The American Missionary — Volume 44, No. 04, April, 1890

by Various

Congregationalism Around Paris, Texas.

By Rev. J.D. Pettigrew.

It gives me much pleasure to tell you what we are doing for the Master and for Congregationalism in this part of the great field. I came to Paris nearly eleven months ago and assumed the pastorate of the First Congregational Church. I had been here but a short time when I found that there were three other Congregational Churches out in the country near Paris, and that there had once been a Quarterly Conference made up of these four churches; but this Conference had died out ere I came. I thought that such an organization, if revived, would be a great stimulus to the churches, and especially to those out in the country, two of which were, at that time, without pastors. So I sent out cards notifying the brethren that the Conference would convene at a specified day, and urging them to come in full representation.

A few, very few, responded. We organized. After transacting a little business the Conference adjourned to meet at our next regularly appointed time. Before the time for our next meeting we were all made to rejoice by the coming of Rev. M.R. Carlisle, a graduate of both the collegiate [a] and theological courses of Talladega College, from Alabama, to assume the pastoral charge of two of these churches—Dodd City and Bois D'Arc.

He and I drew up a plan to re-organize the old Conference into a more excellent and practical one. We offered our plan at the next meeting of the Conference, and it was cheerfully received. The effect of this plan was to change the name from Conference to Association, and to divide the Association into three distinct departments, each with its own set of officers, as follows: a Sunday-school Department, composed of the different Sunday-schools of the churches; a Missionary Department, composed of the different church missionary societies; and a Church Department, composed of the different churches.

Each department had its own distinct programme and business; but the combined programmes of all made up the "general programme" of the Association. This plan works excellently, and serves as a wonderful stimulus to each of these departments of church work. We have, in our next meeting, to add the department of Christian Endeavor.

Our last session, held with our church in Paris on the 28th of December, 1889, was indeed a grand success. Previous to its meeting, I heard of four other Congregational Churches in the Indian Territory, under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society. I sent them an invitation to join the Association. These churches promptly sent delegates who connected their churches with the Association.

One brother from the Territory heard of the Association, but was not able to pay his way on the train to Paris. So, as he said to me, "I left my wife and children in the care of God, and I put myself into his hands and came; and I walked every step of the way." This brother walked forty miles to meet the Association, and his fidelity had a great effect upon the whole meeting. We tried to make it pleasant for him, and took up a special collection to send him back home on the train.

Space will not allow me to speak touching the spiritual strength and interest of the meeting. We had many valuable papers read and discussed, and closed our session on the Sabbath with the following programme: "Sabbath morning from 9-11 o'clock, Sabbath-school; 11-12:30, Sermon, 'Congregationalism in the South,' Rev. J.D. Pettigrew; at 3 o'clock P.M. Sermon, by Rev. A. Gross, from the Indian Territory; 7:30 o'clock P.M., Quarterly Sermon, by Rev. M.R. Carlisle, followed by the administration of the Lord's Supper." The brethren left for their fields of labor filled with encouragement and enthusiasm.' Those from the Indian Territory seemed to be especially strengthened.

Our next meeting is to be with the Bois D'Arc church. We have now eight churches and mission stations represented, and it is only a question of time before our Association will be a power for God and Congregationalism in this part of the State. I think we have a bright future before us here.