The German Methodist Church

The following are extracta from a paper re ui by Mr-". C. G. Darllng at a meeting of tlie Home MlssioDary Bociety held Saturday evetiiiiir : It was 11 the year 1839 tint the OefBui who had left tlu'ir "Vater land" for the !li)rions Wc-I, lir-t thougllt of maklng Washtenaw County, Michigan, thelr bome. Thegood report coocernlng the country, wbloh was sent back by these first settlers loon tod to the emigraRon ol many others, who with willing han. is, tiiii'd lor bonetl toil, etune here to builcl Uie orowaliig nohierement of earthly labora, - i hniiK.1. Tliey i.rought witli thcin thiit fear of God and love tor .w-hip wblcb was characterlstic of the pioneer rlass, but no place of wonfcip had leen rai.-ed except tlie blue vatilt of Ik' ivcn and the Inarthstoue. Proliahly but few Germans who (Mime to our land at that time vutra Methodist, ;is most of the followers of thl faith were eonverted at mlssions established in this country. In 1886, a mlssionary was sent among the Qermana aboat Aan Arbor. Thln led to the building of the first house for coufregatloiial ronhlp about two miles west of tlie city. About this timp (ls;!ö) Dr. Xast, wbo s called the "Pather ol Gierman Meihodism In America," began his work in Cinciunatti, where be MtablUbed the first (icrmin .Methodist niission in the United States. These intMlona were eitabllsbeO rapldly throughout the country with a vii'w of OOnverting the eniif;rants. In 183ö lieorganised In Clnelnnatl the First Geiinan Society with 'M mem her. It inilit be well to state here, that the first churcli built by the Germans iu this onuntj was Lutheran. Il was not lili 1S47 that Gorman Methoiü-ts living in and near thei'ity succeeded in building a Church where tliey miglit bear the word of God pieached, and give testimony to those relijfious principies wliirh Wrsley, but üttle more than halt u riiilm-y before, bad iriven to UM world. We can not irrite of the stniles for e.istence of thoe who trive worshlpped tliere ; tbis part of its bistory is recorded only in the"book of life." NVo can best judge of the work of this church by noting it present condition. Tliirty-tive memben rone here to worship in the Lord1! name. Therc is a Sunday School of lifteen scholars tanght by three teachers. They ineetut 9oB a. m., while tlie Chlldren are fresh and altentive. There is an old people I class-meetinfr aller church on Sund.iy morniiig aml Wedoubl not tbat it is a joylul meetipg of true friends who liave gathered there yar after year, till the qulet walls ot thit eommanion room have beoome lermoni to tbem. I'rotr:icted meetings have been held sinei; CbrUtmas, and four new names added to the list of mentbenhlp. The second quarterly meeting ot the conference year was held on Jan. 9tb, issT, a pastor from Lansins oonducting the services. Mr. Plueddemann, the present pastor was (brmerly iu Landng. He is a yonug man ol' greul promlse and attends the univeinily. Tne followlng meeting! are h.-ld durin tlu! week: Wedneadaj eventiig the general prayer Bieetinf(. n Uie lirst Thursday ol ' everv month. the Lüdles Society toten aml on every 3nd Prlday i held the young people'i meeting. One other Important fact remiiiiis to be ïnentioiiiil. The churuh propeity valuod at $4,000 is f ree i rom debt. Ot these sfood Christians, it inay tome timo be salil: "Well done, good and faithful 8ervants, ye have been laithfu overa few thlngt, 1 will inake thee ruhr over inany tbings ; enter ye iuto the Joj of your Lord'