The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-28
THREE YEARS WORK.
Growth Of the Market Street
Baptist Church.
FROM VERY SMALL BEGINNINGS.
Organized With Eight Members, 1t Now
Has Nearly Two Hundred-Pastor
Reads Third Annual Sermon.


church organization. and Rev. Isaiah
w. Reed. who has been its only pastor re-
viewed the work done in three years time
at the morning service. This church had
very small beginnings, but it has grown
until it has become a power in the reli-
gious activity of the city. 1t has extended
its field and has two mission Sunday
schools in addition to its large home
school. The labors of Mr. Read have been
appreciated by his flock, and much of the
growth is due to his careful, yet agrees
sive. ministration. Yesterday in making
his annual review he chose the very ap-
propriate text found in Acts xx:3l:
By the space OF three years / ceased not to
warn every one.
After reminding his hearers that the
three years of service together as pastor
and people had been full of anxiety and
toll and prayer, but had also been years
of blessing and victory and rejoicing, Mr..
Read said:
We come now to the close of three years of
service together as pastor and people. They
have been years Of anxiety, OF toll and of prayer.
They have been years OF blessing, of victory aud
of rejoicing. We nave labored under the disad-
vantage OF having to adjust elements not har-
monized. This has been three years of rapid
development, and therefore it could not be so
much time OF indoctrination as of adjustment
Of the material at hand and securing the en-
largement of our work As in the case OF every
small beginning there has been sacrifice
your part, but God has graciousiy blessed every
sincere effort, and in the face OF obstacles has
given victory There have been times OF de-
preston. There have been times, as in the case
of every enterprise, when defeat and failure
seemed very near, but by bold front and good
judgment and earnest work failure was turned
into success You have arrived at point now
where there is no need of failure Though only
three years old you have passed beyond baby
hood and have stepped out into strong young
manhood. The wide field OF religious activity
opens before you; great success awaits you if
you only use your God-gven powers as He d.
reefs and in the spirit He indicates
A little more than three wears ago you were
organized and recognized rs u church. In No
vember, 1889, your present and only pastor
preached his first sermon. At that time you
numbered only eight members, two males and
six females. Of that original number seven are
still with Us, faithful and active as their cir
cumstances will permit From the beginning
there has been growth. The people had mind
to work and therefore progress has been made.
During these three years there have been added
to the original eight. 201, more than one..hird Of
whom have been by baptism. There have been
dismissed from our membership eleven by let
ter, one excluded and two have died. Our
present membership is Therefore 1875, only twelve
OF whom are non-residents We have great req
son to thank Almighty God for his wonderful
preserving care, in that only two OF our number
have been removed by death. U p to October of
this year there had never been a death in our
church; since that time two who were ready
have gone on before
Three yearc ago our Sunday school numbe
al orfy hat nv nd
earnestness, our home school has been built up
and two missions have been established con-
Quoted by the church. Today we have on the
roll of our three Sunday schools more than 400
names, with an average attendance of about 800.
If the work done is faithful and loyalty to Jesus
Christ is first in all the teaching, what may we
not expect from the coming generation. This is
one OF the most important branches OF our
church work, and shua d enlist the most hearty
cooperation OF every member.
Very early in the beginning of our work it
was seen that our little house was too small for
the growing congregation, and therefore it be-
came necessary to enlarge to the present size,
which is now also filed.
The church has contributed to all missionary
enterprises each year and las shown her inter
est in Others as well as those of her own house
hold. To all purposes We have given IN round
numbers sl2, 900, an average of $1,000 year.
While there has been sacrifice in giving. there
has been a willingness very commendabe. We
bought an additional lot, so that when we d id
build we would have sufficient for such a build.
ing as might be needed. At the time you secured
a subscription which was sufficient to cover the
cost of the lot, but not all OF this has been paid
so that $500 still rests against the lot. If, how
ever, those who made subscription hould pay,
that could be cleared Off, We have never been
at a point where we did not need money;
neither has there been a time when we need go
into bankruptcy.
would not forget the gracious work that has
been wrought recently. You acceded to the re-
quest of your pastor and secured the services of
Rev II. W. Brown TO work with me in the win
ming OF men. God gave his sanction to that
work. and abont sixty have been added to our
number. In this work the wisdom of organic
ing the Irving avenue mission is seen, as several
have come to us as a result of that work. have
briefly given you a resume OF our labors to-
gether, and now wish to call your attention to
few things which seem to me to be apparent
from these results, AM which call Tor your most
earnest heed.
You are under obligation to the denomina.
ton of which you part / know people
say in act, il not in word, let the denomination
take care of itself, We have enough TO do at
home. This s not the idea in the organization
OF the church. The denomination has claims
upon us that We cannot throw Off Just as the
family has claims upon us that we cannot fail
to recognize without both injury to self aud the
family. The denomination is a family of
churches, and its completeness and success de-
pend upon each church recognizing its obiiga-
ton. l am glad that this church has ever done
this but now there are greater reasons for en-
forcing this idea Your numbers and position
now demand moro than ever before the recogni.
ton OF which speak. ] would also call Your
special attention to your obligation TO the COM
munity III which you are placed. A church
cannot afford 10 ignore its duty to the demands
OF those outside. God has given this church
great favor with those who are not Identified
with its organ izstion. You number in this
congregation some OF the best people in this
city who are not connected with any church
You have duty to them. Let them be treated
courteousiy and shown hearty welcome
Everything that can be done legitimatey should
be done 10 hold them in this congregation, IN
order that they may be heipad 20 better service
for God. Those who dcvou.etiy love God aud the
Baptist church can worship Him under any
condition almost but those who have not such
ardent love for either cannot and will not
Maze your place OF meeting as attractive as
possible, but let your smile and welcome be
coubly attractive TO them. | believe. with an
adequate house on this corner. and other things
being equal, this congregation can be iucreasei
u twice its present sze within two years This
l believe TO be one OF your opportunities.
You are also under obligations 20 your Sun
estimated Every member o. this church who
is not absolutely prevented should De at WORK
in one or the other of the three schools con-
Quoted by this church. There is great need OF
workers today in this department Jesus Christ
has cal led Won u seryiCe ana not