The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-10-25

county, now Marshall was annexed to the
circuit. Mr.. Wright died of paralysis on Oct
5, 1870, the obituary stating that exposure
to the inclemency of the weather while in
charge of the circuit brought on sickness
from which he never recovered. Rev. D. W.
Hammond was appointed his successor, dur
ing whose administration four village lots,
l, 2, and 4, in block IL were secured and a
parsonage erected, the same being the resi-
dence standing on Third street and Wash
lngton avenue at the present time. In 1871
Rev. A. McWright succeeded Rev. Hammond
as pastor, who left the charge in August of
1877 returning no report to the annual con-
terence at Winona. Following Mr.. Nc
Wright's retirement Rev. L. p. Smith, who
is now preaching at Bird Island, was assign
ed to duty here. He was in charge during
the conference years of 1873 1874 and 1875.
An incumbrance was found on the parsOn-
age, of which amount during the three years
of Mr.. Smiths administration 5000 was
raised, leaving S62.75 yet to be provided for.
The history continues: Through weary
months of patient toll, by the grace of God
and help of kind brethren and sisters, it
may be said there has been gradual in
crease in religious interest. Last Summer,
1874, union service was held in the Pres
byterian church. resulting in the quickening
of the churches and awakening of Others"
In the winters of 1874-75 revival meetings
were held in the old school house for twelve
weeks, resulting in the arOusing of 80 sleep
ers, and the accession of 70 to the church.
In July, 1875, the majority of these converts
were reported to be in good standing. On
July 4th, 1875, the ordinance of baptism was
administered by immersion to five candi-
dates by Methodist minister, Rev. Smith
himself. This was the first religious baptism
that occurred in this community. On Aug.
% of that year Rev. Smith bid his congrega-
ton farewell, and Rev. E. Goodman took
his place. The Eden class was dismissed
during this year, it being annexed to Sleepy
Eye. A revival was held during the winter
with some good results. class of 16 men,
bers was organized at Avon. Preaching was
also carried on at Riverside, where a fine
class was at work, but in the fall of the year
the place was abandoned. Twenty-seven
members were taken in by letter and pro-
baton. Twenty-six were received on pro-
baton Fifteen were baptized, including
one infant. campmeeting was held at
Riverside during the summer with good
effect. For the conference year of 1876 the
old Methodist Roman, Geo. Galpin was APP
pointed pastor, and it was during his stirring
ministry of one year the congregation built
the church which forms part of the new
structure. For the year 1877-78 Rev. Ed. A.
Bronson was appointed pastor, but the re-
cord does not state the work accomplished
during that year. During 1888 Rev. S. M.
Davis was appointed pastor, and this was
year of good spiritual progress, having re-
yix,o1 ofc into
Davis drifted from the pulpit to the bar-be-
coming an attorney of some note afterwards.
For the next two years Rev. C. S H. Dunn,
who afterwards became a minister with
remarkable reputation, and who recently
died while acting as pastor of one of the
Duluth churches, kept things stirred up at
this place. The year was signalized by a
special growth in the membership. Rev.
Dunn records one trouble during the year
and that with the choir, which was soon
smoothed over. The pastor received all but
800 of his salary, and s11 70 were collected
for benevolent purposes. He also pathet-
ically records the loss of his two babes
Elizabeth and Helen, which old settlers will
recall. At the commencement of the next
year Rev Dunn and wife were surprised by
party headed by DR.. Stoddard, who present
ed them with sum of money, all of which
was very pleasant. The year was one of
profit. On May %, 1881, SOLO was raised to
pay portion of the debt on the church.
leaving but S24O to be raised counting inter-
est to Nov. 1881. Bishop Foss was present
and preached two sermons. In the evening
S165 was raised to pay the pastor up to date,
at which time the church was dedicated to
God, Presiding Elder Martin being present.
During the first part of the winter the church
building caught fire, and only by the most
miraculous fighting on the part of citizens,
was it saved. The revivals going on up to
the time of the fire were stopped
Rev. John Pemberton was appointed pas
tor for the next two yeaas, but the book says
nothing of this emphatic, aggressive little
worker. The people will remember his en-
thusiastic sermons, his indefatigable work,
and his heated newspaper controversies
with Dr. John Brown Smith. In Oct. 1883