, 1885-10-20
4 DECADE
Of a United, Growing and Useful
Church.
Tenth Anniversary of C.. NJ. San
ders' Passionate.


The First Congregational church of this
city is to be congratulated. Last Sabbath
was celebrated the tenth anniversary of
present pastorate of Rev. c. NJ. San
iers. Ten years is indeed a multitude of
for the ~pastorate of this new West.
There have been thirty different pastors in
in the other seven churches of this city
this ten years. This church has been
fortunate in its pastors. Rev. J. d.
who organized the church and who
its pastor for the first two years, and
who is remembered as a very earnest citi-
zen. is row a most successful missionary
IN Japan. Rev. Josiah Strong, who fol
and remained the next two years,
has become n of the first Congregational
pastors in Ohio, and is now pastor of the
Vine street Congregational church at Gin
Rev. Q. NJ. Sanders, in his sermon on
occasion referred to, said among other
We have nothing OF which we mf.y
boast in this direction, but we have much
which we may, and should be devoutly
grateful. If | mistake not in my calcu-
our church membership has kept
pace with the progress of the city s ma
terial things. The membership of the
Protestant churches has increased some
fourfold. This church has increased more
than eightfold in its membership.
When | arrived here in August, 1875.
there was the Methodist Episcopal church.
with the Rev. Mr.. Warren pastor; the
Protestant Episcopal church, with the
Rev. billiard as pastor; the Presbyterian
with no pastor-Dr. Cowhick
soon after; the Roman Catholic
church, with Father McGoldrick as pastor.
These, with this church, were all the
churches here at that time. The struggles
of these earlier years are known to some
Of you. 1t is no small affair to organize
and sustain a church in these beginnings
of things. These young churches, so
few in membership and so small
in financial ability, were in the woods.
This church was no exception to the
general rule. For two years no pastor
and no services. 1t had run well, and
been well led, in the first four years of its
history-but now, after repeated failures
to secure a pastor, it had become a good
deal discouraged and reduced. The little
sanctuary was left largely to itself. | was
though unknown to any of the
membership, upon the recommendation of
Rev. DIR. Roy, of Chicago. Icame,
knowing little Of the place or of the
church, and | shall not soon forget that
first Sabbath. The Sabbath previous |
by five years pastorate at Wau-
kegan, Ill. The evening service there be-
ing a union service, the pulpit was in the
midst of a great display of beautiful floral
offerings. | was surrounded by those
who had greatly endeared themselves to
me. That Sabbath at Waukegan and my
inst Sabbath in Cheyenne were in marked
contrast. Here | was among strangers-
standing alone on a strange platform, be-
hind a pulpit too high for me. Flowers
scarce here in those days. My
morning text was Matt. 1927, "Be of
good cheer, it is |, be not afraid. In
he evening my text was Solm. 2l-8, II
90 a fishing" The audience was small
but very respectable. | was made to feel
hat | was in the midst of an
earnest, warm hearted, generous people.
And yet | must say that at the close of
hat evening service | had a tinge of dis,
appointment Only seventeen members
the church; no Sabbath school; no
prayer meeting; no regular services for
years. had expected a somewhat
state of affairs. That night |
wrote to my family, who still remained at
| think hat letter would be
interesting reading to-day. But a good
rest refreshed me, and going out
INTO the balmy air and the bright sun
shine the next day, and meeting some of
he good friends, ] felt more contented.
had come to stay a year and | must go
Immediately to work. The door was open,
stepped over the threshold and said to
myself, This is my home for the present.
must do with my might the work to be
lone and God will bless, | know. What
in these ten years. Not only in
our business houses and residences, but in
lur churches as well.
Miss Mary II. Sanders, the pastors
laughter, prepared and read the follow
ng paper in the evening;
1t Sas nearly seven years ago. at the
lose of one of the union meetings then
held in our first church, that a
group of young ladies were talking to-
when one of them said: Why
we have a young ladies' prayer
neeting2n
This suggestion met IN approval, a
meeting was appointed for the following
evening at the parsonage and one VI the
number asked to lead, but never having had
such a responsibility it was with a great
leal Of hesitancy that she complied. The
weather the next evening was unfavor-
and the two who were present, after
in vain for the Others, called to
mind the promise that where two or
three are gathered together in My name
here will be in the midst of them,
and commenced the meeting. 1t required
As much courage for those two to speak
and pray before each other there as it has
since for them to take part when many
more were present. Several cam. to the
second meeting, and at its close some Of