The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-06-07
THE FAREWELL SERMON.
In the Baptist Church, Preached by Rev.
W. B. MatteSOn on Sunday Morning,
May 10Th, 1895.

W. B. MatteSOn on Sunday Morning,
May 10Th, 1895.
In the year 1856 Owosso was a little hamlet of
about 800 population without railroad connec-
ton or any prospect of large development The
only westinghouse" of the village was owned
by the Congregatonallts and this was for some
years the common meetlng-place of christians of
all names and sects. About the year 1856, how
ever, this common worship began to be broken
up by separation into denominatonal bodies.
The Methodists were the first to withdraw from
the common body. Shortly after them, in 1856,
the Baptists perfected separate organization.
A preliminary meeting to consider the advisable
ity of such action was held in The Congregation
al church August o, 1856, and was attended by
sixteen Baptists. The organization was perfect
ed Nov 15 1856. Twenty Baptists attended this
meeting, ten of whom having already secured
dismission from other churches became the con-
stituent members of the new church. The re-
naming ten sent for letters of dismisson imme-
diately upon the completion of the organization
and were very shortly admitted to membership.
Among the constituent ten were the
honOred names Of Deacon L. Comstock and
Deacon d. Lyon, whose noble and conse-
Grated lives gloriied the early struggles of the
church, and who have long since gone to their
eternal reward; Mr.. T.. L. White, for many years
by his energy and devotion, mainstay of
the new organizations Mr.. Z. ID. and MI. We'll
lington White the only two of the constituent
ten still retaining membership in the church.
Only one of these, Deacon p ID. White, has
been continuously connected with the organza-
tion Among the second ten present ut the or
ganization of the church, though not of its con-
stituent membership, were Deacon Perry, now
gone home, and Mr.. Elisha Hurrell. the Sec
ond in point OF. continuous service in the church.
The history of:the church from its formation
to the present time divides naturally into three
periods: That prior to the pastorate of Mr.. Far
mum; the second embracing the term OF his pas
torate; the third continuing to the present time.
The length of the first period 1s56-ls7I) is eight
cen years; of the second (1s74-1sS2) eight years;
and of the third (1sS2-1 s95) thirteen years.
The first period of eighteen years may proper
ly be designated as the "heroc age" of the
church; it was the period of struggle and heroic
self-sacrifice. The new organization maintained
itself with difficulty and won for itself recog-
nized and influential place in the community on
ly through arduous toll and painful self-sacrlce.
During these eighteen years the church was
only partially supplied with preaching. Pastors
were numerous, but year was commonly the
between. Eight pastors served the church in
these eighteen years. The first preaching under
Baptist auspices was about year after the found
ing of the church, in Aug, 1857. when the Con-
gregationalist body, in the absence of its pastor
upon his vacation, rendered the use of its ediflce
in the interval to the Baptists. The Rev. Mr.
Mather under these conditions supplied the last
three Sundays in August; baptized the first two
candidates ever received by the church-Mr
Adrel White and Miss Ellen Perry-and admin
istered the Lords supper In March. 1858, Rev.
Joel Iyor was settled as the first pastor of
the church. His pastorate of three years was
much the longest of any in the first period, Sec
ond in length was the pastoraie Of Rev. John
Booth March, 1S64NIarch, 1867 Bro. Booth
was already an old man when he assumed the
pastorate-ripe in years and experience he had
long been distinguished among the leaders of the
Baptist forces In the west. The passionate at
Owosso proved to be his last. He died shortly
after leaving the field. Third In length of SER
vice came Rev. A. M Hunt (Jan., 1S6l-June,
1861, a young man fresh from the schools, who
is still In active ministerial service in the east.
Among the ablest and most beloved of the
early pastors was Rev. b. j. Boynton, who began
service with the church in June, 1869. He had
labored but little over a year, but had already
secured for himself an abiding place in the alfec-
ton and gratitude of the people, when In the
summer of 1870 he was taken ill and in August
died He was buried in Oakhill cemetery on q
lot purchased by the church for that purpose.
None of the other pastors remained beyond
a single year. Among them were Rev. w. r..
Northrup now of Monroe, and Rev. G. +. HUI
bert, now engaged in "Christlan Unity work in
Detroit.
The membership of the church increased very
slowly throughout this period Beginning with
ten in November. 1856, 1t had attained at the end
of 1873, to not far from 120 Up to that time the
total number of names enrolled had been los.
The principal additions in thi, period came in
connection with the special labors OF Rev. j.
Moxom, of Battle Creek In two successive
winters Bro. Moxom held special meetings with
the church. In the first, when Brother Booth
was pastor, ten were baptized; the next year,
Brother Northrup beingpastor twenty-five were
baptized. These, with fifteen baptized during
the pastorate of Rev. Hubert, were the princi-
pal additions from this source during this period
The total number of baptisms during the eight.
cen years was about sixty-fve.
The agitation for q house of of worship began
almost Immediately upon the organization OF the
church. In June, 1857, a committee OF three con-
sisting of Brethren COmstock, Lyon and White
was appointed "to see what could be done to-
ward securing otfor building Baptist meet
ing house." Apparently nothing could be done
lust then, for we find no mention OF the report
of the committee, but in January, 1859, a second
committee, substantially identical with the first
was appointed to consult with regard to build
ng a temporary house." This committee re
ported that Deacon Lyon had offered to the
church his lot-now a portion of the property
owned by our sister, Mrs. Buckminster-and
that a building "a So suitable to the needs Of
the congregation, could be erected for about
5000. 1t was voted to accept the offer OF Deacon
Lyon, and erect the building. During the spring
and summer of 1859 this was done, and October
o 1859, this first edlhce-stlll In use as the chap
ell of the church-was formally dedicated. The
sermons were preached by Rev. G.. w. Harris
of Detroit and Rev. j. Booth, Of Fenton. 1t i
quite certain that however commodious and
beautiful our proposed house of worship ma!
prove to be, Its occupancy will not afford more
genuine pride and satisfaction to our presen