Continued from the History of the City of Hastings. RELIGIOUS HISTORY PIONEER WORK. Rev. Daniel Bush, a Methodist missionary preacher, was the first minister to locate at Hastings, or do any stated work at that point, and, as lie has happily preserved, in a recently written letter, many interesting details touching his experience as a preacher in Barry County, liberal extracts from that letter are given to our readers, in the belief that they will be found interesting and worthy of preservation. Mr. Bush says "Early in the fall of 1841, I rode into Hastings on horseback, and announced myself as a minister of the gospel, sent by the Methodist Conference to labor among them s.s a missionary. The people received me as a messenger of God, and with a cordiality and warm-heartedness that at once inspired me with confidence and hope. I never met with a warmer reception than I did at Hastings, although there was not a professor of religion in the place. There were at this time, if my memory serves me, some ten or twelve buildings in Hastings, the most of them being built of logs, while the people were all very poor. Forty dollars in misolonary money had been appropriated for the support of my family, but the people were quite liberal, and we passed through the year very comfortably. "As the people would not consent to my living outside the village, the first thing in order was to procure a residence for my family. Failing to find a house, we were offered a temporary home in Alexander McArthur's house, where we were given an upper chamber, which was reached by a ladder, and there was established the first Methodist parsonage in Hastings. A movement, headed by A. W. Bailey and Thomas Bunker, for the erection of more comfortable quarters for my family, resulted in the completion of a house on the 1st day of January, 1842. The firewood needed for the household I obtained by felling trees that grew in profusion about the house. "I commenced my missionary labors as soon as I reached Hastings. A new school-house had been built the same year I came, and in that house we assembled for worship. From this point I went into all the settlements of Barry County, the western part of Eaton County, and thenorthern part of Kalamazoo County, preaching wherever I could assemble a congregation. Previous to my coming to this work Brother Daubney, a local preacher from Gull Prairie, had visited Hastings a few times and preached to the people. "I heard of a Methodist man who lived several miles northeast of Hastings by the name of Alonzo Barnum. I made him a visit, and found him chopping down a tree. I introduced myself, and when I told him that a new mission had been formed and that I was the preacher in charge, he raised his hands and eyes to heaven, great tears rolled down his face, and he exclaimed, 'Praise God, my prayers have been heard at last!" We both knelt at the roots of the tree and held a prayer-meeting. A class was formed there, and we made it a regular preaching-place. "I preached in Eaton County in the Hagar settlement. I preached in Zebulon Burnam's schosl-house, northeast of Hastings, and in the Carpenter settlement, north of Hastings. West of Hastings I had an appointment at Mr. Ingraham's, and also at John W. Bradley's. I preached at Mr. Hill's, where the village of Middleville now stands, and farther south, at Judge Barlow's. I had also an appointment at Yankee Springs, and preached during the year at 'Yankee' Lewis' tavern. I preached also during the year at Pine Lake, where we had a class, and there we held a quarterly meeting. East of Hastings there was a considerable settlement near the county-line, and there I preached to a class at the house of Lorenzo Mudge. During the summer of 1842 I held, with Rev. Franklin Page, in charge of Allegan Circuit, a camp-meeting near Gun Marsh, on a line between our respective charges. This was the first camp-meeting ever held in this part of the State, and it was attended with gratifying results. "The free use of intoxicating drinks in Barry County suggested work in the temperance cause. There was a lawyer in Hastings by the name of Marsh Giddings, a very good talker, who was always ready for a temperance speech. Jobn Van Arnam, a lawyer from Battle Creek, who came to Hastings to attend court, assisted us in the good work. We soon organized a temperance society, and nearly all the people took the pledge. At every place where I preached I delivered temperance discourses and offered the pledge. A great majority of the people joined the temperance ranks. We had a Fourth of July celebration and passed through the usual formalities of such an occasion. I had the honor of being the first chaplain in Hastings. Our band consisted of a. fife and drum, and did excellently well." FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first quarterly meeting Conference for Hastings mission was held at Hastings, Nov. 6, 1841, on which occasion there were present James F. Davidson, Presiding Elder; Daniel Bush, Missionary; and Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Mudge, Elisha Carpenter, and Aaron L. Ellis, Leaders. Alonzo Barnum was appointed recording steward, and Lorenzo Nudge, Aaron L. Ellis, Richard Witherel, and Joseph Merriman stewards. At a meeting held July 13, 1843, Henry Worthington being the preacher in charge, it was resolved to build a parsonage at Hastings. The building committee was composed of A. C. Ketchum, Isaac Messer, and John W. Bradley. At a stewards' meeting of Hastings Circuit held Sept. 30, 1843, Rev. Edward L. Kellogg being the preacher in charge, he appointed Asahel Tillotson, Alonzo Barnum, Lorenzo Nudge, Isaac Messer, and Aaron L. Ellis to be trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church for Hastings Circuit. Mr. Kellogg's successor on the circuit was Rev. A. C. Shaw, who, at a meeting in June, 1846, reported that he had raised $50 for the purchase of a circuit Sabbath-school library, and that eleven schools had been organized. Rev. George King was the preacher in 1847, and in 1849 he was succeeded by Rev. Ransom Goodell. Following him came Revs. T. Clark, M. Cory, George Bignell, A. R. Bartlett, T. H. Bignell, William H. Perrine, N. L. Brockway, N. L. Otis, and others. A church edifice was erected in Hastings in the summer of 1852, the village school-house and court-house having, previous to that, been used as a place of worship. The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Hastings, founded, as has been seen, by Rev. Mr. Bush, enjoys now an abundant prosperity, and embraced in March, 1880, a membership of 198. The church stewards are R. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, Daniel Striker, S. C. Prindle, Eben Pennock, J. C. Lampman, J. F. Hale, and W. H. Schantz. The trustees are R. J. Grant, O. D. Spaulding, Eben Pennook, Daniel Striker, S. C. Prindle, Manning Doud, and S. C. Whitcomb. The class-leaders are R. J. Grant and O. D. Spaulding. Mrs. Clement Smith is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has 13 teachers and an average attendance of 130 scholars. The pastor, Rev. Levi Master, entered upon the charge in the fall of 1877. His predecessors, dating from 1866, were Revs. A. P. Moors, J. H. Ross, J. I. Buell, T. H. Jaeokes, and G. W. Sherman. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HASTINGS. At a meeting of tile First Congregational Church of Hastings, held in the village school-house, Jan. 7, 1849, the following members were present: Mrs. Lucina Hanne, Mrs. Hannah Kellogg, Mrs. Susan Pierson, Mrs. Sarah M. Hoyt, Mrs. Arvilla B. Ralph, Mrs. Elizabeth Horton, Mrs. Nancy Young, and Mr. Abel Rice. Two members were absent, Mrs. Clarissa Bailey and Mrs. Louisa Tabor. The meeting was called to order by time pastor, Rev. Z. T. Hoyt, who stated that the object of the meeting was to urge the necessity of reorganizing the church and adopting the Presbyterian form of government in consequence of difficulties that existed in the Congiegational Church, and which appeared then beyond their power to settle, the pastor stating further that a Presbyterian Church had already been organized. The members present then voted to donate the communion-service and all other property belonging to the First Congregational Church to the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, and, letters of dismission being granted to the members named above, it was resolved "that the First Congregational Church of Hastings be hereby dissolved." The Congregational Church just mentioned had been organized in 1842, in the Hastings school-house, by Hey. Mr. Cochran, of Vermontville. The first members were A. C. Parmelee and wife, Marsh Giddings and wife, Mrs. Clarissa Bailey, Mrs. Vespasian Young, Mrs. Horton, and Nathan Barlow and wife. Mr. Cochrane came to preach only occasionally, but when Rev. Z. T. Hoyt settled in Hastings there was regular preaching from that time on. After a while dissensions arose in the congregation, and as the only way out of the trouble it was decided to dissolve the church as above stated, which action, however, was only preliminary to a change of form, since the First Presbyterian Church straightway succeeded to the place of the First Congregational Church, leaving out the minority with whom difficulties had arisen. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Upon the day of the dissolution of' the Congregational Church, the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings was organized in the village school-house. Rev. Zerah T. Hoyt was moderator of the meeting, and Lewis H. Ensign secretary. Those who were received into the church at the organization, besides those mentioned in the sketch of the First Congregational Church, were Henry Standish and Abbey, his wife, Mrs. Sophia E. Kenfield, Lewis H. Ensign and Abby, his wife, Sarah M. Standish, Gorgietta E. Standish, and Mrs. Esther Dowd. Lewis H. Ensign was chosen ruling elder. In March, 1849, the ordinance of baptism was conferred upon George H. Ensign, Georgiana A. Ensign, and Henry A. Eusign, and at the same meeting Abel Rice was elected elder. At a meeting held Feb. 8, 1853, the church adopted new articles as to the form of church government, and changed the name of the organization to The First Presbyterian and Congregational Church of Hastings. On the 10th of February 24 members were added upon a profession of faith. From this time forward the church rapidly received accessions and gained in strength. The court-house was long used as a place of worship, but on the 13th of December, 1854, the newly erected Presbyterian and Congregational house of worship was dedicated. Rev. Zeruh T. Hoyt, who had thus far been the pastor of the church, retired from the chat-ge late in 1855, and on April 27, 1856, Rev. A. H. Gaston entered the pastorate. Mr. Gaston served until the spring of 1863, when he was dismissed. Shortly after that several members of the congregation withdrew to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and for a year the congregation was so weak that regular services were not maintained. Early in 1864, however, an earnest effort led to a revival of interest, and in April of that year Rev. E. G. Bryant was secured as pastor. The church moved forward again upon a prosperous career, and in September, 1865, material improvements were begun upon the church edifice. This work requited five months to complete, and during that time no meetings of any kind were held. Mr. Bryant retired from the pastorate in the autumn of 1866, and in January, 1867, Rev. William S. Messmer was obtained as stated supply, and remained until January, 1868. From that time until August the church was vacant. Rev. Theodore D. Marsh was then engaged as pastor, and remained until Feb. 7, 1875. Rev. H. W. Fletcher, the next pastor, commenced his term of service April 1, 1876, and closed it Jan. 20, 1878, and in December of that year Rev. D. R. Shoop was called to the charge, which he still occupies. The elders of the church at present are J. P. Roberts, John M. Nevins, George Putnam, and W. H. Holmes. The trustees of tIme society are John Greble, George Putnam, W. H. Holmes, C. G. Bentley, Geo. N. Dewey, J. P. Roberts. The church membership is now 56. The Sunday-school superintendent is W. H. Holmes, who is assisted by 12 teachers. The average attendance at the school is 65. Although it is generally supposed that the church is the First Presbyterian Church, it is really the First Presbyterian and Congregational Church, since the latter name, adopted in 1853, has never been formally changed. The name of the society has, however, been changed, and is legally the First Presbyterian Society of Hastings. EMMANUEL (PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL) CHURCH. Doubtless the first Episcopal sermon preached in Hastings was delivered by Rev. Dr. Cummings, of Grand Rapids, on the occasion of his tarrying briefly at the village in 1847, while en route to his home. In the early part of July, 1851, Rev. V. Spalding, of Three Rivers, having been sent by Bishop MeCoskry on a missionary tour through Michigan. stopped at Hastings and preached an Episcopal sermon in the court-house. During 1856 and 1857 Rev. Robert Wood preached occasionally in the village, but until 1863 there was no movement looking to the holding of regular religious services according to the Episcopal faith. In June of that year, J. W. Bancroft, principal of the Union school, was consulted by Dr. H. J. Haney and F. D. Ackley touching the feasibility of having Episcopalian church service every Sunday. Mr. Bancroft agreed to read service, and upon a return from a vacation held the first meeting at his house, Aug. 30, 1863, on which occasion there were present, besides his own family of four, Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Ackley and their daughter. On the next Sunday Dr. Haney was present, with those heretofore named, and on the third Sunday the congregation numbered about 20. Interest in the church continuing to increase Rev. L. H. Corson, of Jonesville, was invited to preach, and on the 4th and 11th of October he held forth in the Presbyterian church. The result of his visit was the organization of a parish, and on the 17th of October, 1873, articles of association were signed by H. A. Goodyear, D. G. Robinson, Nathan Barlow, H. J. Haney, F. D. Ackley, and J. W. Bancroft. The first subsequent services were held in Masonic Hall, Oct. 25, 1863, Mr. Bancroft conducting lay services. On the following Sabbath a Sunday-school was organized, with 25 scholars and 8 teachers. Jan. 17, 1864, Bishop McCoskry made his first visitation, when services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church. Dec. 18, 1864, Emmanuel Hall, in the Brower building, was occupied as a place of worship. Mr. Bancroft conducted lay services until Sept. 19, 1865, when, having been admitted to deacon's orders, he was called to the rectorship of Emmanuel Church, and entered upon the charge Oct. 1, 1865. The following year the chapel now in use was completed, and occupied Oct. 14, 1866. May 22, 1867, Mr. Bancroft was advanced to the priesthood, and still remains in charge of the parish, his continuance therein having been without interruption since 1863. The vestry appointed in 1863 was composed of H. A. Goodyear and D. G. Robinson (wardens), H. J. Haney, Nathan Barlow, and F. D. Ackley. Messrs. Goodyear and Robinson have served as wardens continuously from the beginning. The other members of the vestry are M. W. Hiker, E. B. Throop, and Charles L. Young. Since 1863 the church has confirmed 132 persons and received 155 communicants. The communicants number now 80. The Sunday-school, which is in charge of the rector, has 12 teachers and an average attendance of 60. CATHOLIC CHURCH. Previous to 1869 priests used to come from various points to hold occasional worship in Hastings at private houses for such of the Catholic faith as lived here. In 1869, John Stanley agitated the organization of a Catholic Church, and with Patrick Ryan and Thomas Haney effected the purchase of a building formerly used as a cooper-shop, and converted it into a house of worship, which has since been in use for that purpose, although a handsomer and roomier edifice is soon to be erected on Jefferson Street, where the congregation owns three lots. Among the early priests were Fathers Ernstrasser, Pulcher, and McManus. Father Algier, the first stationed priest, remained two years, and was followed by Father Wicart, whose term of service was likewise two years. Father McManus comes now from Grand Rapids once in two weeks and holds services, which arc numerously attended. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. A meeting was held in the court-house Dec. 11, 1868, to organize a Baptist Church, Rev. E. Curtis being moderator and J. G. Runyan secretary, but, the number in attendance being few, an adjournment was ordered to the 22d instant. Previous to this, Oct. 18, 1868, the First Baptist Society of Hastings was incorporated, with T. L. Pillsbury, J. G. Bunyan, A. H. Tyler, Mr. Otis, John Michael, and Wm. Morgan as the charter members. On the 22d of December the church was organized with 21 members, of whom Rev. T. Pillsbury, Mrs. M. M. Pillsbury, J. G. Bunyan and wife, Sarah Kelley, Hannah Salisbury, Wm. Morgan and wife, C. W. Cassaday and wife, John Michael and wife, Mrs. A. M. Dean. Sarah Morgan, and Deborah Hall are still members. On that occasion trustees were elected as follows: For three years, J. G. Runyan and T. W. Hewit; for two years, B. Curtis and J. Michael; for one year, J. M. Rogers and T. L. Pillsbury. The court-house was used as a house of worship, and meetings were continued with more or less regularity until the summer of 1871, when they ceased, by reason of a decline of the church membership to but a handful. No effort to revive the church was made until June 20, 1877, when in response to the efforts of Rev. C. W. Palmer, the evangelist, a meeting was held for the purpose of reorganizing it, and to such good purpose that 18 members were gained at the outset. Affairs prospered, and in 1878, upon the death of Mrs. E. M. Rand, a member of the church, the society came into possession under her will of her late residence, and that building, at once remodeled, has served as a house of worship since. Mr. Palmer labored with the church until September, 1877, and in the following October came Rev. W. S. Wilkinson, who is still the pastor. The church has now a membership of 77. The Sabbath-school, in charge of I. N. Mitchell and eight teachers, has an average attendance of from 75 to 100. The church trustees are T. L. Pillsbury, J. M. Rogers, and C. W. Cassaday. The deacon is B. W. Morgan. SECRET ORDERS. HASTINGS LODGE, No. 58, I. O. O. F.### was instituted Sept. 14, 1852, with 11 members, viz. : O. B. Sheldon, R. B. Wightman, I. S. Geer, Hiram Bennett, William S. Goodyear, Augustus Richardson, J. A. Sweezy, A. A. Knappen, H. I. Knappen, C. P. Dow, and A. H. Ellis. At the first election; O. B. Sheldon was chosen N. G.; R. B. Wightman, V. G.; I. S. Geer, Sec.; Hiram Bennett, Treas. The lodge continued in active existence until May 20, 1857, when it ceased to perform its functions and lay dormant until May 4, 1866, when a petition applying for reinstatement was issued by W. S. Goodyear, Augustus Richardson, Jacob Maus, I. S. Geer, F. D. Ackley, W. H. Hayford, and Norman Bailey. The charter was granted June 20. 1867, to O. B. Sheldon, R. B. Wightman, I. S. Geer, Hiram Bennett, W. S. Goodyear, Augustus Richardson, C. P. Dow, A. H. Ellis, and J. A. Sweezy. At the first election, held June 25 1867, F. D. Ackley was chosen N. G. A. M. Rock, V. G.; G. M. Dewy, Sec.; Augustus Richardson, Treas. The fine lodge-room now occupied in the Empire Block has been in possession of the lodge since 1870 Although members have been demitted to lodges at Prairieville, Woodland, and Middleville, the lodge has now a membership of 62, and is in a highly prosperous condition. March 1, 1880, the officers were A. H. Runyan, N. G.; James Murphy, V. G. N. J. Bronson, Sec.; A. A. Young, P. Sec. PALMER ENCAMPMENT, No. 49, I. O. O. F. ###was instituted April 14, 1871. The charter members were Jacob Maus, D. R. Cook, W. H. Hayford, M. L. Williams, William T. Eastman, Frederick Nachtrieb, W. A. Sartwell, Mason Allen, G. H. McLellan, Norman Bailey, George M. Dewey, and L. S. Cobb. The first officers were Norman Bailey, C. P.; W. H. Hayford, H. P.; Jacob Maus, S.W. M. S. Williams, Scribe; D. R. Cook, Treas.; W. T. Eastman, J. W. The present membership is 28. The officers are James Murphy, C. P.; George M. Dewey, H. P.; I. S. Geer, S. W. J. M. Bessmer, Scribe; G. H. Brooks, Treas. HASTINGS LODGE, No. 52, F. AND A. M. Dec. 1, 1851, at a meeting preliminary to the organization of.a Masonic lodge, there were present, in the office of I. A. Holbrook, Messrs. F. C. Cornell, Howard Keith, D. G. Robinson, Roswell Wilcox, and H. A. Goodyear. Howard Keith was chosen S. D. Roswell Wilcox, J. D.; Edward Ackley, Sec.; Gilbert Striker, Tyler. The second meeting was held Jan. 24, 1852, in the assembly-room of Thornton's Hotel, and Jan. 16, 1853, the charter issued, F. C. Cornell being named M.; H. A. Goodyear, S. W.' and D. G. Robinson, J. W. The first electon under the charter was held Jan. 19, 1853, when officers were chosen as follows: H. A. Goodyear, W, M.; D. G. Robinson. S. W.; N. S. Palmer, J. W.; I. A. Holbrook, Treas.; W. J. Bottom, Sec.; A. P. Drake, S. D.; Albert Jordan, J. D.; Alex. Merritt., Tyler. The lodge has occupied handsome and commodious quarters in Union Block since 1868, and has now a membership of 145. The present officers are NI. VT. Biker, W. NI.; C. H. Bauer, S. VT.; W. H. Powers, J. VT.; Daniel Striker, Treas.; C. H. Van Orman, Sec.; James L. Crawley, S. P.; John Mate, J. D.; E. B. Throop, Tyler. HASTINGS CHAPTER, No. 68, R. A. M., was chartered Jan. 11, 1870, with the following members: Daniel Striker, H. P.; D. G. Robinson, K.; Travers Phillips, Scribe; B. W. Jackson, John Carlow, Eugene Hamilton. Lewis Westfall, Charles Beckwith, and A. P. Drake. The officers March 1, 1880, were Travers Phillips, H. P.: William H. Powers, K.; B. R. Rose, Scribe; M. W. Biker, C. of H.; William S. Goodyear, P. S.; J. Q. Cressy, R. A. C.; W. M. Scudder, M. 3 V.; Lewis Stern, M. 2 V.; D. G. Brosseau, M. 1 V.; Charles H. Bauer, Sec.; Daniel Striker, Treas.; E. B. Throop, Sentinel. GIRLUM COUNCIL, No. 49, R. AND S. M., was chartered Jan. 16, 1877, with members as follows: Travers Phillips, T. I. M.; A. P. Drake, D. M.; W. W. Riker, P. C. W.; William H. Powers, J. Q. Cressy, Ira Hatch, F. S. Bowen, Charles Pritchard, G. E. Altoft. The membership is now 28, and the officers as follows: Travers Phillips, T. I. M.; A. P. Drake, D. M.; M. W. Riker, P. C. W.; George Altoft, Sec.; Daniel Striker, Treas.; B. R. Rose, C. of G. William M. Scudder, C. of C.; T. J. Brosseau, Steward. HASTINGS CHAPTER, No. 7, ADOPTIVE MASONS (ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR), was chartered Oct. 6, 1870. The first officers were Mrs. W. K. Barber, W. M.; A. P. Drake, W. P.; Ella Galloway, A. M.; Mrs. E. B. Throop, See. The membership is now 30, and the officers: Mrs. B. F. Rose, W. M.; Travera Phillips, W. P.; Mrs. William Hitchcock, A. M.; Mrs. Henry Bailey, Conduetrsss; Mrs. W. S. Goodyear, Treas.; Mrs. E. H. Lathrop, Sec.; Henry Bailey, Chaplain. HASTINGS LODGE, No. 3, IMPERIAL KNIGHTS. June 3, 1878, Hastings Lodge, No. 158, I. 0. M. A. (Independent Order of Mutual Aid), was organized with the following members: George S. Tomlinson, V. P.; J. H. Dennis, Sec.; Irving Van Vleck, F. S.; W. F. Hicks, P.; H. H. Bailey, Phineas Smith, and Theodore Brosseau, Trustees; and John Berry, J. B. Fuller, Edward Brown, M. H. Wing, I. De Vere, and L. E. Stauffer. March 10, 1879, the lodge was reorganized as Hastings Lodge, No. 3, Imperial Knights. The membership is now 39. Regular meetings are held once in two weeks, in the I. O. O. F. hall. March 1, 1880, the officers were S. J. Bronson, S. D.; John Berry, D. C.; Charles Reed, J. D.; L. E. Stauffer, Recorder; Edward Brown, Financier; J. Lichty, Treas.; Moses Rich, Marshal; Charles F. Edson S. S.; Charles Mellon, J. S.; S. J. Bronson, W. S. Chidester, and F. T. Campbell, Trustees. BARRY LODGE, No. 321, F. AND A. M. Jan. 9, 1874, dispensation was granted to Thomas J. Wilder, B. R. Rose, Thomas Altoft, George L. Salsbury, William Jones, J. L. Reed, Rollin Herrick, Ferris Rose, Milton Priekett, W. F. Hicks, J. A. Sweezy, and Harvey Wright. The first meeting was held in room of Hastings Lodge, No. 42, and February, 1875, a charter was issued. At the first election under the charter, February 18th, officers were elected as follows: T. J. Wilder, W. N.; Harvey Wright, S. W.; Thomas Altoft, J. W.; VT. F. Hicks, Tress.; J. L. Reed, Sec.; Milton Prickett, S. P.; G. N. Saisbury, J. B.; C. Beamer, Tyler. From 1875 to 1880 the Worshipful Masters have been T. J. Wilder, Harvey Wright, B. N. Rose, J. L. Reed. Since 1875 the lodge has occupied roomy and well-appointed quarters in the Empire Block. The membership was 65, March 1, 1880, when the officers were J. L. Reed, W. NI.; Wallace Kelley, S. W.; Burns Messer, J. W.; NI. VT. Vrooman, Sec.; VT. F. Hicks, Press.; Milton Prickett, S. B.; J. H. Anderson, J. D.; P. J. Brosseau, Tyler. BARRY LODGE, No. 13, K. OF P., was organized July 18, 1873, with 10 members, viz.: J. A. Sweezy, Harvey Wright, E. A. Holbrook, W. T. Eastman, W. F. Hicks, P. 5. Wilder, John Hotchkiss, George W. Slade, Rollin Herrick, and William D. Hayes. The officers were Harvey Wright, P. C.; J. A. Sweezy, C. C.; W. T. Eastman, V. 0.; T. J. Wilder, P.; Rollin Herrick, K. of R. and S.; W. F. Hicks, M. of F.; John Botchkiss, NI. of B. The membership, March 1, 1880, was 58, and the officers J. W. Bentley, P. C.; E. T. Hogle, C. M.; John Lichty, P.; William B. Sweezy, V. C.; N. T. Parker, M. of B.; L. B. Stanley, K. of B. and S. Regular assemblies are held in their "castle hall" in t-he Empire Block. HASTINGS GRANGE, No. 52, was organized in Empire Block, Aug. 15, 1873, with a membership of 29. The first officers were A. IR-yerson, M.; J. H. Dennis, Sec.; Thomas Altoft, 0.; James Sweezy, L.; Porter Burton, Chap. The membership is now 19, and the officers: Porter Burton, M.; VT. H. Merrick, Sec.; John Dawson, O. C. H. Stone, L.; David Rose, Treas.; John Dennis, Steward; C. W. Briggs, Assistant Steward; Mrs. Porter Burton, Chaplain. Regular sessions are held in the grange hail at Hastings. HASTINGS REFORM CLUB. In the winter of 1876-77, Henry Reynolds, the noted temperance agitator, visited Hastings, and labored to such good purpose that Jan. 17, 1877, the Hastings Reform Club was formed, with a membership of 40. The first officers chosen were James Clarke, Pres.; H. H. Bailey, Sec.; C. G. Bentley, Treas. Since the organization the club has had a prosperous and fruitful history. Public entertainments of an inviting character hare been given each Tuesday night, and a gospel temperance meeting on each Sunday afternoon. The cause of temperance has been materially encouraged, and in March, 1880, the club membership was upwards of 200. Then the officers were John F. Hale, Pres.; George NI. Dewey, Sec.; 0. ID. Spalding, Treas. BARRY REFORM CLUB, No. 2, was organized Feb. 6, 1880, with 10 members. The memhership March 1, 1880, was 59, and the look ahead was cheering. The officers are Joseph Slattery, Pres.; I. S. Geer, First Vice-Pres.; L. Patten, Second Vice-Pres.; J. L. Reed, Sec.; J. C. Woodruff, Fin. Sec.; William Wood, Tress. THE HESTINGS ARBEITER UNTERSTUETZUNGS VEREIN (WORKINGMEN'S BENEVOLENT UNION) is composed of Germans, and was organized Jan. 1, 1880, with 15 members. Meetings are held twice each month. The officers are John Bessmer, P.; John Weissert, V. P.; John M. Bessmer, Sec.; Valentine Leins, Treas.; Charles Hardke, A. Rower, C. Bachman, F. Brodesser, and Gottleib Bessmer, Trustees. WOMENS CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. In 1873 the temperance women of Hastings, to the number of 20, formed a union, elected Mrs. Norman Bailey president, and inaugurated so effective .a crusade against rum-drinking in Hastings that there was at one time no place in the city open for the sale of intoxicating liquors. In January, 1877, Dr. Reynolds, the temperance worker, assisted in the organization of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which continues to perform effective service in behalf of temperance. Mrs. C. S. Burton, who is now the President, has filled that office since 1877; Mrs. George - Robinson, Mrs. Clement Smith, and Mrs. C. Knappen are Vice-Presidents; Mrs. I. N. Mitchell, Rec. Sec.; Mrs. E. H. Lathrop, Treas.; Mrs. Norman Bailey, Cor. Sec. The society numbers now 180 paying members. HASTINGS LODGE, No. 11, ROYAL TEMPLARS OF TEMPERANCE, was organized Jan. 28, 1880, with 26 members. The officers are Clement Smith, Select Councilor; Irving N. Mitchell, Vice.Councilor; George M. Dewey, Past Councilor; E. H. Lathrop, Chaplain; Irving L. Cressy, Recording Sec.; Philo R. Duning, Financial Sec.; James H. Bartley, Treas.; M. C. Woodmansee, Herald; Estes Rork, Deputy Herald; L. W. Fansey, Guard; Oliver W. Grace, Sentinel. The present membership is 35. The council meets on the second and fourth Friday in each month. UNITED SONS OF INDUSTRY. Two lodges of this order, known as Barry and Pioneer, were at one time in flourishing existence, but they have for some months been inactive, although there is present talk of their speedy revival. HASTINGS LODGE, No. 944, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS, was organized Feb. 3, 1876, with 40 members. The first officers were W. C. T., Samuel Dickie; W. V. T., Mrs. Mary Dickie; Chaplain, George W. Sherman; Sec., James M. Bauer; W. F. S., Sherman C. Prindle; W. T., Mrs. Clara Lathrop; W. M., Charles Jones; W. I. G., Mrs. Kate Black; W. 0. G. J. L. Mans. The present membership is 85, and the officers as follows: W. C. T., George M. Dewey; W. V. T., Mrs. Emily J. McElwain; W. Sec., Irving L. Cressy; W. F. S., Mrs. Clara H. Allen; W. P., Travers Phillips; W. M., John Woodruff; W. I. G., Mrs. Elsie Burke; W. O. G.; Wm. I. Butler. The lodge meets at Temperance Hall, corner of Court and Jefferson Streets, each Monday evening. RIVERSIDE CEMETERY COMPANY. Fifty acres of land within the limits of the city, occupied by what is known as the Riverside Cemetery, belonged originally to the township, but were transferred in 1870 to the control of the Riverside Cemetery Company, incorporated September 30th of that year for the purpose of laying out a burial-ground upon the tract and maintaining it for that use forever. The incorporators of the company were H. A. Goodyear, President; J. P. Roberts, Treasurer; Nathan Barlow, J. B. Sweezey, H. J. Kenfield, R. J. Grant, and D. G. Robinson. In making the donation the township reserved 10 acres for a free burying-ground. Lot-owners become stockholders in the company, and as lots are sold improvements are made, the intention being to make the enterprise simply self-sustaining. The grounds are now attractively embellished, and will necessarily improve in adornment from time to time. The present officers of the company are W. S. Goodyear, President; John Bassmer, Clerk ; J. P. Roberts, Treasurer; J. A. Sweezey, H. A. Goodyear, R. J. Grant, John Hotchkiss, and Miles Main, Directors. By: David Schwartz.