Chicago First Church

(1889-)

The Gospel Messenger March 12, 1889 page 168 Vol. 27 No. 11

THE FIRST BRETHREN'S CHURCH IN CHICAGO.

The Chicago Mission has had, from its first inception, peculiar trials and difficulties, and it may be truly said, that it has come up through many tribulations; but difficulties are helpful in the development of strength, and to the bringing out of latent energy. Under circumstances which would, and did, discourage many, the work has been car

 ied steadily forward, with a firm reliance in the Lord, and in the ultimate triumph of the right, until at last it was thought safe and proper to organize the faithful baud of mission workers into a church.

  The Missionary Board of Northern Illinois, under whose care the work had been placed, appointed elders David E. Price and Daniel Dierdorff, with Eld. J. G. Royer, who has had immediate charge of the work for two years and a half, to attend to the work of organizing the church. They, with three members of the Mission Committee, brethren Zellers, Riddlesperger and Slifer, met in Chicago on the third inst., for the purpose of attending to the important work. Bro. Simon Yundt, of the Naperville church, and other brethren, were present.

  It was at first decided to establish a boundary line, but as the Naperville church was not officially represented, this could not be fully done. It was, however, decided to make the boundary between Cook and Du Page Counties the line between the Naperville and Chicago churches, with the privilege that members living in the suburban towns, beyond the line, who are engaged in business in the City, may hold their membership in the Chicago church. This action was taken because the railroads sell monthly commutation tickets, and members living in suburban towns may attend meetings without additional expense. This decision will stand, unless objected to by the Naperville church, in which event it will be amicably adjusted; but it is believed that no objection will be urged against it.

  After the above matter was disposed of, it was found that the following named brethren and sisters were present and entitled to take part in the organization : Nathan Spare and wife, John J. Shively and wife, John Emmert and wife, Andrew Emmert and wife, sister George Long, daughter and two sons, W. R. Miller, George H. Vandyke, Hannah Tomlinson, brethren Humphrey, Nicholson and Barley, and sister Sharp and her daughter Annie, — in all, twenty names. Two were present who did not have their letters of membership, and two were unable to meet, so that there are at this time twenty-four members in the Chicago church. Bro. Dierdorff then spoke to the members present of the importance of the work in which they were about to enter. He referred to the principle of Gospel plainness and to the necessity of our conforming, in all things, to the Gossypol rule. In doing this, sacrifices would have to be made, and he exhorted that all should live up faithfully to the commandments of Jesus. Bro. Price spoke briefly, and then it was unanimously decided that the church in Chicago will labor in harmony with the principles of the General Brotherhood, as set forth by our Annual Conference, and the church was declared to be organized and ready to proceed with the election of officers.

  It was decided, for the present, to elect two deacons, a Clerk and a Treasurer. The voice of the church was then taken and Bro. William R. Miller and Nathan Spare were chosen to the deacon’s office, and they were duly installed by Bro. D. E. Price. Bro. S. D. Humphrey was chosen Clerk, and John Emmert, Treasurer. They then unanimously voted that Bro. J. G. Royer should be their elder, and afterwards adopted the following name: " The First Church of the German Baptist Brethren of Chicago." The meeting was closed with devotional exercises.

  After a short intermission the members met again to celebrate the death and suffering of our Savior.  They had brought together all that was necessary for the feast of love, and we can say it was an enjoyable occasion. Brethren Yundt, Price and others spoke on the subject of examination, and brethren Royer and Dierdorff on feet-washing and the Lord's Supper. Thirty-two members sat around the tables, and a number of interested spectators were present. Many of them, no doubt, saw for the first time an apostolic agape, or feast of love. We have, during the last twenty-six years, attended a great many meetings of this kind, but we never attended one before where such marked interest was taken, and where such good order and solemnity prevailed among the lookers-on. Bro. D. E. Price officiated and everything was done in harmony with the Gospel. It was the first public love-feast ever held in the great city, and we could not help but wonder what of the future? Will the little plant which has taken root in Chicago grow and become power for good? This question will occur to the minds of many of our thoughful readers, and we believe the answer will depend largely upon the methods adopted to carry the work forward. The little church is composed of a good class of people— men and women of good social standing, of integrity, and, we believe, of deep convictions of the Truth. Some of them have been isolated from the church for years, and yet they have held firmly to her principles, and are ready and willing to work for the cause of the Master. It seems to us that here is a good foundation upon which to build, and so far, the conditions of success seem good. What is now needed is to have pastoral work done. Paul speaks of pastors, and we believe that if the work in Chicago is to be carried forward to a successful issue, it will only be done by locating a faithful minister in the city, give him an adequate support, and then let him give his time to the work, for which he should be well fitted. He should be sociable, affable, of pleasant address, so that he might visit from house to house, distribute tracts, and preach in private conversation. He should be rooted and grounded in the faith, a man of convictions, rather than of opinions. Such a man could find constant labor in Chicago, and we hope to sea the day when not only one but many Buch men will be engaged in this great work. When we thus go to work, good results are sure to follow. Bro. Hope's success in Denmark grew out of just this kind of effort, and what has been done may be done again.

  It is thought by some that plain dressing will operate against our work in the cities. It may among some people, but there are thousands of people who are tired of serving the goddess of Fashion, and there are many who will gladly accept a reform in this matter. Ministers of other denominations are beginning to deal heavy blows at the fashionable follies of the age, but they only speak and do not act. Not long ago we heard an eminent divine discoursing eloquently against fashion, and at the same a diamond pin sparkled in his clerical neck-tie. We want our preaching and our practice to harmonize, and we believe that if the little church in Chicago will stand firmly for the right, and if a faithful minister and pastor will locate among them, they will see the time when their labors will bring a rich harvest for the Lord. In the great city they are as a mere handful, but who can tell what the Lord will do for them if they are but faithful! " The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their homes in the rocks.” Prov. 30: 26. If we build on the Rock Christ Jesus, and faithfully do our part, we will never fail.