1809-1909 Centennial Souvenir

Mr. Reid, writing at the time of the vacancy, expressed the hope and belief that the Great Head of the Church would in his own good time send them another such pastor, whose labors would be in like manner blessed among them, and who would long feed them with knowledge and m1derstanding. How well this hope was realized will be patent to anyone who was a member of the congr egation during the pastorate of Dr. Morton. His incumbency began in 1863 and lasted forty years. He was born in Tennessee, January 18, 1828, the family removing to Illinois when James F. was thirteen years old: He spent his early manhood in teaching, as a stepping-stone to ~ome– thing higher. He entered Monmouth College in 1859, gril;duated there in 1861, and from the Seminary in 1862, and shortly after– wards went to Cedarville. Brief annals are a sign of happiness, and this was _particularly .true cif the two score years during which he guided the destinies of the congregation . In June, 1863, he was married to Martha Blair, of Sparta, Illinois, and INTERIOR OF P R ESE:-IT CHURCH 19