The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-08-22

fields, came to him. Itremained with
him. Since the close of that wal which
preserved our unity as q nation, and
in which it was his privilege to bear an
honorable part, he has sought to realize
that which had for some years been a
cherished ideal.
Coming in person, General Kane
first occupied the little log hut, still
standing near the Tioneste Spring. A
saw mill was soon built by him, and a
few mill houses near it. Among these
was little log house, which soon after
became the school house, and the house
of worship of the new settlement. 1t
is still standing but a little way off
from this building, and it is one of the
most interesting spots in this region.
1t was the intellectual and moral
centre of the new settlement, and the
influence that has gone out from it
cannot now be estimated. In that
humble building religious services
were maintained by Mrs. Kane for
some time. She "held the fort" /" here
in the wilderness almostsingle handed.
But soon came the engineers, and be-
hind them the multitude who wrought
with pick and shovel, hammer and
trowel, axe and saw. Then came the
refugees from justice from the centres
of population many miles away, and
the rowing adventures who keep al
ways on the front line of settlement.
When these came there was sore need
of reinforcements at the little log fort,
and earnest prayer went up from the
few to the zone" to send more sold
iers and laborers.
Then came the Methodists, whose
polity does so admirably fit them to do
pioneer work. They came, and the
laborers of the log houses were glad
dened. The spirit of union that pre-
sided over the log house before, pre-
sided there still, and with christian
kindness and unselfishness all sought
to hold up each others hands. The
whole christian strength of the little
community labored on in the most de.
lightful and unbroken harmony.
But many of the new comers were
not of the Protestant faith and could
not be reached by those who were.
Then just at the right time the
Catholic church came to look after and
care for its stray children. 1t did this
work well, and its labors in behalf Of
temperance and good morals were
earnest, vigorous and successful.
| After the railroad followed the set
tier. The industrious Swedes cam,
seeking homes among these forests
They brought the faith as well as th'
thrift of their fatherland with them
They planted their church wher'
they planted their homes. Now fou
church buildings occupy the field onc'
held by the log house.
The success of the idea of the foun
der and promoter of this settlement i
shown in the village school house
these churches, these spreading farms
|
who sustain and occupy them.
| The history of this church begins il
the log house. Between that and thi
beautiful and substantial edific
stretch years of patient, earnest, un
recognized labor. Through all thi
period Mrs. Kane has been the residen
and presiding genius of its fortunes
Mrs. Thomas, who has spent her sum
mers here for several years has been it
munificent friend and benefactress
Mr.. Robert r. Field was the man VIII
gave it organization as church, an
General Kane, who has been tn
trusted counsellor and liberal patron c
all these churches, has been especiall
such to this one.
Our Methodist brethren have fairl
earned the gra titude of this churc
by their uniform kindness, and b
their cordial and unselfish cooper,
ton. For two years the Methods
church like an elder sister has take
this then houseless church into its ow
house for worship, and made it we
come there.
Now that we have house of OF
own, we shall try to return their no
pitality and make them warmly we
come here.
To the Lutheran church our obligi
tions are scarcely less, and our gratef,
recognition is equally earnest.
If this spirit of brotherly love sha
continue, If cordial cooperation
every good word and work shall eXi
: in the days to come, the moral atmo
phere will be as clear and invigoratir
as this mountain air, and the blessing
of the God of Peace will rest on the
churches and on this people,"
The gift made and accepted, and
hymn of thankful praise having bee
sung by the congregation most appr
priately, the Prayer of Dedication fo
lowed. After using the expressions
the Psalmist in his love and preferen'
. for the House of God, and the prom
ises of God which assure of His DIVE
. ing among men, Rev. Mr.. Newkil
especially prayed that this churc
building might prove the spiritu
home of many believers, the place
comfort to those in sorrow and trib
1 q