The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-02-02
f. From the Enquirer & Herald.
, Grand Haven Correspondence.
GRASp HArrn. january 27. 1859.

GRAND HAVEN, January ~, 1907.
My last communication had reference to the
Churches of Grand Haven--tbe present takes a
view of those Of other communities in Ottawa
County, in their eight district organizations, to
wit Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist
Dutch Reform, Christian, Second Adventists,
Uuiversalist and Catholic.
The Presbyterian organization is confined prin-
cipally to Grand Haven in connection with Mill
Pointthe Church having been organized by Rev.
VIM. M. FERRY, at a very early date in our his
tory, as intimated in my last A thought here
apropos to our subject, to wits That however
much at variance different religious denomina-
tons may be, and however ficrcely one may de-
nounce the other on account of the discordant
nature Of opinions entertained in matters of
church polity, we look upon the different relig-
ious organizations in community as virtually a
necessity, that each may enjoy in association to
the fullest extent, those opinions which he deems
thoroughly orthodox; and very rightly too,
since ii is in matters copinon only that they diff
fer, and not in the essentials Of Bible truths.
Within our borders two Congregational So
cieties exist-one at Grand Haven, to which re-
ference has heretofore been made, and the other
at Lamont, now under the pastoral supervision
of Rev. JAS. BALLARD, formerly resident of
your city. This Congregation is in very pros
porous and healthy state. Mr.. b., you know, is
one Of our Jealous thorough going, ever-faith-
full, never discouraged advocates of religion and
morality in its widest sense so much so, that
some are inclined to the opinion that the leaven
of fanaticism is fast becoming, to him, the mo-
tive power Of action. But, If brother b. was a
LILLE fanatical while a resident of your city, he
is no Tess so now He handles the rum-seller,
the oppressor of his fellow men, the extortoner,
the uncharitable, without gloves; and Lamont,
thro' his exertion and Of "kindred spirits" is
the only village in all our wide domain where a
half dime viii not purchase something to drink
A wholesome fanaticism that
Tho Methodist denomination, excepting the
Dutch Reform, embraces within its pale lar
ger number of COMMITMENTS than any other or
ganzation-probably some two hundred.
Our county embraces the Lamont Circuit en-
tire, and parts of the Grandville and White Riv-
err charges. The class at Lamont consists of
about one hundred members the remaining
portion is attached to various smaller classes in
other localities. Rev. J. BESNEr is the preach
err now in charge of this Circuit.
The most elegant houses Of worship belonging
to this denomination in any village Of Western
Michigan, has recently been erected at Muske-
gon The citizens of that village are by no
means accustomed to do things by halves, and
any public enterprise that they do engage in,
bears the mark of great liberality, and trace of
determination not to be outdone. But upon no
community has the whitening effect of the late
financial crisis been more visibly apparent than
upon Muskegon. Her fourteen mills, that have
hitherto been the only available source of wealth
and prosperity, have, for the past eighteen
months, been comparatively idle, and thus their
resources have ceased to afford pccuniary aid
and comfort az formerly; hence, the finishing
and furnishing Of this Church, has proved some
what embarrassing; but with a determination
that know no failure the good work has been
prosecuted, and now, should any of your go-to-
meeting citizens find themselves ut Muskegon
on Sabbath morning, and should wend their
way to this Tabernacle in the wilderness" the
beauty and eloquence about them would remind
them forcibly of tho Temple in the City,
Here preacher is located under direction of
the Conference of Western Michigan
The Dutch Reform Church is by far the most
extensive in our county, embracing the larger
portion of our Holland population, and consists
Of branch at Grand Haven, one at Holland,
and third at iceland. That at Grand Haven
is under the pastoral charge of Rev. p. J. oc-
GEL, young man recently from the Father
land, we'll educated, eloquent and much beloved
by his people. The Church and Congregation
at Holland can probably boast of as learned,
eloquent phanthropic and popular a spiritual
and temporal adviser as can be found in any Of
the Colonies of this people in the New World
the Rev. A. @. Van RAALTE. Under his sage
counsel and practical wisdom, the Colony was
not only planted, but has attained its present
Importance in wealth and influence.
The Zeelanders, under the passionate of Rev.
c. VAN DER MeuLES, are one of the most pious,
PEACEFUL thriving, mind thoir-own business
communities of which we have knowledge, and
as people, our Holland citizens arc in general
distinguished from all other communities, for
their principles of honesty, integrity and gen.
oral morality, as well as for the practice Of the