Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-06-11

tb3.. Nv Rev. B. NJ. Ans
aet41ar;,. :" nj !. E. Taylor was
director 1sQxg, he first trustees
We're William las, A. j. Atkins
and Charles Linkham. The hopes of
the people were now realized, the lit
tie school house was no longer needed
for church services and has since been
removed There is now no trace that
it ever existed, but 1t served well in
its day and generation and will re-
main in the memory of those who wor-
SHIPPED there.
The pastorate of the Rev Mr. Frey
was followed by that of the Rev. E. g.
! Carpenter, good and true man.
There are only pleasant memories of
Mr.. Carpenter, his wife and daugh-
ter, Hattie. He did not finish his pas
torate here, God called him home
Then the Rev. Dr. BordMell came to
us. Being in failing health he sought
country pastorate. hoping that the
freedom of country life and the brac-
ing prairie air might restore him to
health. This hope was not realized.
Dr. Bordwell! who ever knew him and
could forget his beautiful christian
courtesy. He ever taught the love OF
God, and his life was a benediction
He and his lovely wife have been re-
united in heaven for many years, but
the memory of their beautiful home
life and his faithful teachings are in4
dellibly printed on the hearts OF the
people. Following DR.. Bordwell, the
Rev. A. F. Loomis was with us one
year, then by request, DR.. Douglas,
Superintendent Of Missions of Iowa.
sent us student from Union Theo-
logical Seminary, Chicago. Mr.. L. NJ.
Pierce. His energy and enthusiasm
are well remembered It was decided
to get along with supplies until he
should complete his Seminary course,
the following year and return to us.
In May. 1883. Mr.. Pierce returned with
his bride. Her tact as a ministers
wife verified the wisdom Of his choice.
They remained with us five years,
during that time the church prospered
and came to self support. A new par
sonage was erected where the present
parsonage stands and helpful men,
bers were added to our numbers. At
that time, too, our sweet toned bell
was donated to US by the Bowens
Prairie Congregational church through
the instrumentality of Mr.. Harry
Hicks and Mr.. Fred Penniman. Mr..
and Mrs. Pierce and baby son, viii
liam Wallace were succeeded by the
Rev. w. r. Smith, whose son for
time member Of our church, went to
China as missionary. During his
pastorate the twenty-fifth anniversary
Of the organization of this church was
celebrated. Mr.. Smith was assisted
|by two former pastors, Rev. B. M.
Amsden and Rev. L. M. Pierce. Re
miniscences Of the previous twenty
4 five years were given by Mrs. J. A..
Thomas and an original poem was
given by Mrs A. E., Anderson. The
music. was under the direction OF Mrs.
Frank Dickey during her residence
here.
After the removal of the Rev. Mr..
Smith, Rev. John Croker was with us
for time and gave US good sermons.
His wife who was a gifted artist will
be remembered by adding to the in
terest OF the Sunday school by her
blackboard exercises and sketches.
The Rev. Robert Mumby next came to
us with his good cheer and pleasant
helpful daughters. More than any
other book, the Bible was precious to
Mr.. Mumby and he ever taught its
precepts. About this time the removal
of several families who were workers
and givers reduced our numbers SO
much that it was a time of great dis
couragement, only few of our mem
bers were left but here was our little
church built with much toll and sacri-
fee, that all within reach of it's in
fiuence might come within its courts
to worship God; here was our par
sonage, free from debt, and our church
yard, where many of US have laid
away loved member Of the, family,
could we close the blinds to this room
where there had been SO many happy
reunions, where young and old have
stood before the altar and pledged
their faith in God, where our little
ones have been baptized and where we
have said farewell to loved ones gone
before? Could we shut out from it's
influence the families who naturally
looked to this church for spiritual
uplift, could We shut out the
children whose bright young faces
greeted us each Sabbath morning,
1t was Gods work and it.did not stop.
Neighboring pastors supplied our pull
pit in our time of need. Students from
Lenox college came and preached to
US. DR.. Douglas, that friend of strug-
ling churches, came to US with words
of encouragement and cheer, and
promised Home Missionary and the
Rev. w. B. jackson and his faithful
wife came and dwelt among US and
did good work Twenty-four new
members were added and we took