In the first half of the 20th century churches
of Christ had neither money nor resources but enjoyed phenomenal
growth. Most of that growth came as God blessed the genuine faith
and sacrificial work of men and women who were determined to share
the gospel with others. One such individual laboring in the upper
Ohio Valley was C. D. Moore.
C. D. Moore or Dora, as he was generally known,
was born near Sistersville, West Virginia, on July 31, 1861. He
obeyed the gospel in February 1880 during a meeting conducted
by R. H. Springer. Though he had no formal training in the study
of the Bible or preaching, he determined to do all he could to
spread the gospel story. He worked in coal mines and saw mills
through the week to support himself and his family. Then he would
preach on weekends in schools, churches, meeting halls, or any
other place conducive to a gathering for preaching. Early on,
however, an accident in a saw mill left Dora Moore badly crippled
in his right hip and the right side of his face permanently scarred.
Because he could no longer support himself by physical labor,
Dora began full-time preaching. He knew that because of his injuries
and scarring that he would never be able to preach in larger,
"well to do" places, so he determined to carry the gospel
to people in mission places where the church was small or not
existing. In this way he established many congregations. His brother,
Ira Moore, wrote about his labors: "For about thirty-eight
years of his life he diligently, earnestly, and sympathetically
preached the Gospel of Christ and was quite successful in winning
many hundreds to the Cross, not only in his native state of West
Virginia, but in many communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and
in Oklahoma, Kansas and California, and for several years mostly
in Florida" (I. Moore, 4).
One time Dora shared some of his experiences with
readers of the Christian Leader: "In my mission work
I have slept in school houses, with my saddle for my pillow, and
in my Ford, because of having no other place to lodge. Have boarded
myself on bread, bananas, beans and water, and thankful for that
much. Have forded deep and dangerous creeks in winter time, even
when the ice was running out, and came near being dumped in a
few times. Stoned and shot at while preaching. Two shots were
fired close by me by a zealous Digressive, because, by request
of the elders, I was preaching on 'Why we do not use musical instruments
in our worship.'" (C. Moore, 8). In spite of lifelong pain
from his crippling accident and in the face of intense opposition,
C. D. Moore preached Christ. Most of the time he was never adequately
supported in his preaching. Rather than being called a "beggar,"
he often went without adequate food, clothing, and shelter but
never became bitter about the lack of interest and support by
his brethren. He wrote in later years, "My soul rejoices
that I was able to cling to the faith through those hard many
years. Never did complain about it. Was happy in the work."
(C. Moore, 8).
C. D. Moore utilized the printed page for evangelism
and edification. Early in his preaching career he contributed
many articles to the Gospel Echo edited by Alfred Ellmore.
Later he sent in articles to the Christian Leader, usually
under the heading, "Sword Swipes."
Dora Moore was a friend to young preachers also.
He encouraged many young men to follow his example in evangelism.
One such young man was Fred Dennis. Brother Dennis paid this tribute
at Moore's funeral. "He was my 'Paul' in the gospel. When
I was contemplating entering the evangelistic field it was Dora
Moore who encouraged me above all others." (Dennis, 2). Dora
Moore died at Paden City, West Virginia on October 6, 1933.
Faith, suffering, and sacrifice, yet always with
a cheerful attitude; these were consistent characteristics in
the life of C. D. Moore. Inspiration to do more evangelism despite
hardship and without complaining is a message that Dora Moore
still speaks to those who will listen.
Works Cited: Fred Dennis, "Commodore Dupont
Moore," Christian Leader (10-17-1933): 2; C. D. Moore,
"Sleep on Now, and Take Your Rest," Christian Leader
(8-21-1928): 8; Ira Moore, "A Valiant Soldier of the
Cross Fallen," Christian Leader (10-31-1933): 4. -64308
Wane Dr., Cambridge, Ohio 43725.