The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-08-31

er having few equals among the presiding elders
Of the church. There have been eighteen presid-
ing elders, Of whom thirteen have died.
Since Black River circuit was formed sixtysix
years have swept by, in which time there have
been sixtysix different ministers in the pastorate
who have preached in Penneld, besides the pre-
siding elders. From thirtyelght to forty have
died, though not one since 1866, when Penfed
was made the head Of separate charge.
In 1910, when ]. Mitchell and Myron t. Ward
were on the Wellington circuit there were twenty
six appointments, which dotted seven townships,
being an area Of 175 square miles, Sullivan, Homer
and Lodi being the south side Of the circuit.
Horse and saddle and saddle-bags well-hlled were
essential parts OF q Methodist preachers outfit In
those days, as the writer well knows.
The growth Of Methodism has depended largely
upon the frequency and potency of reyivals. This
has not seemed to be revival territory. In is45
the membership more than doubled, which was
during the pastorate Of Wesley Brock and VIM
Goodfellow Some seven years later, or in 1852,
there was great revival, but commenced without
any special effort on the part OF the members or
ministers. Miss Mary Jones had been awakened
by the good spirit and commenced to converse
with her schoom mates in the district south OF the
center. The tide rose rapidly and soon the school
house would not hold the people, when the meet
ing was taken to this church and conducted by
Rev. Lafayette Ward, which resulted in eighty
conversions, the larger proportion uniting with
the NJ. E. church. This might be properly pro-
nounced Penfeds first Pentlcost. That year
George Starr gave SlOO for missions (Which was
rare thing for any one to do at that time) and by
SO doing from year to year 1t gave to this society
fine reputation on the line Of missions. After his
death, 800 were handed over to the Parent Mis-
sionary society.
In 1851 and 62 the circuit preachers were GleEen
A. Reeder and A. G. Hurd. There were ten ap-
polutments in each round. There were six church
edihces, all Of which were estimated at $500;
this one In Pen6eld being estimated at $4,000. II
was in the time Of war, but the body of the church
and the pastors were loyal. Some Of the members
! withdrew. Above all deaths, removals and with
drawals there was an increase Of sixtyfye at the
close Of the year. VIM. Langdon, Lewis Starr and
Rev. George Norton were the leaders Of the three
classes, aggregatlng seventy members. Therc
. were fewer back-sllders In the church then thar
now, for we had ss.meetlng every sabbath.
|
J church and during the first minutes OF 1852 arg'
number Of our members were In silent praye
! bowed around the altar That year preached
! a5i times; travelled 2ise miles and received OF
salary $50.
, After Penheld became station and George W
> Pepper became III G PASTOR the next great rcviyn
occurred, when over eighty professed faith Il
Christ and goodly number united with the Meth
8 odlst church, some Of whom are among the stand
" ard bearers Of today.
The next considerable revival was under tn
, labors Of J. A. wschob, in 1880 and 1881, when h
. reported thlrtythree probatloners at conference
S Of which number twentythree were received int
? full connection.
!. In January, 1891 there were thirtyone who bow
;. ed as pentenu at the alter Of our God. Of whor
d twenty-five united on probation and but twely
6 we're received Into full membership. Thus, TO
I. many are only wayslde hearers, or undertake
u grow among the thorns. Christianity cannc
70 prosper where there Is want In deep spirituality
This il not only the secret Of power but Of success
d as well.
This substantial building was er ected Just hft
'e years ago, oYera quarter Of mile TO the east
h this. Il was removed to where II now stands
= 1859 or 1850. In 1876 1t was frescoed and othe
ID wise improved by the faithful efforts OF Wn
e. Knapp, since which time 1t has pleased the ey
and been the center OF attraction to the true wo
shipper.
And now again, after sixteen years have com
and gone, the good friends Of the church hay
n. done noble thing, by making these improv
ments which you cannot fail to soc. In truth.
must be said that tho Ladies' Aid society furnlsl
ed largo proportion Of the funds, while some
the brethren even left the harvest field to aid
this good work. All honor TO whom honor is du
And thanks be unto God for the accomplishmeI
Of so lAndable an undertaking. May God acceI
the offerings OF his people and al this house wit
his glory, making It the spiritual birthplace
many scores Of souls, through faith In JesT
d, Christ, our Lord, to whom be glory forever al
ever. Amen.