THE MINISTRY


ministry of the Gospel through every one of the denominations is wholly
Biblical, orthodox and Puritan, still each denomination gives its own
special aspect. The Wesleyans emphasized the duty of a public confes-
sion of the Saviour and attaining sublime experience of grace. The
others work toward these things; but not with the same distinctiveness.
The Baptists emphasize the external and literal conformity to the com-
mands of God. They come to this because of their special ideas as to
the mode of Baptism. This is taught by every denomination, but not with
the distinctiveness of this denomination. The Congregationalists emphasize
the practical aspect of religion in the daily behavior of the church. This
affects their whole method of composing and delivering sermons. They
do not, like the Baptists and Methodists, stand for principles which it is
necessary to search the Scriptures daily to understand and explain. The
Calvinistic Methodists emphasize the harmony of religious ideas, experi-
ences and conduct. This makes everything in the denomination assume
earnestness, concern and labor until some call them "head-bowed"
and
religionists of the minor key.
     With this explanation, for the readers of another age perhaps, we
proceed to the ministry through the Congregational denomination.
     REV. DAVID LEWIS.-He was the chief protagonist of the denomina-
tion in these counties. He was born March 10, 1818, in Llangranog,
Cardiganshire, a son of Benjamin and Hannah Lewis (see concerning his
brother, 5, page 28). He came to America in August, 1831, with his
parents, one of seven children, he being 13 and James, his brother, 10.
He was taught in the public schools of Oneida County, N. Y., where he
began to preach. After that he went to Oberlin College, Ohio, for two
years, where he became acquainted with the classical languages. He
ministered in Pittston, Blossburg and Carbondale, Pa. He married Tirzah
Jones, Pittston Ferry, in 1847. He came to Wisconsin in 1849, and to
these parts, staying in Neenah and Oshkosh. He moved to Ridgeway,
Iowa County, Wis., in 1857; and he died there Nov. 10, 1861, at 43.
There is only a poor picture of him, which is found in this book. His
children are: Elizabeth, widow of T. D. Williams, on Section 16, town of
Rosendale, Catherine, George, David, Tirzah Anne, Eva and Melvin;
Sarah E., wife of Jenkin Jones, on Section 21, town of Rosendale, with
Alice, Harvey, John, Tirzah Maul and Elva; and an adopted son, John
Morgan, married to Elizabeth Ellis, Zion, town of Omro, with Gladys
and Ray. His widow, who has remarried, lives in Ridgeway.
     It was he who in Oct., 1849, organized Zion Church, Oshkosh. He
organized the Neenah Congregational Church the following year and
in Jan., 1851, with the Rev. Jenkin Jenkins, he organized Zoar Church
(see pages 115-116). Thus there belongs to him special honor as one
of the fathers of the Settlement.
     REV. GRIFFITH GRIFFITHS.-He was born in the county of Festiniog.
Merionethshire, North Wales, on the shore of the river Ddufach, a son of
Griffith and Gwen Evans, Cae-clyd, and the youngest of ten. He was
brought up a quarryman at first. He is of the stock of the author of
"Y Psalmydd Cymreig" (The Welsh Psalmist), Rev. Edmund Prys, the
archdeacon of Merion; and, like his elders, his parents too followed the


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