Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1877 — The Baptist Church. [ARTICLE]

The Baptist Church.

On Spnday morning last Rev.DJ. Hutton preached a memorial sermon in the Baptist church which embodied the following facts that may be of general local interest: The Baptist church nt Rensselaer was organized in Jane, 18ft I, by Rev., Moses A. Kerr, with a membership of 12. The original members were Nathan Babcock, Ruby Babcock, Amanda Watson, Henry C. Bruce, Harriet E. Bruce, Joseph Downing, Julia Downing, Asa Porter, Lucinda Porter, David Wian, Elizabeth Wian and Nancy Wian. Of these only Henry C. Bruce, Harriet E. Bruce and Lucinda Porter hold their church relations at the present time. Ruby Babcock died October 20, 1858, Amanda Watson died May 15, 1868, Nathan Babcock died August 14, 1874 and Asa Porter died January 16, 1875. Joseph Downing, Julia Downing, David Wian, Elizabeth Wian aud Nancy Wian have withdrawn by letter. The early membership was scattered over a territory of twenty-five or thirty mile® indiameter which included a portion of White and Newton counties. Rev. Mr. Kerr commenced pastoral relations with the church November 1, 1851, being employed to devote half his time with them. Henry O. Bruce was the first church clerk. Duringthelwo years and 'eight months following the organization of the church, one member was received by baptism, and two by letter; in 1855 one by letter; in 1856 there were seven additions ; then three years intervened in which no additions were recorded. In 1860 Rev. Mr. McCreary commenced laboring with the church and ten. were baptised into the church, three received by letter and nine Uy.relation. During 1862 the additions numbered sixteen; in 1863-4 eight additions; in the summer of 1867 two were received by letter. About additions were made Jo the church .membership during the ministration of Mr. McCreary. However, many of these were transient, some of them not being residents of the county. Nine yt*ars ago when the speaker took charge of the labor; of the fifty members as shown by the church books oniy twenty-five or thirty could be found, or had he overseen. The list was shortly afterwards revised and the number of members cut down to ten. Only there are now left who assisted during the labors of Mr. Karr, fifteen thpt united under McCreary; and three still remain on the roll whose residence is unknown. Mr. Huston visited the church for the first time in May, 1876, while Bev.- Mr. Dunlap was preaching. Shortly after he pleached orie week at the Watson school bouse and fi*e members were received by baptism and one by fetter. In Febtuary, 1868, he became pastor on a contract that wa* indefinite as to length of time. During the year lie baptised one and received several other additions to the church in 1869 one was received ; 1870 on® united by baptism, one by letter, and three were-d ism 1 seed t in 187 i two were baptised and ten dropped; in 1872 Pilot Grove church in Newton county was organized and four members withdrew from the church at Rensselajr to unite with it. I'his left a membership of thirty fteven, one half of whom were almost if not utterly inefficient an account of indifference and inactivity. In 1879 two members were received by baptism and twd by letter; in 1874, three wer® received, one -dismissed* by letter, one was excluded and on® died; in 1875 one died, and the membership was left at forty. On th® second day of May 1875 the Baptist Sabbath school was organiaed. In 1876 eleven members were re-, ceived by baptism. During t,b® ministration of Mr. Hustqp six members have been added to the church, thirty-two of whom rani iin in good standing. In conclusion Mr Huston urged the employment of a pastor by the churuh to reside in town and devot® his time and labor exclusively to its welfare- “ When a .church is able to owu ® bouse of -worship it ought to port a pastor/’ ■