Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-02-11
HISTORY OF THE MI E. CHURCH.
Continued from last week.

/ Elder OF Appleton District, but now of
Beaver Dam, was the happy successor
of Rev. W. j. Mitchell and remained
for three years following up the good
work begun by his predecessors. The
membership of the church was increas-
ed from fifty to ninety-nine. the
parsonage was externally improved and
the church nicely furnished. He was
succeeded by his brother, Rev. Jesse
Cole, now Presiding Elder of Sheldon
| District, Iowa, who was a true, earnest
Christian minister. He was almost
universally respected and held the
pasturate very acceptably for two
wears, and left the church in Il very
good working condition, proving
himself "a workman that needeth not
be ashamed" The church felt when
he left them as though their best
interests were at stake, but 10! the
appointing powers sent on the charge
that bright, chatty minister, Rev
Matthew Evans, now of GAINESVILLE. He
became attached to the boys and won
their respect by his genial open-hearted
manner. During the one short year
that he filed the pulpit there was a
gracious revival of Gods work and
many were added to the church. He
was obliged to leave at the end of the
year on account of Hay fever" and
sought relief in the high and dry
atmosphere of Minnesota. He was in
turn succeeded by Rev w. H. Waldron
who for some reason did not succeed as
we'll as others and stayed but one year.
1t seemed difficult for him to make the
Roadway he desired, but following him
came the Rev. P. S. Bennett, now
superannuated and residing at Apple
ton, who has recently contributed a
valuable book to the world of Ecclesi-
astical history entitled ''The History of
Methodism in Wisconsin," He visited
our city last summer for the purpose of
selling his book, and was welcome
guest among us. His pasturate was
very successful. 1t was during this time
that Mrs. Van Colt, the EVANGELIST,
visited the church and there was such a
general turning from wrong to right,
and many joined the churches, some of
our best citizens among the number.
| Those meetings will never be forgotten.
| Mr.. Benefits estimable wife was
great help to him in this work and was
much beloved by the people. The Rev.
| c. l.. Haskell came next as pastor,
being transferred from the East He
worked hard, the people rallied, but
not great deal was accomplished and
| he left at the close of the conference
year. Rev. d. i. Barrow was the next
minister, good, whole hearted Chris
tian man, if not as eloquent as some.
He worked with his own hands on the
parsonage property, TO which a new
portion was added, and was generally
esteemed for his faithful performance
of duty. He remained two years.
How many changes few years make
and how anxious churches are Just
about Conference time to know who is
| to be their next spiritual leader; so it
| seemed to be now, with this church
and Rev. II. c. Myers, a transfer from
| Northern Indiana Conference came to
the pulpit, sent by Bishop Hurst from
| the session of the Wisconsin Confer
ence held at Grand Avenue Church,
Milwaukee, in October 1883. He began
his work here with a perfect blast of
trumpets but went out with many
discordant note The work so SEEM
ingly prosperous at the beginning of
the year, was reduced to an unenviable
position with divided membership at
the close. Some despaired and were
ready to give up while others found
refuge in more congenial quarters.
Rev. Albert Smith was sent to the
Church in its divided condition to be
it's pastor. He succeeded well for a
man of his experience, improvements
were made to the church property, but
he moved at the end of the year. Then
came Rev. Stephen Smith, whose
name is household word among the
members of the church. He was in
charge for four years and did most
excellent work. Resolutions of appre-
citation of good work done were passed
by the church on his departure. Rev.
J. n. Funston was the next minister
and remained for one year. A good
and true man generally respected for
his Christian earnestness, he worked
we'll and wanted to do good deal for
the Church. The present pastor Rev.
J. Churm followed Mr. Funston in the
fall Of 1890 and has been among us for u
little over sixteen months The
congregations are much enlarged, the
membership increased, PRAYER meet
ings we'll attended and the financial
condition greatly improved. A new
church built, provisions made for an
Epworth Hall out of the old church
building, and other Improvements have
been made. So ends brief review of
the work of the NJ. E. Church in our
midst
IA For RENT OR SALE.-The property
known as the Wood Homestead which