Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-12
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Fifth Anniversary of tho Installation of
Rev. DR.. Dana as Pastoral Sermon APP
EroDriate to the Oocasion-The Progress
OF Congregat1opa11sm in st. Paul.
Yesterday morning DR.. Dana marked
the fifth anniversary of his pastorate by
preaching a sermon appropriate to the
occasion. His text was Psalms 1904:
"Enter into the gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise; be thank
full to him and bless his name.'' The
PAalmist, said the preacher, had been the
victim of every form of sorrow, trial and
affection that can rive the human heart,
yet his devotional poetry shows, that under
the weight of al, he maintained cheerful,
trusting spirit, accepting without a muir
mur the allotments of divine providence,
eleyating his songs to highest, hopeful
devotion in the midst of the
fires. The cultivation of this spirit on the
part of the devotees Of the Christian faith,
shows benign work of grace going on in
the heart, and prepares the way for more
perfect resignation to the divine behests.
But after all, what were the trials, and
disabilities of life of his hearers,
compared with those of many,
even in our own city? To US the comforts
and conveniences of life are allotted, while
numbers are cast down by sickness, sor-
row, restitution and squalor; and even,
yet, in their misery, many a trusting dis
ciple can praise God for his
mercies, looking forward to the
future of heavenly joys beyond.
All cannot be Vanderbilts and Goulds, and
it is not worthy of US to repine because we
cannot be millionaires, but it does be
come us to be content with our lot, how
ever comparatively circumscribed, &C
cepting without repining, or chatting, our
earthly condition, looking forward
to the higher rewards of the
great and rapidly approaching hereafter.
Five years had he labored as the pastor of
this church, and in faithful, cordial, IN
jarring cooperation with his peo-
pie much, by the blessing of the
Master, has been accomplished for
their beloved Zion. Great cause for reioic-
ing existed to-day for the divine beneficence
and favor that rests on our church, and
that has blessed and illumined its path
way in the five years just passed. During
that time two hundred and forty-nine
members have been admitted to the
church, seventy-fve of whom have been re-
ceived on the profession of their faith.
There has been but one communion season,
SO far as he could remember, during the
time, when there had not been admissions
10 aal,v- e..
was cause for great encouragement and re-
ioicing.
Five years ago there was but one
Congregational church in the city, now
there are focr, three being colonies
shoots from the parent church, the Pacific
church on Mississippi street being one; the
Atlantic church, on Dayton bluff, being an
other, and the Park church, on
st. Anthony hill, now in It's
formation period, and in tie pro-
cess of its organization with its pastor
elect already designated, being the thirS.
This extension of church work i'll the d.
rection of the Congregational field has
met with the cordial concurrence of Ply
mouth, the parent church, and be, as its
pastor, had given these col
onies his earnest co-opera-
ton. This last organization, that of Park
church, takes from the parent church a
stronger element, and weakens it more than
either of the others, nevertheless, he had
sanctioned and encouraged its organ
ization, knowing that the rap
idly increasing and ex-
banding population of the Hill, needs the
convenience of a pearer-by place of wor-
ship for the people of like faith and pref
erences with our own. This new colony
goes out from the parent church with its
most cordial good wishes, and as mother
and daughter cherish, and will continue to
cherish, the most tender relations in the
bonds of Christian and denomirational
fellowship. In the growing breadth of
the city's population there is room and
work for all, and while the
original church will contine to cultivate
its own proper field with undated ASST
duty. its blessings will go out to
all of its colonies, and this church
will ever watch their pros
perity and progress with the keenest
interest.
These generous, fraternal remarks of the
pastor were listened to with absorbed at
tention, and doubtless met with full and
hearty response in every heart.
1t is but just to say, in passing,
that the interesting, faithful,
persevering and unwearying labors of the
able and devoted pastor, seconded and CO.
operated with by his people, have given
wonderful impulse to the growth of Con-
gregational sentiment and to church ex-
pansion in that direction.
Vile this particular church is to be con-
graduated on its expansive force and in
fuence, it is pleasing to know and feel that
the churches of all denominations in st.
Paul are true to their several missions in the
great field of Christian endeavor, and
thus stand as bulwarks for the defense of
the Gospel of Jesus, and Us lights to illum-
inc life's pathway to that better country
where there is JOY forevermore.
PERSONAT