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I think take all things into consideration, living is much cheaper here than with you and I wonder that many who are now struggling in New York with high living do not seek this western world and better their condition, as assuredly they would. I often think of our Cousin Daniel Hulse. I think he might do well here, and a hundred others I might mention.

I am glad to hear Charley is getting to be such a smart boy. Tell him to go on and get a good education; it is a fortune in itself. Remember me to Mr. Beahs folks. Ì should have written to them but have not time.

Your affectionate
Brother

RICH'D H. BEACH.

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EBENEZER CHURCH, MORGAN COUNTY, ILLIN-
OIS, A CHURCH WITH A HISTORY.

The seventy-fifth anniversary of Ebenezer church was observed with fitting exercises on August 12, 13 and 14, 1910. Anniversary addresses were delivered by Rev. W. S. Phillips, Charles Akers and others. We give extracts from an historical address prepared for the semi-centennial celebration of the church, in 1885, by Dr. William K. McElfresh, which was read in full at the recent celebration. It is in part as follows:

"Prior to the year 1835 there existed in this community a religious order of the Presbyterian church known as Associated Reformers.

A few families, whose religious training was of the Methodist persuasion, had settled in the neighborhood before 1835, but they were not in an organized shape, and whenever they desired to attend Methodist services they went to Jacksonville, where a small society had been formed as early as 1830 or before.

The Jacksonville station was established in 1833. The Jacksonville circuit, which was formed in 1830, was large, embracing a wide territory, numbering a great many stations and circuits now entering into different districts. In 1830 this society had no existence, while its territory was included in the Jacksonville circuit.

In 1835 the Illinois conference appointed to the Jacksonville circuit Rev. James A. Bristow and Rev. W. H. Mindow, M. D. A short time after entering upon their work these pastors arranged to secure a preaching place

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in this neighborhood and thus number it with other appointments, which at that time constituted the Jacksonville circuit.

It was decided to have preaching in the private house of Peter Akers once in every two weeks, on week day; and accordingly Revs. Bristow and Mindow preached to small audiences who came to receive the word of life as these faithful servants in traveling their extensive territory regularly met the earnest few, who eagerly sought this humble sanctuary to pay their vows to God.

This first place of worship, an old log house, stood just north of the cemetery, intersecting a line running through the center of the cemetery, some few rods north of the road running west.

After a few weeks it was provided that the services should be held in what was known at that time as the "Poppum house," a small log building, weather boarded with rough oak boards. This little cabin stood south and west, a short distance from the residence of Brother Shuff.

It had been arranged by the pastors that on a certain day-the announcement having been made before handthey would, after preaching, open the doors of the church and give those an opportunity who had letters to hand them in, and they would proceed to form a class and thus organize in this community a Methodist society.

Accordingly, in the month of November, or December, I am not certain which, on Wednesday or Thursday of the week, Rev. James A. Bristow, after preaching, opened the door of the church and the following were enrolled, and from this nucleus the society began, whose semicentennial we celebrate today:

The following are the charter names, the founders of the Ebenezer society: Peter Akers, Elizabeth Akers, John McElfresh, Ann McElfresh, William Saxton, Eliza Saxton, Samuel S. Duvall, Mary Duvall, Loney Patterson, Margaret Patterson and Elizabeth Williams, in all eleven. These all presented letters. The last, Elizabeth

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