Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-30
THE PEoPLEs' CHURCH
o. Augusta Celebrates ihs First Aaahsssay q
lis Establishment.

One year ago. last evening. q little
band Of the members OF the Christian
church. dissatisfied with theirsreligious
lot, met and voted to form an inde-
pendent religious church Of their own.
Sept. they commenced the work on
the foundation Of their edifice: Oct 6
they laid the corner stone; Jan. 30, '9s,
they dedicated their place OF worship
to God. and last evening they cele-
brated the first anniversary Of their
organisation.
The church has grown wonderfully,
the congregation is blessed with an
earnest and faithful pastor. and last
evening the people met. congratulated
themselves and thanked God for the
success that had crowned their earnest
efforts.
Their church although not az elab-
crate as many of the other edifices of
the city and State, is attended by just
as faithful followers. Men and women
who follow in His footsteps have
labored long and well for the religious
freedom which they now enjoy.
The anniversary. last evening. was
a merry one, the people were pleased
looking back over the past II months
to see the progress that had been made.
The church itself apparently never
looked half so beautiful. Outside from
line suspended from two Of the hand
some maple trees, so Japanese lanterns
threw their light far into the gloom.
bidding one and all to enter and rejoice.
The interior of the church was finely
decorated under the direction OF
H. O. Hail. The pulpit and organ was
buried under q display Of hydrangeas.
other ported plants and cut flowers.
The fire place in the church parlor
was made receptacle for a profusion
Of ferns, while the walls were deco
rated with the Stars and Stripes.
The pastor, b. s. Crosby, called the
meeting to order and made a few brief
remarks. He spoke of the work in
general. thanked the people for their
untiring devotion to the work before
them. He was glad to note the pro-
gress that had been made and was
comforted by noticing the harmonious
hot
The routine business of the annual
business meeting was then transacted.
The treasurer's report showed that the
society had built a church and what
was better had paid for it in full. The
report was promptly accepted by the
trustees. ]. l.. Fish was reelected as
trustee for a term of three years. The
other trustees are C. L. Sears. E. r.
Bean, B. L. Noyes and Orrin Sanford.
Sewail Cook, who has served the So
ciety we'll as treasurer. was unanimous
ly reelected.
X. Il. Clark was reelected as clerk.
Mr.. Crosby was then asked to re-
tire. r. F. Clark addressed the men,
bers of the church. He spoke Of the
noble work of the pastor. He spoke
of his ability both in the pulpit and
other lines of church work. He moved
that he be reelected their pastor not
only for one year but indefinitely. The
motion was unanimously seconded.
A committee was chosen to wait on
Mr.. Crosby and notify him of his re-
election. He returned to the room and
thanked the people impressively for
the confidence they had in their pas
tor. He hoped that this would never
wane and that in the future they coul1
together enjoy the same religious free
dom which had blessed them in the
year just passed.
An entertainment was then rendered
and showed that in the church there
is large amount of entertaining abil-
ity.
The programme was as follows:
Duet, MIS-. OOIe anu MIS-. AIosuy EcCs-
tation, Miss Davis: defamation. Nj.
McGraw; song by quartet composed
of Flora Chase. Paul Scott. Edna Nero
and Sarah Chase; recitation by Caddie
Ellis. Rev. Mr.. Meade made a few
short remarks and congratulated the
people in their good work.
A trio of ladies composed Of Nellie
Tobie, Annie Swift and Florence Tobie
rendered Home Sweet Home" most
beautifully.
At $50 a reception was rendered in
the church parlor Light refreshments
were served anda thoroughly goodtime
enjoyed.
Rev. B. 8. Crosby, the pasor Of the
Peoples church. is a native Of New
York. He received his education at
Starkey College. In 1884 he began his
ministry at Milan. N. T.. where he re-
NAMED two years. At Brushtons he
passed six years and previous to his
coming to this city he was pastor of
l AZ ~, oh Ac~%s1 e IN "