Life and Letters of Rev. Aratus Kent Introduction

Rev. dr. Badger

Dear Br.,

Yours of the 14 ult directed to Chicago overtook me here yesterday. Like every thing else behind the time its season of usefulness ....

We were greatly disappointed that the convention was deprived of a representative from 150 Nassau St. You would have been questioned as closely as Dr. Pomeroy was on the subject of slavery. But your explanation was satisfactory. Had I dreamed that you had not been consulted long before about holding such a convention I should have alluded to the matter in a very different manner. One great object in going to Chicago was to see and consult the secretary about various matters and things for which I had made little mention, one of which and the most serious is the difficulty at Minnesota and allude to it again merely to say that I have just parted with Br. Wheeler whose testimony is essential to a correct understanding of the case.

I have drawn on you for money to pay for a horse and in this way have supplied Br. Wheeler who was obliged to travel on foot and his field is 20 miles in extent. I have engaged to furnish him a horse for some years and by this means I have ...for my horse is obliged to keep up with his driver and he finds that a pretty hard service.

At the convention I met with Br. Whitney whom I engaged to carry and introduce at Lee Center & Grand Detour but while I was detained to hunt a stray horse and get another he engaged himself at Batavia and As I passed trough Lee Center I told them they must blame the horse (who was fastened in disgrace to the back of the waggon) for my failure to bring them a minister. Indeed he has hardly dared to hold up his head since. But he is to have three months penance upon green grass and that upon his bane forage and I hope he will not do so again.

Br Wheeler id making his influence felt at all his stations and there will be soon an effort to secure more of his time in different parts of his field. He promised to be one of our most effective men.

This letter will hardly deserve to be filed away but I will not assume the responsibility of directing you to dispose of it. I think it will be my duty to make shorter journeys for the present as travelling is so bad, but I have still 5 destitute fields within a days ride.

Yours very affectionately,

A. Kent

P.S. Perhaps I ought to add that if Br. Wheeler’s field should be divided one man could extend his labours to resuscitate the Ch. at Gap Grove and make 5 o’clock appointment at Dixon which seems to be difficult to reach in any other way without assuring the whole of his support, at least. Existing denominations will not encourage aid nor abet. I spent Sab. June 8 and could only get one elbow in.

Rockford, July 12, 1851

Dear Br.,

At my request when met at the parsonage under the shadow of the old Oak Tree in Beloit at 5 am on Thursday last 4 of the devoted friends of the A.H.M.S. solicited Brs. Clary (mine host) Pearson, Savage and Kent to review the actions of the Missionary Convention at Chicago on the 20th ult.

These Brethren (all present at that meeting except Br. Pearson) expressed their regret that one of the secretaries was not at Chicago (though your explanation was satisfactory) and they all saving myself were disappointed in the action or the body as having come short of that progress which they had hoped it would reach.

The remark of Dr. E. Beecher was quoted that the question before them was one of time. The time will come when the A. H. M. S. must take the stand that they will not commission men to labour in slaveholding churches. These brethren (or 2 of them Brs. Clary and Savage) thought the resolution adopted did not meet the views of the Convention and that if another had been thrown in desiring the Society to announce that they would not here after commission men to churches that tolerate salve holders (excepting those who are already on the list of beneficiaries) that such a resolution would have been adopted by the Convention and approved by the great body of our western churches.

It seemed to me therefore that these views should be communicated to your Committee and we agreed each in his own way to express his views to our Brothers in New York.

Much as I may be stigmatised as a Proslavery man, I still am constrained to say that whenever your Committee feel prepared to take that stand, they may count on me as one who would welcome the announcement. And if the distant echo of so feeble a voice should contribute anything to hasten such a result, I am quite ready to give utterance to it either in the closet or on the house top.

I have however more confidence in the judgement of your committee than in my own, and I consider that if the opinion I have expressed be an embodiment of western sentiment it may not be so of the churches at the east, and that constitutes another reason why I should rest satisfied with your course, whatever it may be.

Affectionately yours,

A. Kent

Galena, Aug. 6/51

Rev. Chas. Hall, D.D.

Dear Br.

I have been led to enquire in view of the letter you wrote ,e sometime since and in view of the doings of the Minnesota Presbytery the report of which had just reached me and in view of my having been repeatedly urged by Br. Neill to visit there whether I had done right in not going up there. I had excused myself on the ground of the pressure of duty and my desire to clear clear of their difficulties as well as because on the secretaries was confidently expected out here this summer and the offices of a subagent would not be accepted.

But after hearing and censuring some of the acts of the Presbytery as reported by Br. Spees I blamed myself for not having gone up before and resolved to go directly to Br. Lecombe and get a statement of his own views in order that I might form a judgement for myself.

Recalling an appointment 25 miles east of there, I went directly to St. Anthony, passing by Brs. Hall & Neill and Whitney.

In his own quiet way Br. Lecombe stated his grievances very freely and yet I have regretted since that I did not ask to see copies of his letter to the secretaries which Br. Holt told me as I passed Dubuque he had seen and without which I am not qualified to judge in the case (and certainly Br. Holbrook is not qualified for he went up and heard Lecombe’s statement but gave Br. Neill no opportunity to explain.)

I then called on Mr. & Mrs. Crowell members of the first church in Galena and converts under my ministry. They seemed to be very uneasy under the existing state of things and enquired what would be done. I could give them no satisfaction as Mr. Mr. Lecomb;s movements are shaped with a view to establish a Cong. Ch.

I returned next day to St. Paul prepared to point out what I thought had been harsh and discourteous in Br. Neill, which I did and which he admitted as also the haste with which the Presbytery was organized which he had repeatedly regretted in conversation with Br. Lecombe.

He then took down his reports and letters and traced the history of the movements and I was silenced and can only say that I should be glad to see the two brothers together in a frank interchange of their views, or what would be vastly better that one of the Sec. should come up and adjudicate for Br. Neill feels that he has not been fully heard. He says he has offered to submit the matter for arbitration but that Br. Lec. refused - has offered to discuss it but he refuses and yet makes representations to the secretaries which are not correct.

Br. Lec. said to me that Br. Neill required that he should teach Presbyterianism as a condition of membership in the Presbytery. I said at once that is a misapprehension as you will readily account for in the heat of debate. His position is this. We (the presb) will install any man as pastor over a Presb. Ch. who will be calculated to promote the plan of the church. we will not install Br. Lecombe (if he is called which he is not) because he has imbibed deep prejudices against Pres. etc. Br. Lecombe complains of improper interference in the hasty organization of the church. Br. Neill says that during the year that he preached at St. Anthony he did not do any more than ascertain and report to you the fact that there were 7 Presbyterians and one Cong. at St. An. Br. Whitney states that he organized a Ch. (calling in Br. Neill to assist) because the interests of truth were suffering by delay (other denominations were moving in to build and organize) and he organized a Presb. Ch. because there were there materials for no other.

Br. Neill complains that the Church has been languishing for a year while other influences are in full play which are tending to a change in church polity. br. Lecombe states that there are enough Cong. to organize a church. I also visited Br. Williamson and Hall and preceded to Red Rock on Sab. It has been a most painful and self-denying exercise and the only results I have reached is that something decisive ought to be done to promote the interests of our H.M. Society and prevent a division which would not stop at St. Anthony, I fear.

As matters now stand, either there must be 2 churches and 2 ministers at St. A. or the Presbyterian Church must be advised to change its organization or Br. Lecombe must be advised to leave and another man occupy the ground.

I have had long conversations with Br. Williamson and President Chapin (just returned) and they do not wish to give advice, but I believe they would think a great object gained if Br. Wheeler could be replaced as the Missionary of St. Anthony. ..

You have doubtless heard of the death of Br. Hildreth and two ...by cholera. I had begun to hope much from his efforts at Savanna. Br. N.C. Clark will probably leave Elgin and leave an important opening for a successor.

May God Almighty lead the Committee to such a course in Minnesota as shall honor God and save souls.

Perhaps I should add that Dr. Potts of St. Louis came down in the boat with me and it has been repeatedly predicted that if there is a congregational church at St. Anthony there will be also an Old School Ch.

Yours,

A. Kent

Sharon, Nov. 5/51

I have heretofore given my views of Br. Pendletons course. I am still of the opinion that he is doing a great good work. he is not only nursing that little church at Milo but he preaches every Sabbath (once) to a very interesting congregation in his house made up of 60 odd scholars and a goodly number of others who have no preaching but his. I spent several days trying to introduce Br. C.R. Clark and to get up a meeting house but failed. I wish however to leave it to you to decide whether you can consistently aid him.

I enclose his letter which you may read and destroy I have no doubt but he will get along without our aid, but it seems to me to be right that they should receive what they ask.

A. Kent

________

Elk Grove, Sept. 25, 1851

Rev. Dr. Badger,

The enclosed application was forwarded to me with a request (which I enclose) that I would visit Br. R[aymond] and enquire into the matter.

I went to Hampshire Settlement and understood that the Deacon had informed him (Father Raymond) that his daughters had been guilty of “card playing and other improprieties” which hurt his influence.

I called on him and spent an hour or two, but did not touch that subject presuming that if he has influence with his daughters he will do his utmost to prevent anything of the kind in the future. But I said to Dea. Ticknor that if any such impropriety occurred in that neighborhood I wished him to inform me. And I hope he may do good there. I have come to the conclusion in concert with the Committee to recommend the application, but Br. Clark who best knows the history of the case thinks it doubtful whether he will do much good. Father Raymond is “allowed”* (*Kentucky term) to be a very good man but he is not acceptable and efficient as a preacher, still the is supplying a little church in a spot where there will be no preaching except he labours there.

I am well aware that the secretaries have abundance of letters to answer and I do not suppose that I shall have a reply to the 199 suggestions or inquiries that I make, but there are some matters that I did hope would call forth a response.

The Guernsey Frocks I have kept two years and having received no answer to my inquiries I have put 1/2 of them into the Auction book and mean to pass them all off this winter.

I have received the reports and am distributing them.

I have not heard whether you have sent them to other points or whether I am to supply the whole country.

We feel great anxiety in relation to the present agitation of slavery matters. The excitement is very great and a desperate effort is making to prejudice the people against A.H.M.S. & A.B.C.F.M. and with very considerable success in all these parts but it does not reach our presbytery. It seems to be very unfortunate that the secretaries did not come out this summer particularly to the convention. And our best friends are anxious for the result. I have done my best to promote peace in Minnesota, but it seems to me that nothing will be accomplished til come change is made. And there is already so much jealousy on the part of the Presbyterians in this region that if that little church is run over the prejudice will be greatly augmented. I have been anxious about Peru for a long time and now that there is an understanding that Br. D. will leave this fall, it seems to me that if there is a strong man to be had he should be sent to Peru.

I have just seen Br. Whiting who leaves Lockport Jan 1. And it is of little use : no use: to send a 2nd of 3rd rate man to such a place.

We want then a Presbyterian for Peru and a Congregationalist for Lockport who can grapple with the difficulties there and strong churches may be built up. And I am sure that so long as the Theo. Sem, are so far east of us and we have only the refuse, it is no more than right that we should claim some few superior men to be coaxed away from their limited fields at the East to fill these important posts.

It has been suggested that the friends of A.H.M.S. should have a meeting perhaps next spring to enquire what should be done in view of the excitement on the slavery question. Out friends are desirous that the Society should take a step in advance, perhaps say that no church shall be aided that continues to remain slave holders: then the evil will come to an end in time. How would such a step be regarded? This but enquiry is a sort of echo of the state of feeling here.

Waukegan. Sept 27. I came here on Friday to preach on Home Miss but Br. R having waited long for me had preached himself and taken up,a coll. a part of which $6 he has paid over to me. We had an interesting Sabbath. Here is a wide field for ministerial service.

I am now ready to leave for the meeting of the Belvidere Presbytery at Ring wood and thence to Galena Presb. the development of which I dread but dare not anticipate. Synod meets also at Galena the same week.

On review of the last page, I think the word “refuse” describes rather the tendency of things there the facts as they stand connected with the efforts of our friends at the Home Missionary rooms.

I enclose the confidential note of Br. Brown to be destroyed as soon as it has communicated a hint or two on which I have nothing to add.

I believe I never reported Coll in First Cong. Ch in Rockford $23.00

and same day (Ap 6) Coll in 2nd Cong Ch Rockford $25.66

and Sab School Coll in 2nd Cong Ch do 3.20

And Coll at Fair Play Nov 1850 1.00

Donation from David Wild 1.00

to this add Coll at Freeport First Presbyterian Ch Sept 21 17.21

and coll in port at Waukegan 6.00

Subscriptions to Home Missionary John Rice

John Bukley

J.K. Brewster Freeport 3.00

O.W. Brewster

E.H. Hyde

Ester A. Hyde Rockford

80.07

The freight on boxes I do not recollect and probably I shall not make any charge.

Yours very sincerely,

A. Kent

Galena, Oct. 11, 1851

Br. Dr. Badger

Dear Sir,

Br. Neill has just stated to me that his application made 15 of July has not been noticed. Please to attend to his case without delay.

An Elder of the 2nd Presbyterian Church Mr. Charles S. Hempstead requests men to say that if a promising young man who is destined for the North west could be sent here as an immediate supply and while they are looking about to secure a pastor, they would regard it as a great favour and if the church in the meantime should not be already supplied they would be glad to avail themselves of his services.

We have just passed through a severe trial. The presbytery having passed sentence opposing the pastor of that ch on the charge by his own confession of lascivious conduct so flagrant as to require this at their hands.^264[264] The presbytery and synod both meeting here this week I have passed through such a week as I never saw before. I hope you will reply in a line to Br. Hempstead.

The applications from Downers Grove and from Sharon I shall retain until I visit there which I propose to do at once.

I had quite a variety of documents and among others my episcopal charge.

In a recent conversation with our excellent and devoted Principal of the “Rockford Female Seminary” Miss Anna P. Sill^265[265] she expressed a wish that she might have the “Home Missionary” to use in her monthly missionary meeting. I said certainly you shall have it. Rev. Harry Curtis of Chicago said I used to have the H.M. Please send your paper to each of them.

Yours affectionately,

A. Kent

Chicago, Oct. 24, 1851

Rev. Dr. Badger

Dear Br.,

While waiting on the Dentist I cannot make calls and I will give you some of my observations in coming across the country.

I left home Sat. noon, rode to Plum River, preached in the morning and preached at 4 at a new point 10 miles distant: had a congregation of about 60. An old school Br. preached in the neighborhood in the morning. I left appointments on my return at those two places and Elizabeth in the evening, making 3 sermons and 20 miles Sabbath day journey. In urging our missionaries to work hard I do not mean they shall have occasion to say that I do not walk by the same rules I urge on them.

At Melgems Grove where Br. Ira Smith preaches once in 3 weeks I found a good deal of awakening and a great anxiety that their missionary would hasten to their aid. I spent the night with Br. Gould but failed to see the men in his parish of whom I hoped to get information. But my impression is that Br. Gould is doing good and might be sustained. He has been bereft of his wife and is left with a family of six besides a married daughter in the neighborhood (Mrs. Long). I spent a night with Br. Bascom and had a long conversation about the missionaries in that region. It seems to be generally understood that Br. Wells is going to send the A. Miss So. when his time is out with you! I have thought a good deal of the “curious conscience” in the New York Observer.

Some of us western men are very conscientious but we have curious consciences.

We are building in troubled times but still the wall is being carried up and I try to thank God and take courage. I am well persuaded that I lack many qualifications for the post I occupy but yet I am persuaded that there is a great work to be done here and that I am better furnished for it than when I began the agency. My experience and increasing knowledge of the field and of the men ass greatly to my means of usefulness.

But my destiny is accomplished and I am ready to depart.

Yours affectionately,

A. Kent

Peru, Nov. 1, 1851

Rev. Dr. Badger

Dear Sir,

I have been so favoured this trip that I have fairly outrun my own plans, and your letter forwarded to Chicago did not overtake me till I arrived here last evening, and now I notice it. I will give a few of my observations by the way.

I spent a night with Br. Leonard at Flag Creek who informed me that he has returned his commission, but still was very desirous to obtain Dwight’s Theo. I promised to state the case and leave it for you to decide.

I spent the Sabbath at Lockport as urgently requested by Br. H. Brown and found everything in a state of dilapidation. Rev. Mr. Whiting has been away 2 Sabbaths to find another place, is discouraged : cannot find a place to board short of his own family at Oswego (14 miles) cannot get the members together to sustain a prayer meeting, and the people say that he is hard to please and is there only on the Sabbath. They have a debt of 1200 Dol on their stone church. It occupied the time (Saturday p.m. of two agents, Br. Montgomery & myself to put up one of the stoves and then the house was very cold) and about 25 only were out in the morning. The Home Miss. So. must employ a sexton or they cannot have a congregation. And I told them more over that in my judgement it was not right to send a missionary to a church who would not maintain a weekly prayer meeting and if they could not meet in the morning they should devote an afternoon to it. I am not without hopes that an efficient ,man among the people might succeed. I told Br. Whiting that a prayer meeting must be maintained: I preached on the Home Miss at his request in the p.m. and took up a collection.

I called on Br. Loss and Br. R. Reed at Joliet. Br. Loss has made a good impression. But the trouble is that they have the basement of a church but it is thought to be on the wrong side of the river. Br. Reed will go to Lee Center if the man they have invited from Vermont fails there.

I am disappointed in not getting down into Iroquois Co. taking Br. Gilbert and Birge in my way. Br. Birge us making a good impression and his labours in the vicinity of Momence are in demand.

At Morris I turned off my way and accompanied Br. Henderson . I rode in the rain to visit some persons in the Nettle Creek & Grafton Churches to enquire how far Br. Longhead labours were acceptable. After which I wrote him back, Kindly admonishing him of the importance of increased spirituality and more active devotion to his work especially in his pastoral duties. And after that letter was put off, I called on one leading man who thought that though nothing was contributed to Br. L. yet an acceptable preacher and pastor might get a good part of his support from the people in the region of those two churches.

I called on Br. Whittling of Ottawa and preached. Evangelical influence is very feeble along the Ill. River. I think Br. O.A. Williams of South Ottawa is one of the best pastors we have.

Another letter overtook me here which has filled my heart with sorrow. “Union Grove, Oct. 17, Dear Sir, Our brother Wheeler has gone to his rest. He died this afternoon at 3 o’clock quiet and happy. You will be surprised. We are overwhelmed with the greatness of our affliction. It is a mysterious Providence:...Here are now 4 churches including the one he formed left without the ministrations of the word. I hope as agent of the A.H.M.S. you will not forget us. Yours truly, A. Abbott” a beloved physician.

I am sad:sad because I not (could not well) go to see him when he sent for me. But I hoped he would be better soon & wrote him to the effect: sad when I think of those 4 little churches he was fostering as man cherished his children: and they all lover him as a father. And sad to think how rapidly our members in Northern Ill are being reduced. In about 4 months we have lost Hildreth and Bliss and Wilcox and Wheeler, 4 by death, and one is defamed. You have doubtless heard ere this of that bitter disputation of Providence which imposed on us the necessity of withdrawing our Ministerial fellowship from our Brother and fellow labourer George F. Magoun.^266[266] Br. Hildreth you knew. Br. Bliss (died of cholera) we thought did right to keep a public house. Br. Wilcox I had visited once and again exhorting him to resume his pastoral duties, and he was ill at ease in Chicago and looking out for a place for him to preach. It was only 8 days since I called and heard from his widow the brief history of his sudden removal by cholera.