The record-union., 1899-10-23
Semi-Centennial of the Congregational
Church in This City.
Historical Sermon and Review of the History of
the Church, by Rev. ]. B. Silcox
Other Addresses.

The golden jubilee services at the
CONGREGATIONAL Church yesterday
morning and last night were impress
i've and beautiful. The music, the
sermons, the speeches and the elaborate
decorations of the church appealed to
the ear and eye, and awakened esthetic
and religious emotions in all present.
The church was filled with people. In
the pulpit with Rev. ]. B. Silcox We're
Rev. S. H. Wiley and Rev. ]. H. War
rem, gray haired and eminent clergy
men who assisted in the ordination of
Rev. J. A. Benton (the first pastor of
the First Congregational church,, in
1S49. They participated in the scrip
ture readings and prayer service, and
their invocations were characterized by
fervid eloquence and deep emotion.
The decorations of the church were
quite elaborate and beautiful, partic-
ularly those of the pulpit. Arising
from foreground consisting of banks
of palms, pampas grass and pOppies, a
large arch of evergreen and ivy span
ned the space over the pulpit, and the
words Golden jubilee shone in flow
cry letters of white. The pews We're
decorated in green and orange, the gal
lery drapings were of gold, and stream
ers Of brilliant evergreen ran from the
hanging chandeliers to the center piece
over the central ceiling. The large
congregation was encircled with flow
ers and decorations, and amid these
sweet influences there was the sound of
melodious songs by the choir.
HISTORICAL REVIEW.
After the preliminary announcements
and the golden offering, Rev. ]. B. Sill
cox delivered the historical sermon.
Though he spoke very rapidly, his voice
trembled with emotion, and the con-
gregation was carried with unabated
interest to the conclusion of the ser
mon. The text Oeviticus, 25:1O, was:
And We shall hallow the fiftieth year
and proclaim liberty throughout all the
land, unto all the inhabitants thereof;
it shall be jubilee unto you
Fifty years ago, said the speaker. a
few devOut men met in this city one
Sunday evening and resolved to or
ganiZe this First Congregational
Church. We are thankful to God to-
day for what these men did fifty years
ago. We recall their names and ser
vice with gratitude and gladness. What
they did in those early days, they did
not for themselves alone, but for all
who in this church during these fifty
years have heard the word of life. and
have been blessed and comforted by
the gospel of Christ that has been
preached here. This church has been
fountain of refreshment to innumer-
able human souls all these fifty years
Here the prodigal, far from his home,
has heard his fathers voice calling him
back to manhood and to God. Here
the tempted man has received strength
divine that has kept him from the great
transgression. Here little children
have been taught the truths of the
gospel. and young feet led in the paths
of wisdom and righteousness. Here
SOrrOwing souls have been comforted
of God, and on the wings of joyful song
have been lifted to those serene nights
where the soul rests in God and is at
peace. This has been house of mer-
cy, and a very door into heaven to a
great company, many of whom worship
to-day in the sanctuary above. 1t Is
surely meet and right that we should
hallow the f1ftieth year with joyful
hath done great things for US whereof
We are glad. We raise our Ebenezer
saying hitherto the Lord hath led us.
1t is my part in this service of COM
memoratfon to gather together in ord
er some Of the more salient facts and
incidents connected with the early life
of this city and church. If as a ma
tion we find it wise and profitable to
periodically. remind ourselves of tie
birth Of the republic, rehearslng the in
cidents that led to it's inception, read
ing anew its declaration of principles
it is surely profitable at a time like this
to recall the early years Of the church s
life and learn from them the lessons
they are designed to teach. Through
His servants the prophets. God often
reminded Israel of the beginnings OF
their life with Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, how He led them from Egypt
across the desert into Canaan, and
made Of them a great and mighty ma
ton. Thou shalt remember all the
way which the Lord thy God led thee
was the divine command Of old That
same command has meaning and &
lesson for US in this church to-day. Coo
can say to us, the dwellers in Califor-
MIA, what He said to His chosen peo.
pie of old. THE Lord thy God bring.
eth thee into a good land, a land ol
brooks of water, of fountains anC