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stagnation in trade, and await the return of prosperous times. As. Saginaw was among the first cities to feel the effects of the financial crash, so also was it among the first to recover from the panic. It survived the second as it did the first misfortune, growing larger after each reverse, and brighter after each obscurity.

IN SE MAGNA RUUNT.

Great bodies are apt to rush against each other; but in the case of the two Saginaws the proverb was set aside in 1873. During that year an effort was made to unite the two cities under one municipal government. The party of consolidation issued an address showing the many benefits which would accrue to Saginaw City in the event of a union with her younger sister on the east side. The logic was really good in every instance save one, and that was the arrangement of Uncle Samuel's " postoffice. The offices then in existence would remain so, notwithstanding the fact that there would be only one city in the event of consolidation becoming an accomplished fact.

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The anti-consolidationists, a numerous band, did not fail to perceive that there was a statement made in the address, which, if carried out, would revolutionize the rules of the U. S. P. O. department. Now, they had no reason whatever to suppose that Uncle Samuel, in his paternal solicitude for the lumber and salt cities, would override precedent by acceding to the desires of the unionists, yet the opposers of this union were very skeptical on the question, and taking advantage of a doubt, annihilated this section of the address. Article after article was fully studied, and still. the anti-consolidationists failed to find any sound reason why Saginaw and East Saginaw should unite in municipal bonds. The agitation was continued for some time, but the little band of unionists was silenced by popular vote and their city allowed to remain as they found it.

Whether the agitation will ever be revived is questionable, yet not without the range of probability, for the reason that there are many and influential men in the city who cannot cast aside their faith in the strength of union, or fail to recognize the fact that in some instances the majority form very erroneous conclusions.

It is not within the province of this history to say which party erred in 1873; but it may be candidly stated that there is some. want on the west side of the river which should be supplied. The location of Saginaw City cannot be excelled; its water privileges are as extensive as those claimed by East Saginaw; the city is the home of idle capital which should be utilized until the beautiful land, from the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers to the northern limits of Carrollton, be hidden beneath factories, stores and happy homes.

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THE CITY OF THE PRESENT.

From what has been written on the progress of this city, it will appear that its municipal and commercial beginning was made in 1857, and extended in 1865. Since the day of the incorporation of Saginaw as a city, its advance, though not so remarkable as its eastern sister, will compare very favorably with any of the new cities of the Union. To-day there are as many business houses and factories here as there were men, women and children at the beginning of the year 1857; and still there is no reason whatever to suppose that the city has reached the limit of its growth. There are 109 streets within the fire limits, laid off regularly, many of them great thoroughfares, and the greater number shaded with a double line of thrifty trees. Although these streets are well built up, there is yet sufficient room for building purposes. The business center is metropolitan in the character of its houses and streets; the stores are at once attractive and extensive; the Taylor House and 14 other hotels are all well adapted to meet the requirements of the city in this respect, each fostering a special trade; the offices of manufacturers, bankers, insurance companies and professional men are carried on systematically; religion, education, fraternity are all well represented, and under the regime of a well regulated society, the city progresses slowly but surely, to hold that high place to which its situation and the intelligence of its people entitle it.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The history of the Presbyterian Church of Saginaw City extends back to the pioneer days, when Norman Little, Wm. Hartwell, Thomas Smith, T. L. Howe, Hinds Smith, Mrs. Harvey Williams, Jane A. Little, Elizabeth Rice, Mrs. H. L. Miller, Mabel Terrill, Mrs. Julia Smith and Mrs. T. L. Howe formed a Presbyterian society, with Rev. H. L. Miller as director. Two years later, March 1, 1838, the society was organized, and as Mr. Miller presided over its beginning, so he continued now to watch over its growth.

The first sermon delivered in the Valley to an American congregation, was that preached by Mr. Miller in the carpentery, which then occupied the southeast corner of Washington and Ames; the next meeting of the society was held in the postoffice, north side of Court, between Hamilton and Water streets. The subsequent meetings were held within Norman Little's house, then standing on the corner of Washington and Madison; again in the "Mechanic's Hall," Washington street; and in 1837 within that churchschool-court-house, in early days removed by order of the Board of County Commissioners, from its old location, directly in rear of the present court-house, to the spot on which the county jail now stands, lest the good old building would take fire, and in turn help to destroy the great court-house, then being built. After the

change of location this very useful old structure continued in use as a church-school-house, etc., until 1852, when the Presbyterian congregation began to worship in their new church, completed and dedicated Dec. 12, that year.

Mr. Miller continued in the ministry of the Church until the fall of 1839, when, owing to failing health, he retired. He was succeeded by Rev. C. F. Foot, who remained until May, 1840. From this period until March, 1842, there is no record save that contained in the simple sentence: "The church was organized as a Presbyterian Church, but, during the first years of its existence, was not under the care of any ecclesiastical body." In 1842 Rev. Harvey Hyde was " stated supply," the form of government was changed from the Presbyterian to that of the Congregational; but one year later, in 1843, returned to its original form, connected itself with the Detroit Presbytery, and observed this connection until the constitution of the Saginaw Presbytery in 1856, to which it was transferred.

Mr. Hyde remained until May, 1844. Rev. C. H. Baldwin succeeded, as "stated supply," January, 1846, and retired July, 1847. Rev. Louis Mills was "stated supply" from November, 1848, to July, 1849. After this period the Rev. D. M. Cooper received a call, June, 1851, and continued in the pastorate until April, 1859 During his ministry the first church built in the Valley was constructed at a cost of over $3,000, after plans by H. C. Weston. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. R. R. Kellogg, of Detroit. Rev. D. H. Taylor succeeded Mr. Cooper as stated supply, and continued in the ministry from March, 1861, to March, 1865, when a call was extended to the Rev. J. W. Hough. Rev. R. P. Shaw entered upon the duties of pastor, and continued in the ministry of the Church here until succeeded by Rev. Mr. Bruske.

The condition of the Church on April 1, 1881, is shown in the following exhibit:

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For sufferers by famine in Persia

102 90

By Sabbath-school for American Sunday-school Union..
By young people's class..

52 10

210

By Golden Rule Mission Band..

60 00

By Woman's Foreign Missionary Society..

142 15

Total..

927 51

Congregational.

.$2,228 39

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