Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-07-22

Uedtcat1on Of the Union Church at WO0dVilie.
The church edifice which bears the name CIV
en- above was built mainly by those who wished
to have preaching in the English language. =
The other churches are occupied by German
congregations, and all the services are conduct
ed in the German language. The church was.
called sUnion' church because no one de-
nomination was able to build, and therefore two
or three united. They are, chiefly connected
with the NJ. E. and Presbyterian denomina-i
tions. The church is now used on alternate
Sabbsths by the Episcopal Methodists and the
Evangelical Association. sfs Hss
The edfice was commenced some four years
SINCE but not completed till this summer. 1t
is a neat and substantial edifice built of wood
forty by fifty feet and contains forty good and
comfortable slips. Should these ever prove in
adequate there is room for more seats. There is
also gallery capable of containing quite con-
eregation itself if need be. The internal sp-
pearance of the house is very inviting, and re-
fleets great credit on those engaged in its con-
struction.
But, like most enterprises of the kind it was
in debt and when two of the ministers of Free
mont were invited TO dedicate the house to the
worship of God, they were invited also to try to
raise the means of paying the debt. This
amounted to some five hundred dollars.
The first public service was held Saturday
P. NJ. at O'Clock, when Mr.. Bushnell preach
ed. Mr.. Wilson preached in the evening. On
Sunday at half past ten the chief service was
held. The dedication sermon was preached by
MIR. Bushnell from 1. Chron. 29:5 last clause:
'sAnd who :hen is willing to consecrate his SER
vice this day unto the Lord?'' In the morning
the prospect of liquidating the debt had ap-
| peared rather dark The ministers had said to
each other-ssWe shall not raise all the money.
But the people came with better spirit than
was expected In the latter part of the sermon
they were appealed to, to exert themselves to
pay the debts now. The appeal was further
urged by Mr.. Wilson-who, by the way, will
pass for first class beggar. Then the people
were applied to personally by the ministers,
who went around among them at their SEATS
On comparing notes it appeared that nearly
three hundred dollars were already subscribed.
The people were then informed that some forty
dollars had been raised in Fremont. More was
promised on condition of liquidating the whole
debt They then enlarged their subscriptions
till only sixty dollars were wanting At this
point it was agreed to defer the effort till the af
ternoon. The church was then dedicated by
prayer to the worship of Almighty God.
LoIf -,ost NJ NJ WiIcoO rroaobad
| and the subscriptions were increased till they
amounted to Just four hundred dollars. This,
| with the amount raised in Fremont and one
| subscription elsewhere, made the whole foul
hundred and forty five dollars. Thereupon sil
ladies volunteered to raise each ten dollars out
side, and one five dollars This promises to Sc
cure sixty-five dollars. And thus the way wa
prepared for the speedy liquidation of the debt
against the house of God. In all probabilit,
each of those ladies will be good for her ten dol
lars. pity the man whom one of them shal
attack unless he speedily makes up his min,
topay.
But there were some instructive things to b
noticed in that collection. There were poo
widows there, and there are invested in tina
house of worship widows mites from NOR
sources than one or two. One old lady VIII
lives alone, and does her own work both out
doors and within, and has a little grand son de
pendent on her, was there with the boy. o
the first application she gave five dollar bill
When the second application was made she gav
another five dollar bill, and then to meet th
balance left she pledged another dollar. Otht
lone women did as well, One could not hel
thinking of the words of Jesus when he sal
the poor widow had cast into the treasury mol
than all the rest. Those little mites ihveste
with earnestness in the Woodville Church wi
give it sacred character. When those wome
worship there it will be with satisfaction an
Joy, and their sacrifice will be accepted ON higl
Never doubt it. sss
A young lady also, almost alone in the wOrl'
but having some MEANS promptly subscribe
fifty dollars: and another lady clad in mourn
ing apparel, twenty five.
WE'LL the result was that everybody ther
was gratifed and astonished The people ha
applied to be begged. The thing was done righ
thoroughly. They did their part well.
Probably some absented themselves, not be
ing particularly interested, because they di
not want to give their money. Foolish fellows
When those seven ladies get ON their track the
will see where they lost money. Pay The
will have to pay double and ought to. A hous
of worship built in the eearnestness manifest las
Sunday, if that earnestness is maintained, mus
be blessed to those who shall worship beneat
its roof B.