Life and Letters of Rev. Aratus Kent Introduction

But the great want, as I apprehend , in our missionaries is that they should devote more time and labour to pastoral visitation as the only effectual method to enlighten the understanding and awaken the conscience or even to gather a congregation from the "mixed multitude" that compose our new settlements. Christ spent much of his strength in personal efforts. Paul taught from house to house warning every man and teaching every man. Where is the mantle of Baxter, Where is the spirit of Harlan Page. Could our brethren be persuaded to adopt this old 'measure" for one year and devote 5 afternoons in a week from 2 to 5 in dealing with the consciences of the people, the work of public preaching would be easy and their success 4 fold.

I have urged upon the secretaries and I urge it again that they should request every missionary to specify in his quarterly report the number of visits and of conversations upon experimental piety. From observation and inquiry I am convinced this is the grand debut and if they should once resolve to keep a record of their fidelity in this department of labour they would be surprised at their past neglect. And if they should persevere in it, their Sabbath congregations would be twice as large as they are now.

Much of "the shady side" of pastoral life has been spread out before the public of late, and it is quite opportune as a rebuke to the churches for the shister salaries which ministers receive in these days of general prosperity. But it should be regarded as an occasional and side-glance rather than a front view and a full length portrait of clerical expression.

I have myself visited "the prairie missionary" and when I gazed upon their ample cottage with tasteful finish and decorated with vines and ??? and when I heard her say that she was overwhelmed with God's goodness, me thought she should at least give a little more the "sunny side" for the benefit of those who are looking forward to the missionary work.

We must view this whole matter in the light of an overseeking Providence, Good men and missionaries need frequent & sharp ??? and I doubt that they a=have as few as is consistent with their sanctification. And what trials would be less disastrous to their character and usefulness than poverty and want unless they are induced by a criminal prodigality. A man may suffer keenly in his ??? and yet not lose his ability to labour nor forfeit respect of the community. Worldly men have their trials, and we too have our joys Let them glory in their anticipations and achievements - their well filled granaries the rise of stocks and their prospects of wealth. We too have sources of enjoyment- when a burdened soul is relieved- when an idle and quarrelsome family is converted into the abode of peace and mental love by God's blessing on our feeble agency. We have our share of toil. But we love our work. A long and fatiguing ride prepares us for a cheerful meal and a sound sleep, We experience some privations but that only makes our little comforts sweeter. We have a good conscience and bright anticipations " we point for eternity." The work we are executing will live when we are dead. We toil alone but we sometimes meet and rejoice together and I challenge the world to show happier men than missionaries or happier families or more useful than theirs.

A. Kent

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I recommend the appropriation of $200 on condition they make up 150. Br. Gilbert is a very modest man and I wish you would suggest to them that 400 is a very meagre support for a man who gives his whole time to his people. I hope to visit that region soon if the traveling continues good as at present but if not feel at liberty to detain the application.

A. Kent

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Rev. D.B. Coe

Dear Br.

You wrote me some time since in relation to missionaries desiring boxes of clothing.

I now report that I have supplied Br. Hitchcock of Moline with a box and Br. Raymond of Shullsburg with a barrel for which they expressed much gratitude for the very timely supply. I have recommended to the good ladies of Utica to prepare a box for br. I.R. Smith of Edgington, R.I. County and to those of Lockport, N.Y. to prepare one for Br. J.H. Baldwin of Waltham Ridge and to those of Canandaigua, N.Y. to prepare one for Br. Gould of Northville, Lasalle Co., Ill in response to inquiries made by them. Br. Jessup and Loss do not ask aid in that way.

Br. C. Gray of Mount Carrol has received none for 7 or 8 years, had one sent but was stolen before it reached him, would be glad to receive a box (clothing would be preferred to bedding). Himself and his wife rather slender, one 5 feet 8 inches, the other 5..2. 3 boys, one 10 years, one 3 and one 6 months (send in care of John Brewster, Freeport, Ill.).

Br. H. Bergen would be thankful for clothing. They are also quite slender, one 6 feet the other 5 feet in height. They have one boy 6 years and a girl 3.

Rev. J.G. Porter of Wilmington (via Chicago and Miss, R.R.) desires a box of such things as may be sent. They are straitened to clothe 1 boy of 22 at Knox College, 1 of 18 learning a trade and 1 of 16 at home, 1 girl of 17 and one girl of 10. The man is of ordinary size his wife quite portly, indeed, large. While chatting this morning (Apr 12) he was called to attend 2 funerals tomorrow­: says he has attended a great many the last years.

Br. Peck of Rockville Co. had a barrel not long since.

Br. Gilbert of Crete received a box a year ago.

Br. Rounce of Hadley had corresponded directly with the secretaries on the subject.

I have just met with a life member of the A.H.M.S. Edward M. Williams who complains that the Home Miss. does not come to him. He is a lad of 12 years and I presume he would get it if directed to his father, John C, Williams, Chicago, Ill.)

Br. Graset of Lockport, Will Co., would like a box if none needs more. His people engage to raise his whole support this year. He is 5 feet 9 thick set, wife 5..5 large- 1 boy 6, 1 boy 3.

I have had an interesting tour across the state, have called on 16 missionaries, and have been to the S. eastern extreme of my field.

Yours, Etc.,

A. Kent.

Br. Hope Brown of Napiersville would be glad of a box. She has a lame hand, her 6 children, 1 boy and 2 girls almost grown and 1 girl,of 12 , 1 girl of 10 & one of 6.

I left home Ap. 1, spent the Sab. with a little church at Elizabeth very much depleted by emigration to California, both elders removed, have had no preaching for some time but occasionally I can serve them. I administered the Lord's supper and they voted that at my next visit they would choose two elders. Monday spent an hour with Br. Gray who is building the wall in troublous times. Lodged with Br. Jessup who reports a congregational Ch. organized in one district of his field.

Tuesday - I passed through Buffalo Grove. They have half a minister's time and no house of worship. They are abundantly able to build and sustain and sustain a minister but can be united in nothing unless they can have Br. Gray for the bond of union. I called at Dixon. The place is growing. There is a faint prospect of an effort to introduce a Home Miss. at this important point. Lodged with Br. Phelps at Lee Centre. They are making a move to ordain and install him. His church is divided to form a Cong. Ch. at the Depot 3 miles S.W. We will preach at both churches probably.

Wednesday. Called on the deacon of the Church at Lamoille who represented that many were dissatisfied, some with the doctrines and more with the inefficiency of the incumbent. Dined with Br. Hubbard. Rode over to Mendota, the junction of Aurora Extension and the Ill. Central R.R. where it to be a centre of influence. Lodged with Br. Baldwin who is being annoyed by Old Sch. people coming from Ohio, and by their minister obtruding themselves and threatening to interrupt his operations after all his great struggle to build two meeting houses one at Homer and the other at Waltham Ridge. The Old Sch. men there on the ground pledging themselves to stand bu him in that effort to build that one at Homer.

Thursday. Called on Br. Ira Smith. He and his church will probably go to the Congregationalists soon. He will not seek aid of the A.H.M.S. again.

Called and dined with Br. Whittany of Ottawa. Called on Br. C.R. Clark of South Ottawa. A work of grace has been enjoyed at Ottawa as also at Lowell on Vermillion River and Granville and Aurora the past winter. Lodged with Br. Day of Lisbon. he told me of his correspondence with the secretaries in relation to his school keeping and advised with him in relation to occupying himself half his time on the field vacated by the sickness of Br. Loughead on condition that Br. Ruggles cannot be obtained for that post.

He stated that he has transferred his church at Mazon to Br. Marsh of the Ottawa Presb. (I think) and that the Old. Sch. brethren from Ohio had some in so numerously about Dwight and Pontiac whence he is now supplying that he should be completely overpowered, and thus was constrained though very reluctantly to apply to their board for aid. He represented it as being to him a most painful necessity. This process is going on where ever they can get a few old country men to form a nucleus.

Lodged with Br. Loss and rested on Saturday prepatory to preaching on Home Miss. He has succeeded in getting up a good house of worship and they are about assuming his support and installing him. Tuesday- Lodged with Br. Porter of Wilmington: Wednesday called of Br. Wilk of Kankakee. Rode to Kankakee City, where was but one house last July- now there are about 100: Thursday rode to Crete, dined with Br. Gilbert and lodged with Br. Porter, visited with Br. Romine at Hadley. Sat. Ap. 15 I have reached Dupage, Will Co. where I preach on Home Miss. tomorrow and where I preached 21 years ago to a few families just come in.

A. Kent

Galena, 27 Ap.

I spent Friday Ap. 14 with Dr. Porter and as it was a rainy day, I had a long talk with Mr. & Mrs. Romine.

The people of Hadley make out a full half of his support promptly and the out stations are negligent.

I recommend the appropriation of $200.

A. Kent

Galena, Ill.

Apr. 27, 1854

Rev. Milton Badger, D.D.

Dear Br.,

Enclosed I send you a line from Br. Graset of Lockport, and approve of the views therein expressed.

In my recent visit to Hadley I made particular inquiries concerning those fields of labour and became fully satisfied that they were not doing what they ought for Br. Rounce

In a subsequent interview with Br. Graset I opened the case to him and he was half inclined to the opinion that one missionary might serve both Lockport and Hadley. But this could not be, for Br. G. would not crowd upon Br. R. and he could not fill the place of Br. Graset at Lockport.

But I urged him to exchange with Br. Romine and preach on the subject of ministerial support as he has done and the result is that he has begun a good work which I trust will go on til his support is wholly assured.

I have just received an application in behalf of the Meacham Grove Church for aid in support of Rev. Spencer Baker of whom you may or may not have recollections. But I have concluded to retain it until after my trip to Chicago in May when I hope to get some light to make duty plain.

Yours truly,

A. Kent

Chicago, May 20, 1854

I have just visited Barrington and seen their holy and beautiful house and recommend $225 be granted them.

A. Kent

[The Norwegian Evan. Luth. Ch. of Mission Point, Ill., May 24, 1854 apply for $200 aid in support for Rev. Ole Andrewson 12 mo. from March 12, 1854.]

Galena June 9th, 1854

My eyes being weak I write with a borrowed hand, and being a stranger to the practice, I can only say I know no reason to object to the above recommendation. A. Kent

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[The Cong. Ch. of Lee Centre, Ill. apply for $200 renewed aid in support of Rev. G.W. Phelps, 12 mo. from May 20, 1854]

Galena, June 9th/54

I recommend that the aid asked be granted, they are still leaning heavily on the Society. They have provided a parsonage and are about to install their minister, but a part of their members are shearing off to form a Cong. Ch. at a depot in their vicinity. Saying that my eyes are so weak that I am compelled to use an amanuensis, I am yours,

A. Kent

[not in Kent's hand]

Galena, June 22nd,/54

Rev. Dr. Badger,

Dear Brother,

I find it so burdensome to transport in my buggy across the state the reports and other books forwarded by your society that I would prefer that one half of them should be deposited for me at Chicago, if it will not be wreaking others too much trouble. I would inquire if one half of them could not be put up to my order with the A.T. Society's publications and sent to their depository in Chicago, all this on the supposition that they are not already forwarded.

Your will be interested to hear that for a few days my affliction is a very little better owing I think to my systematic efforts to invigorate my system by taking exercise. I rise at 4, and ride on horse back each morning and evening, and the rest of the long bright days for 3 weeks I sleep, and listen to reading and dictate letters, and do other small jobs such as I can do by light diluted to my convenience, Your truly,

A. Kent

[The Cong. Ch. of Brookfield, Ill. June 26/54 apply for $200 aid in support of Rev. George Marsh 12 mo. form July 1, 1854]

Galena, July 12, 1854

I approve of the recommendation of 200 to be given the Church at Brookfield and of the suggestion he preach 1/2 his time at Mazon or Chatham.

A. Kent

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I desire to thank God that my eyes are sensibly relieved within a few days, so that I can use my pen a little, After being shut up in the dark during these long hot summer days and unable to preach or read for the last 6 weeks.

A.K.

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These are fields which I have been long occupying (Nora and Apple River) as other duties would permit and I am sorry to say that our Old Sch. Brethren manifest a disposition to crowd us out of the prominent points (2 depots) as is their present policy all over Northern Ill.

Br. Laughlin is doing well I believe and I recommend the appropriation asked for here.

A. Kent

Galena, July 15/54

This troublesome case comes again [that of Rev. Fisk and the Little Rock Presbyterian Church]. The Presb. is divided in feeling- and I am accused of partiality - as you see from the accompanying note. But this will show the propriety of insisting on having the names of all the committee. Also, in the case of Spencer Baker which will probably reach you before long. My eyes will not permit me to to go into detail. But on the whole I shall acquiesce in the recommendation of the committee as the best thing we can do. A. Kent

P.S. The insinuation of Br. Fisk you may demand an explanation of if you wish.

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Galena, July 21, 1854

I have some acquaintance with the field and great confidence in Br. [J.D.] Baker and do not hesitate to approve of this application, He says they are making strenuous efforts to build a church this year.

A. Kent

The 1st Cong Ch. of Sheffield, Ill July 14/54 apply for $250 aid in support of Rev. S. Lyman, 12 mo. from May 1, 1854 to labor half the time at French Grove]

Galena. July 27, 1854

I have no knowledge of the localities referred to, having never visited French Grove and Sheffield has but just begun to be, but I am acquainted with Br. Lyman and judge that they have done well to raise 250 as a first effort.

I recommend the appropriation asked though I should like better to have the application signed by a committee of missions then by those whose names are appended. It is not good precedent.

A. Kent

Galena, Sept. 5/54

Dear Doctor,

I regard it as a part of my duty to keep you informed of the state of the Miss. Churches as far as may be. Br. Raymond and wife have been waiting (some six months) on me to Baptize two little boys. Last Sabbath I spent with them on condition he would go over to Scales Mound Depot (10 miles) and preach in the morning and meet me at the place of his second appointment (Monticello) 5 miles from Shullsburg. I preached at Shullsburg, took his family, and rode over in a broiling sun to M. and preached at 3. He was called to an afflicted family and did not arrive until sermon was nearly over. Peter and Stephen were Baptized and he left before service was out and rode to Shullsburg & nearly melted his horse to attend a funeral by appointment at 5. We attended prayer meeting at 6 1/2 and we talked until 10 and I left in the morning before breakfast lest I should fail to find Mr. Gratiot (one of his parishioners) at home. And that is but a specimen of the way he drives around.

I think they are not doing right at Shullsburg and I have thought so a good while and strong think so. They have applied for aid to the amount of 240. They ought to raise another hundred and ask but for 140.

They have now a good Ch. edifice finished and paid for and that mostly by men out of the Church. The pews rent for near or quite 300 and church members have rented but 2 or 3 slips. One of the Deacons does not rent any pew and is able to pay 50 but pays nothing to the preacher so far as I can learn. Last year the pews rented for 250 and they voted to pay 150 for the minister's support. Br. R. told them this would not do and they voted to raise 200 which looks as though they intended to get out of the A.H.M.S. all they can.

The Cong. last Sabbath was small (say 50, Children and all) and it was said to me that one half of the members of the Ch. were not present.

You ask what is the matter. The two leading men on the Ch., that Deacon for one, determined to have everything their own way. They have to have Mr. Raymond leave. The congregation thinks differently and some threaten to leave the cong. if he leaves.

Now I can see no reason why they should not at least pay the amount of the pew rent to the minister. Mr. R. is very useful and very acceptable to his Monticello Cong., which is assuming great importance from its proximity to still another depot, and yet those 2 men complain because they cannot have all his time while they are paying less than 1/2 his salary.

This is but part of a long story, which I am willing should be shown to the agent Br. Clancy. I advised Br. Raymond to regard it as evidence that he should not stay there if they do not do more.

With these statements I refer the matter to your wisdom.

Yours, A.Kent

P.S. The other Deacon and Mr. Gratiot (an outsider) confirm these views concerning the misconduct of the 2 men.

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Galena Aug. 24/54

Dear Br.

It was indeed a trial to be shut up in the dark and it was a trial that I could not attend the commencements at Beloit & Rockford. My eyes are much improved of late and I have just returned from a tour of ten days tired and browned bu excessive heat.

I have need of sympathy under the present posture of affairs.

You ask a number of questions.

Let me promise that I am an old man and it seems to me that while I stand at my post just where I was 25 years of the Congregationalists and Presb. are running off and I am likely to be left alone.

It was stated at the meeting of the directors (of which I am one, because I did not feel at liberty to decline) that all the colleges in this vicinity are under Cong. influence. With regard to Beloit it is maintained that while half the directors are nominally Presb. yet the Ex. Com. all sympathize with Cong. The resident professors are all Congregationals. The (and the students with few exceptions) attend the Cong. Ch., i.e., that the Home Influence are all on one side and that there is more danger in College than in the Seminary of their being biased because in the latter they have more maturity and are prepared to examine for themselves. Hence the conclusion was reached that that we must have a College too or lose our students in these says of sectarian strife.

But you enquire, could you suffer these views to pass without reply?

I could not contradict them especially when I considered what have been the influences immediately around the institution, and recollect some things occurring to my own mind which were not mentioned in public, or private. I refer to the facts that Br. Loss and Br. Eddy are mot members of either board) that I have heard that one or two young presbyterians have imbibed Cong. preferences and thet two went from this church are now Cong. preachers.

Nowe I in turn must ask.

Was it not distinctly understood in the outset that the two denominations should be equally represented? Are they so represented? Is it true that the Ex. Com. constitute the soul of the institution and give direction to every movement.

Is it true that Br. Chapin and Clary (not to say Peet) have taken the lead in that Com. and it true that their sympathies are with the Cong. rather than with the Presb. Which church do they attend, and whither tends the silent influence of their example. I do not complain of them and I do not think they would make any effort to proselyte, but how could I reply to considerations such as have been advented to how could I refute the statements made in the Board, which you may well suppose were contrary to all my cherished hopes of building up one prosperous union college.

Can anything be done to satisfy Presb that an equal influence shall in future be exerted on that side?

Br. Chapin I have written briefly in some sort and I am free to confess that am utterly unable to divine what is in the future. I have been pressed to take the financial agency of the board but have declined.

I do not wish to be dragged before the public and make the butt of remark. But I promptly and straight out replied to your letter and wait for light.

I have recently forwarded young Work to return to College and given him encouragement and aid.

Yours truly,

A. Kent

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Galena, Ill. Sept. 7/54

Br. Chapin,

It is now two weeks since I answered your your “hard questions” as well as I could and I write again to prompt you to answer Mine, lest I should not get them before I leave home which will probably be in some 10 or 15 days (to attend Ill & Peoria Synod).

I have ever been treated by you and your coadjutors with great kindness and consideration and you may well suppose that after our long and very pleasant intercourse it was exceedingly painful to give you pain by seeming to take a position adverse to Beloit. I have not taken that position. But I am in the predicament of Orphan & Ruth : a position in which I shall be obliged to take sides or be left alone. I have ever maintained the doctrine of cooperation and I take to myself none of the guilt of “causing divisions”. But such is the excitment now that I see not what can be done by N.S. Presb. but quietly to go by ourselves or cease to be. I have looked on for many months (and even for a year or two) and altogether held my peace while the O.S. Presb. and the Cong. are absorbing is and we have been trying to cooperate and I have an array of facts on my own to field to confirm this statement.