The Press., 1901-01-03

The Press records the fact that in '59 the Sunday school of Greenville came here for a picnic, and that our Sunday school members helped them have good time.
 Our membership has more than dou- bled. Where there were 51 founders we now have about 137 members, and this, too, with the coming into being and the growth of three other church organiza- | tions in the borough, together with the disasters that have been endured. We would delight to call up old names, but time forbids more than 8 generaliza- ton of the original membership. There were the Bacons, Badgers, Bakers, Blod- getts, Chandlers, Chapins, Cranes, Dan- iels, Deans, Ellises, Fullers, Ives, John- sons, Kingsburys, Knights, Littles, Dr. cutts, Parsons, Smiths, Washburns, Win chesters and Woodwards-all of them we'll known, and many of them either actively connected with us to-day in per- son or by their descendants, honored, be- loved and useful to the church In the Lords work.
 Let us only mention further the build ing committee of this present house, l. e., Rev. c. C,.Painter, E. c. Dennis, IF. A. Warfield and w. H. Cooley. Let us congratulate those of them who are here to-day, as they have doubtless often been felicitated before, on the good taste and fidelity to the church and to the cause of Christ that they have displayed. This church has always been a praying church.. The early parish meetings were opened with prayer Gods guidance has been sought in all things, and the at tempt made to follow it when given. Many souls here have found the light. Many children have learned here the rudi- roapfo of tho Chriofiop life and orOUu mn into its privileges. This is noble institution, an insti- | tution embodying Gods love to men, It has done 8 grand work. There Is a grander work before it.
 Its spiritual growth seems to have kept peace with its material and social pros- perity. Let us return thanks for 1t, for the existing spirit of brotherly love, unity, kindness and contemplating helpfulness ex- tended to all about us.
 3. This, then, is our preparation for advance.
 | We are starting on new fifty years and into a new century, whose privileges and possibilities we anticipate with eager ex- pectancy and faith. We have started by a new policy, with a new pastor. Greater opportunities open before us. We have love and burning desire to initiate the Christ and to serve Him with in and without the church fold.
 We have great encouragement. Our mistakes have taught us, and our normal growth and steady spiritual progress should stimulate us.
 We may be encouraged also at our mu- tual confidence and because of the Lords hand, which we can recognize leading through change, flood, perplexities, joys, and consecrated efforts in the past.
 He leads us to-day. He will lead into the future.
 It Is He that we serve, not our own In. terests. 1t is His Kingdom whose coming we, by our lives, hasten, not the success of our own enterprise. We are, as a church, one of the members of the body of Christ, in and by His grace. V
 Let us have a just pride, as we look at the history of our church and what 1t has meant of Godliness and goodness to this community. Let us have hope and abundant, courageous enthusiasm, as we cross the threshold of the future. Hope as to what the Lord will do in our midst and enthusiasm for what He will do through us in the community, ever pray ing for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
 Let me give you watchword for guid- ance in the next five decades of our life, one that is to go with US into the first half of the worlds new century,: .s
 "Therefore, let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him en- dured the cross, deepising the shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"
 "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year and procl aim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" This tima lihertv through the croaS-