Leavening the nation; the story of American home missions

Front matter

^' PRINCETON, N. J. ^

Purchased by the Hamill Missionary Fund.

Clark, Joseph B. 1836-1923.

Preface

" The kingdom of heaven is like leaven.'* Few thoughtful Americans need enlightening as to the theory of Home Missions. They will generally agree with President Eliot that "the Church is the permanent organ of society's Hfe " — a modern version and no betterment of Paul's "pillar and ground of the truth.'' Plant a Christian church in any community and it becomes at once the nucleus of law, order, moral living, and civic virtue. Such communities multipHed across the State give character to a commonwealth, and such multiphed commonwealths make a nation strong by making it righteous. Not to argue, but to illustrate, so obvious a truth is the purpose of this book.

Three ways of approach were open to the writer. The Denominational and the Chronological treatment (by decades) were attractive by their promise of ease and simpUcity. But in these days of "low fences and fading land-marks" it seemed unwise, as it was certainly distasteful, to exploit Home Missions by sect. It was also discovered that history does not divide itself conveniently into ten-year blocks of time. Both methods were rejected, the one as unseasonable and the other as artificial. There remained the Historical or Genetic method. It has been the claim of Home Missions that it followed the people as the fisherman vi Preface

follows the fish. Its story is thus identified with that of American settlements; the two are interwoven like warp and woof, and cannot be separated without destroying the fabric. The historical treatment, therefore, though involving vastly more labor, has been adopted as the only adequate one for the theme.

Of the inadequacy of the result no one can be more profoundly conscious than the author. Critical readers will soon discover that they have here little more than the story of beginnings, the bringing of the leaven and the meal together. The quickening process, covering countless sheets of correspondence and thousands of pages of printed annals, would require, however condensed, several volumes of this size. The cyclopaedia of Home Missions is still to be written. Even in this limited attempt the author would be glad to believe that no errors of statement or more subtle errors of proportion have crept in. He can only claim to have used constant diligence in avoiding them; and should essential error be discovered, he will count it a personal favor to have it pointed out for future correction should the opportunity ever occur.

One class of readers has been kept continually in view, that already large and growing number of women in our churches who are making a systematic study of Home Missions and preparing programs of study for others. It is hoped that frequent references made to books and articles containing a fuller treatment of topics named will be found useful to them.

The writer is indebted to many sources of information which have been acknowledged in the text or in notes. Special acknowledgments are due to the Secretaries of all the Home Boards who have furnished val-

Preface vii

uable documents; to Dr. Joseph E. Roy, of Chicago, whose accurate historical studies in Home Missions as well as his personal counsel have been available; and to Dr. H. K. Carroll, Superintendent of the Rehgious Census of the United States, whose elaborate figures showing the religious forces of the country have been a constant reference.

PAOB

Christian definition of history. — Providential direction of Columbus. — Spain's attempt at conquest and possession. — ^Vast and swift successes ; culmination : decline ; final coUapse. — Bishop O'Gorman's verdict. — The French experiment; its eariy success; its final failure. — Arrival of the real fathers and founders of America. — Separatists and Puritans. — The religious and missionary character of the early settlers. The Plymouth colony, New Amsterdam, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania. Maryland, the Carolinas, Georgia. — All sorts and conditions represented. — Our prehistoric home missionaries. — ^Mr. Bancroft quoted 11

II

Why this date chosen. — John Robinson's prophecy and how it was fulfilled. — Church at Salem. — Congregationalism in New England in 1798. — "The Great Awakening" in 1740. George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards. Surprising conversions. — Effects of the Great Awakening. — The judgment of posterity. — Theological contention, — Unitarian defection. — Effect of the War of the Revolution on the churches. — Birdseye view of the country in 1798. — The beginning of organized home missions. — Sporadic efforts preceding. — Missionary Society of Connecticut.— Preamble to the Constitution and Article IV. — Massachusetts foUows Connecticut, — The Societies national not local. — The prophetic wisdom of the New-England fathers. — New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont have societies. — The Baptists of New England organize, 1802 20

III

Changes in sectional nomenclature. — A new definition of the West in every decade. — New York State in the year 1800. — Presbyterians in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. — Presbyterian immigration in the seventeenth century. — First Presbyterian Church. — The General Assembly organized. — Strength of the church at this time. — The Reformed Church. — Missionary movement begins, 1786. — Action of the General Assembly, 1802. — Standing Committee on missions appointed. —The "Plan of Union."— How it began.— What it meant. — Its supposed author. — Its ideal advantages. — How and why it failed. — The provincial view of New England. — Western New York, Northern and Southeastern Ohio the first points of attack. — Rapid growth of churches. Congregational and Presbyterian, under missionary culture. — New Connecticut; rapid development.— David Bacon, Joseph Badger, Thomas Robbins. — Prophecy of the Connecticut Society. — Settlement of Marietta; Manasseh Cutler. — Summary of the work of the Connecticut Society at the end of thirty years. — Sacrifices of the missionaries; hardships of travel. — Destitution of the early West and the providential appearance of organized home missions 33

IV The Northwest Territory— Ordinance

The importance and vast influence of the Ordinance of 1787. — Manasseh Cutler; his wonderful versatility. — The Northwest Territory; its size and bounds. — Slavery forbidden by the Ordinance.— Birth of American nationalism.— Three distinct streams of immigration into the Northwest Territory.— The value of German immigration.—" Keystone of the Union."— Its influence on the further West.— Its influence on the South.— The center of population. — Enormous growth. — Center of American manufactures.— The home of six Presidents of the United States since 1860 and of eminent leaders of the avil War.— The effect of the Northwest Territory upon home missions. — The provincialism of New England yields to a continental estimate.— America's judgment day in the West.— President Dwight's soUcitude for the West

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY— OHIO, INDIANA, ILLINOIS

Settlement of Marietta in 1788.— The new Mayflower.— Indian hostiUties. — Moses Cleaveland and the Western Reserve. — The Virginian Military District. — Population in 1797.— Benefits of the Ordinance.- Beginnings in Indiana. — WilUam Henry Harrison, Governor. — Efforts to legalize slavery. — Tecumseh. — Tippecanoe. — Beginnings in Illinois. — Chicago in 1810. — Change in the policy of home missions. — Organization of a National Society proposed. — Agency of Nathaniel Bouton. — Ordination of home missionaries in Boston. — Organizing convention in New York, May 10th, 1826. — The united Domestic Missionary Society of New York. — The American Home Missionary Society organized.— The effect upon the work. — Migration of Ohioans westward.— Population of Indiana in 1826. — Northern Congregationalism in Indiana. — Dr. Nathaniel A. Hyde.

Beginnings in Illinois. — Mills and Schermerhom. —

Salmon Giddings at St. Louis. — Illinois and slavery. — John M. Peck. — First Sermon in Chicago, Jeremiah Porter.— The Illinois Band.— John M. Ellis and Illinois College.— President J. M. Sturtevant, Theron Baldwin,

PAGE

Asa Turner, Dr. Edward Beecher. — Results of the Illinois Band 55

VI The Northwest Territory— Michigan And Wisconsin

Territorial history of Michigan. — Unfriendliness of Great Britain. — George Rogers Clark captures Kaskaskia. — Obstinacy of the Indians. — The Jay Treaty with Great Britain. — Detroit conceded to the United States. — War of 1812. — Lewis Cass appointed Governor, with happy effect. — Beginning of home missions, 1809. — John Montieth, Father Richard, O. C. Thompson, John D. Pierce. — The " Catholepistemiad, or the University of Michigania." — Education and State responsibility. — Interest of the Indians in education. — The University of Michigan. — General Isaac E. Crary and education. — Testimony of T. M. Cooley.— The "Stump District" and the "Copper Country." — Three Michigans in one. — Baptists and Presbyterians in Michigan. — Wisconsin as a Territory. — Missionary journey of Stephen Peet. — Effect of his narrative. — Anonymous gift for Wisconsin missions. — German elements in Wisconsin. — Results of missionary labor. — General review of the Northwest Territory 73

VII The Louisiana Purchase— Missouri And Iowa

How we came by Louisiana. — Jefferson, Livingston and Monroe. — Poverty of Napoleon. — President Roosevelt's opinion. — Effect of the Purchase. — Opinions of Statesmen in 1803. — How Missouri came into the Union. — The Compromise proposed. — The Compromise adopted. The North get a line and the South win a State. — St. Louis in 1800. — Predominance of Cathohcs. — Feeble beginnings. — Abhorrence of Protestantism. — Lack of popular education. — Religious progress. — Iowa, its mixed Territorial history. — Scott's treaty with Black Hawk. — Struggle with the Indians. — Des Moines in 1846. — President Magoun. — Iowa's first missionary. — The "Dubuque Visitor" calls for a missionary. — Beginnings at Keokuk and Burlington. — Early movements of Baptists, Methodists and Episcopalians. — Asa Turner reaches Iowa; his character. — Reuben Gaylord and Julius A. Reed in Iowa. — The Iowa Band; its origin, its members; farewell services at Andover; reaches Denmark; its members are ordained; begin work. — Influence of the Band. — Dr. Ephraim Adams and Dr. William Salter the only survivors. — Testimony as to the value of the Band. — Its influence on Congregationalism. — ^Testimony of Dr. Harvey Adams. — Results in Iowa. 87

VIII The Louisiana Purchase— Kansas And Nebraska

Geographical center of the United States. — The Kansas- Nebraska bill. — Effect of its passage. — Universal excitement.— Squatter sovereignty. — Border ruffians. — Emigration Companies in New England. — Conflict in Kansas. — John Brown. — Victory of free labor. — Beginning of home missions at Lawrence. — The Andover Kansas Band. — They reach Kansas. — Narrative of Dr. Richard Cordley. — Conditions in Lawrence. — Quantrell's raid, 1863. — Results of home missions. Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal.— Nebraska made a Territory. — Fortunate in her neighbors. — Marvelous growth of Omaha. — Arrival of Reuben Gaylord: his heroic journey from Iowa; his faith and patience. — Results of missionary effort in Nebraska. — Testimony of Dr. Bross 104

IX The Louisiana Purchase— Minnesota And The Dakotas

PAGE

Territorial history of Minnesota. — Statehood and area. — Wonderful growth. — Attractions for settlers — First Legislature. — Governor Ramsey; his message. — Beginnings in St. Paul and Minneapolis. — Legislative report on education. — Great temperance victory, 1852. — Early missionaries, Neil, Whitney, Seccombe and Hall. — Testimony of Dr. L. H. Cobb. — Multiplicity of denominations.— End of the "Plan of Union." — Missionary leaders. Hall, Cobb, Montgomery, Morley, Hood, Lyon. — Fifty years of home missions in Minnesota. — Cost and results.— "The Star of the North."— The Dakotas set apart as a Territory. — Rapid growth. — Phenomenal richness of soil. — Joseph Ward. — His character; his choice of the West. — His influence among the people. — His part in the history of the State. — Founder of Yankton College. — Testimony of Dr. Bradley and Professor Shaw. — Stewart Sheldon. — The Dakota Band.— C. W. Shelton.— W. H. Thrall— H. D. Wiard. — North Dakota. — Henry C. Simmons. — Character of the people. — Testimony of G. J. Powell 120

X

THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE— WYOMING, MONTANA, IDAHO

Wyoming a "Mountain State." — The Continental Divide. — A Territory in 1863.— Statehood, 1890.— Growth long delayed. — Indian hostilities. — South Pass City. — Union Pacific Railroad at Cheyenne, 1868. — Beginning of missionary effort. — Rude condition of society. — The Vigilance Committee. — Dr. J. D. Davis and Dr. Josiah Strong at Cheyenne. — Clarendon M. Sanders. — Church growth embarrassed by distances. — Religious forces of the State. — Idaho not a part of the Louisiana

PAGE

Purchase.— Statehood in 1890.— Error in the official map of the United States.— Corrected by Honorable CorneUus N. Bliss.— Captain Robert Gray.— A "Treasure State." Early society chaotic. — "Left wing of Price's army." — Political corruption. — Large proportion of Mormons. — Efforts to break their power. — CathoUc Missions. — Protestant Missions handicapped by Catholicism and Mormonism. — Beginnings at Bois6. — Coeur d'Alene.— Dr. J. D. Kingsbury.— His report.— Hopeful beginning at Mullan. — Great opportunity for missionary work. — Agricultural Idaho. — Religious progress.— Statehood in Montana. — Early settlers from the South. — Mingling of southern and eastern elements in Montana, and the result. — Remedial agencies at work. — Beginnings at Billings. — Conditions in Butte. — Religious forces in the State 138

XI The Louisiana Purchase— Colorado And Oklahoma

Explorations in Colorado by Zebulon Montgomery Pike.— Pike's Peak. — Expedition sent out by the Secretary of War, Calhoun. — Its report. — "The Great American Desert."— Fremont's exploration in 1842. — Discovery of Gold in 1852. — Aurania. — False reports from Pike's Peak and their effect. — Growth in population. — Rapid after 1860. — "The Centennial State." — Beginnings of missionary work at Gregory Diggings, Central City and Black Hawk. — Rev. William Crawford. — Denver and its churches. — Colorado Springs, Dr. James B. Gregg. — Superintendent Joseph W. Pickett. — His wonderful zeal. — His sagacity. — His temptation. — His tragic death. — Dr. Charles C. Creegan in Colorado. — Dr. Addison Blanchard. — Rev. R. T. Cross. — Superintendents C. M. Sanders and Horace Sanderson. — Examples of success in the city. — Cripple Creek and its missionary history. — Rev. G. W. Ray. — Religious forces to-day. — The fruits of home missions. — Oklahoma the last fragment of the Louisiana Purchase. — Quaint report of a Spanish explorer. — How it returned to the status of "pubHc lands." — Efforts to force occupation. — Defeated by United States troops. — Oklahoma opened by the Government. — Story of the occupation by Richard Harding Davis. — Cherokee Strip opened. — Superintendent Parker's description of the scene. — Home missionaries go in with the crowd. — Begin the organization of churches at once. — A later opening in 1891.^ — Rapid development of churches in thirteen years. — Oklahoma ready for Statehood 153

XII

Where it begins. — Settlement of Virginia in 1607. — Captain John Smith. — Mixed elements among the early settlers. — Beginnings in Maryland. — Tolerant spirit of Lord Baltimore and his son. — The Church of England. — The settlement of the Carolinas. — Georgia a philanthropic enterprise. — The Wesleys and George Whitefield. — The middle class wanting in Southern society. — Effect of slavery. — Large religious element at the South. — Home missionaries withdraw after 1856. — Great disruption of churches on account of slavery. — A new missionary problem introduced by the War. — Early efforts in behalf of the blacks. — The American Missionary Association; its origin and spirit. — Its work at the south. — Lewis Tappan and Dr. M. E. Strieby. — Baptist Missions at the South. — Methodist work for freedmen. — A new South since the War. — Work in Florida, Texas and Louisiana. — Remarkable development in Georgia and Alabama. — The Midway Church and its work. — Atlanta. — The new spirit of the South 173

XIII The Pacific Northwest— Oregon And Washington

PAGE

Early history of Oregon. — Struggle for possession. — Dr. Marcus Whitman. — His appointment as missionary of the American Board. — Whitman and Spaulding start for Oregon with their brides. — How they kept the Fourth of July at the Great South Pass. — Success of their mission to the Indians. — Why Dr. Whitman took his winter journey across the continent. — His arrival in Washington. — His interviews with President Tyler and Daniel Webster. — His visit to Boston. — His return to Oregon with a large company. — Its effect on the future of Oregon. — The Whitman massacre and what led to it. — Rev. George H. Atkinson reaches Oregon by the way of the Sandwich Islands in 1848. — Population and prospects at that time. — Society heterogeneous. — Religious condition crude. — Dr. Atkinson's valuable service to the State. — His knowledge of its history and resources. — His address before the Chamber of Commerce in New York. — His articles in the "Oregonian." — Congregational development in Oregon. — Dr. Atkinson's interest in education and his valuable service. — Dr. Aaron L. Lindsley, "Presbyterian Statesman of the Northwest." — His great work in Oregon and Alaska. — Washington set off from Oregon as a Territory in 1853. — Its rapid settlement. — Present population. — Church growths. — The Yale Washington Band. — Their personnel and success. — Washington to-day. — Testimony of Rev. A. Judson Bailey. — Religious forces in the State 193

XIV The Mexican Cession— California

How California became part of the United States. — Captain John C. Fremont. — Its imperial size. — Its diversified climate. — Its wonderful products. — The discovery of gold in 1849. — Effect on population. — A new home-

PAGE

missionary problem. — The reign of terror and disorder. — Vigilance Committees. — The birth of law. — Ordination of missionaries in New York for California — J. W. Douglas, S. H. Willey and J. H. Warren. — Early conditions.— Destructive fires. — Unstable population. — Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and Episcopal beginnings at San Francisco. — The " Pacific. " — Professor Royce quoted. — Southern California. — Rev. Alexander Parker, first missionary on the ground. — Rapid growth and marvelous changes — Effect of the opening of California on the churches of the East. — Its strategic importance recognized. — Great missionary enthusiasm. — Reaction from over booming. — Missionaries discouraged by unstable conditions. — Faith tried but finally triumphant. — The harvest after fifty years — The growth of religious forces 213

XV The Mexican Cession— Utah, New Mexico And Arizona

Utah, fruit of the Mexican War. — Early ignorance of the country. — Discovery of Great Salt Lake. — Brigham Young and Latter-Day Saints arrive. — Their industry in early settlement. — The origin of Mormonism. — Books of reference — A new home-missionary problem. — Mormonism a public evil to be actively opposed. — Deseret — Brigham Young appointed Governor. — Demand for Christian missionaries. — Rev. Norman McLeod. — His church. — Early success. — Persecution. — Murder of King Robinson. — The mission abandoned. — Revived six years later. — Presbyterians enter Utah — Their success with churches and schools. — The New West Education Commission organized. — Results after ten years. — United with the Education Society — What home missions has accomplished for Utah. — Strange types and customs in New Mexico and Arizona. — Their antiquity. — Relics of early Spanish possession. — Three distinct civilizations in New Mexico — Pueblos,

PAGE'

Spanish-Mexicans, Americans. — Religious nature of the New-Mexicans. — Testimony of missionaries. — Remarkable conversions.— The success of Presbyterian missions. — Conditions in Arizona 228

XVI Alaska, Cuba And Porto Rico

Russian possession of Alaska.— Ceded to the United States. — Honorable William H. Seward.— Value of Alaska to the United States. — Home missions slow to enter; the reason why. — The Greek church in Alaska. — First missionaries from the United States.— Work at Fort Wrangel, Cape Prince of Wales, Douglas, Nome and Valdez. Alaska in the future. — Missionary exploration of Cuba. —Dr. J. D. Kingsbury and Rev. E. P. Herrick warmly welcomed. — Reaction among the Cubans against the Catholic Church. — Interest in Havana; at Matanzas; at Bolondron; at Guanaboacoa. — Missions established on the island. — Cooperation and comity. — Cuba open to the Gospel and Christian education. — Porto Rico becomes an American province. — Dr. A. F. Beard and Dr. W. H. Ward visit the island.— Population and iUiteracy. — Great destitution of schools and churches. — Beginning of work by the American Missionary Association.— Presbyterian efforts. — Cuba and Porto Rico ideal missionary fields 248

XVII

Immigration between 1850 and 1880.— Relaxing effect on the immigrant. — Loss to the American Catholic Church. — The G rman element. — The census of 1900. — Per cent, of foreign-bom and of foreign parentage. — Immigration in different States. — In large cities. — Sources of immigration. — Distribution of foreign elements.— The effects upon American life. — Remedies for

PAGE

the evil. — The responsibiUty of home missions. — Foreign departments of the Congregational Home Missionary Society. — Rev. M. W. Montgomery's visit to Sweden. — His discoveries and their effect. — The Welsh in America. — Baptist work among foreigners. — Presbyterian interest in the problem. — What the Reformed Church has done. — The appeal of the city. — Responsibility of home missions for the congested elements of the city 262

XVIII

What New England has done for the West. — Great changes among her people. — Eaily and continuous migrations westward. — The effect on New England. — Churches depleted by emigration. — Dark pictures of religious destitution. — Remedial agencies at work. — Testimony of home-missionary secretaries in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. — Is New England on the whole decadent? — Testimony to the contrary. — Advancement of education among the people. — Increase of spiritual life among the churches. — Young men furnished to the ministry. — Gains in church membership in proportion to the population. — Denominational cooperation in Maine. — Missionary work for foreigners throughout New England. — Prosperity of the work. — Testimony afforded by benevolent contributions. — Continuous gains in forty years. — No reason for despondence 283

XIX

"Boston Female Society for Missionary Purposes" in 1800. — "Female Cent Institution of N w Hampshire" in 1804. — Its origin and remarkable history. — Mrs. Asa McFarland. — Presbyterian women organize. — What they have accomplished. — Baptist women unite for

PAOB

home missions.— The zeal of Congregational women.— Missionary boxes. — "Woman's Home Missionary Association" in 1880. — Its scope and object. — What it accomplished. " State Unions' and their rapid spread. Mrs. H. M. Shelton, Mrs. H. S- Caswell, Mi;s D. E. Emerson. — Fimds contributed by Congregational women.— Their helpful cooperation. — Woman's movement in the Reformed Church; in the Methodis and Episcopal churches. — Woman's wo k and the renaissance of the spiritual 303

XX

The chief agency the Church. — Memorial to the congress of 1777, — Action of Congress in 1781 respecting distribution of Bibles.— The American Bible Society organized 1816. — Its great work in eighty-six years. — American Tract Society formed in 1825.— The immense volume of its publications. — The American Sunday-school Union begins in 1824. — What it has done for the nation. — Church buildings and parsonages. — Action of the Albany Convention in 1852.— The Congregational Church Building Society — Its relation to the Home Missionary Society. — Its methods.— Baptis church erection. — Methodists organize for church bulding.— Presbyterians and their work in church building. — Denominational Sunday-school work of Congregationalists and Presbyterians.— The Young Men's Christian Association. — Its origin and spread.— Its blessed ministry.— Other cooperative agencies — Christian civilization one body having many members 31G