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

time. however, rs the relationship WAS
finally severed July. 1861. + der A. II.
members, accepted call, October.
1861. The war period, during thres and
half years of which Mr.. Bradbury held
the pastorate, naturally tried the church
most severely, yet, amid the many dihi-
culties and discouragements. thirty-six
were received, among these being our
aged brother, G. w. Burt; the veteran
OF our mem bership, still faithful In at-
tendance, though over ninety years old.
Amelia Waterman. In 1853 the lease or
the land was renewed for ten years at a
rental of forty-fve dollars IA year aud
movement commenced to build u new
meeting house. Hard times" hindered
the consumnation Of this plan until de-
ferred hope made the heart sick.
In June OF this year Mrs. Salisbury
made the church an offer OF $1,000 provided
the church should be on Smiths HUI,
that It should cost not less than $4,000,
aud be finished by September. 1864.
A Change of Feeling.
So quickly did Feeling" chance that in
Nav, 1864, (nstead OF a new church bsine
uudertaken) n meeting was held In the
old house TO consider the expediency OF
no longer maintaining public worship In
this place, there being such a
falling of Of attendance and de.
crease of interest,"" After prolonged
discussion the "nobls twenty seven"
unanimously decided to continue. Now
came yet more severe trial OF faith.
For a few months the pulpit WAS sup
piled by Elder Cyrus j. Peckham. June.
1866 to June, 1865 S. N. Tufts then ac-
| cepted "a call commencing pastorate with
great exppctations," to resign In two
months, claiming $1,000 for ''labors aud
| sacrifices." A compromise was effected
| in which the almost defunct" and
scarcely less discouraged church gave the
| ex-pastor $500 for his service., the largest
| rate Of salary ever yet paid. This pastor
| ste OF hut six weeks left the church with
out house and with but $500 out OF the
$1,000 received from the sale.
The building OF new church was now
indefinitely postponed. the people becom-
ing at last SO discouraged that at
church meeting held July 81, 1865. 1T was
unanimously voted ito Indefinitely sus-
pend worship in the old meeting mouse
aud to indefinitely postpone the project
OF building q new one."
Another Turn In the Tide.
The tids once more quickly turned. A
few faithful ones were yet left On suly
% the vote suspending worship was re-
scinded and arranRements wer. made
with the owner Of the building to allow
parties. par August Of the same
y,ar $50 quickly did courage follow
siefra,). it was voted to extend a call to
r der ChRs. A. Perkins AID also to re-
scind the vote not 10 build. Mr.. Perkins
accepted the call. October lst 1t was voted
now stands, paying $500 down OF the cost,
$3, 600. worship being hell in the mean
time In Franklin hall. Market square.
Much might be said with regard 10 the
faithfulness, earnestness, energy and
faith of the new pastor, who was
.l- IL. - .~1 \
Bapti church" on a sound foundation.
but his presence among US forbids this
aud the building In which the church
has orshiped for but three months less
than twenty five years, Is "A monument To
his work Ia our midst
In February. 1867. q bull ling committee
consisting OF !. M. Sal sbury, G. NJ HINT,
c. :. Perkins aud George w. II gers.
Welcome Angel being afterwards APP
pointed, was selected, which pushed
things so we'll that the vestry was opened
early In 1863 aud the audiencs room dedi-
Gated In Decem ber OF the same year, the
first board of trustees OF the Park Street
Free Baptist church consisting OF Ca eb
Westcotr. Thomas j. Peckham, David l.
Weaver. L. NJ. HUT and John l.. Barber.
A Burden OF Debt.
But the black pail of the large debt Of
5000 NOR gage and So 900 floating. hung
nehNlly oNtT tne CuurCu, utinhuulug, Oub-
side of the GU rent expeu ses. the saving
of annual interest To the amount
OF nearly 5000 1t would seam
TO u; reaping the fruits Of
the sacrifices, toll, thought, faith aud
prayers OF the faithful ones OF those years.
| iar too great for the then membership
| TO assume. All worked earnestly, nobly.
| But il is right 20 state that but for the
| generosity OF the boarl OF deacons, the
heroic efforts OF the ladies' OF the church.
| but for this the churci would years ago
have passed from our hands. 1t is greatly
| 10 the credit Of ~ any OF our present mem
bers TO say they joined the c urch at the
| time of IT. sorest need and stood by the
| guns in the thickest Of the battle, unhesi-
tatingly supplying the ammunition.
AT the close OF the pastorate of Elder
| Perkins, the existenc, OF the church was
more assured than during any time OF
George B. Woodrow became pastor.
Oct. 1872, Mr.. Perkins ministry
closing In Septenber, resigniny
lowed March, 1875 During Mr.. Brew
longest pastorate the church had thus far
had) terminated by his death among
YOU AUGUST, $780, he received nearly
one Euudreh members Brayelg dill he
face difliculties, w .ioh. at times, seemed
insurmountabie. Faithfully did tie iead
the church through some OF It's sorest
trials Earnestly. enerxetically, heroi-
cally did he toll and sacrifice 60 reduce
the crushing debt How well he sue
ceeded 10 known TO you all.
Dark Days for the Church.
Many before me will remember the
dark days" OF 1873, when, In November,
| the church was little better than stolen
| from you by leaal quibble aud you
| were compelled u Worship for six
teen weeks in Carroll SIRE hail "
| during IN = period sevrral united with
The church q, whom ole, Mrs Almira
| Brayton. ~ still OF our numbsr
| Elder J. I. Ward succeeded Elder Brsa-