Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-01


made to preserve these events for the bene-
fit of later times and people.
The first sermon preached by Protestant
in Wichita was delivered by that old pioneer
Baptist, Rev. Mr.. Saxby. He preached in
the cabin of Mr.. Henry yigus NOW de.
ceased) nearly fourteen years ago. The
hymn sung was "John Browns body lies
Wondering in the grave, but his Soul goes
: marching on" The hymn was followed by
: an earnest prayer, bringing tears to many
eyes not accustomed to weeping. The text
was Jeremiah Sth chapter and ed verse ::
"Is there no balm in Gileady Is there no ply
stefan there:' 1t was grand sermon, and
grandly was it listened to. Elder Saxby
ever after this was 4 welcome visitor to
Wichita. But he has long since gone to the
service of his Master en- high.
Ii was in May, 1872, that Elder Averil
came here from Emporia and organized the
First Baptist Church OF Wichita. As only
a few had letters of dismisson from other
churches, and our records were lost in the
fire on Main street, it is difficult to give the
number entering into the organization. No
meetings were subsequently held, except
one to appoint delegates TO the southwestern
Baptist association, and invite il TO hold its
next meeting in Wichita. Accordingly, the
next session-in 1s74-was held in this
city.
Under an appointment OF the home mis-
sion society, came here in January, 1873,
being their first missionary to the Arkansas
Valley.
On my arrival here from Fort Scott,
found Rev. Mr.. Harsen of the Presbyterian
| Church, and Rev. Mr.. Nessley of the Meth
odist Church engaged in n union revival
meeting. The services were held in the
Methodist Church, and were conducted by |
Rev. George Ballroom, who is now in glory. |
| All the christians in the city were harmoni- |
ously united in precious revival, in which |
very many gave themselves to Christ, and |
the fruits of that meeting abide with us to |
the present time.
Having been cordially received by the |
church and invited to become their pastor, |
no time was lost from delay. The school |
board rendered the use OF a room in the |
school house (since burnedl which the
church accepted, and at once commenced |
regular services. A Sunday school was or
ganized. an organ purchased, and a choir
organized. Though the church had |
held no services, the ladies had not |
been idle. They had money In bank,
and we purchased the lots upon which this
building stand for $500, OF which the ladies
paid $500. Plans for the chapel were Sc
cured, and the brick building that has sery-
ed the church till now was pushed forward
to completion and dedicated to God in JAN
uary, 1874. 1t cost 5000, of which $1,000
was loan from the New York board. /
have not the space TO mention the contrib
utors 20 our chapel, but among the most
liberal were J. Z. Mead, j. c. Fraker. Com
modore Woodman, NJ. K. Moser and others.
Under the blessing OF God the church then
numbered IL. In JANUARY, 1875, was sent
by the board to Hutchinson, and the church
was for one year without pastor.
Elder File then preached n few months
He is now teaching in the Indian Territory.
After him came Elder Davis, now of Fort
Scott, who was ordained here.
After short time Elder Vail became pas.
ter, and after two years of such preaching
as few churches ever hear, he was called TO
Olathe.
After a short interim, Elder Sandefur
served the church for six months as q sup
ply.
After him came our present efficient and
highly-esteemed pastor whose iabors will be
recounted by another. God has greatly
blessed the church under the lead OF all its
pastors.
An efficient Sabbath school has been sus-
tanned through all these years, but never SO
successful as now.
To The honor Of the citizens of Wichita
let il be said, they as well as the men of the
press have always been ready TO assist us.
And know of none who can justly COM
pare with the noble pioneers of Wichita,
unless il be their sons and daughters
The following synopsis of report Of the
building committee was read by Rev. w.
r. Harper, pastor of the church:
Total cost of improvements and. fur
niture.. S5,0ll %
Paid up subscriptions .... -, 1875 80
Gift from Baptist Home Mis-. Soci'y 500 90
Subscriptions to be collected. $40. 800 90
S5,026 80
The committee gratefully acknowledge the
receipt OF a gift OF 800 from John IL. Smith,
of Dalton, Massachusetts,; a collection of
$40 from the Walnut Valley association and
$50 in small sums from various friends in
the eastern and middle States. Rev. G. w.
Churchill. pastor of the Baptist Church in
Leon, Kansas, furnished the pulpit with an ,
ri L.. 81 81. al, al, and
raised, by their own efforts ,
and liberality, s52s toward the furnishing 1
fund. The thanks of the church are extend. ,
ed to the entire community for the very
generous assistance SO freely given by all
classes of our citizens; to the contractor, I
Mr.. Sternberg, for his faithfulness and skill
in the construction of the building; 10 the
brethren of the Episcopal and Christian
for the use OF their houses of wor- ,
ship, and TO all for courtesy and good will.
A. RAY,
ID. w. SMITH,
J. C. MCCoMB, ,
Building Committee.
Following this statement came the sermon ,
Of DR.. {. c. Foote, of Topeka. We have /,
not room for even q synopsis of his beauti-
full discourse. He took no text, but based !
bis talk on several passages Of scripture, /,
quoted. For upwards Of an hour, by his I
glowing words and eloquent tongue the i'm I
passioned orator swayed the great audience. \
His face is a wonderful admixture Of the a
spiritual and intellectual, and which SO
portrayed every emotion Of his '
heart that from the very start his audience @
was ready 10 weep or laugh as hewilled. DIR. Z
Foote may not be philosopher, but be is
indeniably q tender-hear;ed, sympathetic
believer. In many of his methods he lie
ike Garfield with whom he was a class-mate 8
1t Hiram. /,
We cannot describe the new edifce In de- Q
all for want of space. It is some respects !
IN odd-shaped building, being, in architec- I
'pral language. q modification of the renais- 8
'ance, or more particularly, the early Eng
ish, in its tower, roof and outward shape.
rhe building is 92xls in the extreme, but {