The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-06-09
1.-THE Cambrian.1
Historical Sketch of the Calvinistic Meth
Odist Churches of Jackson and
Gallia Counties, Ohio.
BY HON. T. L. HUGHES.

This great settlement was begun
nearly seventy years ago. The first
settlers were Evan Evans, John Evans,
Timothy Jones, and few other fam
lilies from Cardiganshire. A few fam
lilies from Old Virginia had preceded
them. The hills and small valleys
were, at that time, an unbroken will
derness. But about the years 1886,
and 1887, immigrants from Cardigan
shire began to pour in, and to scatter
through the woods for nearly twenty
miles in diameter, until gradually the
whole country was filled with small
farmers.
The great majority Of these families
were Calvinistic Methodists from the
neighborhood Of Llangeitho, Treg-
areg, and Aberystwyth; and, as has al
ways been the custom with the Welsh
people who have left their Father
land, the first thing-after erecting
some sort of cabin in which to shell
ter their families-was to erect little
better one, in some central place, in
which they would meet on the Sab
bath days to worship the God of their
Fathers, by holding prayer-meeting,
and their loved Sabbath School. Oc-
casionally, there would be sermon, if
one could be gotten from some minis
ter who should happen to visit them
on his journey; and great would be
the welcome with which such visitor
would be greeted however limited his
abilities. In this way they would en-
joy themselves excellently, and soothe
their sorrow and longing for their be-
loved homes in Wales. The first
Chapel, as they called these log-cabins,
erected and consecrated to the wor-
ship of God, was ''Moriah" midway
between Oak-Hill and Centerville.
This was about the year 1888. AS
number Of families would buy land
here and there-at distance from
"The Temple on Mt. Moriah' "a Tab
ernacle would be erected at each place
for their convenience. Among the
first of these were Soar, Horeb, and
Sardis. Thus they increased, until
there were ten of them. Two Of them
have since been closed, owing to the
removal of the members-many of
them to Heaven, doubtless, and others
to different parts. of the world. There
are eight still remaining-the mem
bership ranging from 40 to 10. The
total membership in them all, is, in
the neighborhood of 800. Six of the
Chapels are now beautiful white frame
buildings, and two are brick. One of
these was erected in Oak Hill, in the
year 1875, at a cost of more than
$4,000
Religious services consisting of
preaching, Sunday School and prayer
meeting held in these every week
and winter-without inter
There are now preachers minister
ing to these churches; and all, but
one, raised in this settlement, through
the instrumentality of the Sunday
School. Is it to be wondered at that
these people greatly love the Sunday
School?
These 9 preachers officiate, each one
in his turn, to each of the eight
churches; so that the congregations
the benefit of the variety there is in
their preaching, and in their admins
tration of the sacred ordinances,-
which the churches appreciate and
greatly enjoy.
Between the Congregationalists and
the Methodists, over $50, 900 have been
sent, in donations, to the American
Bible Society in New York. Is not
this the most fruitful field which that
beloved society has in any portion of
the earth? This colony is wealthy
now compared with what it was in the
There are many Iron
Furnaces in it, and railroad and
daily mails running through it. The
people are contented and industrious,
and the great majority Of the Welsh
people are protesting Christians.