Jackson County IL Archives News.....REV. C. HENLEY RELATES STORY OF M. E. SOUTH October 16, 1923
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary Riseling riseling@insightbb.com July 13, 2006, 2:55 pm

Murphysboro Daily Independent October 16, 1923

    The division of Methodism in the U.S. dates back to 1836 when the plan of
separation was presented, because of the application of some certain laws
regarding ordination.  This separation was consummated in 1844.  The southern
branch took the word "South" as a distinguishing name.  Then the word did not
have the stigma which came later and reached its climax about the time an effort
was being made to organize in Murphysboro-one of the old timers wrote it this
way.  For several years before and during the first years of the war between the
states, many ministers and churches in this section assumed a political attitude
and took sides in political partisanship.  It was common for churches dedicated
to God for holy worship to be used for political mass meetings.  Sabbath after
Sabbath this pollution continued, preaching politics instead of the gospel, to
the neglect of immortal souls.  Many of the most spiritual minded persons were
grieved and longed for a gospel of spiritual!

   Life apart from politics.

    In 1862 there came into this section two men, about the same time--Rev. A.
L. DAVIS and Rev. Jacob DITZLER--both were intently religious and good speakers.
 Their presentation of the gospel pleased many but by this time the word "South"
had a bad name.  These men preached and organized churches at Blairsville,
DeSoto, Manning's Prairie and Poplar Ridge and had preached many times in
Murphysboro, mostly in homes of admirers.  (unreadable) and Rev. Ditzler came to
fill the appointment.  It was time for services, the people were assembled and
behold the court room was locked and the janitor, the sheriff and key could not
be found.  Mrs. LOGAN, mother of John A., being a woman of initiative and
determination said "We won't be outdone this way" and turned to Rev. Ditzler and
said "If you will preach from the court house steps I'll stand and hold a lamp,"
and it was so.  Mrs. Logan held the lamp in the east door of the court house and
Rev. Ditzler preached to the people standing in the street.  This was the first
public service of the Methodist, South.  There was strong opposition but a
strong determination also had a brush arbor meeting resulted in a number of
conversions and an organization.  Then the struggle to build a church, but they
went forward and built a church, at the southeast corner of 12th and Locust
streets.  The last meeting for business was held in this building November 22,
1874.  The building was sold for debt.  Later it went into the hands of
Missionary Baptists, who either rebuilt or remodeled it.  The Southern
Methodists then disbanded and there was no services of that branch of Methodism
until 1884, when Rev. B. R. HESTER of Ashley came to Murphysboro to preach.  He
came unannounced and a stranger, asked for permission to preach in the court
house and it was granted.  Then to announce his services he borrowed the dinner
bell from the hotel and walked into the street ringing the bell.  Occasionally
he would stop and cry like the old-time announcer of a sale: "Oh yes, Oh yes. 
There will be preaching in the court house tonight."

    Then the Evangelical church was tendered for a meeting and it resulted in a
number of conversions and the M. E. church, South, was reorganized.  Gen. John
A. LOGAN donated the lot on the corner of 7th and Walnut and in 1885 the church
was built and dedicated Logan Chapel.  There were only a few members and the
work was a circuit, at first with Baldwin.  Rev. W. D. BLAYLOCK was pastor and
lived at Baldwin.  In 1886 he moved to Murphysboro and preached at Murphysboro
and Poplar Ridge.  The work grew and has become a strong factor in the spiritual
life of Murphysboro.  A. C. DAVIS was the last of the charter members.


Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Mary Riseling from grandfather C. E. RISELING's collection of old
newspapers.

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