Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1936-11-26

church. She became the wife or
John Price, jr., and is still with us,
having been a member of Deerhelo
church Sc years, one month ana -
days.
The organization of the church
was due to the influence Of Samuel
Stanbery, who, as it's founder, de
serves more than passing notlce.
IN early life he lived in Mendham'
New Jersey, and was an avoWed uh-
believer. Yet, he was man whose
genial disposition and steady, honess
life won the respect and affection OF
his neighbors. In 1903. there was
great revival in Mendham, during
which more than one hundred MEM
bers were added to the churcn.
While the revival was in progress.
number of the neighbors agreed
that they would meet and spend
night in prayer for the conversion
Of Samuel Stanbery. On the night
in question, Mr. Stanbery could not
sleep and on the next Sabbath ne
surprised his pious wife by propos-
ling to attend church with her. Al
| ter long conflict with his early pfeJu-
| dices. he surrendered his soul III
HEARTY allegiance to God and became
an active and exemplary member oi
the church. He removed to Deer
field. was elected Justice OF the
Peace by his neghbors, and served
the infant church as elder until MS
ldeath in 1925. Thus, we can trace
the history Of our dear church bach
Ito that night prayer meeting in New
lJorsey. when Christians met DOUBT
Hess. with strong crying and tears
to plead with God for the soul O.
their brother.
The little church grew and pros
nered On the first of June, lS2z
Mr.. Moore held sacramental meet
inc in q grove near the house O
Jobn Price. and the church received
10 it's membership, James ana HUN
nhrey Rusk. George Pidcock, Ellhe'
, McKitrek and others soon amer
, q log church was built, across tH'
road from our present chufch' AM
l,pcv. John Hunt was secured as pas
, tor.
Father Hunt was an eminentf
} GOOD man: his labors showed care
) ful conscientious fidelity and GOO
Judgment. He was somewhat sioF
) Of speech and had little of the sen
eational about HIM An anecdot
will illustrate the character OF tn
man and show the estimation /
/ which he was held:
In one of the churches which II
: served, a number of the memDer
: became dissatisfied "Father Hun
was 100 slow" they said. "He lack
! cd energy. and didn't draw the al
r tendance of the young people. On
good deacon was especially earnes
about the matter, and the oppositio
lwased so strong that the good min
) lister left the field and tongue
y0une fellow took his place. a icy
/ months after, the deacon was Vlsltlh
t a neighboring church and gehtie
| man asked him: How does you
: rev minister get along - The dea
, cons countenance fell, and then as
sumed a quizzical look as he replied
) "Wen. he has accomplished NOR
) than all the ministers we ever hao
) He has brought the whole congrega
tion to a state of repentance already
We are all repenting that we eve
let Father Hunt go away.
His labors at Deerfield were own
ed Of Cod, and appreciated by tn
church. He left the field in 1881
His successor was Rev Mr.. Plum
! stead. who remained three years
! when. much to the regret of the con
greeation. he removed to the west
From 1890 to 1885, the churcl
was largely increased by immlgra
ton from Pennsylvania and tn
more eastern counties of Ohio TW'
of the newcomers had been rulin'
elders: John Finley. in the Presby