Wichita eagle., 1886-10-22
HAZELTON.
Church Eciication-A Glorious Ending OF Il
Hard Struggle.

! To the Editor OF the Eagle
| Allow me the liberty to trespasS little
on your space and patience with q brief
sketch of the town and what has been &C
complished that your many readers may
the more fully comprehend the situation
and ;he heroic efforts put forth. In 1888
the town was surveyed On the uninlabited
prairie. September 10, 1888, the first set
tier moved into town, occupying the
| Hazelton house as a hotel The first
Sunday in January, 1884, the first sermon
was preached in the Office Of the hotel and
Sunday school organized There were
four children present, but many young
men as well as several ladies. Tuesday,
October II, 1886, in the new church for
the first time there were eighty present in
the Sunday school. There is now mem
bership Of fifty, and many probationers.
Last June steps were taken to build a
church edifce. For more than two years
the services had been held in halls, school
houses, stores and any where space could
be obtained, and for as long time as posi-
bic. OF this our people had become weari
ed and disguised.
BY some good planning and more liberal
contributions Of lots, the best location in
town was secured-one-fourth block.
Work was at once begun, and proposals
received, plans submitted, and in short
time contract let to build brick church
with stone trimmings from the famous
Winfield quarrics A drouth threatened
the country, many brave hearts began to
quake and for time it seemed hazardous
to begin Bnt the brave pastor, Rev. r.
Sanderson. said to halt is defeat, to go ahead
is victorr, and, mid grave doubts, the foun-
dation was laid, and the walls began to
rise until now there is one Of the best
churches in southwestern Kansas. 1t is
554x55 feet; height OF ceiling % feet; lee
turc room 15 2x25 feet, and at moderate
valuation is worth $4,000. 1t was found
On tie dag of dedication that $500 was
needed to free it Of debt, but as all
subscriptions shrank more Or less, it was
determined to ask for 5000. Col. Buck
ncr, the irrepressible dedicator, was pres
ent and had full charge Of the matter 81
the close CT a powerful sermon an appeal
was made, ard $500 was secured in a short
time The people were then sent home to
eat some, but work and pray more, hut to
be there at night. sure At night full
house greeted the speaker. Another
strong, string sermon and second appeal
followed, and before $50 the other 800
was pledged, and over Then solemn and
very impressive dedication service closed
the greatest day Hszlcton ever saw. Many
were the shouts Of victory, and thanks to
"God who had gotten us the victory. The
little band of brave hearts were az last at
home under their own vine and fig tree.
This was not all, for then came the an
nounccnent that on Monday night, Oct
18th the fighting parson would deliver his
famous lecture of the war, as seen at Look
out Mountain and Missionary Ridge NJ.
Z. church was not fully dedicated until it
was dedicated to the cause of freedom as
well as religion. So the new edifice was
packed to enjoy the second dedication.
From many miles distant came the old
soldiers to lend helping hand The fine
choir rendered some fine music appropriate
for the occasion. The Hazleton cornet
band, as good as can be found in the state,
discoursed most excellent music. The
lecture was full of patriotism and stirred
all hearts and fully committed the whole
assembly anew to cause of freedom, and
the second series was rededication in
spirit and in fact Respectfully.
j. 0. HAZLETON