The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-06

If he church, and from such Living
testimony as was within his reach.
Doubtless many interesting items have
been omitted for want Of a knowledge Of
them. Some inaccuracies also may &C.
cur in dates and figures, nothing, how
ever, 10 interfere with the general state
ment OF facts. .-s-.. .4.l
The Baptist Church was organized in
Martins Ferry in 1886, with six members,
who had been gathered together by Rev.
Thomas NJ. Erwin, who in the spring OF
the above year, under appointment Of the
Ohio Baptist State Convention, visited
Wheeling, Bridgeport and Martins Fer
ry. Rev. Ewing says at this time there was
no organization OF our denomination in
Ill this region, except small interest in
Wheeling. The nearest Baptist Church
TO the Ohio river in Belmont county be-
ing Saltwater or Rock Hill. ,is.
AFTER Waiting the above places . few
times I was led 10 fix on Martins Ferry
as the point for regular preaching. The
Methodists at the timehad small organ,
iIation in the town, worshipping in pri-
yate dwellings, for as yet there was no
meeting house Of any description in the
place. An old dingy school house 1.-THE
only public building in the town was
held by the Methodists and Baptists as a
kind Of reserved fort, and used only when
nothing else could be obtainedP q.
It was in this school house that the Bap-
tist Church was publicly organized in De.
cembcr, 1896. The following ministerial
brethren were present on the occasion:
Elders, George c. Sedwick, ST., K. F. Sed-
wick and T. N. Erwin. Elder g. G. Sed-
wick was appointed Moderator. He
preached the organization sermon, and
extended in behalf Of the council the
right hand Of fellowship to. Mr.. William
Callahan in behalf Of the Church. -
The following are the names Of the con-
stituent members: William Callahan,
Ann Callahan, John Davis, Elizabeth Da.
Wis, John Dakin and Mary Dakin. Rev.
7. N. Erwin was at the same meeting In
stalled Pastor, VIM. Callahan was Or
dained Deacon, and John Davis appoint
cd Clerk. -
Mr.. Erwin says: AT first but few at
tended pulpit preaching, but by degrees
the attendance increased, and many in
the community became interested In the
truth. God blessed his work, and many
precious souls were converted. Butnow
began the struggle on the part Of the con.
verts, TO break away from their former
associations, and in the very face otoppOsi-
ton TO identify themselves with the little
Baptist church. However many did SO,
and their example Of fidelity to Christ
and truth was blessed in inducing others
to Join their ranks"
The church at this time felt the need
Of Westinghouse, and although limited
in the wealth Of the world, they we're all
willing to do what they could. The late
Mr.. Ebenezer Martin generously donated
a lot on Third, between Locust and Hicko-
ry streets, and others in the community
responded 10 the effort. But unfortunate
" this was made about the financial
crash OF 1SS9-l0, which rendered the COL
lection Of funds quite difficult Mr.. En-
win made q trip TO the East for the pur-
pose Of getting aid, but failed from the
above cause. Much credit is due.to Mr..
Callahan, who now resides in the State OF
Indiana, for his energy and sacrifice in
carrying forward the work OF the meet
ing.house. The church grew stead
lily, under the pastorate Of Mr.. En-
win, for several years. They entered
their house Of worship in 1870 with
heavy debt standing against it. During
the labors Of Mr.. Erwin with this church
which was for one-han OF his time only,
We find the following record: Additions
to the church by baptism, ffty.one; by
letter, eight; by experience, 4. In March,
1912, Rev. Erwin left the field, having
served as pastor for five years. He was
succeeded by the Rev. William Wads.
worth, who was member Of the church,
and had been ordained by the same. He
was called to its pastorate in April, 1912.
Brother Wadsworth first belonged to the
Cumberland Presbyterians Fnd was pur-
suing course Of study in that denomi-
nation preparatory TO the work OF the
ministry, and whilst engaged thussin
studying the scriptures-as in the case Of
Judson, Tucken and other-he became a
Baptist. lie is spoken OF by those who
knew him as man who possessed su.
perior talents, an excellent preacher, and
good christian. But because OF some
unhappy domestic discrepancies his in
hucnce as minister was crippled and at-
ter serving the church as pastor for six
months he resigned his charge and moved
to Illinois, where he soon afterwards
died, lit is said) "a poor broken.hearted
man." There were added to the church
six persons by baptism during his term
OF service. #.s..l .-..-,
After the resignation Of Mr.. Wads-
worth the ReY. William Callahan was, In
November, 1913, called TO the spiritual
oversight Of the church. He was an earn
est and devoted man. He was first elect
ed deacon, then licensed to preach, and
then ordained by this church. He is
still living in Indiana, we'll stricken In
years. After serving as pastor for three
months he resigned. We find some addi-
tions to the church during his labors; by
baptism 4. |
bark days filed up the two years i'm.
mediately succeeding the termination OF
Rev. Erwin's pastorate. From January,
1874, the church was mostly destitute Of
pastoral labor, enjoying but occasional,
visits from ministerial brethren, and a
protracted meeting, held by Elders Stone
and Mayberry. The results Of this meet
ing, according 10 the records were; Bap.
TIED, 8; received by letter, 1. In Janu.
airy. 1874 Rev. David Cell assumed the
pastoral care OF the church, for ope-half
OF his time, and served in that capacity
for the term Of four years. The church
waded through deep waters Of financial
embarrassment and vexations during
much, II not all. Of Rev. Cells pastorate.
This OF course, as it always does, Grip.
pied his usefulness, and defeated his
otherwise faithful and efficient efforts.
Notwithstanding this, many were added
to the church. The records show addi-
lions by baptism, forty; by letter, twenty.
one. Rev. Cell was faithful pastor and
q good man. His name disappears from
the record in 1S4S, and from February Of
said date till September, 1s49, a period OF
some eighteen or nineteen months, the
records Of the church were not kept. In
September, ls49, Rev. Edward Jones was
called and accepted the position Of pastor
OF this church. We find nothing calling
for special note during his administra.
ton. He served about two years and
six months, till March, 1852, when he re-
signed the charge Of the church. There