The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-10-05

ouu uoTu OiuoI CohPosBu' Ano oouuss
was wild with political excitement. Jan.
80, public work ON the canal ceased. II ha
cost 81 400 900. The state was bankrup,
In 1910 its population was but 100000 an
it's dept $l4,OO0,000. Emigration wa
checked and turning aside to go elsewhere
The very name Of our state was becoming
odious by reason Of threatened repudia
ton Of pecuniary obligations. To launch
church at such time seemed either like
menace to Divine Providence, or like Nose
going alone out Of the camp from all Isrse
up into Sinai, TO meet God. Was this move
ment from God?
OF the years following, 1910 and 1871
there are no known records Of the church
extsnt. The church had no stated meeting,
and no regular ministrations Of the word
Christians Of all denominations met together
when any minister, providentially present
stood ready to preach. The religious meet
ings we're usually held in the old court house
In 1889, in all Northeastern Illinois there
were but about ten Congregational churches,
Q half-doxen ministers. and about 800 mem
bers. There were but three ministers OF
every denominations in this township; there
we're seven physicians; there were fourteen
lawyers!
In l841 two families were decided in their
choice Of Ottawa rather than of Chicago as
their residence, in the hope Of resuscitating
and keeping alive this church. These fami-
lies were those Of Thomas Stanley and DR..
Jethro Hatch. Mrs. Stanley was sister Of
Mr.. Whittlesey, who two years before as
sisted In the organization. BY one family
the work of personal visitation among christ
ians was commenced. Four men only could
be found willing to take an active part in
religious work. Mrs. Hatch and Mrs. STAN
ley called on the ladies without reference
to denominations. They provided for a
weekly female prayer meeting.
They next formed Sunday school, Mrs
Della A. Hollister being active in aiding and
sustaining the organization. These efforts
at reviving were aided by the solemn and
pointed preaching of Elder Harding, assisted
by the occasional coming Of Elder Powell.
In the winter of 1912, about the Goth of
Jan, Rev. Henry Bergen, hearing of interest
manifested here, came to the aid of the Bap-
It's. brethren. He says, writing from recol-
lection: "The Lord. by His Holy Spirit, in
fused new life into all the churches, and
many valuable additions we're made to the
little First Congregational church-some 30
on profession Of faith and IA by letter"
These meetings introduced new control.
ing element into society The impulse given
at that time to some souls in the reception of
the gospel and to others in its rejection were
important and decisive in fixing the char
acter Of this community for years following.
In the summer of 1912 Providence direct
ed brother Rev. Thomas s. Ward, q man of
Christian gentleness, of intense devotional
spirit and of deep toned piety and purpose
of self support and self sacrifice. lie stayed
sufficiently long to gather in some Of the
fruits of the revival. Though most earnestly
solicited TO continue with the church, no re-
NAMED but three months, believing that the
church was able and should now care for
Itself His was the longest period Of con-
linued services the church ever had.
After Mr.. Ward came Rev. JAS r. Dunn.
He began in October and continued till April
II 1S43. He afterwards married Mary
lockwood, member of the church. At this
period, meetings were held alternately in
he court house and in the Mechanics Hall,
he Baptists alternating with the Congre-
sationalists each Sunday morning, the
Methodists occupying the Hall on the after
Moons Of every other Sunday. AT this time
his church had both weekly prayer meet
ing and Sunday school, but no church
That year (1843) the church united with |
he Fox River Union, which then covered all |
Northeast Illinois, and numbered eighteen
eight ministers and about 1000
members. On this same territory now there
ire four local associations, ll5 churches
With 149 ministers and 1926 church
members.
Aug. Is, 1S43, Rollin Mears began his
work here at the age Of % years.
This was his first charge and he was not |
During his ministry of one year
md nine months, 20 united with the church,
en- on profession of faith. To those who |
his devout and fervent mind. |
wen in his youth, need not say that MIR.
dears was man Of unusual promise, a de-
'oted and faithful minister,of genial spirit.
In October Of that year, 1S43, the Ottawa
'REE TRADER, then, as now, occasionally
oOking after public morality, announced
hat the Presbyterian (Congregational
nd Methodist congregations were both sup
lied with pastors-Rev. Mears and Rev.
that persons residing in tho
Jointly may expect preaching regularly
very Sunday by one or other of the above
amed divines.
Al.