Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-24

by the members, under the direction
Iof James Todd. who is with us today,
though his membership has not been
with us all these years. BY degrees
1.-THE pews were made and grained by
other members. They are still in use.
Their backs were not very high, and
were anything but comfortable.
| Pastors of the Church.
! Rev. J. r. McCallister continued as
stated supply until July l, 1860. In
| the meantime the congregation of Dav-
| export was organized. and he supplied
| both congregations. Fifty-fOur persons
were received into the membership
during this passionate. Among them
was a. Conner. who afterwards became
minister. but was unable TO continue
in the ministry long on account of i'll
health.
Following Mr.. McCallister was Rev.
w H. Jeffords, who continued for Is
months. Then the congregation was
without a regular pastor until April,
1868. when Rev. Henry Wallace was
called and continued until April. 1871.
During the pastorate of Rev. Wallace
there were IS persons received into
membership, yet the decrease seemed
to be as great as the increase, on ac-
count of removals.
After another season without a pas
tor. Rev. ]. A Reynolds was called for
full time. in July of 1872. There were
but 30 members to again take up the
work. There had been 15S persons re-
ceivcd in the IS years
Present Church Built in 1873.
AS the church building was not very
inviting there was an effort made TO
build a new church. so in the spring of
1873 the present building was planned
and begun, but was not entirely finish
ed until 1876, by which time the mem
bership had increased TO 20 members.
The cost of the new church was $10.-
900. of which amount the people paid
nearly $1,000 The balance was from
the board of church extension and out
side help.
At the close of DR.. Reynolds pastor
ate the membership was 80. Immedi-
ateIy following Dr. Reynolds. Rev. J. II.
Brown, D. D., took up the work. con
tinuing for three years, after which
there was Il SSdSOn WltuOuJ al poiSIOI-
In the summer of 1889 Rev. T. II. Nc
Michael, d. D.. then a student, filled
the pulpit. and in the fall of 1889 Rev.
II. c. Marshall became stated supply
and continued eight years.
Many of our members, living in Mo
line, desired either their letter to con-
meet with some church there. orthat we
give them preaching; so a mission was
started in 1895, which was afterward
formed into a church, May IA, 1898,
with p members from the Rock Island
congregation, and became independent
in 1901. At the close of Rev. Fl. c.
MarshalTs pastorate the membership
was about $50, counting the two fields,
Moline and Rock Island.
Rev. McNnry Called.
Again we were without a pastor for
a year. when in September, of 1898
Rev d. l.. McNary became stated sup
ply, devoting his time to the two con-
gregations for time. until Moline be
came independent.
OF the original members. as far as is
known. there are but two living:
James Todd and Mrs. Margaret Caugh-
ey. of Coal Valley. Ill. J. NJ. Logan
and wife. of Monmouth. and J. r. John
ston. of Los Angeles, Cal, were receiv-
ed in 1855. There may be others we
have lost track of.
The present membership is 100. We
cannot count the influence by numbers.
nor say that we should be larger be-
cause of our age. Many have had
precious hours waiting upon the Lord
within these walls. and it is our prayer
that there may be many more days and
years wherein Gods people may assem-
BILE for worship here and souls shall be
saved
The following are those who have
served as elders. the elders-eleCt, and
clerks of the session:
EIdershIp of the Church.
Erskin McClelland, James Todd,
Hugh Warnock Thomas Mccall, Sam
Hel F. Cooke. Joseph Mckee. NJ. D.,
James Mcconnell. Alex White. Edwin
B. McKown, Samuel H. Montgomery.
James ID. Warnock.
Elders-elect - Charles E Bryan
James A. Weed, F. P. Lysinger. NJ. Boil
man.
Clerks of SessiOn-Hugh WarnOck,
Samuel F. Cooke, Samuel H. MontgOm
cry. James d. Warnock.
Upon our roll was the name of one
who has been appointed to a position
that will bring 10 him national. yes.
worldwide fame if he shall be permit
ted TO carry the work our government
has placed in his hands. The work he
has done for various railroads the past
% years bespeaks for him success. I
refer TO Hon. John F. Wallace. L. l.. D..
who was with us when the present
church was being built He has been
appointed engineer in charge of the
Panama canal