The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-15
THE FORTIETH.
Important Event in the History
of COngregatiOnaliSm.
Recognition Services Finally Held
at Highland Chapel.

for the earnest efforts and many sacri-
fees of pastor and people have at last
won the recognition OF their co-religion-
lists and they are now in full fellowship
with the other Congregational churches
Of the State.
AT a council, held on the 13th inst,
there were present 40 pastors and dele
gates and Rev. Mr.. Lyon presided. George
j. Bloomfield was elected secretary. Inc
pastors aud delegates present represented
Congregational churches in this city,
Pawtucket, East Providence. Bristol ana
viewpoint. State Missionary L. Wood
worth stated facts regarding the growth
OF the congregation, its present condi-
ton, and answered many queries put 10
him by members of the council.
The council had two important ques-
tions to consider before il could decide
whether il was advisable or not TO admit
the church to full fellowship. The first
OF these was it's financial condition. IL
was shown that the congregation had
paid its debts as IL went along and would
be soon self-sustaining. The second was
whether its work would~inter.ere with
that OF the n~eighboring church. The
new church, II was proved, bad a most
promising field of its-ewB-feF-Feiigious
work; that ii labored TO reach particu-
larry people who had no church home
and that its increase in membership
proved its usefulness.
1hiAtA n BiOiOiBta alotib6AOi NV tOeh
Gil voted with but few dissenting voices
to duly recognize their new and energetic
sister.
The same evening the recognition SER
vices took place IN the chapel and the
congregation that was present entered
with deep feeling into the services. The
order of service was az follows:
Singing by chorus of the hymn, "Scat.
ter Smiles and sunshine; invocation and
Scripture readings by Rev. j. III. Larry;
reading of minutes by l.. +. Ames;
solo, ~ Have Redeemed Thee, o Israel. "
A most interesting recognition sermon
was preached from Mark H:S: "She
hath done what she could"; congrega-
tional singing ''My Jesus / Love Thee;
Rev. j. III. Larry gave the hand OF fellow
ship to the church in a most cordial and
impressive address; Rev. s. H.. Wood
rowe, pastor-elect OF the Plymouth
Church, preached a helpful sermon on
and people and to both of these to out
siders; the Highland Quartet sang "How
Beautiful Upon the Mountain; the pray
or of conecration was offered by Rev.
f. III. Adams OF R~iverpoInt; singing by
chorus Coward Christian Soldiers"
The benediction was pronounced by Rev.
X. III. Wicket of toward.
Afte: the services Rev. Mr.. Woodwork
received the congratulations OF members
Of the church on the success OF his hard
labors and very pleasantly ended the
jubilee night.
society may not prove uninteresting AT
this time and accordingly few facts con-
corning it are here given:
The new church Is tine result OF a new
work begun by the Congregational
Churches OF the State eight years ago.
The splendid gift of $4,000 from the Bene-
fioent, Central ana Union Congrega-
4 trnnal (Nhnrnhfa mazda nOgQfhla tho
erection OF a handsome chapel in
which the congregation worships. The
donation OF the churches to the Rhode
Island Home Mission Society enabled
Rev. Mr.. Woodwork to work with this
people and bring the society up TO
its present condition OF prosperity. The
attention Of the state missionary named
above was first called to this important
field of labor by Rev. j. IL. Larry ana
Mr.. }. Bowers SlaGe, both Of whom re-
side on Beacon Hill. He was urged to be-
gin work there for the sake OF the young
men, very many of whom seemed to be
growing up outside Of religious influences.
He at once began his task and carly in jan
Iuary, $780, hogan calling upon residents
of the hill. He found 40 Congregational
lists residing in close proximity to the
place where the chapel has been built.
On January "a, 1890, nine persons as
sembled al the home OF Mrs. Hammond,
p Farrell street, who kindly gave the
use of her hospitable home to them. The
situation wBs talked over and IL was de-
cided TO hold another meeting at The
came place on the 3lst OF the same
month. At this after-meeting IL persons
were present and they were very enthu-
siastic for commencing at once the work.
Ii was unanimously voted TO hold reli-
gious services as soon as q place could
lie found.
After a little search for a place to hold
the services the old Pabodie mansion
was fortunately secured and on Feb. z Of
the same year the name OF Highland
chapel wus adopted and a committee of
seven was appointed to complete arrange
ments for the first services.
On Feb. u, this committee met eft the
home of Mr.. j. b. Slade and decided
after prayer and due deliberation to hold
the following services, beginning Feb.
10, at the Pabodie mansion: Sunday
school at 3 p. M, public worship at 1880
O'Clock on S~undsys'and prayer ara con
ffeHee, meetings on Friday evenings at
7:45 O'Clock. On the following Saturday
afternoon 500 cards were distributed by
a dozen willing boys and on the next
day 20 persons were at the place above
spoken of and of these 80 enrolled
as members of the Sunday School.
At the evening service the house was
crowded. 1t was a unique bat enthusiast
tic service for the worshipers brought
lamps and chairs along with them. The
dingy walls OF the ola manson responded
with singing that was delightful TO hear.
The missionary was happy and the
people appreciative and helpful in every
way. The sermon that evening was on
the text "a long as he sought the Lord,
God made him prosper" and this text
has been the Interchangeable battle cry of
the congregation ever since.
IL soon became apparent that n new
place of worship wss a necessity and on
March z, a lookout committee, consisting
OF Hon =. M. Gray. Mr.. j. b. Slade and
Rev. L. ;. Woodworth, was appointed to
find a suita bic site and prepare plans for
a new building. The committee at once
decided to, and did take active steps,
not only to accomplish the tasks assigned
IL but also to raise the necessary money
This committee reported to the society
OIL August, and the latter voted to pur-
chase the lot on which the present. church
stands on and TO deed the same to the
Rhode Island Home Missionary Society
10 be held in trust until a Congregational
Church should be properly organized and
UNCOMFORTABLE In Nnvppa hor ~ tho an ma