The Redwood gazette., 1917-06-27
Fifty Years of
Church History
(By Luella TurrelD

QfeQJn anniversary OF all luSCl-
tuition is not uncommon. And
such celebrations are of value,
because they help stir up an ad-
ded interest in the institution
in whose honor they are given;
and because often, as with US
this week, they bring together
have been far removed from the
many who perhaps for years
old associations; and thus tend
to strengthen the bond of friend
ship which should exhist between
those who have at different
times been connected with the
same institution.
You have so far, during our
fftieth anniversary, heard a
bout the different phases of
work carried on during the years
by the First Presbyterian Churc
of Redwood Falls. This after
noon | wish you to go back fifty
years into the past. You know
the old time wizards had a ma
gic wand to wave over ones
head, and this magic wand
would do wonderful things in an
instant of time. But | have no
magic wand. So you wonder |
suppose, whether the wonderful
wooden horse of the Arabian
Nights" will suddenly appear
and carry you away, or whether
the magic carpet will transport
you to the far-aWay wonderland
of fifty years ago. No, you need
not expect either to appear.
Why look for a wonderful wood
en- horse or a magic carpet
when all the transporting nee
essary is merely mental? For the
story of fifty years ago happen
ed right in this very town.
l have no magic wand, but |
have what may be called a ma
gic book-a tiny notebook. On
the back of the cover are the
words: Record Of the First
Presbyterian Church Of Red
wood Falls" The ink is still
black Fifty years have failed
to dim it materially. | shall
read a part Of the first record.
But before | do so, | wish you
would imagine yourself to be,
not in the Redwood Falls Of
1917, but in the Redwood Falls
of 1867.
You are in a town Of some
tairty-fve families. There is
one hotel; there are two stores
On what will later be the Court
House square there is seen moth
ing but a liberty pole. At the
falls is a saw mill. There is no
school-house, the first being
built in 1869, with 40 scholars.
If you care to take the train
you go 80 miles to lie Sueur. If
you wish, you may take the
stage to New Ulm. There is
but one physician, Dr. Hitch
cock; and but cne lawyer, Col,
McPhail, the founder of the
town. There is but vne church
organization, the First Presby-
terian Church aud t,fey have no
church building.
And now a few words from
the record:
Redwood Falls, Redwood Co.,
MINI.
March, 1867.
The following persons have been
received as members and have
united in covenant, thus con-
stituting the First Presbyterian
Church of Redwood Falls, MINI.
| to be connected with the Pres
bytery of Dakota and were pro-
nouced duly organized and con-
situted church by Rev. A. G.
Rulifson, District Secretary of
the Committee Of Missions.,,
Then follows a list Of the nine
charter members, the record of
baptisms and the holding Of the
communion services.
The next entry is September,
1867, and signed by c. Hall, Pas
tor.
Then follow several entries
relative to the admission of
members, ETC., and signed by
Rev. Mr.. Hall. The last page,
as | looked at it, made me Won
der how Mr.. Hall felt Whenhe
first saw it. It certainly looks
to have upon it the impress of
some ante-diluvian monster in
| Continued on page 81