Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/521

 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 461 and civilization, one of the strong forces that wrought for progress and advancement was the influence of these men. They preached and taught in every community, planted, not alone the seeds of Christianity, but also higher ideals of social service, of education and organization. During the trying period of the war and the years of bitterness and strife that succeeded it, when industry was paralyzed, organizations ended, when law- lessness prevailed, they still labored, and up- held the principles which had been planted by the fathers. They fostered education, and at early day when schools were few, money scarce and the difficulties great they established Bellevue Collegiate Institute, and in spite of every difficulty and discourage- ment, kept it alive and growing, and so shaped its course and work that it has devel- oped into the Marvin Collegiate Institute of our own day, a sj^lendid and vigorous school destined to become a powerful influence in the life of the church. To every other great movement the.v have lent aid and influence, so that their work is indelibly woven into the life of the state, and its power seen on every page of its history. In spite of all other activities their chief interest has been the work of the great church which they have built up here. The numbers, the power, the wealth of that in- stitution testifies to the success which they achieved. It is not possible to preserve the names of all these men nor to accord to them the credit they deserve for their great achievements. To Jesse Walker, perhaps, belongs the honor of first place among the preachers of the church, at least in point of time. He it was who first planted the seed of Methodism in this great territorj- and the story of his work, the long and dangerous miles he travelled, his devotion, the success of his labors will al- ways be a stirring chapter in the history of the church. H. S. Watts, famous as Rough and Ready, with his blunt honesty, his un- ^failing courage, his ready wit, his unflinching devotion to his work, who wrought as circuit rider and presiding elder, will always be re- membered with pride by his church. U. L. Haw, whose long life of labor as minister and presiding elder did much for the church, contributed not alone his own life of active service but a family to continue his work. His son. Dr. James L. Haw, was one of the most- prominent laymen of tiie church inter- ested and devoted to its work. His son, Mar- vin T. Haw, the secretary of the St. Louis Conference continues the traditions of the family and his years of successful ministry recall the best days of his grandfather. The Henrys, father and son, gifted men, able to lead, eloquent of speech, scholarly, have had a powerful influence upon the de- velopment of the church and its work. J. C. Berryman, a prince of preachers, and a master organizer, will always be honored. T. M. Finney, Henry Hanesworth, were among a multitude of honored names. Methodist Episcopal Church Although the Missouri Conference at its meeting in 1845, voted by a large majority to unite with the Southern Church, some mem- bers of the Conference were opposed to this change aiid determined to abide in their re- lation to the older organization. Two of the men who made this decision were: Rev. An- thony Bewley and Rev. Nelson Henry. Some of the men who did not wish to unite with the Southern Church left the state and took up work in other places. Some, however, re- mained and these held a convention on Spring River, December 25, 1845. They