I III II 111 II III II [* JUN241910 *J •06/CAL st^ ^ BX 8935 .S77 1909 Stringfield, E. E. b. 1863 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Presbyterianism in the Ozarks A History of the Work of the Various 'Branches of the Pres- byterian Church in Southwest Missouri 1834-1907 x^snnfe JUN 241910 BY ^^fV) r"""***vr»~' a/ven) •Southern Pres^y/er/an, US. (Those /ft ex/stence inlSOS a/one arc a/ven) Untfea' Pre^pyterianM/^ INTRODUCTION. Doctor Stringfield has written a valuable and a readable his- tory. It treats of a period, a territory and a branch of the church well worthy of lasting remembrance in the annals of American Home Missions. Following no precedent as to contents, arrange- ment or literary style, his work is stamped throughout with his own originality and independence. Even where other writers had preceded him, from whom he could and very properly did quote extensively, he did not accept their statements without personal verification from original sources, wherever possible. How difficult the task the Doctor set before himself, and persist- ently pursued until its completion, none can fully realize that has not been through a similar experience. No one could ever have succeeded as well as he has done without a love for the truth and a desire for its dissemination. The joy that comes to the historian is like that that comes to the student of mathematics in the solution of a difficult prob- lem or to any earnest soul in the achievement of a laudable ambi- tion. The history one writes thus becomes a part of himself, and never more so than when it tells of events in which he himself has had a real participation as well as an interest. The writer's enthusiasm is then shared by his reader. It is especially re- freshing when he dares to use the first pronoun, if. as in this case, he ahvays uses it modestly. The preparation of every history is largely a work of love. Its publication is seldom remunerative. For this particular book there has been a list of advance subscribers sufficiently lar7 White Oak 30 Benjamin F. Logan, S. S Jasper, Mo Salem ::t Grace 28 John R. Trett '. Franklin, Ark Nathanael Chestnut, P Eureka Springs, Ark Eureka Springs 97 George B. Sproule, S. S Alba, Mo Preston 24 Madison 17 Alba, an unorganized work. John F. Shepherd, Ph. D. D. D Webb City, Mo Webb City 17". Jacob F. Scherer, S. S Willow Springs, Mo Supplying a Cumberland Church Burnham 56 James H. Glanville, P Bolivar, Mo -Bolivar 77 Fair Play ."! 22 Eugene E. Stringfield, Ph. D. P Springfield, Mo Springfield, Second 160 Benjamin M. Shive, D. D. P Joplin, Mo Joplin First 431 Henry Little, P Springfield, Mo Calvary 547 Benjamin L. Stuart, S. S Neosho, Mo Neosho 139 Wilbur F. Grundy Fayetteville, Ark _ (Sabbath School Missionary) Edward L. Renick Springfield, Mo (Sabbath School Missionary) Simpson V. Sydenstricker, Stu Cincinnati, Ohio Huston Taylor, P Carthage, Mo i Carthage First 504 Robert L. Kinnaird, S. S Joplin, Mo Bethany (Joplin) 91 Aliram Nelson Wylie, P Ravenden Springs, Ark..Ravenden Springs 26 Stations The following churches were supplied by Cumberland Ebenezer (Greenfield) 92 Presbyterian ministers Mt. Vernon 42 Ozark Prairie 69 Irwin 31 Fordland 24 Conway 52 And the following churches were vacant Buffalo 18 Ash Grove 56 Waldensian 54 Seneca 22 Harrison ( Ark) 27 Lehigh 14 Harris (Ark) 1 Stockton 8 Mammoth Spring I Ark) ..12 Mt. Olivet (Ark) 1"8 Bethel (Ark) 13 Trace Valley (Ark) 12 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 13 These forty-two churches are widely scattered over South- west Missouri and a large part of Arkansas. In Missouri the Presbytery embraced twenty-three counties, with the exceptions that Kansas City Presbytery had jurisdiction' in that part of Camden County lying north of the Osage River and the north- west corner of Cedar County. The counties are as follows : Barton. Jasper, Newton, McDonald, Barry, Lawrence, Dade. Cedar, Hickory, Polk, Greene, Christian, Stone, Taney, Ozark, Douglas, Webster, Dallas, Camden, Laclede, Wright, Texas and Howell. In early days Vernon County belonged to the Presby- tery, but was transferred to the Presbytery of Kansas City. The boundaries of the Presbyteries in Arkansas were laid by a frac- ture of the then extant law of the church as to "elective affinity courts." In 1898 they were defined as follows: "The Presbytery of White River * * originally embraced 17 counties in Southeastern Arkansas (according to the report of the Commission; 20 counties according to the Stated Clerk of White River Presbytery; 21 coun- ties according to the map.) 'Since then,' says the Stated Clerk, 'we have extended our boundaries so as to include the whole state. ' None of these extensions have been authorized, approved, or disapproved by the Synod of Missouri. White River Presbytery is composed of Freedmen. No jurisdic- diction has ever been exercised by that Presbytery over the White churches in Arkansas. At least the following churches in Arkansas belong to other Presbyteries than that of White River, viz: Eureka Springs to the Presbytery of Ozark, Synod of Missouri. Jones- boro, to the Presbytery of St. Louis, Synod of Missouri. Ridge Station to the Presbytery of St. Louis, Synod of Missouri. Hot Springs First to the Presbytery of St. Louis, Synod of Missouri. Mena to the Presbytery of Choctaw, Synod of Indian Territory. * * * Inasmuch as none of the exten- sions of the original boundaries of White River Presbytery have been sanctioned by Synod, and those churches in Arkansas not belonging to White River Presbytery were organized by the Presbyteries to which they now belong, and with which they are in direct rail road connection, the follow- ing readjustment of Presbyterial lines is recommended: 1. White River Presbytery shall consist of all those ministers and churches situated in the State of Arkansas south and east of a line drawn on the north and west lines of the following counties, to-wit: Sevier, Howard, Pike, Clark, Dallas, Grant, Jefferson, Pulaski, Conway, Faulkner, White, Jackson, Poinsett, and Mississippi. 2. The Arkansas counties of Benton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Izard, Stone, Searcy, Newton, Madison, Washington, Crawford, Se- bastian, Franklin and Johnson shall be annexed to the Presbytery of Ozark. 3. The remaining counties in Arkansas shall be annexed to the Pres- bytery of St. Louis. 4. The Synod of Missouri shall notify the Synod of the Indian Terri- tory of the foregoing action, with the request, that hereafter all work in Arkansas shall be done by the Presbyteries covering the state, with the exception of the church at Mena, which it is hereby agreed shall be allowed to remain in connection with the Presbytery of Choctaw, until a further 14 Presbyterianism in the O/.arks readjustment of Presbyterial lines is made." (Minutes of Synod, 1898, pp. 67, 68.) This readjustment was made in 190G when the clinreli of Mena was transferred from the Presbytery of Choctaw to the Presbytery of Ozark and Synod passed the following: "Resolved, That the western tier of counties in the State of Arkansas. so far as not now belonging to the Presbytery of Ozark, he now detached from the Presbytery of White River and annexed to the Presbytery of Ozark." (Minutes 1900, p. 47). Previous to this the churches of Jonesboro and Ridge Sta- tion had been transferred from the Presbytery of St. Louis to the Presbytery of Ozark, whilst the moribund church of Eol Springs disappeared from the Assembly minutes after 1900. At present the Presbyteries of White River and Ozark ace supposed to cover the State. But as Mena and Jonesboro have been trans- ferred to the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and Ridge Station has ceased to be. the work of the Presbyter}- of Ozark is represented by the church of Eureka Springs and a few other churches whose names will appeal* later in this vol- ume. It will be seen that in Arkansas we have a vast territory and but little else. But since the Master's kingdom is "not of this earth" the space given to this territory is out of prophetic regard to the greater things yet to be when reunited Presby- terianism shall come to an inheritance commensurate with her capacity to aid and bless. I have found traces of a rather ex- tensive work in Arkansas carried on by the New School Minis- ters prior to the Civil War. The following extract from a cor- respondence from Bentonville. Ark., to "The Home Missionary" of May. 1844. is given as a sample: "Since my hist report I have been called to deliver several public addresses upon the subject of education. I have also engaged with others in the enterprise of putting a collegiate institution into operation in this section of the State. The college is to be called 'Far West Seminary,' and to be located in Washington County. A Board of Visitors, of which I am the presiding officer, and a Board of Trustees have been appointed. We have already obtained con- siderable donations in lands and other property, and have agreed to erect a brick edifice to commence the institution as soon as practicable. My heart is very much set on this enterprise and I am greatly encouraged to hope we may succeed." But this Arkansas work is buried in an oblivion so dee]) that Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 15 I have failed to find any connection herewith to the post-bellum operations of Ozark Presbytery, and therefore I shall not attempt to exhume it farther. The offspring of a reunion herself, it was but natural that the Presbytery of Ozark should hail with glad acclaim the re- union with "The Army of the Cumberland." At the first op- portunity, without a dissenting voice, without debate and fol- lowed by the singing of the doxology, she voted for the union — impelled to an early action by the thought that it would encour- age the union movement in the Cumberland wing of the church. And as an evidence of her faith in the final triumph of the move- ment received and amalgamated the Cumberland churches of Joplin and Webb City with her churches of these places, and formed tentative unions with her churches and the Cumberland churches at Ash Grove, Greenfield, Mount Vernon. Neosho and West Plains. This historical sketch was begun the 10th day of July, 1906. Ten days before this, by order of Presbytery, a church was organized in the populous mining city of Carterville. Through the co-operation of the Committees of Home Mis- sions and Sunday School Work a student from the Lebanon Theo- logical Seminary, Mr. C. W. Sample, had been laboring in the city for about a month. The reunited church of Webb City agreed to give the new church the building that had formerly belonged to the Cumberland Church of Webb City, worth about $2,500 ; the prospective members of the new church purchased the lot and the Board of Church Erection was asked for $500 to defray the cost of moving and placing the building. Thus the wisdom of the reunion became apparent. i6 Presbyterianism i\ the Ozarks CHAPTER I. CONFLUENT STREAMS THAT SINK TO RISE IX RILLS. H has been intimated that the Presbytery of Ozark was formed by the converging of two streams of Presbyterianism. Like a lost river, these streams all but sank from view for a time, only to reappear with diminished force, then to gather momentum until they converged. A FOREIGN MISSION FOUNDATION. Let those who are inclined to disparage foreign missions in the supposed interests of home missions remember that South- west Missouri was first foreign mission territory. And it took its missionaries longer to reach their field than it takes mis- sionaries to reach China today. "In the year 1819 the United Foreign Mission Society sent two men as exploring agents among the Indians in what was then known as Missouri Territory. * * * They finally se- lected a site for their mission on the west side of the Grand River, about twenty miles from Fort Gibson, in the present Cherokee country. This is the first notice we have of the Osages attracting the attention of Christian people or any endeavors to carry the gospel to them. The Osages were a tribe of Indians that claimed and occupied, as wandering hunters do, the region south of the Kansas River to the Arkansas, thus embracing a considerable portion of what is now Western Missouri. Eastern Kansas and the territory now occupied by the Cherokee and Creek Indians. They were divided into two bands, one of which had headquarters * * * along the Marais des Cygnes River. * * * A mission company consisting of nine men and eight women was sent out by the society in the year 1820 to establish a mission among the Osages of the Grand River. Two of the ladies died on the journey. * * * Having made a beginning with the Osages of the Grand River, the society decided to send another company to the Osages of Missouri, and a second com- pany was formed, which left New York for its destination March Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 17 7th. 1821. This company came by way of the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri and Osage Rivers, on keel boats." * * * After a most laborious passage they landed in Bates County August 9, 1821.* This mission, known as Harmony Mission, subsequently passed under the care of the American Board of Foreign Mis- sions, and was continued with varying fortunes until 1836. In 1822 a church was formed of twenty members. Only two were added for twenty years, when there was a revival that brought into it twenty others. In 1830 it was said of the Indians: "They remain the same dark, bewildered race, clinging to their idols. ' This mission has been established at great expense of money and some valuable lives. Many prayers have been offered for its success, but little, very little, to human view has been accom- plished." But though this mission did little for the Indians, it left permanent traces on this Synod, for the missionaries were ready for the incoming white population and were transferred from the roll of foreign missionaries to that of home missionaries. The churches in this and contiguous missions were for a time isolated and independent. In 1823 the missionaries in Harmony, Union and Dwight Missions formed what was called the Indian Mission Presbytery. As the Indians passed away, under the name of Harmony Pres- bytery, the work became identified with the Synod of Missouri." HARMONY AND (THE FIRST) OSAGE PRESBYTERIES. In 1836 the mission was given up and the work for the In- dians was abandoned. The report of the Board says: "No modern effort among the American Indians has been attended with more trials of various kinds." Gradually the Harmony Church became disintegrated. But the families of the mission formed the nucleus of various churches in that region, ard their descendants are found there to thrs day None of these churches appear to have been in the confines of Ozark Presbytery, as described on a previous page. But as Ver- non County Was a part of Ozark Presbytery, as constituted in 1870, two of them — Little Osage and Marmiton — have a place in this history. When the church was disrupted in 1837 the fruits of these early efforts fell to the lot of the New School Church. And as they were first on the field the results of their labors will be given first. The Presbytery bore the name of Harmony until 1846, when it was changed to Osage. Unfort-u- *See Dr. John B. Hill 's History of Kansas City Presbytery, pp. 100, 101. 1 8 Presbyterian ism in the Oxarks [lately the minutes of this first Osage Presbytery seem to be lost beyond recovery. However, as the major pari of the work rounded by this Presbytery passed through the Second Presby- tery of Osage to the Presbytery of Kansas City, a detailed ac- count thereof is not pertinent in this work. The Presbyiery of Harmony is given in the minutes of the New School Assembly for the first time in 1843. At that lime this Assembly convened but once in three years. The reports, therefore, are probably for three years. The statistics for this Presbytery are no1 very luminous, as a copy here given will show: ■y - -5 -r *H -- ■f- c ■r. m. 'A s: s: ~ " — r: ~z ~ — "Z~ 1843 CHURCHES ■~ "* .Z <£ ~ ■- _£ i: POST OFFICE % E Z 'Z = z ■i. c ^ — ~ Z "Z. — JF. -= = c — E- C Ijj Q 79 Presbytery of Harmony Nathan P. Dodge Little Osage ( Deepwater Little Osage, Mo. Amasa Jones < Salem ( Oseola Deepwater, Mo. E. P. Noel George A. M. Een- shaw Mount Zion Springfield, Mo. B. Ryland— 5 Herman Warbelavj — ." Bolivar, Mo. 82 146 Of the seven churches, Little Osage .Mount Zion, Hermon and Warbleau were in the territory subsequently assigned to Ozark Presbytery. How many of the 1-4(5 members reported as belonging to the Presbytery were in these lour ehurches we have no means of knowing-. The Mrrmiton Church, in Vernon County, is not given in the minutes of 1343, though it is sup- posed to have been organized prior to 1337, Settle Osage was or- ganized by Rev. X. B. Dodge June 27, 1835; and Herman or Her- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 19 mon, in Polk County, some time before 1830. The next triennial minutes make no mention of Warbleau. All vestiges of Hermon and Warbieau have disappeared. Little Osage and Marmiton have left but a fragrant memory. Only Mount Zion remains. "They that trust 111 the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be remove. 1, but abide th for- ever. ' ' In addition to these live churches, five or six others Avere organized before the Civil War — North Prairie, Hickory County, about 1843 ; Springfield, Greene County, 1849 ; Gasconade, Wright County, about 1851 ; Walnut Grove, Greene County. 1853, and Red Hill, Greene County. There seems also to have been a church at Hermitage, in Hickory County, but it does not appear on the Assembly's roll. It is worthy of note that a large part of these early efforts were made in country districts. Mount Zion and North Prairse were the strongest churches. The former was a tower of strength, sending out colonies not only to Walnut Grove and Springfield, but also to far-away Oregon and California. In 1851 Mount Zion reported 100 members, and in 1857 North Prairie reported 93. Here were the scenes of spiritual refreshings, and from these sources went forth streams of salvation to make glad the city of our God. Where are the descendants of these pioneer Presbyterians? Hickory County, a veritable land of promise, has long been without a Presbyterian church. The county historian of Polk County evidently failed to find traces of Presbyterian activity in that county before the war. Wright County we have long since given over to the moles and the bats. In 1857 the New School Church reached the high water mark. That part of the Presbytery lying in this territory had nine churches, with 304 communicants. For three successive years the Presbytery of Osage was starred in the Assembly minutes, indicating that, in r'eu of a report, the report of the previous year was inserted. After 1860 even the name of the Presbytery was dropped from the Assembly roll, not to reappear until 1.866'. The causes of the disintegration of the Presbytery were the position of the church on the issue of the day and the with- drawal of the American Home Missionary Society from the work in Missouri. In June, 1857, Rev. William H. Smith wrote: "I can not be sustained without aid from abroad, and unless that conies T must either leave the state or resort to some secular occupation. Now when the immigration to this region is immense, when the Eastern people as well as others are settling up our prairies, we are crippled by the want of proper support — must leave in a great measure the work of the min- istry to obtain a living! Our church is not going to do much in Western Missouri without preachers can be placed in circumstances to labor more effectively. Brother Jones because of his age and affliction of the throat. 2o Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks is thinking about giving up his charge. Brother Bradshaw is almost super- annuated, Brother Requa is practicing medicines and is not going much in the ministry; and Brother Renshaw has recently deceased, so that you see we are weak in men and means, not so much in means perhaps as in dispo- sition to aid in supporting the gospel."* But though the Presbytery disintegrated, the labors of such men as N. B. Dodge, Amasa Jones, Levi Morrison. G. A. M. Ren- shaw, Albert G. Taylor, Bedford Ryland and William H. Smith were not in vain. They are recorded in the annals of the church triumphant, whose records are never lost. And streams of their influence are yet watering the waste places of the earth, if we could only trace them. The Presbyterian Recorder contained this item that illus- trates the spirit and purposes of the work . "A brother in the bounds of Osage Presbytery in a private business note under date of November 2, 1854, writes: 'At a previous meeting of our Presbytery we concluded to establish a school of high order to be under care of Osage Presbytery. At our last meeting a board of trustees was elected, with power to secure a title to forty acres of land lying in Greene County, including the Cave Spring, the present place of Brother Renshaw's church. This donation of land and $600.00 in subscription is given by Brother R.'s people. We have in all about $2,000.00 subscribed, and intend to contract for building this winter and have them erected by next fall. I have just returned from Brother Morrison's meeting. A precious time we have had. The Lord came down in power. About twenty souls are re- joicing in Christ as the result. Brother M. is greatly encouraged. At Brother Renshaw's a similar result has been witnessed. We have had some mercy drops even at Warsaw.' " In the Mid-Continent of May, 1890, Dr. James H. Brooks said : "It is not true that there is anything in the Form of Government or doctrines of the Presbyterian Church to account for the slow growth during the three-quarters of a century. But apart from the fact that much of the time has been spent in righting oue another instead of fighting shoulder to shoulder she has not at all utilized her resources." This statement was made a plea for some kind of a regula- tion similar to that provided for subsequently in the constitu- tional rule pertaining to local evangelists, and if the good Doctor looks down from the glory world on the church of today no doubt he realizes that his plea has found a completer answer in the Pivsbyterifm Brotherhood. But who can measure the lolly of "fighting one another instead of fighting shoulder to shoul- der?" Much of the weakness of Presbyterianism inheres in the dismembered front she has presented to the world. Dr. Brooks said in another place that Judge Lucas remarked to Judge Gamble: "I wish my daughters to be Roman Catholics, *Hill's History of K. C. Presbytery. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 21 because that church teaches women to be obedient and submis- sive ; but I hope that my sons will be Presbyterians, for then I am sure they will fight." Well, the times that tried men's souls required men of con- viction. The iron heel of destiny may grind such men to pow- der like flint. Their organiations may be crushed out. But the world can never repay its debt of gratitude to them. 0. S. PRESBYTERIES (MISSOURI, UPPER MISSOURI. LAFAYETTE.) None of the controversies that have affected Presbyterianism so disastrously in this State have originated in her borders. Lin- gering regrets have given place to reluctant separations only when independent positions seemed no longer tenable. Not until 1840 did the separation of the Old and New School churches take place in this State. Nominally, at least, four Old School Presbyteries sucessively embraced the territory of the subsequent Ozark Presbytery. They were Missouri, Upper Missouri, Lafayette and Southwest Missouri. At its organization, October 2d, 1832, the original Synod of Missouri consisted of three Presbyteries. The Presbytery of St. Louis covered the eastern part of the State, the Presbytery of St. Charles the northeastern part and the Presbtery of Missouri the rest of the State. In 1813 the Presbytery of Upper Missouri was formed out of the western part of the Presbytery of Mis- souri, and in the fall of 1856 the Synod erected that portion of the Presbytery of Upper Missouri lying south of the Missouri River into the Presbytery of Lafayette. As with the New School church so with the Old — the centers of effort and influence were to the north of our confines. Mount Zion Church at Cave Springs and Ebenezer at Greenfield were for decades the most influential churches in this territory — the former was New School and the latter Old School. Not till 1860. when Calvary Church was organized at Springfield did the old school church gain a permanent foothold in any of our now populous cities. "The old school church began its operations in the South- west in 1842, in Dade County, where the Rev. W. B. Bell or- ganized the Ebenezer Church of sixteen members. The principal man in that organization was J. M. Rankin, who came from East Tennessee, two of whose sons are now ministers and two others prominent men in Kansas. This Ebenezer Church was the only one in that region until January, 1854, when the Mount Vernon Church (subsequently called Ozark Prairie) was organized. The 22 Presbyjerianism in the ( )/.\KKS pastor of the Bbenezer Church had ;i parish extending From Cedar County to the Arkansas River, a distance of L30 miles."* Less than a generation ago it could be said of African map makers : ''Such dense ignorance abounds They place elephants for want of towns.'' A Tier the organization of the E'benezer Church twelve years elapsed before another was organized. The statistics for Lafay- ette Presbytery indicate thai before 1865 the following candi- dates and churches in Southwest Missouri had been on its roll at one time or another: Churches — Ebenezer and Mount Vernon received at organization; Little Osage and Marmiton enrolled September 16, 1859; Springfield Calvary enrolled September 26, 1860; North Spring River and Bolivar. April 13, 1861. Candi- dates— Received at time of organization. W. L. Mitchell. S. YV. Mitchell and J. X. Rankin. In 1857 the Presbytery met in Greenfield, and in 1859 it elected Rev. John McFarland a Commissioner to the General Assembly. The men of national reputation confined their labors to other parts of the State. In lieu of the account of movements In this section, therefore. I shall here insert pen sketches of typical conditions in the other parts of the State. These sketches are taken from addresses delivered at the semi-centennial of the Synod of Missouri, held at St. Louis in October, 1882 : Prom a letter written for the Synod by Dr. Edwin F. Hat- field : "The Synod of Missouri was born in the midst of a gracious outpour- ing of the Spirit, baptizing the churches from St. Louis to Apple Creek on the south, Columbia on the west and Palmyra on the north. "The members of the Synod (1832), with their wives, were enter tained at the house of Mr. John Shaekleford, after which at the public meeting I preached again. The next day three public services were held and sermons were preached by Brothers Cochran, McAfee, and Hoxsey. Sermons were preached on Saturday by Brothers Durfee and Wood, and service preparatory to the Lord's Supper, full of interest, was held in the evening. Very little time was given to the details of ecclesiastical busi- ness. Two of the Presbyteries had just begun to be, and had but a brief record for review by the Synod. * * * "As the churches were called upon to relate their story for the year it was plain to be seen that it had been, even in those 'ends of the earth' as it had been all over the land, a year of the right hand of the Most- High God. First and foremost, the church with whom they had assemble." had been favored with a visitation of the Holy Spirit unexampled, net only in its own history, but in all the region west of the great river. A wonderful work of grace during the previous winter and spring had been wrought in St. Louis, putting new life into both ministers and people, aud *Qroted from Dr. Timothy Hill's History Outlines, etc.. p. 25. PRESBYTERIAXISM IX THE OZARKS 2$ resulting in the accession of 128 members to the church, doubling their num- ber quadrupling their energy and zeal for the Master; resulting also in the organization of the Des Peres Church, about fourteen miles west of the city, and in plans for the speedy organization of a second church in St. Louis. * * * "The showers of divine grace had extended their benign and life- giving influence to St. Charles, where Brother Wood had been laboring about two years, with about seventy conversions, and had lately welcomed some fifty new converts into the church. Far do.vn th« river, in Perry County, Brother Cowan's people at Apple Creek had caught something of the heavenly shower and counted some thirty or forty converts among their widely scattered habitations. Brother Ladd, of Fannington in St. Francis County, told how his heart had been stirred by what he had heard at the meeting of the Presbytery in April of the Lord's doings, and he had gone home resolved to labor anil pray for a revival; and the whole region about Fannington had been aroused to call upon God, and many had been converted from the error of their ways. Brother Donnell, too, brought good news from the lead mines in Washington County, below Potosi, and told of a score or more converted among his people. Away up the country in Calloway County, among the prairies and groves, in the region of Fulton, Brother Hoxsey had to tell of a blessed visitation of grace that had given the Aux Vasse Church a blesse 1 accession of more than forty new members. Columbia, too_ in Boone County, had not been passed by, * * and far up the Mississippi, wher^ Dr. Nelson *had so faithfully testified of Christ and his cross, in and about Palmyra, similar miracles of divine grace ha I heen wrought " Dr. Hatfield then gives an account of the second and third meetings of Synod — the one at Columbia in 1833. the other at St. Charles in 'l834. At Columbia the Synod could only adjourn from day to day by reason of the fact that a quorum could not be obtained. It was regarded as an unhappy occurrence that the county horse races were to commence the opening day of Synod. But the members of Synod began a revival — the races were given up in despair and "more than fourscore souls were hopefully con- verted. ' ' Of the third meeting he writes : "On Thuisday, October 16, IS34, early m the morning, Brothers Don- nell, Potts, Allen and myself mounted our horses at St. Louis and rode very pleasantly to the bank opposite St. Charles, on the Missouri River< reach- ing the ferry about 11:30 a. m., within four hours. There we had to wait six hours for the crazy old ferryboat, the wiwnd having been too hihg for the miserable old craft to attempt to Ueer the tierce current until then. Ten hours were thus consumed in reaching St. Charles from St. Louis. We found that the brethren, wearied with waiting for the St. Louis brethren, had undertaken to organize the Synod with only two Presbyteries. The next morning we organized anew. * * * "As at St. Louis and Columbia, so at St. Charles, t tie one business of the Synod was the preaching of the gospel, with direct reference to the conversion of souls. Twice or thrice daily the wror«i of Clod was pro- claimed, and at least every evening the anxious wero called i-ut of whom there were at least a score, several of whom were hopefully converted." 2\ Presbyterianism in the OZARKS The evangelistic character of pioneer Presbyterianism in Missouri is abundantly attested by others. Dr. Timothy Hill: "The mosi marked agency, especially in Northeast Missouri, under the leadership of Dr. Nelson, Cochran and others, was the camp meeting. The work was carried on systematically, camps consisting of tents or more permanenl structures m the form of sheds, in which the preaching services were held, and around which tents were pitched, constituted the external appearance of the work. The places selected were generally in a ^rove, near a Large spring, for ' much water' was needed for the accommodation of both man and beast. When the selection was made the ground was usually entered, in order to become the fixed property of some one, anil thus remained from year to year. To these meetings people came from a great distance and remained oftentimes for days together, listening to most earnest, pungent preaching, and great numbers were gathered into the church." From an address by Rev. John Leighton : "Let us take a glance at our places of worship generally, at that early day. We may consider them as of three classes. First and best were the small buildings, frequently wooden, put up without any thought of archi- tectural symmetry, unsightly in shape, without finish and devoid of com- fort. * * * A second class comprised the log or board buildings, fre- quently with but one or at the most three openings called windows^ but as likely as not without glass, and supplied with a piece of sacking to keep out the rain. They had puncheon floors, and split logs mounted on pegs for seats. They were built without workmen and without the outlay of $20 in cash. But when one of them was completed by the ax and fro of elder and brethren there was as real a jubilation as whwen Bezaleel finished the work of the tabernacle. * * * The third class of church buildings con- sisted of mere sheds, capable of covering 800 or 1,000 persons. These shelters were built for the accommodation of what were then everywhere known as Presbyterian camp meetings — an institution growing out of nec- essary and blessed evangelization among a destitute and sparse population. * * * The floor was our mother earth, with here and there a stump from which a post had been cut. The pulpit was an unplaned board made fast to a tree at each end, and the preacher's seat was another' rough board supported in the same substantial way. As the sides and front and rear were all open. Nothing circumscribed the limits of the congregation. * * * And I have seen as many as fifty men standing or sitting behind the preacher, these generally not members of the church. "While there was far more spirit and devotion in the singing than we now witness, it was loud and discharged from all scientific exactness. * * * Dr. David Nelson, Rev. James Gallaher and some others had the voice of a silver trumpet — strong and mellow — and the first named espe- cially would occasionally come in where no hymn was expected with a solo that would move the heart and start the tears. As for musical instru- ments, I cannot say that there was the least prejudice against them, but for the reason there was no occasion for prejudice instruments being uni- versally unknown and undesired. Accompanying the singing, on the greater occasions, there was the exercise of handshaking, though this was not common. The custom seems to have been brought in by good brethren from Tennessee, who had a number of ways peculiar to them and not laid Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 25 down in the book. These brethren formed quite an element in our churches in Missouri. * * * "On one occasion (a meeting of Synod in Henry County) * there came up a storm which drove us to what was called 'the church' (Synod was meeting in a basilica or shed), a log house such as I have de- scribed, having one opening for a window, but no glass. The pious com- pany were standing up and singing, when suddenly a movement was made which was novel to me. Across the floor from where I stood and near the open door was 'Father' Bradshaw, the pastor of the church. While sing- ing with much spirit he advanced and took the hand of a brother and shook it with vigor. Thought I 'This is a brother the pastor has not chanced to see during the meeting, and he takes the liberty of greeting him in the midst of the devotions.' Presently he advances and shakes the hand of a second stranger. 'And here is another,' I said to myself, 'he has not met before.' And not till he had reached the third and fourth did the truth burst on my mind. When I saw the good pastor advancing to my part of the room I stiffly turned my face to the log wall^ expecting that he would pass me by. In this I was disappointed. He laid hold upon my shoulder and gave me a violent pull around, and then he took me vig- orously by the hand, a Christian honor which I neither understood nor deserved. "At that same meeting an incident occurred which illustrates the un- pleasant necessities of those primitive days. It was the Sabbath afternoon, and the Lord 's Supper had been celebrated with real fervor and profit, and there were many wet eyes. About ten of us ministers were in 'the stand' and the benediction was being pronounced. Just as the final word was uttered a countrymen thrust himself in among the ministers. He cried out, 'I want to speak to the people.' Raising his voice yet higher, he gave notice of 'a stray mare,' which he went on to describe with more par- ticularity than elegance.* While some of us were considerably taken aback, that fastidious youth, Henry M. Field, who had been called to the new church on Sixth street, near Morgan, and was only a few months from his cultured associations in the East< could not repress his amaze- ment. This was his first venture out from St. Louis. He goes instantly to Father Bradshaw and demands what this kind of a thing meant. 'Oh,' said the pastor, 'we are here for the present constrained to allow such im- proprieties. ' Yet some of these improprieties were rebuked in a character- istic way. * * * I was aiding in a protracted meeting in Lewis County. During the delivery of the sermon one day a young man engaged in carving on the back of the bench before him. A minister who was sitting beside the preacher observed the irreverent use of the pocket knife, and, stepping down, he took up a billet of wood from beside the stove. Going with it to the young man, he presented it to him, saying, 'Whittle on that.' * * * "But as for the preaching of those days, let it be said that while great improvement and advance has been made in every other respect — in our places of worship, in the singing, in the gentility of the audiences, and in the salaries of ministers — there has been no advance in the quality of the sermons. The sermonizing of the great evangelists I have named was not so much the development of the texts they cited as it was the unfolding *Since the author has been pastor in Springfield he was conducting a funeral in a rural district. A rural minister asked the privilege of making an announcement. He first expatiated on the solemnity of the occasion^ commended the "young brother" for his feeling address, sang in a sepul- chral tone three or four stanzas of a death-bed song, then announced: ' ' Not to detract from the solemnity of this occasion, I have lost a sorrel horse, white mane and tail, a horn saddle," etc. 26 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks of a Bible theme. Dr. Nelson, I suspect, generally selected his subject before he settled upon his text, yel his texts contained his sermons. He seldom took up any lmt a most weighty subject* — the sovereignty of God (those men wore strict Calvinists) ; the fallen condition of man; the nature and need of regeneration; free grace; justification by faith; the terror of the Lord. "* * Beginning just about fifty years ago (i. e., fifty years be- fore 1882) and continuing for fifteen or twenty years, there were alino— no use for a covenant of grace made in eternity be tween the Father and Son in view of Adam's fall. Again, what use have they for the doctrine of regeneration by a direct and powerful work of the Holy Ghost? Man needs no such a change. All he needs is that some one of truth and well acquainted with the subject reveal the mind of God to him. Hence these people who deny the doctrine of the trinity, the divinity of Christ, the Holy Ghost, human depravity, predesti- nation, gratuitous election and the doctrine of a real atonement are much more consistent in their belief than those who hold some of those doctrines and deny the rest. What is it that gives infinite value to the atonement J Is \t the divinity or the humanity of Christ? Undoubedlv his divinity. X.'W, if He lad all the essential attributes of Deity He must have iad a mind perfectly informed, a judgment correctly mad" \\p. a will fully deler- n:ined_ so as to remain in suspense about nothing. For can it be presumed that eternity can add anything to the stock of information which deity now possesses? Will the judgment day bring any new information to God about the wickedness of men or devils? But ea 1 a sound mind help decid- ing on a subject when it possesses full and perfect information, especially when much depends upon an immediate decision? But the divinity of Christ depends upon this infinite perfection of wisdom and knowledge, and Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 31 the perfect correctness of his decisions and judgments. And the value of the atonement depends upon the perfection of his wisdom and knowledge, and the perfect correctness of his decisions and judgments. But it will not be denied that his decisions are as much needed about future events as past. But to decide and determine about future events implies predestina- tion; then the value of the atonement depends for its merit upon that wis- dom of God which is exerted in predestination. How absurd to hold to the doctrines of either the divinity of Christ or the atonement and deny the doctrine of predestination." The sermon on the support of the gospel ministry is so timely that it might have been preached but yesterday : I Cor.,9:14: "This is the regulation which God established for his church, and those who have altered this commandment and are teaching men so will one day be called the least in the kingdom of heaven, if they get into the kingdom at all. Our Lord did not ask it as a matter of charity for his ambassadors that they should have a pittance to live upon; but by the same authority that he used in instituting the gospel ministry he also established the duty of supporting his ministering servants. We shall endeavor to consider • ''First — The reasonableness of the requirement. "Second— Upon whom it is binding and the reciprocal duties of pastor and people. And, "Third — The serious results of breaking this regulation of God's house. ' ' (Here follows an excellent exhibition of God's sovereign rights in the earth, of his provision for the support of the Levite and the Levirate ordi- nances, and of the early Christians bringing their goods and laying them at the Apostles ' feet, which, he declares, ' ' never was intended to be a. rule for the church in after ages_ yet it shows a beautiful spirit of confi- dence, and of a full and complete surrender to God, not merely in word, but in heart — giving themselves and property to God, their rightful owner.") Continuing, he said: "Nor did our Lord ever enjoin this, but he did enjoin it that they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel. This is altogether reasonable on account of the manifold duties and cares and labors through which a faithful minister must go. And if the church would be edified and built up in knowledge and holiness she must provide that her ministers have time to wait upon their ministry. The time was when the pastoral union was invested with a degree of permanency which it has now unhappily lost. It is our prayer that it may speedily be re- stored. It was a most sacrilegious work which that vain, ambitious man did when he, contrary to God, ordained that the minister licensed by his Presbytery should preach without having a pastoral charge and without a support. He looked at the church of Christ and saw it an impregnable fortification; he then looked at the prejudices of the Western people. He saw he could sow the seeds of disaffection and jealousy from one point, and one only — it was the support of the gospel ministry.* Time has already discovered the results of what he has done. But eternity alone will fully *I do not know to whom he refers or whether this has only a local bearing, but some years ago an honored elder in one ofthe churches of this Presbytery told me that his father had upbraided one of the most influential and godly pioneers of that county for preaching without salary, because he was sowing seeds that would bring forth a harvest disastrous to the cause of Christ. The descendants of that pioneer preacher are yet prominent in that locality and the prophecy as to the harvest has been verified. ^2 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks show ali the dreadful evils resulting from his unscriptura] and time-serving policy. [gnorance, error and delusion; pride, covetousness, prejudice and infidelity, like the tail of a comet, will follow in his train. The preaching of the gospel, not raising corn and feeding cuttle, is the preeminent duty of the gospel minister. It is expressly to preach the gospel that the min- istry is instituted. It is the voice of the living preacher, urging with all the powers of his heart and of his utterance the love of the Saviour, and the awful realities of a future state, which God blesses td the building up of his church. All other duties should lie subservient to the necessary preparations for preaching the gospel. Hundreds of immortal souls are each SalTath assembled to hear the divine message. The Christian min- ister is God's ambassador to them. And with whatever abilities he may be endowed he must consecrate all to the faithful enforcement of religious truth. He must diligently study so that he may lie able to bring nut o« his storehouse things new and old. Logic should make all the parts of his sermon harmonize, so that one part should not contradict another. Sound argument should fortify the different parts of his discourse, and simplicity, childlike simplicity < make every part so (dear and plain that a very child could understand it all; and eloquence, soul-captivating eloquence — the elo- quence of an upright, earnest heart — should carry every sentence of divine truth home to the hearts and consciences of his auditory. "How difficult this! Is it likely that the man whose cares must neces- sarily be about the concerns of a worldly employment will be able to preach the gospel aright? Will not his discourse on the Sabbath be either cold and formal or empty of soul-nourishing instruction? A man with all' his time is not sufficient for the great work. The word of truth must be rightly divided so as to give to each his portion in due season. * Some of his hearers are engulfed in the whirlpool of a false religion; some are in the wild career of utter ungodliness; some deceived with false hopes, or trying to deceive others with false pretenses; some stupid with consciences seared and hearts as hard as marble or granite rock; some tender, affectionate, trembling with broken heaits ard bruised spirits, feeling and sighing for God. To meet these wants requires thought. And the faithful Christian minister must consecrate the best hours of every week to this infinitely arduous work. And yet he must engage in other studies besides immediate preparation for the pulpit. He must search the Scriptures in their original languages; he must keep up a general acquaint- ance with the literature and the rapidly advancing sciences of the day; he must furnish his mind to encounter the unbeliever ard the errorist on their own grounds, and to defend the gospel; he must keep himself in- formed respecting the great moral movements of the age — he must not forget the mighty power of the press — that the world demands a Chr'stiui literature — that it is the duty of some of the ministers of the gospel to supply this want. These duties demand that at least every movement of the morning hours be devoted uninterruptedly to study* These hours should be held sacred from any encroachment. The people should feel that their pastor in all his studies is toiling for them, and they should cordially co-operate in securing for him the means of uninterrupted appreciation to the arduous duties of his office. "But the minister must also visit the people. Without this though, he should be ever so learned and eloquent he cannot be in the highest de- gree useful. By personal acquaintance alone he can ascertain the tempta- tions, the conflicts, the trials, the spiritual condition of his people. He must sacrifice the attractions of friendship and congenial habits and *This from a man whose record shows that he rode over several coun- ties preaching in private houses as well as in public plac< s. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 3$ tastes, if need be, to his duties as a laborious and impartial parish minis- ter, who must account to God for each soul entrusted to his care. And espe- cially wherever poverty lays its heavy hand, or age is crushed with infirm- ity, or the weak and suffering invalid drags on a miserable life, or the widow's heart is bleeding with anguish — wherever there is anyone bowed down beneath the burden of life, it is there peculiarly the Christian min- ister is to go. And yet he must not let the time allotted to visiting his members encroach upon the time devoted to study and the duties of the closet. If he does his congregation will be pretty apt to complain that his sermons are all alike. These, to say the least, are the indispensable duties of a good minister of the gospel^ and he who comes short of any one of these duties is just so far deficient, and lacks just that much of being a good minister. But how can a minister do all these arduous duties and support himself and family by farming and teaching, or some other worldly employment. * * * Hence it is perfectly reasonable that God should demand at your hands a comfortable support for his servants whom he raises up and sends among you to preach the gospel. God 's ways are always right and woe to that wicked popularity -hunting preacher who alters what God has ordained. * * * "It is everybody's duty to support the gospel. * And the fact that a man is not a professor of religion will be but a poor excuse in the day of judgment, for it will be making one sin an excuse for an- other. '.Will a man rob God?' says the Scriptures, 'but ye have robbed me even this whole nation. ' * * * Here the charge is not brought against the Saints, but against the whole nation. Now, if it had not been the duty of the whole nation, no charge could have been brought against them. If a man says I am no professor of religion, if I were I might perhaps feel it a duty to do something. This is poor logic. It is as much as to say because I wickedly neglect to do my duty therefore I will rob God, my MaVer, of his just share of the property he has put into my hands. This is adding robbery to rebellion. * * * Throughout Southwest Mis- souri there are whole churches who act upon the principle that the gospel may get along the best way it can! And these all have their influence; and a most dreadful influence it is. It is inflicting a death blow on the intelligence and piety of the church. In this work none are excused. * * * . All have some ability. The widow had two mites and she threw them into the treasury of the Lord. And she laid it out well. Many no doubt would have thought her foolish. * ** But the wis- dom of God differs from the wisdom of this world. * * It has been remarked that a heresy always begins among the preachers. The preachers have done much to ruin the church in this our time. The system in vogue amongst us in this country is to license a minister with very little educa- tion, hoping he will go on and improve his mind after he is licensed. This he seldom does_ and for several reasons — first, because he is licensed and thinks he can get along about as well as the rest; and, second, he thinks he has not the time to study. But the worst of it all is, in the third place, he does not know how to study. * * * having^ never learned how to apply himself to books. * * * "The system as now pursued overburdens the church with weak and inefficient ministers, and even if the people felt some disposition to sup- port a minister they become disheartened; for, in the first place, there are too many to be supported, and in the next place the people feel that they do not get an equivalent for their pay — a harping on the tenderer feelings without ever touching the understanding will, after a few hearings, become insipid and uninteresting to all persons of sense. * Have, then, a minister — a workman that needeth not be ashamed — enter into the pastoral relation with him. And as you are entitled to his labors, his 34 PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE O/.ARKS prayers, his tears, his heart, so mi your pari give him your prayers, your sympathies and your attention. Give him of such things .-is God gives you. "* * But we arc next to consider what are the ruinous results Of breaking this ordination of God. And III order to sec it we need only to look around. Where is the beloved Zion of God now.' Her ministers are a elass of secular men. There are none of them that can teach his brother in the law of the Lord; there are but i'''w houses of worship, and money i- thoughl to lie too good a thing to lie given to the Lord. And the man who can rave and rant once a fortnight about hell and heaven is just as good a preacher as any, because the people have learned to think bul little of all preachers of the gospel; the office lias so long been degraded by weak, ignorant and often by unprincipled men. You may always suspect a man for a knave or a hypocrite who is ready to suspect and charge every min- ister who fells his dying fellow men of this part of their duty with money hunting. * * * ''That man who can build his own house and care nothing about the Lord's house is but a sorry Christian, if he is one at all. And that man who can eat his sweet morsels alone, without dividing it with the Lord's servant, is hardly a Christian. And that minister of the gospel who can encourage his hearers in their covetous and selfish dispositions will have an awful account to give. There is an awful lack among Western Christians on this subject, and the entire blame of it in the day of judgment will rest on the ministry. Western Christians are by nature just as liberal as Last ern Christians, and if it were properly inculcated upon them by their preachers would do just as much. Now when we are in a strait we call upon our Eastern brethren. And to my certain knowledge many of those Eastern brethren are not so wealthy as our Western brethren. But they have had the duty of giving liberally inculcated upon them from infancy. To give you a specimen. *The wealth in the churches under the care of the Ozark Presbytery is upwards of two millions of dollars. The natural increase of this capital should at least be half a million^ and the one-tenth of this yearly increase would be fifty thousand dollars, to be devoted to the Lord. Instead of that, all the churches under the care of that Presby- tery do not contribute five hundred. This is robbing God out of forty-five thousand five hundred dollars. In the Last the ministers would tend to this part of their duty. They would have meeting houses and school houses. They would educate their candidates for the ministry and get re- spectable men 's sons employed as teachers in their schools. And they would get and circulate useful books and periodicals among their people, and make collections besides for missionary purposes, and be none the poorer for it. And why is not all this and much more done in the West? The reason is a plain one. That wicked system which was put in opera- tion in 1800 in the West has brought upon the beloved Zion of God all this mischief. It was mainly effected by taking from the ministry that reasonable support which the Lord ordained they should have, and, sec- ondly, by introducing unfit men into the ministry. Such men judge of every measure by how it takes with the people. If it takes with the people all is well. Now, it always will take with many of the people to tell them they are under no obligations to give anything to the Lord. And that those who do tell them so are money hunters. May the Lord deliver the church from all this evil." *This refers to Ozark Presbytery of the Cumberland Church. Mr. Pentzer was at this time a member of that body. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 35 CHAPTER II. THE RISE OF THE RILLS. "Missouri has never been understood, and her people have been sweepingly condemned, largely from the fact that she was made the national football of the slavery agitation for forty- eight consecutive years. The Missouri Compromise, the Kansas- Nebraska Bill, the Border War from '55 to '60 — these were the steps that led to an alienation that never ceased to grow until it culminated in the fearful national baptism of blood. Missouri stood in the forefront of each stage of this growing strife, not because her people were worse or better than the people of other states, but because of her geographical position. Being thus re- lated to the causes leading to the civil conflict, it is but natural that Missouri should suffere more than any other State. Two- third of her people being Southern born, and inclosed on three sides by Republican States, her people were compelled to take sides, and taking sides soon forced all her people into one army or the other."* The traditional reputation of Presbyterians for being men of conviction that would force them to take sides, the completeness of the organic life of the denomination that made a disruption more inevitable and disastrous, and the fact that the home mission revenues came largely from the North and East rendered the devastations of the Civil War more complete in the Presby- terian ranks than in that of other denominations. THE SECOND OSAGE PRESBYTERY. In an address delivered before Synod at Kirksville October. 1888, Dr. George Miller said: "Our Synod outside of St. Louis virtually dates from the Civil War. For years after the Civil War our statistical reports were filled with old reports of churches that had become extinct or gone into the Southern Synod years before. From the best of my knowledge we got ni *" Missouri's Memorable Decade," by Dr. George Miller. Pp. 3-4. 36 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks '65 from the old organizations: From Palmyra Presbytery, about 300 members; from Kansas City and Ozark, about 100 members; from Platte Presbytery, aboul 300 members; from St. Louis, about 1.200. Total Old School. 1,900. 'Plic New School Synod reports 1,323 members in I8u'li. Total for the State, 3.223." It will be seen that Dr. Miller uses the names of later date for the Presbytery. The statement "Kansas City and Ozark, loo members, indicates how nearly extinct the work was." Yet the work of the New School branch was even yet less pros- perous. "By previous arrangement those interested in organizing a Presbytery on the ground occupied by the former Osage Pres- bytery met in the Cave Springs Church (Mount Zion) April 26, 1866." W. S. Messmer preached from Mark 11:22." Three ministers and three churches were enrolled, viz : Revs. A. 6. Taylor, of the Presbytery of St. Louis: J. M. Brown, of the Presbytery of Bloomington. and W. S. Messmer, of the Presbytery of Utica. Churches — Mount Zion, represented by Elder John R. Lee, Springfield, represented by Elder David Ap- pleby, and Clinton. Mount Zion had about 25 members, Spring- field 11*. and Clinton 7. A. G. Taylor was elected Moderator. W. S. Messmer Temporary Clerk, and J. M. Brown Stated Clerk. This first meeting of Presbytery appointed committees on home missions and on education, levied a tax of 50 cents per minister and church (probably communicant) ; licensed E. M Halbert and appointed a committe to draft a memorial on the moral destitution in Southwest Missouri. The second meeting of the Presbytery was held at Prairie Grove (Springfield Church) September 14. 1866. The same min- isters were present and the same churches represented by elders — Mount Zion by W. E. Thompson and Springfield by — With- erspoon. At this meeting of the Presbytery the Bible Society Agent spoke, and it was reported that $69.15 had been contrib- uted by the churches that year to the Bible Society. It is worthy of note that this is more than the Presbytery contributes annually now ! Salem and Warsaw churches, both beyond our bounds, were enrolled at this meeting of Presbytery. The difficulties that confronted the Presbytery are set forth in this communication from the Presbyterian Reporter: I'll mi Rev. John M. Brown. Ash Grove, Mo., April 11, 1X67. Dear Brother Norton: — T returned last evening from meeting of Pres- bytery, having traveled two hundred and fifty miles on horseback, through *This church was in the country — a locality known as Prairie Grove. It is now the Bellevne Church. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 37 mud and rain and then found no quorum, and, of course, we could transact no business. On my way I spent a Sabbath at Deepwater, and preached twice to a small but attentive audience. The weather was cold and the roads horrible, but I thought that if I could ride eighty miles in two days through, not over, such roads to preach the egospel the people might ride one mile to hear it. But perhaps I was mistaken. Yet Deepwater is a promising field and will well repay cultivation. It is to be a station on the Sedalia & Fort Scott Eailroad. At Deepwater I heard of Rev. W. C. Requa, a member of the old Osage Presbyter}', and also learned that he had not connected with any other ecclesiastical body, and of course would fall to our new Osage Presbytery. I thought I had caught sight of a quorum, and so posted off on a fide of forty miles to bring it in. I found Bro. Requa, and what was better, found him loyal to his country and his church, but circumstances were such that he could not attend the meeting of Presbytery. Thus our quorum faded into the future, like the ministers we were to have in Southwest Missouri. I got a kind welcome, however, and a promise, and with that started on a ride of fifty miles to Salem — Salem is the name of a church, not a town. Had the same company as heretofore, viz., rain and mud, to which was added before reaching Salem Mr. Ague for myself and Mr. Weariness for my horse. At Salem I in- quired for Osage Presbytery. No one knew anything about it. Rode six miles into the country, found an elder, but he knew nothing of the meet- ing_ but at last remembered that Bro. Messmer had said something about a meeting of Presbytery this spring, but had forgotten both the time and place of meeting. After supper and a little rest for myself and hoi"se, I rode two miles to the church. I found the old meeting house deserted, the doors ajar, the storm beating in, and the plastering gone. I waited here two long hours in the cold and darkness with no company but a little bird that had made its home in the deserted house, and my old friend, the ague. 1 will not attempt to describe my feelings and thoughts during those two hours. Suffice it to say I had made up my mind to advertise for the re- mains of the Osage Presbytery, desiring to be present at its burial, as I was present at its birth one year before. With this solemn resolve full in mind, I was about to mount my horse and seek my lodgings, when the sound of voices approaching through the darkness brought me to a halt, and soon I had the pleasure of seeing Bro. Taylor, Bro. Halbert, a licen- tiate, and Bro. Perry, elder from Warsaw. Of course we could do nothing but talk a little and adjourn. We spent the Sabbath with the good people of Salem, preaching to them and administering the sacrament On Sabbath we had a full house and very good attention. The result of our meeting at Salem is that the church seems very much revived and encouraged, and a call to our licentiate, E. M. Halbert, to settle with them. This he ex- pects to do with a promise of great usefulness. Bro. Halbert is doing finely. He is to preach at Salem (Calhoun is his postoffice), Warsaw and two outstations. We are to have a called meeting of Presbytery at Butler, the county seat of Bates County, on Friday, May 3d, to continue over Sabbath. Bro. S. G. Clark has recently organized a church at Butler. I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing Bro. Norton and that other brother who has been so long on the way to Southwest Missouri. With some difficulty a quorum was finally obtained on the second day of the called meeting at Butler, viz., Saturday, May 4th. 1867. But the regular meeting at Cave Springs, October 10th, was not so successful. Presbytery adjourned from day to day until finally. Saturday, October 12th, they deckled to proceed without 38 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks a quorum subject to the approval of Synod. A quorum was then obtained by the ordination of E. M. Halbert, after which L. J. Matthews was licensed. The Secretary of (he Presbyterian Com- mittee of Home Missions, Rev. A. T. Norton, was present at this meeting of Presbytery, and, though not a member of the body, seems to have offered most of the resolutions. The following resolutions are worthy of note: (1) That the subject of reunion with the other branch calls for no Presbyterial action at the present time, yet we would not withhold our earnest, prayerful desire that the great event may be consummated substantially on the basis set forth by the joint committee of the two assemblies. (2) That we approve of the decision cf the General Assem- bly to raise $250,000 for the cause of home missions the present year, and though we are emphatically a Missionary Presbytery, all of our churches receiving aid from the Home .Mission Treas- ury, and reporting to the last Assembly only 113 members, yet we pledge ourselves to make an honest and earnest effort to raise for this cause the present year at least $200, which will be our portion of the $250,000." Where is the Missouri Presbytery today that would have the temerity to pledge itself "to make an honest and earnest effort to raise for this cause" a fraction less than ^1 .77 per communicant ? From this date the growth of the Presbytery was more marked in the northern part. Churches were organized or reor- ganized there rapidly, and thus the logic of events paved tin1 way for that part of the Presbytery to retain the name and the succession, while its churches in the southern part were to bo transferred to the Ozark Presbytery. This order was reversed in the old school work. The burning question of the hour was the reunion of the two branches of the church. The Presbyteries of Osage and Southwest Missouri never lost an opportunity to vote heartily in favor of that proposition. By special invitation the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri met with the Presbytery of Osage in the Mount Zion Church August, 1869. The new house of worship had just been completed and was dedicated at this session of Presbytery with a sermon by Dr. Timothy Hill. Text, "The Church of God." (Acts, 20:28.) The dedicatory services were held Sunday, August 22d. The opening sermon of the Presbytery was preached August lf)th by Rev. B. P. Powelson, retiring Moderator of the Presby- tery of Southwest Missouri. The new building, with its two stories, was admirably adapted to accommodate the sessions of the two bodies. Devotional exercises and popular meetings were held jointly, whilst the business of the respective bodies was Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 39 transacted in separate sessions. The spirit of unity that pre- vailed was like that precious ointment that ran down Aaron's beard. The members of the one body were invited to sit as cor- responding members of the other and joint committees deliber- ated on questions of interest to both bodies. It was decided to hold another joint session at the time of the annual meeting — the spring meeting was then called the annual meeting and the autumn meeting was called the semi-annual meeting. The Presbytery of Southwest Missouri was requested to name the place for the meeting and that, body selected the Deepwater Church. Accordingly, on the 14th of April, 1870, Presbytery convened at Germantown ' in the Deepwater Church, and was opened with a sermon by the retiring Moderator of the Presby- tery of Southwest Missouri, William R. Fulton. The same spirit of harmony prevailed in the deliberations of these joint sessions as had been the delight of both at Cave Springs. It appears that at this time Presbytery had standing committees on (1) Home Missions, (2) Education for the Ministry, (3) Publication, (4) Church Erection. This was the last meeting of the second Presbytery of Osage. I find no mention in its annals of the sub- ject of temperance. It appears to have had no case of discipline or no occasion for a judicial committee. Nor does it appear to have had a Committee on Foreign Missions. Of its thirteen churches the new Presbytery of Osage got eight and the Pres- bytery of Ozark five, viz: Mount Zion, Prairie Grove, i. e., Springfield, now Bellview ; White Rock, Licking and Peace Val- ley. Three of these have "fallen on sleep." The membership of the five churches at the time of the reunion was only 100. PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. In 1865 the following overture was sent to the Old School Assembly : "Whereas, owing to the ravages of war in Southwestern Missouri and the difficulties of securing a meeting of the Presbytery of Lafayette_ this Assembly direct: First — That the following ministers residing within the limits of said Presbytery, viz: Wm. R. Fulton, of the Presbytery of Upper Missouri; Wm. J. Wright (U. S. Chaplain of Hospital, Springfield, Mo.), of the Pres- bytery of New Brunswick, N. J., and John McFarland, of said Presbytery of Lafayette, together with all the churches south of the Osage River, and formerly belonging to said Presbytery of Lafayette, be constituted a Pres- bytery under the name of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri; and that John Giffen, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Chicago and residing within said bounds be attached thereto. Second — That said Presbytery shall meet in the city of Springfield on the third Thursday in June 1865, or as soon thereafter as practicable, and the meeting shall be opened by the oldest minister present. 40 Presbytbrianism in the Ozarks Third — That said Presbytery shall be attached to the Synod of Mis- souri. The prayer of this petition was granted with the exception that the Presbytery was to be attached to the Synod of Upper Missouri, and John McFarland was designated to preach the sermon and constitute the Presbytery. At the time appointed the program as outlined was carried out. The three ministers and the one licentiate were present, and Elders James Mitchell, of Ebenezer Church, and George Lee, of Calvary, were enrolled. The following day Elder John A. Strain was enrolled. The roll of churches consisted of Calvary, Ebenezer, .Mount Vernon (later changed to Ozark Prairie), and Bolivar. This roll was rapidly enlarged by the resuscitation of churches that were practically disbanded, as well as by the organization of new churches. Some of these churches were erected on the ruins of former New School churches. But while the new Osage Presby- tery directed its energies to the southeastern part of our terri- tory and to the territory north of us the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri labored more largely in the western part and opened up that territory that has since become famous as the mining region of Southwest Missouri. Hence, while the New School Presbytery of Osage bequeatheed to the Presbytery of Ozark at its organization four ministers and live churches, with aboul one hundred communicants, the Presbtery of Southwest Mis- souri bequeathed it six ministers, thirteen churches and nearly 450 communicants. During the five years of the eistence of this Presbytery it ordained four ministers, as follows: John Giffen, June 24, 1865; S. M. Irwin, November 25, 18(50; B. F. Powelson, September 5, 1868, and Austin Elliott, April 16, 1S70. The enviable distinction belongs to this Presbytery of having required of every candidate for ordination the full examination prescribed in the form of government. John Giffen was elected Stated Clerk and on his dismission from the Presbytery Rev. James A. Paige was elected to fill the vacancy. In 1866 the boundaries of the Presbytery were ex- tended, as the following entry of November 24th will show: "The action of Synod extending the boundaries of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri so as to include the counties of Henry and Bates, and attaching to the same Rev. Dr. A. Jones and Rev. J. A. Paige, was officially announced to Presbytery by the latter as Stated Clerk of the Synod of Missouri. This territory of the Southwest Missouri Presbytery was trans- ferred to the Presbytery of Osage at the reunion of 1870." The general conditions in the bounds of the Presbytery and its opsition on the subject of the reunion of the old and new school churches have been sufficiently stated in the sketch of the Presbytery of Osage. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 41 CHAPTER III. OZARK PRESBYTERY 1870-1907. The Synod of Missouri, assembled by order of General As- sembly, in the city of St. Louis July 7th, 1870, passed an enabling act which in as far as it relates to this Presbytery is ?»s follows: ' ' The Presbytery of Ozark is hereby erected to consist of the minis- ters and churches in the counties of Vernon, Barton, Jasper, Newton, Mc- Donald, Barry, Lawrence, Dade, Cedar, Hickory, Polk Greene, Christian, Stone, Taney, Webster, Dallas, Camden, Laclede, Wright, Douglas, Howell, Texas, Pulaski and Ozark. It shall meet at the church at Greenfeld on the 29th day of September, 1S70, at 7:30 p. m., Rev. J. McFarland to preside, or in his absence, the oldest minister present, to preside until a Moderator is chosen. And, furthermore, this Presbytery of Ozark is hereby declared to be the proper and legal sucessor of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri, and as such is entitled to all the right, franchises and possessions, and liable for the performance of all the duties of that Pres- bytery. The following ministers and churches are included in the Presby- tery of Osage as constituted by this act: Ministers — John McFarland, W. R. Fulton, James A. Paige, J. W. Pinkerton, John M. Brown, Albert G. Taylor, Enos M. Halbert. L. J. Matthews, — Elliott — 9. Churches — Boli- var, Urbana, Ebenezer, Mount Vernon, Avilla, Calvary, Panther Creek, Carthage, Neosho, Springfield, Peace Valley, Licking White Rock, Houston, Lamar, Mount Zion — 16." A printed copy of this enabling act is posted in the Records of Ozark Presbytery, Book A. I have copied the above as it is printed mindful of the fact that the word "Osatje" as given above is a misprint for "Ozark." On the dash before the name "Elliott" some clerk has written the name "Austin," and after the number 9 has inserted "J. Howard Nixon." The clerk was correct in these additions to the printed enabling act. The Elliott referred to was Rev. Austin Elliott, and as Dr. Nixon was then a member of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri his name should have been included in the enabling act. Of these ten ministers, Revs. John McFarland, W. R. Fulton, -lames A. Paige, J. W. Pinkerton, Austin W. Elliott and J. Howard Nixon belonged to the Old School Presbytery of Southwest Missouri, whilst John M. Brown, Albert Gr. Taylor, Enns M. 1 [albert ?nd L. J. Matthews belonged to the New School Presbytery of Osage. 42 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Iii accordance with the instructions of Synod, the newly erected Presbytery of Ozark was convened in Greenfield September 29th- Oetober 1st. L870. By request Rev. James A. Paige, of Calvary Church, preached the opening sermon, texl Colossians 1 :L,S. af- ter which the appointee <»!' Synod, Rev. John McParland, con- stituted Presbytery with prayer. Mr. MtaFarland was elected Moderator and Rev. Enos M. Balberi Temporary Clerk. Later in the proceedings Rev. James A. Paige w;is elected the first Stated clerk of the Presbytery. To the ten ministers mentioned above the r<»ll adds the mime of \V. II. Downing. It appears that Mr. Downing was received by letter from the Presbytery of Catawba the second day of this first session of the Presbytery. Instead of the sixteen churches of the enabling act, the minutes of the Presbytery mention twenty-five. Nineteen of these are written in ink and the rest in pencil, but manifestly by the same hand, though probably at a later date. These investi- gations have left two impressions on my mind — first a little less impatience with the higher critics, then a deeper conviction of the importance of clearness in the matter of chnrch records. By putting the two lists in parallel columns I shall endeavor to har- monize them and to account for the additions and changes: LIST IN ENABLING ACT. 1 — Bolivar Polk County 2 — Urbana Dallas County 8 — Ebenezer ... Greene County l Mi. Vernan .Lawrence County 5 — Avilla Jasper County G — Calvary . Greene County 7 Panther Creek Laclede County 8 — Carthage Jasper Courity !' Neosho Newton County le Springfield. I Later called Bell- view) . Greene County LIST IN MINUTKS ul' PKKsllV- TEEY. 1 — Bolivar. (Written in pencil; ordered stricken from roll of Southwest Missouri Presby- tery April 14, 1870, but con- tinued mi enabling act. Re- ported as organized in min- utes of March 31, 1871.) 2 — Urbana. 3 — Ebenezer. 4 — Ozark Prairie. (Name changed from Mt. Vernon at first meeting of Presbytery. Rec- ord A. ]>. 61.) 5— Avilla. 6 — Calvary. ■ onway. (Changed from Pan- ther ('reek. Record A. p. 59.) 8 — Carthage. 9 — Neosho. 10— Springfield. (Later called Bell- view.) Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 43 11 — Peace Valley Howell County 12 — Licking Texas County 13— White Rock Texas County 14 — Houston. (Not in minutes Texas County 15 — Lamar. (Xot in first min utes and not on roll of Presbytery anwhere.) Barton County 16 — Mt. Zion Greene County 11 — Peace Valley. 12— Licking. 13— White Rock. (Evidently nearly extinct, but in existence, as McFarland, Fulton and Pinkerton were appointed March 2, 1871, to visit. Record A. p. 65. Re- ported nothing encouraging. Record A, p. 70.) 14— Mt. Zion. 15 — Little Osage, Vernon County. (The trainers of the enabling act evidently thought this ehurch in another county and assigned it to Osage Presby- tery, but the first roll of Ozark includes it, and it is given in the list of churches not represented Oct. 6th. Rec- ord A, p. 69.) 16 — Bethel. (Probably omitted from enabling act because another church of the same name was assigned to Osage Presby- tery. That Bethel was in ('ass County. This one in Polk County, near StrRins' Mill. and belonged to the Presby- tery of Southwest Missouri.) 17 — Locsut Grove. (Belonged to Presbytery of Southwest Mis- souri; located at Diamond Grove Prairie, in Xewton County. Afterwards called . Westminster. Now extinct.) 18 — Minersyille. [Belonged to Pres- bytery of Southwest Missouri. Located in Jasper County. Afterwards dissolved.) 19— Granby, in Xewton County. (Nearly extinct at the time, as a committee was appointed Oct, 1. 1870, to "see to the protection or sale of proper- ty." Belonged to Presby- tery of Southwest Masouri.) 20 — Nevada. (Same as note in this coin. tin about Lamar Church. Cf. Records A. pp. 6.1-70. En- rolled Seot. 14. 1872; organ- ized by Rev. W. R. Fulton. Record A, pp. 84-95.) Vernon Countv. 44 PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE ( )/,\RKS 21 — Pierce City. | Not organize-] until Jan. 22, 1871, therefore does not belong on original roll.) Lawrence County. 22 — Verona. (Organized March 26, 1871. N. B. — Note on Pierce City.) Lawrence County. 23 — Logan. (Organized March, 1^71. Sec above.) Lawrence Coun- ty. 24 — Buffalo. (No date of organiza- tion, but enrolled same as Nos. 21-23, i. e., March 31, 1871.) Dallas County. 25 — Mountain Grove. (Same note as Buffalo applies.) Wright County. From these notes it will be seen that three of the churches mentioned in the enabling act, Bolivar, Houston and Lamar, were extinct when Presbytery convened. By dropping these and the churches added to the roll later we get the actual roll of the Presbytery at its organization, as follows: A. Churches in the enaabling act and in the first minutes: NAME. AFFILIATION. PRESENT STATUS. 1— Urbana Old School United with Buffalo. 2 — Ebenezer Old School On present roll. 3— Mount Vernon Old School Now Ozark Prairie. 4— Avilla Old School Now White Oak. 5 — Calvary Old School On present roll. 6 — Panther Creek Old School Now Conway. 7 — Carthage Old School On present roll. 8 — Neosho Old School On present roll. 9 — Springfield New School Now Bellview. 10 — Peace Valley New School Dropped probably in fa- vor of West Plains. 11- — Licking New School Dissolved. 12— White Rock New School Dissolved. 13 — Mount Zion New School On present roll. B. Churches in minutes, but not in enabling act : , 14— Bethel Old School Dissolved. 15 — Locust Grove Old School Dissolved. 16 — Minersville Old School Dissolved. 17 — Granby .Old School Dissolved. 18— Little Osage Old School Dissolved. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 45 Thus it will be seen that of these eighteen churches ten are still on our role, five by the same, three with different names and two by union with other churches of later organization. The territory assigned to Ozark Presbytery in the enabling act embraced twenty-five counties in Southwest Missouri. Pu- laski County has since been transferred to the Presbytery of St. Louis, Vernon County and a portion of the northwest corner of Cedar County and that part of Camden County lying north of the Osage River to Kansas City Presbytery. Meantime a large portion of the State of Arkansas has been added to our domain. At the semi-centennial of the Ebenezer Church in 1892 Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D.. said : ' ' The territory embraced in the bounds of our Presbytery includes twenty-four counties in this southwest part of the State (N. B. — This em- braces Pulaski County, but not Vernon), and has a geographical area of about 16,000 square miles, or just about one-quarter of the entire State. To gain an idea of what such an area embraces, it will help us to consider that you could put the States of Massachusetts and New Jersey inside of our bounds. And surely this vast rich territory would support ali the population of the older States, and you would then have, instead of the 415,000 we-now have, more than three and a quarter millions, with its great cities like Boston, Worcester, Lowell, Cambridge, Newark, Jersey City, Patterson; its great institutions, such as Princeton, Harvard (1636), Am- herst, Williams, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke; its great names, the Adamses, Webster, Choate, Sumner, Everett, Philips, in national affairs; Morse and Agassiz, in science; its historians, Bancroft, Prescott and Motley; in letters Dana, Longfellow, Whittier, Lowell, Hawthorne and numerous others. But whose history runs through more than two and a half centuries, and while this territory was an unknown wilderness. Think of the wonderful possi- bilities that lie open to those who are living and shall live within the bounds of this Presbytery. With a fertile soil that is so productive in grain and fruit, and genial climate between the rigorous winters of the North and the hot, sultry climate of the South; with its vast stores of wealth that are proved to be under the soil, and that are already attracting the attention of people from all parts of the land; what wfl? those who shall celebrate the centennial of this church see in this very territory of which we are now speaking? "Verily, the lines are fallen unto us in pleas- ant places and we have a goodly heritage, in common with all who are laboring for the moral and material upbuilding of this fair domain. But now let us look at it as a Presbyterian heritage. And in this the history practically covers but a little over twenty-five years. I find after the scat- tered forces had reorganized that all numbered in 1866 only four ministers, seven churches and 163 members, with forty in Sunday school, which in- creased up to the time I entered the Presbytery, just seventeen years ago, to thirteen ministers, twenty-eight churches, 895 members, 505 in Sun- day school. At that time there was but one self-sustaining church in the Presbytery, that of Calvary, and there had been but four installed pastors, the first of whom was Eev. W. R. Fulton, pastor of this church. Now there are five installed pastors and five self-sustaining churches." It will be seen that in this address Dr. Knight goes back to the organization of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri. Else- where in the address he says that of the four ministers "two were 46 Presbyterianism in the O/.arks the Rev. W. R. Pulton and John McFarland, whose homes were in Greenfield. At that time your church of Ebenezer was the Largest in the Presbytery, numbering 40." It is worthy of note that as late as 1892 we only had five installed pastors and five self-sustaining churches. FIRST DECADE— 1870-1879. The Old School Presbytery of Southwesl .Missouri reported in 1870 seven members, thirteen churches and 450 members, or omitting that part of the Presbtery thai fell to Osage, six minis- ters, twelve churches and 432 members. Osage Presbytery New School reported seven ministers, thirteen churches and 290 mem- bers. Of these, four ministers, tive churches and 100 members were in the territory assigned to Ozark Presbytery, or a com- bined force of ten ministers, sixteen churches and 532 members. The first report of the reunited church shows eleven ministers, twenty-four churches and 630 members. Certainly a small force for so large a heritage. A GLANCE AT THE WORKIXO FORCE. Adding to those enrolled at the organization of the Presby- tery the names of the ministers received during the decade, we find a total enrollment of thirty-six ministers. Of these one was received on what proved to be fraudulent papers and his recep- tion was afterward declared to be null and void. Another was invited to sit as a corresponding member and his name appears on the roll of the Presbytery and in the Assembly minutes of 1873. But there is no record of his reception or his dismissal by Presbytery. It is probable that he supplied one of our churches for a few months and that his name was put on the roll through mistake. This leaves us a ministerial roll of thirty-four. Five of these, Revs. \V. R. Pulton, A. W. Eliott. A. G. Taylor. Enos M. llalbert and L. J. Matthews, were on the roll the whole periocl; but only W. R. Fulton and Enos M. Halbert were in the active work the full time. hi boyhood or manhood 1 have had a personal acquaintance with eleven of these ministers enrolled in the first decade, and have had special opportunities to know by reputation several others. John McFarland was bowed with the weight of years and arduous toil when Ozark Presbytery was organized, and be it said to the honor of this Presbytery that its firsl recommendation to the Assembly* Board.of Relief April 12th. 1872, reads: -'The Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 47 Committee on Relief were directed to apply to the Committee on Relief Fund of Disabled Ministers for $300, or more if necessary, for the relief of Rev. John McParland." James A. Paige, the last Stated Clerk of Southwest Missouri Presbytery and the first of Ozark, only remained one year after the organization. And J. Howard Nixon's stay was likewise brief. James Junius Marks was received just at the close of the decade, and therefore his work belongs to a later period. Elimi- nating these four, the ministers who had the most to do in shap- ing the destinies of the Presbytery in this formative period were William R. Fulton, J. M. Brown, W. L. Miller, Cyrus H. Dunlap, Wm. S. Knight. David L. Lander and Thomas H. Allin. For nearly nineteen years William R. Fulton served the Ebenezer Church. From that church you go down a little valley and up to the top of a green hill, and there lie his earthly remains awaiting the judgment morn. His was the longest pastorate in our bounds, followed by W. S. Knight's eighteen years in the first church of Carthage as a close second and R. W. Ely's fifteen years at Neosho as a close third. When I first saw Greenfield twenty years after his death the atmosphere of the place still emitted the fragrance of his godly life. And old settlers still remember him as a man of God wTho went in and out among them. At the semi-centennial of that church it was said that seven of the sons of Ebenezer were in the Christian ministry. I think there has not one entered since unless he was then in prepara- tion. Who but the Omniscient One knows the part John McFar- iand and William R. Fulton had in turning those seven men from that church into the ministry? A child christened with the name of Fulton as a first name still serves that church as a ruling elder. He served the Presbytery of Ozark for seven years as Stated Clerk, and organized, either alone or as chairman of a committee, the following churches: Carthage, Avilla, Locust Grove, Stockton, Nevada. John M. Brown was elected the first Presbyterial missionary on a salary of $1,000 per annum, to be paid by the Home Board. That was in October, 1873. In his history of Kansas City Pres- bytery, Dr. John B. Hill calls John M. Brown the principal or- ganizer of Osage Presbytery (p. 110), and in another place says: "The man who at the close of the Civil War was sent by District Secretary Norton to be one of the reorganizers of Osage was Rev. John M. Brown. * * * . He did more than any other one man of the field work resulting in the re-establishment of our church in the Presbyteries of Osage and Ozark." He was the first Chairman of Home Missions in this Presby- tery. In my boyhood days Willis L. Miller — laid aside from the active duties of the ministry at that time by reason of ill health 48 PRESBYTERI \MS.M IN' THE OZARKS — boarded in my father's family for some months. I recall him as a man of nervous energy and intelligence. On one occasion he went with my older sisters and myself in quest of wild straw- berries. A barefooted boy and the youngest of the company, I made slow progress amonu the rocks and briars, and lagged behind until the others were out of sight — hiding, as it after- wards proved. Two sensations were indelibly stamped upon my memory — the awfulness of being lost, which gave me my first impression of what hell must be like; and then, when I was ton ml, the meanness of that preacher and my sisters for playing the prank on me! Yes, and I remember the flavor of those wild strawberries. That old sage must have been thinking of some such berries as grew in the unplowed hills of Southwest Missouri when he said: "Doubtless the Almighty might have made a better berry than the strawberry, but doubtless he never did." Shortly after this Mr. Miller "put on the harness" and the rec- ords of Ozark Presbytery bear eloquent testimony to the correct- ness of my boyhood impressions of his zeal, earnestness and ef- ficiency. Cyrus H. Dunlap, the second Chairman of Home Mis- sions, served the Calvary Church over eight years. William S. Knight led the church of Carthage out of the slough of despond and the wilderness of debt, became the first Chairman of For- eign Missions and the virtual founder of the Carthage Collegiate Institute; and Donald K. Campbell served the church of Joplin in the days of small things and planted Presbyterianism in Webb City. Of these we shall hear more anon. It remains for me to speak of David L. Lander and Thomas H. All in. These were the *. sons of the Presbytery in a particular sense in that her hands were laid on their heads in licensure and ordination. The Pres- bytery inherited from the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri a commendable carefulness in the reception and the ordination of ministers,the lack of which carefulness will. I think, explain many of the weaknesses of her history in later years. In all the annals of the Southwest Missouri Presbytery I find no instance when a man was ordained by lowering the standard of examina- tions required in the book. For ten years at least the Presbytery of Ozark treasured the spirit of this inheritance, if not the letter. For a year and a half a certain brother knocked at her doors for admission. For some years his name had not been on the roll of the Presbytery to which he last belonged. Through correspond- ence it was ascertained that said Presbytery interposed no ob- jections to his acceptance by Ozark Presbytery. He had lived in our bounds for several years. But the committee's report, which was adopted by Presbytery, states: "He is not incapacitated for the active labors of the ministry, shall we receive him? Your committee recommend that we do not receive him Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 49 at present. He had practically withdrawn from the ministry. He was en- gaged in secular business when he made this application and has so con- tinued to he since. We know no ground for charges against him as a Christian. He is teaching in the Sabbath School and doing good as a lay- man; but we believe this Presbytery can not clothe him again with the character of a Christian minister without secularizing this sacred office." Iii this period it appears that only two men from non-Pres- byterian bodies sought admission to the Presbytery. The one, a Methodist, was received, but his reception was afterwards declared null and void, as previously stated; the other, a Baptist minister, was permitted to labor in our bounds, was twice exam- ined, but his examinations were not sustained. Presbytery ordained but four men in these ten years. The first was Squire Glasscock and the last was W. A. Cravens. Of the others I shall speak more at length. David L. Lander was a student for the ministry in Center College, but owing to ill health left the college and abandoned the idea of entering the ministry. Coming to Neosho, he taught in the public schools, where after three months' service he was elected principal. On uniting with the church he was immedi- ately elected an elder, and in that capacity served the church as a representative in Presbytery, as superintendent and Bible class teacher in the Sabbath school. Rev. John M. Brown laid hands on the young man and started him in the study of theology. Sub- sequently, while teaching in the Indian Territory, he "exercised his gifts." From his secular labors there he was called to preach by the Neosho Church, and served that and the neighboring churches of Granby and Westminster from April, 75, to April, '79. For a little over a year he was Stated Clerk of this Pres- bytery. And the records he kept are written in a hand beautiful and plain. Incidentally it might be noted that the same cannot be said of some earlier and later S. Cs. In later life Mr. Lander has served three other Presbyteries in a similar capacity. When just budding into young manhood I thought him an exception- ally good preacher. Of Thomas H. Allin I have precious mem- ories. In Hill's "Presbytery of Kansas City" (p. 306) is this record : SALEM (PETTIS COUNTY). This church is located five miles northwest of Lamonte and seven and one-half miles northeast of Knob Noster. September 15, 1880, in connec- tion with a request for the dissolution of the church at LaMonte the Rev. T. H. Allin requested leave to organize a church at this point. Rev. J. W. Allen, Synodical Missionary, together with T. H. Allin, D. L. Lander and Elders S. T. Mahin and P. Stringfield were appointed a committee to or- ganize. The next spring the committee reported: "Our chairman failed to report in person at the appointed time; the remaining members of the 5o Presbyterianism in the Ozarks committee proceeded with the work as best they could. Preparatory vices were held during the second week in October, the gospel being preach ed each evening. <>n Sabbath morning, <><-i. 10, after services, twenty-five persons were organized into a church according to the Presbyterian ('"ii fession of Faith and Form of Government. Fourteen of these presented letters from other churches and eleven were added on examination. Two elders, P, Stringfield and L. A. Byers, were elected and installed." I was one of those eleven, and including a cousin of mine, who lived with us. and my married sister, if L am not mistaken, one family constituted nine of the twenty-five. Ours was a large family -with hired help — in those days always from eleven up. Yei there was always room for the minister. Mr. Allin, his wife and his son frequently stayed with us. He belonged to that old type of Presbyterian preachers — prevailingly clerical in attire and dignified in bearing. Von had to give them aboul three- quarters of an hour's notice for breakfast. Owing to the crowded conditions of our house, my younger brother often slept on a pallet in the "Prophet's Chamber.." The celerity with which the barefooted boy — now clerk of the session of Ebenezer Church — donned his apparel was a theme of constant remark and amaze- ment for the clergyman. The tall, erect and dignified man. past sixty, could not realize that the boy slept in his shirl and only needed to run hi.s legs in his trousers, throw a suspender over each shoulder, and as his hands came down button about three buttons on his trousers and then was ready for the day! This inc'denl is a parable which, being interpreted, means: Preacher notice and know the boy. But to resume. In the early seventies L. H. Allin was a law- yer and an elder in the Salem Church, Jasper County. In the Presbyterial records of March. 1876, is this minute: "Whereas, the large field of Rev. W. L. Miller for the last two years has made it impossible for him to cultivate it alone; and. whereas. Mr. Thomas II. Allin, an elder of Salem Church, has for 1 wo years Keen assisl iny his minister, visiting the people and filling many of the regular appoint- ments, bearing his own expenses and receiving no compensation therefor; and, whereas, abundant and satisfactory testimony to the value of these labors has been presented by Rev. W. L. Miller and the elders of these churches; and, whereas, the Board of Home Missions is unable to commis- sion another minister so that field may he divided; therefore, resolved, that Presbytery do hereby gratefully recognize the value of the labors of Elder Thomas II. Allin, approve of his work and reqiiesl him to continue therein until the next meeting of Presbytery." Mr. Miller's field at that time covered a good part of North- ern .jasper and Lawrence Counties, but he and the Presbytery seemed imbued with the idea that it needed "cultivation" as well as preaching. So Mr. Miller set apart .Mr. Allin as a kind of "local evangelist" two years before . Presbytery took action thereon, and the Presbytery set him apart for the functions - of Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 51 this office long before the Form of Government recognized the office. Six months later Mr. Allin was licensed and another six months brought his ordination. I have dwelt at length on these exceptional cases for a pur- pose. They were clearly exceptional in the sense that "the fathers" used the term. There came a time when the Presbytery seemed inclined to regard almost any man who lacked educa- tional qualifications, but wanted to preach, as an exceptional case. To the lack of care in the reception of candidates and min- isters I attribute much of the weakness of the Presbytery. And when I am gone, if remembered at all, I want to be remembered as one who had an humble part in bringing the Presbytery back to better traditions of a former day, and who believed that out smaller churches, that have and will fill the ranks of the minis- try and the rolls of the larger churches, need strong men of God to cultivate and preach for them, and that because they furnish the bone and sinew of the church at large, the church at large ought to ustain them. Starting with eleven ministers, enrolling a total of thirty-four, and closing the decade with nineteen, the Presbytery averaged 14 1-10 per annum. Not all of these were in active work. Several were bowed with the infirmities of age and were honorably retired. GROWTH AND HINDRANCES. The first report after the reunion gave the strength of the Presbytery as follows 1871 A. D. : Eleven ministers, 1 licentiate, 1 candidate, 24 churches, 76 added on examination, 92 by letter. 630 communicants. For 1880 the statistics are : Nineteen min- isters, 1 licentiate, 7 candidates, 34 churches, 83 added on exam- ination, 67 by certificate ; total, 1,137.. In his address at the Ebenezer semi-centennial Dr. Knight spoke of the growth of the Presbytery as follows: "The increase in membership from 1870 to 1880 was 152 per cent as compared with 46 1-3 in population, and from 1880 to 1890 77 per cent as against 43." In this com- parison, however, I think Dr. Knight used only the statistics of the Old School churches. As shown above, there were 532 mem- bers in the churches assigned to Ozark Presbytery at the time of the reunion. This would make a growth from 1870 to 1880 of 113 96-113 per cent. If one is inclined to a less optimistic glance, he can readily find that though we increased relatively faster than the population, other demonstrations outstripped us by far. In- deed, the growth of the Presbytery was slow. Like the "good Indians," the Presbyterian element died or moved away during "Missouri's Memorable Decade." The churches were small and many of them chronically vacant. At the close of this period 52 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Calvary was the only self-sustaining church, whilsl Carthage reported a membership of 115. When this Presbytery was or- ganized Wehb City was not on the map and all Jasper County had a population less than that thriving city now claims. Greene, the most populous county in our bounds, had less than two- thirds of what her metropolis now claims, and even in 1880 all the people of Jasper County could have lived in the bouses of the present Joplin, and strangers would have found plenty of "houses to let." W. J. Hayden says he organized the first Sun- day school in Joplin a little over thirty-five years ago, and lie claims that at that time there was only one brick building in the place and that the mining industry was just beginning to attract attention. Not then had the fame of the "Land of the Big Red An pie" been sounded afar, and no powerful express companies placed the fresh grown, luscious strawberries, kissed by the dews and with cheeks blushed by the sunshine of the Ozarks, on the table of artisan and millionaire in St. Louis, Chicago and New York. With its rocks and its hills it was largely an agricultural and stock-raising country, and chinch bugs or other pests were so numerous that this Presbytery took notice of the distressed condi- tion of the farming community. And let it be borne in mind that the strong men whom I have mentioned were not all laboring here at once. Frequent attention is called to the great scarcity of minis- ters, and often the only kind that could be obtained were men who thought their mission fulfilled when they had filled their Sunday appointments. They expected to be nourished rather than to nourish the churches. The Presbytery of Ozark has had more than its share of this type. A country elder described one of them who came to us in later years in this way: "He preaches well enough, but when you sot him down he's there until you come back after him." We talk of ministers being underpaid, and so they are. but the minister who does not work as hard as the farmer or the mechanic is overpaid. A truck garden highly cultivated may yield its possessor as much revenue as a farm with scant cultivation. In the spiritual realm if the large church or field is not well cultivated it looks for another cultivator. Too often the small field must look for enrichment to a larger grant from the board. It must be confessed, too. that while the Presbyterian Church has always been known for strength and stability she has no1 always been remarkable for adaptability. In this respect she ;s better equipped today than a generation ago. With the strength and stability of the fathers and the adaptability of the sons, we are now ready to move forward with accelerated pace. But the shortcomings in adaptability and the very stability and standards Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 53 of excellence made the church a target for others. Then, too, the ministers of the Presbytery were compelled to exhaust much of their strength in efforts to supply the vacant churches and to relieve their own charges of the burdens of debt. Some of the strongest churches now on our roll were mildly censured for not fulfilling promises to liquidate these debts, and the heroic efforts of such churches as Salem, Ozark Prairie and Mount Zion were held up as worthy of emulation. Ministers were appointed to preach at the many vacant churches during the interims of Pres- byteries, and even the pastor of Calvary was appointed to preach at Ash Grove once a month for six months, and what is more to the point he reported fidelity to the trust with the exception that he failed to do so in August. The Committee on Church Erection submitted the following tabulated statement in April. 1874: Name of Church Elected Cost Remarks Ebenezer 1852 $3,000 Calvary 1856 3,300 Mount Zion 1867 3,500 Debt $250 Carthage _ 1871 5,000 " $2,500 Neosho 1872 2,600 " $600 Ozark Prairie 1872 6.000 " $600 Salem 1873 3.000 " $6,000 (I think this debt of Salem must have been $600 instead of $6,000, as given in the report.) The report calls attention to the fact that many of the churches were houseless and urges the importance of houses of worship to secure permanence and prosperity. A PERIOD OF ORGANIZATION. This was a period of organization. Many of the churches had a habit of not staying organized and had to be reorganized. The annual summary for May, 1870, states there were thirteen churches. This was before the union was consummated and there- fore is the record only of the Old School Presbytery. It must, too, include Bolivar, which the records show was dissolved just before this. On a previous page I have shown that in the autumn of 1870 there were twelve O. S. and live X. S. churches that en- tered into the union. Then in May, 1871. we had twenty-four churches, and in 1880 thirty-four. If we subtract the Arkansas churches from the roll of 1906 — territory that was not then in our bounds — we find exactly the same number of churches, i. e.. thirty-four. Only about one-fourth of these are now on our roll. =S4 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks LAY WORKERS. In the day of small things Presbytery w;is blessed with some efficienl elders. Young people's work w;is scarcely mi iridescent dream, and so far as the records show Presbytery took no knowl- edge of the women until its third meeting, and then simply called upon them for help in educating young men for the ministry in these words: "Resolved fourth. That we solicit the hearty co- operation of our good sisters in this noble work." William Thompson, of Mount Zion Church; William R. Gor- ton and John L. Carson, of Calvary, and William II. Schmal- horst, of Conway, have been elders in these churches respectively during the entire thirty-seven years of the history of the Presby- tery. Dr. A. C. Schell. of Neosho, was an elder in that church at the organization of the Presbytery, and at its transfer to the New Ozark, but for a period of the intervening years he was away and in connection with other churches. W. L. Seroggs, for* forty-five years an elder in the Ebenezer Church, was an efficient Presbyter, serving on many important committees, and has given two sons to the ministry. A third son was for a short time a medical missionary. An older son is now an elder in the Ebenezer Church and a grandson is a deacon. Charles Sheppard, of Calvary Church, was the first treasurer of Presbytery, and William R. Gorton formed the habit of being an efficient temporary clerk so early that he has probably served in that capacity oftener than any other two men. Neosho, in the person of Elder J. H. Miller, furnished the first man recommended by the Presbytery to the Foreign Board. That was October, 1870, and Mr. Miller was recommended to the board as a suitable man for the board to recommend to the Government for an agency to the Quapaw and Seneca nations. This same church gave the Presbytery the valuable services of Elder D. L. Lander before he became a minister, as Salem Church did those of Elder T. H. Allin. Paul Orr, oldest of the three brothers who for so many years served as elders in the Ozark Prairie and Mount Vernon group of churches, took that deep interest in affairs Presbyterial for which some of us remember him. And the names of Mitchell, Poage, Sheppard, Strain and Stringfield, frequently found in these earlier annals, are represented in the eldership of the Pres- bytery by a later generation to this day. But time would fail me to tell of McMillan, recently deceased at Carthage, and W. A. Wheatley, sole elder of Webb City at its organization and an elder in the recently organized church of North Heights. Joplin, and of the rest who wrought righteousness and obtained the promises. Not until March 19th, 1876, did Presbytery seek to enlist the Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 55 women in organized efforts. On that date this minute appears: "Kesolvecl, That at our next stated meeting we hold a mission- ary meeting and that we endeavor to secure one lady to repre- sent each church in a Ladies' Presbyterial Missionary meeting; and that our Committee on Foreign Missions be instructed to pre- pare a good program for such a meeting. " This society was or- ganized at Greenfield September 29, 1876. Miss Amanda Cowan, of Calvary Church, who is still an active worker in the local or- ganization of that church, was elected first President. Presby- tery was greatly elated over this new movement, hailed with de- light the prospect of the ladies becoming colaborers in the work of evangelizing the world and promised to endeavor to secure a society in each church. Six months later note is taken of the efforts to organize the Board of the Southwest in St. Louis, the commendatory resolutions of the last session are reiterated and the Stated Clerk was instructed to send these felicitous tidings to Mrs. Henry S. Little, of St. Louis, a name familiar to this gen- eration. BOARDS AND BENEVOLENT AGENCIES. The Boards of Home Missions, Church Erection, Sabbath School Work, Ministerial Education and Ministerial Relief first claimed the attention of Presbytery. The struggling condition of our churches brought home to them the beneficent agencies of home missions and church erection; the wide moral and spiritual destitutions called for Sabbath school missionaries, whilst the importance of the work of ministerial education was echoed from hilltop to hilltop in the clarion call: "0 still in accents sweet and strong Sounds forth the ancient word, 'More reapers for white harvest fields, More laborers for the Lord.' " And when more reapers failed to come the added burdens of those who were here bowed them with the weight of premature age and endeared to the Presbytery the work of ministerial relief. We who have fallen on softer days can forgive them that they seem not even to have had a standing Committee on Foreign Mis- sions until the autumn of 1875. Of this first standing committee Dr. W. S. Knight was the Chairman, and although there is abun- dant evidence that he put considerable energy into the work of the committee, the report at the spring meeting of 1877 shows that only five churches contributed to foreign missions. One of the five contributed $206 and the other four contributed $20. A little ont of proportion, think yon? Yet as late as 1906, of the 56 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks $1,797 contributed to foreign missions, one church of the forty- two on the roll of Presbytery contributed $1,029. Yet while the Presbytery tarried so long in organized efforts for foreign mis- sions, it is fair to state that at its first session Presbytery called on all its churches to observe the first week in January as a week of prayer for the conversion of the world. It was bul natural that home missions should claim a large share of the attention of Presbytery when we remember that all our churches were home mission churches except Calvary. Just at the close of the decade the churches of Carthage and Joplin reached the dignity of belonging to the sustentation department of that board. A later generation of elders and ministers may need to be reminded that the sustentation department of home missions had two requirements — that the minimum contribution per member for pastor's salary be $5 and the minimum salary be $900. These minimums may have varied at different times, but I give them as I recollect them.. The first standing Committee on Home Missions consisted of Revs. J. M\ Brown, W. R. Fulton and Elder W, L. Scroggs. After three and a half years of serv- ice as Chairman of this committee Mr. Brown resigned, and Rev. C. H. Dunlap was elected and served until his removal from the bounds of the Presbytery just before the close of this decade. Very early in its history Presbytery recognized the need of a field worker, who at various times has been designated as Presbyterial evangelist, missionary or pastor-at-large. John M. Brown first served Presbytery in this capacity. Allusion has already been made to Dr. Hill's estimate of him as a field worker. That repu- tation he seems to have sustained in this Presbytery. But after two years of service, on account of the heavy debt of the board, which Presbytery designated "the severest trial that has come upon the missionary work of the church," the office was discon- tinued. It would seem that the board paid the entire salary of Mr. Brown, i. e., $1,000. Just at the close of this decade Dr. Marks was elected to a similar position in Presbytery. Of the original members of the Presbytery, three became an- nuitants of the Board of Relief during this period. When I re- member that this list of our worthy annuitants was headed by John McFarland, and when I recall other honored names that have appeared thereon, I think that maybe I had better drop a tear or breathe a prayer. But at the risk of appearing harsh, with the hope that it will inspire greater care in the future, I will give the outlines of one case which is but an illustration of nu- merous cases that, in my humble judgment, lower this worthy cause in the minds of our people. Licensed without academic education and without a full examination October. 1867: ordained April, 1869. Recommended Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 57 to this board on account of throat trouble September, 1877. Still on the roll. I thought it — and not very long ago an elder who knew said it — it would have been better for some one t > have told him that with only throat trouble he might have turned to some secular employment. In the early days of the Presbytery the work of Sabbath school missions was hardly considered second to any. Within our bounds, as a usual thing, there was from one to three missionaries, or colporteurs, as they were generally called. At the first meeting of the Presbytery W. J. Hayden, the representative of the American Sunday School Union, ad- dressed the Presbytery, and at that time the work of this Union seemed to be regarded with about the same favor as our own Board. From the very beginning the Presbytery has had its Sun- day School Committee, and as early as September, 1872, Presby- tery adopted a standing rule to the effect that conferences on Sunday school work be held in connection with the sess;ons of Presbytery under the auspices of the Sunday School Committee. It would seem that the early missionaries devoted more time to the dissemination of Christian literature than to the organization of Sabbath schools. Though much of this work has never been turned to denominational strength or aggrandizement, eternity alone will reveal the good that has been done. My earliest impressions of ministers is that of austere and dignified men, who slept in our best bed and whose shoes I was expected to blacken. And my earliest recollection of a colpor- teur is that of a man who came into our home and gave me a book entitled "The Story of a Pocket Bible," which left a lasting impression for good on my mind. The first candidate for the ministry enrolled by this Presby- tery was a colored man, Benjamin Garnet by name. That was October 1st, 1870. One year later William E. Renshaw, of Mount Zion Church, and John W. Richardson, of White Rock Church, were received under care of Presbytery. So elated were the fathers and brethren over this prospect of filling the ranks of the ministry from our own sons that they passed ecstatic reso- lutions calling upon churches, elders and "our good sisters" to help to sustain the cause of ministerial education. In 1878 the number of candidates rose to five, and in 1880 there were seven. When we remember that in no year in the last twenty have we had more than half this number, though our membership has increased several fold, we can more fully appreciate what these feeble churches did in the way of replenishing the ranks of the ministry. The Presbytery has never been distracted by doctrinal dif- ficulties. Its ministry has been prevailingly of a conservative type. In the realm of ethics it has had a few derelicts. In 1878 58 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Presbytery deposed from the ministry one on whom ii had laid its own hands. The charges were immorality. Less than fifteen years later Presbytery ordained this man and in a few years had another trial on its hands, at which time the same man was cen- sured. Subsequently he was permitted to demit the ministry, hut the church he wrecked has not recovered to this day. I recall a later incident where a man pasl threescore and ten was received from another denomination and in less than a year scandalized the community where he was sent and was temporarily silenced by the Presbytery, hut not until he bad st.irted the church on a path that led it outside our ranks. The lirst of these was never equipped for the ministry, either by na- ture, by education or by grace. The second should have been left to spend his dotage in the church to which he gave his man- hood's powers and abilities. In the item of ministerial salaries the first decade was far in advance of subsequent times. Not that any of its ministers there received as large a salary as some do now. but that for the same grade of work, both relatively and actually, better salaries were paid. Then we had no cities and no city churches. In 1873 .1 certain village church, together with an outgoing country church, raised $500 and received $500 from the hoard to make a salary of $1,000. The village has grown to a city ; to the natural increase has added strength by union with the Cumberland Church, yet I believe after thirty-four years has only increased its pastor's salary by the use of the manse. At that time from $800 to $1,000 seemed to have been the prevailing salary for a good man in a single church aided by the board, or just strong enough to stand alone, or for a number of the croups of churches. Gradually the salaries were decreased. Some inefficient men helped to lower the standard. Weakened churches could seldom attract the other kind. The board lowered its grants partly because of financial stress and partly by reason of the slow growth of our churches. Thus the salaries, the ministry and the churches act and react on each other. The board and the home mission committees of the Presbytery have mutually deplored the meager support offered our ministry in recent years. Here is one of the problems be- queathed to the new Presbytery of Ozark. SECOND I) E( 'A 1 )E— 1 881 ►- 1 889. The second decade was an era of church building. Not less than fifteen churches applied for aid in the erection or comple- tion of houses of worship. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 59 The following table shows the fluctuating growth of the Presbytery : Year No. Ministers Candid's Added on Ex. Added by Cert. Whole No. 1880 19 7 83 67 1,137 1881 16 6 18 47 1,068 1882 20 8 79 129 1,189 1883 21 5 70 88 1,250 1884 15 3 100 157 1,367 1885 16 4 150 178 1,563 1886 18 4 171 125 1,734 1887 20 2 228 93 1,877 1888 21 2 138 131 1,949 1889 26 1 134 98 2,000 It seems almost incredible that in 1881, with sixteen minis- ters, only eighteen should have been added to the churches on profession of faith. It should be said, however, that the number of ministers is not a fair index to the working force of the Pres- bytery, because the Presbytery has constantly enrolled a com- paratively large superannuated list. The early years of this era were the golden age of candidates for the ministry. In 1882 the Presbytery reported eight, or one to every 148% communicants In 1906 the Presbytery had one candidate to 3,432 communicants, and the following year two to 4,069. It is also worthy of remark that the candidates of the early eighties were the products of our own churches, and took full collegiate and theological courses, whilst those of recent years, for the large part, have come from other churches and have en- tered the ministry by the short cut. At one time the Presbytery had four candidates in Drury College. At another there were four in theological seminaries, two in Drury College and one in Park. But the fatal mistake was made of permitting these young men to slip through our hands and enter other fields of labor. Of the seven referred to, 'two entered other callings and only one took a field of labor in our bounds upon his ordination. The Presbytery employed the young men during their summer vaca- tions, but failed to hold them when they had completed their course. The same rule applies to our candidates of later time. We have given to the church at large a number of young men whose successful ministries in other places leads the historian to infer that had they stayed with us our progress would have been more marked. The perennial difficulty in this Presbytery has been the securing and holding of efficient ministers. The young man alluded- to above accepted the pastorate of the Joplin Church at his graduation and in less than a year asked for the 6o Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks dissolution of the pastoral relation. Presbytery granted the requesl with a protest, but it granted it. In the records of April, 1882, this entry is found: "A letter having been received and read from Elder A. D. Matthews, of Buffalo, requesting the holding of a Presbyterial camp meeting at some Central poinl in Polk or Dallas County, it was resolved that I'reshytery answer favorably and that said meeting lie held under the direction of Rev. .). .I. .Mark's." The growing interest in the intellectual and spiritual train- ing of the young was manifested in the holding of Sabbath school institutes and the founding of institutions of learning. The rec- ords of these institutions are meager, but there are indications that Presbytery devoted considerable attention to them and con- sidered them of much importance. In 1888 colporteurs were supplanted by Sabbath school mis- sionaries. The two officers were not distinct, but under the old regimen the dissemination of Christian literature was the promi- nent work, and the organization of schools occupied a secondary place. During a part of that time at least the organization of schools was relegated largely to the agents of the American Sun- day School Union, which institution was regarded as a 50 Rav Spring ) Spring River . Mammoth Sp'gs 100 Mt. Olivet 100 Bethel 100 j Burnham !.. $150 ( Pomona 150 Willow Springs. 250 j Mountain View.. 100 -I Hickory Grove... 50 I Liberty 50 | Pleasant Divide. 75 < New Providence 75 ( Walnut Spring... 75 ( Walnut Grove 100 1 Bellview 100 ( Buffalo 100 Evans 100 I S. Greenfield ] j Spring Creek M50 ] Oak Grove I Rondo 75 That Rev. W. ('. Hicks be commissioned as Presbyterial Evan- gelist at a salary of $1,200 and traveling expenses, it being under- stood that all funds collected by him for services rendered shall be turned over to the Home Board; and it is guaranteed by the Springfield ministers that these funds will equal $400 for the year. For the Western Section : (1) That Carterville be constituted a station with Rev. O. C. Cude as supply. (2) North Heights, Joplin, Rev. Samuel Wiley, supply. (3) Grace and Salem. Rev. J. s. Stapleton, supply. (4) That Madison and Preston be grouped with (Red Oak) and (Bowers Mill), Rev. T. S. Brown, supply. (5) Irwin. (Hopewell'. (Ianthe), Rev. A. E. Faust, supply. (6) That Waldensian Church be made a mission station. (7) That Seneca and White Oak. or i Pierce City), be made a charge to be supplied. Appropriations: To Carterville. $500; North Heights, $500; Grace, $125; Salem. $100; Madison, $75; Preston. $75: Irwin -roup. $125; Waldensian, $100; Seneca, $100; White Oak or Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 67 (Pierce City), $100; Bethany. $150. Hoberg to be supplied by J. L. McCauley." It is worthy of note that in every town in Southwest Mis- souri where both branches of the church had organizations the Cumberland churches entered the union. In some of these places tentative consolidations were effected, whilst in others perma- nent consolidations were effected before the Presbyteries were united. The C. P. Church of Joplin was received by the Presbytery in September. 1904. that it might unite with the First Church. Presbytery ratified the union that had been effected at Webb City by resolution passed September, 1906, and in April, 1907, formal union was Presbyterially effected of the two churches at Neosho and at Mount Vernon. The churches at Ash Grove, at Greenfield and at West Plains contented themselves with tenta- tive consolidations until the reorganizations of the Presbyteries, whilst the two organizations at Carthage and the four (two of each branch) at Springfield have remained separate. At the time of the union Ozark Presbytery had apparently entered upon the period of its most substantial prosperity. The statis- ics were somewhat affected by the consolidations alluded to above, yet apart from this the progress was indeed encouraging, as a comparison of the two years will show : I I £ G 3 t) rs Xi T3 >d — ; 0» — S o ' < 29 45 361 533 4069 4264 3440 2309 112 326 2186 182 269 1343 128 33913 year 1907 26 42 318 224 3454 3527 2478 1797 71 141 128 137 240 395 26478 year 1906 The Arkansas churches and ministers by the terms of the enabling act fell to the Presbyteries in that State, whilst Vernon County was added to our territory, and Ozark Presbytery was divided into two — Ozark and Carthage. On the 29th of September, 1870, the first Presbytery 'of Ozark was organized at Greenfield, and on the 18th of June. 1907. its legal successor was organized at the same place. On the same day the Carthage Presbytery was organized at Webb City. Rev. J. T. Bacon was elected Moderator of the Presbytery of Ozark and Rev. E. E. Stringfield Stated Clerk. The sub- joined extracts from the minutes will suffice for a glimpse at the origin and prospect of the new Presbytery. 68 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks (From the Minutes of Ozark Presbytery.) GREENFIELD. Mo., dune 18, 1907. Pursuant to the Enabling Act adopted by the General Assembly May 23., 1907, the Presbytery of Ozark met for organization in the Presby- terian Church at 11:30 a. in., a quorum not having arrived until that hour. Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. J. T. Bacon. The convener, Rev. J. 1 . Bacon, constituted Presbytery with prayer. The Clerk, Rev. E. E. Stringfield, read the Enabling Act, which in so far as it relates to this Presbytery specifically is as follows: III. Ozark Presbytery shall include the counties of Cedar (ezcepl Eldorado Springs Church), Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Laclede, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright; and also all the ministers and churches residing within or located in said counties. * ********** V. That all Treasurers and Trustees heretofore acting for or reporting to ' any of the Presbyteries hereinafter named, in holding or managing general or special funds or trusts, shall hereafter report as directed below; and shall be subject to all orders and supervision of the respective new Presbteries named, to the same extent and in the same manner as they were subject to the Presbyteries to which they heretofore reported, viz.. such officers of the Presbyteries of * * Ozark, Ozark-A, Springfield-A, and West Plains to the new Presbytery of Ozark. VI. That the new Presbyteries above named, within the limits in this act assigned them, shall assume jurisdiction; that (except as otherwise pro- vided in the foregoing sections) they shall succeed to all ecclesiastical, civil and property rights of the Presbyteries heretofore exercising jurisdiction over said territory; and that they shall, within the said limits, have anu hold the same, with all the rights, privileges and immunities thereto be- longing or in any wise appertaining, so far as they may lawfully do so. # * * * ** ****** VIII. That the newly erected Presbyteries of the Synod of Missouri shall meet on the third Tuesday of June, 1907, at the hour of 10 a. m., and at the places named below, to organize, to elect Stated Clerks and Commit- tees, and otherwise to arrange for the further conduct of their business; and that, unless otherwise voted, the persons named below shall serve or act as officers until their successors are elected at the stated fall meetings of their respective Presbyteries, viz: Presbytery, Ozark; place, Greenfield; convener, J. T. Bacon; clerk, E. E. Stringfield. Further, the Enabling Act designated the roll of the Presbytery as follows : Churches — Ash Grove, Barren Creek, Bellevue, Bolivar, Brookline, Buf- falo, Burnham, Cabool, Cave Spring (Mount Zion), Competition, Conway, Crane, Dadeville, Elk Creek, Evans, Everton, Fairplay, Fordland, Green- field (two churches), Happy Home, Hazel Dell, Heady, Liberty, Lockwood, Mansfield, Maple Grove, Mount Carmel, Mount Comfort, Mount Daue, Mount Moriah, Mount Olivet (Dade County), Mount Zion (Dade County), Mountain Grove, Mountain Home, Mountain View, New Bethel, New Hope, New Providence, Oak Grove, Peace Valley, Phillipsburg, Pierson, Pleasant Divide, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Ridge, Pleasant Valley (Howell County), Pleasant Valley (Wright County), Pomona, Ray Spring, Rondo, Ross Chapel, Seymour, South Greenfield, Spring Creek, Springfield Calvary, — First C. P..; — Second, — Springfield Avenue, Stockton, Stockton (Gum Spring, Union Chapel, Walnut Grove, Walnut Springs, West Plains (two churches). White Oak Pond, Willard, Willow Springs, Wilson's Creek. Ministers— C. J. Allen, J. T. Bacon, J. H. Barnett, John Bell, S. D. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 69 Belt, G. M. Bonner, W. J. Bruce, D. A. Collins, J. F. Daughtrey, Joseph Davis, W. A. Denby, J. H. Doran, S. A. Gardner, W. J. Garrett, .1. H Glan- ville, J. M. Glick, S. A. Graves, W. L. Hackett, S. S. Hardin, W. C. Hicks, J. E. Johnston, J. T. Jones, J. B. Lemmon, Henry Little, J. A. McCroskey, C. C. McMahan, L. J. Matthews, C. H. Mitchelmore, A. B. Moore, T. C. Newman, G. W. Plummer, E. S. Ramsey, E. L. Renick, E. J. Rice, J. E. F. Robertson, H. W. Rose, D. F. Royer, J. A. Russell, W. R. Russell, E. W. Sage, ,W. E. Shaw, J F. Scherer, R. J. Sims, C. W. Smith, P. S. Smith, E. E. Stringfield, J. M. Vaughn, D. B. Whimster, M. F .Wells, J. D. White, John Wilson. Corrections in the roll were deferred until the fall meeting. Rev. E. E. Stringfield, Chairman, presented the report of the Com- mittee on Perfecting the Roll, which was adopted as follows: The Committee on Perfecting the Roll submits the following report. At the organization of this Presbytery the General Assembly trans- mitted to us a roll composed of those ministers and churches located within our confines that formerly belonged to the Presbyteries of Ozark, Ozark-A, Springfield and West Plains. So far as the former Cumberland Presby- teries were concerned the Assembly in this Enabling Act embraced all ministers who were members May 24th, 1906, and who had not been regularly dismissed to some other body. But in view of the fact that these Presbyteries had formed new rolls in the interim, from which rolls ihore who had formally renounced the action of the Assemblies on the subject of union had been excluded, this committee was appoint 3d. In the dis- charge of its duties your committee gives due credit to the acts of the several Presbyteries and therefore presents for the present roll of this Presbytery the ministers and churches within our bounds on the amended rolls of the several Presbyteries. As none of the churches were excluded by these Presbyteries we recommend that the Enabling Act govern the enrolling of churches. As to the Ministers: The Presbytery of Springfield, in session at Seymour, September, 190G, passed the following resolution: Whereas, the retiring Moderator, the Rev. T. C. Newman, declared that it is his purpose and the purpose of the brethren whose names are hereinafter given to repudiate the action of the General Assembly of the C. P. Church meeting at Decatur, 111., May, 1906, on the question of union with the Presbyterian Church, IT. S. A., resolved that the names of the following ministers be dropped from our roll: J. H. Barnett, Joseph Davis, A. B. Moore, T. C. Newman, J. A. Russell and M. F. Wells The Presbytery of Ozark-A, at Golden City, Mo., August 29, 1906, took the following action: "Whereas, the following ministers, to-wit, J. F. Daughtrey, G. T. Jeffers, J. T. Jones, C. G. L. McMahan, R. S. Ram- say, W. E. Shaw and I. V. Stines, have renounced the action of the late General Assembly of the C P. Church at Decatur, 111., and the authority of the united church, which is the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and organ- ized a separate Presbytery, resolved that their names be dropped from our roll." While the Presbytery of West Plains took similar action, yet as none of the names dropped by that Presbytery appear in the Enabling Act creating this Presbytery it is not necessary to record that action at this place. We find an error in the initials of Rev. J. A. Graves in the Enabling Act, to-wit: Said act gives them as "S. A.," instead of "J. A." We also find that the name of R. J. Sims was inadvertently placed on our roll by the Enabling Act, whereas he properly belongs to the Presb}'- tery of Carthage, where he will be enrolled. 70 Presbyterianism in thk Ozarks Making the correction in Brother Graves' initials and omitting these names and thai of Rev. D. B. Whimster, dismissed by this body to the Presbytery of St. Joseph, we recommend that at present our roll follows:' C. J. Allen, .1. T. Bacon, John Bell, S. D. Belt, G. M. Bonner, \V. .1. Bruce, l>. A. Collins, \V. A. Denby, J. II. Doran, 8. A. Gardner, \V. .1 . Garrett, J. II. Glanville, J. M. Glick A. .1. Graves, W. L. Hackett, 8. 8. Hardin, .W. C. Hicks, J. E. Johnston, .1. B. Lemmon, Henry Little, J. A.. McCroskey, L. J. Matthews, C. II. Mitchelm'ore, G. W. Plummer, I.. L. Kenick, E. J. Rice, .1. K. F. Robertson. II. W. Rose, I). I\ Royer, W. R. Russell, E. W. Sage, .1. P. Scherer, C. W. Smith, P. s. Smith, E. E. String- field, J. M. Vaughn. .1. D. White, John Wilson. As the Enabling Ael did not include the names of licentiates and ean didates we enroll them here. Licentiates — O. II. Campbell, J. C. Bigbee. Candidates — George Scherer, Riley Van Buskirk. As to the Churches: It appears thai there is no church by the name of Heady, as in the Enabling Act, but that this is the postoffice for the church given later under the name of Ross Chapel. The Pleasant Hope Church was inadvertently omitted from the En- abling Act. The Presbytery having consolidated the churches at Ash Grove, at Greenfield and at West Plains, there still remain two churches by the name of Mount Zion, two by the name of Pleasant Valley and CW0 b} name of Storkton. On account of local conditions it is not deemed advisable ?i present to make any recommendations looking to the change of name where two churches have the same name. We recommend that the roll of churches at present lie as follows: Ash Grove, Barren Creek, Belleview, Bolivar, Brookline, Buffalo, Bum- ham, Cabool, Competition, Conway, Crane, Dadeville, Ebenezer, Elk Creek, Evans, Everton, Fair Play, Fordland, Happy Home, Hazel Pell. Liberty, Lockwood, Mansfield, Maple Grove, Mount Carmel, Mount Comfort, Mounl Dade, Mount Moriah, Mount Olivet, Mount Zion (Dade County), Mount Zion (Greene County), Mountain Grove, Mountain Home. Mountain View, New Bethel, New Hope, New Providence, Oak Grove, Peace Valley, Phil- lipsburg, Pierson, Pleasant Divide, Pleasant Grove, Pleas-mi Hope, Pleas- ant Ridge, Pleasant Valley (Howell County), Pleasant Valley (Wright County), Pomona, Ray Spring, Rondo, Ross Chapel, Seymour, South Green- field, Spring Creek. Springfield Calvary — First C. P.— Second — Springfield Avenue, Stockton, Stockton (Gum Spring), Union Chapel, Walnut Grove, Walnut Springs, West Plains, White Oak Pond. Willard, Willow IL'p] .Wilson's Creek. We recommend that the committee b econtinued, with a view to dis covering what churches are opposed to remaining in the United Church. E. E. STRINGFIELD .1. M. GLICK, W.E. RUSSELL, t lommil Supplemental Report of Committee on Perfecting Roll: Inasmuch as it appears that the Ozark Church was inadvertently Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 71 dropped from the roll of the former Springfield Presbytery, we recommend that the Ozark Church be restored to the roll. (April I5th, 1908.) Perfecting Roll. Bev. E. E. Stringfield, Chairman, presented the report of the Com- mittee on Perfecting the Roll. The report stated that there were fifty - four churches formerly Cumberland Presbyterian that were assigned to this Presbytery by the Enabling Act, including the church of Ozark, which the Presbytery restored to the roll; that three of these, Ash Grove, Greenfield and West Plains, had been consolidated with existing Presbyterian U. S. A. churches in these towns; that it is now deemed expedient to consoli- date the Dadeville and Mount Olivet churches under the name of Dadeville? and that of the remaining fifty churches twenty-six report to this Presby- tery and twenty-four have not yet acknowledged our jurisdiction. The strength of the union movement, however, is greater than these figures would indicate, as the opposition exists for the most part in the smaller churches, and even in these respectaable minorities favor the union. The resolutions of the report were adopted, as follows: (1) That all the churches be retained on one roll at present. (2) That the Presbytery send to the General Assembly the following overture : The Presbytery of Ozark respectfully overtures the General Assembly to retain the following churches on the roll, but to omit the membership and all statistical information concerning them for the following reasons: (a) While some of these churches are negotiating with us none of them are co-operating with this Presbytery. (b) All of them are enrolled in anti-union Presbyteries, +hough at present it does not seem best for us to drop them. (c) The only available statistics as to membership, etc., are utterly unreliable. The churches are: Barren Creek, Competition, Happy Home, Hazel Dell, Mansfield, Maple Grove, Mount Comfort, Mount Dale, Mount Moriah, Mountain Home, New Bethel, New Hope, Peace Valley, Pierson, Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Hope, Pleasant Ridge, Pleasant Valley (Howell County), Pleasant Valley (Wright County), Ross Chapel, Seymour, Union Chapel, White Oak Pond, Wilson Creek. (3) That Mount Olivet be consolidated with Dadeville. The origin and the prospects of the Carthage Presbytery are suggested in these extracts from its minutes: The first session of the Carthage Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., convened in pursuance to the order of the General As- sembly at the First Presbvterian Church, Webb City, Mo., on Tuesday, June 18th, 1907, at 10 a. m. The meeting was called to order by the Rev. G. H. Williamson, he having been designated as convener by the late General Assembly, who preached a sermon from the text Joshua 1:9 — "Be strong and of good courage. ' ' The Enabling Act passed by the General Assembly, providing for the organization of this Presbytery, was read and is as follows: ENABLING ACT. To Whom It .May Concern: The General Assembly, in session at Co- lumbus, Ohio, .May I'M. 1907, took the following action affecting the Synod of Missouri, viz: 72 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks * * * That all Treasurers and Trustees acting for or reporting to any of the Presbyteries hereinafter named shall report to The Presbytery of Neosho-A to the New Presbytery of Cartilage. Presbytery, Carthage; place of meeting, Webb City; convenor, 0. II. Williamson; clerk A. K. Perry. CARTHAGE PRESBYTERY. Churches — Allia, Aurora, Baker, Berwick, Bethel, Bethlehem, Big Spring, Bowers' Mill, Carl Junction, Carterville, Cartilage (First), Car- thage (Main Street), Cassville, Center Creek, Central, Central Union, Clay Hill, Concord, Diamond, Downey, Duval, El Dorado Springs, Ellis, Fair- haven, Golden City, Grace, Eoberg, Hopewell. Tantha, Irwin, Jasper, Joplin, (First), North Heights, Bethany, Madison, Marionville, Mars Hill, Milford, Monett, Mount Joy, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon (two churches), Neo- sho, Nevada (two churches). New Bethel, New Salem, Opolis, Ozark Prairie, Pierce City, Preston, Purdy, Bed Oak, Bichards, Bitchev, Roper Hill, Sa- lem, Sarcoxie, Seligman, Seneca, Southwest City, Spring Biver (Jarper County), Spring Biver (Lawrence County), Stotts City, Verona, Walden- sian, Washburn, Webb City, Wentworth, White Oak. Ministers — T. S. Brown, J. M. Burdge, J. F. Clark, O. C. Cud", \. E. Faust, A. K. Gurley, G. F. Harbour, B. Hoffman, J. W. Hudiburg, G. I. Jeffers, Williams Jennings, B. L. Kinnaird, E. W. Love, K. W. McCracken, Wt. C. Mahr, M. C. Miller, A. E. Perry, H. Pinkston, J. D. Prigmore, J. F. Shepherd, B. M. Shive, J. S. Stapleton, I. V. Stines, J. W. Sullivan, Hutson Taylor, Samuel Wiley, G. H. Williamson, D. N Woods, E H. Whitehead. Counties- — Barry, Barton, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newt>i«, Ver- non (except the church of Schell City); also the church of Eldorado Springs (Cedar County.) After the reading of this act, the constituting prayer was offered by Bev. G. H. Williamson, the convener. A roll of members present was formed and is as follows : Ministers— T. S. Brown, A. E. Faust, O. C. Cude, \. K. Gurley, G. F. Harbour, B. Hoffman, J. W. Hudiburg, B. L. Kinnaird, E. W. Love, E. W. McCracken, M. C. Miller, A. E. Perry, H. Pinkston, J. F. Shepherd, B. M. Shive, J. S. Stapleton, J. W. Sullivan, Huston Taylor, G. H. Wil- liamson, G. W. McWhirter, F. M. Johnson. Congregations Represented — Aurora, E. B. McGregor; Carthage, First, C. F. McElroy; Carterville, R. T. Hurley; Carthage, Mini Street, J. A. Prather; Cassville, W. A. Wear; El Dorado Springs, J. N. Schefer; Jasper, George Andrews; Joplin First, G. B. Young; Joplin North Heights, W. A. Wheatley; Monett, S. A. Chapell; Nevada, Charles Thorn. Sarcoxie, S. P. Burress; Spring Biver (Lawrence County), C. L. Garwood; Webb City, C. W. Jocelyn. A nominating committee was appointed by the Moderator, co'.'sisting of Bevs. Huston Taylor, E. W. McCracken, E. W. Love and B. L. Kianaird, and Elders E. B. McGregor and C. W Jocelyn, to nominate officers pnd permanent committees of the Presbytery Recess was taken until the call of the Moderator. Afternoon Session. — At 1:30 the Presbytery was called to order by the Moderator and led in prayer by Elder J. A. Prather. The report of the committee to nominate members of a Board of Trus- tees of Presbytery was received and adopted, a J follows: Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 73 TRUSTEES. Term to expke September, 1908 — W. B. Skinu-r, Rev. G. P. Harbour. Term to expire September, 1909 — W. A. Wear, liev. JI. Pinkston. Term to expire September, 1907 — A. G. Young Rev. G. IT. Williamson. Terms to expire at fall meeting of Presbytery. The report of the committee to nominate offiosrs ami permanent com- mit'eeE of Presbytery was received, adopted, and is as follows: Iv'oderator, Rsv. H. Pinkston: StQ.ted Clerk, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird. Home Missions Committee — Chairman, Rev. J. F. Shepherd; Rev. E. W IvIcCraeken, Dr. B. M. Shive, Elder T. B. Burress, Elder W. A. Wheat- ley. . I Foreign Missions — Chairman, Rev. Huston Taylor, Rev. E. W. Love, Pr B. M. Shive, Elder C. W. Jocelyn. Young People's Societies — Chairman, Rev A. E. Perry; Rvv. W. C. Mahr, Elder D. M. Knight. Publication and Sabbath School?— -Chairman, Rev. J. W. Hulibr.rg; Rev. E. W. McCracken, Elders Charles Thorn, G. W. Rinker. Education and Examination of Candidates — Chairman, Rev. Dr. B. M. Stive, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird, Eldar A. G. Young. Temperance and Sabbath Observance — Chairman, Rev. J. T. Staple- ton; Rev. A. E. Perry, Elder E. W. Newton. College Board — Chairman, Elder A. B. McConnell; Dr. J. F. Shepherd, Rev. R, L. Kinnaird, Elder D. M Knight. Brotherhood — Chairman, Elder W. I. Spurgin; Elder .). T. Evans, O. II. Bilger, W. B. Skinner. Systematic Beneficence — Chairman, Rev. O. C. Oufle; Revs. G. B. Young, Joseph Hudson. Narrative and Necrology — -Chairman, Rev. H. Pinkston ; Rev. G. H. Williamson, B. Hoffman. Ministerial Relief — Chairman, Elder W. B. Skinner; Revs. A. K. Gur- ley, A. E. Faust. Church Erection — Chairman, Rev. G. H. Williamson; Elders J. A. Pra- ther, Samuel Chapell. Freedmen — Chairman, Rev. G. F. Harbour; Rev. E. W. Love, Elder J. L. Osborne. To Draw Up Standing Rules of Presbytery — Chairman, Rev. J. F. Shepherd; Rev. Huston Taylor, Elder D. M. Knight. To Perfect Roll of Presbytery and Prepare Docket for the Fall Meet- ing of Presbytery — Chairman, Rev. R. L. Kinnaird; Rev. H. Pinkston. We recommend that the following churches be recognized as denying our jurisdiction and therefore as temporarily withdrawn from our control, whose allegiance we fully expect when misapprehensions are cleared away: Berwick, Clay Hill, Hopewell, Iantha, Milford, Mars Hill, Mount Joy, Ne- vada and Big Spring, Central, New Betehel and Fairhaven, and while not relinquishing our right to Presbyterial oversight and property interests, we nevertheless for the present await with kindly forbearance the time wljen our great united church shall all see eye to eye. We recommend that the following be disbanded and the property, where there is property, be placed in the hands of the trustees of Presbytery for disposition: Alba, Bethlehem, Central Union, Duvall, Ellis, Mount Pleas- 74 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks ant, Salem (Lawrence County), Roper Hill. Opolis, Lehigh (Cut] Junction, Seligman, Spring River (Jasper County). We recommend the changing of names of our churches, if possible, to conform to the city or town where located, and also so as to avoid confu- sion of churches by the same name As the union of the two churches in Webb City resulted in the organization of a new church a1 Carterville, to which was given the house of owrship formerly belonging to the C. I'. Church of Webb City, so the churches of Springfield, though situated so that consolidations were not advisable, resolved to commemorate the union in some fitting manner. As a result the Calvary, First Cumberland and Second Presbyterian donated a lot and house of worship to the new organization effected May 31, 1908, and known as the Reunion Presbyterian Church of Springfield. The union bodes much for Presbyterianism in Southwest Missouri. Since its organization in 1870 the Presbytery of Ozark has asked the Home Mission Board for over $75,000 in the prosecu- tion of its work and the Board of Church Erection for over $20,000. How much of this has been received I am unable to say, but probably $50,000 of home mission funds and $18,000 of church erection — a vast sum. But the results cannot be tabulated. The churches have given to the church at large ministers and mission- aries, members that have made glad the city of our God. THE COST OF A BOY. "How much does a Missouri boy cost?" asked Walter Williams. "Fathers and guardians with boys to bring up estimate that $3,000 will rear to manhood the average Missouri boy, will semi him seven months in the year for eight years to the district school, four years to high school and four years to college or university. This amount will cover his food, clothing, books and stationery. It will even permit a margin for " tom- f oolness, " as one father picturesquely styles amusements. The cost to the State is, on the average, $760 for each boy. Of this amount, $180 is for the elementary school, $180 for the high school, and $100 a year for the four years at the university. The State pays $7(i0 and the parent pays $2,240, and the net result is one Missouri boy, educated in Missouri schools for life. Yes, and it pays. So it pays to plant a stalwart church, whose conserving and stalwart ideals are imprinted on State and church beyond denominational confines. The cost is mentioned not by way of complaint, but rather that he who reads may ponder the fact that we are debtors so great, and that having freely received, the time was long since overdue when we should have freely civen. Presbvterianism in the Ozarks 75 CHAPTER IV. WOMAN'S PRESBYTERIAL SOCIETY. In April, 1907, the Woman's Presbterial Society held its last meeting before the reorganization of the Presbyteries in Mount Vernon. At that time a historical sketch of the thirty-one years of the society's existence was read by Mrs. W. S. Knight and published in a local paper. I shall let the women speak for them- selves by inserting that paper here : THIRTY-ONE YEARS Of History of the Woman's Ozark Presbyterial Missionary Society. From the records we learn that this society was organized at Green- field in 1876, and was the outgrowth of the earnest efforts of Mr. Dunlap, then pastor of the Springfield Church, and his wife, who was the first President, serving until 1881. There were many who were quite uncertain as to the exact position that should be taken with reference to such an innovation, and Mrs. Dunlap tells us that many of the ministers sat near the door watching the proceed- ings carefully, one minister taking the precaution to advise his wife to have nothing to do with it. But dear Dr. Allen was an inspiration and help. He made an address full of tirring, helpful words, and said he hould, upon his return home, tell the women of St. Louis that a live, wide-awake Presbyterial missionary society has been organized in the south- western part of the State, and urge them to organize a mission board for this territory. So this small beginning was already having an influence in widening the work. So little do we realize the influence of our actions. Little more than an organization was effected at this first meeting. The Springfield societys had been organized for some time and was con- nected with the Philadelphia Board. Only one or two other missionary societies had been formed in the Presbytery, but the next spring the South- west Board was organized. The next society was organized at Carthage in April, 1877, at the ur- gent request of Mrs. J. ,W. Allen, of St. Louis. The record are not very complete for the first few years, but no meet- ing was held in 1887 as far as is known. This may have been the year that it was appointed at Maple Grove and bad weather prevented the ladies from attending. Mention was made of a meeting at Preston in 1878, then of one at Bell view in 1879. Several reports are mentioned, though no list of auxilaries is given, hut we infer that the number was growing. In 1880 no meeting was mentioned. In 1881 the meet- 76 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks iny was appointed at Grand Prairie, but the thunder storm com- pelled the ladies to meet in Springfield at Mrs. Emery's house. Mrs. Boyden was President and Mrs. Wilson was Secretary. At this time Hie minutes began to increase and the work seemed to expand somewhat with the account of the next meeting in 1882 at Neosho. At this meeting the Greenfield Society became auxiliary. A letter from Miss Cundall, who seemed to be acting as secretary at the board rooms, spoke of Miss Griffin as a young missionary who was going out to the Laos and the Springfield Society would help to pay her salary. We think now of Miss (iriffin as one of our older missionaries. The commendation of Presbytery on the work was spoken of at this meeting. Mrs. Salmon was elected President. At the eighth annual meeting at Carthage a regular roll of auxiliaries was first called — Greenfield W. M. S., Maple Grove, Ozark Prairie, Society of the Waldensian Church, near Pierce City; Springfield W. M. S. and Y. L. S., and Lydia Band, Carthage, Walnut Grove, Webb City, Shiloh, Salem and Preston, and the newly formed society at Joplin, fourteen W. M. S. and one band. Interest in the school in Indian Territory, where Mr. Charles Miller was working, resulted in taking a scholarship there. Mrs. Mil- ler was elected President, but before the next meeting he had removed to Indian Territory. According to the board report, the next spring after this meeting this Presbyterial society raised this year, 1883, $339.40. It was the seventh year of the board 's existence, but the first year that min- utes were printed of the annual meeting. In 1884 we assembled at Eureka Springs and found ourselves with only two officers present, Mrs. Miller having left us and Mrs. Emery, our Vice-President, being sick. However, we had quite a good number of dele- gates present, and we fell back on our standby, Mother McFarland, and found that it was a meeting long to be remembered for its spiritual tone. We had with us two missionaries — Miss Fannie Cundall, home from Syria, and Dr. Johnson, of India. None who heard her will soon forget Miss Cundall. She went from this meeting throughout the Presbytery, visiting societies and inspiring all with a greater interest in the work. It was the first time a missionary had visited in the Presbytery and the first time that many had an opportunity of knowing well any returned missionary. The effect of her tour was most helpful then and lasting in its results. One thing of especial interest at this meeting was the addition of two bands to the roll — Daisy Chain Band of Greenfield and Deo Data of Car- thage. It was at the meeting in 1885 at Neosho that the first record ap- pears on the minutes of the adoption of the constitution, although there seems to have been such a document. Seventeen societies were reported at this time and steady growth shown. Mrs. McMillan, of Carthage, was elected President and Mrs. Robeson Vice-President. Both these workers have left our side and are enjoying their heavenly home. The next year was our first milestone, our tenth anniversary, held in Greenfield, where the society organized. Mrs. McFarland will not soon forget that this meeting, for which so much thought had been expended, was without an officer present. But her relief was great when she saw Mrs. Fry, of Joplin, come in, and, though a stranger, she knew from her face there was a woman to be relied upon. And this proved to be no disappointment, for the meeting was one of unusual power and interest. The roll had enlarged to twenty-three societies. Mrs. Emery wrote and sent a glance at the ten years ' work, in which she spoke of all the interesting circumstances of its organization. Over and again the evidence of the Spirit 's presence in this anniversary meeting is spoken of. The beginning was discouraging, but blessings were in store. The gifts of the society in its tenth year were $483.28, not large. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 77 but so much of our territory was then mission ground that it stood for much more than a larger sum now. The meeting of 1887 at Carthage was interesting for its large attend ance and touches of personal effort in the cause. Mrs. Lafferty, of Bolivar, asked to become a member, as there was no society in her church, in spite of all her efforts. This was the beginning of interest in Bolivar, for the next year a good society had been formed and the Presbyterial Society met there. The attendance on the meeting of the board had become by t*iis time much larger and the delegates' reports helped to interest others at the meetings and had its effect on the work in general. Mrs. Fry presided at this meeting and before another year she, too, had been called away. How we missed her! .When we assembled at Bolivar we were once more without a leader. Mrs. Kenton as Vice-President spoke tender words of our. loss. Also Mrs. Emery was affectionately remembered, as sne, too, was called away that year. The Wide-Awakes of Ash Grove and the Hamilton Band of Springfield were added to the ten bands in 1888. Bands flour- ished then. Mrs. Kenton was elected President. Our next meeting was held at Lamar in the Southern Church, as Pres- bytery was meeting at Irwin. You will no doubt remember this year was the year that the board met in Carthage, and that at that time tha medical scholarship fund was started which has been such a blessing to our mission work in foreign lands. The Deo Data Band had the honor of giving the first dollar to it at the Presbterial meeting in Lamar. It was reported that up to this time our Presbytery had raised $100 of the necessary $1,000. We had had visits at various meetings from Miss Nutting of Utah, Miss Y^oung of India, Miss Warner of Japan, and in 1890 Miss Geisinger, who returned from India after her first term of service, was with us. And from the meeting she made a tour of the Presbytery. We remember her, too, as Mrs. Morrison later on, and on a New Year's Day not long agi she fell asleep in Jesus after years of useful missionary life. The meeting of 1891 at Eureka Springs was the one when a gold ring was found in the collection, to which was attached the story of the Iron Cross. We all remember the circumstances. And how with I he voluntary offerings of the auxiliaries, which brought a goodly sum for missions, we purchased it and with it wedded to us our dear Mrs. McFarland, who con- sidered herself from that day engaged to the Presbyterial Missionary So ciety, to labor with and for it. And she was true to her vows until called. The meeting in Neosho, in 1892, was marked by the receipt of a gift of $500 from Mrs. Jennie Orr, of Mount Vernon, and by the reaching, besides this, the $1,000 mark. Having thus $1,500 to give to home and foreign missions, the committee on reports recommended that in order not to fall below the amount the following year we make every effort to reach the same mark the following year. Half of Mrs. Orr 's gift was appropriated to building a home for Mrs. Baird, in Fusan, Kprea. It was this year that the Southwest Board became a foreign board, giving over the home mission work to the Women 's Executive Committee, now the Woman 's Board of Home Missions. While no change was made in our methods of work, the change brought the two branches of the work more distinctly before us and tended to increase the gift to each. In 1893 the meeting was again at Greenfield, and Mrs. F. S. Orr was elected President. The gifts were increased over $100 from the year be- fore, but did not yet reach the $1,500 mark without the bequest referred to. In 1894 the meeting was at Jasper. Mrs. Orr served until the meet- ing in 1896 at Carthage, the twentieth anniversary, at which time ihere were greetings from Mrs. Dunlap, the first President; Mrs. Mille/ of Indian Territory, Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Likins. Miss Cowan of Carthage spoke of the first ten years. Mrs. Moore left a legacy of $200, which was equally 78 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks divided between Korea and the Asheville farm school. NT r. Ward of Persia and Mrs. Devore of Alaska, both so exceedingly interesting, were at this meeting. In thai year three of the workers had been called home. Mrs. Shields was elected President. West Plains was organized that year along all lines of work, and in 1S!I7 the meeting was held there. The meeting was saddened by the number of deaths which had occurred during the year* Five workers had been called away. In 1898 death claimed four members — Mrs. Day and Mrs. Randall, of Monett; Mrs. Ford and Mrs. McMillan, of Carthage. Miss Codgall, if Japan, attended this meeting at Joplin. In 1899 it was reported that the increase in gifts to freedmen was, since 1894, from $1 to $75; $25 was also given to Miss Mc Arthur's outfit. Let us take a look back over the years before we return to the future and sum up some of the things that have gone into history Here are some of the statistics of our history: Fourteen presidents have presided in the thirty one years and twenty-one vice-presidents. Until 1892 one secretary did all the work where now there are several. Up to that time seven secretaries served. Since then there have been five record- ing secretaries and six foreign secretaries. Since 1901 there have been four secretaries of literature and four young people's secretaries. The account of these is not complete before that. Previous to 1894 there had been five treasurers. Since then until 1901 there were four home treasurers and three foreign treasurers. Since that time there has been no change in treasurers. To this fact is due, no doubt, our gain in financial strength and systematic working. It would be inter- esting to know the entire amount of gifts in the thirty-one years', but the* first years have no records preserved and the board did not publish an an- nual report until its seventh year. So this and other valuable information is lost to us. We were permitted to rejoice that our annual gift reached the fifteen-hundred-dollar mark and beyond more than once. The entire roll of deaths, so far as known, is forty-four. Few societies, perhaps none, but have sent records of deaths among the members, and almost no years have been without the memorial service There is one thing which has developed in the later years of our work — the mission study classes. There have been many changes and advance- ment made in methods and ideas of mission work in these years. But the united study of missions is no doubt destined to still further revolutionize our knowledge of missions and methods. Whatever is best in work for the Master, and will help us do the work, effectual work for Him is what we strive for. The best for Christ and his work. In 1901 was celebrated the silver anniversary, the silver offering being $103 that year, but increased during the year. Greenfield, the birthplace of Ozark Presbyterial Society, was the place of meeting. This meeting was one which will always be associated with Mrs. McFarland, as it was such a joy to her. The meetings of following years were at Carthage, Springfield, Ash Grove and Joplin. A steady gain in gifts had for the most part characterized the reports. At the Ash Grove meeting for the first time Mother McFarland was not with us, for she has been called home. We realize our great loss, but how true of her in this work that "she rests from her labors and her works do follow her." The presence of Mrs. McFarland and Miss Amanda Cowan, of Spring- field, had always been very helpful in our meetings, as one or both of them seemed a necessity. The former has been called to her reward; the latter was at the meeting in Joplin last year and gave reminiscences of the early days of the society. An interesting event of the Springfield meeting was the assuming the entire salary of Miss Barrett of Korea. These items form a record of great work accomplished in His name. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 79 and many of these names are impressed in special ways upon our work in names of societies, in special gifts, in increasing labors and prayers. As we recount the years we cannot but feel that our Father has led us in wonderful ways, and we do thank Him for having allowed us to have a part in this great work. They have been years of honest effort and often of sacrifice. We have believed, seen great advance in interest in the cause and great things accomplished, when we think of the condition of this part of the country twenty-five years ago, there being only one self-supporting church in the Presbytery. Truly what hath God wrought ? But I believe we are not satisfied that we have done all. And now we pause and look back over the path by which ws ha*-e traveled together for so many years. Early associations are alwavs the strongest, and we who together have helped to lay the foundations of fcEIs organization and have seen its growth from the small beginning and have helped in its development, cannot but be closely bound together in soul. So we look back over the way and realize that in the future our paths must diverge, a feeling of sadness comes over us. We shall not be sep- arated in heart or in interests, even though in different Presbyterial bodies, for we shall still be bound together in "Woman's work for Woman." 80 Presbyterianism i\ the Ozarks CHAPTER V. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. A Missouri statesman (?) declared: ".Missouri is a good place in which to be born, a good place to live, and if a man must die it is as good a place as any in which to die." The first and last of these statements are applicable to Presbyterian edu- cational institutions. The Presbyterians of Southwest Missouri have received and cherished the tradition that ours is "a college building rather than a cathedral building church." "Seven cities claimed to be the birthplace of Homer dead Through which the living Homer begged his bread." At least as many would-be cities have been the birthplace of Presbyterian educational institutions, but as they failed to supply "bread" in sufficient quantities an untimely demise was the in- evitable consequence. The pioneer ministers were teachers as well as pastors and evangelists, and a church of any pretensions had a school as an annex. With the progress of the public school began the decline of the secular teaching of the church save here and there, where more pretentious efforts were made. Before the Civil War the North Prairie Institute at Cross Timbers, in Hickory County, gained an enviable local patronage and reputation. At least two of its students entered the Presby- terian ministry. But the desolations of war "left not one stone upon another." Our "fathers and brethren" of the Presbyteries of Southwest Missouri and Osage seriously considered the project of founding an educational institution to commemorate the re- union of '69 and '70, but presumably by reason of the urgent calls for evangelization and the lack of material resources the project was abandoned. In 1869 the Mount Zion Church of Cave Spring completed its second house of worship, which was erected for school as well as religious purposes. The school conducted there attracted young people as far west as Mount Vernon. The Presbyterians of Springfield bent their energies to the establishment and main- tenance of Drury College (founded in 1873), and so hearty was their co-operation that the impression gained credence far and CARTHAGE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE PRESBYTERIAXISM IX THE OzARKS 8l wide that Drury was under joint control of the Congregational- ists and Presbyterians. Under this impression in 1882, I came very near leaving my country home in Johnson County to enter Drury, but the founding of a school at Sedalia just at that time led me to matriculate nearer home; and although later years found Drury completely in the Congregational column, within the last decade generous Presbyterians of the East have responded to the appeals for endowment on the representation that the school educates more Presbyterians than Congregationalists. After Calvary Church abandoned its hrst house of worship it was converted into a private seminary for young ladies. This school was conducted by a Presbyterian lady of refinement and culture, and was strongly religious in its influences. Allusion has already been made to the two-story structure of the church at Mount Vernon. Here a flourishing academy in the late eighties and the early nineties gave many Lawrence County young people a taste for learning that sent them to other schools to complete their education. But the most pretentious and the most persistent of our educational enterprises is the school founded at Carthage under the benign aegis of that friend of the young— Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D. The origin and purposes of this school are set forth in an address delivered by Dr. Knight at the laying of the cornerstone June 4th, 1887. I quote : ' ' Carthage Collegiate Institute has sprung into existence in obedience to a necessity long felt in our city and region. We have had facilities second to no other section for the training of our youth by means of our excellent public schools. But beyond that we have had to send our chil- dren away to other higher schools of learning for the lack of one of our own. I was told a year or so ago by one who took the trouble to count that at least fifty young ladies and men were annually sent out of Jasper County to pursue their course of education elsewhere, which simply means that from $20,000 to $25,000 were expended in other communities which might have been retained at home. Such facts as these, and the intelli- gence and enterprise of our city and region, and the growing demand of our favored Southwest have been pushing to the surface the germ that must develope into the institute of the future. * * * The Congregational Church is represented in Drury College, Springfield; Baptist, at Pierce City and Bolivar, Cumberland Presbyterian at Greenfield, M. E. Church at Marionville and Nevada, Christian at Ash Grove, Methodist South at Neosho.* In connection with the Presbyterian Church there has been no literary institution in a territory embracing at least one-fourth of the State of Missouri. This has led to the conception of founding an institution at Carthage which might interfere with no other and yet draw patronage from a wide scope of country. The steps that have been taken date back for the last three or four years in obedience to a necessary law that a living thing that deserves to live must be a thing of growth. * * * In 1883 Rev. Dr. J. G. Reaser, our President-elect, was invited to come down from St. *The college cemetery is not monopolized by tombstones over the re- mains of Presbyterian institutions. — Ed. 82 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks Louis and the first public meeting was held on December 17th. It was evident that in the view of many the time had come when such a project ought to be inaugurated. * * Not until the autumn of 1884 was there any organized effort undertaken. Rev. Dr. H. D. Ganse, of Chi- cago, Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Aid for Colleges, came out on request in December, 18K4, and it was then decided as the first step to adopt articles of incorporation. * * * On the 18th of May, 1885, the present site was chosen. * Just a year ago it was decided to open the school in the fall in the building that was to be erected for its own use by the Presbyterian Church, and teachers were secured. November 1st, 1886, action was taken by the Board of Trustees to proceed at once in the cir- culation of a subscription for the purchase of grounds and the erection of a building. * * * The effort was eminently sueessful. The grounds were purchased, costing $3,100. Plans were at once sought to com- bine both convenience and architectural beauty, and April 7, 1887, the pres- ent plan was adopted, to cost in round numbers $14,000. We have called to the Presidency a man widely known, of large experience, and a thoroughly cultured Christian gentleman, Rev. Dr. .1. G. Reaser, of West- minster College, Fulton, Mo. * * I may say that the board realizes the inevitable struggle that must enter into the opening years. What has been achieved is befdre you — how wisely you can judge as you stand here on this eminence in the loveliest part of our city, and with the magnificent prospect that will be spread out to the vision of all who through coming years will, as we confidentially believe, throng this building, whose fair proportions will soon be a prominent feature and ornament of the magnificent scenery that spreads around it. And we believe that the beau- tiful and healthful surroundings will be but typical of the pure and healthful influences that will go out from this spot in refining and molding the character of those who are to adorn society and be the intelligent and successful actors in the material and moral interests of the great future before us. ' ' When prophecy has become history the query arises. Did the trustees realize the struggles that were before them? Through the Presidencies of Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D., Rev. Dwight C. Hanna and Mr. Salem G. Patterson the school had a checquered career, realizing some of the early ideals as to the formation of character and certainly the full complement of the expectations as to struggles. On Memory Day, a score of years after its founding, Miss Gussie Knight said: "Of the forty-seven grad- uates "who have gone out. but few are to be found yet lingering in Carthage. California claims several, China one, Seattle one. Mississippi one, and others scattered throughout Southwest Mis- souri." For a few years the school was run as a private institution and then at the dawn of this century Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D.. was called from a St. Louis church to tbe Presidency and gave to the arduous duties of that office the six closing years of his life. After his deatb in November, 1905. Mrs. Knight carried on the school for the rest of the school year, whereupon the mantle of the father fell upon the son, 1). M. Knight, in whose hands we leave the institution. After the death of Dr. Knight. Dr. Shep- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 83 herd, of Webb City, "kindly and acceptably took charge of the classes in Bible study." and both teachers and scholars, as well as the members of his own family, seemed to be imbued with the idea that an added incentive was given to make this school a success and in some measure a worthy memorial of that life of "sweetness and light" whose brain conceived and wmose unre- quited toils rescued the institution. The historian treads on dangerous ground when he begins to prophesy. Nevertheless I venture a suggestion. Over the threshold of Carthage Collegiate Institute must be written am- plius, or else it can remain worthy of its traditions and birth throes only by a changed career. The very excellence of the Carthage public schools is a barrier to the welfare of any save an institution that does work appreciably beyond. For this larger work larger resources are imperative. I have suggested an alter- native. As our churches are now taking hold of various plans for the Christian care and nurture of students at the State uni- versities, it may be more than an iridescent dream that the time will come when county seats will have dormitory homes under church auspices for the Christian nurture of the stalwart sons of the soil that come to the high school prom the country to gci glimpse of the wrorld of letters. (Since this chapter was written the school has again closed its doors.) 84 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks CHAPTER VI. SOME PRESBYTERIAL STATISTICS. Statistics are ordinarily accounted dry and uninteresting. That depends largely upon the way they are read and the pur- pose they are intended to subserve. There is no more reason for reading this chapter consecutively than there is for a consecutive reading of a dictionary. But the dictionary when consulted on appropriate occasions is invaluable. There are times when friends or loved ones of a given minister, will cherish the information here given as to his labors and positions of trust in the Presby- tery. And distant scenes may reverberate with eloquent appeals for Home Missions and other benevolences based on the text "Freely ye have received, freely give." The historians of local churches will find materials for their sketches already gathered from sources not now easily accessible; and the statistician who loves statistics just because he is built that way will peruse these pages with avidity — and doubtless consider this the most interest- ing chapter in the book! It is largely on his account that this chapter is inserted. And if it is any satisfaction to him lie may ponder the facts that for his delectation the writer lias expended an immense amount of toil and the printer has doubled up on the price per page! The average reader may turn over these leaves hastily until he comes again to reading matter. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 85 hH O O w CJ m 04 H Eh CO tH ^ 0 H 04 w J H 03 « H w 04 Eh Oh h ffi X W « >rary Cle Messme Messme Taylor Brown Halbert Halbert Brown Halbert Taylor ft 50 50 a . 6^SgSfi £££ PS PS 0 is is P ° _ u ** ■g n « I a" a PS PS ■d E-1 PS PS to (O to co x 00 Q 01 rl < hi » W fa H >>>>>> c c c e s c _ fe =s & £ & is is O O O O O O o :_ ^ ^ - ~ ;- ;_ pq pq pq pq pq pq pq a a a a a a a !-S 1-5 >-5 >-S !-S l-S hj >>>>>•>■(* o £ JJ o c % a £ ■ " ^2 H P3 o W £ P5 • . ° B . O v i> 0) d) c) v 13 PS PS PS PS Pi PS " fA ^ rr 1 .. rfi in 00 h tc cc 00 £ « 3 " s - s B H _ ^ rt • © «> IN - »H« co i: "3 a.pq g * c 0 £.d fc. 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S 5 = S « co Ph -; fc &; px ^ «: ^ ^ ^ n ^ d > > > > > > 3, a, 3, a. a/ a; as as as as as as > > > > as as as as > > > > as as as as oo £ ^ OO UU OU OU * 2 ® ss » 2 ^ 2 ^oT'at * ST ft o fto S oq S os S cq < o < O — 0) 00 ^ rt . - o — CN c OS 1 =. ^a OS - J. C 3 -= •- ^: o> c > ft oi as M 2 S « Sb * M " c c » c "2 c js S « e c •- « c ee 4< a u c ooia— a s ai •■ r «b » « u 3 S"t-t.a) nu .TO. ol-k-l'3a' tO Offl OO- >os ►, O O C '/! Z Presbyteriaxism in the Ozarks 87 -7 S be c if. M !>1 as O o >H as J* C a: M W 0 rf'S 0 O 0 5 £ ^ B OS ^=os Ms- 0 Si S0J £ - H K s 4) P Hi £=d d Ha - > OJ CO K03 r P4 «! = ^ c < ►— . • a: •- w . a, O OS ££fc e c c 3 s *e « £ .* x = c *■ Q OSd www OD 03 DQ 5 '£ '«= '5 i* w fas w 00 03 03 X "Si m tc a* — ' 5 £ *■§ i - x §• c a'- K ^ C . S . c K ° £ . ,0j j h s. t . E ii _ OJ vj h K< ^B «^ S B C S fc fc M W £ ££ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ £ o w 0 ft I £1 M~ &c £ si . § . B . P5 2 A o o S ft, I 1 1 1 B £ Q s < Eh fc ^ h d 6 H ffl B B d 03 03 03>'£>' £oS tf OS h1 B _^. x >. x _^, S ks5h Pi « P3 P3 « d 2 o re w . Cue i- 5 --£•=« s 2 fl h « B c p £ 5 d < B (a B o hJ d K H OJ OJ OJ ^ x w > > > > oj oj a) a> K « C3 « "5 OC ® X °o x 00 00 as ^ od rt > > > CJ Ov 0/ C£ K IS > > > > > OS P3 OS OS OS o 2 - rt- t> > > >. > 0, CJ CJ OJ OJ OS OS OS OS OS ci n e •» o> 01 Cl Oi x x x x k n d * ■* ,h ^ ^ rH rH r-t as ■< o3<03 -Z J fe: e C 03 U !? o -g II O o: W I? <; o « 88 Presbyterianism IN the ( )/. ARKS > s 08 Ctf! a; as O o I* PS r-1 K « Ph -j "5 a c > ^ n *. h p,W 2 , r a « a ~ - - ^3 a . - r - c - a ;• » a Zyaa-^-oPao—, - *• « >. 3 >- a - r. a «, e ■ _ .-— — ''■- Free Stock Kock Abbe Dull . Day Kim. Holla Slim A. T. 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Q n c 0 g L C St 3 1 I 3 *— - B .5 E- '? ps sc H a : M £' £ * « K DiK BJ tf in co o o 03 £ g * CO a <= 00 O r-t •-1 OS 2 rt ,„- o ^ « n M E » S ; _E ~ — I — - 55 O cc O CO o> o 33 cd to • °° ao ■** >-< rl IN ^ CO ti 00 t< n 5 n 2 c B J OJ ^ « * » - C , -„ '_ 1 - - John Giffe James A. W. R. Ful D. L. Lan W. S. Kni Robert W. A. T. Alle V 03 03 CO O 93 33 03 03 03 03 03 03 03 > 03 go Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Q < m w < Q l-H P < < O o P5 o g, 5) jg rH H * M 2 h — c a --~ O o S-h .2"' £Pm JPh rH H °° H - <; O o >H - Eh r. 2 "S r - I s C £ m 00 00 H EC |i if ir - 'J lT __ < » c « L s; . 5 c c - -2 § -S -g S | ^ 2 S = o i t i £ £ 55 -I tn o ; 00 K n t- f" r. ^ t- t- x x 00 00 H r< rH 00 00 X ,_, r ^ W w *-- 5, _ — ' O O C < O C < * 4= & - • § 5 w *5 S hS ; £ < - - g ^ £ 0 E J J 5 * *iSfcfiS©.SP«-* Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks 9i ^ O o Eh I* pq w K Pi P-4 » ft ft « o "2 IS h? OQ q P ft o S -< tt ft CO - ' ' CO . ** b ft 5' ft « a, ft < S 02 "5 £ < IN o o w ITS < i? 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S ^ a- £X ft-c — s. < B . ce WD c r t: x — it 5 ■ w - ft, ■/. < O 03 PS 4) CO "32 u £ • 5 c i- 3 X. > £ - r. J fl SO -s J3 N w O ^ !Z DQ 0D O C PH ^ ■< !- M £ ^ t: e ^ u x «; i2 • • ■ . .5 cc e, o, S3 5S CS O ** Cv Cv Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 93 tj » * r1*? as? W I|p|-p1;w B* as 0 p p p p b b SS) as J> i" p a' -~s P o=;w • |§ P- 2 ho lo S3 i OS) K# ■ (D • » cc < < 3 *_ 53 "sg ■ a OW - 3 ' 5. oSP-g- as - o *£ 2 3 3 o S. 3 00 X X X .£> X X -1 O ?d ►-1 60 i_i s i 94 PRESBYTERIAN ISM IN' THE OzARKS K EH < O Eh < e GO K "5 — 1 °5 i-s« IE s c . "EG "6 ifi g .2 >. . ■a fc e ? ^«HlUlo^H-|«iil QSOtf «"-s!-i PSi-it-i KtfC 03O (S>-s J; 04 OB •H W (Ssi-3 (B33 -v. •"5 _ ■» » ,■ So 03 >> o co ^ CD ^ d l-j W w « Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 95 05 rH rH » X EH O EH m < - 05 flv P- Z w ^ ^ es^Ss^ wig ►;<»«•« °° *dmB *°ffi «^J -j.6< *^ > . > . > * > > K ^ h-; k (S £ d (S d < (fi W d ps « psd>-^ pg'-sdd tftepi . - Os. . Ov H cS o> . a> , ■ . « .T . > 96 Presbyterianism l\ the Ozarks |0 tod Q Q b£ 'S, a >■ SO p. . 20 DO ,3 -.>>_* .0 S aKJ «0^ ££» 2S be Hffi a 3 Sjfl > »^3 rife » b>' .-J c • 8 O' (Sad 5 ► B h3 W fc N « 1-^ Neosho. Westminster. Waldensian, Sept. 21, 1877 Amount not given Joplin, Sept. '21, 1877 Amount not given Webb City. Ozark Prairie, Sept. 21, 1877 Amount not given Shiloh. White Oak. Ebenezer, Sept. 21, 1877 Amount not given Bethel. Pleasant Valley. Grace, Sept. 21, 1877 Amount not given Center. Preston. Salem. Summit, March 15, 1878 250" Cherry Grove — not organized. Trinity, March 15, 1878 Amount not given Webb Citj, March 15, 1878 Amount not given Carthage, March 15, 1878 300 Summit, March 15, 1878 *400 Buffalo, March 16, 1878 Amount not given Conway. Carthage, April 30, 1878— (See above, March 16.) Shiloh, Sept. 7, 1878 Amount not given Grace. Mt. Moriah. Center. *Same date as above when $250 is given. ioo Presbyterianism in the Ozarks NAME AMOUNT Jnplin, Sept. 7, 1878 Amount not given Webb City. Ozark Prairie & Points in Lawrence county, Sept. 7, 1878. ...Amount not given (Renewed Oct. 18.) Conway, Sept. 7, 1878 100 Buffalo, Sept. 7, 1878 100 Salem, Sept, 7, 1878 •. Amount not given Trinity. Preston. Waldensian, Oct. 19, 1878 300 Hemitage, April 2, 1879 Amount not given Buffalo. Conway. Trinity, April 2, 1879 Amount not given Salem. Skiloh. Pleasant Valley. Ebenezer, April 2, 1879 Amount not given Ozark Prairie. Bethel, April 2, 1879 Amount not given Bellview. Summit. Carthage, April 2, 1879 : Amount not given Ebenezer, Oct. 8, 1879 200 Ozark Prairie, Oct. 8, 1879 200 Pleasant Valley, Oct. 8, 1879 45 Shiloh, Oct. 8, 1879 85 Salem, Oct. 8, 1879 85 Trinity, Oct. 8, 1879 85 Summit, Oct. 9, 1879 125 Waldensian, Oct, 9, 1879 300 Mt. Bethel, Oct. 9, 1879 100 Grand Prairie, Oct. 9, 1879 100 Bellview, Oct. 9, 1879 100 Grace, Oct. 9, 1879 100 Preston, Oct. 9, 1879 ." 80 Mt. Moriah, Oct. 9, 1879 120 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks ioi NAME AMOUNT Joplin, Feb. 4, 1880 300 Neosho, April 14, 1880 300 Granby. Westminster. Mt. Moriah, Preston, Grace— Oct. 7, 1880 $100 each Salem, Shiloh ,— Oct. 7, 1880 $100 each Ozark Prairie, Ebenezer— Oct. 7, 1880 $200 each Pleasant Valley, Oct. 7, 1880 60 Trinity, Oct. 7, 1880 45 Waldensian, Oct. 7, 1880 250 White Oak, Oct. 7, 1880 50 Eev. J. J. Marks, D. D.— Mar. 12, 1881 600 (Pres. Evangelist.) Salem, Shiloh— Sept. 28, 1881 $125 each Ozark Prairie, Sept. 28, 1881 . 200 Joplin, Sept. 29, 1881 $500 (Conditional) Eev. J. J. Marks, D. D., April 12, 1881 500 Granby, April 13, 1882 250 Webb City, April 13, 1882 100 Mt. Zion, April 13, 1882 150 Ash Grove. Trinity, April 27, 1882 45 Ash Grove, Sept. 27, 1882 175 Mt. Zion. Bolivar. Eureka Springs, Sept. 27, 1882 700 Preston, Sept. 27, 1882 ". 150 Madison., Grace. Bellview, Sept. 27, 1882 $300 (already received) Grand Prairie. Mount Betlel. Conway. Conway, Sept. 27, 1882 $350 from date Buffalo. Grand Prairie. Joplin, April 11, 1883 400 Eev. J. J. Marks, D. D., April 11, 1883 700 102 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks name amount Ash Grove, April li>. L883 Amount do! given Cave Springs, i. e., Mt. Zion. Neosho, April 12, 1883 Amount not given Granby. West minster. Mountain Grove, April 12, 1883 \niount nut given Cabool. White Bock. West Plains. Webb City, April 12, 1883 Amount not given Carl Junction. Trinity. North Prairie, April 12, 1883 Amount not given Wheatland. Humansville. Eureka Springs, April 12, 1883 700 Joplin, May 8, 1883 400 West Plains, Sept. 20, 1883 150 Mountain Grove. White Bock. White Oak, Sept. 20, 1883 100 Salem, Sept. 20, 1883 300 Shiloh. Eureka Springs, April 3, 1884 500 Eev. J. J. Marks, April 3, 1884 500 Waldensian, April 3, 1884 300 Joplin, May 18, 1884 300 Eellview, June 1, 1884 400 Springfield Chapel. Neosho, Oct. 1, 1884 400 Westminster. Bolivar, April 30, 1885 350 Mt. Zion. Eureka Springs, April 30, 1885 .".nit Irwin, April 30, 1885 50 Neosho, Sept, 17, 1885 Amount not given Westminster. Joplin, Sept, 17, 1885 400 Jasper, Sept. 17, 1885 300 Preston. Home. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 103 NAME AMOUNT Golden City, Sept. 17, 1885 200 Shiloh. Grace. Madison. Eureka Springs, Sept. 17, 1885 250 Eureka Springs, April 17, 1886 500 Other appropriations for 1886 not given, but the fall report says: "Dur- ing the last ecclesiastical year the Presbytery has received from the Board $2,350.50." Eureka Springs, April 7, 1887 — (probably not used) 500 Joplin, Sept. 15, 1887 400 Ebenezer, Sept. 15, 1887 Amount not given Eureka Springs, Dec. 20, 1887 400 Bolivar, April 12, 1888 400 Mt. Zion. Grand Prairiew Salem, April 12, 1888 40 Preston. Home. Trinity. Joplin, Sept, 27, 1888 Amount not given ($300 granted Nov. 1, 1888.) W. E. McElroy, Sept. 27, 1888 50 Eureka Springs, Sept, 27, 1888 400 West Plains, Sept. 27, 1888 400 Neosho, Sept. 27, 1888 300 Buffalo, Oct, 1, 1888 300 Stockton. Golden City, Nov. 1, 1888 150 Shiloh. West Plains, Feb. 1, 1889 350 Bolivar, April 11, 1889 - 300 Mt. Zion. Grand Prairie. Salem, Sept. 11, 1889 350 Preston. Trinity. Irwin. Springfield Second, Sept. 11, 1889 400 Monett, Sept. 11, 1889 300 Madison. 104 Presbyteriams.m in the Ozarks NAME AMOUNT Golden City, April 17, L890 300 Shiloh. Wes1 Plains, April 17, 1890 300 Mammoth Springs. Buffalo, April 17, 1890 400 Conway. Bolivar, April 17, 1890 .500 Mt. Zion. Grand Prairie. Eureka Springs, April 17. 1890 300 Salem, Sept, 10, 1890 125 Preston. Eureka Springs, April 16, 1891 350 Lockwood, April 16, 1891 .,. 300 White Oak. Jasper, April 16, 1891 150 Preston. Joplin, April 16, 1891 _..Aid for a Missionary referred to Committee Eev. G. H. .Williamson, Evangelist, April 16, 1891 Aid to come from Churches of the Pres. Springfield Second, July 14, 1891 200 Golden City, Sept. 17, 1891 300 Shiloh. Madison. Bolivar, Sept. 17, 1891 280 Golden City, April 13, 1892 300 Lockwood. White Oak. Fair Play, April 13, 1892 150* Irwin, April 13, 1892 350 Preston. Salem. Eev. S. Glascock, reported Sept. 14, 1892 350 West Plains, reported Sept. 14, 1892 300 Springfield Second, reported Sept, 14, 1892 Amount not given Springfield Second, April 14, 1893 \ 300 Rev. G. H. Williamson (Evangelist) April 14, 1893 400 Waldensian, April 14, 1893 250 South Joplin, Oct. 18, 1893 400 Lone Elm. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 105 NAME AMOUNT Waldensian, April 11, 1894 200 Salem, April 11, 1894 250 Irwin. Preston. South Joplin, April 11, 1894 300 Lehigh. South Joplin, Dec. 27, 1894 300 Madison. White Oak, April 18, 1895 Amount not given Golden City. Grace. Shiloh. Lehigh and Group, April 18, 1895 200 Conway, Sept. 17, 1895 200 Buffalo. Monett, Sept. 17, 1895 250 Irwin, Sept. 17, 1895 350 Preston. Salem. Waldensian, Oct, 16, 1895 240 Eev. J. 0. Sefton (P. at Large) Oct. 16, 1895 500 Springfield Second, April 26, 1896 200 Eureka Springs, April 26, 1896 '. 200 Eev. J. G. Knotter, Sept. 17, 1896 200 Buffalo, Sept. 17, 1896 200 Conway. Salem, Sept. 17, 1896 ! 300 Irwin. Preston. Eev. J. C. Sefton, (P. at Large) Sept, 17, 1896 500 Eureka Springs, April 21, 1897 400 Springfield Second, April 21, 1897 200 Ashbury, April 21, 1897 200 Lehigh. Monett, April 21, 1897 250 Salem, April 21, 1897 250 Irwin. Preston. 106 Prksbyterianism in the Ozarks NAME A.MOUNT Ash Grove, April 31, 1897 300 Mt. Zion. Grand Prairie. Bolivar, April 21, 1S97 200 Fair Play. Conway, April 21, 1S97 -^" Buffalo. Fordland, April 21, 1S97 300 Burnham. Waldensian, April 21, 1897 200 Mammoth Springs ami vicinity, April <>, 1898 700 Ash Grove, April 6, 1898 200 Fordland. Eureka Springs, April 6, 1898 300 Bolivar, April 6, 1898 175 Fair Play. Conway, April 6, 1898 300 Buffalo. Lehigh, April 6, 1898 300 Asbury. Madison. Monett, April 6, 1898 125 Salem, April 6, 1898 250 Irwin. Springfield Second, April 6, 1898 275 Waldensian, April ti, 1898 200 Ash Grove, *Sept. 22, 1898 150 Fordland. Asbury, Sept. 22, 1898 200 Lehigh. Eureka Springs, Sept. 22, 1898 300 Monett, Sept. 22. 1898 100 Springfield Second, Sept. 22, 1898 27.", Waldensian, Sept. 22, 1898 200 *Appropriations of this date are in part duplicates of April 6*. Bolivar, Sept. 2, 1898 175 Fair Play. Buffalo, Sept. 2, 1908 300 Conway. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 107 NAME AMOUNT Grace, Sept. 2, 1898 175 Madison. Irwin, Sept. 2, 1898 250 Preston. Salem. Grand Prairie, Sept. 2, 1898 125 Mt, Zion, Sept. 2, 1898 100 White Oak, Sept. 2, 1898 50 Mt. Vernon, Sept. 2, 1898 100 Ozark Prairie, Sept. 2, 1898 50 ■West Plains, Sept. 2, 1898 200 Work in Arkansas, Sept. 2, 1898 100 Salem, April 5, 1899 700 Irwin, April 5, 1899 75 Preston, April 5, 1899 50 West Plains, April 5, 1899 200 Conway, April 5, 1899 300 Buffalo. Waldensian, April 5, 1899 200 Springfield Second, April 5, 1899 275 Grand Prairie, Sept. 20, 1899 79.69 Mt. Zion, Sept. 20, 1899 68.75- Grace, Sept. 20, 1899 75 Work in Arkansas (additional) 80 April 14, 1900. Applications (not itemized) were endorsed to the amount of $2500. Grand Prairie, April 11, 1901 100 Mt. Zion, April 11, 1901 75 Evans, April 11, 1901 50 Salem, April 11, 1901 50 Preston, April 11, 1901 65 Grace, April 11, 1901 60 Bolivar, April 11, 1901 100 Fair Play, April 11, 1901 40 West Plains, April 11, 1901 100 108 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks NAME AMOUNT Lehigh, April 11, 1901 200 Joflesboro, April 11, 1901 100 Irwin, April 11, 1901 50 Waldensian, April 11, 1901 50 Eureka Springs, April 11, 1901 75 Mena, April 11, 1901 440 Mammoth Spring, April 11, 1901 570 Fordland, April 11, 1901 75 Buffalo, April 11, 1901 75 Madison, April 11, 1901 75 Seneca, April 11, 1901 50 Evans, April 6, 1902 75 Grand Prairie, April 6, 1902 100 Mt. Zion, April 6, 1902 17." Conway, April 6, 1902 50 Buffalo, April 6, 1902 100 Salem, April 6, 1902 50 Preston, April 6, 1902 65 Grace, April 6, 1902 60 Bolivar, April 6, 1902 100 Fair Play, April 6, 1902 40 Lehigh, April 6, 1902 150 Irwin, April 6, 1902 50 Jonesboro, April 6, 1902 200 Kidge Station. Ash Grove, April 6, 1902 145 Fordland. Seneca, April 6, 1902 50 White Oak, April 6, 1902 50 Lockwood, April 6, 1902 50 Mena, April 6, 1902 440 Mammoth Springs, April 6, 1902 550 Mt. Olivet. Burnham. Presbyterianjsm in the Ozarks 109 NAME AMOUNT West Plains, April 6, 1902 100 Ravenden Springs and stations, Sept. 17, 1902 Unused appropriations W'illard, April 16, 1903 100 Mt. Zion, April 16, 1903 .' 100 Ash Grove. Conway, April 6, 1903 90 Buffalo, April 6, 1903 100 Evans, April 6, 1903 100 Mammoth Springs, April 6, 1903 400 Mt. Olivet. Sedgwick. Fordland. Lockwood, April 6, 1903 50 .White Oak, April 6, 1903 50 Grace, April 6, 1903 50 Lehigh and Stations, April 6, 1903 130 Irwin, April 6, 1903 50 Stockton, April 6, 1903 , 150 West Plains, April 16, 1903 100 Burnham, April 16, 1903 75 Seneca and stations, April 16, 1903 200 Salem, April 16, 1903 50 Preston, April 16, 1903 '. 65 Madison, April 16, 1903 50 Jonesboro, April 16, 1903 200 Bethany, April 16, 1903 200 Fayetteville and vicinity, April 16, 1903 100 Conway, April 19, 1904 90 Buffalo, April 19, 1904 100 Evans, April 19, 1904 100 Bolivar, April 19, 1904 75 Fair Play, April 19, 1904 40 Mammoth Springe, April 19, 1904 ., 350 no Presbyterianism in the Ozarks NAME AMOUNT Madison,. April 19, L904 29/1 Preston. Salem. Lehigh. Willard, April L9, 1904 100 White Oak, April 19, 1904 50 Grace, April 19, 1904 50 Mt. Zion, April 19, 1904 '. 50 West Plains, April 19, 1904 75 Burnham, April 19, 1904 75 Seneca. April 19, 1904 75 Jonesboro, April 19, 1904 175 Bethany, April 19, 1904 175 Fayetteville, Harris and vicinity, April 19, 1904 100 Harrison and vicinity, April 19, 1904 450 Bev. W. L. Hackett (Pastor at large) (not all from board) 1000 Willard, April 20, 1905 100 Mt, Zion, April 20, 1905 50 Madison, April 20, 1905 50 Evans, April 20, 1905 100 (Supply Pastpr at Large). Conway, April 20, 1905 150 Buffalo, April 20, 1905 175 Bolivar, April 20, 1905 75 Fair Play, April 20, 1905 50 Mammoth Springs and vicinity, April 20, 1905 375 Preston, April 20, 1905 100 Salem, April 20, 1905 100 Grace, April 20, 1905 100 White Oak, April 20, 1905 100 Irwin, April 20, 1905 50 Burnham, April 20, 1909 75 Bethany, April 20, 1909 250 Pastor at Large (sec above) 1000 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks III Conway, April 19, 1906 150 Buffalo, April 19, 1906 150 Fordland, April 19, 1906 75 Mt. Olivet, April 19, 1906 100 Bethel, April 19, 1906 100 Ravenden Springs, April 19, 1906 175 Crane, April 19, 1906 200 Irwin, April 19, 1906 75 White Oak, April 19, 1906 100 Alba, April 19, 1906 100 Madison, April 19, 1906 50 Preston, April 19, 1906 100 Salem, April 19, 1906...! 100 Grace, April 19, .1906 150 Willard, April 19, 1906 100 Mt. Zion, April 19 ,1906 ^ 100 Fair Play, April 19, 1906 75 Evans, April 19, 1906 100 Bohemian Work, Sept. 12, 1906 (unused.) Extracts from Report of 1907. EXTRACTS FROM REPORT OF 1907 In view of the fact that Synod's committee on Presbyterial Readjustments incident to the union had appointed Rev. E. E. Stringfield, Ph. D., temporary chairman of Home Missions for the eastern section of the Presbytery, and Rev. John F. Shep- herd, Ph. D., for the western section, the report of the Home Mis- sion committee was presented in two sections by the respective chairmen. The reports were received, and the Clerk cast the ballot of Presbytery for the several recommendations : For East- ern Section (showing appropriations made for former Cumber- land Churches as well as our own) : I 12 PRESBYTERIANISM IN' THE OZARKS Groups Aid recommended — Cumb. Pres. Fordland Mountain Grove$150 Cabool 50 Burnham Pomona 150 Willow Springs. 250 Mountain View.. 100 Hickory Grove... 50 Liberty 50 Pleasant Divide. 75 New Providence 75 Walnut Spring... 75 Walnut Grove 100 Bellview Buffalo Evans $ 7--, $150 Groups Crane Aid recommended — Cumb. Pres. 250 I Marionville I Brookline 100 Bolivar Fair Play Conway Mt. Zion Willard Stockton Mt. Carmel 50 Stockton A 100 50 75 100 100 50 50 100 100 100 [ Everton | Dadeville 1 Ray Spring [ Spring River S. Greenfield ] , Spring Creek M50 Oak Grove J Rondo '.. 75 50 Mammoth Sp'gs 100 Mt. Olivet Bethel 100 100 That Rev. W. C. Hicks be commissioned as Presbyterial Evan gelist at a salary of $1,200 and traveling expenses, it being under- stood that all funds collected by him for services rendered shall be turned over to the Home Board; and it is guaranteed by the Springfield ministers that these funds will equal $400 for the year. For the Western Section: (1) That Carterville be constituted a station with Rev. O. C. Cude as supply. (2) North Heights, Joplin, Rev. Samuel Wiley, supply. (3) Grace and Salem. Rev. J. S. Stapleton. supply. (4) That Madison and Preston be grouped with (Red Oak) and (Bowers Mill), Rev. T. S. Brown, supply. (5) Irwin, (Hopewell), (Ianthe), Rev. A. E. Faust, supply. (6) That Waldensian Church be made a mission station. (7) That Seneca and White Oak, or (Pierce City), be made a charge to be supplied. Appropriations : To Carterville, $500 ; North Heights. $500 ; Grace, $125; Salem, $100; Madison. $75; Preston. $75: Irwin group, $125; Waldensian, $100; Seneca, $100: White Oak or Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 113 (Pierce City), $100; Bethany. $150. Hoberg to be supplied by J. L. McCauley." CHAIRMEN OF PERMANENT COMMITTEES REPRESENTING THE BOARDS OF THE CHURCH. HOME MISSIONS Date of Appointment. October 1, 1870 Rev. J. M. Brown September 26, 1874 Rev. W. R. Fulton September 9, 1875 Rev. C. H. Dunlap April 13, 1880 Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D. September 20, 1883 Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. J> September 26, 1888 Rev. T. H. Clelancl, D. D. September 19, 1894 Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D. September 22, 1897 Rev. Asa Leard, D. D. September 19, 1900 Rev. W. C. Templeton, Ph. D. January 16, 1902 Rev. E. E. Stringfield, Ph. D.- September 15, 1904 Rev. Henry Little January, 1907. Special chairmen for the Provisional Work until the consolidation: Eastern Section Rev. E. E. Stringfield, Ph. D. Western Section Rev. J. F. Shepherd, Ph. D. PUBLICATION AND S. S. WORK. March 31, 1870 Rev. J. A. Paige October 6, 1871 Rev. L. J. Matthews September 13, 1872 Rev. E. M. Halbert September 9, 1875 Rev. W. L. Miller March 30, 1870 Pub., Rev. T. H. Allin; S. S. Work, Rev. E. M. Halbert September 7, 1878 Pub. Rev. W. L. Miller., S. S., Rev. E. M. Halbert April 3, 1879 (Pub.) Rev. T. H. Allin October 6, 1880 (Pub. S. S.) ." Rev. G. F. Davis, Rev. Clark Salmon September 27, 1882 United again— Rev. G. F. Davis April 14, 1891 Rev. J. R. Gass September 21, 1899 .' Rev. E. J. Nugent April 16, 1903 Rev. A. T. Aller September 15, 1904 Rev. E. E. Mathes September 13, 1905 Rev. J. F. .Shepherd, Ph. D. EDUCATION October 1, 1870 Rev. J. A. Paige October 6, 1871 Rev. J. M. Brown September 13, 1872 Rev. C. H. Dunlap April 14, 1880 Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D. April 12, 1882 Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. D. September 20, 1883 Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D. September 17, 1885 Rev. E. A. Hamilton April 14, 1891 Rev. J. A. Gerhard September 16, 1896 Rev. J. B. Welty September 22, 1897 Rev. C. Memmott September 22, 1898 Rev W. C. Templeton September 19, 1900 Rev. C. B. Boving -May 17, 1905 Rev. B. M. Shive, D. D. 114 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks GHUECH EBECTION October 1, 1870 Rev. John McFarland April 12, 1872 Rev. W. L. Miller September 7, 1878 Rev. D. L. Lander October 8, 1879 Rev. B. F. Powelson September 27, 1882 Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. D. September 20, 1883 Rev. A. L. Miller September 17, 1885 Rev. T. R. Easterday September 26, 1889 Rev. R. W. Ely April 14, 1891 Rev. J. G. Reaser September 19, 1894 Rev. D. N. Allen September 22, 1897 - Rev. .1. B. Welty September 22, 1898 Rev. W. B. McElroy April 10, 1901 Rev. Henry Little September 15, 1904 Rev. E. L. Renick MINISTEBIAL RELIEF April 1, 1871 Rev. J. H. Nixon, D. D. October 6, 1871 Rev. J. W. Pinkerton September 14, 1872 Rev. W. R. Fulton March 12, 1881 Rev. Geo. Newell September 27, 1882 Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D. September 20, 1883 Rev. W. L. Miller September 17, 1885 Rev. W. S. Knight. D. 1). September 14, 1887 Rev. H. B. Frv, D. D. September 26, 1889 Rev. J. E. Leyda September 19, 1894 Rev. J. N. McClung September 17, 1896 Rev. ( '. Memmott September 22, 1897 Elder .1. W. silshv September 12, 1906 Elder W. B. Skinner FOREIGN MISSIONS September 9, 1875 Rev. W. S. Knight. D. D. October 8, 1879 Rev. B. F. Powelson September 28, 1881 Rev. F. M. Baldwin April 12, 1883 Rev. G. H. Williamson September 17, 1885: Rev. E. P. Keach September 6, 1886 Rev. John Foy April 7, 1887 : Rev. James Laffertv September 26, 1888 Rev. W. G. Banker April 14, 1891 Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D. September 13, 1893 Rev. D. 0. Hanna September 16, 1896 Rev. J. E. Sentz September 22, 1897 Rev. H. O. Scott, D. D. September 13, 1905 Rev. D. B. Whimster September 12, 1906 Rev. Huston Taylor FREEDMEN September 9, 1875 Rev. S. Glascock September 27, 1882 Rev. W. B. McElwee September 26, 1888 Rev. W. S. Lowry April 14, 1891 Rev. R, S. Stevenson April 13, 1893 Rev. E. E. Stringfield dune 5, 1902 Rev. Henry Hepburn May 17, 1905 Rev. B*. F. Logan April 18, 1907 Rev. G. H. Williamson Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 115 COLLEGE AID September 17, 1885 Rev. G. T. Thompson September 15, 1887 Rev. G. H. Williamson September 26. 1888 Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D. April 14, 1891 Rev. D. C. Hanna September 13, 1893 Rev. O. E. Hart September 19, 1894 Rev. G. H. Hemingway September 17, 1896 Rev. F. G. Knauer September 22, 1897 Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D. September 22, 1898 Rev. A. M. Mann April 11, 1901 Rev. J. H. Bright April 16, 1903 Rev. L. H. Shane September 15, 1904 ' Rev. C. Olandt May 17, 1905 Rev. W. L. Hackett September 12, 1906 Rev. J. F. Shepherd, Ph. D. COMMISSIONERS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. Date Elected. Apr. 19, 1867 — Rev. John McFarland, Elder W. L. Scroggs, Ebenezer church. Alternates — Rev. J. A. Paige, Elder Charles Sheppard, Calvary church. Apr. 3, 1869 — Rev. J. W. Pinkerton, Elder George C. See, Calyary church. Alternates — Rev. J. A. Paige, Elder Charles Shephard, Calvary church. March 26, 1869 — Rev. J. A. Paige. Elder J. L. Carson, Calvary church. Alternates — Rev. W. R. Fulton, Elder J. H. Miller, Neosho. April 16, 1870— Rev. W. R. Fulton,' Elder W. R. Gorton, Calvary. Alternates — Rev. B. F. Powelson, Elder J. O. Boggs. PRESBYTERY OF OZARK March 31, 1871— Rev. J. M. Brown, Elder A. C. Schell, Neosho. Alternates — Rev. J. H. Nixon, Geo. C. See, Calvary. April 12, 1872 — Rev. J. W. Pinkerton, Charles Sheppard, Calvary. Alternates — Rev. W. R. Fulton, Perry Stringfield, Newtonia and Ritchey April 10, 1873— Rev. W. L. Miller, Henry M. Hennor, Salem. Alternates — Rev. C. H. Dunlap, Paul Orr, Ozark Prairie. April 25, 1874 — Rev. L. J. Matthews, A. D. Matthews, Buffalo. Alternates — Rev. C. H. Dunlap, D. L. Lander, Neosho. April 9, 1875— Rev. L. J. Matthews. Alternates — E. M. Halbert. April 29, 1875— W. R. Gorton, Calvary. Alternates — T. H. Allin. March 10, 1876— Rev. W. L. Miller, J. W. Gordon, Jasper Clr. Alternates — Rev. E. M. Halbert, A. Kennedy, Ebenezer. March 30, 1877— Rev. W. L. Miller, J. W. Coultraine, Mt. Zion. Alternates — D. L. Lander, C. Rivers, Carthage. March 16, 1878 — Rev. D. L. Lander, J. S. McNeece, Carthage. Alternates — Rev. D. K. Campbell, S. Cadwallader. April 2, 1879— T. H. Allin, J. G. Irwin. Alternates — D. K. Campbell, S. Cadwallader. April 14, 1880— Rev. W. S. Knight, Elder Wm. Cochrane, Ozark Prairie. Alternates — Rev. J. P. Solomon, Howard Pierce. March 11, 1881— Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., Elder S. Cadwallader. Alternates — Rev. B. F. Powelson, W. A. Milner. u6 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks April 12, L882 — Eev. \V. A. Cravens, Elder 8. G. Appleby, Mi. Zion. Alternates — Rev. B. F. Powelson, \Y. A. Milner. April 11, 1KS3— Rev. D. P. Putnam, I >. !>.. Elder Wm„ M ilner. Alternates— Rev. G. H. Williamson, W. H. Delzell. April 3, 1884— Rev. G. H. Williamson, Elder 'TO. II. Delzell, Ash Grove. Alternates — Rev. J. P. Solomon, Wm. Cochrane, Ozark Prairie. April 29, 1885— Rev. G. F. Davis, J.N. Sears, White Oak. Alternates — W. B. McEhvee, J. Strain, Irwin. April 17, 1886— Rev. W. S. Knight, Chas. Sheppard, Calvary. Alternates — W. B. McElwee, Oscar Farmer, Grand Prairie. April 7, 1887 — Rev. W. B. McElwee, Robert Hall, Springfield Second. Alternates — Rev. T. R. Easterday, ('. W. Likens, Ash Grove. April 12, 1888— Rev. E. A. Hamilton, Elder A. Kennedy, Ebenezer. Alternates — T. K. Easterday, C. W. Likens, Ash Grove. April 10, 1SS9— Rev. G. H. Williamson, C. W. Likens, Ash Grove. Alternates— T. H. Cleland, D. D., R. L. Galbrfiath. April 16, 1890— Rev. W. G. Banker, Elder .1. D| Peers, Springfield Second. Alternates— R . W. Ely, W. R. Gorton, Calvary. April 16, 1891— Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D., C. F. McElroy, Carthage. Alternates — Rev. R. W. Ely, Henrv Merrill, Ebenezer. April 13, 1892— Rev. R. W. Ely, Elder' W. W. Johnston, Eureka Springs. Alternates — Rev. J. R. Gass, W. H. Gorton, Calvary. April 13, 1893— Rev. J. E. Leyda, Elder J. D. Abbe, Bolivar. Alternates — ,7. R. Gass, David Mayes, Ash Grove. April 10, 1894— Rev. J. R. Gass, Elder David Mayes, Ash Grove. Alternates — E. E. Stringfield, John Orr, Mt. Vernon. April 18, 1895— Rev. J. A. Gerhard, Elder R. N". Galbraitb, Westminster, Carthage. Alternates — J. N. Dinsmore, R. H. James, Eureka Springs. April 22, 1896— Rev. E. E. Stringfield, Elder R. H. James, Eureka Sp'gs. Alternates — J. E. Sentz, F. A. Hall, Calvary. April 21, 1897— Rev. G. H. Williamson, Elder J. W. Silsbv, Calvary. Alternates— D. N. Allen, Prof. Young, Webb City. April 6, 1898— Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D., Elder J. A. Ready. Ebenezer. Alternates — C. Memmott, J. D. Abbe, Bolivar. April 6, 1899— Rev. E. L. Renick, Elder J. D. Abbe, Bolivar. Alternates — J. C. Sefton, S. A. Chappell, Monett. April 5, 1900— Rev. H. O. Scott, D. D., Elder T. R. Stockton, Monett. Alternates — W. C. Templeton, W. H. Schmalhorst, Conway. April 9, 1901— Rev. W. C. Templeton, Elder F. A. Hall, Calvary." Alternates — W. G. Moore, W. B. Skinner, Mt. Vernon. April 7, 1902— Rev. W. G. Moore, Elder W. A. Wheatley, Joplin. Alternates — R. W. Elv, W. J. McLain, Carthage. April 16, 1903— Rev. R. W. Ely, Elder W. B. Skinner, Mt. Vernon. Alternates — Rev. C. B. Boving, T. J. Whitmire, West Plains. April 19, 1904— Rev. C. B. Boving, Elder W. G. Drake, Bolivar. Alternates— W. F. Grundy, G. H. Lee, West Plains. April 20, 1905— Rev. W. F. Grundy, Elder S. D. Strain, Fair Play. Alternates — C. Olandt, C. B. Sperry, Springfield Second. April 19, 1906— Rev. Henry Little, Elder W. Kilpatric, West Plains. Alternates — D. B. Whimster, C. M. Manker, Webb City. April 17, 1907— Rev. E. E. Stringfield, Ph. D., Curtis Wright, Carthage. Alternates— B. M. Shive, D. D., A. O. Schell, Neosho. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 117 CHAPTER VII. CHRONOLOGICAL REGISTER AND SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES. A NEW SCHOOL. CHURCHES ORGANIZED BEFORE THE REUNION OF 1869-70. (N. B. — Extinct churches are placed in brackets.) (LITTLE OSAGE) (VERNON COUNTY.) The record of the original organization of the church of Little Osage, Vernon County, reads: "June 27th, 1835. Agree- able to previous notice, the people in this place assembled at the school house at 12 o'clock noon to take into consideration the subject of organizing a church on Presbyterian or Congrega- tional principles. Present : Rev. Nathaniel B. Dodge, from Bou- dinot Missionary Station ; Rev. Amasa Jones, from Harmony Missionary Station, and Brethren Daniel H. Austin and Richard Colby, from Harmony Church. In troduced services by a sermon delivered by Rev. A. Jones from Chron. 29 :5. Articles of faith and covenant read. Candidates for admission to church called for. The following presented themselves: By letter, William Modrell, Nathaniel B. Dodge, Jr., George Douglass, Elizabeth Douglass, Mary B. Dodge, Elvina G. Dodge. By examination, Elizabeth Summers, first and second. The above members were accordingly organized into a church by their publicly assenting to following Articles of Faith and Covenant. (Here follow twelve articles.) William Modrell was chosen Deacon and Nathaniel B. Dodge, Jr., Clerk." From this record it appears that the church was organized after the Congregational form. But the record of March 25, 1842, reads: "Met acording to notice to consider expediency of adopting Presbytery form of government. ii8 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Members called upon to express their views. * * * Presby- tery form of government adopted and church placed under care of Harmony Presbytery. William Modrell and Josiah M. Austin chosen elders." The church continued under the Harmony and First Osage Presbyteries until August 19, 1859, when it voted to join the 0. S. Presbytery of Lafayette. It had a moribund exist- ence nineteen years longer, when it became extinct by reason of removals. When the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri was or- ganized in June, 1865, it appointed a search committee to dis- cover any churches that might be in existence which did not report at the organization. On the 30th of September this com- mittee reported the following additional churches: Osceola. Lit- tle Osage, Marmiton, Breckenridge, (Jranby, North Spring River." This church is of interest because it illustrates the affinity of Congregationalism and Presbyterianism at that time. The mis- sionaries of the twro bodies ewre supported by the same Board and they organized churches after the Congregational or Pres- byterian form of government, according to the washes of the peo- ple. The transition from the one to the other was easily made by minister or church. (MARMITON) (VERNON COUNTY.) In the minutes of the new New School Assembly the name of this church is given in 1846 as Marmetean, and in 1859 it is spelled Marimetean. It was the outgrowth of the work among the Osages, though it was composed of white people and was organized in Vernon County, supposedly before 1837. It was under the jurisdiction of the First Presbytery of Osage until that Presbytery was disbanded, and. as seen in the sketch above, it was enrolled in the Presbytery of Southwrest Missouri. No far- ther trace of the church is found in the records of the Presby- tery. (HERMAN OR HERMON) (POLK COUNTY.) As Vernon County has belonged to Kansas City Presbytery for some years, the earliest work in the confines of Ozark Presby- tery, as given on page 13. seems to have been done in Polk County, near Bolivar. The Hermon Church is said to have been organized prior to October, 1839. At that time it was supplied by Rev. E. P. Noel. Its Assembly record indicates that it was supplied by the following ministers : 1843. Rev. B. Rvland ; 1849. Rev. William H. Smith ; 1850-54, Rev. A. G. Taylor. It continued on the roll marked vacant, and wdth a very small membership, until the First Presbytery of Osage ceased to make a report. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 119 MOUNT ZION (GREENE COUNTY). The Mount Zion Church of Cave Springs, Mo., is the first church in Southwest Missouri organized by either the New School or the Old School Church that has persisted in the belief and practice of "the final perseverance of the saints." To my knowledge no other church illustrates as well the many vicissitudes of Presbyterian Church life in this region as this one. The planting of the church in the home of the godly, the gracious seasons of refreshing at camp meetings, the enroll- ment of members many miles distant, the sending out of colonies to form other churches, the palmy days of the country church, the depletion by removals, the devastations of war, the gathering of the scattered remnant, the building of a new house of worship to take the place of the antiquated one of logs, the attempts at religious education, the reaching of self-support, and then by reason of trends westward and cityward, the settling down to a country home mission church, these are some of the experiences of this historic mother of churches. Near the close of the third decade of the nineteenth century a few families from East Tennessee "pitched their tents" in the timber two or three miles north of Cave Springs. There seems to have been some affinity between this colony and a similar colony that composed the Hermon Church, in Polk County, though whether this affinity was one of blood or of native State, or of religion, or of all three, I cannot say. Be that as it may, on the 19th day of October, 1839, Rev. Ephraim P. Noel and the session of the Hermon Church met the people of the vicinity in Mrs. Jane Renshaw's house and organized the Mount Zion Church. The names of those entering into the organization were Elizabeth Stowell, Stephen Dillard, Julia Ann Dillard, Jane Renshaw. Mar- garet A. Appleby, Joseph A. Renshaw, Robert S. Reid. Amanda F. Reid, David Appleby and Catherine Appleby. David Appleby, Robert S. Reid and Stephen Dillarad were elected ruling elders. Organized in the home of "a mother in Israel," this was truly a household church. Six of the ten members were related to Mrs. Jane Renshaw, as follows : Elizabeeth Stowell, a sister ; Joseph Addison Renshaw, a son ; Julia Ann Dillard and Amanda F. Reid, daughters ; Stephen Dillard and Robert S. Reid, sons-in-law. Mrs. Renshaw's son. Rev. G. A. M. Renshaw, became the second minister in charge of the church, a position that he held longer than any other min- ister. Some twelve or fourteen of her descendants are still mem- bers of the church. Two or three belong to the Willard Church and four to the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield. Catherine Appleby was the wife of David Appleby, one of the 120 PRESBYTERIANISM IN I III OZARKS firsl elders in the church, and who was elected to a similar posi- tion in the organization of the church of Springfield. His dc- scendants ;u*e leading members in various churches of this t ion. but an attempt to trace them would involve us in an inter- minable tangle. Rev. E. P. Noel supplied the church with monthly services until November, 1841. when on accounl of failing health he was compelled to relinquish the work. For ;i time the services were held in private houses, hut in the spring a brush arbor was constructed, and in the summer of 1841 this gave place to a shed erected near the Cave Spring and used by different denomina- tions for camp meetings. The gathering of the people on foot, on horseback, in wagons and ox carts has not inaptly been Likened to the gathering of the tribes of Israel at their annual feasts. Rev. E. P. Noel, who conducted the first camp meeting on these grounds, left the church with a membership of fifty-one, largely the fruit of additions of immigrants from East Tennessee. In 1842 Rev. G. A. Renshaw took up the work and carried it forward until the day of his death, in April, 1857. Under his ministries the first church building was erected in 1845. It was a commodious structure, built of hewed logs, and had a Hi enlace. One of the children of this church describes the pulpit and pews from memory as follows: They were very nice, built of Iighl wood — probably sycamore. The minister was enclosed in the pulpit high above the people. The pews were provided with doors and when an entire family entered a pew the pew door was closed." (The church may yet have to reort to some such a device to "hold" the children.) During the Civil War 1his building was used as a dwelling and by the soldiers as a com- missary and for quarters. Here the first meeting of the reor- ganized Presbytery of Osage was held in 1867. And in 1869 it gave place to the present house of worship. A minister who knew Mr. Renshaw well says that he took charge of this church with the feeling that to do so would probably cost him his life. These feelings were evidently prescient. Hill's History of .he Presby- tery of Kansas City gives this brief note in the chronological register: "Sup. Mt. Zion, Weaubleau, Bolivar, and ''ieorgctown ; d. Apr. 25, '57." A glance at the map will reveal the fact that one might easily burn his ministerial life out in sixteen years of "living, lodging, preaching in cabins, now assisting his feeble, uncomplaining wife on washing day, now taking her place when sickness prostrates her, now cutting and sledding wood till drenched with perspiration, and forthwith across the chilly prai- ie on an errand or appointment." And a son of (x. A. M. Ren- shaw is in the ministry today. Take note ye who say that young men are deterred from entering the ministry today by reason Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 12 1 of the meager support offered! Probably these items belong in another place. They are incorporated here in order that this and other churches may count the cost in toil and sacrifice at which they were planted. And while I am digressing let us note: In 1881 a history of this church was written in which +he historian, speaking of this house of worship, said: 'It was noted by being the first church house built by the Presbyteiians west of St. Louis, Mo.' At the semi-centennial of the Ebenezer Church, held at Greenfield in 1892, Rev. Nelson A. llankin said: "Rev. John McFarland came as the supply of this church. He labored here faithfully during his ministry and by his self-sacri- fice and untiring efforts the first Presbyterian Church ever erected south of the Osage River was built. This was also the first church built exclusively for worship and dedicated to God in Dade County. It was built in '56." As this was an Old School Church, manifestly Mr. Rankin took no note of the New School work.* And it is very evident that the historian of Cave Springs Church was either mistaken or else referred to churches in this latitude. To search no farther, the Boonville Church was completed in 1841. The writer of the history of Greene County has j-.imilarly ignored the northern and southeastern part of the State in the statement: "Mount Zion is one of the very oldest Presbyterian churches in Missouri, and lays claim to being the first regularly organized west of St. Louis. It is the parent of three other churches — Springfield, Mount Bethel and Grand Prairie."' In 1819 the church dismissed eight members to help consti- tute the new church of Springfield. Twenty-six went out in April, 1852, to seek homes in California and Oregon, and, al- though the majority of these returned in a few months, in April, 1856, another exodus of twenty-six members to California is recorded. Meanwhile, in 1853, nineteen members had gone out to form the Liberty Hill or Walnut Grove Church. This organ- ization was premature and was soon disbanded by Osage Pres- bytery and its members returned to the mother church. The hegira of '56 called for the election of four additional elders. One of the men elected to this position was William E. Thompson, who still serves the church in that capacity. Over half a century in the eldership of one church in Southwest Mis- souri is a distinction that doubtless belongs to no other man. Though Mr. Renshaw dismissed 103 members to other churches and saw eight transferred to the church triumphant, at his death *If some critic should discover Cumberland Presbyterian Churches ante- dating these I have denominated firsts, let him remember the work of that branch is reserved for separate treatment. This part has to do only with the churches that united to form the Presbyterian, U. S. A., at the time of the reunion of 1896. 122 Presbytf.rianism in the Ozarks in March, 1857, he left a strong country church of 76 members.* The Largest number reported by the church to the General As- sembly was 100 in 1851. Shortly after the death of Mr. Renshaw, Rev. A. G. Taylor was employed by the church and served it for nearly three years. He was followed by Rev. L. R. Morrison, who ministered to the people from February, 1860, to April, 1861 Mr. Morrison .seems to have been intimately associated with the church before this, for he appears as Moderator on divers prior occasions. It is needless to tread the wastes of the Civil War. Cn Hie winter of 1865-6 Rev. J. M. Brown was employed by the Roard of Home Missions to "gather up the fragments" in Southwest Missouri. Of the eighty-nine members of the Mount Zion Church at the beginning of the war he found twenty-five. Mr. Brown was a virile, vigorous field worker, a cultured Christian gentle- man and a man of strong convictions. At least a portion of his parish was the scene of "lively days." for a card addressed to the citizens of Southwest Missouri was headed HEADQUAR- TERS REGULATORS. Walnut Grove, June 16. 1866. Ihe His- tory of Greene County, p. 500: "About the first of June 280 of them rode into Springfield, formed a hollow square in front of the court house, on the public square, and organized a meeting. Speeches were made by Rev. Mr. Brown a Presbyterian minis- ter; Major Downing, Col. James H. Baker and Senator J. A. Mack, sympathizing with the purposes and justifying the action of the 'Honest Mens League,' or 'Regulators,' although deplor- ing the necessity of such an organization." It is needless to add that Mr. Brown was not universally popular. It is said that while we are in the impulsive years of youth we Think of a man as wholly good or wholly bad. As we reach the meridian of life we find that the worst of us have some good and the best of us some bad. Leaving each one to condemn the above action or to extenuate it by the exigencies of the troublous times, according to the bent of his mind, it is worthy of note that Mr. Brown did a great work for Presbyterianism in this section. From January, '68, to the autumn of '69 he remained in charge of the church. The old log building gave place to the present two-story frame church, which was erected at a cost of about $3,500, and dedi- cated with a sermon by Dr. Timothy Hill August 22, 1869. Dur- ing Mr. Brown's incumbency the Presbytery of Osage was reor- ganized in the Mount Zion Church the 26th of April, 1866. The ministers of the Presbytery were Revs. J. M. Brown, A. (J. Tay- lor and William S. Messmer. The following day Enos M. Hal- bert was licensed. Presbytery convened in the church again in *The Assembly minutes give 79. But the church is starred for that year. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 123 October, 1867. Ministers present: A. G. Taylor, J. M. Brown and A. T. Norton. This Presbytery ordained E. M. Halbert and licensed L. J. Matthews. For several years a Christian school of high grade was con- ducted in the church building', which, by the way, was erected with this end in view. Some of the leading Christians in various churches in Southwest Missouri were educated in this school. Mr. Brown was succeeded by Rev. Enos M. Halbert, to whom we are indebted for much of the information in this sketch. Under Mr. Halbert the church assumed self-support in 1875, but soon lapsed into dependence upon the board for aid. In his historical sketch, prepared in 1881, Mr. Halbert says: " Since the war (civil) not less than $5,000 has been given to the support of this church from the Home Mission Board alone." Other ministers who have served this church from time to time are Rev. George F. Davis, 1881; Rev. C. C. Hembree, '82 Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., as Synodical Missionary, '83 ; Rev. G F. Davis, '86; Rev. J. C. Shephard, '87; Rev. J. F. Martin, 88 Rev. J. C. Hanna, '91 ; Rev. C. E. Fowler, '93 ; Rev. Jay B Fisher, '94 (not ordained until '95) ; Charles Memmott, W. G Moore, J. C. Sefton, J. G. Hewitt. W. L. Hackett. In October, 1899, the church celebrated its sixtieth anniver- sary with appropriate exercises lasting two days. (WEMBLEAU) (HICKORY COUNTY.) This church appears on the Assembly minutes but once, 1843, and then it is spelled Warbleau. In a letter written by Levi Mor- rison, headed "Cross Timbers, Mo., Jan. 21, 1861," there is given a list of churches, with succinct information concerning them. In this letter this line occurs: "6 Warbleau. By D. Weir. Extinct long since." The church was probably organized in 1842. There are in- dications that about this time the Presbyterians did considerab.e work in Hickory County. The fruits of these early labors have long since vanished from mortal vision. The church was sup- plied by E. P. Noel, Isaac B. Ricketts and G. A. M. Renshaw. Mr. Ricketts took charge of Osceola and Warbleau March 1st, 1843. Near the close of his five years' stay on the field he wrote: "This has been a season of great worldly mindedness. The gold fever has raged greatly in this part of the world, and conse- quently religion has been at a low ebb. There was a great alarm among the people when 'the pestilence that walketh in darkness and destruction that wasteth at noonday' were sweeping off their hundreds and thousands * * * but when the judg- ments of God were in the land there were not many, it seems. 124 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks thai Learned righteousness." Many similar references to the California gold excitement and to the cholera season of 1849 are found in the correspondence of the American Home Missionary Society.* (NORTH PRAIRIE) (HICKORY COUNTY). The ruins of Presbyterianism in Hickory County are hardly as much in evidence on the spot as were those of Goldsmith's "Deserted Village." And yet here was once probably the strong- est Presbyterian Church of the New School in Southwest Mis- souri. Rev. Enos M. Halbert says: "The North Prairie Church was organized about 1843 by Bedford Ryland * * * at 1 lie request of ten Tennesseans. The church was partially supplied till '45 by W. E. Hendy, A. G. Taylor, William H. Smith and others hunting a home. About '45 L. R. Morrison took charge and supplied until 1861, when it numbered 175 (or 75 ) communi- cants. Thomas Davis and Joel B. Halbert were elders." In the letter of L. R. Morrison, referred to in the preceding sketch, written from Cross Timbers, is this account: "In the autumn of 1851 I moved to my present location, not a town, as some brethren abroad write it, but a remote and almost isolated spot of loveliness, where a few humble, praying men and wo- men— people of my first ministerial charge in Tennessee — have made their little farms and set up their banners in the name of the Lord. Here I found a church consisting of twenty-four mem- bers, organized by Messrs. Noel and Renshaw,* about 1845. Tt now numbers over 100 communicants. Here is the place of our Presbyterial High School. This people by persevering toil and with a cash expenditure of not more than $300 has created church and school property valued at $1,400. The sons of this church have been studying five years for the ministry, and are in a good state of advancement. ' '* The Assembly minutes corroborate the statement of Mr. Mor- rison rather than that of Mr. Halbert as to the time the former took charge of the church, but Mr. Halbert is doubtless nearer correct as to date of organization. W. E. Hendy referred to in Lis notes should have been. written W. K. Handy. Rev. J. M. Brown wrote the following communication to the Presbyterian Re- porter : *Hill 's Kansas City Presbytery, p. 295. *Below in the same letter he says Noel and Eyland. *No dovibt one of these was Enos M. Halbert, whose father was an elder here. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 125 .WARSAW, Mo., Dec. 11, 1865. I arrived here last Friday with my family and household effects, and have juts got to housekeeping again. * * Twenty miles south of Warsaw, in Hickory County, is North Prairie Church. Here rebellion smashed everything. The church building is gone to ruin, minister and members rebels of deepest dye. Scattered and dead, so that out of more than 100 only about 25 are left. This includes both white and black. But there is some good material yet, through all these long four years of fiery trial, loyal to their country and their God. Spent a Sabbath here in com- pany with Brother A. G. Taylor and preached to a most attentive and feel- ing congregation. The old meeting house had been hardly used by the soldiers — windows all gone, stoves broken and withal so cold and cheer- less that we decided to meet out of doors, and there on the sunny side of the old church, on that beautiful hill, hallowed by the many outpourings of the Holy Spirit in the years gone by, we had one of the most deeply interesting services it was ever my lot to attend. Many tears were shed, covenants renewed, and I doubt not souls refreshed. Dr. Halbert, the patriarch of the neighborhood, and one of the leading men in this section, together with his son, are elders in the church. He (Dr. H.) and four sons were in the Union Army as soldiers. One of these sons (not the elder) at the outbreak of the rebellion had been studying for some years with the ministry in view, and under the care of the old Osage Presbytery. He was expecting to be licensed at their meeting in the spring of 1861, but they had so much to do to encourage rebellion no time was found to look after their candidate for the ministry. Thus dropped by his spiritual fath- ers, he entered the Union Army, served his three years with honor and now, on the return of peace, longs to preach the gospel. Brother Taylor (who has known him for years) and myself told him to go ahead. We also constituted ourselves a kind of provisional Presbytery, received him as a candidate, directed him to his studies, and expect to license him next spring as one of the first acts of our reconstructed Osage Presbytery. Brother Taylor and myself will supply them at North Prairie with preach- ing. From North Prairie I went to Walnut Grove and spent a Sabbath with Cave Spring Church. This field is promising. We hope to retain thirty members — some of them very desirable members. Have here two good elders. I have had a very hard, but a very pleasant and encouraging trip. I was compelled to travel sixty miles on foot, often in mud and rain, with pack' on my back soldier fashion. Hope to have it easier now, as I have a horse. But, Brother N., we must have more men very soon, and men that will cheerfully endure hardness. If such men be supplied, with God 's blessing, very much may be accomplished during the next year in South- west Missouri. But now is the time to strike. Yours in the missionary work, JOHN M. BROWN. After over forty years the need voiced above is the need of the hour ! The expectations as to the North Prairie Church seem never to have been realized. Desultory mention is made of the church on the records of Presbytery as late as April 11, 1888, and then it disappeared. SPRINGFIELD— BELLVIEW (GREENE COUNTY). Fortunately the original records of this ante-bellum church fire preserved and are now in possession of the clerk of the ses- i2(> Presbyteriamsm in the OzaRKS sion of Calvary Church. This church was organized on Sabbath afternoon, April 23, 1849, "at the brick school house in Spring- field." Dr. Art. -mas Billiard, of St. Louis, and Rev. (I. A. M. Renshaw organized the church and placed it under care of Osage Presbytery. Eight members from the Mount Zion Church and seven from other churches constituted the charter members. At the head of the list of members stands the name of David Ap- pleby. At the organization of the Mount Zion Church (1839) he was made one of the first ruling elders. This position he held alone for a time in the Springfield Church. In December B. <'. Thomas was ordained to take part with Mr. Appleby in the elder- ship. The church seems to have shifted its places of meeting from the school house to the court house, the residence of Davia Appleby, the Little Prairie School House, the Methodist Church in Springfield, etc., until the erection of its own house of wor- ship on Jefferson street, between East Walnut and Elm streets. Rev. G. A. M. Renshaw, of the Mount Zion Church, was Mod- erator of the session while the church was without a stated min- ister. Rev. Daniel Emmerson was the first minister in charge (August, 1849-May, 1850). By reason of his decided position on the questions of the day he soon became persona non grata to a part of the church, and it was decided that his usefulness was at an end in this church. For several years the church was grouped with the Mount Zion Church under the ministry of Rev. G-. A. M. Renshaw, but for a longer time it is marked V in the Assembly minutes. In 1859 Rev. Levi Morrison was employed for one-fourth time. The Presbytery of Osage appears to have met with this church in April. 1857, at which time this suggestive record was made in the sessional records : "Examined and approved except some orthographical and grammatical mistakes, including page 13. "Springfield, Mo., April, '57. JOHN M'MILLAX. Mod." In the fall of 1858 the Presbytery of Osage "resolved itself into an independent Presbytery until its next meeting, stating as its reason that it believed some of its members and churches desired to connect with the Old School and some with the United Synod, and advising all who wished to withdraw to do so by the vote of a regular church meeting before its next stated meet- ing in March following." It appears that at this meeting in March, 1859, the Presbytery elected to unite with the United Synod. As the records of the Presbytery of Osage are lost, it is worthy of note that the Presbytery did not become extinct for some time after this, as the approval of the minutes of the Spring- field Church shows, cf. p. 36: Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 127 "Hall's School House — April 6th, 1861. Examined thus far and approved. "L. R. MORRISON, Modr. of Osage Presbytery." Mr. Morrison and the session did not deem it necessary to call a congregational meeting, as suggested by the Presbytery, but favored the transfer of the church to ecclesiastical relations with the United Synod. This position was highly displeasing to the members of the church living in town.* Hence arose tbe two distinct parties referred to in a letter from Mr. Quarles in- corporated in the sketch of Calvary Church. The descendants of both parties are still living in this community. It is exceed- ingly gratifying to be able to assure them that while the records give evidence of intense feelings and some mistakes, above them all there are evidences of ability and piety on both sides. In December of 1859 two additional elders were elected by the part of the church that favored ecclesiastical relations with the Old School body. Then followed the organization of Calvary Church, as narrated elsewhere. The Springfield Church followed the leadings of Presbytery, kept the elders who lived in the country and retained the name and the records. During the war the Presbytery became extinct and the church was almost if not alto- gether disbanded. The last sessional record is dated August 29. 1864. and is signed by David Appleby as clerk. Then, after a blank page and certain items of information inscribed by a later hand, this item appears in the handwriting of the next clerk: "The minutes of several intermediate meetings of session are lost." The rest of this page is blank and the sessional records are resumed under date of October 24. 1870. Four other sessional entries are made, the last one dated November 14, 1870. Rev. James A. Paige, pastor of Calvary Church, was the Moderator, and the elders were James N. Appleby. W. E. Witherspoon and James P. Mc- Curdy. It will be noted that these entries were all made after the reunion of the Old and New School churches and the con- sequent organization of the Presbytery of Ozark. At the reor- ganization of the Presbytery of Osage April 26, 1866, when the churches were being enrolled "Rev. W. S. Messmer reported that he had organized a church at Prairie Grove, consisting of eleven members, to be known as the Presbyterian Church of Springfield ; that the church recpiested to be taken under the care of the Presbytery and that the session had appointed David Appleby to represent them in this body. The request of the church was granted." The retaining of the name "Springfield," and the records and the eldership indicate that this was a resus- *The sketch of Calvary Church should be read in connection with, this one. 128 PrESBYTI.RI \\IS\I l\ THE OZARKS citation rather than an organization. During the war Calvary Church bad obtained the building by purchase and tin- proba- bility is thai it had absorbed mosl of the membership. After the Hili of November, L870, the records were placed in posses sion of Calvary Church. The name of the Springfield Church was changed to Bellview October 11, 1873. In the new hook for sessional records is this statement: > "All the records of this church previous to Feb. 1st, 1876, are lost. JAMES X. APPLEBY, ( '. S." This may be true of the records, between November 14th. 1870, and the above date. But we have seen that the records prior to the latter date are not all lost. It appears that the purpose was to place the old record hook in the cornerstone of Calvary Church. Why this was not done I cannot tell, but after the last record (i. e., November 14th, 1870 I, is this interesting communication, which together with the facl that the book had been placed in possession of Calvary Church indicates that the asperities of other times had happily been en- tirely wiped out: "As matters of possible future interest for persons who may be in- terested in Calvary Presbyterian Church, and in view of placing this book with other documents and papers in the cornerstone of the new edifice on St. Louis street, in Springfield, Mo., the writer (who with his wife are now the only original members of the church) states that during the Civil War the only religious services held in Springfield were held in the Presbyterian Church. The post chaplain, Rev. F. H. Wines, preached there frequently and sustained for two years a large Sunday school. The Rev. Mr. Murdock and Rev. Mr. Fulton, O. S. ministers, were often able to give their services to us, and occasional services were held there by Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist brethren, the churches of both de- nominations being in public use, one for an arsenal and the other as a military storehouse. The members of the church were largely loyal. Messrs. Hursh, Henry and Charles Sheppard serving as officers in the Union Army. Capt. Lee served throughout the war most creditably in places of great pecuniary responsibility. The country elders, who had sustained Rev. Mr. Morrison in his transfer of the church and Presbytery, remained loyal and joined the Old School Church themselves,* and from their efforts has since sprung Bellview Church, seven miles northeast of Springfield, a solid and useful church. The Rev. Mr. Morrison was captured by Gen. Fremont's army and marched a long distance on foot to Springfield. His health gave way and, though an earnest worker as long as he was able, he is not be- lieved to have had a regular charge after the beginning of the war. He died in Cooper County, Mo., about the year 1867. Major John Hursh died November 9, 1871. He was a faithful servant of the church in its days of poverty and weakness. Capt. Lee wa for many years elder. He died November 12, 1873. Both are buried in Hazelwood Cemetery. Rev. J. A. Paige became pastor of the church December, 1866, and remained until *N. B. — This was evidently at the reunion of the Old and New Schools, for these elders belonged to the New School until that reunion, unless, forsooth, the Springfield Church itself belonged to the O. S. ror a time dur- ing the war. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 129 about April, 1872. Eev. Cyrus H. Dunlap then was called to the church, which place he still holds, to the great content of his people. Calvary- Church has for many years sustained its own services and given a helping hand to feeble churches. It contributes regularly to all the hoard of the Presbyterian Church, and turns not away from recognized worthy unde- nominational enterprises. Its influence is widespread for good and its prospects for usefulness widening as the age advances. "June 20, 1878. HENKY SHEPPARD." Just below in the same handwriting is this note : ' ' The records of Calvary church are kept in another book. It suc- ceeded the organization of which this book tells, and is the same church enlarged and improved in many ways." The Bellview Church erected its present house of worship, in 1876 at a cost of $860. It was dedicated by Rev. C. H. Dunlap in November of that year. Changes in the personnel of the com- munity have almost depopulated the church, but the building and the cemetery grounds back of it have been kept in good repair. A. B. Appleby is the only resident elder — a grandson of David Appleby, who was a charter elder in the Mount Zion Church and later in the Springfield Church. Among the ministers who have served this church are Dan iel Emmerson, G. A. M. Renshaw, A. G. Taylor, W. S Messmer. J. M. Brown, John H. Wilson, E. M. Halbert, G. P. Davis, C. C. Hembree, E. A. Hamilton and J. B. Fisher. (GASCONADE) (WRIGHT COUNTY.) This church first appears in the minutes of 1851 with nine members. From '52 until the Osage Presbytery quit reporting it appears with Rev. Isaac B. Ricketts as S. S. It never reported more than thirty-seven members. (WALNUT GROVE) (GREENE COUNTY.) In a historical sermon preached at Cave Springs some yesrs ago by Rev. Enos M. Halbert are these words: "On July 7th, '53, nineteen members were dismissed from Cave Springs Church (Mount Zion) to organize at Liberty Hill, called the Walnut Grove Church. The organization was premature, lasted but a short time, when at their own request Osage Presbytery dissolved the church and the members returned to this church." The church was organized by Revs. G. A. M RenshaAV and A. G. Taylor. It was supplied for a year or more by Renshaw and after that by Taylor, and it appears on the Assembly min- utes as long as Osage Presbytery reported to the Assembly. 1 30 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks (RED HILL) (GREENE COUNTY). In the list of New School churches given by Rev. L. R. Mor- rison this note is made: "Red Hill. A. G. Taylor. Nearly dead. 1'. S." The church first appears on Assembly minutes in 1854, and remains there as long as Osage Presbytery reported. If there was anything left it evidently went to the United Synod. It was supplied continuously by the organizer, but never reported more than seven members. Let us cherish the hope of the little girl in the old form that "we are seven" still in the church tri- umphant. The ten churches sketched herein are probably all that the New School Church organized in our territory prior to the war. For three or four years William H. Smith appears to have preached at Hermitage, in Hickory County, and various other preaching stations were maintained ; but so far as I have been able to discover neither Hermitage nor these other stations had actual organizations. When the "fragments were gathered up" after the war the new Presbytery of Osage enrolled but two of these ten churches, i. e., Springfield and Mount Zion. In 1867 the former reported fifteen members and the latter seventy. Little Osage and Mar- miton had gone to the Old School. Out of Springfield had gone the stronger church of Calvary (Old School). Others had "fallen on sleep" that knows no waking. (WHITE ROCK) (TEXAS COUNTY). (LICKING) (TEXAS COUNTY). (ST. ANNE) (PULASKI COUNTY). (PEACE VALLEY) (HOWELL COUNTY). Shortly after the reorganization of Osage Presbytery Rev. L. J. Matthews seems to have labored under a roving commission over several counties in the southeast part of the Presbytery. He preached in county school houses, in private dwellings, in Hous- ton and Mountain Grove, as well as in the places designated above. The records of Ozark Presbytery (Book B, p. 110) in- clude this entry for September 6th. 1878: "On motion the Peace Valley Church was restored to our roll. On motion the names of Licking and St. Anne churches were stricken from the roll and the members transferred to the White Rock Church. White Rock was organized by A. G. Taylor, and was en- rolled April 23, 1868. Licking and Peace Valley appear on the roll of April. '69. They were probably organized by -I. M. Brown. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 131 The register of the Presbytery of Ozark indicates that St. Anne was received at the organization, but the name does not then appear on either the Assembly or the Presbyterial roll. In September, 1878, the Chairman of the Committee on Church Erection was requested to correspond with the board to get "permission to sell the Peace Valley Church building with the understanding that the proceeds be granted to the church of West* Plains to erect a building." The main interest in these churches centers in the fact that nearly forty years ago Presbyterianism had a start in a territory that has been abandoned for many years. The men of Osage Presbytery were true pioneers and pressed into "the wilderness and the desert" with the gospel. OLD SCHOOL CHURCHES ORGANIZED BEFORE THE RE- UNION OF 1869-70. At the organization of the Presbytery of Southwest Mis- souri June 22, 1865, the roll consisted of four churches — Eben- ezer, Mount Vernon (now Ozark Prairie), Calvary and Bolivar. Some of the New School churches given above subsequently be- came Old School. But I find no trace of others organized before this date. EBENEZER (DADE COUNTY). W. L. Scroggs, for over forty-four years an elder in this church, asserted at its semi-centennial that in 1840 J. M. Rankin moved from East Tennessee to Dade County, Mo., and was proba bly the first (Old School) Presbyterian who settled in South west Missouri south of the Osage River. According to another author- ity, Mr. Rankin is said to have come before 1839. About that time Springfield was the nearest postoffice and seat of justice. "The laws of the State were scarcely known and but rarely ad- ministered in Southwest Missouri. Magistrates were few and far between, and it is related by John Crisp, who married in those days, that he had to take his bride forty miles to a Justice of the Peace." Greenfield was laid out in the spring of '41, and a post- office was established in '41 or '42. On the 4th of June, 1842, the Ebenezer Church was organized. Its nearest neighbor of the same branch of the church was Lexington, 150 miles to the north, whilst Boonville, far to the northeast, lent her pastor as organ- izer for this church in the wilderness. The church was organ- ized by Rev. W. G. Bell as per order of Missouri Presbytery. Twenty-eight persons entered the organization, as follows: John i }2 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks .M. and Pplly Rankin, Margaret Rankin. Nathan Wilkinson, Sr., Nathan Wilkinson, Jr., Rebecca Wilkinson, -lane Wilkinson, Nancy Morris. John Tarbot. Mary Tarhot. Jacob Mont -joinery. Rachel Montgomery, Ann A. Montgomery, Nancy S. Davidson. W. W. Rankin, Margaret Rankin. Margarel Gardner, James Sharp, Alfred Cowan. Hannah (a negro slave), Mary Weir. Sr., Betsy Wilkinson, Sarah Wilkinson. Nancy Bowers, Thomas Ross, Sarah C. Ross. Margaret Rntledge, George Rntledge. On the day of organization there were received into the church on pro- fession of their faith: Samuel C. Rankin. David C. Rankin. Jane Montgomery, Josiah C. Montgomery and Lafayette I). Mont- gomery. The first elders were Nathan Wilkinson, Sr., Jacob Mont- gomery and John M. Rankin. In 1892 the fiftieth anniversary of this church was commemorated. At that time it was noted that seven of her sons had taken a collegiate and theological educa- tion and entered the ministry, viz : W. M. Mitchell, S. W. Mitch- ell, J. N. Rankin, Joseph W. Scroggs, L. M. Scroggs and W. A. McMinn. The recurrence of family names among the original mem- bers in this list of ministers and in the present roll of official and lay members is worthy of note. Those old families, mostly from Tennessee and Virginia, brought with them Dodridge's "Rise and Progress," Baxter's "Saints' Rest," the Confession of Faith and the church paper. The minister who organized the church proceeded in the uual way until he came to the place where a name was to be given, then "J. M. Rankin arose with tears streaming down his face and said, 'Let the name be Ebenezer, for hitherto the Lord hath helped us.' ' For about two years the ruling elders exer- cised spiritual care over the flock, and then in 1844 Rev. Valen- tine Pentzer became the first stated supply, laboring with this flock for three years. The quality of his work may be judged from sketches of his sermons found elsewhere in this volume. From 1848 to 1860 Rev. John McFarland ministered to this church. The first house of worship was erected in 1854. It was built of brick, which wyere subsequently used in the erection of the commodious manse that now gives shelter to the pastor. The erection of this first house of worship was made possible by the generosity of Elder James M. Mitchell, who invested over $600 in this building. But He who sat over against the treasury and saw a poor widow cast in two mites noted another gift. In the roll of members above is this name, "Hannah" (a negro slave). In reality "Hannah" Cowan had been freed in Tennessee, but she "came with her young master to Missouri and lived with the family until her death. When the * * * church was Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 133 built there was a scarcity of money. * * * The solicitor, who had been talking with the other members of the family, was leaving without presenting the subject to her. Aunt Hannah walked in with a half dollar in her hand, which she had taken from her scanty store, and said, 'Will this put in one brick?' : This house was used so freely by different denominations after the war that an opinion gained some prevalence that it was originally built as a union church. It appears that numer- ous ranters abused the liberty granted them to preach by making efforts to demolish the Westminster Confession of Faith. In a discussion that was carried on in the town paper in 1868 the trustees laid down the principles on which the house could be freely used by other denominations, and made this financial statement : "The house was built in the years A. D. 1854 and 1855, and the first cost of the building and furniture, with all subsequent repairs, amounts to the sum of $2,175; and the money which footed the bills came from the following sources, as appears from the original subscription lists still on hands, viz: Members of the Presbyterian Church in Dade County $1,191.00 Members of the Presbyterian Church in St. Louis 121.00 Members of the Presbyterian Church in Tennessee 40.00 Appropriated by Church Extension Board of Presbyterian Church.... 300.00 Total amount paid by Presbyterians $1,652.00 Total amount paid by liberal men of the world 383. 0~0 Total amount paid by Cumberland Presbyterians 70.50 Total amount paid by Methodists 47.00 Total amount paid by Baptists 22.50 Sum total $2,175.00 After Rev. John McFarland came Rev. W. R. Fulton, 1301- 1878. Under his faithful ministrations the church survived ih' ravages of war better than any other church of either branch of Presbyterianism in Southwest Missouri. In 1866 it numbered forty members and was the strongest church in the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri. In this historic church the Presbytery of Ozark and the Women's Presbyterian Society have had their birth, the former on the 29th of September. 1870, the latter Sep- tember, 1876. Here, too, on the reunion of the Presbyterian and the Cum- berland Presbyterian churches, the new Presbyterv was organ- ized June 18th, 1907. The celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the church in the summer of 1892 brought to the old home many of her sons and daughters who had long since taken up their abode in dis- tant parts of the country. At that time there had been on the roll 373 names, but there had never been more than an averatre 1 34 Presbyterian ism in the O/.arks of 100 in any year since the organization. The celebration was held in the second house of worship which was erected under the ministry of the veteran church builder of Ozark Presbytery — Rev. G. H. Williamson— in 1884. Erected a1 a cost of $4,500, it is still a Bethel to numerous descendants of "those who saw tin- first house in its glory." The anniversary services began with an address by Rev. \V. S. Knight, D. D., of Carthage, entitled "Presbyterianism in Ozark Presbytery," The second day of the celebration Rev. Nelson A. Rankin, a son of the church, gave exceedingly interesting me- moirs of the church, and he was followed by W. L. Seroggs, at that time an elder for forty-four years, on "The Boys of the Church." Then came an address by Mrs. Maty McFarland, widow of Rev. John McFarland, and a veritable "mother in Israel," known and loved wherever the Presbyterial Society oP Ozark Presbytery has met. Her address was entitled "The Wo- men of the church. With these addresses before me I can scarcely keep my pen from reproducing them — in part at least, and then I would not know where to stop, — so I must content myself with culling from them for other parts of this story. The afternoon of the second day was devoted to short talks and reminiscences and a poem written by Mrs. S. M. McClure. entitled "Church Reminiscences of Fifty Years." In this poem the fortunes of the church are delineated, and the names of its leading members and of its ministers are interwoven with con- siderable skill. But it is too lengthy to reproduce here. The ministers who have served the church are : V. Pentzer, 1844-46; John McFarland, 1848-60; William R. Fulton,** 1861-78; B. F. Powelson, 1879-82; G-. H. Williamson, 1882-85; John Foy, 1886 ; D. R. Crockett, 1887 ; W. G. Banker, 1887-90 ; John R. Gass. 1891-98 ; W. G. Moore. 1899-1902 ; William F. Bishop, 1903 ; E. E. Mathes, 1904-5 ; J. E. Johnston, 1905.— The latter took charge of the joint congregations of the Ebenezer Church and the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church with a view to effecting the union. which was consummated at the organization of the new Presby- tery of Ozark. The subjoined list of ruling elders indicates the sons who have followed in the official footsteps of their fathers: *J. M. Rankin. 1842-1844. *W. W. Rankin, 1844-1850. *Nathan Wilkinson, 1842-1850. son of J. M. Removed. *W. L. Seroggs. 1848. *Jacob Montgomery, 1842 (?). -Thomas Ross. 1844. *J. A. Strain. 1843-1859. Re- *M. A. Garrison. 1844. moved. *J. L. Rankin. 1851. *A. M. Wilson. 1846-1858. *J. M. Mitchell. 1854. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 135 *John E. Mills, 1871. John E. Scruggs, 1894, son of *Robert C. McMinn, 1871. W. L. S. *Henry Merrill, 1875-1907. F. H. Holland, 1900. *Alfred Kennedy, 1875. E. M. Kimber, 1900. *Henrv C. Mead, 1879. L. C. Davisson. 1900. C. W. Likens, 1891. Removed. P. D. Stringfield, 1900, son of *P. Stringfield, 1891-1893. P. S. John A. Ready, 1894. Re- M. L. Mitchell. 1900. moved . *Deceased. **Probaly this should be 1860. A memorial states that Mr. Fulton served the church nearly nineteen years. MOUNT VERNON (NOW OZARK PRAIRIE)— (LAWRENCE COUNTY). Some twelve years after the organization of the Ebenezer Church her minister. Rev. John McFarland, organized a church at Mount Vernon, January 2d, 1854. The church was first called the Lawrence Hill Church, then Mount Vernon and later was changed to Ozark Prairie. The location as well as the name was changed, the former by reason of the disturbed condition inci- dent to the Civil War. The charter members were : Nathan Wilkerson, Rebecca W. (his wife), Samuel M. Anderson and wife Emily, William Orr and wife Jane, Mrs. Mary Johnson, Mrs. Vir- ginia Hash, Cyrus Poage and wife Mary, Rebecca A. Poage, Mrs. Sarah J. Orr, William H. Wilson and wife Isabella J. Nathan Wilkerson, Samuel Anderson and Cyrus Poage were elected ruling elders. The staunchness of the Presbyterianism of these members is abundantly testified. Some of them prior to the organization trudged their way from Sabbath to Sabbath through "the wilderness" to Greenfield, where they were mem- bers of the Ebenezer Church. Their descendants are found in the eldership to this day. From the organization to the eve of the Civil War the church was supplied by Rev. John McFarland. While supplying the church Mr. McFarland started East to re- ceive treatment for a cancer. While waiting for the stage coach at Springfield he fell among thieves, who stripped him of his possessions. Presbytery was then in session at Greenfield. The news of this misfortune reached the "fathers and brethren," and in their sorrow and perplexity as to what to do some one said, "Let us pray." "Uncle Billy" Orr was never heard to pray in public, but he walked up to the Moderator's desk, laid down a ten-dollar bill and said, "There's my prayer." The Presbytery caught the suggestion of the answer to an unuttered prayer and a generous contribution hastened the man of God on his mission 136 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks for relict*. "Uncle Billy" was never an elder in the church— presumably on account of his retiring disposition. But he has given three sons and a grandson to the eldership in the church. In 1872 the church erected its present substantial and commodi- ous brick church on Ozark Prairie — hence the name. When a location was sought it was placed seven miles from "Uncle Billy's" home because, as he said, the people would be in that locality and he could go to the church anyway. For a score of years this church was pre-eminent among the country churches of the Presbytery. It had the best building, the largesl mem- bership and the most efficient auxiliary organizations— Sunday school. Missionary Society and Young Peoples Society A lead- ing elder has frequently said in my hearing that the church began to decline when in 1888 such staunch families as those of John Orr, W. B. Skinner, A. B. Dinkle and William EL Johnson went out to form the Mount Vernon Church. But there were other causes that must be reckoned with — churches of other de- nominations were planted in territory pre-empted by this church; the "golden age" of the country church passed with the grow- ing trend cityward, and we have not yet solved the problem as to how to restore that age. The ministers who ha^e followed Mr. McFarland are: William R. Fulton. S. S.. 1860-71; W. H. Downing, S. S., 1871: S. X. D. Martin, S. S.. 1872-3: W. i,. Miller. S. S., 1873-79; B. F. Powelson, 1879-1882; George H. Williamson. 1882-85; G. T. Thompson, 1885-86; A. M. Tanner, S. S., 1886-87; G. H. Williamson, S. S.. 1887-91 ; E. E. Stringfield, 1892-95 ; J. H. Gehrette. P.. 1896-97 ; R. E. L. Jarvis, S. S. and P., 1898-1900 ; J. H. Bright. S. S., 1901-3; W. L. Hackett (pastor at large). 1904-5: Rev. II. Pinkstdn, 1905-. In addition to the original elders, others who have served the church in that capacity are: Paul Orr, William Cochrane. John Orr, John S. Harris, Allen Dinkle, W. B. Skinner, John C. Jennings, George Orr, Henry Orr and William T. Swearingen. This church has observed the commendable practice of holding services conducted by an elder or some member on those Sab- baths when their minister supplied other churches. It has en- riched many other churches by its stalwart sons and daughters who have gone out from it. CALVARY (GREENE COUNTY). Technically the Calvary Church of Springfield dates its ex istence from the 28th of August. 1860. More than eleven years before this the Mount Zion Church had sent out a colony to form tlie Presbyterian Church of Springtield. As the shadows of the CALVARY CHURCH. SPRINGFIELD Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 137 coming conflict fell athwart this plateau on the borderland the harmony of the young- church was disturbed. Rev. James A. Quarles, D. D., writes: "I went to Spring- field to do my first work after leaving Princeton in the spring of 1859. It was my purpose to make my home and spend my life there should I prove acceptable to the people. There was only one organization of Presbyterians (New School) in the place, but two distinct parties. One was under the United Synod of the south, N. S., and was ably served by Rev. Morrison, a veteran. I represented the Old School sentiment. We used the same building alternately. There was no ill feeling, but strong rivalry. The summer passed delightfully. * * * When the fall came I went home to seek ordination and to marry, fully expecting to return. I applied to my Presbytery, Missouri, for ordination as an evangelist. The church could not give me a 'call, as it was divided in sympathy (New and Old School), and the organization was New School. My purpose was to carry as many as I could into the Old School. As a mere licentiate and with no brother minister in the country to help me I could not administer the sacraments, and was badly handicapped in my competition with a strong rival. The Presbytery refused to or- dain me. wishing to keep me within its own bounds. I felt it would be folly to return and so settled in Glasgow. ' ' But the purposes of this section of the church were not to be thwarted. The leading elders in the church lived in the coun- try in the vicinity of the present Bellview Church. They appear to have been in harmony with the minister, Rev. Levi Morrison, in his position as to the ecclesiastical relations of the church in the troublous times. This position was highly unsatisfactory to the members living in town. Accordingly, on the 28th of August, 1860. a new church w^as organized by Rev. H. M. Painter and named the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Springfield." The new church carried with it a majority of the members, but lost the older elders, the name and the succession. The history of Greene County states that all the elders remained in the old church, but the records of the Calvary Church show that Charles Sheppard and George C. See had been ordained elders in the Springfield Church December 25, 1859. Thirty-one members en- tered into the new organization, all but ten of whom had been members in the church of Springfield. Of the original members the name of Mrs. Rhoda Sheppard alone remains on the roll at present. Charles Sheppard, George C. See and Robert G. Aber- nathy were elected elders, the latter of whom, it appears, did not accept. The church was placed under the care of the Pres- bytery of Lafayette. Before the disruption the Springfield 138 Presbyti-riamsm in THE Ozarks Church had erected a house of worship on Jefferson street be- tween East Walnut and Elm streets. This house was dedicated July 4th, 185b. Al that time there were only three churches in the town of 2,000 inhabitants. The Presbyterian church with its high Gothic, Pulpit and Pews and with its steeple, bell and gallery "was the best church in Spring- field until the Southern Methodists built the following year. Dur- ing the civil war this property was sold for debt by order of the civil court. Ostensibly the purchaser was Charles Sheppard. but the funds were provided by his brother Henry who had a habit of performing good deeds by proxy. Mr. Sheppard deeded the property to the Trustees of Calvary Church and thus litigation over the title was avoided. Calvary church was scarcely out of "swaddling bands" when (Sept. 3rd, or 30th, 1860) "It was moved, seconded and car- ried that a monthly concert of prayer be established on the first Sunday evening of each month and a collection be taken up for Foreign Missions." Thus the "infant of days" was "Father to the man." The church with this record became the first church in Southwest Missouri to support a foreign pastor. In its early years this church was blessed with the ministries of men who have since ranked high in the intellectual and religious world — James A. Quarles, D. D., now in charge of the Department of Philosophy in Washington and Lee University; Frederick H. Wines, D. D., whose "bow still abides in strength;" J. Howard Nixon, D. D., one of the most scholarly ministers who have labor- ed in the State, and the original and versatile J. J. Marks. The ministeries of Mr. Quarles were performed largely be- fore the organization of the church, though afterwards he occas- ionally visited the field of his first love. Moderated the session and broke to an admiring congregation the bread of life. At the time of the organization Frederick H. Wines was a young licen- tiate from Princeton located in Springfield in the Employ of the American Sunday School Union. Beginning with December, 1860, he served the church as stated supply for six months. In the spring of '62 Mr. Wines returned to Springfield where he was appointed Post Chaplain. During his incumbency in this posi- tion he ministered with marked ability to the soldiers and refu- gees and also to the Calvary church, and it was largely through his intervention that this church was reserved to the people of Springfield as a place of worship. When, after the battle of Wil- son Creek, every other church in the city was converted into either a hospital or a store house for army supplies. "Mr. Wines' Sunday School," as it is remembered, attracted marked attention. I can not describe it better than in the language of a lady who was then one of the small uirls in the school: W. R. GORTON J. L. CARSON HENRY SHEPPARD MRS. HENRY SHEPPARD Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 139 ' ' Soon after the dedication of the church * * a small Sunday- school was gathered. * * * The Presbyterian Church had about twenty members at that time and the Sunday school was not much larger at the beginning. The first Superintendent was Mr. George C. See. * * * He had a good voice and always led the music, and I well remember with what intense interest we would watch the tuning fork which he used to find the key in lieu of an organ or piano. Captain See was for a time teacher of an old-fashioned singing school, which did much to improve the music of the church as well as the Sunday school. The only names I can now recall of those who were the original teachers of the school are Mr. and Mrs. Horace Saunders, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sheppard, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sheppard. * * * In the summer of 1860 the American Sunday School Union sent Mr. Fred H. Wines as its agent to Southwest Missouri. * * * Mr. Wines took charge of the little Presbyterian Sunday school during his stay in Springfield in 1860 anad again in 1862, when he returned as army chaplain after having completed his theological course at Princeton Semi- nary. * * * The old Presbyterian Church — set apart by the United States Government for services for such soldiers and citizens as cared to attend — was the only one whose doors were open. * * Here Mr. Wines, * * the only Christian minister in the town, gathered a large and unique Sunday school in the place of the little band aaccustomed tb meet there. The southern row of seats was always filled with blue-coated soldiers; the children occupied the front pews of the remaining three- quarters of the house, while the space in the rear and the gallery was solidly packed with older people of all denominations, with occasionally a group of Arkansas refugees in homely costumes of jeans and calico. Mr. Wines combined in his own person the offices of superintendent, organist, chorister, librarian and teacher of all the departments, from the infant to the Bible class. Owing to the shifting membership of the school and the insufficient supply of teachers he was driven to adopt new methods and to teach the whole school as one large class. Only one with a genius for teaching could have succeeded as he did in interesting and instructing by the same lesson scholars of such widely varying ages and conditions in life. The children of Springfield were further indebted to Mr. Wines for col- lecting a valuable library from his friends in the East, to which they had access during the week. Besides solid religious works and stories, this library contained many books of travels, science and history. When Mr. Wines left Springfield at the close of the war the union Sunday school was disbanded and others were organized in connection with the different denominations. ' ' The old building- that housed this unique constituency is still standing — having been used as a boarding house, a Presbyterian female seminary under Miss Holliday, later as a Children's Home and now as a tenement. In January, 1865, Rev. Wm. R. Fulton of Greenfield was engaged to supply the church one Sabbath a month. "He continued for several months, riding on horse-back 37 miles, often alone through a country full of bush whackers. At sundry times the church was supplied by lieintiate John Gif- fen, and by Revs. John McFarland and W. S. Messmer and others. The first installed pastor of the church was Rev. James A. Pai^e who entered upon his work here in the fall of 1866 and was in- stalled Feb. 14, 1867. I think this must have been the second installation of a pastor witnessed in a Presbyterian church in Southwest Missouri. A directory of Ebenezer church compiled 14-0 PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE OZARKS in 1899 gives \V. R. Fulton the title of Stated Supply hut in his historical address delivered at the Semi-Centennial of that church Dr. W. S. Knight said: "I entered the Presbytery just IT years ago. * * * At that time there was but one self-sustaining church in the Presbytery, that of Calvary, and there had been but four installed pastors the first of whom was Rev. W. R. Fulton, pastor of this (Ebe- nezer) church." The growth of the church up to this time had been largely a negligible quantity. Less than 40 members were on her roll. But with the coming of Mr. Paige she "put on her strength" and began to "lengthen her cords, and strengthen her stakes." Sit- ting in the twilight of life, at 83 years of age. this veteran of the cross, in a beautiful flowing hand — easily recognized as tin' hand that recorded the minutes of the Presbyteries of Southwest Missouri and Ozark forty and thirty-seven years ago — writes: "Having served as Post Chaplain at St. Louis during the war I was commissioned by the Board of Home Missions at the close of the war to visit the unsettled churches of Missouri and restore their order and peace as far as practicable, and where also prac- ticable to procure for them acceptable ministers to serve them. On this work I visited Springfield and sent them a minister, who. not satisfying them, they called me. Appreciating the import- ance of the place I resigned my commission as a Home Missionary and moved my family to Springfield in December. 1866. Of its hardships and discouragements I (will) not speak. The first years were depressing lint in the fall of '68 there developed a precious work of the Holy Spirit, continuing through the winter till late in the following spring, resulting in adding to the church over a hundred members, all but few on confession of their faith — a most promising band of young people for useful and helpful service.'* Mr. Paige was the second Stated Clerk of the Pres- bytery of Southwest Missouri and the first of Ozark. As a de- cidedly proficient and active Presbyterian he has been followed by others who have served as pastor of this church — notably Revs. C. H. Dunlap. D. P. Putnam. D. D., Thomas H. Cleland. D. D., Asa Leard. D. D.. and the present incumbent — all of whom have served the Presbytery in the Chairmanship of Home Mis- sions. Under Dr. Paige the church passed the Ebenezer church in membership and became the largest church in the Presbytery — a position it has held ever since except for a short time when the Carthage church had a larger roll, though the Calvary church maintained its standing at the head of the benevolent columns and soon regained its position as to roll. Dr. Paige was followed bj' Dr. J. Howard Nixon, who supplied the church for a short Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 141 time. Then on April 1st, 1872, Rev. C. H. Dnnlap became stated supply and served the church until November 23, 1879. Marked seasons of refreshing attended his ministrations. After revival services, in which Mr. Dunlap was assisted by Rev. Thomas Mar- shall. D. D.. the congregation became too large for its quarters and transferred its services to the opera house, on South street. But as this did not prove to be a congenial place of worship the congregation returned to the little church, and there remained until the basement of the present edifice was ready for occupancy, i. e., June 29th, 1879. This house was not completed until the spring of 1882, when, under the pastorate of Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. D.. it was dedicated March 19th. President Tuttle, of Wabash College, preached the sermon. In 1878 Rev. Lewis 0. Thompson, of Peoria. 111., published a book on the prayer meeting which calls attention to a covenant entered into by members of this church during the ministries of Rev. C. H. Dunlap. As the use of such devices were not so common forty years ago as today, I will make an extract from this book: ' ' The Calvary Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Mo., is the leading church in its Presbytery, and well known for its labors of love and self- sacrifice; but its members had fallen into the habit so common in all our city churches of absenting themselves from the evening services in consid- erable numbers. Their pastor-elect, in view of the case, felt it to be his duty to resign. But the church would not permit this, and especially so when they learned the reason. They called a meeting of the congregation and immediately applied a remedy for non-attendance in the shape of a pledge, which was drawn up and signed. It was handed to the pastor and of course the ground of his action was removed. He then prefixed a letter to the pledge and had both printed together on a card, so that a copy might be sent to each one of the original signers. The following is a literal copy of that card: 142 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks BRETHREN, BE NOT WEARY IX WELL DOING Dear The following pledge was handed to me with your came signed to it. The good Lord is pleased with our vows made to Him, when he sees us earnestly trying to keep them. Believing that a frequent reading of this solemn pledge, to which you have signed your name, will assist you to carry it out, I herewith semi you a copy of it. Please read Psalm lxvi: 12; Ps. Ixxvi: 11; Ps. cxvi: 14. Your Pastor, (*. 11. dunLap. PLEDGE. "We now pledge ourselves to self-examination and prayer, that the Holy Spirit may come into our hearts; to seek His enlightening power, that we may see our duty as believers, and to impart to us such a sense of our obligations to our Lord as will enable us to engage heartily in all Christian work, by a more regular attendance upon all the services of the sanctuary, by the cultivation of the grace of benevo- lence, and by seeking such spirit of love to all that we shall set a watch upon our lips and hearts, that all evil speaking with all bitterness may be put away from us. LO! I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.' So far as we know the result of this action has come up to their most sanguine expectations. The evening' services were at once well attended, the pastor was greatly encouraged. * The people were delighted by the new tokens of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and with increased hopefulness the work began to go forward in their midst. The ministers who have served this church are : John Cowan, pastor-elect, fall of I860; Rev. F. H. Wines. S. S., spring of 1861 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 143 and fall of 1864 in connection with post chaplaincy ; Rev.. W. R. Fulton, S. S., spring- of 1865; Rev. John Giffen, fall of 65; Rev James A. Paige, pastor, November, 1866, to November, 1871 ; Rev. C. H. Dunlap, pastor-elect, April, '72-November. '79 ; Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., S. S., November, '79,-April, '81; Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. D., pastor, April, 81, to October, '87 ; Rev. T. H. Cle- land, D. D., pastor, January, '88,-June, '94; Rev. J. E. Sentz, pastor, October, '84,-May, '97 ; Rev. Asa Leard, D. D., pastor, September, 97,-November, 1900; Rev. Henry Little, pastor, April, 1901. The church has sent out three colonies to form other churches — thirteen to form the Central Congregational Church in 1883, twenty-one to form the Second Presbyterian Church in February, 1885, and thirty-one to form the Westminster Presbyterian U. S. Church in July of the same year. For many years the church has maintained an enviable rec- ord for benevolence. As far back as 1874, with a membership of 185, it reported $121.15 for home missions and $112.90 for foreign missions. For a number of years it has maintained the mission known as Fairmount Chapel. To this, under the pas- torate of the lamented Dr. Leard, was added the mission which since his death has borne his name. Then, under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Little, the church assumed the support of Rev. Charles Magill as its missionary pastor in the Philippines. Mrs. Henry Sheppard, the sole surviving member of the original or- ganization, whose name is still on the roll, has been a tower of strength to the church. Her husband was its chief financial sup- port in the early years of the church. Their hospitable home held "the prophet's chamber" and frequently housed "the whole Presbytery." Since his death her benefactions have blessed many worthy causes beyond the bounds of the church. The ses- sion has had but two clerks. At the death of Charles Sheppard in 1886 he was succeeded in that position by the present clerk, William R. Gorton. A few months before the organization of the Ozark Presbytery in 1870 Mr. Gorton was elected to the elder- ship— a position he retains to this day. Probably no other man has served the Presbytery as temporary clerk as frequently as W. R. Gorton. BOLIVAR (POLK COUNTY). In the list of the churches of Osage Presbytery furnished Dr. Timothy Hill by Rev. Levi Morrison in 1861 is this entry: "7, Bolivar, never existed, I think." In early days Bolivar seems to have been a rendezvous for both New School and Old School ministers. Some of them lived 144 Prksbyteriamsm in* the O/arks here, and it seems probable th.it considerable preaching was done prior to an organization. Near by \v;is the Hermon Church, and Bolivar could not have been far off of the line of travel between the flourishing churches of North Prairie, in Hickory County, and Mount Zion, in Greene County. At the organization of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri June, 1865. Bolivar is found on the roll According to the ministers of Lafayette Presbytery, it was organized by Rev. D. A. Murdock, and was enrolled April 13, 1861, but this may have been a resuscitation of the New School work at the same place. When the Presbytery of South- west Missouri was organized this church was practically extinct. The records of Ozark Presbytery indicate that it was subse- quently organized in 1871, and again it was enrolled September 20, 1883. This entry states that it was organized by Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., Presbyterian missionary. Since this date the church has had a continuous existence with the usual vicissitudes of a home mission church, accentuated by the fact that its mem- bers have cherished intellectual ideals that have called for pas- tors of more ability than they have been able to secure regularly. Hence the growth of the church has been retarded by frequent and protracted vacancies in the pulpit. Elders Abbe. Drake. Lyman and White have been familiar figures on the floor of Presbytery. Of these White alone remains. Within a few years the membership has been sadly depleted by the death or removal of a number of those regarded as the backbone of the church. If the means of grace had been sustained regularly in this church I doubt not that today Bolivar would be one of the self-sustain- ing churches in the Presbytery, giving its pastor an adequate support for full time. The church has a commodious house of worship and a good parsonagae. (BRECKENRIDGE). (NORTH SPRING RIVER) (JASPER COUNTY). In the roll of churches presented to the Presbytery of South- west Missouri September 30. 1865. these names occur. In the minutes of September 13, 1867, is this entry: "Breckenridge Church being reported extinct, was on motion ordered to be stricken from the roll." I find no further mention of North Spring River. It either disappeared or else, as is often the case. appears by another name. It was organized by Rev. John McFar- land. and was enrolled by the Presbytery of Lafayette April 13, 1861. Presbyterjanism in the Ozarks 145 CARTHAGE (JASPER COUNTY). Prior to the Civil War Revs. John McFarland and W. R. Fulton did considerable pioneer work in Jasper County. But while permanent centers of Presbyterian activities were estab- lished in Dade, Lawrence and Greene counties, if any organiza- tions were effected in Jasper, with the exception of North Spring River, they are so deeply buried in oblivion that I have not dis- covered their remains. Shortly after the Civil War the church seized a strategic point in the county seat and from this center radiated in nearly all directions. The country districts in this county were destined to be the field of most effective operations during the seventies, whilst the infant organizations planted in the embryo mining centers during this same decade were destined to attain wealth, power and influence a quarter of a century later. Meanwhile the center had by no means yielded to the circumference in these directions. The first Presbyterian Church of Carthage was or- ganized August 4th, 1867. For the next eleven years the Presby- tery devoted unusual attention to the planting and establishing its work in Jasper County. Ten churches were organized, in- cluding the Carthage Church, and five of these erected houses of worship. To aid in the erection of these churches the Board of Church Erection spent $3,500, and the Home Board probably spent as much as $1,200. Not one of these churches attained self- support during this period. The Carthage Church was recom- mended for $400 home mission aid as late as 1877, and was rec- ommended again in 1879, the amount not stated. Thus of all parts of the Presbytery may it be said: "Freely ye have re- ceived," and it is certainly doing violence to the spirit of the Mas- ter to omit in practice the rest of his words, "Freely give." This church has had one asset that makes it unique among the churches of Southwest Missouri Presbyterianism. In the days of my youth and for a number of years the news columns of the re- ligious papers teemed with items of interest from the Carthage Church — always signed "Sadie P. Kellogg." Whether the said Sadie was blushing maiden, matured maid or silvered matron I never knew, but I have often thought that a church with such an efficient reporter in its laity is certainly blessed. And if this item suggests a new sphere of usefulness to some dominant "Sadie" in my own or other churches it will have answered its purpose. Mr. D. M. Knight, an elder in the church and the son of Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D., furnished the following sketch: (N. B. — This is the completest sketch and practically the only one I have received fullv written out from anv church in the 14'' PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE OZARKS Presbytery, and I insert it as ii w;is written, though it carries ihe history to a later date than tliat of the other churches.) FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CARTHAGE, MO. The history of Carthage and of the First Presbyterian Church are so closely related that a little regarding the early lays of the town must necessarily interest the reader. The site of Carthage, the county seat of Jasper County, wm chosen by two commissioners. Abel Landers and George Barker, who were appointed by the County Court in 1842 for that pur- pose. A plat of the city was furnished to the court on May 15th of that year. The population was estimated at from 400 to 500 inhabitants in 1861. at the time of the breaking out of the war. when the region became the scene of active conflict, the Battle of Carthage being fought July 5th, 1861. After the fight the few citizens who remained were ordered to leave the town, some going to Fort Scott, Kan., others to Springfield and elsewhere. The place, de- serted, became at different times a rendezvous for the armies of both sides, and during the years of 1862 and 1863 almost every building in the town was reduced to ruins, including residences, store buildings, the court house, jail and academy. Only the stone fireplaces and chimneys, standing here and there, marked the places were many of the houses had stood. As soon as peace was restored, however, people again began coming to settle in Carthage, attracted by the wonderful beauty of the country, its resources and the fine natural location for tha town. At that time could be seen a land which wTas generally a high rolling prairie, crossed by small rivers; fine orchards and grazing lands met great stretches of forests. The railroads ex- tended as far as Springfield on the east. Sedalia on the north and Fort Scott on the west. Everything was in readiness to become permanently settled and develop rapidly and extensively, as hati been shown to have been inevitable. Men who had passed over the region during the war were so attracted to it that they soon returned to make it their home, and people were drawn to it from almost every part of the country. Two pioneer Presbyterian ministers. Rev. John McFarland and Rev. William R. Pulton, looked after the interests of Pres- byterianism in this part of Missouri. And with their aid. on August 4, 1867, the First Presbyterian Church of Carthage was organized in what was known as Dunlap's Hall, on the south side of the public square. Eleven members constituted the church, as follows: Almon Foster and Mrs. Sarah R. Foster, of Crown Point. Ind. ; Benja- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 147 min Beard and Mrs. M. 0. Beard, from Franklin, Iowa; Mrs Sarah Lamb, from Thornton, Ind. ; Alfred C. Baldwin and Mrs. Isabel Mitchell, from Hebron, Ind.: W. B. List, from Illinois; Mrs. L. L. Dunlap, from Texas; W. P. Davis and Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, from Fort Scott, Kan. Mr. Benjamin Beard, a certified elder, was elected and in- stalled as ruling- elder. The young church held their services in various halls in the city for the first three years. After leaving Dunlap 's Hall, in which the church was organized, the congre- gation worshiped in a building on the northeast corner of the square. In the meantime active measures were taken to erect a permanent house of worship on two well located lots on Grant street, three blocks south of the public square. From January, 1870, to November services were held in Regan's Hall, from which they were transferred to the new church building, then completed and costing in the aggregate, for lots and building, $6,500. By invitation of the church Rev. John W. Pinkerton entered on his labors as stated supply for one-half of his time on the last Sabbath of September, 1867. He was a man concerning whom the uniform testimony is given that he was loved and respected by all who knew him. His ministry extended over a period of nearly five years, up to the time of his resignation, August 15. 1872. During his pastorate he had as his assistants in the ses- sion Messrs. Benjamin Beard, Dr. A. C. Schell, Richard S. Stuckey, Richard Bulgin, George W. Lemley and J. D. Young. There were connected with the church in all during his ministry ninety- eight members, eighty by letter and eighteen by examination. From the pastorate of this church Mr. Pinkerton went to Iola, Kan., where he died February 12, 1875, aged forty-two. Rev. Hiram Hill succeeded him as stated supply October 27, 1872. He labored faithfully for nearly a year, but owing to con- tinued ill health was compelled to relinquish his work and sick the climate of California, where he was able to resume the min- istry. During his ministry eleven were received by letter and one on examination. Rev. 0. T. Rice, of Des Moines, Iowa, began his ministry with the church on the last Sabbath of October, 1873, and per- formed it with earnestness and ability. His labors continued until May 11, 1875, when, on account of diseased eyes, he "elt compelled to resign. During his ministry there were installed into office of the eldership Messrs. 0. S. Pitcher, William McMil- lan, C. Rivers and J. S. McLees. There were received into the membership of the church fourteen by letter and four on exami- nation, leaving, after removals and deaths, a total membership of sixty-six. 148 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks By invitation of the church. Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D., then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Augusta, 111., visited the church May 11, 1875, and after spending two Sabbaths with them was called to the pastorate, on which he entered July 18th following. He found, besides about seventy enrolled members, quite a company of newcomers, young families who were loyal Presbyterians and earnest workers. From time to time there were valuable additions to the church and a goodly number of young people became enthusiastic helpers and a source of in- spiration to the pastor. As in most new churches, there remained a debt on the building, but by October, 1879, the whole amount, something over $3,000, was paid, and the notes were burned with great rejoicing. As the membership was small, made up largely of new people, and money not plentiful, the spirit of devotion and systematic work of the whole congregation was evident in the accomplishment of this step forward. It was decided that self-support must come next. In the spring of 1878 the help of the Home Mission Board was relinquished. Mr. Knight was then installed pastor and the church felt it had taken on new -ife. In the accomplishment of these things all honor must be given to Col. Pitcher and his wife, who gave liberally, and were always a source of strength and help. Col. Pitcher as a member of the session was wise and judicious in helping to guide its affairs in this formative period. So, also, was William McMillan, who continued to serve in the eldership for over fifteen years. Meantime the church was realizing its duty in helping to spread the gospel in the world. While yet a mission church a Woman's Missionary Society had been formed and some <>f the members of the church had adopted tithing. Steady growth aud harmony characterized these years. Many were the seasons of refreshing which blessed the church, often in union services \,Tith sister churches of the community. The Sabbath school was large and well organized, the Young People's, Endeavor Societies and Mission Bands were well sustained. Many missionaries from the foreign field came bringing information regarding the work of the kingdom and inspiring the workers to "attempt greater things for God." After eighteen years of earnest work, Dr. Knight was called to the Presidency of Lindenwood College, St. Charles, and on June 16, 1893, a congregational meeting was held for the purpose of asking Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation, which had been blessed to pastor and people, and during which the mem- bership had grown from seventy to three hundred and fifty, well organized and doing good work. In the early years of his pastorate Dr. Knight had gathered about him a few men who were interested and planned for the Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 149 starting of an educational institution — Carthage Collegiate In- stitute. For this institution Dr. Knight worked through all the rest of his life, and many of the members of the church gave largely to it. In 1900 Dr. Knight returned to Carthage and un- dertook to place Carthage Collegiate Institue upon a good basis, and as its President he labored hard against heavy obstacles. He succeeded in freeing it from debt, improving the property and raising the standard of its work. But the strain was too great and he was called from his labors to his heavenly home Novem- ber 15, 1905. His death was keenly felt, not only by the church, but by the entire community, for whose interests the best years of his life had been given, and which he loved. Rev. G. H. Hemmingway, of Tipton, Iowa, was invited to supply the church for six months by an action of the session on September 17, 1893, and on March 28, 1894, the congregation extended to him a unanimous call to the pastorate, which he ac- cepted. His pastorate was one of continued helpfulness and blessing to the people. The missionary and other general inter- ests of the church were well sustained, and many additions were made to the membership of the church. Dr. Hemmingway de- voted himself closely to the welfare of his people, and particu- larly good results were evidenced in connection with the Oak Grove Chapel, in the west part of Carthage, where Sunday school and midweek services had been conducted, under the care of the church, since about 1880. Dr. Hemmingway resigned January 31, 1897, to accept the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church of Bloomsburg, Pa. On March 10, 1897, Rev. Harry Omar Scott, D. D., of Hast- ings, Neb., was called to the pastorate and began his work with the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the organization of the church. This was a delightful occasion. During Dr. Scott's ministry, on July 12, 1903, at 12 m., what was known as the Westmister Presbyterian Church was consolidated with the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Scott devoted himself untiringly to the strengthening of the work of the church and to the inter- ests of the community. The budget plan was adopted for the benevolences of the church, and by systematic work the offerings to the boards were greatly increased on the part of the general membership. There were a large number of additions to the church and the roll was much increased. On May 31, 1905, Dr. Scott resigned to accept a call to the Presbyterian Church of Guthrie, Okla. Rev. Huston Taylor, of Waterville, N. Y., succeeded Dr. Scott, accepting the call of the congregation, voted at its meet- ing July 30, 1905, and began his work on the first Sabbath of September. The membership at this time numbered over 500. 1 50 Presbyterianism IN the O/ARKS The membership of the session was increased to twelve members and the work of tin' church was bo systematized thai the benevo- lences were greatly enlarged. Besides increased gifts to mis- sionary work from the membership ;ii Large, the Woman's Mis- sionary Society, the Mary Morrison Moore Missionary Society, a band of the younger women, which look its name from its firsl leader and founder, Mrs. J. L. Moore ; the Deo Data Band, in which the children had been trained in missionary work for nearly twenty-live years, and the Endeavor Society were all doing good work. An effort was made to begin a new building such as the congregation desired, and by action on November 28, 1906, the trustees were instructed to purchase what was known as the Bronsill property, on Main and Chestnut streets, for the location of the new church. The effort to start the building was not suc- cessful, and as the old First Church building was no longer fit for use, the congregation changed its place of worship to the former Westminster property in January, 1908. Mr. Taylor resigned from the pastorate on December 13, 1908, to accept the call of the Kings Highway Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, to become their supply. Rev. Samuel R. Gordon, D. D., of Henry Kendall College, was secured as regular supply of the church until a pastor should be called, and won the love and esteem of the people, bringing great blessing through his preaching of the Word. Rev. James D. McCaughtry, Ph. D., of Streator, 111., was ten- dered a call to the pastorate on March 31, 1909, and having ac- cepted, was installed June 8th. Under his leadership the church is moving forward, strengthened in all of its departments, grow- ing in membership and pressing on to do its full share of the Master's work in His kingdom on earth. NEOSHO (NEWTON COUNTY). Nestled among the foothills of the Ozarks and near the gate- way from imperial Missouri to the land for many years known as Indian Territory is the quaint and beautiful little city of Neosho. Here in bygone days the Southern Confederacy estab- lished its last seat of government for the State of Missouri. Oft- times those old hills reverberated with the sound of artillery. The stains of carnage have washed away, but the eternal hills still feed the mammoth spring which unceasingly sends out a vast volume of purest water, enough to satisfy the cattle upon a thou- sand hills. Shortly after the gentler days of peace had dawned a little company of those who held to the Presbyterian faith and order were wont to assemble for the worship of God in that old court I — —— I MT. ZION CHURCH, 1845 NEOSPIO CHURCH Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 151 house where but a few years ago were discussed the perplexing problems of state. And this faithful band continued to worship in court house and Masonic Hall until they were able to erect a house of worship. On the 29th day of October, 1867, Rev. J. W. Pinkerton and John McFarland organized seven women and two men into the Presbyterian Church of Neosho. The following April the church was enrolled by the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri. A historian of the church, writing some twenty-nine years after its organization, said: "There have been 349 members. As there were seven ladies to two men in the beginning, so the record has been pretty generally maintained." The two men — J. H. Miller and Dr. A. C. Schell — were made ruling elders. Mr. Miller was subsequently recommended by Presbytery to the Foreign Board as a suitable man for a mission- ary to the Indians, and after a short time Dr. Schell was induced by Rev. J. W. Pinkerton to move to Carthage to help to keep alive the struggling church in that place. As the Doctor prac- ticed dentistry in the two towns and the need of an efficient elder seemed to be greater in Carthage than in Neosho, he lis- tened to this call of the church and took up residence in Carthage. To such straits were our churches reduced forty years ago ! But the good elder returned to Neosho, went away again, and re- turned to remain until this day. For nearly two years Rev. J. W. Pinkerton rode across the country from Carthage and preached for the Neosho Church once a month. He was followed by Rev. J. M. Brown, under whose ministry the first house of worship was erected and dedicated November, 1871. Rev. Dr. Worth preached the dedicatory sermon. For twenty-five years the congregation continued to worship in this building, and on the morning of the 31st of January, 1897, it was destroyed by fire (originated from a defective flue). The first installed pastor of the church was Rev. B. F. Powelson, whose pastorate embraced the brief period of less than two years. The church was then ministered to in turn by two of her own sons who were licensed by the Presbytery — Squire Glasscock and D. L. Lander. Mr. Lander remained with the church for four years. From a his- torical sketch of the church prepared by Rev. R. W. Ely I glean : "On February 18, 1880, the Rev. J. N. Young was called to fill the pulpit. March 12th, 1882, Rev. F. M. Baldwin entered upon his labors with the church, and upon January 28, 1883, a call was extended for the services of Rev. J. M. Hunter. In the fall of 1884 Rev. T. R. Easterday took charge of the church and re- mained on the field until October 1, 1888, when the present in- cumbent (Mr. Ely) entered upon the duties of the field. During this period of twenly years some four students labored upon the i52 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks field during their summer vacations." Mr. Easterday secured .-in addition to the church of ;i lecture room and study, and he ;iikI his wife placed in the church a fine pipe organ, which \v;is destroyed in the fire of 1897. I>ui every mention of Neosho brings to the mind's eye the tall form of that manly man and stalwart pioneer of Jesus Christ — Rev. K. \V. Ely. As a seminary studenl .Mr. Ely spent his Bum- mer vacations of 1883 and 1884 preaching to the churches of Neosho, Granby and Locust Grove (Westminster). His labors were abundantly blest and an urgent invitation was extended him to return to the church upon his graduation the next spring. But the call of the frontier was stronger and Mr. YAy went to North Dakota. Neosho was not to be thwarted in her designs upon his services. Repeated and importunate calls finally brought him hack to the scene of his student labors in October, 1888. By this time the work at Granby was abandoned and he preached twice every Sabbath to the Neosho Church, which con- sisted of about forty members. In addition to this, the third Sab- hath of each month he preached at Locust Grove. In 1892 the Neosho session allowed their pastor two Sabbath evenings a month for six months of the year for the wrork at Seneca. For eleven years this was kept up. It involved a drive of seventeen miles, yet the pastor never missed his appointment more than two times in eleven years. Mr. Ely gave to Neosho fifteen years and two months' service — fourteen years as installed pastor. In this time he missed only one Sunday on account of inability, re- ceived 147 on profession and 91 by letter. That the church might become self-supporting he took it off the Board the first year and for several years lived on a salary of $500. In 1889 the church erected a parsonage. Perhaps I ought to have said Mr. Ely erected it, for he it wras who hauled lumber from six miles in the country and whose own hands helped to put it together, and for two years he paid the monthly dues to the building and loan fund, at which time the Ladies' Aid came to his relief. On the 31st of January, 1897. the church and the parsonage that represented so many sacrifices went up in smoke and flame. This was Saturday morning. The pastor's sermons for the fol- lowing day were either burned or lost. But. nothing daunted, pastor and people went to the Methodist Church, on Spring street, and held services. The congregation figured on a frame building to take the place of the one destroyed. The pastor said. 'Let Us build of stone.' and stone it was. The present beautiful struc- ture, with an auditorium to seat 300 and a lecture room of nearly 200 more, was dedicated February 18, 1898. The following sum- mer the parsonage was rebuilt and enlarged. Completed and Presbyteriaxism in the Ozarks 153 paid for, this gave to Neosho one of the best church plants in the Presbytery at that time. For fifteen years the biography of Mr. Ely and the history of the Neosho Church are so interwoven that they are inseparable and when the separation conies there must be many broken threads. Mr. Ely accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of St. Charles and the pastoral relation with the Neosho Church was dissolved October 23. 1903. Ostensibly he went to his new field because of the better educational advantages offered his growing family. An indomitable worker like Mr. Ely estab- lishes precedents and acumulates duties in a long pastorate that become all but too heavy to be bourne, and I fancy that the only relief in sight was that which came through removal. But the memories are still tender in the church where he united in mar- riage 128 couples and ministered at 144 funerals. Kev. H. M. Gilbert, B. L. Stewart and J. W. Hudiburg have since ministered to this church. On the 16th of April, 1907, the Presbytery of Ozark convened in this church for its last session. On the second day of this session Presbytery received the Neosho Church, for- merly Cumberland Presbyterian, and united the two churches under the name of the First Presbyterian Church of Neosho. That evening Rev. J. W. Hudiburg was installed pastor of the United Church. Rev. B. M. Shive. D. D.. preached the sermon. The Moderator, Rev. G. H. Williamson, presided and propounded the constitutional questions. Rev. B. P. Fullerton, D. D., delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. D. B. Whimster the charge to the people. The United Church reported a membership of 208. AVILLA— WHITE OAK (JASPER COUNTY). On the 3rd of April, 1868, Revs. J. W. Pinkerton and W. R. Fulton were appointed to organize a church at Avilla "if the way be clear." The entry on the minutes of September 4, 1868, is as follows: "Rev. W. R. Fulton, from committee appointed at a previous meeting to organize a church at Avilla, reported the duty performed and recommended that the church be enrolled. The report was accepted and adopted and the committee dis- charged." On the 25th of April, 1874, the name and location were both changed. Henceforth the church was called White Oak. The church had a struggling career and worshipped in a school house for eight or ten years. While Rev. G. H. William- son was serving the Greenfield Church (1882-85) he arranged to give a week night service to White Oak. One Thursday in Feb- ruary he drove from Greenfield in a drizzling rain, reached Red Oak after dark, went out by a log and gathered leaves and sticks to start a fire in the school house. The lighted candles attracted 154 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks an audience of two girls and three dogs! Mr. Williamson preached his sermon nevertheless. Text, "Thou hast kept the best wine until now." The news of this service spread rapidly. An an- nouncement was left for another service two weeks hence. The people said if Williamson could drive from Greenfield they could go from their homes. At the next appointment "the woods were full" of people, and by the fifth Sunday in June or July a church was dedicated out on the prairie free of debt. (GRANBY) (NEWTON COUNTY). The day after the appointment of a committee to organize a church at Avilla Revs. J. W. Pinkerton, W. R. Pulton and James A. Paige were appointed to organize at Granby. Previous to this September 30, 1865, the committee appointed to present a roll of the churches in the bounds of the Presbytery of South- west Missouri included Granby in the list. When or by whom it had been organized, or whether it was simply a preaching sta- tion, deponent sayeth not. The committee alluded to above evi- dently organized the church, for on September 4. 1868. is this entry in the minutes of Presbytery: "The church at Granby was recommended to the Board of Church Extension for an appro- priation of $100 to remove debt remaining on their house of wor- ship." For some time the church was grouped with Neosho, but it never flourished. September 29. 1876: "Rev. D. L. Lander re- ported the organization of the First Presbyterian Church of Granby April 16th, 1876, consisting of seven members, with one elder." Subsequently the church was disbanded and the prop- erty sold. URBANA— BUFFALO (DALLAS COUNTY). On the 4th of September, 1868, Rev. John McFarland was appointed to organize a church at Urbana, some fifteen or sixteen miles north of Buffalo. March 26th, 1869, he reported that he had organized the church with eleven members and A. F. Mc- Dowell as ruling elder. The church at Buffalo was enrolled March 31st. 1871, by the Presbytery of Ozark, and on October 11th, 1873, the two churches were consolidated, taking the name of the latter. Rev. L. J. Matthews ministered to this church in an early day. and since his time it has probably had a score of students, licentiates and ministers who have preached there for a short time, and still maintains a moribund existence. The dif- ficulty in grouping the church satisfactorily has been partially Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 155 responsible for this condition, but it must be confessed that in- ternal conditions have had their weight. PANTHER CREEK— CONWAY (LACLEDE COUNTY). Rev. James A. Paige reported (to Presbytery of Southwest Missouri) that on the 31st day of December, 1868, he had organ- ized a church at Schmalhorst's Mill, in Laclede County, of nine members (since increased to fifteen), with two ruling elders, viz., William H. Schmalhorst and Matthias" G. Miller, and one deacon. The church was enrolled by the name of Panther Creek, changed by request to Conway September 30, 1870. Mr. Schmalhorst is still an elder in this church and has the rare distinction of having a son share with him a position in the session. The following min- isters have served this church : Revs. J. A. Harwooch 1868-70 ; A. W. Elliott, 1870-72; H. A. Tucker, 1872-75; L. J. Matthews, 1875-77; George F. Davis, 1882; W. R. McElroy (student), in summer of 1888; C. S. Zorbaugh (student), summer of 1892; N. D. Bristol, 1892-94 ; Warren Mooney, 1894-96 ; W. G. Moore, Feb- ruary, 1897, to December, 1899 ; William Alexander Smith, W. N. Crozier, Pliny S. Smith and W. L. Hackett. Beginning with the pastorate of Mr. Moore the church entered upon an era of pros- perity hitherto unknown, and although it has had its drawbacks since then, it is today the best equipped village church in the Presbytery. An unusual number of the sons and daughters of this church have entered college, and the church has been a con- stant feeder to the Springfield churches. (LOCUST GROVE— WESTMINSTER) (NEWTON COUNTY). The organization of the Locust Grove Church, subsequently known as Westminster, was reported to Presbytery by Rev. W. R. Fulton August 20th, 1869. It started with eight charter mem- bers, one of whom was elected ruling elder. It was grouped with Neosho for many years and received the spiritual ministrations of such ministers as Revs. J. M. Brown, B. F. Powelson, D. L. Lander, R. W. Ely and others. The church was dissolved October 25, 1905. (BETHEL) POLK COUNTY). Historic interest in this defunct church centers in the fact that in its eldership were the names of Drake and Strain — names so long and favorably associated with the Bolivar and Fair Play churches. The church was reported to Presbytery by Rev. John McFarland April 15th, 1870, as having been organized since the 156 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks last meeting. Elder W. G. Drake represented the church in Pres- bytery. Sixteen persons constituted the charter membership. For a time the church formed a part of a group served by Rev. Enos M. Ilalbert. It was dissolved October 18th, 1883. (MINERSVILLE) (JASPER COUNTY). The Minersville Church was enrolled the same day as the above — the last church enrolled by the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri. It was organized by Rev. J. W. Pinkerton with four members. Erastus Peet was the ruling elder. By April 24th, 1872, the membership was reduced to two and the church was dissolved. CHURCHES ORGANIZED AND ENROLLED BY OZARK PRES- BYTERY 1870-1907. In the list of the churches of Southwest Missouri Presbytery no mention was made of the churches in Henry County, which for a brief time belonged to the jurisdiction of that Presbytery, because their enrollment there was for but a brief time and in the new adjustments they fell not to the Presbytery of Ozark, but to that of Osage. Upon its organization the Presbytery of Ozark began an investigation of fields and churches whose origin is buried in oblivion and whose destiny it was, after resuscitation, to be cast with the Osage Presbytery or the Southern Church. Such were the churches of NEVADA (VERNON COUNTY). (PROSPERITY) VERNON COUNTY). (LAMAR) (BARTON COUNTY). Minutes March 31st, 1871: "Revs. Messrs. Fulton, McFar- land and Pinkerton were appointed to visit the churches of La- mar, Nevada and vicinity and report to next meeting." Fulton, McFarland and Pinkerton, appointed to visit the churches of Lamar, Nevada and vicinity reported that they had done so in part and found nothing encouraging in that field." April 13th, 1872: "Letters from Nevada City were read showing the importance of occupying the place at once, where- upon a committee consisting of Rev. W. R. Fulton and Elder Scroggs were appointed to visit that field, and if the way be clear to organize a Presbyterian Church.' ' Minutes September 14th, 1872: "The Rev. W. R. Fulton re- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 157 ported the organization of a church at Nevada City, Vernon County, consisting of ten members (four elders and one deacon). The church was enrolled." Minutes April 10th, 1875: "The church at Lamar was on motion stricken from the roll and the remaining members be (evidently were) directed to attach themselves to the church of Prosperity. ' ' Lamar was subsequently occupied by the Presbyterians, U. S., and Vernon County was transferred to the Presbytery of Osage in the fall of 1874. In the readjustments of 1907 this county was placed in the confines of Carthage Presbytery. The reader is referred to Hill's History of Kansas City Presbytery, pp. 293, 294 and 302, for sketches of Nevada and Prosperity. The above is given as indicating work done at an earlier date than that suggested by the records available to Dr. Hill. But the new Presbytery was not more intent on looking up moribund organizations than it was in entering new fields. Minutes March 31st, 1871: "Organizations of new churches were reported at: "Pierce City, January 22, 1871, with nine members, by Rev. W. L. Miller. T. Rakaby, elder; A. Bavington, deacon. "Logan, March, 1871, James B. Milliken, elder, by Rev. W. H. Downing. "Verona, March 26, 1871. Elders Thomas Lumley and Geo. A. Purdy. "Mountain Grove, Elders Andrews and Griffith. "Bolivar, Elders Randolph and Strain. "Buffalo." Sketches of Bolivar and Buffalo are given above. The ca- reers of the other churches were brief and uneventful. The re- union of 1907 brought from the Cumberland wing of the church into the united body churches at Pierce City, Verona and Moun- tain Grove. STOCKTON (CEDAR COUNTY). "Rev. W. R. Fulton reported the organization of a church in Stockton of seven members, with one ruling elders, James H. Bovell, elected and installed." — Minutes October 6, 1871. The church was stricken from the roll April 30th, 1885, and restored September 15, 1887. The committee appointed to visit the church at that time failed to report at the next meeting — at least no record of a report is given. As the church disappeared from the roll once more, the writer organized it again in Decem- ber, 1902, and it was enrolled April 14th, 1903. In the days of Fulton and McFarland a few staunch Presbyterians lived in or i 58 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks aear the capital of Cedar County, and they seem to have been in touch and fellowship with the Presbyterians of Greenfield and other places. One of these, Hugh Ross, left a farm of 540 acres that at the death of his wife was to he sold and the proceeds used to build a Presbyterian Church in Stockton. The will was tiled for record February 10, 1860. With the lapse of time the farm has become \<>vy valuable, and if the will of Mr. Ross is ever carried out the little flock ought to have a commodious and elegant house of worship. PRESTON (JASPER COUNTY). This church was organized by Rev. J. W. Pinkerton October 8th, 1871. The field was practically abandoned in 1876, when this entry was made in the minutes (March 11th) : "Resolved, that in view of the removal of several members of the Preston Church and the organization of a Cumberland Presbyterian Church covering the same territory, and the conviction on the mind of Presbytery that all the time of Brother Glasscock is re- quired at Joplin, that the brother be excused from laboring at Preston until next meeting of Presbytery." Numerous ministers efficient and otherwise have served the church since that time, and it continues on the roll of Presbytery. NEWTONIA AND RITCHEY (NEWTON COUNTY). The name of this defunct church awakens reflections I am tempted to record. In 1868 my childhood home was transferred from Texas to Newtonia, Mo. When the St. Louis & San Fran- cisco Railroad went through Newton County., we moved to the railroad, and father helped the Ritcheys to found the town of Ritchey. There was a conviction broadcast at that time that every railroad town would speedily become a city of pretensions dimensions. Many of these towns have not yet realized the ex- pectations of their founders. Not to mention others, Ritchey an- swers to this statement. Our stay there was brief and I carried with me to our new home in Johnson County the impressions of a child eight or nine years of age. I did not pass through the place again until I had finished my collegiate and theological education and had entered the ministry. Then my thoughts were similar to those that coursed through my mind as I went to Neosho to attend Synod the other day. About 150 yards from the depot is the building where father kept store and hotel. I had recollected it as a quarter of a mile away. Back of that is an ordinarv hill whereon stands a brick house similar to the resi- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 159 dences galore of the well-to-do in many towns and cities. I had remembered it as a palatial structure commensurate with the re- quirements of the fabulously rich. Yes, I have occasion to remem- ber it, for behind that building in its incompleted state I had hid- den in an act of disobedience that led to the utterance of my first lie, and a little farther back grew the hazel switch that helped to keep the incident green in memory. Ah, but memory painted that hill as a mountain. Across the branch on another hill and near an open field stood the old school house, with its rude pipe desks. One day "Jim" struck his bare toe through the crack in the desk and dug into my back, and I pinched the toe. Two boys stood out on the floor and again the hazel switch was in evi- dence, and while my own back was yet smarting, at the risk of getting another rap, I leaned over and whispered, "I wouldn't cry, Jim, if I was you." And sometimes it has seemed to me that that boyish attempt to be a consoler was the foregleam of a sentiment that led me to enter a ministry of consolation. And I am sure that the refusal to be caught in "black man" or "base" played in that open field had something to do with my tendency to "persevere" in anything I undertake. Space forbids me to tell of the bottom farm where I planted my first corn, the prairie where the cows roamed and where we gathered strawberries, and the mill down the creek where the miller gave me a fish on my birthday. But if the prospective of childhood presents sights and scenes on so much vaster a scale than after years reveal them to be I fancy that many things that "loom up big" now will seem to be of small consequence bye and bye. The church of Newtonia and Ritchey was organized by Rev. W. L. Miller at Newtonia, and was enrolled by the Presbytery October 12th, 1871. It received the double name because the membership resided in the two towns. Like the town of Ritchey, it failed to realize expectations and was soon abandoned. My -father was a ruling elder in this church. SALEM (JASPER COUNTY). The Salem Church was organized by Rev. W. L. Miller, and was enrolled by Presbytery April 12th, 1872. Thirteen members constituted the charter roll, two of whom were made ruling elders. The church was originally located in the country about three miles from its present location, in the town of Jasper. Hard by the original location may still be seen "God's acre." From the eldership of this church T. H. Allin entered the ministry after having done such efficient work as a lay preacher. Another elder of this church whose counsels were of great value to the Presbytery was S. Cadwallader. Before the city l6<) PRESBYTERIANISM IN mi. OZARKS. churches assumed such prominence In the Presbytery this was one of that group of .Jasper County churches that received snch efficient services and repaid the efforts Ilia) were put forth in its behalf. Like many of our village and country churehes, its his- tory is marked by uneventful short time services of various min- isters, followed invariably by months of vacancy. (Ministers: W. L. .Miller, T. H. Allin. W. A. Cravens, R. T. McMahan, F. M. Hitch- cock, .1. rF. Curtis, A. M. Mann and B. F. Logan. S1IILOII (JASPER COUNTY). GRACE (JASPER COUNTY). "Rev. Miller reported the organization of a church in the northeast corner of Jasper County, consisting of eighteen mem- bers, one elder and two deacons. Church called Shiloh." — Min- utes October 11th, 1873. The Grace church was organized by Mr. Miller, February 21st, 1875, -with eighteen or nineteen members. Removals and the inability of Presbytery to keep these fields supplied with stated preaching led to their dismemberment and disappearance from the roll of Presbytery. Grace church was restored to the roll Sept. 22, 1898, and was apparently a reorganization of the two churches. Under the supervision of Rev. G. M. Caldwell a house of worship costing $1200 was erected in 1899. Revs. G. M. Caldwell, W. A. Smith, local evangelist ; E. A. Junkin. Revs. T. C. Guy and B. F. Logan have served the church since its reorgan- ization. ASH GROVE (GREENE COUNTY) The minutes of Oct. 11, 1873, contain this entry: "Rev. J. M. Brown reported the organization of a church in the western part of Greene county consisting of 12 members, with three eld- ers, viz, Samuel Blackburn, Thomas Mayes and William Dalzell. who were ordained and installed, the church to be called Presby- terian Church of Ash Grove. The church was placed on the roll." Among the ministers who have served this church are Revs. C. C. Hembree, G. T. Thompson, G. H. Williamson, Jay C. Hanna, B. H. Gragg, Charles Memmott, J. W. Knott, W. L. Hackett and S. V. Sydenstricker. During Mr. Hackett 's term of service April. 1903-April, 1904, the house of worship was destroyed by tire and the congregation began worshipping in the Cumberland Presby- terian church. And when Mr. Sydenstricker came he was em- ployed by the two congregations. The two congregations erect- ed a commodious manse before they were officially consolidated. Presbyteriaxism in the Ozarks. 161 and were to all intents and purposes one church. The New Pres- bytery of Ozark ratified the consolidation June 18, 1907. (VIRGIL CITY) (CEDAR COUNTY). "An application was received from the Virgil City Presby- terian Church (0. S.) to be taken under the care of this Presby- tery, and the name to be placed on the roll of our churches. Ow- ing to certain irregularities in this application Presbytery di- rected that, the matter be referred back to the church to make a regular and formal application to this Presbytery at its ad- journed meeting, to be held in Neosho, Mo." — Minutes October 17th, 1873. "The following resolution was read and adopted: 'That the request of a portion of the members of the Virgil City Church to be received under the care of this Presbytery be granted, the church put upon our roll, and that we instruct our Presbyterial Missionary to visit this church as soon as possible.' — Minutes November 1st, 1873. Query: Is (0. S.) the clerk's designation of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. ? This church does not appear on the permanent roll of the Presbytery, though the resolution called for its placing there. It was organized with fifteen members by Rev. J. Gal- breath, and was enrolled by the Presbytery of Lafayette, U. S., September 8th, 1870. JOPLIN FIRST (JASPER COUNTY). "There is a new town in Jasper County. Its name is Joplin, location fourteen miles southwest of Carthage, on the farm of J. C. Cox. Has lead in unlimited quantities under it. Everybody out of employment ought to go there and dig. This is better than doing nothing and it may lead to certain fortune." — Chron- ological data for June 22d, 1871, in Jasper County History. In the Joplin Daily Globe of September 28th, 1906, it is stated that W. J. Hayden. a missionary of the American Sunday School Union, organized the first Sunday school in Joplin more than thirty-five years ago. Telling of his experiences at the time, Mr. Hayden said: "There was only one brick building in Joplin then, the residence of John C. Cox. While here I stayed in the home of a man who had a house built of hay. It was the only residence of the kind I have ever seen. Though built almost en- tirely of hay, it was comfortable and well arranged. * * * The town was just then beginning to attract attention and some mining was being done along Joplin Creek. It was in a little 162 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks. frame building near this stream where I organized tin- Sunday school, which had the distinction of beinv. the first to be estab- lished in the city." Joplin First found ;i place in the annals of Ozark Presbytery April 24th. 1874. when this entry was made: "Hew B. P. Powelson reported the organization of a Presby- terian Church at .Joplin on the 28th of December, 1873, consist- ing of thirteen members, with two ruling elders. The church was enrolled." There is some uncertainty as to the date of the organization, but probably the above is correct. Mr. A. P>. Mc- Connell, one of the elders, wrote me: "There are two or three old session record books. * * * In one of these it is stated that the church was organized in 1S72. It is also stated in one record that the organization was approved by the Presbytery of Ozark in the spring of 1873." Mr. McConnell places the date of organization on the 27th of December, instead of the 28th, as per the records of Presbytery, but he intimates that the historical parts of the old records appear to have been written from mem- ory. The roster of charter members includes the following: W. H. Clippinger, Mrs. M. A. Clippinger. Mrs. I). Gordon, Mrs. M. E. Allen, Mrs. J. M. Thompson, Mrs. Mayfield, Mrs. Alcorn. Mr. Clayton, J. H. Taylor, E. Rogers, Mrs. E. Samuel and Mrs. Sulli- van. Of these charter members, Mrs. Allen alone remains. Messrs. Clippinger and Clayton were elected ruling elders. It will be seen that the names of twelve members are given. Depo- nent sayeth not what became of the "thirteenth" mentioned in the Presbyterian report. The newly organized church, largely through the liberality of John H. Taylor, purchased a half inter- est in the M. E. Church, South, located in East Joplin, and con- tinued to worship there until the fall of 1876. Thereupon the church decided to locate in what was then called West Joplin. Ferguson's Hall was rented for a year, and here the little flock worshipped until they were ready to occupy their new church at the corner of Seventh (then called Eighth street) and Main streets. The lots for this structure were donated by O. S. Pitcher, and the total cost was $4,000, of which the Board of Church Erec- tion contributed $1,000. The second house of worship was erected in 1900 at the corner of Pearl and Sixth streets. Mr. John H. Taylor donated the adjoining lot, on which was erected a commo- dious manse at a cost of $2,000. The church building itself cost $29,000, and is more nearly adapted for institutional work than any other building within the bounds of the Presbytery. The ministers who have served the church are : Rev. Squire Glascock, S. S., from December, 1873, to summer of 1876. Rev. Donald K. Campbell, P., from November, 1876, to fall of 1879. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks. 163 Rev. H. W. Woods, P., from fall 1879 to February, 1881. Dr. J. J. Marks, S. S., April, 1881, to October, 1881. Rev. G. H. Williamson, P., October, 1881, to October. 1883. Rev. F. R. Farrand, P., October, 1883, to October. 1885.* *The records of Presbytery date this pastorate from May, 1883, to April, 1884. The above was furnished by one of the elders. Rev. A. S. Miller, S. S., April, 1885, to November, 1885. Dr. Henry B. Fry, P., November, 1885, to November, 188: ». Rev. J. A. Gerhard, P., February, 1890, to February, 1696. Rev. J. B. Welty, P., May, 1896, to September. 1902. Rev. L. H. Shane, P., January, 1903, to June, 1904. Dr. B. M. Shive, P., January, 1905, ,to June, 1908. Dr. W. S. Knight served the churches as supply during the interims following the resignations of Dr. Welty and Mr. Shane. This church gave to the Presbyterian ministry one of her bright- est soris. E. W. Clippinger, and her elders, notably John H. Tay- lor, G. B. Young and A. B. McConnell, have been numbered among the most faithful and efficient Presbyters. From time to time the church has maintained successful missions, and from two of these the Bethany and the North Heights churches have been erected. When it became evident that the Presbyterian and Cumberland Presbyterian churches would unite the Cumberland Church of Joplin transferred its property to this church (1904), and its entire membership was added to the roil of the First Church. For at least fifteen years this church received aid from the Board of Home Missions. Under the pastorate of Mr. Ger- hard it became easily self-sustaining, and during the pastorate of Mr. Welty it took rank with the strongest churches in the Pres- bytery. (LINN CREEK) (CAMDEN COUNTY). "Linn Creek Church was ordered to be entered on Ihe roll." — Minutes September 25th, 1874. ''It appearing that no communication has been received from Linn Crek for a number of years, although written to, and that no cider is there, the name was ordered to be stricken from the roll of Presbytery, and the stated clerk was instructed to give letters of ("!:sinissal to such members as may be there." — Minutes April 3rd. 1884. This is the Alpha and Omega of this church. To this lumi- nous record may be added the facts that it was grouped with Her- mitage, and that at one time Presbytery appointed a committee consisting of Rev. E. M. Halbert and Elder Lee to counsel with the church. If it was located in Camden County, as I infer, its 164 Presbvterianism in the Ozarks. chief historic interest centers in the fact that the Presbytery has had at least one organization in that county. (MOUNT BETHEL) (POLK COUNTY). "Rev. J. M. Brown reported the organization of a Presby- terian Church in August, 1874, in PHlc County, consisting of twelve members, with two ruling elders Reporl accepted and the church entered on the roll." — Minutes September 24th, 1674 I infer this was the Mount Bethel Church an offshoot from the Mount Zion Church, and located near Orleans. It was min- istered to by Rev. E. M. Halbert and later by Rev. G. F. Davis. After repeated efforts to disband the church I he members were dismissed to the churches of Bolivar ana Mount Zion, and the name was dropped from the roll April 11th, 1889. (HERMITAGE) (HICKORY COUNTY). '"The first platted town in the counvy (Hickory), Hermitage was made a town site in 1845 ." That its groAvth was r.ot phe- nomenal is ;?een in the statement: "Li 1859 W. E. Dorman built his large two-story frame hotel on the east side •»£ the square, and put up a dinner bell on the top ot a pole in the yard. This was a noted advance in the town." Before the Civil War Presbyterian minsters made Hickory County a regular rendezvous. While North Prairie Institute was nourishing and when Weaubleau listened to the preaching of the Calvinislic faith Hermitage was not passed by. Among others. Rev. W. H. Smith Dreached there. Wich the coming con- flict services become more desultory, ana when the carnage had died away more or less abortive efforts at revival were made. "Rev. J. h. Vawter reported the 6rganization of a church at Hermitage consisting of twenty members. Messrs. J. B. and E. F. Halbert were elected and installed elders. Church was en- rolled."—Minutes April 10th, 1875. PLEASANT VALLEY— LOCKWOO'J (DADE COUNTY). The Pl-jiFtnt Valley Church was organized by Rev. AY. R. Fulton February, 1876. with twelve members. Grouped with Ash Grove, it .vas here 1 his worthy herald of the cross termi- nated his earthly labors. On the i9th of December, 1880, Mr. FnHon preached his last sermon in thw church. Text, "The King's business requireth haste." The preceding April the church had been recommended to the Board of Church Erection Presbyterianism in the Ozarks. 165 for $600 to assist in the erection of a house of worship. From this church Fountain R. Farrancl was received by the Presby- tery as a candidate for the ministry May 4th of this same year. On the 3rd of April, 1884, the name of the church was changed to Lockwood by consent of Presbytery. According to local sources of information, the Lockwood Church was organized in December, 1883. The minutes of Presbytery agree with the pre- vious statement and take no notice of this as a new organization. Under the ministry of Rev. G. H. Williamson, December. 1833, to December, 1884, a house of worship was erected. Mr. William- son has since served the church as follows: May, 1887, to March, 1888,, June, 1890, to June, 1891, occasionally. November, 1893, to January, 1895, occasionally. Other ministers who have served the church are : G. T. Thompson, January, 1884, to January, 1885 ; D. R. Crockett, February, 1887, to March. 1887 ; J. C. Shep- herd, September, 1888, for three months ; J. I. Hughes, December, 1891, to March, 1893; J. R. Gass, March, 1895, occasionally for three or four years ; Robert E. L. Jarvis, 1900, occasionally ; W. G. Moore, December, 1901-1902 ; E. E'. Mathes, September,' 1903. to 1905 ; H. A. Tucker, 1906. six months ; Samuel Wilev, Decem- ber, 1907. WALDENSIAX (BARRY COUNTY). This French-speaking church, the only church of foreign tongue in the Presbytery, was received September 29th. 1876, when this entry was made: "By unanimous vote of the Presby- tery the Waldensian Church, in Stoner Prairie, in Barry County, was added to our roll of churches. On motion of Presbytery a committee of three be* appointed to write to the Waldensian *Eviclently was. — Ed. Table and the minister of the French Protestant churches, from which M. Arnant (the elder) comes, in relation to the Walden- sian colony in Barry County, now taken under our care, and to give assurances to the brethren of our purpose to watch over and care for the colony as far as our circumstances will admit, and the desire of the Presbytery that the Waldensian Table and the churches of Bourdean may encourage those of their members mov- ing to America to join the colony already established in Barry County, Missouri. Revs. Miller and Dunlap and Elder C. Shep- pard were appointed said committee." Just before this the records show that the minister in charge. Rev. J. P. Solomon, had been received by the Presbytery. It has been very hard for the Presbytery to keep this church supplied with stated preaching by reason of the fact that to be acceptable the minister must be able to speak in French. In addition to 166 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks. Mr. Solomon, the following ministers have served the church for ;i longer or shorter time : Revs. ( !. A. Bnffa. J. ( r. Knotter, Thomas Charbonnell, P. P. Briol and E. A. Curdy. (CENTER) (JASPER COUNTY). This church was organized March 25th, 1S77. with ten mem- bers and one ruling elder, C. C. Ball. It was reported to Presby- tery by Dr. Knight, but one record intimates that it was organ- ized by Rev. T. II. Allin, The church left but few traces on the annals of Presbytery. It was dissolved April 12th. 1883. WEBB CITY (JASPER COUNTY). Presbyterians were commendably precocious in entering "the town that Jack built." Webb City was laid out in May, 1876, and the following November Rev. Donald K. Campbell held the first Presbyterian service in a hall to which he had enticed thirty- three people by singing- at the open window. At that time Mr. Campbell was supplying the church at Joplin. On the 27th of March, 1877, Mr. Campbell and Rev. W. S. Knight, of Carthage, organized the tirst Presbyterian Church of Webb City. Those entering the organization were: William A. Wheatley and wife, Mary S. ; Joseph King and wife, Mary S. ; W. J. Muskimins and wife, Eunice J. ; Mrs. Sarah Cass, M. Boatman and Dr. C. P. Mil- ler. W. A. Wheatley was elected and ordained ruling elder. Rev. D. K. Campbell supplied the church for three years "Iu the spring of 1879 a store room (really a saloon) on the Main street was purchased and fitted up for use by the congregation, and in April the Presbytery of Ozark held its session there." At this time the membership of the church was twenty-six. After Mr. Campbell's departure the church was vacant for some time, and for the next nine years such was its condition for more than half of the time. The membership fluctuated between twenty- five and less than half that number. In 1880 Rev. Clark Salmon was employed as stated supply, and served the church for two or three years. After a lengthy interregnum Rev. T. R. Easter- day preached for the little flock a part of the year 1884. He was followed by Rev. E. P. Keach in 1885, and by Student Arthur Hall in 1886. In 1889 Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. I).'. began to supply the. church from Carthage, where he was in charge of Carthage Col- legiate Intitule. "At that time the little flock was greatly discouraged and sadly demoralized. Only ten members could he found; the rec- ords of the session were lost, and so remain to this day. There WEBB CITY CHURCH Presbyterianism in the Ozarks. 167 was but one elder, and he superannuated and infirm. But the prospect of securing stated preaching- once more was inspiring. The property was sold and a neat little house of worship erected with aid from the Board of Church Erection. The membership in 1889 increased to twenty-five. In 1890 Rev. J. G. Reaser moved from Carthage to Webb City, and since that date has given .ill his time to the church. It has had the usual vicissitudes of West- ern churches, gaining and losing from year to year." — From sketch written by Rev. Reaser in 1898. The historical sketch prepared by Dr. J. F. Shephard places the beginning of Dr. Reaser 's labors a year earlier and states that at that time there were eleven members. Dr. S. continues: 'Here began the pastorate of this faithful servant of Christ and the church which was destined to give the church a permanent hope and standing in the city. Of this ministry of eleven years. Dr. Reaser * * * says. 'Of my several fields in an unbroken ministry of fifty-five years, Webb City holds a high place in my affections.' During his pastorate 116 were added to the church, and on his retiring, because of advanced years, and against the earnest request of the people, he left a membership of 98." The scholarly attainment, genial optimism, ready wit and deep pnty of this man of God, who brought forth fruit in old age, greatly endeared him to this flock, which virtually had its second birth with his coming. The first eleven years had closed with a net gain of one! When he took the church no one wanted it. When he left it its prospects for development were such that many ap- plicants were found. The mantle of the aged prophet fell upon & sweet singer of Israel of tenderer years. Rev. Charles B. Bnv- ing entered upon his services for this church in May, 1899. The following December he was installed pastor — a pastorate that was dissolved in February, 1905. During this pastorate the pres- ent elegant and commodious house of worship was erected. One hundred and twenty-seven were added to the membership and 140 were supposed to answer aye at roll call when Mr. Boving left. By this time the town has assumed the proportions of a city of nearly ten thousand inhabitants, or, including Carterville and sub- urbs, nearer twenty thousand. In the May time Mr. Boving had come to them. His ministry had been fragrant like the breath of spring, and hence they waited until the May time (1905) to find 'a successor in the person of the versatile, virile and vigorous Rev. J. F. Shepherd, Ph. D. Dr. Shepherd is an able preacher and a thorough organizer. He came "into the kingdom" at the pychological moment. During his pastorate the church has added to its equipment a $4,000 manse, a pipe organ, janitor's home, etc. Aside from the regulation auxiliaries, the boys are organized into a "Holy Grail" Club — the men into a brotherhood and into a 1 68 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks. large Baraca class, taught by the pastor. The first annual re- porl of the church after Dr. Shepherd's coming showed an en- rollment of 175. A year later, 1907, the membership was in- creased to 325. The increase is traceable in part to the union consummated with the Cumberland Church, which reported the previous year a membership of 101. This union was ratified by Presbytery September 12th, 1906. The building formerly occu- pied by the Cumberland Church was <;iven to the prospective church of Carterville. At the beginning of this sketch I have de- nominated Webb City "the town that Jack built." Other places that might be mentioned may claim that by way of eminence the title should be otherwise conferred. Yet it is said that the. largest lead and zinc mine in the world is just outside the cor- porate limits of Webb City. The enterprising high school stu- dents of Webb City have denominated their highly creditable annual "King Jack," and in defending their title say. "No name is more appropriate for the Webb City High School than King, and well she deserves that name, having won three successive years in the Inter-High School contest. * * * Nothing need be said of the specimens of 'Jack' found in the High School, but our High School is a representative of the best Jack (zinc ore) district in the world. Afore lead and zinc is mined in the Webb City district than any district of the world of the same area. Why should we not be proud to have the name 'Jack' placed by the side of our well earned title ? It is our mines that put Webb City on the map." (TRINITY) (JASPER COUNTY). Organized at Medoc March 8th, 1878, by Rev. Thomas H. Allin. with twentv-two members — three ruling elders. Dissolved April, 1894. (SUMMIT) (BARTON COUNTY). Organized January 6th, 1878, by Rev. Balsar Hoffman with fourteen members. For two years Mr. Hoffman supplied the church. After his departure it appears to have been without the stated means of grace until its membership was reduced to one — Elder S. Cadwallader. Bv order of Presbytery the church was dissolved April 12th. 1882. MOUNT MORIAH— MADISON (JASPER COUNTY). The Mount Moriah Church was organized bv Rev. T. II. Allin Presbyteriaxism in the Ozarks. 169 and was enrolled by Presbytery April 30th. 1878. Fifteen char- ter members entered the organization. The name of the church was changed to Madison April 12th, 1882. Under this name it remains to this day. Kevs. T. H. Allin and W. L. Miller did good service here in the early eighties — the flowering time of the coun- try churches of Jasper County. Later the church was almost as desolate as Goldsmith's deserted village, but again the work has been partially revived. GRAND PRAIRIE— WILLARD (GREENE COUNTY). Rev. Enos M. Halbert organized this church in September, 1879. The church consisted of eleven charter members, with Charles Hughes and Oscar Farmer as ruling elders. Mr. Halbert supplied the church for one year. Services were held in the dis- trict school house at Walnut Spring. Rev. George F. Davis began his ministry with the church in the fall of 1880. From 1883 to 1885 the church was without a minister. During this time both elders died and the church became nearly extinct. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Davis returned. A house of worship was erected in the new railroad station, Willard, and Gilbert Hughes was elected elder. This house was dedicated the first Sabbath of November, 1887. By permission of Presbytery the name was sub- secpaently changed to Willard. The present elders of the church are Gilbert and James Hughes and Fred Farmer, sons of the first elders of the church — Charles Hughes and Oscar Farmer. EUREKA SPRINGS, ARK. The Presbytery of Ozark seems to have entered Arkansas by common consent rather than by an authoritative extension of her domain.* The birth of the Eureka Springs Church was a prophecy and a prototype of reunited Presbyterianism that has since been realized in part. In the spring of 1882 Presbyterial Missionary J. J. Marks, D. D., visited the little city nestled among the hills from which flow the pure waters that have made it known far and wide. Here he found three types of ''the split Ps." — Northern, Southern and Cumberland. After a series of meetings, in which Dr. Marks was assisted by the C. P. minister, Rev. W. B. McElwee, a church of thirty members was organized March 1st, 1882. W. F. Daugherty, J. L. Baker and W. W. John- son were elected ruling elders. Whether it was due to the pre- ponderance of the Northern element, the cosmopolitan character of that church, the commanding generalship of the organizer or the better prospect for aid deponent sayeth not, but the new 170 Presbyterianism in the ( )/..\rks. organization made overtures for membership in the sisterhood of Ozark Presbytery's churches, and, better still, antedated the re- cent reunion, brought with them the C. I'. minister, Rev. W. B. Me El wee, and employed liini as minister — a relation that contin- ued five and a half years. The Home Board was remarkably gen- erous to this church. For five years it received an annual rec- mendation for $500 per annum, and tins was reduced to $400, $350, $200 and so on until in 1901 the recommendation was for $7-"). In the spring of 1883 fhe ladies organized an Extra Cent Society, through which the first money was raised for a church building. General Powell Clayton donated the lot. Services were held in various places until the basement of* the church was completed in the fall of 1886. In November, 1886, Rev. Thomas Marshall, D. D., dedicated the handsome uncut stone edifice frre of debt. Funds for building were secured as follows : Ladier Extra Cent Society $1,400 W. M. Lee. Sr., elder 3,000 Board of Church Erection 1,000 Small subscriptions 1,600 Total $7,000 A revival meeting conducted by Rev. W. H. Clagett and Mr. Chester Birch the following spring added seventy-eight names to the roll of the church. Some time after the organization of the church Mrs. Emily McKinnon, of Ashland, Wis., presented the church a valuable manse just across the street from where the church stands. Mr. McElwee was followed in the ministry by short time services by Revs. Mr. Hunter and Dr. Marks, until the coming of Rev. W. S. Lowry, who remained with the church nearly two years. Rev. R. S. Stevenson served the church from February. 1890, to April, 1893. Other ministers who have served the church are Rev. O. E. Hart, six months: Rev. D. N. Allen, April 1st. 1894. to Sep- tember. 1897: Rev. J. T. Curtis, November, 1897. to July, 1900; Rev. John W. Eltzholtz, 1900-1903; Amos II. Dean. D. D.. 1903: Rev. T. A. Clagett, 1903-1904; Nathaniel Chestnut. 190.-). HERMON— LEHIGH (JASPER COUNTY). "Dr. Marks made report of the organization of Hermon Church at Carl Junction and of the Presbyterian Church of Boli- var, and these churches were added to the roll of Presbytery, and Elder Thomas Walden was enrolled from Hermon Church as a member of this Presbytery. ' '-—Minutes September -20th, 1883. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 171 "We recommend that Rev. W. S. Knight, Dr. J. J. Murks and Elder William McMinn be appointed a committee to risit Lehigh and Hermon Church to transfer the (Here Her- mon and Lehigh are both written in such a way I cannot tell which is meant), or to reorganize at Lehigh, as may seem to them advisable after consultation with the people. Also that they be authorized to accept for the Presbytery the offer of Mr. Knight of St. Louis, to give lots and assist in the erection of a church edifice at Lehigh."— Minutes October 1st. 1884. "The following churches were reported as organized: * * * Lehigh, by Rev. W. S, Knight and William McMillan, November 11th, 1885."— Minutes April 28th, 1885. The church finally settled down at Carl Junction under the name Lehigh. It has had a checquered career and is still on the roll of Presbytery. (GOLDEN CITY) (BARTON COUNTY). The church of Golden City was organized September 30th, 1883, by Revs. J. J. Marks, D. D., G. H. Williamson and W. L. Mil- ler, with twenty-four members. William P. Scott and Robert C. McMinn were elected ruling elders. Revs. Hezekiah Lewis, J. ('. Shepherd, H. B. Johnson and J. I. Hughes served the church in turn as stated supplies. A house of worship was secured and the earlier years of the life of the church seem to have been prom- ising, but removals depleted the organization, and the church was dissolved by order of Presbytery September 13th, 1898. This is one of the very few disbanded churches whose rec- ords have fallen into the hands of the stated clerk of the Presby- tery. And it is the only one whose obituary is formally recorded therein. By reason of this unique distinction I record it in full : Sessional Records, pp. 51-52: "The committee appointed by the Ozark Presbytery at its regular meeting at Joplin in April, 1898, and empowered with authority to take definite and final action in the disposition of church property, and with reference to the dissolution of the church, met in Golden City September 13th, 1898. Present: Rev. J. R. Gass and Mr. J."b. Lindsey. Absent: Elder W. B. Skinner. The committee agreed to the sale of the church property to Albert Hunt for the consideration of $400. By the unanimous request of the members of the church the church was dissolved and letters granted to the following- persons, being the whole number of members of said church, viz : Mr. and Mrs. Amos Kentner, Mrs. Nancy Glass, Mr. and Mrs. James Faught, Mrs. A. N. Barker, Miss Mary E. Casev. To non- 172 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks residents members: Mrs. Kate Trent, Kansas City, Mo.; Miss Mary E. McMinn, St. Louis, Mo. "Done by authority of Presbytery of Ozark. "JOHN R. GASS. Chairman Committee." In striking incongruity with this solemn record the last half of the book reveals the fact that some clerk of session or other profane (?) person has used it as a groceryman's day book ! (HOME) (BARTON COUNTY). Organized by Rev. W. L. Miller November 18th, 1883, with seventeen members. Supplied for a time by the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, U. S., at Lamar. Dissolved September 13th, 1892. The committee could find "neither records nor mem- bers." EL DORADO SPRINGS (CEDAR COUNTY). "The church at El Dorado Springs was organized July 3d, 1884, by Synodical Missionary Thomas Marshall, assisted by Rev. J. H. Allin and Elder Lensenderfer, of Warrensburg. None of these brethren were members of the Presbytery of Ozark, within whose bounds the new church was formed. At the next meeting of that Presbytery, however, this action was approved and the church was enrolled, with the recommendation that 'for the present it be grouped with contiguous fields in the Presbytery of Osage.' As this was its logical grouping, the Presbyterial boun- daries were soon so adjusted as to throw it within our bounds." — Hill's K. C. Presbytery. IRWIN (BARTON COUNTY). The Irwin Church was organized by Rev. G. H. Williamson March 28th, 1885. with twenty-one charter members. A house of worship was erected in 1888 at a cost of $1,600, of which the Board of Church Erection contributed $500. For about four years the church was supplied by Rev. J. Heagan, Presbyterian Church, U. S., pastor at Lamar. Other ministers who have served the church are: R. T. MeMahan, September, 1889-1890; Dwight C. Hanna, February, 1891, to September, 1891: F. M. Hickok, November, 1891. to October, 1894; J. T. Curtis. October, 1894, to March, 1897: A. M. Mann, April, 1898. to March. 1901; W. S. Knight, D. D., April. 1901. to November, 1905 (except March, 1903, to September, 1903. when Student F. W. Bible supplied Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 173 the church; G. W. Jurey (Presbyterian Ch. U. S.), May, 1904, to September, 1904 ; A. E. Faust, May, 1906. SPRINGFIELD SECOND (GREENE COUNTY). Rev. Thomas Marshall, D. D., assisted by Rev. Gilbert Thom- son and Licentiate W. J. Hayden, organiztd the Second Church of Springfield February 17th, 1885. The question of the advisa- bility of such an organization had been discussed at length by the Presbytery at its fall session, 1884, and was finally referred to the Calvary session. In a letter to Dr. Marshall, dated February 5th, 1885, the Calvary session stated that inasmuch as the Presby- tery seemed favorable to the organization, Presbyterians in the vicinity desired it, and Dr. Marshall deemed it expedient the said session would waive their judgment and consent to the organ- ization. Dr. Marshall began evangelistic services on the 12th and the church was formally organized on the 17th with the fol- lowing members: From Calvary Church — S. Cadwallader, Mrs. Mary Isabella Cadwallader, Rawlins Cadwallader, Ethel Cadwal- lader, D. E. Morrow, Mrs. Sadie Morrow, William M. Geiger, Mrs. Rebeca Geiger, Mrs. Martha L. Hall, Robert Hall, Adam Rice, Mrs. Kate Richardson. From other Presbyterian Churches — Charlts M. Geiger, Mrs. Eliza J. Switzer, Carrie Switzer, Mrs. Josephine Thompson, Allison Thompson, Ernest Thompson, Eph- raim Chalfant, Mrs. Susan H. Chalfant, James L. Johnson. Mary Catherine Maher, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, was received on profession and baptized. William M. Geiger, S. Cad- wallader and Robert Hall were elected ruling elders. A sub- scription was circulated for a church building in the summer, and' in 1886 the present house of worship was erected, though it was not completely furnished for some years. Rev. Arthur Hall served the church as stated supply for a few months, and Rev. Gilbert Thompson was engaged as stated supply for one year, but subsequently declined on account of the organization of the Westminster Church, U. S. Rev. E. A. Hamilton began serving the church in October, 1885, and remained with the church until March, 1893. Mr. Hamilton's labors in the church were greatly blessed, and the church was rapidly attaining strength to be self- supporting, when unfortunate dissensions arose that crippled it long after those connected with the unpleasantedness had re- moved. The church next secured the services of Mr. W. F. Van- der Lippe, who came direct from McCormick Seminary, and re- mained about a year. Desultory supplies were secured for the next year, when, in April, 1895, the present pastor, Rev. E. E. Stringfield, entered upon his labors with the church. This church gave a son to the cause of foreign missions in Chili for seven 174 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks years — Rev. W. L. Schmalliorst— and Miss Bertha Miller, who is now a trained nurse in China, received her Christian nurture here Rev. Ernest Thompson was a charter member of this church. In its infancy the church was cradled by ""Aunt Mar- tha" and "Uncle" Robert Hall, brother and sister-in-law. "Uncle Robert" was a shining example of whal grace can do in its efforts to produce a good man. and "Aunt Martha" was an unofficial pastor's assistant, who had a mysterious way of discerning a Presbyterian family before their goods were unpacked. This church has trained a number of other efficient Christian workers who are serving the kingdom of Christ in other places. Its ca- reer has been conservation amid the vicissitudes of a changing •population. Elder Colin T. Cartel- and wife left by will an en- dowment of $1,000. and Mrs. Jane McDowell, now of Long Beach, California, gave the first $500 towTard the erection of the parsonage. Miss Carrie Switzler is the only charter member whose name is still on the roll. WEST PLAINS (HOWELL COUNTY). Before the reunion of 1870 the New School ministers (nota- bly Rev. L. J. Matthews), who were pre-empting Howell and Texas counties, seem to have done some work at West Plains. The roll of the churches of the Presbytery does not recognize these earlier efforts, but the minutes of the Presbytery indicate that there was a church there some years before the record of the organization of the present church. Cf . : "The following reso- lution was adopted: 'That the Chairman of the Committee of Church Erection write to the Board and apply for permission to sell the Peace Valley Church building, with the understanding that the proceeds be granted to the church of West Plains to erect a building." — Minutes September 7th, 1878. Permission to sell the church was granted by the Board, and in April, 1879, a committee was appointed so to do. For some reason the building was not sold until 1890. by which time the West Plains Church had a commodious house of worship. In April, 1885, Presbytery took cognizance of the fact that there was no church at West Plains and the name was stricken from the roll. I am inclined to believe that this is one of those instances where a preaching station is inadvertently accounted a church without the formality of an organization. Be that as it may, the roll of the churches of the Presbytery accords with the sketch furnished by the session and recognizes only the organization effected February 15, 1886. On this date Revs. D. P. Put- nam. D. D., and E. A. Hamilton organized the church with thirty- one members. B. C. Thomas. Dr. W. W. Watkins and Prof. W. west plains rnrucu Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 175 H. Lynch were elected elders. For some months the Presby- terial evangelist, Dr. Marks, had oversight over the church, and he was followed by Student Glenroie McQueen. A church building was erected in* 1887 at a cost of $4,000, of which amount the Board of Church Erection furnished $1,000. This building was dedicated by Rev. G. H. Williamson. This church has had an unusually efficient Ladies' Aid Society and a strong Sabbath school. For some years there was no other organization of our branch of the Presbyterian Church in a hundred miles of West Plains. In June, 1896, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of West Plains began to co-operate with this church, and the union of the two bodies was consummated at the organization of the new Presbytery of Ozark. The church owns a commodious par- sonage, is lighted with electricity, has a fine organ. and cathedral glass windows. The list of elders before the union, in addition to those uiven above, contains the name of Dr. H. T. Smith, T. J. Whitmire, L. P. Anderson, J. H. Shepard, David Carson, J. M. Crabb, G. H. Lee, W. L. Kilpatric and L. B. Harris. Rev. Woodhull supplied the church in 1888. He has been followed by Revs. J. E. Leyda, March, 1889, to August, 1894 ; G. H. Williamson, November, 1895, to November, 1879; W. R. McElroy, February, 1898, to June, 1901; A. B. Brown, March to October, 1902; D. B. Whimster, April, 1903, to - — , 1907. Of these ministers, Revs. W. R. McElroy and G. H. Williamson were installed pastors. Now that the church is not remote from other churches it is one of the most flourishing churches in the Presbytery. MOUNT VERNON (LAWRENCE COUNTY). On the 11th of October, 1887, Presbytery appointed a com- mittee consisting pf Revs. G. H. Williamson, W. S. Knight, D. D., and Elder William R. Gorton to organize a church at Mount Ver- non "if the way be clear." The organization was effected Feb- ruary 27th, 1888. Rev. Thomas Marshall, Synodical Missionary, assisted. Thirteen members, mostly from the Ozark Prairie Church, were enrolled. In 1888 a house of worship was erected at a cost of $7,000, of which the Board of Church Erection fur- nished $1,000. As alluded to elsewhere, this house was erected for school as well as church purposes. The following ministers have served the church : Rev. G. H. Williamson, from organization to September. 1891. Rev. E. E. Stringfield, April, 1892, to April, 1895. Rev. J. A. Gehrett, April, 1896, to October, 1897. Rev. R. E. L. Jarvis, October, 1898, to April, 1900. Rev. J. H. Bright, December. 1900. to April. 1903. 176 Presbyteriamsm in the Ozarks In May, 1895, the church began to co-operate with the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, preparatory to union, which was effected April, 1907. The membership of this church was never large, hut it made an enviable record for benevolences and the support of the gospel ministry. MONETT (BARRY COUNTY). The Presbyterial committee appointed to organize a church a1 Monett consisted of Revs. J. G. Reaser, D. I).. (J. II. William- son and Elder John Orr. The organization was effected October 27th, 1888, with seventeen charter members. The first elders were George Shiels, S. A. Chapell and S. P. Cowan. Mr. Chapell still serves the church in the eldership. Presbyterial oversight over this new church was commendable. Dr. Reaser, President of Carthage Collegiate Institute, and Licentiate W. J. Haydon, in the employ of the Board of Publication and Sunday school work, were appointed to minister to the flock until the spring meeting of Presbytery, and at that' time Presbytery appointedy regular monthly supplies for the next six months. This church has ap- parently gone on the theory that they must have a strong preacher or none, and no church in the Presbytery has more steadfastly adhered to this theory. For three years Dr. Reaser gave them such services as his other duties would permit. Then the church employed Rev. Henry M. Campbell, fresh from the seminary.. The veteran church builder. Rev. G. H. Williamson, came to them for 1898 and 1894 and led them in the erection of a house of wor- ship at a cost of $4000 of which $500 came from the Board of Church Erection. The first installed pastor of the church was Rev. J. X. McClung, 1895-1897. Mr. McClung was a man of even- gelistic ftrvor and spiritual and intellectual power. His pastorate that portended so much for the church was terminated adruptly when he sank back into his chair while delivering a sermon — prostrated with paralysis, which soon took him to his reward. The five year's pastorate of Rev. W. C. Templeton. Ph. D. — 1898-1902 — was the longest in the history of the church. Dr. Templeton raised the church to self-support, secured a valuable property for a manse, and together with members of his church 'was a potent factor in securing for the city a railroad Y. M. C. A. organization and building. It is safe to say that but for Mr. Stockton of this church that valuable institution would not have been reckoned to the assets of Monett for years to come. The church has ever maintained this close relation to the Y. M. C. A. that now enrolls 550 members. Its President and Secretary are ruling elders of this church. The pastorate of Dr. Templeton was fo'lowed by that of Henry Hepburn. June. 1902-March, 1905. Mr. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 177 Hepburn was regarded as especially strong in his pulpit work. Prom age to youth and from youth to age in their selection of a minister has been the tendency of this church. Mr. Hepburn was followed by Rev. G. H. Williamson, who entered upon his second term of service with this church with a head more hoary yet a vigor but little abated. (OZARK) (CHRISTIAN COUNTY.) Organized with eight members Nov. 12, 1888; committee on organization, Revs. E. A. Hamilton. J. Shepard and Elder J. E. Kenton. Jacob Bell and Wm. A. Aven were elected Ruling El- ders. Rev. G. F. Davis supplied the church for a time. The church was dropped from the roll Sept. 16, 1891. SENECA (NEWTON COUNTY) This little church on the border of the state was organized in 1891 (enrolled Sept. 15th) by Revs. R. W. Ely, J. G. Reaser, D. D. and J. A. Gerhard, with 19 members. For eleven years Mr. Ely ministered to the flock in Spiritual things. In 1896 a house of worship was reared but was taken off of its foundation in the flood of May the thirtieth of that year. "The little band was very much disheartened but in a little while things began to move and in October assisted by Dr. Walker the Synodical Missionary, we (quotation from Mr. Ely) dedicated a handsome little frame church building free of debt and seating 250." Rev. W. N. Crozier and others have ministered to this church for brief terms of service. (WESTMINSTER, CARTHAGE) (JASPER -COUNTY) This church was organized by Presbytery at a Pro re nata meeting August 7th, 1891. The petition, signed by sixty-six per- sons was the largest of its kind ever presented to Presbytery and stated that $1400 were already subscribed to meet the current expenses of the church the ensuing year. Fifty-seven were re- ceived by letter and a few on profession of their faith. Wm. D. Mateer, Aaron Myers, R. L. Galbreath and S. H. Houser were elected ruling elders. The church was a vigorous secession from the first church and made an enviable record for growth and in benevolences. But time demonstrated the fact that two churches of the same faith and order could not flourish at the same time a block apart in a city the size of Carthage. When one was grow- ing the other was either losing or standing still. The two churches 178 Presbyterianism IN the ( )/..\RKS were happily united July '■">. 1!><>.'5. The following ministers serv- ed the church as pastors or stated supplies: Rev. D. C. Hanna, F. G. Knauer, C. A. Stewart, D. I).. W. P. Bishop, Ph. I), and G. H. Williamson. (SOUTH JOPLIN) (JASPER COUNTY) Enrolled Sept. 16, 1891, with sixteen charter members. The committee on organization consisted of Keys. J. A. Gerhard. J. G. Reaser, D. D., and Elder Fred Allen. Disbanded Oct. 21, 1896. FAIR PLAY (POLK COUNTY) Enrolled Sept. 16. 1891, with seven charter members. Rev G. II. Williamson and Elder J. D. Abbe organized the church. It has had the usual vicissitudes of a Presbyterian church in a vil- lage in Southwest Missouri. For the most part the church has been grouped with Bolivar. Prior to that grouping Rev. G. H. Williamson did some of his characteristically effective work S. I). Strain in the eldership of this church has perpetuated the strain of the Earlier Strains who were so intimately associated with Presbyterianism in the beginnings of Ozark Presbytery. (LONE ELM) (JASPER COUNTY) Another of the Ephemeral churches in the mining region whose record we hope is more permanent and comprehensive in the books on High than in the annals kept here. The church was enrolled by Presbytery May 2, 1902. FORDLAND (WEBSTER COUNTY) Organized May 17, 1896, by Revs. E. D. Walker, D. D. Synod- ical Missionary, and Elder C. W. Likens, with 13 charter mem- bers. Rev. G. H. Williamson led the congregation in the erection of a house of worship (1896) at a cost of $925. The Board ot Church Erection granted $250. The church has had the services for short periods of William Westwood. a student, Revs. G. H. Williamson. Geo. Clymer. Charles Memott. E. J. Nugent. Local Evangelist. L. B. Harris and Revs. H. A. Tucker and J. D. White. (ASBURY) (JASPER COUNTY) Born to die of tender years. Organized Sept. 27, 1896, with 18 members. Stricken from the roll April. 1904. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 179 A group of Arkansas churches: (JONESBORO.) (RIDGE STATION.) MAMMOTH SPRING. MOUNT OLIVET. (MENA.) (HARRISON.) RAVENDEN SPRINGS. BETHEL, HARRIS, TRACE VALLEY. The jurisdiction of Ozark Presbytery in Arkansas has been referred to in the Preliminary Word, and in connection with the Eureka Springs church. By these references it is seen that Jones- boro and Ridge Station were originally in connection with the Presbytery of St. Louis and Mena with the Presbytery of Choc- taw. These churches were transferred to Ozark Presbytery in 1899 and 1900. Ridge Station was dissolved Oct. 27, 1894 ; Mena and Jonesboro were transferred to the Presbyterian church U. S., the former April 14, 1903, the latter in the summer of 1904. The Harrison church was organized by the Presbyterian Church U. S., transferred to this Presbytery Oct. 21, 1903. and dismissed to unite with the C. P. Church of Harrison, 1906. The other churches were the outgrowth of work done in Arkansas by the missionar- ies of the Board of Publication and S. S. Work. This Board has expended a large sum of money in Arkansas. The work has been of a pioneer nature and the soil has not been very productive. The Home Board followed up the work with ample appropria- tions. The remoteness from the Presbytery, together with ad- verse local conditions, and an inhospitable environment hardly warrants us in saying more than that we hope seed has been sown that will produce a harvest now that the reunion has great- ly strengthened our church in Arkansas. Ravenden Springs, un- der the ministry of Rev. A. N. Wylie, is in a measure an excep- tion to the above statement. The work there has been as pros- perous as could be excepted. Harris and Trace Valley owe their existence to the labors of S. S. Missionary Grundy. The Home Mission Board was able to do next to nothing in the territory they represent. 180 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks BURNHAM (HOWELL COUNTY.) This Church in the fruit belt of the Ozarks was received by- letter from the Pres. of La Fayette U. S. in April 1892. During the ministry of Rev. D. B. Whimster at West Plains it was group- ed with that church. Previous to this it had been served by Rev. E. J. Nugent. BETHANY-JOPLIN (JASPER COUNTY.) During the pastorate of Rev. J. B. Welty the First Church of Joplin made rapid developments in city missions. A Pastor's assistant was secured and placed in ■ charge of this work. Out of one of these missions grew the Bethany church in South Joplin. The committee of organization consisted of Revs. R. W. Ely and H. O. Scott D. D. and Elder F. A. Cushman. The church was organized with 42 members, April 29th, 1902. Mr. Claus Olandt. Mr. Welty 's assistant supplied the church while a candidate for the ministry and after his ordination became its first pastor. Mr. Olandt proved himself a masterly personal wTorker and brought into the church large numbers of persons of diverse beliefs and accomplishments. He organized and directed a thriving brotherhood of Andrew and Philip and the sunday school frequently out grew its quarters. This accounts for the pictur- esque development of the house in which this church worships. It was originally square and was seated with opera chairs. First the end opposite the pulpit was taken out and an addition was erected which was divided into three class rooms that opened in to the auditorium, and a vestibule at one corner. At another time one side was taken out and an extension was made which served as a prayer meeting room ; in the right angle between the vestibule and this room a tower was erected the floor of which answered for a new vestibule and the old vestibule was con- verted into a sabbath school library. Again the other side was taken out and an addition comprising three class rooms was erected; then in the right angle between this and the first addition a room was built for the pastor's study. Meanwhile the ground under the building had been excavated and a basement was fitted up for a gymnasium and institutional purposes. Mr. Olandt was succeeded in the pastorate bv Rev. R. L. Kinnaird. who was in- stalled June 6, 1906. (MOFFETT AVENUE— JOPLIN) JASPER COUNTY. This church was of Cumberland origin. Its struggles for ex- istence, heroic though they may have been, seemed uncalled for Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 181 after it became evident that the two bodies would unite. Hence it transferred its property to the First Church of Joplin and was received by the Presbytery by letter September 14th, 1904. At its own request the church was dissolved the 27th of October, that its members might unite with the First Church. CRANE (STONE COUNTY). The Crane Church was organized June 11th, 1905, by Revs. W. L. Hackett, E. L. Renick and Synodical Missionary Rev. John B. Hill, D..D. Thirty-four charter members constituted the or- ganization. Mr. Renick as S. S. missionary, and Mr. Hackett as pastor at large, had done considerable work there prior to the or- ganization. It was supplied for some months by the pastor-at- large, Mr. Hackett, and under his supervision a neat house of worship was erected at a cost of $2,500. Rev. C. W. Smith fol- lowed the pastor-at-large as supply of this church. CARTERVILLE (JASPER COUNTY). The Carterville Church is one of the first fruits of the reunion.* After the churches of "Webb City were united the United Church offered the church building formerly occupied by the Cumber- land Presbyterians to Carterville for a Presbyterian Church. The citizens of the place purchased a lot and the Board of Church Erection provided the money for the rehioval of the building. The church was organized by Rev. J. F. Shepherd, Ph. D.. and Rev. Baldsar Hoffman July 1st, 1906, with thirty-one members. R. T. Hurley and J. C. Sanders were elected and in- stalled ruling elders. Mr. C. W. Sample, a theologial student, was instrumental in gathering the flock and ministered to them during his summer vacation. NORTH HEIGHTS— JOPLIN (JASPER COUNTY). This church is the outgrowth of a mission established by the First Church. It was organized with thirty members September 14th, 1906. A number of the charter members had been identified with the Moffett Avenue Church, formerly C. P., and the house of worship belonging to that body was transferred to the North Heights Church. The committee on organization consisted of Revs. B. M. Shive, D. D., J. F. Shepherd, Ph. D., and R, L. Kin- naird. Rev. Samuel Wiley, assistant pastor of the First Church, was placed in charge of the new organization. 182 PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE OZARKS HOBERG (LAWRENCE COUNTY). Rev. George P. Harbour organized a church at Hoberg Sep- tember 30, 1906, with twenty-eight members. A. E. Baugfa was elected clerk of the session, consisting of three elders. Mr. Har- bour was at this time a member of the former C. P. Presbytery of Ozark, or Ozark A. as it was now officially styled. Hut the ehurch made appliation to the Presbytery of Ozark and was re- ceived and enrolled October 25th, 1906. w E xt \v( > irn i ( x E wt< >x county ) . The last entry in the record of the First Presbytery of Ozark reads : "Addenda.— On the 26th of April (1907) Revs. J. F. Shep- herd and E. W. McCracken organized a church at Went worth, Mo., with twenty-two members and ordained and installed as ruling elders 8. H. Griffin, J. W. Robb and J. H. Hines. In ac- cordance with instructions of Presbytery, the stated clerk en- rolled this church May 1st. "E. E. STRINGFIELD, Stated Clerk "Approved October 18, 1907. "R. T. CALDWELL. Moderator of Svnod." Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 183 CHAPTER VII. SKETCHES OF MINISTERS N0te. — An attempt is made to insert these sketches in chron- ologoical order, arranged under the different Presbyteries. Where a minister served under more than one Presbytery his name is given in connection with the Presbytery under which he first serv- ed churches in our territory. The sketches are at best fragmentary. The space given a minister is not necessarily in proportion to his abilities or deserts, but is determined in part at least by the permanent impress he left on the work in Southwest Missouri, rather than his work elsewhere, and in part by the available interesting material. Perhaps no other place is more fitting to acknowledge indebtedness to Hill's "History of Kansas City Presbytery" for material facts concerning some of tho pioneer ministers and churches. Strenuous service in the chairmanship of home missions has rendered the writer at least partially "im- mune" to personal criticisms, and therefore he ventures to insert sketches of present members of the Presbytery. If the sketched feel that their merits are not fully delineated they are referred to the sentence above beginning "the space given a minister," etc.. and to the additional fact that their labors in the Presbytery are of tco recent occurrence for the historian to fully weigh their permanent value.) 184 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks MINISTERS OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HARMONY AND THE FIRST OSAGE NATHANIEL B. DODGE. To an age thai is tending to the reunion of Christendom, and that looks upon "the field" as the wide, wide world. I present this Congregational founder of Presbyterianism in Southwesl Missouri, this stepping stone from foreign to home missions. Nathoniel Brown Dodge Jr. was born in Winchester X. H., June 5, 1781, served in the war of 1812 and was ordained about 1816 by the Congregational council in Vermont. In 1821 he organized the company sent out by the A. B. C. F. M. to found the Harmony Mission to the Osage Indians. The company con- sisted of ten or eleven families and five lady teachers. Starting from New York "they went to Philadelphia by sea. thence to Pittsburg by large wagons. At Pittsburg they built boats to go down the Ohio and up the Mississippi. They went up the Mis- souri in keel boats to the north of the Osage, and up that as far as they could cordell, and 'till the stream became too shallow to go farther." It took them four months to make this journey and some of their number died by the way. Mr. Dodge was the superintendent of this Mission planted in Bates county. "In the course of six or seven years the Government moved the Indians to Neosho in what is now Kansas, to which place he followed, there founding the Bondinot Mission. Subsequently he returned to Missouri and organized out of the Mission families tin1 Little Osage Church. Thus the transation was made from a Foreign to a Home Missionary. "His first commission from the A. H. M. S. was April 25, 1836, to labor in the vicinity of Harmony Mission station." Some time previous to that he had founded a Congregational Church in that neighborhood, which was undoubtedly the first church of that order ever organized west of the Mississippi, unless the Mission Churches were of that order." To the Hoard and to the Missionaries it seemed to be a matter of small moment as to whether the churches were of the Congregational or of the Presbyterian order. The Harmony Mis- sion was beyond the confines we are considering in this volume. But the Little Osage Church was in Vernon county. At its organization this church adopted the Congregational form but it soon voted to change to the Presbyterian form of government. G. A. M. RENSHAW Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 185 Mr. Dodge, its minister, was a member of the Harmony Pres- bytery. On the third of September 1848 he entered into rest, and his mortal dust lies at Little Osage. He was described as "The best preserved specimen of an old-fashioned New England country minister." His manners, his dress and all together suggested a generation passed away — one of the old fashioned type. He was unwilling to depart from the ways of New England even among the pioneers. A sacramental meeting was once held in the church, and several of his brethren were with him. A num- ber of persons were hopefully converted, and his brethren urged him to admit them to the church then ; but he delcared that such was not the custom in Vermont, and he would not do it. Soon the Methodist came and held a meeting, sweeping in all his converts, some of them members of his own family, into their fold." Yet "His life is an illustration of the usefullness of effort for good. He met his kindred race at their first entrance into an important section of the country," and he stamped upon the virgin soil the impress of a man of God. EPHRAIM PEAKE NOEL, Born in Casell, N. C. Oct. 4, 1804; student of Maryville college; Ordained by the Presbytery of Union Sept. 26, 1833. The labors of this teacher and preacher were confined largely to other parts of the state. But he organized the Hermon and Mt. Zion churches and supplied both for a time. Mr. Noel held the first Presbyterian camp meeting at the Cave Spring camp ground in July and August 1841. GEORGE ALEXANDER MILTON RENSHAW, Back in the third decade of the nineteenth century a poor widow with a large family in East Tennessee received this mes- sage : "The Lord hath need of him." The him referred to was George Alexander Milton Renshaw and the sender of the message was none other than Dr. Isaac Anderson, President of Maryville college. Accepting this as a call from God through his servant the next morning young Renshaw, clad in garments produced from his mother's spindle, set out for Maryville college. He was accompanied by the one who brought the message and they alternately walked and rode the messenger's mule. Through the considerate kindness of the trustees and friends of the college and with a little aid from the educational society Mr. Renshaw 186 Presbyterianism in the O/.arks completed with honor his collegiate and theological course and was ordained by the Presbytery of Kingston October 1841. Not long after this he came to Missouri and took charge of the Mt. Zion church — the church thai a little over two years before had been organized in his mother's house. There he remained until the day of his death, April 25th, 1857. For length of service in one church in Southwest Missouri this term h;is been exceeded only by the services of Rev. W. S. Knight, D. I), in Carthage and W. R. Fulton in the Ebenezer church. Dr. Hill's history of K. C. Presbytery p. 46 says that Mr. Renshaw "supplied Mt. Zion, Weaubleau, Bolivar and George- town." The Assembly minutes represent him as in continuous charge of Mt. Zion and in addition to this S. S. or Harmony 1846, Springtieldl851-53, Walnut Grove 1854. As to Dr. Hill's groupe. Waubleau disappeared from the roll some time between 1843-46. In 1861 Rev. Levi Morrison's list of churches gave this account of Bolivar. "Never existed, I think." The probability is that Mr. Renshaw peached at these points frequently, but not regu- larly, for it is said: "He went out into the highways and hedges and compelled them to come in." Mr. Renshaw assisted by Rev. A. G. Taylor organized the Walnut Grove church and he assisted Dr. Artemus Bullard in the organization of the Springfield church. But his monumental work was at Cave Springs. There he built up one of the two strongest churches in the presbytery in spite the sending out of colony after colony and then he erected the house of worship whose claims to bring "the first west of St. Louis" are discussed in the proper place. Mr. Renshaw bequeathed to the Presbytery of Ozark a son who after its organi- zation in 1870 became its second candidate for the ministry. Rev. Levi Morrison whose hand was laid on G. A. M Renshaw at ordination, and who wrote his obituary said: "Though his humility never dared to speak the bold language of the Apostle, yet day by day he lived the sentiments, none of these things move me, neither count I life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." To meet his Presbytery or Synod was often a journey of four hundred miles, forth and back, facing the heavy, piercing prairie wind by day, and lodging at night in such shanties as he might find; and returning home but to prolong the endurance of the same hard- ships the year round. Bronchitis neuralgia, rheumatism announce their presence and we find in his diary "I must take more care of my health with a view to longer usefulness. I pray God this may not degenerate into inactivity." Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 187 Thus Brother Renshaw lived, labored, suffered on — losing, it would seem, the sense of pain in the joys of his Master's work — wearing a smile that told of a fountain of inward kindness and comforts, of which his modesty seldom dared to speak — seldom daring to speak of his successes, though he was seldom many months without having new seals to his min- istry. In his successes there were sore trials. Twice was his church sadly reduced by emigration to ' Oregon and California. The latter occurred but a year before his death. The homes in his immediate vicinity, where he had counseled and cheered and fed his former flock, are inhabited by strangers. That beautiful garden of the Lord, where he had toiled so patiently and hopefully, is swept by the wild spirit of adventure — that sirocco of the west — and presents to his eye but a few scattered, drooping stalks. And it is just as he begins to see signs of success in rallying his broken ranks that his kind Master bids him cease from his toils and go home to his rest. He was in his place at the last meeting of the Presbytery of Osage, where he became seriously indisposed. Rallying a little, he returned to his home, and after a few days of hopeful health he was severely attacked with a complication of diseases — inflammatory rheumatism prominent — ana after two weeks of intense suffering he fell asleep on the 25th of April, 1857, suffused with such smiles as only become such a servant of Christ, and become him only in the gate. He died aged forty-one years. In all his relations as a man and a minister Brother R. was a model man. And after all we have said of him we feel as he would often express himself on the higher themes of the Saviour's loveliness, ''what we have said seems almost slander. ' ' As a preacher he was always pertinent, concise and simple. More anxious to be understood than admired, I doubt whether he ever attempted to frame an eloquent sentence in his life. Yet he was often eloquent — never contemptible. Excessive distrust of his own abilities put him upon constant application to sacred writers and the more evangelical poets for forms of idea and expression, and yet you would feel that neither indolence nor pedantry is there, but that the speaker has such a reverence for his holy theme he dares trust its utterance to no language but such as the Holy Ghost teacheth. * * * His faults, if faults they were, were such as few men are in danger of imitating. They seem to us but the shadows which a bashful temperament cast over his Christian humility. ISAAC B. RICKETTS. Educated Maryville, Term., rec. Pby. Hor. '43 fr. Pby. Union: Sup. Osceola and Waubleau, '43-49; Georgetown '44; Wright Co. '52 ff ; went to Texas, '59, undismissed." (Hill's Pres. of Kansas City p. 46.) Wableau found a peace in the assembly ministers but one year, 1843 ; deponent sayeth not what his labors were in Wright county. They were doubtless abundant and effective. The seeds planted and the young plants started, watered and cultivated by the early missionaries were many of them uprooted by the devast- ing horror of Civil war. 1 88 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks ( IHEISTOPHER HRADSHAW. Like the subject of the sketch above, Mr. Bradshaw was edu- cated at Maryville college the alma mater of Renshaw, Morrison, Taylor, Emerson, Noel, McMillan and possibly others of whom sketches are given herein. Like the subject of the previous sketch also his labors were largely in that part of the Osage Presbytery that subsequently fell to the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Kansas City. For a time, however, he supplied Little Osage and Marmiton churches, which fell to the Presbytery of Ozark at the reunion. Mr. Bradshaw was ordained by the Presbytery of Union in 1844 and was a missionary of the A. H. M. S. in Osage Presbytery '46-60. When past sixty he wrote to The Home Missionary (Sept. 1846) "Our Presbytery held its spring sessions, including the third Sabbath of March, on the Little Osage, Bates county (which then included Vernon county ). in Brother Dodge's church. We had an interesting meeting, and some evidence of the presence of the Spirit of Ood, attending a preached Word. On my return home I received a letter from a commission merchant at Boonville saying that they had a box subject to my order. It contained some articles of clothing for my family sent from St. Louis, and six Sabbath School libraries, sent as a donation from the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society to the far west. Since the reception of these libraries I have organized six Sabbath Schools, in places where there had never been any schools before. In organizing these schools I rode more than 2000 miles. My last two months have been a busy season. I preached seventeen times in the month. But I esteem it a great privilege to finish the evening of my life in my Master's vineyard, especial! v in feeding the lambs."— (Hill's K. C. Pres.) ISAAC WILLIAM KER HANDY. Born Dec. 14, 1815, in Washinton, D. C, a graduate of Jeffer- son college and a student of Princeton Seminary. He supplied North Prairie church sometime between '45 and '48. BEDFORD RYLAND. "Educated Maryville, Tenn., Lie. Oct. 3, '32. Pby. Union; Mi'inb. Osage Pby. Sup. Bolivar, Wableau. Hermon, North Prairie, Georgetown; d. Oct. 16, '45, Bolivar, Mo. WM. H. SMITH. William H. Smith ordained by the Presbytery of Osage in Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 189 1849 appears to have been the first man ordained by a Missouri Presbytery who labored in Southwest Missouri. Indeed minis- terial ordinations were very rare in the first Osage Presbytery. A native of New York, he graduated at Union College in 1841 and at Columbia Theological Seminary S. C. in 1844. "He began work in Hickory and Polk counties in 1849. In one of his letters from that field he gives a graphic picture of conditions then pre- vailing in this part of the country. * * * He says: * * * "The gospel has to contend against Antinomianism, Two- Sedism, Campbellism, etc. And a serious hindrance to the progress of pure and undefiled religion is an uneducated ministry. Ephemeral preach- ers are numerous. They have come up over the land like frogs upon Egypt and seriously injure the influence of an educated ministry. Many of them are great lovers of whisky and dogegdly oppose all benevolent operations. * * * Such preachers will have their day and pass away. * * * My two churches are thirty-five miles apart. At one I preach twice a month, at the other once. One of the congregations has resolved to build a church this year, notwithstanding their feebleness. Most of the places of worship are wretched log cabins." Mr. Smith seems to have supplied North Prairie Her- mitage and Mt. Pleasant from '47 to '51 and Little Osage for a time in '60. He deeply regretted the disintegration of Osage Presbytery and the withdrawal of the New School Work. To the Secy, of the Home Mission Society he wrote June, 1857: "I cannot be sustained without aid from abroad, and unless that comes I must either leave the state or resort to some secular oc- cupation." His tenacity is suggested in a letter written by another which also gives a good view of the times : "Osage Presbytery cut loose from Synod last fall, as you probably know.* The spring meeting has just closed, but as I was unable to attend I am not informed what action was taken. Still I can give you the status of most of the members. Harlan, Jones, Bequa and myself are Old School- bound. Shall all of us unite next fall with our churches. Morrison (L. E.), Bicketts, Taylor and McMillan are going with the name of Osage Presby- tery to the United Synod.* Morrison of Arkansas — I am not posted as to his drif tings. Smith stands 'neck and heels' for Cleveland, i. e., the N. S. Assembly. But I am told he is going to leave the State." ALBERT GALLATIN TAYLOR. The first of the New School ministers whose labors in Southwest Missouri had their origin before the Civil war and their termination in the same region after the war was A. G. Taylor. Born in Tennessee (Oct. 3, 1810) and educated at Maryville col- *Written March 25, 1859. **Morrison took the minutes,, too, and they cannot be found to this day. The Presbytery did not become extinct until 1861. 190 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks lege is ;i description thai applies to him ;is well as to so many others of his Co-Presbyters. Mos1 of these men it happens were of his Co-Presbyters. .Most of these men it happens were educated during the Presidency of Anderson and their Missionary proclivities speak volumes for the school and its President. About 1850 Mr. Taylor entered Osage Presbytery. He resided al Bolivar for a number of years and supplied the Hermon church. With this was grouped for a time Gasconade, and later Red Hill. In 1855 his address is given as Walnut Grove — Churches Red Hill and Walnut Grove. This group appears opposite his name as Ion u as Osage Presbytery reported to the Assembly. He is included in a group of ministers described in these words: "They preached a great deal, traveled widely, scattered Bibles, organ- ized churches, held camp meetings and usually farmed a little. Their type is nearly extinct but was we'd defined and highly serviceable in its day. At the disintegration of Osage Presbytery Taylor went with the United Synod. Rev. L. R. Morrison's list of ministers in 1861 includes this notice: '"'A. G. Taylor, W. C. Col., (Portem) Walnut Grove. U. S." However he was a strong union man and served the Spring- field church at intervals during the war. Before the reorganiza- tion of the Osage Presbytery he and John M. Brown formed a kind of provisional Presbytery, received Enos M. Halberl as candidate and arranged to license him next Spring. When the Presbytery was reorganized Mr. Taylor was elected modera- tor and was its first chairman on home missions. For a time he served as Presbyterial Missionary and later as colporteur but the infirmities of age crept upon him and he was not per- mitted to do much active work after the organization of Ozark Presbytery. He remained a member of this Presbytery until his death. November 5th, 1895, aged 85 years one month and two days. His last residence was in Phenix. Greene County. DANIEL EMERSON The names of A. G. Taylor and Daniel Emerson appear in the Assembly record of Osage Presbytery the same year 1850. By the next year that of the latter had disappeared. He was the first regular stated supply of the Springfield church. His term of service only lasted from August 1849 to May 1850. A provisional committee, assembled to determine as to whether or not it was best for him to remain longer: exhonorated him from the charge of being an abolitionist, but decided that his useful- ness in that church was at an end. He wTas included in that class of ministers described in the preceding sketch. As far back as 1861 Rev. Levi R. Morrison said his residence and ecclesiastical Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 191 connection was unknown. The subsequent record of this brother indicates that his stay in Springfield was an unfortunate episode in an otherwise fruitful ministry. For some years he taught school in West Ely and Hannibal, Mo., and then held a compara- tively long pastorate in an important church in Delaware. LEVI R, MORRISON. The man who probably did more than any other one man to check the stampede of the New School churches of this section into the Old School fold was Levi Morrison. He was the last Stated Clerk of the first Presbytery of Osage, and assisted in transferring the remnants of that Presbytery to the United Synod of the South. Perchance his activities render possible the re- organization of the Presbytery after the war. From 1851 to 1861, or later, Mr. Morrison had charge of the North Prairie Church, grouped for a couple of years with Osceola, and from '58 on with Mount Zion and Springfield. The efforts of Mr. Morrison and the session to keep the Springfield Church from going to the Old School body resulted in the split of the church and the formation cf Calvary Church. With Mr. Morrison in charge of one party and Mr. Quarles of the other the two parties worshipped alter- nately and amicably in the same building for some time. Denied the privileges of a college education, Mr. Morrison was a worthy type of what I conceive to have been the intention of the framers of our standards when they provided for exceptional cases. By indefatigable application he became a minister of no mean in- tellectual attainments. The records of his labors and the memory of those who knew him bear testimony to his piety, zeal, ability and strong convictions — especially on the national issues of the clay. A grandson of one of his right hand elders in the Spring- field Church remembers how piteously and tauntingly the sol- diers made the old man walk over rough roads and through swollen streams to Springfield from his home in Hickory County, a distance of sixty miles — a march that no doubt shortened his life and tortured his declining days with pain. Rev. George W. Harlan, a son-in-law of Mr. Morrison, under date of November 19, 1900, wrote for Dr. Hill's History of Kansas City Presbytery a letter from which I quote: Of these brethren Rev. Joseph V. Barks and Levi R. Mor- rison were very efficient. * * * Rev. L. R.' Morrison had charge of the North Prairie church, Hickory County, during his entire connection with this Presbytery some ten or fifteen years. * * * He remained at home faithfully, ministering to the flock under his care until by mili- tary authority he was arrested as a Southern sympathizer, taken from his family and held as a prisoner. He was above the average as a ig2 Presbyterianism in the OzarkS preacher, being fluent, clever, and forcible and at times quite eloquent. Strong in his convictions and very decided in his adherence to the doc- trines of the Presbyterian church, he preached and defended the Bame with great ability. * * * Abundant and diligenl in labors at home and abroad, he was instrumental in I, nil. ling up 8 Btrong church at North Prairie, and in starting an academy at which young men were prepared for college. In response to frequent calls, he preached al vacant churches and mission points, and. as opportunity was given, held evange- listic services which were greatly Messed in winning souls to Christ and strengthening feeble churches. His labors were interrupted by the Civil war, and lie himself, from exposture and ill-treatment as a prisoner, was attacked with rheumatism in so severe a form that he was a cripple for life, and could not walk or stand erect; so that when he preached, which he continued To do as long as he lived, he was seated in a chair. Thus tearless and faithful, he toiled on, meekly enduring the trials and afflic- tions alloted to him, until the end came, and on December 29th, 1867, in the 63rd of his age being released from his labors and sufferings by death, he was called to his reward." A letter written by Mr. Morrison to Dr. Timothy Hill is so interesting that I must quote it in part : "CROSS TIMBERS, Jan. 21st, 1861. * * * "I am in my fifty-sixth year; was born in 1805 in Mecklen- burg County, N. C. My father was of Scotch descent. * * My mother of English extraction. Both my parents were pious from their early youth My father was for many years an elder in the church in Bedford County, Tennessee, whither he removed when I was ten years of age. In my fif- teenth year it pleased the God of my fathers to turn me from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. My views of the beauties of Christ and the glories of redemption gleaming from every par*: of the Bible and catechism, in which I had been diligently taught, soon settled into the form of a prevailing desire to preach Christ to my fellow sinners. But I was quite illiterate, and my father * * was unable to educate me or even to spare me from the farm. So leaving the case in the hand of Cod, believing that if he intended me to preach he would open a way for an education in due time, I toiled on at the plow, trying at all times to acquire scriptural information by snatching a few moments to read some- thing as material for thought while at my labor. Then, in my twenty-see onri year. with one dollar in my pocket ind t.ha blessing < f the best of parents as a fountain of courage in my heart, I set forth on the cherished object of my life, with Murry's Grammar and all beyond a terra incognita. * I went into the study of my elder brother, Rev. Silas H. Morrison, long since deceased, who had worked his way through aa education into the ministry some years before. Upon his removing to Alabama. I went to the Study of Rev. Amzi Bradshaw in Wilson County, Tenn., with whom I finished my Greek, science and theology, having studied Latin with my brother (I never studied Hebrew; Being blessed with uncommon good health and constitution, I was able to endure more study and physical toil than most students. I have now answered your question with regard to the place of my theologi cal education as nearly as the obscurity of the case permits — first at my father's hearthstone and plowtail, with the Bible for a text book, the Con- fession of Faith, Scott's Family Bible, Burder's and Witherspoon's Ser- mons for Expositors, and father and mother for professors; lectures every Sabbath evening and as much oftener as business permitted; second, in th"> Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 193 study of Eev. Mr. B , a log cabin 10x14 feet, which has long since shared the fate of Goldsmith's village school house, where a vigorous, earnest man made great, strong, pungent sermons, directed my reading, and did his best to show me how to convince men of sin and persuade them to Christ. * * * Then, unincumbered with debt and the same amount of money (one dollar) on hand with which I commenced my curriculum, I was, after much examination, sent forth a probationer by the Presbytery of Shiloh, by whom I was ^ordained one year afterward, April 20, 1832. "As you ask for incidents, and I have spoken of two memorable dol- lars, let me tell you of another, of which you may tell the boys as an in- stance of providential faithfulness and bounty. The first dollar I ever could call my own I gave to the American Bible Society, and lest I should regret it I bound myself that the next dollar I might have should go the same way, and it did. Now I begin to be an old man, have never been rich; but to this day I have not had absolute need of a dollar but it has been at hand in some honorable way." For two years Mr. Morrison served Spring Creek, Smyrna and Ephesus churches in as many counties in Tennessee where he says. "The Divine blessing descended to the conversion of about seventy souls in that time." After two years in Sparta and Mc- Minville which he regarded as his least satisfactory work, he then removed to Athens, Tennessee, for an eleven years minis- try. Of this he says : "Here, I think, was the best schooling I ever had. On taking charge at A. I found myself surrounded with brethren of superior advantages; many of them with large, active minds and noble hearts. Besides, Athens happened to be the residence of quite a number of professional men of the first order of talents, few of whom were connected with the church person- ally, but all of them through their families. Now, to maintain a standing compatible with usefulness among such brethren, and to save my pulpit and my Master's cause f-rom disrespect before such a community, didn't I have to work and study?" For a description of his work in Missouri see the sketch of the North Prairie Church, to which I add another quotation : "During my first two years in Missouri I preached half the time to the church at Osceola (distant about thirty miles), which has now gone 0. S., and is served by Brother Barks, of Warsaw. It has never grown much, For the last three years much of my time has been devoted to the churches of Mount Zion and Springfield, in Greene County, sixty miles distant from my home. At the de- cease of Bro. Renshaw, nearly four years ago, these churches were discouraged, especially the former, where he resided, which had recently been much diminished by emigrants to California and Oregon. My monthly labors in Mount Zion have been little more than sufficient to maintain the church in statu quo. *It had nearly doubled its strength, by conversions and immigrations, *This evidently refers to the Springfield Church, not Mount Zion, as it would appear. [94 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks when within the lasl year ;i respectable minority bolted for the 0. s. and divided the church.' john McMillan. Rev. John .McMillan appears in the Assembly minutes as a member of Osage Presbytery for the first time in 1856. At that time he was in charge of the New Hope Church, in Arkansas, postoffice Crooked Creek. Later he was principal of North Prai- rie Institute, in Hickory County, and had under His tutelage lOnos M. Halbert and one other young man as candidates for the min- istry. December 8, 1857, Rev. Joseph V. Barks wrote: * "And first, Those who depend on H. M. aid in this Presbytery.' To answer this question I refer yon to our minutes of the As- sembly, all our ministers with the following exceptions, viz: A. Jones, W. C. Requa, J. McMillan and your humble servant. Broth- ers Jones and Requa sell pills for support. Bro. McMillan teaches the young idea to shout for his 'hog and hominy.' As for myself, I have been supported by my own people since the A. II. M. Soc. gave us Paddy's hint. All the rest receive aid." MINISTERS OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERY OF OSAGE. JOHN M. BROWX. As I sit with pen in hand there rises before me a mental picture of a Presbyterian minister — tall, straight, dignified and clad in the conventional habiliments of the clergy. The negative was made on the sensitive plate of memory by John M. Brown, pastor of the Xeosho Church, who visited in my father's home when I was a lad eight or nine years of age. The structure above describes all I do remember about him, and perhaps that memory is so vivid because he is the first, or at least the second, Presby- terian minister of whom I have any recollection. My earliest rec- colleetions of the clergy cluster around two Cumberland Presby- terian ministers, — Revs. Jerre Ward and \V. E. Beasou, -and then come Revs. John M. Brown and W. L. Miller— a quartette whose ministerial characters ought to start a small boy out with an exalted idea of the nobility of the calling.'' Rev. George H. Williamson has built more churches and Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 195 probably preached more sermons in Southwest Missouri, but I doubt if Presbyterianism in this section ever hud the equal of John M. Brown as a field worker. When Ik- was no longer needed, as a soldier in the service of the Union he resumed the official duties of a soldier of the cross and arrived in Warsaw De- cember, 1°65. To this section he was sent by District Secretory Norton and did more than any other one man to reestablish the work that issued in the Presbyteries of Osage and Ozark. In less than a week's residence on the field he had a tolerably clear concep4 ion of the task before him, and the following month wrote : "These desolations cannot be restored unless we have help. We are straining every nerve — traveling in all kinds of weather and over all kinds of roads for long distances — preaching on the Sabbath, visiting and talk- ing all week; faring sometimes like John the Baptist in the wilderness, or worse; and yet we fall far behind the needs of the field. * * My circuit * * * measures more than two hundred miles around, and this must be traveled at least once in four weeks, sometimes once in two weeks — and this not by railroad, but on horseback or in a buggy. About all that we can do is to say 'Good morning' to a church and then 'Good- bye.' * * * I believe our labors will be largely lost unless we can have help. Can you send on a man immediately? * Now is the time to strike in this region. * * Next week I expect to start on a trip west as far as Fort Scott, Kan." A month later he had organized a church at Clinton and re- habiliated churches of Warsaw and Mt. Zion. Headquarters were thereafter made at the latter. About this time he wrote : "What about these twenty counties in my field? It seems to me this matter is getting rather serious. And we don't want any but first rate men of good, natural abilities, of apostolic zeal, and large discretion, men that are not afraid of self-denial and hard work, men that expect to suc- ceed. And such men will succeed. Large patience, too; is necessary. * The labor is with individuals as well as communities. And these individ- uals are not all living side by side in nice litle towns, with dry, clean sidewalks; but they are scattered all over the country. In one church which I have explored the members are spread over fifteen miles square. I have visited all but three members and spent from three to twenty-four hours with each family. This is immense labor, but the work cannot well be done in any other way. But I need not tell you these things, for you know all about it by experience. But can't you hurry on that man?" In October, 1867, Dr. Norton wrote concerning Mr. Brown: "This brother is performing a great work here and all through South- west Missouri. His labors are incessant. One-half of his Sabbaths he spends with Mount Zion, and one Sabbath with the new church at Osceola, fifty miles north. He makes also long tours in various directions. Besides he is the chief planner of the new church edifice, and the chief executive officer in getting it forward. At the same time he is building a house for himself, in which, in its unfinished state, he entertained, during the whole meeting, all the ministers of the Presbytery, with the wives and children of two of them." The (hurch edifice referred to was the one in which the 196 Pri-sbyterianism in the Ozarks Mount /ion Church still worships. Preparations for bnilding were begun in the winter of '67 and the house was dedicated Aii-iisi 22, 1869. Shortly after this Mr. Brown relinquished 'his work and took charge of the church of Neosho. This had been an Old School church, and it thus came into the union with a New School pastor. From its organization to the time of the union Mr. Brown was the Stated Clerk of the second Presbytery of Osage. At three of its nine sessions he was its Moderator, and for a like number of times was its pastor host. For two years he served the Presbytery of Ozark as Presbyterial missionary, an office which was discontinued in September. 1874, on account of the heavy burden of debt borne by the Home Board. That Mr. Brown was a true Presbyterial missionary before he bore the title will be seen by the following extract from a letter written to Dr. T. Hill December 31, 1868 : ••You ask about my field. Well, it is 160 miles long and 100 miles wide. Thus you see 'no pent-up Utica' restrains my powers. I preach three-fourths of my time to two churches; the remaining one-fourth I skim over my field looking up Presbyterian members, preaching and organizing churches. Brother Matthews, a licentiate of our Presbytery, is my only assistant. * * Last week I returned from a two weeks' trip to the eastern part of my field. Traveled on horseback; reached a point 120 miles away from home; rode 300 miles; preached eight times; administered the sacrament and received several members into our little church at White Eock (Texas County); explored Howell County; found Presbyterians to constitute a church, and heard of several other points waiting for a min- ister to visit them. Bro. Matthews was with me. One of the points named above is Lebanon, a growing town on the Southwest Railroad. I expect to visit that place in January, and hope to organize a church soon. They are crowding this Southwest Railroad through, and in less than two years there will be a dozen stations needing attention. * Of course our little field will then become a big field. Where are we to find the men to enter in and possess this land? In the western part of my field are the counties of Vernon, Barton, Dade, Cedar and Polk, without a single Presbyterian Church*; but there are Presbyterian families scattered over them, and churches might be organized had we the men to do the work. But as we have not a single 'good, easy' place, I fear the men will be slow in coming. * Now, Bro. Hill, if you will visit us this winter or spring, I will furnish conveyance and we will go together across this wide field. I will meet you at Butler or Clinton. (This invitation was accepted.) "As to a box of clothing, one in the spring would not come amiss; but I could hardly ask it, as we received a box of second-hand clothing in Sep-, tember, which will help us through the winter. And yet, if the truth must be told, we do need such aid, for within fifteen months I have given three hundred dollars to build churches, help poor students and the cause gen- erally. This has drawn so heavily on my salary of $900 that I find it very difficult to support my family of eight on the remainder. With this state- ment I will leave the matter altogether with you.'' *This, of course, refers only to the New School. — Ed. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 197 WILLIAM S, MESSMER With apologies to one of my esteemed eopresbyters, William S. Messmer is remembered as "the horse man" among the min- isters in Southwest Missouri at the close of the war. Of himself he wrote: "For the past three months our home has been in the saddle, and our study the woods and prairies of Benton and Henry counties. Availing ourselves of the privileges granted (that of prospecting for ourselves) we have presented our claim, driven our stakes and settled our boundaries for the year ending September 1, 1867, not without earnest prayer that the Head of the church would 'enlarge the place of our ten I. lengthen our cords, and strengthen our stakes.' " After describing his Meld he says: "This program calls for fourteen to sixteen public services and eight social services per month, involving at least 300 miles of travel." Mr. Messmer preached the opening sermon at the organiza- tion of the Second Presbytery of Osage — Cave Springs, Mo., April 26, 1866. At that meeting he reported that he had organ- ized a church at Prairie Grove, consisting of eleven members, to be known as the Presbyterian Church of Springfield." (The Bellview Church.) For a time he served this church, but he left the bounds of the Presbytery before the reunion. ENOS M. HALBERT. The first man licensed and the first man ordained by the Second Presbytery of Osage, and probably the first Presbyterian minister educated by a Presbyterian institution in Southwest Missouri, was Enos M. Halbert. In his father's* house, nine miles northeast of Hermitage, Hickor^ County, was organized by virtue of an act of the Legislature dated February 14, 1845. Judge Halbert was a man of commanding influence in civic and ecclesiastical circles. In the Presbyterian Reporter for February, 1866, is a letter by Rev. John M. Brown, which gives an account of the North Prairie Church, and says: "Dr. Halbert, the pa- triarch of the neighborhood and one of the leading men of this section, together with his son, are elders in the church. He (Dr. H.) and four sons were in the Union Army as soldiers. One of these sons, not the elder, at the outbreak of the rebellion had been studying some years with the ministry in view, and under the care of the old Presbytery of Osage. He was expecting to be licensed at their meeting in the spring of 1861." This refers to Enos M. On account of the war he was not *Sometimes called Dr., sometimes Judge, Joel B. Halbert. I98 PRESBYTHRI AMSM IN THE OZARKS licensed utili] April 2S. ls(i(i, ;mw in my eighth year here, and perhaps likely to remain here. When the book is out please send me a copy, for which I will be glad to forward my dollar. ' ' Mr. Ilanna was president of Carthage Collegiate Institute September '90 to '92, and served the Westminster church as stated supply and pastor September 6, 91, to January 28, '96. The Presbytery has never had a more efficient chairman of young people's work than was he and he was also quite efficient as a helper in evengelistie services. HENRY MARTIN CAMPBELL. The stay of this brother in our bounds whs all too brief for the good of the Presbytery. Born, Congress, Ohio. 1861. Wooster U. B. A. '87, M. A. '90. Princeton T. S. '90. Ordained by the Pres- bytery of Ozark September 11, 1890. Served the churches of Monett and Lehigh. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Kansas City August 7, 1891. JOHN ROSS GASS. In the inner circle of my ministerial friends whose portraits hang on the walls of memory I am glad to find the genial face and manly form of that manly man and friendly friend, John R. Gass. How often we have taken sweet counsel together! The following sketch is taken from La Aurora, published at Las Vegas, New Mexico, September 1, 1906. "We have the privilege this week of presenting a brief sketch of the life of our energetic and greatly esteemed Synodical Missionary, the Rev. John Ross Gass, of Albuquerque, who is now nearing the close of his first year of service in that important office. Like his predecessors in this synodical position, Mr. Gass is descended from 'true blue' Presbyterian stock, his ancestors on both sides of the family having been Presbyterians as far back as the traditions of the houses can trace their origin. He was born in Tennessee, where his ancestry had lived for three generations back; the Gasses coming from Ireland and the Blackburns and Caldwells from England by way of Virginia, passing over from the Old Dominion across the Alleghanies into Tennessee in the famous pioneer days of "The Cross- ing." As in many such families, there has always been a distinct strain of ministerial blood in the Gass race, and at present four grandsons of his mother's father, who was a sturdy and typical Presbyterian elder, are in the active ministry. From this same race came the famous preacher, mis- sionary and educator, the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D. D., once President of Centre College, Kentucky, and founder of Blackburn University in Illi- nois. J. R. GASS Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 235 Mr. Gass' father, who died when his boy was but six years old, was a firm believer in the covenant-keeping God. He named the son after a minister whom he admired greatly, and on the day of his baptism conse- crated the boy to the gospel ministry, although the boy himself was never told of this until he had decided to prepare for the ministry. His college course was taken at Greenville and Tusculum, the oldest college in Ten- nessee, founded in 1794, from which he was graduated in 1881. After studying theology two years at Lane Seminary he took his final year at McCormick Seminary, Chicago, graduating in the class of 1884. ' ' Mr. Gass ' first parish was the old Kingsport Church, Tennessee, where he had supplied during seminary vacations, the church founded and served for many years by the Eev. Dr. Ross, for whom he was named. After two and a half years he accepted a call to the pastorate of the church at Sigour- ney, Iowa, and remained in that field over four years. Here on January 8, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Brinton Lowe, whose uncle had previously been pastor of the Sigourney Church for many years, and whose family has had the distinction of supplying the Presbyterian Church, with many ministers. From Sigourney Mr. and Mrs. Gass went to the charge at Greenfield, Mo., the oldest church in the Ozark Presbytery, and, as he himself describes it, 'one of the most delightful charges a minister ever had.' When they had given eight years of service in this parish, it became evident on account of Mrs. Gass' health that a sunnier climate must be sought, and in the fall of 1898 they came to Silver City, Mr. Gass taking the joint charge of Silver City and Deming. When in the year fol- lowing the charge was divided Mr. Gass elected to serve the Silver City Church, in which he filled a most successful pastorate for the next six years. At the meeting of Synod in Las Vegas in October last Mr. Gass received the appointment to the office of Synodical Missionary, becoming thus the third to serve the Synod of New Mexico in that capacity. In this position, 30 exacting in its nature, Mr. Gass has shown high executive ability and has accomplished a fruitful year's work. Possessed of earnest sincerity, quick sympathies, genial and courteous manners, ready tact and unfailing considerateness and patience, he wins friends for the church and its work wherever he goes. Mr. Gass is an able and attractive preacher, gladly wel- comed to all pulpits. This together with his record as a faithful anc? suc- cessful pastor warrants us in predicting for him wide and increasing useful- ness in his present synodical capacity." While in this Presbytery Mr. Gass served as chairman of the committee on publication and Sabbath School work ; and devoted to that work his characteristic zeal and efficiency. His Alma Mater conferred on him the title of Doctor or Divinity in 1906. Two incidents are characteristic of the man : While pastor of the Greenfield church he supplied the Lockwood church for a time on Sunday afternoon. One Sunday a young minister came by train to that town in order that he might call on a young lady. This riding on the train on Sunday was considered by Mr. Gass such a reproach on the ministry that he gave the young brother a sound lecture, and expressed his indignation that his own efforts to build up the kingdom of righteousness should be so neutraliz- ed. The last time I met him was in the corridor of the building where the Assembly of 1908 was held. While we were talking a minister whom he had known in boyhood came along. He threw 236 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks his arms around the Tennesseean's neck and exclaimed "the last time I saw you — you were wearing aprons; lets tr<> and play a u;iiiic of marbles." JAY C. HA XX A. This brother of Dwight C. Ilanna followed Dwighl thro?:gh Wooster (1888) Princeton (1891) and to Southwest Missouri. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark July 14. 1891, served the Ash Grove, Willard and Mt. Zion churches and was dismissed to the Presbytery of Platte April 12. 1893. JOHN I. HUGHES. A native of Wales, the subject of this sketch came to America in 1869 and was ordained in 1875. For a time he served Welsh .Calviristic churches but entered the Presbyterian church in 1887. His ministry in this church was confined to various churches in the Synods of Missouri and Kansas. He was received by the Presbytery of Ozark July 14, 1891. Served the churches of Lock- wood and White Oak and was dismissed to the Presbytery of Neosho September 12, 1893, and died at Burton. Kansas. Nov- ember 28, 1906. GEORGE H. DUTY. George H. Duty studied in McGee and Westminster colleges for a time and read theology under Dr. Bowen of the Presbyter- ian church U. S. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Kirksville (Cumberland) and united with the Presbyterian church Sept- ember 1887. After service of four years in Iowa he entered Ozark Pres- bytery September 15, 1891. and acted as S. S. of the Bolivar church. From there he went to a mission in South Joplin where he led the people in the erection of a house of worship. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Louis October 18, 1893. HENRY B. JOHNSON. Received October 20, 1891, from the Presbytery of Aberdeen. Served the church of Golden City, dismissed to the Presbyterv of Larnecl September 14. 1892. E. E. STRINGPIELD Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 237 FRANCIS M. HICKOCK. This valiant soldier of the cross counted not the obstacle of blindness a barrier to a finished education as a preparation for the ministry. Born in Xelsonville. Ohio. May 28. 1844, he gradu- ated at the Iowa college for the blind in 1870 and at McCormick Seminary in 1873. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Chicago in 72 and ordained by the Presbytery of Nebraska City '75. After serving various churches in Nebraska he came to Southwest Missouri, was received by the Presbytery of Ozark April 12. 1892, and faithfully and acceptably served the churches of Salem. Irwin and Preston. His sermon preached before Presbytery on the text: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith" made such on impression on my mind that I remember it to this dav. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Albany Sept- ember 18. 1894. EUGENE EDWARD STRINGFIELD. Write me as one who loves the Presbyterian Church. If in accordance with the merits of their subjects this sketch is out of proportion to those that accompany it. let it be bourne in mind that this deals with ideals, they with realities. For, as a man usually lacks the rare discernment to estimate at its true worth his own contribution to the world's weal or woe. it seemed best to me either to say nothing about the part I have had in making the history herein given and (with compliments to Sir Christo- pher Wren) to say to the reader: "If you would see my monu- ment look within;" or else to tell the unadorned story of my life and to present the ideals I have striven with many shortcom- ings to realize. Ont of deference to my family and friends (per- haps to myself also) I have chosen the latter alternative. I was born in Whitesboro, Texas, November 12th, 1863 — the seventh of nine children born to Perry and Emnor (Dishman) Stringfield. The tlrrd child — a son — died in infancy. Five sis- ters are older and one sister and brother are younger than I am. My parents were Kentnckyans who migrated to Missouri, then to Texas and after the war returned to Missouri. They were slave owners and had amassed a competence but were strongly union in their sentiments and sacrified their earthly possessions to the exigencies of the war. At its close in a devastated land, they found themselves stripped of earthly resources save faith and courage and industry, and rich only in traits of heart and mind and in the possession of eight non-productive children. In time the older girls became proficient school and music teachers 238 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks and contributed materially to the support of the family. A "lit- tle brother," as I was called, in a large family of large girls and of a delicate mould I was shielded from the temptations and pit- falls that beset the pathway of many boys. Notwithstanding all these precautions, from the farm hands I heard profanity and vulgarity of which my parents never dreamed of until I came to that age when I had as soon a man would slap me in the face as to tell an obscene story in my presence. I have sometimes thought that perchance the national troubles at the time of my birth and the extra precautions that were taken to shield me ■ from the temptations that fall to the lot of other boys were in part respon- sible for two traits of character of which I have always been con- scious, i. e., a partially abnormal seriousness in countenance and views of life, and a timidity in social relations with men. My mother was so familiar with the language of the Bible that when a mistake was made by one reading it aloud she could correct the reader without looking on the book. While privileged to attend school less than a twelve month, my father often worked "by head," and in a few minutes problems in arithmetic that puzzled the older girls in high school for an hour, and if, as was often the case, he was half asleep in one room and one of the girls practicing on the piano at the other end of the house made a mistake the discord would instantly arouse him. The influence of my mother was so silent and so much a part of myself that I am scarcely more conscious of it than I am of the time of my birth. I do not remember the time I did not love the Lord. But some how or other the impression was made on my mind that church membership was not for children ; and therefore I did not publicly profess my faith in Christ until I was in my sixteenth year. An older sister asserts that from infancy I was dedicated to the ministry; but I do not remember that the work of the ministry was ever presented to me until I had concluded my first year in college. When I was on the eve of making a personal profession of faith in Christ the first and only person who ever spoke to me on the subject of accepting Christ was my father — and by his sick-bed I said, I will. During my first summer vaca- tion from college I was plowing, for a few days I had been think- ing that probably I ought to be a minister. There was no con- scious resistance, but rather a perplexity as to whether or not this was the call of duty. Father came out to the field, took hold of the handles of the plow and while I followed made known his desire — but asked me to take time for reflection. I replied, No, I have been thinking about it ; I will enter the ministry. In 1882 the Presbyterians started a school in Sedalia known as the Sedalia University. I was one of the earliest students on the ground and remained there the entire period of the history of Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 239 the institution — five years. A full college curriculum was adopt- ed at the beginning and at sundry times the school bid fair to be a large and important one. But internal dissensions oft recur- ing and the lack of financial support led to its downfall. At the Christmas holidays of my senior year a change in the faculty re- sulted in my two class-mates leaving the institution and I was left to graduate alone — June, 1887 — the first and only college graduate the institution ever had. It did not survive the shock ! The school never opened its portals again. The buildings were converted into a railroad hospital and subsequently burned. Two under-graduates, Wm. Sickles and George Keithley, completed their course at Westminster College and after graduation at Mc- Cormick Seminary entered the Presbyterian ministry. I had preceded them at McCormick. My father wanted me to go to Danville, Ky. That institution numbered but ten students at that time. And I suspected that father had ulterior motives. In his estimation no women were quite equal to those reared in Old Kentucky. And I was approaching marriageable age! But I said that I had spent five years in a small institution and that now I wanted to come in contact with a larger student body — and for once father gracefully yielded to my wishes. "All is well that ends well." I married a lady of Kentucky birth and father lived long enough to lavish on her the wealth of affection Jacob held for the sons of Joseph. The small schools and the large schools each have their advantages, and I am glad that I passed through both. In the former special opportunities were afforded in the realms of composition and oratorical work, and for personal contact with the teachers. In the latter broader views were gained by contact with more varied intellectual activ- ity. In later years I have frequently seen nominal members of large churches transplanted to small churches where they devel- oped unthought of powers of usefulness. And some of these have afterwards taken important places in large churches to which they subsequently removed. Just before graduation in 1890 I offered myself to the Board of Foreign Missions, but after conference with one of the secre- taries on account of the condition of my eyes and my general health it seemed best not to enter the foreign mission' work. T then turned to the Home Mission field and accepted the pastorate at Unionville. Mo. I was ordained by the Presbytery of Palmyra April 10th, 1890, and remained with that church two years hav- ing married one of the flock in the meantime— Miss Mary E Eareekson. In April. 1892, I took charge of the Mount Vernon and Ozark Prairie churches, and was admitted to the Presbvtery of Ozark the 14th of that month. For three years I remained as 240 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks stated supply of these churches and then entered upon the work of the pastorate of the Second Church in Springfield, whexe I was installed as pastor May 9th, 1895. To this work I have given the hest years and the hardest work of my life. Progress has been painfully slow, hut the sowing in tears has issued In the reaping of at least some sheaves. Frequently we have been made to re- joice by the reports of efficient services performed far away by those who had their training here. The church reached self-sup- port in October, 1900, built a manse at a cost of nearly $1,900 the following year and has spent on improvements and repairs not far from $2,000. I have always received more commendation for my work in the city and in the Presbytery than for my work in the local church ; and I am not sure but that my work as a Presbyter has given me more satisfaction than any other. Certainly it has brought more criticism. I think 1 have received two words of criticism for every word of approbation. The former generally came from those for whose opinions I cared the least, and the lat- ter from those I esteemed the most. This has led some to think that I am immune from such wounds. One with whom I had sev- eral tilts said: "Criticism hurts me, but you can sifjnd up all day and let a man throw brickbats at your abdomen." But, gentler reader, I will confide to you the secret that I have felt where I have not winced. The Presbytery of Ozark had fallen into the habit of ordaining practically every applicant. The so- called "exceptional cases" far outnumbered the "regulars." Be- yond the confines of the State even it was known that this was an exceptionally loose Presbytery in regard to qualifications for ordination. Ten or twelve years ago I concluded that the wel- fare of the church demanded that we stop letting down the bars so often ; that if a man was to be ordained without the standard of education laid down in the book, or if he came from another denomination, he must first give evidence of efficiency, of a will- ingness to get down to study (rather than a pride in the fact that he had never been to college) and of acceptability to our churches. For the most part the elders in our churches felt the need of men to such an extent that they wanted to ordain almost every appli- cant. The change in this respect was voiced by one of the elders in these words: "I used to say there is a poor fellow who wants to preach. I could not stand to listen to him, but maybe some church will. I now think of the poor church first." As to the ministers, I often envied the serenity of those lovely, godly men who had such sweet confidence that God would take care of his own, even though we were not careful. I know they slept more peacefully after Presbytery than I did. But I just could not help Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 241 actino- on my judgment rather than my sentiment, and so a small band°of us began to say we must exercise more care in admitting candidates to the Holy Ministry. In a Presbytery that changed so rapidly one soon found himself one of the older men in point of service, and if he took a decided stand kindred minds thrust him into a sort of leadership. Many a time and oft have I been told of things that "ought to be done" when the narrator assured me that he°could not lead out in the doing of them because it would hurt him worse than it would me. Other helpers came and when the Old Ozark gave place to the new at the time of the re- union we had the satisfaction of knowing that the standard of qualification for the ministry was at least as high in this as in other Presbyteries of the State. In January, 1902, I was elected Chairman of Home Missions, and held that position until I re- signed to accept the Stated Clerkship September 15th, 1901. I had been a member of the committee for some time before I be- came chairman and remained a member after the retirement from the chairmanship. Here, too, I have had abundant opportunities to get my feelings hurt. For my troublesome conscience would not permit me to let things drift along when I saw that a mis- sionary was not serving his field effectively. My archives contain letters that would be a revelation to some in the nature of epi- thets applied to me, but I have come out with a clear conscience and a conviction that it is better for a man to move on than to divide or destroy a church. Through it all as Home Mission Chair- man I never presented a policy or recommendation that was not heartily adopted by the Presbytery. At the request of Mr. Lit- tle, the Chairman of the Committee, I was appointed tentative Chairman during the interregnum between the reunion Assembly and the formation of the new Presbytery, and performed the du- ties of that position for that portion of the Presbytery that be- came Ozark Presbytery, while Dr. Shepherd held a similar posi- tion in the confines of what became Carthage Presbytery. And at the organization of the new Presbytery of Ozark I was elected Stated Clerk and Chairman of Home Missions. My Presbytery has elected me a Commissioner to the General Assembly twice— the last time to the reunion Assembly of 1907. In the city my brethren have elected me thrice to the Presi- dency of the Ministerial Alliance, thrice to the Chairmanship of the Springfield Lecture Course Committee and twice to the Chair- manship of the Committee on Union Evangelical Campaigns. One of these campaigns was under the auspices of the Presbyterian churches, of the city; the other was more general. I have had predilections for research in history, literature and theologv, but have sacrificed these to a large extent to my conceptions of gen- 2^2 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks eral usefulness. Other men have had the ability to be Btudents and yet accomplish as much along general lines of usefulness as 1 have, but I have not had strength for both. Friends have often wondered why I stay here so long. I reply in general to maintain my ideals, fain neither brilliant nor meteoric. If I accomplish anything worthy a minister of the gospel it must be along the lines of persistent and toilsome service and sacrifice and the main- tenance of a name above reproach. I have seen something of a tendency in the ministry to sur- render difficult fields, to seek easier and more lucrative or more prominent positions. I have seen some of the evils of constant changes in the pastorate of our smaller churches. And I have tried to throw the weight of my life and influence against these tendencies. NOICE. D. BRISTOL Received from the Presbytery of Corning April 12, 1893. Supplied the churches of Conway and Buffalo. Dismissed to the Presbytery of Central Dakota Sept. 19, 1894. C. A. BUPFA Of Italian birth and education, Mr. Buffa was ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark April 12, 1893. He supplied the Wal- endsian church and was dismissed to the Presbytery of Montreal Canada Sept. 18, 1895. CLARENCE E. FOWLER Born at Wabash Ind. May 1, 1862. Graduated from Wabast, College 1890; McCormack Seminary 1893; licensed and ordained May 12, 1893; received by the Pres. of Ozark July 18, 1893; S. S. of Bolivar, Mount Zion and Willard churches ; supplied the Second Church of Springfield during the summer of 1894. Dis- missed to the Presbytery of Muncie April 16th, 1895. WILLIAM F. VANDER LIPPE. This son of the manse was born in St. Louis May 2d, 1869. He received his degrees at Westminster College and McCormick Seminary. From the seminary he came direct to the Second Church of Springfield and was ordained and installed July 18th. 1893. Here he gave great promise of usefulness, but the recent Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 243 trials through which the church had passed prior to his coming discouraged him and his pastorate was all too brief. The pastoral relation was dissolved May 29th, 1894, and Mr. Lippe was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Louis April 16. 1895. GEORGE HENRY HEMINGWAY. Born in Yorkshire, England, February 4th, 1858. Educated in the institutions of his native country and by private teachers. Mr. Hemingway began his ministry in the Methodist Church and entered the Presbytery of Fargo in 1889. After serving various churches in Dakota and Iowa he was received by the Presbytery of Ozark October 18th, 1893, and was installed pastor of the First Church of Carthage September 20th, 1894. The pastoral relation was dissolved and Mr. Hemingway was dismissed to the Presby- tery of Northumberland February 2d, 1897. Hastings College conferred on him the degree of D. D. in 1899. Mr. Hemingway is remembered in the Presbytery as a man of no mean pulpit attainments, and was specially strong in condemnation of sin and on subjects of moral reform. P. P. BRIOL. Received October 18th, 1893 ; dismissed to the Presbytery of Solomon September, 1894. Mr. Briol has since lived in the bounds of the Presbytery and has done supply work in the Waldensian and other churches, but for the most part has been engaged in secular work. DAVID N. ALLEN. Received from the Presbytery of Sequoyah April 10th, 1894 ; returned to the same September 23d, 1897. Mr. Allen served as stated supply of the Eureka Springs Church. He was a man of native gifts and wit, an interesting expositor of the word and a valuable helper in evangelistic services, though these gifts were not exercised much in this Presbytery. BURTON H. GRAGG. Ordained in the M. E. Church, South, October 7th, 1888. Mr. Gragg entered the Presbytery September 27th, 1894: supplied the Ash Grove Church and was dismissed to the Presbytery of 244 PRESBYTERIANISM IN 'I'M i OZARKS Lamed April 22d, 1896. As Financial Agenl for Emporia Col- lege and as pastor-at-largo of Topeka Presbytery his must ef- ficient services have been rendered in the Synod of Kansas. JOHN T. CURTIS. John T. Curtis was ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark November 1st, 1894, and served the churches of Jasper. Irwin and Preston. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of Neosho September 22d, 1897, and returned to the Presbytery April 5th, 1898. After a little more than two years' service in the Eureka Springs Church, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Platte July 28th, 1900.' JOHN N. McCLUNG. Rev. John N. McClung was received from the Presbytery of St. Louis November 1st, 1899. A call from the Monett Church was placed in his hands and he continued as pastor-elect and pastor of that church until September 17th, 1896. A few weeks before the close of this pastorate he was stricken with paralysis just before he had finished his sermon and fell back in his pulpit chair. On the 7th of December he passed to his reward. Until he was about forty years of age Dr. McClung practiced dentistry. With a liberal literary education and a wide knowledge of men and affairs, he took a private course in theology. He became miirhiy in the Scriptures and his preaching was with demonstra- tion of the Spirit and of power. His Bible readings in connec- tion with evangelistic services were remarkably helpful and he was permitted to lead multitudes to the Saviour. Seldom has a pastorate in this Presbytery had a more promising outlook than did his in the Monett Church. During his brief service there the church had a ret increase of more than 100 per cent., and for the first time reached the stage where it became a desirable pas- torate. His last days were spent in Springfield, and it was my high privilege to minister to him in spiritual things and to con- duct his funeral services. In his death as iu life we felt con- strained to say, "He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." JAMES E. SENTZ. On the same day that the subject of the last sketch was re- ceived the Presbytery received James E. Sentz, and that evening Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 245 he was installed pastor of Calvary Church. The pastoral relation was dissolved and Mr. Sentz was dismissed to the Presbytery of Denver September 21st, 1897. Possessed with some of the graces of oratory, a striking appearance, a well modulated voice, grace- ful bearing and a beautiful flow of language, probably no pastor of Calvary Church has made better audiences than Did Mr. Sentz. His whole strength was devoted to his pulpit ministrations, which were brilliant rather than profound, and therefore he was less identified with the work of the Presbytery than any pastor of that church since the beginning of Ozark Presbytery. WARREN MOONEY. Received from the Congregational Association of Kansas City November 1st, 1894. Served the churches of Buffalo and Conwav; dismissed to the Presbvtery of Neosho September 17th, 1896. CHRISTOPHER VINCENT. Mr. Vincent was a member of this Presbytery just long enough to get his name in this volume. Received from the Pres- bytery of Cimmaron December 27th, 1894; served the South Jop- lin Church ; dismissed to the Presbvterv of Fargo September 17th, 1895. EDWARD W. CLIPPINGER. A student under the care of this Presbytery, Mr. Clippinger was educated at Drury College and MeCormick Seminary. He was licensed and ordained by the Presbytery April 17th, 1895, and was immediately dismissed to. the Presbytery of Kansas City. GEORGE M. BONNER (COLORED). Received from the Presbytery of White River April 17th, 1895. Engaged in secular occupations most of the time. WILBUR F. GRUNDY. If there is one man in the Presbytery who loves the Presby- terian Church and the Presbytery of Ozark that man is Wilbur F. Grundy. Ordained in the Methodist Church in 1885, he was received from the Nebraska Conference April 18th. 1895. For 24O Presbyterianism in the Ozarks a shorl time he served under the Home Hoard on a mission field in Arkansas, but was soon transferred to the work under the Sabbath School Board. His headquarters were at Mammoth Springs, Ark., until the work of the S. S. missionaries was redis- tricted, when he moved to Fayetteville, A.rk. He is thoroughly en rapport with this frontier work, for which he is admirably adapted. His visits in the homes of the people are greatly appre- ciated, and when they see him on the highways they are thrilled with the thought that the man of God is drawing near and he is entreated to stop. Into these homes he brings friendly counsel, good cheer and a message from his Master. And in them he leaves the printed page and the memory of an earnest petition offered at the throne of Grace. Mr. Grundy is one of the most faithful Presbyters I have known and no one seems to enjoy the fellowship of the brethren with a keener relish than does he. His one regret when the union was consummated was that it would throw him out of eccles- iastical fellowship with Ozark Presbytery. He has tried faith- fully to keep abreast of the Sabbath school movements, and since his reception by the Presbytery has studied our theology, polity, history; has taken the Teachers' Training Course and Semelroth's Bible Course. JAY B. FISHER. Ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark April 18th, 1895. Mr. Fisher had been engaged in various kinds of religious work and was past threescore years of age when ordained. He served the Mount Zion Church for a time, but was soon honorably retired. The date of his death is unknown to the writer. EDWARD LEE REXICK. I will venture the assertion that the record of the labors of Edward Lee Renick occupies a larger place in the book on High than it does in the annals of the Presbytery. He came to this Presbytery direct from Princeton Seminary in the spring of 1895, and since that time has labored in our bounds as a Sabbath school missionary. The Presbytery ordained him September 18t,h, 1895. He has left the beaten paths and pressed out into the most neQJy sections of the Presbytery. Six feet in height and 235 pounds in weight, he has a heart as big as his body. The children greet him with a warmth of affection ordinarily reserved for the fabled Santa Claus, and hardened old sinners say there goes one minis- ter who is a man. Traveling over a dozen counties in the Osarks Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 247 in the course of years hundreds of men ride in his buggy, and he makes it a rule never to let a man sit beside him there without finding out something of his spiritual condition. It has been my privilege to go with Mr. Renick through the mountainous regions of the Presbytery three times — twice on camping trips — and I confidently affirm that in the last quarter of a century no man in the Presbytery has endured the hardships and privations that his work has necessitated. He is specially gifted as a personal worker and has been used by the Spirit of God in bringing many souls* into the kingdom. . JAMES C. SEPTOX. Received from the Presbytery of Cimmaron October 18 ch, 1895 ; served the Presbytery as pastor-at-large, and later as the supply of various churches ; dismissed to the Presbytery of Alton February 12th. 1900. CHARLES MEMMOTT. Received from the Presbytery of Palmyra April 21st. 1896: supplied the churches of Ash Grove and Bolivar; dismissed to the Presbytery of Cedar Rapids April 5th, 1899. J. G-. KNOTTER. Ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark April 23d, 1890 ; served the Waldensian Church ; dismissed to the Brookfield Conference (Cong.) April 4th, 1900. JACOB B. WELTY. Of the men who laid hands on my head in ordination no one made a more lasting impression on my life than Jacob B. Welty. At that time he was pastor of our church at Mo'oerly. He was ordained by the Classis of Westmoreland ( Reformed Church) in 1872, but for some years prior to 1890 had been in the Presby- terian Church. "He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, preached in several States and was known as a minister whose work was always marked with growth. He figured in several important movements for righteousness, one being the national lecturer of the White Cross movement." On the 15th of May, 1896, Mr. Welty began his pastorate with the First Church of Joplin — a pastorate that was terrai- 248 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks dated September 17, 1892. Mr. Welty reaconed this the most successful pastorate of his life, though he said he had never served a church that he did not double its membership during his May. The first year of his ministry in Jopjin the house was filled i'i its capacity and chairs were placed in every available space. In the autumn of 183:' a lot was purchased for a new church. Mr. and Mrs J. H Taylor gave the church the adjoin- ing lot. "Upon this property a parsonage, modern in its ap- pointments, * * * was erected in the winter of '97-'9S." "A sale of the property at Seventh and Main streets was effected in the year 1899. Preparations were immediately get on foot for the building of a new house of worship. It was decided to make it large, modern and ample for institutional work. • * The structure was built during the summer and autumn of 1 !>()(> at a cost of $28,500." In this church was placed an $1,800 pipe organ. With this new and commodious building Mr. Welty began insti- tutional work. During his s;x years' pastorate the church raised for benevolences $3,866, and for current expenses and improve- ments $31,905. He received 190 members by letter and 153 on profession of faith. In 1899 the church secured an assistant pas- tor and a mission work was developed which culminated in the organization of the Bethany Church. In June, 1902, Westmins- ter College conferred the degree of D. D. on Mr. Welty. To those of us who knew him and loved him best a minor note appeared in this melody of progress. For a time amidst the perplexities of a trying pastorate and the unusual calls for attention to ma- terial progress it seemed that he was drifting from evangelical moorings, and I have not the slightest doubt that this had some- tlvng to do with the termination of a remarkable pastorate. It was with great pleasure that I afterwards learned from a reliable and deeply sympathetic source that he turned again to the "old paths," from which it is true he had not wandered far. Dr. Welty died in Kansas City, Mo.. August 3d. 1907, aged-sixty-one years. The preceding April he had fractured his limb, which was slow in knitting and death was the result. One who knew him intimately for twenty years said: "As a Christian we con- fided in him; as a preacher we were helped by him; as a teacher we learned of him; as a pastor we loved him." "His sufferings were great, but patient, and when one of the nurses reminded him it was Sabbath morning, his reply was, 'I can't go to church, but I can suffer for Christ's sake.' " J. A. GEHRETT. Received from the Presbytery of Palmyra September 16th. H. O. SCOTT Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 249 1896 ; pastor Mount Vernon and Ozark Prairie churches ; clerk empowered to dismiss him September 23d, 1897. WILLIAM L. SCHMALHORST. As a candidate under the care of the Presbytery Mr. Schmal- horst graduated in Drury College in 1893 and in Princeton Semi- nary 1896. A part of his theological course was taken at McCor- mick. He was ordained by the Presbytery September 17th, 1896, and was immediately dismissed to the Presbytery of Chili, where he entered the service as a foreign missionary. As a student Mr. Schmalhorst had supplied the churches of Conway and Buf- falo during the summer of 1894. FREDERIC G. KNAUER. The Presbytery laid its hands in ordination upon Mr. Knauer at the same time that it ordained Mr. Schmalhorst. Both of these young men passed excellent examinations. Mr. Knauer served the Westminster Church of Carthage for a short time, then went as a missionary to Africa. He was dismissed to the Presbytery of Corisco September 22d, 1897. CHARLES P. SPINNING. Received from the Presbytery of North Texas April 20th. 1897 ; honorably retired ; dismissed to the Presbytery of Iowa April 6th, 1898. HARRY OMAR SCOTT. Dr. Scott was born at Latrobe, Pa., August 5th, 1854. He graduated at Lafayette College in 1877 and at Union Theological Seminary in 1880. The Presbytery of Redstone licensed him in the autumn of '79, and on October 15th, 1880, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Nebraska City. His pastorates prior to entering this Presbytery were Brownville, Neb., July 1, 1880, to August 15th, 1883 ; Hiawatha, Kan., August 16th, 1883, to April 15th, 1891 ; Hastings, Neb., April 16th, 1891, to January 31st, 1879. During his second pastorate he was elected Moderator of the Synod of Nebraska and President of the Y. P. S. C. E. State Union. With characteristic vigor he traveled all over the State and became a dominant factor in the Y. P. S. C. E. of Nebraska. One of the intensely interesting questions before the Assembly of 250 Presbvterianism in the Ozarks 1896 was the question of ecclesiastical relation to the Young, Peo- ples movement. Dr. Scott was a Commissioner to that Assembly, and his Nebraska training had fitted him for a position where he could at least "see the wheels go around." He stood steadfastly with those who contended for the minimum of ecclesiastical con- trol. In 1894 the college of his home town honored him with the title of D. D. He was received by the Presbytery of Ozark April 20th, 1897, and was installed pastor of the first church of Car- thage in June of that year. The pastoral relation was dissolved June 15th, 1905, and Dr. Scott was dismissed to the Presbytery of Oklahoma, where he took charge of the church of Guthrie. This eight years' pastorate was marked by a constant and healthy growth. Dr. Scott was the father and Chairman of the Commit- tee on Aggressive Work in the Presbytery, and he infused some of the aggressiveness applied on his own field into the general work of the Presbytery. In addition to this he was Presbyterial Chairman of Foreign Missions, and generally found a place oh judicial committees and commissions. I was with him on two important commissions of this character and found that his knowledge of Presbyterian law and usage is wide and accurate. In all my Presbyterial relations I have never formed so warm an attachment for any man with whom I so frequently disagreed as with Dr. Scott. We frequently lined up on opposite sides, but mutually recognized the sincerity of each other and contended as friends. On the question of more rigid adherence to the stand- ards in the requirement of ministerial education ~ we usually stood shoulder to shoulder. Such, too, were our experiences in judicial cases. When Dr. Scott addressed the students of Drury College at a time when Presbytery was meeting in Springfield he began by asking, "If the animals should all go to school, which one would you put in the geography class ? " To this question he replied, "The sheep." Then he told how hard it is to lose a worthless dog, and said that if you tied a number of cats in a sack and let them loose miles from home some of them would beat you back. "But," said he. "if you take a sheep around a corner it is likely to get lost." This illustration was used as an introduction to a practical talk on the theme, "Perfect that which is lacking." It is given here as a characteristic of Dr. Scott's preaching, which was neither expository nor theological in the ordinary acceptation of the term. By reason of this fact Dr. Scott scarcely receives the credit for theological knowledge to which he is entitled. During the first part of his Carthage pas- torate the Westminster Church had two men of no mean pulpit attainments, and the rivalry of the churches, circumscribed as they were, was inevitably intense. Dr. Scott threw his whole vigor A. T. ALLER W. C. TEMPLETON Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 251 into his pastoral work, maintained an equinamity truly com- mendable for one of his temperament and so comported himself that he was subsequently enabled to bring the two churches into an harmonious union and remain pastor of the United Church. This happy consummation was more difficult and delicate than one on the outside might suppose. In the spring of 1903 I learned by "grape vine" communi- cation that efforts were being made to convey the Westminster Church to the Congregationalists. I immediately informed Dr. Scott and he replied, thanking me for suggestions and stating that the time had come, he believed, for the First Church to make overtures to the Westminster Church. The result has been indi- cated. The union gave the church two houses of worship — the one old and antiquated, the other newer and more modern, but scarcely large enough for the united body. Dr. Scott felt con- strained by the equipment. But Carthage has not yet seen fit to erect a house of worship commensurate with their needs. At the time of the union the first church reported a membership of 415 and the Westminster Church 133. Allowing even for this union the growth of the church in this pastoral was of no mean pretensions, i. e., during the eight years from 295 to 538. Dr. Scott is an exemplary Presbyter, making it a rule to be at the first session of Synod or Presbytery and to remain to the final call of the roll. The Synod of Missouri elected him Mod- erator in 1902. WILLIAM C. TEMPLETON. On the day that Dr. Scott entered the ranks of the Presby- tery the name of William C. Templeton was enrolled. He came from Neosho Presbytery, which had licensed him October 8th, 1890, and ordained him April 15th, 1891. He was born in Pinck- neyville, 111., August 15th, 1863 ; received the degree of A. B. from Park College in 1888, and A. M. in 1890. For two years he studied theology in Princeton Seminary. Later he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from McKendree College. Be- fore entering this Presbytery he was stated supply of the church at Quenemo, Kan., '91- '94, and pastor of Chanute '94- '97. He was pastor-elect and pastor of the Monett Church for nearly five years. The pastoral relation was dissolved, and he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Palmyra January 16th, 1902. There he be- came pastor of the Kirksville Church, with which the Cumber- land Church of that place has united, and Dr. Templeton has continued pastor, greatly useful and beloved. To Ozark Presby- tery belongs the credit of training him in the Chairmanship of 252 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Home Missions — a training that has beeE a boon to that section of the State, both before and since the union. In this Presby- tery I found myself lined up with Dr. TempletOE on nearly every important issue. In theology and in administrative affairs we usually agreed, though he is the more rigidly theological of the two. One time Dr. Scott was preaching before Presbytery. He was making a characteristic plea for the allowance of considera- ble latitude to young people, and compared the young to colts that gambol across the green and spend their growing period in play. By and by their necks will become inured to the collar and they will pull with the steadiness of draft horses. I whis- pered to Templeton: "Nevertheless I believe in haltering the colts occasionally." To this he nodded his hearty approval and added: "Yes, yes; and throwing them down, too, if necessary." During his Monett pastorate Dr. Templeton took the church off of the Home Board and procured a commodious parsonage. His work among the railroad men was signally successful, and to him and the men in his church is due the credit for securing the rail- road Y. M. C. A. of that place. He was an efficient helper in evangelistic services in a number of the churches of the Presby- tery. The Synod of Missouri elected him to the Moderatorship in 1908. JOHN WESLEY CRAWFORD. Dr. Crawford was received from the Presbytery of Platte April 21st, 1897. At that time he was honorably retired, and died May 13th. 1897. WILLIAM G-. MOORE. Born at Ava, Mo., July 25th, 1868 ; studied at Morrisville Col- lege and at Pleasant Hope Academy. The Springfield Presby- tery of the C. P. Church licensed him March 3d. 1892. and or- dained him March 2d, 1895. In 1896 Mr. Moore placed himself under care of this Presbytery. He was assigned a course of study and took charge of the Mount Zion Church. On the 21st of April. 1897, the Presbytery enrolled his name and placed in his hands a call from the Conway Church. He was installed Decem- ber 13th, 1897, and served the Buffalo Church in connection with Conway. December 4th, 1899, the pastoral relation was dissolved in order that Mr. Moore might accept a call to the Ebenezer Church. This pastorate was consummated January 13th, 1900, rind terminated December 18th, 1902, at which time Mr. Moore went to a pastorate in Iowa. His work in the Presbytery was a Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 253 fitting preparation for the larger work he has been permitted to do in the State of his adoption. ASA LEARD. Rev. Asa Leard, D. D., was born in Berksville, Ohio, May 13th, 1851. Lafayette College and McCormick Seminary gave him his training in literature and theology. From Lafayette he received the degree of D. D. in 1892. Ordained by the Presbytery of Rock River in December, 1879, he served as follows : Braid- wood, 111., 1879-81; Parmingdale, '82- '89; Synodical Evangelist of Illinois, '89; Knox Church, Omaha, Neb., '89- '97. He was re- ceived by this Presbytery September 22d, 1897, and was installed pastor of Calvary Church September 23d, 1897. This pastorate was terminated by his death, which occurred November 19th, 1900. Dr. Leard entered upon this pastorate at a time when it would have taken an immense stretch of the imagination to char- acterize the conditions in that church as like unto "the precious ointment that ran down Aaron's beard." But he lived to see dis- cordant elements vanish like mist before the morning sun, and under his leadership the church made provision for the liquida- tion of a debt that had assumed considerable proportions. He was made Chairman of the Presbyterial Committee on Home Missions, and immediately the neglected and unchurched masses in the hills of Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas be- came special objects of his solicitude. I spent two summer vaca- tions camping with him in the Ozarks and know whereof I speak in asserting that he had a statesmanlike grasp of the Home Mis- sion problems of this Presbytery. Nor were his labors confined to his church and Presbytery. The trustees of Drury College, the Charity Board of the city and the Ministerial Alliance paid touching tribute to his memory, and passed resolutions that were by no means stereotyped. It was largely through his efforts that Mayor Cole was brought to this city for that remarkable evan- gelistic campaign of 1900. ,In the resolutions offered by the Charity Board was incorporated this letter written by Dr. Leard some time before his death : "My Dear Brother: — Has the relief officer sufficient supplies to meet the urgent needs of the poor this bitter cold day and night? Has he sufficient wood to keep some of the most dis- tressed from freezing? If not, kindly go to the nearest supply, and if we have not funds to meet the demand I will be person- ally responsible. As I lay upon my bed last night and heard the wail of the bitter cold wind I thought of the fireless stoves and the empty cupboards. 0. God bless the poor." 254 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Dr. Leard said to me one time: "My brother Tom cannot understand why I am about as hard pressed as be is. lie gets a thousand dollars and I get $1,800. When I got a thousand I was about as well off as I am now, for a congregation knows how much .~>. from the Congregational Association. Served the churches of Salem, Preston and Grace. .J. II. GLANVILLB. .lames Halls Granville was ordained October fi. 1889. by Bishop J. C. Greenberry, of the M. E. Church, South. He served various churches in that connection, spent a time in educational work and received the degree of Ph. I). Mr. Glan- ville entered the Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of Ozark April 20, 1905. He had contemplated this step for some time and had acquainted himself with the doctrines and polity of the church of his adoption. He first served as stated supply of the Bolivar and Fair Play churches. Then received a call to the West Plains Church, where he was installed September 20, 1908. Here he gives promise of great usefulness, modest and retiring in dis- position. Dr. Glanville is scholarly in his attainments and pains- taking in the performance of every duty, JOHN FRANKLIN SHEPHERD. Dr. Shepherd was nurtured on the Shorter Catechism in youth, but removed from Presbyterian associations and entered the United Brethren Church. He was born in Antioch, Ohio, March 7, 1860, took a select course in Madison Academy and Ohio University graduated at Union Biblical Seminary. Dayton. Ohio, 1888; pursued a three years' post-graduate course and received the degree of Ph. D. from Oteerbein University 180:}; received the degree of D. D. from Richmond College in 1905. His record in the U. B. Church is as follows : Ordained September 17, 1887. by the East Ohio Conference ; pastor Denver, Col.. First U. B. Church 1888; Akron, Ohio, 1890; presiding elder East Ohio Conference 1893- '96. In Akron Dr. Shepherd built a church costing $18,000. He relinquished a seat in the General Conference of 1896 to enter the church of his early childhood and served the Madison Presby- terian Church of West Point, Ohio, 1896-1899. His next fields of labor were Carrollton and New Hamsbury, Ohio. 1899-1902. and Fairbury, Neb., 1902-1905. At New Hamsbury he built a house of worship and at Fairbury a manse. Dr. Shepherd was received by the Presbytery of Ozark May 17, 1905, and was installed pastor of the Webb City Church June 11th, after a little over a month's service on the field. With char- acteristic vigor he entered upon this work at an opportune time, rapidly increased the roll of the church and in twenty months secured a pipe organ and other improvements costing $3,200. Un- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 271 der his ministry the First Church and the Cumberland Church were united without any loss or friction. The house of worship formerly occupied by the Cumberland Church was presented to the little band of Presbyterians gathered in the adjoining city of Carterville. Dr. Shepherd was made Provisional Chairman of Home Missions in the western section of the Presbytery just prior to the reorganization. His subsequent work in the new Presby- tery of Carthage belongs to another volume. HUSTON TAYLOR. ■ Ordained by the Presbytery of St. Paul July 27, 1900, Mr. Taylor was received from the Presbytery of Utica in the fall of 1905. The 26th of November he was installed pastor of the first church of Carthage. He was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Commitee on Foreign Missions and at once bean to project new methods to develop interest in this important branch of church benevolences. CHARLES HENRY MITCHELMORE. Received from the Presbytery of Hastings April 18, 1906 ; assistant pastor of Calvary Church. If you ever grow shaky on the question of the scripturalness of the Presbyterian mode of baptism send for this sweet-spirited brother. Gifted as a personal worker and as a Bible teacher, I can only wish he had entered Ozark Presbytery sooner. ROBERT L. KINNAIRD. Ordained by the Presbytery of Upper Missouri November 30, 1902 : received April 18, 1906 ; pastor of Bethany Church, Joplin. ABRAM NELSON WYLIE. Ordained by the Presbytery of Ozark April 19, 1906, Mr. Wylie was the last man ordained by the old Presbytery of Ozark. He had served the Presbytery as a Sunday school missionary in Arkansas, and had endured hardships and privations there for a number of years, during which he pursued the prescribed course for local evangelists. He was installed pastor of the Ravenden Springs Church in May, 1906. Anent the consummation of the union he Avas dismissed with his church to the Presbytery of White River A (formerly C. P.) September 13, 1906. 272 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks A PL A EDWIN PAUST. Received i'l-oin the West Plains Presbytery (C. 1'. > June 29, 1906. Served the Irwin Church while enlisted in secular occupa- tion. J. W. BUDIBURG. The last pastorate consummated by the old Presbytery of Ozark was that of J. W. Hudiburg and the Neosho Church April 17, 1907. Mr. Hudiburg was received from the Presbytery of Lexington (C. P.) October 24. 1906. SAMUEL WILEY. Received the same date as the above from the Presbytery of Omaha. Supplied the North Heights Church, Joplin. JOHN WILSON. 0. C. CITDE. EDWIN J. RICE. These brethren were received April 17, 1907. Their biogra- phies have many points of interest, but do not properly belong to this volume by reason of the fact that this history closes with the reorganization' of the Presbytery. These sketches contain the names of 182 ministers who at some time during the eighty-six years prior to 1908 were mem- bers of Ozark Presbytery or its predecessors. I have had a per- sonal acquaintance with 127 of this number. Other ministers have labored, in our bounds for a short time, but so far as the record goes were not officially identified with the Presbyteries. Theological students and local evangelists have also labored in the Presbytery, but I have not attempted to enumerate their la- bors save where they reached ordination. At the close I feel like reiterating the statement made in the note introducing these sketches: "The space given a minister is not necessarily in pro- portion to his abilities or deserts." etc. Sometimes I have failed to get adequate information ; sometimes the services — substan- tial and faithful have been so along beaten paths as to be un- eventful and to elude detailed description save weighed in the equitable balances of the great day. And sometimes it must be confessed the length and interest of the sketch depended upon Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 273 the mood of the writer. The old students of Dr. Herriek Johnson may be surprised at the frequent violations of his "cardinals"— "unity, order, movement!" But let them recall his wise pre- caution against" Piecemeal." Of necessity these sketches have been so written. If to any they seem to be characterized by too much levity let him remember that some of them were written on "Blue Mondays," when the mortal mind and frame were crying out for relaxation. 274 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks CHAPTER IX. ETCHINGS FROM THE PEWS. "Once the men were so ureal and so few, they appear, Through a distant Olympian atmosphere. Like vast Caryatids upholding the age. Now the men are so many and small, disengage One man from the million to mark him, next moment The crowd sweeps him hurriedly out of your comment ; And since we seek vainly (to praise in our songs) 'Mid our fellows the size which to heroes belongs, "We take the whole age for a hero, in want Of a better; and still, in its favour, descant On the strength and the beauty which, failing to find In any one man, we ascribe to mankind." Hitherto I have taken a whole church as a eolaborer with a pastor in building up the kingdom of God after the Presbyterian way in Southwest Missouri. Now I shall glance back to the time when "men were so great and so few" that it may not seem in- vidious to single out a few for portrayal. The knell of the de- parting day in the existence of the first Presbytery of Ozark — June 18, 1907 — tolled in the hearing of five elders who held the same position in their respective churches when the birth throes of the Presbytery were experienced in 1870. They are William E. Thompson, of Mount Zion Church; William H. Schmalhorst, of Conway; J. L. Carson and William R. Gorton, of Calvary, and Dr. A. C. Schell, of Neosho. I shall sketch these first, and then turn your attention to others. WILLIAM E. THOMPSON. Of the three Williams belonging to this quintet, Mr. Thomp- son is entitled to the seniority in the eldership of his church and Mr. Schmalhorst in age. The subjoined sketch of his lift1 Avas. WM. THOMPSON WM. SCHMALHORST ■ if^M "» ^^ M ::" yr ^^H W. L. SCROGGS A. C. SCHELL Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 275 written by Mrs. M. L. Easier, who in girlhood was a scholar in the Sunday school of which he was Superintendent : "William E. Thompson, of Mount Zion Church, Cave Spring, Mo., was born in Blount County, East Tennessee, April 28, 1827. He gave his heart to God when but a lad fourteen years of age, his conversion taking place while on his way home from church. This was one of the bright spots in the memory of this good man who often referred to this early turning point in his life. It was there in that East Tennessee forest, deep conviction peircing his soul, that he made a complete surrender to Christ. About a year later he joined the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church, being re- ceived into its communion by Rev. John Dyke. "In 1850 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha M. Ernest, a lovely and devoted Christian lady, who was a resident of the same community and member of the same church. The following year they moved to Greene County, Missouri, locating in the vicinity of Cave Spring. On their arrival they placed their church certificate in Mount Zion Church, where throughout the remainder of their lives they honored God in the liberal support of his cause and friendly relations with their neighbors. For fifty-six years this devoted couple trod the pathway of life to- gether until Mrs. Thompson's death, which occurred in the sum- mer of 1906. In May, 1900, they celebrated their golden wedding, their friends assembling in such numbers that only the spacious lawn could accommodate them. "The writer has but a vague memory of the old log church, with its dimly lighted iterior, the pews, the high pulpit with its flight of steps on one side, the platform just in front, where the leader of the singing stood as he alternately 'lined' and led the singing of those dear old hymns of our fathers. Mr. Thompson filled this office most efficiently for several years before the ad- vent of the church organ. "In 1856 the church elected him a ruling elder, which office he held continuously for fifty-two years, until the time of his death, which loss the church suffered February 3, 1908. In this office he was indeed a true under-shepherd, ever seeking the peace and safety of his flock. "It was during the seventies that the writer remembers him best while as superintendent of the Sunday school he came into such close sympathy with the young people. His greeting was always the same — a friendly hand-shake and a fervent inquiry as to both physical and soul health. It was his continued inter- est in new converts which he showed by words of sympathy and encouragement that endeared him to all hearts and made him fruitful in 2:ood works. 276 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks * •'His earthly Life is ended. He died as hie often prayed to die, "the death of the righteous and in the triumph of a holy faith." His body was laid to rest in the village church yard be- side his dear wife and the children who bad passed on before. He is survived by three daughters and one son. His memory will live not alone in their hearts, hut in the affections of a large circle of relatives and friends." WILLIAM H. SCHMALHORST. In December, 1868, a church was organized at Schmalhorsl s Mill, in Laclede County, and was christened Panther Creek. Sub- sequently it was decided to erect the house of worship in the vil- lage of Conway and the name was changed to correspond with the new location. Mr. Schmalhorst was one of the charter elders and holds his position in the session to this day. One son shares the eldership with him, another son is superintendent of the Sab- hath school, and his children and children's children constitute a large part of the membership. Very few churches that are so largely dependent upon one family have enjoyed the peace and prosperity accorded to this one, and this fact is a beautiful com- mentary upon the life of this sturdy founder of the family. Mr. Schmalhorst was born in Germany in October, 1825. He came to America in 1839 and settled in Perry County, Missouri, in the spring of 1840. From there he moved to Laclede County in the spring of 1854. The town of Conway was not on the map at that time and Mr. Schmalhorst says there were but two Presbyterians in the county, although the Cumberland Church of Phillipsburg was in existence. There were no foreshadowings of reunion at that time and sturdy Presbyterians were not confined in church relations and attendance by county lines. Accordingly the Schmal- horsts identified themselveswith the Presbyterian Church of White Rock, in Texas County. This church was of New School proclivi- ties, but the Panther Creek was Old School. Mr. and Mrs. Schmal- horst reared a large family of boys and girls, and by thrift, indus- try and economy accumulated considerable property. From all reports his wife must have made a worthy effort to fashion her life after the pattern Solomon has delineated in his "Virtuous Woman." She entered into her reward many years ago, and her husband has put to good use the savings of their lives. His bene- factions have not been confined to the local church, which largely through his generosity obtained a comfortable manse; but he has frequently made generous individual contributions to the Boards of Home and Foreign Missions and to Park College. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 277 JOHN L. CARSON. 'Sir. Carson was born in Williamson County, Tennessee, No- vember 4th, 1833. In 1855 he came to Springfield, and with the exception of one year's residence in St. Louis (1870) he has been associated with the commercial interests of the city or the politi- cal activities of the county for over half a century. For over forty years he has been an elder in the Calvary church. The Pres- bytery of Southwest Missouri elected him a Commissioner to the General Assembly in 1869. For some years feeble health has pre- vented his active participation in the interests of the church, but he adorns the eldership with an unsullied life, an unfaltering faith and a sweet resignation in bearing the ills to which flesh is heir. , WILLIAM R. GORTON. The birthplace of William R. Gorton was Norwichtown. Conn. There in 1832 he began "the struggle for existence." When yet a lad of seventeen years he united with the First Con- gregational Church of that place. At about the time he reached his majority he adopted the sage's advice, "Go West," etc. In 1853 he settled in St. Louis and engaged in mercantile business. There he united with the Second Presbyterian Church and threw the energies of his young manhood into the work of the Sabbath school and the Y. M. C. A. From St. Louis Mr. Gorton came to Springfield during the war and engaged in mercantile pursuits under the firm name of Gorton, Abbott & Co. From the outset of his residence here he and his wife were identified with the Calvary Church. He was elected elder in 1869 and the following spring was the representative of his church in the last session of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri. That Presbytery elected him temporary clerk and lay commissioner to the General As- sembly. So efficient were his clerical services to the Presbytery that he has since held the temporary clerkship in the Presbytery more frequently than any other man. His special fitness in this sphere was recognized by his own church when he was elected clerk of session at the death of Charles Sheppard in 1887. Since its organization in 1860 Calvary Church has had but these two clerks of session. For over a quarter of a century Mr. Gorton was superintendent of the Sabbath school and during this time he was an efficient factor in the development of this church from a mission church to a strong, self-sustaining one. For nearly half of a century Mr. Gorton has been identified with the work of Calvary Church and Presbyterianism in Southwest Missouri, and throughout these years he has maintained an esprit de corps that is refreshing to see. 2j-{■ PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE ( )/.ARKS used as a department for boys. The library was in the center of the building. The ruins of lliis building are still standing. The boarding department was conducted at first by Dr. Bingham! In the spring of 1848 Rev. W. II. Duff took charge of this depart- ment and, having no rent to pay, boarded pupils a1 50 cents each per week. McDonald's history says: "Spring River Academy was doubtless the first high school ever opened in Southwestern Missouri. It was founded by Ozark Presbytery and went into operation under the superintendency of Rev. J. B. Logan in No- vember, 1844." (P. 563). In the autumn of 1846 Rev. Robert McGee King, of Cincinnati. Ohio, became president. His wife, Amelia Judd King, was prin- cipal of the girl's department. The first year of their incumbency about fifty pupils were enrolled. The report for this year, made to the Presbytery April, 1847. indicates that the State Legislature had granted the institution a charter, that Josiah F. Danforth had contributed "valuable philosophical and astronomical instru- ments," and that through the efforts of Rev. J. B. Logan and President King a library of about 130 volumes had been secured. The Oakland congregation had constituted itself an educational society and the trustees requested that the other churches take similar action. The next year sixty-eight pupils were enrolled, the library was increased and the prospects were inviting. This condition of affairs prevailed a few years. The report in the spring of 1852 stated that the president resigned at the close of the last term. About this time an institution sprang up at Greenfield. For several years the Presbytery attempted either to merge the two or to transfer the equipment of the Spring River Academy to the Greenfield school. This was probably done, though as late as 1855 the former institution had a nominal ex- istence, as seen by this entry of April 30, 1855 : "On motion it was unanimously resolved that Ozark Presby- tery will for the present take no further action relative to the property of Spring River Academy, hereby repealing all resolu- tions requesting or ordering the hoard of trustees to do or act in relation to the same, also requesting the Oakland congregation to use and take care of said property until the Presbytery shall otherwise order." Thus passed the first of similar institutions in Southwest Missouri of large promises and restricted though valuable fulfill- ments. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 305 CHAPTER II. AMICABLE DIVISIONS— INCIDENT TO ENLARGEMENT. On the 5th of October, 1846, it was "Resolved, That the Presbytery do hereby petition the Arkansas Synod to divide the same according- to the following designated lines, viz. : Com- mencing at the State line dividing Missouri and Arkansas, where Barry and Taney counties corner on State line ; thence running- north with the line dividing said counties, yet so as to leave Crane Creek congregation west of said line : continuing due north to the northeast corner of Dade county ; thence due west to *Sock river ; thence with the main channel of said river to its mouth." This petition was granted and that portion of the Presbytery lying east and north of said line was erected into a new Presbytery, desig- nated the Presbytery of Springfield. The relative strength of the two Presbyteries is suggested by the statistical reports given at the spring meetings, April, 1847 : Minis- Licen- Candi- Con- Communi- ters tiates dates grega cants tions Springfield Pres 3 9 4 13 472 in 8 congregations Ozark Pres 7 6 3 9 429 Undivided Pres., Fall 1846 9 14 8 23 1400 It is expressly stated that only eight of the thirteen congre- gations in the Springfield Presbytery reported at this first meeting, and it is highly probable that the report of the Ozark Presbytery is also incomplete. This would account for the falling off in mem- bership. OZARK PRESBYTERY. The Presbytery of Ozark at its first session after the division of its territory recognized the transition that was all but effected *This is the orthography of the resolution. — E. L. S. 306 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks in the attitude of the church toward the pastoral office. Dr. Mc- Donald is authority for the assertions thai conditions in new set- tlements gave rise to loose views about the pastoral office, and pas- toral salaries; that the opposition to the pastoral office reached its zenith in 1830; that by 1836 the church went on record in an un- equivocal declaration in favor of the pastoral office; but that as late as 1849 in the largest Synod in the church there was still un- compromising opposition to the pastorate. It is worthy of note that in this Presbytery the virtual fathers of the church — them- selves men of evangelistic fervor — were among the first installed pastors. The Presbytery arranged to install Rev. A. A. Young pastor of Spring River congregation (one-half time), May 1. 1847 ; Rev. R. M. King, pastor of Oakland congregation (one-half time), May 8th, and Rev. J. D. Montgomery, pastor of Greenfield congre- gation, May 15th. In April, 1848, the statistical report was as follows: "Ordained ministers, 6 ; licentiates, 7 ; congregations, 12 ; mem- bers as follows: Cedar (congregation), 87: Greenfield, 50: Oak- land. 38; Center Creek, 62; Shoal Creek. 50; New Salem, 30; Shi- loh, 16; Washburn's Prairie, 96; Mount Vernon, 48; Spring River. 51; Crane Creek. 7; Pennsylvania, 15; total, 500. Professions. 9; accessions, 12; infant baptisms. 2; adult baptisms, 16; excommuni- cation, 1." From this report it will be seen that the progress of the Presbytery was at a low ebb — a condition that lasted for several years. Two years later the report stated that "clouds and gloom seem to hover over the moral horizon." The statistics were : "Or- dained ministers, 8 ; licentiates, 6 ; candidates. 3 ; congregations, 11; accessions. 8; dismissions, 14; adult baptisms, 4; infant. 2; suspensions, 1; deaths, 1; whole number of communicants, 492." No doubt these ministers and licentiates were compelled at this time to devote most of their attention to secular employments, for the report of this same year includes this significant statement : "Your committee deeply regret that their ministerial reports show that they have been poorly sustained. The whole amount received by both licensed and ordained ministers for six months would scarcely have sustained one moderately sized family." The subject of baptism seems to have received little attention at the time of the planting of the church in this country. Min- isters were apparently indifferent as to what mode the applicant preferred. The beginnings of a change are marked in this entry made in the minutes of April, 1851 : "On motion the following preamble and resolutions were passed : "Whereas, There is a doctrine inculcated in this country in relation to water baptism that is calculated to mislead and eter- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 307 nally ruin thousands, the Presbytery is of opinion that all Chris- tians should unite in invoking the interposition of God to overrule the damning error for His glory and the good of mankind. The Presbytery is further of the opinion that this a time that calls for united and energetic action upon the part of the friends of truth. "First — Therefore be it resolved, That it shall be the duty of each ordained minister in the bounds of his operations to explain the scriptural mode, nature and design of water baptism. "Second — Be it further resolved, That immersion is unneces- sary to constitute a valid baptism, and that baptism is rightly per- formed by pouring or sprinkling. Therefore no minister shall im- merse until he shall have explained baptism to the applicant." These drastic resolutions appear to have had little effect— or at least only a temporary effect — on the practices of the church. Some years after the civil war the church in Southwest Missouri was aroused on this subject by veritable Anakim. The biographer of Rev. A. A. Young says: "In the year 1875 Rev. G. W. Browne * * * moved into the bounds of Ozark Presbytery. It was cus- tomary, with a few exceptions in this Presbytery, for the min- isters to allow the applicant for church membership to choose the mode of baptism, and the minister would comply with the request of the person applying for membership, baptizing them after the mode taught by the person who was to be baptized, thus changing the great commission — instead of the minister going and teaching the people, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the minister would go and be taught by the people, and then after the people would tell him what to do, he would obey them, and baptize them according to their instructions. This had been the custom with Mr. Young in all his work, and I want to publish to the world, through this book, that he entirely renounced immersion as a mode of baptism. In his trouble with Mr. , he told the writer that he was sorry that he had ever immersed, because it was causing more trouble than anything else in the church." The writer then tells of a series of lectures which Mr. Browne delivered at Aurora on the "Design and Mode of Baptism." Mr. Young had expressed the opinion that these lectures would do no good. Nevertheless the pastor, Rev. A. L. Dunlap, induced the church to secure the services of Mr. Browne, and the lectures were delivered in July, 1878. At the conclusion of these lectures Mr. Young said in conversation with Messrs. Dunlap, Rinker and others: "This is the best time I ever saw in the town of Aurora to hold a revival meeting. I feel greatly revived. I have been a student of the Bible for many years, but I must confess that Brother Browne has developed more light and found more Scrip- tures on the subject of baptism than I thought was in the Bible/' 308 Presbyterianism in the O/.arks Th is incident is inserted here as an illustration of the way in which the practices of the Cumberland Church in this section were gradually conformed to that of other branches of IVesbyterianism. On the 11th of October. 1851, it was "Resolved, Thai this Presbytery petition Arkansas Synod, and they do hereby petition thai body to divide Ozark Presbytery by a line beginning where the State line crosses Spring river on the wesl and running with said river to its source and thence in a direct line easl to the boundary of Springfield Presbytery, ye1 so as to include all the members of Spring River. Mount Vernon and Oakland congrega- tions in the northern division, and thai portion thus stricken off to be organized into a new Presbytery to be known by the name of Neosho Presbytery, embracing all the ministers, congregations and members thus separated." This division was made with a view to the organization of a new Synod. In 1852 the Assembly's committee on overtures pre- sented the following, which was adopted: "Your committee would report that they have had under con- sideration a petition from Arkansas Synod, praying this body to constitute a new Synod out of that part of her territory lying in Missouri, composed of Neosho, Ozark and Springfield Presbyteries, and that its first session be held at Pleasant Retreat Academy. Polk county, Missouri, commencing on the third Thursday in October. 1852. and that A. A. Young be the first moderator, and in case of his failure T. M. Johnston preside. Your committee would also recommend that the name of the new Synod be called Ozark." Th statistics of Ozark Presbytery for April, 1852, are 6 min- isters, 3 licentiates, 2 candidates and "5 congregations entitled to representation." What this last clause means I am at a loss to state, for communicants are reported in seven churches, as follows: Mount Vernon, 80; Oakland, 41; Cedar, 96; Spring- River, 64; Greeenfield, 135; Dry Wood. 15; Clear Creek, 10; total, 441. Of the pioneer churches Center Creek, Washburn Prairie and New Salem evidently fell to the new Presbytery. The name of the latter had been changed to Neosho. The new Presbytery never gained much strength prior to the civil war. In 1856 Ozark Presbytery "loaned" Mr. Young — to use his own language — to Neosho Presbytery evidently in order that that Presbytery mighl retain a quorum, and whilst Ozark Presbytery reported 1.026 com- municants in 1860 the Presbytery of Neosho reported but 307 in 1859, the last report available. Allusion has been made to the transfer of the educational in- terests of the Presbytery to Greenfield. On the 2d of April, 1852. the Presbytery resolved to found a literary institution in said town, and a committee consisting of J. D. Montgomery, A. A. Young. 11. I'. Lacy and -I. Williams purchased a building and grounds from Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 309 "the Educational Company and Masonic Fraternity of the town of Greenfield." In the fall of 1852 the institution was opened under favorable auspices with Rev. Robert Water's as principal of the male department and Miss E. F. Sproule principal of the female department. Subsequently we find a Mr. Hardy in charge of the school and an enrollment of 90 pupils. But the Presbytery failed to liquidate the debt hanging over the institution and in Septem- ber, 1857, the board of trustees were authorized to convey the in- terests of Presbytery in the institution to "the Educational Com- pany. ' ' At length the tide of religious interest, which had been at a low ebb for half a decade or more, began to turn. In September, 1853, the committee on the state of religion declared: "Your min- isters are generally engaged in presenting and enforcing the simple story of the cross. One thing is lacking yet to make their labors efficient as instrumantalities. in the hand of God to the triumph of the Gospel, and that is that they be cut loose from the cares and anxieties of the world, or in other words, the wants of their families supplied by the church that they might devote their time, talents and energies to the work of the ministry. The church is, however, coming up to her duty more fully than she has done in preceding years." The next spring the report said : ' ' The great Head of the church is still with His people by His spiritual presence in con- verting sinners and comforting His people. Your ministers are generally engaged in preaching the Gospel to the perishing multi- tudes. Your committee would respectfully urge the importance and necessity of your churches adopting a more efficient system of operations by which your ministers could be liberated from secular engagements and be wholly devoted to the ministry of the word. The Bible has ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. There is no duty in the Bible more plain than the support of the Gospel, which duty cannot be too prom- inently enjoined upon this Presbytery." These earnest words doubtless had their effect. The tide flowed in. In September, 1859, this jubilant note was sounded: "All our hearts as a Presbytery should be truly humbled as well as rejoiced to know that the good Lord has been with us, more powerfully awakening sinners to behold the dire consequences of sin and bringing them to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus than in any previous year in the history of our Presbytery, as may "be seen by the statistics. Truly this is a great age in which to live. We have only to look to the North, South, East or West to behold the wonder-working power of God upon the hearts of the great mass of the people. The signs of the times speak a lan- guage that cannot be misunderstood." }io Presbyterianism in the Ozarks "Man proposes, bu1 God disposes." The spring minutes of L861 make no allusion to the impending carnage of blood. At is was in the days of Noah and shall he at the coming of the Son of Man. so the Presbytery pursued the even tenor of its way apparently regardless of on-coming desolation. There was the usual arrangements for sacramental and camp meetings, the examinations of candidates, the enrollment of new churches and the adjournment to meet in Marionville "at candle lighting" Thursday evening before the fourth Sabbath in Septem- ber. But the candles if lighted must have burned out in their sockets ! The next page opens: "In pursuance of a memorial sent up by Springfield Presbytery the Missouri Synod reconstructed the Ozark Presbytery, appointing Rev. J. D. Montgomery the first moderator, and fixing the time and place for the first meeting. Pursuant to said action of Synod the Ozark Presbytery of the Cum- berland Presbvteriari Church met at New Hope Church, Dade county. .Missouri. March 16. 1871." The last statistics (fall 1860) give the Presbytery a communicant membership of 1,104, with eleven ministers, five licentiates and four candidates. And one of the last acts of this ante-bellum Presbytery was to pass this resolu- tion: "Resolved, That all the funds now on hand and that may be collected between this and the next meeting of Ozark Synod not otherwise appropriated be applied to the Springfield mission, and that Brothers King, Ames (probably Amos), J. D. Montgomery and Garrett be and they are hereby appointed to visit the several congregations in their respective bounds and solicit funds for the benefit of the Springfield mission." As far back as 1848 the Presbytery had commended the St. Louis mission to its churches, and prior to that had sent a mis- sionary to Texas. » let not Jerushun wax fat and kick. St. Louis and Springfield are but returning what they borrowed. The reference to Ozark Synod is a reminder that this organ- ization had a chequered career. Its earliest records appear to be lost. Its stated clerk, on the fiy leaf of the first volume in ex- istence, has placed the date of its organization about fifteen years too early. The Ozark Presbytery in the spring of 1860 memorial- ized the General Assembly to reorganize Ozark Synod. A year later the Synod appears to be in existence, and then at the reor- ganization of the Presbytery (1871) allegiance is owned to Mis- souri Synod. SPRINGFIELD PRESBYTERY. The Springfield Presbytery was organized the first Friday in April, 1847, in the Pomme de Terre meeting house. The members Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 311 present at the organization were: Revs. Robert D. Smith, Jona- than Carthel and Thomas M. Johnston ; Elders Josiah Danf orth of New Providence Church, Samuel Headlee of Kickapoo, John P. Alsup of Pomme de Terre, James A. White of Spring Creek, Samuel W. Barnes of Dry Glaze, Josiah Rippe of Pleasant Valley, and Allen Edmonson of Bethel, with Licentiates Samuel Dillard, John Dillard and Levi P. McAdow and Candidate James P. Baker. The absentees were five licentiates and three candidates. Churches not represented: Springfield, Cumberland Union, Osage and Pleasant Prairie. Rev. R. D. Smith, the convener, was continued as moderator, and Rev. T. M. Johnston was elected clerk, a posi- tion he held until his dismissal from the Presbytery in March, 1849, at which time he was characterized as "The father (in Christ) of this Presbytery." The Osceola Church was enrolled at this first session of the Presbytery, and this probably marked the northern limits of the Presbytery, whilst on the east and north- east work was vigorously pushed in Wright, Laclede and Dallas counties. The Macedonian cry from Taney county was heard and heeded, and the "preserve" of the New School Church at North Prairie, in Hickory county, was invaded. In October, 1848, the Presbytery was divided into three cir- cuits, viz : ' ' Springfield Circuit, embracing Greene county and the congregations within the same; Osceola Circuit, to embrace Os- ceola, Spring Creek, Osage and Pomme de Terre congregations and the intermediate country; the Buffalo Circuit included the town of Buffalo, Dry Glaze congregation and the Osage fork of Gasconade river so high up as to embrace Colonel Burnett's neighborhood." Thus it will be seen that, like the New School Church, the Cumberland Church occupied territory before the war long since abandoned. Traditions oral and written have left the impression that the ministries of a number of the pioneer preachers of Southwest Mis- souri were attended with continuous revival fires. The records of Springfield and Ozark Presbyteries do not confirm these tradi- tions. For the first decade the growth of the church was indeed phenomenal. For the second decade, 1847-1857, the conversions and accessions to the churches were not large — some years were painfully small. The spiritual dearth began earlier in the Ozark Presbytery than in the Springfield Presbytery, but in the latter year after year the report of the committee on religion asserted that religion was "at a low ebb" or "not so flourishing as form- erly." That these reports were not altogether the reflections of the pessimistic tendencies of their authors is evidenced by the statistical reports. The method of gathering statistics was so imperfect that it is difficult to arrive at accurate conclusions. Some years not more 312 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks than half of the churches reported. In March, 1849, there were 757 according to the reports. This is the largest number I find re- ported prior to the war. In the spring of 1861 the report gave the number as 602, and there are indications that this is comparative- ly accurate. Frequent allusions are made in the records to the Pleasant Retreat Academy, in Polk county, but there are no intimations that the Presbytery sustained as close relations to this institution as did the Ozark Presbytery to the Spring River and Greenfield academies. The cause of missions occupied a prominent place in the semi- annual deliberations of the Presbytery. The Presbytery regularly resolved itself into a missionary society and listened to a sermon on missions, urged its ministers to preach on the subject, looked with great favor on the Springfield mission sustained by the Sy- nod, seriously contemplated the formation of a missionary board, and in the spring of 1857 employed a Presbyterial missionary. Fears as to efficacy of doctrinal preaching were not largely entertained. The ministers were "ordered" to preach ''once a year on infant baptism ; and the King James version was good enough for these "fathers and brethren." Cf. this resolution of 1859: "Whereas, There is a strong effort being made by a certain set of fanatics to make the impression that the common transla- tion of the Bible commonly called King James' translation is in- correct ; and "Whereas, As that (they?) have attempted to make the im- pression that the religious world is dissatisfied with it and are en- gaged in a new translation ; therefore to show our entire satisfac- tion with the translation of the Bible, and to express our utter contempt for such false impressions, and to disown all connection with that most detestable organization called the Bible Union, in which the Campbellites and a portion of the Baptists are at- tempting to torture and pervert the Word of God to teach their pernicious errors ; therefore "Resolved, That we as a Presbytery, in obedience to a request of Ozark Synod, repudiate that version of the Bible being pub- lished by that organization, calling themselves the Bible Union, and use all lawful means to convince the public of its God-dishon- oring and soul-destroying tendency, and recommend the congre- gations under our care to do the same." The state of religion was vastly improved just prior to the war. In October, 1858, the Presbytery appointed as a day of prayer for revival the day preceding the convening of the Synod and requested the Ozark Presbytery to meet with the Springfield Presbytery in joint services. The report of the next spring in- timates that there were within the bounds of the Presbytery 7l) Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 313 colored communicants. From the minutes of September, 1860, we glean: "Ordained ministers, 7; licentiates, 6; candidate, 1; con- gregations, 17 ; communicants, 670 ; conversions, 68 ; accessions, 50 ; adult baptisms 12 ; infant baptisms, 25 ; dismissions, 2 ; deaths, 4 ; church property value, $4,000.00." It should be borne in mind that these reports were given semi-annually instead of annually as at present. This report continues: "Your committee are happy to be able to report that religion is in a prosperous condition;. There have been some considerable outpouring of the Holy Spirit within your bounds. They also find the colored brethren in a pros- perous condition. They have 140 communicants, 35 accessions, 19 baptisms." From the minutes of March 2, 1861: "Most of the congregations under your care are in a healthy condition. Peace and harmony prevail generally throughout your bounds. There have been some gracious outpourings of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of souls, for which we should give praise to the Great Head and King of Zion, but not so much as in former days, which calls for great humiliation and repentance before God for our want of fervent zeal and energetic perseverance in the cause of God as a church. Your committee find the following statistics: Ministers, 6 ; licentiates, 7 ; candidate, 1 ; congregations, 20 ; con- versions, 32 ; accessions, 27 ; adult baptisms, 14 ; infant, 14 ; num- ber of communicants, 602 ; Sabbath schools, 2 ; -pupils, 80 ; teach- ers, 12; dismissions, 7; deaths, 2." Including the colored com- municants there were probably 2,500 members of Cumberland Presbyterian churches in Southwest Missouri at the outbreak of the civil war. The first allusion to disturbed national conditions found in the records of Springfield Presbytery occurs in the Spring min- utes of 1861 in these words: "The Springfield mission is doing well all things considered. The press in pecuniary matters has somewhat checked the progress of the church building. But if times become better and confidence in governmental affairs is re- stored they hope sometime this year to finish their house of wor . ship." Like the Ozark Presbytery, this Presbytery appears to have expressed no opinions on the issues impending. 314 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks CHAPTER III. "THE DESTRUCTION THAT WASTETH AT NOONDAY"— RECONSTRUCTION. Of the three Presbyteries in Southwest Missouri SpringfieK; alone retained its organization during the civil war. The battle of Bull Run had been fought and, as has been said, "The South gained the battle and, the Union gained the cause." In our own confines the battle of Wilson Creek had been fought August 10th. Nevertheless the Presbytery convened in October, 1861, at Cumberland Union, Greene county. "But few members being present and no congregation, the opening sermon was dis- pensed with!" Interesting extracts from minutes : "Your commissioner to the last Assembly would report that he complied with your orders. He started in time to have reached St. Louis before the Assembly convened, but was detained two days by high water and slow stage driving, hence missed the sittings of two days and was present but one day, the session lasting but three days." "Your correspondent in behalf of Brother * * * would report that he forwarded to the stated clerk of Des Moines Pres- bytery immediately after the close of your last meeting. He is sorry to have to say that he has received no official notice of its reception. * * * He sent a stamp to pay the postage on his response, which of itself would insure an answer among gentle- men, and how much it should among Christian brethren. * * * He intended to have made further efforts to hear from Brother * * * , but the derangements in mail facilities has hitherto prevented it. He still intends doing so if communication is pos- sible." This item reminds me of Caesar's facility with indirect dis- course and Demosthenese vituperative powers. I have omitted the name of the clerk thus indicated because there are so many session clerks in Southwest Missouri and a few ministers who ought to be regarded as the descendants of this letter-ignoring Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 315 brother that I i'ear they would fail to recognize the relationship if his name were inserted ! "The war and excitement with all their attendant evils have sadly checked the progress of religion. The division of sentiment and active part taken by many of the members and some of the ministers have broken up in a great degree the public means of grace. Prayer meetings have been dispensed with • Sabbath schools broken up ; preaching in some places entirely and in others almost entirely discontinued. Many are indifferent to and neglect- ful of attending church services. Ministers in some instances have given up for the present their great work. But few of the camp and protracted meetings appointed at your lasj; session were held. These are some of the startling evidences that force themselves on the mind of the evils of war. Yet where preaching has been kept up, and in the few protracted meetings that were held, an interest and devotion was exhibited that indicate a better state of religion when the tempest shall have blown over and the calm returns. Such are unusual times in our experience ; yet not worse than the Jews and others of God's people have suffered in former times; but to them a better and brighter day dawned. May it soon re- turn to us. ' ' "Your committee would remind you of the great importance of humility, prayer and untiring devotion, and implicit confidence in Him who guards Zion as the apple of His eye, calls her members His 'jewels' and spareth them 'as a man spareth his son that serveth him.' " "The following preamble and resolutions were adopted: " 'Whereas, The next General Assembly will be one of great importance, as the division of the church will likely be considered, and it will be important for the Presbytery to be represented. Therefore Resolved, That the congregations send up to the next meet- ing of Presbytery the same amounts as assessed last fall.' ' The spring and fall sessions of 1862 met and adjourned with- out a quorum, the latter adjourning to the Friday before the fourth Sabbath in November, at which time a quorum was present, and on the following- Monday the report was adopted, of which the fol- lowing is a part : "The corrupting influence that prevails throughout your bounds arising out of the war and its attendant evils have greatly checked the progress of religion. Some of your ministers have taken a very active part in the strife and contention already in the land, they apparently having exchanged their hymn books, which is the sword of the Spirit, for carnal weapons. Consequently their fields of labor as ministers of Christ are left uncultivated, their flocks are scattered and the cause of our ever-blessed Master is 3 16 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks suffering. No camp or protracted meetings have been held within your hounds for the hist 18 months. Therefore because the love of many waxeth cold iniquity doth much more abound." A year Later, i. e., October, 1863, conditions were much more encouraging, and although missionary efforts were practically abandoned durum the war. the practice of holding revival meet- ings was resumed and they were attended by demonstrations of God's power in "a most wonderful manner.'* And the firsl day of January, 1864, was set aparl as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, with the request that each minister preach a sermon that day on the call to the ministry. The statistics for the fall meeting of 1865 were: '".Ministers, 10; licentiates, 2; candidates, none; congregations, 23: accessions since last Presbytery, 86; conversions. 156; infant baptisms. !) ; dis- missions. 1; suspensions, 1; deaths, 6; communicant. 794: church property. $4,000.00." These statistics probably included the Mount Vernon and Spring River congregations and Revs. A. A. Young and William Steel, said churches and ministers having been enrolled by reason of the disbanding of the Presbyteries of Oza rfc and Neosho. It is somewhat remarkable that the Springfield Presbytery survived the ravages of war so much more successfully than the other Presbyteries. These Presbyteries appear to have been reduced to one minister each. And in addition to the two churches enumerated above the records mention the fact that the Assembly added to the Presbytery of Springfield the churches of Greenfield, Walnut Grove and New Hope. It is probable that for the most part the other churches of the disbanded Presbytery were disorganized. The Springfield Church did not fare so well as the Presbytery. Never strong before the war, the records state that the mission was abandoned in 1862, and subsequently it would appear that the incompleted house of worship was sold for debt. But a committee was appointed to raise subscriptions to redeem the property, and from spring to fall and fall to spring for nearly ten years committees, financial agents, et cet., were appointed to raise funds to meet the debt and complete the building. The church apparently had a moribund existence most of this time. The Presbytery was ransacked "from Dan to Beersheba" in the interests of this mission. Rev. J. N. Edmeston took charge of the work and the reorganization thereof was approved in 1869. At length, in the fall of 1870. the Presbytery disposed of the vexed problem by taking subscriptions in which subscribers agreed to be responsible for the sums opposite their names. That our larger churches may feel anew their responsibility to the country and towns, I incorporate this subscription : $500.00 each, C. B. Holland and J. B. Hillhouse ; $50.00 each. H. A. Tucker, J. E. Garrett, W. W. Donham. D. W. Amos, Nathan Bray, A. A. Young. I. S. S. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 317 Pond, W. H. Duff, John Prigmore, R, J. Sims; $25 each, A. T. King, S. Hindman, Brothers Lowry and Bowie (I am not certain about this last name), W. J. Garrett, E. E. Baker, A. A. Keran, S. G. White, G. Davenport, X. G. McDowell, L P. McAdoo, N. Bray, J. W. Moore, J. D. Montgomery, John Hudson, E. G. Paris ; $10.00 each, J. Rippy, C. C. Cash, G P Robeson, Brother Elkins, Jacob Longcrier, W C. Church, Mitchel Ross, Hocker, M. V. Russell, A. D. Drezell, Simon Headley, J. P. Alsup, James Harkness, J. N. Barr, J. H. Johnson, D. F. Tyndale ; $5.00 each, J. D. Montgomery, W. A. Miller, P. A. Rice. Probably few persons of this generation are aware of how near to shipwreck the Cumberland Church came in the turbulent waters in which the Presbyterian Church struck the rocks that rent it in twain. Dr. McDonald presents the "War Record" of the church at large in the thirty-eighth chapter of his history, in which he attributes the fact that the church did not split over the resolu- tions of 1864 to the facts that by Northern votes the Assembly of 1866 met on Southern soil, which was regarded as the holding out of the olive branch of peace, that the stated clerk enrolled all reg- ularly commissioned Southern delegates, although in the minds of some the resolutions of '64 in their natural interpretation would have forbidden this, and especially to the fact that most of the strength of the church was in the South. This last statement should be coupled with his previously recorded testimony that the church prior to 1864 had gone on record as favorable to loyalty to the United States government and as opposed to slavery. In con- cluding his remarks about the Southern membership of the church he adds: "When they were in the majority in the Assembly, and able to carry things their own way, they unanimously granted terms to our Northern membership, such as the Southern wing of the Presbyterian Church has steadfastly refused to accept from Northern Presbyterians. At no time in the last fifteen years* would the Presbyterian Church have continued to be rent asunder, had the Southern wing thereof declared its willingness to accept a similar compromise." As to the Springfield Presbvterv (Minutes of fall session, 1865) : • A committee of three was appointed to draft resolutions in regard to what course we should take in regard to returned rebel brethren to comply with the requirements of the G. Assembly, and in connection with the late Constitution of the State of Missouri. Which committee submitted the following, which was con- curred in : 1. Resolved, That we do heartily concur with the Assembly *This history was issued in 1888. 3 18 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks in extending pardons to returned rebel ministers who make the re- quired confession. Resolved second. That although the Late Constitution of .Missouri conflicts in some degree with the standpoint of the Gen- eral Assembly in relation to rebel ministers, we as a Pres. submit to the powers that be and acquiesce in its requirements. Resolved third, That all ministers belonging to this Pies.. who have not complied with the Constitution and the (i. Assembly. will not be admitted to seats as members in counsel hereafter. Resolved fourth. That we regard the rebellion as sinful and highly detrimental to the safety of political freedom. Resolved fifth, That you admonish and advise your erring brethren to comply with the requirements of the G. Assembly, and Constitution of the State of Missouri at their earliest convenience." From spring minutes, 1867 : "Whereas, We believe the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is in the midst of a fearful crisis, that there is danger of a division of our beloved denomination, and believing that a division would prove ruinous to all our interests, to all our institutions of learn- ing, to our missionary enterprises and the general success of the church, we therefore instruct the commissioners to the next Gen- eral Assembly not to encourage or sanction any measure that will tend to the division of the church ; and further, that they seek no alliances with any other denomination contrary to the doctrines of our Confession of Faith." When the war was over the Presbytery made truly heroic ef- forts to regain the waste places, notably in the southwest and northwest parts of its enlarged territory, which covered all South- west Missouri. These self-sacrificing efforts were crowned with phenomenal success. From time to time the Presbytery employed from two to four missionaries to reorganize disbanded churches and to gather the scattered people. Their salaries were small, usually two received $400 for six months' service, but these were the offerings lagrely of country and village churches and minis- ters whose fields were not quite so badly devastated as those to which missionaries were sent. For a number of years the accessions reported seem almost incredibly large, and while this is partly ex- plained by the probable fact that many of these were persons who had gone astray during the war, still the records give evidence that revival fires burned brightly. The fall minutes of 1869 contain this record: "31 ordained ministers, 7 licentiates, 7 candidates, 150 ruling elders, and about 3,000 communicants. There have been added to the church during the past year about 832 members. As we have not before us full reports from all parts of the Presbytery, perhaps the number re- ported falls short." Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 319 During this flourishing period of the church's history a mis- sion board was established in its bounds, though just what relation it had to the church at large I am not able to say. At the spring meeting in 1870 the Assembly's board of missions was requested to aid in the support of the missionaries in the bounds of the Presbytery. Resolutions were also passed to establish a depository for the publications of the church in the city of Springfield, and S. F. Gibson was appointed a general agent for the Presbytery. With the growth of the Presbytery it was urged that it had become too large to be entertained easily by the churches, that it was too expensive for delegates from remote places to attend, and that in consequence thereof the Synod should divide and reorgan- ize the Presbyteries in consonance with the respective territories of the Neosho, Ozark and Springfield Presbyteries prior to the war. The efforts in this direction were not immediately successful, but in the fall of 1870 the Missouri Synod, which was to convene in Leavenworth, Kansas, was memoralized to re-establish the three Presbyteries in accordance with the tenor of the above. This re- quest \vas granted, and the General Assembjy of 1871 authorized the ministers of the three Presbyteries, together with the represen- tatives of the congregations, to meet in Springfield on Friday pre- ceding the third Sabbath in October to constitute the Synod of Ozark. This Synod had ceased to be during the war. The As- sembly of 1864 had said : "Whereas, The Ozark Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, for some cause, is in a disorganized condition (having one organized Presbytery in its bounds) : therefore be it Resolved. That said Ozark Synod is hereby dissolved and its Presbyteries are hereby attached to the Missouri Synod." 320 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks CHAPTER IV. HOMEWARD BOUND. "I still had hopes my latest hours to crown Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down. "And as a hare whom hounds and horn pursue Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, I still had hopes, my long vexations past. Here to return, and die at home at last." I shall pass in rapid survey the era from 1871 to 1907. The heading of this chapter may be regarded as an anachronism, but the trend of events as seen in retrospect rather than prospect jus- tifies the conviction that the unceasing purpose of the Eternal em- braced the coming together of the dismenbered branches of the Presbyterian Church. A long time ago the sons and daughters of the Great King were building a palace beautiful. The workers grew weary and the work languished for a time. Then some of the younger chil- dren fancied they discovered a faster way to build the palace and they began to work with might and main. Then this disputation followed : Older Children : ' ' What are you doing ? ' ' Younger Children: "We are building the palace beautiful.'' 0. C. : " But you are using unseasoned timber and are going about it in the wrong way." Y. C. : "Nay, but this is the best way to build. You are idle and scarcely doing anything." 0. C. : "You mar the symmetry of the palace and your work is temporary." Y. C. : "Your house is cold and cheerless and has no bright fireside." O. C. : "The eternal sun has given it light and warmth all FIRST FRUITS OF THE UNION REUNION CHURCH OF SPRINGFIELD CARTERTILLE CHURCH Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 321 these years. The clouds, if such there be, will pass away and the palace will be resplendent and grand." Y. C. : "But you are not building fast enough." 0. C. : "The eternal years of God are ours. You can't build with that material and in that way. ' ' Y. C: "But we will." 0. C. : "Then you cannot work on this palace." Y. C. : "Then we will build a better one." So they went out and started to build another house. Side by side the two buildings rose. The two sets of workers sometimes looked askance at each other ; sometimes said things that had bet- ter have been left unsaid, for family troubles are most intense and oft-times hardest to right. By and by the proportions and the grandeur of the buildings they were erecting grew upon them. And because they were kindred and each profited by experience and began to exchange ideas, they found that their buildings looked very much alike. Then they discovered that all these years they had been building on the same foundation — building toward one another. They were right together. And there was hewed out of the Mountain of the Divine Purpose a great capstone called LOVE. and they lifted it together in its place and one family was building one palace beautiful. * * * In the spring of 1871 the Ozark and Neosho Presbyteries were reorganized, and in 1887 the West Plains Presbytery was enum- erated in the sisterhood. To the Assembly of 1871 the Springfield Presbytery reported 1,700 communicants' Ozark 1,204, Neosho 1,000, a total of 3,904 For several succeeding years the reported membership of the Presbyteries was smaller, due no doubt to the incompleteness of the returns. Although the Springfield Presbytery alone survived the ravages of the war, and at the reconstruction retained more of the communicants, Ozark Presbytery soon came to its own and presented the fairest field of Cumberland Presbyterian triumphs in Southwest Missouri. Within its confines were the stalwart Cumberland counties of Lawrence. Dade and Barry. Here too were the scenes of the labors of the pioneers — Young, Montgomery and Garrett — and here the educational and institutional efforts of the church were at their best. 322 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks In some years the growth of t his Presbytery waa phenomenal. The statistics for the years 1885-7 were : Year Minis- Licen- Candi- Churches Additions Profess- Total ters tiates dates by Letter ions Com. 1885 24 10 11 37 305 340 2180 1886 23 7 11 39 132 668 2638 1887 21 6 10 40 104 466 2662 The educational interests of the Ozark Presbytery were re- vived at Greeenfield by Rev. and Mrs. W. J. Garrett. In the '70s .Mrs. Garrett opened a female seminary, which ultimately devel- oped into Ozark College. The institution first received favorable mention by the Presbytery, then was accorded Presbyterial visita- tion, passed under the control of the Presbytery, became a Synodica! college, then returned to Presbyterial control at the time, of the dissolution of the second Synod of Ozark. In September. 1883. it was stated that there were eight candidates for the min- istry attending this institution and that three more were to enter soon, and the entire attendance reached as high as 190 one year. In October, 1884, it was reported that the school had a prop- erty worth from $16,000 to $18,000 with a debt of about three thousand dollars, and an enthusiastic purpose to raise an en- dowment of $20,000. his purpose was not fully realized. By October, 1890, it was reported that the school was out of debt and had an endowment of $4,000. The toilsome struggle that brought the educational interests of the Presbytery to this point had led them to the unrecognized brow of the hill. The fathers and brethren thought there were yet mountain fastnesses before them, but the next decade, while now and then presenting an upward look and climb, for the most part led through a rapidly descending way. Several times the institu- tion was closed, and reopened, debts accumulated and scholars de- creased, and at length Missouri Valley College fell heir to most of the property, a few hundred dollars falling to the Presbytery for missionary purposes. The institution, like its predecessors, had its day. and it accomplished a work for the church of no mean propor- tions. Springfield Presbytery, while not so intimately associated with Pleasant Hope Academy, yet realized some of the benign in- fluences of that school. In 1849 Rev. R. D. Smith, a C. P. minister, superintended the first high school at this place. The institution passed out of existence prior to the war: but was revived for a short time by Rev. A. Griggsby. another C. P. minister, and then in 1883 a company was organized "to establish a permanent school." Note the Presbyterian sound of recurring names in this list. "The members were : E. M. Cowan, J. P. Fullerton, W. P. Patterson. Z. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 323 T. L. Burns. R. W. Fullerton, J. P. Cowan, W. M. Fullerton, J. S. Cowan, R. F. Fullerton, N. A. Cowan, D. Salee, S. H. Fullerton, S. H. Cowan and A. Armstrong." For fifteen or twenty years after the reorganization of the Presbyteries the general trend of the church in Southwest Mis- souri was toward rapid progress. Some few incidents diverted the minds of the church and kept the advance from being continuously rapid. The church in this section had to winnow the harvest of its sewing in the baptismal issue. As has been intimated, the early practices permitted the candidate to select the mode. The com- mittee on the state of religion in the Ozark Prsebytery said : "It would appear from the above* that you had discarded the doctrine of infant baptism in the bounds of your Presbytery. ' ' But if such was the case it was soon restored, and gradually the church came to firmer ground on the question of the mode as well as the subject of baptism, and administered an admonition to those who con- tinued to practice immersion. There was one instance, too, where a brother was admonished for baptizing a dead person. The doc- trine of sanctification was also a disturbing element for a time, but it is evident that the views out of harmony with historic Presby- terianism gained but few promulgators. I shall quote now from the biography of Rev. A. A. Young : "The year 1877 opened with brighter prospects for the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church than ever before in Southwest Mis- souri. For forty years Mr. Young had labored and toiled here in the bounds of Ozark Presbytery, and at no time in his life had he seen the Cumberland Presbyterian Church so prosperous as now. * * * In October of this year Ozark Synod met at Zion Church house, and here again Mr. Young had an opportunity of showing his zeal for his Master's work. At this meeting of the Synod the Wichita Presbytery was added to the Synod. This extends the territory of the Ozark from the Gasconade on the east to the west- ern boundary of Kansas. * * * Mr. Young told the writer of this chapter that he had been permitted to see and hear what he never thought of seeing or hearing when he came into the wilder- ness country. He had been, permitted to shake the hand of min- isters from the country bordering on the Rocky Mountains. 'And, better than all. that in that far-off field are some who have been brought into the church under my poor, feeble efforts.' 'This day,' said he, 'is a day of much joy to me. and yet it is a day of solemn meditation. All my brethren who started with me in the ministry — very nearly all — are gone. There is Buchanan. John- ston. Burton, and Abernathy, all are gone.' * * * "The year 1878 opened with heavy, murky clouds hanging over a portion of the church in Southwest Missouri. Troubles be- *That year there were 79 adult baptisms and no infant baptisms. .^24 Prksbyterianism in the Ozarks gau to work up in the bounds of Springfield Presbytery which threatened destruction to sonic parts of our church. Some min- isters in Springfield Presbytery, like Paul and Barnabas, fell out by the way and had to separate. 'Phis brought trouble in the con- gregation and from the congregation to the Presbytery, and from the Presbytery it reached the Synod. * * * The Synod met in the month of October in the town of Brookline, Greene county, Missouri. * * * We had a strong sea from the very first day. Rev. G. W. Browne was chosen moderator, and to his wisdom and good judgment we are indebted to a very great extent for the results of the work of this Synod." The writer then tells of the mediating influences of Mr. Young in the Synodical sessions of this and the following year. I quote him again: "In the midst of all this confusion Mr. Young sat in silence, but counselled the moder- ator* to stand firm to the decision, saying that we will sustain you in your decision. On Monday of this session Mr. Young arose from his seat. It was some effort for him to get upon his feet, he was so feeble ; but when he did get on to his feet he delivered an ad- dress which told on all who heard him. He still wanted peace, but, he said : 'Let us execute the law, and if, according to the law men must die just, let them die.' He gave the young men of the. Synod an important lesson that they will not soon forget. Here in this Synod the question was settled, the Synod sustaining the ac- tion of Springfield Presbytery. God brought us through all these troubles safely, and gave to us the safe counsel of our venerable father until our church had passed through the 'narrows.' On Wednesday of this meeting of Ozark Synod, the final action was had on the report of the committee on overtures. The report was submitted by the committee in regard to an overture coming from Neosho Presbytery asking the Synod to change the lines between Ozark and Neosho Presbyteries. The change proposed would place Mr. Young in the bounds of Neosho Presbytery. On this subject Mr. Young delivered his last speech on the floor of the Synod. * * * 'Brethren. I am a member of Ozark Presby- tery, have been a member of this Presbytery ever since it was or- ganized, except a few years when I was loaned to Neosho Presby- tery, when that Presbytery was weak, and could not live without me, and during the period of war and its results, when the Ozark Presbytery had no existence. With these exceptions I have al- ways been a member of Ozark Presbytery. And now. brethren, I have but a short time to live, and let me die at home with my brethren in my Presbytery, and after my decease, then you may make your changes, but let me be quiet at home.' The Ozark Synod passed out of existence in accordance with the adoption of this recommendation made to the Assembly of 1888 : "Your committee beg leave to report that at your last meet- * Rev. J. B. Fly Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 325 ing your reverend body saw tit to attach the Springfield Presby- tery to the Synod of Ozark, from which it had been detached by former action. A memorial from Ozark Synod, referred to us by this Assembly, asks for the dissolution of said Synod, and the con- nection of the Presbyteries which compose it, viz., Neosho, Ozark and Springfield, with the Synod of Missouri. Further, it is pro- posed that Ozark Synod surrender all its rights in law to Ozark College to the Ozark Presbytery, and that the trustees of said col- lege be directed to secure the legal rights of the church in the property of the institution. We recommend that the General As- sembly comply with the request of the Synod. ' ' A minister of wide observation and discriminating judgment told me since the recent reunion that for ten years prior to this union the church had made no growth in Southwest Missouri, and gave his opinion as to the cause. Like young Elihu "I also will shew mine opinion." The minutes of the Assembly give the fol- lowing as the communicant strength of the Presbyteries (this in- cludes non-resident members) : Year Springfield Ozark Neosho West Plains Total Pres. Pres. Pres. Pres. 1880 1200 1480 700 3380 1885 1042 2180 1076 4298 1890 1730 2753 1396 463 6342 1895 1824 2663 1465 860 6812 1900 1698 2360 1417 600 6075 1905 1773 2290 1347 559 5969 The disturbed conditions in 1905 may account in part for the falling off of that year, but the decrease of 1900, as compared with the membership in 1895 and 1890, occurred before the reunion agi- tation began. In the preparation of this volume I have scanned and anno- tated abort three thousand five hundred pages of manuscript min- utes of various Presbyteries, in addition to the information gath- ered from printed pages, letters, sessional records and by private interviews. I believe, therefore, that the deductions I shall make are based on a sufficiently wide acquaintance with the facts to guarantee their accuracy (1) The Cumberland Church was not exempt from the tendency cityward and the waning power of rural and village churches, so noticeable for a score of years. In Southwest Missouri the New School Church in its work at North Prairie and Cave Springs prior to the war, and the Presbyterian Church after the reunion of 1870 in the early '80s at Ozark Prairie and the northeastern part of Jasper county, approached the fa- miliar practice of the Cumberland Church in pre-empting a terri- tory and making it a stronghold. Oakland and Spring River, Mount Vernon and Big Spring in Lawrence county; Center Creek 326 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks in Jasper; the territory contiguous to (ireenfield in Dade; Wash- burn's Prairie and its offshoots in Barry; Salem — afterwards Neo- sho— in Newton ; Mount Comfort, New Providence and Brookline in Greene, and Pleasant Hope in Polk are in evidence. The Cum- berland Church justly prided itself on its work for the rural re- gions. The Springfield Church was a nursling when some of these were vigorous and strong. Carthage was a mission, receiving help from beyond the confines of its own Presbytery as late as 1887, and the church never had more than a feeble plant in Joplin. When the question of union was at issue insinuations were made that if the union was effected the Presbyterian Church would neglect the rural regions. In justice to the united church it must be said that the decline in the country work began years before the union ques- tion was agitated and that the united church did not inherit from the Cumberland branch a single strong rural church in all South- west Missouri. Allusion has been made to the fact that the com- bined membership of the four Presbyteries was not as large in 1900 as in 1890. The shoAving would have been worse still had not the city churches kept up the average. Before the union was consum- mated, and without any reference to that event, the old New Prov- idence Church had been reduced to a feeble remnant, enjoying the occasional ministrations of the Word. Brookline. that I am told had once a membership of 300, reported but a sixth of that num- ber. And where was the grandeur of Center Creek, that reported in 1905 twenty members, and Washburn that reported twenty-one .' These churches, together with Mount Comfort and Pleasant Hope, have not recognized the union, and although it may be charged that Mount Comfort and Pleasant Hope have suffered because of the union, yet I am constrained to believe that even their palmiest days were at least five years before the union was mentioned. It has not been the policy of the united church to disturb the anti- unionists where they have the majority. In Southwest Missouri, if anything, the union element in the Cumberland Church has lacked in justifiable aggression in this respect and has given way too readily. It remains to be seen what those in possession will do with the old strongholds of Pleasant Hope, Mount Comfort. Big Spring, et. cet. (2) The General Assembly of 1895 pronounced the rallying shibboleth, "Education before ordination." Southwest Missouri Cumberland Presbyterianism caught up the cry and echoed it from Presbyterial deliverance to Presbyterial deliverance. The annals of Ozark Presbytery particularly are replete with the consideration of educational interests for half a century. With all this one gets the impression that the shibboleth was used in fulminating deliv- erances and disregarded in practical application. On the subject of supporting the ministry. Dr. McDonald says that the church Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 327 rectified its mistakes slowly. I quote : ' ' The whole generation of preachers had false views on the subject. 'Supporting the Gospel' was the text; a pitiful hat collection which furnished the ministers who held the meeting from one to three dollars apiece for a week's labor was the application.' ' I have examined probably a hun- drd reports given by ministers to the Presbytery, enumerating the number of times they preached during the year and the compensa- tion received therefor, and I am fully prepared to assert this is not a hyperbole. But I am anticipating. The quotation from Dr. Mc- Donald was given to illustrate another point. "Education Before Ordination" was the text. The application was evaded until some future time. In 1898 the committee on education in Ozark Presby- tery submitted the following: " 'Education before ordination,' was made the war cry of the General Assembly at its session in 1895, and the cry, we are glad to say, (has been) continually sounded ever since. The time was when perhaps an educated min- istry was not so essential as now ; but that day is passing, yea, has passed. The young man who feels that he is called to the min- istry, should also feel and know that God expects and requires his best efforts, and no man is at his best as a teacher unless he is at least the equal in education of a majority of his hearers. There never will be a time when the church is not in need of well-edu- cated men. We would insist that our probationers prepare them- selves by attending our own institutions of learning as far as pos- sible. "When the attendance at some good school is not possible we, your committee, insist that the course laid down by the Gen- eral Assembly be followed strictly, and that no probationer be al- lowed to pass until a fair knowledge of the branches is shown. The Presbytery should encourage her young men in every way pos- sible to secure an education, and should hold them strictly to ac- count for remission in attending the duties of preparation. As Ozark Presbytery has been put on the list of those who have been derelict in their duty as touching the education of its probationers, it behooves us to take advanced steps in the line of education." The perhaps in this report should be emphasized by the additional fact that#there were strong reasons why many of the earlier min- isters were not educated that do not obtain in later times. Oppor- tunities must be taken into account. Men of strong native gifts entered the ranks and did exploits on meager educational qualifi- cations. If they had possessed the opportunities of today they would have improved them. (3) A secularized ministry and a feeling on the part of the ministry and the churches that a tenure of six months or a year at least was all that could be contemplated in preaching appoint- ments clung to the church with remarkable tenacity. The people never awakened fully to the conception of an adequate support. 328 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Many of the ministers retained their secular engagements. Ap- pointments were made for six months at a time and supplies se- lected churches widely scattered with little regard to forming a contiguous group and building it up. It has been asserted, with reason as I believe, that there were two distinct elements in the ministry of the church before the agitation for union; and it has even been averred that the church would have split in this section had there been no union. I cite these things in extenuation of the charges thai the union was pushed too rapidly. So far as South- west Missouri is concerned I do not believe the situation would have changed in ten years. We can dispassionately affirm that the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., has learned some lessons in adapta- tion in the last quarter of a century — that some of the Cumberland Presbyterian ministers in the best sense "discerned the signs of the times" and were held back by those who clung to the faults rather than emulated the virtues of the past. Beyond question a number of the Cumberland ministers in Southwest Missouri were not and are not doctrinally, temperamentally and practically in accord with the Presbyterian Church. They do not claim to be and we would not insinuate that they are. On all policies essential to the best development of the church, on the question of subordi- nation to established principles of church government, and on the fundamentals of historic Presbyterianism. they were in little, if any, more accord with their brethren who entered in to the union before the union was agitated than they are with the united church. Throughout its existence the Cumberland Church has claimed to belong to the Presbyterian family of churches. This claim involves the acceptance of the Presbyterian form of govern- ment and the Reformed or Calvinistic doctrine. In all of the Presbyterian churches there are different shades of Calvinistic be- lief. We may denominate these high Calvinism and low Calvin- ism, or rigid Calvinism and moderate Calvinism. The Presby- terian Church, U. S. A., maintains that its fold is large enough to embrace Calvinists of all shades. The Cumberland Church his- torically recognized its affinity with the Presbyterian family, sought repeatedly to unite with this or that branch of the church, and was admitted to a place in the Presbyterian alliance through- out the world. After repeated efforts that failed by reason of the fact that agreement could not be reached as to the basis of union, at last terms of agreement were found which were declared to be alike honorable to both bodies, and the union was consummated. Unfortunately, in Southwest Missouri, as elsewhere, a large ele- ment of the church has followed the leadership of those who pro- claim that they are not in accord with the Presbyterian Church. Some of these laymen bear the names of fathers of the church, who were largely instrumental in planting the church and some of them Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 329 have themselves borne a conspicuous part in perpetuating the church. Some of the churches that have been the scenes of marvel- ous displays of Divine grace are not with us. We cherish for them the kindliest of feelings. Their resplendent history is the heritage of the united church as well as that of the body unfavorable to the union. Pleasant Hope gave to us B. P. Fullerton, D. D., and Con- cord J. M. Hubbert, D. D., to say nothing of other enrichments to the Kingdom of God as represented by the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. In this volume I have endeavored to accord honorable mention wherever it is due. I have not stopped to ask which side of the union question the valiant soldiers of the cross were on, or would have been on had they lived. Much less have I stopped to inquire as to whether their descendants or relatives are identified with the reunited church. In the heat of controversy men are sometimes arrayed on the side with which they have little natural affinity. Some have been deluded by the charge that we were trying to coerce them. Others have fancied that to surrender the separate existence of the denom- ination in which they were born, together with their distinctive name, would be a reflection upon their fathers. Time alone can vindicate the oft-repeated assertions of leaders in the reunited church, cherished by the rank and file, that those opposed to the union will not be deprived of any possessions to which they are legally or morally entitled. And time alone can tell whether the opposition will be alike generous where they receive favorable court decisions. It may seem like presumption for a stranger to attempt to say what the fathers of the church in Southwest Missouri would have done had they continued until this day. And yet from what I know of their sterling regard for the Superior Courts of their church, I verily be- lieve they would have been with us on this issue. The Nestor of them all. Rev. A. A. Young, is on record as to his attitude to the Superior Court. I quote from his biography : ' ' Ozark Synod met in the town of Verona, Lawrence county, Missouri, on Friday pre- ceding the fourth Sunday in October, 1872. * * * Ozark Presbytery, at some of its past sessions, had received some preach- ers from the Methodist Church without requiring them to adopt the Confession of Faith. At this meeting of the Synod Ozark Presbytery was called on to give an account for their work, aud were ordered by the Synod to require those brethren who had come from the Methodist Church to adopt the Confession of Faith at their next regular meeting. Out of this grew considerable de- bate. Some of the brethren were of opinion that it was wrong to make such a requirement, but, after sometime spent in debate, Mr. Young, who was a member of Ozark Presbytery, arose and said : 330 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 'Brethren, we have done wrong in this matter, and over this wrong done by the Presbytery, some bad blood has developed itself among some of the brethren, and as we have done wrong in the whole matter, let ns now repent, and undo what we have done wrong. Let us obey the behests of our Synod, correct the wrong, and be more careful in the future not to do wrong.' " From the grave in fancy I can hear the voice of Mr. Young saying: "The Cumberland Church first proposed this reunion. The constitutional number of Presbyteries ratified the terms. Our highest church court declared the union effected. Let us obey the behests of our General Assmebly. " Doubtless our eyes will see the day when some of these old Cumberland strongholds will awaken to the facts that we have no inclination toward coercion, that the things in which we agree are incalculably greater than our imaginary differences, and that we belong to one Presbyterian household, dismembered for a time by reason of family dissensions, but reunited forever for the glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom. Then, as we shall review the labors of Young, Johnston, the Buchanans, Montgomery, Amos, Burton, Garrett, Sims and Browne in the ministry, and of Dan- forth, Ritchey. Dysart, Holland, the Gibsons. McCanses, Fuller- tons, Alsups, Hillhouses and Perkins in the laity, we will exclaim: "Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit." Of the four Presbyteries in Southwest Missouri, Neosho alone entered the union in possession of the records and with previously elected officers. The vote stood 17 to 4 in favor of union. All the ministers present voted in the affirmative. One minister who was absent when the vote was taken subsequently refused to answer to roll call because the Presbytery acknowledged allegiance to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. Ozark Presbytery voted against the union. The Presbytery met at New Bethel, Dade county, August 28, 1906. When the re- tiring moderator. Rev. W. E. Shaw, asked for the calling of the roll, the stated clerk "challenged the right of the following-named ministers to seats in the Presbytery on the ground that they had withdrawn from, and renounced all allegiance to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and had joined the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.: The Revs. C, J. Allen, J. E. Johnston. W. C. Mahr. W. R. Russell. R. J. Sims. C. W. Smith. J. S. Stapleton, D, X. Woods. G. F. Harbour and T. S. Brown. The moderator sustained this challenge, whereupon Rev. J. E. Johnston made a statement to the effect that the aforesaid ministers and a number of elders were, present for the purpose of organizing and proceeding with the business of the Ozark Presbytery 'A of the Presbyterian Church. TT. S. A., and requested the privilege of a few minutes in which to effect the organization. This was refused. He then called upon Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 331 all who were determined to abide by the action of the church in consummating the union with the Presbyterian Church to meet him immediately in the church yard for the purpose of organizing the Presbytery. ' ' To this call there was an immediate response by Revs. C. J. Allen, G. F. Harbour, J. E. Johnston, W. C. Mahr, W. R. Russell, C. W. Smith and J. S. Stapleton, and Elders J. W. Mc- Donald, J. A. McConnell, J. M. McCall, H. H. Steele, T. E. Bell, L. B. Doran, J. C. Turk, W. M. Hayter, S. W. Barker, M. C. Riggs, D. H. Paul and C. F. Wheat. There in the twilight they assembled and proceeded to organize by electing Rev. W. C. Mahr moderator and Rev. W. R. Russell stated clerk. It is evident that three of the challenged ministers were not present at this session, and there were on the roll two aged ministers and one out of the state who were not challenged by either side. After organization the Presbytery adjourned to meet in Golden City. The next morning at Golden City this resolution was adopted : "Whereas, The following ministers, to wit, J. F. Daughtrey, G. T. Jeffers, J. T. Jones, C. G. L. McMahan, R. S. Ramsey, W. E. Shaw and I. V. Stines, have renounced the action of the late General Assembly of the C. P. Church at Decatur, 111., and the au- thority of the united church, which is the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and organized a separate Presbytery. "Resolved, That their names be dropped from our roll." At the time of this disruption Rev. R. J. Sims was making some historical investigations and had in his possession certain minutes of the Presbytery embracing as late as the spring session ■of 1900. These have fallen into my hands, and through the kind- ness of Mr. T. E. Whaley I have also secured the volume contain- ing the minutes of 1847-1856, so that I have had access to the min- utes from the organization of the Presbytery in 1837 (then called 'Neosho) to 1900. One volume of the minutes of Springfield Presbytery: 1846- 1872, and a few loose minutes have fallen into my hands. The rest were retained by those opposed to the union. The Springfield Presbytery voted against the union by a ma- jority of one. The fall meeting of the Presbytery, 1906, convened in Seymour. When the time came to call the roll the question was raised as to whether or not this Presbytery would abide by the Decatur Assembly. The moderator declared that he was con- vening a Cumberland Presbyterian Assembly. Those who ad- hered to the decision of the Decatur Assembly then asked for the privilege of organizing as a Presbytery under the united church. This request was denied. They then asked: "May we have the privilege of quietly withdrawing?" This request was granted, and as they left the room those who remained sang the Doxolosy. The ministers who walked out were : J. T. Bacon, W. J. Bruce, 332 Presbyteriaxism in the Ozarks J. H. Doran, A. J. Graves, W. C. Hicks, J. A. McCroskey, G. W. Phimmer and J. E. F. Robertson. Rev. J. P>. Lcmmon, D. P. Royer and E. W. Sage wore not present, but abided by this action. The Presbytery was then constituted in the Methodist Church and this resolution was adopted : "Whereas, The retiring moderator, the Rev. T. C. Newman, declared that it is his purpose and the purpose of the brethren whose names are hereinafter given to repudiate the action of the General Assembly of the C. P. Church, meeting at Decatur, 111.. May, 1906, on the question of union with the Presbyterian Church. U. S. A. "Resolved. That the names of the following ministers be dropped from our roll: J. H. Barnett, Joseph Davis. A. B. Moore, T. C. Newman, J. A. Russell and M. F. Wells." As to the West Plains Presbytery I have had access only to the minutes after the disruption. The Presbytery convened at Alton September 6, 1906. The stated clerk, W* S. Kincaid called the Presbytery to order, thus challenging the right of the moder- ator, Rev. J. D. White, to act. In the colloquy which ensued an appeal was made to the trustees of the church and they decided that those opposing the union should have the use of the building. 'The moderator called on union men to retire to the church yard, and in the street by the light of a lantern the moderator called the Presbytery to order." Rev. J. D. White was continued as moderator and Rev. J. M. Glick was elected stated clerk. The roll call showed the following ministers present : J. M. Glick and J. D. White. Absent : W. A. Denly and H. W. Rose. Congrega- tions represented : Hickory Grove, by A. L. Giffof d ; Mammoth Spring, Elmer Cooper ; Mountain View, C. E. Fillman ; Pleasant Valley, H. T. Snyder ; West Plains, J. W. Hill. Congregations not represented: Alton, Bennett, Cabool, Elk Creek, Eminence, Lib- erty, Little Springs, Mountain Grove, Peace Valley, Pine. Willow Springs, Winona." The following resolution was adopted: "Whereas, The following rfiinisters, W. S. Kincaid. J. H. Martin and L. L. Whitehead declared themselves out of harmony with the higher courts of the church and refnsed to have their names enrolled with the united church. Therefore be it "Resolved, That the names of the above ministers be dropped from the roll of the West Plains Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, IT. S. A., subject to thi He- brews down to date and inspire one to faith and fidelity when he "But remembers, only, Such as these have lived and died." Though the outlines remain shadowy and the memories of those he questions fail to make the forms distinct. For various reasons I have failed to get adequate sketches of some men whose portraits I must be content to present in Sil- houette. ALFRED MOORE. The first Cumberland Presbytery in Southwest Missouri was organized in the dwelling house of Alfred Moore in Barry county the fourth Tuesday in March 1837. The hospitable home of Mr. Moore was again opened to the Presbytery April 7. 1840. ANDREW BUCHANAN. GREENFIELD BUCHANAN. The Buchanans left a fragrant memory in Arkansas to which state their labors were largely confined. The Synod of Arkansas appointed Rev. Andrew Buchanan to preach the opening sermon Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 371 at the organization of Neosho Presbytery (1837) and Rev. Green- field Buchanan to be the first moderator. Andrew Buchanan is described as: "A cool, fearless hero; never excited, never losing- self possession, never shrinking' from any duty, however hard, he was well fitted for the field in which his lot was cast. Two of his favorite saying are still quoted in Arkansas. One was, 'I take no more trouble on my hands than I can kick off at my heels;' the other, 'I never let my feeling stick out far enough for people to tramp on them.' " REV. T. M. JOHNSTON. According to the biography of Rev. A. A. Young's, Mr. John- ston accompanied Mr. Young from LaFayette county, Mo., to the vicinage of Springfield in February, 1836. After a missionary tour through the Southwest they returned home and were ordained April 23, 1836. The same authority asserts that they were pres- ent at the meeting of the Presbytery in the dwelling house of Alfred Moore but the author mistaken as to the date of that meeting and the records make no mention of Mr. Young until the second meeting, and Mr. Johnston is first mentioned at the third session. However, Mr. Johnston's name is signed to the first minutes as "recording clerk" and he appears either in this capacity or as "stated clerk" until the division of the Presbytery. His field of labor was in the new Presbytery of Springfield, and when he left that Presbytery in 1848 it was "Resolved that this Presbytery deeply lament the loss of the counsel and support of Bro. T. M. Johnston who has been the faith (in Christ) of this Presbytery." Mr. Johnston assisted in the organization of the First Churches of Springfield and served that church as stated supply. He also ministered to the new Providence church. J. !>., MONTGOMERY. Rev. Jefferson Montgomery came from Tennessee probably in 1839. In April of that year he attended Presbytery at the resi- dence of George M. Gibson and was assigned work in Greene and Polk counties. Under his ministry the name of Shiloh church was changed to Pomme de Terre — (now Pleasant Hope). The history of Dade county says: "The Cumberland Presbyterian church, now of Greenfield, was organized in 1839 by Rev. J. D. Montgomery. The church was organized in the vicinity of the site of Greenfield before the town had an existence." But in a letter written by Mr. Montgomery for the biography of Rev. A. A. Young Mr. Montgomery says: "I attended Bro. 372 Presbyterianism in the O/.arks Young's camp meetings for a fall or two and saw his great zeal for the Master. He attended my first camp meeting in 1S4<> near Greenfield. What Mr. Young was to the Southwest part of the Presbytery Mr. Montgomery was to the Northeast pari — especially to Dade county/ "His study for many years was on horse hack as he went from one appointment to another, or at the plow as he toiled to support his family." He is remembered as an exhorter of unusual powers and as a spiritual general who could mobelize Christian workers and lead them in effectual service for the Master. "His field was Dade county with parts of other counties north and east of Dade. Tn the last few years of his life his field •was contracted to the northeast part of Dade county. During the war Mr. Montgomery was known for his strong union senti- ments, and his great influence made him the object of bitter persecutions by the leaders of the Confederate forces. For over a half a century Mr. Montgomery lived and labored in Southwest Missouri and in 1890 he was called to his reward. WILLIAM GRIEF PERKINS. If any man has served in the eldership of a Presbyterian church in Southwest Missouri longer than the subject of this sketch the knowledge of that fact has eluded my grasp. If he had lived one day longer he would have seen the sixty-seventh anniversary of the order of Presbytery for the organization of the Cumberland Union church in which he was elected a charter elder. But length of days in service is not his only claim to eminence. He was born in Kentucky May 31, 1881, and came to Greene county in 1836. Ten years later he was married to Martha Ann Beal (February 14, 1846). That fall they settled on a farm on which they lived together for nearly sixty-two years. To this pious patriarch and his wife were born nine children, seven of them surviving their parents. In the spring of 1841 the Cumberland Union church — later called Brookline — was organ- ized and Mr. Perkins was made a charter elder. "Uncle Grief", as he was called was a noted singer and was sought far and wide as a helper in evengelistic meetings before the professional gospel singers became ubiquitious. He is remembered, too, for his loyal support of the ministry and of the educational interests of his church. On the 9th of^March, 1908. old and full of days he was gathered to his father. Less than two months later the com- panion of his young manhood and old age went home to meet him. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 373 THE DILLARDS. The unique distinction of having given two sons to the ministry and two to the eldership belongs to Wm. Dillard, Senior. Mr. Dillard came from Tennessee to Greene county, Missouri, in the third decade of the nineteenth century. He set- tled on a farm on Pearson creek and cooperated with the Don- forths in organizing the New Providence church. His sons Stephen and John entered the Cumberland Presbyterian ministry whilst his sons George and Robert became elders — the former in the Home church and the latter in the Pleasant Divide church. An- other son Wm. Junior was a member of the New Providence church and a grandson — James L. is now an elder in that church. The history of Greene county (1883) contains this sketch of George Dillard: "Mr. Dillard was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, Decem- ber 4, 1826, and is the son of William and Sarah Dillard. When he was eleven years of age his parents emigrated to Greene coun- ty, Mo., and settled upon section 8, township 59 and range 29, where George grew to manhood, and where he has always lived since coming to Missouri with the exception of three year's ser- vice in the army. In 1862 he was commissioned as captain of enrolled militia, and served as such until the war closed. He was engaged most of the time in the defense of Springfield, and keeping the "bushwhackers" out of the country as far as practi- cable. Captain Dillard was married upon the 31st of May, 1849, to Miss Eliza J. daughter of J. H. and Gabella Gibson. Their union has been blessed with nine children, six of whom are now living. Captain Dillard is one of the best farmers and most enterprising gentlemen of this section, and no man is held in higher esteem in the county that he." DAVID ELLIOTT GIBSON. (Written by G. W. Rinker.) Born in Giles county, Tennessee, May 29, 1814, David Elliott Gibson moved with his parents to Southwest Missouri in the spring of 1831. This was one of the first families to settle in what is now Lawrence county. David was converted at the first camp meeting held in Southwest Missouri in 1837 (or '38) and was soon afterwards elected elder of the Spring River con- gregation of the C. P. church, which position he held until his death, February 21, 1888, a period of fifty years. He was twice elected judge of the county court, first in 1850 and again in 1871. Judge David E. Gibson was one of Lawrence county's noblest 374 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks men. For integrity, mural worth and active service none stood Ins peer. I was county clerk when he was judge of the county court, and can say ne handled the public money with all the care and painstaking that he used in his own financial matters. He died at his home near Mt. Vernon, February 21, 188s. where he had lived for fifty-two years. GALLAHUGH .MOORE. (Written by G. W. Rinker.) Gallahugh Moore was a pioneer settler of Lawrence county, Missouri. He bought a farm on Honey creek in the forty's, and laid the foundation for a useful life, and established a happy home. He was prosperous as a fanner, and active as a Christian worker. He was chosen an elder in Spring River congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian church which position he filled with honor to himself, attended by great success to the church. He was faithful to his church and family, of ten. He often repre- sented his church in its Presbytery and Synod. He died in the harness, and his mantle has been taken up by his sons. GENERAL COLLY B. HOLLAND. On the twenty-fourth of August. 1816, Colly B. Holland was born in Robberson county, Tennessee. In early life he Avas called to assist his widowed mother in the support of the two younger children, and with the burdens of manhood thrown upon the shoulders of a youth he enjoyed but meager educational advan- tages. But he belonged to that sterling type of men who gain a large fund of practical information from a very few books. Mr. Holland moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 1841 and in company with his brother John established a tailor shop. He soon became identified with the commercial and progressive enterprises of the town of his adoption, was one of the incorpor- ators of the Springfield Male Academy founded in 1859, one of the organizers of the cotton mill industry and in 1875 opened the Holland Banking House with his sons T. B. and W. C. In the Civil war he was Captain of Company D. of Phelps' regiment, assisted in organizing the 72nd regiment of the Missouri militia, and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. General Holland was a life long Cumberland Presbtyerian. He was one of the charter elders of the First Cumberland Presbyterian church of Spring- field organized in 1844 and in 1847 he was made clerk of the ses- sion a position he held for years. His liberal benefactions and efficient services were by no means confined to the local church. GALLAHUGH MOORE Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 375 He was frequently elected a commissioner to the General As- sembly and held a high rank among the laymen in his denomina- tion. Like many of his contemporaries in the eldership of that branch of the church, Mr. Holland was a patron of young men- studying for the ministry. He died the fifth of March, 1901. JOHN G. KNOX. (Written by Rev. W. C. Hicks). John G. Knox, one of the most worthy elders of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, was born in Giles county, Tennessee, in 1838. He came to Missouri shortly after his marriage and settled in Greene county, eight miles northwest of Springfield. Mr. Knox was one of the charter members of the Walnut Springs Cumberland Presbyterian church and was an elder in that church from its organization until his death which occurred in November. 1891. He reared a worthy family of four boys and three girls all of whom are exemplary Christian citizens and owners of well regulated homes. Three of his sons have filled the office of ruling elder in the church. We feel that such a man deserves more than passing notice. He often related his Christian experience when and where he thought it would be helpful to others. He said that when he was a small boy in Giles county, Tenn., his father and mother with others in the church and community were plan- ning for one of the old time camp meetings. All arrived on Friday evening and unloaded their camping equipment, preparatory to pitching their tents near the old spring. A number of tired moth- ers and children went to the spring to quench their thirst ; while resting they entered into conversation as to their purpose in com- ing to the meeting. His mother said that her purpose was that her children might find Jesus Christ as their Saviour, that she hoped and prayed that John might be converted. Her hopes were re- alized and her prayers were answered. As a young Christian John felt that he was called upon to preach the gospel, but he never yielded to the call. In later life he tried to atone for what he regarded as a neglect ,on his part by helping other young men to enter the ministry. On one occasion a young man wrestling with the conviction that he ought to preach went to Mr. Knox for advice. The young man spoke of his impressions, said that he was willing to enter the ministry but added that he was in debt to the amount of $500, that he was not able to pay it at present and was not willing to offer himself up to the Presbytery as a candidate under these circumstances. Mr. Knox readily replied: "This is my opportunity, if I can not go I can send someone to preach. You answer the call of God and I will assume 376 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks the obligation of the $500 indebtedness." Fortunately for Mr. Knox he never had to pay the debt. H was his constant practice to seek the poor, the unfortunate and the forsaken and to become to them a friend in need. He was truly a good Samaritan. M. A. PRATER The genial pastor of the Aurora Church needed not to be acclimated to the social atmosphere of Southwest Missouri. At the firesides, on the farms and in the marts of commerce in the Ozarks he treads his native heath. A Missourian by birth he re- ceived his literary training- here and completed his theological course in Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1892. Pastorates averaging something over three years each followed at Springfield, Steelville and Sullivan. Missouri, and Van Buren, Arkansas. His present pastorate at Aurora gives promise of con- tinued usefulness. Mr. Prater is an evangelistic pastor, fre- quently conducts his own meetings with marked success and finds time each year to assist one or more neighboring pastors in evangelistic meetings. He forms and holds strong ties of friend- ship wherever he goes and is dearly loved by old and young for his sympathetic interest, genial disposition and powers of adapt- ation to circumstances as he finds them. J. M. HUBBERT The United Church is indebted to Southwest Missouri for its efficient assistant stated clerk of the General Assembly. J. M. Hubbert was a candidate for the ministry under care of the Springfield Presbytery and as such was dismissed from the Pres- bytery March 4th, 1871. For a time he was a student in Ozark College and when he was prepared for a higher course Presby- tery advised him to "Repair as soon as practicable to Camp Black and enter Cumberland University." Dr. Hubbert was Moderator of the Assembly of 1889 and stated clerk of the As- sembly from 1896 to the time of the union. M. B. DeWITT When I came to Springfield in 1895 Dr. DeWitt filled the pulpit of the First Cumberland church. In scholarly attainments. Christian gentlemanliness, suavity of manner and grace of heart the pulpits of the city have not since had his superior. In the Ministerial Alliance he was accorded, merited deference and es- teem. I never think of him without recalling his plea for the Presbytlrianisai in the Ozarks 377 study of the poets in which with telling effect, he quoted Byron's words as an illustration of the inevitable end of such a life : "My days are in the yellow leaf, The fruit and flower of love are gone ; The worm, the canker, and the grief Are mine alone." Dr. DeWitt was born in Paris, Tenn., in 1835 and died at Nashville in 1901. He graduated from the literary and theologi- cal departments of Cumberland University and was pastor of the church of Fayetteville, Tenn., until the outbreak of the civil war, when he became chaplain in the Confederate army. His subsequent labors were: Pastor at Huntsville, Alabama, 1865- 1872 ; Book Editor of the Publishing House, Nashville, 1872-1879 ; Pastor M. C. Minnville, Tenn., 1879-1882; P. M. C, Keesport, Pa., 1882-1884; P. Edgefield church, Nashville, 1884-1888; Sun- day School Editor and Superintendent for the denomination. 1888-1894; P. Springfield, Mo., April, 1894, Oct. 1896. Ill health laid him aside until December, 1898, when he became pastor at Hopkinsville, Ky., his last pastorate which terminated in Decem- ber, 1900. There are other names that richly deserve more than pass- ing mention, and those who were reared in the Cumberland Pres- byterian church may think that my ideas of "election" are arbi- trary indeed. But could they know the futile efforts I have made to get the necessary information they would deal leniently with my shortcomings. * * * * "Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled, You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will But the scent of the rose will cling to it still." So I catch the fragrance of their lives in the broken memor- ies of those who have known them — but fail to get characteris- tics and facts enough to give to them a form substantial enough to appear to the reader. Such were THOMAS KEER. and HARVEY T. McCUNE of the Old Oakland Church, and ELISHA B. HILLHOUSE of Lawrence County, and WILLIAM P. DYSART. 378 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks for fifty or sixty years an elder in the Mount Comfort church and a power in personal evangelism. And they are not all dead yet. WILLIAM McCANSE was elected to the eldership in the Mount Vernon church before the civil war, and A. A. YOUNG still maintains in Lawrence county the good name inherited from his father. The Rev. A. A. Young of blessed memory. And in that general region of country the heart of the former Cumber- land Presbyterian beats with pride at the mention of the hon- ored names of GIBSOX and WHITE. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 379 CHAPTER VIII OTHER PRESBYTERIAN BODIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, U. S. In 1861 the Presbytery of La Fayette embraced twenty- seven counties stretching from the Missouri river to the Arkan- sas line. In this vast domain it had 21 ministers, 34 churches and a communicant roll of 1,478. The counties of La Fayette, Jackson and Cass furnished 1100 of these, leaving only 378 members in twenty-four counties. The territory subsequently occupied by Ozark Presbytery had only 5 churches with 143 members. In April, 1861, the Presbytery met in Longwood. Pettis county. That was its last full meeting prior to the civil war. The three ministers who met in the fall adjourned without ceremony before an armed band of foragers. "In the spring of 1862, three ministers met in Pleasant Hill, but nothing was done, but adjourn, to meet in Hopewell church October 2nd." The pastor of this church was Rev. David Coulter. He had the joy of welcoming to the meeting of Presbytery Revs. J. W. Wallace, R. S. Symington and George Miller. It is described by the latter as "a quiet, pleasant meeting, attended by old people, women and children, and full of sadness, charity and devotion — a sort of spiritual sunset, before a long, dark, bitter and cruel night of three and one-half years duration. * * * Our Presbytery met no more until April, 1866, and when it did, it was but the frag- ments of what it was, a wreck in ministers, churches, members and Christian spirit. Of the 21 that met five years ago only five remained. * * * From 1861 to 1866 one-half of all the churches on our roll became utterly extinct, and in the places of 12 out of 34 no organiaztion has ever been revived. Of the sur- viving organization, eleven are now (1888) in the southern con- nection and six in the northern four in this (Kansas City) and two in Ozark Presbytery.* *There is evidently a mistake here as Ozark retained Ebernezer, Mount Vernon (i. e. Ozark Prairie) and Calvary Churches. 380 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks In the fall of 1866 the Synod divided. That part of La Pay- ette Presbytery within the purview of this volume bad been stricken off the year before to constitute the Presbytery of South- west .Missouri. As- for the rest, all went into the 'Declaration and Testimony" or Independent Southern Synod except the church of Warrensburg and a very few members in Kansas City and Pleasant Hill, together with one minister — Rev. George Mil- ler. The Presbytery of La Fayette. U. S. retains the succession and the records. Its confines were once more extended to the Arkansas Line. Like its predecessor before the disruption the bulk of its strength is in the northern part. The earliest work of this Presbytery in the Ozark region was near the scenes of the old Indian Missions of the New School church. The churches of this section at the disruption of the Presbytery of Osage passed into the hands of the Old School church, "by which after the war many efforts were made to revive the old churches and to estab- lish new ones." The Presbytery of La Fayette entered this same field. On the 8th of September. 1870. it enrolled the churches of Nevada City and Virgil City, both of which were organized by Rev. J. Galbreath. the former with 13 and the latter with 15 mem- bers. The Bethany church, organized by Revs. Messrs. Mont- gomery. Milster and Crockett, was enrolled March 13th. 1874. These churches were all in Vernon county, and they have all dis- appeared from the roll of La Fayette Presbytery. Nevada City was doubtless abandoned on account of the work of the Ozark Presbytery U. S. at that place. Virgil City church by formal application was received by the same body. What became of Bethany I am unable to say. Between these efforts and the es- tablishment cf the permanent work of the Presbytery in the Ozarks several years elapsed. The churches now on the roll of the Presbytery in this section were either enrolled or organized as follows : Lamar (Barton county), 1883; Westminster (Springfield), July, 1883, 1885 (?); Walker (Vernon county). April 26, 1889; Montrose (Pulaski county). April 15. 1896; Forsythe (Taney county). August 14, 1896; Sparta (Christian county), September 17, 1896; Crocker (Pulaski county), April 12, 1898; Tuscumhia (Miller county), April 16, 1896; Swedenborg (Pulaski county), September, 1906; Branson (Taney county), March 18. 1907. Westminster (Vernon county), date of organization unknown to the writer. At one time the Presbytery had an organization at Mansfield but that has been disbanded ; whilst its church at Burn- ham was transferred to the Presbytery of Ozark, U. S. A. Xo doubt other organizations have been abandoned but as I have not had access to the records of this Presbytery I am unable to men- tion them even by name. The eleven churches now on the roll Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 381 reported a membership of 560 in 1908. Of this membership La- mar reported 103 and Westminster of Springfield 102. The Westminster church has had a succession of gifted pas- tors including Revs. H. B. Boude. D. D., Eugene F. Abbott, A. Y. Beaty, and the present pastor, Rev. G. W. Jurey. Mr. Beaty resigned to manage the founding of The School of the Ozarks. This school under the control of the denomination is located in Forsythe. Taney county, and is modeled in part at least after Park College. Before formulating plans Mr. Beaty was sent to Park and to a number of institutions, among the mountain peo- ple of the south for the purpose of learning the best features of the various schools doing this kind of work. One hundred and twenty acres of land was secured and the first building was com- pleted in the spring of 1907. The school was opened in the fall. It has accommodations for fifty boarders and the Boarding De- partment is kept full. The public school funds of the township are turned over to its trustees and the children of Forsythe are admitted without tuition. A normal course has proven a boon to district school teachers in Taney and the adjoining counties. The school is coeducational. Mr. Beaty was compelled to resign about a year after the opening of the school on account of health con- siderations. Since then the school has been without a President. Forsythe is reached by a hack line from Branson, about ten miles over the mountains. Already the School of the Ozarks has dem- onstrated its right to be. UNITED PRESBYTERIANS The United Presbyterian church has but two organizations in Southwest Missouri, and one of these was organized by the Reformed Presbyterian church. This church is located near Sylvania in Dade county. Reformed Presbyterians settled in Dade county just after the close of the civil war. On the 10th of August, 1871, they were organized into a church by Revs. James Wallace, W. W. McMillan and Elder James Hutcheson. Forty-nine members entered the organization and W. M. Edgar and Thomas McDermit were elected ruling elders. The church was subsequently transferred to the United Presbyterians. It has enrolled a body of sterling men and women but has paid the penalty of isolation from other churches of the same faith and order and has frequently been unable to secure the stated ser- vices of a pastor. The First United Presbyterian church of Springfield was or- ganized October 23, 1892. Messrs. Samuel Kidd. George Bybee and J. R. George were the charter elders. Rev. John Teaz, D. D., was the first pastor. He has been followed in the pastorate by 382 PRESBYTERIANISM IX THE OZARKS Revs. J. W. Long, I). I).. S. A. Moon- and J. II. Gibson, D. D., all men of Strength, stability and piety. The church lias a member- ship of 83, worships in a neat frame house and has a commodious parsonage. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 383 CHAPTER IX. COLORED CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANISM. On the roll of the Old Kickapoo church are these names: 16 (Servant) Simon. 17 (Servant) Hagar. 18 (Servant) Samuel. 19 (Servant) Mary. 20 (Servant) Wiett. 21 (Servant) Charles. Among the charter members of the First Cumberland church of Springfield is enumerated "Leah, a black woman." Similar records might be found in other Pioneer Cumberland churches and in Presbyterian churches as well. They are the pathetic me- mentoes of an institution that belonged to other days. Before the civil war the Cumberland church carried on rather an exten- sive work among the negroes and in process of time the congre- gations were segregated. The minutes of the Ozark Presbytery for September, 1872, contain this entry: "The stated clerk of Presbytery was ordered to address by circular letter the colored congregations in our bounds, setting forth their relationship to the Presbytery, and the duties growing out therefrom to their ministers." In October of the same year the Springfield Pres- bytery appointed a commission to examine Lewis Fulbright, a colored candidate under care of the Presbytery. This commis- sion was instructed to ordain him if in its judgment such a step was proper even though he was found deficient in some branches. The reason for this instruction was based on the fact that the colored brethren had expressed a desire for a separate Presby- tery. The commission was farther instructed to memorialize Synod to organize the new Presbytery in the event that said com- mission did ordain the candidate. From the life of Rev. A. A. Young we learn that "At this meeting of Ozark Synod, (1872), the colored brethren in 384 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks the hounds of the Synod presented a memorial, asking the Synod to constitute them a Presbytery, to be under the care and compose an integral part of the Green River Synod of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church (colored), said Presbytery to be known and styled 'The Missouri Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Colored.) \" Synod granted the request,. "And thus was organized the first Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (col- ored) in the great State of Missouri." The Presbytery is now called Kansouri Presbytery. This Presbytery met in Greenfield, Missouri, Aug. 13-16, 1908. The minutes of this session indicate that there were seven ministers in attendance and the churches given are Springfield. Bethel, (P. O. Hartville, Mo.), Oak Grove, (P. 0. Hartville. Mo.), Marsh- field, Greenfield, Ash Grove, Nogo — all of which appear to be in Missouri and Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and Topeka, Kansas. The Cave Springs church applied for membership in the Presbytery at this session and its request was granted. The Presbytery ap- pointed a commission to "Take under advisement the location and operation of a Presbyterian school in Southwest Missouri." The commission consists of Revs. B. F. Foster, and H. Harvey and Mr. Wm. Smith. The Springfield church, known as Gibson Chapel, has a commodious and modern house of worship — built of brick and costing in the neighborhood of $15,000. To make this house a possibility at least four of the members mortgaged their own homes — and I believe lost them. The church has a membership of about two hundred. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 385 APPENDIX PRESBYTERIAN ADDRESSES. PREPARED FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. Note. — -The following addresses were prepared for the va- rious occasions indicated under the separate addresses. It is be- lieved that collected in this form they will add to the permanent and general value of this work. If in some instances the reader finds himself traversing the same ground twice or more times he will bear in mind the fact that they were prepared at times sep- arated by a lapse of months or years. THE MEN AND TIMES OP THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY. (Delivered before the Presbytery of Ozark. Monett, Mo., Septem- ber, 1898). I shaH reverse the order suggested by my theme and give a sketch of the times and men of the Westminster Assembly. The limitations of my subject forbid me the pleasing task of reviewing and passing judgment upon the monumental work of these men — the Westminster Standards. We may consider the times as an interpretation of these standards, or we may ask whether or not the times were propitious for the formulation of a creed or whether or not the men were endowed with abilities of heart and mind commensurate with the task. The Westminster As- sembly convened during the closing decade of the Thirty Year's War. It was in session when the Peace of Westphalia was de- clared. The Assembly gave permanent expression to the relig- ious convictions of a large body of the reformers. In 1517 Lu- ther nailed his theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. In 1648 the peace of Westphalia was signed. The intervening era marks the uprising of the people against their oppressors. It was a struggle for political freedom, for intellectual freedom, for religious freedom. 386 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks When once men began to think they dared to think in the face of the frowns of a tyrant. And when once men (hired to believe, they dared to believe though the stake or the tortures uf the inquisition awaited them. P^ver since Charlesmagne had made his donations to the church the Popes had asserted temporal power. Political and religious questions were so intermingled that the jealousies and ambitions of princes protracted the con- flict between Catholics and Protestants and made it possible for Ferdinand to pass into the Beyond with the stain of ten million lives on his soul. These political complications together with the mutual jealousies of Lutherans and Calvinistes sometime ar- rayed Catholic against Catholic and Protestant against Protes- tant. " The lover of pure religion reads of the lukewarmness of Protestant princes, and the jealousies that protracted the bloody conflict and is forcibly reminded of the divine lament over rebel- lious Israel: "0, that they were wise that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end ! How should one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight, except their rock had sold them and the Lord had shut them up?" For all this the general trend of this chequered narrative is onward and upward. Then as now. "A man is a man for a' that.' And 'there were giants in those days.' Cardinal Richelieu unprinci- paled but world-renowned for his statecraft, died a few months before this assembly convened. Contemporary with the men of the assembly were Galileo the scientist, and Gustavus Adolphus, who in his last battle led, his intrepid warriors into the fight sing- ing Luther's hymn, "Our God, He is a Tower of Strength." And though the hero was buried under a heap of dead, and trampled on by horses, he had given the enemy a blow from which they never recovered. To the generation preceding this belonged the noble Conde, the princely Coligni, and the illustrious Henry of Navarre. In that generation strode the majestic figure of "Wil- liam the Silent, who to crush the tyrant's power cried "Break down the dikes, give Holland back to the ocean," and Europe said sublime! Nor must we forget that the boyhood of the men of the Westminster Assembly was passed amid the splendors of the Elizabethan era of literature. Of that era an historian has said. "Not the age of Pericles in Greece, the Augustinian age of Roman letters, the age of the Medici in Italy, or of Louis XIV in France was equal to the era of Elizabeth in its splendid out- burst of intellectual activity." It was then that Shakespeare wrote his 37 plays in which "he has poured forth for us and for posterity the swelling, the heroic the sublime symphonies of love and battle, mingled with the mutterings of remorse, the cooings of hope, the dying ac- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 387 cents of despair." It was then that Francis Bacon lived, of whom it has been said "A brain as luminous as that of Plato — a thinker, a philosopher — an iconiclast knocking the bust of Ar- istotle from the pedestal of scholasticism ; too great to be appre- ciated and too weak to be great ; such was Francis Bacon, found- er of the inductive philosophy which has carried us beyond the pale of medieval learning, laid our hand gently on the hand of nature, and taught us to know." Thirty-two years before the Assembly convened our author- ized version of the Bible was made. In some places the revisers may have given us a more accurate translation and they may have followed better manuscript texts ; but as an English classic and for its formative influence on our mother tongue the author- ized version remains the despair of translators. Less than twenty years after the close of the Assembly, Milton wrote the one great epic of the English language. Thus to a period of less than 100 years belong the philosophy of Bacon, the dramas of Shakes- peare, the King James version of the Bible, the landing of the pilgrims, the Westminster confession of faith and Paradise Lost — and I am not the man to say that the Confession of Faith is the least of these. To understand rightly the religious conditions of the times a brief sketch of the reformation in England is essential. That reformation was outwardly effected by the breach between Henry VIII and the Pope. Henry Tudor was a king who had a convenient and elastic conscience. Not until he had become enamored of the charms of Anne Boleyn did his conscience tell him it was wicked to live in wedlock with his deceased broth- er's widow. The queen in question was the aunt of Charles V. and for this reason Pope Clement VII. found it impolitic to as- sent to the annulling of the king's marriage. But the royal pas- sion of a Tudor under the guise of a tender conscience would not brook the opposition of a Pope. In rapid succession came the fall of Wolsey, the elevation of Cranmer. the secret marriage with Anne, the divorcement of Catherine, the birth of Elizabeth, the disestablishment of the monasteries and nunneries and the establishing of the king as head of the church. Henry Tudor who now usurped the place claimed by the old man on the banks of the Tiber — but belonging rightly to King Emmanuel— was the same king whom that piece of infallibility had egregiously styled "The Defender of the Faith." Henry had six wives and three children and although the whims of the king made the logic of events pronounce both of his daughters ille- gitimate, they in turn after their brother sat on the English throne. 388 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks During the reiyn of Kdwanl VI. the rupture with Rome be- ciunc more complete. It wns detei'iniued to make the religious doctrine and practice conform to the standard of the reforma- tion. The English prayer book was prepared. A law was pass- ed forbidding the enforced celibacy of the clergy. The remain- ing monasteries and nunneries were suppressed- And Cranmer and the Protestants formulated a new creed. This creed consist- ed at first of 42 articles but was afterward reduced to 39. It was not materially different from the Calvinistic creeds of tha continent. At the death of Edward, Mary became queen of a people to whom her person and religion were repugnant. Nor did her marriage with the infamous Philip of Spain ingratiate* her with the people. The Catholic reaction under bloody Marx- was short lived. Even members of parliament exulted in the death of a queen who could inflict martyrdom on such man as Ridley and Latimer. Elizabeth was a Protestant by the exigencies of her birth. Had she professed anything else she would have virtually sanc- tioned the decree of her own illegitimacy. If at heart the queen had a religion it was probably Catholic. During her reign Ro- manizing and high church tendencies were prevalent. Ridpath says as a result of her preference, "The church of England took its station between the high flown formalism of Rome and the utter non-formalism of the sectaries — that St. Paul's cathedral until this day stands midway between St. Peter's and a Quaker meeting house." Then arose that conflict with the Puritans. James Stuart — the successor of Elizabeth— had all he want- ed of Presbytery in Scotland. And Charles I. was intent on car- rying out his principles of absolutism. But whence came that mighty force that abjured ritualism, that decried prelacy, that contended earnestly for the reformed faith, that sought purity of heart and life? Was it the offspring of the lustful Henry VIII., Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Crom- well, kings, queens and archbishops ? Nay verily ! It has been said that England had no Luther in the 16th century because she had her Luther in the 14th. The influence of Wyclif "the morn- ing star of the reformation," never waned. Side by side with the external reformation of Henry and Cranmer and Edward VI. was a spiritual reformation. The Lollards were in England, and William Tyndal was there. And it has been said that Puritanism was there 100 years before it had a name. The flower of this pristine Puritanism sheds its fragrance in the twentieth chapter of the confession: "God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 389 which are in anything contrary to his word, or beside it, in mat- ters of faith or worship." For this principle the reformers con- tended during the reigns of the Tudors and the first two Stuarts. The reformers in England were doctrinally at one with the reformers in Scotland, Holland, and Switzerland. The early lea- ders of the established church admitted that there was no essen- tial difference between bishop and Presbyter, and many of them were inclined to grant concessions to the Puritans in the nature of a simpler ritual. But formal and fawning prelates sided with the crown. Weak men suppressed their convictions. Liturgists were elevated to places of prominence. Puritans were martyred or driven into exile in Holland or America. Royalty and Episco- pacy were arrayed against Parliament and Puritanism. Parlia- ment became Puritan and the Westminster Assembly was call- ed. The official call of the Assembly is entitled: "An ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the call- ing of an assembly of learned and godly divines, and others, to be consulted with by Parliament, for the settling of the govern- ment and liturgy of the church of England, and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the said church from false asper- sions and interpretations. Passed June 12, 1643." This ordinance declares that "many things remain in the liturgy, discipline, and government of the church, which do nec- essarily require a further and more perfect reformation than as yet hath been attained;" "That the present church government by archbishops, bishops, their chancellors, commissaries, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical officers depending upon the hierarchy, is evil and justly offensive and burdensome to the kingdom * * * that the same shall be taken away, and that such a government shall be settled in the church as may be most agreeable to God's Holy Word and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the church at home and nearer agreement with the church of Scotland and other reformed churches abroad." The Assembly as originally constituted by ordinance was composed of 121 ministers and thirty lay assessors. Others were added from time to time, chiefly to fill the vacancies made by re- fusal to attend or by death. The Assembly convened July 1, 1643, in Henry VII. chapel of Westminster Abbey. About 2% months were occupied with the revision of the 39 articles. But when Parliament found it necessary to invoke the aid of the Scots and the Solemn League and Covenant was taken, the Scottish commissioners were admitted and the scope of its purpose was enlarged. Henceforth, meeting in the Jerusalem chamber, they ad- 390 Presbvterianism in the Ozarks dressed themselves to the task of formulating new standards. The men of this assembly had plenty of Learning, Linguistic, pat- ristic, oriental and biblical. On the meaner salary of less than $1.00 a day they assembled from year to year. They debated, searched the scriptures, fasted and prayed. Their task of formu- lating the Westminster standards was completed in 1648; and although the Assembly was never formally adjourned, "it dwind- led by degrees and vanished with the Parliament that gave it birth.'" Most of these divines were in Episcopal orders when called to the Assembly, three or four were bishops. There were those who favored the continuance of Episcopacy ; others were Inde- pendents, but the majority were Presbyterians. Baxter said : "The divines there congregated were men of eminent learning and godliness, and ministerial abilities and fidelity ; and being not worthy to be one of them myself, I may the more freely speak that truth which I know even in the face of malice and envy that, as far as I am able to judge by the information of all history — the Christian world since the days of the apostles had never a Synod of more excellent divines." I quote now from Johnson's encyclopedia: "The Westmin- ster Divines had learning scriptural, patristic, scholastic, and modern, enough and to spare, all solid, substantial and ready for use. Hence their work has stood the test of time and is still val- ued and honored. Almost all of them were graduates of Ox- ford and Cambridge. Several of them had been honored to suf- fer in defense of the truths they taught, and many of them had the courage afterward to bear suffering, insult, and poverty ra- ther than renounce their creed, or abandon their views of church polity and discipline. Twisse, the prolocutor of the Assembly, was a man not only of subtle and speculative genius, but also of profound learning. Herle, who succeeded him as prolocutor, was, according to Ful- ler, 'so much Christian, scholar and gentleman that he could unite in affection, with those who were disjoined in judgment from him.' White and Burgess * * * were both men of acknowl- edged eminence. * * * Reynolds was a divine 'eloquent, learned, cautious and at the restoration was made b;shop of Norwich. Calamy was a more cautious and liberal Calvinist still ; he. too, was offered but declined a bishopric. Arrowsmith. 'the man with the glass eye,' and Tuckney * * * successively professors of di- vinity at Cambridge, were men of high scholarship. * * * Staun- ton was a "walking concordance;' Seaman, an 'invincible dis- putant;' Lightfoot. Coleman and Gataker were all distinguished oriental scholars; and the last named, after Issuer and Solden * * * was accounted the most learned man in England. The age Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 391 is acknowledged to have been an age of great preachers, and in the first rank among these fall to be numbered the following members: Gouge, on whose preaching Ussher and others con- gregated in the metropolis did not disdain to attend ; Manton, in whom 'clear judgment, rich fancy and happy eloquence met;' Marshall, whose yet more impressive oratory is said to have se- cured for him greater influence with the Parliament than ever Laud enjoyed with the court ; Calamy, who delighted in that ex- perimental strain of discourse which ever touches the hearts of men ; Burroughs and Greenhill, ' the morning and evening stars of Stephany;' Hoyle, who 'reigned in schools and pulpit;' Palmer, who could preach ably and attractively in French as well as in English; Caryl, long popular with the learned audience of Lin- coln's Inn; and Goodwin, one of the most successful expository preachers of the age. With these were associated the very elite of the Scottish min- isters and elders. Henderson, whose learning and culture even royalty acknowledged; Rutherford, twice invited to a professor- ship in Holland ; Gillespie, prince of disputants, who with the fire of youth had the wisdom of age; and Baillie * * * Johnstone, and the great Marquis of Argyll, who both suffered afterward on account of their principles; Loudan and Lord Maitland." Such were the times and such were the men of the West- minster Assembly. When we remember that they were at work on our subordinate standards nearly five years we must be con- vinced that they did their work thoroughly. What of the future ? The Presbyterian churches are not the largest in this country; our church has yielded an influence for righteousness second to none. It will probably never be as large as some — -at least as long as men unduly emphasize forms and ceremonies or love an easy religion. But as long as she remains true to her history and traditions ; as long as infidelity, rationalism and materialism demand a cour- ageous and uncompromising foe ; as long as men exalt the Word of God as the only infallible rule of faith and practice ; as long as men believe that "God alone is Lord of the conscience;" and as long as men love liberty and righteousness, so long the outlook of Presbyterianism is "as bright as the promises of God." Sometimes too slow to get to the front, sometimes cultivat- ing other vineyards to the neglect of her own, sometimes unpop- ular with the ignorant and always so with the vile the Presby- terian church has not grown in this country as it should. But I believe with the general diffusion of intelligence in which she has a conspicuous part her growth will be more rapid. 392 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks FOREFATHERS' DAY ADDRESS. (Delivered before the Congregational Club of Springfield, Mo., December 21, 1899.) N. B. — This address was the last of a series delivered by- clergymen of different denominations, and was interspersed with extempore parts. The Episcopal clergyman objected be- cause he did not have the last word and proclaimed the Episco- pacy of Washington. The speaker admitted the fact that Wash- ington was an Episcopalian, but retorted that he was so depend- ent on Presbyterians to sustain him in arms that at the close of the Revolution as an appreciation he gave $40,000 to found a Presbyterian college in his own State. De Tocqueville has said: "By the side of every religion is to be found a political, opinion connected with it by affinity. If the human mind be left to follow its own bent it will regulate the temporal and spiritual institutions of society in a uniform man- ner, and man will endeavor, if I may so speak, to harmonize earth with heaven." The political opinion that is in affinity with Presbyterianism is republicanism. John Knox told Mary: "If princes exceed their bounds they may be resisted by force." Froude calls this utteranee "The creed of republics in its first hard form." I hold with those who maintain that a man's conception of Deity have a controlling influence in the formation of his char- acter and the regulation of his conduct. The unfaithful servant in the parable excused his idleness by saying: "I knew thee, that thou art an hard man." His conduct was regulated not by the master's character, but by the servant's conception thereof. The stone cut out of the mountain that has made Presbyterianism the foremost friend and champion of liberty, civil and religious, is the sovereignty of God. God's freeman cannot long be slave to any man. This basic principle is the common heritage of all Calvinistic bodies. The opponents of Calvinism, and especially the self-styled "liberals" in religion, have thought of this system as the unfaithful servant thought of his master. They dismiss it with a sneer and a taunt as harsh and unrelenting. When the Almighty wished to convince Job of his ignorance and impotence He asked: "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" And Calvinism, without boasting, asks its enemies: "Where wert thou when I was fighting the battles of freedom in every civilized country that possesses that priceless boon?" Lest this be thought the fulsome panegyric of an intense partisan let me call to the witness stand men who personally have not fondness for Calvinism. Buckle, the unbeliever, says: Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 393 "Wherever it has gone — in France, Switzerland, Britain, Amer- ica— the Calvinistic faith has shown itself the unfailing friend of constitutional liberty." James Anthony Fronde, in his earlier writings, vented his spleen on this system of faith ; but with a mature acquaintance with history he wrote : "It has been able to inspire the bravest efforts ever made by man to break the yoke of unjust authority. And Bancroft, a Unitarian, testifies: "He that will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American independense." In the cornerstone of the temple of the great American re- public there lie imbedded three great ideas: (1) God is the Sov- ereign of the universe; (2) The idea of a self-reliant, heroic manhood; (3) The courage to fight and to die for the rights of humanity and the lordship of truth. John Calvin is the personifi- cation of the first. Admiral Coligny is the loftiest type of the dig- nity of man. "Reserved and cautious, it required the consecrated enthusiasm of his noble wife to rouse him to arms. He hesitated, not from cowardice, but from conscience; not from timidity, but tenderness. Shrinking from the sorrows that would come upon her, he offered her eight days to consider whether he should plunge to the rescue of Protestantism. With Spartan spirit she cried: 'The eight days are past already.' This parted the last strand that held him to Rome. Distinctly renouncing every hu- man ambition, exclaiming, 'in the name of Jehovah we will set up our banners,' he advanced to the conflict. * * * More unselfish than Cromwell, as true as Washington, as devout as Adolphus, he is * * * the very ideal of Christian heroism." And John Knox, who never feared the face of man, who could not be swerved by flattery or frown, is the embodiment of our third idea. It was the men who had the precepts of Calvin, the image of Coligny and the inspiring valor of Knox in their hearts who founded this republic. And here let me speak a word to those who fancy that Christian harmony and co-operation are the product of the closing quarter of the nineteenth century. We get up and speak as if this were a new thing under the sun. I can imagine our Presbyterian and Congregational forefathers looking over the battlements of heaven as some of us talk about this new spirit of harmony and good feeling and asking us: "Where were you when we Presbyterians and Congregation alists were working together under the plan of union by which Congregational pas- tors of Presbyterian churches sat in Presbytery, or Presbyterian clergy in charge of Congregational churches sat in Congregational councils? Where were you when for sixty years we together sent missionaries through the American board?" When at last there was a separation there was a division of the spoils, eongregation- alists taking the Board and a part of the mission stations. Other 394 Presbyterianism ix the Ozarks stations were amicably turned over to the Presbyterians. And it seems to me there has been another division of the spoils by which in popular conception Congregationalists are considered the lineal heirs of the Puritans and Pilgrim lathers and Presbyterianism has become a synonym of Calvinism. This; division is nnhistorical. Calvinism is our common heritage, whilst on the other hand Rob-' inson claimed that his church in Leyden — the mother church of the Plymouth colony — was of the same government as the Protestant church of France. That was essentially Presbyterian. The Plymouth colony had in its ruling elder Brewster, who in- sisted on the distinction between the ruling and the teaching elder. And the early churches of Salem. Charlestown and Boston had ruling elders. And now let me say with due deference to "mine host" that while Congregationalism gained the ascendancy in New England, Presbyterianism was the leaven that was scattered throughout the colonies. "Coming to these shores one by one and scattered throughout all the colonies Presbyterians, like the tribe of Levi, had none inheritance in the land." By the middle of the eighteenth century New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were over- whelmingly Presbyterian. "In 1775 Presbyterians and Congrega- tionalists combined had the ecclessiastical control of the American colonies." Puritans, Covenanters, Huguenots, Scotch, Scotch- Irish and German refugees from the Paletinate fled to the asylum of the oppressed. But from South Carolina to New Hampshire the power of the government was exerted to give the established church the ascendancy. The powerful Presbyterian Church in New York could not even get a title to a burying spot for its dead. More than a year before the 4th of July, 1776, the Scotch-Irish in one county of North Carolina declared their independence. And these Scotch-Irish Presbyterians are said to be the only race in America that never gave birth to a Tory. Bancroft says : ' ' The first voice publicly raised in America to dissolve all connection with Great Britain came, not from the Puritans of New England, nor from the Dutch of New York, nor from the planters of Vir- ginia, but from the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of North Carolina." And Washington declared that "Should all his plans be crushed, he would plant his standard on the Blue Ridge, and, rallying round him the Scotch-Irish, make a final and successful stand for freedom on the Virginia frontier." And what part did Presbyterians play in the formation of a blood-bought republic? Chief Justice Tilghman said: "The framers of the Constitution of the United States were greatly in- debted to the standards of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in modeling their admirable instrument." Hon. W. C. Preston, of South Carolina, also savs: "Certainlv it was a remarkable and Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 395 singular coincidence that the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church should bear such a close and striking resemblance to the political Constitution of our country. * * * The two may be supposed to be formed after the same model.'' In these constitutions the representative system in legislation and the appellate system in jurisprudence are fundamental. Dr. George P. Hays says: "The nation tried the 'independent' method of government by the Articles of Confederation. Those articles made the general government a national council, with lib- erty to advise anything, and power to enforce nothing. The new Constitution of Madison, Jefferson and Hamilton, which was adopted by the states in that memorable year, 1778, was simply the representative republicanism of Presbyterian Church govern- ment applied to the Nation." The name of John Witherspoon is under that of Hancock in the Declaration of Independence. One of John Witherspoon 's pupils framed our Constitution. The name of John Witherspoon is "the only name of a minister of Jesus Christ that is graven on the pedestal of a civic statue on the American soil." The United States of America have been called the United States of Holland, amplified, refined, perpetuated. From that Calvinistic Dutch re- public we borrowed the ideas of a written Constitution, the sep- aration of church and state, the motto of our republic, the free- dom of the press, the secret-written ballot, the reform in laws con- cerning the rights of married women, and the principle that all men were created equal. And as to our debt to the Huguenots: "Their mark is on all our greatness." The Presbyterian Church in the United States is a transplanted and grafted tree. "The soil of Switzerland is in its roots, the blood of Holland is in its veins, the free breath of Scotland is in its leaves." We hear it said that general intelligence is a prime necessity of a successful republic. Bancroft, the Unitarian, whom I like to quote, said John Calvin is the father of the American common school system. This has been disputed. It is said rather that he is the ancestor who handed down the heritage through Knox and John of Nassau. But it makes little difference whether we call Calvin the father or the grandfather. We all know the Presbyterian posi- ' tion in reference to education. Indeed it is sometimes said that the Presbyterian Church fails among the ignorant and the poor. Now the explanation of this is when we put them through the mental gymnastics of the Shorter Catechism they won't stay ig- norant ; and our theology makes men of more worth in the com- mercial market on account of integrity and loyalty to duty so that they won't stay poor. It is a significant fact that the statis- tics of 1886 show that 60 per cent, of college students are in schools that may fairly be regarded as Calvinistic, and 23 per 396 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks cent, of all arc under Presbyterian control. Thus Sy^ per cent, of the population educates 23 per cent, of the college students. The self-styled "liberals" and advanced thinkers sometimes frighten us (almost). But where are the colleges they founded. They be- gan this century by stealing Harvard, and it may be they will close it by stealing Andover and Union Seminaries. But do not get frightened above measure. In 1850 evangelical churches had 40,000 congregations. In 1886 the number had swelled to 120.000. In 1850 the "liberals" had 1,300. In 1886 there were 26 less. And if they have a respectable organization for home or foreign missions I have failed to hear of it. Mr. Chairman and members of this Club, the old truths are not dead. We are not called to the stake and the rack. We do not have to defend our liberties as did Knox. Our enemies are different. Hence "we do not arm ourselves cap-a-pie as our fathers did." "Today the Sovereignty of our God is called in question in other ways. Science denies that this universe of His, that stretches out before our eyes, our intelligences and imagina- tions, does conform to the teaching of His book * * * The enemies of God no longer deny the equality of men, but they give a certain apotheosis to human nature and thereby bring man above his Divine Master. But the old faith that has stood for the honor of God will uphold that honor still. "It may be modified in the form of utterance, or the formulation of its creed; but in its essential substance it will never be modified, until that Jeru- salem coming down out of the skies shall come down and dwell among men." The men wrho will meet these new enemies of the cross may not be asked to lay down their lives, but they are the worthy descendants of the Martyr Stephen, of those who smouldered on the fires of Smithfield, wet the soil of Boynton with their blood, or followed Coligny, Conde, William the Silent and Cromwell. The world needs heroism today as much as ever. And if Christendom is ever to present a united face to the foe it will be when we emblazon on our banners loyalty to the Lordship of the truth and the Kingship of Christ. Then will be given God the honor that is His due. Thomas Carlyle said: "The older I grow, and I now stand on the brink of Eternity, the more comes back to me the first sentence in the Catechism which I learned when a child, and the fuller and deeper its meaning becomes: 'What is the chief end of man?' 'To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' " Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 397 TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF ORGANIZED PRESBYTERIAN- ISM. (Delivered at the Second Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Mo., April 29, 1906.) Dr. William Henry Roberts is authority for the statement that two hundred years ago this spring the first Presbytery in the territory now known as the United States was organized in the city of Philadelphia. The records of this first meeting are lost, as are also the first two pages of the records of the meeting of the Presbytery held in December of the same year. This General Presbytery, as it was called, had on its roll the names of seven ministers, and at its December meeting ordained to the Gospel ministry a young man by the name of John Boyd. ' ' The General Presbytery was the first organized Christian body of a denomina- tional character within the territory now occupied by the United States of America. It was altogether independent of European control, and in addition was strictly popular and republican in its government." We are not to understand by this that Presbyterianism in the United States is only 200 years old. Years before the organiza- tion of this first Presbytery ministers of apostolic zeal and fervor were journeying from settlement to settlement preaching the ever- lasting Gospel, baptizing households, ministering to the sick and burying the dead ; and churches sprang up here and there, espec- ially in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and New York. It may be asked. Why were the Protestant churches so late in assuming organized form in this land? Four hundred and four- teen years ago Columbus discovered the New World. Let it be noted that American history for the first half of these years covers very few pages. Yet marvellous things were transpiring in Eu- rope. Within the first century after the discovery of America the printing press and the Protestant Reformation had been intro- duced, modern monarchies were consolidating under Charles V, Francis I, Henry VIII and Philip of Spain, whilst the century closed with that gigantic struggle between Protestantism and Catholicism still waging. Remember, too, the Soanish explorers landed in the South. Moved mainly by ambition, romance and avarice, they yet had a sense of duty to the Roman Church, and in taking posession of a new country by conquest they pacified their consciences by calling it the conversion of the natives. Such was 398 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks the "Conquest of Mexico" and the "Conquest of Peru." The countries thus conquered are admirable in climate and rich in minerals; and yet, in both these lands the Roman Church sits bankrupt at the mouth of their inexhaustible mines, and the peo- ple, even when rich, have neither enterprise, inventions, modern civilization nor good government. Not till 1620, 128 years after the discovery of America, did the Puritans come to New England. The next eighty-six years saw vast throngs of people driven to our shores by persecution and in quest of a place to worship God ac- cording to the dictates of conscience. These were the years of the founding of scattered churches. And in 1706 these churches of the Presbyterian order and their ministers organized the first Presbytery. The ministers enrolled in that Presbytery were : Francis Makemie of Virginia, the first moderator ; John Wilson and Samuel Davis of Delaware ; Nathaniel Taylor, John Hampton and George McNish of Maryland, and Jedidiah Andrews, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, the church in which the Presbytery met and which kept Mr. Andrews as its pas- tor for fifty years. In December of that same year the Presbytery met at Freehold, New Jersey. Here came John Boyd, a Scotch- man from Glasgow, who was examined and ordained, the first minister ordained by an American Presbytery. He became the first pastor of the "Old Scots Church," and after serving it about two years was laid to rest almost under its eaves. Nearly two cen- turies later the Synod of New Jersey erected on the spot a hand- some monument sacred to the memory of its first ordained mininter. Some of you may already know that the year before Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of Virginia issued the Mecklenburg declaration, the prototype of Jefferson's paper. But did you know that by the ordination of John Boyd seventy years before 1776 American Presbyterianism cut loose from the lands across the seas, and that this act has been called "the Declaration of Independence of the Presbyterian Church in the New World"? Ten years after its organization the General Presbytery di- vided itself into four Presbyteries and constituted a Synod above it. This Synod met the following year, that is in 1717. Again in 1788 the Synod was divided into four and constituted the General Assembly, which met in Philadelphia the third Thursday of May, 1789. Be it noted that this was the year the Constitution of the United States went into operation and the year that George Wash- ington became our first President. But the complete organization of the United States govern- ment and of American Presbyterianism are related to one another by ties closer than that of a common birth year. The slogan of our Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 399 fathers was: "A church without a bishop, and a state without a king." And that church without a bishop gave the model to the state without a king. And then poured out the blood of its sons to establish that model. 2. Let us then inquire what are the fundamental principles of this church organized in this land two hundred years ago? Presbyterianism has been defined as "ecclesiastical republicanism combined with Calvinistic theology." It derives its name from its system of government. It is "a church government by repre- sentatives elected by the people and all of equal authority, which is exercised by them only when organized into an assembly or court. ' ' Its charter may be found in these words : ' ' God alone is lord of the conscience and hath left it free from the doctrines and com- mandments of men which are in anything contrary to His word, or beside it in matters of faith or worship." Three principles are fundamental in Presbyterian order: The parity of the ministry ; the government of the church by represen- tatives chosen by the people, and the subordination of a part of the church to a larger part or to the whole secured by an ascend- ing series of councils or courts. By the parity of the ministry we mean that there are no dis- tinct orders or ranks in the ministry. We believe that the Bible uses the terms bishop, presbyter or elder interchangeably. That one minister has as much authority as another, save that by force of character or ability one may have more influence than another. Or the church may delegate a certain work to one. Yet in the councils of the church each has an equal right to be heard and the vote of one counts as much as that of another. There are four main systems of church government : The papal, with the pope as the head, and the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, etc., under him ; the prelatical, in which authority is vested in the bishops ; the independent, in which the minister is a member of the church, and the power of admission, trial and ex- clusion of church members belongs equally to all members. Un- der this system each church is independent of every other. They may form their associations or councils for mutual help, en couragement or advice, but these associations are advisory rather than author ative. The fourth form of government is the Presby- terian. It is a government by representatives, called presbyters or elders. Of these there are two classes — elders who teach and rule, commonly called ministers, and elders who rule, commonly called ruling elders or simply elders. These ruling elders are the representatives of the people, chosen by the people for that par- ticular work. The Word of God gives these officers instructions as to the duties they are to perform, the character, spirit and ten- 400 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks derness they are to maintain, and the ends they should seek in the discharge of their duties. The Constitution guarantees to every State in the Union a republican, i. e., representative form of gov- ernment. The people of Missouri could not well meet to enact laws or to enforce them. But they can elect representatives to whom they delegate authority. The church is composed of chil- dren of tender years, of beginners with little knowledge of spirit- ual things, of erring and prejudiced members, as well as those well-instructed in spiritual things, and therefore it is better to delegate authority to wise and godly representatives rather than to give novices, children and the prejudiced a voice in affairs of which they would be incompetent judges. We believe that the Bible recognizes the parity of the ministry and government by elders. The third principle of Presbyterianism is the subordination of a part of the church to a larger part or to the whole secured by a series of courts or councils. In different branches of the Presby- terian family of churches these bodies receive different names. I shall use the terms found in our own church. They are the Ses- sion, the Presbytery, the Synod and the General Assembly. The Session is composed of the pastor, who is ex-officio moderator, and the elders of a particular church. The Session is supposed to su- perintend the spiritual interests of the church. It has power to receive, dismiss, advise or discipline members; to determine what uses the church building shall be put to, oversight of the music of the church and the care of the benevolences of the church. Mark a distinction here. Deacons, or deacons and trustees have charge of the running expenses of the church and deacons have charge of the contributions of the people for the poor. But the pastor and Session have charge of the offerings to the Boards and other benevolent purposes. The Session also has the oversight of the Sunday School, the young peoples' societies and all the aux- iliaries of the church. The Session has a right to appoint the su- perintendent of the Sunday School and to maintain a careful su- pervision of the work of the Sunday School. All official actions of the Session are subject to review and control by the next higher body, that is, the Presbytery. And any member of the church who feels aggrieved by the action of the Session has a right to appeal to the Presbytery, where his case, removed from local prejudices, may have a fair and impartial hearing. The Presbytery is com- posed of the ministers and one ruling elder from each church within a given territory. It has power to receive, dismiss, ordain, or discipline ministers and to exercise watch and care over its churches. Changes in the Confession of Faith, the form of govern- ment, the Book of Discipline or the Directory of worship are made by the voice of the constitutional number of Presbyteries. The Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 401 Synod is the next body of appeal and review, having care over the Presbyteries within its bounds, whilst the General Assembly is the highest body in the church. However, commissioners to the As- sembly are elected not by Synods but by Presbyteries. 3. Admirable as this Presbyterian system is, we may be asked whence its authority and origin. We believe it is strictly Biblical. The eldership is hoary with antiquty. Moses gathered around him a bench of elders. Joshua delivered an address to these elders. As representatives of the people the elders came to Samuel to ask for a king. The synagogues in which Christ preached had as their governing body a bench of elders, with the ruler of the synagogue as a presiding officer. These elders had au- thority to put an improper person out of the synagogue. The unity of the whole was secured by the right of appeal from the smaller bodies to the great tribunal at Jerusalem. The earliest Christian churches were founded after the model of the synagogue. Hence Paul ordained elders in the various churches, and when a difficulty arose in one of the missionary churches that could not be settled there it was carried up to a council of apostles and elders held at Jerusalem and that council authoratively decided the matter. Gradually Biblical Presbyterianism was displaced in the Christian Church. Through the long night of the Middle and Dark Ages amidst the corruptions that crept into the church the papacy was developed. Here and there a persecuted sect, driven to mountain fastnesses, kept alive the fundamentals of Presby- terianism. The pre-reformers poured out their life blood in fire and torture. Luther hurled his anathemas at the pope. Calvin came and rediscovered Presbyterianism. And Calvin taught it to Knox. And the Scotch, the Irish, the Netherlander, the Huguenot and one branch of the Puritans brought it to America. Here it was such a potent factor in the formation and establishment of this republic which now reaches from sea to sea that philosophical historians have asserted that the American Revolution was a Presbyterian measure and that John Calvin was the virtual father of this republic. 4. And now after two centuries of organized existence be- hold the stately steppings of American Presbyterianism. There are about a dozen different branches of the church in this country. Some of these came from Europe and brought with them their . particular doctrines and practices. I shall not stop to mention even the names of the various churches. Suffice it to speak of three. Our own church is the largest member of the Presbyterian family in the United States. Its corporate name is "The Presby- terian Church, U. S. A." It is popularly known as the Northern Presbyterian Church. This, however, is a misnomer, for it has 402 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks churches and work in most of the territory of the United States. It is sometimes spoken of as the Old School Church. This, too, is a misnomer. In 1837 the church divided into what was known as the 0. S. and the N. S. The O. S. believed in establishing its own mission boards and benevolent organizations. The N. S. wanted to continue co-operating with Congregational churches along these lines. The 0. S. also claimed that the N. S. was not alto- gether sound doctrinally. In 1870 these churches united on the standards pure and simple, and thus the terms O. S. and N. S. passed away. This united church is probably the foremost church in the United States in contributions to the great work of foreign missions. It certainly leads all others in sustaining great inter- denominational movements and agencies, such as the American Bible Society, the Y. M. C. A., etc. Mr. Moody said if he wanted to raise $100,000 for benevolent purposes he would expect to get $60,000 of it from Presbyterians. This church was the first church in this country to have a paid secretary to devote his whole time to the great temperance reform, and the first to establish a special department whose mission it is to reach out a helping hand to the labor movement of our country, and today it stands easily at the head of the evangelistic movements of our country. Nearest to our church I had always supposed until within the last few years is what is known as the Southern Presbyterian Church. The term Southern, like the term Northern, is a nick- name. The corporate name of this church is "The Presbyterian Church in the United States." (Ours U. S. A. Theirs U. S.) When the Confederate States went out of the Union this branch went out of the mother church. The Southern Church has jus- tified its separate existence on these grounds : They think the Northern Church is more given to political deliverances, that they are a little stricter than we doctrinally and that our missionary and benevolent boards are given more authority than their com- mittees. A large and growing part of the Southern Church thinks that these differences are more imaginary than real, and there are encouraging notes that point to the belief that in a few years the two churches will be one. The last church I shall mention is the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. It sprang from the mother church in 1810. It took its name from the Cumberland Presbytery, which was organized as a new and independent body by three Presbyterian ministers — - Finis Ewing, Samuel King and Samuel MeAdow. The Presbytery was so named because it was situated in that region known as the Cumberland Country, a region that embraced parts of Kentucky and Tennessee. Dissensions had arisen in the church along three lines — doctrinal, educational, evangelistic. The Cumberland brethren believed that the Confession of Faith fairly interpreted Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 403 taught fatalism and that some infants dying in infancy were lost. Our church has steadily maintained that these inferences of the Cumberland brethren were unwarranted. The- Cumberland brethren held that the standard of education for the ministry should be more flexible, that while there was such a demand for ministers young men should be licensed and ordained without waiting for them to get an academic education. The first decade of the nineteenth century witnessed a great revival wave spread- ing over the southern part of the country. This revival was ac- companied with bodily exercise known as "the jerks," and differ- ences of opinion arose as to the attitude of the church to these movements. And differences along these three lines led to the organization of the C. P. Church. For ninety-six years the two churches have been apart. As to which was right in the begin- ning and which was wrong, or as to whether both sides might not have been more tolerant and thus have avoided a division, it is not for us to say. We know that the spirit of toleration is broader today than it was a century ago. The revival conditions that ex- isted in that day are a thing of the past. The Cumberland Church started out by taking exceptions to certain clauses in the West- minster confession, then eliminated those clauses and subsequently in 1883, I believe it was, wrote a new confession. It is fair to state, too, that as the country grows older that church is devoting more attention to an educated ministry. In 1903 our own church revised the Confession of Faith. Some of us think that instead of changing our doctrines we simply restated them in a way that removed from them the mistaken inferences that others had drawn, and that the church never taught doctrines of which it was accused. Be that as it may the confession as revised seemed to be more satisfactory to outsiders than the old confession, and ■negotiations for union with our church started in one of the Cum- berland Presbyteries, gained momentum rapidly and the same year, that is 1903, was transmitted from the C. P. General As- sembly to ours. Committees were appointed by the two assemblies to arrange a plan of union. The following basis of union was sent down by the Assemblies to their Presbyteries: "Do you approve of the reunion and union of the Presbyterian Church of the United States and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on the following basis: The union shall be effected on the doctrinal basis of the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America as revised in 1903, and on its other doctrinal and ecclesiastical standards ; and the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowledged as the inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice." In voting on this proposition the Presbytery is the unit. Each Presbytery was entitled to one vote. The Presbytery might be large or small. Its 404 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks majority for or against union might be large or small, but as the majority voted so was counted the single vote of a given Presby- tery. More than two-thirds of the Presbyteries in our church and more than one-half of the Presbyteries in the C. P. Church voted in favor of the union. These votes were tabulated at the General Assemblies of the two churches that met in May, 1905. The As- semblies, therefore, declared that the union had been carried by the constitutional majorities and empowered their committees to act as a joint committee to arrange for the coming together of the two churches. I might say here that from the beginning a small minority in our church and a larger majority in the C. P. Church have been unfavorable to the union. Now that the vote for union has carried we do not hear much opposition in our branch of the church. But the opposition in the C. P. Church is more persis- tent and aggressive, even threatening to take the matter into the courts. Our General Assembly meets the 17th of May in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Cumberland General Assembly meets in Decatur, 111. The report of the joint committee will be made to each Assembly and if adopted by each Assembly, then the Cumber- land will adjourn to meet no more. Next year all existing Presbyteries — our own and the C. P. — will elect commissioners to the united Assembly, the two retiring moderators will act con- jointly in opening the new Assembly, and thus the union will be consummated. We do not know just yet how or when Synods and Presbyteries will be brought together. In many places, like Ash Grove, Greenfield and Mount Vernon, the two churches are already worshipping together with one pastor, and beyond doubt as speedily as advisable will become one organization. In Spring- field Calvary and the First C. P. Church are of such a size, and this church and the Springfield Avenue Church are so far apart, that I suppose the four churches will remain distinct for some time at least. However, we look forward to the time when the four will belong to one Presbytery. I am glad to be able to state that Ozark Presbytery voted unanimously for the union. We hail the day as an omen of better things in the Kingdom of God. I have referred to that monument erected by the Synod of New Jer- sey over the grave of John Boyd. That monument has four faces. Above them are four gables. On the north gable is the seal of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., showing an open Bible and a ser- pent on a cross, symbolizing the Saviour. On the west is the seal of the Presbyterian Church of Monmouth County, the oldest known Presbyterian Church seal in this country. On the east is the seal of the Scotch-Irish Society, and on the South is the seal of the Southern Presbyterian Church, showing the mystic letters of the Saviour's name, "I. H. S.," surrounded by a burst of sun rays over an anchor, standing for the blessed Gospel. Under the Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 405 north gable is the tablet of dedication. Under the west, written in Latin, is the epitaph of John Boyd, and under the east is a translation into English of the Latin epitaph. The space under the south gable is left bare. Perchance at no distant day the sculptor will be sent to that monument to chisel under the seal oi the Southern Church the glad tidings that the Northern and the Southern, as well as the Northern and the Cumberland Presby- terian Churches, are one, marching with stately tread to "the General Assembly and church of the First Born on High." PRESBYTERIAN REUNIONS OF 1869-70, AND 1906-7 An Address Delivered by Rev. E. E. Stringfield at the Or- ganization of the Presbytery of Ozark, in the Ebenezer Church, at Greenfield, Missouri, June 18th, 1907. Published by order of Presbytery : I have been asked why the Presbytery convenes for organiza- tion at Greenfield rather than Springfield. I replied for historic associations. Thirty seven years ago the 29th of the coming Sep- tember, the Presbytery of Ozark, U. S. A., was organized in this city, and the list of ministers given in the enabling act is headed by Revs. John McJParland and "W. R. Fulton, who rise up in frag- rant memory at the very mention of Ebenezer. Of the eleven ministers named in the enabling act the majority have passed to the jurisdiction of the General Assembly of the church of the First Born, and only Leonidas J. Matthews is enrolled today in the New Presbytery of Ozark. Whilst of the sixteen churches some have fallen asleep and some are enrolled today in the New Presbytery of Carthage, we still retain, Bolivar, Calvary, Conway (then' called Panther Creek), Ebenezer, Mt. Zion, Bellvue (then called Springfield), and probably Peace Valley survises in West Plains. Like the Presbytery we have organized today, that Presby- tery had its birth in the throes of the readjustments incident to a happy Presbyterian reunion. Protestantism has oft times been reproached for its divisive tendencies. And of the main Prot- estant bodies surely the Presbyterian church will not cast the first stone at any sinner in this respect. Indeed, we have been called the "split Ps." and Dr. Landrith jocularly remarked at the Assembly that the Cumberland brethren had demonstrated their Presbyterianism by their ability to disagree. But let our tongues cleave to the roof of our mouths rather than that they should condemn overmuch the fathers for the rise of denominations. The reunion committee of a generation ago 4o6 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks said of the reformation: "That was a time for the assertion of truth, rather than the expression of love. It was not so much a season for extending Christianity as for purifying and prepar- ing it for future aggression." It may be true that the segrega- tion was carried too far and long. But it is enough for us to know that whether these separations were wise or otherwise (1) our fathers tried to act as men of God. (2) Their labors in their separate spheres were blessed by the Spirit's presence and power. (3) And the time has now come for the expression of love as well as for the assertion of truth. It is indeed gratifying to know that the Presbyterian church is leading the great denominations in these family reunions. And from present indications we do not propose to wait thirty-seven years until the next one. This is the age of electricity and wireless telegraphy, and we propose to move a little faster, and when we are through wdth these family reunions we may be ready for denominational reunions. When that time comes I fancy that the ultimate expression of Christian- ity will embra.ce the fundamentals of the Presbyterian govern- ment, so consonant with the government of our native land, and the Pauline, Augustinian or Calvinistic theology, the reassertion of which produced the Protestant Reformation, as well as the efforts of pre-reformers to turn the church from mendacity and superstition — the theology whose preaching has given birth to most of the sweeping nation wide revivals adown the track of time. Historic Calvinism is the theology of civil and religious liberty, and of evangelism as well. It is a conceit of mine that in the times that tried men's souls — the times for the assertion of truth, our fathers planted a church remarkable more for strength and stability than for adaptability, and that in these latter days worthy sons of worthy sires are learn- ing adaptability while they conserve stability. With our united church as the organized leader in church union; in the formation of a national movement to call forth the latent energies of that sleeping Sampson — the men of the church; in that forward move- ment whose shibboleth is the evangelization of the world in this generation through the aid expressed in the watchword "men and missions;" in the rising tide of evangelism, and in bridging the chasm said to exist between the church and the laboring men. I say with these vantage grounds our church ought to go forward by leaps and bounds. It is interesting and profitable to draw a few parallels and a few contrasts between the reunion of 1870 and that of the present time. The high contracting parties then were known as the Old School and New School. These, I infer, were popular rather than corporate designations, for in the midst of the negotiations it Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 407 was recommended that the separate assemblies be designated by the city in which the sessions were held rather than by the desig- nation Old School or New School. The motives that led to the reunion then remind us very forcibly of those operating to bring about the present reunion. That as this was a time of awakening activity among- laymen. During the war the Christian Commission and the Sanitary Com- mission called into play the philanthropic and evangelistic efforts of both branches of the Presbyterian church. Side by side their members worked, and "each one had to inquire of the other be- fore he could tell his denominational connection." These activi- ties during the war prepared the men of the church for activities in her behalf. In 1868 the committee on reunion declared "The third of a century the life of a whole generation has indeed wrought won- drous changes, of the greatest promise for the future. Another order of things exists. Old causes of irritation are removed. A new generation in the ministry and membership of the church has arisen, with little sympathy for those controversies that re- sulted in division. A new evangelic spirit is abroad, like the breath of spring, inviting to a new style of action." Aggressive mission work, both Home and Foreign, was one of the objects sought by that reunion. The reunion movement really began in the midst of the war, although formal steps were not taken until 1866, when committees on reunion were appointed. As an expression of renewed interest in foreign missions the Old School Assembly of 1863 elected Dr. Morrison of India, as Moder- ator. And the two assemblies of 1869, at Pittsburg, in meeting for a second time in the year, held joint and enthusiastic meet- ings in the interests of home and foreign missions. In 1868 the Joint Committee said : ' ' The motives which impel to union are higher and greater than any which pertain to denom- inational advantage. They relate to the welfare of the whole country and the kingdom of our Lord in all the earth." Then they speak of the facts that in the thirty years of the separation the number of states in the union had nearly doubled, that this vast domain must be supplied Avith means of education and the institutions of religion that six millions of immigrants had landed on our shores, that four millions of slaves recently enfranchised demand Christian education. They tell us that anti Christian forces, Romanism, Ecclesiasticism, Rationalism, Infidelity. Ma- terialism and Paganism were struggling for the ascendancy. Then they add: "Christian forces should be combined and deployed, according to the new movements of their adversaries. It is no time for small and weak detachments which may easily be defeat- 408 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks i'il in detail. The time 1ms come when minor motives should be merged in the magnanimous purpose, inspired by both patriotism and religion, to Christianize the whole country. Nor is the pro- posal union desirable on one own account only. It is inevitable thai its effects should be fell tb.rougb.oui the whole of Christen- dom." The fathers hailed the reunion of the Old and New Schools as an especial harbinger of the reunited Presbyterianism. "A very prominent statesman said after the Separation of the Northern and the Southern Presbyterian church at Philadelphia in 1861 that he had little hope of the country now that the Pres- byterian church was divided." Large minded men outside. the Presbyterian fold believed that the reunion of the Old School and New School churches would be a "Teat matter for the unity of the whole country. And then in the midst of the negotiations it was found that acquaintance begat confidence and thai after all church unity was a matter of personal confidence. And are not the motives I have mentioned parallelled by the motives of this recent Reunion. To the awakened lay activity of a generation ago the present responds with an Indianapolis convention. To aggressive Foreign and Home interests we match Corbett with Morrison and present Landreth's moderatorial sermon in re- sponse to their ripening field awaiting the sickle. Do they tell us of anti Christian forces struggling for the ascendency? We too have felt that when the very foundations of faith are attacked the time has come when minor causes of separa- tion should be merged in the magnanimous purpose to christian- ize the whole world. Do they speak of a rising tide of evangelistic spirit. We call upon them to look down over the battlements of the celestial city and see our evangelistic committee, our simultaneous campaigns, our services on the streets, in Shops, Theatres, Saloons. And on investigation did they find that there was more har- mony of belief than they had ever guessed What did the re- vision of our confession reveal but that fact ? II. Again, Like the recent Reunion the Reunion of the Old and the New School Churches, met with some strenuous opposi- tion. But before that reunion was consummated at least all out- ward opposition had melted away. Our fathers were longer ne- gotiating than we have been. As some have thought that this present reunion was precipitated too hurridly; the inquiry arises were they wiser than we in tarrying longer? I reply not neces- sarily. It took them longer to formulate* the basis of union on which they finally united than it did us. We had their example to follow and with little difficultv found a basis of union that Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 409 voices an agreement and a confidence alike honoring to both parties. But we had some difficulties they did not encounter. In the first place they had the same name. Each was official- ly known as the Presbyterian Church and each had simply to drop the nick name the one Old School, the other New School, In the next place they had absolutely the same standards. Neither had revised the confession of faith: In the third place their traditions as to qualifications for the ministry were the same ; and finally they came nearer occupying the same territory than did the Presbyterian Church U. S. A. and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, hence sectional questions were eliminated. And this fact that they were not in a large measure sectionally divided furnished opportunities for becoming acquainted that were not found on so large a scale in recent times. As a side issue of the Old School assembly of 1864 an informal convention was held for the purpose of discussing reunion. It was largely attended by prominent ministers and laymen from both branches of the church. "Another of the most influential meetings in favor of reunion was the Presbyterian national union convention which assembled in Philadelphia in 1867 with the avowed object of fostering the union of all branches of Presbyterianism. Not a few had come to the convention with the proclaimed purpose of opposing all union. It is, however, a pretty difficult task for pious men to meet Christian brethren and pray for disunion." Hence many who went to the convention avowed antagonists to reunion went away working and praying for it. And then the two assemblies met at the same time in St. Louis in 1866 and New York City in 1869. And so sweet was their fellowship that they could not wait until the next year but adjourned each to meet in Pittsburg in the fall at which time they were to receive answers to the overtures on reunion sent down to the Presby- teries. Some months ago, while meditating on some acrimonious things that were said about reunion, I turned to the history of the former reunion. Imagine my surprise to find affixed to a pro- test made to the Old School Assembly of 1868, the names of some of the men in our church that I had venerated the most. Why I regarded them in a special sense as my spiritual advisers. I read that protest carefully. It placed some of the brethren of the other side not only outside the pale of Presbyterianism, but out- side of evangelical Christianity. It cited a category of errors as long as the moral law, and as formidable as popery to a Scot of the olden times. But the reunion sentiment grew. It seems a little strange that in this former reunion the opposition existed largely in the larger branch of the church, and that leading lay- 410 Presbyteriamsm in the Ozarks men led the clergy in the demands for reunion. Incidentally, he it said to the credit of the Presbyteries of Southwest Missouri, and of Osage that occupied the territory of Southwest Missouri, they were apparently like the young ladies of a female seminary, "In favor of union to a man," and they never lost an opportun- ity to express their desires. At last the hour had struck. In 1868 overtur&s were sent down to the Presbyteries. The basis was cumbrous and objec- tionable in some features. The answers of the Presbyteries indi- cated a desire for union, but a dissatisfaction with the basis The assemblies of 1869, to which these answers were sent, formu- lated a simpler basis, more expressive of mutual confidence. The report was adopted in the Old School Assembly by a vote of 285 to 9, and by the New School Assembly unanimously. The Pres- byteries were required to give a categorical answer yes or no. And so confident were the Assemblies that when the question was popped to the church at large she would say yes that they ad- journed to meet in November, and she said yes. The Old School Assembly had 144 Presbyteries. Some of them could not meet in time to vote on the question, but 126 voted yes and 3 voted no. The New School Assembly had 113 Presbyteries, 113 answered yes, 110 were unanimous in that answer and 3 Presbyteries had one man each who answered no. That the fathers were more successful than the sons in affecting a union without a split I think may be explained by the fact that they bore the same name, had the same standards, occupied more nearly the same territory, were better able to hold joint sessions and conventions, and that that the opposition came from the larger, rather than from the smaller body, and from men who could utter their protest to sat- isfy the conscience and subsequently abide by the wisdom of the constitutional majority. (III. "It is reported among the heathen and Gashmu saith it"- — that some people think organic union contrary to the con- stitution of the church. For the Presbyterian Church to take that position would be to deny her birth and lineage. She is the offspring of the union of 1869-70 and her mother was the offspring of the union of 1768. For a Cumberland present or former to take such a position is to show that he has forgotten the history of his church. The history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church presents an unbroken succession of efforts at organic union with other religious bodies. Certainly the fathers of the church did not consider such a consummation unconstitutional. In 1810 the year of her birth — the palmy days of Ewing and King and McAdow the original Cumberland Presbytery issued a circu- lar letter in which occur these words: "We have in view as a Presbytery to make another proposition to the Synod of Ken- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 411 tucky or some other Synod, for a reunion. If we can obtain it without violating our natural and scriptural rights, it will meet the most ardent wish of our hearts." In 1811 The Cumberland Presbytery appointed a committee to try to effect organic union with the Presbyterian Presbyteries of West Tennessee and Muhlenberg. Next year it unanimously resolved "That this Presbytery has always been and expects always to be ready and willing for union with the General Presbyterian Church, on gospel prin- ciples." In 1827 the Cumberland Synod appointed a committee to carry on a friendly correspondence with the Synod of Tennes- see. And in 1860 the Cumberland General Assembly declared: "That while we are ready to reciprocate fraternal feelings alike with all Christians, yet seeing that the great Presbyterian family embrace alike the same church government, and that in their oral addresses they are doctrinally conveying to the same stand point, the sovereignty of God and the agency of man both alike exorcis- ed and secured in the salvation of the sinner, we cherish the font' hope that the day is not far distant when the entire family shall be represented in one General Assembly." In 1867 the Cumberland General Assembly entered into ne- gotiations with the Southern Presbyterian Church. In 1873 similar negotiations were entered into with the Pres- byterian Church U. S. A. commonly called Northern Presbyte- ian. The following year the Cumberland General Assembly met in our own city of Springfield. From the report of the committte it would appear that the Presbyterian committee did not accept the basis of organic union proposed by the Cumberland commit- tee nor did it propose any other basis in lieu thereof. Hence the Cumberland Assembly said : ' ' This General Assembly, therefore without expressing any opinion upon the plan of union proposed, deems it inexpedient, at present, to continue said conference, and said committee is discharged." Thus it will be seen that all through the history of the Cumberland Church organic union with the Presbyterian Church has been considered probable and desirable. But difficulties ever arose over a basis that would be mutually agreeable. The history of these efforts shows that forty years ago (1) The Cumberland Church was ready to adopt the more general name Presbyterian. (2) To recognize the standard of ministerial education of the Presbyterian Church. (3) To adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church with a proviso that it be modified substantially in accord- ance with a paper that was to accompany the articles of agree- ment. This paper proposed changes in the III, V, VIII, X and XVII chapters. These concessions were made in the negotiations with the 412 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks Southern Church. The wonder to me is that the Cumberland Church and the Southern Church did not unite forty years ago. I can only surmise that in the Province of God that union was averted in the interests of wider Presbyterian unions only begin- ning to be realized. Nor does it seem to me in the study of these unsuccessful attempts at organic union the churches negotiating were quite ready to put explicit confidence in the present faith and purposes of each other without bringing up some reminder of the things that separated in the past. It is self evident that the nearer we get to Christ the nearer we get to each other and our fathers from time to time recognized a growing similarity in belief and a growing tendency to recog- nize the fact that the things in which we agree are more import- ant than the things which we disagree. In 1903 the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., revised its con- fession of Faith. This revision was not occasioned by any pres- sure from without, but was purely a movement within the church itself. The purposes of the revision were two, (1) to disavow inferences drawn from certain statements in the Confession of Faith, and (2) to set forth more clearly some aspects of revealed truth which appeared to call for a more explicit statement, viz: "The love of God and missions, and the person and work of the Holy Spirit." This revision did not impair the system of doctrine taught in the Confession and the Holy Scriptures, but was de- signed to remove misapprehension as to the proper interpretation thereof. The proposed revision was widely circulated and studied and when it became evident that it would be adopted almost unanimously by the Presbyterian Church some Presbytery in the Cumberland church overtured its General Assembly to re-enter negotiations for reunion. The psychological hour had struck. Presbytery after Presbytery in both branches of the church en- dorsed the overture. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U. S. A., of 1903 declared that the revision had carried. But just before that declaration was made, yet doubtless because it was a foregone conclusion that it would be made, a telegram was received from the Cumberland Assembly stating that a com- mittee of nine had been appointed on Presbyterian fraternity and union to confer with such like committee as may be appointed by other Presbyterian bodies, in regard to the desirability and prac- ticability of closer affiliation and organic union among the mem- bers of the Presbyterian family of the United States. After the re- ceiptof this telegram, May 27, 1903, the Presbyterian Assembly appointed a similar committee. The joint committees adopted a report on union and submitted the same to their respective Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 413 assemblies which met in 1904. This report contained (I) plan of reunion and union of the two churches. (II) Concurrent de- clarations to be adopted by the respective General Assemblies meeting in 1904. (Ill) Recommendations. The concurrent declarations affirm that:' 'In adopting the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as revised in 1903, as a basis of union, it is mutually recognized that such agreement now exists between the systems of doctrine contained in the confessions of faith of the two churches as to warrant this union — a union honoring alike to both." The Cumberland General Assembly adopted the report of the joint committee by a two-thirds vote and the Presbyterian As- sembly by a still larger vote. Overtures were then sent to the Presbyteries of the two churches that they might vote as to whether they approved or disapproved the union. The answer of the Presbyteries were received by the Assemblies of 1905. In the Presbyterian church 195 Presbyteries voted yes. One voted yes conditionally, five failed to vote and 39 voted no. In the Cumberland church 60 voted in the affirmative, 51 in the nega- tive, 2 did not vote and two votes were so uncertain that they were cast out. Thereupon the enlarged joint committee was instructed to take such steps as were necessary to perfect the union. The report of the joint committee was adopted by the assemblies of 1906 and the union thereby declared effective and the first as- sembly of the reunited church was the assembly of 1907. It will be noted that in effecting this union, the two General Assemblies declared that a substantial agreement as to the sys- tems of doctrine in the two confessions already existed. In 1906 the Presbyterian General Assembly unanimously declared that "the change of doctrinal standards resulting from the union involve no change of belief on the part of any who were minis- ters, ruling elders or deacons in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church." And this is true because they are required to assent only to the system of doctrine and not to every particular state- ment of the Westminster Confession, and because the "two as- semblies of 1904 did declare that there was then a sufficient agreement between the systems of doctrines contained in the Con- fessions of the two churches to warrant the union." Forty years ago the Cumberland Committee on union de- clared its substantial accord with that system and only asked that revision be made that would clear the Confession of what they regarded as fatalistic utterances. The revision of 1903 removed these apprehensions and therefore rendered the Confession ac- ceptable to the constitutional majority of the Cumberland church. 414 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks The Presbyterian church has never by its voice or its works ad- milted that any parts of the Confession were fatalistic, but de- clared that the revision of 1903 was made in part to remove such apprehensions on the part of others and that since that revision such interpretation was no longer allowable. IV. The reunion of the Old and New School churches was more spectacular than that of the Presbyterian and Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. In May, 1869, the Assemblies met side by side in the city of New York. When the joint committees gave their report the Old School Assembly adopted it ny the over- whelming vote of 285 to 9, and the New School Assembly adopted it unanimously. In the elation of the hour a year was too long a time to await the happy consummation. Confident that the Pres- byteries would act favorably on the overture to be sent down to them, the Assemblies ordered their Presbyteries to meet and to give a categorical answer, yes or no. Then they themselves agreed to come together in Pittsburg the following November, to receive the answers of the Presbyteries. The Assemblies met in Pittsburg on the 10th of November. Routine business was transacted separately. At 10 o'clock on the 12th each Assembly was to notify the other of final action. I have told you the result in the Presbyteries. The New School Assembly left the Third church, and headed by its moderator marched single file past the First church where the other Assembly was in session. The Old School Assembly marched out of the church iu single file walked along the other side of the street, and both bodies par- aded before the assembled thousands that lined the thoroughfare to see the inspiring spectacle. Then the two processions faced each other, came together in the center of the street, their mod- erators locked arms and the Assemblies fell in line in double file arm in arm, and proceeded to the Third church. Then Dr. Jacobus said : " If there be any person present who knows of any reason just and sufficient why these parties may not be lawfully united let him speak, or ever after hold his peace." And Dr. Elliott, who had been moderator at the time of the disruption, in 1837, said: "I know of none." Then a sympathetic spectator exclaimed: "What God hath joined together let no man put asunder." That was the 12th of November, 1869. The next year was the first assembly of the reunited church. But that Pittsburg Assembly did more. It resolved to raise a memorial fund of five millions of dollars to advance the work of our gracious Lord. And when the memorial funds were created it was found that the church had responded to the appeal with more than seven mil- lions of dollars. The reunion at Columbus was not marked by the spectacular. Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 415 No previous special session of the Assembly had been held in the same city. But the union sentiment at% Columbus was all so per- vasive and so sacred that the spectacular would have been sup- erfluous. It was voiced in the opening sermon of Dr. Landreth, an orator of the massive style, who made an impassioned plea for the reunited church to use its high privilege and enter the open door in the west and south. It found expression in the selection of the moderator, who was regarded as the especial exponent of Presbyterian reunions, and whose unanimous election was a fitting tribute to his efforts in this direction. The union spirit was manifested in the evangelistic report, a former Cumberland speaker said that if Dr. Roberts was the special exponent of the formation of the union, Dr. Calhoun, who represented the evangelistic committee in the South, had done more than anyone else tov cement the union. Pre-eminently the union spirit was manifested in the reports of the Boards, and benevolent agencies of the church and through- out the Assembly, an overwhelming feeling came over us that finds expression in the words of the Psalmist, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the ointment, the precious ointment, that ran down Aaron's beard." As a Presbyterian U. S. A. by birth and conviction, I said what magnificent specimens of consecrated manhood are these Cumberland recruits, Landrith, and Fullerton, and Black, and Darby, and Manton, and Hubbard, and the rest. And me thinks the angels of God must have rejoiced when the last moder- ator of the Cumberland Assembly turned over the gavel used in that church since 1875, bearing this inscription: "This wood grew on our birthplace," and said pathetically "Mr. Moderator, if you would tap a few times with this gavel I think the former Cumberlanders would come to order a little quicker." Brethren we are one. And the splendid thing about this re- union is not only that it is so sweetly harmonious wherever it has been effected, but also that it is universally looked upon in the light of a larger responsibility and a larger ability to grapple with the collossal interests that confront us as a church. From both branches of the church we have a glorious heritage, and the mingling of these heritages will enable us to do vastly more as one church than we could have done as two. Let me close in the language of the reunion committee of 1868 : If we face the sun our shadows are behind us. * * The future cheers and animates us with brightest prospects. The voice of the Son of God rebukes the weakness and wickedness 416 Presbyterian ism in the Ozarks of cliistn, and enjoins the unity of faith and love. Hope antici- pates the time when every dissension healed and forgotten by christian charity, all branches of the Presbyterian church, in all .sections of our common country, holding the same standards, shall he drawn together by patriotic and evangelical sympathies in cordial and indisoluble union. Glorious things are promised to the church, in the (lay that the Lord bindeth up the breach of bis people and healeth the stroke of their wound. Surely it will be for good and no1 for evil, for joy and not sorrow, for strength and not weakness, if henceforth our rule shall be "One body and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. who is above all. and through all. and in us all." PRESBYTERIAMSM— ITS AFFINITIES (Delivered at the Second Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Mo., 1908.) On the fifth day of May, 1863, Albert Barnes delivered an address before the Presbyterian Historical Society, in Philadel- phia, entitled ' ' Presbyterianism : — Its Affinities. ' ' This address is the best thing of its kind that has come under my observation for a long time. Delivered before a body of highly educated men and at a time when church and state were rent in twain over the issues of the Sixties, it is natural that this address should be a little too scholarly to be popular, and that it should bear at length on some points long since antiquated. But its permanent ele- ments are of such value that they should be placed within reach of the present generation and of readers of ordinary attainments. "There are reasons why we are Presbyterians. * * * * And there can be no want of charity towards others, if, when we come to- gether as Presbyterians, we suggest those reasons to each other." Because Dr. Barnes has stated these reasons so admirably I have felt constrained either to make a most liberal use of quotations from his address or else to rewrite it with the attempt to popular- ize it, and to bring it down to date. The latter alternative seem- ed to be preferable. I shall therefore make free use of his lan- guage and thought, popularizing both where they seem to be be- yond the comprehension of the unlettered reader, omit the anti- quated, and add the modern. And I shall leave it entirely to the judgment of the reader to determine which is Barnes and which is Stringfield. Those who are familiar with the writings of Al- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 417 bert Barnes will not attribute to him any part that may seem weak or trivial and those who are acquainted with the redactor will recognize that which is beyond his depth. According to the chemists our universe is composed of very few elementary bodies. The great variety of material substances is obtained by various combinations of these elementary sub- stances. The elementary substances are seldom found alone but usually are combined with other substances. Thus when oxygen and hydrogen meet they unite in the proportion of two parts of hydrogen to one part of oxygen and form water. Or the oxygen combines with nitrogen and a few other substances and forms air. Now the substances with which a given substance is usually found or has a tendency to unite with, are called its affinities. But what is true in regard to the elementary principles of matter, is also true of the principles of moral science and relig- ion. Many of the works of nature are little known except by their affinities ; none of them are fully understood except by those affinities. It is equally true that the teachings of a church are best estimated by an acquaintance with their affinities. Are the principles advocated likely to be found where there is most intelligence, refinement, purity of life, freedom of opinion, ele- vated views of the dignity of man and of the government of God? Or, is there a natural affinity with despotism, inpurity of life and, morals, ignorance, bigotry, superstition? Presbyterianism derives its name from its system of govern- ment. It has, indeed, become so combined with a certain form of doctrine from a natural affinity that we commonly use the term not as referring to the form of government alone, but to that form in combination with the Calvinistic doctrine. So close is this affinity, and so prominent is the. doctrine that in the pop- ular estimation the doctrine is the main thing ; and the opposition to the church is arrayed against the doctrine rather than against the form of government. Considered as a form of government Presbyterianism is ecclesiastical Republicanism, and has so much in common with our Republican institutions, and so much in accordance with just notions of liberty and the progress of the world, that it would seem to be easy to commend it to the favor- able regard of mankind, if it were not for the odium excited by a misapprehension of the doctrine with which, in fact, it is now invariably combined. Yet it is strictly, and only, in itself a system of government. Theoretically that system of government might be combined with any form of religious doctrine or with any forms and ceremonies in the public worship of God. But actually it has no affinity for Arminianism, Socinianism, for Baptismal Regeneration, or Pur- 4i 8 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks gatory, for splendid vestments, processions, pilgrimages, genu: flexions, liturgys or the Mass. But its whole career in the world has been a career of repellance of all these. And we judge a sys- tem by the things it repels as well as by those it attracts. As a system of government Presbyterianism comprises the following cardinal principles: 1. That all power in the church belongs to Christ; or that he is the Supreme Head of the Church and that all power which is not derived from him is an usurpation. 2. That power in the church resides, under Him, with the people, and belongs to them as a brotherhood. It is not derived from men who profess to be descendants of the Aput suppose you are worn out physically, you are depressed in spirits because you do not know how you are £oing to pay your bills when they become due, your daily duties leave little time for study. In this weary and depressed condition do you think you could do the work of the ministry0 A minister wrote to a large number of people to find out what kind of a sermon they liked best, and the majority replied they liked a comforting sermon. Wearied with the burdens of the Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 435 week you want something to cheer you up when you come into the sanctuary. The minister must reach all classes of people. If he does not please the young the congregation has no more use for him, but the young expect him to be bright and cheerful. lie must mingle with the well-to-do, and therefore he 2iiust be better dressed than the man whose duties are on the farm or in the shop, lie must enter the homes of the poor, and how many times he si^lis for the ability to leave a little gift. He must go to the house of mourning and scatter sunshine. The work of the min- istry requires that a man shall be at .his best. And if he is poorly supported, depressed in spirit or compelled to turn to secular avocations tor a living he cannot give you his best. When I first moved to Springfield my family required medical attention. We called in an able physician. I went to settle my bill and he said: "Mr. Stringfield, my father told me never to charge' a minister. If a man is making a living off of the Gospel I never charge him; but if he is trying to preach and doing something else I charge him. That physician is not a member of the church, but he recog- nizes the fact that the work of the ministry is worthy of a man's whole time and strength. And when I contemplate this work I feel like exclaiming with Paul: "Who is sufficient?" When a minister gives his life to the work of the ministry he is entitled to an adequate support from ordination to the grave, and his added usefulness will amply repay the church that sees that he is free from worldly care. He has trials enough without this. He must bear the burdens of his people. He must mingle with them in joy's and sorrows, in adversity and in prosperity. He must go from the hymenal altar to the house of mourning. He must try to be helpful to the giddy devotee of society and to the pious saint hun- gering for the bread of life. He must deal with the erring, the unforgiving, the worldly. Yes, he has burdens enough without having to wonder where he will get the money to pay his grocer's bill. And when he stands before you in the pulpit, or when he comes into your home you want him to be at his best. He is God's ambassador to you. If your neighbor does not like you, you stay away from him. If you do not like the minister he must visit you anyway. If you are low-spirited or depressed, or shabbily clothed, you are apt to stay away from church and you seek the com- panionship of congenial spirits only. The minister must be in his place whatever his burdens may be, and he must mingle with all classes of men however much his burdened heart may cry for only those who understand. In times of deepest perplexity you can go to him as a spiritual adviser; but the pastor has no pastor to coun- sel him. For these reasons the church promises to keep him free from worldly care. There is another direction in which the co-operation of the 43t» Presbyterianism in thk Ozarks pew must be secured. The layman is again coming to his own in religious activities. The layman's missionary movement and the Presbyterian Brotherhood are an expression of the fact that busi- ness and professional men are not content to relegate the exten- sion of the kingdom to ministers, women and children. Charles Stelzle has characterized this ;is "A man's job.'* The held of operation in the local chnrch yields a rich harvest for added cul- tivation. But I pass this to dwell upon another work. In the early church the word preach was not as technical as it now is. The apostles and their successors encouraged what we would style lay preaching. When Saul made havoc of the church, "entering into every house and hailing men and women, com- mitted them to prison * * * they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word." Then the sacred his- torian describes the preaching of Deacon Philip, which was blessed of God to such an extent that the Apostles Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to give it apostolic sanction and impart the gift of the Holy Ghost. The inference is that lay members — men and women preached — proclaimed the glad tidings of life and sal- vation. The historian of the Cumberland Church says "Lay evangelists were a part of the original machinery of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. At first these were selected and com- missioned by the Presbytery, choice being made of men who had shown some fitness for the work. Of late years this custom has fallen into desuetude." (See McDonald's History, 1888. Page 627.) In the history I am writing I have endeavored to show that laymen were more active in the Presbytery thirty-five years ago than in recent years. The rush of modern business has doubtless had something to do with the change. But the men of the church at large are again heeding the Master's call. In 1893 the Presby- terian Church adopted Constitutional Rule No. 1. which provides for the setting apart of local evangelists. Our experience with this rule has not been reassuring by reason of the fact that those thus set apart have regarded this as a short cut into the ministry. In my judgment the purport of this rule is not to help middle- aged or old men into the ministry — men who perhaps have not made a success in other callings — but it is to invite and direct the co-operation of men in industrial, mercantile and professional ca- reers who. being successful in their chosen callings and yet en- dowed with aptness to teach, wish to give a part of their time to the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom. A Christian business man. lawyer, physician, teacher, may continue in his chosen call- Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 437 ing and yet under authority of the Presbytery — set apart as a local evangelist — might go out to vacant churches and neglected communities and tell the story of redeeming love, and encourage the people to secure the stated means of grace. The Home Mis- sion committee and the pastor-at-large could use a number of such men to good advantage. And in order that the people might not lose the proper conception of their duty to support the Gospel, such local evangelists with other and adequate means of support could readily receive the offerings of the church or community for missionary purposes. Thus would men go everywhere preaching the Gospel. The Gideons do this in the cities. Brotherhood men are buttonholing men on the streets and in places of business. Some must go to the outlying regions. And our larger cities of Southwest Missouri, with their superior organizations and advan- tages for training, must furnish the men. When the country churches were prominent we had a large number of candidates for the ministry. The decline of the country church was attended by the decline in the number of candidates. Therefore the whole people should stand behind the rural and village churches and help in their development. Conditions are such in Southwest Missouri that we stand in need of ministers and Christian workers trained on the field. Our women have taken hold of the project of Bible women for the Ozarks with enthusiasm. The thought is the offspring of their own brains and hearts and they stand ready to nuture this child of their love. Some of us have had dreams and seen visions of a Bible train- ing institution for the Ozarks that shall embrace many of the fea- tures of Winona with special adaptation to the regions remote from the railroads. We have thought that it would broaden and develope the ideas and ideals of the people, that it would enable us to secure more permanent pastors and to qualify them for the par- ticular work they have to do when secured. Such an institution strong and spiritual would be an incalculable blessing to this part of Missouri, to Arkansas, to the Southwest. From it would flow streams of influence that would make glad the city of our God. In his little book, entitled "The Growing Church," Dr. Mc- Afee tells us of a visit to Independence Hall, where was framed the first Constitution of the United States, and where he saw the high-backed chair in which Washington sat. Then he quotes this incident narrated by John Fiske : "After the momentous act of signing the new Constitution, which was to be presented to the country for adoption, the room grew very still. The men who had 438 Presbyterianism in the Ozarks spent months in thought and dehate, knew that their task was done and were weighted with the meaning of it. Washington s;it with bowed head, his faee buried in His bands. On the baek of his chair, in which he had presided over the many sessions of the con- vention, was emblazoned a half sun, brilliant with gilded rays. Benjamin Franklin, then eighty-one years of age, pointed to the emblem and said: "As I have been sitting here all these weeks, I have often wondered whether yonder sun was rising or setting. Now I know that it is a rising sun.' " The Presbytery of Ozark faces a rising sun. The union of the two branches of the church meant larger opportunities and larger responsibilities. "Quit you like men." Rise to the occasion and meet the needs of a great country. Send ambassadors of Christ into the remote corners and then shall we break forth into sing- ing: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace ; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." For seventeen years I have been a careful observer of relig- ious conditions in Presbyterian churches in Southwest Missouri. I have seen churches become spiritually anemic or settle down to a condition of chronic debility most grievous to behold. Two malignant symptoms accompany or occasion this fatal malady. First there is a widespread conviction on the part of sessions and churches that when a minister leaves a church it is a matter of small moment as to whether another pastor is secured at once or not. In fact there is a feeling that the church is not just ready for another man, that it has been strained a little to support the last pastor and needs a rest, or that it will gather strength by in- action. The pen of a far readier scribe than I cannot depict the sufferings and the losses and the weakness occasioned by this suicidal policy. Some of our churches have a chronic habit of keeping a minister six months, a year, two years, or — what they regard as a long time — three years, and then staying vacant three months, six months, a year; and practically each pastorate begins under conditions more unfavorable than the former. The other tendency is to employ a minister because he will work for a small salary. "The laborer is worthy of his hire." God's servants are entitled to an adequate support, and that session and church that enter the mart with a bartering spirit that seeks to get the best and give the least is pursuing a policy that will inevitably bring leanness to their souls. Elders of the churches of this Presbytery, you are entrusted with the responsible task of seeing that the flocks over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers are Presbyterianism in the Ozarks 439 supplied with an imdershepherd. And as those who must give an account to their Lord, see to it that the Master will not find it necessary to feel a thrill of compassion for people who faint and are scattered abroad as sheep that have no shepherd. To the moles and bats, with your lethargy and your parsimony and catch, the rythmic thrill of Paul's impassioned rhetoric: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent?" INDEX CHURCHES Asbury 178 Ash Grove 160 Avilla — see White Oak Bellview 125 Bethany (Joplin) 180 Bethel (Ark.) 179 Bethel, Polk County 155 Bolivar ±4h Breckenridge 144 Brookline 338 Buffalo 154 Bnrnham 180 Calvary 136 Carterville 181 Carthage 145 Center 166 Center Creek 334 Conway 155 Crane '. 181 Cumberland Union — see Brookline Ebenezer 131 Elrodado Springs 172 Eureka Springs 169 Evans Fair Play 178 Fordland 178 Gasconade 129 Golden City 171 Grace _ 160 Granby 154 Grand Prairie — see Willard Greenfield (Cumberland) 338 Harris 179 Harrison 179 Hermitage 164 Hermon (Polk Co.) 118 Hermon (see Lehigh) Hoberg 182 Home 172 Irwin 172 Jonesboro 179 Joplin First 161 Kickapoo— see Mount Comfort Lamar 156 Lehigh 170 Licking 130 Linn Creek 163 (Little Osage) 117 Lock wood 164 Locust Grove — see Westminster Logan Lone Elm 178 Madison 168 Maple Grove Mammoth Springs 179 < Marmiton) 118 Mena 179 Minersville 156 Moffett Ave 180 Monett 176 Mountain Grove Mount Bethel 164 Mount Comfort 335 Mount Moriah (see Madison) Mount Olivet 179 Mount Vernon 175 Mount Vernon Cumberland 339 Mount Zion 119 New Salem — Neosho 336 New Providence 337 Neosho 150 Newtonia and Ritchey 158 Nevada 156 North Heights 181 North Prairie 124 North Spring River 144 Ozark 177 Ozark Prairie 135 Panther Creek (see Conway) Pleasant Hope 336 Peace Valley 130" Pleasant Valley (see Lockwood) Pomme de Terre see Pleasant Hope Preston 158 Prosperity 156 Ravenden Springs 179 Red Hill 130 Ridge Station 179 Saint Anne 130 Salem 159 Seneca 177 Shiloh 160 Shiloh — see Pleasant Hope South Joplin 178 Springfield First Cumberland 339 Springfield Second 173 Spring River 337 INDEX Stockton 157 Sum in it 168 Trace Valley 179 Trinity 168 Drbana — see Buffalo Virgil City 161 Waldensian 165 .Washburn's Prairie 336 Walnut Grove 129 Weaubleau 123 Webb City 166 Wont worth 182 Westminster 155 Westminster, Carthage 177 West Plains 174 White Oak 153 White Eock 130 Willard 169 MINISTERS AND LAYMEN Allen, D. N 243 Allin, Thomas H. •. 216 Aller, Absalom T 261 Appleby, David Atkisson, Robert B 223 Baon, John T 363 Baldwin, Frank M 221 Banker, Willis G 226 Bickwell, George E 216 Bishop, William Frost 214 Bonner, George M 245 Boving, Charles B 259 Bright, J. H 262 Bradshaw, Christopher 188 Briol, P. P 243 Bristol, N. D , 242 Brown, Anselm B 264 Browne, George 355 Brown, John M 194 Buchanan, G 370 Buchanan, A 370 Buffa, C. A 242 Burks, C. W 262 Caldwell, G. M 259 Carbonnell, T '. 260 Campbell, D. K alb Campbell, Henry M 234 Carson, John L Chestnut, N 269 Clagett, T. A v 267 Cleland, Thomas BT 228 Clippinger 245 Clymer, G. H 258 Crawford, J. W 252 Cravens, W. A ., 217 Crozier, W. N 266 Cude, O. C 272 Curdy, E. A zrjfc Curtis, John T 244 Danforth, J. F 364 Davis, Geo. F 218 Deane, Amos H 265 DeWitt, M. B 376 Dillard 373 Dinsmore, John M 230 Dodge, N. B 184 Downing, N. H 210 Dunlap, C. H 211 Duty, G. H 236 Dysart, W. P 377 Easterday, T. R 224 Elliott, Austin 210 Kltzhotz, J. W 264 Ely, R. W 230 Emerson, D 190 Emmons, C. A 265 Farrand, Fountaine R 222 Faust, A. E 272 Fisher, J. B 246 Fly, J. B 357 Fowler, Clarence 242 Fry 225 Foy, John 225 Fullerton, B. P 359 Fulton, W. R 203 Garrett, W. J 352 Gass, John R 234 Gehrett, J. A 248 Gerhard, J. A 233 Gibson, D. E 373 Giffen, John 206 Gilbert. H. M 267 Glanville, J. W 270 Glascock, Squire 212 Gorton, W. R GraP-g, B. H 243 Griffon, S. W 262 Grundy, W. F 245 Hackett, W. L 266 Halbert, E. M 197 Hamilton, E. A 223 Hamilton, C. J 261 Handy. I. W. K 188 INDEX Hanna, D. C 233 Hanna, J. C 236 Harbour, G. F 360 Hembree, C. C 221 Hemingway, G. H 243 Hepburn, H 265 Hewitt, J. G 264 Hibbard, A. H 230 Hicks, W. C 361 Hickock, F. M 237 Hill, Hiram 212 Hillhouse, E 377 Hoffman, B 217 Holland, C. B 374 Hubbert, J. M 376 Hudiburg, J. W 272 Hughes, J. 1 236 Hunter, J. M 222 Irwin, S. M 207 Jarvis, E. E. L 259 Johnson, H. B 236 Johnston, T. M 371 Jones, A 206 Keach, E. P 225 Keer, T 377 Kinnaird, R. L 271 Knawer, F. G 249 Knight, Wm. S 213 Knott, J. W 260 Knox, J. G •. 375 Knotter, J. G 247 Lafferty, J 226 Laird, F. H 221 Lander, D. L 215 Lea, B 222 Leard, Asa 253 Lee, John R Lewis, H 226 Leyda, J. E 232 Little, Henry 262 Logan, J. B : 350 Logan, B. F 269 Lowry, "W. S 228 McCanse, ,W 378 McClung, John 244 McCune, H.. T 377 McElroy, W. R 258 McElwee, W. B 221 McFarland, John 200 McFarland, Mary . McKinney, G. W '. 264 McMahan, C. C McMahon, R. T 226 McMillan, J 194 Mann, A. M 258 Marks, J. J 217 Martin, J. F 230 Martin, S. N. D 210 Mathes, E. E 267 Matthews, L. J 198 Mermarott, C 247 Messmer, Wm. S 197 Miller, A. L 223 Miller, W. L 210 Mitchelmore, C. H 271 Mooney, Warren 245 Montgomery, J. D 371 Moore, A 370 Moore, G 374 Moore, W. G 252 Morrison, L. R 191 Newell, Geo. W 218 Nixon, J. H 208 Noel, E. P 185 Nugent, E. J 260 Olandt, C 268 Orr, Jennie Orr, Paul Orr, William Paige, J. A 207 Pentzer, V 199 Perkins, W. T 372 Pettigrew, S 225 Pinkerton, J. W 207 Powelson, B. F 208 Prater, M. A 376 Putnam, D 218 Reaser, J. G 227 Renik, E. L 246 Renshaw, G. A. M 185 Renshaw, Wm 223 Requa, W. C Rice, E. J 272 Rice. T. 0 213 Ricketts, J. B 187 Rinker, G. W 368 Ritchev, M. H 365 Ryland, B 188 Salmon, C 217 Schell, A. C Scherer, J. F 269 Schmalhorst, Wm 249 Scott, H. 0 249 Scroggs, W. L 1 INDEX Sentz, J. E 244 Sefton, J. C 247 Shane, L. H 26b Shive, B. M 269 Shephard, J. C 226 Shepperd, J. F 270 Bheppard,, Henry Sheppard, Mrs. H Sims, R. J 353 Smith, P. S 267 Smith, W. A 260 Smith, W. H 188 Solomon, J. P 215 Spinning, C. P 249 Sproule, G. B 267 Stephenson, R. S 233 Stewart, C. A 259 Stuart, B. L 269 Stone, Sidney 258 Stringfield, E. E 237 Sydenstricker, S. V 269 Tanner, A. M 225 Taylor, A. G 189 Taylor, Huston 271 Templeton, W. C 251 Thompson, G. T 224 Thompson, Wm. E Trett, John R 267 Tucker, H. A 211 Vander, Lippe Wm... 242 Vawter, J. B 213 Vincent, C 245 WVltv. J. B '. 247 Worth, John E 211 Whimster, D. B 266 Wiley, S '. 272 Williamson, G. H 219 Wilson, John 272 Wilson, J. H 2L3 Woods, H. W 217 Wright, W. J 206 Wylie, A. N 271 Young, A. A 378 Young, A. A 340 Young, J. N 218 Princeton Theological Seminary Libraries 1012 01250 8596 DATE DUE rmmm If CAYLORD FMINTIOIN USA