The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-06-07


This edifce supplied all the needs of the con-
gregation during the first period During the
pastorate of Rev. Mr.. Boynton the first steps
were taken towards possible need of future en-
largements. The lots upon which our present
property stands were bought, and in the fall of
1870, shortly after Bro. Boynton's death, the
church was moved to the new location and set
where the parsonage now stands.
Such were. in very general and brief terms,
the achievements of the first eighteen years.
Some 65 baptized; membership increased from
ten to 100; chapel built and lots secured, pro-
vdng for the.future enlargement, the necessity
for which 1t was already seen could not be very
remote. 1t was period full of toll and struggle
and seif-sacrifce-tho memory of which must
always remain q most precious legacy to the
church.
The second period, 1874 to 1ss2-eight years
S coeXtensve with the pastorate of Rev. w. l..
Farnum. 1t is the period of expansion; of rap
idly increasing prestige and influence; followed
unfortunately, towards its close with partial
check and loss. Bro. Farnum assumed his pas
toral duties early in 1874. He was then young
man-Owosso was his first pastorate-hew was or
dained here he baptized his first converts here,
the first Of all being his own wife. 1t is unneces-
sary to speak any words commendatory of Bro.
Farnum-he is still well known and greatly be
loved. He labored with patience; he went
among you with kindness and sympathy and en-
during affection. He loved his people and his
people reciprocated his affection The church
enjoyed large measure of prosperity under his
labors. During the eight years of his service the
additions, as nearly as they can be estimated
from the imperfect records, appear to have been
about 3O0 The register shows the addition by
letter to have been SC; by baptism 19S; but there
is a considerable number, nearly 30, the mode of
whose addition is not indicated. Most of these
were probably added by letter. The church in
creased from 100 to 2GO at the highest. but dimn-
ished towards the close to a total of $50.
The most important achievement of this ever
memorable pastorate was the erection of the
present house of worship. 1t originated in the
courage and faith of the pastor. What to others
seemed impossible, his faith and determination
made practicable. On the 9th of June, but a few
months after his installation, a committee was
appointed to take into consideration the matter
of building a house of worship" Nearly year
elapsed before the committee made its report.
BY action of the church, May ist. 1876, the report
of the cOmmittee-presumably from the result,
though the facts not stated in the record, favor
able to the enterprlse-was accepted and the
committee discharged. In the fall of the same
year, 1875, the foundations we're laid During
the next summer, that of 1876, the building was
enclosed, the corner stone being laid with appro-
pirate services in June, 1876. Nearly year
later still, in May, 1877, the completed house was
formally dedicated. The discoureS were deliv-
cred by DR.. Y. Grnnel of Detroit, and Rev. Mr..
Nelson, of Kalamazoo College. 1t was great
day in the history of tie church-the greatest
perhaps it has ever yet seen.
Bro. Farnum experienced towards the close of
his pa torate what is perhaps the most distress
ing thing that can enter into pastors expert
ence. After so many years of hard and success
full toil-when the march seemed to tie from vic
tory unto victOry-this progress was suddenly
checked by causes which he could not control;
causes which perhaps no one could control; the
Ill effects of which felt not only by Brother
Farnum but, though happily in diminishing
force, by every successive pastor. After eight
years of patient and successful service, Brother
| Farnum closed his labors with the people, A
| pastOrate that will ever be most memorable and
conspicuous in the history of the church came to
an end.
Of the third period of thirteen years (ISs2-1S95)
| it is unnecessary to speak in any detail. The
events are freshly in mind. Three pastorates
and portion of a fourth, not yet completed,
span the interval Rev. Il. S. Leonard, Rev.
John Donnelly, Rev. e. l.. Little and Rev. w. Il.
Matteson succeeded each other in the order
named. Brethren Leonard and Little are now
honored pastors of other churches. Rev. John
Donelly has gone to the mansions prepared be-
fore the foundations of the earth. A man OF sig
nal tenderness of heart of broad and cOmpre-
hensive sympathies great-hearted, generous
spirited ard broad-minded, no pastor was more
hOnored and beloved than he. 1t was a sad day
for the church when he felt constrained to leave
its service, and yet more sad that day following
the other so shortly when word came of his sud-
den death. His picture hangs in our chapel and
shall have an honored place in the new church.
| His memory will remain ever fresh and indelible.
During these thirteen years the church has
grown with much rapidity-its membership hay
ing nearly doubled. During Mr.. Leonard's pas
torate of two years, forty were baptized; under
Mr.. Donelly, 65 under Mr.. Little, 40. During
the two years of the present pastorate the bap-
tisms number 10; other additions about 60; the
net increase about 1870. The membership having
risen from 800 to about $50. The total number of
names added TO the church since the beginning
is not far from one thousand. Rather more than
one half of these. about 800, have been added by
baptism. The church has sent out two young
men into the ministry-Rev. G. II. Story and R5v.
f. s. Retain. No two young men In our denomi-
nation give larger promise of future usefulness;
already occupying positions of large influence,
that influence Is certain to increase with years.
Two OF the pastors are memorable not only for
their own labors. but for the conspicuously sue
cessful abors of their sons. Rev. j. Moxom
was the father of Rev. Pcs. Moxom, now pastor
of an important Congregational church in
Springfield, Mass, and recently called to the
Westminster Presbyterian church In New York
The son of Pastor Northrup is now the emf.
nently successful Baptist pastor at TT. Wayne,
Ind. Miss Retta Height, now Mrs. +. S. Retain,
was for some time a missionary In Hawaii. Other
workers of honorable names and large influence
have gone out from this church. God alone can
measure the influence that has gone out as n gra
cious benedictiOn from this place.
Today we are in the midst of an enterprise
that If carried to asuccesssul issue will give char
acter and direction to the entire future of this
church.
The present pastor heard from the beginning
of his labors among you more or less desultory