The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-02
THE LATE JOHN w. cUsIcK.
His Work for a Little Country Church in
Ohio.

Noticing in the obituary of the late
John w. Cusick of Pyrmont. O., that
nothing had been said about his church
work, thought perhaps a short sketch
of it would be fitting for your columne.
To the best of .my knowledge. Bro.
Cusick has been a subscriber to our
Western papers for forty years. Others
In the community would take THE UNI
vERsALIsT for while, but his came
steadily on. year after year. He was
always somewhat aggressive in his ideas
Owning general store in the main will
age OF township, he had frequent op-
portunities to discuss his religious views.
He was not man to let an opportunity
OF this kind escape, even to his detriment
financially.
Always devotional in his nature, about
the year 1866, Bro. Cusick called Rev.
s. p. Carlton here to hold series of
meetings in the district school house.
subsequently, with the aid of few, he
secured the services of Rev. T. s. Guth-
RE, once month. Bro. Guthrie organ
lied church of thirteen members on
Saturday night before the fourth Sun
day in October of that year. Under the
administration of Rev. Messrs. Guthrie,
Biddlecomb, Moore and Eaton, a few
more names were added to the list. We
seemed to be gaining some prestige, and
pOnI6 hn
for services; so then, we occupied an old
hall, the owner donating the use of it.
But finally our little church dwindled in
interest and services were discontinued.
While we were holding regular SER
vices Bro. Cusick paid for year about
all the expenses, and he was man of
only moderate means, but he always
kept the subject agitated, more or less.
How anxiously he watched the growth
of the Dayton church, and how much
he regretted its failure! He and his fam
lily bought quite number of the
bricks in it's walls. For several subse-
quent years he was a constant attend
ant of the United Brethren in Christ
and Methodist churches; finally they
concluded it was best for him not to at
tend.
In the fall of 1898 he received letter
shat il desirable kev. j. P. Maclean
would spend the fifth Sunday" His
family at once said mo. we have no place
to have meeting" B"t Bro. Oueick was
fruitful in resources, and soon several of
US were cleaning out a carriage store
room. One gentleman giving us the
benches to seat Ole hundred and twenty.
five persons. One gentleman loaned
stove, lamps were brought in, an organ
borrowed. sort of choir organized for
the occasion. Mr.. Maclean has been
with us three yeare. There we're nine
of the old members. and six accessions
have been made. We have kept small
but interesting Sunday-school. Every
Christmas and Easter, Bro. Cusick was
always first to mention about the chill
dren's treat, and Easter presents, and
each summer saw that they had day
of pleasure; and to my knowledge.
tn ough all his sickness. he did not miss
Sunday school only few Sundays.
Last winter we held Bible readings
every Sunday night. The building is
twenty-five feet by forty; it has been
purchased for church. and remodeled.
All that step in are surprised at it's neat
aud cozy appearance. We have an organ
of our own, and choir that is no dis
credit to our village. Bro. Cusick has
paid for halt the building, and money
been pledged or the remainder. 1t is
the only orga citation and building that
bears the name of our church in the
county. These results may seem small.
but remember the ground is covered
with other denominations. | think the
community is more liberal. and broader
in its thought. What the future has in
store we know not. but believing that
nothing is lost in Gods economy, we hope
FIR much. ALICE E. MOORE.
PYRMoNT, o.