Life and Letters of Rev. Aratus Kent Introduction

[The people of Momence, Rockville, & Bourbonais, Ill. apply for $245 aid in support of Rev. John Peck 12 mo. from Oct. 20, 1852, Rec’d. by Rev. A. Kent.]

Having surveyed the field last summer and being acquainted with the Brethren Merrick & Kile and having seen Mr. Peck I am prepared to recommend this appropriation of 245 dollars to aid this effort. It is an outpost prospectively important.

A. Kent

Galena, Oct. 27, 1852

Rev. M. Badger, D.D.

Dear Sir,

I have just returned from a tour of several weeks and I wish to give you a brief notice of it.

I spent an hour at Savanna where Br. Hildreth died, and inquired about their prospects. They seem to show very little zeal to procure a minister. Br. Phelps was sent there, but was treated coldly and there seems to be but poor encouragement to send a missionary there except some changes take place.

Br. Holt’s removal has left 2 churches at R.I. vacant. They have 2 or 3 men in mind.

I passed them to spend a Sabbath at Edginton. The church there has been neglected for 2 or 3 years since Br. Strong left there. He was formerly a missionary to the Indians.

I went next week through Mercer Co. exploring and left an appointment to preach at Keithsburg (County seat) and near Boston and after spending 4 days in vicinity in Iowa returned and spent Sabbath at those villages. It was a rainy day and I could not do much. I passed along through the county and made all the enquiries I could, I found in a county of some 7000 no settled minister of our denomination. The old school Presb. have but a minister who has just left from ill health. And one of their ministers from another county supplies one of their 2 churches. It seems exceedingly important that something should be done there and I propose to send Br. J.R. Smith who holds a commission from you to labour in that field, that is, to be located at Edgington, Rock Island Co . and to preach half his time at Keithsburg and other points in Mercer Co.

Leaving Mercer Co., I visited Henry Co., called on Mr. Esbjorn who has been afflicted in the loss of his horses and then his wife. I went to comfort him, but to my surprise found another wife there, the first having been dead but about 2 months. He was gone to the Lutheran Synod at Chicago and when I reached that City he had just left. I called on Br. Baker recently established at Cambridge and was much pleased with the prayer meeting and general appearance of things there.

I called at Geneseo. They are vacant there. I spent a Sabbath and preached on Home Missions for Br. Martin. he is a laborious and skilful missionary.

I attended our Presbytery at Buffalo Grove. They are destitute still of any stated supply since Br. Gray has confined his labours to Mt. Carrol. Br. Walker applied for ordination which is to be performed at Union Grove on Nov. 3.

I called on Br. Fisk at Little Rock. He was gone to Chicago and I am inquiries and learned that he was unacceptable to some of his church. I informed him. He thought I had not been rightly informed, and I concluded to let the matter rest until he had reported another quarter. In the mean time I recommended him to defer house-building and give himself to visiting from house to house. It seemed to be quite necessary for him to build. I recommended him to see what could be raised by subscrition, which will show how they feel towards him.

At Chicago I saw Br. Stoddard who has been sick for a few days and left Momence to return to the East! And Br. Peck has taken his field. He is from Indiana.

From Br. H. Brown I learned that Lockport is still unsupplied. And Batavia : Br. Whitney having gone to Dundee. South Ottawa is vacant. I called on Br. Phelps at Lee Center. I think he is gaining ground.

I spent a night with Br. Jessup and promised to spend some days with him in a protracted meeting in December.

I called on Br. Gray who has been building a Church of cement 50 x 30 very much with his own hands. I went next to Plum River congregation and spent the Sabbath prepatory to organizing a church by appointment of Presbytery. Br. Waterman preached in Tuesday and we organized a little church in despite of the rain.

Seven persons came 2, 3 & 4 miles, and as they convenented together and sat down to the Lord’s table, the officiating minister related as how he has passed along there 23 years ago following an Indian trail and leading his sick horse some 20 miles, and was overtaken by an Indian hunter who walked awhile by his side and then with rifle charged, went across the hills in pursuit of his game. Now behold the change. The pagan has passes away and the Christian had succeeded to his inheritance & here we a little band of saints are seated to commemorate the Lord’s death, to hold fellowship with our communion and to give pledges to each their of brotherly love and fidelity as fellow-helpers to serve the Kingdom of God.

We reached home that evening at 10 after a ride of 26 miles in the mind thankful for the blessings manifold we had received during a journey of more than 5 weeks. My wife having accompanied me all the way (200 miles). It has been a tour replete with incident and affording many opportunities to do good.

Affectionately,

A. Kent

 

P.S. I understand that Br. Stoddard charges me with an incorrect account of the healthfulness of Momence. I cannot remember what I wrote. But I recollect that when I was there in August I received the information that there was no serious sickness in the region, but here and there a slight case of ague.

I am sorry to send so imperfect essays but I cannot copy them and meet other engagements. A.K.

I thank you for the Independent which I have this moment opened.

_______

Rev. M. Badger, D.D.

Dear Br.,

Having been requested by their former minister Br. Fowler to visit this church and counsel with them. I ventured to forswear an appointment to preach and suggested Home Miss & a collection, if they thought best.

They has taken up a collection a few months before. But sympathetically with the Agent in the formidable journey of last week in despite of the constant rain & increasing cold, they invited me to present the subject in the evening as it was their M. concert when they usually divide their collection between foreign & domestic Miss. And this morning they have paid over the amount collected $73.65.

Nov. 14 After a stormy week in which I have travelled and explored somewhat in Tazewell Co. I reached Peru and preached there on Sabbath and took up a collection of $12 50/100, 4 dollars of which will not pass here (Galena) but I shall send it back and run the risk of losing it. My expenses (besides wear & tear) during three weeks of perilous travelling have been more than 5 dollars of which I make charge.

Yours, etc.,

A. Kent

please charge me with 73.65 paid by Presb. Ch. of Lacon

and 50 cents for Home Missionary address Gazette Lacon

and 50 cents for “ “ address J.L. Moore D.D.

Nov 14 Pease charge me with 12 50/100 paid by Presb. Ch. of Peru

$87.15

Tremont, Tazwell Co., Nov. 11, 52

Doct. Badger

Dear Br.,

In default of the agency I came down from Lacon for the purpose of inquiry and exploration. And while lingering to wait for a termination of this long storm, I have had a conversation with Br. Andrews about the region and the condition of the feeble churches. And it has strengthened my opinion previously formed that many of them are entirely unreasonable not to say selfish in requiring their missionaries to give them their total time white other churches in their neighborhood are left destitute and while they are contributing but half and even less than half the amount necessary for an adequate support.

Take for example Tremont, They raise about 100 perhaps a little more and receive 125 from the H. Miss Soc while the church at Moulton once a part of Grove Church about six miles distant is entirely destitute. And on the other side are openings to organize 2 churches within 12 and 20 miles. And yet the church at Tremont insists on having the whole of his time, whereas if they were to told a once that they must consent to a decision of his labours it might develop increasing ability rather than submit to this privation.. At the same time it has leaked out that Br. Gore left the Groveland Church (now Moulton) because he thought that with a church of near 100 members they might support their minister without aid from abroad. The same train of remarks substantially concerning other churches which I have lately might be made.

And I wish to call your attention to it not so much because they are receiving more aid form abroad than they ought, as because in the present dearth of ministers there must be an “equality”. And we must as ministers spread ourselves more or some of our feeble churches must perish.

I hope that the “Home Missionary” will give us such authoritative limits as will strengthen the hands of the agent and rebuke the selfishness of which I complain.

Yours, etc.,

A. Kent

[Nov. ?, 1852 Marginal note on application for Br. Gray of Mt. Carrol]

I have repeatedly visited Mt. Carrol this summer. At one time I found your missionary putting up with his own hands the walls of the sanctuary (building of gravel as I have said) and yesterday I found him plastering the room overhead. It is to be finished at Christmas, 50 x 30. I recommend 250 for his year.

A. Kent

Naperville, Dec. 11, 1852

I recommend that the sum of $150 be granted to the church at Sycamore. Br. Hudson is a good brother but he has not...and the church do not appreciate his worth and his literary attainments and I supposed that they had finally dismissed him some months ago.

I am under the impression that his commission should date back or he will be robbed of his pay for services for several months past and shall direct him to inform you when it ought to be dated.

A. Kent

______

[Dec. ?, 1852]

I am well persuaded that we ought to hold on to this new ground although but has not yet yielded much fruit. And I think that a careful estimation of the statements herein will bring the committee to the same conclusion, The settlements are quite new as you will perceive from the fact that are only now building the first school houses whereas most of northern Ill have abandoned their log school houses and are rapidly supplying themselves with a new edifice of a more substantial kind - generally brick or stone.

It is no easy matter to obtain good missionaries to occupy such a field as Br. Murphy cultivates and I am disposed to think that he ought to be sustained. It has been a very hard time with farming but this year their crops are tolerably good and everything brings a high price.

Yours etc.,

A. Kent

______

Galena, Jan. 18, 1853

I should be sorry indeeed to refuse this moving appeal. I know no reason why we should not respond to it most cheerfully.

A. Kent

Beloit, Jan. 6, 1853

Rev. Milton Badger, D.D.

Dear Br.,

I have just visited Br. Dawson ay Freeport on my way to this place and there met with Br. Robert Colston, a licentiate of the Chicago Presb. and very recently from England where he was a sort of curator of the Episcopal Ch. He is apparently of 40 or more years, passed a god examination says Br. Patterson, has the reputation of a good man, preached good sermons as the people say and seems desirous of labouring in the Lord’s vineyard.

But his ways are not agreeable and he is not likely to change easily or conform readily to our American notions. The Churches at Cedarville and Waddams Grove in Stephenson Co having been a good while destitute seem anxious to secure his services and offer between them to raise $100. And after consulting Br. Downs I have concluded to recommend that he be commissioned to preach for one year from Nov. 16 at Cedarville and Waddam’s Grove Churches, to receive $200 form your society on condition that they secure him $100 besides such aid in wood, provisions, and other necessities as they can conveniently furnish for the support of his family.

I called on my way at Waddam’s Grove and there learned definitely how he was regarded in both churches.

Should you judge differently and withhold aid, it will be desirable that I should be informed.

Your Br. in the Bonds of the Gospel,

A. Kent

Delavan, Tazewell Co., June 7, 1853

Rev. M. Badger, D.D.

Dear Br.,

Jaded and careworn by a long journey, broiled by exposure to the sun and bespattered with mud I sit down in the public house to report progress.

I left home some 3 weeks hence resolved to execute what I have had in mind some 6 months back, i.e., to explore the eastern half of the state below Ill. River. (Br. Kirby having been called to take an agency nearer the king, I would fain supply his lack of service.)

I had selected May as the fittest season of the year for such a tour but was detained some weeks by a lame arm, by the abundance of rain, and by an installation.

I spent a Sabbath and had a good congregation at Fulton City 50 miles below Galena and 8 above Albany. It is small now but promises to grow rapidly as the terminus of one of the 5 (or 6) Rail Roads which are stretching their arms across our beautiful prairie State not only to gather up the corn here grown but to draw into their embrace and conduct to an eastern market the immense productions which are just beginning to develop themselves in the far west and the far north and are already floating thicker and faster every year upon the broad busom of the Mississippi.

Having called on Br. Hill & Apthor and met Br. Hitchcock, I spent a night at Rock Island and assisted at the installation of Rev. Dr. Hayes. I pushed out into the Prairies and called on Rev. Mr. Esbjorn and Bro. Mr. Baker of Cambridge where I lodged.

I passed through Henry and made inquiries concerning it. The village is growing rapidly & numbers 1100, a promising church might be gathered there if a man of some strength could be thrown in. But as things are all will go to isolation for they have no man that will lead off in that work.

I called on Br. Pendleton who was absent. I called on Br. Fowler of Lacon who thinks of labouring in the field of Br. C.R. Clark, Magnolia & the “Head of Sandy Creek” ( a depot of the Cent. R.R.) which I encouraged. Lacon, therefore a Presb. Ch. is vacant and able and willing to give a good support but can get no suitable man. “Father Brown” is a present supply. These churches being provided for when I intended to spend a Sabbath I preached on Sat. Morning to find if possible a vacant church but by too full feeding and to hard driving I found my horse in distress with colic when I reached Washington (Tazewell Co.) and as Br. A. Johnson and myself had spent most of the day in administering to the horse, which was relieved before night, I understood that Providence would have us preach for Br. J. on Sabbath.

My great object being to explore the route of the Cent. R.R. and its Chicago Branch, I made my way across to Bloomington thence to Clinton, Dewitte County and thence to Decateur, a thriving village that promised to become an important inland town where there is an Old. Sc. Church and a minister just arrived.

At Clinton I found an old acquaintance (Sackett), an excellent Br. of the Methodist Ch. who received and lodged me courteously. He gathered a congregation to whom I preached in the evening and expressed the opinion that a Presb. Ch. of some 12 members might be gathered there.

I next turned my face to Springfield to call on Br. Hale who was gone to the east and contrary to my expectations I supplied his supply on the Sabbath. It is a Mr. Thayer & son of an elder in Br. Hale’s church. He belongs to the Old School but is liberal and has been very useful (I judge) at Paris (near Terra Haute) and in that vicinity. But his health has failed. He gave me information about all the churches in that vicinity east of Springfield. He said to me significantly that whoever (Old or New) sent an efficient itinerate missionary into that region would get the churches.

Monday morning forced upon me a decision. Should I follow the directions of Br. Thayer, pas through Shelbyville, Paris, Urbana & Danville or visit the Church at Taylorville, one near Paris and one near Monticello and pass along the state line through Iroqouis to Momence or turn my face homeward.

It was very hot and very muddy. It threatened to rain again as it had done from day to day. I must encounter swollen streams (if I took this trip towards the east) I had already been twice in waters over the sides of my buggy and once been obliged to jump into the slough & help my horse to rise out of the mire into which he had sunk. My health is enfeebled by the summer heat, my vigor of body and elasticity of mind are exhausted which rendered the prospect of being encountered by the prairie flies by day and smothered in feathers and annoyed by too much company in small tenements by night trebly formidable. Thus I was forced into the conclusion that though now at the margin of the district I must give up the long cherished object of explorations and move towards Home. Perhaps, however, I have made this trip to prepare the way for a single suggestion.

Could not Br. Hales be secured to act as our itinerate in that neglected region into which I anticipate an immense rush of people of another sort who will naturally go down into Egypt during the next five years along those opening thoroughfares and who better than Br. Albert Hale with all the wisdom of former experience could build the foundations of many generations.

The thought came bolting through my head as I heard one of his elders remark incidentally that he often wished to leave his pastorate and return to missionary work. Would not his church raise half his support on such a mission. Would they not at least let him go a year or more.

I appreciate the objections you have raised to random itinerancies, but when we can secure the services of such a man as N.C. Clark and A. Hale may I not plead for this in partial supply for some vacant churches in this state which are crying for bread and for large districts of many contiguous counties where an awful silence reigns because they have none to cry for help.

June 9. Thinking that I could reach Pontiac and spend a Sabbath where Br. Day laboured a while, I yesterday turned my face that way but soon met another amusing incident, c.c., amusing I mean to those who contemplate it at a distance. In passing a slough my harness broke from the severity of the struggle. And I has the prospect of being left alone but succeeded in quieting my horse until I could strip off my coat and boots when I jumped into the soft black mus. But before I could unloose him he made a violent effort which threw me down and he came very near treading me into the mire (I had sunk so deep that I could not get out of his way). But though quite over me he did not strike me with his feet and I crept out and released him. I then travelled back 1/2 a mile and procured 2 men and 2 chairs. The buggy came out unharmed after which I went to the pond and having taken off the outer coat of mud with my knife I performed strong additions and what with riding in the sun and rubbing dry I made myself tolerably decent before night. It is not indeed essential to a western mission to dress in black, But I can boast of one black suit and that too with gloss on it, In view of this hair breadth adventure and another of recent occurrence I said to myself in the language of harmony & to a desponding clergyman “Courage Brother, you are immortal till your work is done.”

Having called on Br. Miles at Metamora, I closed the day by taking lodging with a hospitable Old Sch. Elder (Dodds) where I lingered over one day and then made another move for Br. Day’s field and after a fatiguing ride under a broiling sin across an open prairie during which I passed a new depot building of the Cent. RR. the only object (except grass and sky) which I could see for some 10 miles, I reached one of those stations and inquired for a lodging place of their former missionary thinking that would be the best place for me to pass the night. It is not expedient for missionaries to repeat all their trials yet they may some times give the lights and shadows confidentially, Especially as our brethren at the missionary books have so little of the spice of life.

I was greeted with a welcome and entertained with the various excellences of Br. D. We had supper and the children (some of them) washed their feet. It was an exceedingly hot night and we were all safely packed away (10) in the same room. The windows were closed to exclude the mosquitoes and the fresh air and the doors to prevent the egress of the young dogs. But as a special favor I had a window open 6 inches directly over my head. I had plenty of feathers under me and no covering but a bed quilt over me which seemed quite indispensable under the circumstances to me and my full grown bed fellow. There was powerful snoring there which might have lulled me to sleep if there had been any sympathy between my soul and theirs. There was a good house near by in which the widowed grandfather and 4 big boys might have lodged comfortably. But it would not have been as sociable nor so warm as all to roost in the same nest. The next morning I crawled out into the fresh air, crowded down some breakfast and too leave of our affectionate family who showed me no little kindness, but such as if long continued would kill me. But I felt full paid for the trial in the hope of having made some good impressions especially on the lad of 14.

I reached Pontiac at noon after a warm ride hoping to get some rest in preparation for the Sabbath. But I found there was another appointment which claimed precedence to mine and I pushed on to spend the Sabbath with Br. Murphy in Grundy Co. and ay 8 1/2 p.m. I found lodging 1 1/2 miles from his home. I called in the morning and preached for him which was the more acceptable as he was unable to preach. Thus two Sabbaths in succession I supplied pulpits rendered vacant by diseased throats.

Mrs. Murphy, who was bedridden when I was there is able to attend to her household concerns...

June 14. The Fox River U met at Morris. I was welcomed with apparent cordiality and preach the Communion sermon and was permitted to state without restraint in their animated discussions. I was thankful for the opportunity of meeting there dear Brethren and learning the condition of their respective fields. Several revivals were reported. It was interesting to attend the 5 o’clock prayer meeting. It was a rainy morning. I had conceived a little speech for my two grey headed companions but when the third deacon with red head came in it spoiled my speech. He however made some remarks upon entire consideration which pleased me so well that I thought is was not a whit behind his brethren... After 3 prayers and conversation it was proposed that one prayer should be offered for more spirituality, one for the minister of the place & his people and one for more ministers.

We had there representatives of piety from Connecticut River bottom and a specimen from Green Mountains...

Passing through Lasalle Co. I lodged with Rev. Ira Smith and listened to his brightening prospects. I being now Friday I resolved to spent the Sabbath at Paw Paw & Mahgeams Grove. At Paw Paw a minister is greatly needed.