Harrison County, Ohio - Chapter 11: The Early Churches of Cadiz, 1900

Chapter 11: The Early Churches of Cadiz

In taking up the history of the early churches of Cadiz, we find that some years elapsed after the town was established before any church organization was made. The Presbyterian worshippers of the community were then included in the congregation of Beech Spring, and ministered to by Eev. John Eea, who undoubtedly preached in Cadiz at private dwellings before 1810. Most of the first settlers who took up lands in the vicinity of Cadiz seem to have been of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian faith, among them being the large families of the McFaddens, Gilmores, Jamisons, and Craigs, from Washington county, Pennsylvania. The membership of this church in America is made up chiefly from descendants of the Scotch-Irish immigrants who came to America from Ulster after the close of the Revolutionary War. More than ninety per cent, of the pre-Revolutionary emigration from Ireland consisted of Presbyterians of the Old School. The later emigrants, on first coming to Pennsylvania, where their relations or friends had settled many years before, found much of the best lands taken in these older settlements. Though at first they settled in tlie western counties of the Keystone State, they were not satisfied with their condition, but usually took up with the earliest opportunity of bettering it. This came to them with the opening to settlement of the lands in the Northwest Territory; and it was not many months after the land office was opened at Steubenville before many of the choicest tracts in the vicini+^,y of Cadiz were occupied by these Washington county Scotch-Irish. During the time between their removal to Harrison county, and the organization of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church at Cadiz, it is hardly reasonable to suppose that they were without occasional religious services. The present United Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, as of other churches of that denomination throughout the country, was formed in 1858, by the union of the two former congregations known as the Associate Presbyterian and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian churches. Prior to the formation of the Second Ohio Associate Reformed Presbytery, in 1824, Cadiz was included in the territory of the Presbytery of Monongahela, and as such was doubtless often visited and preached to by ministers belonging to that Presbytery who were residents of Washington county. And it is reasonable to assume that many of them came as missionaries before the formal organization of the congregation in 1810. The writer, not having tlie minutes of Monongahela Presbytery before him, is unable to give any details as to the number or frequency of these early "supplies"; but that tbey were provided and paid for, there is no reason to doubt. It is also very probable that a small log church building may have been erected in Cadiz township by this congregation some years before the erection of their meeting-house in Cadiz village.

We find from the records of Harrison county, that Lots numbered 58, 59, and 60 in the town of Cadiz (the present residence of Mr. A. H. Carnahan), were deeded on April 16, 1812, to "John McFadden, Samuel Carnahan, John Craig, William Hamilton, and John Jamison, trustees appointed by the Associate Reform ed congregation of Cadiz," for the purpose of a meeting-house for public worship. We can therefore determine positively that prior to the date here given, this congregation was fully organized and able and ready to sustain a minister. An historica] sermon was delivered by Rev. W. T. Meloy, D. D., then pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Cadiz, on August 26, 1876, giving the history of the congregation from the time of the organization of the Associate Reformed church. This history is so full of interest, and contains so much information regarding the subject to which it relates, as to be in every way worthy of permanent preservation; and the historical part of Dr. Meloy's discourse is therefore given here in full:

The United Presbyterian Church

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cadiz was one of the earliest mission stations west of Pennsylvania. As early as October 10th, 1810, we find them petitioning the Monongahela Presbytery for supplies. Rev. Buchanan was appointed to preach in Cadiz the 2d and 3d Sabbaths of March, 1811. Supplies were afterwards fre- quently sent them. Jime 23d, 1813, an application was made to have the liord's Slipper dispensed; Mr. Buchanan was appointed for that service, and to preside at an election of ruling elders in that societ3\ I^ev. Buchanan reported to Presbytery, the following September, "that Joseph McFadden, George McFadden, William Hamilton, and Robert Orr, had been elected ruling elders. At the same meeting Revs. Riddell and Buchanan were appointed to dispense the supper at Cadiz on the fifth Sabbath of October, 1813, and to attend to the ordination of elders the preceding Friday. On the 30th of October, 1813, Joseph McFadden and Robert Orr were ordained and installed to the eldership. George McFadden declined accepting the of lice, and William Hamilton was absent.

November 10th, 1813, application was made for the moderation of a call by Cadiz, and Upper Wheeling, a society near TJniontown. There was, however, a connection existing between it and Lower Wheeling and Short Creek. Discretionary power was then given to Mr. Buchanan, who was, in general, to be guided by the resolution - "that, provided Lower Wheeling and Short Creek shall satisfy the member who shall be appointed to moderate, that they willingly relinquish the connection existing between them and Upper Wheeling, then, and in that case, he shall proceed to this business." The minutes of the two subsequent meetings of Presbytery were lost, and the Clerk records such business as he could recall. He forgot to record the report of Mr. Buchanan. The result, however, was, that Mr. Buchanan proceeded to moderate, and Mr. William Taggart vras elected Pastor.

The first house of worship used by this congregation was a log building, erected on grounds purchased from Zachariah Biggs, situated on the corner of South and Ohio streets. The purchase price was $20. The deed for these lots is on record in Jefferson county. The log buildinowas torn down and a substantial brick erected in 1828. This house was occupied by the congregation until 1870. Its cost cannot now be determined. It was not completed till 1833, when the pews were sold to pay for its completion. The total value of sixty-six pev/s was $1,812, the lowest being appraised at $10, and the highest at $40. Nearly all the pews were sold, as the anionnt received was $1,740.67.

The Trustees were incorporated by act of Legislature, Feb. 18, 1830, and were John McFadden, Thomas Patton, William Hamilton, David 'Jhompson, and Thomas Bingham. William Haverfield was elected the same year, in place of Thomas Patton, deceased. The building committee were John Mcl'adden, David Thompson, and Thomas Bingham. Mr. Bingham very often advanced money, and generally settled by takinothe even hundreds and deducting the odd dollars and cents, for which° doubtlessj the congregation felt duly grateful, although no record is' made of their expressing it.

The building was no doubt one of the best in Cadiz, and was esteemed at the time most eligibly located. Yet why our fathers persisted in erecting store rooms and hotels on front streets and churches out of to\m, or on back streets, it is difficult to tell. They certainly did not advocate the penance of wading unnecessarily through the rich mud of Harrison county, on scriptural or sanitary grounds. It was the custom of the time to spend most of the Sabbath in and about the Church. The forest trees had been cleared away, where the old graveyard now is, but on every side the chestnut and oak and maple afforded a pleasant shade under which to hitch the horses, eat the Sabbath biscuit and discuss the sermon. It is even hinted that in those days there were worldly men, who talked about stock and politics, and women who discussed their neighbors' dresses, and gay young people who arranged for week night meetings that were not strictly ecclesiastical. And to that old grave-yard, now so sadly neglected, the mourner went, Bible in hand, and read over the verses on the new gray sand-stone, now fallen and broken, dropped a llower on the grave where now the briers and old ivy twine together, and with wet eyes turned again to the house of God to hear a reverend pastor tell of a Savior who is "the Eesurrection and the Life." But the mourner and the motirned have met together, the grave encloses both.

As already noticed, the first pastor elected was Mr. William Taggart. He, together with Mr. Samuel Findley, had been taken under care of Presbytery as students, on Sept. oth, 1809. He was licensed Sept. 1st, 1S13. He delivered his ordination trials at Cadiz, jSTov. 9, 1814. Eev. Findley preached the ordination sermon from 2d Corinthians, ii., 16, "And who is sulficient for these things;" after which Mr. Taggart was ordained to the" office of the holy ministry;" and installed pastor of the united congregations of Cadiz and Upper Wheeling. He was about thirtytwo years old when he began his labors here, and fifty-five when he was released. He gave to this field the years of his vigor. He was a man of very line reasoning power. He spoke slowly, and at times with apparent hesitation, but Avhen the discourse was completed, antecedent and conseqttent, premise and conclusion, were bound together by a chain that could not be broken.

It must, however, be confessed that Mr. Taggart took ample time for the elucidation of his text. His discourse never fell short of an hour, and frequently reached twice that length. The order in public worship then was to have, after the invocation prayer, the reading and explanation of the psalm. This exercise was as long as a modern sermon, and as it proceeded, more and more of the hidden beauties of Divine truth Avere displayed. Each thought of God is a deep, and the pastor loved to bring up its treasures, that the people might sing with full hearts. The precentor then gave out, and the people sang one line at a time. It was something of a departure to mingle bass with the air, but this was occasionally done. On communion Sabbaths, there were long debarrances made, that seemed to shut out the very elect from the table. Tokens of admission to the table were distributed on Saturday, and were brought on Sabbath to thft table, where an elder received them. The male portion of the congregation carried the leaden token in the vest pocket, and ilie female, carehilly tied up in the corner of a snow white 'kerchief, Seated npon rude slabs, the rustic sofa of the early times, Mr. Taggart spoke to the people all the words of this life. Socially he was a man of courteous though dignified demeanor, and was greatly beloved.

We must not, however, take the salary paid, or rather promised him, as the measure of the people's alfection. Nominally it was $180 for half his time; yet there is a record in the full, clear hand of Thomas Patton, Clerk, that on the 11th of September, 1830, there was owing to the pastor $6G3.(iO. That is, the congregation was less than four years in arrears. On the 2d of June, 1836, we find the following record: "After a careful investigation it was found that there was a balance yet due Mr. Taggart of $1,1'32." On the 27th of May, 1837, this amount was reduced to $350.50. An excuse for this tardiness that was somewhat amusing, though it might be a terror to rich fathers-in-law, was, that Mr. Taggart had stock in a St. Clairsville bank and had married a rich wife. The Uniontown church took all of Mr. Taggart's time, and he removed there in 1838. On September 6th, 1865, Rev. William Taggart ceased from his labors. His body rests in the grave at St. Clairsville. This old and honored servant of God was not called to his reward until the eighty-fourth year of his age. To him the shadows had grown very long, and the rest of the evening time was sweet.

In 1838, Eev. Thomas Speer was elected pastor, but declined the call. Two hundred and fifty dollars a year was appropriated for the payment of supplies, and raised by a levy on the pews.

On the twenty-seventh of September, 1839, Eev. Parks moderated in a call which was made in favor of Eev. Alexander Wilson, his salary being fixed at $500. His labors began T^^ovember 1st, 1839. Eev. William Burnett preached the sermon on this occasion, and a copy was requested by the congregation for publication.

The women of the church were not in those days supposed to have much to do with its management, as we notice that on January 25th, 1841, it was annoum^ed from the pulpit that the "male members" would detain to attend to congregational business. Possibly this may account, in part, for imperfect management, as we certainly would fail to-day without the help and counsel of our sisters. We were not surprised, therefore, to find that the congregation, six months later, appointed a committee to wait upon Mr. Wilson and inquire of him whether he would be willing to accept of $400 as his salary or stipend, after the present year., Charles Warfel, one of the members of that committee, refused to serve, and if he were living I would commend him for it. During the years 1841-42, the male members frequently met and attempted to doctor the salary, which was falling constantly behind. The arrearages were, in -'41, $36.76; '42, $93.31, '43, $116.67. At last the collectors, seemingly in utter despair, resigned, and new ones were appointed. It was then resolved, November 23d, 1844, that these arrearages be assessed on the

Joseph Braden, Moses Urquhart, John Mitchell, James Patton, Samuel Carnalian, and David Carnahan were chosen singers, and two of them were allowed to rise at one time. The worldly business in which Mr. Wilson was constantly engaged, was some excuse for a low salary, and might have justified a petition for his release, but it was no excuse whatever for neglecting to pay a debt Mdien it fell due.

In December, 1850, Mr. Wilson tendered his resignation. The congregation adopted the following, which may seem very strange, so far as the connection between the statement and resolution is concerned:

Whereas, it is the duty of every congregation to support the pastor, and: Whereas, the said congregation has withheld from the said Alexander Wilson that support which a faithful pastor merits; therefore:

The congregF.tion then attempted to settle with him on the basis of $300 a year. ' Mr. Wilson claimed fifty dollars more, and after appealing to Presbytery, his claim was paid, and for once the congregation was free from debt.

It would indeed be difficult to tell how a pastorate, involved in such constant and harassing troubles, could be successful. The services of Mr. Wilson were doubtless rendered ineffective l)y them, and yet the congregation maintained its position and even advanced duriug his pastorate.

Two candidates were again before the congregation December 6th, 1851, some twenty-five of the "male members" being present. Eev. Thomas Cunningham received 17 votes, and James Porsythe, 8. Eev. Lorimer moderated in this call, February 24th, 1852. Eev. Cunningliam having declined to be a candidate, the iDlank was filled by inserting the name of Eev. James C. Porsythe. He was installed October 27th, 1852. His salary was at first fixed at $500, but was afterwards raised to $600.

A meeting was called October 31st, 1857, to regulate the singing of the congregation, at which the clerk was directed to stand at the pulpit rather than in the center of the house, the vote being 40 to 25. It was also decided, by a vote of 50 to 15, that the psalm slrould be sung without lining out. Gradually the old land marks that had arisen witli the necessities of the time, faded away; they filled their purpose; aud while these customs were dear to many, they yielded to the claims of the present, and ^vcre willing to give up all but the principles which as a church they had maintained. The pastorate of Eev. Forsythe was brief. He resigned April, 1858.

The congregation enjoyed considerable prosperity under his ministry; and with the union of the two churches, the Associate Reformed Congregation of Cadiz ceased to exist.

The Associate Congregation Of Cadiz

was ornanized A. D. 1813. Its first place of worship was a "tent," which had been pitched a short distance north-west of the present depot of the P., C. & St. L. R. R. This tent was a house of worship for the pastor alone. It was about six or eic^ht feet square, was reached by high steps, was under a roof that fell off to each side, and was boarded up in front to about the height of the pastor's waist. The congregation sat outside on logs, and benches made of split timbers, under the shade of the trees. If it did not rain or storm they experienced no inconvenience. A slight rain did not spoil our mothers' bonnets. In the winter, services were held in the court house or in private houses of members. The location of the tent was finally changed to a part of jVfr. Grimes' farm, nearer town, where afterwards a brick church was erected. It does not appear th^t there was entire unanimity about the new' church. The first resolution in regard to it was adopted IMay 7th, 1827, at a meeting of which John Miller was chairman, and James Lee, clerk.

The following January a motion was lost that the ground then occupied be sold and the house built on a lot owned by George Craig. It was, however, ordered, that "the trustees have discretionary power as to the size of the meeting house, according to the funds subscribed." A second resolution M'as "to see what additional funds could be raised, provided the house would be built on George Craig's lot;" an expedient which, resorted to some forty years later, secured the present location of our church. At a subsequent meeting it was determined not to build on Craig's lot, not to build a house in connection with the Union congregation, and that the house should be one story.

On the first of January, 1830, the fifty-eight pews were appraised, the values ranging from $2.25 to $7.50, the whole value, $275.50. The largest suliscriber was to have the first choice. No pew was to be sold for less than its appraised value. No person ooitld purchase more than two pews nor less than one. The minister's salary was to be a'ssossed by a regular per centum on the pews so sold. In case any oije refused or neglected to pay his assessment, three months grace was 'o be .given him, and if not paid at that time, the pew was to "be offered for sale to make np the deficiency. In case it did not sell, the pew was to become the property of the congregation. It was further made the duty of the trustees to raise what money they could from those not purchasing pews, in order to lighten the assessment on purchasers, until all the congregation, or those subscribing, shall have obtained pews. It will readily appear how, under such financial management, this congregation would be kept out of debt. There is nothing in the records to show that they were ever seriously troubled. Occasionally they got in arrears, but prompt measures were taken to remedy this. How much more the Word preached would profit under such circumstances. There was no action taken but such as was based on principles of fairness and honor. A good financial pilot was at the helm. Shrewd business ideas prevailed then as now. In a slip torn from a will which had been written at that time and was used to mark the page in the congregational book, I find the following bequest to whichever of my sons-in-law M'ill give the most for it." But as that was only a book-mark of the clerk, it would not be fair to hold the congregation responsible for it.

This church was not well located. The site was low, much lower at that time than is indicated now. Arrangements for ventilation were not much cared for in those days, and had not been needed when worshipping at the tent. Many a good sermon has been spoiled by bad air. In June, 1847, a new and violent form of disease suddenly appeared among the flock. From what we can learn from the symptoms of this fatal disease, it Avas the typhoid fever. No such name was then known, and, as it was at first confined entirely to members of this congregation, it was universally called the "Seceder fever." Many of the members died from it. among whom was the amiable wife of the pastor. This disease spread throughout the coimtry, and showed equal violence when preying on the members of other churches and upon heretics. Many of those attacked died. The physicians, ignorant of its nature, in some cases, resorted to that old foe of human life - the lancet, and aided the disease in quickly reducing the sufl'erer. The angel of death brooded over many homes, and the mourners were often met on the streets. It is impossible to tell certainly the cause of this malady. It was asserted that a stranger who had contracted the disease abroad, was that Sabbath a worshipper, and that there was a pool of water under the church. This was denied. Some light is gained by a bill which I find for digging the earth from about the church. Impure air must have given rise to the disease, and this may have resulted from a full house with too limited a supply of fresh air and too much of what had been de-oxodyzed a score of times. The miasmatic influence was in the air, and may have arisen from physical causes not even guessed at, as has often been the case since. The house was blamed, and whether guilty or not, it was well that suspicion attached to it. It never had been comfortable. Members of the congregation attended servioes as usual, but strangers sought some other place of worship. It was therefore resolved soon after to hnild a new meeting house, forty-five by fiftyfive feet, and a committee was appointed to select a site. A committee was also appointed to find how much more funds could be raised to build in town than on the present lot. Lot numbered 103, on Steubenville street, was purchased from William Eeid for $200, and a frame house, yet standing, was erected thereon. Part of the material of the old church was put in the foundation of this building. This house was occupied imtil the time of the union of the churches, when it was sold to Mrs Hatcher, for $1,400.

This congregation was organized about 1813, though occasional sermons had been preached here before. The first record is Oct. 1st, 1814. "The Eev. John Walker accepted the call of and took charge of said congregation." He was installed sometime between the 24th of May and the 4tli of July, 1815, and was at the time twenty-nine years of age. His time was divided between Mt. Pleasant, Unity, and Cadiz. The installation occurred at Unity. Eevs. French and Allison were appointed to this duty, but Mr. Allison was prevented from attending. Thomas Maxwell was ruling elder. The winter following, William Braden was installed, and Joseph Braden ordained to that office. The roll of the congregation rapidly increased under Mr. Walker-* labors. But, alas ! poor human nature. Discipline soon had to be exercised against offenders. Greater and lesser offences were strangely combined in the early discipline of the church. The first ofience was intoxication. The offender was rebuked, and notification given to the congregation. The friends of the next accused, will pardon me for naming her - "Mrs. Agnes Crossen confessed her sorrow for violating the laws of the church and breakinoher own vows, in that she was married without publication." She was accordingly admonished - possibly not to fall into the same offence again, which she was not likely to do while her husband lived - and then restored to church privileges. The musters of the time were fruitful causes of offence, also the huskings and choppings. Any one who sets up the claim that there was no drunkenness at that time, need only read over the session records.

Eev. John Walker, the first pastor of this church, was, in manv respects, a remarkable man, and was esteemed a preacher of great ability. His utterances were easy and rapid. With a quickness of perception, lie knew well to say the right thing in the right place. His manners outside the pulpit were agreeable and easy. Outside of his profession he was shrewd and active. He was instrumental in securing the location of Franklin College at New Athens, and would have gone forty miles on horse or foot to secure a student for that institution. He was a o-ood physician, and had an extensive practice; and, as he looked after both the souls and bodies of his hearers without receiving much pecuniary compensation, he became very popular, and was widely known. He conformed to the custom of his time and preached sermons of immoderate length.

To this day there are some who delight to tell how long the services were at the Tent. This was signally so on Communion Sabbath, when there was the most minute examination of heart and life. The offences of the time were most severely denounced, and the man who had tossed a copper, marked the ashes with a stick, or resorted to any similar form of divination, did not go unwarned. The weightiest matters, too, were not neglected. Persons who grew tired o| sitting, rested themselves by standing. The Sabbath evening examination on the shorter catechism properly belonged to exercises of the day. To criticise a sermon, or comment on the dress, manners, or bearing of the minister, would have been esteemed a serious offence. The people carried their Bibles, and committed the text, and the older members of the family were questioned about the ijitroduction, divisions, and application. Dr. Walker was released about 1820, and gave his entire time to Unity. He died March 8th, 1845, in the sixtieth year of his age, and thirty-sixth of his ministry. His body rests in the cemetery at Unity, and on his tombstone are the words : "Eemember ye not, that when I was yet with you I told you these things !"

Mr. Thomas Hanna accepted a call to Cadiz, Piney Fork, and Wills Creek, and was ordained as pastor, December IGth, 1831. The number of families in the Cadiz church at this time was forty-one, in Piney Fork, thirty-eight, and in Wills Creek, fourteen. He was soon after released from the Wills Creek branch. In 1835 his whole time was given to Cadiz.

At the time of Mr. Hanna's settlement, the session consisted of Robert, Henry, and Thomas Maxwell, James Alexander, William Henderson, and James and Thomas Lee. William Miller and Eichard Hammond were ordained, and James Flanna installed June 19th, 1834. Francis Grove was installed, and Matthew Clark was ordained and installed, May 11th, 1837. Dr. Hanna was not a fine pulpit orator, nor was he regarded as a profound theologian. He was, however, a very instructive preacher. His sermons were often so systematically and minutely divided that one who took away the divisions carried the whole sermon. He had a very Idnd heart and was eminently sympathetic. It became convenient for him to live in Washington, Pa., owing to his marriage with Miss Foster, then, and for many years after, the honored Principal of the Washington Female Seminary. He was released April 24th, 1849. Dr. Hanna took charge of the church in Washington in May, 1850, and continued as pastor until physical prostration compelled him to give up the field. He died February 9th, 1864, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the forty-third of his ministry. His memory is fondly cherished by his people.

There were many offenders against the law and order of the church during his pastorate, and there was not one meeting of the session in six that did not have one or more persons arraigned. Intemperance was doubtless the prevailing evil. But it was often the case that persons felt eaicouraged in carrying complaints to the session, just as children do to a parent or teacher. One man, when riding to Cadiz, had boasted with an oath, that he could ride down all the Whig horses in the county; occa- sional hearing; marrymg withont publication; shooting for pennies; dancing; neglect of ordinances; unfair dealing; cutting bee trees; teaching on fast days; with an occasional sin of a graver nature, occupied most of the session's time. The cases seemed to grow the more they were dealt with, until the 7th of April, 1848, the following committees were appointed : Eobert Maxwell and Thomas Lee were appointed a committee to confer with three persons, whose names I withhold, for occasional liearing; James Hanna, a committee to confer with three others about attending a ball; William Henderson, a committee to confer with W. W and wife, for neglect of ordinances; and Matthew Clark, a committee to confer with J. D. B for the same offence. A large amount of business, truly, for one day. The church militant was rapidly earning the title of the church litigant. Discipline, however, in most cases was effective, and tlie erring were brought back. The membership of the church constantly increased, and its spiritual condition was healthy. On the 5th of June, 1839, Thomas Lee presented the following:

Resolved, That all members of the Secession Church Avho approve of a resolution passed at a political meeting, held in Cadiz on the 15th day of May, A. D., 1839, approving of the course pursued by the State and National Administration on the subject of abolition, are guilty of a breach of the moral law. and the principles of the Secession Church.

The vote on this resolution stood, ayes four, noes four. The moderator asked time to decide. A month later he cast his vote in the negative. A month later the vote was reconsidered, and the resolution adopted. An appeal from this was taken by Robert Maxwell. The whole matter was finally referred to Synod. The Church had already seen the "impending crisis," and was preparing for the noble stand she afterwards took ar.d maintained on the day of our nation's trial.

The Solemn Covenant engagement to duties is also recorded, although the date is not given. It was about 1840. There are but seven persons m> mbers of this church at the present time who joined in it. The scene niust have been one of deep solemnity when the congregation, with upliCled hands, swore to live for Christ. A single sentence of this lengthy cngairement will suffice: "We do, with our hands lifted up to the Most High Clod, hereby confess, and before God, angels, and men, solemnly declare, that we desire to give glory to the Lord by believing with the heart; confessing with the mouth; and subscribing with the hand, that in Him vre have righteousness and strength."

The congregation was vacant about a year, when Rev. J. R. Doig was called, and became pastor in May, 1850. He was never installed, owing to a neglect on the part of Presbytery. He had supplied the congregation during the preceding winter, in the absence of Dr. Hanna, who was most of his time in Washington with his new wife. When, therefore, Dr. PLanna resigned in the spring, Mr. Doig was ready to take his place. He was at that time a professor in Franklin College, and continued to

Mr. Doig, in the fall of '51, was taken ill, and remained so during the entire year. This, together with the death of his partner, induced him to resio-n, after having held a last communion with his people.

'^Eev. Samuel Patton was the next pastor. He was ordained and installed December, 1853. His relations with the people are said to have been pleasant, although he was not here long enough for his labors to be deeply impressed on the minds of the people, or to gain a lasting place in their memories and hearts. Two causes may have led to his early removal. He married in the congregation, and possibly imagined that what is true of a prophet is also true of his wife. He had preached at Detroit before settling at Cadiz, and the people there desiring his return, he accepted their call, and was released July 13th, 1854. His pastorate lasted onlv a little over six months. He labored but a short time in Detroit, when the Master called him home to an early reward.

For about two years the congregation depended on supplies, and but few records were kept to show either its spiritual or financial condition. Mr. J. S. McCready was ordained and installed as pastor, August 7th, 1856. He soon gained a deep hold on the affections of his people. He was kind and unobstrusive in his manners, courteous in his bearing, yet firm as a rock in his convictions. His preaching largely partook of these characteristics, and was of a kind to set forth the truth in both its attractiveness and strength. He had early imbibed an abhorrence of oppression and showed by his conduct the sincerity of his faith. The religious instruction of the colored children of Cadiz had been neglected. He organized, and during his ministry superintended, their Sabbath School.

The IJniversalists had for some years gained a foot-hold in Cadiz. In 1857, Mr. McCready was challenged to discuss the question by an able debater named Emmet, who had often been engaged in discussions of this kind. The debate began Tuesday morning, and closed Friday evening. A writer who was familiar with the debate, says : "The truth was not only vindicated, but rendered triumphant. The Universalists were repelled, routed, aud overcome."

Meantime, the two churches, whose separate history we have been tracino-, were growing more closely together. Unkind words and acts had been hicklen away under the sacred mantle of charity. It was even hinted that the churches were already one - one in worship and in heart, and so nearly one in faith that but few were able to tell the difference between them. There were over-cautious ones who deprecated union, over-timid ones who deplored it. God's time had come. Tlie two streams were to flow in one, and to be so commingled that the separate source of either could not be traced. The Associate Synod was meeting in Pittsburgh, and the Associate Eeformed in Allegheny City, on the 2Gth of May, 1858. The vote on union had carried in the Union Synod. Great anxiety was felt about the result in the Seceder Synod. It was also carried there. The union was complete. A few discontented spirits still sought to maintain the Associate Church, but they had not the force of head or heart of a Marshall or a Clarkson, and no recruits could now come from over the water. Their numbers, small at first, are now less than 1,200. The United Presbyterian Church, pledged to maintain the truth and forbear in love, continued to bear forward the history of the illustrious ones whose bans had been proclaimed.

This cause in Cadiz found itself now with two congregations, two houses of worship, and one pastor. Rev. Forsythe having resigned. A basis of union between the two congregations was agreed upon. Each congregation was to choose three of its members, who were to constitute the Board of Trustees. The church was to be called the "First United Presbyterian Congregation of Cadiz." The trustees of the Associate congregation were to transfer all their property to the new Board. The United Church was to occupy the brick house, and the pews in it were to be forever free. Each congregation was to have an equal number of elders. The United Congregation was to meet on the last Saturday of March to ask for the moderation of a call. These conditions were signed by Andrew Jamison and John IMcFadden, on the part of the Union Church, February 20th, 1859, and by Martin Wilson and John Carnahan, on the part of the Seceder Church, February 36, 1859. In accordance with these propositions, the Seceder church building was sold to Eliza Ilatcher for $1,400, and the congregation worshipped in the old Union Church. The elders of the Seceder Church were Alexander Haverfield, William Miller, John Carnahan, Daniel Mitchell, and Thomas Jamison - five. Those of the Union Church were Joshua Hamilton, Robert Davidson, and Charles Warfel - three. Andrew Jamison and James C. Love were elected to make the number equaL Mr. Love was installed, but Mr. Jamison declined to serve.

Rev. McCready demitted his charge April 19th, 1859. On the 3d of the following May a call was unanimously made for his services by the First U. P. Congregation of Cadiz. This call was accepted on the 14th of the following June. The congregation seemed now to enter on a career of unbounded prosperity. But already the dark shadow of civil war was beginning to fall on our country. The aggressions of the slave power were felt. This church had always, in the branches from which it came, denounced slavery. But now, alas! its extension became largely a political issue. On this subject our church gave no uncertain sound. Rev. McCready had not waited to be an abolitionist until slavery was overthrowTi. He was not one of those braves who stab the dead Percy- He was a patriot; and was willing to seal with his blood the testimony of his lips. He entered the Union array, August 14th, 1862, as Captain of Company II, 126th 0. V. I. Two months later he wrote to his congregation: "Your pulpit was not silent in regard to those sins which have convulsed the land. Nor did it give an uncertain, non-committal sound, taking its cue from the dictation of party politics. It was 'known and road of all men.' Seven years ago, when thousands of statesmen and divines who are now with it, were against it, it preached what it preaches today, and what all the pulpits are coming rapidly to preach. It had not to he"impelled by divine judgments. To these truths, which I have preached to vou, dear "brethren, if I fall in this struggle, I am a martyr. But fo/ their influence, I hud not been here. My home was as dear, my life as sweet, my congregation as near to me as others are to them. As for official promotion, I was stepping down. As for money, I am probably losing. Besides, what is money, compared with life and home comforts ?

"But you and I had raised up a standard for God's truth. We stood up for its" divinity. We had talked - the time came to act. God demanded sacrifice in its behalf. The clergy of the South had shown how much they were willing to dare for tliis error - this great self-evident lie - this blot upon civilization - this outrage upon all religion, and all virtue. God put the question to us : Were we willing to do and dare as much for truth, for liberty, for country ? What could I reply ? I may fall! your beloved sons and brothers may fall! Be it so. Our testimony in behalf of God's truth is not lost. You will reap the benefit of it in future years."

As such letters from the absent soldier pastor Avere read, feeling in the congregation ran high, and some refused to hear them at all. Others, who had sons and brothers and husbands with him, were indignant alt this, and for a time the peace of the congregation was much disturbed. C. L. Vallandingham was nominated for Governor of Ohio in 18G3, by the Democratic party. He was at the time banished for disloyalty, and was stopping at the Clifton House, in Canada. The following resolutions were passed by the Session:

Resolved, That it is utterly inconsistent with the principles of the United Presbyterian Church to vote for C. L. Vallandingham for Governor

Resolved, That we consider that voting for that candidate involves a creat moral question, and that no member of the United Presbyterian Church can vote for him without ignoring his principles on slavery and countenancing and encouraging disloyalty.

These resolutions were read on the 27th of September. Eev. Mc- Cready obtained leave of absence and came home soon after. He moderated the Session, and dispensed the Supper Oct. 17th, 1863. It would have been strange if he, fresh from the field of battle, where his brave bovs then were (save those who had fallen), could have been silent. He was not wont to conceal his convictions of the truth. Thirteen families and a lar2:e number of adherents withdrew from the church. A few of these never formed any ecclesiastical connection, but most of them were received into the communion of the Presbyterian church of Cadiz. It was my privilege to meet Mr. McCready after his return from the army.

He talked of the field at home but spoke no words of bitterness. Doubtless he would have suffered more had it not been a time when such mighty emotions were swaying the hearts of men. In the army. Captain :McCready was the same in modesty, candor, firmness, bravery, and courtesy, that he was at home. His company, brave as any in the army, united with him in daily prayers to the God of battles. On the 6th day of May, 18G4-, Mr. McCready was wounded in the left arm during one of the terrible battles of the Wilderness. He was carried from the field, taken to Washington, and finally died in Baltimore, at the house of Mr. Carson, Sept. 7th. His end was peace.

The church was draped in mourning. All classes wept for him. Even those who had spoken harshly, now spoke with broken utterance. But no sincerer moarners gathered about his bier than the colored men whose constant friend he had been. He, of all the ministers who served this church, is the only one who died while its pastor.

On the night of the 31st of December, 1864, your present pastor arrived in Cadiz to fill, by arrangement, the appointment of Eev. Mr. McKenzie. Another brother had been secured to preach, but generously refused when he heard that I was present. But as he was paid the regular per diem for listening to me, I did not feel that he was greatly injured.

The appearance of the house was not in the least prepossessing. The arched ceiling had been painted blue, and an occasional board ha^l partly broken loose from its fastenings and threatened to drop, like the famous sword of Damocles. The pulpit had come down from its orio-jnal height, but was still reached by a flight of stairs - about eight in numl:)er. An ill-fitting window was directly at the back of the little pulpit-box, and an occasional blast of wind from the north reminded me that there' was a broken pane in it. ' The day was unpleasant and the congregation small. A slight survey of the audience convinced me that there were manv earnest and intelligent men and women among them.

I preached twice afterwards, and in the early spring was elected pastor. The entire congregation united in the call. My regular labors began the third Sabbath of May, 1865. I was ordained and installed June 23d, 1865, by the Presbytery of Wheeling. Eev. Campbell preached the sermon from 2d Cor. v., 20.

The congregation was at the time somewhat discouraged. Withdrawals had been frequent. The salary promised was $800. It was, after six years, generously raised to $1,200. It was still the custom to preach two sermons on Sabbath, Avith a half hour's interval. Changes, however, had been made. The word "male" had disappeared from the record of our proceedings, and the singing was led by a choir, most of whom were ladies. The excuse for this was that the young men of the congregation had generally gone to the army. The Sabbath School was re'-organized, and Charles Warfel elected Superintendent. The Session consisted of Joshua Hamilton, Daniel iMitchell, Alexander Haverfield. John

Carnahan, and Charles Warfel. Eobert Paxton and Alexander Campbell were ordained and installed May lltli, 18G6; J. D. Osburn and Samuel Kyle, May 22d, 18G8, at which time Ebenezer McKitrick was installed. T. C. Grove and James Megaw were ordained and installed Nov. 8th, 1873.

The propriety of erecting a new church had been considered for some time. The first meeting was held in 18G7. The proposition was discussed at some length, and with considerable warmth, and was voted down by an overwhelming majority. Subsequent meetings were held, at which it was argued that the church was needing repairs; that in a few years a new one must be built; that the present one could not be made comfortable; that it was located at such a distance from the main street that it would not be possible to keep a good pavement to it; that money was plenty, and the congregation abundantly able to build. It was argued on the other hand that the old church could be repaired at a very slight cost; that although money was plenty, building materials were high; and that the present location was eligible, affording ample hitching room for the horses. The advocates of the new church constantly gained in number, until finally in the fall of 1868, a committee to solicit subscriptions was appointed. The congregation subscribed liberally. About $7,000 was raised, and there was nearly $3,000 in the treasury remaining from the sale of the Associate church. It was finally determined to build on a lot adjoining the church property on Steubenville street. This lot was purchased and additional subscriptions taken. Many of the congregation, however, had talked about the present location. But Mrs. McNutt still occupied rooms in the old hotel located on it, and was, in her infirmity of mind and body, unwilling to remove. She died about this time (January, 1869). A meeting of the congregation was called. The matter was left in the hands of a committee, and $4,000 additional was subscribed on condition that the new church be located on the McNutt lot. This lot was purchased for $3,200. The congregation had now six lots, and the jest was made that they were going into the real estate business. The transaction, however, was carefully managed. The old church property was sold for $2,500, and the lot first purchased, at an advance of $100. The old buildings were also sold, and work on the new church commenced. As it progressed, changes were made in the original plan. The ladies had joined in the work and raised a considerable sum with which to carpet and cushion the house. The children also helped. The people had a mind to the work. Comfortable stalls were erected for the horses.

The basement of the church was occupied in the spring of 1870. As the work neared completion, a proposal was made to sell the pews and stalls. To this there was earnest opposition. An effort was made to raise the balance, but failed. The pews were then appraised. The lowest valued at $10 and the highest at $100. The total appraised value was $2,700. The pews were all sold, and also the stalls.

W. L. Hamilton, x\ndreAv Jamison, William Hamilton, Sr., and David Cunningham. Their work was done to the entire satisfaction of the congregation, and was a standing evidence of fine business management. The Ladies' Mite Society contributed $2,000. Tlie church was dedicated on Thursday, Nov. 2.tth, 1870 (Thanksgiving Day).

The congregation has suffered heavily from removals. Joshua Hamilton, one of the oldest members of Session, removed to Spring- Held. His loss was deeply felt, as also the removal of the younger members, Alexander Campbell and Samuel Kyle. Death, too, has greatly thinned our roll. Dr. Wilson, a man who had been eminently useful in the church, who had been a power in its meetings for prayer, was gathered home January 10th, 1872, aged 87 years. Our hearts were again made rad by the sudden death, from typhoid fever, of Elder C. Warfel, whose name had often appeared on our records. He was at the time a ruling elder and trustee, and had long and efficiently superintended the Sabbath bchool. He died February 2, 1871. His remains were taken to the church, which was thronged with the congregation and friends, among whom were many colored people, to whom he had been a constant friend.

Alexander Haverfield was, after a few mouths' illness, released from earthly labors January aith, 1875. His death made a breach in the Session which could not be easily filled. He had long been a devoted friend to the congregation, and was a man of large religious information.

On the 11th of August, 187G, Daniel Mitchell died. He was one of the oldest members of the Session, and a man of irreproachable character. He was conscientiously regular in the observance of religious ordinances.

Of the history of oiir church in Cadiz no one need be ashamed, while all her true children may rejoice in it. I have neither sought to magnify the virtues nor palliate the faults of our fathers. One loved pastor fell in the great struggle for the life of our country and the freedom of a race. From her communion there went forth as heralds of the Gospel such men as Hans W. Lee, Thomas B. Hanna, and John B. Clark, who, though early called from earth, held places second to none in the churches, and in the affections of the people. A daughter of one of the early and earnest men of this church is pointing the sisters in Egypt to the Lamb of Calvary.