The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-12-28

bAClIeUlSllts VIII ANCiJ lhiO""SNN '"
were then called new measures, A
mourners bench was established to which
inauirers wereinvited. Many were deep
ly affected, aad cried out "What mus |
| do to be saved 2" Others were distressed
because they could not feel as they
thought they ought to feel. Many expe'
rienced real change in heart and re-
ioiced in hope. Others came ont with
strong protesIations of loyalty TO Christ
who alterwsrd proved more hardened
in than before. Out of more than lOO
who professed confession, the names oi
only SO appear on the Manual as joining
in lS4l. Doubtless a goodly number
united with other churches, and some
names may have been lost, but the sad
fact remains, that many who were under
conviction, failed to savingly embrace
Christ,
Mr.. Reeves remained but few months
after the close of the protracted meeting.
Why he left the field is not exactly
known; but it was suspected that many
of the new converts were not satisfied
with his calm and practical manner of
preachinL after the excitement of Mr.,
Avery's method, and hearing this he re-
| tired.
He was succeeded in 1S4l by Rev. s.
F. Porter, who remained two years,
During his term there was an accession of
10 members, and John p. Harley was
made an Elder.
Mr. Porter was a faithful preacher, a
kind and loving pastor He was a very
plain man, and did net hesitate to lend a
hand at physical labor. This plainness
did not suit the aristocratiC portion of the
congregation, and he, anticipating COM
ing enlargement, concluded to act on
Solomon's maxim-"A prudent man fore
seeth the evil and hideth HIMSELF" and
so took up his departure.
Immediately after, The church upon
the recommendation Of DR.. Riddle, of
Pittsburgh, invited Rev. W. W, Taylor, of
Greensburgh, Pa, to be ONE their pastor.
Mr.. Taylor had been educated under con-
gregational influences, and strongly sym
pathized with the new school branch of
the Presbyterian Church. He accepted
the invitation of the church upon condi-
tiOn that they would cordially consent to
union with the new school branch. This
they readily complied with, and Mr..
Taylor began his lahors in May, l843.
The church at that time was under the
care of the Presbytery of Portage. The
Elders were William Herrick and Alex
ander Bierce.
In lS45 the church edifce was remod
eled and thoroughly repaired The old
pulpit and seats were removed, and tur-
niture of more modern style substituted;
making the place more inviting and com
Portable for worship While repairs were
being made in the church, Mr.. Taylor
preached in the Court House, morning
and evening. 1t was given out, that he
would on a certain Sabbath evening
preach in defence of Protestanusm and
against the assumptions and changes Of
Catholicism. Rev. Father Doherty, of
the English Catholic Church was present.
and at t e close of the meeting, everv-
body present was startled at heari ghim
announce in sharp, distinct voice, that
he would reply to the discourse on next
evening. As might be excepted there
was a crowded house. Mr.. Taylor made
rejoinder the next Sabbath evening, and
Father Doherty replied during some
evening of the week, and so it was kept
up for several months, ending as do most
religious discussions, without anything
being gained on either side.
During Mr.. Taylor's pastorate of three
years aud six months, the additions on
professions were 8 by letter IL, total 20;
while the losses were 2S-26 by dismis-
sal, and 2 by suspensions. at this time
the membership was reported al 72. The
Sabbath School was regularly maintained
having an average of II teachers, and 80
scholars.
In 1916, Rev. L. Buckingham became
pastor. In his sermon preached on the
25th anniversary of his ministry in Can
ton, which was published, he says, 81
found the church we k, the congregation
small and with downward. tendency
Owing TO causes, which need not detail,
there was not that unanimily of feeling,
that cordial cooperation in efforts to do
good which are SO essential TO make
the work of minister pleasant
and successful" As he labored on, how
ever, he was permitted to see these feuds
in some measure pass away, and a better
spirit of work prevail.
In 1850, belfry go feet high was at
tached TO the church edifce, in which a
bell was hung of 1000 pounds weight.
The cost ofthese improvements was near
ST. 800
In 1857, George Williams was made
an Elder The same year the church was
under the title of THE First |
Presbyterian Church of Canton, Ohio"
An unusual religious interest prevail d |
about that time resulting in the addition
of IA to membership by profession The
same year the Treasurer acknowledged |
the receipt of Sl97 66, legacy from Mrs.
Armstrong, deceased.
In 1858, the Parsonage was erected at
a cost of S2,2O0.00, The average attend
ance in the Sunday School at this time
was 75 1857. Peter Housed installed El- |
der; 1858 John F. Reynolds and An
drew w. Richards. In 1859. $3.50 were
expended in the construction of fence
around the grounds and laying pave
ments
When the war of the rebellion broke
ouj, the utterances of the pastor were
clear and decided in the support of the
Government. As expressive of his SEN
timents at the time he gave utterance to
these noble words, "If ever refuse to
plead the cause of oppressed and crushed
humanity, black or white, or to speak
against the schemes and efforts of those
who would overthrow the institutions a. +
my country, may my tongue cleave to the
roof of my mouth" This position was
steadfastly maintained, Notwithstanding
the displeasure of some of his congrega-
ton was thereby incurred.
In 1885, there was season of increas-
ed religious interest experienced, result
ing in some 10 accessions to the church
on profession. Same year A w. Ballard
and John F Clark were elected to the
Eldership. That year measures were
taken for the erection of new church
edifce. Committees were appointed to
solicit subscriptions. The amount to be
raiend waa fYpd at S20 000 plana and