The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-12
AN INDIANA PREACHER.
Rev. Charles Little Has Retained His
First Passionate % Years.
Wabash Plain Dealer.

Wabash Plain Dealer.
Rev. Dr. Charles Little, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church, this city, Sunday
rounded out the twenty-eighth year of his
ministry in Wabash. 1t is singular fact
that with one exception he is the only Pres
byterfan minister in the State who has
served twenty-eight consecutive years with
one congregation, this being the first and
only appointment he has ever held. There
are several Presbyterian preachers who
have held longer pastoral relations with
given churches, but they have all. with one
exception named, previously occupied other
pulpits.
DR. Little was born in Granville, O., Dec.
l. 1916. The son Of Rev. Jacob Little a
Presbyterian clergyman, he was destined by
his father from boyhood for the ministry,
and naturally was drawn to that calling.
He was sent to Marietta, o., college, from
which he graduated, and later took a course
in theology at Cincinnati, finishing the lat
ter in 1871. In 1872 he was given a trial by
the Presbyterian Church here. and the con-
gregation a large and critical one, was so
pleased with the young divine that he was
honored with a call, which he accepted, and
neither party to- the contract then made has
had reason to regret the choice.
In 1873 he was given the honorary degree
OF doctor Of divinity by his alma mater.
and from that time forward his career in
the pulpit, as pastor among his flock and
success.
He married a Lafayette lady in 1873. ard
she dying, he in 1879 welded Miss Anna.
daughter of w. K. Thurston. of this city,
ana with his two children there is not a
napier home in all the land than is his.
The church under his direction Lire had
flee, built fifty years or more ago. in 1880
| gave place to handsome new structure
1873, was replaced five years ago with fine
new 5000 home for the pastors use. These
improvements were brought about in large
degree through the energy and tact of DR.
| Little. through whose entire ministry there
| has not been schism or division of any
KIND In congregational councils, though the
| disSenSions.
In 1884 he was elected moderator of the
INDIANA state Synod, and for twenty years
| bytery. In 1891 he was chosen stated clerk
| of the Indiana State Synod, and his re-
election every year is taken by consent he
| the date mentioned.
During the last year twenty-five persons
nave aE o,d been received into his congregation
| conducted funeral services for fOrty-fve
persons and performed forty marriages.
| During his twenty-eight years with the
church here he has officiated at 73O funerals
and married 1.224 persons.
The benevolences of the church for the
| last year amounted to 81 600 and the con-
gregational expenses to $500. all OF which
was paid.
In his anniversary sermon to the large
| congregation Sunday DIR. Little gave these
statistical figures and then followed with
an eloquent sermon from Kings 1, 22-23
! And the King of Israel said unto his SER
wants, Know ye that Ramoth is ours, and
be still aad take IL not out of the hand OF
the King of SYRIA
The Presbyterian minister who. among all
! others In Indiana, has outstayed DR.. Little
in one pastorate. is DIR. Harvey Van Nuys
| of Goshen, who has been there forty-seven
/ years. Other pastors who have served long
| but not continuously, are DR. Charles
Hutchinson, OF New Albany. forty-seveh
years DIR. Hughes, of Richmond. thirty live
| years; DIR. ID. w. Moffatt, Fort Wayne
| twenty-seven years.
year before Governor Matthews died
| he rendered DIR. Little a place on the board
| of trustees of Longclin Asylum for the In.
/, sane. but he was obliged to reject IL.
| Though DR.. Little's pastorate here has
| been long and faithful one, he Is not ar
old man. and his legion OF friends OF al
denominations, from the lake to the river