Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-12-17
ANNIVERSARY ExERC IsEs.
The Congregation Of Rev. O. e.
Wright Celebrate the 10th
Anniversary Of His
Arrival in Austin. @

Large Observation-Disclosures Program.
Thursday evening, Dec. 4, 1884, the
Congregational church was we'll filled, at
an early hour, with the congregation and
friends of Rev. G. E. Wright, to partici-
pate in the exercises designed to celebrate
his ten years of pastoral service, and to
show their appreciation of his worth as
minister and citizen.
The meeting was called to order by Dea.
H. w. Page.
Instrumental music by G. H. Wilbour
was then rendefed with his customary
skill. 1871 e.. +
Mr.. Page said that, with the exception
of Father Schnell, of Rushford, acting
pastor for 80 years, Rev. Wright's was
the longest passionate in the Congregation
al church in Minnesota.
Dea. Jas. N. Cook, one of it's first dea-
cons and a charter member, offered a
prayer of thanksgiving.
DR.. Phillips then sang solo.
Henry w. Clark then spoke, in behalf
of the young people, words of congratu-
lation. .s..s. ~. 81.
Dea. Page then introduced the little
girls Veta West and Anna Mcbride, who
made some very pretty Rotations in be-
half of the seventy ''lambs of the flock"
A duet, '"Tarry with Me-" was sung by
Will Willard and Jessie Howe.
Dea Page said he had been Superin-
tendent of the Sunday School Is years.
and under six pastors and acting pastors,
and could testify from experience, as to
the value of having pastor who was in
terested in the work of the Sunday School.
The bible classes have increased since
1874 from II classes to IS. OF the 175
original members of the school, only Al
remain present members; 10 have
,propped out; s have died; 1903 have
removed He named several of the young
eople who were members of the Infant
Ass" ten years ago, as: Worthy Sterl-
in, Charlie Cook, Berdie Vaudeville,
Adie Cook, Agnes Page, and Bonnie
VAUDEVILLE. Over 100 had been added to
the aurch from the Sunday School dur
ing tbs time. The pastor is the master
mind tat makes the impress upon the
minds # scholars. He felt to congratu-
late theschool that it had been under
the inf1u' nee of one pastor so long:
Mrs. Fla. Richardson spoke in behalf
of the lalies-words of encouragement
and gratitude for the pastor.
Della Anderson sang solo, "Not a
| Sparrow Faleth."
| O. w. Shaw spoke in behalf of the
church. He alluded to the length of the
passionate in the olden times, and read ex-
tracts from the sermons of his great
grandfather, preached 100 years ago. He
said that, Rev. Wright had demonstrated
in his daily walk and example the truths
he has proclaimed from the pulpit. He
had honored his profession. He assured
him of the continued confidence and af
lection of the church.
Rev. G. E. Wright then, in behalf OF
himself and wife, returned thanks to the
people for these numerous expressions OF
regard. He quoted Wilberforce, as hav
ing said che felt like taking off his hat tc
a minister who had been pastor over one
people for 10 years." lie felt like taking
off his hat to a people who sat content
cd ,,rdo- tho rraa ching nf one pastor IL
years.
Mr.. Page then said he would call upon
Rev. A. Morse. through whose self-de
nying labors they we're indebted for thei1
house of worship. Rev. Morse then of
fered a fervent prayer, after which thu
exercises concluded with the singing o.
the Doxology.
Then ample refreshments Iwere served
the company, and an hour spent socially
1t was very enjoyable occasion, and
one calculated to strengthen the tie thai
has so long bound pastor and people to-
gether.
Sunday morning, Dec. 9TH, Rev. G. E.
Wright preached sermon commemora
tive of his 10years passionate. His text was
from the 9th verse of the Goth Psalm
1--WE spend our years as a tale that il
told" The following is brief outline oil
his sermon:
l. OUR MEMBERs.-The membership
of the church. Dec. list, 1874, was 92
There have been added during the II
years, 211, 125 on confession), making an
average of 81 additions year. The lar
gest number added any one year was 49,
in 1875. The next largest 81, in 1881
The church has lost in the 10 years, by
death 16, by dismissal 74,tby excommuni
cation 2-making total gain of 119 mem.
bers. The present membership is 218.
2. Our GRTs-Our gifts for the II
years have amounted to IS, 1904 or an
average of $51s year. The larges
amount any one year was $698. 81, in 1874
The next largest was 1915. 50 IN 1876. Las
year it was $453.85. We have given $72$
more to the home than to the foreign
work.
8. OUR HOME EXPENDITURES.-ln the
Lords work at home, during the years
covered by our present survey, we have
expended SEC, 68725, or an average Of
$4,000 year. The average for ordinary
expenses has been about s., 800 a year
In the year 1877 debt of 81, 800 was ex
tinguished; since which time the church
has been substantially free from debt. Oul
total expenditure, including the home ant
benevolent. has been in round numbers
So, 300. 1870.
i 4. Our CHURCH WORK. The ordinary
means of grace in two services on eaci
Sabbath have been maintained with few
exceptions There have been in 10 years
rs vacation Sabbaths and Is exchanges
One Sabbath the Pastor has been kept a.
home by illness. The prayer-meeting
and missionary meetings have been kep
up with hardly break.
s: OgR pEAp,-Thlls chapter Of .ou
tale of the years is most suggestive of al
Of their rapid fight. 18 times our rank
have been broken by Gods death angel
2 of these had reached old age; were il
the prime of life; 3 were in early man
hood or womanhood, and were still il
early youth. Every class in the churcl
has thus been represented. To some tn
message came very suddenly. Other
through long, patient suffering glorifie.
! God, and rlpened for heaven.
Such dead are like the etara by day,
WITHDRAWN from mortal view;
But uuO66cured thew hold their W0Y