River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-02-16

will ever. forget, very plain, look
ing more like Abraham Lincoln than
any one else. Very tall in stature,
and as tall in intellect. He was
called "the high priest" Said Prof
Pratt: 1--WE had long been looking
for a man we could look up to and
he completely filled the bill" He
was the observed of all observers,
and when he stopped in Prescott on
his way here he was asked: II
say, stranger, where did you lodge
last night?" He replied, my head
lodged in Barker's hotel, my feet in
infinite space"
l remember hearing him say that
he visited the Kentucky giant and
the giant asked him to take off his
(the giant s. hat, and he did it, and
the giant told him he was the first
person he had met who could do
this.
During the next year our ranks
were increased by number OF
families, and every new family was
hailed with delight.
The coming of permanent pas
tor necessitated the building of a
parsonage, Tor there was not va
cant room to be had. This meant
sacrifice, for many were living in
shanties. But the little cottage SO
long known as the Gill house was
built and for many years was the
home of our pastor. The people
were very prompt in their attend
ance on church service. Mr.. Stew
ems used to sit in his study on Sun
day morning until he saw Lyman
Powell's gray horses coming over
the hill and then start for church.
One Sunday the Powell family fail
ed to come. We waited, and finally
some one went to see what had hap
pened. MI. Stevens had not looked
at the clock but was watching for
the gray horses.
The few young people who were
here met at the parsonage every
Saturday night. 1t meant some
thing to go mile, and go in fear of
meeting the prairie wolves, or per-
haps bear. We used to make the
valleys ring with the hymns we
sang on our way home.
We soon outgrew the school house
and it soon became imperative that
we "arise and build" There were
no men of wealth, but as in the
days of the temple building, 1.-The
people mad mind to work" and
they built themselves as we'll as
their money into the church.
AT this time a dreadful accident
happened. Timothy Edwards was
getting the long timbers for the
church when one of the trees fell,
crushing both of his legs causing
his death. There were no trained
nurses at that time and the care of
this good brother was labor of
love from his neighbors. Twelve
men went to the big woods and
brought him to his daughters on a
litter, journey of six miles; six
men carving at one time and chang
ing with the other six as the burden
became too heavy.
After many trials the church was
completed, we having received a
small benefit from the church build
ing society, and the dedication took
place July 4, 1883.
The following winter most Won
derful revival took place. There
was no evangelist but the people
were all together with one accord
in one place." Meetings were held
all day, people from the country
bringing their lunches with them.
There were also days of fasting, the
people spending the entire noon
hour in prayer.
Soon after this we gave up our
afternoon service, giving the use oil
the church to our Methodist breth'
rem on one Sabbath and the Baptists
the next, until they were able tc
build for themselves, but we hac
evening services.
The old brown church, plain ano
homelv as it was, was the birthplace
of MANY consecrated lives, among
them our brother, William Gray
and Fannie Stevens Guile, daughteI
of our pastor, who was so many
wears missionary to Japan. Their
there were scores of Christian
teachers.
Who can estimate the good done
as one life touches another? Eter
nity alone will reveal 1t.
Musical History of the Congre.
gational Church.