Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-10-30
Congregational
Church Notes

sunday OCTOBER "a, was the CenJn
Anniversary Sunday at the Grant
wood Congregational Church. There
was large audience in the morning.
A new pulpit bible was presented and
used for the first time. The pastor
preached an appropriate anniversary
sermon. In his introduction he said:
eve remember today little meeting
that was held in Palisade Park, Oc-
tober %, 1905, at which time a COM
mittee was elected to arrange for
regular religious services. 1t was
from this little gathering that
our present church came" He traced
the growth of the church. Services
were held in the school house
then in a small house on the Cowdry
estate, then in the new fire hall and
finally in the new church which was
dedicated, November 27, 1910.
He spoke of the organization of
the sunday School, Ladies Aid So
ciety, and C. E. Society. He mention
ed the names of the officers of these
societies. He spoke words of appre-
citation of the former pastors, Rev.
Copeland, Gray, and Ekins. Rev.
Church, the present pastor, is just
closing three years of service.
The church membership has nearly
doubled in that time.
The subject of the sermon was
"True Christian Optimism"
In word it was plea for right
value on work to be done now. ut
is we'll to gain encouragement from
the past and it is important to hope
for the future, but now is the ac-
cepted time for work in the king
DOM"
The evening program consisted OF
"reminiscences from members OF the
Original Committee, and others who
were in the work at the beginning
Mr.. Donaldson, Mr.. Pennell, Mr..
Goodman, Rev. Gray, Mr.. Van Wag
ner, Mr.. Schomber,. Mr.. Sears, Mr..
Farrenger, Mr.. Leeger, Ms. Donald
son, Ms. Gray, Miss Hodkinson, and
others called to mind early-day oc-
currences, interesting and amusing.
At the morning service the choir
rendered an anthem which was sung
at the dedication of the church. Mr..
A. w. Bennett, who was the first
choirster, sang solo in the evening"
The anniversary exercises were
continued at the Christian Endeavor
service Wednesday evening, the sub
iect being, "What our church has
accomplished in the past ten years,
and what we want it to accomplish
in the next ten years." S. N. Sears
has charge of the meeting. All of
thos who were charter members
hav been invited to speak. There
will be special music by the boy
Oh lr.
Harry Elkan, 22nd Regiment Ma
tional Guards, Palisade, has been Sc
cured to have charge of the cadets.
He drilled the boys for the first time
last Tuesday evening. He put them
through series of callisthenics
which will promote grace as well
as health. The boys were delighted.
Mr.. Elkan has promised to devote
Monday evenings to the boys. Mem
bership is not limited to those be-
longing to the Congregational Sum-
day School. Any boy in the com
munity is welcome to take advantage
of this opportunity.
Such are the results of earnest
leaders, loyal followers ever since
the first effort of that little pioneer
band of dozen members, which has
grown to 14O and is fast increasing.
It was a faithful, consecrated little
band. It's connection with God was
close. Nothing was planned or be-
gun without prayer. What other re-
suit could there be than the active,
aggressive growing church OF today
with a bright tomorrow under the
leadership of it's progressive and be-
loved pastor?