The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-03
FROM A SMALL BEGINNING.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF
CHRIST REVIEWED.

Doubled in Year-The First Work
of the Church of Christ in savan-
nah Traced Back 3s Years-The Eff
forts That Finally illuminated in
the Organization of "a Church.
Interesting services were held yesterday
morning at the Bolton street Church Of
Christ. 1t was the first anniversary OF
the pastorate Of Rev. II. c. Bowen. An
interesting historical sketch OF the career
Of the Christian church in Savannah was
read by Mr.. d. H. Bythewood. chairman
of the committee appointed for the pur-
pose.
According to the best information ac-
cessibe, the report states. the first organ
ization OF the Disciples of Christ in this
city was about 1858 The place of meet
ing was the upper floor of the Firemen's
hall, at South Broad and Abercorn streets.
There was much in the practice of these
Christians" says the report, which would
tend TO prove their thorough earnestness
and TO demonstrate the sincerity of their
wish TO live after the manner of the early
Christians who received their teachings
direct from the apostles There was a
strict community of interests among
them. They had, after the manner of the
earliest Christians, a common treasury
and whenever a member needed cloak
or pair of shoes they would be furnished
from the common store, or purchased with
the funds of the congregation"
The changes incident to the close of the
war broke up the small congregation,
many Of the most faithful members NOV
ing to other cities. In 1873 an effort was
made to re-establish the church, and
ffr,rrc
at Whitaker and St Julian streets, but
the movement was. not successful. An
other unsuccessful effort was made in
1873 By Elder T. NJ. Harris of Washington
county. In 1880 Elder Harris made still
another effort, and succeeded in organ
izing a congregation of ten members. The
work was taken up in the fall of the same
year by Elder J. S. Lamar and placed
on firm footing, funds for the work be-
ing partly furnished by Mrs. Tubman of
Augusta. Mr.. Lamar served the church
ABOUT two years, when he was compelled
10 leave on account of i'll health. He was
man OF noble character and untiring
IN MS work. During the years 1884 and
1880 the meetings were held at the resi-
denees of the members. The meetings
came finally TO be always held at the res.
idence OF Brother r. e. Minis, who, to
provide proper place of baptism, had
built baptsmal pool in his conservatory.
lOGOrDOrateO.
and the lot on Bolton street purchased.
Mr.. John Cooper loaned the money neces,
sary to purchase the lot, and in the final
settlement, in 1892 he contributed $500 OF
the amount originally advanced, together
with all accrued interest. Shortly after
the purchase of the lot the erection OF
and dedicated Jan. H. 1886. The officers
of the church at the time were: r. T..
Minis, chairman; w. r, Lane, J. S. Coop
er, A. G. Timer, w. H. Dawson, r. e.
Allen, d. H. Bythewood, and James At
kins, clerk
The building cost about $500 and a very
large portion of this amount was dona-
ted byMr Minis Rev. w. S. Payne was
pastor in 1886. Rev. Thomas White in 1887
and Rev. G M. Arnold in 1888. From June
was pastor. Mr.. Bienus proved an acKVe
and efficient worker. He is well remdm-
bered by the people of Savannah as well
as by the congregation over which he pre-
sided. Feb, l, 1885, Rev. H, c. Bowen of
Winston, n. c., assumed the pastorate
During his passionate the resident church
membership has doubled. The report
speaks highly of Mr.. Bowen's work and
says in conclusion: Your committed
feels compelled to say that his ability and
zeal have been of inestimable value to
US, while his solicitude for the welfare
of the church and for us as individuals
have endeared him to us We feel that
We have in him not only a pious and
fearless leader, but a friend whom we
can love"
Reports were submitted from the Sun
day school, the two Christian EndeaVor
societies and the other church organf-
cations, showing all TO be in a fiourishing
condition.
The report of the pastor, Rev. H. c.
Bowen, gave an account of his work dur
ing the year. AS soon as he reached the
city, he said, he began a house TO house
canvass among the members, for the pur-
pose Of interesting them in the church
work. A protracted meeting was held in
the spring. conducted by Evangelist w j.
Wright, lasting several weeks and much
good resulted. One year ago after revis-
ing the list of membership the pastor
found that he had on the roll 146 mem
bers, less than 100 of whom lived in and
around the city. The enrolment now
numbers 2l1. During the year the pastor
has baptized IS and 30 members have been
received by statement. The net gain dur
ing the year after deducting all losses bv
death and otherwise was l27. The resi-
dent membership now numbers pol The
nonresident 20. There are 105 male mem
bers and 1876 females. OF the 1O5 male
members go are married men, 81 single
men and IA boys. OF the female members
81 are married, 81 single ladies and II
girls. The pastor urged the importance
of bringing the inactive members into ac-
tive work for the church. Mr.. Bowen said
in conclusion:
This has been one of the busiest and
happiest years of my life. I have made
several hundred calls and have been
kindly received everywhere. Truly Ills
pleasant to live among such a warm
hearted people in this sunny southern
cline. 1 have found little time for rest
or a vacation. Brief visits have been
made to Guyton, Winston, N G, Atlanta
and Varnville, S. c., a total absence of
less than twenty-five days. l have not
lost a day from sickness. I have found
time for much reading, and the prepare
ton of new sermons for almost every oc-
casion.
"All this could not have been done with
out the help and sympathy of my family
and this church. There has been much
unseen power benin l the throne. The
board of officers have heartily cooper
ated. The members have done their part
well. The papers have treated us kindly
Missions, temperance, benevoence and al
most every good work has received some
attention.
LAS to the future let us continue hone
fully and prayerfully in every good work
as the days go by, trusting that God
will lead us on to greater and more glo-
rious victories"
In the afternoon the Sunday school cele-
brated Christian Endeavor day with a
special service entitled, THY Kingdom
Come"