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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'Images nicessaire. Les di&grammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 I •.... ] w ^.-'.■. m^B'T'^m'w OK THE FIRST CHURCH, OBEi:FLi_jinsr, onio. AN ADDKESS BY THK PASTOR REV. JAMES BRAND, Delivered December, 1876. PUBLISHED BY REQIJEST. rS^Jr. PRINTED AT THE NEWS JOB ROOM, r4-'?: '^■"^IB? NOTE. To the First Church. Oberlin. Dear Ukethken ; — Yuiir kind requt'«t that this his- tory mi>^ht be placed in yom' hands tor pui)hcation, I am haj)- py to complv vvith. Some of the reasons for wr^tinjj the history of this church at all, are — I. It has a history. 3. While several, excellent historical sketches of Oherlin College have been pui)lished, no history of the chir.ch, as such, has been uttemi)tcd. 3. The eaih- relation of this church to the other church- es of Northern "Ohio, and to the Contjretjationa! body at large, has, in some (piavters, not been well understc d. In preparing llicse pages, no pains have been spared to verify each statement by compari'on o^" the testimonies of livii.g witnesses, a- well as by an examination of whatever books and documents could" he found bearing upon the theme. It may be felt by som« that certain questions ot deep interest have been passed over, and that others have receiv- ed oaly a .lotice quite belo".' their real importance. This is conceded and regretted. But a little leHection will show that the fact is not without reasons. Thus th-- Doctriiie ()f Sanrtification, which has occupied so large a place in this ciii' 1, could not have bsen adequately reviewed and^ set foi: without swelling this pamphlet to a volume. Sub- stuntially the same maybe said of the subject of revivals. It was found that, to give this topic a treatment correspond- ing to its importapue, and one which would be of any prac- tical value, would require quite a pampidct of itself. These and other theme-, tl^Licloie, have received, not a special, but only a gcnev.il hi; lorioal notice. The writer ackuowiedj.tcs lv.;s indebtedness to Pies. J. H. Faivchikl, Prof. Jann-- Dascomb, Prof. Henrv Cowles, Prof. John Morgan, Piof. C. 11. Churchill. Rev. Geo. Clark, Rev. T.J. Keep, and olhcr.s, lor valuable information. J. B. Oberlin, April la^th, 1877. m ■xcnA.itoi Obehhh Col 'M ' ict that this liis- cation, I am ha|)- tor wi'tint' the HISTORY OF THE FIRST CHURCH. OBERLIN. etclies 1)1" Oherlin >f the chir.ch, as the other chuich- tjationa! hody at .indersti d. e been spared to he testimonies of tion of whatever earinjj u])on the uestions of deep :hcr8 have receiv- ortance. This is BCtion will show th^ Doctrine of je a place in this reviewed and set a volume. Sub- bject of revivals, mcnt correspond- d be of any prac- t of itself. These ed, not a special, cdness to Pres. J. f. Henrv Cowles, Rev. Geo. Clark, iilbinialion. J. B. The divine method of propare than he could vard. And " yet serving him who ibserve plainness louses, furniture, V were men and the need of men Jains to thorough- ly educate their children, pledging themselves to train them up ,n l.cdv, intellect and heart for the service of the Lord. With' tliese principles and aims, the church of curse was readv to take advanced ground on the greai moral ques- t,„ns which were then dividing the nation. The anti-slavery n.pture at Lane Seminary forced upon the trustees ot the c.llege and the colonists of Oberlin, the cp.estion, "Shall students be received here irrespective of color?" The peo- pie expresseil themselves as willing to Hay aside every prej- udice and to do as we shall be led to believe God would have us do" The struggle which ensued in the meeting of the trustees of Oberlin College, which finally decided the mo- nientous c-uestion, is described in the following words by Pres E. H. Fairchild. now of Berea College, Kentucky : '•They were called together again, and met at the house of Mr Shipherd in his absence. Mrs. Shipherd, engaged m her household duties, often passed the door, which stood ajar, and at length, in her anxiety stopped before U. Father Keep, the moderator, comprehended her sohc.tude, and stepping out, informed her that the result was doubtful. She immediatelv dropped her work, gathered the praymg sisters of the neighborhood, and they continued in prayer till the decision was announced. The question was decided. n the atlirmative bv the casting vote of Father Keep, (rod bless the good old man, now eighty-seven ! Thus the rubi- con was passed, and henceforth the name of Oberlin was a hissing and a by-word throughout the land." As a result ofiihis initial step, the church not only exclud- ed slave-holders from its communion, but refused to give letters of recommendation to churches which sanctioned or tolerated slavery. . As an indication of its position on the question of tern- perance, it may be said that no fermented wines have ever been used at this communion table ; a position which even at the present day is occupied by but few churches. The 8 HISTDHY OK TUB church haK kept up not only n theoretical but u practical ami successful crusatie upon intempeiance from the hei^innin^ ;• and it often recognizes the fact that "there is no diHcharjje in that war." STATIhTICR OK OKOWTIC. The success of the church work here has hecn wortliy of its principles. Probably no oti.er church in an oi)scure village ever had such an enormous jfrowth. It is a fact wor- thy of notice, that not one communion season since the oi - ganization of the church in 1S34, has passed without some additions to its membership. lk'y;innin}{ witli sixty-two comiiuinicantsin tl>e solitudes of the forest, it has had, in the space of forty-two years, about 4.660 members— an average addition of a little more than no a year during its entire i>is- tory. The years of most mpi*! growth were, ot course, pre- vious to i860 when the church held the field almost alone, and when Mr. Finney was in his prime. During the first thirty years the average annual addition of members was about I 12. The .smallest number admitted in any single year was 1 5. the largest 360. The period of smallest increase i'n the whole history was from i86Sto 1872, when the average an- nual additions went down to ab(n)t 46. From 1873 to the present time. April, 1S77, the average has risen from 46 to 110. Of course no such growth in numbers could have been possible in a village like Oberlin even with Mr. Finney's re- markable powers, had it not been for the eonnection of the church with the institution. Many Christian students as well as citizens came here and uniteu with the church by letter, and yet by far the larger part of the four thousand and a half, have been converted here and have united on profession ot faith. Another fact which modifies the result, is the changing character of the population of the place. It would be pre- RIKST CIIUHCII, «>BEIM.IN. it practical ami tlu- l)e}j[innin){ ;• liio (lischai'fre in i* l)fcii woitliy in an oi)sciire It is a fact wor- )i'. since the or- I without some with sixty-two t lias had, in the CIS — an averajje IK its entire his- ot couriie, pre- Imust alone, and ?the first thirty bers was about iingle year was increase in the the averatje an- mi 1873 to the isen from 46 to Jiiid iiave ijeen Ir. Finney's re- nnection of the students as well lurch by letter, housand and a d on profession is the changing would be pre- mature to infer from the admihsion ot so great ni.mbers that the ciuirch was correspondingly large. The same in- tluences that bring such large additions. ais(. necessitate a large number of tiismissions. The present membership of the church is 740. l-AHTOItS. Tlu; fust p.'Btor of the church was Kev. John J. Ship- fj herd, who came here from the I*resl)yterian churcii of Klyria. He was called to the pastoial otHce immediately after the or- ganization ot the church. Ill-health and the draft ot the institute upon him, together with some visions of still other educatioiil enterprises whici; he yearned to realize, led him 10 resign ip r ,v, i!^,^. In bis Utter of resignation, ti. the church he humbly expressed the co:iviction that he had not been prof- itable to them in the ministry, and added. " I can merely pass it off in an ordinary way ; which will no more answer for Oberlin tha-" it will do for you to have an ordinary church." His last .vords are worthy of record, as indicating the inten- sity of his solicitrde for the church and institute to which le had given so much thought and prayer. After expressing his fear that a man fully fitted to take the position could not be found, he said : "Nevertheless, if the colony and institute cannot be bound together, in one fold, under one Sheplierd, be sure you settle a man who will encircle the colony with one arm and the institution with the other, holding them as a church in inseparable Christian union." What Mr. Shipherd was as a preacher does not appear. It is possible that, though the father of the colony, he felt himself, in the pulpit, somewhat overshadowed by the pres- ence of greater men who had come in to take up the work of the school and who were already doing a part of the preach- ing for the church. While Mr. Shipherd seems to have been a man of great earnestness of heart and persistency of lO HISTORY OK THE purpose, as well as profound, practical faith, he seems also to have been a man of visions ; better adapted to devise plans and lay foundations, than to prosecute the continuous work necessary to oecure permanent results. The man who could encircle the colony vifh one crrr. and the institute with the other, whom Mr. Shipherd charg- ed the church to settle, but who, as he feared, wrs not in ex- ist* nee, was really at his elbow. Prof. Charles G. Finney was called to take charge of the ch'irch in May, 1837. and $400 a year voted him as compensation for his services. Having other means of support however, he never acceptet any salary from the church. He continued as pastor, (though neither he nor Mr. Shipherd were ever instaiiecT), from that tiire till May, 1872, a period of thirty-five years. This ij not the place to enter upon any extenued review of Mr. Finney's power as a preacher, devotion as a pastor, or the results of his ministry to the church. Even if our.spare would admit of it, such an estimate would he supertHuous. Mr. Finney, as president, preacher, pastor, author and theo- logian, has been too lecently and too well put befcre the pub- lic, to require more than a mention here. The country is not ignorant of tlvB<«««{ir. or his work, and 0'>erlin knows his history by heart/ SufHce it to say, that as pastor o( the church he carried out the grand leading ideas (if reform which animated its founders ; and that few pastoiates have ever been more fruitful of good results, or left more sacred and precious memories behind them. It was probably a great advantage to Mr. Finney that he left New York to enter upon the hardships und self-denials of Oberlin. This field combining church and theological seminary was spe- cially fitted to ihe bent of his mind and the development of his great powers. Probably in no other place in the country could he have wieldei a greater inflMence. On the other hand, ^ . .....--;U.-«r.k-^',^_ FIRST CHURCH. OBERl-IN. H' seems also to devise plans itiniious work v'iMi one arrr. ipherd charg- wRs not in ex- iles G, Finney lay, 1837. and his services, lever acceptec jastor, (though led), from that irs. :tenued review on PS a pastor, ren if our^pare )e siiperHiious. thor and theo- beft. re the pub- rhe country is f;rlin knows his pastor o( the deas of reform •astoiates have :'t more sacred as probably a Sew York to Oberlin. This nary was spe- levelopment of in the country the other hand, ^ ^4^ /^^ rA- it was an eciually great blessing to the First Church when it and the name of Charles G. Finney became inseparably connected together. Next to Pres. Finney, and associated with him as assis- tant pastor through nearly the entire history of the church, and to whom the church owes a perpetual delH of gratitude and love, stands Prot. John Morgan, D. D.. whose life God still spares, as a kind of *^enediction to the people. Dr. Morgan served the churcn during the long and frequent periods of Pres. Finney's absence, and utten at other times — holding himself ready, it is said, to preach at any time on half an hour's notice from Pres. Finney, and brmging the great wealth of hit> learning, wisdom, and personal devotion, both in the pulpit and out of it, t / the edification o>' the church. Though the records are almopt silent on the subject, it is seen from other sources that Pres. Mahan also occupied a very prominent placets preacher to this church. He preach- ed, however, not as pastor, but as president of the college. Having the natural oversight of the students spiritually as well as educationally, he preached hall of esxh Sabbath for *ome twelve or fifteen years. He is spoken of as a man of great power and fervency in the pulpit ; and did very much to build up the true spirituality of the people. Pres. J. H. Fairchild, Prof H. E. Peck, Prof. C. H. Churchill, Prof Henry Cowles, and indeed nearly all the members of the faculty have been more or less r'le instruc- tors of the church. Prof Cowles, besi.r. .^^i.L^UM£rt :^:.y' FIRST CHURCH, OBERLIN. «3 n the second [ttle's jewelry- re the church Ir of 1835, the lommodations, first Boarding been a work for a season, "olonial Hall" lists and insti- ;olleoe chapel, 1 the course of n the Labora- gular services, im New York In the ab- was dedicated )ath services ; day night and ras 100 feet in streamer, on to the Lord." id by Oberlin gs in different known. The ' been under e years. The well describ- riey who was and an active tvas one scene hich has otten ath before the )n. The con- gregation had gathered as usual in the old chapel, then the only place of worship for the whole village. The diminutive house had become packed, and the doors on either side, opening directly upon the walks, were thronged by rhe anxious multitude, while ushers were passing up and down the crowded aisles trying to compress the people into a smaller compass. Mr. Finney, then in the full vigor of man- hood, sat on the low platform eagerly surveying the scene. At last he arose and said " Brethren, the Lord's work in this place demands of us a house of worship that will accommo- date llie people, and whatever the Ix)rd's work requires of ua, we can do. We must build a church. Now come to- gether to-morrow atone o'clock, all of you, and we will talk this over, and lay our plans, for ii can be done." The next day nearly all the village, men, women and children, came together and after a characteristic prayer by Mr. Finney and a statement from him of his views as to the size and kind of building required, the people entered at once into the work. No one plead inability or even a delay for a more convenient season, although till the day before, very few had thought it possible to build, or even heard the subject broached, Mr. Finney also gave more for the object / than any other nlan. Perhaps it is not too much to say that, did the necessities of the people require it, the present Oberlin with the same spirit and zeal, could build twenty such houses with no greater sacrifice than was required at that day to build the one." This was in 1840. A committee was at once appointed, consisting of Rev. George Whipple, late Secretary of the A. M. A., Prof. James Dascomb, Mr. Lewis Holtslander and Mr. Horace Taylor, to take the matter in hand. In 1842 the foundations of the house were laid, though it was not occu- pied till some time in 1S43, and even then it wps entered ;/ 1 >4 HISTORY OF THE without being completed, and without any formal dedication. The people were I'ut too glad to be released from their cramped anil uncomfortable quarters, to cease their wander- ings, and settle down in a permanent church home. The lot where the buildinjf stands, together with a lot for a parson- age was given for that purpose by the original owners of the land where Ohcrlin was built. The house was designed not shiiply to meet the wants of the church, iiut also to accom- modate the great annual gatherings of the friends of the [college. Accordingly it was built large enough to seat i,8oo jeople. and so wisely constructed that it still stands, as Pres. lirchild las said, the " Knest audience room in the West." ^he controlling aim of the builders was convenience and lurability. not beauty. The interior was modelled, it is said, ifter the OKI Broadway Tabenuicle of New York. To put up such a building at that period of Oberlin's history, was a gigantic undertaking. There were no men of wealth in the community. Almost all the colonists were themselves living in their first rude dwellings. The salaries of the professors were only .ffioo a year, and the New. York fund for the supply of them bavin? fa'led, they were largely in arrears. The house, however, sremed to be indispensible to the work of the Lord here, and if so, it must anr the organ, however, was long used by the theological department for lectures and recitations, the stu- dents finishing it ofl' at their own expense as a compensa- tion to the church. In connection with places of worship, it seems appro- priate that we should notice the church chapels. The first was built in 1863, a plain brick structure, and stood on the west side of the church, l)ut was subsequently taken down to give place to Council Hall. The present beautiful and commodious chapel, of which Prof. Churchill was architect, wa>« erected in 1S73, and will doubtless meet the wants of the church for generations to come. L.\TEK HISTORY. The church, thus provided with this noble editice in 1843. went forward in its great' work, holding tor some twelve or fifteen years longer the entire field alone. Some two years alter the organization of the church the original confession of faith was modified, "to adapt it to meet the approbation of all evangelical christians. The doctrines of election ami perseverance were omitted ind those of future reward and punishment, and the Christian Sabbath added. The covenant was also amended so as to give liberty in reference to infant baptism. This change was made not because there were many here who objected to those con- troverted doctrines, or to infant baptism, but to preclude the necessity of the multiplication of churches, and in obedience ■'-*.atf':fe:-'»M5rv^n/u,^f.4,t*",- FIRST CHURCH, OBBRLIN. »7 y the holders, llent condition, unlike most of he purpose for s intended for mp for comfort. n^ used by the tations, the stu- as a compensa- it seems appro- pels. The first ud stood on the tly taken down nt beautiful and ill was architect, the wants of the noble edifice in olding tor some Id alone. Some rch the original it to meet the 'he doctrines of 1 those of future Sabbath added. ) give liberty in was made not !d to those coii- : to preclude t)ie ind in obedience to a prevailing conviction that any basis for a church less catholic than Christianity itself, was unscriptJiral." It is worthy of note here, that upon the same principle on which- the church excluded Slave-holders from its coin- munio . in the early days, it subsequently excluded Free Masons; thoui^h not with the same unanimity. The subject of Free Masonry was brought to the attention of the church in 1867. After that exhaustive and prolonged discussion which moral questions have alwajis received here, it was resolved by a vote of i$6 to 97,^hat, in receiving members, if any candidate be connetted with this secret organization, \ we will in the spirit of Christ use all hopeful endeavors to , convince him ot his error; but, if after such labor, he shall decide to continue active connection with it, we will reorret his decision, but cannot "bid him God-speed" by giving him the right hand of fellowship and entering into covenant, with hintCl/ The substance of the argument in favor of this ■ position was that Free Masonr} is radically opposed to the spirit of the Gospel, and hence the church of Christ cinnot consistently enter into covenant with adhering members of that fraternity. The minority agreed with the majority in discountenancing Masonry as an evil, but took issue on the polic^J^f exclusion, as being in their view an infringement of Christian Liberty, and as introducing a test of church fellowship unauthorized by Cltrist. Th^^lUiject of Sanctification as generally held in this church has been adequately set forth in pamphlets published by Pres. E. H. Fairchild in i868, anfl by Pres. J. H. Fair- child in 1875. Suffice it to say here, that while there were confessedly extreme and unscriptural grounds taken by .some few of the students and colonists in the early days, those extremes were rejected by the responsible teachers of the church; and that the general tendency of the instruction on that theme has always been toward a strong middle ground '■..>- i8 HISTORY OF THE between antinomian perfection on the one hand, and the old school view of inability on the other — a position in evident accord with the Scriptures, and acceptable to the great mass of those who hold the new school theology. Any abuses or perversions of the doctrine, which may, in isolated cases, have crept in of late years, are the fruit of a literature intro- duced into Oberlin from without. The confession of faith of the First Church, quite fairly represents the doctrinal position of its founders and leading men — which is also, a middle gronnd between High Cal- vinism and Arminianism. It is not surprising therefore that the multitudes who came here from all parts of the country, and from all Christian denominations, were able to fraternize perfectly with this church. Neither is it surprising that with church accommodations for the whole community, and with a doctrinal basis as broad as the Gospel itself, the people should, during the early years have discountenanced the establishment of other churches in the place. The charge recently made of sectarian opposition to the organization of an Episcopal Chuich here, seems to be based upon an utter misconception of the facts. The discouragement offered to such an enterprise, if there were any, was not on the ground of prejudice toward an Episcopal Church as such, but on the ground that the existing church was so Catholic as to render other sects superfluous. But when the det^mination was taken by a tew individuals, to have an Episcopal Church, instead of sectarian opposition, the First Church opened its doors to Bishop Mcllvaine who, in the absence ol any other suitable place, came in and held a regular service in this house, the choir of this church furnishing the music. Neither in the recorded traditions, or existing spirit ot the place has the writer been able to find any sectarian prejudice toward any ot the denominations established here. We are all on a basis of friendly and happy intercourse. Nevertheless, the prevailing harmony PIR8T CHURCH, OBBRLIN. «9 land, and the old ion in evident the great mass Any abuses or isolated cases, literature intro- irch, quite fairly ers and leading veen High Cal- ig therefore that > of the country, (ible to fraternize prising that with nunity, and with self, the people >untenanced the ce. The charge ; organization of ;d upon an utter iment oflefed to ot on the ground as such, but on L> Catholic as to he deteimination e an Episcopal le First Church in the absence held a regular lurch furnishing tions, or existing en able to find ; denominations of friendly and railing harmony among the people he' - tor twenty-five or thirty years, and the absence in the community of any sense of the need of otlier denominations, suggests the question, whether when the basis of union is simply the Gospel itself, and the spirit is that of the Master, the necessity for difl'erent sects might not wholly disappear. THE SECOND CHURCH. Notwithstanding the organization of other sects here, from 1856 onward, thi*- church once more outgrew its quar- ters, and in i860 the soar'^us building was found to be too small. With a wise christian foresight, the policy of the church was now changed. Instead of again enlarging the seating capacity, it was felt that a greater efficiency would be secured by a division of forces. Harmoniously, and with but one dissenting vote, the division was agreed to. This consummation was reached May 3d, i860, when an eccle- siastical council convened, and the Second Congregational Church of Oberlin was organized ; H2 members going out with reluctance and with the benediction of those who re- mained. Subsequent events have proveo the wisdom of this step. The growing demands of the community have doubtless been better met, and greater efficiency of chris- tian work secured, than could have been attained by one mammoth church. The new organization started out with a doctrinal basis identical with the old, and has grown to near- ly equal dimensions. The two have lived and worked to- gether as mother and child should, with one work, one aim, one spirit, one hope, one God and Father of all. As an illus- tration of the good feeling existing between the two church- es, it may be remarked that when the members of the Sec- ond Church began to build, some seven or eight years ago, those of them still holding stock in the old house, relinquish- ed their claims — probably to the amount of several hundred dollars — and the members of the First Church, in their turn, generously contributed tive thousand two hundred and forty iii'«»T»''W''ip g^^ »t»a.D- ao HISTORY OF THE dollars, tuwunl the erection of u new house of wrorship for their brethren. ORGANIZATION FOR CHRISTIAN WORK. In 1870, when Pres. Kinney's strenjyth wuh heginnin^; to fail, a feelinjj prevailed anionf^j the nienihers of the church, that a more thorough organization for christian work was demanded to meet the needs of the community. Accord- ingly, the following plan was adopted, and has proved of great value to the church. Several pastors having enquired about this organization, and thinking it may be of value to ethers into whose hands thib history may fall, we insert the consti- tution entire : "PLAN OF ORGANIZATION FOR CHRISTIAN LABOR ADOPTED BY THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF OBERLIN, DK- CKMBER, 1870. Believing that a prunary design of Christ, in the organ- ization of his iollowers into christian churches, is that they may be associations tor christian labor ; and therefore that every true christian church is by virtue of its organization such an association ; and believing that every member of the church has a work to perform in his Master's vine) .ird and that each member has his particular work to perform, and that it is the duty of the church to seek to enlist and engage every member of the church in some form of chris- tian activity. Therefore, Resolved, That as a means to this end we adopt the fol- lowing plan of organization: Art. 1. The town shall be divided into ten sections. Art. 2. The church shall appoint annually of its mem- bers a number corresponding to the number of sections, to constitute the superintendents, or leaders of the sec- .■ '-v;V- FIRST CHURCH, OBBRMf . ai )f wurfthip for IS beginning to of the church, tian work was uiily. Accord - proved of great enquired about v'alue to etliert) sert the conati- on ADOPTED BY I- OUBRLIN, DE- st, in the organ- hes, is that they id therefore that its organization very member of aster's vinej ard ork to perform, ;ek to enhst and a form of chris- re adopt the fol- ten sections. ally of its mem- ber of sections, jrs of the sec- tioHH, in christian work. The candidate for this oftice in eacli section to be nominated by the section, by ballot. The appointment by the church to be at the churcii meeting on the Friday afternoon succeeding the nomination. The leaders to hold their otlice until the time for the next annual ilection. Art. 3. The Section Leaders, shall together, constitute 11 Uoard of Christian Work. Any number of leader* not less than four shall constitute a quorum. Aht. 4. The i'astor of the church shall be ex-gfliciu president of the Board. Art. «; A vice-president and secretary shall be elected by the Board annually, by ballot, to hoUl their oHice during the year. Art 6. It shall be the duty of the Board to put in opera- tion all means it shall deem suitable to bring into active and elKcient service, the whole talent -of the christian brethren and sisters in the church, and in co-operation with chris- tians of other churches to bring the entire population resid- iiifi within the geographical limits of the church, under religious intiuences. Art. 7. The Board shall have power to modify from time to time, the sectional boundaries, if the people residing within these boundaries wish it. . r ' Art. 8. The Board shall meet monthly for consulta- tion, the hearing of reports from the sections, and for the transaction of such other business as may come before them. Art. 9. It shall be the duty of each Section Leader, to make a thorough examination of his field, to ascertain what work needs to be done. He shall keep a memorandum or schedule of the work. He shall •• MtBTOKY OP THE keep a roll of all the iiii-inlieis in his section ; a*cert«in who tire at work, or urt- wiiliii;^ to wot'.;, and uid them in Melecting hucIi a portion of the work as they nhall seem fitted to do ; and endeavor to interest and engage all the members in Home form of christian labor. Akt. lu. The Section Leaders may appoint as their Help- em, one or more of the brethren or sisters in each section. Akt. II. If there shall Jiot be a siiHicient number of laborers in any section to meet the demand, they may be ob- tained from other sections from which they can be spared. Aht. 12. It shall be a special duty of the Section Leade, s to see that all suitable means are used to sustain prayer-meet- ings in their sections, and to make them interestinfij. Akt. 13. Each Section Leader shall make a full written or verbal statement montiily, ot the religious condition of his section, for the use ol the Pastor and of the Board. Art. 14. The time for the annual nomination of leaders Bhall be the first Sabbath in January, notice of which shall be given on the previous Sabbath. Art. 15. Any section failing to obtain a leader at the regular time fc election, or which may, for any cause, have been deprived of its leader, may secure the appomtment Of one at any regular meeting of the church, provided the nomination and appointment of the candidate be in accord- ance with A rtiole Second of this Constitution ; his term ot service to expire at the time of the next annual election. Art. 16. This Constitution may be altered, amended or repealed by the vote of a majority present at any regular meeting of the church, notice, having been given on the pre- vious Sabbath, of the proposed change." cction ; aAcertftin and n'td tlictn in licy Nhall seem rnjjHKf all the lint UK their Help- each Hection. ;ient nuniber of tiiey ma)- he oh- V can he spared. c Section Leadt. .s lain prayer-meet- erestinKf. ake a full written oils condition of le Board. nation of leaders of which shall be n a leader at the • any cause, have appomtment Of 1, provided the ate be in accord- tion ; his term of nuiil election. Itered, amended It at any regular ;iven on the pre- FIRST CHURCH, ORRRMN. REVIVALS. »3 One of the mHrkelars, and in 1859 fifty. Mr. Fitch was a man admirably adapted to his work, and remained in office till his death, in June. 1867. Mr. 1. B. T. Maish. who had fur some time been assist- ant superintendent, then took charge of the school for about one year, when he was called to Chicago, and Prof. G. W. Sluirtlifl" was elected in his place, with E. ]. Goodrich as assistant. Prot. Shurtlitr served only a few months, being compelled by other duties to resign, and Mr. Goodrich was soon after chcisen superintendent of the school with Edward P. Johnson assistant. This arrangement continued till the division ot the school in 1S70. Up to that time, though the Second Church had existed for ten years, there was but one Sabbath school — the two churches meeting together Sunday mornings in the old home, for the instruction of their chil- dren. Since that time they have pursued iheir separate ways, Mr. Goodrich holding the office with the afi'ection of the school and tue confidence of the people unto this day. i^" One or two incidents connected with Mr. Fitch's admi- istration are worthy of record. Mr. Fitch was one of the thirty-seven citizens of Oberlin and Wellington who were i'ldicied by the United States Court in December, 1858, for aiding and abetting the rescue of a fugitive slave, who had been " clandestinely hbducted from Oberlin." Though but two of the thirty -seven were convicted, quite a number cf the Oberlin men refusing to yield or compromise, wore in- carcerated in the Cleveland jail eighty-five days. Mr. Fitch was one of that number. During this painful expt-rience his beloved Sunday school of Oberlin visited him en masse. A writer in one of the paperr of the day says : "One of the most touching of scenes occurretl on Saturdav, Julv 3d) when four hundred Sabbath school scholars applied at the jail to see their superintendent. Month after month they liad looked toward his wonted place for him in vain, a place from which he had not been so long absent for sixteen years; I ■=-s*»(«««ii^'!««7T''«-«.»»uS?;t/! - a6 HISTORY OP THK pt •!,'!, HI-I-. I. ;ii !:•! » I - a 1 and now, no longer -patient, they came trooping like little angelfc,' m nhey were. '«ndl beat their, very • wihfjs' M'poti tiit prison tioor." Then tbllows;a'l»i>ng*aclcau«t'of 'thi«SUlflVV^k>- ercists and ineidetits^ -fi'om which ^e tafc^'but an ^xti^ct or two. " At the head ht the procession whith wii* corid'iicted by Prof. JJM. EHls, and' which was rtnai*ehe)d' through th* streets (i)t'' Cleveland; accompanied l>v a bi.nd^of rhu^iti 'wrfi a »?piendid bainner, inscribed as fblltlws:' ''■ "''^' r.u-.i-'i'-'.i: ' '"'''0 BERLIN SABHA'THlSCHdiyL!,' • "'; •;r!l .1,1 iv). :)■. -J ;.:■;, ^;/ ^ : , I'l ;:■.■■ -n. i.-aiic: '1 S<:,.. ii,.i /i.'>.- ■jV>;!'"S!pA'HD' '6l" HORl ■JftSOS.'^ i.'. i.'j \u^■■^y^i-i^-j.!y(((ii>j-> ^- . . „>. fli.,>...!.;-< lonor. 1 -nit I'.; -ynrdiiifr: !i:fii iJi^t'i I' lit. .•!lJ 111! I, ;Oi vl y^ 11(1 the various ; lail, Unci soon ir:"'aii u .,' A^; III 'Jilt ) J. Each one wa.» le men, of whom i.\: ' -J It ) ' i-i- .' V ■ L", e ,not (jood chns- I .1, " ^ :;>! , )i.tl vri rl-iifl .»/ !iii-it FimST CHURCH, OBKKLIN. ''■§f. •: I.' r M Y,!i r-iii J"! any thing that Christ would have me do. We will continue to think of ylixi iJrfd ; p* «y ' For ymi As • Ihnrg «ik ■ Ksiod givfes' U8> breath. "'•IJlHsediare tlTey thut "are perJ^ckrtetl for rightc»J«s-i ness «)jike for t;heirs> is! tile 'kjngdoni ot huaven."-'*^«4^youit scholar.'? OnelHttlie cnl(>red girl, laying tti a'p4)rediaite. the* ssiorifiee hei- surpeHritend^nt> hUfl made'for her -race; > whites 1 "I have thought cf this passat«e ofMts'ifittke fof yluU' eiibfixln^ agtjmient, 'Klehsed are ye' when -in en Wh all Te^v'^ei ykJil I and poi*)et«te ytni flfnd sayall .nanner of i^vil agalrtst you f*Weiy for my isakej'-Rejoieb and hei exii*eediiig glad' for giil'/ .iiiiiii;i;,lj(iiv --hI ilii .fit !)'*HKi-GHQIIii,i{li _lfjllA .nx'l ixi.f; . lo^v-j't ',, rj'r '// iDi) .li->i'(.irjro'(j liOjil univhil ;t);h.h, -jill t?'^! '1 1 ., ,,Ny, histo);)^,ot;tli^.s ^^|^i>,rv^i yf.>ul»l,,|^e. 9<"»y?|ety: ; ,w,i^h»,y,^l w^ith tli^ pulp;^,, i^M,<^;,|i{an ,,right;t>>% ;>fi;j>;ji, ,^i ,.st»4r«f, i,ii,,,tji^r glv)j|io»6 ii^Afteiof; jh^^ t)>j)tYr*«(Wo ,yw»>*}K»C.chuiichilife wihiichj Wf •b^Yi*/.'Wf')fU•tiVIie,^^rjflg,.l;; h-jui'ihumj .y^^i „\ itni.-r., -.mIi ml ,[.'j;|iert;,,wt-'i«?.,i?43y«wS e>xceUe»t sin^rsj^ntilig' th>i,viirigin«|t coivu,i,it«.- :,Ji^^,,Xhii^,uall>- (eiwlen .. .Thel choir ^lowcye)•9;>y^^s.,^|<^t:o/•ga^i-cecl,ti}lr i%5.],>$r.,,E,,tf. ingiar-) K >\l[ after.Wif.^ Ii)ge^;^oU, y/Hij ,|thB v^rsl,,;4>ov,v^terMi(,4MI 11S36 he .Vfl!»igi]pd and l,^ft,,Cf)J?erWo,,^ ^J^;., (^^, ^..AlUensi a|' s4;uflent at^ tl)«;i ti|i)p„ vya!<.'[th«ijv,Bks;ted. .choriHter. ! He, i$, rej|}ard«;(d' «iij, jthe Father yf f,b,? ;lj(l^ej;l(n j^hpiir. A.jnUKicaV geu.ii.lf lMins#f„,ljfc jtbrevy liJ&,.ivhwl^,^,ieMy{ _iflto,,tbe, iVvwi:'* *^' or,gaiH5pipg;and;, iJr,ilJ,i,ng:,th^! mvi«!fi*lj talent -pf ithsi-p|i|W:«t,. Th?,;,>>fihf;>s»t/i ;,ujiw^ic,!0t:jjifl89 fi^yp ,i}i.,»^pqkeM; u^i »f Jiqipgl hap^Jy^seponil/iin jeiigi,(»|is /impi;fiS^iY«'.V.ess. ^P jl'fes. ]?!ii^n(fy!st '^'^'■'KWIs- /-^ij.ir^rwilgliif^s hki^}yyi y^W-rVfrniiCit w«»s, in, thpi bf»l>.»t ^^f, n|i9,k>^gitl>e ^hvir a,Hi3ej:i<»l,s^lfjec^, of.pcayer. . TJ*ft voluntary'-. frequfcntJy; melted/ hiini ito ; ;te»r*, , wUilfc ^nt , othe* tiineA he wioluld 'beg idie Loi-di ;t ;cheo|p 1 in.' ithe iwingtH-s any >'. 1: ■■o-l j'U'ilii'j -j-iJllI II 'I// 1i-jIi.Ui/II nyjif ■.•/|:'i <•! J. "J.' lci,« :3M>-«'rtiiw'-?'hf- v;;'»l•J^l^^lra»(lw^wJ.^w..'»8»< tendencies to di^|)lay. In 1841 Mr. Allen became I'lDfessor of Sacred Music in tlie C(»llesfe. and about the same time the clioir was lefjally incorporated so as to liold pi";)- ertv, and began the collection of a vaUuible Musical Libiaiv. In the atisence of an organ. I'rot'. Allen led the singers with a violin, and organized quite a iull orchestral accompariiment. In i'S49. during Prof. .Allen'> temporary al)seiice. Mr. C. II. Churchill then a theological student, was appointed choiister. He occupied the position during the following two years, till his graduation, when it was resumed by I'rof. Allen. in i^j^j, Mr. Churchill returned to Obcrlin, as pro- fessor, and Prof. Allen again resigned the le;'.der»hip to him. In 1854 the organ having been purchased, (»eo. W. Steele became the first organist. By means of concerts given at various times, which obtained for it a reputation, the clioir became quite a financial hslp to the church and college. It paid for, putting gas fixtures into the church, helped to pay tor the organ in 1S54. contributeeen trt)ubled with those chronic jars and ».-, ■..>'•'' ..-/ FIIIST CHURCH, OBERLtN. *9 Allen became abt»ut the same to hold pi"'!- usical Library, le singers with ccoiiip:niimcnt. absei.ce. Mr, C, was ap|)uiiitecl ; the following suined by I'rof. Oberlin, as pio- '.dership to him. (ieo. W. Steele ncerts jjiven at tation. the choir tiid college. It , helped to pay ) the purchase of oir was divided nd the "Musical anie dclig^htt'ully r. In 1S63 Mr. lined the leader- chill very j^reat t. In*r86,S (ieo. elected professor jir. fn 1870, on ain took charjje , R.. Severance. >mas A. Hall, a haniberlaiii was I'rot". Severance s. This choir h chronic jars and difticrUifs which atHict most choirs; and the reason must lie in the two tacts that it has always required good moral character as a condition of membership, and that its meetin^js for rehearsal have always been opened with prayer — facts which ought to be true of every church choir in Christen- dom. (iKNEKAL INKLUKNCK. As to its general influence in the couiUry, we need to guard against actributing to the church, as such, what belongs to the institution. And yet the whole institution tor nearly thirty years was in the bosom of the church, and dur- in< that time, the preaching from this pulpit did, perhaps almost as much to\ ard making the men who have gone out from here, as the course of study, or the college; influences by which they were surrounded. The First Church has been from the beginning a missionary church. It felt that its work was largely to raise up men who woidd go to the "waste places." Accordingly, we tind Tts members going out in large numbers to the fields already opened, and some of them opening new fields for themselves. Rev. I)avi>luv«iui>l(ierfii.a9 miwiutiMnes;. iiiid the solicitin}>t.<>r fuiuis from the !»ii«i\x;lu)U!»,'i8, «t irtiilitt when »t Mxined to.tliirisOherlin people that laltiffW ohriHti«iii:|i<)>iti»n uias.oiiniperuti\icli\^(leimunde(U led to 11 HKik of' itttetieHt liece.'m that society tor several years. As one of the early lnel)^^^tM(^ aHirins, "'it was with >«i»tl'.thartiwib' feU/'CHHed upon to rclnike th^i (r^hVA P".'"k}i '^it .♦Jii*i I »^"Sl I'^yyAe, ,o|^^>«;>f hwiptie* iW,i,1|h- JK h i ch >yRl"\«ffLity itiCJt. l^e^iJMM: ,U?ey,,»efAi,>^e4,!tiOi tiCHt,; th»?; •m.i^'f *lU»(Vp!Vi^»x, |tl)(jv,,jjlj(l,,o)heii.,hiif!i,'/ T}i,(ii^ Mmfitm,,hi^w^.\yiifi ^m\\b>yf^m iWf^' --^^ H"" m-\ |h^j .qijiiiivfh, Js 11,,. .AfH^ Mvrlit=,.m.i,s>ft>(¥»'"}i:!W;S>v';ti.if,,Mie.,c|ij,iv(;h, U)t;-ff.';»1*f,i'W.'MhP,i: i4i;t«^Phe)>„;Vyl»f. iU'iY^.-.ifW^'/^^i.lifWi?? i.tfl •i^.w^tfls^t, itv>'i«?r:!^nf ff .. ti>s . km\\ < , ^H (Bvr¥.<;ji,^»-^ , i w,hp , rh^^e ■•ti'if-*'i^s*^<^x^H\s\\s^H^!)?fi^ m\Kiy^*^-r(.Mv*fj^fl}. ^ j?i"^l; >yej>A .*/,>'ih V?' '^j}PB«t-Ml?>;esid,«?|J,V-.,an/j iprHfes>«i?ii; Vi',W>. j"l'^.,*f^l!, rf^tiUVj.!",*: t|^e-/»"«-:»> I ' >^i mf*^ m -.^t^ -H^li^i wJ;." 'jti"i'i ; • ,1,^*-' i^j^^w, off , kmm y'vy.kr. >\\}^jy^*^iim\wh «>i9H'f>.th? ,*^w>^!i>s\o'j':t|)f«t imv;- v,thp» ,5tr,uggIe^s,,^^UHi^li,,>yjl,V.t{h .^j}^ |-:irst,.C;jnn'|c'>; 'jft^. >>W=i^l'l,. -^t^ ^»-, g)R!fiviithjvnpiiin?^ eiiitVv striHijryltfH I aif^iJU-t tht5 7piwJ:Uiiioe>(M»)itjiiM,t'udi w lion h we runaoiit'berttbe^ptn'poHes'.tiiHthave ilminatelcilit;;ind the ciitiscs •with which )tilb»»>(heen ldeiitirtti'thiNio©tiittriw<^hibhnlniqcMriy''ct>la^i!it^t:t1<^ in their career, and of which they have sorndtimes 4iWert gotitl->]jj*tHrtHHy /ucc|j»Kii,ij,,,»»f iptip!»,,J,itJiW,v,\Te;i " Jh^j ,qlmii;(f h; A^ ! ■ . iin: ' )i ' t ^M, ja*;urJi rwlieiiMwe t;:uvd die c^iisrs t' fortyy^ips of ill!;***" 'CliriKtj'We sumdtHne^ 4ii*ert iur^jiiMiiSf.' • TLe jfieat multitiiile • ''•■<■■. FIRST CHlMtCH, OBERI.IX. Jt cii* ith ^n«;qoi)CJ> aiul' their. wprkvi^cKl .^as. iiiHiiifeKtly set. hU »«;al-,. ;j iw : ,:, .:,■>■ >■ •■■■ ' i ' ' .. iMii /i BKTOTHKX'9M-KGIj:. 1. .'in I I'l n .'•I'Thie' Church ami Colle each other. They were ivjrn tofjether and being olio in4uni and.s])irit, neitheir can he separated fruni the other wJthoirt ki> the oaliege live. Accordingly, 'f they pledged themselves to make, the iHtereHls ot'tlie' Olierlin I n&titiite identical with theii; ow.ii." ..Thistpledge has heengeiueiaUiv kepit; .■ The stu-^ (tenth hiwijclivetl' ji>l tlui christiiai tiimilies- tif 'therahurch( Iveconie iidentifted.withii their irrt»re?ts-.. '.partaken y>t :tliein spirtt^kilelti.vvith'tHem, at^tlteiv tainiilj altars and gone with thtim toithe iiou«(;of '(rod. . .Imthe earjydayi, one or rtwo of tli«.jckrtOon$;»»it thcchAJVch were, qiiitCi;g*ittrally chwsen from Mtji*<«vg/|h§.^tiidei«|i,t)i*„ To v»ne loo.kidg on, 5ron».\ wit.Uwit,ith.i» fl>(>i^t^r\ses.,>ip..., ,Xii^. ¥\vsK Church ctjy, ijeyev f\|r'|f,<'i t.V,,rec«?fie f rom .that noble. ^ttitude ,a^i4n|ed iiytl|e te,nth j^rti^^^^ot the Colonial Covenant»,t|[( )'T?f*^^i "T'^^ interests of, the Oberlin Institute identical with its own." .'■'.j\.r.j ui ;. i'"!' J . ■.! ■'■' ' v ■> ■ ' ■ : 1 >•■■ I And the Institution cannot aHbrd to cut, loose from the early ties, tjhe traditions, and sacred, ipemyries yvliicli bind it ,|^ this historic church. , . '.'l-j;iij7>>ri! vli' ij. t-i ■'.; A' ,1- ■ •. .'■;■■■ ;.'Ci 1 C.i' Clii.; '; j-..! /,,,.f,. -,.yv/ »tJiJ,A'l''<->N 'nt;KP('<^'«KMVJ'U)NAJ»l«M, ;.j;-. 1., .,.(1 ;; -'Tbwxhwrcb ctuiie 'into existencevataitime whenttlie denotniuational Kky cM Montherib Ohio.: was libeady full i of wiitlteiiinigBandjstorm. MiLike'iwlhecs .of.'tlMwe days, tbe^Ob!e^>• 'ilnlf;h:>ltii ly unfore- seen by either party at the beffinniuK, was slowly but surely briiitjinjj ail the churches under Presbyterian rule. If this influence could have carried over the hearts and c«>nvictiop.8 of the people with the orjjani/.ations, the evil would have been little or nothincr. Hut such was not the case. The anomaly presented was simply this : a people, in some sense, compelled to work under an ecclesiastical system with which the great majority of them uvictiop.s evil would have t the case. The jeople, in some Lsiastica! system not sympathize, time had come, ationalibts must absorbed in the i looked toward lin Ciuirch with- with nineteen 1 of the Western ; that this was an tantially correct, ;ne honor. True, ot the churches, jn originated at :he First Church in the movement itory were many od of distressing ve followed the rge was made on : was responsible followed; on the by Oberliu, that those fiivisioiis resulted from I'resliyterian "ajj^ressions upon the Icfjitimate rijjhts of Con^^regational churches and ministerial l)iethren." This can I)e settled only liy an iippeal to fjjcts previous to Oberlin's existence. !t is well known that the Western Reserve was settled chietly liy New England people, and that the great majority of churches were Congregational. Rev. Thomas Barr, himself a Presbyterian, atKrms that " in nine-tenths of the churches, there were no real Presbyterian meuibers, and at the time of constituting the Grand River Presbytery, 1814, he did not recollect a single church within its limits that was truly Presbyterian, except the church at ICiiclid, his own." With the exception of eight years, from 1S04 to iSii, the miiiibters wore largly Congregational, though not as over wheliningly so as the communicants. I'nder these circum- stances we should naturally look for the organization of Congregational associations, which the plan or here was expected to join the Presbytery. It was claimed Kl^.^l-t^V- ■^■*''',:^.)1*'^-S!f*^^ i^lf^^-^ 34 HISTORY OF THE ti\<'i"'tt •j'^i," (iiij-iit /■ 1^ J i' I :ii ■■' '<''ii-")-f -Mill i'/ti" ■>»'■>.'!♦ rtllHlly,.!tMt I'rm«tljy,Un;imv*,l?<{rymui„iiflfi, tlvat |io inin, i>.^ci;,ln:i<) if ri«:)?^.fM l^foUHfte C(.|i«,'re|Eativ,«iiH|t?m., Thwf^e who (lid. were (JJClly.M^)St^>•|'^^ '',IM'V\'^tyr?.'W!i/'<^^!''^".'t^'*r''' , , Siicli wan tt'R condition of aflairs wheji, this church came tipiMi thi- Nla'-'e of, iictKiii ii» 18-14. It .was cpmuel ed— Pre)J)vtfrian as manv <>t i*s leaders were — either to take ■,-,,;fr • ■ ,..i . .•■)>!• ii:c.'!'| ', I ": ■ ' .' ■);:j,'/ -mi,,:^-!. .., sides with tiie I'resbvterv, and a|ve up Loi)gri;gatiouah'>iu •)|II T. • 'ii' :-iI >IMI III"' Uri\' ^(C n 'I, ,llft. '■)' •■ii^'i I r ),, l:>-in,.. altntrether, or ajfuinsl the i'rtvsbvtery, tor a course, ot a.tivity at once freer and more, in .accordance with the "cuius f ,'.,,i:!i> -I'.''. ■ III til Ut-.nV. tM-ii:l 1 t people,, and tieir controlling i(l,eas,ot reforni, . Thev ,chosa the latter, ajid the die was cast. .117/. . 'ir J ■ li ', r It; (t'j i.ii''» •» .iiff'ii: ,..|i.,: i.; (V-/i.iil'» -jiit l..r)-.)i|l/jinl: n ihi'J -iil' -i <<■' /P^lll rii: >li -'. ence. The movement with wliich this church became Ti. II.. 1:1, N SI ■ ■)!'' 'T^ /|i'.,r .■"IMlll.l; ! lM-1' >•// ^iJll.M ulentilied and in which it b^jcame the leader thiKijjh tor a time apparently makinv matters worse., vvas really the tirst healinjr influence, upun the disease which had been rankling in the Ijlood of the people tor years., Unque8|tionablv, there •Vii-'i' I ' :;(M;i,")l';(ir'.V 'Jit' '" l'),ii,/. vl-." i I i, ■ • J, ;' ■• is now laid a foundation for wholesome harmony and. union, ■ilU.J .-■.ll:..<' -J'tMl if .l>)i'..'-,(|l I.'->MI l.,V'"' '."' <^ *''',' • '.'"'' which cvuild never have been attained under the old rea;ime. •■fjMii ,i1)ii-iiM It, 'riMi.if: 1, 'ii.!';i; )!. yf.i f/ .ft- |..f,- 'iif-.v -i The diftereJice in the course pursued. by the two parties was this : Olierliii undertook to remove the ca,use ot the truuhle: V'jift ii'i.n -• r /'lulj ri,i.(ii!(.-;,j"-\iii" si xli ■>■ :i-)i/i..-. < ' -^ her i anti}gj^ni^ts th ^ sy luptoiYs ; tlitf^ {oYmar woukl | ^i^re the cij^itref^ed ppt^eij^;by,V^jtfi|iiJ;j^)ut/fh^ tPJW'?i<'f"*-'i(f'''WP'^"Hb..«i '•>■! 'If rno-, ,:■• yd' oJ toik-. vt-jt ,.,i„4n *i(UUtiou.,l,,tvt)ie„<>No,qaMse,s .\v.hifih MBooiuiti fw; nv»cAryf !t,h« /l)iUeriii\««»; ,fcll!, t«iwardthe,()hei,\fi> ©hitti-ijhi Sni )t)h«''Coi^iiiega|ti(M]ilal 1 UKWumeiutti! ywiwoh' 1 ifollo«xU k*iiorg^tiifci»((Jii. -i-.o'// '-jr rjlv i«i I'l '••^''A^Vri«^^ofil!W^Hi'i'iyAlfirt'Wi«^'SHeliiced'hV'th¥Mi«'t'«H(SW^ Jrtt'WhiiV o'pY'6**'-'ng;ittii-et<«eiitttiysco>urt;eU;'<,i ■ 35 ,^chis^ii,ij^i<;!>, . , . leii this c)\iircli — either td.tuke ■J '•■■ ' ■!{ , Hi-, i,, uij(rr(,'eati()ij;«li>.in •" "^ M r I ' ■)-iii, . . :(iinn )ii /. church l)ecame ilcr, thoiijfh tor a IS really the first ■ 'i,"i ''''":" •'•,V.-'' lad. l)eeu raiiklinc uesitionablv, there riuony and. union, '.II' (t *1i f 1.', •' )l I )T er the old rejjime. // 'A' r...'. Mf\.')' ^ e two parties was se ot the trouble; ■>; \%-,\ n>,. SI ,;•? r wouW .cure the '■' Ktid ! T) j; : .■ •• ce!;,.tht! latter, by wardtbe.Obeijii't ^wfaaclvofeliowx^d ii •yurtj^t^.v^'driV^yrt >rk were held in terror by; pr<»»laver>ilnM>fcfc. Th* ihifrth in New Vorki'»ver whichl/ProMrieiit Finney 'ivas ^Ivth ipaj^ton' b«relv e«.eO|**d with tbcii'i ilivef I throtiffh l>»:ht vi Obdrlin'si b»»t' fri^ndj Li-wis 'I'nippunl' ■ \x\ '^'ii,'^^ '^by Hiti;iiis ot i»he . lantwlttveiiyil ruptufe ittt iTaiie" Seihiiury mid. thtf '.icoiiseqilenl* kiiJcfoJttMV hero ■ id jtK;^5- bt' 'Hrof hjvsoiih • Mur<»am" Filifknej .••'. CowlcJsl atrd ' Mahaili '('^beriirt l«.'Ciim« vwv •.ipnwi.ouniedi iilv 'it*'! >Hni(f«lavei'v im.Mitiinen<|Ai M.CIi>Kel\ 'eoliseqiUeHt ■mpwn tJuNj'^ suvsl' Prof"e»»*»iT 'C'nwlbB', 'Milt- attittwlo »if . PresibVleriiin* HMV'.tbt- " RfNtrkri' tf'wiirilla (HTOrliiJ lieciitne ivmtVutifrpuil. repefKawt 'ifcnd exitluKAe." > ' Tht acfioil «t Limt StTjinary 'Wa!»i*'fdb)Wedi ht' pr(wla>x't'rv luobHj tlie vde'stTUcliHiit'Wf the :HntiiHli*yein'i(jiie<*H- • ^t iiJ*. I>A>vcioy. While tht«e 'b 'tht uotuitryi lAe,l*iTe,s%tt;rii»i»p, wbv^,Wfi|(e„i,iv»ii))}, opji^^^v'l't ,t,i' a;'}tisl^very uf,';tatii«v ,beg«t\i, to^igjltjeji ^\\\\ \)}\\\G.X^vi\: e^;w^^j^^ti^:d,^•rip. The liight ojfchurchefN (jo,>;.^Mys»;. ,tlie;i,r ow.i^,])a>iJ(^\i>,iwi;bijnt ie<4ard to l>Sf>|»y^pi,T,,^v^!,., df-'nipd, ,t)j|e^n,.,,,l^y^^),|tl,iy, '{\\\n\-^r mental principle that the majority shall rule, was^ resisted, it heiue held by somel resbvteries tliat even a small minority -■ .. : ^,. .'i. :' 'j;'.' ill 'It;"; I ii >' !■ • ■ u,: i>jn*.>l> ^'''••'Tl adhering to the Presbvlery. was the church. Ifiis, inits :•*?..;,! ) )'i: '.' I •■'•1 A.iK.';". ,';lt 'i;: /i. vi . >.• i. .'<•> . .'. i turn, produced uiieasinesii and stimulated the spirit ot revnil h. }, ■ . • .. 'iM ., , »., ; V ' ' ■ >"■' ' 1'^ > 1 -ri •»;..,» J Miiiunjir the laity. So high did' the feel'.i'j run. that when *?|l. I ;(■: •- ,. 1. 1 ! . .1, . >■ 'll '.I '•j'' I) ) A . .^>.U . 1 /,i I 'i'll, , :(■; •- ,. 1,1 ! . .1,. ,■ 'll '.I ''I" \,>^,-..,l\ 1 / y two Dberliii si'i'di. "tes, who had btjen brought un m.the -ri ..I V '.. ■ -i. "1; •'■■'■■■ -f.'-'i •'■"■''•,, v' '• !"i"-'d* .■••^ ■; ' liosom of the Presbytery, and were well known. asRed, to be . ■. :(i ■■: .111 111./: ,.i / ..ir, /ii, !i.-..r:...|i->,' I (rl >!(> examined tor license to preach, they were denied the privilege, and ()berlin denoiinceu as a "curse to the world.'' lhe.se same young men are to-day the Presidents ot Uber- lii. College, Ohio, and 'M'lUi^aC(VHe^g^.''k'^bti}ckl.''"*'^ "• ' Asain. the jrrasp with which new school theology was " .n Kr.iRj .rill -lu -Jti Jjiii^ .1/. >i I i,i<*i ". held here, also did much to characterize the Congregational inoveiueiit .on' tjio WcBtenn |<«.Herve;iai»diito ')flrpy iQterlin into prominence. The old school pirty in the Presbyterian .;»-,• T*-'.-," »■.' «5 HISTORY OK TIIK church had been (f tiie pilgrims. Out of two hundred it would not be easy to find one who has swerved from these good old paihK." POLITICVL ATrrn DK OK TME CllUHCII. A single glance must be given to the jjolitical relations KIHST llinuil, OHKIII.IS. 37 ;j the new Hchiml WHH put on trial Finncv, Moij^an, with I'resbyteiies HV tVom tli«* work leit otheiR. This, I at .he mercy of heretore, no path •(Rationalism, new the slave, hut that erian body. That ^ricat moderation, to unite witii tiie nnual meetint;, t upon ConK''ctJ'* ,vo points. and coMNolidated were dying out. injr and etticient. isteiice. failed to .neet the e State, doulitless he Congregational leticenfresults that avh the Congrega- iue largely to the' into the ministry tv of the pilgrims, sy to tinci one who le ])olitical relations „t the church to the country at large. This l.uildino^ has iHvor l.cen devoted simply to the proclamation of tl.. goa- ,h1 ..n the Sahl.ath. The nu•nll.er^ of the church seem to iK.vi- felt that righteou»tne!.b is m.t an attrilu.te of the brick „„lmoitarc..mpo».inK the house, but <.t the men who built it They were not. ther-jfore. afraid of its desecration l>y nc.in- put to more secular use^, The house has always been „pei" for the discussion of every moral (|uestion which man iH.fds to uuderHland. It hns been the rallying place -.vl.cre, ,„ mass meetings, all conceival)le i|uestions ol interest have l.tni discussed, but especially the great political issues of tin. nation from the early antislavery times, down to the campaign for liases and Wheeler. The political attitude of the meml)ership mav be understood from such sentiments as these : " Patriotism a part of religion," " I.oyilty to (i.,d and loyalty to government when it is loyal to (li.d." •We mean to teach our children," said Prof. H. K. Peck, ' to respect law and its ministerb, but we also mean to teach tliem that they will not be dutiful to the State, if they do nut hold her to duty to God, and that they will be traitors, if they obey a law which breaks the law of Heaven." The aunage with which tliese sentiments were held, is illusMsted ill the resolutions passed by this same Prof Peck and his leliow prison.'rs upon leaving the Cleveland jail, where for opposition to tne fugitive slave law thev had languished tor ei-hty-tive da vs. When release came, and before leaving the prison, having rendered thanks lo (Jod for his mercy, thev nnanimouslv adopted this resolution : " That alter all tho" pains and penalties inflicted upon us by government othcials m the attempt to enforce the fugitive slave act. we tVelittobeourdutv tosay, that our hatred and opposttum to that unjust and nnconstiluti.uial law are mt.re intense tiKuiever before. No flue or -mprisonment however en- torced, bv whatever court, can induce us to yield it obedience. ;.^-^3«ft.;.i;J^.*;'^>^'_: ■'iv'^' «8 msroKY of thk * ■U'e \N ill hereafter as we have heretofore, help the panting fug'itivH> little (lncklent!< is relatod ilhlslfratilve idf.-theirvrMy it^ vthi'ch these pririeipk-S' were carried o»t. A slaJvet mother wiitH rt lavg'e familr oif chailreu.iriclildiusi a littlo Mjrphan boy, given ;her.l)y Hiv)th»r ih\m mother ,f>n "her (}e*th betUlwas. delay wl in.' her fllgi»t». ,«t Oberliiiv by tbe-«>ickl»es^ uf : fcliie jittlei \ns>y» oAt Hrst siie w<>vild not leave him* but; tindirtg that Ij^r Oia^ter' w*s ,iin immediate pivsuit .of :her, ^«he; wah hurnied o»i to. .Qnwda<:a,na tUe,A<>aips herei, tQvk; «ii-«i;«Jt tJjB ,«i»*^^c-(;^^v^^, In vt.Xe.vy. (|}iy.si,hfi;di.f^il,'»"<-l'< th^(,tnAepi). which ,yp,ci,u;?p4.-P)>i giind|i},y'j^f;ier.nooD,,iM th,i^,, church, ip., sft^l t9„ .^av^ :^ie,«fn ,!^|^ gflec|ti.^^,,tlj.at ^tfiere^ ,vyas hf.rd^)^/i .dry. eye, ,in,,,th^^ lK,i|se. F?^');!^?;Keei^,and 'P;;cf{^ ?^eck , c^onduc^^d ^the ,exer^.s^ ..;}, /e>v^^pbbayl^ lateiva ^lim«^ collect ■ It wouVaiie pleasant here to iftention some nt the 6cl/n;i or l>l.>{^{;WV^fere^eAl^ltil^ss^cV i,i' ^t^li^k cllui^i^'auVj; g tixi-''itd^'6r-m reHfeHI«n'vii6W'tHi'e'^.'rry' pVf/Jcr|)%s induFcaVW heie'h'ila i^vSt^^fed'iWe'pao^U-^o 'HonWa ^cCthe" 'fr(!.h't 'v^lVt'i^' the 'c'oilhtry't:aik^d"for ' tfodlife; artd ' to"laj^'th«'i-^bh*"ir'>rt' t^i' ^Itiit of '4Ueri«Ue thdt ithd i sUvc'^mi^hlfMife tVee^d"and''th^ riation saved.' Hut all -tbati, ot coui-»«J .i* not peculiar 'ttv Oberlin, b'ut Is the' bamimon gltn'yi of every loyal dommiinityi,: Perhaps tliti mo&t. thrill'mj^-mefltin^ lever; hehl within thesei walls, wais.that'ofj. Illy 6: ;'59, whea those ipriionerR !"for lighW*' ou>riess: sakev'. befer«,rieferr«tVto.: we>ei w/elclof^ J^mes M?^ni[Q^|niw M«m.b«r,«f.iCo,»n gress,w,h9,>^*id,totheir(,;H'iyo'|,h»v(8,uiaasai^>ft(,MiipTOhiuS«*(WijJ!»i slavery, t^^y ,l)?,f|uf>pei>i,np,,,bR>»fiqg 49.W»#;,^heJ?PP. l^t;iuling,c«( ii>p. Ifnef, ;j ei;99f a^Qoi}. ijia^e, yf>>i ,y,ou,Nve^iti;inj9i prjsyt\, evp9,t ^?, G,0|d ^flpa«i.,y9Mi J'W hftY^ -CiVW^ «M^ 9fi prj^oii,.", .A.ftti- '.h^^.i'i'ddvesB, thi? h^n>e*, ;(vere e8icp>tei4.1>!yiithft iflp the panting liaMo hiin, what- iniiyiacttl" ! , .;i •of.'thelrwMy ii^ L slrtvc I mother ttlo orphan boy, (Iciith bel 1.1'!;. Svm) on some ot the it lU ;Ii;;>fii I'/f ■■ IS church iliinng ^cr^jfk Jiidul'cafk' 'thfeSV feliii^'icSrt' t^'(y i tVet^(t"«nd"t?i^ not peculiar 't^v lyai dommunityi.; Iiehl within thesei onbrs i"tor i igh|;j}" iiMiiied haiiie/froii): pp.pMllatiofl qf tUfi (,Mnprp,mw«!» iwiA ye ,c,oip^ 9W^, «^f, e e8|cprte(ti,J>y,itbft FIRST CHURCH, OBERI.IN. 39 people with music and flying banners to the "great dhUrch>- wMW thti me6i'Ji%-^''as <^rgaiiiiiid: "Th'^'V.iilt'rtibl^ Father! Ke«p^ •wj««' chosen PtefeideVit, »hd'h}* rtni^rtt 'iVc'/rUS for human- 'tVeQil«n»,aiidi the' supremacy of' thb'UrVine'ljkW,i gi|ve|the.flcey'twtp t,o .theweeting. Speech aftestsptebh of vvplcojije if ^^^.pcjug^atujatjiqn,, response aftei. response, to^n tiie returned prisoners, all breathing intense devotioj},]t9- country, humanity and tlje higher lay*', couplec] >yjth O||)po- sition even unto ileath, to the fugitive slave act, held the .1 .. , '.-...■i.sM ;..■! ". '■■■'" tit^'"'"^ ''/° '"■''■' V ' ■-■ ■ "'■ '"'i-'ri il immense audience spelloound from early evening till the Hours of the night. A deep rengious feeling ^^er- vart^d^the ayfeel^ibry Iji'tfiyy ' i8ikjiice,'aild' M6W thtlrtdevJ gus vfith a|t)i||iIauseJil AfteriK^lieM ald:w»vll^»had etihded^>-A'tV(9 r^ecli(9.?!d/^huK ;»jit^ plor|m^^><^ ttlKl,,scni|f,i,lil| vjHHt >nidi%ilht< prayer of Dr. Morgan, *' whose great and no,ble heart." ** ■ -';, (i:.of: ■>i.'o:, ifTiT .-j^iiiiil-j irJ»; !•;(;' ,M:t..(>t il. ritni.iri'iL ■jiilW-?l-dni'r/ieh't'aiVioh'g'WViith is thatikt\il'iil?sk "'(!o God:' Thti i^re^ent ^feiV^laUori hi^i-d.^hiis, Wd*eetr,ii litVi'fegkcV fiW,\i thfe'^^asl." ti- evyf k''chii1cWlw'a''s'^stkbU§Hkd t6^-' ihV'-^i'^W 6P'evlii^gtli:tin^'th(J'v^orrd"tHlskiir^ v^as,' Ahd'^s' wfe'"iilahVr ih'Miis 'itt^dst of tlilfe tlkti^ltidhl '^e¥l6d; keerh^'cyA ' rfie' b'n'e' hand thg^k«Jii iJl 06'd 'wh j // It ' J''.*' '''•' 40 ■.••.'■;»g7n? ;?if>V^rt'' IIISIOKV t)K THE iinpeiativeh- lor reply: Arc we true to our trust? Are the men of to-day inoetiug the duties of to-dav as the fathers met tiieirs forty years ajfc- Js tlie old spirit gone? It is of course perilous to institute comparisons, hut in view ot the facts i)efore us, we make the followinj; sut't'-es- tions: • I. The aim aid i;v • f the fathers have not departed. The great and good men and women who have prayed and struggled here, have left a legacy which their chiklren are not going to cast away. Circumstances, forms, methods must of course change with the progress of years. It is well they shouli'. Hut the old purpose and principles remain; and :.ven a causual ohserver would not fail still to detect here, great energy of spiritual life. The rock on which we are planted is the "Kock of ages." What has been said of the college, may be said with etiiial truth of this church. "There have been changes, but none such as to separate the present from die past in identity of character." 2. We shall do well to reni'inher that we cannot live upon tl;e virtues and heroism- ' 'be past. Circumstances here are now so different th.-t m 'ves of the founders, if minutely reproduced would not m< .-t .0 demands of to-day. We are bound to transmit christian > baracter and institu- tions. But after all, it i.-. not those of the fathers J)ut our own, that will most directly concern posterity. As indi- viduals, we too, shall soon have passed away. If we have any noble aims, any high aspirations from the past, we are to speak them out, put them on record, and send them down the fields of time that the gleaners of the next generation may find something that the reapers of this have left. But our supreme duty to the future is to enable our children to begin not where our fathers, or where we began, but where wt lett otl". VVe owe it to them to leave behind us, in spirit, :»,-• ■;''■■ FRIST CHURCH, OBEBl.IN. 4» rust? Are the as the fathers gone ? parisoiis, hut in lowing siigges- 3 not departed. uvc prayed and eir chiKlren aie forms, methods of years. It is and principles ! not fail still to The rock on es." What has [iial truth of this one such as to V of character." we cannot li'e Circumstances the founders, if nands of to-day. :ter and institu- fathersi but our :erity. As" indi- ty. If we have the past, we are send them down next generation have left. But our children to legan, but where hind us, in spirit, principles iiiul institutions, that which will adequately ex- press our last and best attainments. 3. There is no call here for any new departure. The mission of the church is to be what it has l)een. What the world needs is still God-like men and women. The great wants of the na»ion that so deeply impressed the founders of this church still continue. The wonderful progress of the last forty years, has scarcely altered even the aspect of the country's demand upon the church of Christ for conse- crated service. The three great causes to which this church devoted itself in the past were the emancipation ot the slave, the emancipation of the drunkard and the conversion of the heathen io Christ. These will still be the great absorbing questions of the future. Slavery as a sy8t','ir. has passed away, but the work of the church for the slave is not done. There never was an hour in antislavery his- tory, when the negro needed more christian help than to- day. A half century to come will hardly put his cause beyond solicitude. The danger is that we shall have been found adequate to the breaking of his shackles, but not equal to guiding and sustaining him amid the perils of free- dom. Governments can abolish slavery, but only intelli- gence and Christ can make men free. The future of the temperance cause in i\ merica is also still in obscurity. The liquor interest is better organized than ever before. "It holds the balance of power and cracks its whip effectually over both political parties." But the cause which more than any other is to call for consecrated christian patriots in the future, is that which grows out of the tremendous influx of heathen to our own shores. While immigration fro.n Europe may have reached its climax, that from China. India and Japan has just begun. Brahminism and Boohdism are to jom hands with infidelity •^^ ..n'v-j(a..Si- '•{'-- ' ■^^^?fliiJ^.?' »/!:■^Si1l«3w^^q=W'•«^«^;l^W9^.VT^»ff■'«»5SW»*^ 1 *«. .1 - i); •^ HISTORY OF THE in America. It is possible that the great struggle with heathenism is to be, not in Africa or Asia, but on this con- tinent. Here christians must unite and pagans wilL Then will come the death grapple in which they shall triumph, with whom is the Lord God Ahnighty. These questions can be met so far as we are concerned, only by the oH spirit adapted to the new circumstances. To be faithful to our trust, we must still, like our fathers, stem the tide of worldly opinion when that opinion is opposed to holiness of life, and still hold fast the gospel principles of economy, simplicity and selfdenying love. ;''^B ■ ! 'i. J. ■' J. ■i 1 t struggle with ut on this con- ans wilL Then y shall triumph, These questions only hy the oH To be faitliful to tern the tide of it'd to holiness of les of economy, .»-',' FIRST CHURCH, OBBRMN. APPENDIX. 43 '" ■ ■* I8t. CONFESSION OF FAITH. ' -. Akticlk I. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are given by inspiration of God, and are the only infallible rule of faith and practice. , s -, • Article tl. We believe in one God — the Creator and Ruler of the Universe, existing in a divine and incompre- hensible Trinity — the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost — each possessing all divine perfections. Article III. We believe in the fall cf ot first parents, and the consequrnt entire apostasy, depravity, and lost condition of the human race. Article IV. We believe in the incarnation, death, I'ul atonement of the Son of God; and that salvation is attained only through repentance and faith in !iis blood. Article V. We believe in the necessity of a radical change of heart, and that this is eftected through the truth, by the agency of the Holy Ghost. Article VI. We believe that the mcra! law is bind- ing on all mankind as the rule of life, and that obedience to it is the proper evidence of a saving change. Article VII. We believe that credible evidence of a change of heart, is an iiulispensible ground of admission to the privileges of the visible church. ^;.■•^.-:^ ■'"' ":'':':■''■■ ^' Article VIII. We belLve that the ordinance* of X dt n u :i->,f--t-f, i?*»s:*v' ;f??ii3S''KS?.:'^i^^5^*S^***'' ''•■'"' 44 HISTORY OP THE Baptism and the Lord's Supper, together with the Christian Sabbath, are ol perpetual obligation in the church. Article IX. We bcheve in the resurrection of the dead, in a future judgment, the encdess happiness of the righteous, and the endless misery of the wicked. ;^ 2d. TiiK Covenant. ^^ > You do now, in the presence of God, of angels, and of men. solemnly avouch the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the one only living and true God, to be your God. You receive the Father as your Father, the Lord Jesus Christ as yoi-r all-sutilcient and only Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost -as your Sanctitier. Professing unfeigned sorrow for your past sins, and renouncing all ungodliness and every worldly lust, you i\o now freely, and in the fixed purpose of your heart, give ip you- self, soul and body, with all that you have, to be the Lord's— promising to walk be- fore Him in holiness all the days of your future life. You jeceive the brethren in Christ as your brethren, and his friends as your friends ; and promise to watch over hem with all christian fidelity and tenderness. You do also submit yourself to the government of Christ in his Church, and to the regular admniistration of it in this churcli in particular. You also covenant to walk in communion with your brethren, not only whilst you con- tinue to be members of this church, but also in all oth^r places where, in the providence of God y lu m-.y be called to reside, and where the ordinances of the gospel may be " maintained ; endeavoring to promote divine worship, and christian love and fellowship, by all the means of Christ's appointment, and within your power. And, finally, you engage to live as humble christians, in the regular and faithtul attendance upon the worship and ordinances of Christ in this place, and in the performance HB ie.t. ■■ l^i'-S FIRST CHURCH, OBBRLIN. 45 with the Christian ; churcl\. esiinection of tl>e happiness of tlie vicked. 1, of angels, and of )oii, and the Holy d, to be your God. er, the Lord Jesus {.edeeiner, and the »fessing unfeigned ng all ungodliness ly, and in the fixed ioul and body, with iiising to walk he- future life, it as your brethren, niise to watch over iness. he government of admniistration of it :ovenaBt to walk in dy whilst you con- ut also in all oth^r 1 y )u mr.y be called the gospel may be livine worship, and e means of Christ's of all your solemn engagements to God and your brethren, until by deati or otherwise regulurly removed. All this you solemnly engage, to do, in humble depend- ence upon the grace of God. ( y'Ac c/iurcA will rise, and the Pastor will say .) " We, also, on our part, covenant and promise to watch over you, seek your purity, peace, and edification ; and so far as in us lies, to advance your spiritual interests." 3*1. THK ClIUKCH DEBT. Since these pages were written an event has occurred which shows that the church still holds the spirit of '-pocket- Ix.ok onsecration " exhibited in early days. A debt of $6,500 had been hanging over the church since the building of the new chapel and purchase of the new organ. The sulject of liquidating this debt was presented from the pulpit March 35th, 1877. The people responded with their old time enthusiasm. Through the earnest endeavors ot Rev. T.J. Kerp and others as committee ol the society, the way was prepared for a successful effort on the next Sabbath morning. The time usually occupied by the sermon was given to the taking of subscriptions, and $5,750 were raised on the spot; the choir, of some eighty members, giving $300 unsolicited. During the following week the remainder of the sum re- quired was more than made up, and on Sunday morning. April S, the annoui.cfnient was made to a very happy people that they had no "hurch debt. i humble christians, on the worship and 11 the performance :'''.;& '» u- 4*" •^^A^'~^..-^ ilHMil