“The congregation was organized March 10, 1833, by Elder Thomas McBride, who was then living’ in Boone county. But six disciples could be found within thirty miles of Paris, and they agreed to assemble and keep the ordinances, and~ thus was begun the work of restoring to the people of Monroe county the primitive church without human creeds. The following are the names of the charter members: John Shoot and wife, Joseph Forman and wife, James C. Fox and James R. Abernathy. They had as their first preacher Marcus P. Wills, and then followed Henry Thomas, Alfred Wilson, A. Procter, Peter Donan, A. H. Rice, J. W. Mountjoy and H. B. Davis. These are the names of all the regular preachers 8ince their organization, fifty-one years ago. They hare never been in a disorganized state. I find that 779 names have been registered since 1863. The congregation now holds as members something over two hundred. They have owned two houses of worship and are now erecting the third, which will be completed in the spring, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars. They have had the pleasure of hearing as preachers Thomas M. Allen, Joel H. Haden, Dan’l. McSwain, Jacob Creath, Jeremiah Lancaster, D. S. Burnet, MI. Alexander, father of our Congressman, A. MI. Alexander, Alexander Campbell, M. E. Lard, U. Pat. Henderson, Dr. NV. H. Hopson, T. P. Haley, the John Smith who wore the coon-skin cap, and many others whose names are not just now re­membered.  Yours truly,

H. B. Davis.” 

The congregation at Paris from its very organization was composed of some of the most substantial men and women in the county; indeed, no better people could be found among all the good people of the State. Among these I cannot refrain from mentioning the names of J. C. Fox, better known as Cephas Fox, now gone to his reward. Thomas Crutcher, who still lingers with us. Braxton Giddings, Granville Snell (also deceased). These men and others, with their good wives, bore the heat and burden of the day, when indeed there were few to bear them. They supported the cause, entertained the preachers and made their homes renowned all over the State for their generous hos­pitality. It will be seen that in more than fifty years they had only seven regular preachers. This was not because their preachers were better men or more brilliant than others, but because the church stood by them, even with their faults. There is no better indication of a wise administra­tion of church affairs than permanency in the pas­toral relation.

Another fact is prominent in the history of the Paris church. No enterprise of the brotherhood of the State was ever neglected by them. It will be found that they contributed of their means to Bethany College, Christian University, to the Orphan School, and to every appeal made to them in the name of the cause they responded. I must mention specially the generosity of brother Fox as it came under my observation. On a visit of Brother Errett to Paris in the interest of the Orphan School be agreed to give the school $1,000 at his death. Subsequently, as a member of the Board, lie made a visit to the school and was so impressed that on his return he enclosed me his check for the one thousand dollars, saying, that in that matter lie proposed to be his own executor, and that the school needed the money at that time as much or more than it ever would in the future. When the church in Shelbina built their house of worship, they were compelled to borrow a sum, say one thousand dollars, to make their last payment. Brother Fox loaned it to them. They allowed the matter to run on, not even paying the interest. At the death of brother Fox they were greatly disturbed and expected to see their prop­erty sold, but when the good man’s will was found it was ascertained that he had forgiven them the debt. Now and then his old friends who had been unfortunate would be remembered in a remittance with affectionate words. No wonder the Paris church has been a grand church with even one such man in it. And yet what I have said of Cephas Fox might he said of others of that church, who always did according to their ability.

The church at Berea was perhaps the next one organized in the county. It was northeast of Paris, not far from the old State road leading from Paris to Hannibal. Among the early names there I recall the Raglands, the Sidenors, Smiths, etc. This congregation enjoyed the labors of nearly all the preachers who labored in Paris, and especially of Martin Sidenor, whose name has already been mentioned. In the many changes that have taken place in the thirty years since I was with them I do not know how they have fared, but I am quite sure the men and women whom I met there in an. early day did not desert the cause.

Santa Fee Church was perhaps next in order, and was from the time of its organization an ex­cellent and influential organization. It has main­tained its existence through all the years and has grown to be regarded as one of the very best congregations in the State.

Among the early members there I recall the names of the Bybees, the Bridgefords and the Davises. They have enjoyed the labors of Henry Thomas, Alfred Wilson, John A. Brooks, and others.

Middle Grove, in the western part of the county, was probably the next congregation planted in Monroe. Indeed it was a strong con­gregation from my earliest recollection. It was situated in a good country and composed of most excellent and substantial people.

Among the early members I recall the names of the Reeds, Featherstons, Thilaneys, Snells, Bassetts. Conyers, etc. Middle Grove church was remarkable in an early day for the large audiences that gathered there, the great number of young people and the good congregational singing. It was not unusual in the summer season for the crowd to be so great that an arbor of trees and brush had to be constructed out­side, while the preacher stood in the door preaching  to those within and without. Among the preachers who served them in an early day were William Reed and Thomas Thompson, already mentioned, Martin Sidenor, Henry Thomas, Alfred Wilson. Jacob Creath and D. P. Henderson held great meetings there in 1854, when Rev. Peter Donan, of the Presbyterian Church renounced Presbyterianism. and accepted New Testament Christianity. Many other great meetings were held there. They have maintained their organization from the beginning and have always I think, e been supplied with regular preaching.

The next congregation organized was at Madison. I do not know the date of its organization, but as early as 1848 a great meeting was held by Elder Henry Thomas just west of the town. I have an impression, however, that the church had been founded at an earlier day. About the year 1850 they built a frame house in the town, the first house in which I ever saw an elevated floor from the pulpit back. Unlike the modem fashionable house, the pulpit was between the doors, and the floor instead of rising gradually was raised in sections; the first ten feet, say, on a level, and then a rise of two feet, and then a ten foot level, and so on till the rear was reached.

I recall the names of the Dawsons, the Groves, the Ferrells, the Davises, the Eubanks, the Woodwards and the Cunninghams, who were members in an early day. They had the services, more or less, of all the ministers who served the Paris church—Brothers Thomas, Wilson, Rice, Mountjoy and Featherston. The last named now re­sides there and is their beloved pastor.

The congregation at Union, seven miles south­west of Paris, on the State road leading from Paris to Middle Grove, was one of the earliest in the county. I do not know the year in which it was organized nor who the preacher was, but it was from the beginning a church of great usefulness. Among the early members were Bro. Fore man, whose name is mentioned as one of the charter members of the Paris church, and his most ex­cellent family, one of whom was William, the singing teacher, to whom the churches in all that part of the State are indebted for their knowledge of vocal music; the Barkers, the Cartwrights, the Browns, the McCanns, the Withers, the Burtons, the Maddoxes, etc., etc. Bro. Henry Thomas was for many years their preacher; after him Alfred Wilson, Benj. Smith and Featherston and Surber. Elders P. P. Henderson, Jacob Creath, T. M. Allen and many others have held meetings there. They have built a second meeting house and are at this time one of the best congregations in the State. Brother Surber is now, I think, their regular preacher.

Since writing the above the following letter has been received, which throws some additional light on the origin and early history of the Union congregation: 

AT HOME, MARCH 27, 1884.

ELDER T. P. HALEY—Dear Brother :—I see in the Christian-Evangelist you are collecting ma­terial to publish a book to give a history of the current Reformation in Missouri. As I am the last surviving member of the church at Union except one, old brother Holloway, now in his 76th year, I will do the best I can under the circum­stances.

I went to see brother Tom Dry and wife a few days since; they were not members at the time of the organization of the church, bat were present at the time. We fully agreed in nearly every-point on the subject. According to my best recol­lection the church was organized in May, 1835, or ‘36—no later than ‘36—with seventeen members. I will give you the names: John A. Holloway and wife, Benjamin Mason and wife, Thomas Wafts, and wife, James Hawkins and wife, Joseph Forman, wife, and sister Woodward, John Forman and wife, sister Eliza Chapman and your un­worthy servant; I think a daughter of brother Mason. This will approximate pretty close to the organization. My father and brother Mason were elected elders; Joseph Forman and James Hawkins were elected deacons.

We met for a time in the school-house near by. 

We then met near the old Forman Mill for two or three years for worship, brother Thompson preaching for us occasionally; also brother Thomas. During these years old brother Barker came to Missouri; also brother Henry Glasscock, who put in his membership with us; also some of their children; this helped us very much indeed. We often had additions to the church, but the first meeting that was of any special note was held in 1839. The preachers present were B. W. Stone, Jacob Creath, John R. McCall, Eastham Ballinger of Marion county, Henry Thomas, Al­fred Wilson, who just commenced speaking in public. It was held just South of James Forman’ s down on the river bank, at a good spring. We had seventeen additions, J. C. Forman, sisters Minerva and. Amanda, among the number. Time passed on; the church was prospering all the time with frequent additions. The next protracted meeting that was held, of special interest, was held in 1846 by brother T. M. Allen. lit was held on the farm of my father-in-law, Dan’l Cartwright, south of his residence; we had twenty-six additions, if my memory is not at fault I should have said, in the proper place, brother Thomas was present all the time. We then began to talk of building a house of worship. It was finally agreed to build. We had the frame put up, cost-big $75. It stood there more than a year; finally we got it inclosed. Times were hard, money scarce. Brother Baker furnished the plank to enclose it; I dressed all the plank myself to en­close it with. We then set about to plaster and seat it; all hands wet in. We soon had the lime on the ground to plaster the house; I, with the assistance of a hand, prepared the mortar for the plastering. I superintended the entire job.

Additions were still being made to the church. Brother Thomas preaching mostly to the church at the time. I will say further, it has been a cus­tom with the church ever since its conception to hold a protracted meeting once every year in the month of August. With a few exceptions we have kept it up to this time. I know, brother Haley, you are well informed, as a general thing, that we have had the services of our best preachers at these meetings.

We have had. regular preaching, once a month, for forty years. In conclusion I will state that I acted as a deacon for over twenty years. The brethren then saw fit to elect me an elder in the church; I have served some six years in that capacity. My father was an elder until he sold out and moved to Sturgeon. Brothers Barker and Glenwick remained elders until they died.

As ever, yours indeed,

William H. Forman.

The congregations at Shelbina, Granville and Monroe City, as well as the one called Antioch, south of Paris, are all of comparatively recent origin. They are all good strong churches that keep the ordinances and maintain regular preaching. There are probably other smaller churches in the county, that ought to be mentioned in this connection, but I do not recall them, and their or­ganizations are so recent that my readers can readily obtain any desired information concerning them.