The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-30
WEST. SIDE EVENTS.
Plymouth Congregational Church Cele-
brated Its Fourteenth Auniversarv'
Some Other Interesting Topics.

Yesterday the members of the Plym-
outh Congregational church began
celebration of the fourteenth annlNers-
AIRY of the church. In the morning the
pastor, Rev. Thomas Bell, preached on
a theme taken from Ecclesiastes, Ill, ::
'The Word of God and Mans inquiry
Into It. There was large attendance
and among those present were num-
ber of the charter members of the
church. Pastor Bells sermon was a
home-like address. and was listened 10
attentively The choir, under the dl-
rection of T.. T. Evans, gave several
anthems. In the evening the sermon
was from John xiv, II. This was the
sermon especially commemorative OF
the occasion. 1t will be printed in full
in Saturdays issue of The tribune.
Several of the deacons spoke last night,
and the services We're continued until
tonight. when the observance OF the
birthday will he of more secular ma
ture than the Sabbath day could admit
Of Tonight at 80 O'Clock the mem
bers of the church will answer to
roll call. Officers of the different de-
partments of church work will make
addresses and a social time will be en-
joyed.
The Plymouth congregational church
was organized ON March 26, lSS2, with
siXty-siX members, nearly all of whom
were young people, and members in
good standing of the Welsh Congrega-
tional church of Hyde Park The SER
vices at the organization We're impress
sive and interesting, and We're conduct
ed by Rev. c. &. Creegan, secretary OF
the American Home Missionary society
for the state of New York, and Revs.
r. s. Jones, Lot Lake, r.. y. Grittiths,
John G.. Evans, Jonathan Edwards and
others.
A large number of young people had
been raised in the Welsh churches, who
did not and could not. derive but little
benefit from any means OF iSace con-
Quoted in the Welsh language; and
knowing that there were hundreds of
others OF the same class who attended
no place of worship for the same reason
in some measure at least, 1t was mani
fest to many good people that such an
organization as Plymouth church was
sUrely needed on the West side. on
April G, 1889, the church. 10y unanimous
vote, called Rev. Jonathan Edwards.
of West NeWiicld, Maine, tor its first
pastor. The call was accepted. and the
new chosen pastor commenced his Ia
bors here on the first of May following,
Mr.. Edwards, however from his own
choice was not formally installed as
pastor until oct s, 1883. when council
was convened and the formal inStalla-
tion was effected.
ON Dec. 2s 1885. Rev. Jonathan Ed
wards rendered his resignation to the
church, To take effect the second sab
bath in February, 1856. At a special
meeting. held Jan. II, 1856, which was
called for the purpose of considering
and acting upon tn" resignation. II
was acceoted and the connection of
Rev. Mr.. Edwards with the church as
its pastor terminated. July -, 1856. the
church extended call to Rev. Peter
Roberts. then recently graduated from
Yale college. The call was accepted
and Rev. Mr.. Roberts began his duties
as pastor on Sept. 10. He was dis"
missed or Jan. IL. 1899. iieV. j. l.. Da-
VicS was called to the paStorate. and,
upon accepting, entered the church pull
pit Nov. IL, 1891. He resigned Jan. IL,
1929 In July, 1894, Rev. Thomas Bell
received a unanimous call and began
his work on Sept. .. 1894. From its or
ganization until its chapel was com
pleted the church worshipped in place
known as Nicholas Hall. in the rear of
Frey's photograph gallery. on the cor
ner Of Main avenue and Jackson
street. The chapel was formally
opened and dedicated on oct, I, 1883.
The church has under its charge mis-
sion house on Sherman avenue. Miss
Della =. Evans is az present superin-
tcndent of the mission. The Sunday
school which is conducted there. has
membership of 80 every Sabbath. At
the present time the church member
ship is over 400 The Sunday school
numbers about 30 persons on the aver
age. \. Il. Eynon is superintendent.
and Miss Nellie Morgan is president Of
a ilourishing Christian Endeavor so