The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-01-25

Continued from Page y
settlers, against The Indians; after tn
mann-r OF the Puritans, taking ;
gun with them into their pews OF
Sunday morning; like them practicint
a kind of, holy nilitant Christianity
whether deponent knoweth not!5 Ma.
be her prayers, more than her guns
as with the Puritans, saved the day
My memories of the church, in many
regards, are very pleasant. The
church was quite strong, numerically
and mfluentially, among the country
churches of the state. 1t had wealthy
constituency, and was influentially
representative in the town. The En-
deavor Society numbered about go,
and contained very unusual talent. Of
ten 40 different members would take
part in meeting. Many of them fin
ished the High school course and went
to the University and some to Garlic
ton. They have represented the church
splendidly since. Twelve of them, l
now count, as having become public
school and high school teachers and
one college teacher. Four of tAem
became M. D. S. They also represent
ed school superintendent, editors and
authors. At one time, / think, there
were 10 of our young people in the
college or university. A very remark
able group. / see them now scattered
from New York City to Florida and
Cuba, and from the Pacific to the At
lantic.
So we cannot begin to estimate the
general influence of the Sank Centre
church, in these respects, during the
whole fifty years.
The Sank Centre Congregational
Church has given, in SO years, thous-
ands of dollars in benevolences, out
side, of the money raised for its self
support. Many of its workers, scat
tered far and near, are still working,
in other churches, who had their first
impression here. How many have been
baptized here? How many married?
How many, through the ministrations
of this church, have been comforted
with Christian hope, in their lonll-
ness, and tears of bereavement. How
many have been transferred to the
larger fields of heavily activity dur
ing the last fifty years? This church
is now represented there, by a large
number Do they have reunions there?
Do they remember US? Do they know
more of our affairs than we realize
this crowd of witnesses May we do
tie work of the residue that they left
undone, SO as not to be ashamed,
when we meet them again!
trust that now the Congregational
church of Sank Centre has a new lease
eff life and a promise. of larger expan-
sion, in the enlargement of the city,
since the olden time; and in the. com
ing a new pastor, God, bless you,
and cause his face to shine upon you,
and give you peace!
From an ex-pastor, f.,
~ ,sa,:al G. E. Smith.
y =
Other letters were read including
one from Rev. r. S. Cross and Rev.
Brown.
While these letters were being read.
the thoughts of many were turned
back across the years, old scenes, old
faces, old associations, came back |
again. How quickly the years had sped.
,i,xrr32 ccre tears IN many eyes as
.eh congregation rose and sung very !
and very quietly Memorial
hymn in memory of those who during
the past fifty years had labored
them in pulpit and in pew
and who had now passed on to higher !
realms of love and service.
Miss M. H. Remington, who was in |
charge of the organ, rendered splen-
lid solo in finished style, accompanied |
by Mss Lynne at the piano and Mr.. |
B. Christianson with the violin.
The Anniversary sermon which fol-
lowed was preached by Rev. F. E
Bigelow, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio,
butnwho has recently been called to
the work of Superintendent of Con-
churches for Southern
Mr.. Biglow's message was
a call to a realization that "We are
Gods fellow workers." that all that |
has heen wrought has been done nv
God through man. 1t was a coll r.
service. a call to use the past as an /
irsriration for greater things in the
future. The impression left by thr
sermon was that the tasks which the
church offers to men and to wnmer
TODAY are things worth while" y
war snlerdid message ablv delivered,
The singing of that familiar hymn.