The record-union., 1899-10-24

Mrs. jewett recalled the fact that she
passed most of her childhood and youth
in the church.
church." she said, had a place in her
home, for her father was it's pastor
/ She recalled the loving gifts at festal
seasons, the kindness of the people, and
the touching memories of the old days.
Mrs Wilcox corroborated her sisters
testimony as to the beautiful part the
church had performed in her life. Ev-
cry member of the church in the old
/ days was her friend and the picture
of happy hours in the church would
linger as long as any memories Of life.
Rev. Dr. Warren spoke briefly. He
said the First Congregational Church
was the first Protestant ordination On
the Pacific Coast. 1t fell to his lot to
deliver the sermon. In looking it over
since he had never been able to read
it more than half through, for it was
full of Calvinism. LAS young men,
he said, I'VE agreed that the survivor
should preach the funeral sermon over
the other On his deathbed he remen-
bered the promise, and L got word that
his dying request was for me 20 preach
the sermon.
Deacon Strong of the Baptist Church
spoke of the pleasure he had expe-
rienced in the First Congregational
Church in the old days, and paid high
tribute to the early pastors.
Mr.. Keefer, though a Methodist, re-
counted some pleasant memories of DIR.
Dwinell and the early church.
Mrs. Gates of San Francisco said she
was once a teacher of a Sunday-school
class in the church, and it was with
joy that she was permitted to be pres
ent and revive old memories.
The following letter from the First
Congregational Church in San Fran
cisco was read:
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 1S99.-
The First Congregational Church in
! San Francisco to the First Congrega-
ticnal Church in Sacramento sendeth
greeting:
Dear brethren: We share with you in
the JOY over a half century full Of
Christian experience and evidenca of
our Heavenly Fathers blessing. The
road has been long and full of varit
veal ress and strength bur God la
been leading, and has used ev.ry c.
currence in his own way for the de-
VelcTme mt Of character. A church can
hardly be said to have Il distinctive
character till it has seen half a cen
tury. It's members need to suffer and
sacrifice together, to hope and plan ana
share IN joy and sorrow, until q certain
type has been formed an7 that tyne,
lihe family characteristics, is Iare,y
lost
God stamps by this means His image
on the church as clearly rs on the in
dividGal. So has He dealt with ycu,
and so has what we now cal. the III. ST
Church in Sacramento come to be what
1t is Our thoughts go back with yo2rs
TO the early days, when it meant scn.e-
thing very definite for a man to stand
out and declare himself q Christian, or
a frend of the church. "Thera were
giants in those days"
We have a rich heritage in the mem
ory Of the noble men and women who
planned more wisely than they knew
yWhen they organized your church and
ours. We inherit their work and though
most of them have gone on, their chill
dren and their children's children will
still carry the banner Of the cross
which they planted in these valleys and
on the golden hillsides May the rich
| est blessings of our Heavenly Father GO
with you as you launch out into the
next half century. BY vote Of the
church. GEO. C. ADAMS. pastor.
THE BANQUET.
| There was an attendance of more
! or
in the basement of the church last
| night, and the event was one of the
pleasantest in the history of Sacra-
mento.
/ Dr. Silcox raped the great company
/ to order after the banquet had been
discussed, whereupon a pleasant series
Of speeches was made. He said he
and the congregation were under many
| obligations to all who had assisted at
| Sundays proceedings, and he believed
good results would come Of the revival
Of religious feelings in the community.
| Rev. Mr.. Herrick offered a prayer.
after which the speaking began. The
| first address was by Rev A. p. Banks.
/ who spoke for all of the churches in
the city.
I'VE love you and we come to tell
you So" was his message. He rejoiced
IN the great good done by the First
| congregational Church, which he called
a jewel in the setting of all the other
churches. He said its pastors had all
been superlative; it's work a glorious
| monument.
Professor Pond said the early Puri-
tans built schoolhouses soon after
churches, and the first school teacher
in Sacramento was DR.. Benton. the first
pastor of the First Congregational
Church. 1t was a fact that many prom
inent school teachers had been mem
bers of the First Congregational
Church, which had always been good
| influence in the city.
Joseph Steffens made a more elab-
crate speech than many others. He
said:
The passing of fifty years is a most
important period in the life Of an in
dividual, society, a State, a nation
and the world at large. In development,
change, advancement and Improvement
! in general there perhaps has never been
a more marked period in all the world S
history than the one now closing. In
/ fact, the events are so many and so
| crowding on ones mind that the only
| fitting way to consider them is by a
vigorous thinker, in a quiet spot, and
| to be issued in an ample volume.
Fifty years ago there were good peo-
pie who would hardly admit the i'm
/ portance and greatness Of Christs life
and character who are now willing to
classify Him, and even to herald Him,
\