The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-11-02
From the Grand Rapids Eagle.
Grand Haven Correspondence.
GRAND HAVEN, Oct. 25, $50.


eve directed 10 the northward, might have 7
deserted far in the distance sail; and
that sail spread to the breeze was waiting
gently and steadily toward the desired
Haven, bark freighted with living, am
bilious, hopeful humanity, whose future
purposes and acts were destined 10 tell |
powerfully and wonderfully npon the civ
ilization and social progress of this por-
ton of the Grand River Valley. And as
that bark neared the destined port the
dusky form of many a native of the then
solitary wild (now the site of our goodly
village) might have been seen erect and
motionless near the old trading house,
with an eye intently gazing lakeward,
watching fxedly every motion Of the YES
sci that was bearing TO their future home
the friends, protectors and instructors OF
the red man.
Arrived at the wharf the Rev. VIM.
NJ. Ferry and family, with other pioneers,
pressed with eager footstep the soil that
was to be consecrated as their future
peaceful and happy home.
In my youth and even in later years,
have sat for hours studying inteDtly the
picture representing the landing of the
pilgrims, as sketched in on school geog
raphies, admiring the devotional attitude
Of body and the expression of thankful
ness depicted in the countenances of the
moro pious upon their setting foot upon
a soil rendered by them sacred TO God
and Liberty.
Here was figure on Bonded knee and
with hands and eyes lifted upwards, as if
giving thanks for safe deiverance from
the dangers of the mighty deep, and hum
bly, invoking the smiles of Heaven upon
all future efforts to establish on this wild
and foreign shore, freedom to worship
God; and then, another, with head grace
fully bowed earthward and with casped
hands blessing God that the bright day
had at length dawned, and that that rock
bound coast would thenceforth echo. TO
the sea, unrestrained by royal edict, the
hymns and prayers of the noble and Free
Aud even woman's soft eve upturned
heavenward, gave significant utterance to
the deep emotions that thrilled her soul
on such momentous OCCASION.
Yes, have often viewed and admired
the picture, and, in later years, have fan
cied 10 myself its counterpart in the land
ing Of the pious pioneers of our village,
and Of this portion of the valley, persua-
ded in my own mind, that something
higher and nobler than dollars and cents,
the worldlings' Mammon, some sentiment
more exalted than the desire for boarding
up corrupiible treasure, must have invited
thither from old Mackinac-beautifull
wild and picturesque in her solitude
and from the missionary field, the patri-
arcbal head of this little colony and his
pious adherents. Was it not rather to
establish in the wilderness a people and a
church who, while not slothful in business,
should be fervent in spirit, acknowledging
the Lord in all their acts? And 10! the
result. From one trading house, rudely
and cheaply constructed, the property of
Hon. Xix Robinson, our village has en-
Iarged her borders to such an extent to-
ward every point of the compass, that
she begins to assume city airs; and, in
stead of the little room in the residence
of the pastor, where quarter of Gen.
fury ago a handful of worshippers con-
vened each Sabbath, we have three large
churches, where large congregations or
the first day of the week, sit eagerly
drinking in from eloquent lips, eterna
truth, wisdom more precious than rubies
and profitable to direct. Each church
has fine choir, many of whom are "Old
Continentials." Religiously, no village
of Western Michigan is more highly ia
vored than our own.
Rev j. Anderson, the pastor of the
First Congregational Society-estabish
cd in April, 1s5s--is acknowledged by
oil who have been favored as listeners tC
his discourses, while agent of the Amer
can Bible Society and since, rs preach
or Of natural abilities; and his sermon:
are eminently calculated to interest, re
form and build up. Rev. d. M. Cooper
pastor Of the First Presbyterian Society
planted by the Rev. VIM. M. Ferry
and for twenty years or more, under hi:
pastoral supervision, who during that pc.
Rod, freely devoted his time and money
for its spiritual advancement-is man
admirably suited to the position and one
in listening to his dscourses couched in
language so simple and yet eloquent, and
delivered so easily and gracefully, can
rarely leave the church without sensibly
feeling himself profted.
Rev. G. Oggel, of the Dutch Reform.
ed Church, is greatly beloved BY his PEG.
pie; and though young in years is ranked
among the first preachers of that denom-
ination in Western Michigan
Thus friend Turner, seemingly inclined
somewhat piously at the present, have
given you brief sketch Of our progress,
from infancy to moro mature years, relig-
iously.
II you will bear with me, will give
you other interesting views Of our pros
perity, for it is acknowledged that Grand
Haven is rapidly ascending the ladder to
fame and honor, and it is we'll to know in
What thaf fopaa o,.I 4.