Lanark Church

(1878-)

Brethren at Work August 29, 1879 page 4 Vol.  III No. 35

CHURCH ORGANIZED.

ON the 19th inst., at 8 A. M., the members in and around Lanark met for the purpose of organizing a church,—a council at Cherry Grove on the 13th having granted this permission. There was a good attendance, and elders Martin Meyer and John J. Emmert were present to assist in the work. Brother Meyer, in a Christian way, presented the duties of the laity and officials;, and exhorted all to faithfulness and steadfastness in the doctrine of Christ.

   The church then proceeded to ballot for Clerk and Treasurer, which resulted in the selection of John H. Peck for Clerk, and Isaac Rowland for Treasurer. The next in order was the election of three Trustees, who, according to the laws of the State of Illinois, are to hold in trust all property belonging to the church. The members proceeded to ballot, and in due course of time the elders reported, that one brother had received a majority, and three others had each received an equal number of votes. Now as there were only three wanted, the question arose how to dispose of the fourth one, and, after a fair and hee discussion, it was agreed that the three should Cast lots. This was done, and the one receiving the blank was counted out. D. B. Eby, Isaac Rowland, and Jacob Arnold are therefore Trustees of the church at Lanark.

  Brother J, H. Moore was unanimously chosen overseer of the church, and he has, for an assistant in the ministry, brother Samuel J. Peck. To aid them in the proper way, at proper

time, there are three deacons. There are one hundred and thirteen members in the Lanark church, and by their judicious labor, holy lives and jealous hearts may soon make for themselves a good and glorious record in the book above. Peace and good-will are noble characteristics, and it becomes this band of believers to do all in its power to give evidence of being horn of God"—born of the spirit of brotherly affection. A collection for mission I was taken up, resulting in upwards of thirty dollars. At 12 M. the congregation was dismissed, all apparently having enjoyed the meeting and its work.

  It may be proper to state here, that about one hundred and twenty members remain in the Cherry Grove church, under the care of elders Michael Bolinger and Henry Martin, assisted by brother David Puterbaugh and three deacons. Within the past five years this church has witnessed some important work. In the Fall of 1875 the Danish Mission was here inaugurated, brother Hope being chosen to the ministry and sent to his present field of labor. During the same time upwards of fifty precious souls were added to the church, the pentecostal flame reaching nearly every family in the congregation. Methinks when all the toils of life are over and we all stand before the judgment seat of God, the books being opened, we will have no regrets for the work of Cherry Grove church during the Fall of 1S75. About all who then came forward and gave their hearts to Christ are faithful and devoted members. They came to Christ speedily—twenty being immersed in one day—and neither they nor us have lost by their rapid light from sin. Ah! we never wish to forget that glorious time when every house seemed to be burning with holy zeal and ear longings for the love of God. May peace and good works always characterize the church at Cherry Grove, and when their toils, their trials and ours, are all over, may we, with calmness, go to rest, to arise in the first, grand resurrection to meet Jesus in all His glory and splendor.  M. M. E.