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Historical Sketches of Iowa Baptists, 1886
S. H. Mitchell
Published
by Burdette Co., Burlington, Iowa
CHAPTER XXXIII
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Washington
Association—An Organization with a History Peculiar to Itself.
Some of the Oldest Churches — Special Features — 1869 to 1886.
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SUCH is the relation of the Washington Association to
the history that has been given in the previous chapter that we
give it place here as a continuation. The origin of the older
churches takes us back even to the old Des Moines Association,
so that, though a young Association it nevertheless has the
marks of age. On the 11th of September, 1869, according
to previous arrangements, delegates met at the New Haven Church,
8 miles west of Washington, and organized themselves into the
Washington Baptist Association. There were represented
the Ainsworth, Talleyrand, Washington, Columbus City, Davis
Creek, New Haven and Richmond Churches. An opening sermon was
preached by Rev. A.W. Sutton, from Acts 17:6. Rev. W.R. Woodruff
was elected Moderator, N. Littler, clerk and Calvin Craven,
treasurer. Rev. Arthur Stott reported for a committee previously
appointed, a Constitution and By-Laws which, after discussion
and amendments, were adopted and the organization completed. The
following roll of churches appeared in the Minutes of 1869:
Ainsworth, 16 members; Columbus City, 111; Davis Creek, 48; New
Haven, 78; Talleyrand, 37; Richmond, 104; Washington, 53; Zion,
98. Churches 9, members 555. The situation gives promise of a
history differing in some respects from other like bodies in the
State. It is located where nine Baptist churches, comprising
over 500 members, are thickly clustered, having Washington for a
center, and any one of which, as well as the center, can be
reached without much travel. The committee on state of religion
in making a note of this peculiar situation, say further, "In
parting with the Burlington and English River Associations, none
but the kindest feelings exist between these churches and those
Associations; and we pray the Lord of the harvest to increase
them a hundred fold. Brethren we have cast ourselves into the
breach to fight the Lord's battles, let us equip ourselves for
the work and prove ourselves good soldiers of the Captain of our
Salvation." The pastors at the time of organization were: A. W.
Sutton, Ainsworth, W. R. Woodruff, Columbus City, J.M. Wood, New
Haven, Arthur Stott, Washington and E. Ward, Zion. The Zion
Church reported 61 baptisms; New Haven 10; Columbus City 2, and
Washington one.
For the years from 1870 to 1875, the
anniversaries of the Association were at Davis Creek, Zion,
Washington, Richmond, New Haven and Columbus City. The
introductory sermons were preached by Brethren J.M. Wood, A.
Stott, S.M. Cramblet, E.C. Cady, Father Warren and J.H.
Miller. The Moderators, in the order named, were: Deacon A.A.
Smith, Wood Cramblet, J.P. Coffman, Warren and Miller. N.
Littler was the only clerk during these years and up to 1884.
The first anniversary in 1870 revealed a beginning of marked
activity. An enterprise had been inaugurated at the first
meeting for establishing a Book Fund. Also Special Mission work
in the Association. In connection with a temporary Mission
conducted by Brother Wood, pastor at New Haven, the Eureka
Church, six miles southwest of Washington, was organized and a
good brick house built costing $1594.66. The church was received
into the Association with 25 members, 12 of them received by
baptism. The Howard Grove Church was received from the English
River Association, H. H. Parks pastor. There were 87 baptisms
reported and 644 members. Pastors J.W. Coffman of Richmond and
J. P. Coffman of Zion Church are in addition to those before
named. Brother Stott resigned about this time at Washington.
It was resolved in 1870 "That we take immediate steps to
collect and preserve the history of this Association, and that
Brother Littler be our historian.'' In 1871 we find Rev. S.M.
Cramblet pastor at Washington and Richmond, E. Ward preaching at
Ainsworth and Davis Creek, A. Stott at Columbus City, and J. P.
Coffman still at Zion. In 1872 the Louisa Center Church was
received. Rev. A. W. Sutton appears again at Ainsworth.
E.C. Cady is at Washington, and J. B. Hawk at Howard Grove and
Tallyrand. From the first this Association has had a monthly
conference, which is now mentioned in the report of the
committee on State of Religion in the Churches as "A power for
good, the influence of which cannot be fully estimated. Social
ties are created by it, and it calls out the talent, ability and
energies of all, and at once becomes the academic and normal
school of the Association, and a means of improvement and growth
in the knowledge of the way to work in the Master's
service." This monthly conference seems to be at the same time
a sort of executive committee of the whole, having charge of the
benevolent work of the Association. This year, at a meeting at
Louisa Center, it adopted the building of a Baptist church tit
Keota as an object of concentrated effort. This the Association
approves and already the work is well under way. The meeting was
enlivened Just at its close by the arrival of Rev. J.E. Clough,
who had been expected earlier, but failing of the necessary
railroad connections did not arrive until this late hour, when
he addressed the Association for 30 minutes. In anticipation of
his coming, however, a collection of $67 cash had been taken up
for Foreign Missions, and the amount of $775 pledged toward the
endowment of the Telugu Theological Seminary in India. A
collection was taken up for ''Our distressed sister, Hannah
Beard, the church builder, now in Chicago receiving medical
treatment for disability caused by railroad accident while
engaged in her noble enterprise," which collection amounted in
cash to $19.16.
In 1873 the Keota Church was received
with 24 members, 13 of whom had been received by baptism. Rev.
Jas. Frey is preaching at Keota, W. N. Whitaker at Richmond, and
E. Ward at Columbus City and Davis Creek. Brother Wood served
part of the year as Missionary of the Association. He has
resigned at New Haven after a successful pastorate of six years
since the organization of the church. In 1874 we find recorded a
decided increase of spiritual interest; 113 baptisms are
reported and 675 members. Rev. John Warren is pastor at
Ainsworth, J. H. Miller at New Haven, J. T. Long at Howard
Grove, R. M. Tracy at Keota, C. Brooks at Louisa Center, and N.
H. Daily at Richmond. Brother Ward at Davis Creek and Cramblet
at Washington are still holding on. Rev. J. P. Coffman has
resigned a three years' pastorate at Zion. Of the baptisms
reported this year, Ainsworth is credited with 10, Davis Creelv
30, Riclimond 28, New Haven 8 and Washington 35.
The
Brighton Church transferred its connection, in 1875, from the
Burlington Association; J.0. Johnson pastor. Tallyrand, under
the lead of Brother Tracy have built a neat chapel and are
looking for a revival. Rev. J. M. Wood, one of the most active
workers in this Association from its organization, has removed
to Pella and become the Financial Agent of the Central
University. At the anniversary in 1875, Brother Bronson, one of
the oldest members of the Columbus City Church, gave a touching
account of the feeble condition of the Baptist cause in Louisa
county, and the religious destitution among other denominations
in the county, and quite an interest was awakened in behalf of a
better provision to meet this destitution. A committee was
appointed consisting of Elders Woodruff and Ward, and Brothers
Bronson and Jennings, to lay the matter before the State
Convention, and to urge upon it the duty of taking prompt and
effective action, and pledging the Association to
assist, and a subscription amounting to $62 was promptly pledged
to aid on the part of the Association.
The Eighth
Anniversary was held at Talleyrand. In the absence of the
preacher or alternate appointed last year. Rev. A.V. Bloodgood,
of Washington, was invited to preach, which he did from Acts 5:
20. Elder R. M. Tracy was elected Moderator, N. Littler, clerk.
Rev. S. M. Cramblet after several years of service at Richmond
and at Washington, has taken his departure for another field of
labor, and Rev. A.V. Bloodgood has succeeded him at
Washington. Rev. John Warren still holds on as pastor of the
Ainsworth Church. Rev. R.M. Tracy is now supplying invited to
preach, which he did from Acts 5: 20. Elder R. M. Tracy was
elected Moderator, N. Littler, clerk. Rev. S. M. Cramblet after
several years of service at Richmond and at Washington, has
taken his departure for another field of labor, and Rev. A. V.
Bloodgood has succeeded him at Washington. Rev. John Warren
still holds on as pastor of the Ainsworth Church. Rev. R. M.
Tracy is now supplying Keota and Talleyrand, J. H. Miller Eureka
and Howard Grove, and N. H. Dailey, Richmond and Zion. Rev. J.
C. Johnson is preaching at New Haven. From 1877 to 1880 the
respective annual gatherings were at Ainsworth, Washington,
Brighton and Zion. Moderators: J. M. Wood, two years, A. Robbins
and Wood again. Annual sermons were preached by A. V. Bloodgood,
M. D. Murdock, A. Robbins and Wood. In 1877 three new churches
were received, Pleasant View, Iowa County, Wapello and
Toolesboro. A year of spiritual development was granted to the
churches. Three hundred and, ten baptisms were reported and a
total membership of 1,134. Every church in the Association
reported baptisms, the smallest number being two, at Columbus
City and the largest 59, at Talleyrand. It is doubtful if a
parallel to this increase, all things being considered, can be
found in the history of Iowa Baptists. The committee on "State
of Religion" said, "The sense of increased responsibility in the
churches, the care of the tender lambs of the flock, added to
the fold, the new fields of labor opened up, and our largely
increased duties in many directions press us to exclaim who is
sufficient for these things?' " Rev. M. D. Murdock labored part
of the year as a missionary in Louisa county, a result,
probably, in part at least, of the interest awakened two years
earlier at the meeting in Columbus City. Rev. B. H. Brasted
spent several months in evangelistic work, "assisting in the
most of the churches.'' Rev. John Warren, for a number of
years the faithful and most beloved pastor at Ainsworth, quietly
passed away during the year. Also Mrs. Rebecca Groat, mother of
Rev. E.G.O. Groat, a member of the Columbus City Church. Rev. J.
M. Wood has returned to this field as pastor at Ainsworth. M.D.
Murdock is supplying at Columbus City and Louisa Center and E.
B. Porter is pastor at Zion.
In 1878 the Riverside
Baptist Church was received. Rev. A. Robbins has succeeded Rev.
A. V. Bloodgood at Washington, Rev. James Jeffreys is preaching
for the Columbus City and Louisa Center Churches, and Rev. A. C.
Kelly, brought up in this neighborhood, is the pastor at
Riverside and Davis Creek Churches. Brother Robbins preaches
also at Eureka. The revival interest of last year has been
reasonably well sustained. Churches 17, pastors 10, baptized
119, added in other ways 77, total membership 1118. It is
remarked in the able report on the State of Religion, that the
number of dead branches cut off in the necessary process of
pruning has about equaled the additions. The total number of
additions, as seen above, is 196. The number excluded and erased
is 187. After the phenomenal ingathering of the last year it is
not surprising, in the light of experience, that this pruning
should have been needed so soon after, but is rather a proof of
vitality in the churches that it is so faithfully done. Rev. N.
H. Daily has closed his work at Richmond, and is supplying
Howard Grove and Brighton. In 1879 Rev. T. H. Jones is found
pastor at Zion.
A change of the constitution brought the
meeting in the middle of the week. It was an experiment, but in
the minutes for 1880 we find this said of its success: "The
lingering; doubt, heretofore existing in the minds of some good
brethren, that our anniversary meeting could not be successfully
held during the middle of the week, especially in the busy
season of the year, was completely and satisfactorily removed by
the large attendance at this, the first annual gathering held
under the new arrangement." Only one baptism was reported this
year, while on the other hand the spirit of active benevolence
was an advance on the last year. Rev. E. A. Spring is preaching
at Brighton and Howard Grove, A. J. Delano at Keota, and H. L.
Steele at New Haven. Rev. J. H. Miller, who has been an
important factor in this Association for some six years, is
missed from its councils, though still in the neighboring
association, the Burlington. For the years 1881 to 1886 the
places of annual gathering have been Howard Grove, New Haven,
Richmond, Washington, Ainsworth, and Columbus City. The annual
sermons have been delivered by Gilman Parker, W. T. Rice, R. J.
Langridge, W. L. Wolf, W. D. Elwell, and N. B. Rairden. The
Moderators have been J. M. Wood, A. A. Smith three years, W. D.
Elwell, and Smith again. N. Littler continued as clerk till
1884, and N. B. Rairden has served the two years since.
In 1881 Pastor Robbins has resigned a three years pastorate at
Washington and Rev. Gilman Parker has succeeded him. W. J. Hatch
is preaching at Columbus City, and other points, and George E
Eldridge at New Haven and Tallyrand. Rev. A . Robbins has
removed from Washington to Centerville, Iowa. In 1882 Brother
J.M. Wood, so long and actively connected with the work in this
Association and State, has removed from the State and become a
citizen of Harper, Kansas. An interesting communication from him
was read, and the clerk directed to make suitable response. Rev.
T. H. Jones for the last three years a pastor in the Association
is also missed from the pastoral roll, and Rev. L. W. Atkins is
the pastor at Richmond and Zion churches. At Washington Rev.
Gilman Parker resigned to accept the appointment of State Sunday
School Missionary, and the church have called Rev R. J.
Langridge to the pastorate. Rev. W. T. Rice is preaching at
Ainsworth, and Rev. Jacob Kissell at Louisa Center and Columbus
City. Rev. William Elliott, one of the earliest pastors of the
Washington Church — active on this field more than thirty years
ago --- was present at this meeting, fresh almost as youth, and
is preaching to the Howard Grove Church.
The meeting at
Richmond in 1883 was the Fifteenth Anniversary. Rev. W. L. Wolf
is pastor at Keota and reports 10 baptized. Richmond, L. W.
Atkins pastor, reports 14. Only two other baptisms in the
Association. For two or three years a spiritual dearth has
prevailed. Rev. C. L. Custer, of Bonaparte, is supplying
Ainsworth half the time. Rev. G. M. Vallandingham at Howard
Grove and Father Elliott at Davis Creek and Louisa Center, also
Jacob Kissell at Columbus City, Toolesboro and Wapello. In 1884
we find the Wapello Church disbanded, and Pleasant View and
Eureka dropped from the minutes according to rule. This reduces
the Association to 14 churches, only three or four pastors, 40
baptisms reported and 685 members. A strong appeal was made to
the State Convention to aid in the support of a missionary in
this field.
At the meeting at Ainsworth in 1885, it
appeared that not a settled pastor in the Association was in it
the year before. Brother Custer supplying at Ainsworth half the
time since 1883, but not living within the bounds of the
Association, was the only seeming exception to the above remark.
The settlement of several new pastors is, however, a hopeful
sign. Rev. N. B. Rairden at Washington, W. D. Elwell at Keota,
New Haven and Zion, W. L. Wood at Columbus City and J. T. Long
at Howard Grove, are the pastors. The record for 1886 is a
decided improvement again. Keota reports 53 baptisms and
Washington 18. Altogether there are 83 baptisms, 41 other
additions and 689 members in 13 churches with five pastors. Rev.
Amos Weaver is pastor at Keota. Other pastors named last year.
The history of the Washington Association has had, as
already intimated, some distinguishing features, that made it a
study by itself. 1st. Its circumscribed territory and the close
neighborhood of its churches to each other. How it contrasts
with many of the earlier Associations where attendance on the
annual meeting, or a visitation of a missionary character would
require, often, the traversing of 50 or 75 and some times more
than a hundred miles. In this Association the distance of
the farthest churches from each other has at any time been
scarcely more than 30 miles, and a majority of them come within
a circle of 25 miles. All but one or two are situated in the two
counties of Washington and Louisa. Circumscribed, too, by
working Associations on every side, there could not be the
feeling of "land to be possessed" beyond the present limits, so
that the zeal of the body could spend itself on its own narrow
field. Not in a selfish sense, for the Washington Association
has from the first been to the front in its zeal in behalf of
the world, but the cultivation of the home field as a special
object of effort has been the more effectual, doubtless because
of these circumscribed limits. Again this Association, in
the very beginning, incorporated into its life some methods that
have not been so well tried in any other in the State. It is too
soon to determine the ultimate practicability and utility of
these methods, and whether the limited territory has not favored
them as a wider range would not, may be a question, but a brief
review of one or two of these may be profitable as it is.
Before the meeting for the organization of this body, at the
recognition of the Zion Church, in May, 1869, the "monthly
ministerial and lay conference'' was inaugurated and at the
meeting of this conference, in Washington, in July, "a fund of
$50.00 was raised to purchase books to sell and distribute
throughout the country as a means, under God, to circulate the
truth as it is revealed in the Bible," etc. Upon the
organization of the Association this movement was endorsed, and
the Book Fund was increased to $132, and it was provided that
the monthly conference of ministers and members should
constitute a board of directors, to whom report might be made
when they should direct. This book enterprise was started by
voluntary colporteur work on the part of Brethren Wood and Ward,
and at the First Anniversary of the Association, that is the
second meeting at Davis Creek this report was made: "Books and
tracts bought to date, $530.73. Amount disposed of, $323; about
15 per cent of which has been given away. Books on hand,
$207.73; on which a debt of $27.28 remains unpaid.'' The same
report also states that the monthly conference has been
regularly held during the entire year, and has been generally
well attended and alway interesting. "At each meeting, with
perhaps a single exception, not less than two sermons were
preached, "besides essays on practical religious topics and
appropriate devotional exercises.
In 1872 Elder Ward,
Missionary Colporteur reported : 'Books and tracts on hand last
year, $118.51. Bought during the year $107. Sold during the
year, $109. Balance stock on hand $116.51. Amount uncollected
$4.64. Cash on hand $23.66. Total assetts $144.81. In 1873
Brother Ward is still Colporteur and Agent of Book Fund. He has
sold during the year books and tracts to the amount of $88.71,
has paid for books, etc., $87.50, and has cash on hand $25.05
and balance of assetts $175.72. In 1875 Brother Ward, still
Missionary Colporteur reported for two years. He had sold
$148.85 worth of books and tracts ; had paid out for new books
and tracts, $193.95 and had a balance on hand of $156.32. In
1878 Brother Tracy made a report of fourteen months in which he
had sold about $100 worth of books. There was at this time
belonging to the Book Fund in money safely loaned, $51.45.
Nearly all the Colporteur work, if not quite all, had been free
of charge; volunteer work done by the brethren named while
acting as pastors. In 1879 a special committee was appointed to
take charge of and superintend the "Book Concern." Brethren
Littler, Wood, and Jeffries were the committee. Later on the
clerk of the Association seems to have been made the custodian
of the Book Concern, and made report annually of purchases,
sales etc., amounting to hundreds of dollars. In 1882 a
proposition was introduced to divert the funds of the Book
Concern into a permanent endowment fund, the interest to be used
for the-relief of the families of deceased Baptist ministers
residing within the bounds of the Association, and to provide
for the regular increase of the principal of said fund. The
whole matter was referred to a committee to report at the next
annual meeting, consisting of Rev. R.J. Langridge: Rev. L.W.
Atkins and the Moderator, Deacon A.A. Smith. The following year,
1883, report was again made by the custodian of the Book Concern
by which it appears that the cash in the Fund amounted,
including interest to October 1, to $100.85. The special
committee appointed on "Deceased Baptist Ministers' Widows and
Orphans' Fund," reported and after discussion the whole matter
was referred back to the same committee and Deacon C. Craven
added to the committee, The next year, 1884, on report of this
committee it was resolved to create such a fund, by taking up a
collection annually at the close of the Associational sermon,
but it does not appear that the suggestion to divert the surplus
of the Book Fund into this Second Fund was adopted. The invested
Book Fund in 1884 amounted to $109.41. A like report in 1885
shows a slight increase of cash on hands. We have deemed this
history of a special enterprise worthy of detail, because as a
factor of Associational history it is unique and will at least
bear study. It must be admitted that during the last few years
the interest has waned to some extent and that in its most
prosperous times it has required an amount of gratuitous work
that it might be difficult in most Associations to find men so
situated that they could render it.
Take it all in all
the history of the Washington Association is full of suggestive
seed-thoughts in Christian activity, than which few bodies can
present more. But little appears concerning the Monthly
Conference in the annals of the last few years, but it is
understood that for the most of the time it has been maintained,
though not, perhaps, with quite the success of earlier years.
The record as to benevolent contributions and missionary spirit
is without doubt better than in most bodies of its strength. In
connection with the State Convention we have data for an exact
statement which we give, and we have good reason to believe that
the contributions to other objects are relatively as good. In
the seventeen years of its existence the Association is credited
with the contribution in the regular way to the Convention of
$1780.96, or an average of $104.76 per year. To this may be
added a special individual contribution in 1881 of $406.86,
which would make the grand total $2,197.81, or an average of
$129.22 per year. During this entire period only $381.96 were
appropriated from the Convention treasury for missionary work
within the bounds of this Association, and most of the time the
churches were contributing more or less for Associational
missionary work, under direction of a board appointed from year
to year. Brother N. Littler continues to be custodian of the
Book Concern, which reports, in 1886, cash on hands $127.40.
Among the veterans of this Association still living though
in feeble in health, is the excellent Rev. W. R. Woodruff. As an
illustration of his spirit we take the following; extract from a
report on the State of Religion in the Churches, presented and
presumably written by him in 1874. By the reading of the
letters from the churches, it is plainly seen that an active
Christian zeal is moving the general interest in the Association
to a higher plane than we enjoyed one year ago. The lull that
seemed to rest upon us then has been broken by precious revivals
and additions to the membership, in several of the churches, and
consequently greater consecration to the work of the Master, and
from them the brethren along almost the entire line have caught
the inspiring incidence, and are earnestly pleading the Divine
blessing to rest upon the pastors and brethren, * * * that
Christians may do all they resolve, till many shall stand where
Moses stood and view the promised land, and from thence, like
him, cross the flood, borne on in angel hands. We do not forget,
however, that there are some still reclining by the way. even
following at a distance, yet we are glad to know that they
follow with uncovered, fires ready to blaze into active life. *
* * Now, dear brethren, move on to the conquest. Be encouraged
by the past. Trust in the presence and help of our dear
Redeemer. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His
ear heavy that he cannot hear. '' This exhortation will always
be appropriate to the readers of this sketch in every time and
place. We have no better words with which to mark its final
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