Ghost Stories: Singing a different tune

“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.” – Doxology

Ladies and gentlemen, the author of that famous hymn was Thomas Ken, who wrote those words in 1674 – nearly three and a half centuries ago. Bishop Ken (1637-1711) was considered one of the fathers of English hymnology.

As a young child, I remember worshiping with my grandparents in a venerable church in the small town of East Liberty, Ohio. After the offering was taken each Sunday morning, the congregation would rise and sing, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.”

More than a century earlier, in the old Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, Ohio, the song was also sung on a cold winter’s morn. A heavy snow covered the ground, and still descended in noiseless flakes of purity and beauty.

Horses pulling sleighs descended upon the church, followed by a temperance delegation from New Vienna in a huge sled, all seated, robed and drawn by horses.

This was the description of Hillsboro temperance crusader Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson, who wrote, “When those dear, brave, good women, with their friendly bonnets and modest mien, came walking into that consecrated church with their minister, Rev. D. Hill, and their conquered foe, (John Calvin) Van Pelt, the whole audience with one accord arose and joined heartily in singing, ‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!’”

According to Mother Thompson, “A most inspiring service followed, of song, prayer, and testimony, until the hour for lunch – hot coffee, and plenty of everything good – thanks to the efficient names I find recorded in the minutes as follows: Mesdames M.T. Nelson, Judge Evans, J.M. Boyd, John Jolly, Judge Mathews, James Patterson, Thomas Miller, Miss Maria Steward, Miss Lizzie Kerby, (and) Miss Rachel Counard.”

At half past one o’clock that day, according to Mrs. Thompson, the procession formed and marched to Music Hall, the women two and two, the men following.

“The order of the procession was for the Hillsboro workers, each one to choose, as far as possible, a visitor as marching companion,” Mother Thompson wrote. “The entire picture was imposing, and awed the most rebellious and critical into silence that was almost oppressive, as we marched quietly through a phalanx of wondering eyes.”

When they reached Music Hall, Mother Thompson recalled, “The meeting at the hall was a rare one. Fine music from the soul, an earnest, sensible address by Rev. D. Hill, followed by the famous ex-saloon keeper, Van Pelt, who, in a humble, feeling manner, to all human appearances, gave reason for faith in his changed condition. His contrition seemed heartfelt, and his alleged allegiance to the cause that he had so grossly persecuted, hearty and real. After his talk, there was much feeling, and someone started that blessed hymn, ‘Jesus paid it all, all the debt I owe.’”

Yes, John Calvin Van Pelt was singing a different tune. The man who had previously been known as “the wickedest man in Ohio” first appeared in Mother Thompson’s book, “Hillsboro Crusade Sketches and Family Records” on Page 96, as she wrote, in part, “Reports also came of the cruel and unmanly treatment the New Vienna women were receiving at the hands of Van Pelt, the notorious saloonist. Words of earnest sympathy were sent to them from our association, and our hearts were full of gratitude that we were spared such indignities; and yet the suborn resistance of some with whom we had been pleading prayerfully, was, we thought, harder to bear than a shower of sour beer and threats of violence!”

But by page 108 of the 200-plus page book, Mother Thompson was singing the praises of Van Pelt.

As the John Calvin Van Pelt and the Hillsboro and New Vienna temperance crusaders sing a benediction hymn, shake hands and return to their homes in the year of our Lord 1874, let’s pause for now and we’ll continue next week.

Steve Roush is a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.