The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-01-16

do that, the balance of debt might wal,
another year, a good sister rose up In
meeting TO protest. saying they could
pay the minister and the debt too" She
offered to put her name at the top Of the
subscription paper. SO the minister was
overruled and the good work went for
ward until May q 1873. when the last note
of Indebtedness was burned, and the
church again stood even with the world
Ii was still a little church. and poor,
with only 80 members, but full of the
strength and courage which comes OF
duties faithfully performed.
Their debts cancelled. the people could
not rest, but set to work at once to thor
oug-hly renovate the house of worship.
which was painted. frescoed. re-
seated and furnished with its
first new carpet. Five years more
passed, during which there was
a slow but steady increase in member
ship and benevolence, and We Were per-
mitted to send four of our Sunday school
teachers into foreign missionary service.
Then i'm 1888 having increased to % men,
bers. came the talk of a new building.
1t was not seen at first how the sl000
necessary could he secured. But past
experience made the church hopeful, and
finally the limit to which the trustees
should be allowed TO go was fixed at s12.
600 Yet somehow 81, 6S563 was raised for
this purpose in the next three years.
The church was all paid for except 5000.
The ladies' contributions included in the
above sum furnished the church. The
generous individual gift of our beautiful
organ completed the enterprise
Let US pause moment to consider
the privileges of worship We have here
enjoyed: then let the mind go reverent,y
back thirty years to the very beginning.
4 a n Ii ind bar
tiful benefactor, helper tried and true?
Is there not much for everyone to De
thankful for?
Not the least among reasons for graft
tude is the fact that the church. in its
pleasant home, was not permitted to set
tie down into the ease which always
marks the beginning of degeneration.
DAUGHTER CHURCHES.
Early in 1857. not through any spirit of
discord or division, but out of the enter
prise of growth and service, a new
church was planned. The pastors vaca-
ton was given TO getting meetings under
way. The young peoples society of
lChristian endeavor helped. Theresult
was that in October the organization of
Plymouth church. our oldest and beloved
daughter 10 whose prosperity this church
was permitted TO contribute seventy-hve
of its choicest members.
Two years following, in 1889. 1t was
the privilege of pastor and people TO as
sist in the gathering of another church.
and to contribute a large part OF the
money needed for a house of worship
among our German Congregational
friends i'm this city, who have ever since
gone on their way rejoicing. Nothing OF
equal cost which this church has done,
has brought more comfort, or been OF
greater service.
Again in 1890 We were able to send out
another colony of forty-tve members TO
form the Vine street church, which has
also been greatly favored, and has a
bright future before it.
In 1855 We were permitted to contrib
ute some material aid and a few MEN,
beers to the Butler avenue church, which
is already more than fulfilling the hopes
of those who desired to see religious
services established in a neighborhood
remote from other churches. And finally
for the past six months We
have teen furnishing a room in our
own building for some Swedish brethren
who are enjoying a precious ingathering
and are ready to erect their own build
ing, as soon as the frost is out the
ground. To their church also / trust We
will be able to contribute some of the
foundation stones.
Into these, and all the events which
Indicate the life and progress of the
church-the work of God and the CO.
operation of pastor and people are so
mingled and interviewer that all alike
may rejoice. Each can say of the ag-
gregate result: In all this i shared and
was permitted to do my little part
THE CHURCH RECORDS.
The financial and statistical records OF
the early years are SO meagre that IL Is
impossible TO make complete summary.
ha .ns-f .xra there
is n record of sll0.656 contributed to-
ward our own church expenses. In the
same period So S2S.6i was given in be
nevolences. The total number received
to membership has been 1,0si, OF whom
al have united during the present
pastorate. Three hundred and thirty-two
on confession of faith; 609 by letter. Oh
the total number received 1876 have been
dismissed and Sc have died. The present
l.. Ia l.ar pNcAnlnj