HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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population, as may be seen from figures given below. The earliest Christian services held were conducted by Catholic missionaries, who attested the sincerity of their convictions (in many instances) by the sacrifice of their lives, either through violence or exposure. The aborigines, however, were not easily Christianized; and, shortly after the cession of Illinois by France to Great Britain, the Catholic missions, being generally withdrawn, ceased to exert much influence upon the red men, although the French, who remained in the ceded territory, continued to adhere to their ancient faith. (See Early Missionaries. ) One of the first Protestant sects to hold service in Illinois, was the Methodist Episcopal; Rev. Joseph Lillard coming to Illinois in 1793, and Rev. Hosea Riggs settling in the American Bottom in 1796. (For history of Methodism in Illinois, see Methodist Episcopal Church.) The pioneer Protestant preacher, however, was a Baptist-Elder James Smith- who came to New Design in 1787. Revs. David Badgley and Joseph Chance followed him in 1796, and the first denominational association was formed in 1807. (As to inception and growth of this denomination in Illinois, see also Baptists.) In 1814 the Massachusetts Missionary Society sent two missionaries to Illinois-Revs. Samuel J. Mills and Daniel Smith. Two years later (1816), the First Presbyterian Church was organized at Sharon, by Rev. James McGready, of Kentucky. (See also Presbyterians.) The Congregationalists began to arrive with the tide of immigration that set in from the Eastern States, early in the '30's. Four churches were organized in 1833, and the subsequent growth of the denomination in the State, if gradual, has been steady, (See Congregationalists.) About the same time came the Disciples of Christ (sometimes called, from their founder, "Campbellites"). They encouraged free discussion, were liberal and warm hearted, and did not require belief in any particular creed as a condition of membership. The sect grew rapidly in numerical strength. (See Disciples of Christ.) The Protestant Episcopalians obtained their first foothold in Illinois, in 1835, when Rev. Philander Chase (afterward consecrated Bishop) immigrated to the State from the East. (See Protestant Episcopal Church.) The Lutherans in Illinois are chiefly of German or Scandinavian birth or descent, as may be inferred from the fact that, out of six
