Omaha daily bee., 1890-02-02
EARLY DISCIPLES OF JOHN.
How They Laid Baptist Fouuda-
tions In Omaha.
SHoM kERMoTT TO LAMAR.
A Line OF Common Place, Energetic,
Capable ana Frequently Brilliant
E1pounders OF tho Bap-
list Faith.
Omaha Bnptists.
Early Baptist Ministers.

Baptist church has suffered a painful variety
in its dynasty of pastors, and, in that re-
spect, its career has been unfortunately
more checkered than that of any of her SIS
, ter churches. Providentially, the pretend
or5 have been few and the church has pros.
pered 80 that she has propagated half a
score of missions which have developed into
strong church organizations.
Rey. w. }. Kermott was the first regular
Baptist minister In Omaha. He came to this
city In the fall of 1886 from New Mexico and
renamed here four years., during which time
he organized the Baptist society aud de-
veloped 1t into q fiourishing organization.
Mr.. kermott was a man of liberal education
and a Dorm missionary. He possessed slendid
executive ability ana powers of organizing.
AS a congressman or head of some great cor
poration, he would have achieved great sue
cess, but he chose TO devote his energies TO
the nobler cause OF Christ and to accumulate
treasures that moths do not corrupt. Early
In 1870 the foundation for the present splen-
did church edifice was laid, but before MIR.
hermott had the pleasure OF seeing the
structure finished he was called away to
other fields. Since then he has been as
nightly successful in his work as he was
here, and through his efforts three or four
strong Baptist societies have been estab-
llshed In various parts of the west.
Kew. j. W.. Daniels was MIR. Kermott's
successor. He commenced his pastorate
~ Nv AAks u WIS "
> well educated man and proved q good, con-
scientious pastor. who prayed earnestly for
the salvation of mankind and enjoyed the
good will of his flock. He was about forty
He remained only until October 30, 1871.
His son, j. H. Daniels, still resides in this
city.
Rev. E. E. NJ. Burnham next flied tho
pulpit temporarily, while the people were
looking for n pastor. He preached in the
church Tor nearly a year. MIR. Burnham
was then in the prime Of life and
He was an ardent advocate of revival meet.
lnRs and was always in his sphere while
urging sinners to seek the anxious seat. He
was q gentleman Of collegiate education as
his chaste and choice diction Indicated and
was regarded as a man OF considerable talent.
He remained until March 81 of the following
year when q regular pastor was engaged,
This gentleman was known here by the
name OF Rev. j, II. Ruby. He was an actor
Dy profession and n minister only by ext
gency. He flashed upon this community
late In the year 1872 and his career, like that
OF a meteor, was brief but brilliant. His
long dramatic training upon the stage served
him in good part and a minister of more
splendid declamatory powers never presided
over q congregation In Omaha. Crowds
focked TO hear him every Sunday and
<he Baptist society was complimented on
y every side fer its good fortune in securing
such a gifted minister. Unfortunately Mr.
--ieu1J was True 10 his profession and was
only acting in his new rolo. He still retained
vices which had characterized him as a foot.
light .1avorlte possessing an overwhelming
love for WINE and other allurements. The
good people Of the church would not at first
believe the sinister reports concerning this
eloquent and earnest brother, but when his
Tue character was made manifest they be.
came shocked beyond measure and his pas.
torate suddenly terminated in May, 1878.
Rev. j. M. Donnelly of Port Huron sue.
CeeQed him and Iyus Or1aipad Capt,,,tout D
1873. He was O man OF about thirty five
and was thoroughly educated, having res
ceived a collegiate education preparatory to
ms three years theological training. He was
q man OF thought and polish. Unfortunately
his wife's health was very poor while she
was here and thinking that the change OF
climate was the cause of it Mr.. Donnelly re-
signed his position and went TO Chicago.
Rev. u. 1. Conger succeeded MIR. Donnelly
and was endowed with the powers of pastor
November %, 1874. He came from Lincoln
where he had established a First Baptis,
church and left 1t in n most prosperous con
dltion. Mr.. Conger was a Woodworking,
earnest, christian minister, but for some
reason his toll here avalled but little
he WAS q man of noble and
\ spotless character, but he suffered from I'M.
health while here, and this was thought tc
be the the reason that the church did moi
prosper more during his ad administration, a.
ended his passionate March |, 1915. Later he
recovered his health and did effective worL
. in other fields. ~
or the career of his successor Rev I1ovd
Morgan, the Baptists of the CITY sneak viii
disgust. Mr.. Morgan was a handsomo and
dashing young man of about twenty.eight
who came here from Chicago. He was mar
rleu 10 a sweet and bright young woman, and
was the father OF two pretty children. ii
was a mar OF magnetic powers and was !
most eloquent and persuasive speaker. Again
the auditorium was thronged every
sabbath, and the Baptist church
became a popular place for Sunday resort
Many people expressed the opinion: NNow
that the Baptists have finally secured n good
man, they had better try to keep him. Bui
these comments came from persons who
Judged nllh only by his intellectual powers
and knew nothing of his moral weakness
After he had been preaching about four
months a lady member of the congregation
almost frenzled with indignation and shame
went 70 the deacons of the church and as.
founded them with the story of a cr,mina
assault made by the pastor. The GOOD
brothers would not believe the story at first
and the LADY then threatened to have The
pastor arrested. Fearing the disgrace tina
this might bring upon the church TIE deacons
summoned MIR. Morgan and, In the presencs
OF his accuser, he acknowledged his shame
The two deacons then gave him twenty. fou,
hours IN which to leave the city, and when
10 0"ahp pd tnat he had no money they
furnished nm with 500 from their owl
purses. He then went quietly to other mem
oers OF the congregation stating that he wa,
Called suddenly out Of the city on bushes,
ior one OF the deacons and on the strenotf
OF TINS borrowed considerable money Il.
then fled and has never been heard Of since
The members of the congregation wers
somewhat surprised on the following sab
bath when the resignation of their pasto,
was read, ana outsiders shook their head,
and spoke disdainfully of the church mem,
bers mot knowing when they had a Dooi
man." About this time the church BEGAN,
IN financial difficulties ana the members be-
ing unable to meet the obligations incurrei
In erecting the church building, the struc
ture was advertised to be sold at a sheriff,
sale. Inc day set for the sale arrived. tn,
crowd mad gathered to bid and a Catholi
clergyman mad the money in his pocket witt
which TO purchase the building. At hi
1uncture MIR, W., L. Seaman appeared on "a,
scene and most generously advanced Tia,
money TO meet the church debt.
hev. n II. L. Jameson became pasto
August 10, 1870. only a few days after th,
sudden disappearance Of Morgan. He was
most unique and noble character an,
hau passed a most REMARKABLE
career. lie had enlisted in the army as
private at the outbreak of the war and b,
the time the great rebellion was ended n
was wearing the e~paulets OF a captain as
reward Tor his bravery and gallantry. Ate
peIhg mustered out OF service he entere,
llt0 Tho nrnfaeatnn -