Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-10-17
REV. D. O. BROWN.

There seems TO be but one sentiment
both with the community and with his
in regard TO the mandate
of the conference removing Rev. ID. Z
Browne from the pulpit of the Third
street church OF this city to Lexington,
and that feeling is of regret ut the loss
of so able and popular divine.
When the conference met, Il petition |
the names Of almost ever!
member of the reverend gentleman
congregation and expressing desire
for his reappOintment to li,is pastorate
was presented but the conference dla
not seem to think it best to overlook
the rule or 60 to its furthest limit IN
order to grant the request, no DOUBT
believing that a minister SO valuable 10
Sedalia might prove quite as advanta-
geous at some other point. That Rev.
Browne should be appreciated by hls
Sedalia congregation is not matter OF
wonder when it is remembered how
remarkably successful he has been III
buildingupand strengthening his church
in this city. When he came to Sedalla
three years ago, all utter stranger from
the far off field of Mississippi, unher-
aided by any strong endorsement, COM
paratively new and inexperienced in the
service, but full OF zeal, fire and earn
estness, he found little church i'll a
dilapidated condition, with a congrega-
ton of some sixty-six members, all
average attendance of forty, and a
debt of about $1,000 hanging like a
mill stone about their necks. The COM
| bined salary paid the minister and pre-
| siding elder the previous year amount
ed to but 1866. This was rather
gloomy outlook for young man strip
| ped from home and friends, and i'll a
foreign and untried field, but Mr.
Browne took hold of the matter in
way that showed that he was neither
dismayed or disheartened, and it soOi
became noised about that ''the new
minister was powerful man." Grad,
ually the rows of benches began to fill
each Sunday with an eager and curious
crowd, and by degrees curiosity began
to grow INTO conviction. Application
began to flow in for membership, fund
began to be contributed toward build
, ing up and supporting the church. II
! twelve months the capacity of the ed
i ifice became too limited. Rev. Brown
! was appealed to for more room. spa
, your debts first" he said, and quickl
RI the incubus was raised. Not only ST
, but in addition to the payment of th
q 81 900 due, an additional $500 was eX
pended in improving and enlarging Il,
v capacity of the edifice. Nor did ,h
+ good work stop here, but the salary {
o the minister and the presiding eide
a was increased, and Rev. Browne hi
. the satisfaction of leaving the little i'll
poverished congregation he found,
IA prosperous and large one, numberin
a 800 members, beside the immens
a number who have been transferred /
If removal. These transfers in the pa
,f| year alone numbering over 100.
n addition to this, the church this ye
d reports salary of 81 ,23O paid its mi
y lister and presiding elder, and returns
II larger subscription to the warrior
n church and missionary funds than al
" other congregation in Central Mi
In souri,, all without owing single doll
of to any one.
With such a showing and such
record it is not to be wondered at th
his congregation should feel 10th
part with Rev. Browne, nor need
new pastorate hail with other tn
iel feelings of unbOunded delight a
of pleasure his assignment to them.
In conversation with reporter, !;
d. evening, Rev. Browne stated that
lr- parted with his Sedalia cOngregati
er with deep regret, and that he CO,
never forget them or fail to pay tn
an occasional visit.
wv His new charge is one of the old
oh congregations in the state, pOssessi
10 one of the finest churches in Cent
~ Missouri, situated OH one of the IN
!u. pleasant sites in Lexington. The &C
lce e gregation at present numbers some
~, !, from among the best citizens of
H. town. In connection with the chil
er, is Central Female College, which
elf supported by the entire church of
state and is in most prosperous con
ton, having a membership of seven
ah five which is the full capacity of
lp- college. The presiding pastor is
my chaplain. While regretting the loss
a. as' Sedalia of Rev. Browne, the Bazoo
"a. ar but congratulate Lexington upon
e :; acquisition of SO valuable pastor, /
W. W. sends with him its best wishes TO
~n sse long, prosperous, useful and hal