On Sunday morning, after the dedication, we assembled for our first regular Sabbath worship. Brother Wagner arranged with a student of Boston University, Rev. Samuel S. Curry, to supply our pulpit. The responsive reading of the Psalm that day was probably the first in any Protestant church in Medford, save the Episcopal. The first hymn sung was, ‘I will follow thee, my Saviour, wheresoe'er my lot may be,’ and Brother Curry preached from the text, ‘And they received every man a penny.’ Seventy people were present. Though we had but few children, yet we organized (in the afternoon) a Sabbath School, with a membership of fifteen. In the evening about forty were present at a praise and prayer service.
The church, in its organization and effort, was now before the public as never before, and the problem was to be demonstrated as to whether or no it would or could live.
Our pulpit was supplied by students from the university for some weeks, till in January, 1874, when Leonidas L. H. Hamilton, a younger brother of our present Bishop Hamilton, was engaged as a supply till the session of the Annual Conference in April. Upon his coming he made a good impression and was favorably received. He entered heartily into the work, residing in our village, and at Conference was continued as our supply when Brother Wagner's charge over us ceased.
During the summer Mr. Hamilton became interested in the study of law, and the fact that ‘no man can serve two masters’ very soon became apparent.
Early in January (1875) following, Presiding Elder Dorchester removed him and placed the Rev. E. C. Herdmann, also a student, in charge of the society. He was a young married man, of rare gifts and engaging personality, and his wife, in the visits she made us, won all hearts. It was with regret that at Conference time
