The first sermon preached in Fond du Lac was delivered at the residence
of Hon. Mason C. Darling, by Rev. Jesse Halstead, Missionary to the
Brothertown people, on the 17th day of November, A.D. 1839. The meeting,
the first of a religious character, was convened at the request of a few
families residing in Fond du Lac and its neighborhood, only seven in
number, they having learned that the ubiquitious Itinerant had struck
their trail, and was making a visit to their settlement. Having been
accustomed to religious services in their eastern homes, these few
scattered families had felt deeply their privations in these western
wilds. The advent of a minister, therefore, opened an era of no common
importance. Few and scattered as were the families, some of them living
several miles away, the small log house was filled.

From this lowly, rude dwelling the songs of Zion ascended in grateful
praise, floating out over the prairie and lingering in the branches of
the old forest trees along the river until they fell upon the ear of the
roaming savage, and arrested his careless footsteps. The voice of prayer
was heard, breathing to heaven in fervid accents a recognition of the
Divine goodness, and an humble consecration of devout worshippers, and
the fair land they had adopted as their home, to God. The Gospel Message
heralded the dispensation of grace, mercy and peace alike to all,
bearing in its wings the gift of healing, and a glorious prophecy of the
coming reign of the Messiah over "the wilderness and solitary place."
Under the word, the pentacostal blessing came down on the people and
filled the humble sanctuary. To many, the memories of other days, and
their dear old homes in the east, were overpowering. The fountains of
feeling were opened and tears came welling up from their depths, until
they brimmed the eyelids of all, and fell in showers, as when the cloud
angel shakes his wings. Those only who have mingled in the first
religious meetings of the new settlement, can rightly appreciate the