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

do that, the balance of debt might wait
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 9, 1873. when the last note
of Indebtedness was burned, and the
church again stood even with the world.
1t 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
oughly 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 in 1873, having Increased to 225 men,
bers. came the talk of a new building.
1t was not seen at first how the Sl0.V0
necessary could be secured. But past
experience made the church hopeful and
finally the limit to which the trustees
should be allowed to go was fixed al sl2,-
600 Yet somehow sei, 6S5.63 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 a moment 10 consider
the privileges of worship We have here
enjoyed: then let the mind go reverently
back thirty years TO the very beginning.
L. s.-Nl L ind Esat hnr hon
tiful benefactor, a helper tried and true?
Is there not much for everyone to be
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 i'm 1887, 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
l Christian endeayor helped Theresult
was that in October the organization of
Plymouth church, our oldest and beloved
daughter TO whose prosperity this church
was permitted to contribute Seventy-five
Of its choicest members.
Two years following, in 1SSs. IL 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 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.
III raNnN
another colony of forty-fiye members TO
form the Vine street church, which has
also been greatly favored, and has
bright future before il.
In 1888 We We're permitted to contrib
ute some material aid and a few MEM
bers 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 been furnishing a room in our
own building for some Swedish brethren
who are enjoying 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 / 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 II Is
impossible to make a complete summary.
nItr n II there
is a record of s110 65692 contributed to-
ward our own church expenses. In the
same period 81. S2S6i was given in be
nevolences. The total number received
TO membership has been l,@4 OF whom
al have united during the present
pastorate. Three hundred and thirty-two
on confession of faith; G09 by letter. OF
the total number received 1876 have been
dismissed. and sc have died. The present
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