Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 1897)
THE COURIER. El m InB for It a building. There were then, he nay, not over 200 ieop!e In the city. Meanwhile the seminary building liail burned. There wan no place of public worship. Lincoln at birth. Anions our nrcnlivs Is a long letter of Mr. Little's, dated Marcli, 1SG8, .solicit ing funds from eastern friends. In this letter we have an Interesting ncount of Lincoln as it then wax. and an outlook on Its future. He writes: "We are the most western of tlie live Congregational churches In southern Nebraka. (Now there are a hundred beyond us south of the IMatte.) "We are," ne Roes on to say, "In the capital of the state, which though only six months old. Rives signs of vig orous life. 1ess than one-half the city lots have been sold for $39,000. The foun dations of a state liouse, Ifi0x70 feet, have been laid. The building Is to le com pleted this year. Dwellings, shops and stores are rapidly rising. One newspa per receives a lucrative jvatronage, and two others are projected. The Immediate future Is most promising. Attracted by the healthy climate and rich soil, farmers ore rapidly owning up the surrounding country. Just without the city limits on the west are salt springs, apparently Inexhaustible, -which of themselves must civate a village. The. site of the city Is u natural center for railroads. The Mid land Pacific Itallroad company will soon commence a road from Nebraska City to be extended to Fort Kearney and form a link In one of Die great lines to the Pacific coast. A railroad Is also contem plated from Omaha to Fort Itiley. This will eventually Iks a part of a through line from Lake Superior to New Mexico. Other roads nil! follow In due time. "By act of the legislature the university has been established here. These facts warrant the belief that Lincoln will be come the political, literary and religious center of the state. Its influence will be Immense, affecting not only the present but future generations. That this influ ence should bless and not curse, as it Hows out and on. is infinitely important. You will admit that the foundations of this commonwealth cannot be llrmly laid unless those Institutions which have made tho east what It Is shall have been llrst established." He then speaks of the place of the Congregational church and polity in national history, and of tho special need of this church for its "ef fective, and aggressive work" of a place of public worship. He concludes: "Such a building, erected now. will accomplish Inconceivable good. A place where Christians, previously strangers, will be come acquainted, an attraction to the young and wandering, who now. in crowded hotels or boarding houses, or in saloons, seek but find not a substitute for home. It will give stability to so ciety: It will dmw to us a class of per sons whose presence is most desirable, and will strongly tend to secure from the outset what we so much desire to see, a religious and Intellectual community." THE FIRST CHURCH. The. church building was erected In 1S0S and finished and furnlihed in ISO-simple but substantial and capable of seat ing 123 people. It cost J2.77S.Sfi. This was. I think, the first permanent building dedicated to the worship of God in our city. Soon after this church was built, on February 13. ISO, the legislature, to encourage Immigration and building, of fered three lots to denominations which should erect an edifice within the next two years. As a consequence there was a hastening to organize churches, far ieyond the immediate needs of the city, and to put up some sort of a building to secure the offered ground. "Whatever ultimate good came of this arrangement, at the time it divided Christian forces, and laid heavier burdens on the early settlers. It was in many cases a struggle for life with the churches, and a question of the "survival of the fittest." Following the completion of the building In 1SC9. the church was able to pledge only $201 for the pastor's salary, of which onlv $132 had been, raised at the close of the year. The remaining meagre support was contributed by the Congregational home missionary society. Such a condi tion of things makes short pastorates. The minister having exhausted his own resources and those of his friends, must leave. Mr. Little resigned In 1S70. the church, then numbering thirty-four mem- Rev. L. B. Flfleld. a man of scholarlr tastes, and well educated, as all youi ministers have been, took up the -work and helped to bear its burdens for two vears more, adding twenty-three to its membership: but owing to deaths and re movals, he left it the same in numbers as he found It. His successor. Rev. S. R, Dimmock, was a man of unusual oratorical gifts. He attracted a large congregation. The church bildlng was enlarged, in what seemed the easiest, but has since turned out the most expensive -way for Ne braskans to raise money, borrowing It and mortgaging the future. Fifty were added to the church in Mr. Dimmock s pastorate. Yet there was J" going and coming so characteristic of a new western town-and peculiarly, so I think of Lincoln in past days. So when X- two and a half years the minister was compelled to resign on acoua to poor health, there were but 0""' James on the roll, of whom only abou forty -were resident and a?vfe- e on the other side was a debt of $2,000. Nine years had passed since the or conization of the church, and -what was ere o show for all the efforts made? A great deal more surely then than appeared on the surface. It is a serious thought that the foundations of so many enterprises have often to be laid be- nca th the surface, on the unrequited toll, the sacrifices, the very blood and bones It may be, of the brave pioneer. It was so the pilgrim fathers gave themselves for the building of this nation. Few, If any. of the early settlers of till region, who dared so much, have escaped bankruptcy. The ctty of Lincoln, that Is to be, with Its hundred thousand eople, and prosperous business, years hence, probably will not find a large number of those who have been so generous and far-sighted In Its unbuilding occupying places of -wealth and power. Rut such stern facts should not dishearten or cause to say: "It was all a mistake. I have labored in vain." Out of such seem ing failures the best things of this world come. One generation labors and Is laid aside, only that others may enter into the fruits of their labors. The pioneer church builder breaks up the hard ground, plants the good seed. waters It -with his tears, grieving be- cause it does not take better root, then passes on without seeing the harvest. EARLY CROAKERS. There were many who prophesied that Lincoln had seen Its best days. "It was overgrown." "What was there here to support a town of S.000 people?" "Then the grasshoppers year after year!" "When tho subject for the next evening meeting was announced as "What has the Ird Put the Congregational church here for? one of those Jeremiah s al- u'firj t La fTitirwl nmnm Clan i lironrieis. whispered to his neighbor: "To le burned." though he himself was one of the old martyr sort to stay by and be burned with It. Few and discouraged as the Christian workers were twenty-one years ago, they had done lietter than they knew. They had stood for the church as an essential institution In the new community. They had mantalned public worship for years. They Bare comfort and help to strangers W11.74444441J wt.a.nt, . r,w..r "-v permanently gathered a handful of choice memlers. rich in love and good works. Their trials had melted and fused them. Their seeming failures had taught them self denial and dependence upon God. The Church was dear to them all. They were ready to do all they could for it. They gave themselves and their personal service. They were ready to go to the prayer meeting to pray ana praise, nnu to the business meeting. If it was only to liewall their poverty. They were not afraid of hard work. REV. LEWIS GREGORY. Any sensible minister might consider It a privilege to be Invited to such a field. Tho New England village pastor, with all his pleasant surroundings, could scarcely . ?.-j " .1 i... i -!,.,. ,,-.., ttKs ha already so well established. He knew may rejoice. Each n ra of the ag more than one capable minister waiting Bregate result: "In all this I shared and and anxious to take his place. Here on was permitted to do my little part, the frontier was a call that appealed THE CHURCH RECORDS, to his missionary spirit. The place was Tne fmancjai ana statistical records of vacant. The need was urgent- Here was tne eary years are so meagre that It Is the chance of building up from the foun- impossible to make a complete summary, dation a new work, with plenty of room. DUrinR tne jast twenty-one years there Though he might accomplish but little Js a record 0f $no,G3G.H2 contributed to even that little would be a distinct gain ward oar own cnurCh expenses. In the to the Master's cause, and God seemed saine $32,s2S.Gl was given In be to say "come." nevolences. The total number received FEW ARE LEFT. to membership has been 1,034, of whom Of the members who extended such a Wl ave " l,"rin et ?!??"! hearty welcome to the new pastor twen- pastorate. Three hundred and th rt-to ty-one vears ago. most have passed on. on confession of faith C b letter. Of Only eleven remain, and with them a few the total numbe r ..''f.f" other helpers, some since uniting with dismissed, and JC have died. The present the chun. and others who in all ex- membership is 472. The number exceeded cept the Christian name have served the 39 at one time the present year. Th rty- church. outside saints, whom the pastor five absentees have recently been Induced has always hoped and still longs to see to take letters, and there are enouRh taking their stand among the recognized others who should do so to make our mmr. of this church r"'11 working force ahout 4CO. mere . It wa" agreed a? the outset that the abundant opportunity to fill the absent cJnstffhame missionary society places with a living mbersh P before would contribute $300 a year towards the the year closes. It Is to this ble.-sed mtntetert "upiMrtpoaslblr for three work of winning men nn.l women and years! wlle the chureh undertook to de- children to Christ that I hope this year crease Its debt by that amount from year may specially be iu Gratitude to to vear So every one took hold for a God's many mercies in the past should flna'l effort Andlo! the stone really be- prompt to this. It Is the SWitB. gan to move. To the surprise of all ought to learn from the dteplntnient when the year closed the first thousand cf many personal hope-and. ambit on; s in dollars of indebtedness was removed, the trying school of God s Provence The people were so much encouraged during the last few years Out of them that thev voted to .iceept no more help all the church has been safe IjT brouBht- fn, th miodonarv odety. to give comfort and strength and char- TOien 11 mSr S If they could acter with spiritual blessings, which are do that, the balance of debt might wait another year, a good sister rose up In meeting to protest, saying "they could pay the minister and the debt too." She offered to put her name at the top of the subscription paper. So the minister was overruled and the good work went for- ward until May 2, 1S7S, when the last note of Indebtedness was burned, and the church again stood even with the world, It was still a little church, and poor, with only 1.7) members, but full of the strength and courage which comes of duties faithfully iierfonned. Their debts cancelled, the people could not rest, but set to work at once to thor oughly renovate the house of worship, which was painted, frescoed, re seated and furnished with its first new carpet. Five years more passed, during which there was a slow but steady increase In member- ship and benevolence, and we were ier- nil t ted to send four of our Sunday school teachers Into foreign missionary service. Then In 113, having Increased to 223 mem- bers, came the talk of a new building. It was not seen at first how the $10,0") necessary could be secured. Hut past experience made the church hopeful, and finally the limit to which the trustees should be allowed to go was fixed at $12. (mO. Yet somehow $24.CS3.C3 was raised for this purpose in the next three years. The church was all paid for except $3,000. The ladles' contributions Included in the above sum furnished the church. The generous Individual gift of our beautiful completed the enterprise, j Uj, ,e a momellt t( .. ... . - . to consider the privileges of worship we have here enjoyed: then let the mind go reverently back thirty years to the very beginning. Has not God been a kind Father, a loun tlful benefactor, a helper tried and true? Is there not much for everyone to i6 thankful for? Not the least among reasons for grati tude is the fact that the church, in its pleasant home, was not permitted to set tle down Into the ease which always k fhe beffnnin5 of degeneration. DAUGHTER CHURCHES. Early In 1SS7, not through any spirit of discord or division, but out of the enter prise of growth and service, a new' church was planned. The iastor's vaca tion was given to getting meetings under way. The young peoples society ot ('christian endeavor helped. Theresult ,,wls tnat jn October the organization of pjymouth church, our oldest and beloved daughter to whose prosperity this church was permitted to contribute seventy-live 0f ta choicest members. Two years following, in 1SS9, It was the privilege of pastor and people to as sist in the gathering of another churcn, and to contribute a large part of the money needed for a house ot worship among our German Congregational friends In this city, who have ever since gone on their way rejoicing. 'Nothing of equal cost which this church has done, has Drought more comfort, or been of greater service. Again in ISO we were able to send out another colony of forty-tive members to form the Vine street church, -which has also leen greatly' favored, and has a bright future before it. In 1S3 we were permitted to contrib ute some material old and a few mem bers to the Butler avenue church, which Is already more than fulfilling the hopes of those who desired to see religious services established In a neighborhood remote from other churches. And finally for the past six months we have teen furnishing a room in our own building Tor some Swedish brethren who are enjoying a precious Ingathering and are ready to erect their own build ing, as soon as the frost is out the ground. To their church also I trust we will be able to contribute some of the foundation stones. Into these, and all the events which indlcato tho life and progress of the church the work of God and the co operation of nastor and teonle are so minded and interwoven that all alike not like uncertain riches, liable to tako wings and fly away. THREE GENERATIONS. In twenty-one years a pastor has tha privilege of associating with three gen erations among y.'A people. There are the pioneers, when ne came In middle life, who bore the ark of the covenant In the tabernacle days: the heroes and founders of our Zton, whose wisdom and prayers follow the minister as an Inspiration, whom one by one he Is permitted to fol low far down Into the dark valley, to learn how quiet and serene is. the aged Christian's death. A few left are merci fully spared to the church to enjoy the fruits of their labors, their heads whit ening, their steps becoming Infirm, their active church life nearly ovr.r; yet in patient sympathy, and zeal, setting an example and exerting an in fluence, which makes their last days a blessing and a benediction Then there are young people of twenty years ago whom the pastor was permitted to lead into the Christian life and to wel come Into the church at whose marriage he officiated whose joy he shared In the birth of the first born, whom he sought to comfort in tlielr first great sorrow: whom he helped to enlist In Chr's;Ian service; whose growth in char .icter and business ability ha Bone on before his eyes until they now stand In the very fore front of the battle of life, the officers and pillars of the church, holding the moral, political and in.ellec tual Interests of the community in their keeping, steady and sober, and strong, tho men and women today, grown up from the boys and girls of yesterday. Then come the children, God bless them all. How fast they are coming on. It seems but a few days since they were brought as little Infants to be baptized, and here they are fast crowding to the front in home and school. They stand upon the threshold, looking out upon the larger life beyond. They all love the church, and if parents and pastor are wise, they would first enter the great world through the church doors; there to learn the lessons and receive the training of mind and heart which will make them, years hence our joy and stay. Christ and His church .tlready needs them all. A LONG PASTORATE. Surely there are some advantages In a long pastorate. It preserves the his toric associations and traditions of the church especially In a new place where so many changes are going on. It gives the minister a sure position as a man and citizen In the larger life of the community; he becomes better acquainted with the people and they with him. He knows the needs of town and state. This advantage ought to make him a wiser counsellor, a better pastor. There Is an inspiration too for growth and work If he (:he minister) would keep abreast of the times. He can see and teach the unfolding of G;d's kind provi dences, making good and evil, bitter and sweet as 4he years go on, all working to gether for the upbuilding of character an.l the ultimate advance of Cnrlst's kingdom. There Is another side to the picture which Is Its. assuring. There Is the luck of the new face and ;he new voice, and the new way of putt.ng things, which seems to make the trick more attractive and always leads people to expect great things of the new mln ster. Then there are the fa lings and mistakes which time clearly reveals and the preju dices formed not easy to forget from which It would often seem easier to es cape by running away than by trying to live ihem down. Besides It is absolutely impossible that any minister should long continue to be the firs; choice of all The question arises would It not be bet.er that he should pass on after a little stay and give all In turn the opportunity to hear the gospel In their own favori.e tongue? It is hard sometimes to know what Is the best for the church and Christ's cause. I can readily see how much of the vir tues of charity and forbearance some must be called to exercise In the con.inu ance of a long pastcrate. Yet even this may not prove an unmixed evil. There is great virtue In learning to agree to dis agree. The strongest a.tachments are those that are slowly formed out of a mutual respect, and the forgetting of petty disagreements. A LOVING BLESSING. Now, friends. It Is In my heart to say :n words as few and simple and as true as I can possibly utter, how much I love you all; and how pleasantly you have made the years go by: and how thankful I am to God for what he has enabled pastor and Ieope to do. The future we cannot know except tha; so far as our duty and purposes are concerned It should be more given In serving Him, who has proved such a kind father, such an ever present helper such a merciful and all sufficient Savior. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which Is able to build you up. and to give you an Inherl.ance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's sil ver or gold or apparel. Yea. ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were wl.h me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus how He said "It Is more blessed to give than to re he kneeled down and prayed with them celve. And when Paul had thus spoken all.: J BtfSStSSSSBBZ agawgr nemvmmn. frmmi.-