Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 14: - Religious History, 1881 (part 2 of 2)

The brethren believe there is no other command in the New Testa¬ ment plainer, more direct, or more forcible than this. They observe the Lord's supper, the communion, and the washing of feet at night , in pur¬ suance of the example of our blessed Lord, who instituted these ordinan¬ ces of his house. They observe the salutation of the holy kiss as com¬ manded no less than, five times in the Gospel of Christ. They will not bear arms, and shed the blood of their fellow man for whom Christ died, believing in the light of God's word, that war and violence are opposed to the spirit of Christ. Brethren will not go to law with their brethren in Christ, for this is forbidden in the Word of God. They will not take or administer an oath, for the Bible declares, " swear not at all. "

Non-conformity to the world is a cardinal feature of their faith. '"Be not conformed to this world," is as plain a command as is found in the scriptures of Divine Truth. "Ye are not of this world, " said the Savior, " for if ye were of this world the world would love its own. " The breth¬ ren use great plainness in their dress. They discard all jewelry and unnecessary decoration of the perishing body, for these are the offspring of, and, but minister to, human vanity and human pride.

We are also forbidden in God's word, to put on costly array. The indulgence in this sin, by professing Christians, keeps hundreds of poor people away from the house of God. This, no observant person, familiar with the pride and display manifested in the attendance upon the fashion¬ able and worldly churches of the day, can deny. Plainness, simplicity, the entire absence of all ostentation and display in the house of God, are characteristic features of the brethren church. Not only so, but the same principle is inculcated in regard to their private dwellings, and in all that pertains to their daily life. Fine houses, showy carriages, rich and costly furniture, elegant and expensive carpets, unnecessary, and therefore, use¬ less paintings, pictures and articles merely ornamental in their design, are forbidden of God and condemned by His church. In short, the Brethren church seeks to be governed by God's revealed word. With the mere opinions of men about that word, however great or learned in their own estimation or in that of others, they may be, the Brethren church has but little to do.

moral reform, believing that Christ's church upon earth is sufficient to meet all the moral wants of man. Hence they do not connect themselves with temperance societies, and organizations of similar kind, believing that the Gospel of Christ is abundantly "able to save, even unto the utter¬ most, all who come unto God through Him," including even the poor, lost, wretched victim of the intoxicating bowl.

The following statement might serve as its defense: The Brethren church does not permit its members to use intoxicating drinks as a bever¬ age. It does not allow them to engage in the manufacture, or sale, of ardent spirits; nor does it grant them the privilege of selling to the distil¬ leries the grain from which the ruinous poison is made. This is the tem¬ perance record of the Brethren church. Such is a brief, but general out-

It has claims upon mankind only as it reflects the light of God's word. Whether it does this can be seen by a comparison of its faith and practice with the infallible word. "Search the scriptures!" is the command of Christ, and to this fountain of all truth the earnest seeker after light is tenderly and prayerfully directed.

There are five congregations of the Brethren in Johnson county, Missouri. Walnut Creek church is located in the northeast part of the county, four miles north of Knob Noster. It is the oldest church of the Brethren in Johnson county, having been organized sometime before the late civil war. It was, for many years, under the care of Elder Joseph Wampler, now deceased. It is now under the ministration of Bro. Camer.

The church is composed of about forty members, and the building occu¬ pied for worship, is a good, substantial brick, with a basement story.

Center View church is situated near the village of that name, six miles west of Warrensburg. It was organized about ten years ago; has about fifty members, and is under the care of Elder Andrew Hutchinson, who has served the church during the greater portion of its existence. The Center View Brethren have a good, comfortable house of worship, pro¬ vided with a basement story.

Mineral Creek church is located in the southern portion of the county* It has a large membership, about one hundred and fifty communicants. It was organized since the war, beginning its career with eight members.

This church is under the ministerial care of Elder S. S. Mohler, assisted in this office by J. M. Mohler and Elder F. Culp. It is distant from War¬ rensburg about twelve miles, and is situated in the midst of a beautiful and fertile country. The Mineral Creek Brethren have a large, commodious and comfortable frame meeting house, with a good basement story.

Holden church is situated in the south-western part of the county, south of Holden a few miles. Has a small membership, has no resident minis¬ ter, but is under the care of Elder J. S. Mohler, who resides at Clinton, Henry county, Missouri.

The Warrensburg church of the Brethren is situated two miles south of tQwn near the Clinton road. This church was organized about a year ago, with seventeen members. It is at present the youngest church in the countv, has a membership at this time of twenty-five. It is under the care of Dr. A. W. Reese, and has a comfortable housejof worship, but yet in an unfinished state.

The growth of the Brethren church in the county has not been rapid, and, under the circumstances, this could not have been expected. But its increase has been steady, and, as the peculiar doctrines and features of the church become more generally known, it is not doubted but there will be many added to the fold. May we not, then, hope that, in the coming years, through the faithful preaching of the word, many shall be " brought out of nature's darkness into the marvelous light of the gospel of Christ," and thus help to build in our midst the shining temple of our God?

The Church Of Christ

The plan of Christian union set forth by Elder Thos. Campbell did not please his presbytery; therefore they separated. About the same time the question of Christian union was warmly discussed in the states of Vir¬ ginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Elders Stone, Marshall, Thompson and Denelevy were active in this reformation.

About this time Alexander Campbell cpmpleted his literary studies at Glasgow university and came to America. Being young and active, he at once saw the beauties of the reformative movement, already inaugur¬ ated bv his father and others.

In Pennsylvania, May, 1810, Alexander Campbell preached his first sermon in America, on the text (Matt vii, 23): "Therefore everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man that built his house upon a rock," etc.

It was about a half-score of years from this time till the efficacy of this work was visible, and by 1820 the church began to be sufficiently strong to establish schools and academies.

Evangelists of the church established societies in many of the states. These congregations grew rapidly, and their progress has no parallel in the evangelical history of the world. From the two apparently feeble congregations of Washington county, Pa., in 1810, the congregations have grown to the number of upwards of 5,000, with a membership of some¬ thing more than 600,000 souls in America, besides many societies in other parts of the world. This church expends annually upwards of $12,000 for foreign missions, besides a greater amount for home missions. The church has several well endowed educational institutions in the United States.

This church was established in Missouri, cotemporary with other protestant denominations, and was rapidly advancing in numbers and wealth, up to the time when the civil war of 1861, like a Babel of confusion, scat¬ tered its members - separating frequently the pledged fraternal ties of brethren - so that they stood for five dark years, as blood-thirsty belliger¬ ent foes.

In 1866, after the dark cloud of war and strife had rolled away, a few preachers of this denomination were drawn together by Christian ties, in a state meeting to discuss what future course to take, and before that body adjourned, they had pledged $12,000 for the mission work of the state, which was successfully raised, and appropriated, and henceforth from this little state meeting of these zealous ministers, we see the present annual state conventions of the church and Sunday school workers.

The history of the Church of Christ, of Johnson county, cannot be complete in this limited sketch, for the want of proper church records, ' however, we give such information in regard to the church history as we have received from reliable sources.

Since each society and congregation will be treated more fully under the head of the township where it exists, we only give a very brief nar¬ rative of the churches of the county in general.

At present there are twelve congregations in the county, with a mem¬ bership of about 1,500. Ten church houses are owned, which are of frame material and are valued at about $20,000. The reports show seven Sunday schools with about 900 scholars enlisted. Until of late but few societies conducted and favored Sunday schools, fearing that they would be avenues in which unsound doctrine would creep into the church.

The church of Columbus antedates all others of this denomination in the county. Since this point was a sort of nucleus around which immi¬ gration gathered, here was formed one of the pioneer Christian churches which was perpetuated till 1861, when it ceased to assemble till the close of the war.

Many disciples are scattered over the country, in parts where there is no organization. Preaching is still conducted as in the early days of the church, in school houses and dwellings, where the communities are in iso¬ lation.

The Church of Christ, which commonly bears the sobriquet of Campbellite, is no longer to be classed or regarded among the insignificant denominations of the world. The time was once when these people looked upon instrumental music and costly church furniture as a species of idolatry. Then they regarded simplicity as the handmaid of Christianity. The following passage from Coll, iii, 16, consoled them in their early wor¬ ship: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teach¬ ing and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts."

Strictly speaking, the disciples are orthodox. They have no creed but the Bible. They profess to believe and practice all the doctrine taught by the Saviour and the apostles.

Sunday Schools

When the early settlers came here they found a wilderness. The Indians, the only human beings met, were not strictly a religious people* however, profanity was less known- among them than among their pale faced brethren. The pioneer preacher first sought no church building to teach the cause of righteousness^ He gathered his congregations in fam¬ ilies or in the groves. The family is a little monarchy and in it on Sab¬ bath days children were taught to observe that day. Ere churches were organized or Sunday school societies formed, the family circle took the place and became the most delightful place on earth. In the religious families the " children are like olive plants round about the table. " It was in keeping with the scripture teaching. The Lord said of Abraham: " I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judg¬ ment. " The pious mother of the amiable Timothy, esteemed it her duty to train him in the knowledge of the Holy scriptures. Small things make up the chain of life. Sometimes one little fault completely destroys its usefulness.

A brief history of the Sunday schools of the county would no doubt, be interesting to those who now teach in well organized schools of modem methods.

In Washington township as early as 1843, was organized the first Sun¬ day school at Bethel church, in the neighborhood of Judge George Gallaher, who became the first superintendent. Col. John Robinson was one of the teachers, and Rev. J. B. Morrow was pastor of the congrega¬ tion.

The methods of teaching were unlike those of to-day. The school opened with reading and prayer, and song from the old church collection of hymns. A few tough questions were asked, and the scholars required to memorize and recite verses of scripture. Sunday school songs, lesson leaves, etc., were unknown to this pioneer school, yet the determined energy of these pious Sabbath school workers planted many a divine seed-truth in the young hearts of that day, and their fruits and labors are living monuments of their piety and wisdom. At first the growth was slow, but it continued to progress till the war in 1861, when family and church ties were broken for half a decade. The political strife was a bitter blast to the Christian institutes. Many of those wounds are not healed yet, nor can time erase them.

their wasted homes. About this time immigration began to pour in from the older states. The land bore a good price, schools and churches were organized, and general prosperity in business of all kinds continued till the panic of 1873.

The changes after the war were abrupt and full of enthusiasm. By the close of the war, the Missouri Pacific railroad was completed through Johnson county and the little towns along the road filled up rapidly. The old town of Knob Noster was moved one mile south to the railroad, and old Bethel church and Sunday school were resuscitated in the new town.

The second school was organized in a log school house near where R. C. Mayes now resides, in 1857. In 1858, hard by, Mary's chapel was built, and the school taught there until the civil strife of 1861, when it became defunct and was not resuscitated till 1877, when the church build¬ ing was moved to Montserrat, where it has been successfully managed by Judge J. B. Mayes.

Schools were organized in Columbus township, also about ten years prior to the war. The Cumberland Presbyterian church was the leading factor in these early organizations. Some of the pioneer ministers that urged this cause, were Rev's. J. H. Houx, (then quite a young man,) B. F. Thomas, J. G. Dalton, Finis Witherspoon, Dr. J. L. Yantis, and J. B. Morrow.

In the year 1866, Sunday-schools began to grow up all over the country, so that by 1870, the county had a fine corps of schools. The leading men of the county in the good work, were A. W. Ridings, David Nation, H. C. Fike, Rev. J. W. Lee, Wm. Stephens, M. Shryack, Rev. S. H. McElvain, Rev. S. Finis King, J. A. Bridges, J. H. Carmichael, A. J. Sparks, Rev. I. P. Patch. Hon. F. M. Cockrell is well known in this county as one of our warmest Sunday school advocates.

Since the state Sunday school organization was effected, this county asso¬ ciation was also organized in 1876. The first annual meeting was held in Warrensburg. The second annual meeting was held in Holden, Septem¬ ber 24, 1878, with Rev. J. W. Lee, president, and A. J. Sparks, secretary pro tem . The session continued two days, and was very successful. Some of the workers present were Revs. J. E. Sharp, J. W. Wright, W. P. Paxson, Wm. Stephens, Chas. Fuller, J. W. Mouser, C. N. Wester, W. H. Reed, James Randall, Frank Russell and O. M. Stewart.

The next session was held in Knob Noster during two days, beginning March 13, 1879, with Rev. O. M. Stewart, president, and J. W. Wright, secretary. This was a profitable convention and was largely attended. The reports show an increase over the preceding year of 2,900 scholars.

The convention lasted two days; although the weather was unpleasant, a lively interest was kept up during the entire session. At this session the following officers were elected: Elder J. H. Hughes, president, Rev. S. H. McElvain, vice-president, A. J. Sparks, county secretary. During this year the progress of the schools continued to flourish. O. M. Stewart, S. H. McElvain and A. J. Sparks, were delegates to the state convention that convened in St. Joe that year.

During the year 1880, the county secretary sent out blanks and received prompt returns from most of the schools, so by January, 1881, he had all the schools in the county listed. In January, he issued the first number of the Sunday School Record , in which he laid before the people the con¬ dition of the schools.

The fifth annual convention was held in Knob Noster, Thursday, Feb¬ ruary 10, 1881. Rev. S. H. McElvain, president fro tem , and A. J. Sparks, secretary. The inclemency of the weather forbid a large attend¬ ance; however, the session was full of business and zeal for the Sunday school cause. The workers present were Dr. W. M. Prottsman, C. Cobb, J. S. Porter, J. K. Byers, John Dennison, J. S. Carmichael, B. F. Stephens, J. A. Collins, T. H. Allen, J. E. Sharp, J. A. Lord, I. P. Patch, J. Cal. Littrell.

The following is a list of the present officers: President, Rev. S. H. McElvain; vice-president, H. C. Fike; secretary and treasurer, A. J. Sparks, of Warrensburg. The following is a list of the township vicepresidents: Centerview, T. Wells; Chilhowee,J. A. Bridges; Columbus, C. A. Potterf; Grover, Henry Brant; Hazel Hill, Wm. McMahan; Kingsville, B. F. Lewis; Jackson, A. Van Ausdol; Jefferson, Sidney Jar¬ vis; Madison, I. P. Patch; Post Oak, R. L. Cathey; Rose Hill, Mr. Stilt; Simpson, James McCulery; Washington, John A. Collins; Warrens¬ burg, M. L. Bibb.

The sixth county convention will convene in Holden on Thursday before the third Sunday in April, 1882. The present officers are efficient work¬ ers and will do much to advance the Sunday school interest of the county. By the influence of the church and her Sundays, the county has a bright future. Strip her of this and a dark veil will be drawn over her face, and hide all her better qualities. Life is so precious that time lost is never gained. Life in childhood is the seedtime, and every grain sown ought to be a pious deed or a virtuous thought.