The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-06-16
Tile Way OF THE WORLD.
Another "OId Timer Gives Way q
the March of Improvement.

For more than year attempts have
for the erection of a new Methodist
church in this city. Last year several
thousand dollars were raised for the
purpose, but owing to other improve
ments then on foot, and other causes,
that attempt failed, or rather stock a
nap till the present spring. After a
good deal of "fuss and feathers" the work
of raising the money, and what was
harder, agreeing upon plan for the
structure, got warmed up" and after an
earnest effort on the part of the pastor
and several jealous members of the
church, including some of the ladies,
the effort was pronounced a "sure thing"
for 1881. The $4,000 necessary 10 COM
| mence on was raised. So
Monday morning James b. Hink-
lie. who has Methodist leanlngs,
was put in charge of men who commenc-
ed the work of tearing down the old
structure. While all who have any inter
est in the growth of the denomination
are glad to see it give way for new
one, there are many hallOwed associa-
tions connected with it that assume ten
der and sacred memories. Those who
have sat under tie ''drippings of the
sanctuary there for so many years, and
have enjoyed the influences of the "still
small voice" that their faith leads them
to believe comes from IL source higher
than earth; those who have witnessed
the conversion of many souls within its
walls. and whose thankful songs have
welled up TO the habitations of the
saints those who have followed the gay
throng there TO witness the marriage
ceremony of friends and relatives; those
who have performed the last sad rites
over the remains of those dearer to them
than all else on earth, can but eXper-
fence the awakening of the tenderer
and more sacred emotions of their
natures as they see the walls of the old
church going down. There 1t has stood
for eighteen eventful years as their rem
devious for worship. Had there been
anything but inartistic ugliness about
the old, squatty rock pile, it
would be an easier task
TO grow sentimental over its disap-
pearance, but as it is there is nothing
to awaken regret over the work of raze-
ing. Nothing but the memories de-
scribed above are touched, and these can
be as sacredly treasured in the heart
without the old building as with it.
All turn to the more pleasing and
cheerful picture which will stand in
the place of the old one, when the new
building is completed, which will prob
ably be some time next winter.
We presume a few facts connected
with the history of the old church will
not be uninteresting. 1t may be said of
those who erected the old building
amid all their poverty and hardships:
aye rais'd these hallowed walls; the desert
smil'd,
And paradise was opened in the wild"
We talk about tie difficulties of build
ing now. This church was undertaken
when there was probably not man in
Emporia worth $4,000 net 1t cost, at
that time, in the ncighborhood of $4,000.
The work was first begun in 1860. The
Methodists were few in number and
poor. On the 18th of May, of that year,
an advertisement appeared inviting bids
for the work. The committee, of which
j. B. Cox, at last accounts in Ohio, was
chairman, and j. N. Rankin, now a
Christian elder at Burlington, Kansas,
was secretary, gave notice that the con-
tracts "would be paid two thirds in
money, and One-third in good trade"
j. G. Fraker was the preacher
on the circuit. In the fall
of that year he made n begging tour
through the east in behalf of the church.
The walls were putup some ten OF twelve
feet that year, the masonry being done
by MIR. Burt, who, in 1861, was killed at
the battle of Springfield, Mo. Owing
to the celebrated drouth of that year and
the war, the work rested. At the quar-.
terly conference in June, 1861, p. B.
Plumb, now senator, J. r. Swallow
lately deceased at Topeka, and DIR. j. F
Newlin, who afterwards was one of the
founders of OswegO, Kansas, where he
died some years ago, were added to the
building committee, and a new effort
was made to complete the church. Little
was accomplished. In 1861 Rev. John
McAnulty, still member of the confer.
ence, and now of Coyville, Wilson coun
ty, was upon the circuit. In 1862 Rev
J. w. Stewart came here, and the effort
to complete the building was pushed
with considerable vigOr. J. G.. Fraker
Thomas Murdoch and Stewart were the
building committee. More work was
done. Stewart was returned to EmpO
ria by the next conference, but got into
difficulties which were anything but
creditable to a minister, and was com
PEELED to leave in June. HIS place wal
taken by Rev. l. NJ. Earnhart, who
preached here and at Council Grove
The building was enclosed in 1868, anC
used, with temporary seats, and we think
without plastcring. The building wa.
used a good deal for public meetings
We remember attending a meeting
there at which one of the early agricul
tural societies was organized, in which
the late II. H. Abraham, and DaviC
Plumb, father of Senator Plumb, figuret
conspicuously.
April 20th, 1854, the first festival eve
held in the church was given by the lad
les of the congregation. They realizes
, $50 net, which went TO furnish the new
building. The marble slab which orna
ments ~ the front of the old building
and announces the words, erected il
1863" was donated by a Leavenwortl
{ friend. The stone work was finished b
Richard Howe, still here. The create
, part of the carpenter work was done b
j. c. Fraker, while the finishing, seat
ETC., were done by John Hammond, VIII
is still a resident of Emporia. The pla!
9 tering was done by j. v. Randolph an
James Means, and the painting by Ges
d. Cooper, all still residents here. o
the Goth of June, 1854, the church wa
D dedicated by Rev. D. P. Mitchell, the
t of Leavenworth, now of Topeka. Til
denomination at once gained permi
; nent foot hold here and grew and pro
pered. In 1865 Rev. F. D. 10y, then 4
now of Americas, was sent 10 this plaC
by the u. E. conference.
n In 1866 Emporia was made station
and J. II. Leard was put in charge. I'll
e same year the name of the district wa
changed to Emporia. He was folloWe
) the next year by s. E. MacBurney, VII
e was one of the ablest ministers in Ii
conference, but who lacked judgmeI
Ie and became embroiled in personal di
At ficulties, as well as in the female sufffaG