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«*toOLDEST CHURCH IN THE COUNTYMother of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churchesin Central Illinois.THE FAITH FIRMLY PLANTED 67 YEARS AGO.Anniversary Exercises at Mt. Zion With Uncle A. W. Bell Present—A Notable Religious Event—Histdry of the Organization by Samuel D. Smith.Sixty-seven years old! The oldest oburch Id Maoon county! A Sunday school fitxty alx years old—one among the oldest in the state of Illinois. The mother of Decatur Presbytery. The parent of the old Mt. Zion academy, one of the best schools in central Illinois In its day, and the nucleus of the splendid university at Lincoln, 111.The fester-parent of a hoafc of devoted ministers of the goapol who have gone forth into the world preaoblng the way of salvation.The consecrated spot where multitudes of souls have been born into the kingdom of heaven. Truly it might be said of thia place:“Glorious things are spoken of thee, O, olty of God. Soiab. And of Zion it shall be said, this and that man was born Id her; and the highest himself shall establish her.' Psalm 87:3, 5.Such la a part of the record of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Zion on Its sixty-seventh birthday, April 34, 1997.Anniversary Exercises,For *)me time past preparations have been In progress by this congregation to suitably celebrate this birthday. Invitations bed boon extended to the neighboring C. P. pastors and congregations at Decatur, Blue Mound, Bethlehem, Shady Qrove, North Fork, New Hope, Bethany and other points to como and help mnko the occasion a grand jubilee; also, so far as they could he reached, former pastors of the Mt. Zion congregation wero urged to be present. Aside from all this, a general invitation was cordially extended to everybody to come and join in the celebration. The history of this oldTha Present C. P. Church.organization is part of the history of Macon county. The general program for the formal exercises as arranged wasSaturday, April 34, 10:30 a. m.~ “Church History and Anniversary.” Rev.A. W. Hawkins, Decatur.Following this In the afternoon, general exercises of a social nature.7:80 p. in.—Address by Rev. T. B. MoAmla, of Bethany, Dl.Sunday, April 25, 9:30 a. m.—Sabbath school.10:80 a. ra. to 13m.—Devotional exercises. Sermon by Rov. N. M. Baker, of Lincoln, 111.Sunday afternoon at 3 p. m. weg what was intended should be the most interesting service in eonm respects on tbo program. Thle was an informal, social and experience meeting by and especially for the old people. Old hymns and songs to be sung; reminiscences ta ho related; interesting scrape of local history to be recounted; personal experiences and early recollections to bo exchanged; relics and pictures of men and places connected with the early history to be exhibited; early acquaintances to be renewed, andONLY $1,205Hinkle9s BestFLOUR.And guaranteed to be the beat floor sold in the City of Decatur. All the leading groceries sell the beet flour, and HINKLE'S BEST . is the best flour made, end the following groceries gell it and guarantee it to bo the best flour on the market. It has no equal.HelUiaa Sun. May Bros.Drobtech Bros. Beckwith Grocery.Keys Biw, L. H. Rater.Henry Lyoo. EL Meyer.J. B. Butty. McMahan A Fulton.O.C.Badctlfl. 8chlk Oehler.Shaffer Bros. 1.X. Coal.Weckerman ft Knapp.through all and abovo all a spirit of praise and prayer giving to the Divine Ruler for his znany blessings and providential care and guidance.Sunday Evening, 7:30.—Devotionalexercises and address by Rov. J. S. Keo-ntr.Following the special services on Saturday and Sunday, the meet Lugs are to be continued of a revival nature during the ensuing week.The people of ML Zion and violnity expect to entertain all who corao from abroad and to arrange suitably for overflow meetings if St should become necessary.HistoricalThe Cumberland Presbyterian ohuroh as a denomination was born In Dixon county, Tenn., In the year 1810, during a period of great hplrltoal power and revival interest. It books to have been organized under a baptism of the Holy Ghost; and the consecrated men who founded it firmly believed themselves to be directed In It by tho spirit. The following history of the Mt. Zion churoh of this denomination was compiled by Rev. P. H. Crider, a former pastor, and published Id Rev. J.B. Logan’s “History cf the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Illinois,” date 1878,Mt. Zion congregation, Macon county, Illinois, was first organi2fd by Rev. David Foster at bis private house aboutthree mil os from Mt. Zion. The organization took place on Cho 24th day or April, 1839, and soon was taken under the care of Sangaiuon Presbytery. The following are the names of the charter members; Andrew Wilson, Mary Ann Wilson, Alexander WjIsoq, Xanoy Wilson, Catherine Wilson, Allen Travis, Margaret Travis, Alexander W. Bell, Xanoy Jane Beil, JameB D. Campbell, Lavina Campbell. Uhoda Davidson, Andrew DavidEon, As-senath Davidson. John Davidson, Samuel Davidson, Elizabeth Davidson, Nancy Davidson, KHen Davidson Black, John Smith, Margaret Smith, Rebecca Travis, David Davis, Polly M. Davis, Wm. D. Baker, Marilla Baker, Robert Smith, Nancy Smith (Traughber), David Foster. Anna Foster, Margaret Foster, Wm. C. Foster, Isabella Foster, Nanay Allen Foster. Tblrty-ilx oames wore taken at the organization. On the 15th day of Jane, 1830, the enrolled members met at the house of Rev. David Foster and selected the following brethren as ruling elders of the congregation: Andrew Wilson, Allen Travis, Robert Smith and Samuel David bod. On the 80th of April, ^31, Mr. James Scott wag chosen as ruling elder, also at about the same time John Smith became a ruling elder of the congregation. In June, 1333, William M. Young was chosen a ruling elder.After tbo death of Revt David Foster InJ. B. Fritz.W. H. Howard.Chas. Malfaeoey.J. B. Gordon, r nD. Annbruster. B. W. Davis. Bee Hire.T T ---May, 1833, the congregation was withouta pastor or supply for more than a year.During this time the congregation declined In spirituality, which resulted in neglecting the Sabbath school and the means of grace. After this the labors of Rev. Neill Johnson were secured, who preached for the congrgation for one yejr and six months. The congregation was then without regular preaching until the last of November, 1838, when Rev. Daniel Traugbbor, of Kentucky Presbytery, settled la the corn muni ty and supplied the congregation with preaching at the request of the session. In June, 1837, ho joined Vandolla ProBbyiery and was appointed to supply Mt. Zion congregation, which had at tbat time 108 members. The session mot Marob 27, 1850, for the purpose of properly arrncging their congregational record, os two new congregations had boen stricken off from the membership of Ms. Zion 'oocgregatloo—Botblofaom and North Fork. In fact about all the congregations in the bounds of Decatur Presbytery have had tbeir origin from the old Mt. Zioo congregation. This is one of the places where camp meetings were kept up for man? years, and the result* can never be folly known until the revelation of ail things at the last day. Thooeandi will rise up on that day and testify that they were born again at the consecrated altar of old Mt. ZIod. This has been a prolific fountain from whence a stream af Christian Influence baa gone out in every direction. Her eons and daughters are not confined to the limits of this Presbytery, but many cf them have gone to Missouri, Kansas and other states and are at work in tb3 Master’s cause. Hot the greater number of those who have been begotten In the gospel at this placeheaven. Such brethren as the Smiths, Davidsons, Wilsons and many others toiled long and hard at Mt. Zion, and at last died at their poet • * * The following are the names of the mi ulsters of the gospel who have been pastors and supplies of this congregation since Ra organization: David Foscer (died 1833), -Nelli Johnson, Daniel Traugbbor (dead), Samuel Aston (died here X07. 1350;, John T. A. Andersen, R. T. Marlow, T. R. Loafer, R. G. Carden (died hero July, 1874), N. M. Baker, P. H. Crider. The above have all been pastors and supplies, besides the following who supplied the pulpit for a few months each at intervening times: J. C. Smith, Abner Lansden, Joseph B. Lawrence, J. D. Cowan and M. Dlllow. During the centennial year of 1876 the congregation repaired their church property to an amount considerably over M00. They support their pastor for all hU time, and regularly attend to the monthly contribution for missions. * * * The church has at present ubout 175 members, and a Sabbath school of about 75 pupils with eight teachers. The first Sabbath school lo this (Macon) county war organized ni this placo by Rev. David Foster in 1831. The first superintendent was James Scott, and the assistant was Andrew Wilson. The firstsermon In this county by a Cumberland Presbyterian was preached by Rev. JohnM. Berry in an old log school houso three and a half miles southwest of Decatur.The above is taken vorbnMm with the oxceptloo of a few unimportant omissions. The author, Rev. Crldor, has boen dead for several years, and of the remaining ministers whom he niBntlocs but two within the knowledge ur the present writer are atill living—X. M. Baker and M. Dlllow, but there may possibly be others. Of the ministers who have filled the pul pit of this congregation Biucc Rev. Crider's record was written to tho present time we give the following, and there may have been some others whone nameswe failed to-secure: G, B, Britton, Wm.C. Bell, B. Lyman, J. W. Woods, W. S. Bates, W, L. Bankson, Wm. Turner, H.D. Onyott, J. H. Hughey, S. L. McArula. The most of these are yet living and some of them are preaching at other points. Of the cbartor in embers who were enrolled at the organization of the church, but one etfll remains—“Uncle” Alex Dell, ua he Is lovingly called—who still lingere at the advanced age of 8F. This sketch would be Incomplete without n few words about tbia beloved old saint.A. W, Ilflll,Alexander W. Bell was born In Greene county, Tenu.. May 22,1812. He came to Illinois in the fall of 1829 and Is at present tho oldest settler in Mt. Zion. In 1833 ho enlisted in tho Fifth Regiment, Illinois Mounted Volunteers, nud served in the Block Hawk war. For a while ho was In Captain Niles' company in which Abraham Lincoln was algo a volunteer and was well acquainted with him. In the early days of the church and Sonduy school Uncle Alex led tbo Binging and “lined off the hymns'' to the congregation. In those days hymn books we-e not plentiful and tho loader would read out to the congregation a Une of tbo hymn to be sung, then, after siDglng it, another line would be read and sang, and so on through tho hymn. Fcr many years Undo Alex has been a member of the board of elders of this congregation, but of late years ho has not been able to taka an aotive port; hot he Is consulted for advice on nil important church matters. Ho occasionally gets out to church services Id pleasant weather, where a comfortable arm-chair and soft cushion always await him. Everybody loves and reverences Uncle Alex, und many are the pleasant and interesting reralniecencee that he cap relate.T!i« Old ChnrcbThe old log church first built by this congregation Is still in existence and now stands on a farm a bunt two miles couth of town, where it was removed when the present (raino charob was erected. The old log churoh was about thirty feet square, ood stood facing tho south a few yards north and east from tbo present church building. Near by the old churchused to stand a gigantic “Hackberry tree into which a staple was driven and that was where Rev. Daniel Trangbber bitched his horse. The tree was called CncJe DanT’s hitching post, and no one else thought of appropriating tbs post when “Uncle Dan'l” the pastor, needed it.Tho chnrcb was seated with slabs splitoat smooth on the op per surface and supported by pegs driven Into the under 6ide. The floor of the church for the first year or so was mother eerth. Tbo heating of this primitive place Of worship was ac-four foes wide and about one foot high. These rough boxes or pons were filled with earth uni charcoal burned on them. The building was lighted by five windows tbat had real glass in them. The building of this church was done on the co-operative plan. Different squads cf men were apportioned so many logs to hew and bring in from the timber ready for use. Others made the shingles, and bo wag the work done, A part of tLo old pulpit of this church is atill preserved, and it 1r intended Co have It on exhibition during the anniversary. Adjoining the church lot, and, indeed, being a part of it, Is the old comttery. Scarcely less sacred ground Is tblB for the^bodles of most of the old “Fathers and Mot hors in Zion rest there. Men Ik buried hero whore neighbors went to the timber, felled the trees and hewed out the boards and mado the coffin tbat they lie In. This old burying ground was filled yoars ogo, and a new and larger one was provided. The old ground is looked after and kept ia repair end there are but few of the older faiullie* in this part of the country but what are interested in it..Officerd And Members.During its existence ML Zion C. P. church has received hundreds of persons into membership, but to make a correct estimate of tho number from the record* would be a taei requiring time and labor. Tbo most of them ore dead; many of them have moved to other parts of the country. The present membership is about 200, of whloh Rev. M. C. CockrumIs pastor.The ohuroh owns a very pleasant and comfortable pamnage. The lot ou which the chnrcb building stands is quite large and splendidly located, bul the church building—the second built Sy this people —Is becoming old, and the probabilities are that not far in the future a now and modern structure will have to take iU place. The churob as a society is active and progressive. Its Sunday school—the senior Sundoy school of Macon county— numbers a hundred pupils or mors, li live and pushing, but none of its charter members are yet among them. It has one of the best Christian Endeavor sooletios in tbo county, with an active membership of about sixty, and a large flourishing junior Endeavor of about fifty members. Tho ladles' missionary society is also doing good work, and deservos special mention. The present executive board of the ohuroh ig as follows: Rev. M. C. Cockrum, pastor and moderator of session; ruling elders, Alexander W. Bell,B. W. Davidson, S. M. Britton, W. L.Hlber, J. M. Bn'hart, J. A, Cox, J, G. McGaugbey, J. D. Henry; deaoons, J. O. Henry, LT. G. Draper, Aaron Peel, E.E. Coombes.Superintendent of Sunduy school and president of Christian Endeavor society, W. L. Riber; First superintendent ofjunior Endeavor, Mrs. Belle Smith.May tho old mother church at Mt. Zion ever flourish!“Not unto as, O Lord, not unto ug, but unto Tby name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake. Fsulm, 116:1. S. D. SMITH.ANOTHER JUDICIAL CONVENTIONConference MeetlnglofJCouaty Chairman to be Held in Decatur.At the recent convention for the Third judicial circuit when Judge Vail, Wright and Book waiter were renominated by the Republican delegatsc. a central commlt-oee was organized with Attorney I. R. Mills of Macod county, us chairman. The passage of the new jndloiAl apportionment bill, wblob Governor Tanner signed on Friday, puts Judge Bookwnl-ter in another district, and places Macon county in the Sixth judicial circuit. The counties are Macon, Moultrie, DeWitt, Piutt, Champaign and Douglas. Judges Vail and Wright will remain as the nominees in tho Sixth circuit. It wiki be necessary tn have another convention to nominate the third candidate for judge Chairman Mills today sent out notices to all members of the ceDtra) committee In fcha six counties to meet for conference In Do-cabur early next week to arrange for tboholding of a convention before the Stb of May.It Is understood that Hon. Charles G. Eokbardt of Douglas county, will be the nominee for judge to complete the ticket.If you want any plastering telephone 628 new phone and it will be promptly don©. Decatur Hard Blaster Co., Parry Oreo.—23 dlw-wl6Seed Distribution.New seed store, complete stock, fresh gardon, field and flower seeds. Leon Morris, 138 East Wood street—9-dwtfNew York bank clearings Thursday were $106,259,937; balances, 16,940,960.Awarded Highest Honors—World's Fair.DRvMErW rDVAlM■ CREAM ■BAH1ISG P0WMRMOST PERFECT MADE.A pure Cripe Crfcmi of Tartar Powder. Fret
Newspaper Details
Decatur Daily Republican
Decatur, Illinois, US
Sat, Apr 24, 1897
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Decatur P.
IL, USA 28 Aug 2018
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