Life and Letters of Rev. Aratus Kent Introduction

19- I preached twice and administered the Lord’s Supper [in a] school house so crowded we were obliged to dismiss the Cong. before the Communion and I preached in the Methodist house in the afternoon. There is a wide field here and ay Chenoa for a good minister.

20- Made preparations to take the freight train, to spend 2 hours at Chenoa but it was behind time and I was obliged to pass it. Reached El Psso at 4 and too the freight to Kappa (4 miles) spent 3 hours there and learned that they were resolved on building a Church this summer, which is a great effort for so feeble a Ch. Y+They have already $600 reliable subscription. I wrote for them to the Ch. Erection Com., and took the cars and reached Minonk at 10 1/2 pm.

21- Spent an hour with Rev. Mr. Brown and took the freight cars to Rutland. Called at Rutland on Mr. Burns and the Rev. Mr. Samuel, had a pleasant interview, obtained important information concerning Nebraska, a part of his field, had a season of prayer and took the passenger train to Wenona. It thus gave me an opportunity of visiting Rev. Mr. Dunn and and his elder, Mr. Brockway. I should have mentioned that they will build a church at Rutland this summer. And it is pleasant to observe what an advantage it gives the Churches at Wenona & Minonk to have a minister and their own house of worship. Were they not deeply in debt for R.R. lands they would be able to do without foreign aid. These R.R. lands are let on long time but at very high prices and crops have disappointed their expectations.

22- Rode in the freight train to Mendota to call on Mr. Barret and inquire about Paw Paw. He confines himself to Mendota and has left Paw Paw (contrary to my advice) and I shall be obliged to visit them occasionally at no little expense of time and travel and mud.

At Wenona I saw a letter from Mr. Waldo giving account of a revival at Waltham resulting in some 50 conversions under Mr. Waldo’s preaching. It gladdened my heart, for 2 years ago I made a great effort to resuscitate the church which was on the way to dissolution. (By the way this Waldo is one about which Br. Badger wrote me some time ago. He is recognized here as in good standing. And I have been hoping to hear that his standing is good in the east.)

Having spent an 1/2 hour with Mr. B. I took the passenger t. to Amboy, and at the suggestion of Mr. Barret I called on Rev. Mr. Fitch but his face was set to find a field in Wisconsin and the Ch. at Amboy have employed Mr. Phelps to preach once a day for 6 months.

I walked to Lee Center (4 miles) in the mud & rain. I inquired if Mr. Phelps had acknowledged their obligation to our society since they became self-supporting. He said they had taken a vote to that effect but he had with held it because he was in doubt whether they could exist without aid.

Reached Forreston at the going down of the sun. Found that Lutherans were having a great excitement and was called on to preach after which there was a prayer meeting somewhat in the Methodist fashion and when invited 3 persons arose in turn, testifying to their joyous conversion, to their determination to serve God, requesting the prayers of Christians. (It was in the stereotype form.) But I trust much good is being done. I have tried in public and in private to act in concert with others in reference to prayer for Colleges.

24- Visited 5 families.

25- Spent the morning in the village and in company with 4 brethren went to [illegible]

26- Preached in the morning at Springvale and in company with 10 members rode to Forreston, where the new members were publicly united, the Elders and Deacons ordained, and the Lord’s supper administered...preached in the evening for the Lutheran Minister.

27- Visited a lady who exerts great influence and evinces evidence of having recently found money. She will probably unite with us as well as two young men of promise. One man is a physician and a son of Rev. Rev. Mr. Legget of Orange Co, who was I presume a fellow student with me under Dr. Mason. Rode home and heard letters till near 12 o’clock. I send this as is because it will show what my habits are by what I have done the last 4 weeks and my eyes will not permit me to copy it or to make a long annual report. My eyes have been so very weak since October that I cannot read the news. It is a great privation.

A. Kent

[n.p., n.d.]

Br. Coe,

Please send the Home Missionary to Jesse Rood, Byron, Ogle Co., Ill. and charge the same to me.

Lest you should send me funds that I have called for that others need more, I would say that I received from the 2 Cong. Ch. in R. $106.24 which is all I need at present, and which I will report in due time.

___

I have just spent a night with Br. Willis, whose throat is in such a condition that he thinks seriously of resting from public speaking for a time until he shall get relief and labour on a farm in the vicinity (where he will be likely to be called on the supply them on the Sabbath).

I have also conversed with 2 judicious men in neighboring churches who think that his people would not be willing to have another minister. I do not therefore feel at liberty to recommend the application, especially in view of the state of your treasury.

A. Kent

Wayne Center, Feb. 9, 1860

I am in the minister’s study and writing with ministers pen and after talking with the deacon and attending prayer meeting in the evening (and a very pleasant meeting it was) i am well satisfied to recommend the appropriation asked for. I am well persuaded that Br. Kellogg will not allow them to be on the charity fund any longer than is necessary. It is afield burnt over not by Methodists by ultra-abolitionists as Br. K. says and after a year more I think he will get them straightened out so that they will be self supporting.

A. Kent

Fairbury, Livingston Co., Feb. 18, 1860

I have visited Fremont some months since and received a very favorable impression of the church and their minister and would not on any account discourage their application, but in view of your embarrassments it is a question whether they ought to receive more than $100.

A. Kent

Galena, Feb. 26/60

The 2 rival villages of Lawrence & Harvard are determined to have each a minister and not to unite in the same man as a Committee of Presbytery recommended. They each forwarded an application asking for aid - one 250 the other 200. I wrote back I could not recommend them for it was only large enough for one man. But Harvard Cong. Ch. instructed me to return it unless I could use it. And it is understood they have applied to the A. Miss. Association. I have then no alternative but to send you the one from Lawrence with all the arguments spread out- for my eyes are too weak to wade through and condense them. It is one of the most perplexing cases I know and I hope that some decision will be reported back speedily, I send also the letter from Harvard, c.c. form it representative now living in Woodstock.

A. Kent

Galena, March 2, 1860

I have retained this application [Orangeville] until I could get $20 added to the amount they raised. You see by the enclosed that I have succeeded. Please reply as soon as convenient, I recommend $130 be granted. They have bit 2 male members left and the elder lives 5 miles out.

A. Kent

_____

A. Kent

Financial

I have already reported in the Home Miss. $238.26

please report the follwojng

Received of Mr. Halsy $5.00

Collection at Forreston Preesb. Ch. $3.80

Jesse Rood- “Home Iss.” 0.50

Second Cong. Ch.-Rockford 106.24

Second Presab. Ch. Galena 30.00 145.54

383.80

My slary 600.00

My expenses 49.00 789.50

deduct 383.80

March 6 1860 due to me 405.70

I have found though wealth increases more complaints of hard times than for many years and more reluctance to allow me to take collections and in consequence of depreciation of property, the difficulty of collecting what is my die and the increase of expense (2 children in schools) I am in want of money. But if the treasury is still reduced I can get along with $200 and will allow the rest to remain unpaid in the hope that relief will soon come. My expenses the services last year raaised 40 cents. Probably it will ve more in future as I can expect no facilities hereafter except on the Ill. Cent. R.R.

A. Kent

_____

Dear Brethren,

I desire in this annual report to acknowledge the good hand of my God in sparing my life and continuing to me health and vigour that I can still preach the Gospel and visit the Churches and contribute somewhat towards encouraging the feeble and strengthening that which is ready to die. This thought is brought home to me with new force by the notice I read yesterday of that excellent man, tutor in college to my class, Professor Goodrich.^276[276] His labours with me in the revival of 1815 were among the links which composed the change of influence which led me to consecrate myself to God and to the ministry.

It may be noted that a large proportion of the churches which now come under my supervision are those which are depleted by removals or burdened by heavy indebtedness or by some other infelicity in outward circumstances are crippled beyond the power of immediate relief. And in such cases if we can only assist them to stand fast and keep their courage up we may hope that more propitious events will transpire by which they will arise from their depression, and reach the position of self support to which many of them (and individuals will) are looking forward to with intense interest.

It is true that there are several of these feeble churches which possess wealth enough to do this but it is as true that this wealth is beyond our control and I think you will perceive that I have been insisting with more stringency than ever before on their asking less of your exhausted treasury.

But while many of these feeble churches are depressed and faint hearted there are quite a goodly number that are battling vigorously with their various embarrassments and may be designated as “valiant truth” amidst multiform errors. And there are others (15 at least) who are progressing finely and give promise of a healthy and even a rapid growth.

It may be remarked in this connection that our Home Mission Churches are sadly disheartened by the frequent change of their stated supplied (not to say the the state supplies are quite as much annoyed by the fickleness of the churches.) This however results unavoidably from the unsettled condition of a new country, Add to this the fluctuations incident to the creation of some 150 new commercial centers along the line of our numerous rail roads, for it proves a temptation too powerful to be resisted to enterprising men to leave the older churches and throw themselves into these marts of speculation. And while many of them succeed in amassing wealth there are many who profess to be Christians but who in their eagerness to be rich have engaged in businesses, involved themselves and their securities in debt and this sacrificed the hard earnings of many previous years.

The circumstances will show also how great is the amount of labour which has devolved on the ministry to meet the demands on them to organize new churches and the inducements to rivalry and strife between different sects of Christians where is can be seen at a glance that a city must start suddenly into being and that those who in advance of all others should occupy the school house by a stated appointment and should “hurry up” an organization would by these means secure a vantage ground of inestimable importance.

It may seem too that in a very few years this strife must of necessity cease because our Railways are built and each denomination will have ascertained the “bounds of their habitation” and the work which Providence has assigned them.

There have been in the past year (including 6 in the counties adjacent which sent their applications through this agency) 55 missionaries and 88 missionary fields of labour, 2 churches have been organized and 2 have assumed self support, 2 houses of worship have been erected and 2 repaired. There are at present moment revivals of religion promising most gratifying results in 5 of the churches that either have been or are now aided by our Society, They are Nora, Belvidere, Granville, 2nd Church in Galena, Waltham and we hope to see yet greater things.

So long as the reports of missionaries do not pass through the hands of the agent and the action of the Ex. Com. is not reported to him, he has no means of reporting definitely on some matters put down in your orders to agent.

On the whole we have reason to look back with astonishment and thanksgiving in review of the progress of the churches of Christ in this district of the Mississippi Valley for “the little one has become large.” The first Protestant church in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois consisted of only 6, that is 2 on one side and 4 on the other side of the state line and these obliged to travel from 5 to 40 miles to enjoy fellowship and with their lord and with each other at his table and which was ll that your missionary could gather after 2 1/2 years of labor and careful research. This small number less than a “few” according to Peter’s count of those who were saved from the flood is now multiplied to more than 1000, if we reckon all the Evangelical churches which have been organized and are now successfully prosecuting their labours of love and each church probably an average numbering 3 fold what the original one contained.

Had any one predicted when Dr. Peters first requested the missionary to enter this great field of labour that he would live to see 100 churches established on these then desolated prairies, his weak faith might have replied If the lord would make make windows in heaven might this thing be- a thousand battalions of volunteer troops coming forth fully armed and equipped for the war against Diabolus and ...of the city of Mem-joul he would have been prompted to say if the Lord make windows in heaven might this thing be.

A. Kent

[Application from Harvard, Rev. Jos. Emery]

Galena, March 8, 1860

This application came at the same time with that from Lawrence and I replied to both that I could not recommend them (involving as they fo so much strife). But this was accompanied by a note saying that I must return it if it was not endorsed. I therefore had no discretion but to send it back. I remarked however that I was sorry to be obluged to do so for I thought their plea was so urgent that the Committee might grant their request, for they can at their pleasure over step the rules they makes for their agents. And I expressed hope that they would return. I now forward it with the accompanying note which is obscure. I cannot detain it to wait for an explanation from Br. Hart for it might be before the Committee when they act upon the one from Lawrence. And your printed rules will still exclude them from using the commission if they receive aid from the A. Miss. Ass.

A. Kent

P.S. You will see that I have been drawn into a narrow place...

Galena, May 11/60

The foregoing application is strictly according to the facts as I have understood from personal observations having had occasion to visit them not many months since. Br. Brown is regarded as a faithful laborer, and devoted to his missionary work.

Should your funds require it, the grant might be reduced to $100 though the whole amount asked for is little enough.

A. Kent

p. s. Br. Guernsy of Iowa is with us.

Galena, June 6, 1860

First Quarter

Treasurer A.H.M.S.

I have received of 1st Cong. CH. at Rockford $31.02

Jan 29 at collection at Springvale after sermon 2.75

Ap 24 Geo. E. Shipman Chicago 10.00

June 3 Col in first Presb. Ch Galena after

Home Miss. Sermon 20.00

63.77

Dr. Badger I find it very difficult to get access to the pulpits owing to the continued pressure of finances. The Churches in Galena are so depressed and depleted that they groan and are all without pastors.

I preached Sabbath before last on Home Missions for Br. Crawford of Sandwich but owing to Methodist Camp Meeting and other circumstances, the collection was postponed to a future Sabbath. I attended Gen. Association at Aurora (which I was prevented attending the year before by their change of time) and expected to see Br. Jenney and one of the Secretaries there but saw neither, But I saw a body of men (clerical & lay brethren) which constrained me to say to myself and aloud Behold what hath God wrought in Ill. within the last 30 years (for I was the oldest of all present in my labours in the Prairie State) and to raise the question what would have been the condition of things if the A.H.M.S. had withheld its aid.

Yours in the service of the great High Priest,

A. Kent

Recapitulation

Salary for 59 to 60 600.00

travelling expenses for the year 47.54

708.04

“ sometime back in a draft 200.00

“ since March 93.77

due me 677.57

$110.47

You will please send me the balance due when you are in funds and oblige, Yours etc.,

_____

Rev. Dr. Badger,

I went as soon as I could to Rev. Mr. Goodwin and after so long a time I have this morning received his reply (which I need not forward (nor Mr. Holmes letter)) as you have a statement from Brs. Goodwin & Sloan. I think some good has been done in 2 ways. 1 One of the committee has been on the ground, which I have reason to think has never been done before. Like many others this endorsement is based on what the incumbent says of himself. 2 It will spur up Br. Hodges to more faithfulness in future for notwithstanding the averment of the Com. of Investigation, it has been my understanding for years that Br. Hodges never preaches from house to house (as I suppose you would require), attends no prayer meetings, nor Sabbath School, nor preaches but once on the Sabbath, and I have winked at this because he asked for but a small salary, yet in my estimation he has not come to the standard which you require of your missionaries, and that is the reason why I recommend but $50 to each of the churches. I have not been able to go myself to Durand for I have been shut up at home with a boy (of 15) sick with thyphoid fever. My deliberate opinion is that some of our missionaries (and Br, H. among them) do not make more strictly pastoral visits in a whole year than one missionary I could name to you makes in one day. I have complained of this repeatedly to you and I have said to them and exhorted them as long as it would do any good. I talked to Br. Hodges on this point when he left his former field (where Br., Sloan now is) and went to Durand & vicinity and exhorted him to give himself wholly to his work and explore a larger district that was a waste. But that work has not been done. Indeed it is not his was to preach from house to house. I do not wonder that the sympathies of the Brethren were called out in his behalf, my own have been as you will see in what I said of his wife’s idocy, but the question returns show shoud we dispose of the funds entrusted to our disbursement.

I wish that you would allow the full amount asked to each of the churches but with the condition that he shall perform his duty in the way of labour collateral to the public preaching of the gospel and to show that I have no personal dislike to this Br., I will refer you to the Br. who preached so long at Mt. Carrol and the Br. who preached so long at Winslow. In spite of all my remonstrances, they never would visit, and I believe they hindered rather than prospered the cause, goo Brethren though they be.

In regard to dating back I still think that his neglect to get up the application til 1/3 of the year is gone by is utterly inexcusable in an old missionary and in churches which have been helped years before.

I shall retain the letters of Br. Goodwin and Holmes and will forward them if you wish.

Yours, etc.,

A. Kent

Galena Aug. 29, 1860

Received since last report

of Mr. Halsy $5.00

of 2nd Cong. Ch. at Rockford 42.24

A. Kent

Galena, Aug. 29, 1860

Br. Whitteman has a very hard field, one of the hardest as I thought when I visited it some 6 or 8 years ago. He shows a cheerful and hopeful spirit. And I should regret exceedingly to have him leave that county when he is acquiring so great an influence. I am very sorry that the Churches at Bloomington do not contribute to our society and so I regret the church at Elgin refused me when I called last week and asked for permission to present the cause there. Our good Br. N.G. Clark, who has returned to his old charge, told me they had resolved to contribute to the A.M.Ass. But I think that should operate to prejudice the chances of the feeble churches within the bounds of the Elgin Ass.

I hope therefor to be informed in time to visit him as he requests and assure him that his head is still on his shoulders.

A. Kent

Please let me hear soon.

Rockton, Set. 17, 1860

Not being fully satisfied with this application I set out with purpose to visit Br. Bartlett’s field, but providence has seemed to hedge up my way and I spent the Sabbath with a vacant church and preached on Home Missions.

I know no reason why this application should not be approved except the small amount the people raised, but it [is] a region [Deerfield] where there is little or nothing to encourage except its proximity to the Lake and its mushroom cities. It appears to me very desirable that we should plant a standard here especially if we venture to anticipate what the population will be 25 years hence and I have no data from which to judge that they have not done all they can. And it seems to me that the amount pledged is as little as his feeble and comparatively helpless family can get along with. It will cost me $8 to 10 to make a journey on purpose and in the course of the year I shall be able to visit them with but little expense. I recommend therefore that $250 be allowed them.

A. Kent

____

I have been constantly preaching and travelling, except 3 weeks detention by sickness in the family. Preached 3 times on Home Miss. but not allowed to take up a collection.

I have administered the Lord’s Supper 3 times and baptized 4 adults & 3 infants. I have spent 3 Sabbaths exploring new fields. Have visited 12 Home Missionaries, have distributed 120 Annual Reports, 2 sets of Barnes Notes, 6 Bibles for Children repeating the catechism, and a quantity of tracts, volumes and books forwarded from the Merriams. Have made 27 pastoral visits and wrote 43 letters and conducted may prayer meetings, which are not noted down.

A. Kent

Galena, Nov. 6, 1860

I visited Br. Brewer during the summer and I have once preached at Guthries Grove. The only objection to the application is that he lives at Ogle Station [Ashton] 8 or 10 miles off but he preaches some at Ogle Station.