Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1884-06-18

able, vet with two congregations scat
tered over a wide territory the work Is
verv laborious and it is almost impossi-
BILE to do Justice to pastoral work.
In the admission of members great
care has been taken to ascertain that
their views and practice are in har-
mony with the principles OF the church
and his whole course has been to build
I'D the congregation on United Presby-
terian principles only.
His discipline has been characterized
with the greatest tenderness consistent
with fidelity
HIS PEOPLE.
In many respects the people he
serves are equal to the very best in the
church. During an organization of
so years they have had only two pas
tors. This speaks volumes of COM
mendation.
They have appreciated his labors in
high degree, have been full of sympa-
thy and lenity towards him in his frail-
ties and failures, and though not dem
onstrative in their good will and atfec-
ton vet in several occasions have given
tokens of their regard and love and he
never knew how much and deeply they
loved him till he passed under the
dark cloud of afliction. They have en-
couraged him in all the diff ficulties con-
nected with his labors, His principal
difficulties have been the removal of
members to centres of business and no
missionary field to make up tie loss,
and lack of business tact and energy IN
keeping up in good running order the
temporal machinery of the congrega-
ton: with more system and energy
the congregation could do one half
more and make far better record
and vet we have some encouraging re-
suits to record.
RESULTS.
Prospect congregation numbered l25
members in 1858, it quickly grew in
numbers and strength till in 1861 and
'62 it numbered l75, and the prospect
bright in making soon 200 members,
but some young men were called away
to the war and in short time it lost all
that it had gained. 1t has gradually
and slowly been gaining in spite of re-
movals till it numbers now $50. Dur
ing the past % years $50 have been
admitted into it's membership, or more
than l3 of an average everv year 1t
is to be borne in mind that Prospect is
only half of pastoral charge, the other
half has increased about the same pro-
portion. 230 have been baptized, IS
of these have been adults. $4,000 have
been raised for current expenses and
missions or on an average OF 5000 a
year. In 1860 the congregation erect
ed this beautiful and commodious house
of worship and made an addition to
the church property at a cost of $4,000.
There are far greater results, moral
and spiritual, which cannot be counted
by. figures and which eternity alone
can reveal. One Item should be re-
corded. Through the influence mainly
of the congregation and its pastor, no
intoxicating drinks have been sold in
the village as a beverage for over Is
wears, the last one who sold agreed to
quit the business and connect with the
church, and after the Grange Hall was
converted into an Academy OF highest
moral education, the tavern building
itself where the rum was sold has been
converted into a students dormitory,
TwENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.
In the good providence of God, pastor
and people have labored together
peacefully and happily for over 25
years and now are called to celebrate
their Quarter Centennial, Both feel
happy on this occasion. The only
receipt for such a happy union is easily
told. The pastor has faithfully
preached and labored from b ouse to
house indentifying himself with their
interests in education, temperance and
every good reform and bearing toward
them a generous and loving heart until
he thinks and feels that he has the best
andpleasantest people in the world for a
charge. On the other hand the con-
gregation have given him temporal
and moral support, co-operated with
him in every good work, and they have
listened to his preaching and followed
his guidance so long, that they begin
to think that no person. can preach
like him, and being himself in every
good cause they feel they cannot spare
him under any consideration. Both
are glad in the present opportunity;
this twenty-fifth anniversary, to ex-
press to each other the kind regard and
sincere, warm affection of each others
heart. like fountain that is full and
overaowing. Let the mutual good
will and love that has existed so long
he deepened and encouraged in every
laudable way in the future, encouraging
each others hearts and strengthening
others hands in the good work, and
may the golden harvest brighten, and
the grand results accumulate year by
year as they advance near the golden
period when instead Of brass they shall
gather silver. and for silver gold, and a
little one shall become thousand, and
her walls shall be called SalvatiOn and
her gates Praise.