Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-25
EARLY STRUGGLES
History of First Methodist Church
Told by e. o.
Sweeney.
FIRST GATHERING IN 1886
Large Number of Members of Congre-
cation Dine - Social Session
Follows Feast


copal church, TO the number OF about
rs, gathered last evening and enjoyed
banquet. rendered by committee of
the members. The banquet was served
by the ladies of the church in the large
basement Sunday school room. Fol
lowing the serving of the bounteous
feast. Col. c. L. Walker. as toastmas-
ter. announced the purpose of the gath
ering as one for good fellowship and
better acquaintance.
The first speaker of the evening. E
ID. Sweeney. responded to the toast,
The History of Our Church The
history of the church. told in full from
the first gathering in 1886 to the pres
ent time. would. as Mr. Sweeney stat
ed. have occupied the entire evening.
so he briefly sketched the important
events of the church history. The
church was the outgrowth of a mis-
sion in the Peoria conference, men
toned first in the conference minutes
in 1881. when Peter Cartwright, the
noted frontier preacher was presiding
here took place at the log cabin OF
the Mayer Rosenfield homestead now
stands. Mrs. Nancy Hartzeil, of Mo
line. mother of Bishop Hartzell. is the
only one of the organizers who sur
wives. Judge John w. Spencer. a great
pioneer character. was one of the or
ganizers. He came here in 1928. spend
ing the first night in this locality as
the guest of Black Hawk in his wig
wan
Built Three Churches.
Mr. Sweeney mentioned the three
churches which have been built by the
congregation, one on Union square, lat
er Spencer square, and two on the
present site of the church. Three par
sonages also have been built, and a
total of 100000 spent in the erection
of church buildings. Thirty-nine pas
stors have been in charge, and 20 pre-
siding elders have been located here
The conference was entertained here
three times, 1856, 1864, and 1888 The
membership has been increased from
SO TO 743. Z. ID. Sweeney, the speaker.
is the only living trustee that holds a
title TO the church. In the course OF
his remarks he mentioned great sup
per served by the ladies when the first
church was being completed, i'll 1855
This supper was attended by over 600.
Attended the supper.
Hon. William Jackson, who was the
toned. he being the only one present
last evening VINO attended the function
of 80 years ago. In speaking of The
Purpose of the church." Mr.. jackson
told of his own long connection with it,
he having Joined the Methodist church
in Liverpool in 1S47 The purpose of
the church. he said, was TO carry out
the purposes for which God had de-
signed il.
In speaking of The Influence of the
Church. j. F. Witter pointed out the
tremendous bearing of the church on
a community, not only on those who
are identified with il. but on those who
are never seen within its walls.
a. l.. Burnett. in his remarks on
Our Brotherhood" urged an organiza-
ton of the men of the church. and
pointed out the practicability of such
an organization The church in this
way might enter into competition with
the outside organizations TO attract the
men to the church. The Christian man
needs the fellowship of Christian men, |
and such an organization could accom- !
plish much in providing him with such |
association"
Men and sunday school.
S. J. Ferguson. superintendent of |
the Sunday school, made the school the |
Subiecr of his remarks and urged that |
the men recognize more fully the i'm
portance of the Sunday school He So
licited the cooperation of the men in i
this work.
Rev. r. b. Williams remarked that |