The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-10-25

symmetrical maple trees that now
surround and beautify the church,
planted by his hands.
The pastorate of Rev. Hammer,
which closed in March 1858, was fol-
lowed by three years during which
there is no account of any preaching
service. In 1861 Rev. r.. @. Allison
became pastor, and remained two
years, after which with the exception
OF the services of Rev. Andrew Virtue
giving but one third of his time, from
1869 to 1871, the church was supplied
only irregularly by the Presbytery
until January 1875. The condition of
the church during these 10 years
seems to have been at very low ebb.
The excitement created by the war
and also by the discovery OF oil was
injurious to the church and the rec
Ords show no evidence of work done;
scarcely the existence of the church,
while on the other hand apathy and
neglect is quite apparent. Shortly af.
ter the close of the war the church
suffered by the removal of many of
its prominent members to other plac.
es which, IN large measure also ac-
counts for It's low condition. In 1875
Rev. VIM. Elliott, now of Canal Full
ton, o., settled over the church for
one-half time. The prospects began
to brighten. There being no ruling
elders, Mr.. H. H. Stevenson, of Oil
City, was invited to assist the pastor
in the reception of new members, and
on Jan. lG, 1875, twelve were received
most of whom are still in connection
with this church. Shortly after this
in April, Mr.. q. g. Butterfield was
elected elder, conscientious, sincere,
devout christian, he performed faith.
fully his duties till his death in 1890.
During this pastoral e, which contin.
ued until 1880, The church was greatly
strengthened both in point of num-
bers and in efficient organization.
Rev. James Hickling, now of Dres.
den, Ohio, having supplied the church
during the summer of 1880, was called
for one half time August %, 1881,
and remained with the congregation
till May 1888. OF him team be truly
said-"He was good man and full
of the Holy Ghost" His earnestness
and singleness OF purpose was felt by
all. Although the early days of the
history of the church were not as
bright and prosperous as one could
wish for it,yet we realize that an esti-
nation based upon numbers or ap-
pearanceS is often false. The founda.
ton must be laid. But this work,
though all important does not always
strike the beholder with its true
worth. The work of life time for
the coversion of single soul is by no
means wasted life, for it may be the
foundation upon which noble super
structure is to be built, and the value of
that single soul in the eyes of its crea.
tor, who can compute? Before the
harvest comes the seed time, and the
seed sown In hope and faith shall
surely by and by bring fotrh abundant
fruit. But it is almost always the
Divine Husbandman's good pleasure
to have at least some of the reaping
go along with the sowing, that the
hearts of his workers may not grow
faint and weary in the way, so it was
here.
The years covered by the above
narrative from 1853 to 1888, were not
without visible results, 123 persons in
all were added to the church, many
of whom continue with us till this
day. Some have moved to other parts
of the Masters vineyard to take their
places among the ranks of christion
workers, while many have lain down
the cross to take up crown and join
with the throng of che redeemed
"who have washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the
Lamb.O
Up to April 1st 1893, 1893 persons
have been members of the church, land
the present roll of members is 80. The
elders at the present time, are Mr..
Archibald B. Kelly, ordained and in
stalled, August 5, 1877, and George
w. Robinson July 6, 1890. These
with the addition of q. A. Randall,
consistute the trustees. In regard
to benevolence the church has good
record, though nothing definite can
be given earlier than June 1st, 1889,
the beginning of the present pastorate.
During the past four years the offer
ings to the different Boards of the
church, aside from legacies, aggregate
81, ,225. The Sabbath School is in a
good healthy condition showing the
whole number enrolled to be about
1S0. One feature that is we'll worthy
of notice is the large attendance of the
Oldest people of the congregation, who
have not arrived at the point of
"know it all" about the Bible, which
becomes more precious, because of Its
revelation, with increasing years and
careful study. The Ladies Home and
Foreign Missionary Societies, were
organized, the former in 1888, and the
latter about ten years previous, and
are carried on by a devoted band of
earnest workers with splendid results,
results not only i'm increased contri-
buttons to the cause but also in the
developemeut of a broader christian
sympathy and zeal in christian work.
BY the death of Mrs. Helen May
Thomas in July 1890, the Foreign
Missionary society lost a valuable
member to whose constant and un-
wearied efforts the society owes much
of its success.
Last, but by no means least, among
the special church organizations are
the Young Peoples Christian En-
deavOr Societies. AS means for
binding together the hearts OF the
young in the bonds of fchristian fellow
ship, developing christian life and
activity, melting to good works these
societies have accomplished much.
The senior society was organized in
the church April 1891, though it had,
its birth more than year previous in
a club of boys ranging from II to l6
wears thew met each week for PRAYER