Decatur Democrat, Volume 1, Number 5, Decatur, Adams County, 8 April 1899 — Page 1

VOL. 1-

SERVING THE LORD. The Fifty=Sixth Conference Rapidly Dispatching Business. p r . Quayle’s Lecture Last Night a Spiritual and Literary Treat, Showing Culture and a Perfect Knowledge of His Subject. TODAY’S PROGRAM. s-io a m. Devotional Service, conducted by Rev. J. H. Jackson. o'oo i. m. Conference Business. ’■ a m. Meeting of the Association of Preachers’ Wives, Widows and ,0 ' ' Daughters, in the Christian Church. tn. Adjournment. roo P m.—Meeting of the Mutual Relief Society. •' 0 !, m .—Pentecostal Service, conducted by Miss Downey. rio P- m.—DePauw University Educational Anniversity, under direction of Rev. W. H. Hickman, Vice Chancellor. Short addresses by Revs. fl. H. Mendenhall, D. D., L. J. Naftzger, Bishop Andrews and others.

Devotional services were conducted bv Re' - D- H. Guild and were opened l>v singing “Jeans. Thine All Victorious Love.” Prayers offered by Bro. Herrrek and Bro. Brewington were followed by another hymn. A Scrip tore lesson was read by Rev. Guild from the tenth chapter of Hebrews, beginning at the nineteenth verse. A few minutes were given to an earnest illustration of the value of God's love in man. Prayer by Rev. Bills was followed by singing “Oh. For a Closer Walk With God.” Dr. Becker led in prayer, followed by Rev. Walker, making' use of the hymn, “Come HolySpirit, Heavenly Dove," followed by sentence prayers led by Bro. Martin, in which many joined. Bishop Bow man offering the concluding prayer, with "Glory to His Name the closing hvmn. Bishop Andrews took the chair. Rev. L. J. Naftzger read the journal of the previous day's proceedings, which was approved. Presiding Elder Lewellen asked leave of absence for Bro. J. W. Tillman to conduct a funeral. Presiding Elder Simpson asked for leave of absence for S. C. Norris to conduct a funeral. The select committee in the case of I . A. Foster reported that they sustained the charge against him that he did not use the extreme care in handling benevolent funds that he should have done and that he be admonished to more care, no intention of wrong-doing on his part being suspected by the committee. Rev. Kemp read the report of the committee on M. E. Hospital of Indiana and had with him articles of incorporation. Rev. W. H. Daniel asked to be released from the committee on woman’s work in the church and Rev. Lamport was appointed in his place. Several visitors were introduced to the conference. Dr. Curts of the M. E. Publishing House was first presented. He addressed the conference in the interests of the Book Concern, recommending some new Ixxtks. He also read the annual report of the Book Concern. Dr. H. C. Weakley of Christ Hospital at Cincinnati, brought that institution before the conference in an interesting "ord picture. “The institution now has ninety one beds for patients. The pay department is more popular than ever with the medical fraternity of the Ohio valley. One-third of the funds for running the hospital come from that department. Two-thirds of the beds are free. You can send any patient that any member of this con-

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RESIDENCE OF C. F. TRI E, WINCHESTER STREET.

ferenee will recommend on the terms lllat he may designate. We desire ’he pastors to designate the Sunday kreceeding Thanksgiving as Hospital •'Riday. We have twenty-eight or ur ty specialists on our staff of phyS( ' !ilIls . some of them of international re putation, others of national reputa-

TOE DECATUR DEMOCRAT.

tion." Rev. Wm. E. Grose was appointed field agent for the Book Concern. Rev. Mason was introduced to represent the Freedman’s Aid and Southern Education Society. He made an earnest plea for funds to raise the debt under which that sociciety is burdened. Rev. Herrick offered a resolution that apportionments be made for the society, which was referred to the eommitteeon resolutions. Prof. R. W. Rogers of Drew Theological Seminary was next introduced and said in part, “A year ago last month with the thermometer 100 above zero in the upper valley of the Land of the Kings, I saw a man coming from a new hole among the tombs with a basket of sand. This is important. He had come from one of the tombs which had never been opened and in which the body of a king had been placed 1366 B. C. On the sarcopha gus in which he lay was a massive lid weighing twenty-two tons. In the tomb were the thongs in position as they were on the men who had been walled up in the tomb, a living sacrifice, when the king was laid away. This is tiie age of the archeologist, the age of the specialist, the age of the school. Young men used to be put alongside the old preacher. Now we put them in the schools, which are conducted by specialists in every study. Never in the history of Drew University has it been so well equipped as it now is. Bro. W.C. Helt, Superintendent of the Indiana Anti saloon League, was next intro duced and in a short talk told the object and purpose of the League. Earnestly he plead for the temperance cause. The ministers of the Warsaw district reported, with the following notation: Rev. J. H. Walters of Bippus offered resolutions thanking Mrs. Sarah Comstock of Liberty Mills for a gift of S3OO to the sustaining fund of DePauw University; the case of W . R. Suman of Warren, who left his charge at the fourth quarterly conference to enter secular employment, was referred, on motion of his presiding elder, to the committee on conference relations; W. J. Waltz was announced as transferred to the Oregon conference. TheVlass of the second year was then called and those who were to be admitted into full connection in the conference were addressed by the Bishop. He said: "I have been thinking andspeakingsometimes lately of that great model preacher. It is a great thing that the New Test

'ament includes an account of him. His was a blessed lite. It is hard for !us to reach a comprehension of the life of St. Paul. As ministers you should be very studious of him. W e are not like Paul, who through a long career cultivated his conscience. If he erred it was through ignorance.

SPECIAL CONFERENCE EDITION.

DECATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL S, 1599.

Many of us are defective. Paul had broad rays of thought. He had pow- ; er of statement, of a great personality, of a will that was impressive and eon elusive. This man God chose to preach to the Gentiles. We ought to feel humble for the little wo know and , can do. Between this body of men I ami the preacher to the Gentiles this difference exists: that he saw Christ personally. We go to the Bible, turn its leaves and put text beside text. Paul may have been infallible in great central thoughts. We are not. Our interpretations of the Bible are not infallible. lam not lord over your life, of your heart. Go to God and pray to Him to lead you. A great j many preachers speak as if they were infallible. We are not authoratative; | we can only be argumentative. We ; may be a great deal like Paul after all. "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ” a slave. He had been bought by a price, the blood of Jesus Christ. From the time he cried to God “What would you have me to do?” until that! moment when the executioner’s sword I struck off his head he never wavered in his loyalty to God. Brethren, do I you think you can be servants of 1 Christ like that servants, slaves, all i things for Christ ? Paul says he was ' “a servant set apart for the Gospel.” 1 You are set in the conviction that you are set apart for the Gospel. Paul had no thought of money or praise. Paul was willing to be as the offscouring of the world if he could carry the message of the Lord to dying men. A pastor should not allow his studies io carry him out of that which is use-1 ful. I wish to affirm before you this morning that your largest contribu-1 tion upon the solution of the great | social evil is the bringing in of souls | to God. If you loye souls get them j converted. As Christian ministers you are to know the truth and tell it in the best possible manner, for this you must study. Paul I think studied, as seen in his epistles. If Paul could grow broader, let us. Love preaching, but I pray you love the souls of those to whom you preach. You must use tact. Dear brethren, we welcome von to this conference and prav that the Holy Spirit may guide you."

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J. C. Hammond. Lester Poor, Jesse O. Stutsman. Calvin J. Graves. Lewis P. Pfeifer, William D. Trout. Ray J. Wade, and Edward Trippeer were advanced to the studies of the third year, admitted into full membership and elected to Deacon’s Orders. John Bigham and David \\ ells, who are already ordained, were advanced in their studies and admitted into full membership. The case of Albert L. Brandenberg was postponed until tomorrow. H. E. Sweitzer was con tinned in the first year and allowed to attend school. H. M. Strong continued in the second year. W. L. Lewis, A. A. Stockdale and C. W. Shoemaker were continued in the second year and allowed to attend school. 'F. M. Sandifeer was discontinued. On motion of A. \\ . Lamport the educational committee was increased by two members from each district, as follows: T. M. Guild, F. M. Stone, C. H. Browne, C. W. Smith, M. Pell, J. C. Dorwin, R. F. Brewing ton. H. J. Norris, J. H. Jackson. O. V. L. Harbour, H. A. Davis and C. E. Parsons. B. S. Hollopeter, J. O. Bills and J. E. Ferris were appointed to assist Cashier Johnson of the Book Concern. On motion of H. N. Her rick the time of adjournment was extended. The case of A. A. Pittenger was referred to the committee on Conference Relations. The following were introduced to the conference: Bishop J. H. Becker, of the I . B. church. D. B. Rawls. Presiding Elder of Indian apolis District. Indiana conference. After the singing of the Doxology and the benediction by Bishop Bowman the conference adjourned. AFTERNOON SESSION. The afternoon service, which was the anniversary service of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society, was conducted by Mrs. W. H. Daniel, conference president of the society. This meeting was of special interest locally because of the love and esteem in which Mrs. Daniel is held here. Miss

RESIDENCE OF J. T. MERRYMAN, NORTH SECOND STREET.

Dessie Moore presided at the organ, i rendering a beautiful opening volun- : tary. One of the grandest of hymns, "America,” opened the service. Rev. Murray of Atlanta, Ga., invoked the divine blessing, after which a scrip- . ture lesson from the twenty-fifth chapiter of Matthew, beginning with the thirty-first verse. A selection by the conference quartette was the next number on the program. Mrs. L. H. Runyan of Richmond read the report. The society is the youngest missionary society. The last convention at Minneapolis was the eighteenth anniversary. With the motto "America for Christ,” and inscribed on her banI ners “In His Name,” the society has ! labored for the advancement of i Christ’s Kingdom. Seventy-nine anI nual conferences have been organized. I At the Minneapolis convention prepa- | rations were made to follow the Stars and Stripes. Mrs. J. W. Vail of Decatur conference, treasurer of the society, read her report, showing a i splendid financial condition. Dr. I Rawls of Indianapolis was introduced and addressed the congregation. “I I am glad,” he said, "to say to you that 1 there is a movement on foot to build i a Deaconess’ Home in our state. The i Methodist church has been the pio- ■ neering church. Wherever men and ' women have gone the Methodist preachers have gone. We have swept all over this country, north, south, east and west. Commercially Philadelphia or any of the great cities are of greater importance than the undeveloped frontier. We, as a I church, have wanted to go to the j front wherever man has gone. | But the cities have been neglected. | In the great cities the masses of the ■ people have been going past our church doors. We must now go back and find such methods as will reach the people in these congested centers. I am so glad this afternoon to speak to you of one movement that will carry the Gospel to the people who will not listen to the preachers. The Deaconess work provides this means. When one of these women of God goes to them, and they see she is a message from God. thev will accept Christ. Women of the W. H. M. $.,

push this work to the front, and I say to them, work it in Christ for all there is in it.” Miss Swartz, State Deaconess. was introduced. She made a splendid talk, delineating the life and usefulness of a Deaconess. One of the many ways in which they reach the hearts of the people she says is to go down the alleys and courts and take flowers and pictures which they distribute among the children and thus reach the parents. The society has an emergency fund and when the poor are in need of the creature comforts this fund is employed to relieve distress. The gentle goodness of the Deaconess was felt and was evident in her appearance as well as her address. Mrs. D. ,E. Studabaker, of Bluffton, delighted the audience with her rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" Miss Jennie Scott, of Penn sylvania, described the conditions of the South today in a very lucid manner. She is a tine speaker and delighted the audience. DR. QVAYLE. The intellectual feast that was provided for the conference in Dr. Quayle’s lecture. "Jean Valjean, the New Hero,” had a very delightful prelude in the splendid organ prelude bv Miss Dessie Moore and an anthem by the M. E. choir of Decatur. Bishop Bowman in a few unique remarks introduced Rev. Wm. A. Quayle, D. D., of the Meridian street church of Indianapolis. He said, “I have the pleasure of introducing to you this evening a man they call Dr. Quayle, but you will think he is an eagle before he gets through." Hearty applause greeted Dr. Quayle as he arose. His lecture was a scholarly treatise of Jean Valjean. the new hero of Victor Hugo’s creation. Brilliant word pictures were flashed before the audience in such rapid succession that it was only for them to listen intently while the rythmic flow of language in a musical voice added color to color until with a master stroke of eloquence

the high lights and shadows at once brought out the picture plainly and distinctly and for a moment the scene was realistic. "The hero," he said, “is not a lufury, l>ut a necessity. All our best men and women are hero lovers. As we grow in grace, in God's bestness, we grow in the heroic personality. The old hero was a warrior.

Uro L — —:

H. W. BENNETT, D. D., PASTOR MERIDIAN STREET CHURCH, ANDERSON.

His strength, his powers gained for him admiration. Literature is a test of civilization. Those who read the literature of the past centuries will know that the world is getting better and nearer to God. Cleanness is what the world wants. The growth of the literary life is a sure indication of the ethical life.” From his abundant knowledge of books and authors Dr. Quayle drew pictures of heroes from the brutal man of iron muscle, unwavering nerve and absence of fear to the new hero who is patterned after Christ. Old literature heroes, Achilles, Annanias and Ulysses, were portrayed, and as down through the centuries the heroes came nearer modern times the Christ spirit came in more and moreclearly. Arthur Dimsdale, Hawthorne’s famous Scarlet 1 Letter hero, whose conscience made | his existence a hell upon earth, was a ! contrasting illustration to the real! hero. Victor Hugo is a biographer of 1 heroes. He is lurid in his paintings, j Jean Valjean had no childhood, no [ one to love him. At the age of twenty six he is a criminal and condemned to the galleys. For twenty years he was a slave and then goes out branded as a dishonest man. Wherever he goes he is turned away. Finally he walks boldly into the house of the bishop and is kindly treated, but he yields to temptation and steals the silver candlesticks. He is arrested and the bishop, refusing the candles, says to Jean Valjean, “Remember, I' have bought you with a price for God.” I He went away and was lost sight: of, but the great thing is not whether we lose sight of men, but whether God keeps track of them. After Jean Valgean’s character is reaching the heroic three beautiful pictures were presented. First, giving up position and social standing; second, donning the blouse of the gaily slave, and that last portrayal of grandeur where Marius and Cossette come to see the broken old man and find him with the angel of death approaching and he seemed to rise from the trammels of earth and the hero rose clearly and plainly, the shackles of earth had fallen.

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RESIDENCE OF L. D. ADAMS, MERCER STREET.

By far the largest educational collection in the whole conference was reported by Dr. Walters, of Bippus. It aggregated three hundred and seventeen dollars. It all goes toward the support of DePauw University the great Methodist Educational Institution, of Indiana.

H. VV. Bnenett D. D. One of the greatest of Indiana's preachers is H. W. Bennett. D. D.. of Meridian Street church. Anderson. He is a man of large intellectual at tainments, magnetic pulpit power, and overflowing enthusiasm. His pastoral labors have been characterized by splendid executive ability, and

mdefatagable exertion, yet withal, a pleasing and simple personality. His high reputation is shown by the fact that he has served some of the most prominent churches in the central states, among them Dubuque, Iowa; Bloomington, Illinois; Columbus, and Akron, Ohio and Fort Wayne. He believes that simplicity is essential to the Christian minister and to the organized church. He beautifully remodeled Wayne Street church Fort Wayne, which was finished and opened during his pastorate there. It has the finest auditorum in the conference. A lot has been purchased in Anderson, and Dr. Bennett expects to return next year and build upon it a church that will rival even the Fort \\ ayne edifice. A Veteran Hiuister’ Rev. Dr. Spellman was born in the year 1813. His father and mother with their family moved to Ohio in 1817. and both dying soon after. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years; when living with his uncle he was a fanner boy to the age of sixteen, after which he managed as best as he could, working here and there from this time on, occasionally at school three months in the winter and finally became a “school master” for some three years, and then to the {study of medicine for two years in Perry county, Ohio, where he was married in the spring of 18-12 to his present wife, Elizabeth Beckwith, daughter of Col. John Beckwith, who aside from his being in the mercantile business was elected each term to the office of county clerk for twenty continuous years, and also at the same time, or longer, a class leader in the Methodit Episco pal church. After the practice of mebicine for more than ten years, the Dr. and family moved to Bluffton. Indiana, in the fall of 2952. In 1853 he was licensed as a minister in said church, and at the same time was recommended by the quarterly conference at Bluffton, Rev. George W. Bowers being presiding elder of the Fort Wayne district, at that time was recommended to become a member of the North Indiana Conference. His

first charge was on the Portland circuit. Jay county, with fourteen appointments, where with the itinerants ••saddle bags" the Bible, hymn book and dicipline would go tke rounds every three weeks, through the cut out roads, over the corduroy bridges, | and sometimes compelled where be

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