Life and Letters of Rev. Aratus Kent Introduction

Nevertheless we had a very good sacramental season. A lad of 15 was received who I hope will study for the ministry and Br. Bergen has great reason from present appearances to be encouraged. when I arrived here to explore that field I did not suppose that he would find so many professors as he has there gathered up.

Yours very truly,

A. Kent

My health which was very feeble during a very hot summer has greatly improved.

______

Dear Br.,

In conversation with Br. Clary a few days since he inquired if I made out quarterly reports. I told him I did not, but communicated very frequently and very freely my thought and observations.

I have supposed that a “running fire” and a record of my observations as made at the time would possess a freshness that might best comport with my habit of mind and your information.

After leaving Synod where I was “combined with much serving” in matters pertaining to Presbytery, Synod and Home Missionaries I reached Monday evening Twelve Mile Grove and the next day went out of my way to call on George Bibb of Ohio (he spoke well of Br. Hodges who is 5 miles off) who has purchased a large tract 5 miles south of that Grove and expects to settle around him many families from Ohio. This brought it in my way to call on Br. Hodges who lives about 10 miles from Rockford and for whom I had a bundle of clothes sent out from Mass. and which I divided between him & 3 others. Br. B [sic?] lives in a log house about 15 feet square (I judge). He has a family of 6 children between 10 & 20 besides a laborer and 2 sons who were gone away from home. He is attempting to build him a house at this late season, the frame of which is not yet raised, and he has injured his breast lifting so as to be confined to the house. (He said that the barrel of clothing formerly sent him had been a great & essential service in his growing family.) It seemed strange to me that a man should be caught in such a plight but then I remembers that “the destruction of the poor is their poverty.”

At Rockford I spent a day on business pertaining to the Female Sem. located there, and was urged by the other members to the Ex. Comm. to remove my family to Rockford. I have been so officious from the first in gathering up that Institution that they seem determined to put me on all the business committees. The gentlemen composing that Comm. stated distinctly they did not intend to throw the labour on me but they wished me nearer for consultation It would be vastly better to be at R. as a center of Home Miss. operations provided that I should be continued in that service. But then on the other hand I feel no little reluctance at leaving “my old stamping ground”, and I have no idea at present what decision will be arrived at on the subject. But I allude to it that my counsellors at 150 Nassau St. may express their wishes, it they choose. There is a good deal of variety (which is “the spice of life”) in my present employment and I often think of Paul’s experience and moral elevation. Phil. 4:11-13. But amidst the storms and sloughs, the diurnal and nocturnal annoyances incident to constant travelling, my heavenly father affords me many soft Indian Summer days, many smooth roads and enchanting passages and in his Providence gives me an introduction to many excellent families where I have every substantial comfort that the most princely hospitality could furnish and what is more than all, I am daily thrown into circumstances the very best I could have to exert a personal influence in favor of the Religion I profess to love.

If poets have license allowed them to make out their meaning, I suppose that letter writer must have license too to develop their innate egotism, but to return from this digression.

From. R. I went to Belvidere which I reached a few hours after the installation services of Rev. Mr. Fanning were over. They seem greatly pleased with their new pastor.

On Friday I called on Rev. J.C. Downs at Richmond, a neat and thriving village 1 1/2 miles from the State Line and 30 from Little Fort. I spent an hour or two very pleasantly with that Br. He too seems to be compelled to build a house, but has managed it well (I opine) and will soon have it ready for occupancy. We walked out to see it, He was just then laying the underpinning. We knelt down among the shavings and consecrated it to the Lord. I was much leased with the account he gave of the condition of things at R. and at Ringwood between which he divides his time.

I passed through McHenry Village and reached Waukegan where I spent the night with Br. Parsons, I was surprised at the amount of wheat going into market, the number of inhabitants (3000) and the prospect if that sea port. It is becoming an important center of influence and I regretted that I could not yield to his request to spend the Sabbath there and preach the cause of Home Missions. On Saturday I made my way northwest to Father Dodge whom I failed to find the day previous. I spent 3 hours with him. And taking his own account (for I had no opportunity to see any of his people) I would exhibit him as a model Home Missionary. Having been 40 years a teacher in Salem Mass, he is 67 years of age, has been now 6 years preaching to a missionary church which from 20 has grown to 60 members. He would not stay with them except they build a sanctuary. He preaches twice and superintends the Sabbath school. They have also Bible Classes for the adult males & females. He lectures some on the Sabbath on the new Testament in course and in answer to my inquires, I learned that he has weekly prayer meetings, has 3 classes in the shorter catechism and preaches on weekday evenings in the adjoining settlement. He showed me a circular signed by Brs. Bascom, Los, Farnam & Miller of Aurora & several laymen proposing a Convention to unite Presbyterian & Cong. for sundry reasons and especially to throw off the responsibilities of Gen. Assembly for action or inaction on slavery & asked my opinion. I expressed the opinion that it would not meet the views of the body fully and therefore would only make another division in place of union. And I have no doubt that if we should go into it unanimously it would not satisfy the agitators for one half year before they would next demand of us to cut loose from the Home & Foreign Board.

At the setting of the sun I reached Br. Payne’s and found that my appointment to preach for him had not been received and he had gone to exchange with Br. Drake.

Sabbath morning I started with the earliest dawn and rode to Half Day (25 miles from Chicago) 11 miles and preached on Home Miss & took up a collection of $3.50 which please acknowledge as coming from Cong. Ch. at Half Day and charge to me. The preacher Br. Cook of Ottawa Presbytery informed me of his preference for A. Miss., but was willing his people should contribute to A.H.M.S. From what was told me afterwards I think a favorable impression was made and that some of them as least will not be prepared to abandon a society that has made the moral condition of Northern Ill. what it is. While I have been detained here under the Dentist’s hands I have seen several of our Home Missions and counselled them and am now ready to depart for Lockport.

A great effort is being made to prejudice the common mind against the A.H.M. & the A.B.C.F.M. under the pleas that they are lending their mighty influence to sanction slavery.

Yours very truly,

A. Kent

I wish this communication was handsomely copied but should I do that it would be detained or applications with held.

Morris, Nov. 5, 1850

Dear Br.,

I have had an interview with Br. Henderson and also with a leading member Br. Parmeder and though their application is not as full in its statements as required yet I have gained the requisite information by inquiries. Their strength has been weakened by removals and they had a hard struggle to make out the sum pledged but they have paid all but 1 1/2 dollars and they have had some good men added lately from whom they expect to receive aid.

They think it is the utmost they can do this year to raise 200.

They express intense satisfaction with their minister and earnestly desire to retain him. I would therefore recommend the appropriation asked. Brother Henderson has just entered a small neat house which he thought himself competent to build.

A. Kent

This village grows and is likely to be the commercial center of a comparatively new but growing county.

Galena, Nov. 20, 1850

Dear Br.

I have reached home in safety after 6 weeks absence and having made a long journey over almost my whole field. I have just read your letter which from circumstances was particularly timely at least to my own feelings and was gratified that you thought of me when you were too sick to be at the office. I am oppressed with the work that crowds upon me as I return home and what must your correspondence be!

I am almost afraid to open my budget to you at this time for I have assumed and presumed more that I ever had occasion to before.

It is in a word to commission to men for exploring services in Grundy Co. and the region south of it.

I think I wrote you concerning Br. W.J. Murphy who had been connected with the Old Sch. Body and has a certificate greatly commendatory of his zeal and success in missionary labors. His health failing he settled down on a farm in Grundy Co, but he has so far recovered that he has commenced preaching and would labour in our service if it is divined as he has no preference for issues. I encouraged him and engaged to meet him at Morris Nov. 5 but he did not arrive until just at night and 1/2 hour after I left.

In the mean time he misapprehended some remarks made to him by Br. Henderson and thought he was not wanted. But now expresses a desire to join us because he can labour near home and near his feeble wife. And on my part I am anxious to retain him in our service and send Br. Day to the field where the Old School brethren would send Murphy if he should enter their service, c.c., up and down the Vermillion River presenting a vast destitution in the counties south of Will & Grundy. It is represented to me that the harvest is white there and has been neglected. Br. Pendleton whom I have seen since states that he visited Middleport and found materials there 3 years ago for a Presb. church which has not yet been organized.

Br. Alva Day is a man in middle life, his sons are grown up and he has left Lisbon because of the Slavery agitation there had divided them.. He has engaged in this exploring work for which I think he has some qualification (though I may have misjudged) and I believe that we need that kind of labour more than any other. And another consideration that has had great influence with me is that the Central Road from Chicago to Mobile will probably pass along that route which will give importance to a district now comparatively valueless.

I ask that Br. Murphy and Day should be commissioned to labour, the one in the south part of Grundy Co., and Br. Day to labour on the Vermillion River and its vicinity while Br. Loughead will occupy the north half of the county perhaps go into the edge of Kendall Co. I have had no conversation about the amount they will receive but suppose the Society will assume their whole support for the first year.

I have another application, it is for the support of Br. Pendleton who occupies a position at once unique and interesting. I have spent a Sabbath there and have looked carefully into his movements and am well satisfied that he is going a great good work. Two years since I visited him and he showed me a beautiful spot where he proposed to build a Female Seminary to educate teachers. I visited him 2 weeks since. He has finished his edifice 40x40 with 21 rooms and it is occupied by a family of 40 and at an expense of some 300 dollars. He has preached in the Sabbath at Milo at the Seminary also where he has a congregation of 75 including some from the Village of Henry where he would preach but they have not even a school house but he hopes to be accommodated there by & by/ He has two other points for preaching and having now secured 3 teachers he hopes to give himself to his appropriate work. I had much conversation on that point and warned him against worldly mindedness. He told me that there was a good deal of interest in the school last winter and 8 or 10 hopeful conversions and the whole management of the school was calculated to promote a high tone of moral feeling.

I shall propose an account of his movements there and send you, which will excite admiration.

He asks for $100 for the Milo Church and $150 to sustain him in his labours at Henry and vicinity which with 50 which he expects to receive from the people there will male in all $300 dollars and I would certainly hope it may be granted.

I spent the last Sabbath at Lockport by appointment and assisted at communion but did not present the cause of Home Miss for they has an agent of the ??? Union to preach in the evening and take a collection and that took precedence, besides there are in a broken and divided condition by reason of the Codding^259[259] influence. The great antislavery lecturer Codding has become a disorganizer and is out against every body & any thing that does not fall in with his views and is doing incalculable mischief at Lockport and Joliet, where I called yesterday to confer with Br. Reed and Br. Woodruff, a leading man in the church. It is said that he pleases the infidels and Universalists and worldly men and a large number, say 1/3 if the members at Lockport leave their own church to follow him. Under these circumstances Br. Farnum decided to leave and I have been authorized to recommend another man to visit them. They have lost several of their best men by death and removals (to California) and are greatly discouraged.

But Lockport is an important point and with its Home Church and good bell^260[260] it ought not be given up.

I written suggesting to Br. Pearson to go there. I have this day had an interview by appointment and a precious session of praying with Brs. Henderson, Loughead and Day and was disappointed in not having Br. Murphy also present of whom I wrote you that he was Old School but wishes to join in with us. After a long discussion we formed the plan to experiment. Henderson to confine himself to missions he wishes to do, Loughead take the north side of the River which ought to afford him ample field, especially if he extends it to a destitution in Kendall Co. Murphy to occupy the south part of the County and Brookfield in LaSalle and Br. Day to go on an exploring mission on the Vermillion from Lowell up to Pontiac and its head waters. This plan will involve a heavy expense...But I think the field is white and ready for the harvest & I have great hopes that those two men will be efficient as explorers and that is a kind of service that few are willing to engage in, and, of those, very few have the required qualifications. Br. Alva Day is man of some years and experience and I think it an acquisition to get him to engage in such a service. Br. Murphy misunderstood what was said to him by Br. Henderson thinking he was not wanted, has partly engaged himself to the Old. Sc. Presbytery. But from what has transpired we think he may yet be secured to our service : quite an acquisition I judge from the certificate of Dr. McDowell. The Vermillion Country is growth as yet unbroken and being along where I suppose the Central R.R. from Cairo will run it is important to occupy it because the Old School brethren have already got their eyes upon it.

Should you prefer to have him commissioned to labour within the bounds of his Presbytery it be so arranged if you so direct in the matter and in that case I should wish to hear soon. I was obliged to leave without seeing Br. Murphy and have requested that Br. Day & Henderson see him and ascertain whether he will concur with the arrangements and then shall make a more formal application for one or both.

Having ridden 12 miles in the rain and mud this afternoon I am lodged with Br. G. Jackson of the Grafton Church who represents Br. Loughead as very acceptable to the people both in the pulpit and in private conversation.

I should have stated that Br. Day was one of the Ottawa Presbytery who seceded but he is now heartily sick of the movement and will return to his Presbytery.

I intend to give some further particulars of my tour when I get time but these applications could not wait. Br. Murphy’s commission should date back to Oct. 7 as he has been some time preaching in his field. Br. Day should commence about the 9th of November.

All which is respectfully submitted by your unworthy Brother in Christ,

A. Kent

P.S. Br. Pendleton is in Br. Kirby’s district but as I was acquainted with the man and the facts and Br. Kirby has never visited him, I thought I should be pardoned in the thing.

On reflection I conclude to enclose also Br. Murphy’s last letter.

______

Dear Br.,

I will add some things from the journal of my late tour in which I visited every county in my district.

Leaving Ottawa where I mailed a letter, I visited Lowell to which I believe I have made reference. And I should have then gone to Peru & Lasalle & to be at the ordination at Dover of Br. E.G. Smith, but I have promised to carry a little girl to Henry to school and I intend to give you some account of that school hereafter. Having spent a Sabbath with Br. Pendleton I made my way Monday to Wethersfield and spent a night with Br. D. Gore. I attended a meeting of their Library Association and made an Address in their neat new church on the progress of improvements in Ill. since I came to the state. Things look well, very ell here.

Tuesday I passed through Cambridge (County seat of Henry) and while waiting to see Br. Osborne I attended a meeting of the R.I. & Peru Rail Road Directors. This road will soon give life & breath to the great desolate prairies I have passed over coming the last 2 days and have the necessity of occupying the important points here as well as on the great Central R.R. and the G[alena] & Chicago R.R.. But where are the men to perform the work of exploration?

I spent the night at Andover and in the morning called on your Swedish Missionary Rev. Esbjorn, but he was not at home. That day I passed through Preemption in Mercer Co, and reached in the evening Edgington where Br. Strong preached. Elder Parmeter is dead and they are discouraged and threaten to disband. But I tried to rally them because the Old School Organization is not likely to accomplish any good. I have no man for them and none for Mercer Co, which is but poorly supplied by one Old School Br. I persuaded Br. Hold (Br. Ripley will supply for him) to go down and spend a Sabbath at Keithsberg (County seat) where there is now no preaching.

If we had an efficient man for the field I would send him to preach half his time at Edgington and to occupy the other half in exploring the west half of Mercer which is entirely neglected by Old & New School Presbyterians.

Worldliness threatens to destroy the church at Edgington. I saw an affecting exhibition of it in the family where I was directed to make inquiries, They evidently at first shrink form a visit by the agent of H.M. so intent were they on securing the crop of 100 acres of corn estimated to yield 50 to 60 bushels tot he acre. I called on several of the members. Br. Cady left a bad impression by disappointing them after they twice came up to his own terms, Such was the representation. The next day I rode to R. Island and conversed with Brs. Osborne, Holt and Porter, and having heard that the Ch. at Port Byron had secured the services of Br. Thompson of Iowa, I passed directly up Rock R. to Shannon & spent the night with Br. Martin. He is disappointed in not having his commission date back to July when he commenced his labours. And in view of this fact as well as from personal observation of their straits which they bore without complaining, I volunteered to request him to make out a list of such things as he would by if he was in Galena and the money. He did so, after stating the case in two prayer meetings, I collected what was given with great cheerfulness enough to fill a large box of things both old & new and almost everything he put down, and sent it off yesterday. I did this the more readily because from my own observation and reports from Indiana I hope much from him. I think he will be an exploring labourer.

I reached Lyndon the place of my Sabbath appointment Saturday P.M. They are quite anxious to obtain a minister & a part of them think they did wrong to permit Br. Blanchard to leave them. His labours were blessed. They have a fair church building which will soon be finished. It is a gravel house. Rock River furnished the finest gravel for that purpose. There are some ultra men there which will make it more difficult to unite on a good man. I preached on the Home Miss. but did not think it expedient to “lift” a collection. On my way home I passed through Union Grove and met Br. Wheeler, who inquired after his commission, He is by instructions preaching at Garden Plains, U. Grove and Como at which he is to make his principle effort. I spent the night at Savannah. Things are all “at loose ends” there. And as Br. Emerson has signified his wish to withdraw from the field I am very anxious to occupy the ground, for though now a small village (say 500) yet at the point where the central RR is to unite the upper Miss with Iowa it has a prospective importance and in the meantime Br. Hildreth came along and expressed great sorrow for past events, great anxiety to resume pastoral duties and a readiness to go where ever I would send him. I felt embarrassed, named over various point and finally recommended him to go to Savannah and after surveying the ground & spending a Sabbath to write me.

I enclose an application from R. Island which I overlooked when I closed my last letter. I have received a box of bibles and will write to the donor Mr. Ed. Taylor. I paid 250 cents freight on the box. I will let Br. Day report progress in his own words.

Yours as ever,

A. Kent

Peru, Lasalle Co., Dec. 10, 1850

Dear Br.

It is winter “and no mistake” to use a phrase in common use. I left Galena about 12 days since under a conviction that I ought to visit this place and Lasalle having been requested by br. Dickinson to visit and advise him concerning these two rival villages. And thinking it probable that my journey would be more pleasant...I have had a rough and stormy trip thus far but with good health and the back of a good horse I got along very well where is would be impossible to travel as fast on wheels.

I made my way past Ottawa because I hoped there to find (at Presbytery) Brs. Dickenson, Williams, Day, Henderson, Murphy & Gould, each of whom I wished to see. I found only Williams and Day there. And anxious to take Lowell and Granville on my hither I went across the Ill. River. I spent a night at Lowell with Br. Williams in that part of his present field. He thinks it his duty to confine his labours to South Ottawa and vicinity and at his request the Lowell Ch. has written Br. Bristol to visit and preach to them (they have heard him once.)

Having called on Br. Ware^261[261] and inquired about affairs at Granville and dined with Br. Clark and inquired about the fine points of his field, I started Friday P.M. for this place and having rode 5 miles was told that the ice on the River was running so that I could not cross. I returned over the same road, the roughest I ever travelled to Granville and spent the Sabbath, sorry to fail of meeting my appointments at Peru and Lasalle. I wondered why Providence had hedged up my way. The discussions that detained me Monday morning may yet show why.