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Webb's Diary Narrates Of 'Sweeping' Revivals; Pious Leaders To The Manner Born

Texas, March 19, 1844, Thomas Brown the first traveling preacher that visited the colony, preached the first sermon from Romans 1:16. Hymn used "From All That Dwell Beneath the Skies." Tune Kedron.

May, 1845 - Daniel Shook, the first circuit preacher sent to the colony, organized a society of five members.

The first protracted meeting was held during the summer of 1845, lasting two weeks. Isaac C. Kimbrell did the preaching.

The first camp meeting was held in the fall of 1845. Four families camped. The meeting was held on Joe's Branch.

The first church put up in the colony in the spring of 1846. First class meeting mentioned April 25, 1847.

The first school taught in 1846 by Tomas C. Williams of Tennessee.

First Sunday School mentioned June 6, 1847.

First Singing School mentioned Sept. 20, 1847.

September 23, 1847, assisted in raising the United Baptist church at Keenan's cabin.

Nov. 11. 1847. Our protracted meeting closed today. Bro. James A. Smith, J. H. Biggs and Rev. Cole were ur preachers. We had a sweeping revival. Thirty-four joined the church. There were 28 new converts. Oh what a happy time we had ! So many bright conversations, and such a display of the power of the Almighty God my eyes never beheld before.

14th, at San Augustine. This first society formed was first attached to the Bonham mission. Next, it was placed in the McKinney and then the Dallas district and finally back to  the McKinney district.

The preachers of that day got but little  pay, their efforts to do good were greatly owned and blessed and God gave them souls for their hire.

Between 1845 and 1858 Webb's chapel and Cedar Springs congregations came together  and Cochran chapel was formed. The first church dedicated in 1858. This date is taken from the records of the Rev. James A. Smith, who was treasurer of the building fund.

A number of the members of Webb's Chapel church did not move their membership and later a frame church was built on the east side of Webb cemetery in 1903, it  was thought best to build a and kept it hly by coming together to sing praises to God who had led them through many dangers and whose presence was with them continually. They were not forgetful of the peace and power and strength which comes from communion with God and often met through the week for prayer and thanksgiving. The first Methodist preacher came in March 1844, and preached the first sermon in the neighborhood from the text found in Romans 1:16. "I am not ashamed etc." To this band of Christians the coming of the men of God to preach the gospel, was a veritable jubilee.

In the language  of one of the pioneers it was the coming in of Noah's  dove with the olive lea which promised great prosperity in the future.

Five original members were I. B. Webb, Mary Webb, N. J. Cochran, M. F. Fortner. Of these it is said, "They were deeply pious and Methodists to the manner born," "mighty in prayer," "often closeted with God in secret prayer who rewarded them openly with ecstasies of joy and they were not ashamed to praise Him in the assembly of  saints."

Through the earnest, tireless efforts of these faithful Christians, logs were new church and move the congregation. This brings us back to our present church building.

It is said of the early settlers that they "brought their religion and Methodism with them too the wilds of Texas." They honored the Sabbath day hewn from the  and a building sixteen feet square was built in the spring of 1846. This building served the colony as a house of worship and a school for the children of the community. This little band of Christians had the missionary spirit and began to reach out to establish other places of worship and increase their numbers. They left their homes and went into the great out-of-doors to spend a time in fellowship and prayer. These are spoken of as spiritual feasts and these occurred for many years and from them came transformed and deeply consecrated leaders whose inspiration and spiritual power is still felt in the church today.

"The silent but mighty power of the little leaven the astes says was hidden in three measurers of meal was strikingly illustrated in the grace of God, diffused under the ministry of the preachers of that time. Hundreds were converted and added to the church.

Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, November 3, 1944


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