Church Review Historical Edition/Vol. 4/No. 1

Church Review Historical Edition/Vol. 4/No. 1/pg. 10

Page 10<br><br>The lease of a lot was secured for several years, and a chapel fitted up, in which to hold meetings. Mr. Albert Martin was elected by the session to take charge of the work. The Sabbath school was organized April 9, 1891, with Mr. Martin, as superintendent. He brought the needs of the school before the Christian Endeavor society, and asked for volunteers to carry on the work of the mission. Many responded to the call, and there has never been a time when the Endeavorer's have not been ready to render willing service. They have defrayed a portion of the expense of the mission ever since its organization. Much credit is due the members of the society as they have, during the entire time, carried on work in other lines, which required both labor and money. For two years Mr. Martin not only bore the responsibility of the Sabbath school, but conducted a prayer-meeting on Friday evening of each week, and held religious services on Sabbath evenings. The pastors of the Presbyterian churches of the city have frequently held services, and kindly aided the work in other ways. Miss Gertrude Whiteman succeeded Mr. Martin as superintendent of the Sabbath school, in which capacity she has served two years. At present Mr. Van H. Brooks has charge of the work of the mission. Seven young people have been brought from this mission into the church of the living Christ, but there are others for whom our hearts are burdened. May God bless and continue this work is our prayer. The true Christian spirit which has been manifested at all times in this work is beautiful and commendable. Some of the most faithful and earnest helpers at the mission have been members of other denominations. Mr. De Witt, Mr. Randolph of the Baptist, Mr. Lang of the Methodist, and Miss Mary Bowers of the Episcopal churches showed that they were glad to have the mission in their neighborhood by working right along with us, year after year, and while doing the Master's work we all forget our given names, and only remembered the Christian name, knowing we were brothers and sisters, and doing the bidding of our elder Brother, who says to us "Feed my lambs."<br><br> WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN.<br><br> During the year 1885 Rev. Mr. Newell was commissioned by the Presbyterian Home Mission board of New York City to labor as city missionary in Salt Lake City. Soon after a small church was organized in the western part of the city. Mr. Newell and his devoted wife continued their work some two years. It was through his earnest efforts that the Westminster church building was erected. Mr. Newell moved to California, and continues a successful worker in the Master's vineyard. Rev. William R. Campbell of Mendon spent some time in this field, and with his wife labored faithfully. Many of the members of the church had moved away, and everything looked so discouraging, the church was disbanded by the Presbytery. Mr. Campbell continues an earnest devoted laborer in the bounds of the Utah [PHOTO: WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN] Presbytery; he has been chosen stated clerk of Presbytery, and is much loved by all his brethren. At the disbandment of this church the session records were placed in the hands of the stated clerk of Presbytery, but were lost before Brother Campbell was chosen stated clerk. On this account we can say but little of the work done during those years. At the spring meeting of the Presbytery in 1888, the Presbytery asked the Home Mission Board to commission Rev. F. L. Arnold of Evanston, Wyo., to labor in the western part of Salt Lake City as their missionary. The following September Mr. Arnold commenced his labors in Salt Lake City, he found but few of the former church [PHOTO: F. L. ARNOLD, Pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church.] and congregation, and these were greatly disheartened. After preaching the Word, and visiting from house to house nearly one year, the following request was sent to the Presbytery signed by twenty names: "To Utah Presbytery: - Dear Brethren: - We members of Camp Mission congregation, believing that the cause of Christ will be advanced, and our spirituality promoted thereby, do most respectfully ask you to organize a Presbyterian church in the near future in the western part of Salt Lake City to be called, 'The Westminster Presbyterian church.'" In answer to this petition the Presbytery appointed Rev. R. G. McNeice, D. D., moderator; Rev. E. M. Knox of Kaysville and Rev. F. L. Arnold of Salt Lake City a committee, if the way should be clear to organize such church. On the evening of September 19, 1889, a meeting of the congregation was held and the above named committee were all present. The Westminster Presbyterian [PHOTO: S. H. TOLLES, Superintendent Sunday-School.] church was organized, with sixteen members. The committee having declared the church duly organized. Four ruling elders were elected, Marcus B. Osborn, for life; D. C. McGregor, three years; David Burnfield, two years; Isaac Eddy, one year. Of the original sixteen members of the Westminster church four rich in faith have joined the church triumphant, eleven have moved away from the city, and only one remains in connection with Westminster church. The Lord's supper is observed every three months, January, April, July and October. With profound gratitude and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father we are able to say, that we have had accessions to our church every communion season, all the way from three to nineteen. Most of the members are laboring men employed on the railroad and elsewhere, so we have almost continual changes. We now have 99 members. Five ruling elders, Samuel Williamson, Seth H. Tolles, William H. Rodda, Robert Quay and Charles R. Gurley. We also have four deacons, N. H. Glenn, C. W. Caffall, George Whitaker and H. H. Holmberg. Westminster is a united harmonious, working church. Seth H. Tolles, is sperintendent of the Sabbath school. The Ladies Aid society is largely attended, and all are full of zeal and good works. The Ladies Missionary society meets the last Thursday in each month, and every meeting is of great interest to all. Percy Havenor is president of the Christian Endeavor society; this society have taken upon themselves to carry on and support a mission Sabbath school in the northwestern part of the city. Mr. H. N. Tolles is the superintendent of this school. The Junior society is very prosperous under the efficient leadership of Miss Annie Reed, all its members are zealous little workers.