Daily globe., 1883-05-21
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
THE QU4RTEE- -CENTENNTAL OF ITS
ORGANIZATION.
Services Yesterday-A His;or-
1cal Discourse by Rev. DIR, Dana--Con-
gratuIatiOns from NeighborinG COngre-
cations.

Ior-CoACouAIdl VI Ily LuOuIll Suurch wore VI
very interesting and impressive nature.
The organ was beautifully draped and on
the folds of the drap aping we're placed in gilt
letters the names of the former pastors of
the church. Hart, Fish and Hawley on one
side, and Dudley, White and Seny on the
other. The folds were looped up under a
shield bearing the memorial dates, 1858,
1888. DR.. Dana's discourse was moving
presentment of the story of the church's
life, and with an admirable portraiture of
the various men and the chief features of
their ministry, he set forth so as to interest
stangers and friends in the history of
Plymouth pulpit.
DR.. DANA's SERMON.
The speaker chose for his text the words
found in 1st Samuel, 7th chapter and 18th
verse. Hitherto hath the Lord lead us;
Hitherto hath the Lord helped u.s." These
words were deemed most appropriate to
express the feeling awakened by survey
of the finished history of the first quarter
of century of Plymouth church. 1t is
worth while to keep in review the good
ness of the Lord to his chosen people all
along the march in life's battle and to have
imperishable memorials of that goodness.
We live so much under pressure, so fast
in Efact and amid such
thunder and din that thousands of things
which have occurred to effect their charac-
ters and shape the destinies of the people
are forgotten. By this heedlessness is
missed the joy of recalling when and how
individuals were especially befriended by
God and tided through some trying ex-
perience or helped to victory in some
fierce conflict. 1t is by such memories
that faith is strengthened and men are
fitted for endurance and achievements not
otherwise possible.
Following this line of thought for some
little space, the pastor turned to the more
direct history of the church, pausing by
the way to say that we are not remote
enough itime-wise from its beginnings to
| have parted from all its founders, many of
whom are still living, AMI some are with
the church to-day. Every church in which
is a shrine the spirit of the Great Master
is monument to the faith and self denial
| of those who founded and subsequently,
| sustained it,
| PUBLIC WORSHIP BEGUN.
1t was spring day in 1858 (May II, '5S)
when Mr.. P. W. Nichols and his wife rode
to st. Anthony to consult Rev. Charles
Secombe, then pastor of the first church,
in regard to starting a Congregational
church in st. Paul. Rev. Norman Nc
Leod, then pastor of Plymouth church,
Minneapolis was present at the, interview.
After full discussion they advised that a
hall be secured and public services be COM
menced at once which would test the
loyalty of such Congregationlists as were
in the city, and determine whether they
cared enough for the faith and poIitJ of
their fathers to aid in establishing a
church after the good old New England
pattern. Mr.. Secombe, and Mr.. Mcleod,
both offered to preach at least once for
the new enterprise and secure like help.
Concert hall, on Third street, was hired
and put in order and Sunday, May the 10Th,
1858, saw the first service held, which
enentuated in this church. To Rev. j. j.
Hill, of Glencoe, since deceased, fell the
honor of officiating on this occasion.
There were then twenty-three Congrega-
tional churches in our state (since grown
J to 1922 during this year and three in the
| same month. There were seven churches
| organized.
The services in Concert hall were con-
| tinued few weeks, when the Fifth Ba ptist
| church offered the use of their house. which
was gladly accepted for afternoon meet
| ings. August 80 the Goodrich street chapel
was begun and finished for occupancy
| November 4.
THE FIRST PASTOR
was Rev. Burdette Hart, who came from
| Connecticut for his health. Assistance for
the infant church was obtained by Mr.
Hart from the Connecticut Home Mission
ary society.
REV. MR.. FIsK's MINISTRY.
Through the efforts of Mr.. Hart, sue
cessor was secured-Rev. A. S. Fisk, who
| labored faithfully and with success until
| April, 1862, when he left his pulpit to
accept the chaplaincy of the Fourth regi-
ment of Minnesota volunteers. Mr.. Fisk
is now pastor of the Howard Presbyterian
church, San Francisco.
DARK DAYS.
From 1862 to Sept. 10, 1871, which was
the date the subscription to the new
church was started, may be called the
Ozark Days" of Plymouth church. During
this time Rev. Silay Hawles, who COM
menced his labors May Is, 1862, Rev. j. F.
Dudley, who commenced work June Z, 1863
and the Rev. L. F. White, who entered
upon his pastoral work November, 1866
successfully ministered to the church.
Rev. Mr.. Dudley who su cceeded Mr..
| Hawley found the church we'll nigh at its
nadir point. There were but seventeen
resident members and only ten pews
rented.
THE NEW HPOCH
in the history of the church began with the
ministry Of Rev. Mr.. Terry. In June, 1872,
the corner stone of the first church edifce
was laid, and the dedication followed in
April, 1873, DR.. Goodwin of Chicago
preaching the sermon, and the poet Whit
tier contributing the dedication hymn.
THE PRESENT PAsToRATE
began March, 1878, and of its history it is
out of place here and now to speak. We,
however, when we get little further on
timewise. and at greater distance from
present partings, and augmented burden
bearing, will perhaps look back and record
as among the best achievements of this
church its successful colonizations. To-
day we have four churches, where but few
months ago We had but one.
woMAN's WORK.
No history of the twenty-five years would