The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-29

In the historico- philosophic creed OF N.
BUCKLE, : mster;alistic physicist, deeds md
religion have no place - cansasivs slsmenfs IN
popular progress. He writes foe DsAs history
Of Civilization, and to his conceptipa I'll that
there i Of civilisation ic the progressive
knowledge and application OF physical laws.
Religion, morality, literature, ene govern
nens arc not sgents bat eeects Of eivlizasion'
and instead Of being aids to social growth are
harmful in the degree they are "prossctive."
And of these, religion is of the least conse-
ensncs - one Of the products Of mans devel>
opement as an enabling force; and Of the
moro positive harm ~ il u tho moro srbitrs'
rily protective.
And having settled that TO his satisfaction
Mr.. Buckle, makes historic system for the
skeptical few tho convictions Of the non
speculative, but common sense, many viii
continue to coufrn their belief 10 religions
and 10 churches a. . positive powerin mould
ing communities into the highest types OF
social, moral and intellectual life. In this
Western country where nation has been
built up In century BY muscle, and where
men have had the fullest physical training, Il
has been ministers and chnrches following
the extension Of the social lines, and keeping
pace with the growth Southwark and Vest
ward of communities and States, that have
added nobler element 70 mems physical
education, and given TO our society Whatever
il he's Of quiet, stability, moral tone sad In
| tellectuA culture.
In our own city religious organizations fol-.
lowed early with the settlers, and We have
seen how, in nearly every case, the churches
we're formed long before the young societies
were able to erect houses for worship.
The WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN Church
of Keokuk, is no exception to the case rev
marked 1t was organized June LIST 1851,
and Was without a church edi6ce for more
than year. The original organization in
cluded fifteen members, one ruling Elder and
was called at the time the First Presbyterian
| Church Of Keokuk; subsequently chang.
ed to WESTMINSTER. The former
designation more properly belonged to the
Fourth street church of which Rev. Mr..
| CRITTESpEs is pastor. The organization took
place under the ministerial supervision OF
| Rev. James Sharon and Rev. J. G.. Wilson.
We copy the original membership in the rec
ord now before us: VIM G. Terrence, Thorn.
rs Martin, Elizabeth Martin john Borland,
Mary Borland; Mrs. Mary Ann Creel, Ms.
| Mary Stotts, Mrs. Louisa Davis Marshall
| Mrs P. Lowe, Mrs. NJ. Johnston, Harry Gill.
more; Nancy Gilmore Mrs. Nancy Martin ;
/ VIM. Patterson: Mrs. Eleanor Patterson.
Col William Patterson was chosen ruling
elder in the organization of the church. Rev,
Jonn Cummings was the first pastor. By an
entrance in the Sessions record it appears tina,
he died in February, 1862. In October,
1852, he was succeeded by Rev. Justus T..
| umsted. The Sessions record shows a con
slant and rapid growth in the membership Of
the church. In December, 1853, Hon. q.
p. Lowe and Silas Williams were made elder
in the church. In the record for June, 1865,
is this entry: "a The installation Of the Rev.
Justus Umsted, as Pastor Of the Wes,minste,
Church took place on the first Sabbath in
June (Sdl, 1855. Rev. Jeptha Harrison, D.
D., presided, preached the sermon and gave
the charge to the people. Rev. Salmon
Cowles delivered the charge to the Pastor
Rev. D. v. Smock, of the Presbytery a. De.
Moines. being present, took part in the devo
tional exercises Of the OCCASION" July %
1857, Messrs. 81. D. Woodward, VIM. Thomp
son and l.. j. Adams, were elected ruling
elders in the church. On the same day Jno
+. Ficklin s. Cady, ]. P. Harrison, d. f.
Humphrey and James Johnston were elected
deacons. The last entry made by Unsted
is of the Session, September 3Oth, 1858. A,
the January meeting, 1859, Rev. j. L. Mckee
of Kentucky, acted as Moderator. He con
tinued here for some time. In November
1862, Rev. Mr.. CRAia, the present minister
took pastoral charge of the church.
The present church building is on 7th
street, between Main and Blondeau. 1t wal
dedicated by Rev. Mr.. Umsted on the I'd
Sabbath in November 1856. In external APP
pearance it is no ornament to the church ar
chitecture Of the city. The Societyis in 9
prosperous condition. Rev. Mr.. CRAIG is an
indefaiigabis worker, a finely cultivated
scholar, and very forcibe and attractive
speaker.
The Sabbath School is largely attended
having fine array of scholars and good
force of teachers. The society hopes to cree,
ere long.