 |
  Home
Introduction Preface Email CHAPTER XIIII HAVE already spoken of a protracted meeting, held in the vicinity of Percival, by the aid of Rev. Wm. Simpson of the Methodist Epicscopal church, in the winter of 1851-2. Tabor settlement was begun in the spring of 1852 and religious meetings were held in the grove under a basswood or linden tree two miles southwest of Tabor, near the pastor's log cabin, through the summer, and when the autumn breezes began to blow Brother G. G. Gaston's house, on the southeast corner of Park and Orange streets (now Mr. Starrett's), became the place of meeting. Here Mr. and Mrs. Laird, who had recently come from Erie county, Pa., to reside, where F. M. Laird has since succeeded them, first attended our meeting. When in 1854 the school house was built on the northeast corner of Center and Elm streets, that proved the resort for all public gatherings in our community until better accomodations were provided as the village grew. For many years it was customary to hold a series of religious meetings at some time during the winter season, which were uniformly attended with more or less quickening of religious interest and conversion of sinners. As at first ministers were few and far away, these meetings were for a number of years conducted by the pastor of the church, efficiently aided by the deacons. On one of these occasions every individual in the community was reached and all of intelligent age except one cherished a hope in Christ. In the autumn of 1856 the parson held a protracted meeting in Glenwood, which resulted in the organization of the Congregational church of that place. In 1857 he aided Brother H. D. King, of Magnolia, in holding meetings, and in 1858 assisted Brother G. B. Hitchcock at Lewis, where Deacon Cummings of Tabor and Bush of Exira also attended. A deep interest was awakened and seventeen were added to the church on confession. In one of the meetings a father arose and, with tearful eyes and faltering voice, confessed that he had wickedly broken his vow made to God when in distress, for when on his way from England to America, a violent storm overtook them and when in imminent peril of his life he cried to God. He promised his Maker that if He would but deliver and enable him and his to reach their destination in safety he would serve Him the rest of his days. But he had not kept his vow, and now God had called his sin to remembrance. He turned to God and began a prayerful life, his wife and children going with him, and there was joy in that household. In February, 1859, the parson assisted Brother H. Penfield at Quincy in Adams county. In 1860 he helped Brother King, of Magnolia again. God worked with us and eighteen were added to the church on confession. In 1861 meetings were held at Percival, attended with a good degree of interest, and which resulted in the organization of the present Congregational church there.During the war of the rebellion attention was very much diverted from matters of religion. the public mind was absorbingly eager to get the latest new from the seat of war. the news of the stampede of Bull Run came late in the week and furnished a theme for sermons and conversation on the following Sunday. True patriots were very much cast down, while rebels secretly, and some openly, rejoiced. Men grouped together at the street corners and gathered about the hotels and postoffices and bulletin boards, pouring over the latest despatches and eagerly attempting to pry into the future. So many had gone at the call of their country that a burden rested on the remnant in order to keep home business moving. About January 1, 1868, the parson aided Brother J. H. Morley, of Magnolia, in a few days' meetings. Brother H. S. DeForest, during his ministry at Council Bluffs, conducted a series of religious meetings in Tabor twice, with good results. Father Orson Parker, a veteran evangelist, labored with us in 1870 with much success. Elder Balcom, of the Baptist denomination, and Brother Lang, of the Methodist Episcopal church, also conducted evangelistic meetings successfully among us. Efforts of this kind for the past fifteen years have been too numerous to mention in detail.  TEMPERANCEForty years ago as has been before said, all the people in this region of country were accustomed to use intoxicants as a beverage. Liquor was freely used at the polls on election day. The several candidates furnished it for their friends, and it was not uncommon to see men drunk, fighting drunk and noisy, before the polls closed. Here and there at the boat landings along the river, whisky was kept for sale, and the imbibers thereof were wont to frequent these places for social merrymaking. Broils and fights, and reckless smash-ups, were not uncommon. Whisky used to be termed a good creature of God, but time has shown the fallacy of such a statement. For if Satan has any one tool more pliant, skilful, Satanic,and more destructive of all good than any or all others, it is Alcohol. It blunts conscience, and prompts to the commission of crime; it beats mothers and beggars families; it ruins character and destroys souls; it poisons the body and crazes the mind; it drags down the talented and noble and plunges them into the ditch. Murder, robbery, theft, adultery, anger, malice, blasphemy and the whole catalogue of crimes are incited and warmed into life by this fell destroyer. But much has been done to curtail this evil. It is made unchristian to use it, make it or sell it. It has disappeared from the public gaze. It finds no place in the most genteel families. Many hotels are run successfully without it. Elections are conducted quietly and honestly and honorably without it. In no case is it indispensable. In most it is decidedly hurtful. Temperance has made decided advances. Great changes have occurred for the better in the past fifty years. May we not hope that intemperance will yet be banished from the land? Return to top Note: Names in bold print are to aid in your search for specific surnames that you are researching, they are not in bold in the book.  Previous
Next Copyright © 2000 - 2001 D. J. Coover |