The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-01-26

easy, to acquire property out OF the hard
earnings Of their parishioners, without CIV
ing them an equivalent Not so with the
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of
Grand Haven; he sought the good of the
community; for the prosperity and we'll
being of the people; not his own, only so
far as his fortune was intimately connect
ed with theirs.
AT the termination of the period above
cited, certain of our citizens came to the
sage conclusion that it would be in no
wise derogatory to their high position in
society, or to their good name abroad as
those desirious to promote, by every
means in heirpower, the principles ofpure
morality and virtue among their fellows, to
erect o Churchz--the first one in the west
half of our county reared at the hands
of the descendants of the Pilgrim fathers,
in every community of whom in olden
time the Church and school house were
looked to rs sure indiceS of the state of
religion and education there prevailing.
The Church edifce is built; fine one
1 too-an honor indeed alike to our village
and the liberality of its citizens. The
Rev. J. Anderson was solicited to become
our pastor-Mr. Ferry wished 10 be re-
lieved from the sole care of the church and
the administration of spiritual things
Al the expiration of the first year Of the
pastorate of Mr.. Anderson, which occur
red in April, 1858, causes existed, not
necessary to be made known beyol d our
own limits, that operated in the forma-
ton of a new and distinct religious or
ganization-agreeable to the Statute law
made and provided for such purposes
known as the First Congregational
Society of Grand Haven, of which Mr.
A. became and still continues the pastor
Subsequently, another religious organ
ization took place under the same provis-
ion of the statute, and composed princi-
pally of the members of the Church in
its formation, and others i'll friendly con-
nection, known as the First Presbyterian
Church IN Grand Havsn, under the pas
toral charge of DR.. Eddy, formerly, be-
lieve, of Detroit.
These two religious societies are now
in exceedingly prosperous circumstances;
the meetings of each on the Sabbath are
well attended so much so on the part of
the Congregational Society; that the spa
cious room occupied by the higher depart
of the Union School, is found altogether
inadequate to the wants of the society !;
and hence, new, chaste, yet elegant
church edifce is now in course of erection
for its accommodation, and will probably
be ready for occupation early in the
Spring.
1t is indeed a pleasing sight to witness
the large number of bright-eyed, intelli-
gent-looking Lads and Misses that as
semble at the place of worship of each
Society, respectively, after the large con-
gregations retire, to rehearse to their re-
spective teachers the pleasing lessons of
scripture truth and Heavenly wisdom
learned during the week; and as we wit
ness the inspiring scene, we almost invol-
untary exclaim, "Of such is the kingdom
of Heaven"
To understand to its full extent, the
very marked improvement in the atten-
ton paid by our citizens generally to the
Sabbath and the means of religious in
struction, one needs TO be thoroughly con-
versant with our history three years ago
and at the present time, and he will find
that change, ut least three hundred per
cent better in tho number of members
that forms the church of the respective
Societies-the number Of pupils that
compose the Sabbath School and Bible
Classes-the attendance upon religious
services, &c, the estimate of which may
benearly as follows1 Members Of Church,
seventy; members Of Sabbath Schools
and Bible Glasses, three hundred; citi-
zens attending public worship not mem
bers Of the Church two hundred.
So numerous is the attendance at the
Church of our Holland citizens, that tlle
Vestry has been obliged, during the past
year, 10 make large addition TO Their
Church ediice, which now renders it ca
,, fpable Of accommodating from three &c
four hundred hearers. This Church and
) Congregation are under the ministratior
of Rev. p. J. Oggel, n man much es-
teemed by all his acquaintances, for hi:
piety, learning and ability, as successful
!. proclaimer of the Good Word. There ]:
Sabbath School numerously attended
connected with this Church.
In my next / will give you brief view
! of the Church in other parts Of Ottaw'
County. OTTAWA.
: TO be angry, is TO revenge the faul
5 Of others upon ourselves.