The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-27
PASTOR MADE ADDRESS.

lou members OIL tHe COHBTe8dtioH Sht
down to the elaborate supper which
had been prepared.
PASTOR MADE ADDRESS.
Shortly before 9 o'clock, the pastor,
Rev. H. S. Potter, who occupied
seat at the head of the center table,
made brief address, serving to intro
duce in a general way the speakers who
were to follow. The first address was
made by Thomas Johns, who was one
of those most active in organizing the
church, ten years ago. He spoke on
the past history Of the church and told
of the struggle made for an existence
at first and Of the gradual growth in
both temporal and spiritual things.
Ten souls were saved in the mission
from which the church sprang, he said,
and dozens have been brought to Christ
since the organization of the church
itself.
The second speaker was Prof. F. NJ.
Loomis, of the High school, who spoke
on the future of the church.
God rules the universe" he said.
"He rules individual lives and He rules
churches. If we take a broader out
look of life, we will realize that Gods
promises are being fulfilled in our
church life. The success of this church
in the past has been due to the faith
full, consecrated souls who have de-
voted their lives to its service. Now
that our membership is increased. we
are assured of far greater success in
the future"
He said that though the congrega-
ton had been saddened by the depart
nf Mr Ior ho, nd Nf
dispensation might be seen in the COM
ing of new worker on the walls of
Zion. He said that no Baptist church
in this part of the state has a brighter
outlook and none has brighter hopes.
FINANCES OF CHURCH.
e. F. Chamberln, the treasurer of
the church, next gave a talk on the
church finances. The total receipts for
ten years. he said, have been $26,OOO of
which amount $4,000 has been expended
for current expenses and $4,000 for
property and interest on the mort
gage.
Ip 1898 he said the church was twenty
third on the list of the Abingdon Bap-
tist association as far as membership
was concerned. In 1894 1t was ninth on
the list in membership and fifth in the
matter of contributions for benevolent
and missionary work. In 1901 the
church was sixth in point of member
ship and second in the matter of con-
tributions being only surpassed in this
latter respect by the Penn avenue Bap-
tist church.
mo church in the Abingdon associa-
tion,' said he. has a better field and a
better prospect for the carrying out OF
the Masters work. If we work earn
estly and zealously for His cause we
shall find pleasure not only in sense
OF duty done but in the growth of mind,
OF health, of body and above all, the
growth in grace which will come to us
ALL"
j. Nelson Garret, the superintendent
of the Sunday school, sketched briefly
the history of that adjunct OF the
church, which started ten years ago
with but twenty-four scholars and
which now has membership of $50.
Former Judge j. Wheaton Carpenter
was called upon by Rev. Mr.. Potter to
speak on 1.-THE Law and the Gospel"
but he announced desire to be held
down to no particular subject,
JUDGE CARPENTERS REMARKS.
"There is no doubt" said he, but
that the time which is now being spent
by this church in celebrating its tenth
anniversary will have a tendency to
renew the spiritual strength of the
members of the congregation and en-
able them to accomplish greater
achievements in the future. The record
of this church has been remarkable
both for its growth in membership and
for the character of its membership
Your past Is secure The future is your
only concern and with such a beginning
as you have had you need have no
cause for anxiety.
II want to publicly record my belief
that the greatest institution for the
moral education of the people of this
world is the Christian church. Its
teachers have always been men who by
precept and example have always
sought to rescue their fellow men from
the pit Of despair; its ministers have
been the purest souls into whom the
breath OF life has ever been breathed
and the best and noblest men of every
nation are proud to stand together
under the banner of the cross. If the
time ever comes. and I believe II will,
when all the churches will be united
TO nEht for the common good against