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

pie, and was an example Of humble,
constant piety.
On the 2eth of June, 1868, the !
church was stricken, or rather stun
ned by the death of Elder Thomas
Clements. Although he was COM !
paratiyely young, only forty-three,
yet never did this church SO cry out
like Elisha, .sThe chariot of Israel
and the horsemen thereof" Gods
own swift messenger-the bolt from
the clouds-took him instantly,
probably. painlessly, to his home I'M
heaven. But fortunately, his friends
needed no death-bed utterances OF
his to assure them of his abundant
entrance into the mansions of rest,
for he was ga bright and shining
light "And / heard voice from
heaven saying unto me, Write,
Blessed are the dead that die in the
Lord, yea, saith the spirit that they
may rest from their labors and their
works do follow them
During these dark years the
church was supplied irregularly by
Revs c. c.. B. Duncan, A. j. McMil-
Ian. T. M. Stevenson and w. M
Grimes. but their most earnest la
bors only kept the church from ut
ter disintegration.
In 1866 a series of meetings were
held by Rev. J. p Caldwell, during
which a number of members We're
added to the church. Rev. Hugh
Mcbride held meeting somewhat
later. which was attended with sim
, liar results.
In 1870, Rev. c. w Courtright
took charge and remained two years
and a half. Within this period the
church building was tastefully re-
: paired, and David Taylor and DAVID
Moore became elders. After this
: the church was for long time va
( cant and in a state of chronic dis
$ couragement. There were ABOUT
seventy-five members in 1874.
G Rev. Nicholas Helfrisch became
: the minister in 1874, and remained
0 one year An interesting meeting
s. was held during the week of prayer,
J, and five young persons were receiv-
f ed into the church. Alfred Bald
:. ridge ard James Finley were or
n dained elders Mr.. Helfrischs la
bors were acceptable to the people
n and the church was much encour-
n AGED, but suddenly he received q call
i to another field. which he accepted.
S In fact, it has been one great
+ trouble with Deerfield church that
: its pastors have been so cable" that
o the little church could not keer
Q them. 1t has been suggested thai
0 the present pastor lis selected with
Y a view of permanency."
|. The church held meetings during
J. the week Of prayer in 1876, under
: the leadership Of Elder Alfred Bald
S ridge. which were much blessed te
e the quickenine of the saints.
s Your present minister began his
G labors here in September, 1876
0 During the past year we have re
S ceived seventeen members, all ol
j. whom give promise Of usefulness sc
h far as we can Judge. The present
g session are VIM. Newman, Eli Bald
d ridge David Finley, James Finley
Q David Taylor and David Moore.
The trustees are Joseph Ander-
i son. Thomas r. Smith, Thomas Will
!. Iiams and John Donehoo
:. There is women's missionary so
Q ciety in connection with the church
Il of which Mrs Silena Stanbery is
president: Mrs Bette Taylor vice
h president; Mrs Bell Taylor, secre-
tarv. and Mrs Maggie Baldridge
treasurer.
= The church numbers ninety-siy
9 members on the ground and several
absent.
: Our church building was destroy
8 ed Oct. 8, 1877 We meet today in q
v new one. 1t is proper that 7 should
I, "a no of tho h1lil6-
r ING committee, and assure them that
, their energy and fidelity are apnre-
\ ciated bv the church. They are j
r. Gtanbery. Samuel Bailey, Thomas
O Williams. r. B. Smith, David Tay-
Q lor and John CoWan.
Il And now, dear brethren, "Hither
: TO hath the Lord helped us" W.
, have heard the record Of the past
n now what Of the future? TO me
the future is bright with hope. The
Y external machinery Of the church i
in excellent order. But this vii
, avail us nothing unless It be ouicE
: oned and Vivifcd by an inner life O.
o communion with Cod. He has no
= left rs in darkness rs to the condi
{ tions of orr prosperity. To this
II church he speaks today as TO Israe
of old. "Know therefore this day
4 and consider thine heart that TIE
s Lord. he is Cod; there is none else
: Thou shalt keep therefore His
statutes and His commandments
h which I command thee this day
that it may go well with thee and
1 with thy children after thee"
4 And to this injunction of the law
a let us add the sweet message Of the
n gospel: Looking unto Jesus, the
r author and fnisher of our faith"
i SPECIAL. SALES TAX RETURN OF