Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-15
CHURCH FIFTY YEARS OLD
First Preibytensn Congregation Celebrates
Its Golden Anniversary.
ADDRESS BY REV. THOMAS H. CLeLANp
Pastor of Church from 1856 10
1852 Reviews First Twenty
Five Years Of Church's
History.

| The special services Sunday at the First
! Presbyterian church in celebration of the
| hftieth anniversary OF the organization OF
the congregation attracted congrega tions
which completely filled the edifice morning.
afternoon and evening. An interesting
and likewise the principal feature OF the
morning service was the address Of Rev.
| Thomas II. Cleland, y. d., who was pas
| tor OF the church from August, 1865 to
| June, 1882. His topic, "The First twenty
five Years OF the History Of the Church"
was mainly historical, his address being in
| part follows:
| A review of half centurys history OF
tunity TO estimate somewhat the value and
| influence of this imperium in imperio. The
| founder Of Christianity describes II as the
salt OF the earth. the light of the
| world" thus fixing the indispensableness
to the world. Eliminate the silent but con-
godly living from the body polite and you
create Sodom on whose chief business
| a risk. and within whose precincts no wise
| man would think of rearing a household
any more than he would choose sodom in
| French revolution. Fifty years history
Of this church, II it has been true to its
been living and shining and lesvenng the
life OF this city and commonwealth.
/ become
history: Fifty-two years ago two men met
on steamer ascending the Missouri. The
one, Thomas officer. was TO establish a
business here, the other, James B. Rue, TO
form a school for the training of the Pres
byterian church They induced a brother
in-law of Mr. Rue, Rev. John II. Hancock
10 come out from Kentucky under the
board OF domestic missions to collect the
scattered flock OF God in this frontier town
and set up the banner OF the cross. To
ing the kinsdom Of God. After 10
a church, Accordingly the veteran mis-
sionary. Rev. l.. G.. Bell organized this
| corporation into church on the 18th of
October 1856 in the third story OF the EN-
pre block on Broadway. over the store of
Mr.. Snow. and placed It under the care of
charter members were Narcssa Beck. Ma
lena r. Hardin. Martha f. Hogart, c. w
]. Hancock, Henry P. Warren. Hannah L.
Warren, James b. Rue. Thomas and Eliz-
S rSa M o OFFICER and Susan Lee a mute
chosen ruling elders and c. w. Boyers dea-
con.
First Foundation Laid.
OF worship was laid In 1857 on the site Of
the present editlce, but owing to the
strtngency Of the times and the civil war.
the foundation remained a promise until
1855, when the superstructure was erected,
the congregation wOrshiplng in the base
ment lecture room until November, 1866.
A chain OF circumstances brought the
speaker. just out of Princeton, to become
August ' J.. 1866. He came expecting to re
main few weeks and remained sixteen
years The church was worShiping in the
five resident members, earnest and deter
on November is OF that year. or In less
than three months. the main audience room
was completed and dedicated free OF debt,
the whole cost. including furniture and lot.
1870. The jealous ladies of the church
had a large part in raising the funds;
| lad ms of
and one were added during the sixteen
years pastorate. On one occasion we re-
Sabbath school was always nourishlng, and
the prayer meeting the best l have ever
known. The church had a young peo-
} pies meeting OF 100 members in the days
before the Christian Endeavor.
rhe 6 6ae been R.tSTy fS tell IN how
I pivotal this church has been in establish
, ing the wider kingdom Of God. In 1861.
he was ordained, and on the same day
; he was made chairman of the committee
souri, river, whose territory extended from
Winterset Ia to Sacramento, Cal, -4 ana
rSs1a 'ns .rs Iess ,bsn m. sx nISisteTs on
, either side of the river of the Presbyterian
faith. The development Of this vast region
consregation cheerfuliy loaned money for
the organization and dedication OF churches
contributions to helm the struggling
churches on the prairie In the establish
inent OF what now comprises nve syilo o,ad
over 10000 communicates. this congregation
has had no small part.
wide Inauence of Church
: The influence this church has had only
{ the recording angel knows. Some have
! grown up who are called millonaires. who
, were poor boys among us. They are using
a college and mission from his own fortune
Others sdorn the judicial bench and legis-
lative halls and as such have been potent
Co. H. tlaa aNaae NraWa Not Enxar of Ia
women of the church have become teachers
4 and have ministered to the establishment
, for the friendless. Some have gone to
! preach the gospel and others to learn
I commercial life with honor and social life
ali been imperfect men and have done
less than they might but Council Bluffs
as a CITY Iowa as a state. and this nation
have gone out from you, and many still
remain who have done what they could
= What story this church shall tell what
; history II shall make In the next semi
centennial, no one can predict but all can
believe and pray that 1t shall be a larger
truer. and greater history.
Three Charter Members Survive.
The First Presbyterian church was or
ganized October :. 1856, and OF the thirteen
charter members. but three survive. Mrs.
Sarah +. Pussy. Mrs. Hanna l.. Warren
and Mrs, Elizabeth NJ Ofioer. who are
still residents of Council Bluffs snd were
present at yesterdays services. Since its
organization. l,4sO members have been re-
eeived into the church and its membership
today Is AZ
In the afternoon a vesper communion
service was held at which DR.. Cleland and
Or. stephen Phelps ofnciated. and new
members were received. The address was
made by the pastor Rev Marcus p. Nc
Clnre. who took as his subject Each Ones
Record" There was special music at each
of the three services.
Address by ReV. stephen Phelps.
p Rev. stephen Phelps. pastor OF the church
from February, 1887. 10 July. 1885. delivered
the address at the evening services. taking
Memorials" as his theme. DIT. Phelps told
OF what the First Presbyterian church had
accomplished in Council Bluffs. of how the
money was raised for the erection OF the
present edifce and the addition containing
the parlors and Sunday school rooms In
concluding his address he urged the con-
gregation to erect a manse for its pastor
as a memorial TO the semi-eentenniaI an