Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-07-17
GOLDEN JUBILEE.
The Congregational Church Fifty Years
OId-Successfu1 Reunion.

Rr0SdIlOQdl CDurCD WIS ODS0TV0u ny a
series of meetings beginning Saturday
evening last. Considerable preparation
and attention by both Rev. Mr.. Weiss
and the congregation had been de-
voted, and every precaution taken
to make the celebration successful.
Invitations to all former members Of
the church and to neighboring pastors
had been sent forth, and thus very
naturally the meetings partook largely
of the nature Of pleasant reunion.
The church was very prettily decorated
with ferns and profusion of summer
flowers, while above the pulpit in ever
green, were the words "Jesus Christ,
the same yesterday, to-day and for
ever" 1916 appearing on one side of
the verse, with 1895 very appropriately
on the other
The first of the series of meetings
was held on last Saturday evening, the
chief feature being an address by the
pastor, ReY G. G. Weiss. 1t partook
not only of the nature of an address of
welcome, but also treated of the early
life of the church. The Watertown of
1S45 was depicted as d young frontier
town of about 200 inhabitants, with
more than the accustomed share of the
vice and degradation characteristic of
new community. The history of the
church from those times of trial and
vicissltude up to the present time was
faithfully described. Established July
13, 1845, with nine charter members,
eight of which were Presbyterians. the
church gradually grew In strength and
vigor and attained at last firm footing
in the world. The church Of Fond du Lac
was organized by the same gentleman
on the 18th of July of the same year,
that Of Waupun on the Goth of July,
and those of Oconomowoc and Lowell
in August following. 1t is interesting
to note that the bell of the church,
here, was obtained at cost of $3.50 in
1854, being paid for by the ladies of the
church. The pastors who have served
through the successive years since
the foundation are as follows: B. F.
Parsons, l845-1S47; ]. G. Craighead,
1847-1849; n. G. Chaplin, 1S50-1S53; w.
A. Niles. 1S53-1859; Charles Boynton'
1S59-1869; W. H. Ryder, 1869-1S70; c..
c. Cragin, 1871-1875; w. A. Hendrick-
son, 1875-188O; R. G. Bedford, 1SS1-18S2; /;
NJ Co,o,bol1 1909 1901 A n ur~;oL4
Supply 1S91-lS92; G. G. Weiss, 1892.
The latter portion of the evenings
service was devoted to the reading of
letters of greeting. Those heard from
were: Rev. Parsons, New Hampshire :,
the first pastor of the church.; Rev. j.
T. Wright, GAINESVILLE; VIM. Walker;
Mr.. Fountain, Indianapolis, and James
A. Norris, Sauk Center, Mimi. The
letters were all of very interesting
nature, each bringing forth a new phase
of early church life.
The program for Sunday was as fol-
lows:
Organ Voluntary.
Doxology and Invocation.
Responsive Reading.
- co.,. ), Scripture Lesson.
Choir
Prayer.
Anthem-'Ye Shall Dwell in the Land
Address, Rev. W. A. Hendrickson.
Reception of Members.
Duet-"In the Cross of Christ" Edu0ard HoaOe
Nfrc WAiSc
Communion. Hymn. Benediction.
EVENING SERVICE, 7:3O P NJ
Organ Voluntary; Hymn. Scripture Lesson.
Anthem-"Gloria, Mozart
Choir
Prayer and Notices.
Anthem-"Sing Alleluia Forth" Buck
Sermon, Rev. W. A. Hendrickeon.
Choir.
Prayer.
An Anthem-"Sanctus,'' Mozart
Choir
Hymn. Benedicton.
The singing by the choir was very
pleasant surprise, the several anthems
under the efficient direction of Mr..
Whiting, receiving a splendid rendi-
ton. The address and sermon, IN the
morning and evening, respectively, by
the Rev. w. A. Hendrickson, of In
dianapolis, were we'll received, his
sermon of the evening being consid-
cred especially able. Taking as his
theme the universally and frankness
of Christ's teaching, he demonstrated
that despite all the encroachments of
unbelief, arising from the misinterpre-
tation of the advances in science, the
Bible has stood, and wou d stand. In
vestigation of their truth or falsity was
invited by the Scriptures themselves;
and despite all attacks its stand
will remain undisputed. The sell
vices of the day were most en-
joyable and impressive, and the
meetings seemed to be pervaded by
hearty Christian fellowship. Four
members were received into the
church during the morning service.
They were Mrs. F. NJ, Piper, Miss
Clara Piper and Mr.. and Mrs. C. Hen
richs.
The afternoon service of Monday
consisted in the reading of naners and