Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-10-07
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 1882.
CHEBOYGAN INDEPENDENT
CHURCH.
Its Aims, Objects and Tenets, as
Set Forth by Hon Geo. w. Bell.
An Experiment Which Seems Likely
to Prove a Success, and Accom-
pIish Much Good.

AS all our readers are aware, about
two months ago an Independent church
was organized in Cheboygan, and Rev
r. M. Thompson invited to become its
pastor. Nearly all the large places of
the country possess in some form or
other, an Independent church Organiza-
ton. 1t is complimentary to the present
life and future growth of Cheboygan,
that we have in our midst a prosperous
organization. similar to those which
seem to have become so successful i'm
accomplishing much good in the larger
cities. As there seemed to be quite lack
OF information among the people regard
ing the aims, objects and tenets of the
enterprise. Hon. Geo. w. Bell, who is
chairman of the managing committee
of the organization, last Sunday even
ing, took occasion in some brief remarks
to explain them. Thinking that they
would be of interest to our readers, we
reproduce them as follows:
MR.. THOMPSON: With your permits
sion desire to say few words to the
good people here tonight, with refer
ence to this church enterprise.
1t has frequently been asked, what is
the purpose. object, or aim of this
church, and for the purpose of answer
ing such inquiries, | desire briefly to
state what understand to be the end
and aim of the enterprise.
Recalling with pleasure the event of
Rev. r. nj. ThOmpsOn's stay in Cheboy-
gan q few years since. remembering
with gratitude his efforts and services
here in encouraging and building up a
healthy interest in church service, few
of us extended to him an invitation to
come to ChebOygan and preach to an in
dependent congregation. Agreeable to
such invitation he came about the first
of August and has held church services
each Sunday since, with what success
you are as able to judge as am. In ex-
tending such call it was the express I'M
Outstanding and has ever been the in
tentiOn, that this enterprise would made
no issue with other churches in town,
but that it might aid and assist in the
good work that all churches are expect
ed to accomplish. | may say that strict
ly speaking, that this is no church or
church enterprise. In fact it is no or
ganization in its generally accepted
sense. A few gentlemen were selected
as kind of board of general managers,
to look after some of the details; like
providing a place for holding services
means for carrying on the enterprise,
etc. The enterprise is really an expert
ment: its promoters had in view the idea
of trying the experiment of having
church service that would not be denOm-
national, hoping that snch a church
might provoke greater interest in
church matters in ChebOygan. 1t ap-
peared to be an unquestiOned fact that
there was not the interest taken in
church matters that there ought to be,
i'm other words, that especially among
the protestant population of Che
bOygan there was great want
of church attendance.
1t was thought perhaps church
wholly and purely independent might
awaken a greater interest.
For the purpose of giving the matter
a trial the services of Mr.. Thompson
has been secured for period of six
months and il at the end of that time it
shall appear to have been successful
then it is expected to continue. If not,
Mr.. Thompson goes to some field of
greater usefulness, and we, probably,
back to the old ways. 1t is unnecessary
for me to state that the enterprise, thus
far has been more successful than the
most sanguine expected, or even hoped.
The custom Of Mr.. Thompson is to serve
from Sabbath to Sabbath, free to go at
any time; but contrary to his custom, he
has positively agreed to remain six
months; and the patrons Of this enter
prise are assured of continued prOsperi-
ty and permanent success.
The membership of the church is
made up Of the people who attend serv-
ices and listen to the cOunsels and teach
ings of its pastor.
1t is not necessary to go through any
forms or ceremonies to be members in
good standing. The only condition
necessary to enable you to become full
members of the church is that you come
here and listen to the teachings Of its
pastor, reflect upon what he says, apply
your earnest thought and discriminat-
ing judgment to the propositions con-
tanned in his sermons, and, il you finally
conclude they are good, to apply them to
your life and conduct, treasure them up
and give them place in your thoughts
and actions. If your judgement says