Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-04-24
FROM BURGH HILL.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

The Methodist church has perhaps,
increased in numbers and wealth, more
rapidly than any other church in our
midst. Within about thirteen miles
of the place where Mr.. Obed Crosby
organized the first class on the Western
Reserve, there are now the following
meetin-houses, owned by the NJ. E.
church: Vienna, Hubbard, Brook
field, Sharon, Sharpsburgh, Clarksville,
Greenville, Leach settlement, South
Salem, jamestown, State Road, Jesse
Smiths, Williamsfeld, Kinsman, Gus
tavus, York Street, Mecca. Fowler,
Baconsburgh, Hartford, Brockway
Mills, ,OrangeYille, and an interest in the
brick church at the center of Vernon,
making in all twenty-three without the
brick. In 1885 went to fill some ap-
pointments for John j. Steadman.
(preacher in charge of the then six
weeks Warren circuit and found the
preaching places as follows: Warren,
on Sunday in the forenoon, once in two
weeks, in the old Court House. Brace
vile the same, only in small log meet
ing house, and the only church we
then owned on the entire charge, which
included, Southington, Newton Falls,
Lordstown, Rowland, Vienna, Brook
field, Sharon, Hartford, Vernon, Fow-
Ter, Bazetta and Champion. 1 now
count on this same territory fifteen
Methodist Episcopal churches.
In the days of our boy-hood we usu-
ally attended the Presbyterian church
at the centre of Vernon, and heard the
Rev. Harvey Coe preach two good SER
mons, with a short intermission be-
tween, giving the children chance to
stir little and eat a cracker or so, and
the women time (if in cold weather) to
get their Yankee foot stoves tiled with
fresh, live Goals from some nearby fire
place. This was the only mode of warm
ing churches in those days. Those who
had these stoves were expected to be
neighborly with those who had them
not, and as quietly as possible pass
around the little stoves. All meetings
were conducted with the greatest So
lemnity and decorum. The congre-
cations were quite large and attentive.
The singing was good from the gallery,
and mostly performed by the Asa
Haynes family, assisted by Giles NJ.
Atkins, Lyman j. Allen and other good
singers. Here l went to Sabbath School
for the first time, and here l may say,
Ireceiyed my first religious imp. essions.
Well do remember how Deacon Sam
uel Sutliff and others, used to hold
Deacon meetings." when Mr.. Coe was
not present. This consisted of singing,
praying, serious remarks, and reading
a sermon by some one invited by the
Deacon. l feel a degree of sadness
when l think of the changes that have
taken place since that time. As go
there to church now, l see few and
only few of Mr.. Goes congregation.
Mrs. Coe, Miss Charlotte Smith, Hor-
ace Bates, Sullivan j. Allen and wife,
John Thompson and wife, Lyman j.
Allen, Mrs Erastus Chapman, and some
times few others; but where are the
majority? Alas gone to the grave,
and l too must soon be there. hope
to be ready.
The regular Baptist church had some
thing to do in planting the church of
Christ in this once wilderness country,
but my information in regard to them
is SO limited, that fear shall do them
injustice if l attempt to give any thing
of their history. find the following in
Mr.. Badgers book, which shows the
christian union in those times.
Tuesday, rode to Warren; had a
conference with q number, until mid
night, on the subject of Gods covenant
with Abraham. l am driven into this
subject by the sectarian spirit of the
Baptists; they moot the subject of I'M
mersion as soon as people begin to
think"
In my recollection there was much
warm debate, and some Throwing
clubs" as 1t was called in preaching
Ali true christians will rejoice at any
signs of real union. 1t is possible how
ever, for professed christians to be so
cold and luke warm in the service OF
God, as to feel little or no interest IN
ana thing that pertains to church. In
such a case, of course there is union.
l once heard of a brother, who said OF
the town where he lived, 1--WE are all
united there" for said he, 1--WE are all
frozen together. u II.