History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 119

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408


USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 119


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PERMANENT RELIGIOUS WORK.


hours were largely devoted to religious work, and chiefly among the poor, in which service he was exceptionally efficient. Several suc- cessful enterprises of that sort were indebted to his self-denying labors for their start and prosperity. The Sargent Mission on Erie Street was named in recognition of his devotion to that class of work. Ilis Church relation was that of the Baptist denomination. No name in Toledo in connection with the work with which he was specially identified, is more prominent than is his.


LUTHERAN CHURCHES.


The oldest Church of this denomination in Toledo is Salem, its house of worship being lo- cated on North side Huron Street, between Elm and Chestnut. It was organized in 1845. The Pastor in 1887, was Rev. F. J. S. Schmeltz.


ST. PAUL's, East side Eric, between Adams and Oak Streets, was organized in 1854. It has one of the most commodious houses of wor- ship in the City. The Pastor in 1887 was Rev. J. J. Weiss.


ST. JOHN'S (German), East Toledo, (formerly Oregon Township), was organized in 1862, by Rev. John Doerfler, and was incorporated in 1863 as the " Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregation of St. John, Oregon Township." In September, 1862, Rev. Charles Beekel became the Pastor, and continues as such. The first officers were F. Clansing, John Bitter and G. Burr. The present officers are-Carl Koch, Henry Salendorff and Heury Bitter. The Teacher is Christ. Lohmann. In 1876 a house of worship was erected, at a cost of $4,500.


ST. JOHN'S, corner Erie and Harrison Streets. Organized in 1864. Pastor in 1887, Rev. Chris- topher Prottengeier.


ST. PETER'S (German), corner Nebraska Av. enne and Hawley Street. Organized in 1873. The first Pastor was Rev. C. Markscheffel, who served until April, 1884, when he was succeeded by Rev. L. W. Graeppe, the present Pastor. The Church in 1887 had a membership of 250.


EVANGELICAL TRINITY (German) was organ- ized in 1874, its house of worship being located at Southwest corner of Vance and Ewing Streets. Its present Pastor is Rev. Herman W. Querl.


FIRST ENGLISH EVANGELICAL CHURCH, corner Oliver and Harrison Streets. Pastor in 1887, Rev. S. L. Harkey, D. D.


ST. LUCAS (German), corner of Walbridge Avenue and Franklin Street. Pastor in 1887, Rev. A. B. Weber.


ST. MARCUS REFORMED, Grasser Street, near Brand, East Toledo. Organized in 1874. Pas- tor in 1887, Rev. John Klag.


ST. MARK'S (German), corner Woodville and Baker Streets, East Toledo. Organized in 1884. Pastor, Rev. Charles Huebner.


CHURCHES FOR COLORED PEOPLE.


The first definite step taken in Toledo toward organization with reference to religious privi- leges for colored residents, consisted of a meet- ing of colored people held February 5, 1850, the immediate object being to raise funds for erecting a School-house and a place of worship, they then having no place for either purpose. They organized as the " Toledo Colored School Association," with James E. Franklin as Chair- man, and A. Riebmond as Secretary. On mo- tion of B. A. Price, William Wilson stated the object of the meeting. It was resolved to build a frame house, 24 feet square. B. A. Price, A. Richmond and D. Nichols were appointed as Trustees ; J. E. Franklin, Henry Rice and B. A. Price, as Collectors; and Richard Mott was thanked for his liberality in furnishing a lot for the proposed Sehool-house.


In 1862, a Sabbath School for colored scholars was organized in Toledo. It occupied the old frame building on Erie Street, between Monroe and Washington, which is further distinguished as the first Court-house of Lucas County. For some months the School struggled along with 12 to 20 members, when a colored preacher from Kentucky took an interest in it, and soon gave to it increased suc- cess, with 100 members. Mr. - Lott was the Superintendent for the first year, when he was succeeded by Mr. R. P. Clark, Teacher of the Colored Public School. Its success was largely due to the faithful efforts of Mr. Lott. There had been for some years in existenee, but in feeble condition, a Colored Church. The favor- able influence of the Rebellion was soon felt by that race in Toledo, as elsewhere; although the heavy weight of caste prejudice was slow in its removal. The name of this organization was originally Warren Chapel, which was changed to First African M. E. Church. In 1864 steps were taken toward the ereetion of a house of worship, the corner-stone being laid Angust 1st, of that year. The building was finally completed, and stands adjoining the old Court- house, on Erie Street. The Pastor in 1887 was Rev. T. W. Haigler, the membership num- bering 123.


ZION'S M. E. CHURCH (Colored), on Beach Street, near Michigan, was organized in 1884. Its Pastor in 1887 was Rev. William Campbell, and its membership 45.


THE THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH, of Toledo (com- posed of Colored people), was organized in 1868. Its house of worship is located at the corner of Woodruff and Canton Avenues. Its Pastor in 1887 was Rev. J. H. Meadows.


OTHER CHURCHES.


THE UNITARIAN CHURCH .- Work in con- nection with this denomination has been in progress in Toledo more or less prominently since 1838. The first record found of that


39


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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.


kind, is an announcement that " an exposition of the doctrines of Christianity, as they are held by the Unitarian denomination," would be delivered at the Unitarian Chapel, April Ist of that year. It would seem that such pro- vision for services was not permanent, since in September, 1840, it was announced that there would be " Unitarian preaching at the Presby- terian Church (corner of Cherry and Superior Streets), to commence at the usual time of opening meeting." In January, 1862, J. B. Marvin was ordained as a Minister of the Uni- tarian Church, on which occasion Rev. Moneure D. Conway, of Cincinnati, Rev. Robert Collyer, of Chicago, and Rev. S. S. Hunting, took part. Mr. Marvin became the Pastor of the Unitarian Church, then occupying a frame building on the present site of Masonic Hall (Northwest corner of Adams and Superior Streets), which had been built for a Campbellite Baptist Church. Services were maintained at that place for sev- eral years, and until the organization of the Independent Church, Rev. F. E. Abbott, Pas- tor, in 1871, when the building now the prop- erty of Central Congregational Church, corner of Adams and Tenth Streets, was erected, and for a time was occupied by that Society.


THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST was organized in 1868. The first Pas- tor was Rev. Edward Lorenz. Its house of worship is located at 324 Hamilton Street. In 1869 Rev. Benj. F. Fritz became the Pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. J. Ernst, who, after six months' service, was sent to Germany as a Missionary. Since then the Pastors have been as follows: C. Schneider, 1873-76 ; J. Sick, 1876- 79; J. P. Mossbammer, 1879-83; J. Schalla, 1883-86; Benj. F. Fritz, 1886-87. The Sunday School connected with the Church was organ- ized in 1868.


CHRISTIAN CHURCH, organized in 1872. Its house of worship is on Eleventh Street, be- tween Madison and Jefferson. The Pastor, in 1887, was Rev. J. E. McDonald, and its mem- bership 265.


SALEM CHURCH, of the Evangelical Associa- tion, was organized in 1874, with Rev. G. Has- enpflag as Pastor, whose successors have been Revs. C. F. Vegele, Th. Suhr, C. Cords, G. Zeigler and Frederick Mueller, the latter now serving. The membership is about 90. The house of worship is at corner of Vance and Division Streets.


GERMAN EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH ; organized in 1853. House of worship North- west corner of Scott Street and Canton Avenue. Pastor, Rev. Christopher Schiller.


B'NAI JACOB (Jewish), corner of John and Union Streets. Rev. Joseph Goldberg, Rabbi.


B'NAI ISRAEL (Jewish), worshipping in Clark's Hall, Cherry Street. Rev. Abram Gold- berg, Rabbi.


THE FREE CHAPEL .- In 1884, for the pur- pose of providing accommodations for religious


purposes, unrestricted by denominational views or associations, a "building was erected at 205 Tenth Street, which was given the name of Free Chapel. The peculiarity of faith on which this movement is founded, consists in disbelief in human organizations as an agency for the promotion of Christ's Church on earth ; and in belief that individual believers should be held together only by the spiritual bonds of a common love and experience of saving faith. Hence, there is with such no society organiza- tion. Believers in this faith are scattered throughout this and other countries. The To- ledo Chapel was built with means supplied by David T. Newton and others interested in the movement. The title is in the name of Lyman H. Johnson, the Pastor, and successors to be appointed by him. The work is largely pro- moted by a monthly publication, the Stumbling Stone, edited by Mr. Johnson. Worshippers at the Chapel comprise not only residents of Toledo, but also of the surrounding country. Services are held weekly, with semi-annual assemblies in March and November.


TOLEDO BETHEL WORK.


An organization, having for its specific ob- ject the dissemination of religious intelligence and other like work among the Seamen of the Lakes and Canals of the Western States, was established at Cleveland in 1830. In 1833, a small Chapel was erected in that City, at an expense of $1,000. In 1835, Rev. D. C. Blood labored for a few months as Chaplain, and left on account of ill health, being succeeded by Rev. V. D. Taylor, who continued until 1839, when Rev. Win. Day took charge, and after- wards became the General Agent of the Society. The organization was known as the " Western Seamen's Friend Society."


In 1847, Rev. R. H. Leonard was appointed Corresponding Secretary, and soon thereafter the Society was incorporated, and began to ex- tend its operations. In 1853 it had Bethel Stations at Erie, Cleveland, Sandusky, Toledo, Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Lonis, Louisville, Wheeling and Pittsburgh. It was then seeking to extend its operations to the Ohio and Upper Mississippi Rivers, and on about 1,000 miles of ('anals.


Bethel work in Toledo seems to have been commenced in October, 1847, when Rev. Thos. Cooper, Chaplain of Seamen, arrived. The ladies of Toledo presented to him a Bethel Flag, as a signal for worship, the exercises tak- ing place at First Congregational Church. The first quarters for Bethel work, were in the third story of Mott's Block, Southeast corner of Summit and Monroe Streets. The flag was run up in the morning and left until sunset, to designate the place. Services were resumed at the same place in April, 1848.


In 1852, steps were taken for securing per- manent quarters for Bethel work, which re-


603


PERMANENT RELIGIOUS WORK.


sulted in the erection of a brick building on Vine Street, in rear of 272 and 274 Summit. The lot was donated by Charles Butler, of New York, and the funds by citizens of Toledo. The building was dedicated January 22, 1853. The Chaplain at that time was Rev. E. R. Jewett, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now of Castalia, Erie County.


September 29, 1857, a meeting of citizens was held for the purpose of organizing an auxiliary to the Western Seamen's Friend Society, Rev. W. W. Williams being in the chair. S. G. Arnold, from a Committee previ- ously appointed, reported a constitution, which was adopted, when Mr. Arnold, Andrew J. Field and Rev. Geo. W. Collier were appointed to report the names of suitable persons to act as officers of the Association, who presented the following, which report was adopted, to wit : President, Chas. A. King; Vice Presi- dents, City Pastors (W. W. Williams, H. B. Walbridge, E. F. Platt, Joseph Ayres, G. W. Collier, Chas. Ritter) ; Secretary, S. H. Burr; Treasurer, W. E. Parmelee, Sr. ; Directors, H. S. Walbridge, Almon Hopkins, S. A. Raymond, T. H. Hoag, John Eaton, Jr.


In November, 1857, Rev. S. D. Shaffer was elected Superintendent of the Bethel Sunday School; Albert H. Niles, Secretary ; and Miss Emily J. Raymond, Treasurer. The experi- ence of the new Superintendent was not in all respects as pleasant as it might have been. At that time the low grounds in the central part of the City, were occupied chiefly by "squat- ters," or tenants at will, living in small huts, many of these having been built for the use of laborers in the construction of the Canal. This was specially true of the locality bounded by St. Clair, Orange, Huron and Oak Streets, on which in 1857 there was not a single structure, save those referred to. Among the squatters was an Irishman of dissolnte habits, who often, by service on the chain-gang, paid penalty for infractions of the law. His wife applied to Mr. Shaffer for food and clothing for her neglected family, which was granted, and the children were invited to the Bethel Sunday School. On Sunday, March 7, 1858, they were not present, and Mr. Sbaffer called at the shanty to see what had detained them. He was met by the father with raised axe, which eame near taking his life. He warded off the blow with one hand, and knocked down his assailant with the other. The man lost the axe in falling, and soon seized a board and re- newed the assanlt, which Mr. Shaffer warded off and again knocked the man down. The wife now joined her husband in the fight, while several rough neighbors did the same. Mr. Shaffer finally seized the man by the throat, and dragging him along with one hand, beat . off assailants with the other. In this way he fought his way out, and finally released his prisoner, whom, during the struggle, he had


knocked down six or eight times. In the fight, he lost his hat, had his coat badly torn, his head bruised, his arm pounded, his watch broken and his eane lost. Nothing but his courage and superior strength saved him from being wholly overcome by his assailants. For the purpose of making good Mr. Shaffer's loss in the melee, his friends met at the house of Captain Belden, taking with them contri- butions of money, provisions and clothing, amounting in valuo to $260. Mr. Shaffer's positive and unqualified opposition to viee, and especially to the sale and use of liquors, provoked extreme bitterness on the part of classes concerned-so much so, that proces- sions of his Sabbath School in the Streets were liable to assault from vicious parties, unless protected by the presence of known citizens.


Rev. S. M. Beatty, long a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, commenced his labors as Chaplain of the Bethel, in February, 1862, and continued the same until his death in 1874. Few men have been more faithful than was he.


As the result of change in the channels of transportation, largely from water to rail, the specifie work of the Bethel became much re- duced in extent, and attention came to be di- vided between the Sailors and Railroad men. The Bethel building on Vine Street, abont 1860. was taken by the First Presbyterian Church, for joint ocenpaney with the Bethel Society. The changed condition was recog- nized by the friends of the work, at whose sug- gestion a building was erected on the Lake Shore Railroad grounds, across the Bayou bridge, for the joint benefit of Seamen and Rail- road Men, which was occupied for regular religious services for many years. At that place a Railroad Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation was organized in May, 1878, with 90 members. Its officers were : President, Wm. H. Kirkley ; Vice President, C. 1]. Buck ; Treasurer, Frank J. Wilcoxson ; Correspond- ing Secretary, H. B. Scars ; Recording Secre- tary, W. T. Walker.


YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.


June 7, 1859, a meeting of members of differ- ent City Churches was held for the purpose of organizing a Young Men's Christian Union. Of this meeting Clark Waggoner was the Chairman, and James H. Campbell Secretary. Revs. George W. Collier, W. W. Williams, HI. B. Walbridge, E. B. Raffensperger, Oliver Ken- nedy and E. F. Platt were appointed to pre- pare a constitution and by-laws for such organ- ization. The Union thus constituted was not of long duration.


Preliminary steps toward the organization of the present Toledo Young Men's Christian Association, were taken by a meeting of eiti- zens at the First Congregational Church, July


604


HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.


25, 1865. The first election of officers oc- eurred at the same place August 29th, who were as follows: President-Henry G. Sheldon ; Vice President-Thomas Vanstone ; Secretary -- Daniel A. Waterman ; Treasurer-Milo Ba- share; Managers-W. W. Griffith, C. B. Phil- lips, L. Tiedman, E. II. Van Hoesen, H. L. Phelps, G. W. Nort. An address was then adopted, setting forth the object of the Associa- tion as follows :


This Union shall be a social organization of Chris- tians, who, desiring each other's good, will welcome young men who may enter our City, direct them where they may find congenial society, introduce them to the Church, to the Sabbath School, and to the members of this Union, and surround them in every possible way with such influences as will make them feel that Christian brothers care for their wel- fare.


The arrangements of the Association were so far advanced by November 27, 1865, that rooms for its use were then opened on the second floor of Hartford Block, corner of Summit and Mad- ison Streets, where were supplied tables, chairs, and an assortment of suitable reading matter. The exercises of the occasion consisted of sing- ing, prayers, addresses by President Sheldon, Rev. C. W. Keteham, St. Paul's M. E. Church ; Rev. E. B. Raffensperger, First Presbyterian Church; Rev. Wm. W. Williams, First Con- gregational; Rev. E. F. Platt, First Baptist, and Rev. S. G. Dawson, Second Baptist Church.


The Association has been maintained with creditable efficiency during the 22 years of its existence. In 1880, through the liberality of its friends, it was enabled to secure permanent quarters by the purchase of the building No. 477 Summit Street, which has furnished liberal accommodations, including Reading Rooms, Hall, Gymnasium and smaller rooms. The of- ficers for 1887 are as follows :


President, H. C. Sprague ; Vice President, A. E. Rood ; Treasurer, J. J. Freeman ; Recording Secre- tary, A. O. Hill; General Secretary, Willard H. Smith. Directors-H. C. Sprague, A. E. Rood, J. J. Freeman, S. R. Maclaren, R. H. Whitney, H. E. Mar- vin, Thomas H. Walbridge, C. H. Whitaker, John B. Merrell, C. 11. Buck, R A. Bartley, M. H. Davis, H. E. King.


LUCAS COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.


In 1847, the Lucas County Bible Society was organized for the purpose of promoting the circulation of the Scriptures. The 10th anni- versary of the Society was held November 29, 1857, when the following officers were chosen : President, Almon Hopkins; Vice President, Win. Baker; Secretary, Rev. Wmn. W. Williams; Treasurer, S. H. Keeler ; Deposi- tary, S. H. Burr; Auditor, C. A. King. Ad- dresses were made by Rev. E. W. Smith, State Agent; Wm. Baker, John Eaton, Jr., and Rey. G. W. Collier.


The officers of the Society for 1887, were as follows: President, Marion Lawrance; Vice


Presidents, Pastors of City Churches ; Treas- urer, J. W. Hiett; Secretary, E. W. Lenderson ; Depositary, T. J. Brown.


UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.


In December, 1864, a Branch of the United States Christian Commission, operating in the interest of the Soldiers of the Union Army, was organized in Toledo. At a preliminary meet- ing held on the 7th of that month, the follow- ing committee were appointed for arranging for such organization :


Rev. Wm. W. Williams and W. W. Griffith, of First Congregational Church ; Rev. E. F. Platt and H. J. Hayes, of First Baptist Church ; Rev. C. W. Ketcham and Almon Hopkins, of St. Paul's Methodist Episco- pal Church ; Rev. J. W. Alderman and C. T. Wales, of Ames Chapel ; Rev. H. B. Walbridge and D. B. Smith, of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church ; Rev. E. B. Raffensperger and Thos. Vanstone, of First Presbyterian Church ; Rev. P. F. Schneider and John C. Wuerfel, of German Methodist Church. Of this Committee, D. B. Smith was the Chairman.


December 8th, the Commission was organ- ized, with the following officers : President, Wm. Baker; Vice President, Almon Hopkins ; Recording Secretary, Chas. T. Wales; Corres- ponding Secretary, Dr. II. W. Pierson ; Treas- urer, Denison B. Smith.


In February, 1865, the ladies of the First Congregational Church, Toledo, formed a Soci- ety Auxiliary to the United States Christian Commission, with the following officers : Presi- dent, Mrs. Mary Walbridge; Vice President, Mrs. J. Austin Scott; Secretary, Mrs. J. S. Lyman ; Treasurer, Miss Carrie Eaton.


Operations in this connection were sus- pended soon after the date of the foregoing organization, by the close of the War which had made such work necessary. The mean- time the Toledo Societies were active in co- operation with the great work of the parent Commission.


ALLEN STREET MISSION.


In August, 1863, steps were taken for pro- viding with religious instruction, the children and youth along and in the vicinity of Allen Street (now ('anton Avenne), a locality then destitute of such advantages. At the time stated, a few children were gathered in the kitchen of Henry Williams on State Street. Soon the School became too numerous for its (quarters, when it was removed to the Pottery of August Phillips, 233 Cherry Street. Subse- quently more permanent accommodations were furnished by the erection of a Chapel on the West side of Canton Avenue, between North and Beach Streets, which was dedicated September 8, 1872, and is yet occupied by the School. Prominent among the active early friends of the work, were C. H. Buck, T. J. Brown, J. M. MeKee and others. From the first, it has been non-sectarian in character. November 20,


David Invito


605


PERMANENT RELIGIOUS WORK.


1870, Mr. D. N. Trowbridge became the Super- intendent, as he continues to be. The attend- ance when Mr. Trowbridge assumed charge, was 30 to 40; the average for the past ten years has been 145. For many years past, Mr. A. C. Moore has been the Assistant Superin- tendent, Charles Reibel the Secretary and Treasurer, and Miss Anna Steincamp the Or- ganist, with Miss Minnie Hall as Assistant.


ADAMS STREET MISSION.


For several years this has been among the prominent enterprises in the interest of the more neglected classes of the young people of the City. In January, 1871, religious services were held in the Theatre Comique, corner of Monroe and St. Clair Streets, an establishment of low order, kept by one Capt. Hamm, after which announcement was then made that on the following Sabbath a Sunday School would be opened at that place. At that time some 90 pupils were arrranged in 12 classes. Soon thereafter, the Theatre being closed, other quarters became necessary, and in February, 1871, the School was located at 138 St. Clair Street, and was known as the St. Clair Street Mission. Here the movement took more defi- nite form, including, beside religious instruc- tion, provision for the more pressing temporal needs of the pupils, for which purpose a Relief Society was organized by ladies con- nected with the work. In March, 1871, St. Clair Mission Division of Sons of Temperance (afterwards known as Crystal Fountain Divi- sion) was organized, and was instrumental in reclaiming many intemperate men. In May, 1872, the Mission purchased the building 153 Adams Street, when the School took the name of Adams Street Mission. At the time, the bar of a low saloon was still standing in the room. The Sunday School at this place was inaugu- rated February 24, 1872. Payment for the building ($350) was made in April, when it was transformed from an abode of vice and crime to a School of virtue and Christian in- strnction, which it has continued to be for 16 years. Very soon after the commencement of this Mission, Gen. Patrick S. Slevin, then the Collector of Customs for the District, assumed general charge of the work, and upon resign- ing his official position, assumed the post and work of City Missionary, which he has con- tinued to this time. From the first Mr. J. Cooper Price has been and yet is Superintend- ent of the Mission School. To these two gentlemen, chiefly, is due the success of the enterprise. Beside these, were active in the early history of the School, L. M. Skidmore, R. P. Tait, A. A. Andrews and wife, John Irving, Madison Miller, Clarence Morris, J. R. Osborn, Chas. Douglass, C. W. Everett, C. L. Young and others. Prominent among the Managers and Teachers, have been Mrs. J. E. Morehouse, Geo. W. Ford and wife, L. M. Skid-


more, and others. In 1886, this Mission re- ceived from Mr. Robert Hallaran, a prominent business man of this City, since deceased, a donation of $5,000 for use in providing more adequate accommodations for the work, with which the building, No. 143 Adams Street, was constructed.


SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.


The Toledo Sabbath School Union had a celebration September 3, 1869, in which 17 Schools took part, as follows :


First Congregational Church, Rev. W. W. Wil- liams, Superintendent, 350 scholars ; Second Congre- gational (East Side), Rev. R. Quaiff, 75 ; First Baptist, Wm. Baker, 100; Baptist (Fifth Ward) Mission, Frank W. Anderson, 80; Sargent Mission, O. R. Morse, 100 ; Platt Mission, Frank Braisted, 75; Bethel, J. Cooper Price, 350; First Presbyterian, Thomas Vanstone, 175; Allen Street Mission, J. M. McKee, 125; Westminster, David Smith, 150; St. Paul's (M. E.), A. P. Miller, 250; Lagrange (M. E.), W. H. Bell- man, 125; Broadway (M. E.), R. Hunter, 125; Afri- can (M. E.), Jas. Lyman, 35 ; Point Mission (First Con- gregational), C. H1. Buck, 200; Union (East Side), Rev. S. G. Dawson, 100; Lutheran, John Klagy, 110.




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