The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-03-24
OUR EARLY METHODlSTS.
History of the Canton
Methodist Church.
The Pioneer observation-disclosures Of Early
Church Work who Planted the Seed
and who wstered it.
Written for the News-Democrat.

among the earliest Inhabitants OF Canton.
They came from Pennsylvania and Vir.
ginia, and the first known of them as an
organized body, was soon after the war OF
'12. A missionary from the east made bis
appearance in town, and ascertaiuing by
inquiry who were OF the Methodist faith,
called upon them and arranged for
preaching on the following Sabbath. At
that time, the only church bdilding in
town, was n frame structure on the lot
now occupied by the First Presbyterian
church, then owned and used by the Ger
man Reformed and Lutherans In part
nership.
Il was arranged that the service be held
in the court house, then located on the
corner Of Market and Third, where the
Yohe Hotel nov stands.
Promptly at the hour appointed, the
minister made his appearance In the
street in front Of the court house and
commenced to sing. He had a clarion
voice, and could be distinctly heard to the
square. He kept up the singing until
crowd collected and then invited them 10
seats in the court room. This same mis-
sionary came at stated periods during the
summer and always assembled his con.
gregation by singing In the street.
The families in town at that time known
to be Methodists, we're Father Schlosser,
Peter Tofler, John Webb, Drs. John and
Thomas Bonfleld, Isaac Suffacool, New
Musser, Cake, Candell, and Spangler's,
several of the last named came from the
country. There were likely others but
not being conspicuous their names have
passed into oblivion. For worship they
met in private houses and in frame
school building on the corner of Tuscara-
was and Plum, TWAS at meeting at the
latter place that the following incident is
said to have occurred. The story II tradi.
tional, and told by Robert Cassidy in his
felcitous style.
1t occurred in the twenties. John Mclean
was United States District Judge
on the circuit travelling horseback from
GAINESVILLE to Warren. Reaching Canton
Saturday evening, and intending to re-
main over Sabbath, he put up at the Ea-
gle tavern then kept by George Dewalt.
Next morning the Judge inquired of Mr.. |
Dewalt whether there was preaching In
town. Mr.. Dewalt replied, there would |
be German Lutheran preaching In the /.
church at the east end OF town-that the |
Presbyterians, when they had service, was |
in the court house across the way, aud |
the Methodists in the school house at the /
west end of the street. As the Judge was
a Methodist, he concluded to attend ser.
vices at the latter place of meeting, and |
at the proper time found his way
TO the school house. There was no ap. /
pointment for preaching on that day, |
and the brethren had assembled for /
prayer and class meeting. Judge Nc. /
Lean was man of splendid physique, |
great dignity of manner, and calculated to Il
impress all with whom he came in contact.
His unexpected appearance among this l
little bevy of worshippers was calculate |
to embarraos them, as it did. The meeting
was led by Father Scblosser, and as the
exercises became tame, he announced
that the prayer meeting was closed and
they would now have class meeting. This
announcement was made as gentle
hint to those who were not members to
retire. Judge Mclean was looked upon |
10 al intruder, and IL waS expected he |
would leave, but as he did not, the notice
was repeated. Still he remained and the |
exercises were resumed. 1t was manifest
hat the presence of the Judge deferred
,thers from speaking. Finally the Judge 1
rose and spoke, when his manner, and
he substance of his remarks SO impressed |
he audience, that they were completely
arried away, and his prayer upon clos
n2 excited a very deep feeling. AT the |
of the prayer Father Schlosser, |
no doubt by a feeling that he |
ad done him an Injustice, approached
he Judge, and in his broken English said,
You bis a better man as i tot you vas."
Upon the establishment of the first cir
uit that Included Canton, the friends of
he church secured the use of the east
Dom on the second floor of the Academy, | !
DR. Sunday service. The first circuit rider
nown to any one now living, who was
ne first to hold forth in Canton and In |
lis room was the Rev. Plimptop. 1t was {
a spring month about 1926. He made }
is appearance on horseback in front OF | ,
le Academy, dismounted and hitched his 1
orse to post near by. Several of the Q
rethren were standing around ready to G
ait upon him TO the room where the con. Z
regation had already assembled. He had
q a pair of corduroy overalts with large v
rass buttons down the sides, which he v
ept on during the service. He was
rompt to open the exercises, and after u
-ayer and singing, he said in substance
"On my way to fill this appointment, K
rec different passages of scripture upon q
hich should preach, were suggested. h
Ill designate them as No. l, No. and | r.
D. 3, and whichever the congregation 5
loose by number, upon that one will L
'each," and paused for a reply. George II
offer, a notorious character well remem-I
red by many yet living in the city was
the congregation, and he Immediately
oke out In his usual gruff voice, "let us
we No. ~ "No. 1t shall he" replied | r.
sv. Plimpton and proceeded with the a.
rmon. ~
The first movement toward the erection ls
a church was in 1880. A lot was secured :"
West Eighth street, and an effort made p
raise means to put up building. The a
was small and in limited -
As a consequence, Ii was
nsiderable time before the room was in | =,
to occupy. The building was &
upon blocks. The ground around was -
W and wet, and paths of tan bark were
ade from the church to the pavements -,
Market and Tuscarawas street. Pro- ~
acted or revival meetings were held, at ~ ~
ated periods, and the church increased q, q,
membership.
The only circuit riders of that day re-
am hu a tut Il
ere Reverend Swayze, Calender and a,
-een and Lipton. The first stationed .,
mister was Rev. McCue. "
Practical Methodism differed somewhat =,
en- from what 1t is at the present day. y,
ne sexes sat on opposite sides OF the n'
@ men on one side, and the women as ~
mure as nuns, on the other. During re-
val meetings, when the room was crowd -.
!, young men and boys would frequently 20 20
1rk themselves in among the girls, which ~
we the officers much annoyance. The "
embers, especially the women, were in
ned to be more demonstrative, shouting ~
ID making personal appeals to the un- x,
inverted To come up TO the mourners ~
nch. 1t was the custom OF the male .
ethren to utter approving ejacuations t ns
ring prayer. AS society, they had ans
eat prejudice against any display OF per- a., -,
nal adornment, especially jewelry and CD
tiflcial flowers. 1t was not safe for a .
ly to appear in the congregation wear u oi
2 flowers in her bonnet, as the minister pc
,uld be likely to embarrass her by his SO SO
usons and comments. There was also Ia Ia
eat prejudice against the Introduction W
instrumental music: Congregational o. o.
lging was the only kind in vogue. rs
rn would have driven the members out 0l
CONSERVATION, fearing divine wrath. :,
le style of preaching has also materially W W
reasoning and less sensa. CA
nal. Less effort to depict the horrors | nj
hell, and more TO convince the hearer III
bs.n nuaa a., In hfp,aalF ~ avoid axYil i