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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
REV. REUBEN GAYLORD First Congregational pastor in Nebraska
CONGREGATIONAL C
NEBRASKA
-
BY
MOTIER A. BULLOCK
1
CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER
LINCOLN : THE WESTERN PUBLISHING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY
1905
COPYRIGHT, 1905 BY THE WESTERN PUBLISHING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY
PRE68 OF JACOB NORTH & CO. LINCOLN, NEB.
10/30/64
Barriera - $ 12,50
1272748
DEDICATION
To my beloved wife, who, for more than twenty-five years, has shared with me the joys and trials of a minister's life,
this book is affectionately inscribed by the author.
PREFACE
In preparing this little book to celebrate the jubilee of Nebraska Congregationalism, the work continued to grow from a brief sketch to the present treatise. The range of study was larger than anticipated ; the sources yielded larger results ; the plan of work was radically changed ; and so a jubilee volume was undertaken.
The success of my work I must leave the indulgent reader to determine. No one is more conscious of its imperfections than am I, but at the same time I am confident that there are some things in this volume that will be of interest to the churches, for many friends have kindly responded to the appeal for information and help, and what they have written has added much to the value of the book. The interest they have taken in my effort and the help they have rendered are highly appreciated; and to them individually due credit is given in connection with their contribution.
It has been my aim not to give a history of individual churches, but rather the historic development of a great denomination ; and so I have used the Minutes of the Gen- eral Association as the basis of that development. I have received much valuable help from Prof. A. B. Show's thor- ough work on Congregational Schools published in Cald- well's History of Education in Nebraska; the "Life and Labors of Reuben Gaylord"; and other sources of infor- mation which have been placed within my reach. In refer- ence to the pictures of workers in the state, I have been fortunate in securing the photographs of some of the early pioneer fathers whose faces all will be glad to see on the printed page. I have failed to secure some that I especially desired to have. Some I was unable to find; others were
V
vi
PREFACE
too feeble to sit for a photograph and had none which they could send.
The Western Publishing and Engraving Co., which is publishing the Morton Illustrated History of Nebraska, printed by Jacob North & Co., has added several illustrations of Nebraska and Nebraska pioneers which have increased the attractiveness and value of the book. These illustrations could not otherwise have been obtained. I count myself happy and the public fortunate in the choice of publishers.
With the exception of the Moderators of the General Association, and members of the Advisory Board, which is entering so largely in the development of modern Congre- gationalism in the state, I have asked no one resident in Nebraska for his picture, unless he had been twenty-five years in service in the state. If any other pictures have been introduced it is through the courtesy of the publishers. I may have overlooked some of the pioneers who should have had a place in the book ; if so, it was not intentional on my part but due rather to my lack of familiarity with the per- sonnel of the pioneer fathers, especially the laymen.
I wish here, for valuable services rendered, to extend my thanks to Rev. G. G. Rice of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Rev. A. L. Riggs, D.D., of Santee, Nebraska; Mrs. A. N. God- dard of Connecticut ; Mrs. E. G. Platt of Ohio; Rev. A. F. Sherrill, D.D., of Massachusetts; Rev. C. W. Merrill and Rev. John L. Maile of California ; Rev. A. A. Cressman of Iowa ; Rev. G. W. Mitchell of Clarks ; Supt. Harmon Bross, D.D., Mrs. H. Bross, Rev. Lewis Gregory, and Editor H. A. French of Lincoln ; Mr. C. S. Paine of the Morton Illus- trated History of Nebraska; Pres. D. B. Perry, D.D., and Rev. Laura H. Wild of Doane College; Dr. George L. Miller of Omaha ; Col. S. S. Cotton of Norfolk; Supt. J. D. Stewart of the Congregational Sunday School and Publish- ing Society; Rev. Charles G. Bisbee of Arlington; Rev. C.
vii
PREFACE
S. Harrison of York; Rev. John Gray of Basin; Rev. W. S. Hampton of Dodge; Rev. George E. Taylor of Pierce; Rev. A. E. Ricker of Aurora; Rev. George Scott, D.D., of Wisner ; the scribes of the local associations who furnished valuable data not found in the state minutes, and, last but not least, to Rev. and Mrs. J. E. Storm of Lincoln, who prepared the major part of the tables in Part III, which are of especial value for reference.
These friends have contributed in no small degree to the value of this book, and if it is acceptable to the Congrega- tionalists in the state much of the credit is due them. Hoping that Congregational Nebraska may have a mission for good in the state, it is now given the general public.
MOTIER A. BULLOCK.
Lincoln, October 1, 1905.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Preface
.
V
Introduction 3
PART I-DEVELOPMENT OF CHURCH LIFE
CHAPTER I
The field
9
CHAPTER II
Congregational pioneers 13
Gov. Richardson . I3
Dr. Geo. L. Miller I3
Rev. G. G. Rice
I5
Reuben Gaylord 16-18
The Congregational Association of Iowa 19
CHAPTER III
Development of Church life 20
Historic date 2I
Temperance work
23
The Fremont Church
23
CHAPTER IV
The State Association of Congregational Churches in Nebraska 25
CHAPTER V
Some discouragements
.
28
CHAPTER VI
Early declarations
30
ix
X
CONTENTS
CHAPTER VII
A new era in Church development 34
Railroad extension 34
New towns and churches . 35
CHAPTER VIII
Gaylord as Home Missionary Superintendent ·
36
First visit of National Secretary A. H. M. S. . 37
The American S. S. Union 37
Memorial to Pres. U. S. Grant, in behalf of Ne- braska Indians 38
The Pawnee Indians
·
43
CIIAPTER IX
Removal of the capital 46
Mr. Gaylord's report 46
The Fremont Church 47
CHAPTER X
Rev. O. W. Merrill, Superintendent
48
Father Gaylord 48
The prayer-meeting . 50
The Pilgrim's idea and practice 50
Amos Dresser . 5I
Supt. Merrill's report 52
Rev. J. B. Chase as acting superintendent 53
Organization of woman's work 53
CHAPTER XI
Rev. H. N. Gates, Superintendent 54
The ravages of locusts 56
Rev. Lewis Gregory
.
57
xi
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XII
Sunday school development 58
Letter from Superintendent Stewart 58
Translation of Reuben Gaylord 60
Letter from Mrs. A. N. Goddard . 62
CHAPTER XIII
Rev. C. W. Merrill, Superintendent . 63
Modern development of Congregationalism 63
Nebraska Congregational News . 65 . Organization Nebraska Home Missionary Society 65
Superintendent Merrill's report 67
The Nebraska Sunday School Assembly 68
The German work 68
Letter from Rev. C. W. Merrill . 68
CHAPTER XIV
Rev. J. L. Maile, Superintendent 7I
Rev. H. Bross, General Missionary 71
Church activity 73
Church polity
73
Letter from Dr. A. F. Sherrill 74
Letter from Rev. J. L. Maile 75
CHAPTER XV
Rev. Harmon Bross, D.D., Superintendent 81
Letter from Dr. Bross . 81
Reports from Superintendents Bross and Stewart, 85, 86 The frontier 86 .
Revs. G. J. Powell and George E. Taylor appointed General Missionaries 87
The drouth 87
The translation of Isaac E. Heaton 88
A typical meeting 90
The second drouth . 91
Dr. Crofts on the watch tower .
.
92
xii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI
Recent declarations .
94
Army chaplains .
94
The Crete assembly . 95
Divorce and desertion 96
Polygamy 97
The New Jersey Plan of Union 98
Dr. A. H. Bradford's letter 98
The National Council (1904) on church union 99
Obstacles in the way . 99 The Geneva meeting and church union . IO0
Other declarations 100-102
CHAPTER XVII
Centralization IO3
The State Advisory Board 104
The Nebraska Idea IO7
The ecclesiastical standing of churches and ministers 107
Evangelism . 109
CHAPTER XVIII
The outlook IIO
The Lincoln convocation II2
The incorporation of the Nebraska Home Missionary Society 115
The responsibility of the churches II6
CHAPTER XIX
Phases of Church growth II7
Congregationalism in Lincoln, Rev. Lewis Gregory II8
The growth of churches I2I
The German work in Lincoln and in the state I22
The German Pro-Seminary 123
Congregationalism in the Elkhorn valley-
Col. S. S. Cotton 124
X111
CONTENTS
Congregationalism in the Republican valley-
Rev. W. S. Hampton I34
Rev. Geo. E. Taylor I34
Congregationalism in western Nebraska ---
Rev. A. E. Ricker 143.
Ogalalla, Nebraska I44
Julesburg, Colorado I45
CHAPTER XX
Pioneer experiences 147
Mrs. E. G. Platt, missionary teacher among the Paw- nee Indians I47
Rev. C. S. Harrison I54
The liquor war 156
Rev. A. A. Cressman 158
Dr. George Scott 16I
Rev. John Gray 164
Rev. A. E. Ricker 169
"Father Barrow's Story"-Rev. J. E. Storm 188
CHAPTER XXI
Woman's work in Nebraska,
Rev. Laura H. Wild I9I
List of presidents and secretaries, Mrs. H. Bross 196
PART II-CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOLS IN NEBRASKA
CHAPTER I
The Fontanelle school 201
Letter from C. G. Bisbee 206
Causes operating against Fontanelle 207 Discussion of new location for a Congregational school 209 College located at Crete 2II
The end of the Fontanelle school 212
xiv
CONTENTS
CHAPTER II
Doane College 213
Dr. Willard Scott's address at the fifteenth anniversary 213
Founding of Crete Academy ·
215
The founding of Doane College 216
Financial struggle 218
Thomas Doane
219
The Head of the college
226
The deliberation of the trustees 23I
Foreign population 232
President Perry's reports
233
CHAPTER III
Education in the state 237
The attitude of the General Association 238
The minute of Chancellor Manatt 238
The Pro-Seminary at Crete 239
A Committee on Education 240
CHAPTER IV
The college question 241
Gates College 24I
Vote to recognize defeated 242
Dr. Duryea's resolution 243
Proposed consolidation of Doane and Gates 243
An educational commission 244
The attitude of Doane College 244
Trouble at Gates College 245 .
A third school-"Norfolk College" 245
Gates becomes an academy 245
Results of the controversy 245
The standing of Doane College 246
Attitude of the churches 248
.
CONTENTS
XV
CHAPTER V
Congregational academies in Nebraska, Rev. G. W. Mitchell
.
254
CHAPTER VI
A comparative study
259
CHAPTER VII
Santee Normal Training School 265
Character of the training 265
Pupils in the school
270
The Riggs family
27I
Artemas Ehnamani 272
The oversight of the Santee school
275
Missionaries at Santee
·
275
PART III
TABLES I
Sessions of the General Association
280
II
Superintendents of home missions
.
.
28I
III
Corporate members of the American Board
.
.
281
IV
On the foreign field
282
.
V
Delegates to the National Council
.
·
283
VI
List of churches dropped
·
VII
.
.
.
286
Land grants. .
.
.
.
290
xvi
CONTENTS
VIII
Pastorates in living churches . 298
IX
Alphabetical list of ministers
323
ILLUSTRATIONS
Rev. Reuben Gaylord frontispiece .
Pit-a-le-shar-u, head chief of the Fawnees 4
Samuel Allis 6
Omaha in 1870 IO
Modern Omaha
11
First territorial capitol building I2
Origen D. Richardson
1.4
Rev. George G. Rice
I5
Omaha in 1854
19
First Congregational Church, Omaha, 1855 21
First Congregational Church, Omaha, 1905
22
Rev. Isaac E. Heaton
23
Mrs. Isaac E. Heaton
2.
Rev. Silas J. Francis
25
E. H. Barnard
26
Site of "Nebraska University," Fontanelle, 1905 28
Bellevue, Nebraska, 1856
32
Rev. A. F. Sherrill, D.D. 36
Some prominent laymen 40
Dr. Geo. L. Miller
Hon. H. H. Shedd
Deacon Geo. T. Lee
Deacon Geo. S. Harris
Sioux chief, Spotted Tail 42
44
A section of modern Lincoln
45
Rev. O. W. Merrill
49
Rev. Amos Dresser
51
Rev. H. N. Gates .
55
Grasshopper scene, Plattsmouth, Nebraska, 1876
.
56
xvii
Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1870
xviii
ILLUSTRATIONS
Rev. J. D. Stewart 59
Sunday school, Greeley county, Nebraska, photo fur- nished by W. H. Kimberly, Lincoln, Nebraska, State Sunday School Superintendent American Sunday School Union 61
Rev. C. W. Merrill 64
Rev. H. A. French and the Nebraska Congregational News 66
Rev. John L. Maile, M.A. 72
Rev. Harmon Bross. D.D. 82
Group of portraits 89
Rev. S. N. Grout
Rev. W. P. Bennett
Rev. William Leavitt
Rev. D. Diffenbacher
Members of the Advisory Board 108
H. C. Herring, D.D., Chairman
Rev. G. W. Mitchell
J. W. Cowan, D.D. Rev. V. F. Clark
C. B. Anderson, Crete III
Falls of the North Loup river II4
Rev. Charles Little II7
First Congregational Church, Lincoln, 1868 II8
First Congregational Church, Lincoln, 1905 119
Rev. Lewis Gregory I20
Rev. William Suess, Crete 123
Col. S. S. Cotton 125
Col. Charles Mathewson I26
Group of portraits 127
George Scott, D.D.
Rev. J. W. Kidder
Rev. M. B. Harrison
Rev. George E. Taylor
xix
ILLUSTRATIONS
Group of portraits
138
Rev. W. S. Hampton
Rev. R. S. Pierce
Principal A. C. Hart Principal F. C. Taylor
Rev. Henry Bates I37
Rev. S. C. Dean I39
Mrs. E. G. Platt
148
Pawnee Indian village, 1854, from a drawing by Geo. Simons 150
Rev. C. S. Harrison
154
Rev. A. A. Cressman 159
Group of portraits 165 .
Rev. John Gray
Rev. J. E. Stormn
Rev. George E. Hall
Rev. G. W. Wainwright
Group of portraits .
.
171
Rev. S. I. Hanford
Rev. W. J. Turner
Rev. John Doane
Rev. A. E. Ricker
Rev. E. Cressman
North Face of Pine Ridge 174
Industrial scene on the Union Pacific railroad 180
Toadstool Park, Sioux county Bad Lands, on Burling- ton and Missouri river railroad .
184
Western Nebraska under irrigation on Union Pacific railroad . 187
Logan Fontenelle, Omaha Indian chief 202
Rev. C. G. Bisbee, Arlington 206
University of Nebraska 208
Doane College, Crete 214
ILLUSTRATIONS
Group of portraits . 217 .
Prof. A. B. Fairchild
Prof. J. S. Brown
Prof. G. D. Swezey John L. Tidball
Colonel Thomas, Doane 221
President D. B. Perry, D.D. 228
Chancellor E. B. Fairfield, D.D. 235
Chancellor I. J. Manatt, D.D., LL.D. 237
Franklin Academy 255
Gates Academy 257
Weeping Water Academy 260
Chadron Academy 262
Santee Normal Indian Training School 266
Rev. A. L. Riggs, D.D.
267
High school pupils, Santee Indian Training School 268
Group of Omaha Indians 269
Rev. Artemas Ehnamani 272
PART I
DEVELOPMENT OF CHURCH LIFE
INTRODUCTION
In writing a jubilee volume commemorating the work of Congregationalists in Nebraska the question arises, Where shall we drive the first historic peg? Shall it be at the or- ganization of the General Association of Congregational Churches of Nebraska, the coming of Reuben Gaylord, the beginning of organized work in Omaha, or the advent of Congregationalists in the territory who were here ready to welcome the missionary when he came?
Gov. O. D. Richardson came to Omaha from Michigan in September, 1854. It was he who persuaded Rev. Reuben Gaylord to come to the territory, or at least "gave him his call." Congregationalists were in the territory at that time. If we drive a peg here our jubilee year is passed. It was also as early as September, 1854, that Rev. G. G. Rice se- cured lots for the expected Congregational Church in Omaha.
In January, 1855, Mr. Rice preached the first Congrega- tional sermon in Omaha, and in December, 1855, Rev. Reuben Gaylord began his work; 1905 may well, then, be taken as the jubilee year of Congregational Nebraska.
May 4, 1856, the First Church, Omaha, was organized ; 1906 will then be a jubilee year for Omaha. August 8, 1857, the General Association of Congregational Churches in Nebraska was organized; 1907 will be another jubilee year. And so it would seem our jubilee time of rejoicing and planning for larger things extends over a period of several years.
We, however, make a mistake if we think that the first missionary work in Nebraska was as late as 1854-55. As early as 1843 Mrs. E. G. Platt, whose interesting letter will
3
PIT-A-LE-SHAR-U Head Chief of the Pawnees
5
INTRODUCTION
be found in the chapter on Pioneer Experiences, began work as a teacher among the Pawnee Indians in Nebraska. But she says she was invited to come by missionaries of the American Board. Who were they, and when did they come to Nebraska? Inquiry at the rooms of the A. B. C. F. M. in Boston brought the following interesting information :
The American Board sent as missionaries to thie Pawnee Indians in the Nebraska country in 1834:
"Rev. John Dunbar, who was born in Palmer, Massa- chusetts, March 4, 1804 ; a graduate of Williams College in 1832, and Auburn Seminary in 1854; ordained Ithaca, New York, May I, 1834, and set out from Ithaca, May 5, 1834, for Nebraska. He arrived at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, June 26, and at Bellevue, near Council Bluff, the following October.
"The Chief of the Grand Pawnees (one of their four bands) wished Mr. Dunbar to go with him on his trips. He went with this band on several of their long hunting expe- ditions. Mr. Dunbar returned to New England, September, 1836, married Miss Esther Smith, January 12, 1837, and returned with her in May of the same year. They resided in Bellevue, near the agency, until April, 1841, when he re- moved 130 miles to a Pawnee village.
"In June, 1843, this village was raided by the Sioux, and many Pawnees were killed, wounded, or carried away captive. Other similar attacks were afterward made, and the mission was given up in 1847.
"Rev. P. E. Ranney and wife joined this mission in 1844, but were transferred to the Cherokee mission in 1847.
"Benedict Satterlee, a physician, and wife set out for the mission March 2, 1836. She died on the way in Liberty, Missouri, April 30, 1836. He reached Bellevue, May 27, 1836, and was murdered while on a missionary tour by a renegade white man, May 10, 1837.
6
INTRODUCTION
"Samuel Allis, farmer and teacher, left Ithaca with Mr. Dunbar for the Pawnee village, May 5, 1834; married Emiline Palmer at Liberty, Missouri, she having come from
SAMUEL ALLIS
Ithaca, New York, with Dr. and Mrs. Satterlee. They were released from the service of the board in 1846.
"George B. Gaston and wife arrived at the mission May, 1840, and were released from service in 1842."
There were then engaged in Congregational work in Nebraska, years before Father Gaylord came to the terri- tory, these missionaries besides Mrs. Platt, who was not
7
INTRODUCTION
commissioned by the board, but who did splendid service as a Congregational worker.
Eighteen hundred and eighty-four was, then, a jubilee year, but it was passed by unnoticed.
Historical accuracy, as well as denominational loyalty calls upon us to make honorable mention of these brave men and women who counted not their lives dear unto themselves, that they might take the Gospel of the dear Lord to the Indian tribes living in Nebraska. One will need to read between the lines to enter into the real spirit of our pioneer fathers. The allusions to the periods of drouth and grasshopper plague are simply a hint at the terrible suffer- ings and deprivations many endured. It is a pathetic chap- ter in the history of our state. It revealed many unnamed heroes and heroines ; men and women who believed in Ne- braska and stayed by the work in the dark hour of need. They have lived to see the state rich and prosperous, and have learned that drouths and plagues are not confined to the region once called "The American Desert," and that this "arid" region has sufficient moisture to insure large returns from the cultivation of its rich, strong soil.
Nebraska faces the future with courage and hope.
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
I
TIIE FIELD
Fifty-one years ago, May 30, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska bill was enacted.
That meant the rapid settlement of the new West; that the "American desert" should blossom as the rose; and that the great inoral question of slavery or no slavery should be settled by these new territories for themselves. We are all familiar with the story of "bleeding Kansas," and how she won the victory for freedom.
It was through the immigration of the liberty-loving sons and daughters of the East-the transplanting of a virile New England stock in this western land. That victory de- termined in large measure the moral status of Nebraska on the slavery question.
The territory at that time extended from latitude 40°. to British America, and from the Missouri river to the ridge of the Rocky mountains, a vast empire of some 350,000 square miles. A portion of this territory has been given to Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, leaving a stretch of territory some 200 miles from north to south and 450 miles from the Missouri river west. Its altitude ranges from 1,000 feet on the east to 5,000 feet on the west. Its soil is unsurpassed. The eastern portion is a splendid farm- ing country ; the western is especially valuable for stock raising. Such a territory was bound to attract settlers from the East, even as Iowa had attracted them a few years be- fore. They came in ever-increasing numbers. They and
9
OMAHA IN 1870, LOOKING FAST FROM HIGH SCHOOL
MODERN OMAHA LOOKING EAST FROM HIGH SCHOOL
...
12
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
their descendants are among us to-day. Who were they? And what is their influence ?
FIRST TERRITORIAL CAPITOL BUILDING OF NEBRASKA ΛΊ ΟMAHA
It is the purpose of this sketch to answer in part the questions, to tell the story, though imperfectly it must needs be, of the Congregationalists who came hither, and what they have accomplished. Our treatise, then, is Congrega- tional Nebraska.
13
CONGREGATIONAL PIONEERS
II
CONGREGATIONAL PIONEERS
Lying just west of Iowa it was natural that Nebraska should attract some of the pioneer preachers from the "Mas- sachusetts of the West" to her own land of promise. One of these pioneers, the Reverend Reuben Gaylord, was the first settled Congregational minister in Nebraska.
The way had in part been prepared for him by Gov. O. D. . Richardson, for four years Lieutenant Governor of Michi- gan, Dr. George L. Miller, a physician of Omaha, and the Rev. George G. Rice, pastor of the Congregational church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Governor Richardson was a native of Vermont, came to Michigan when thirty-two years of age, settling in Pontiac. He came to Omaha in September, 1854, was an earnest Congregationalist, a man of wisdom and strength of character.
Mr. Gaylord said of Governor Richardson: "He was an intelligent Congregationalist, and desired to see the Gos- pel standard raised in this, the frontier town. . He was a wise counselor in church organization and church building. . He took great interest in all that concerned the welfare of the church, and ever proved one of its pillars -was constant in attendance upon Sabbath worship and the prayer meeting, and was a man around whom others loved to gather."1
This Christian lawyer had much to do with laying the foundations of Congregationalism in Nebraska.
Dr. George L. Miller was one of the first trustees of the old First Church in Omaha,2 a warm friend and valuable
1 Gaylord's Life, p. 334.
2 Personal letter to the writer dated June 23, 1904.
14
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
helper in pioneer Congregational work. It is he who tells this interesting incident in connection with the early work of Reuben Gaylord: In going by the improvised chapel he heard the voice of a man in prayer, and looking in he saw
ORIGEN D. RICHARDSON Trustee First Congregational Church, Omaha
Mr. Gaylord on his knees praying that the Lord would send him an audience. Dr. Miller also said in a letter to Dr. Joseph B. Clark, Secretary of the National Home Mission- ary society : "It was Reuben Gaylord, the brave Christian
15
CONGREGATIONAL PIONEERS
soldier, who brought Sunday into Omaha and the trans- Missouri country."3
REV. GEO. G. RICE Who preached the first Congregational sermon in Nebraska territory
The writer has been at considerable pains to ascertain who preached the first Congregational sermon in Nebraska. There seemed to be different opinions in reference to the
3 Leavening the Nation, by Dr. Joseph B. Clark, p. 119.
16
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
matter. Fortunately a letter from the Rev. G. G. Rice+ settles the question. Mr. Rice writes :
"Dr. D. B. Coe, Secretary A. H. M. Society, wrote me in July, 1854, requesting that I keep the society informed in regard to the settlements and needs of Nebraska. Au- gust 4, I replied : 'The Indians have not yet been removed to their reservations, and until that time the territory will not be open to settlement. The agent is hastening the re- moval of the Indians, and the territory will likely be open for settlers in a few days.' September 19 I wrote again : 'The Indians have been removed and there is a brisk move- inent into the territory. Omaha, just across the river from Council Bluffs, is to be the capital of the territory. A steam ferry boat is conveying material across the river for the capitol building, which is already under way. Omaha should have a minister as soon as a suitable man can be found, for, being the capital, it will build up rapidly. An- other man should be sent to the territory as general missionary.'
"About this time I secured two lots-a gift from the 'Omaha Land Co.'-for a Congregational church. When the church was built one of the lots was sold for $700, and the money was used in building.
"The latter part of January, 1855, I spent a Sabbath in Omaha and preached morning and evening in the legisla- tive hall, and Monday morning I officiated as chaplain in the same hall. This was the first Congregational sermon in Nebraska after the territory was organized. There were a few Congregationalists in Omaha at this time with whom I was frequently in conference, trying to aid them in se- curing a minister.
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