The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-03-07
Editorial Correspondence.
MADISON, Feb. 9th 1861
Madison Churches and ministers.

iouF udyb, Il nave thought passing notice OF Mad
ison churches and ministers, might be acceptable
to some of the readers of the Telegraph. Those
who have not taste for this kind Of reading can
pass this article over, and turn to something else.
The Methodists have n respectable brick church
surmounted with steeple, but no bell, The
walls OF their church edifce, were erected over a
dozen years ago. but the building was not com.
pleted until some years after. The Rev. Mr.. Yo-
eum 10 at present the setioned preacher; he is be-
tween fifty and sixty years of age, andis evident
ly kind hearted fatherly and well disposed
christian gentleman The members of this
church preserve some Of the primitive
practises Of the denomination, more fully
than is found in most churches of this order
at the present time. The responses of the con.
gregation 10 the leaders in prayer. are quite fire.
q0ent and animated-sometimes making the
church ring. One hardly ever attends church in
strange place, without being attracted to some
incident so here a few sabbaihs since, the preach
err in the opening services, engaged in an earnest
supplication to the Lord to stand by the new Pres
dent, QLincolnl and endow him with neodfuI wis
dom; then turning thetheme Of his prayer to "OId
| Buck invoked thee Lord after this sort:-s'O
Lord forgive his follies, and bring him to repen
taDce-whereupon good brother in the corner.
responded amen, with such hearty good will
as TO provoke general smile. This incident. is
by no means mentioned by way of criticism; the
prayer ofthe preacher and the emphatic response
ofthe brother, were evidences of honest. out spo
ken christian men, The methodist church at
Madison, is now. in the midst of religious
revival
The Baptist denomination in Madison, have
fine su bstantial brick church costing 81 900, in
Guiding tic lot; the building has a well proper
tioued steeple, and is furnished with bell The
basement Of the church, is appropriated to the
use oftho State Historical Society The people
Of Madison are largely indebted to Rev. Mr. D..
! Miller. for this church edifce. Rev Mr.. Miller
came t. Madison some eight years ago, and after
having collected small congregation, immediate
lyset about the building of church: he advanc-
ed considerable sums from his private means, and
in due time the edifce was completed. Rev Dr.
Brisbane is the present pastor of the church; he
is one of the most talented and eloquent preach.
ers of the Baptist denomination in the State; q
brief outline Of his history will be found interest
ing
DIR. Brisbane is a native Of Charleston, South
Carolina, he was educated in northern college.
lie inherited from an uncle plantation stocked
with thirty slaves. After possessing his slaves a
short time, he began to have scruples of con
science as to the right of chattel slavery; he ac-
oordingly sold his saves-came north to Cincin.
natl where he was settled pastor over the first
Baptist church in that city. Dr. B. however soon
became dissatisfied with himself for having sold
III. /.
turned Soath-bo ght back his former slaves at
an expense of 81 coo; took them to Ohio, and set
tied them on land which he paid for. The events
which followed the settlement of these slaves in
Ohio, are interesting, but cannot well be narrated
in short newspaper article. DR. B, subsequent
lytook the field as antislavery lecturer; he al
SO published monthly anti-slavery paper, call
ed the Crisis, which was scattered broadcast oy.
er the country, principally at his own expense
Since the organization of the Republican porty
he has been one Gifts most efficient laborers
DR.. brisbane draws respectable congregatio ns
and the church under his ministrations appears IN
he in prosperous condition Some of the old
practices are persisted in, by the people worship
ing in this church; when the choir begins to- sing
the congregation rise-turn around, and .'faee tbe
music" when the hymn closes, the people b,
another military movement, Fright about face,
and = it down. This is all well enough. provided
the singing is regarded as a mere display, or ex
hibition of musical skill, but if the singing be re
garded as a tuly devotional exercise, then these
different positions are questionable
The Presbyterian Church odd scbc oil ha,
quite respectable church edifee-havinga tor
or nd hall
tor Of the church, some eight or ten vars. ard bv
general consent, is admitted to be talsnte,
preachers his friends claim that he has no superi
or IN the State The most remarkable character
stics ef his digcourses, are descriptive power ane
thrilling narrative He invests his discourse
with the interest of romance, or an exciting ad
= venture. These pleasing methods, he employs
for The illustrate on and enforcement Of great prin
ciples and truths 1t is SAID Rev. Mr. Greer
draws maay he arers who have no fellowship will
many of his peculiar views; they attend upon hi.
minisirations, because they ike to heura talent
ed preacher. He is Kentucllian and seems &c
have inherited the southern bible view of slavery
his notions this question sometimes find way
into his sermons. Moreover it is said, he come
times feels it bis duty to preach against the total
"DotiAtHCt u Intoxicating uflikS.
The peculiarties Of the services in this church
in common with the old school are that the con.
gregation stand during prayer, and sit VIII lie sing
ing Congregational singing is more fully real
lied in Mr.. Greens church than any other in
Madison.
The Episcopaiians have the best church edifce
In Madison. Il is large the walls are of cut stone
and the style Of the architecture of course gothic
The tower at one Of the angles, is for tae present
only raised to the level of the roof of the main
building; whom this shall be completed according
TO the original design, the church i'll present an
| imposing appearance, unsurpassed by any in the
State, L e internal arrangements are convep.
lent Tor the congregations the asles are broad the
slips roomy ,atfordirg ample space for almost any
required circumference ofladies hoops. The cost
OF the building including lot is over $50, GOO.
; The Rev. Mr.. Briton, rector of this church is
mucc esteemed by the different denominations in
the city lie is liberal inhis views end extends
all the courteses to the ministers of the other de
nominations, that the rules ana discipline of his
own church organization, will possibly tolerate
) There are some good voices in the choir of the
Episcopal church, and the chants are. rendered
: with pleasing effect.
The Unitarian Society, worship in the old Con
gregational church; this is wooden building.
and was the first church ediice built in Madison.
Key. Mr. Mason is the officiating clergymoni he
is gentlemen of more than ordinary ability, and
otrather pleasing pulpit manners. His style is
impressive, the pathetic and the sublime, are hi
especial forte The pecu.iarity of worship in this
church, ID the pse of a liturgy. The liturgy useo
proceeding the delivery of the sermon, is only
ABOUT one third tie length of that employees in the
Episcopal church. The minister prays extsmpore
therefore the services may properly be termed
mixed and part liturgcal or part extempore This
variety is calculated to impress strangers favor
ablyi especially such as have not been educated
TO the Episcopa. form, and who have z dis.ase