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Show Page 24<br><br>work in the lower part of New York City. During the next six years, he served as pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Troy, New York. He resigned this prosperous pastorate in the summer of 1889 to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jersey City, New Jersey. There he enjoyed the rare privilege of fellowship with the former pastor, the Rev. W. H. Parmly, D. D. This pastorate opened auspiciously. Nearly 100 were baptized. Pastor and people hoped to be co-laborers for many years. But after only eighteen months a change to a higher altitude and dryer climate became imperative, and the call to Salt Lake was accepted. The change has proved very fortunate, as health [PHOTO: H. B. STEELMAN, Pastor First Baptist Church.] and strength have come back In double measure. Mr. Steelman found a helpmeet indeed in Miss Lizzie A. Sill, to whom he was married February the 8th, 1882, just subsequent to her graduation from the normal school at Rockport, New York. Five children fill their home with joy and gladness, Marjory, aged 12; Charlotte and Deborah, aged 11; Ella Mildred, aged 9, and Albert Judson, who has just celebrated his first birthday. <br><br>Institutions of the First Church.<br><br> The Sunday-School.<br><br> The First Baptist Sunday school of Salt Lake was organized on the last Sunday of October, 1882, in the old Pendleton hall, a name which recalls memories of [PHOTO: A. J. OREM, Sunday-School Supt.] interruptions in the Sunday service by the shoeing of horses in the blacksmith shop which occupied the first floor of the same building. This was occasionally varied by a circus in the vacant lot at the rear. With such surroundings the Baptist Sunday school was planted, and at its first session numbered nineteen, four of whom were teachers, Miss Mary Berkley, Miss Clara Berkley, Rev. Dwight Spencer and Dr. G. B. Morse, who was also superintendent and chorister. Mr. Spencer, being called East in a few weeks, left the Sunday school, with the rest of the work, in charge of Dr. Morse. The following summer, when Dr. Morse left, Mr. C. A. Clark was elected superintendent. In December of this year, 1883, the school rejoiced greatly in that they were able to move into the lecture-room of the church, which was now completed. For about two years from this time the school continued to increase in numbers and interest until it numbered, in the summer of 1885, about one hundred and twenty. However, after this, the attendance decreased during a period of frequent change of leaders in both church and school. The average attendance during several months of 1887 did not exceed forty. In September, 1888, Rev. D. D. Forward became pastor of the church, and his coming brought new life to all departments of work. Deacon W. N. Cole was then superintendent, at which time the school began to increase again, though at first slowly. This improvement has continued ever since. During the next two or three years Mr. Coates, Deacon Westover, Mr. Clinton and Deacon Randolph were successively in office as superintendent. John R. Powell was elected secretary in 1887 and has been re-elected each year since in recognition of his untiring services. Rev. H. B. Steelman, the present pastor of the church, arrived in April, 1891, and the Sunday school has been fortunate in having his presence and assistance in all its sessions. Deacon A. J. Orem was elected superintendent January 1st, 1893, and still acceptably fills that position. Under his leadership the school has continued to make steady advances both in numbers and influence. It assembles in the audience room of the church, but during the lesson hour several classes retire to the lecture-room, and the primary department goes to the kindergarten room in the Baptist school building adjoining, which is furnished with a piano, blackboards and kindergarten chairs. The primary department, Miss Mary E. Berkley, teacher, and Miss Clara Berkley, first assistant, is recognized as one of the most important features of the school. All feel an especial interest in these little ones, and take delight in contributing to their comfort and happiness. This department has an average attendance of about seventy, with new members added every Sunday. In the main school there are sixteen classes, all taught by faithful, enthusiastic teachers. The enrollment is now 250, with an average attendance during this year of 176. Within the past two years the superintendent and teachers have been cheered as they have seen the result of their labors in frequent accessions to the church membership from the pupils of the school. Beginning with last year, when Miss Lillie Jackman was made librarian, special attention has been given to the Sunday school library. Over $100 has already been expended and the library increased to 265 volumes. It is hoped that $100 more will be in hand in a few weeks for still further enlargement. The friends of the school will appreciate the importance of this enterprise and lend their hearty cooperation. The First Baptist Sunday school is the hope of the church. It is one of the largest schools in the city, full of life and progress, and looks out upon a future of splendid possibilities.<br><br> The Christian Endeavor Society.<br><br> [PHOTO: MRS. DUNSHEE. C. E. President.] THE young people of the First Baptist church re-organized themselves into an Endeavor society, January 1, 1891, with ten active members. Since then it has had many trying experiences, but it has continued in good heart, and today it numbers forty active members, with six associate and four honorary members. The members of the society have taken an active hand in the aggressive policy of the church. At one time they superintended all the branch Sunday-schools, and constituted the corps of workers in some of them. The beautiful memorial chapel is an enterprise which was inaugurated at a meeting, of this society in July, 1892. It is a monument to the energy of a comparatively small society of consecrated young people. Among the contributions of former years, in addition to the various benevolences, was the sum of $25 for the church organ fund. During this year it has renovated the lecture-room, bought for it a new carpet at a cost of $50, and pledged $25 towards the Sunday school library. The presidents have been as follows: George H. Ward, Miss Hattie Randolph, Walter C. Orem, Frank J. Lucas, Miss Rose G. Clarke, William Wismer, Jr., and A. F. Lindberry. William Wismer, Jr., is now pursuing a course of study, with great credit to himself, in the German department of Rochester university, New York State. The present staff of officers are: President, Miss Etha Dunshee; vice-president, O. S. Wigglesworth; secretary, Miss Agnes Sutherland; treasurer, Frank J. Lucas; delegates to the local union, Miss Martha Wismer and B. L. Corum; corresponding secretary, Miss Etha Dunshee. The society constantly emphasizes the importance of fidelity to the pledge, and is a great power for good among all the young people who center about the church. The Woman's Missionary Society. This society was organized on April 18, 1890, Mrs. D. D. Forward acting as temporary chairman. The first president was Mrs. E. B. Smith, now a resi- |
