Newspaper Clippings for
January, 1867
5 January 1867Religious Notice-Renting of Pews. "There will be a meeting of the
first Religious Society of Millburn, in the new church, on Monday
the 14th inst. The Trustees will be present for the purpose of
renting the pews. All persons desiring pews are requested to be
present.
G. L. Stewart, Clerk.
19 January 1867Church Dedication at Millburn
The new Congregational Church of Millburn will be dedicated on
Sunday the 20th inst. Rev. J. C. Roy will preach the dedication
sermon. Rev. C. C. Cadwell and others expected to be present and
to take part in the exercises. Services to commence at 10 a.m.
There will be service in the evening, and a general invitation is
extended to all to be present on the occasion. Our friends in
Millburn deserve much credit for their energy in erecting this
place of worship, and we have no doubt its capacity will be tested
tomorrow by a large congregation.
27 January 1867Dedication of the New Church at Millburn.
Pursuant to notice, the dedication of the new church at Millburn,
was participated in by a very large congregation. The dimensions
of the edifice are 37x50 feet. The height of the interior is 22
feet. Ten feet are taken off the length of the building which
gives a lobby, and over it is a session room so constructed with
sliding doors that it can be either used for prayer meetings and
Sunday school or when occasion requires as a portion of the church
proper. The edifice faces the east, and has a belfry of comely
appearance. The wood work was done by the Porter Brothers,
builders of this city, and the painting by W. A. Johnson, also of
Waukegan. The total cost of the building is about $________.
Farewell services were held in the old church at 10 a. m., Rev. C.
C. Cadwell, of Genoa, Wis., formerly of this city, made some
appropriate remarks to the dense congregation which filled the
entire building. Rev. W. B. Dodge, the father of the church, and
for nearly 20 years its pastor, uttered a most impressive
prayer.
At the conclusion of the services in the old church, Father Dodge
taking the Bible from the building and followed by the clergy and
congregation, proceeded to the new edifice. It seemed, as Rev.
Mr. Roy remarked, as if he bore "the Ark of the Covenant." The
old Bible being placed upon the desk was used until the new one
was dedicated.
After some introductory services by the Rev. Mr. Cadwell, the
sermon was preached by the Rev. J. E. Roy, agent of the Home
Mission Society in Chicago, who took, his text from ____ 2d
Chapter 9th verse. "The glory of this latter house shall be
greater than that of the former." The sermon was an earnest and
eloquent discourse, which was eminently appropriate to the
occasion.
After the sermon a collection was taken up which amounted to $883,
and will, it is stated cancel the entire indebtedness. The old
church will be sold and the proceeds turned towards a bell. The
sum of $90 was subscribed for that purpose on Sunday.
The music was of a superior character, being under the direction
of Mr. W. F. Heath, assisted by Miss Emma Marr and Fannie
Partridge of this city, together with the members of the Millburn
Choir. Miss Marr's voice was a source of great pleasure to all
who were within sound of it on that occasion, and Miss Partridge
rendered valuable instrumental assistance. Mr. Heath had composed
an opening and closing anthem for the occasion which were much
admired. The words of the closing anthem were very suitable:
"Lord is mercy, oh protect us,
Keep, Oh! Keep us thro' the night-
Thou alone canst only save us
Save us till the dawn of light."
The congregation after uniting in a formal consecration of the
church, to God, after a form prepared by Rev. H. Bross, the
pastor, all standing, the dedicatory prayers were offered by
Father Dodge, and the benediction pronounced. In the afternoon
there was Sunday School and in the evening Mr. Cadwell delivered
an excellent sermon. Our Millburn friends have every reason to be
proud of their new church. Long may it endure for good to its
communicants.
