The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-25
Communicated for the Ohio Star.
Thirty Years a Pastor. @a

An abstract of a Discourse delivered in Ran
JosEPH MERRIAM. aazg-s. tlz s<gsss a,s ss-.
TEXT Fec. 1: 4-a One generation passeth away. and
another generation comei: hut the earth abideth for
ever. ...-t ~,
A generation sometimes denotes a single sue
cesson in natural descent, the children of the
same parents and sometimes the people living in
a particular period of time. Thirty years is now
reckoned a generation; the period in which a
number. equal to the whole population of the globe,
passes from time into eternity. Such period of
thirty years has now passed away, since the COM
mencement of my pastoral connection with the
Congregational Church and Society in Randolph /;
it being on the 7,h of January, 1924. A period
longer than know of any other in this part of
the country being pastor in the place in
which he is now settled, and only one that has
been settled any longer 10 one congregation. Rev.
~. SEWARD was about 80 years pastor of the
Church in Aurora.
Religious Sorieties. -
The Congregational Church and Society, to-
gether with the other Religious Societies 10 the
Township, has ever been small, compared with the
whole population. The greater proportion max
ing no pretensions to religion at ALL
Installation
1t was only for one half of the time that pas
tor could be sustained; which circumstance led to
an union with the Congregational Church in Roofs
town. in the support of the gospel ministry, for one
half of the time in each place; which arrangement
continued for the period of IL years. The exer-
eises of installation We're held in a framed dweing
house. just then erected and inclosed. Three of
the brethren, who oficiated on the interesting oc-
cssion, have died since that time-Rev Messrs.
SToRRs, Treat and FIELD. sa --
s-ees * 7ga House Of Worship.
large and cqmmodous meeting house was
erected by the Congregational Church and Socie-
! ty in 1892, aud completed in 1889. Public wor-
ship was fer several years held in the basement
room of the meeting house. In October, 1858
the house was furnished with fine toned bell.
ReriUais of Religion. .'ats 3,
In the winter of 1830-'3l there was experien-
ced precious season of revival twenty persons,
mostly interesting youth, were hopefully convert
ed unto the Lord, and united with the Church.
In 1886, another season of revival and another in
1910, which were The occasion of considerable ad-
dition to the Church; another in the fall of 1851,
in connection with the Methodist Society, which
held series of religious meetings-as the result
of which, 10, mostly youth, united with the Con-
greg4tional Church.
Temperance.
Thirty years ago, spirit drinking was common.
A liquor selling Tavern, and DistilIery, as they
then existed, were complete nuisances in the
Township. 5aE -9 ss
In February, 1880, Temperance Society was
i'rmed, upon the principle of abstinence from the
use OF distilled spirits, aud in 1887 it was changed
to that OF entire abstinence from the use Of al
alcoholic drink. About eight hundred persons
have, at Different dates, enrolled themselves dnde
this banner. z-ss & 81 sasaa
The Tavern, in few years, passed into othe
and better hands, and the DistiIlery was broke,
i up. The advocates Of the enactment Of Stat