The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-03-25

close range with the pulpit artillery or
whether it was indeed token of that
beautiful spiritual humility which enters
as an element into the very highest
forms Of piety But possibly now I
have found the true answer. Perhsps
it is neither of these. Perhaps with US
lit is simply traditional habit. hapded
down from the early days. and having
its origin in that wonderful commercial
enthusiasm Of the then young and expec-
tant metropolis, which fred every soul
with q burning, unconquerable desire
to be the very first on hand to man the
lighter. In that glorious race for the
beach, the man nearest the door had,
OF course, the advantage. Reason
enough why back seats should be pre-
ferred, especially by the men. In those
patriotic days sweet thoughts of the
lighter mingled with the sounds of the
sanctuary, and while one ear was open
to the gospel, the other waited for the
whistle. And so we are obliged TO look
at this matter charitably, and IN the
true historic spirit,
But to return. Such was our village
in 1888, with its 1913 souls, hardy, SAN
guine, inventive, true pioneers. And
now that our church of IS souls has been
cemented in holy covenant, the next
thing is place of worship ard per-
manent pastor, if such things are attain
atle an hg these new beginnings. On
this day of the organization, the leg
tavern of Dea. Whitney was perhaps
the natural capital of the town. Dea.
Whitney was an important man. ae
was elected first deacon of the church,
he kept the leading hotel, and, besides,
he was tho only man in the settlement
who had d spring wagon, an open spring
wagon, wooden springs at that,--the
wagon in which the famous Gen. Dodge
proudly rode when he came here on his
first witt, and was escorted around at
the head ola procession to see the lions
of the young metropolis. Still the bin
of Dea. Whitney was not especially
adapted to the uses Of public worship.
Very soon, however, the infant church was
destined to have comfortable place in
which to meet. In this same year, Mr.
Martin P. Kinney, young man of good
education, had opened select school,
which grew into an incorporated Acad-
emy, the first institution of the kind in
| the State. For this Academy building
was erected in the following year, 1889,
which now forms part of Mr.. Pennoyer's
"Water Cure" This Academy was really
the first Congregational church edifice
in Kenosha. It was fitted up with q
pulpit, and intended for the two-fold
use of a church and school. Here our
people came together for two OF three
years, or until the Academy was sold and
transformed into hotel. In this Acad-
EN- occurred the first revival Of religion
III the history of Kenosha, Our records
describe it as a. remarkable work Of
grace, beginning on the 10th of March,
1910. and continuing several weeks 3
conducted on the union plan, Baptists
Methodists, and Congregationalists work
ing heartily together ; the preaching
being done by three clergymen, Rsvs.
Curtis, Stebbins, and Lothrop, and lead
ing to the conversion of more than sixty
persons in the place and vicinity.
Among these converts was Mr. Kinney,
the principal of the Academy, who sub
sequenfly studied for the ministry, and
was for time pastor of this church.
Others still who hear me this morning,
date their new life from that awakening.
Our little church received large and
important accession, as the result of
this work. I notice in the List Of candi-
dates many honored names, whose lives
have since shown that the work was not
ephemeral 3 Michael Frank, Samuel
Hale, James M. Stryker, Martin P. Kin
ney, now in heaven, Phoebe Bell, now
also glorlfed, and some thirty others
The Rev. Stephen Peet, who became so
famous as pioneer organizer of church
es in Wisconsin, came from Milwaukee
to administer the communion, baptize,
and receive the new members. They