People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — Presbyterian History. [ARTICLE]

Presbyterian History.

The following is an abreviated sketch recently published in the Pilot from the pen of William B. Austin. “Nine persons, headed by James Vanßensselaer, the father of the town, formed the nucleus from which has been eyolved the church societies of to day. There were times wheu the church had apparent prosperity, but on the oilier hand, for long stretches of years, at one time from 1866 to 1883, not one ray) of light came. That the organijsa tioti did not entirely disband was due altogether to the a few faithful ones in maintaining the Sunday school, and in sowing seeds, which in later years have ripened and been harvested,

and to day from the bulwark of the church at this place. “ 'The Presbyterian church of Rensselaer’ was organized Feb. 20, 1847, the following persons being received on certificate: “James Van Rensselaer, Susan Van Rensselaer, Susan C. Weston, Ezra Wright, Martha Wright, Lucinda Mahaffie, Henry Barkley, Ira Allen, Louis B. Allen.

The first elders were Ezra Wright and Henry Wright. ‘‘Rev. Edward Wright was a, supply for the new congregation which met whenever convenient, until 1848, when Rev. Thomas M. Chestnut was duly installed as pastor, and continued as such until 1852. Mr. Chestnut was the father of Mrs. Fletcher Monnett and Mrs. Sharp. “The pioneers of our church, like the pilgrims of old, were very strict in discipline, and although the old time Calvanistic doctrine of election, even in that day, received many assaults yet the session stood manfully by the confession and at one 'time declined to grant but a modified letter of dismissal to James J. Porter, who to some extent questioned the strict Calvanistic interpretation of this doctrine of election. “Rev. Thomas Wharton was pastor from 1855 to 1859, and Rev. H. A. Mayhew from 1856 to 1865, then occurred one year pastorates ot Rev. L. D. Wells, J. S. Patterson, Wm. A. Patton, and Mr. Goodeson. Then for a long period of seventeen years the church was without a pastor struggling for life. During this time came the trouble involving Cicerp A. Tatman and Gen. R. H. Milroy, and which affected Ezra Wright financially; and John Keller, Stephenson Donalson and Fletcher Monnett moved away “During this period the spiritual life and corporate existence of this society rested entirely upon the two Miss Smiths and Elder John Coen. Within the last twenty years Mr. Coen has carried wood from his residence on the outskirts of town to warm the church for Sundayschool on cold Sunday mornings. All hail to these spirits who through the chaos attendant upon the closing of the war and other troubles, carried our church ship through and landed her in the harbor.

“In 1885 Rev. Gilbert Small was pastor, and after him Rev. August Taylor. And then many students came from McCormick seminary which terminated in the installation of Rev. M. L. Tressler as pastor in 1889. Mr. Tressler was tl e first installed pastor of the church. He remained about 18 months. Then Rev. Edward Beach for one year and after a short period Rev, M. R. Paradis, our present pastor. “Mr. Paradis has proven himself a conscientious man, an agreeable and social gentleman, and a hard and aggressive worker in the Lord s cause. “It is probably due to his efforts moie than any one else that we are enabled to have a new church building. “The Misses Smith were received July 21, 1860. “Rev. Mayhew received 40 members and dismissed 18. “Rev. Goodison received 6 members and dismissed 2. “Rev. R. L. Adams received 11 members and dismissed 2. “Rev. G. Small received 34 members and dismissed—- “• Rev. Aug. Taylor received 8 members and dismissed 2. “Rev. M. L. Tressler received 47 members and dismissed 5. “Rev. I. I. Gorby received 38 members and dismissed 7; “Rev. Edward Beach received 13 members and dismissed 10. “Rev. M. R. Paradis received 37 members and dismissed 3. “The old church building was erected in 1851-2 at a cost of SI2OO, on ground donated by John C. Van Rensselaer and has done its duty long and well. It was parted with many pangs of regret, for the old house pro tected us during infancy, childhood and manhood. Here was the cradle of Presbyterianism in this county; here were baptized as infants and adults representatives of almost every family in town and surrounding country; and from this alter have beeh carried the remains of in any of those who have gone “to undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns.” “The old church has passed from our sight, but not from cur memory. To many of us some of the fondest and sweetest memories of childhood and, youth are entwined with this old building. The childish Sunday school songs, “Come to Jesus,” “Climb-