During the winter we held a series of meetings, which resulted in a considerable accession to the membership.  But this success was only preparatory to the Church enterprise before us.  The hall that had been used as a chapel was small and inconveniently located.  Better accommodations must be had.  By the middle of the year the necessity became so urgent that the Pastor could hardly preach, pray or visit without making this subject his principal theme.  Finding that the financial basis was quite limited, it was decided to erect a business block, thereby providing for a subsequent income, should the enterprise entail an indebtedness upon the Society.  The precaution, however, was unnecessary, as the unparalleled liberality of the people not only met the demands of the enterprise, but provided for a former indebtedness.  Ground was broken for the new edifice on the fifteenth day of July, and the Church was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Eddy on the twenty-third of January following.

The Juvenile Missionary Society was formed this year, and thereby the Sunday School became an efficient agency in raising Missionary money.  In our plan, each class in the School constituted a Missionary Society, taking a distinctive name.  The gatherings of the class for a month went into a common fund, and was reported at the monthly meeting.  This meeting was held on the last Sabbath of each month, and was usually made an occasion of special interest.

The year now closing had been full of work.  Besides my regular labor, and the responsibilities of the Church enterprise, I had rendered considerable service in raising regiments for the war, by delivering addresses in various portions of the State.

From the beginning of the conflict, I greatly desired to go forward with the brave boys and share with them the burdens and perils of the camp and field.  But it was the view of many of my friends, and especially of the Central War Committee of the State, that I was doing a better service for my country at home, in seeking to shape public sentiment, than I could render by leading a regiment in the field.  Accepting their judgment, I endeavored to fulfil my mission to the best of my ability in the field to which I seemed to be specially called.

The Conference of 1863 was held Oct. 1st, at Waukesha, and was presided over by Bishop Scott.  The body again adopted a strong report in support of the Government.  At this Conference Delegates to the General Conference were again elected.  They were H. Bannister, S.C.  Thomas, C.D.  Pillsbury and M. Himebaugh.  At the close of the session I was returned to Spring Street.  My fellow Pastors in the city were Revs.  P.B.  Pease and George Fellows.

Brother Pease entered the Wisconsin Conference at its session in Fond du Lac, Sept. 1st, 1852.  His appointments had been Aztalan, Wauwatosa, Palmyra, Appleton, Kenosha, and Beloit.  He remained two years at Summerfield.  His subsequent appointments have been Spring Street, Appleton District, and Janesville District, where at the present writing he is doing a good-work.