SEPORT OF INE COMMITTEE OF INE CHURCH FOR 1879 . OAT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR , THE WEEK OF PRAYER WAS OBSERVED BY THE . CHURCH AS USUAL; MEETINGS BEING HELD EACH EVENING EXCEPT SATURDAY . ~ GOOD INTEREST WAS SHOWN IN THEM , THOUGH THE ATTENOANCE WAS ‘ NOT AS LARGE AS ON SIMILAR OCCASIONS IN OTHER YEARS . DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY THE PASTOR HAVING RECEIVED AN INVITAT ON TO PREACH AT THE SECOND CHURCH IN DORCHESTER MASS. , WENT EAST ANO PREACHED FOUR SABBATHS . S00N AFTER HIS RETURN Ein ARTO eta ne RY * " TO EVANSTON HE RECEIVED A CALL TO THE PASTORATE OF Nearest AND ON THE Q=TH OF MARCH HE LAID BEFORE THIS CHURCH HIS LETTER ACCEPT- 4 Ine aT. MARCG 12-TH A SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED TO ' CONFER WITH MR PACKARD IN REFERENCE TO THE CALLING OF A COUNCIL ON THE I9-TH OF THAT MONTH THE COMMITTEE REPOTED , ANO ON THE 20-TH A COUNCIL WAS HELD , WHICH , AFTER HEARING THE LETTER NISSIVE AND THE ACTION TAKEN THEREON , RECOMMENDED THE 01SSOLULATION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION HERE , AND COMMENDED MR PACKARD TO THE CHURI UPON WHOSE FIELO OF LABOR HE WAS ABOUT TO ENTER . IN THIS MANNER THE FIRST PASTORATE OF THIS CHURCH WAS TERMINATED . IN PARTING WITH ONE WHO FOR NINE YEARS HAD BEEN OUR LEADER IN SACRED THINGS , THERE WAS UNIVERSAL Sati SrAcTi onFELT AND EXPRESSED THAT THE FIELD TO WHICH HE WAS THEN CALLED WAS ATTRACTIVE , AND THAT THE PULPIT WAS ONE OF SPECIAL PROMINENCE IN NEW ENCLAND . WE COULD BUT HOPE THAT WHAT HAD ALREADY DISTIN= GUISHED THAT CHU RCH MIGHT STILL PREVAIL , AND THAT A USEFUL PASTORATE OF THIRTY , OR EVEN FORTY , YEARS MIGHT THERE BE VOUCHSAFED+TO OUR BROTHER . . WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT HE WAS WITH US IN THE FORMATIVE PERIOD OF THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH , THAT DURING THAT PERIOD OCCURRED THOSE TRYING EVENTS THAT CONVULSED OUR SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL RELATIONS ; * THAT FROM THE VERY FIRST OF HIS PASTORATE HE LASORED WITH UNTIAING DEVOTION FOR THE UP=BUILDING OF THIS CHURCH IN ALL THINGS THAT couLD ADVANCE ITS STRENGTH AND PIETY 5 THAT HE HAS BAPTIZED OUR LITTLE ONES oy se AND BURIED OUR DEAD ,~ PROVING IN ALL THESE RELATIONS A KIND AND. Postale RANT 8: COE, genie... et ANE MR MB. Ie SYMPATHETIC °FRIENO . 1T WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN BY THE ATTENDANTS OF THIS. MEETING OF WEDNESDAY EVENING , THAT HE THOROUGHLY BELIEVED 4eer IN IT AS A MEANS OF GRACE , AND THAT HE RARELY , OR NEVER , CAME TO ITS CHARGE WITHOUT SOME EARNEST MESSAGE OF CHRIST'S Love TO NEEDY SOULS . IT MAS ALSO BEEN VERY PLEASANT FOR US TO LEARN FROM HIS ASSOCIATES AN THE MINISTRY HOW HIGHLY THEY REGARDED HIM FOR HIS SCHOLARLY ATTAIN- MENTS , FOR THE STRENGTH OF HIS CHARACTER AND FOR THAT PRACTICAL WISDOM WHICH MADE HIM SO HELPFUL IN THEIR VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS .SHORTLY AFTER MR PACKARD'S DEPARTURE , A COMMITTEE OF THREE WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHURCH TO PROVICE FOR THE SUPPLY OF THE PULPIT . THIG COMMITTEE AT ONCE MADE ARRANGENENTS BY WHICH SONE ONE OF THE PROFESSORS OF THE CHICAGO SEMINARY WOULD OCCUPY THE PULPIT EVERY SUNDAY , EXCEPTING ON THOSE DAYS WHEN IT MIGHT BE DESIRABLE FOR CERTAIN OTHERS TO PREACH . THIS PLAN PROVED HIGHLY SATISFACTORY TO THE CONGREGATION , AS BY IT BOTH CERTANTY OF SUPPLY AND EXCELLENT PREACHING WERE ASSURED . AMONG OTHERS , THE MINISTAATIONS OF PROF. HYOE WERE ESPECIALLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE . IN THE MONTH OF MAY REV, A, J, SCOTT , OF THE GALENA ST. CHURCH [wernooior! emune of AURORA, OccUPIED THE PULPIT FOR A SABBATH . SUSSEGUENTLY HE WAS ENGAGED TO PREACH FOR FOUR MONTHS | BEGINNING WITH JUNE Q-TH , WHICH ARRANGEMENT WAS CARRIED OUT ,~ WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FEW SUNDAYS THAT THE CHURCH WAS CLOSED FOR REPAIRS. ON SEPT 10 A CALL WAS EXTENDED TO UR SCOTT TO BECOME THE PASTOR: NOV G=TH A COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE AFTERNOON , WHICH AFTER EXAMINATION OF THE THEOLOGICAL VIEWS OF THE CANDIDATE , PROCEEDED TO THE INSTALLATION SERVICES ON THE EVENING Of THE SAME DAY . THE ADDITIONS AND REMOVALS FROM OUR NUMBERS DURING THE PAST YEAR ARE SET FORTH IN THE REPORT OF THE CLERK « TWO OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE DIED DURING THE YEAR: WILLIE BLAKE , AGED SEVENTEEN , WHO DIEO MAY 27-TH AFTER A PAINFUL ILLNESS OF SEVERAL MONTHS . WILLIE WAS A MEMBER OF MRS ULLMAN'S CLASS , AND | Dass cetedici eee Rete anwe FOR SEVERAL YEARS , SO LONG AS HIS HEALTH PERMITTED , HAD BEEN A CONSTANT ATTENDANT OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL . TO HIS TEACHER , WHOSE KINDLY MINISTRATIONS WERE UNCEASING , AND TO ALL HHO CALLED UPON HIM, HE GAVE FULE EVIDENCE OF HIS HOPE IN THE SAVIOUR AND FAITH IN HIS PROM- 1ses . 3 CHARLES WARREN DIED NOV. 14 , 1879 , IN COLORADO , WHITHER HE HAD GONE IN THE PURSUIT OF HEALTH AT THIS WRITING NO PARTICULARS HAVE BEEN RECE/VED CONCERNING HIS DEATH « A REPORT OF THE CHURCH FOR THE YEAR WOULD , OF NECESSITY , EMBRACE AN ACCOUNT OF THE CONDITION OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL . 9 THE SUP'T OF THE SCHOOL WILL HOWEVER , PRESENT SUCH IN DETAIL > TOGETHER WITH HIS VIEWS OF ITS SPECIAL NEEDS AT THIS TIME.” BUT IT 1S PERTINENT TO SAY HERE THAT THE CHURCH SHOULD FEEL THE WARNEST INTEREST IN THE EFFORTS OF THE OFFICERS AND TEACHERS . THE CHILDREN GOD HAS GIVEN TO US ARE TO BE AINEO FOR LIFE - AND THE LIFE IMMORTAL , AND IN SUCH EOUCATION THE INFLUENCE OF A ~ Pe Z CHRISTIAN TEACHER'S LIFE AND WORDS MAY BE OF THE GREATEST WEIGHT . gs THIS SYMPATHY SHOULD ALSO BE MANIFESTED IN A MATERIAL WAY , AND THE NECESSARY EXPENSES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOOL OUGHT TO BE WET AS CHEERFULLY ANO AS PROMPTLY BY THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY AS THOSE WHICH ARE INCURRED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICES OF THE SABBATH «own MONTHLY WEETINS OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN HEED . MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH AT LARGE , AND , EX OFFICIO , THE SUP!T OF THE SADDATH SCHOOL AND THE TREASURER OF THE CHURCH J ) HAVE AS THERI SPECIAL 4% CHARGE THE ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS OF THE cHUACH . THESE GATHERINGS HAVE DEEN PRODUCTIVE OF AID TO THE PASTOR , AND FURNISH THE FREQUENT NEEDFUL OCCASIONS FOR COUNSEL , DISCUSSION AND ~ ORGANIZATION OF EFFORTS FOR TNE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF THE MEMBERSHIP. Sladen remand tained nid tama sere THE WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER MEETING HAS SEEN MAINTAINEO THROUGHOUT THE TWELVE MONTHS WITH A GOOD DEGREE OF INTEREST ,- WITH AN AVERAGE ATTBNOANCE OF ABOUT THIRTY-FIVE . THIS ATTENDANCE , THOUGH IT WAY BE CALLED RESPECTABLE IN NUMBERS , 1S NOT AS LARGE AS IT SHOULD BE WITH A RESIDENT NEMBERSHIPQOF 120 MEMBERS . ae IT 1S SOMETIMES SAID OF PRAYER MEETINGS , THAT IF THEY ARE MADE INTERESTING , PEOPLE WILL FREELY ATTEND THEM . WHILE THIS. ‘ ASSEATION 1S PARTLY CORRECT , 1T 1S ALSO TO BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE eee: pcs FORGE OF HABIT 1S VERY STRONG , AND IF ABSENCE FROM THE ROOM OF PRAYER OCCURS FROM SOME TRIVIAL CAUSE , IT SOON BECOMES EASIER TO STAY AWAY THAN TO GO = NOTWITHSTANDING THE MEETINGS MAY PROVE OF THE HIGHEST SENEFIT TO FAITHFUL ATTENDANTS « THE ONLY SURE RULE TO FOLLOW IN THIS CONNECTION 1S , TO GO WHENEVER IT 18 PossioLe .AT THE PRESENT TIME THERE 1S NEED OF A FREER PARTICIPATION IN ITS EXERCISES . IT 18 THE MEETING OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS * AND SISTERS AROUND THE CHURCH FIRESIDE . TO IT ALL MAY BARING SOME WORD OF EXPERIENCE , OF JOY OR OF SYMPATHY , WITH THE FULL REALIZA- BEAR YE ONE . TION THAT IT 18 ONE WAY OF VERIFYING THE 1nyUNCTION ANOTHER'S BURDENS AND 8@ FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST .?! * | TNE QUMULATIVE POWER OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE 4 AND ENTREATED THEM NOT ro GROW INTO DUMB CHRISTIANS . einccen ncecmee) = cdc inc nietereanete tee a me MAY BE TRUTHFULLY SAID THAT THERE 1S A WIDE -SPREAD CONVICTION THAT - NO CHURCH , MOWEVER DESIRABLE ITS LOCATION OR COMPLETE IN ITS APPOINTMENTS , CAN WIN THE ATTENDANCE , SUPPORT AND SYMPATHY OF een ETI teint oo STRANGERS , SAVE BY THE GENUINE ATTRACTION OF CORDIALITY . " SOME MAY COME TO ITS SERVICES BECAUSE IMPELLED By DUTY , OR BECAUSE THERE 1S NO OTHER OF LIKE FAITH WHICH CAN BE CONVENIENTLY ATTENDED } BUT THOSE NOT INFLUENCED BY SUCH CONSIDERATIONS WILE DE REPELLED AND CHILLED , IF THEY ARE NOT MADE WELCOME TO THE SANCTU~ OF ounFAMILIES « IT SHOULD SEEM NEEOLESS TO ARGUE THE IMPORTANCE OF WARM-HEARTEDNESS TO A MESTERN CHURCH WHICH HAS NOT YET PASSED ITS FIAST DECADE ; BUT , MY BRETHEREN , IS IT NOT A FACT THAT THIS BRANCH OF OUR WORK DEMANDS MORE ATTENTION AT OUR HANDS 7 se oe ie nial HAVE WE NOT FORGOTTEN THE GRASP OF THE HAND , AND THE HEARTY GREETING WHICH MANY OF US RECEIVED TO THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES OF OUR CITY , ON COMING FROM OUR EARLY HOMES 7 - 4 wes : oe AT THE CHURCH SOCIABLES , WHERE ALL Se ee > AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY IS OFFERED TO MEET THE NEW COMERS , BECOME AT LEAST A LITTLE ACQUAINTED WITH THEM , AND THEN BY INTERVIEW ON THE CARS , AND AT THE HOUES OF THE STRANGERS , MAKE THOSE RELATIONS CLOSER AND MORE PERMA NENT . fr 18 we cn A SOCIABLE AND ENJOY A CHAT WITH THOSE WE KNOW BEST , THAN TO MAKE A STRANGER FEEL AT HOME ; BUT 18 IT THE WISEST AND MOST GENEROUS WAY TO PASS THE HOUR 7 WOULD NOT THE PRESCRIPTION MENTIONED BY OUR PASTOR IN A RECENT SERMON , PROVE A HEALTHFUL ONE = ‘4 D0 SOMETHING FOR SoEDOOY 't 7 IN A FEN SHORT WEEKS THIS CHURCH MAY EXPECT TO ENTER UPON ITS SECOND TEN YEARS OF EXISTENCE . SHALL TH!S NEW DECADE SE MORE FRUIT FUL OF GOOD THAN TNE FIRST 7? SHALL IT DEVELOPE RICHER CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE , MORE ABOUNDING FAITH OF ITS MEMBERS AND LARGER WORKS UNDERTAKEN IN THE NAME OF THE MASTER 2 DOES IT SOMETIMES OCCUR TO US THAT EACH MENDER 19 AIDING IN THE SHAPING OF ITS DESTINY 7ees eo ceT o WARE THe FI mre ce ERE is ane ie THE LIFE OF A CHURCH 1S NOT BOUNDED BY EITHER THE INTEL~ LECTUAL STRENGTH,OR THE SPIRTTUAL ITY OF ITS PASTOR: HE HAS HIS INFLUENCE , AND IT 13 WIDE , FOR GOOD OR FOR NAUGHT « THE LIFE OF A CHURCH 1S MADE UP OF TIE AGGREGATION OF WHAT ITS MEMBERS REALLY ABE . NOT THE LENGTH OF THE CHURCH ROLL , BUT WHAT THOSE NAMES REPRESENT OF FAITH AND OF WILLING- NESS TO 00 FOR THE SAVIOUR'S CAUSE « ST. PAUL EXPRESSLY AFFIRMS THE DIVERSITY OF GIFTS iN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WHEN HE SAYS '* HAVING THEN GIFTS BIFFERING ACCORD- ING TO THE GRACE THAT 19 GIVEN US , WHETHER PROPHECY , LET US PROPHECY ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTOON OF FAITH 4&6, NO EXCEPTION TO THIS STATEMENT , WERE HE TO DWELL WITH US FOR A TIME . WE ARE ALMOST WONDROUSLY RICH IN THE BREADTH AND VARIETY OF THE CAPACITY OF OUR INDIVIOUAL MENBERSHAIP . SHALL 1 POWER AND GRACE BE UTILIZED FOR CHRIST'S WORK , OR SHALL IT G0 TO WASTE ? IT DEVOLVES UPON EACH ONE OF US. TO ANSWER THIS ques’ ON , AS THE WORK OF A NEW YEAR MAY OPEN BEFORE US. | DOES ANY ONE ASK WHAT CAN 1 00 2 © TAKE THE DUTY NEAREST THEE BROTHER , SISTER . IF ABLE S30 TO 00, vOIN THE SAB~ BATH SCHOOL - IF NOT ALREADY THERE = E/THER AS TEACHER OR SCHOLAR, AND WHETHER TEACHING OR TAUGHT , SEEK EARNESTLY TO KNOW WHAT GOD'S WORD CONTAINS . COME TO THE PRAYER MEETING WITH THE FEELING THAT !T 1S A PRIVILEGE , AND NOT A DUTY ALONE , AND LET ATREASURED THOUGHT OF YOUR OWN BE GIVEN TO OTHERS. BE CORDIAL: . LET THIS BE A HAND -SHAKING CHURCH NOT BECAUSE IT MAY LOOK WELL , BUT THAT IT MAY REALLY MEAN FELLOWSHIP. . FORGET NOT THE STRANGERS ; " —ESPECIA LY REMEMBER THE S1CK AND THOSE WHO MAY BE IN TROUBLE . a IN THE BUSY LIFE WHICH VERY MANY OF US ARE LEADING INVOLVING LONG HOURS SPENT IN BUSINESS CARES , FREQUENT ABSENCES FROM HOME OR CONFINEMENT AT HOME , IT BECOMES A PHYSICAL IMPOSSIBILITY FOR US TO DO EQUAL AMOUNTS OF LASOR IN THE CHURCH FIELD . THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO SPARE MORE TIME MAY FIND A MIGH PRIVILEGE AWAITING THEM , 8Y VOLUNTEERING TO THE PASTOR TO oe SNGARE, 111 SOE OF THE DEPAATHENTS OF WoRK TO BE ORGANIZE sith a NOE THE MARKED IMPROVEWENT IN THE BUSINESS INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY MAKE (T APPARENT THAT EVANSTON WILL SOON SHOW A CHANGE IN HEA MATE= RIAL aspects . EMPTY DWELLINGS WILL BE FILLED AND NEW ONES ERECTED IN OUR NEIGHSORHOOD ; AND AT NO REMOTE DAY —s : SOUTH EVANSTON WILL HAVE A LARGE POPULATION WI'HIN HER BORDERS « THIS INCREASE OF INHA=ITANTS WILL PLACE NEW RESPONSIBILITIES UPON THIS CHURCH , TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO SHOULD COME WITHIN ITS FOLD. WHETHER WITH PRESENT , OR PROSPECTIVE , OPPORTUNITIES FOR SER= VICE , LET US NOT FORGET THE CHARGE TO HIM IN THE PARABLE TO WHOM TEN POUNDS WERE ENTRUSTED - '! ogcUPY TILL 1 COME .4G TO SUM UP FOR THE WHOLE YEAR , IT 19 A MATTER OF THANKFUL= NESS THAT DURING THE INTERVAL BETWEEN THE TWO PASTORATES % FREQUENTLY 89 TRYING TO|A CHURCH , THAT OUR NUMBERS DID NOT SERIOUSLY DIMINISH , AND THAT THE GENERAL INTEREST IN THE WORK OFTHE CHURCH DID NOT FLAG . a THE ATTENDANCE UPON THE SABBATH SERVICES HAS STEADILY INCREASED DURING THIS FALL , RENEWED ZEAL 18 MANIFESTED IN THE SUPPORT OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL AND A GENERAL DESIRE SHOWN TO STRENGTHEN THE HANDS OF OUR PASTOR IN ALL HIS LABORS . jerretcmmerenermmenseleEfePr CONSTANTLY DE ARI Mail ND. y MY: BRETHEREN si THAT. THIS. 00H CHURCH 15 NOT A MUTUAL , SPIRITUAL INSURANCE SOCIETY , WHOSE oByvECT 13 THE MAKING COMFORTABLE THE LIVES OF ITS MEMBERS . 178 TRUE MISSION 18 , TO BE QA POWER FOR CHRIST IN THIS COMMUNITY « a TO THIS ONE AIM LET OUR THOUGHTS , SYMPATHIES AND PRAYERS OE * GIVEN , AND THE BLE SING WHICH MAKETH RICH WILLE , IN THE MASTER'S OWN TIME , CROWN EVERY ASPIRATION ANO SERVICE . ea ees : FOR THE CHURCH COMMITTEE, =~ EVANSTON , DEC 3, 1879. tops Ly ee) é f . we Ha iteaot IS BT ie 2AATBHD fy, f eS : a