Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-07-20
roRrY-FouRrH ANNIVERSARY
OF the First Congregational Church Was
Observed Sunday

! OF the First Congregational Shufoh wa
Observed Sunday
sunday morning Rev. W c. Kant
ner. pastor OF the First Congrega
tional church, conducted services IL
recognition OF the forty-fOurth ami
: versary Of the organization OF that
church. The church had been decor
ated with ivy, while just over the pull
pit were suspended the two fgure'
"44" formed from the beautiful ivy
: and indicating the number Of years
that had passed since the church's
organization. Choice flowers also &C.
cupied conspicuous places upon the
rOstrum.
Asan introduction TO his address,
Rev. Kantner read brief quotation
from the original first record book of
the church in which was stated that
10 was organized Saturday, July 10,
1852, with four charter members. DR..
Kantner chose ~ text Luke 1875:
$50 lie Called Everyone OF HIS Lords
Debtors Unto Him and said Unto
the First. How Much Owest Thou un-
to my Lord" The address was not TO
be an anniversary sermon but simply
few remarks in recognition OF the
forty-fourth anniversary Of the
organization Of the church. The
church had been means Of salvation
since It's organization. IL had been
an instrument of comfort in time OF
sorrow. What do we owe our Lord?
We owe II 10 religion; Hrst-that we
are what we are; secOnd-that the
standard Of immortality has been re-
duced; third that we know SO much
NJ God and sacred truth:
fourth that we can find COM
fort in time OF sorrow and sickness;
tifth-that the future Is lighted
up. What Is religion worth to you
and meY IL should he worth more
than all the comforts Of life. A great
many people have renounced all com
forts at home and conscretated them
selves 10 Christ by going into foreign
fields as missionaries. Religion
should be worth more TO us than all
personal comforts. Many have given
up their life rather than deny their
faith. IL should be worth just as
much as the luxuries OF life and just
as much as our imaginary wants.
Jesus taught that religion was more
important than all else. Religion
should be worth something Of great
value TO u.s. Concluding his remarks,
the pastor stated that the
church had debt OF about $1,000 that
he should like to see annlhllated be-
fore January /. The IIth year had
now been completed and we are en-
terlng upon the 45th. Why not enter
with a clean record
Accordingly subscriptions were
asked for and Il liberal response was
met with. The loyal members of this
church subscribed S790 at the morning
service. The matter Of raising the
remaining S2Ol was placed I'm the
w hlO WIZ uO
doubt succeed In raising the amount
ere another Sunday arrives. For a
congregation TO pledge $500 In the
midst of hard times through which
we are now passing, Is a certainly a
commendable act.
Preceding the address by DIR. Kant
ner Mrs. Halle Parrish-IIinges sang
most beautifully selection entitled
81 Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Mrs. Hinges singing Sunday was
greatly enjoyed.
Contrary TO previous custom OF this
church, services will be held during
the month of August. Services will
be held every morning but the even
ing services will probably be discon-
tlnued. The other departments OF the |
church work will be kept In operation |
throughout the summer.