The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-23


The tWenty-f1fth anniversary OF the
pastorate Of Rev. Maurice D. Edwards
was commemorated yesterday at the
Dayton Avenue Presbyterian church WIN
morning and evening services, at ooth
of which there was an outpouring OF
friends Of the pastor. all OF whom were
anxious to show their appreciation FOR
his long term of service in the church.
At the morning service DR.. Edwards
preached an anniversary sermon that
was full of pleasing "reminiscences. He
took his text from Psalm 1868, 1.-THE Lord
has done great things for us whereof
we are glad"
Dr.. Edwards spoke of his ordination
and installation Thursday, Oct. g. 1874,
and then dwelt on the changes that time
has wrought In order to enable his
auditors to realize the full meaning OF
quarter Of a century he reminded them
that only twenty-five years prior to his
assumption of ministerial duties was the
time of the '49ers, when the Western
country was wilderness, peopled with
savages. Briefly, he reviewed the de-
velopment of the country and demon
strated how the growth and spread OF
the population had wiped out the frontier
line that then existed. He told what
twenty-five years has accomplished in the
state of Minnesota, where, when he as
sumed his pastorate, there were only four
railroads leading into st. Paul. One was
to Chicago, one Duluth, another went
northwest for about 100 miles, and the
fourth southwest to Missouri. He called
attention to the fact that now there are
six lines leading direct to Chicago.
"Since 1874 there has been great ma
terial development in Minnesota de-
clared Mr.. Edwards. "Now we are send
ing our ore to Pennsylvania, our dairy
products to New York. our flour to Eu-
rope, and our merchandise to the Pa
cif1c coast
In particular the speaker dwelt upon
the growth of st. Paul. When he came
here there were but $4,000 people, and
when the Dayton Avenue church was
established at it's present location some
people had predicted that the city would
never grow out to It, His church was
the fourth in point Of age in the city.
1t was organized with a membership Of
twenty-three, representing ten families,
April 10, 1874. DR.. Edwards preached in
the church for the first time June II of
the same year, when he received unan-
imous call. He came in July to take up
the work of the church permanently. In
comparing the present with past condi-
lions DR.. Edwards pointed out the
growth Of the church from It's small be-
ginning to its present membership of 800,
with a Sunday school as large in num-
bers. During the quarter of century
of Dr. Edwards pastorate the church
had built new house of worship cost
ing $4,000, 300 persons had been received
into membership and s208,0OO raised by
the congregation, $41,000 of which had
been devoted to benevolent objects. In
closing the speaker dwelt upon the deaths
that had occurred during his pastorate
among the members of the church who
had rendered him most assistance in for
warding the work of the church.
The evening service was a rally, at
which Rev. A. B. Medium, Rev. w G..
Covert and Rev. John Sinclair were
present and extended congratulations
personally and on behalf Of their congre-
cations. The speakers were introduced
by DR.. Edwards, and all paid high tribute
TO the character Of the man whose an
niversary they were assisting to com
memorate.
Ihls occasion is q stimulation of
Presbyterianism and gives us a renewed
denominational enthusiasm that Is need.
co. declared Mr.. Covert, who was an
nounced to deliver a historical address
instead Or. covert confined himself to a
few words Of earnest congratulation
Rev. John Sinclair's congratulations
were no less heartfelt, and DR.. A. B. Mel
drum spoke of the desire of his own
church, the Central, to see Dr.. Edwards
and his charge flourish
what we desire for one we desire
and pray for for ALL" he declared. "What
is best for one is best for all. No church
can grow at the expense of another.
we ell rejoice and share in the same
degree of prosperity You can afford
your beloved pastor no higher testi-
monial OF your appreciation for his long
service and the faithfulness with which
ne mas labored among you than by be-
ing loyal to the church whose interest
ne has at heart. Be aggressive and stand
by him.
At the conclusion of the service nearly
all of the congregation pressed to the
front TO snake the hand of their pastor,
who held an impromptu levee.