 ^^H m ^B ^S K' i ^H ^^K COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES *^^^ This book is due on the date indicated below, or at the expiration of a definite period after the date of borrowing, as provided by the library rules or by special arrangement with the Librarian in charge. DATE BORROWED CZB (747) MlOO DATE DUE DATE BORROWED r^^. DATE DUE wai. 'M ^ W\ COLUMBIA UN'VERS-TY iiii ^ ^ ^ ^■^v ,-JV-' 938.5 M695 Mitchell Historical sketches of I owa Baptists. Brittle DO NOt PHOTOCOPY X'^^:: 4-V >.