The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-09
MORTGAGE Was Burned
Interesting Ceremony at the Penn
Avenue Baptist Church.
THE ADDRESS OF THE PASTOR
Congratulated the Members of the Con
gregatiOn on Extinction Of the Debt on
the Church Building Speeches
Made by Officers of the Church.

Penn Avenue Baptist church was
crowded last evening to witness the
burning of the mortgage, and the mem
bers that congregated availed them
selves of the opportunity of manifest
ing their joy at the realization OF the
much-anticipated event.
Rev. Warren G.. Partridge, pastor,
opened the services by conducting
praise service, after which he made an
inspiring address, in which he con-
graduated the members upon the aus
picious occasion. The church was or
ganized thirty-five years ago at the
residence of Nathaniel Hallstead with
a membership of twenty-five; now the
church mustered over $50 members. He
also congratulated the charter men,
bers, four of whom We're now living,
Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Halstead, Miss
$. C. Krigbaum and Mrs C. @. Carmen.
He dwelt upon the hardships under
which the early members had worked
and their eventual success.
The Ladies' society We're also COM
plimented upon their grand work in
having, since two years ago, reduced
the debt of $1,000 to $4,000. He also
heartily congratulated the people of the
church from those who gave the small
est offerings to those who gave the
large contribution in view of the sue
cess which had crowned their efforts.
When he commenced the agitation in
October last to wipe off the debt he
was much discouraged at first, owing
to the serious depression in trade, but
after working for three or four weeks
he was assured of success, and the re-
suit was shown that not only was $4,000
raised, but $500 above that amount was
pledged.
Fulfilled Il Solemn Pledge.
He desired particularly to impress
upon them that they We're that even
ing fulfilling solemn pledge made to
Deacon Nathaniel Hallstead, who in
presenting them with the magnificent
parsonage on Mifiln avenue, made a
condition that the mortgage on the
church should be cleared, and he con-
graduated Mr.. Hallstead on the con-
summation of his hopes
p. B. Finley, who followed, heartily
congratulated the pastor, officers and
members of the church and congrega-
tiOn on the happy consummation of
what they had so long hoped and
prayed for On behalf of the trustees
he desired to tender their thanks to all
who had so nobly contributed to the
fund for the extinction of the debt
Ex-Treasurer l.. NJ. Horton read ar
interesting statement of the finances OF
| the church commencing at December
1854, when three lots We're purchased
I a n
company for $2,39S. This liability wa.
reduced to $500 in July 1882, when two
years afterward, owing to the enlarge
ment of the church edifice, a mortgage
! for $500 was negotiated. In 1886
| mortgage was executed with the Provi
| dent Life and Trust company for $40, ,00
and the former mortgage with the Mer
chants and Mechanics bank satisfied
In October, 1882 $4,000 was paid on ac
count of this mortgage, being part o
| proceeds of sale of the vacant lot ad
joining the church. The following wer
the remainder of the payments: May
1898, Ladies' Social union, $1,000; May
1894, Ladies' Social union, 81, 900; Octo
Der, 1894, anniversary pledges, $1,000
December, 1894, anniversary pledges
$1,000, and Jan. 3, 1895. balance from
pledges, $l,O30.15, being in full discharg
of principal and interest. The total in
terest paid since 1866 to date was $6,5O(
MIR. kcllar's Remarks.
Luther Keller, president of the boar
of trustees, extended the congratula
tions ofhis colleagues and himself to tn
members of the church upon the culmi
| ,f hot 4 =.
impress upon them that although the
had now discharged the debt upon thei
ediiice, their obligations to contribut
in the future must not be forgotten. /
was true that the heavy burden of an
nual interest was removed, but to in
sure the work of the church bein
properly performed would require sui
stantial contribution from member!
and this was an important featur
which should be kept in view con
stantly.
Benjamin Fillmore and Nathani,
Hallstead afterward made interestin
addresses. after which the formal cert
mony was proceeded with. The follow
ing officers of the church surrounde
the pastor ON the platform: Deacon
ID. w. Schoonover, George Atkinson, ]
M. Gates, ID. A. Capwell, b. +. Fill
more, Nathaniel Hallstead, j. C. High
field, II. A. Browning, Charles Her
wood j. l.. Stelle and Charles Hal
stead: trustees, President Luther Ke
Ter, William McClave, j. w. Browning
ii. l.. Hallstead, Edwin S. Williams
Frederick Koehler, Daniel Langstaf
p b. Finley; Church Clerk f. ~ Hal
stead.
l.. M. Horton, the ex-treasurer. the
handed the deed to President Kelle
who held it while Nathaniel Hallstea