Decatur Democrat, Volume 1, Number 2, Decatur, Adams County, 5 April 1899 — Page 1

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THE sessions begin. A Large and Representative Gathering of Indiana Methodists. With Grand Old Bishop Andrews at the Throttle the Big Machine Will Move Like Clock Work. TODAY’S PROGRAM. s.in a m. Devotional and Sacramental Service, conducted by Bishop Fdward G. Andrews, D. D. LL. D. j p uu o a m . Conference Business. ,roo ni.— Adjournment. roo P m.-Conference Missionary Sermon by Rev. A. S. Preston. o. m. Pentecostal Service conducted by Miss Anna Downey , Evan. P genlist, of Evanston, 111. 7:30 p. m. Missionary Anniversary. Address by Rev. A. B. Leonard.

Early yesterday morning songs and praters resounded in the church as the’members of the conference assembled, The examining board then repaired to the committee rooms to confoet the examinations of the different dasees. The early morning train brought many and the new arrivals were propmtly assigned to the homes where they are tolie'entertained. The morning was devoted to getting acquainted, exchanging friendly greetings and getting arrangements perfeted for the different committee meetings. This consumed the entire morning session. The Richmond district quartette which was to have furnished the music for this session being absent, the afternoon services were opened by the double male quartette of the Ft. Wayne district, composed of Revs. Sherman Powell, Cassius C. Cissell, Thomas J. Johnson, James A. Sprague. William Murray, Geo. Cocking. Will A. Griest and Leslie Naftzger. Their first selection was “My Faith is Clinging to the Cross.” To sar that the music was fine is but a hint of the splendid harmony of 114? splendid voices of these eight gentlesen, Rev. Sherman Powell requested all to bow while Rev. Dr. Parr of Wayne street church, Fort Wayne, earnestly and lovingly implored "Our Heavenly Father’s blessing upon the conference and church and for wider fields of usefulness, and that this session shall be a revival conference, and that we enter into the spirit of revival now," Bishop Andrews was tenderly referred to and blessings implored from on High for his guidance during this session of conference. Another selection by the conference quartette was much enjoyed. Rev. L. J.Naftzger of Muncie read from Collosians, third chapter. After this the gentlemen sang the beautiful hymn, "I Could Not Do Without Thee.” Rev. Ford of Upland conducteel the services and requesteel the audience to oin in that grand old hymn, “AR Hail the Power of Jesus Name.” Rev. •J.H. Walters. Ph. D., read a Scripture lesson. Rev. L. A. Beeks of Hartford City offered prayer, especially holding «PTavlor University to the blessing of God. Another splendid selection of music by the double quartette was rendered. Rev. N. P. Barton of Bobo 10 a five minute talk said, "Religion education go hand in hand, "hen we give our souls to God we w cleansed and then must be polled to make us efficient workers, Methodism represents a great family, the least of these ought to be sup-[ ported by the prayers and money of, “is family, Taylor University has | ’"ays been a friend of the poor boy. I twelve years ago I was converted. I M no money and I felt that God had raued me to preach. I was sent to tor t ''ayne. I went to Taylor Uniwity and graduated in 1893 at the «of my class, for I was the only ®®'*r in it. We ought to stand by 1 WUiversity. It is a Methodist institution clear thrniirvL it* 1 . .

J. H. WALTERS, PASTOR BIPPUS CHURCH.

“rough. What * am I owe to . la ylor I niversty the friend of ‘“P'w man.” "■ *• Homer folHe said ; all import- ?, M objects is a, er than the Rational in•“utions. They [»auld thecharnations. J*J, e fountainsofa nation L pure the S n > will be S » the TJ®Pure the S® Will be >re. The J 5t thought >J he ‘nde-

- was * n irst a 6 t^le Mayflower, and the 'oil'd f 1 1? !*' °f Methodism was in the i U Wesley, and with the s t church came the Methodist

T1 IE DEC ATI iR DEMOCRAT.

university. I am glad I can stand before you representing a universityon the plan of the Holy Club in Wesley’s time. There are now they tell me seventy students there. Taylor University is recognized by some of the Ivest institutions of education in the land, among them Chicago and Drew Universities.” Prayer was then offered by Rev. E. L. Jones. After a song by the Fort Wayne district quartette, which wasencored, Rev. Samuel Culpepper of Venezuela, who is being educated at Taylor University, read a very able essay entitled “Taylor University: Her Pupils From Afar.” Rev. C. M. Hollopeter in a five minute talk upon the subject said. “Taylor University, the great enterprise of the local preachers of Methodism; Taylor University, that child of the lay ministry that is known the world over as the property of the lay ministry. When we think of the men who have served this institution in the capacity of president and have wrestled with the problem of support, and think of them as heroes. There is something heroic in the very name of Taylor University. We think of our Universities and their spheres of influence and naturally they have geographical limits. We speak of this little school and in it we find a student from South America. There are no limits to the interests of Taylor University. May God’s blessing rest upon Taylor Uni versify. Rev. Ford then introduced Dr. Reade, president of the University. He said in part: “Instead of delivering the address I intended to deliver I find myself replying to a criticism of Taylor University published in Zion's Herald of Philadelphia.” The criticism which Dr. Reade read was an unwarranted attact upon the University, and was published under the caption “Prostitution of Learning,” and entirely misrepresented the work of the University. Dr. Reade then read his reply which was a convincing and lucid statement of the aims and capabilities of Taylor University. His reply to a voung minister who severely criticised Taylor University was pungent, witty and as full of facts as an egg is full of meat. After this the afternoon services closed with the con gregation singing the doxology and Rev. Ford pronouncing the benediction. The evening session opened with the immense auditorium filled with people. This service is the anniversary of the Church Extension Society. Rev. Mr. Beatty of Warsaw conducted the services. The opening hymn, “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun,” was lustily sung by the immense congregation. Rev. Chauncy King offered fervent prayer for the blessings of God upon the Society of Church Extension. The Decatur M. E. choir furnished some verv fine music during the service. Bishop Bowman and Rev. Vigus, chaplain of the 160th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, were on the rostrum during the service. Pamphlets furn- ■ 1 ]

with a selection of delightful music, which was roundly applauded and heartily encored. Rev. Beatty announced that Bishop Bowman would address the congregation for a tee

SPECIAL CONFERENCE EDITION

DECATUR, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 5, 1801).

minutes, which indeed was appreciated. He spoke of the church extension and said, “In my wide experience in has been my privilege to observe the workings of the society. I have seen much work in Indiana and Illi nois that has been done by this society. But if y O u eould go south and west of this you would see much more. There are many congregations who are now worshiping in churches that coula not have been built but for this society. Others would have had to be sold under mortgage but for its help. Rev. Harding of the Rock River conference, the speaker of the evening, was introduced. He said in part, “I was at Ocean Grove some years ago and in walking about I came face to face with Bishop Bowman, who very modestly told me he was taking his first vacation. There is not one Bishop in the church who does more just such work as he is doing tonight than he, and not one that is heard wtth more pleasure than Bishop Bowman. Dr. Jackson was very much embarassed yesterday when I walked into his room and he asked me to take his place. He was compelled to go to Missouri, which made it necessary to send some one in his place. I learned as I came here that at first in the arrangements for the conference that Dr. Spencer was to have been here and I thought what a disapointment that he could not come. Fifty years ago last August I entered the ministry. Now as I look back and see the giants who were then in Methodism and think of those that have gone before I feel lonesome. I entered the conference 18 years before the organization of the ehurch extension society. God raised that giant Dr. Kynett for the work of the society. I remember when I was assistant secretary to Chaplain McCabe when he was the Society’s secretary and the prospects of the society which we felt could do so much if Methodists work earnestly. Out of this organization has sprung the Cook county Extension Society which has increased churches by the

.. Al' . IxjAjk ‘II.Ifm iTI RESIDENCE OF R. K. ALLISON, NORTH FIRST STREET.

hundred in Chicago. I dined the other day with a millionare who was interested in missions and extension work by one of our students and now he is relied upon for helping the cause financially as well as otherwise. We are all ready to declare that the synagogue is the strength of the nation. The church is the forerunner and ally o fcivilization. It will not be long before the churches will make use of the opportunity to establish churches in Cuba, Portp Rieo and the Phillipines. The church is the supporter of the liest kind of government. Chaplain McCabe is crying aloud and spairing not for a hundred preachers to give SIOOO or so each to the University at Washington. We love the Universities but the church is the greatest educator, and awakens the noblest ■ aspirations, is the highest promoter of intelligence. I had san. to me by a man “Do vou know why Indiana takes her place in the front in all great movements? And he said though not a Methodist that it is because the Methodist ministry wrought the conditions and laid the foundation for it. Os all the conference none is held in higher public esteem than the North Indiana Conference. I was surprised to hear the reports of , the ministers in an Indiana Confer- | ence. The salaries of the ministers i are not as large as others of like standing in other conferences.; But the North Indiana conference in | their collections for benevolences are : ahead. You look at me as though vou thought that was taffy but it is | iiot. it is Gunther's best. (Laughter.): I need not tell you- of this society.! You understand 'it yourselves. Our expenses have been heavy and we have overdrawn our accounts. But we are far from being bankrupt. We have a constituency who will not see j these organizations fail. We have aI bank that will always back us. The bank of God is the best we could , have As an illustration for another j point he told the story of a parrot. I Bachelors, he says, have a weakness | for being called' uncle. There was j

ished by the Church Extension Society were distributed through the audience an d from it another good old hymn was sung by the congregation. From these pamphlets a Scripture lesson was also read responsively, after which the church rallying song, “Arise! Arise! The Master Now Is Calling You,’ was sung. The North Indiana conference male uartette favored the audience

one who was told that if he would get I a Cuban parrot he eould teach it to say uncle and thus gratify this tendency. He acted upo lithe suggestion and when the parrot arrived he attempted to teach it to say uncle, but it would not talk. Bej coming angry he wrung its neck. ' Later when ho went to the chicken 'coop where ho had thrown the parrot | he found all his fine fowls lying dead but one which the parrot was grasping by the neck and demanding that it say uncle, It is necessary sometimes to get things by the neck. The nation had to grasp the scuth by the 1 neck once but for the last year the [south has been saying “Uncle Sam” I lustily." The service was closed by the congregation singing America. , Bishop Brown pronounced the benel diction. The useful life of Rev. I Kynett who died within the year was I referred to by the different speakers 'of the evening. He was held in high I esteem and his death deplored. Rev. Beatty spoke of the splendid service which Miss Downey renders and of her grand work for Christ. Rev. Daniel urged all to be present at this morning’s sacramental service. Also that Bishop Bowman would be in attendance upon the conference until | Monday morning. Though the ser- ■ vices closed about nine o’clock the ' church was a happy place of social pleasantries for some time after, i These preachers who, many of them [ meet but once a year, when they meet old friends are loth to part from them quickly. BISHOPE. G. ANDREWS. Bishop Andrews for the second time in the history of the North Indi- , ana Conference, will preside over this august body. The previous conference over which he presided met at LaGrange, April 3, 1889 with C. G. Hudson, now presiding elder of the Goshen district, secretary. Bishop Andrews is richly endowed with Christian grace and intelletual strength. In speaking of his Father, Rev. Hyde, says, “He was one of the noblest laymen, devout and generous, taking the

lowliest duties and the heaviest burdens.” The future Bishop, one of a family of ten children was born near Utica, New York in 1825. He prepared for college at Cazenovia, where later, in 1854 he became a teacher and in 1856 principal. He entered the Wesleyan University where Bishop Gilbert Haven was also a student at the same time. In 1857 he graduated and being already a preacher he began at the bottom of the service, under a Presiding Elder in Central New York. A brilliant career in the ministry followed; fruitful’of great good in the building up of Christ's church. His services were called for in the most important charges, and each year found him stronger in himself and the sentiments of the people. In 1864 he was a member of the general conference when he was transferred to the New York East Conference. In a conference crowded with talent he was again sent to the General Conference, and was for thirty years the only man chosen from the Pastorate into Episcopacy. He was ordained Bishop in 1872 and is the twentyseventh. In his official capacity he has traveled extensively, visiting many lands as well as the churches and cities of our own broad land where duty called him. He organized the conferences of Norway, Sweeden and South India. Washington D. C. was for a number of years his residence but of recent years New York City has been his home. May the years of his usefulness be yet many. His connection with the North Indiana Conference in these last years of the century which he labored for more than six decades, having joined the church at the age of ten years, in the interests of his Master, in connection with the Methodist church, will prove a blessing and a pleasure. REV. F. T. SIMPSON. The subject of this sketch was born in Ross county, Ohio. February 13, 1836. At the age of twenty one. Sept. 28,1857 he was converted and joined the Methodist church. In 1859 he entered the ministry lieing stationed at La Grange. At this time one year

was the time limit and at the close of his first year Angola and Orland i was assigned him as a field of labor. Osceola, Elkhart and St. Joseph, third at Peru, Union Citv, Marion, Warsaw, Elkhart, Muncie and Anderson were fields of earnest endeavor. Ho then served five years in the Goshen district as Presiding Elder, after which he was stationed at Marion as pastor of the First church from 1891 to ’93 when in the spring ot ’94 he was male Presiding Elder of the Fort Wayne district in which capacity he has just closed his fifth vear. By his deep interest in the affairs of the several churches and his ready sympathy in the joys and sorrows of pastor and people his quarterly visits have become seasons of spiritual uplifting as well as pleasures in the sense of a visit from a dear brother. As a preacher, he is earnest,eloquent, of deep thought and freighted with the power that comes from a personal knowledge and experience of the Love Divine. He is one of the first men in the conference which is the result of his untiring effort and sterling worth. His headquarters is Fort Wayne, and Elkhart, which place he has served as pastorate three different times, and is now the home of his two sons with whom Mrs. Simpson spends much of the time during his absence is probably very near to him as a real home. May his visit to Decatur long continue to bless and cheer. REV.E.T. GREGG. It is not a man’s age or his financial standing that is put in the balance to judge the amount of his worth as a minister. Many young men are found near the top of the ladder. The Methodist church in Decatur enjoyed the service of many of the best men in the conference and to the credit of the congregation be it said that it would be a hard matter to find a people more appreciative of the worth of a pastor than the local church. The membership as a whole is warm hearted, zealous and faithful. Their pastors, are held in high esteem and none holds a warmer place in their affections than does Rev. E. T. Gregg. For five years previous to the present year he was the minister in charge of the Decatur church. He is richly endowed with the qualities that make the successful preacher. He is broad minded, generous and impulsive to a degree that makes him readily in sympathy with the different phases of human joy and sorrow. He was ever ready to comfort the distressed and afflicted and for the humblest whether a member of his congregation or not he always had a friendly greeting. His hearty greeting and genail smile will be warmly welcomed by his host of friends here. His first charge was Roanoke which appointmen he received in 1894 and remained two years when he was sent to Decatur. His ability as a speaker combined with his enthusiastic energy in building up all departments of the ehurch soon brought him into prominence and he is numbered among the ablest men of the conference. He was born at Peru Indiana, February 1, 1861. His parents and grand-parents were staunch Methodists. He was educated at DePauw University. During his pastorate here the chhrch prospered. Many members were received and great good accomplished. The church was remodeled, refurnish and enlarged. The beautiful pipe organ went in use as also placed in position during this time. Mrs. Gregg is also an arduous worker and a factor in his success as a minister. It was with much regret that his Decatur congregation saw him take leave and their hearty good wishes followed him to his new field of labor in Kokomo. To him, possibly more than any other one person, is due the credit of securing the conference for Decatur. May his prosperous career be long a blessing to the cause he so ably champions.

BJi M. S, MARBLE, PRESIDING ELDER KOKOMO DISTRICT.

Grace M. E church, of Kokomo,! passed the following very coniplimentry resolution. Whereas The Rev. Bro. E. T. Gregg our faithful and efficient pastor has now closed his first conference year with the

membership of Grace Methodist Espiscopal church of Kokono Ind., most acceptable, zealously and efficiently. His energy and zeal, his pleasant greetings, his affable and genial warm hearted manners, his most excellent preaching his loyal

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REV. S. LIGHT, PASTOR BLUFFTON CHURCH faithfulness to us all, rich and poor alike in times of sickness, distress and trouble has been our admiration and has endeared him greatly to our people, he has guided us through the entire year without a jar. no words of mumering discontent, or dissatisfaction has crept into our ranks during his most acceptable pastorate. We have taken his lovely family as well as himself into our confidence and esteem. Therefore be it resolved. That we petition Bishop Andrews and his cabinet to return Bro. Gregg and excellent family to us for another year and herewith instruct Bro. Mar ble out P. E.. to use his influence to secure Bro. Gregg’s return to Grace M. E. Church. E. E. Springer. Sec. REV. W. H. DANIEL. For the very excellent success of the preliminary work for the fiftysixth session of the North Indiana Conference, much credit is due Rev. W. H. Daniel. One year ago he was stationed at this place and in this year assisted by his noble wife the affairs of this charge have been carefully and prayerfully conducted to the satisfaction of the church, and the Lord has prospered it accordingly. Rev. Daniel has long been recognized as one of the foremost men in the North Indiana Conference of which he has been a member since 1872. He has filled some of the most important appointments in the conference among them being Broadway Logansport. Peru, Kokomo and First church Richmond, where he devoted the five years previous to his pastor ate in Decatur. In 1892 on account of ill health he was transfered to the Minnesota Conference and was stationed at McKinley church St. Paul. During his ministry, his congregation has entertained the Conference at three different times and places. At Peru in 1884 with Bishop Foss presiding. First Church Rich mond, 1896, Bishop Bowman presiding, Decatur being the third. In preparing for this session he has lieeu painstaking, patient and mindful of the interests of his parishioner as well as the comfort of the expected guests. The past year has been a very pleasant and profitable one in the history of the church. The zealous Christian lives of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel has been an inspiration and aiv example for a closer walk with God. In every branch of church work their energy, zeal and tireless effort for uplifting and upbuilding have been felt. The Sunday School. Epworth League, prayer meetings, class meetings and missionary meetings have been stimulated by their hearty co-operation. Mr. Daniel is an eloquent preacher of profound thought expressed in simple forceful

language, his words find lodgement in the minds and hearts of his hear I ers. As a pastor he has cheered and | comforted the afflicted and sorrowing ! and rejoiced with those whose portion CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR.

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