tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142919672024-03-13T12:19:56.973-04:00A Southern "Universalist Church" HistoryWorking papers of a history of the Universalist Church in the south. Misc information dug out from the late 1700s to the mid 1900s. In no particular order or pattern.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-28271423636324686822013-01-23T19:19:00.000-05:002013-01-23T19:19:55.510-05:00College Students Behaving Badly - in 1832In November 12, 1832 the postmaster at Williamsburg Virginia sent a letter to the editors of the<br />
Southern Pioneer in Richmond Virginia explaining that there was a fair number of subscribers who were not<br />
picking up their copies. They were either College of William and Mary graduates who had left the area, or those who were just refusing to receive their copies. In those day, subscription payment was not before your subscription, but after! So the abandonment of copies, was usually considered an attempt to not pay a debt.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Southern Pioneer was an Universalist publication that was ran from 1831 to 1835, starting in Richmond, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. So to the students in Williamsburg, it was a semi-local paper.<br />
<br />
Those listed below were probably not Universalist, and it would be difficult to figure out why they subscribed<br />
and then fled without paying their bills, or even if some later paid up. But because the letter is avilable, I decided to list the names of these 14 students, who were behaving badly back in 1832.<br />
<br />
<br />
The postmaster was Jesse Cole,<br />
<br />
Thomas Burfoot Class of 1834, of Petersburg. - In March of 1832, he was disciplined for being part of a group riding a horse in a school building. Likely to be Thomas Matthew Burfoot (1814 - 1869)<br />
<br />
Richard H. Gregory Class of 1831, from Lombardy Grove. Son of William O. Gregory<br />
<br />
Lemuel J, Bowden Class of 1832 (1815 - 1864); lawyer, mayor of Williamsburg 1862-1863 and U.S. Senator from 1863 - 1864<br />
<br />
Thomas Martin Class of 1831 from James City, son of Dr. Thomas Martin<br />
<br />
Thomas P. Giles Class of 1832 from Amelia, son of Gov William B. Giles. (c1813- ) is not to be confused with his half-brother Thomas Tabb Giles, or the Thomas Giles from South Carolina. Luckily the College said he was the son of the Governor, so we know which Thomas Giles he was.
The Govenor had been a co-founder of the "Thomas Payne Infidel Club",
some of which may be due to living in Paineville. The Governor was an
active member of the Episcopal Church. Thomas P. Giles' daughter,
Elizabeth Peyton Giles is mention is Mary Chestnut's diary.<br />
<br />
John H. Jones Class of 1831 from Charles City<br />
<br />
Frederick Proctor Class of 1832 from Elizabeth City<br />
<br />
James M. Scott - Feb. 1832, left school after participating in a duel. Possibly from Richmond , he was the son of Robert G. Scott<br />
<br />
Edward C. Outlaw Class of 1831 from North Carolina. Edward Cherry Outlaw (1810 - 1853) brother was US Congressman David Outlaw, from Windsor in Bertie County. Family were Episcopalians. Extremely<br />
distant kin to the Universalists at Outlaw's Bridge (and even more extremely distant kin to this writer).<br />
<br />
John W. Jarvis - from Matthews<br />
<br />
P.C. Lightfoot Class of 1832 from Buckingham - Possibly Carter Lightfoot. <br />
<br />
John W. Greenhow Class of 1832 from Richmond, son of Robert Greenhow<br />
The only son of Robert Greenhow who fits is James "Washington" Greenhow (1817-1849), newspaper editor in Petersburg. Nominated but declined appointment to be consul in Argentina in 1847.<br />
<br />
John M. Maufin (Maulpin) (1807 - 1850) apparently not a student. He was the future son-in-law of the above postmaster, Mayor of Williamsburg in 1850, owner of the Custis-Maulpin house in Williamsburg, Episcopalian<br />
.<br />
Lucius Cary - apparently not a student. (1815 - 1845) A leading merchant in Williamsburg by the<br />
late 1830s, may have lived in Mississippi for a few years in the early 1840s. <br />
<br />
William G. Young, Class of 1832, son of John Young of Denbigh, Warwick (the location is now a neighborhood in Newport News). He is likely the William G. Young who actually owned the community of Denbigh in the 1860s - it was a working plantation and the former home of Colonial Governor Samuel Mathews Junior. <br />
<br />
So, these were rich kids used to getting their way. Not surprising to see Episcopalians, as that was the church of the ruling elite in the South in those days, and these kids were being groomed to be just that. <br />
If you wanted to succeed at politics or buisness, you went to the right church. <br />
<br />
Missing from this list was James Lewis Corbin Griffin (1814 - 1878) was was a William And Mary student from 1826 to 1828, and 1829 to 1833. A local boy, from proniment family, who after graduation becomes a Methodist preacher, and a teacher - and later an Universalist minister. He recieved an honorary MA degree from William and Mary in 1854. Did he see a copy of the Southern Pioneer that his fellow students may have actually accepted from the Post Office? <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-38687037194959015442012-06-19T20:57:00.001-04:002012-06-19T20:57:05.854-04:00Georgia Towns with Universalist Preachers 1859 - 1862One of the interesting thing about trying to get a good feeling for where Universalists were in a period of time, is trying to find out exactly where some of these towns were! Some have changed their names, and some just no longer exist. Here's where Universalist preachers in Georgia were living in 1859 - 1862,> I've divided Georgia into 4 pieces,. East and West of 1-75, and North and South of I-20. Not perfect , as I-75 starts about the center of the state in the South, but instead of heading north toward Milledgeville, it heads to Atlanta and ends up almost at the western border. Oh well.<br />
<br />
<br />
NE: Rev Strain, Rhyne (2)<br />
Waleska (Spaulding County) The town was founded in 1854, and known as Walesca, Misspelled as Waheskie, Wahluskie, etc. <br />
<br />
NW: Rev Frick, Parks (2 - they moved around)<br />
Eagle Cliff (Walker County) - is the name of the cliff off Lookout Mountain, with town below. Chattanaooga <br />
Valley. <br />
Frick's Gap (Walker County) If you're on the Lookout mountain Scenic Highway heading east, when you come<br />
to the edge of the mountain, if you could look straight down, you would see Frick's Gap. In the Chattanooga Valley<br />
LaFayette -- (Walker County), now part of the Chattanooga metro area. <br />
Rossville -- (Walker County) Just south of Chattanooga and the Tennessee line. In between the civil war battlefields and Lookout Mountain. <br />
<br />
SE: Rev Money (1)<br />
Griffin's Mills - Now known as the Flat Creek Mills area (Berrien County). Just north of Nashville, Ga on US 129 (not too far from I-75)<br />
<br />
SW: Rev Harper, Kendrick, Lewis, Pickett, Smith, Fambro (6)<br />
Americaus (Sumter County) a few miles away from Plains. <br />
Griffin (Spaulding County) <br />
Gum Creek, also known as Cony or Coney Station (Crisp County). Just west of Cordele. <br />
Plains of Dura - moved a couple of miles and renamed Plains (Sumter County) 3 Universalist ministers living here in the early 1860s. <br />
Rutherwood - no longer a town (Carroll Coumty). between Carrollton and Newman; a little southeast of<br />
Whitesburg on Georgia 5.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now if we had looked ten years earlier of twenty years later, we would have seen vastly different areas. <br />
But at the start of the Civil War, most of the Universalist ministers in Georgia were in the Southwest, and half of those in Plains. The capital of Georgia during these years was in Milledgeville (in the southeast area). No Universalist Churches in the Atlanta area during this time. But that will change.<br />
<br />
11 preachers, 11 townsSteven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-49092654618396776702012-05-11T15:40:00.005-04:002012-05-11T15:40:57.703-04:00Universalist Convocations 2012 <img alt="Logo 95x94" border="0" height="95" hspace="5" name="1373d4f453f3518b_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.47" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs015/1103221286834/img/47.jpg" vspace="5" width="94" />
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</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">UPCOMING 2012 UNIVERSALIST CONVOCATIONS </span></b></div>
<b>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">MARK REVITALIZATION OF KEY RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">IN AMERICA TODAY </span></div>
</b><br /><br />
<br />
Historic Site to Host National Gathering<br />of Universalist Religious Leaders<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br />(Lanoka Harbor, NJ) May 8, 2012 - This month, the 2012 Universalist Convocations will gather at the historic site where Universalism was launched as a leading American religious movement more than two centuries ago, at the Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center. Because of revived popular interest in Universalism today, the Convocations have begun to fill overflow capacity beyond Murray Grove, as people nationwide travel to hear leading Universalist figures speak from a wide range of faith traditions. In this contemporary religiously pluralistic landscape, Universalism has come for many believers to signify a distinct change in the tide and tone of interfaith dialogue, in particular. <br /><br /><br />Located in the Pine Barrens of coastal New Jersey, Murray Grove marks the spot where a shipwrecked Universalist preacher stumbled ashore in 1770. From there, he began spreading the radical religious message of a loving spirit that included each and every soul in the reach of a saving grace, traveling throughout the American colonies and establishing churches. Universalism had achieved considerable religious prominence by the mid-nineteenth century before receding from view in the twentieth. Its visibility is once again changing, however. <br /><br /><br />Recently and rather rapidly, Universalism has gained ground across the country, with a few of the most famous preachers in the country identifying themselves with this latent American religious tradition, even in the face of heated public controversy and charges of heresy. Bestselling books such as Love Wins and If Grace is True have made explicit the Universalist truth claims that were quite often implicit in mainline Christianity in America. They have started to articulate a unique vision for religion in the twenty-first century. <br /><br /><br />Revitalized as an ecumenical and interfaith movement, Universalism is now crossing customary religious divides and connecting strands of religious thought among clergy from varied faith traditions. During this annual convention, a Jewish Universalist, a Hindu Universalist, a Buddhist Universalist, a Quaker Universalist, and a Unitarian Universalist will all serve as panelists in the keynote presentation at the 2012 Universalist Convocations. <br /><br /><br />This re-emerging theological trend continues to expand its influence year after year, with this year's annual convention representing a new high-water mark in the widespread national appeal of Universalism. In response to increased demand, a follow-up event at Murray Grove is already in planning stages for fall 2012. <br /><br /><br />Media Contacts:<br />Ministers for Murray Grove<br /><br />The Reverend Carol S. Haag<br />RevCarolH@verizon.net<br />609-915-1111<br /><br />The Reverend Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason<br />Rev.KMMason@Gmail.com<br />347-497-3741 <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Presenters will be available for interview on site.<br /><br />Presentations will be available on podcasts and MP3 files.<br /><br />A follow-up event is in the planning stages for next fall, 2012.<br /><br /><br /><br />For further information on the event: www.murraygrove.org<br /><br />Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-41492430380802607492012-04-16T05:16:00.000-04:002012-08-28T19:21:44.008-04:00Americus, Georgia Universalist Church<br />
Church of the Redeemer, Universalist Church, Americus, Georgia<br />
<br />
There had been Universalist Churches in Ellaville (14 miles from Americus), Plains (10 miles), and Gum Creek (about 20+ miles, near the current GA Veteran Memorial State Park, west of Cordele).<br />
The Plains church died during the civil war, and never re-started.<br />
<br />
Rev Dr. L.F. W. Andrews lived in Americus in the 1870s.<br />
<br />
Items from the Americus Ga papers from the late 19th Century to early 20th Century.
<br />
<br />
ATR = Americus Time-Recorder<br />
WSR - Weekly Sumter Rebulican<br />
<br />
1870 two Universalist Churches in area (Ellaville and Gum Creek)<br />
1870 September 9 WSR LFW Andrews to hold three day meeting in Senoia, Georgia<br />
1871 September 22 WSR LFW Andrews new paper from Columbus, Georgia: the Christian Crucible, attracting notice.<br />
1874 June 19 WSR LFW Andrews demands correction from Rev Fackler, who in Americus, called<br />
Universalists thieves, gamblers, and drunkards.<br />
1875 July 31 WSR the ladies of the Universalist Church are having the same "eating station" as last year.<br />
The paper admits they don't know what an eating station is. <br />
1884 June -August WSR M.B. Pickett does a series of articles about education in the 1840s in Plains of Dura Schools, some of which were founded by Universalists.<br />
<br />
1899 March 31 ATR Rev QH Shinn to preach here this week for three days. Mrs. A. K. Schumpert and Miss A. L. Pickett correspondents<br />
1899 May 26 ATR Rev QH Shinn will preach at City Hall on Friday, on his way to preach at two services<br />
at Ellaville on Sunday.<br />
1900 January 5 ATR Service scheduled this Sunday at Opera House.<br />
1900 January 12 ATR Well attended meeting at the Opera House, Q. H. Shinn, preacher. Organization and building planned.<br />
1900 January 26 ATR Rev Shinn will talk on the Orgins of Evil <br />
1900 February 9 ATR Dr Shinn leaves Americus, scheduled to return in May. Building to start in 3-4 weeks.<br />
1900 March 2 ATR Shinn to preach March 4 <br />
1900 June 8 ATR Thomas Chapman to preach twice this week at City Hall.<br />
1900 June 22 ATR The foundation of the Universalist Church Building is complete. Building is to start construction.<br />
1900 July 20 ATR Mrs. A. K. Schumpert goes to the Universalist Convention in Atlanta. <br />
1900 Nov 3 ATR Church building to be dedicated December 7 - 9. Present will be Shinn, Chapman, and Rev D.B. Clayton of Columbia.<br />
1901 March 22 ATR Thomas Chapman, Georgia Superintendent from Atlanta, is to preach monthly on the 4th Sunday.<br />
1902 May 23 ATR Rev Athalia Johnson Irwin was called to serve the Church of the Redeemer. She declines as she accepts an offer from the Universalist Church in Pensacola, Florida<br />
1902 October 10 ATR Mr. C.S. S. Horne attends Georgia Universalist Convention<br />
1905 June 16 ATR Stanley Manning starts his new position as minister of the Church of the Redeemer.<br />
He is to preach twice monthly, and also at Pinehurst, Pelham, and Senoia. He is currently staying with<br />
Col. and Mrs. W. A. Dodson. <br />
1905 December 15 ATR Dr Shinn will assist in the ordination of the pastor, Stanley R. Manning.<br />
1906 November 2 ATR Rev Manning officiates at the wedding of Bessie King and Emmett Cook in Preston, Georgia <br />
1907 October 11 Rev Manning with attend the NC Universalist Convention and the General Conference in Philadelphia, he will return in early November. <br />
1917 August 9 WTR Stanley R. Manning is to preach on "A Constructive Religion for the World's Crisis" on Thursday at the Universalist Church. He was minister in Americus for two years, and is staying with the<br />
Dodsons.<br />
<br />
***********<br />
they shared the building with the Christian Scientists in the 1910s<br />
1916-1917 Americus City Directory 112 Taylor occupied by both Christian Scientists and Universalists.<br />
1921 Americus City Directory 112 Taylor occupied by both Christian Scientints and Universalists.<br />
1923 Americus City Directory 112 Taylor occupied by both the Christian Church and the Universalist Church.<br />
<br />
************ <br />
the building was sold to the Christian Church in the late 1920s.<br />
<br />
1930 Rev Manning preached again in Americus <br />
April 1932 Rev Thomas Chapman visits Mrs Shumpert, Miss Pickett, and Mrs Hightower, all still strong<br />
Universalists. <br />
<br />
Building sold in the 2000s by the Christian Church to the United Methodists, who in July 2011 were having Spanish language <span style="background-color: white;">services there. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Mrs. A.K. Schumpert would be Sara K. Pickett Schumpert. (1842-1933) her husband was 30 years older and a successful farmer and "capitalist" She is his second wife. He was from Newberry and Prosperity, SC; and she was born in Feasterville SC, the daughter of M.B. Pickett, who moved to Plains (then Plains of Dura), Georgia when she was about 2. </span><br />
<br />
A. L. Pickett is her sister Amy Lizzie (1862 - 1949) <br />
<br />
C. S. S. Horne is Cullen S. S. Horne (1845 - 1929) His farm covered the land that had been Danville, Georgia, Sumter County, north-west of Gum Creek.<br />
<br />
Col W. A. Dodson (1864 - 1923) and Mattie Dodson (1868 -1933),<br />
Lived at 615 Lee Street in Americus. He was a lawyer, politician, and President of the Georgia Senate for one session. In 1917, he and his wife both attended the Episcopal Church. His wife's family were associated with the Universalist Church in Gum Creek.<br />
<br />
updated July 21, 2012, updated August 28, 2012Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-78643752739711333372012-04-13T17:37:00.000-04:002012-04-13T17:37:58.682-04:00Debate annoucment from 1886(Athens Georgia) " Weekly Banner Watchman " for Tuesday June 1886 (date 15th)<br />
<br />
A THEOLOGICAL DEBATE<br />
<br />
A debate between Rev D. B. Clayton, of the Universalist Church, and Elder S. S. Landrum, of the Church of Christ, will be held in the Academy, Jug Tavern, Ga., July 7, 1886.<br />
Proposition For Discussion:<br />
1st. The Scriptures teach the final holiness and happiness of all mankind. <br />
Clayton affirms; Landrum denies.<br />
2d. The Scriptures teach that those who die in willful disobedience, of the Gospel, will suffer endless punishment. <br />
Landrum affirms; Clayton denies. <br />
<br />
<br />
2012 editorial comment: <br />
Jug Tavern is now the city of Winder. It was known as Jug from 1793 to c1803, Jug Tavern starting in c1803. It was incorporated in 1884, and became the city of Winder in 1893. <br />
The Academy was created in 1880, and at some point, apparently around 1887, it became a public school, and continued at the same site until 1938. A historic marker is all that remains of the school.<br />
It is less than three miles from the Mulberry Grove Universalist Church.<br />
<br />
S. S. Landrum was a preacher for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He is known to have preached at the Antioch Christian Church near Watkinsville, Georgia during the years of 1886 - 1907, as well as founding the Christian Church in Winder in 1881. Living in Tampa. Florida in 1907, and then moved to Texas. Preaching in Missouri in 1905, he was called a "Southern Evangelist". <br />
So therefore likely a fine debate between him and D. B. Clayton, the Universalist Southern Evangelist.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-23584205650951842262012-02-23T14:04:00.000-05:002012-02-23T14:04:33.871-05:00Recent newspaper article on George DeBennevilleThis is a link to a 23 Feb 2012 article in the Reading, Pennsylvania newspaper about <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData"> Dr. George DeBenneville</span><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData"> I suspect that probably in the next 3-9 months that the article will no longer be gone.</span><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData">I even suggest you look at the comments. (or at least how they were when i wrote the recommendation)</span><br />
<br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData"> http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=366772</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData">His connection with southern Universalism is two</span><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData">1) his friendship with Ellahanan Winchester (admittedly after EW had left the south)</span><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData">2) his connection with the German Baptist universalist community near him, that did indeed </span><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleData">move south to the Carolinas and then west and midwest.</span>Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-8852247857279264422011-12-21T20:36:00.001-05:002011-12-21T20:36:58.702-05:00Allreds of White Springs, Florida -Excepert from Rev. Q. H. Shinn's coloumn "Personal Expericnces In Making Universalists" that appeared in the March 6, 1906 issue of ONWARD<br /><br />"Now I'm going to tell about a Florida boy. I am at present in the home of his parents in White Springs, Florida, and the boy, their only child, is in Atlanta Ga. Eight years ago his father was a practicing physician in Jasper, Florida. His mother being a strong Universalist had me visit them and give a series of meetings in the Baptist Church. It was easy to secure the use of this church, since his father was a Baptist. One day the boy, then 13 years old, came up into my room, and after showing a little embarrassment, made a request that surprised me. He asked me if I intended to "open the doors of the Church," saying he wanted to join. I told him it would be hardly proper to ask people to unite with the Universalist Church at a service held in a Baptist house of worship; besides there was no organization in Jasper, and only one outspoken Universalist - his mother. But this made no difference with the boy; he wanted to join. At the close of my sermon that night, I explained his wishes, and asked those who desired to unite with the Universalist Church to come forward. Promptly the little fellow stood before the altar, and one of the intelligent ladies of the place, a friend of his mother, came up and stood by his side. I administered baptism, and extended the fellowship of our Church, and sent their names to be recorded on the roll of members at De Funiak Springs.<br /> The boy had good Universalist blood in his veins. His mother is a Cawthon, her father a great Universalist. Her grandfather, John Cawthon, the father of Universalism in Western Florida. And now the boy is a promising young man, ambitious to be a great surgeon. He is in a medical college in Atlanta. He is worker in our church in Atlanta. He is secretary of the Y.P.C.U. His name is John Allred. "<br /><br />####################################################################<br /> <br /><br />Mother: Mary Melissa "Ashley" Cawthon Allred (1864-1958) buried in Silver Hill Cemetery, Frostfree, Florida.<br />Father: Idus Park "I. P." Allred, MD (1860-1930) also buried in Silver Hill Cemetery.<br />Son: John Glenn Allred (1885 - 1952) also burried in Silver Hill Cemetery.<br /><br />This modern-day non-family member has no idea if John Allred continued as a member of the Universalist Church pass the dates mentioned above (c1899 -1906), nor do I know why he didn't became a surgeon. We know that both his father and his father's father were medical doctors (his father actually had an article of his reprinted as a booklet for massive distribution), so no doubt there was pressure on him, the only child to also be a doctor. He was in medical school from at least 1906 - 1910, but around 1912, he became an electrician - at first wiring a town and owning a telephone company, then providing the knowledge to power mining equipment and towns, and then to help electrify Florida for what became the Florida Power and Light Company (now Progress Energy). He married also around 1913 (and his wife was the telephone operator of his telephone company).<br /><br /> The Allred family lived in Jasper (Hamilton County), Florida -1898; White Springs (Hamilton County), Florida c1898- July 1912, Florala, (Covington County), Alabama , July 1912 -<br />Frostfree, Florida (Polk, County) -1920-1958.<br /><br />Mrs. I. P. Allred was Vice President of the Florida Universalist Convention from 1910-1911.<br />Her sister and father had been officers of the Convention prior to her service. The state convention was held at White Springs in 1905.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-62164120165647077252011-12-13T21:56:00.004-05:002012-08-28T18:57:07.902-04:00Burrus Memorial, Hamburg, Madison County, FloridaHamburg Florida is a small community in Madison County, Georgia. It's about 18 miles south of Quitman Georgia, and therefore the biggest town around would likely be Valdosta, Ga, on I-75.<br />
I can't tell if any buisness are left in Hamburg, but looks like there's Shiloh United Methodist Church and some homes. And there used to be a Universalist Church there.<br />
<br />
At first it was a preaching station.<br />
Universalism came to Madison County around the 1840s, when Samuel S. Hinton (1812-1872) moved there from Abbeville, SC. His father was one of the co-founders of the Universalist Church in Abbeville in the 1830s. His brother-in-law, Judge James P. Martin (1838 - 1916) proudly had the slogan " A True Universalist" carved on his tombstone. Hinton's father, Thomas Z. Hinton (1789 - 1863) moved to Hamburg himself in 1862, with him came other members of the Hinton family.<br />
<br />
The Elijah Linch family was living in nearby Madison, Florida in the 1840s-1860s ( His father was Elijah Linch Sr - the Universalist minister of Newberry SC. Son, Hezekiah, was active in Georgia Universalist Convention in the 1880s ).<br />
<br />
Thus when Universalist ministers came through the area, there were enough folks for a good<br />
service, if not enough for a good congregation. By the way, Judge Martin was not known to be a liberal in politics, just in religion.<br />
<br />
Finally after 50 years, it was time to start a formal church. The Church was named Burrus Memorial, for the circuit rider and Universalist Herald editor. Sometimes called <span class="st"><em>Burress Chapel. </em>It is also frequently called the Hamburg Universalist Church. The church building was adjacent to the Ebenezer Methodist Church.</span><br />
<br />
December 1905, Rev Q. H. Shinn holds meetings in Hamburg. Thomas Martin, the county clerk, is an Universalist. His wife and most of his children are Methodist. Douglas Martin, who was then (Shinn reports) ten years old, rides his pony home to ask his mother if he has her permission to join the Universalist Church. She agrees, and after his 20 mile round trip ride, he is baptized and joins as a member of the new Universalist Church.<br />
<br />
Thomas Martin (1860 - 1926, and son of Judge Martin), Douglas Martin (1893 - 1978).<br />
The math does suggests that Shinn was off by a few years in his story.<br />
<br />
Feb. 1907 building dedicated, and the Florida Universalist Convention was held at the church.<br />
<br />
1907 - 1908 Isabelle "Belle" Martin (1868 -1944), daughter of Judge Martin, lay leader in 1907-1908. The church is served by supply ministers, and 6 families make the membership.<br />
<br />
1907 - 1910 William C. Smith (1872 -1937) , member of the congregation, is active in the Florida Universalist Convention, serving as President in 1908 - 1909, and Treasurer in 1910. His wife is another daughter of Judge Martin.<br />
<br />
June 1923 Rev. Stanley Manning preaching there.<br />
<br />
1929 Rev. A.G. Strain was doing some regular circuit riding in Hamburg.<br />
<br />
1932 Rev Thomas Chapman does preaching (he is a circuit riding minister covering from Mississippi to South Carolina). Present in March, July, and November, doing 3 services per visit.<br />
<br />
<span class="st"> 1932 - 1939 + William "Carlton" Smith (1899 - 1963), son of the above William Coffee Smith, was a lay leader of the church.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">1943 Miss Belle Martin (see above) listed as lay leader prior to 1943. (report in late 30s or early 40s)</span><br />
<br />
May 22, 1960 large turnout at the Homecoming at the Church. Service by the Rev. L. C. Prater.<br />
<br />
1961/1962 Not listed as one of those churches that joined the new Unitarian Universalist Association.<br />
<br />
other members <br />
John "Luther" Sullivan (1882 - 1978) converted while Rev Strain was the minister (c1928) and considered himself to be a member up to the end of his life. In the timber, turpentine, and land buisness. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028405/00382/7?search=universalist" target="_blank">Newspaper article from 2008 including photograph of church </a><br />
The building was still standing and visitable as of 2008. <br />
<br />
Updated Dec 18, 2011 (twice), August 1, 2012, August 28, 2012Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-11823313091137373362011-11-16T13:32:00.002-05:002011-11-16T13:46:02.901-05:00Hosea Ballou - Morning PrayerCome let us raise our voices high, and form a sacred song,<br />to Him who rules the earth and sky, and does our days prolong.<br />Who thru the night gave us to rest, this morning cheered our eyes;<br />and with the thousands of the blest, in health made us to rise.<br /><br />Early to God, we'll send our prayer. Make haste to pray and praise,<br />that He may make our good His care, and guide us all our days.<br />And when the night of death comes on, and we shall end our days,<br />may His rich grace the theme prolong of His eternal phrase.<br /><br />Hosea Ballou - 1808<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vS37zCKg-nE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />from a Sacred Harp singing. The words of Father Ballou continue to be sung.<br />"this morning cheered our eyes" indeed!Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-56912892363537863552011-09-07T15:08:00.003-04:002011-09-07T15:19:40.143-04:00NC and Georgia Universalist Conventions 2011Both the North Carolina and Georgia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Universalist</span> Conventions are being held this Fall.<br /><br />NC (under the abbreviation <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">UCONCI</span>) meets October 8 -9, 2011<br /> has information on their <a href="http://shelterneckuucamp.org/2011/AnnualMeeting/meeting.html">website </a>and a<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/760075/UCONCI/AnnMtgBrochure.pdf"> brochure</a> that is being passed out.<br />This is at the Shelter Neck Camp in eastern NC.<br /><br />Georgia is a little more low key and much shorter, and will be meeting Sunday Morning September 18, 2011 in Canon, Georgia. <br /><br />(disclaimer: I will be attending the shorter meeting in Georgia)<br /><h1 class="ha"><span id=":17d" class="hP"><br /></span></h1>Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-538847489550557162011-07-20T18:56:00.003-04:002011-07-20T19:08:54.776-04:00old Universalist Church building in Americus, GeorgiaThis building was built in 1900 as an Universalist Church in Americus, Georgia. There was a long history of Universalism in the area. Indeed among the founders of the Plains of Dura were Universalists (and an Universalist minister). When the town moved and changed its name to Plains, a new Universalist Church was built there as well. Rev L. F. W. Andrews lived his last few years in Americus (1870s) , and we know that Rev. C.F.R. Shehane had a debate in town in the 1850s. <br /> We know that the Christian Scientists were in the building in the 1910s (the city directory states they and the Universalists were both there). In the late 1920s, the building was sold to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who added the Sunday School building and changed the windows (and later added air conditioning). They last met in circa 1998/1999. as of 2011, the building is being used by the First United Methodist Church as their Spanish Language Mission.<br /> The last known Universalist Church service in Americus was circa 1930 by the Rev. Stanley Manning.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%22112+taylor+street%22+americus&layer=c&sll=32.068729,-84.231142&cbp=13,18.67,,0,-9.89&cbll=32.068718,-84.230751&hl=en&gl=us&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=112+Taylor+St,+Americus,+Georgia+31709&ll=32.068729,-84.231142&spn=0.006955,0.016512&z=14&panoid=2ZKUD9iM_pc-FzgpV670aw&source=embed&output=svembed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%22112+taylor+street%22+americus&layer=c&sll=32.068729,-84.231142&cbp=13,18.67,,0,-9.89&cbll=32.068718,-84.230751&hl=en&gl=us&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=112+Taylor+St,+Americus,+Georgia+31709&ll=32.068729,-84.231142&spn=0.006955,0.016512&z=14&panoid=2ZKUD9iM_pc-FzgpV670aw&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-81300737785682826402011-05-27T16:34:00.003-04:002011-05-27T18:00:20.219-04:00Giles Bowers (1827-1863)I found a mention of an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Universalist</span> minister in Georgia, that I had not heard of, Giles Bowers.<br />I wondered if he was kin to the Bowers in the northeast Georgia, he's not (at least not close), but does have a little story to tell.<br /><br />Giles was born in the White Oak Community of Coweta County, Georgia.<br />He was the first child of Jacob Bowers and Mary "Polly" Bowers. Both had been from<br />Newberry, SC; and Polly's father was the Rev. Elijah Lynch (Linch) , who was the Newberry ministerthat switched his church's denomination from Fraternity of German Baptist Brethren (Dunker) to Universalist. <br /><br />We don't know much at all about this Rev Bowers, and he was listed only in the 1856 Universalist Companion (which came out around November 1854). He listed his address as Whitewater, Georgia,; and both it and the current Brooks are within 10 miles of Senoia, where Universalists had a meeting house. As an adult he had his house next to his father, and to his Uncle, David Linch. He died of disease in Richmond, Virgina during service in the Civil War, leaving a widow and five children. Buried in the<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=bowers&GSfn=giles&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=20154522&df=all&"> Elmore Cemetery</a>.<br /><br />His father and mother are buried in the<a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GSln=bowers&GSiman=1&GScid=33455&GRid=10378928&CRid=33455&"> County Line Christian Church</a> Cemetery.<br />His uncle, David Linch, was very active in the local Universalist Church.<br />Why only one year? Mistake on the part of the editor of the Companion, or his source?<br />Mistake on Bowers part? Left the ministry on his own, due to lack of time, lack of inspiration,?<br />or removed by his congregation? <br />We don't know anymore. There may be something in the Georgia Universalist newspapers, or those issues may not have stood the test of time.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-3452995645347720872011-04-11T16:48:00.004-04:002011-05-21T05:09:21.410-04:00Allen Fuller in Georgia 1832 - slight annotations<div class="gtxt_column"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Published in the November 17, 1832 issue of the Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate<br />(Utica NY) written by Allen Fuller. <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">annotated in April 11 -12, 2011. Minor Updates May 21, 2011<br /><br /></span></span></span><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;"><i>[For the Magazine and Advocate.]<br /></i></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;"><i> </i>UNIVERSALISM <i><span style="font-style: italic;">IN</span> </i><span class="gstxt_hlt">GEORGIA.</span></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;"><span class="gstxt_hlt"> </span>Br[other]s <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Skinner </span>and <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Grosh</span>—Having recently taken a tour in <span class="gstxt_hlt">Georgia, </span>I will give you some account of my reception, and the the state of our cause in that region. I left this District on the 10th of July, in company with Mr. Robert F. Coleman and family, of Fairfield [County], warm friends, at whose solicitation I took this journey.</p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">* *Robert F. Coleman (1795-c1872) Part of the Coleman family from Feasterville SC in Fairfiield County and the Universalist Church there. Son of John Roe Coleman. In Mississippi in 1835. Possible this is the move that he and his family did to get to Weir, Ms.in Choctaw County.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;"> At Washington, Wilkes county, Ga., I found a firm friend, Jeremiah Lobdel, a patron of the Religious Inquirer, by whom, and his family. I was cordially received.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">** Washington is about 86 miles southwest of Newberry, SC; Allen Fuller's home at the time. The route from Abbeville SC to Washington was on a well traveled stagecoach road. Jeremiah Lobdell (1784 - 1850) moved to Washington from Connecticut in 1806. The Religious Inquirer was a Universalist newspaper published by Charles Spear in Hartford Connecticut.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">After passing that place we discovered no professors of God's universal and impartial grace, till we arrived at the Indian Spring, Butts county, which was the termination of our journey. Near that place there were several believers in the truth, as it is in Jesus. Your subscriber, Isaac Nolen, being a family connexion of Mr. Coleman, his house became our home while we remained at the place. On Sunday, July 15th, Thursday, 20th, and Sunday, August 5th, I preached at the arbor erected at the Spring, to large, and, with the exception of a few individuals, very attentive congregations. On Sunday, the 22d, I delivered a discourse, by request, to a Presbyterian audience , after the close of the regular services of the day: but the minister took care to leave the ground before I commenced, although he did not go out of the settlement till after we left the spot.</p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">**Indian Springs is 88 miles west southwest of Washington Ga. The area is now a <a href="http://www.gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?LocationID=65&s=0.0.1.5">state park</a>, and you can see the hotel (there since 1821) and spring. It was here that the treaty was signed in 1825, 7 years earlier, to open Creek (Muscogee) native land for white settlement in the western half of Georgia and in Alabama. Isaac Nolen (1794-1866) is mentioned on a historic marker in nearby Jackson, as the first Sheriff of the county, at its formation in 1825. He was born in Fairfield County, SC and his wife was Elizabeth "Betty" Coleman (1807-c1880), Robert's cousin?. The Nolen's moved to Chambers County, Alabama, apparently in the early 1830s, and then to Texas in by 1855. It's possible that the Jackson Presbyterian Church in Jackson is the church that Fuller used - it was founded in 1827.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column">Sunday, July 29, I delivered two discourses in a Methodist meeting-house, in Newton county, where there arc a number of Universalists, by whom I was welcomed with joy. The audience was large and very attentive.</p><p class="gtxt_column">** Newton county is north of Butts county. In decades to come, there will be an Universalist Church in Covington.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column"> Tuesday afternoon, 31st, I preached at the house of Mr. John Hill, Walton county, (who deceased April 28, last past) a funeral discourse, to a large and attentive audience, although less than twenty-four hour's notice of the appointment was given. Several warm friends reside in the neighborhood where, this meeting was held, who gave demonstration of their approbation, by contributing liberally to my benefit. On Wednesday, August 1, I delivered two discourses in Munroe, the county seat of Walton county, to respectable congregations; to both of which replies were made; and I rejoined. The person who replied to the first, was an exhorter by the name of Baker. He would rejoice to believe the doctrine preached if it were true: but was fearful it would give people leave to go on in sin; urged the hearers to have a conscience void of oflfence; and quoted, as Scripture—" If ye die in your sins, where God and Christ are, ye never can come." I approved of the exhortation to have a conscience void of offense; applauded his benevolent feelings; exposed the absurdity of supposing that the hope of salvation, as the gift of God, could cause us to hate him; and offered him ten dollars to find the passage he had quoted, in the text of the Bible. <span style="font-style: italic;">After</span> I made him this offer, and while exposing his gross misquotation, he left the house, and I saw him no more.</p><p class="gtxt_column">**Walton County is north of Newton County. In the future there would be 3-4 Universalist Churches in the county. <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38144003"> John Hill (1760-1831) </a>is buried at his home family cemetery - now <a href="http://gastateparks.org/info/ftyargo/">Ft. Yargo State Park</a>, on land which he bought in 1810. Hill was apparently born in North Carolina, moved to Fairfield County SC circa 1776, and fought in the American Revolution . There were eight Baker households in Walton County Census of 1830, so I cannot say yet which Barker it was.<br /></p> </div> <div class="gtxt_column"> <p class="gtxt_column">The other discourse was replied to by a person who was traveling, and stopped for the night in the village. If I am rightly informed, it was Rev. William Moderwell, a noted Presbyterian minister, of Augusta, Ga. His reply consisted of a most pompous display of rhetoric, in the description of "the last tremendous judgment," when " the congregated universe" would be called before "the tribunal bar of God," and "the finally impenitent" receive their "eternal doom;" accompanied with a number of positive, but unsupported assertions, uttered in a most solemn and imposing manner. Not an argument, however, was brought forward, nor an objection stated, that had not been fully answered in the preceding discourse. As a specimen of his manner, I give the following from my notes, <i>"We assert </i>that the punishment of the wicked will be eternal;" and "eternal signifies during eternity." '"The Greek or Hebrew language contains no word that expresses endless duration more fully than <i>aionion</i>; the word rendered everlasting in the text"—Matt, xxv: 46. When I re-rejoined, I showed that he had <i>begged the question </i>in the commencement, and offered his mere assertions for proof; assured him that the time had gone by in which the infallibility of the clergy would be admitted; and inquired of him if he knew any such words in the Greek as <i>aphthartos, </i>and <i>akatalutos, </i>and whether they do not express the continuance of duration more fully than <i>aionion, </i>and whether they are ever in the Bible used in a limited sense?</p><p class="gtxt_column">** William Moderwell (1794-1842) He was the pastor in Augusta from 1821-1826, and left the ministry in 1833.<br /></p> <p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">At this place I was cordially welcomed by Mr. James Ferguson, a zealous friend. a subscriber to the Religious Inquirer, who gave me encouragement that a society might soon be formed in that county. With him I proceeded, the day following, to a place in the same county, called "Broken Arrow," where I preached to a small number of attentive hearers at 11, A. M. Thence I proceeded to Newton (county), to near where I had preached on Sunday, and delivered a discourse at 4 o'clock, P. M., to a respectable audience; and on Friday preached in the Court-House at <span class="gstxt_hlt">Covington, </span>Newton county, to a very large and attentive audience.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent:1em;">** James Ferguson (1800 -c1860s ) apparently the brother of Charles Ferguson, the founder of the very known Feguson potter family. Some of the Fergusons later lived in Jugtown, another Universalist Church site. James had moved from Edgefield SC to Walton County Ga about 1826. The family moved on in 1835, ending up in Muscogee County GA by 1850. "Broken Arrow" is on the maps of the 1860s, halfway between Conyers and Monroe. It's been suggested this is the current "Walnut Grove".<br /></p> </div> <div class="gtxt_column"> <p class="gtxt_column">After an intermission of one hour, a reply was made to this discourse by Dr. Means, a minister of the Methodist denomination, which occupied two hours, and consisted chiefly in setting up a "main of straw," i. e. no punishment for sin, no distinction between the righteous and the wicked, and then laboring to beat it down again. He made some gross mistakes; among which I select the following. After inquiring whether St. Paul ever heard of the doctrine which seems to be expressed by him on almost every page of his Epistles, he asked, "Did the early fathers know any thing of this system? Inquire of <i>Origen </i>if these principles were heard of in his day? No; they were not known." This gave me so good an opportunity to expose him, and I improved it to so much advantage, that he made an acknowledgment of his mistake. I occupied more than an hour in pointing out his misapprehension of our doctrine, hit erroneous quotations of Scripture, and his incorrect conclusions. Several friends made contributions to me in this and Walton county, besides those above noticed.</p><p class="gtxt_column">** Dr. Alexander Means (1801-1883) <a href="http://emoryhistory.emory.edu/people/presidents/Means.htm">President of Emory College for one year,</a> delivered the funeral oratory for President Zachary Taylor. Very short term as preacher, working for the Methodist in their education areas in 1834.<br /></p> <p class="gtxt_column">Returning to Butts county, I preached at the Indian Spring on Sunday, the 5th, as before noticed; and on Monday delivered two discourses, one at the house of your subscriber Archibald Smith, and the other at his brother's, Presley Smith. These men are zealous Universalists, and Archibald was long a member of the Baptist church, and was excluded therefrom, wholly because he believed that God would treat all his offspring as well as he expected to be treated himself; though he candidly told the minister, at the time he united with the church, that he believed that doctrine. Before the church excommunicated him, it had the formality of a trial, and he was called on to make a defense; but as he proceeded, the meeting became so disorderly us to cause him to desist; and after making several attempts, with the same success, he abandoned the idea. Another person who spoke a few words in his behalf, was afterwards tried for the offense, and narrowly escaped expulsion; and when the vote was taken on expelling Mr. Smith it was unanimous, and for an obvious reason. No one dared to vote in his favor, as a trial and excommunication would have been the consequence. This proceeding appears much like trying a man for his life in a court where every lawyer who should speak on the behalf of the accused, and every juror who would not bring him in guilty, should be hung! I did not understand that the blame was attached to the minister of the church, but to the members who had the influence to control it.</p><p class="gtxt_column">* *Archibald Smith (1791- 1870s) born in Spartanburg SC. In Jasper County , Ga in 1812, moved to Morgan County Ga in 1813. Moved to Randolph County Alabama around 1859. Presley Smith (1784-1866) born in Spartanburg SC, moved to Charelston, then Monroe County GA from the 1820s on.<br /></p> </div> <div class="flow" style=""> <div class="gtxt_column"> <p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">On Thursday, August 9, we commenced our return; and on Friday night I had the satisfaction of speaking to a respectable congregation in Greensborough, Green county. And on Saturday night, and Sunday at 9, A; M., at Washington court-house, Wilkes county, I preached to pretty large audiences, which all listened with good attention. Receiving an urgent request to visit Taleaferro county, I returned thither, and on Monday night 1 delivered a discourse in Crawfordsville court-house to a respectable auditory, during which a person, whom I afterwards learned was a preacher, I think of the Baptist denomination, stood and muttered his disapprobation in an undertone so as not to be understood, but still so loud as to cause considerable disturbance, and show his <i>good breeding. </i>In the morning, however, he became sensible of his fault, and apologized to some of our friends.</p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent:1em;">**From Monroe County to Greensboro is about 60 miles, this putting Fuller back in the future I-20 corridor. Greensboro to Washington 30 miles on what is now GA 44 . Then head south on GA 47 19 miles to Crawfordville, back in the I-20 corridor.<br /></p> <p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">At 12 o'clock, on Tuesday, I preached again at the same place, to a very large congregation; and after receiving a freewill offering from a few of our friends, and entertainment from Mr. Almond Cobb, I returned about six miles on my way back to Washington, to the house of Mr. Alexander Norris, an elderly man, apparently on the border of the grave, who has long been a firm and consistent <span class="gstxt_hlt">Universalist, </span>and, at half past 4 o'clock, preached to a respectable number of people, who listened with attention to the truth. Thence, returning, I arrived in this District on Friday, August 17th, having been absent nearly six weeks, traveled more than six hundred miles during the heat of midsummer, and delivered twenty discourses and several replies; and, by the good providence and blessing of God, I was preserved in usual health to return to my friends in this place.</p><p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent: 1em;">* *Amon Cobb (1795- 1860s) was born in Massachusetts, moved to Georgia maybe in the 1810s. Married late in life, to a woman 24 years his junior. Grocer, and able to retire early. Sons were in Texas by 1880. Alexander Norris (1759 - 1833) born in Maryland. Revolutionary War solider. My have lived in Edgefield, prior to coming to Georgia. Buried off the Sandy Cross Road between Crawfordsville and Washington.<br /></p><p class="gtxt_column">In many instances, there was one or more clergymen present at my meetings; and it was my practice, almost invariably, to invite them to speak, by saying, at the close of my sermon—"There is liberty for any one to speak on the subject, either by way of confirmation or objection;" but in no other instances did they reply, besides those above noticed. A large proportion of every audience, I presume, attended out of curiosity, though some had a sincere desire to know whether these things were so; and were disposed to weigh the subject candidly. A few believers in the doctrine taught, were found in almost every place, who rejoiced in the opportunity of hearing the Gospel message; and numbers of others evinced, by their countenances, that they would rejoice in the truth of the good tidings, and that they had some hope that it might be the truth. It was my manner to caution the hearers not to receive any doctrine because I, or any other person, advocated it; but, by all means, to examine the subject for themselves, to search the Scriptures, to exercise the right of private judgment, &c. And I am confident the effect has been to excite a spirit of inquiry, and induce the people to read and examine for themselves. My discourses were, generally, full and explicit on those doctrinal points which distinguish us from other sects.</p> </div> <div class="gtxt_column"> <p class="gtxt_column">One instance of commendable liberality I think worthy of notice. At Munroe, Walton county, our meeting was announced to be holden in the court-house, when the proprietors of the Reformed Methodist meeting-house came, without solicitation, and offered us the use of their hou<e, on="" one="" onr="" which="" we="" and="" occupied="" it="" for="" both="" the="" services="" holden="" in="" that="" other="" were="" denied="" use="" of="" a="" house="" belonging="" to="" episcopal="" methodists="" next="" same="" butts="" refused="" two="" houses="" by="" presbyterian="" methodist="" was="" almost="" every="" here="" persons="" who="" applied="" respective="" proprietors="" opposition="" universalism="" is="" much="" more="" this="" than="" doctrine="" where="" spoken="" all="" manner="" evil="" against="" those="" dare="" avow="" obnoxious="" father="" heaven="" impartially="" good="" his="" intelligent="" at="" camp="" meeting="" upper="" part="" walton="" universalists="" abused="" slandered="" with="" unusual="" while="" people="" nt="" receiving="" favors="" they="" could="" reasonably="" ask="" from="" neighborhood="" such="" as="" pasture="" their="" accommodations="" power="" preachers="" alleged="" time="" would="" soon="" come="" when="" i="">se; which we accepted. On the other hand, we were denied the use of a house belonging to the Episcopal Methodists on the next day; in the same county; and in Butts County, we were refused the use of two houses by the Baptists, and one by the Methodists. In Greensborough, the Presbyterian house was denied. In almost every instance, here noticed, the persons who applied for the respected houses were proprietors in the same. Opposition to Universalism is much more general in this region, than the doctrine itself. It is "every where spoken against;" and all manner of evil is spoken against those who dare to avow the obnoxious faith, that our Father in Heaven is impartially good to all his intelligent creatures. At a camp meeting in the upper part of Walton County, the Universalists were abused and slandered with unusual virulence, while the people at the meeting, at the same time, were receiving all the favors that they could reasonably ask from the Universalists in their neighborhood; such as pasture for their horses, and other accommodations which it was in their power to grant. One of the preachers alleged that the time would soon come when Universalists would <span style="font-style: italic;">not be allowed to speak</span> ; and that now they did not <i>dare </i>to advocate their ridiculous doctrines, except it was to the most <i>weak </i>and <i>ignorant </i>part of the community. [! !]</e,></p><p class="gtxt_column"><br /><e, on="" one="" onr="" which="" we="" and="" occupied="" it="" for="" both="" the="" services="" holden="" in="" that="" other="" were="" denied="" use="" of="" a="" house="" belonging="" to="" episcopal="" methodists="" next="" same="" butts="" refused="" two="" houses="" by="" presbyterian="" methodist="" was="" almost="" every="" here="" persons="" who="" applied="" respective="" proprietors="" opposition="" universalism="" is="" much="" more="" this="" than="" doctrine="" where="" spoken="" all="" manner="" evil="" against="" those="" dare="" avow="" obnoxious="" father="" heaven="" impartially="" good="" his="" intelligent="" at="" camp="" meeting="" upper="" part="" walton="" universalists="" abused="" slandered="" with="" unusual="" while="" people="" nt="" receiving="" favors="" they="" could="" reasonably="" ask="" from="" neighborhood="" such="" as="" pasture="" their="" accommodations="" power="" preachers="" alleged="" time="" would="" soon="" come="" when="" i=""></e,></p><p class="gtxt_column"><e, on="" one="" onr="" which="" we="" and="" occupied="" it="" for="" both="" the="" services="" holden="" in="" that="" other="" were="" denied="" use="" of="" a="" house="" belonging="" to="" episcopal="" methodists="" next="" same="" butts="" refused="" two="" houses="" by="" presbyterian="" methodist="" was="" almost="" every="" here="" persons="" who="" applied="" respective="" proprietors="" opposition="" universalism="" is="" much="" more="" this="" than="" doctrine="" where="" spoken="" all="" manner="" evil="" against="" those="" dare="" avow="" obnoxious="" father="" heaven="" impartially="" good="" his="" intelligent="" at="" camp="" meeting="" upper="" part="" walton="" universalists="" abused="" slandered="" with="" unusual="" while="" people="" nt="" receiving="" favors="" they="" could="" reasonably="" ask="" from="" neighborhood="" such="" as="" pasture="" their="" accommodations="" power="" preachers="" alleged="" time="" would="" soon="" come="" when="" i="">** Reformed Methodist was a split off of the Methodist movement. Methodist Episopal was the main Methodist group, now called the United Methodist Church.<br /></e,></p> <p class="gtxt_column">I have confidence that much good will result from this visit, and the truth which has been promulgated will be as good seed to produce an abundant harvest in due time. When I parted with Mr. Lobdell, at,Washington, he remarked that it was his prayer that my labors might be as leaven which u woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened. Urgent requests were made by the brethren in every section, that I would prolong my visit, and especially, as I would not do so, that I would repeat it. Pressing invitations were also given from several other places, for me to visit and promulgate the truth; but as the time of my return was definitely set, I was obliged to say to them - "If I visit this part of the country again, of which there is some probability, should life and health be spared, I will endeavor to comply with your requests!" May God grant that much good may proceed from the labors which I have been permitted to sustain in the part of Georgia, where few if any, have ever promulgated the doctrine that God is the Saviour of all men. May the influence of the true Gospel save the people from sin, from fantacism, and from all fear that hath torment. In furnishing this account for publication, and in being so particular, I have hnd the object in view to encourage the hearts, and strengthen the hands of our brethren in the South, by having it circulated in that region, by means <i>of </i>our different periodicals, that are there taken. While absent, I distributed more tbsm one hundred copies of sermons and pajiers gratuitously.</p> </div> <div class="gtxt_column"> <p class="gtxt_column">The cholera is used as a means of exciting the fears of the <span class="gstxt_hlt">people, </span>by the Limitarian clergy in <span class="gstxt_hlt">Georgia, </span>as well as other parts of our country. Any thing that can be made to produce fear is readily seized by these pretended friends of mankind, and wielded to promote their interest. The reason why Universalism is so violently opposed, is, evidently, because it removes the foundation of those tormenting fears, on which they depend as a means of salvation. It would seem, judging from their actions, that they supposed nothing but fear of endless torment could lead any one to love God; though they are obliged to acknowledge, when questioned on the subject, that the goodness and love of God are the only motives which can lead men to repent and love him.</p> <p class="gtxt_column">With affection and esteem, I remain your brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.</p> <p class="gtxt_column" style="text-align:right;">ALLEN FULLER.</p> <p class="gtxt_column" style="text-indent:1em;"><i>Newberry C[ourt] H[ouse], S. C, Avgust 23, </i>1832.</p><br /></div></div>Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-61701150967443401372011-03-10T11:20:00.003-05:002011-03-10T11:45:20.278-05:00So why haven't I posted research recently?At last report I was not even half way through trying to figure out the lifestories of the Universalists living in Atlanta in the late 1800s. And the title above pretty much explains the problem. With vague clues, I was looking for unwritten stories and writing them. A not impossible feet, but time consuming. The present keeps rearing its head as well -- but...<br /> I will be doing a talk on D. B. Clayton at this years <a href="http://nmuc.org/Convo/2011Convo.htm">Universalist Convocations </a>and I've also been involved in planning it. I've done most of my research on the life of Clayton already (I do plan to go to Savannah this weekend to see his son-in-laws grave), but I need to percolate the aspects of his life important to those of us 100 years later.<br /> I have been picking up items to read - I note that "A Palmetto Boy" the diary and letters of James Adams Tillman does confirm that BR Tillman, Sr had a chapel built on his property, he being an Universalist does suggest it had Universalist preachers there. Also mentions some folks who the Tillmans might have known from the Universalist Churh. On a personal note - my wife has some of her family mentioned too.<br /> "North Carolina Portraits of Faith" does have some nice pictures from Red Hill - including a birthday celebration for Rev Clayton.<br /> Georgia and the Union -1850 - is the best "modern" source (with footnotes) on LFW Andrews problems in Macon in 1850. The conclussion is there was serious problems, and his paper did miss a couple of days, but he wasn't run out of town.<br /> And I found who had the Freedonia Meeting House on their property -- unfortunately he had multiple properties, and my source didn't indicate which property ("more on this later")Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-19084597861057155232010-11-13T06:15:00.004-05:002010-11-14T08:39:27.052-05:00Atlanta Universalists of 1895 part 2As we continue to look at the Universalists in Atlanta, Georgia in around December of 1895. These are the people in the pews. So that we we ask "Who were these Universalists?", we'll know....<br /> first lines are from the Jan 1895 article, next are my research.<br /><br />Mr and Mrs. W.S. Cottington, natives of Alabama, had been members of 2nd Baptist of Atlanta, converted to Universalism after hearing Rev Q. H. Shinn.<br />***********************<br />William S. Cottingham (1850-1903) born in Talbotton, Georgia, moved to Atlanta in the 1880s. A dairyman and farmer in Atlanta (he had some of the first Jersey cows in the Atlanta area), he became a traveling salesman in the early 1900s. <br />Narcissa Cottingham (1853-c1909) Born in Alabama, married in 1873, Her daughter Mary was a school teacher, with years of piano training. Daughter Elizabeth married William "Park" Felker in 1906. Rev Ellenwood of the Universalist Church officiating.<br />*********************<br />*********************<br />Mr and Mrs. Alexander Beck, were also former members of 2nd Baptist, they converted by reading Universalist literature sent by the post office mission.<br />***************************<br />Alexander Beck (1849 - 1908), moved to Atlanta in the 1870s, he apparently liked to say that his occupation was "traveler", which indeed he was. Very frequent traveler. Five months before his death, he took his son, Henry. to Denver Colorado, where they hoped they could recover his health. In business there he was successful, but not in health. The funeral was in the Universalist Church, of which he was called a "loyal and consistent member." Funeral led by Rev Ellenwood.<br /><br />Cora Beck (1851-1938), daughter of Rev Warren, who was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta. She had ten children, of which four of the first five died in infancy. She was president of the local Universalist Woman's Mission Circle in 1908 and 1910. She was elected to the board of the Georgia Universalist Convention in October 1908. President of the Industrial Arts League in 1911.<br /><br />Henry O. Beck (1888-1911), son of the above, in bad health for awhile, was a member of the church for "several years" prior to he death.<br />************************************************************<br />***********************************************************<br />From Joillet Illinois, Mrs. H.A. Harwood, Bertha Harwood,Mrs. A. L. Blackman, Spencer.<br />************************************************************<br />They was an active Universalist Church in Joilet. <br />Helen A. Harwood (1830-1914) moved to Atlanta in the mid-late 1880s, with her daughters after the death of her husband. Active in the social scene of Atlanta.<br /><br />Alma L. Blackman (1855-1932) widow when she moved to Atlanta with her mother and sister and son. Became an art teacher, advertised frequently.<br /><br />Bertha H. Harwood (1866-1949)Born in Illinois. Extremely active in the Atlanta social scene - was President and co-founder of the Atlanta Musical Association, 1908-1911, created to encourage opera in Atlanta, and show surport ot the idea of performances on Sunday. Active in the Daughters of the American Revolution.. Married an Arrowood in 1912 -believed by some to be Milton Arrowood. They did leave Atlanta right about this time. It also looks plausible that they were divorced in Florida in 1941. We do know that some of her music related notes. files, and correspondence are in an archives in Atlanta.<br /><br />Spencer E, Blackman (c1884-1906) died of typhoid fever. He had been living since c1900 in Jacksonville, Florida, and had worked for the fire department.<br /><br />update 14 Nov 2010: Bertha Harwood did indeed marry Milton "Wallace" Arrowood (1983-). The marriage was performed by Rev Ellenwood of the Universalist Church in 1912. They left Atlanta for Florida and then Wilmette, Illinois, sometime around 1915. One child. They separated circa 1927, while living in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was infamous for being the first Annapolis graduate to desert from the U.S. Navy (in 1905), after his request for resignation was rejected. He deserted because he had discovered that the Navy allowed non-Christian sailors on board their ships. <br /> I mention this mainly because of the connection with Universalists in 1912. <br />She was 15 years older than he, and had shaved off 23 years off her age by the 1920s, thus making positive identification more difficult.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-30628023415387552152010-11-11T14:04:00.004-05:002010-11-14T08:25:45.922-05:00Atlanta Universalists of 1895, part 1In the publication ONWARD of January 17, 1896, there was a listing of all members of the new Universalist Church in Atlanta of 1895, as well as all the known Universalist in town. This listing includes that and my first run of research of who these people were. The original was complied by Mary Grace Canfield<br /> Unless noted, we only know these folks were Universalist in circa December 1895.<br /> <br />Mr and Mrs. H.D. MCutcheon<br /> Members of both the 1880s congregation and the new one. converted by Rev.<br />D.B.Clayton (then of Atlanta). He was a former Methodist and she a former Methodist.<br />Children were James, Howard, and Mrs. Cullpeper.<br />***<br /> Hugh "David" McCutcheon (1844 - 1919) born in Gainesville, Ga (Northeast of Atlanta)<br />he joined the Rebel army in 1862 at age 19, just days before the Battle of Shiloh.<br />At some point he was captured and was held at the Lousiville (KY) Military Prison until being released in September 1864. In 1870, he and his younger brother ran a store in Marietta Georgia, which he continued on his own to at least 1880. He continued in the mercantile businesses in Atlanta, including the Atlanta Fire and Waterproof Paint Company. He was active until the summer of 1919, visiting his daughter in the Panama Carnal Zone. He died three months later at the Confederate Soldier Home in Atlanta. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows.<br /> Louisa McCutcheon (1844- ) born in Cherokee, Georgia. Upon the death of H.D. she moved in with her daughter in the Canal zone. She apparently died in the middle 1920s.<br /> Emma L. McCutcheon Cullpepper (1873- ) married G. W. Cullpeper in 1892. She filed for divorce in 1906, due to his habitual drunkenness and having assaulted her. He died in 1909. She lived with her sister in Atlanta, after the death of her sister's husband. She is in the 1930 census.<br /> James B. McCutcheon (1876- )worked at the Post Office in the 1890s, but spent most of his career selling farm instruments. Moved to Alabama in the 1920s.<br /> Howard Clayton McCutcheon (1878 - 1956), Officer of the Georgia Universalist Young People's organization in 1897. 1911 recited at the Universalist Christmas pageant (with niece Catherine Garwood). Managed and then owned a print shop.<br />We will assume that his middle name was in honor of Rev. Clayton.<br /><br />H. D. was active as secretary of the Georgia Universalist Convention in the 1880s-1890s. In the 1890s, he was listed as living in "Pleasant Valley". An Universalist Church existed in "Pleasant Valley" from 1874 (building in 1875) for the next 10-15 years. I'm not exactly sure where this particular "Pleasant Valley" was.<br /><br /><br />"Mr and Mrs. H. Linch were Georgia natives," and also members of the 1880s church. <br />**** <br />Hezekiah Linch (1842-1923) was the son of Elijah Linch and the grandson of Rev. Elijah Linch, the universalist minister who turned his church near Prosperity SC<br />to affiliation with the Universalist denomination. His mother was Mahalia Prater.<br />He had a brother named Giles Chapman Linch, after the (small u) universalist minister before their grandfather. He was born near Prosperity, and his family moved to Columbia, SC and then Madison, Florida before the war. After the war, he moved to Atlanta, and established a junk selling business, which replaced in the 1880s, by a Hide and Tallow business that was very successful, usually having around 6-10 full time employees. <br />Permelia "Gabriella" Hicks Linch (1853-1932) - Born in Georgia, and married when she was 16. After the death of her husband, she lived with one of her two daughters, moving with them to Louisville, Kentucky in the 1920s. <br /><br />Mrs. M.T. Day<br /> Born in New Hampshire, lived in Massachusetts before moving to Atlanta.<br />*******<br /> Probably Mary F. Day,(1813- ) the only Day I could find in Atlanta in 1900, from New Hampshire, and then had lived in Massachusetts. Her husband, David, had been a grocer in Atlanta in 1870. She was a widow, living with her daughter's family in Atlanta in 1900.<br /><br />update 14 Nov 2010: I should have mentioned that H. Linch was active in the Georgia Universalist Convention in the 1880s.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-43003783776854058282010-11-05T16:25:00.003-04:002010-11-05T16:39:04.987-04:00Canon Universalist, Canon Georgia street view<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&q=church,&sll=34.344971,-83.109724&sspn=0.001451,0.00515&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=p&split=1&radius=0.18&hq=church,&hnear=&ll=34.335939,-83.069004&spn=0.001506,0.00515&layer=c&cbll=34.344695,-83.109445&panoid=OKAdaOryb_0QOKOmPf49AA&cbp=12,357.58,,0,-17.88&output=svembed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&q=church,&sll=34.344971,-83.109724&sspn=0.001451,0.00515&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=p&split=1&radius=0.18&hq=church,&hnear=&ll=34.335939,-83.069004&spn=0.001506,0.00515&layer=c&cbll=34.344695,-83.109445&panoid=OKAdaOryb_0QOKOmPf49AA&cbp=12,357.58,,0,-17.88" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />This is another one of Google's street views - this time of downtown Canon. <br />The Church was founded in 1885, and was the home church of Rev. J. M. Bowers, editor / publisher of the Universalist Herald, and traveling Universalist minister / missionary. Current Services the third Sunday of the month at 11 AM.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-61612035208471566282010-10-29T21:16:00.003-04:002010-10-29T23:15:10.570-04:00Sensible Wedding, behind the scenes.If you go back one post, You'll read about a sensible wedding.<br /> This is where I talk about the behind the scenes on this story. Let me say first that the romanticism or lack thereof of this particular wedding is important, does a nonchalant service equal a dead relationship or just two practical people?, Important, yes: not what I'm going to talk about - Let's go and talk about the individuals.<br /><br />Who are these people?<br /><br />T.D. Feaster (1826-1897) known to the family as Trez. He was the first Trezevant DeGraffenreid Feaster, but the name has continued on. I note around 3-4 Tez Feasters since that time. <br /> His first marriage was in December 1949, when he was around 23 to Martha D. (or S.) McConnell who was about 17. T.D.'s brother stated that in 1848, that she was quite a head-turner. She was the third daughter of Andrew McConnell. She died c1854 <br />He second marriage was in 1854 to Julia Fowler Collins of Philadelphia. <br />His third and last marriage was (as noted) to Mary Cubbison. She was around 20.<br />and she died about 20 years later. They had one daughter who lived to adulthood.<br />That daughter never married, and is buried next to her father in Feasterville. She had a winter home in Daytona Florida in 1909, and the paper noted that she was there with her cousin, a Miss Edens, and her aunt, a Miss Cubbison. This would be the youngest daughter, still alive 50 years later. <br /> Mary's mother was Margaret Cubbison, born in 1810 in Pennsylvania. she and her youngest daughter, Sallie, were still living with TD in 1860. Sallie was 13 then, Mary 22. All of the Cubberson family were born in PA. <br /> We know that TD went with his older brother in Columbia, SC in 1859-1860<br />and started a store. His brother overtook him historically (or rather his brother's wife and her mid-teens daughter) and sits in various history books even today (no wonder he moved to Florida). T.D. was the postmaster of Buckhead SC in 1885, just a slight piece down the road from Feasterville. He's the Feaster who didn't leave the county after the war. <br /><br />Let me be more exact - TD's younger brother was (before TD and Martha got engaged) concerned that his friend, who had just seen Martha, might not be able to get his jaw back in place. So she was jaw dropping good looking.<br /><br />Was he, his wife, his daughter, his mother-in-law Universalists? We don't know. His younger brother was (by doctrine if not attendance).Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-11213906325634091562010-10-26T13:07:00.003-04:002010-10-26T13:19:51.896-04:001858 Wedding CeremonyFrom Rev D. B. Clayton's autobiography are these comments on a:<br /><br />Sensible Wedding.<br /><br />During this visit, the writer celebrated on October 23, [1858] what he may, he thinks, properly designate a unique wedding. At Alston a friend of his, Mr. T. D. Feaster, intimated to him, as he went on up to Spartanburg, that he might possibly want him to perform a marriage ceremony for him as he returned. Mr. Feaster had already been married more than once, and was at that time boarding with the mother of his last wife, who was a widow, with one grown-up daughter and another about ten years of age. The residence was within a very few steps of the railroad track. Passengers going down from Spartanburg had to wait an hour or two for a train down from Greenville, on which to reach Columbia. On the arrival of the writer, Mr. Feaster invited him to his boarding house. He had not intimated, nor had the preacher any idea, who the bride was to be, in case a marriage should occur. On reaching the house introductions were passed, and Mr. Feaster and his friend sated.<br /><br />No one was about, besides the two gentleman, but the mother and her two daughters, the elder of whom sat at her work-table sewing, the younger being engaged in the culinary department, which was in a side room. Conversation was engaged in, and continued for an hour or so, without any allusion to a wedding, when Mr. Feaster inquired of the preacher: "What is the time of day?" On being told, he remarked: "It will soon be train time" and then turning to the young lady at the work-table he said, "Mary, if we are going to get married, I guess we had better attend to it. Are you ready?" "Yes," replied she, and together they faced the minister, who by that time had taken his stand. The younger sister and her mother being called, stepped in from the cooking department, and, in much less time than it takes to record this description of the scene, the couple were united in the bonds of wedlock: whereupon the bride resumed the seat from which she had so recently arisen, took her work from the table, and resumed where she left off, the younger sister returned to her work, and the preacher, after waiting a little while longer till the train arrived, boarded it and went on his journey, with a five-dollar-bill in his pocket that he had not carried there, feeling that he had officiated at about as sensible a wedding as he had ever attended.<br /><br /><br /><br />editor's note: Mary was Trez's 3rd wife (at least), I don't see where he married her sister - but certainly possible.<br />inspired by <a href="http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-shortest-wedding-service/">http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-shortest-wedding-service/</a>Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-27812975410482608872010-09-14T09:31:00.002-04:002010-09-14T09:36:37.942-04:00Spam and EggsI havent forgotten this blog - how could I? I get between 5-7 spam messages a day for it....!!<br /> And can anybody explain exactly how "Thanks for sharing this link, but unfortunately it seems to be offline... <etc, including the web address of the blog>" is effective spam? Do they search for blogs and forums that post it? Do I need to scrub stuff like that off the blog?<br /><br />There will be doing some southern historical stuff at the Universalist Convocations at <br />Newberry SC this upcoming May 2011. So it's not like I'm ignoring history completely.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-80926314326978741732010-07-16T20:16:00.002-04:002010-07-16T21:22:42.546-04:00Recommended books on the UniversalistsThe Boston Unitarian asks "I am trying to remedy my somewhat woeful knowledge of Universalism and (as you know) just picked up an e-reader. I was wondering if you could suggest maybe 5 books that I should read this summer to bring me to a baseline knowledge? If they were free and downloadable to my nook, that would be great.'<br /><br />i would say that the five should be a history of the denomination, a biography of one of the greats, a theology book, a debate book, and something miscellaneous - either theology for laymen or a memoir.<br /><br />The best history is likely Ann Bressler's the Universalist Movement in America.<br />I bought a copy when it was $35 or so, it is now $85 and the ebook $67. I would recommend interlibrary loan. The free choice is porbably <br />The American Church History Series : A history of the Unitarians and the Universalists, by J.H. Allen and R. Eddy. To be honest, I read eddy's two volume set, but not this one. I have F. A., Bisbee's "From Good Luck to Gloucester" in my to read pile - I see that it's available for free on the Nook, try that one.<br /><br />Theology, Ballou's "Thesis on Atonement" is hard going, so maybe one of J. W. Hanson's books. like "Bible Threatings Explained" or "Biblical Proofs of Universal Salvation". The Nook also has various volumes of the "Manual of Faith and Duty" (but without that subtitle!) - not sure which of those I would recommend. Or even a sermon book.<br /><br />Biography, either Ballou or Murray, I believe you have one on Hosea Ballou, so that made that easy. <br /><br />Debate; to understand Universalism of the 19th century, you have to understand debates. Ii'd go with Manford and Sweeney, because Manford and Sweeney both kept it im print for decades (both thought they won).<br /><br />Misc., I was going to suggest something like Bisbee's "A California Pilgrimage", to get a sense of Universalists - but its not on the Nook yet. Maybe Emma Bailey's memoir "Happy Day". Wow, the ultra-rare "A Key to Universalism" is on the Nook, I have an original - and it is both rare, and hard to figure out what in the world Shehane is saying (not recommended)."Love that Never Failed" is not available, <br /><br />Reasonable start, I'm sure that Scott and others can make other suggestions.<br />You note nothing for the past 110 years - the good books haven't been written yet , But check (not on the Nook) books by Clarence Skinner, and the history of the Charles Street Meeting House (to see how modern UU-ism was created).Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-15852446005815833202010-07-01T17:29:00.003-04:002010-07-01T17:46:23.060-04:00Experiences in Making Uuiversalists "MRS. MYSTIC" Rev. Q. H. Shlnn, D. D.Experiences in Making Uuiversalists<br /> "MRS. MYSTIC" <br />Rev. Q. H. Shlnn, D. D.<br /><br />(taken from ONWARD 3 July 1906)<br /><br /> It was in 1895, if my memory is correct, that I was conducting a series of meetings in Columbia, South Carolina. The hall was barren, unattractive, Dr. D. B. Clayton's family had put in some chairs, about the only furniture.<br /> One evening there sat before me a very responsive hearer. 1 could tell that while she listened eagerly, her receptive mind would occasionally shrink from taking in the whole Universalist message. Fear and misgiving seemed to mingle with impulses newly stirred and all aglow with hope. I had never seen this face before but soon was made intensely conscious that a hungry soul was yearning for something I had to give, and well 1 knew her cultured mind was weighing every word I spoke.<br /> Either that night or the next she brought questions for me to answer. Desiring more time to answer them I secured her name and city address and called next day at her home. During the conversation it seemed at times difficult te make the essential points of our interpretation sufficiently clear for her to grasp. But I had no fear but she would see because willing to put prejudice aside and think. When people want to see they'll see.<br /> Not long after this, the Sunday issue of a Columbia Daily began publishing articles signed by "Mrs. Mystic." So optismistic were they, so full of comfort and sunny hope, that many delighted readers began to ask, "Who is this Mrs. Mystic?" For many weeks these appeared, growing mere clearly Universalist in tone and spirit. I think it became noised about at length that "Mrs. Mystic" was teaching Universalism. At all events patrons of the paper sent in their protests and the Editor soon reached the conclusion that it would be best to discontinue the Sunday Department.<br /> About this time I had sent some of "Mrs. Mystic's" articles to the Universalist herald, Edited by Rev. J. M. Bowers in Canon, Ga. They were gladly published and in a short time the writer was requested to engage as regular correspondent.<br />She did so and under her own name — Athalia L. J. Irwin. Now my readers knew that "Mrs. Mystic" is not a myth, but the missionary of the Young People's Christian Union in Little Rock, Arkansas.<br /> For a long time after she fully espoused eur faith, it seemed impossible for her to sever her connection with the Baptist Church of which for so many years her father had been a faithful minister. Her brothers, sisters and friends were there, and the associations were sweet and sacred. No, she must stay. But she found out her mistake in time. Some never do. She could be a Universalist but she could not enjoy Universalism there. The Universalist Church is the only one in which a soul can knew the priceless value and sweetness of Universalism. To enjoy the faith one must be its witness. Its richness is never experienced by a silent believer.<br /> Mrs. Irwin remained something over two years a faithful worker in her Baptist Church, a teacher in the Sunday School and an instructor of teachers, also a leading worker in the Ladies' Society. Meanwhile she was glad to contribute her labor to encourage the little band of Universalists and attend meetings when held. At last she clearly saw that the Baptist church could be no longer her religious home, and with her little daughter united with the Universalist Sunday Scheol.<br /> In 1898, I believe it was—in that same humble hall—she stood beside her husband, Mr. George W. Irwin, to receive the fellowship of the Universalist Church. Dr. D. B. Clayton, I think was present assisting me in this service. Two years later their little daughter, Mabel, joined at twelve years of age.<br /> On the thirtieth day of November, 1902, Mrs. Irwin was ordained as a Universalist minister and installed the Pastor of the Universaltst Church in Pensacola, Florida. The noble work she did and how greatly she was loved by all is well known to our people in the North.<br /> Less than two years age she was called by the Executive Board of the National Y. P. C. U. to take the Mission in Little Rock. Under her leadership a beautiful Chapel has been built, and a fine corner lot secured for a future church. Back of this fronting on 13th Street, stands the attractive "Cottage Chapel."<br /> Last week the Arkansas Conference met in it, and on Sunday, April 22, 1906, the new house of worship was dedicated, five ministers taking part, Revs. Rachel Billings, Athalia Irwin, B. F. Griffin, W. M. Edrington and the writer. A fine intelligent audience listened to these services, and at night the attendance was increased. Having been the founder of the church, it fell on me to preach the dedicatory sermon. Our property in the capital City of Arkansas is worth $4,000. Indebtedness $550- A great achievement for the friend whom I trust you will all go on encouraging until she gains still greater.Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-68948667358898678412010-06-08T19:05:00.006-04:002010-06-09T11:03:06.345-04:00UU Salon - Universalismin a history blog, you talk about history. And what better way to talk about history that to cite the leaders of southern Universalism. I hope my brief excerpts give a bit of the joy that these ministers felt about their beliefs.<br /><br /><br /><br />Father Clayton in his autobiography talks about his conversion to Universalism. He had been spending much time in religious contemplation in the years up to 1837.<br /><br /> "To say that God created a part of the human race purposely to render them endlessly miserable would, to his [Clayton's] mind, transform that great and good Being into a MONSTER OF CRUELTY. To say that God had created all men for a destiny of endless felicity would be, as his religious training assured him, to embrace a soul-destroying heresy ..."<br /> "In what direction to turn for relief, he did not know. He could not reconcile the doctrine of endless misery with his ideas of the principle of justice; which principle his religious teachers seemed to regard as the overshadowing attribute of the all-wise Creator. Against that dogma every attribute of his own soul was in open rebellion; and this fact he could not conceal from himself."<br />...<br /> "but fortunately - as the writer now believes - there occurred, just at this, to him, critical period, and event quite trivial in its nature, as viewed from an ordinary stand-point, but an event designed, through the train of circumstances to which it gave rise, to exercise a controlling influence over at least fifty years of his earthy destiny. This was the placing in his hands .... of a copy of the EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE AND GOSPEL ADVOCATE, a Universalist weekly paper -- of which the [modern UU WORLD] is the lineal descendant ...<br /> To one who had been occupying the benighted position that had proved so perplexing to the writer, that copy of the MAGAZINE AND ADVOCATE appeared as the glimmer of a light shinning in a dark place. he became not long thereafter a subscriber to that paper, and also a deeply interested reader. it opened up to him a new world....<br /> "The shackles of religious error, by which he had been bound down to a servitude more grinding and oppressive that that of the galley-slave, fell from his limbs, and he stood forth, 'redeemed regenerated, disinthralled.' Then, as never before in his religious experience, he felt that a burden indeed had been lifted, not simply from his shoulders, but from his heart."<br /><br />Athalia J. Irwin<br />from "A Bouquet of Verses", 1905<br /><br />HOPE<br />What matters it if the darkest night wears on, like a sunless life,<br />And weary hours coax not the sleep that would cover up your strife?<br />oh, know ye not, ye weary soul, that a day far faier still<br />Must break for thee in the eastern skies, and they hungering spirt fill?<br />Oh, know ye not that a day of light must surely dawn at last,<br />When darkness drear hast taught thy soul its burden where to cast.<br />Despair ye not, O weary soul, if the night be long and drear,<br />For a day of hope will surely come and bring they share of cheer.<br /><br />++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-76641846036847844612010-04-15T17:49:00.007-04:002010-06-14T12:15:20.914-04:00Southern U and Us during the Civil WarLast updated on June 14, 2010<br /><br /><br />"Radar J" asks "...my Mom's ... been wondering what happened with Universalist churches in the South during the Civil War."<br />"I haven't found anything on-line yet that gives me even a clue what to tell her. Can you point me to any resources, or even tell us what you know? Did they go underground, or close up shop for the duration, or just keep meeting as usual in spite of the pro-slavery opinions of their immediate neighbors and the war going on around them?"<br /><br />Ok, an honest question deserves an honest answer. <br /><br />On the Unitarian side, as far as I can tell the three churches in the South with Unitarian doctrine (the AUA was for individuals and not churches up to around 1870), had weekly Sunday services. Most of the Universalist Churches didnt meet weekly (not unusual for rural churches)- but the lack of ministers during the war and reconstruction (and lack of money to pay ministers with) did lead to a disruption of services. Massive amounts of missionary work by locals Clayton, Burrus, Strain, and Bowers after the war led to resumption of churches and services. Some of these churches continued during the war with occasional services, most did not.<br /><br />It would be nice to end here. <br />But honesty insists I don't. The Unitarian and Universalist Churches in the south were not as a group anti-slavery, pre-war. There were a few individuals and ministers who were pro-union (and possibly anti-slavery), but most of the other members reflected their local community on that issue, however their local community felt.<br /><br />It's been said that Unitarians and Universalists were the two denominations that didnt split over the question of slavery, pre-war. With Unitarians not being a denomination or even association of churches prior to the 1870s, it was kind of hard for them to split. I don't know the thinking of the church in Louisville Kentucky or New Orleans, Louisiana; but the Unitarian church in Charleston, SC was pro-slavery.<br /><br />The Universalist Church did not split, although Henry Summer of Newberry, South Carolina, (see a previous article) is supposed to have highly pushed for it, wanting an independent southern Universalist Church - to be headquarted in Plains, Georgia. But then South Carolina was full of fire-eaters. Indeed, the one believed Universalist governor of SC led a raid on a federal post office to destroy abolitionist pamphlets (this around 1840s). It was of course, illegal to own abolitionist writings in SC and illegal to advocate anti-slavery views. The Quakers and German Baptist Brethren (Church of Brethren) left SC in the early 1800s, both being strongly anti-slavery. But as noted, SC was a fireeater state, what of the others?<br /> The majority of southern Universalist congregations seem to be in non-plantation areas. Which makes sense, putting aside the issue of slavery, plantation owners didnt think much of anyone outside their social class status. Universalists in the south were more inclined to be middle class. While some of the churches are in areas that were more contempeous of the war (there was a reason SC and the south started drafting conscripts for their "Rich Man's War and a Poor Man's Fight"); I dont see any known Universalists in the rebels against the rebels.<br /> It would be difficult at this date to determine the views on slavery of those Universalists in the south. What little information we have seems to put them in the same category as their neighbors in their own individual communities. <br />The national convention did condemn slavery. A Southern convention did start a few years prewar, but stated they were not independent of the national convention. We don't know if the lack of independence was because they agreed with anti-slavery in the abstract or some other reason. Again it should be noted that (almost?) all of the other denomination did split.<br /><br />Henry Summer survived his hanging by northern soldiers, circa 1865, an event intended to extort money from him. This did not improve his feelings toward the North. Did he leave the Universalist Church to go with those who were more anti-north? <br /> Where did Universalist stand during the early reconstruction? Early reconstruction was when there was hope for reconciliation... before the old regime returned and "redeemed" the south. I do see some Universalists there....<br /> We also know that A.C. Bowers of East Tennessee served in the Union army, and that Rev S. M. Simons of South Carolina was pro-Union. <br /><br />Obviously more research needs to be done.<br />may 26, 2010<br /><br />June 14, 2010<br />Peggy Rawheiser (Author of Universalism in North Carolina) tells me that "In Hope Bain's diary in my book, he recounts his travels to different speaking engagements during the Civil War including being chaplain to Sherman's troops when they were camped near Goldsboro."Steven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14291967.post-72559489398403697052010-04-02T08:08:00.002-04:002010-04-02T08:12:31.616-04:00Univeralist Convocation in Rochester, NY May 14-16, 2010while the Universalist Convocation is not a history meet, there is some history discussed - which this year includes a tour of Albion and the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, and it meets at the historic 1st Universalist Society of Rochester. I will be there.<br /><br />UNIVERSALIST CONVOCATION 2010<br />May 14-16, 2010<br />First Universalist Society of Rochester , NY<br />Keynote: The Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed, “Dragged Kicking and Screaming to Heaven”<br />For more information please go to nmuc.org/ConvoSteven Rowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14302958901026684328noreply@blogger.com0