MEETINGS IN RUSSIAVILLE, IND.
By J. H. Waggoner
I COMMENCED holding meetings in the above place as noticed in my last. The roads were very muddy, but the attendance was good throughout. Eld. Thompson, of the Disciple church, commenced meetings in the same place on the 17th ult. He had been preaching several weeks at Kokomo, the county seat of Howard Co., where a great excitement had been raised by himself and the Methodist ministers on the subject of baptism. He informed me that he had twice debated with presiding Eld. Cooper on that subject, and though they did not regularly discuss at Kokomo, the excitement in the community was very great. It was expected at Russiaville that he would vigorously assail our views, and from what we had heard of him, and of the position he occupied in his denomination, and of the feelings of that body toward our faith, we expected to be put on the defense. In his first sermon he plead strong for peace, yet some of his expressions were clearly aimed at us. In his second he was more bold, and quite decided in his opposition. But in his third discourse, on First-day morning, he came out very decided, warning the people against those who spread division, preachers of the law, followers of Moses, &c. In the afternoon I had the privilege of showing, to a large congregation, the injustice of these remarks, the harmony of the law and gospel, and the profitableness of "all scripture." From this time the spirit of controversy was quieted, and Eld. T. carefully avoided all disputed points. Beyond this, our intercourse was friendly and kind. By his invitation I spoke at the waterside on the occasion of his baptizing a believer, and again at his closing meeting, where mutual explanations were made, and the most friendly feelings prevailed. Being naturally averse to controversial meetings, I regarded this as a happy issue, as a discussion was, at first, looked for as a matter of course by many in the community. I had the pleasure of furnishing Eld. Thompson with our publications, which he expressed a desire to read, and thereby become acquainted with our faith. May the Lord enable him to see what a precious, glorious truth he has hitherto neglected, and to some extent opposed. Being strongly urged to remain in that section of country some time, we concluded to see what openings might be offered, though our own minds were directed northward. We accordingly addressed a letter to the Christian (Disciple) church at Kokomo, requesting the use of their house for lectures. That all may see the bigotry manifested by our opponents, even those who profess to be the most liberal in the investigation and discussion of Bible subjects, we copy the letter and reply. "Russiaville, Ind., Feb. 21st, 1859.
"To the Trustees of the Christian church, Kokomo:
"We wish to obtain the use of your church building for the purpose of giving a course of lectures on various Bible subjects. We would be pleased to occupy it about two weeks, when not used for the stated meetings of the church. Our subjects will be principally on the fulfillment of prophecy, and the principles of morality taught in the word of God.
"If granted we would like to commence on Thursday evening, March 3d.
"Please return answer by the bearer and oblige.
"Yours Respectfully,
J. H. WAGGONER.
M. HULL." "Kokomo, Ind., Feb. 21st, 1859.
"We must decline granting the use of our house to you.
"We think we should avoid questions to no profit, calculated only to engender strife and divisions, and of no profit or advantage to any one. Anything calculated to pull down and destroy, not build up the cause of Christ, should be discountenanced among us. If men will preach the gospel that Paul preached, and point sinners the way into Christ's kingdom, and teach christians their duty to God and to one another, they will then be accomplishing some good.
"Respectfully yours,
A. H. PLOUGHE." The inference is clear. The preaching of "the fulfillment of prophecy and of the principles of morality as taught in the word of God," would be fatal to the standing of the Christian church of Kokomo! What they consider right and proper to have preached in their church is a matter of query. Of this we have had good proof that the main body of the Disciple (in this country called Christian) church is as rigidly sectarian as any sect in [nominal] christendom. They seem to regard themselves as the exclusive followers of Peter and Paul, and I fear many of them never think of going so far back as to the faith of Abraham. But we had the privilege of testifying our faith in "the gospel that Paul preached," to the conviction of some. And here I would remark that I do not know of a single fact or duty of the gospel believed or taught by the sect of Disciples, but what we also believe and teach. The difference is, we believe "all scripture" is profitable, while they take only a small part. On the 27th of Feb. we had the pleasure of immersing four believers in the likeness of Christ's death. A large concourse of people was present. It was an interesting and solemn time. One was baptized on the 28th, and two in the morning of the 1st of March, and one near the close of the same day—eight in all. If any of our brethren pass through that country we hope they will call on the friends at Russiaville. It is about eleven miles from Kokomo, [on Penn. and Ind. R. R.] in the N. E. corner of Clinton Co. Inquire for Dr. Shirley. On the 2d inst. we bid farewell to the friends there, and started for the North. To accomplish our journey we were obliged to go west six miles, to an old worn out plank road, on which toll is paid because it passes through a country impassable without its feeble aid. The state of the roads has somewhat diverted us from our course. We go where we can, and cannot go where we would. I feared this state of things when I left home. Some places I desire to visit which I shall not be able to. We are now near Plymouth, Marshall Co. How long we shall remain we know not yet. We would submissively pray, "Thy will be done." J. H. W.