Decatur Democrat, Volume 1, Number 6, Decatur, Adams County, 9 April 1899 — Page 7

,'iethodist Episopal Choir. This life t 0 be an exemplary christon one requires the laying upon the liter ourselves. Our best talents, and using them in Christ’s service. Not the least of these is the talent for singWho is not moved by music? The “Immortal Bard" has said: “The that hath no music in himself, ‘ is not moved by concords of sweet sounds, is fit fortreason s strate,,en]s and spoils.” Surely there is nothing sweeter, more touching or ,„ ore beautiful than musical voices proclaiming salvation in song. In this *].),• few churches are without choirs ..nd musical instruments. Around t}.,'. founding of the choir there is some times an element of sentiment. The first choir of the Decatur M. E. church wi< organized in October 1866. Anxious for better music in the Sunday school and church services, a meeting was called bv the Rev. C. E. Disbro for the purpose of organizing a choir. Quite a number of the young people responded. The organization was effected including in its membership Misses Kate and Belle Miesse, Mary Crawford. Mary Lamar, Jennie Lamar. Sarah and Mary Blossom, Hattie and Lizzie Crabbs. Emma Wilson and Eliza Louthan, Messrs. H. B Knoff, Dr, W. H. Schrock, Chas. Lamar and John Towey. Having no organ they liorrowed a melodeon which Miss Lizzie Crabs was elected to operate anil her sister was her assistant. H. B. Knoff was chosen chorister. After some months the choir was furnished hymnals and a new organ. This stimulated the at tendance and greatly increase the interest. The members of this organization were in more or less regular attendance for several years, until changes were made by removal from the village or marriage, and the vacancies were filled by new members. Misses Phoebe Schirmeyer (now Mrs. Joe Rice,) and Mary Riddle served as organists. About 1868 an organist was needed and a committee waited upon Mrs. Judge Studabaker for the purpose of getting her daughter. Miss Made (now Mrs. John Niblick) to serve in that capacity. Both mother and daughter were willing, though there was a difficulty to be overcome. The little lady’s stature precluded her operating the key board and the pedals simultaneously. The hindrance was removed by Dr. Schrock and H. B. Knoff volunteering to take turns in pedaling while the little lady drew forth harmonious sounds from the key board with her nimble fingers. A little later Dr. Schrock transferred his membership to the Presbyterian church and his place was taken by his brother, Walter. Austin Crabb= and D. J. Aber became members of the choir about this time also. The usefulness of the organization was being felt and at all times since, though the affairs of the choir have many times struck minor chords, and harmony has not been an ever present element, the choir has been faithful and the concord of sweet sounds has returned. During the pastorate of Rev. Spellman his daughter, Belle served in the capacity of organist In 1878, Mrs. Maggie Townsend Jeffries, Mrs. Rena King Huffman. Mrs Alice Rice Huffman. Mrs. Ella Schirmeyer, Mrs. J. B. Carns. Mrs. J. T. Merryman, Wrs. J. W. Vail, Messrs. J. T. Merryman, Ed Albers, G. \\ • A. Luckey and George Stanton composed the choir. A year or two later MeSdames Jeff feryson, Estella Hart Thomas, Maggie Hill Reynolds, Maggie Studabaker Vesey, Messrs. Jay Dorwin, J. R. McConnehey and E. A. Huffman contributed their voices to the cause. During this time Mrs. Dr. Mann and Misses Edith Stabler, Lizzie Schirmeyer Miss Metts were organists at different times. Others who have been connected with the choir were Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Merryman, James Harkless. Mrs. Jacob Schafer. J. D. Hale. Dr. Boyers, Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Alice Sprang, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Walters. The first organ is still in existence and is the property of Mrs. Frank Burger, living about three miles northeast of Decatur. During Rev. Gregg’s pastorate for one year music was furnished by an orchestaa composed of Messrs. Hart, Ben Pillars, Fred Falk and Miss Ella Sprang. Os the choir members several have joined the choir invisible, among them Dr. Schrock. Mary Lamaa Breeme, Sarah Blossom. Mrs. Alice Sprang and Wilson Merryman. Many are now prominent in church work and several are mem bers'of the present choir. Mrs. John Niblick served as organist fourteen years. Os the present choir several are veterans in the work. The pres ent choir which has done such valiant service during the conference was organized during Rev Gregg’s pastor-

I Just - = \ Remeinl l£ Schulte, Falk & Ehinger I S thof vl VC $ » mmob Are headquarters for up-to-date ■■■■■ g \ Clothing and Gent’s Furnishing Goods. them fl | L/z t - ■ ~ ‘ call, p

ale anout the time the splendid pipe organ was placed in position. Mesdatnes Janies Rice, C. E. Neptune, Miss Matie Albers and Jeff Bryson, who has served long and faithful are the sopranos; Mrs. J. W. Vail with two decades service and Mrs. J. B Rice altos; Drs. J. Q. and (’. E. Yen tune, Dan Beery tenors; A. R. Bell, Chas Bell and Prof. Brittson bassos;’ Prof. Falk and Mrs. Harry Bell organists, is the personnel of the present choir. Each member is a devoted Christian and member of the church in which they sing. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A Hot Time In the Old Tow n Tonight Among Methodists. If A. E. Sarah went to Bluffton. If A. E. Mahm went to Kennard. If L. J. Naftzger should go to Bobo. If M. S. Marble were sent to Santa Fe. If E. T. Gregg should go to Monroe. If N. P. Barton should go tc Wabash.

t. ’*v V* i Jr i . BO jS •’'■ I r J TsfcL Jl' ir ■; z'® II J. Ls— v ~• ,r. i lift rmWteSbA-l'iaae. —La. BISHOP BECKER, IN ORIENTAL UNIFORM.

If A. W. Lamport were sent to Bippus. If C. H. Brown were at Spencerville. If W. D. Parr should go to Circleville. If M. J. Magor was appointed to Ceylon. If U. A. Foster should go to Butler circuit. If J. A. Lewellen should be superanuated. If H. W. Bennett should go to Pennville. If R. J. Wade should be sent to Spiceland. If B. A. Kemp went to Hartford City circuit. If C. G. Hudson should travel Corunna circuit. If A. D. Alexander were appointed to Union City. If W. C. McKaig went to First church, Goshen. If J. F. Radcliff went to Grace church. Kokomo. If Summerville Light should be appointed to Blaine. If George W. Cocking were appointed to Hartford City. If W. H. Daniel were editor of a “Conference Advocate.”

If J- • Gain should be president of Taylor University. If H. A. Davis and L. C. Poor were exchanged at Marion. If I. W. Si nger was made presiding elder of Goshen district. If \\ . A Griest should be presiding ’ elder of Warsaw district. If A. J. Duryee should preach at I Wayne Street, Fort Wayne. If J. B. Cook should preach to the people of High Street, Muncie. If A. S. Preston should be appointed chaplain of the northern prison. If the writer were the Bishop and should make all the appointments after this style. Want the Conference of iqoi. The Portland people have taken time by the forelock and have invited thee onference to meet in that city in 1901. The conference has never met in Portland. This is largely due to the fact that their church was too small, but this obstacle is now overcome, for they are building a handsome edifice. The new church is en-

closed, and nearly 515.000 have already been expended. The new church is of the Gothic style of architecture and have a frontage of eighty feet and a depth of one hundred and twentv feet. The auditorium, with its galleries, will seat nearly a thousand people, and the Sunday school and class rooms connected therewith will seat nearly seven hundred more, three parlors will seat four hundred, making a total capacity of two thousand. Besides these room, the basemint contains a large aseembly room, a dining room and kitchen. Thus they will have ample accommodations and the people are anxious for the coming of the conference. M. A. Harlan is pastor. H. J. Becker, D, D. Perhaps no minister outside the denomination is liettter known to the ministers and membership of the North Indiana conference than H. J. Becker. D. D., formerly holding the Bishop’s office in the United Brethren church. A man well qualified for his high office, he has performed many noble services for his denomination, for the Christian church and for mankind. Possessing a fine education, he has added to his knowlege by frequent travel, especially in the orient and Bible lands. His researches and study in the land of Pallestine have been especially profitable to scholars and helpful to thousands of Bible students. Last year he made

several trips to Cuba, the results of which have been greatly appreciated by the church and the nation, and his advise has been sought even by Mr. McKinley. The case with which he may be approached, even while a dignitary in his denomination, has i made it possible that his scholarly ati tainments and wide research should jbe helpful to those who need help > most. Thousands have sat at his feet I and received or gathered frem private ' conversation brilliant gems that have ■ added to the richness and flow of the i Bible. He is a popular lecturer and a i fervent preacher. C. W. Smith. C. W. Smith is one of the youngest men in the conference, and yet has become one of the most prominent. He graduated from DePauw in 1893 with the degree of A. B. He entered the conference the same year at Mishawaka. In his conference studies he made the remarkable record of perfect credits throughout the entire course. His first charge was Dublin, where he remained five years. He is now at Mishawaka, one of the best charges. His wife. Stella, is the daughter of Rev. W. S. Jordan and a graduate of DePauw University. She is a vocalist of marked ability. They are destined for a noble career in the church. f No Poached E'kks For" Her. There is an old lady in a charming out of the way village who« 3 opinions 1 of “artist chaps” and “Lunnon ways” are amusing. On one occasion a wandering knight of the brush secured a night’s lodging at her cottage. Early next morning he was asked what he would like for breakfast. “Ob,” was the reply, “a couple of eggs will do —poached, mind you.” “Beg pardon, sir”— “I said a couple of eggs, poached,’ repeated the artist in a lender tone. The old lady stiffened her back, opened the door and pointed out intc the road. “Clear out o’ my house!” she commanded. “I’d have yon know as I respects my neighbor’s property, and I ain’t no poacher. Sich goings on may do in Lunnon, but they won’t do in Loamshire. ” The artist endeavored to explain, but the lady would net listen, and he did not break his fast in that house. “Painters was alius a bad lot,” were the last words he heard before she shut the dcor behind him, “but ge.ttin honest fowk to poach eggs for ’era’s quite a new dodge. ” —London Telegraph. Improved the Opportunity. Peter Foote, long since dead, used to be a police magistrate in Chicago. Foote was intensely Irish and loved to show it. One day a dudishly attired young fellow calling himself Frederick Edwards, and plainly betokening by his speech that he hadn’t been long from the shores of England, was arraigned before the justice charged with lounging about the parks. When he was arrested, he showed fight and had to be dragged to the patrol box. “’E ’urted me feelin’s badly, your worship, ” said the prisoner when in the dock the following morning “’E ’it me on the sole of me fute an”— “I don’t think you’ve any feelings in your soul,” growled the sympathizer of downtrodden Ireland. “And, another thing, you must remember you’re in America now. In England you object to an Irishman wearing the green. Here we object to Englishmen lying on it: $1 and costs.” And the justice pinched himself to look unconcerned while the Briton begged the clerk to cut the fine down to a “bob. "—Chicago Chronicle A Tnip of Her Own Setting. We have all met people whose pride in their own possessions is so great that ' they can see no charms in those of oth- “ ers. A young botanist was showing a party of ladies and gentlemen through ’ a conservatory and explaining to them the properties of some of the choicest plants. Among the visitors was a would be young looking, middle aged lady who at every description volunteered ’ the statement that the plants and flowers she had at home were quite the ■ equal of anything here or indeed anywhere. 1 Just as the} were passing a giant cactus she was beard to exclaim: “Well, this is nothing extraordinary. • I have a cactus at home that is still larger. I planted and reared it myself. ’ “Reared it yourself?” the professor gently observed. “How remarkable! 5 This specimen is 63 years old. and if ’ yours is still larger”— ’ The lady did not stay to hear any ’ more, but executed a strategic move- ■ fcient to the rear.

V ar IS can is ■■ ■■ ■» as •• is m rs m ivz ZX - A I s i Qood | ! dpder- : ; I I t | i | linium mmml — 1 g . ! Good understanding’ has two j s meanings. One is wise judg- i : ment born of the brain, and jSiiS ““J s the other is Mougey’s shoes, « ■ which are good understanding | ; to the feet. They are made . for Men, Women and Children 3 S I";..: and are the highest known s ! standard for all around excel- : lence. Everything is entitled u to trial, so give us a trial in |Bi |®ii prices, durability and styles, • i s | S J : | i | i * |s ' i| i Jot? 1 ? i I : I I I Z\. n M MummmkiM wiiMikM ■ w n ■■■»■■• ■■ •• «ZX

Looked Like a Lunatic. Brains come in all shapes of heads. There is intelligence in all kinds of eyes. Manners often hide wisdom. I recollect that once upon a time Mr. Choate and a friend were dining in the Revere House, Boston, sitting at the table with a short, thickset gentleman who had a very small head in which were two squirrel eyes, positively expressionless. Choate's friend could not keep his gaze off the man, who he imagined was an escaped lunatic. Finally, when the creature began to devour enormous quantities of food, he leaned over and whispered to Choate, “Who do you suppose that poor fellow can be?” “Why.” said Choate, “that is the celebrated Lemuel Shaw, chief justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts. ’’

Difficult Railway Buildinir. Besides being the greatest goldfield in the world, the Klondike is the coming tourist route. To carry the stream of travel a railroad is being built from Skaguay to Bennett City. At present men are working near Porcupine cliff, blasting out a narrow foothold for the railroad track on the side of the precipice. The work, which is very difficult and dangerous, will, w’hen finished, have carried a railroad through some of the finest scenery in the world. Faith In Old Betz. A Fort Scott boy with the Twentieth Kansas regiment writes home: “Aguinaldo has sure got the natives here on his list. So much ignorance is displayed on the islands that the insurgents think you cannot kill them. They say if you shoot at Aguinaldo he just shakes his clothes and the bullet falls out of his clothes. 1 would like to get a crack at him at about 200 yards with old Betz. ; I’ll bet that I would soon end the war. ”

JOHN S. PETERSON, GENERAL INSURANCE AGENCY. Rooms I and 2 Holthouse Block. DECATUR, IND. Bal\er & . fVRGHITEGTS,. Have opened an office over Archbold & Haugh’s book store and are prepared to do any kind of work in their line. Persons contemplating building can save time, trouble and money by consulting them. Balder & Ghristeq, fir cljitectsf