Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-08-13
Religion in the West End of Iron
County.

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Religion in the West End Of Iron
County.
The readers of the REGISTER were
told some time ago that Rev. Warren
was about to organize a Methodist
church on the Middle Fork. The time
fixed for the organization passed, and
its occurrence is problematical. In
dividuality, which is a disposition in
everybody to keep away from every
body else. will make it difficult to hold
old congregations together, and still
more so to form new ones.
1t will probably be safe ID regard the
organization above referred to as in
definitely postponed.
The strongest religious organization
in this region is the United Baptist
church at Goodland. The church
house originally stood on hill, and the
congregation was called Mount Pleas
ant. It still retains that name, al
though the church is located near the
creek. Mainly by the exertions of the
Adams family small house of wor-
ship was built. Although the writer
has preached among them great deal,
and knows personally almost every
member of the congregation yet he has
not been able to discover why they are
called UNITED BAPTIsTs, or what par
ticular streak of the Baptist faith they
represent.
Much of our sectarianism is like the
Schleswig- Holstein question, which
forty years ago produced a short rip
pie on European politics..
A diplomat was asked what that
question was and answered. "There
never were but two nen in Europe
who completely understood that ques-
ton, another man and myself. The
other man is dead, and ] have forgot
ten all about it," Much of our sectar-
ianism arose originally from personal
pique and spite, as the New England
States are all small because no two of
the Pilgrim bosses could agree togeth-
er. The United Baptists are inflexible
in demanding baptism by immersion
iu order to mem bership in their church.
But in regard to the LORDS Supper
they hold that the expression. Let
man examine himself and SO let him
eat of that bread and drink of that
cup, as making each man a judge of
his own fitness to commune. Your
correspondent has never communed
with them in the bread and wine. AL
though he is not an advocate of what
is called close communion, he regards
that as too open.
From the commencement of the
history of the church the ministry has
vested almost entirely in the Adams
family. There are now about eighty
members in connection with the con-
gregation. The fourth Sabbath of July
and Saturday preceding is the time of
their annual meeting, and Is the time
for religious and social reunion of all
the members.
On the present occasion, on Satur-
day, thirty persons assembled at the
church. After singing, led by Elder
John r. Adams, Rev. James Bowen
led in prayer, aud Rev. Morris Adams
announced as his text, Romans 8, %:
For there is no difference. He showed
at considerable length that God saves
~, r,o, l., tho Co,oo uuv and nm tho
same terms. He was followed by Ed
er John R. Adams in good exhorta-
ton to Christian activity.
A busines meeting was held in
which 1t was ordered that Elder John
R. Adams preach at night on Feet
Washing, and that that ordinance be
attended to.
No new members were received.
Your correspondent did not attend
at night.
On Sabbath morning about one hun
dred and fifty persons assembled. Serv-
ices were opened by singing. followed
by prayer offered by Elder J. r. Ad-
ans, and then a discourse by Rev.
James Bowen, followed by an exhorta-
ton by Rev. Morris Adams. Then the
minister in charge stated the doctrine
of the church on the Communion Of
Saints.
After a short recess the Supper was
observed and the meeting was dis
missed.
The audience was orderly through
out.
Our United Baptist brethren are 60
ing in the right direction and your
correspondent wishes to aid them in
every good work.
Their church organization is very
simple, and the Central Missouri As
sociation is composed of men who meet
for business and attend to whatever
comes before them in a prompt, digni-
fed, and decorous manner.