Abstracted by Ruth E. Browning, 607 E. Market, Searcy, AR 72143

Elder George A. Patteson, clerk of Deer Creek Christian Conference held Williamsport in Ohio Aug. 18, 1826, sent in these names of elders in attendance: Geo. Alkire, James Burbridge, Samuel Wilson, Enoch Harvey, Daniel Long, Alexander Owen, Isaac A. Walter, Martin Baker, Joseph Thomas, Joseph Baker, Geo. Zimmerman, Samuel Rogers, Benjamin Breton, Matthew Gardner, Geo. A. Patterson, James Baker, Isaac Kade. Unordained preachers attending: Zarch Curtiss, Wm Dickerson, Isaac Hornback.

For several issues, Stone does a history of Christian Church. These are names mentioned:

In 1802 session of Presbytery in Cincinnati: Richard McNemar;
In 1803 session of same: Rev.John Thompson
In Sept. 1803 session in Lexington, Kentucky, letter of protest by Robert Marshall, John Dunlavy, Richard

McNemer, Barton W. Stone, and John Thompson. Committee appointed by conference to "bring them back to standards and doctrine of our church" was D. Rice, Matthew Houston, James Welsh, and Joseph Howe.
1804 David Purviance ordained to ministry, had served as legislator.
1804 James O'Kelley, Clement Nance, James Read, and Rice Haggard "united with us."

Samuel Simpson and Dr. L. S. Davis were excluded from Regular Baptist Church at Hopewell in 1824. Elder Isaac Hodgen , J. King, Lewis Ellison, William Burbridge, and James Simpson named in article.

Report on conference of elders and breathren of Christian Church in the eastern division of Indiana on Aug. 2, 1827 at Pleasant Meeting house on Indian Kentucky. Elders present: Jesse Hughes, Beverly Vawter, Jesse Frazier, Daniel Roberts, Henry Logan, Joseph Shannon. Unordained preacher: J. W. Mavity. Next conference to be at Frederich Steemberger's in Bartholomow Co. near Edinburgh.

Christian conference in Fayette County, on 31 Aug. 1827, Thomas Smith, moderator, Thomas M. Allen, Clerk. Other elders present: Francis R. Palmer, William Morrow, Jr., John Longley, Leonard J. Fleming, Marquis P. Wells, Michael Rice, Harrison G. Osborne. Unordained preachers: John G. Ellis, Wm. Reid, Samuel Ellis. Elder John Jones of Southeast Conference of Kentucky present. Bro. Wm. Reid ordained to ministry. Bro. Peter Cox of Cabin Creek church ordained to ministry. Letter from Florence, August 16, 1827, reports on annual meeting at Antioch, Jackson county, Ala. on 16 July 1827. These are names of preachers belonging to this conference. Ordained: Elisha Price, John H. Parkhill, Elisha Randolph, Mansel W. Matthews, John McDaniel, Thacker V. Griffin, Isaac Mulkey, William Clap, Crocket McDaniel, Robert Baits, Jonathan Wallis, James E. Matthews, Reuben Mardis, E. D. Jones. Unordained: James Anderson, Lorenzo D. Griffen, Jonathan G. Ward, Wm. J. Price, Wm. W. Wilson, Andrew Russel, Jonathan Parker.

Letter about Indiana Christian Conference which met 6 Sept. 1827 at Blue Spring, Monroe County, Indiana. Names of preachers present. Ordained: Lewis Byram, David Stuard, Joseph Berry, Henry D. Palmer, Persius E. Harris, John Herrod, Richard B. McCorkle, Thomas Wood, Thomas C. Johnston. Unordained: Richard Empson, Conrad Kern, Samuel Wood, John Duncan, John Smart, David C. Steward, John C. Collins, Elijah Goodwin, Wm. Conway, John M. Belzer, J. Nicholas.

Vol. 2 Nov. 1827-Oct. 1828 Publ. Georgetown, Ky.
Report on Christian Conference of the United Churches of God in Christ of the states of Indiana and Kentucky at Rood's Creek, Hardin Co. Ky, 21 Sept. 1827. Elder Josiah H. Yager appointed leader and Elder Clement Nance, clerk. Names of all Elders and Preachers in the district be printed in minutes: Elders: Hugh Cole, Josiah H. Yager, James Daugherty, Simon Hiller, William R. Davis, David Morris, Sherman Babcock, Clement Nance, Elisha Gunn, Jesse Lucas, John Lucas, John Rogers, William Tracy, and Josiah Smith. Unordained Preachers: Wm. Lindsay, Richard G. Lindsay, William Ellis, Barzillai Willey, William Potter, and John Heddin. Elder Adam Payne has withdrawn his membership.

10th Annual Christian Conference met at Bethsada, Oct. 16, 1827, moderator, Elder John McCrary, Clerk, Joshua Lindsey. Elders present: John McCrary, Henry D. Palmer, Joseph Wassan, James Pool, James Moutray, David McGaney. Unordained preacher present: Joseph Ballard. Exhorters present: William Blanchard, John Boren, Benjamin Wiers. Also named: Moses P. Conduit, Samuel Abbott, James Y. Baird, William Blanchard.

Report on the second conference of the Eastern District of Indiana, on July 25, 1828, house of Bro. F. Steinberger, Bartholomew County. Elders present: Jesse Hughes, Jno. Wright, Peter Wright, Henry Logan, Jesse Frazier, Beverly Vawter, Jas. Doudle, James Daugherty, William Tracy, Wm. P. Ritchie, Thomas Johnson, Joseph Ashley, Joseph Hatchill. Unordained preachers: Pliny Hatchitt, James McCoy, Henry Leonard. James McCoy was licenced to preach the gospel. Pliny Hatchitt made an elder. Report by Jesse Hughs, elder.

Vol. 3 Nov. 1828-Oct. 1829
Letter from T. M. Allen about the annual meeting at Antioch, Bourbon County on 19 Sept. Following elders present: B. W. Stone, Thos. Smith, Francis R. Palmer, John Rogers, John roberts, Leonard J. Fleming, William Parker, Stephen G. Marshall, Michael Rice, Peter Cox, Harrison Osborne, and Thos. M. Allen. Also Jos. Marsh from New York, Matthew Gardner from Ohio, Jas. H. Evans from South East Conference in Kentucky.

Letter from Elder James Buys, De Kalb County, Georgia, Oct. 18, 1818 (sic-probably should be 1828). He mentions following elders: Willis B. Nalls, Jacob Callahan, George L. Smith, Archibald Standifer, Tho. J. McGaughey, Arthur Dupree, Zachariah Holloway, Wm. McGaughey, Adam Clements, Thos. Jones, Wm. L. Anderson, John Cook, Wm. A. Tatte.

Debate on 8 Apr. 1829 between J. Stamper, Presiding Elder of Methodist Church and W. D. Jourdan, a member of Church of Christ: Proposition--Jesus Christ is the very and Eternal God. To be held in Marrowbone Meeting House, Cumberland, Ky.

Adams, Thomas and Barton W. Stone are compiling a Christian Hymn book by appointment of Miami Christian Conference. 1829) "We have spared no pains nor expense to make it complete. We have rejected many hymns of the former editions and added others." Books may be ordered from Mr. N. L. Finnell at Georgetown; Mr. H. Wilson at Paris; Mr. Js. Batterton at Millersburgh; Elder John Rogers at Carlisle; Mr. B. S. Wilson at Cynthiana; Mr. C. C. Moore at Winchester; Mr. Js. Houston at Caneridge; Mr. Keiser, book-binder, or B. Cassell at Lexington; Col. P. Dudley at Frankfort; Mr. P. Allin at Harrodsburg.

Meeting of Christian Conference in the Southeast of Kentucky, Pergamos Meeting House, Casey county, 29 Sept. 1828. John Jones, moderator, Josiah Hunter, clerk. Elders present in addition to moderator: Samuel Simpson, Carey Hardwick, James Evans. Unordained preachers: Joel Hughes, Spencer Jones, Neal M. Bibee.

Christian Conference held on Buck creek, Indiana, Sept. 12, 1828, elders present: Hugh Cole, E. Gunn, Sherman Babcock, Josiah Smith, John Wright, Peter Wright, Js. Dohorty, Wm. Tracy, John Rogers, Dorsey Scott, P. Hatchitt, Josiah H. Yager. Unordained preachers: Barzilla Willie, Wm. Ellis, Ben. Wire, Danl Asbury, John Heddin, John Condre.

Annual meeting of elders and brethern of Church of Christ in the north of Kentucky, at Berea, on Cane Run, Fayette County, 18 Sept. 1829. Francis R. Palmer, chairman. Thomas M. Allen, secretary. Elders present: Barton W. Stone, F. R. Palmer, Thos. Smith, John Rogers, John A. Gano, Leonard J. Fleming, Harrison Osborne, Stephen G. Marshall, Robert J. Patterson, John Longly, John G. Ellis, Fletcher Mavity, Saml. Ellis, John H. Hughes, Wm. Walters, Wm. Reed, Thos. M. Allen. Also Elder Washington Dunkerson from South of Ky. and Elders Joseph Berry and Richard Lane from Indiana.

Vol. 4, Dec. 1829-Nov. 1830
Letter from Beverly Vawter, Ruling Elder of Christian Conference in Bartholomew Co. Ind., Sept. 24, 1824 (sic-obviously meant 1829).. Elders attending: Daniel McMillan, Joseph Hatchitt, Jesse Hughes, Beverly Vawter, William P. Ritchey, Daniel Roberts, Ab. L. Bailey, Joseph Shannon. Unordained preachers: Bennaniah B. Fifield and John Park. Fifield was authorized as a preacher at this meeting.

Richard Varick, John D. Keese, Thomas Stokes, Joseph Smith, John Stearns, Arthur Tappan of New York sent letter regarding a memorial to Congress. 1830.

Article about formation of Georgetown Colonization Society on Apr. 21 1830 has these names: Rev. Barton W. Stone, James F. Robinson, Rev. John Bryce, Doct. D. Nelson, Benj. B. Ford, N. L. Finnell, M. A. Feris, R. M. Ewing, S. F. Gano, F. R. Palmer, Job Stevenson, William Brown, Jr., M. W. Dickey, and U. B. Chambers.

The Christian Church met in Conference at Boon's Creek meeting house, E. Tenn., Aug. 17, 1829. Elders present: Jas. Miller, Jeriel Dodge, Robt. M. Shankland, John Wallace, Wm. Slaughter, Jun.

Annual meeting at Cane Ridge, Bourbon County, Ky., of church, on 17 Sept. 1830. Elders present: B. W. Stone, F. R. Palmer, T. Smith, J. Rogers, L. J. Fleming, J. Irwin, R. J. Patterson, W. Morrow, J. A. Gano, M. Sidnor, W. Parker, S. Ellis, and Thos. M. Allen. Also elder M. Gardner from Ohio.

Report of the Union Christian Conference at the Republican meeting house, Campbell Co. Ky. July 30, 1830. Elders present: William Masters, Daniel Roberts, George Fisher, William Walters, Jacob P. Andrew, Mathew Gardner, John G. Ellis.

Report from Landon Duncan and Elisha Beller of work of church in Giles county, Virginia, Sept. 11, 1830. Names mentioned: Thos. Kirk, Nicholas Carper, Isaac Scott, Isaac Harless, Parker Lucas, Charles Cummins, Jos. Standly.

Report of Flat Rock Conference at Liberty, Shelby Co., Ind., Aug. 26, 1830. Elders present: Henry Logan, A. Vorhis, Jesse Frazier, J. Longly, Joseph Hatchill, Gabriel C. McDuffe, Elijah Dawson, Wm. P. Ritchie, Joshua Selby, J. Plummer. Unordanined preacher James Young was" recommended as a teacher of religion."

Vol. 5 Jan. 1831-Dec. 1831
A conference at Pleasant Grove meeting house on George's creek, Alleghany, Maryland, Sept. 4, 1830. Named: Wm. Shaw, Fred G. Miller, Gabriel Lovett, Samuel Jacobs, Robert Green.

A conference on North fork of Holstein river, Washington Co. Va., Aug. 16, 1830. Named: J. Dodge, R. M. Shankland, Wm. Slaughter, John Wallace, David Duncan, Js. Duncan.

Report on Indiana Christian Conference, Orange Co., Aug. 1829. Named: Lewis Byram, David Stewart, Jacob Shively, Wilson Scott, Elijah Goodwin, David G. Stewart, John C. Collins, John Duncan, Eli Stewart, Stroud Vanmater.

South Kentucky Conference met at Union Meeting House in Whitly County, Ky, Sept. 1830. Elders present: James Storm, John H. Dunn, and John Jones, Jr. Unordained preachers: John Cox, David Wilson, John Storm.

Union Christian Conference met at Flower creek, Pendleton co. Ky. Aug. 5, 1831. Elders present: George Fisher, John G. Ellis, Daniel Roberts, John Douty, Wm. Walters.

Annual meeting of Christian Conference on the north of the Kentucky River, in Kentucky, in Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Sept. 16, 1831. Elders present: Barton W. Stone, Francis R. Palmer, Thos. Smith, John Rogers, John Roberts, John A. Gano, Leonard J. Fleming, William Parker, Martin Sidener, Joseph Mitchel, John Morrow, William Morrow, Jesse Bledsoe, Thomas M. Allen. Elders from Ohio: Matthew Gardner, Isaac N. Walters, Edward H. Lewis.

Indiana Christian Conference met at Stamper's Creek, Orange Co., Sept. 12, 1831. Elders present: Lewis Byram, David Stewart, Jacob Shively, Peter Wright, David G. Stewart. Unordained: Joseph Kincade, John Condre, Stroud Vanmater, Eli Stewart, Isaac Bullington.

Christian Conference for Missouri met in September in Tarbo grove, La Fayette County. (Letter from Joel H. Haden, Retireing Valley, Howard Co.). Elders present: Thomas McBride, Duke Young, Zachariah Linville, Sion Bradley, Bryam Lewis, and Joel H. Haden. Unordained: Richmond Roberts, William Burton, James Lovelady. Lovelady was made an elder. Letter mentions that followers of Joseph Smith are settling in Jackson County near the boundary line, perhaps 100 in number, and plan to rebuild the Temple.

Letter from James E. Matthews, Barton's, Ala., Sept. 10, 1831, lists these preachers in Tennessee and Alabama.In Tennessee: John Mulkey, Isaac Mulkey, Robert Randolph, Elihu Randolph, William D. Carns, Andrew Davis, Levi Nichols, Samuel Billingsley, William D. Jourdan, James Y. Green, Dr. Becton, Mr. Flinn, Levi Perkins, James Anderson, Corder Stone, John Hooton, William Hooton, Mr. Bills, John M. Barnit, Edward Sweat, Andrew Carnachan, Mansel W. Matthews, Jesse Goodman, John Shultz, James Vinzant, Abner Hill, Henry Thompson, Mr. Melvin, John McDonald, William Nicks, James Miller, John Green. In Alabama: James A. Anderson, Thacker Griffin, Lorenzo Griffin, Reuben Mardis, Jonathan Parker, William Price, Elisha Price, Ephriam D. Moore, Mr. Crocket, Mr. McDonald, John Northcross, Jesse Wilks, Tolbert Fannin, Jonathan Wallis, Elisha Randolph, James E. Matthews.

Vol. 6 Jan. 1832-Dec. 1833
Report of conference in Jefferson co. Ind. Sept. 7, 1831. Elders present: A. L. Bailey, Jesse Mavity, Aaron Wallace, Danl. McMillin, Bev. Vawter. Unordained: L H. Jaimson, Henry Mavity, Thomas Baird. Mentions Saml. Maxwell of Jefferson Co.

Appointments by Seamen's Friend Society in 1832. Rev.John Diell of New York, appointed American Seaman's Chaplin at the port of Honolulu in the Sandwich Islands. Rev. Edwin Stevens of Conn. apointed chaplain at port of Canton in China. Rev. Flavel S. Mines of Maryland appointed chaplain at port of Marseilles in France.

Georgetown College, Scott County, Kentucky, 1832 faculty: Rev. J. Smith Bacon, President; Rev. G. W. Eaton, Prof. Languages; Thornton F. Johnson, Prof. Math & Nat. Phi.; Samuel Hatch, Prof. Chemistry; Wm. Craig, Tutor; C. Lewis, Principal Preparatory Dept.; Mr. F. E. Frebachet, recently from France, Teacher of Fr. Lang.

The Christian Hymm Book edited by B. W. Stone and J. T. Johnson, ready for delivery. (This is a second and revised ed.) They can be had at Georgetown P.O., Montague's Store in Covington, Ky., A. Dudley's store at Frankfort, Thos. Ware's at Cynthiana, Henry F. Wilson's at Paris, Mr. Poston's at Winchester, Mr. Keiser's Book Bindery in Lexington, and James Shackleford's in Maysville.

Letter from John N. Payne on the 15th annual Christian conference in Indiana. (Posey co. Aug.1832) Elders present: Henry D. Palmer, John McCrary, Joseph Wasson, Moses P. Condict, Ephraim Phar, Joseph Ballard, James Pool, James Y. Beard, Amos Willis, Elijah Goodwin, William Ramsay, William Carter. Unordained preachers: Barnabas Anable, Aaron Baker, Moses Goodwin, William Gale, Samuel More. Exhorters: Seth Gard.

Report from Joel H. Haden of Mo. on annual meeting 28 Sept. 1832 on Ramsey's creek, Pike Co., elders present: Thomas and James McBride, D. Young, I. K. Rule, Doct. I. Hughs, S. Ruddle and himself. W. Burton was ordained elder. Unordained preachers: S. Jones, J. Love, J. McClosky.

Vol. 7 Jan. 1833-Dec. 1833
John A. Gano reports from Centreville, Bourbon co. July 29, 1833, names of several who have been converted at Paris: George W. Williams, Esq., Henry Wilson and daughter Mary Jane, John Spears, Mr. Holland, Miss Moore, Miss Francis, Miss Parks, and a black man of Mrs. Trimble's. Names of some brethern: Joshua Irvin, J. Snell, William Williams.

Aug. 1833 issue: names Elder John H. Hughes of Bowling green, Mo., John Davis of Guthriesville, S.C., Jeremiah Savelle of Almirante, Florida, M. Norville of Nashville, and Elder James E. Matthews of Alabama.

Vol. 8, Jan. 1834-Dec. 1834.
John Rodgers, Carlisle, Jan. 29, 1834. Writes about a meeting between Elder John Smith and Rev. Dewely Whitney at Mt. Sterling regarding charges made by Whitney against Smith. Mentioned are William Chiles, Thomas Barnes, John Daniel, Esq.

Daniel O'Bannon, letter in early 1834 regarding a quarrel among members of Hanging fork church, (Kentucky) replying to letter from John S. Higgins. Mentions James G. Bryant, John Pollard, Richard R. West, Thornton K. Thompson, William Collier.

Vol. 8 no. 8, Aug. 1834, has several articles about a Dr W. W. Sleigh at Cincinnati who seems to have maligned the dying remarks of Mrs. Ewing, the daughter of Alexander Campbell, and also threatened J. T. Johnson, the co-editor of the Messenger. Mentioned in the various articles are Bro. D.S. Burnett, J. D. Garrard,

Notice from B. W. Stone and J. T. Johnson that Stone is moving to Jacksonville, Illinois in the fall (1834) and will continue to publish the Christian Messenger. Johnson will begin a new publication for Kentucky. The men assure their readers that they part with kind feelings for each other.

Letter from B. F. Hall, Sept. 16, 1834, Georgetown, Ky, describes the reaction of the Christians at Leesburg during the annual meeting when Stone delivered his "valedictory address." He is described as moving to the "far west."

Nov. 1834 issue: Notice that Christian Messenger will be continued by B. W. Stone from Jacksonville, Ill, number of pages reduced to 24 at $1 a year. J. T. Johnson and Dr. B. F. Hall will continue the work in Georgetown, Ky., under the title of the Gospel Advocate, same number, same price.

Vol. 9 Jacksonville, Ill. Jan. 1835-Dec. 1835
Published monthly, one dollar a year but one dollar and twenty-five cents if not paid within six months. Postage paid by subscribers--one and one-half cents an issue under 100 miles; two and one half cents over 100 miles.

Letter to the churches of Illinois, 1835, from B. W. Stone, J. Hewit, J. T. Jones, A. Reynolds, J. Rigdon, and M. Elder.

Minutes of second annual Michigan Christian Conference at Spring arbor, on 3rd and 5th days of Oct. 1835. Elder Benjamin Taylor chosen moderator and William Smith, clerk. Elder James Knight received into conference membership. Elder Jesse E. Church of Erie Conference was present. Bro. Jno. S. Moor, member of church at Ypsilanti was ordained to the work of the ministry. Bro. Francis H. Adams, member of church at Salem, ordained to work of evangelist. Preachers of good report belonging to this conference: Benjamin Taylor of Prairie Ronde, Kalimazo Co.; John Walworth of York, Washtenaw co; John Cannon of Royal Oak, Oakland co; Joseph H. Smith of Jacksonburg, Jackson co; Philip C. Manchester of Hilsdale co.; James Knight of Spring arbor, Jackson co; John S. Moor of Ypsilanti; Francis H. Adams, itinerant. Unordained: Amos Freeman, itinerant. Received bro. Hiram S. Case as member of this conference.

Vol. 10, Jan. 1836-Dec. 1836
Because of complaints of cost of postage from distant subscribers, the Messenger "will be printed on one sheet, without cutting, stitching, or cover, leaving this to be done by each subscriber. The price of postage on a monthly journal of this kind is but twelve and a half cents at any distance in the U. States."

July 1836 issue has abstract from a letter in the Boston Recorder from Jaffna, India, Aug. 1835, from the following missionaries: B. C. Meigs, J. Scudder, N. Ward, L. Spaulding, G. H. Apthorp, F. S. Minor, J. Knight, S. Hutchings, D. Poor, H. R. Hoisington, and A. C. Hall.

Report from meeting of elders, messengers, and brethren of the church of Jesus Christ held at Springfield, Sangamon co. Ill, 27 May 1836. The following were appointed to investigate some questions: William Davenport, A. J. Lindsay, and Henry D. Palmer for Tazewell co.; John Rigdon for Adams and McDonough cos.; Hughes Bowles for Macon co.; A. Reynolds for Warren, Fulton, Hancock and Schuyler cos.; B. W. Stone for Morgan co.; Theophilus Sweet for Sangamon co.; John Scott for Knox co.; and Abner Peeler and William Major for McLean co. Clerk: D. P. Henderson.

Letter from Jacob Cassel, J. T. Jones, and D. P. Henderson in Dec. 1836 issue. Mentions Henry D. Palmer of Putnam Co. Ill. and J. T. Jones of Jacksonville, Ill. Also Alexander Reynolds--a meeting held in Jacksonville in Oct. 1836.

Vol. 11, Sept. 1840-Aug. 1841
Barton W. Stone writes that he had ceased publication some time ago, but had been urged to again publish the Messenger for the "Far West." Thomas M. Allen and Jacob Creath, Jr. of Missouri have become assistant editors. The first three issues are mainly letters to and from Alexander Campbell and Stone.

Annual meeting of churches of Christ held in Fayette, Howard co., Oct. 1840. The preachers present were Thomas McBride, sen., J. P. Lancaster, S. E. Jones, William White, William Burton, Joel Prewit, M. Vivian, William Lee, Thomas M. Allen, and ---Elgin.

Scott, Walter, from Ohio, letter which names these as having left Ohio to preach in Kentucky: Doct. Pinkerton, Aylet Rains, John Rogers, Geo. Campbell, and bros. Powell, Stratton, the two Jamesons, Moss, and Smith.

Meeting in Springfield, Ill, Sept. 1840, had following evangelists, elders, teachers present: Arthur Chriffield from Ohio; P. W. Harris, Murry H. Stone, and S. J. Mattock from Indiana; Bro. Bradley from Kentucky; James R. Ross from Iowa Territory; John Latham from Virginia; B. W. Stone, H. W. Osborne, Jno. T. Jones, D. Pat. Henderson, George Owen from Morgan Co. Illinois; Abner Peeler and William P. Major from McLean Co. Illinois; Hughs Bowls from Dewitt Co. Illinois; John Ridgon from Fulton co. Illinois; Levy Hatchet from Hancock co. Illinois; Theophilus W. Sweet, Robert Foster and Andrew Scott from Sangamon co. Illinois; Bushrod W. Henry from Shelby Co. Illinois; John N. Yearnshaw from Bureau co. Illinois; William H. Strong and Maxwell McCauslin from Scott co. Illinois; B. F. Vandoozer from Sangamon co. Illinois; Henry D. Palmer from Marshall co. Illinois; James A. Lindsay from Tazewell co. Illinois; Philip G. Young from Putman co. Illinois; William Tichenor from Crawford co. Illinois; and Abner Hill from Fulton co. Illinois.

Vol. 11, p. 105-107 has a chart showing statistics of Church of Christ in Illinois as presented at the above meeting.[ I am leaving out number of members.]

Christian conference at Highland, Pike County, Ill., Apr. 9, 1841. had these elders present: George Alkire, B. W. Stone, J. Burbridge, D. Roberts, Wm Strong, Wm Gale, D. Henry, C. Bolin, J. Sweet, J. Green, jr., Wm. Gilliam, and many others. B. F. Vandooser was chosen clerk.

Congregation in Monticello, Lewis co. Mo., 1841, organized Sept. 1839, with Bro. Creath, jr. evangelist and John Shanks, Y. Moore, J. Stephens, J. Sullivan, Francis Richardson, H. Roberts, elders and deacons.

Congregation at Houston, Marion co. Mo, 1841, organized Apr. 1831, with C. Ballinger and Jacob Creath, jr., proclaimers and G. Banks, W. Jones and others, officers.

Congregation in Shelbyville, Shelby co. Mo. organized Apr. 1840, with B. W. Hall and J. Sullivan, elders.

Congregation in Palmyra, Marion co. Mo., re-organized June or July 1840, with brethern Lewis, Bryan, Torrence, Peake, and others as officers.

Vol. 12 1841-1842
Edited by Barton W. Stone--no mention of any assistant editors. Stone writes in the introduction that paralysis has "disabled my left side and so impaired by voice and speech that I can no longer preach to profit. My mind remains unaffected..."

From June 1842 issue: "The Christian church at Palmyra, Mo. appointed a committee, Elders Jacob Creath and Enoch L. Hooton to make public the following statements of a certain botanic doctor, named William P. Torrence, a member and officer of that church, for the accuracy of which statements she is responsible. On May 5, he eloped from Palmyra with another man's wife, Mr. William B. Tull--each forsaking their children and companions. Before his elopement, he had so gained the confidence of the brotherhood, that he induced some of them to be his security in bank, and in other instances, and left them to pay the debts. ..He is about 35 years old, of good countenance, sandy hair, fair complexion, and a round face. He will doubtless pass for a religious man...It is believed he will go to Canada or to some of the large eastern cities." J. L. Peak, ch'n.

J. T. Johnson, in a letter May 20, 1842, from Georgetown, commends the young men A. and C.[Carroll] Kendrick and R. C. Rice. A. Kendrick had been preaching at Louisville, C. Kendrick near Stanford, and Rice in Lawarenceburg and New Castle, Ky.

Vol. 13 May 1843-Mar. 1844
Stone has a co-editor David P. Henderson. Stone states that it has been several months since the last issue.

Meeting of believers in Noblesville, Hamilton co. Ind, 10 June 1843. Elder James Kinkennon chosen to preside and P. E. Harris chosen secretary. Other names: John O'Kane, J. M. Mathes. "The great rains about the time of the meeting, by raising the water courses, hindered many from attending."

Boon co. Mo., June 14, 1843, letter from T. M. Allen on state meeting in Fayette, Howard co., in May. Teaching brethern present: Wm Reed, Saml. Rogers, H. Thomas, T. M. Allen, Allen Wright, Thomas Thompson, Jos. Coons, Jno. Alexander, Wm White, M. Sidenor, Livy Hatchett, Jacob Coons, Winthrop H. Hopson, M. A. Ferris, B. W. Hall, Eli Valentine, Chas. Russell, Wm. Burton, T. B. Marsh, and Joel Prewitt.

Letter from 21 female members of First Baptist Church in Lexington published explaining why they want their preacher to resign, Aug. issue 1843: Nancy Kirkpatrick, Lucretia Hoagland, Cornelia Hoagland, Sarah A. Kirkpatrick, Mary K. Kirkpatrick, Hannah Drake, Julia Thompson, Mary A. Elliott, Mary L. Drake, Martha Ann Miller, Rebecca Rucker, Sarah Noble, Agnes Wiseman, Polly McMain, Sally Downing, Matilda Scott, Ann B. Drake, Jemima Gordon, Susannah W. Richardson, Susan A. Richardson and Elizabeth Love.

R. Downing, Rutland, Ohio, Jan. 1844, mentions labors of John Henry, J. J. Moss, James E. Gaston and others. Also mentions N. J. Mitchell of Harrisburgh, Penn.

J. Creath, accompanied by Charles Bland of Tully, Mo., formerly of Maysville, Ky., reports on his work in Iowa Territory. Mentions William Morgan who lives 5 miles from Burlington.

Vol. 14 May 1844-Apr. 1845
Creath, Jacob, Jr. Report from Liberty, Clay Co. Mo, May, 1844 on his travels in western part of Missouri. He reports the high waters and heavy and continued rains have been pouring down with short intermissions for five or six weeks; "the rivers are higher than they have been for twenty years. Traveling by land any distance is almost impossible." He reports that he did, with great difficulty, get to the state meeting in Fayette in Howard County.

The following were some of the teachers who were present at Fayette, Howard co. Mo., May, 1844 [From two different reports]: R. B. Fife of St. Louis. T. M. Allen, M. P. Wills, T. R. H. Smith, S.S. Church. These teaching brethern are named: Allen, A. Kendrick, and Thos. Bronson of Ky., John T.. Jones of Ill., J. Creath, Henry Thomas, M. P. Wills, J. S. Allen, T. Thompson, S.S. Church, W. Burton, W. White, A. Wright, B. W. Hall, W. S. Fox, J. Prewitt, and T. M. Allen of Mo. Henry Thomas was chairman and T. M. Allen, secretary. In the meeting Creath is holding he mentions teachers F. Palmer of Independence, Augustus Payne, Wm. Morton, Jr., and Lard. He says he has seen a number of those he baptized in Kentucky in this area of Missouri.

>From Lewiston, Davis co. Iowa Territory, June 30, 1844, letter signed by C. Ralls and E. Reynolds, elders, and E. M. Kirkham and C. Trowbridge, deacons.

Report on state meeting at Winchester, Illinois, Oct. 1844 issue. Preachers present: Henry Thomas of Paris, Mo.; S. S. Church of Columbia, Mo.; P. E. Harris of Rockville, Ind.; P. Shuck of Iowa; B. W. Stone, Sr., D. P. Henderson, Jno. T. Jones, Wm Gilliam, W. W. Happy, David Henry, Dr. Rose and B. W. Stone, jr. of Morgan co. Ill.; Wm Davenport and Alex Davidson of Monmouth; H. D. Palmer of Marshall col; G. W. Minier and Abner Peeler of McLean co.; A. J. Kane and T. Sweet of Sangamon co.; Scott Riggs and W. Strong of Scott co.; George Alkire, James Burbridge, William Gale, and David Roberts of Pike co. Elijah Dodson, a Baptist brother, attended the meetings. Others mentioned: L. Harlan and Dr. J. R. Gray.

Report of meeting in Indianopolis, Ind. Aug. 31, 1844. J. B. New, chairman, and H. St. John Van Wake, secretary. Names in report: O. Butler, J. O'Kane, L. H. Jameson, A. Jameson, J. M. Tilford, C. D. Hurlbutt, C. Butler, M. B. Hopkins, S. K. Hoshour (letter from him from churches at Deer Creek, Cass co., Lafayette, and Westfork, Hendricks co.)

Death of B. W. Stone reported in Nov. 1844 issue.

Doct. David T. Morton, Hannibal, Mo. Dec. 4, 1884, writing about death of Stone at the residence of his son-in-law, Capt. S. A. Bowen of Hannibal. Mentions the torturing pain of his body. Morton was his physician.

Allen, T. M., Boone Co. Mo. Dec. 5, 1844. Letter about Stone's death with request that a litheographic likeness of Stone be secured for publication. Mentions an unfinished portrait at his son-in -law's Capt. C. C. Moore in Kentucky.

A committee appointed by the brethern in Missouri to choose a young man to be educated in Bethany College med Nov. 30, 1844, in Jefferson City and chose Alexander C. Proctor of Randolph co. The committee: Joel Hayden from southwest district; Jacob Creath, Jr. from north east district; T. M. Allen, M. P. Wills, S. S. Church, Allen Wright from south Mo. River district; and ...Cartright and Geo. Longdon from north Mo. River district.

In March 1845 issue, Henderson states intention of continuing the Messenger's publication with the help of A. G. Comings of Boston, Mass., John Rogers of Carlisle, Ky, and Jacob Creath and Thomas M. Allen of Mo.

Maxwell, Wm., Camp Creek, McDonough co. Mar. 1845, state not given but mentions Stewart Pennington, James Vance at Sewardsville, Austin Coker and J. H. Campbell at Camp Creek, and J. Clark, J. L. Twiman, Doctor Bacon, W. H. Randolph, and Reuben Boddas at Macomb.

Apr. 1845 issue has long article about founding of American Christian Bible Society in Cincinnati, Jan. 27, 1845. The Board is composed of the following:

President, D. S. Burnet of Cincinnati
Vice-Presidents: J. J. Moss and B. S. Lawson, M.D. of Cincinnati; Alex. Campbell, Pres. of Bethany College; Walter Scott of Pittsburgh; John T. Johnson of Kentucky, John O'Kane of Indiana; H. P. Gatchell of Iowa; Ephraim A. Smith of Georgia; and Eleazer Parmly, M.D. of New York City.
Corresponding Secretary: James Challen of Cincinnati
Recording Secretary: George R. Hand of Cincinnati
Treasurer: Thurston Crane of Cincinnati
Managers: J. Ray, M.D., Jas. Leslie, Owen Owens, Wm Lockwood, S. S. Clark, Geo. S. Jenkins, W. P. Stratton, Josiah Fobes, George Tait, Geo.W. Rice, A. Trowbridge, G. Vanausdal, James Hopple, Thomas Emery, N. S. Hubbell, and J. Getzendiner, all of Cincinnati; Thomas Taylor of Philadelphia; T. Fanning of Tennessee; T. M. Allen of Missouri; John T. Jones of Illinois; A. Crihfield of Kentucky; A. Church of Pennsylvania; W. Hayen of W. Reserve, Ohio; Wm. Clark of Jackson, Miss.; and Francis K. Dungan of Baltimore.

He was born Dec. 24, 1772, near Port Tobacco in Maryland. His father died when he was very young, so young he had no memory of him. His mother, with a large family, soon moved to Pittsylavania county, Virginia. He was able to attend school and "took great delight in books and preferrred them to any company."

As a youth he came in contact with the preaching of a few Baptist preachers and some Methodists but was unable to decide on the truth of their teachings. At the age of 15 or 16, his father's estate was divided. He was the youngest child and decided to use his portion to acquire a liberal education and prepare himself for the practice of law.

On Feb. 1, 1790, he began his study of Latin grammar in Guilford academy, North Carolina. James McGrady, a presbyterian preacher, came to the area and about 30 students united with that church. His roommate one day invited Stone to accompany him to a meeting. There he heard McGready. After many struggles with himself, he decided to "prostrate myself before God in supplication for mercy." He was not able to feel that God had accepted him and for some period of time he was in a gloomy state. Then he attended a meeting at Alamance in Guilford county where a young preacher named William Hodges spoke from the text "God is love." "This was a new theme to his mind, and his heart warmed with love to God, as the speaker progressed. Hope and joy began to revive." After much prayer, at length Stone "confessed to the Lord my sin and folly in disbelieving his word so long" and lived a life devoted to God.

He decided to become a preacher of the gospel and in 1793 became a candidate for the ministry in the Orange presbytery and began to study theology under William Hodge of Orange co. NC. He still had problems with theological ideas and finally decided to give up the idea of preaching. He decided to go to Georgia where his brother Matthew Stone lived. On the road he became ill with a high fever but finally reached his brother's house where he was ill for several months.

The Methodists had just established an academy near Washington and he became a teacher of languages in that school in 1795. After a year, Stone decided to return to North Carolina and resume his attempts to obtain a licence to preach from the Orange Presbytery. This he did. Robert Foster, who had also received his licence to preach, and Stone were appointed to the lower part of North Carolina. They preached together for some time; then Foster decided to quit preaching.

Stone had about decided to do likewise when the suggestion was made to him to go over the mountains to the West. He preached several weeks in Wythe and Montgomery counties before finally arriving at Knoxville. There he joined others to travel through the wilderness considered dangerous because of the Indians. They left Knoxville Aug. 14, 1796 and "pursued their way, surrounded with many dangers." When Stone arrived in the frontier settlements of West Tennessee, he met many friends and brethern.

"Here he was joined by John Anderson, who agreed to travel with him and preach in the settlements of Cumberland. They soon proceeded to Nashville, then a very small village hardly worth notice. They attracted much attention in the community" because he preached against the wickedness of the people.

After a considerable time in Tennessee, he and Anderson went to Kentucky. Anderson stopped near Lexington while Stone went on to Caneridge, in Bourbon county. The church there invited him to become its settled pastor and he accepted. Soon the Transylvania Presbytery asked him to visit the South to obtain funding for a college in Kentucky. He visited Georgia and south Carolina and stopped in Virginia to see his mother.

In the fall of 1798 he was ordained by the Transylvania Presbytery, although even at that time, he was struggling with religious questions over what the word of God taught about various doctrines. Eventually, in 1801, he attended a camp meeting in Logan County. The meetings were occurring in the south part of Kentucky and the northern part of Tennessee. Many people were being convicted of their sins. When Stone returned to Caneridge, he took the spirit of the camp meeting and converted many. He preached at William Maxwell's for many days. A particular friend of his, Nathaniel Rogers, is named.

On July 2, 1801, he married Elizabeth Campbell, the daughter of Col. William Campbell, in Mughlenburg, the residence of his mother-in-law. The couple went to Cane Ridge where Stone continued to preach effectively. [There is much in volume 14 about his preaching.] Stone freed his slaves from a sense of right, "choosing poverty with a good conscience, in preference to all the treasures of the world."

At that time [early 1800s] three Presbyterian preachers in Ohio--Richard McNemar, John Thompson, and John Dunlavy- and two in Kentucky-Robert Marshall and B. W. Stone--were teaching doctrines different from the Presbyterian Confession of Faith. These men eventually were suspended from their preaching appointments by the Synod at Lexington, Ky. The five men plus David Purviance then formed themselves into the Springfield Presbytery and wrote letters to their congregations, in which they declared the abondonment of all human creeds and "contended that the Bible alone was the only rule of faith for Christians."

Stone now had to labor on his little farm to support his family. He soon was struggling to keep the weeds down while he continued to preach the gospel. At this point the name Christian was chosen as the term for believers to use. Eventually McMemar, Thompson, Dunlavy, and Marshall left the cause for which Stone was preaching. [John Thompson still lived in 1843 and was a Presbyterian preacher in Crawfordsville, Ind.]

In the winter of 1809, his only son Barton Warren died and shortly after that, his wife died. This left four daughters whom the "brethern too care of" while Stone preached. Another widower, Reuben Dooley, joined Stone and they traveled through many western states preaching and founding churches.

In Oct. 1811, Stone married a second time to Celia W. Bowen, who survives him, and they resumed housekeeping on his farm in Bourbon county, Kentucky.

After a year his mother-in-law convinced him to sell the farm to move to Tennessee. Soon he returned to Kentucky and established a high school in Lexington, in order to support his family. He was very successful in this and the Rittenhouse Academy in Georgetown offered him the principalship there. He moved his family to Georgetown and purchased a small farm near town.

He gave up the principalship in order to be able to preach more, went to Ohio to preach for some time with Reuben Dooley as a fellow laborer. Alexander Campbell came to Kentucky and he and Stone struck up an acquaintance.

In 1826 he began publishing the Christian Messenger and in 1834 he moved to Jacksonville, Ill. He visited Missouri and travelled extensively through Illinois "spreading the knowledge of salvation."

In August 1841 he was stricken with paralysis, for which he never completely recovered. "His mind continued firm, although his body was feeble" On Oct. 3, 1844, he visited Missouri and while there was taken sick and died Nov. 9.

In the March 1845 issue, there is a letter of condolence dated Dec. 15, 1844, from the Cane Ridge Church, signed by W. Rogers, James Houston, John M. Irvin, and William P. Payne, the committeee appointed to write it.