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BATTLE CREEK BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
We owe a debt of gratitude to those early settlers of our State, who, after having built their log houses, then erected the log school-house, which they used for school, for church, and for township organization. From that rude structure has emanated those institutions that have so distinguished our State —our common schools, our churches, and our legislative power. How fortunate, at this formative period of society and state making, that we had good and true men to do the rudimentary work so ably and so well. The two
counties, Calhoun and Kalamazoo, were fortunate in having so able a minister as Elder John Harris to plant the first churches here in the wilderness. It is, with the preacher as with the teacher, very important that he should be an able instructor, for his task is to develop the highest style of man—the Christian. Our worthy old friend had not mistaken his calling. He was doing his duty in the pulpit. My father had heard him deliver a discourse, when he was a young man, in Columbia county, New York, and remarked to a friend when he was told that Elder John Harris was located in South Battle Creek, "You have a minister that knows how to preach. "
Mr. Valentine of Goguac, now deceased, was accustomed to say that Elder Harris was the most clear, forcible, and close reasoner he had ever heard. Elder Harris, in the winteter of 1837 and 1838, held a revival on Climax Prairie,. in the school-house south of the corners. Many were converted at these meetings. The glowing fervor and the persuasive logic with which he urged upon the unconverted the duty of immediate repentance may be said to have been effectual whenever he preached. From his first pastorate at Nassau, New York, to his last one at his dear old home among Ms cherished old friends at South Battle Creek, frequent revivals and spiritual prosperity ever blessed his labors.
Michigan
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