The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-07

voted himself to spreading the gospel.
He is the author of numerous hymns aud
. constant writer on religious subjects.
He II we'll known In Providence for his
pronounced stand on all questions con-
cerning the patriotic movements Of the
day
church assembled. The pulpit and plat
form were handsomely decorated with
flowers and fall foliage After an organ
voluntary end anthem by the choir. Rev.
A w. ADAMS invoked the divine
Dlessing. Rev. g; G. wa,ermaa
were read by the pastor, Rev. M. Wesley.
Few j. M. Malvern then spoke briefly.
He expressed his pleasure at being pres
ent at such joyful occasion and spoke
of the good work done by the church.
After singing by the congregation, Rev.
Histo ~ Of the Church.
On June rs. 1851, . small company OF
six men and five women. meeting In VIII at
was then known as Canal Market hall.
North Main and Mill streets, resolved:-
s,s whsrss ss.rou. all piss1ni forming present sss%
selves into Free Win Bapti"s churon we
will ask the sympathy and cooperation
of sister chur ches to help US build up the
cause OF Jesus Christ" Not one of
the ORIGINAL eleven is now with us
for various reasons. Six were we're
one died in that year: three were dis
missed before the close OF 1850; one con-
tinued to 1870. On Sept. s n council for
mally recognized the new church with
total membership OF but sixteen.
The covenant Of the new caurch
article readings "We will not knowingly
admit to membership. or to communion,
NOR 70 the pulpit any Shareholder or
spologist for slavery; will also pray God
TO break every fetter that tho oppressed
may go free" A no less strong stand
was taken along the line OF total absti-
nerce and moral reform.
The following year Rev. William
Archer OF Chepachet was called to the
pastorate, who, leaving at the close Of 1858
left the small baud increased to 50, Of
whom two are still with us. Brother u.
L. Weaver, for many years faithful
deacon OF the church aud its Oldest mem
Der, aud Sister Mary Stewart.
Rev. 3. ID. Church, now OF Stafford,
VT, followed. During his pastorate OF a
little less than two years, church build
Ing. previously occupied by the Wesleyan
Methodist. and then by the Fifth
the ground being leased. Here
the congregation "held the fort" from
1854 to 1858. Mr.. Church resigned In
1854. and the struggling people were
left pastorless till Elder Jas. A Mackenzie
accepted call In 1856 Elder Mackenzie
throughout the state because Of his many
oddities and his original character. Con-
verted at he age " twelve. while picking
berries. deciding at fifteen to be Immersed,
and ordained at eighteen, he became a
powerful thoug b eccentric preacher for
those days
Mr.. Mackenzie Resigpa
In 1859 Mr.. Mackenzie resigned, having
added To tie membership forIv-seven per.
sons, OF whom Sarah EsteD, Elizabeth B.
Reid, Emily Smith and Sarah Winsor,
are still found upon our roll.
Tne mode of ministerinR discipline
during all these early years. which re-
quired ali troubles, ETC., TO be brought be-
fore the whole church rather than before
proper committees. became the cause II
much aud almost continued ds-
turbance. The church records OF
this period wer. plcntifully and pain
fully dish cured with evidences OF
human frailty, such NJ suspensions.
charges, expulsious, resolutions and
counter-resolu' ions. About the close OF
Elder MsckrDzie's pastorate new
order" OF discipline was inaugurated
This made the public disc p iDe" much
less frequent. Possill ly we have since
erred too much the other way, in common
with all the churches
In 1859. met at all TO the advantage OF
the church, as many ihink) the usual
weekly class was discontinued, prayer
meeting being substituted. Rev. j. A.
Stetson supplied the churci from June 10
September, 1852 then rssigning as sup
ply because the church would not accept
his conditions OF continuance. As an
evidence Of the lack OF spiritual power
about shis period, Of course causing n
lack OF interest In the church, I may
here stste that st church meeting called
after Mr.. Stetson's resignation, 20 decide
betwe cen MessrA BuriinRame ard Thaser
- The choice 10 Oil tbs pulpit lNov. 10.