Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1912 — BURNED THE MORTGAGE AT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. [ARTICLE]

BURNED THE MORTGAGE AT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

Members of Congregation Hold Jubilee Service Following Biggest Sunday School of the Year. .. - , T . Sunday was a day long to be remembered by the members of the Rensselaer Christian church, for it marked the delivery of the church from the burden of debt and at the morning service the mortgage, given at the time of the dedication almost six! years ago, was burned. The mortgage was originally for $3,000 and was given pending the payment of pledges given at the time of the dedication. It had been reduced to $1,578.63 and since" the revival meeting# were begun by the Putman-TuCkerman company three weeks ago it was decided to make a strenuous effort to clear up this debt. Rev. Winn, whose pastorate with the church began last September, has held this a great essential and last week and the week before the members of the church were appealed to. The responses were liberal and by last Saturday sufficient had been pledged and the greater part of it paid in and the trustees were able to write their cheek for the amount and secure the mortgage. This was brought to the church and Rev. Winn burned it in the presence of a large" congregation, offering thanks to God for deliverance. The burning of the mortgage closed the morning service. The day had other victories that brought rejoicing to the members. It started with a Sunday school attendance of 344, the largest in its history. The banner class was the Bethany Bible class of sixty men. This class has been brought up to its present great number by the interest in the teaching by J. L„ Brady, whosepreparation is such that he is able each Sunday to please the class by an argument and explanation of the lesson and its proper influence upon the people of today. No one can hear Mr. Brady and not be anxious to hear him again and again. The collection at the Sabbath school was $148.91, part of this amount being a special collection to fulfill the pledge for the indebtedness of the church. Something like $525 was secured to defray the expenses of the three weeks’ meetings conducted by the Put-man-Tuckerman Co., and all the expense of this meeting has now been paid, so that the chdrch is entirely free from indebtedness. All of ' the services Sunday there were those who signified their desire to become a part of the church and the revival meetings closed with five additions at the evening service. The revival efforts of Rev. Putman, Song Leader Tuckerman and wlfe and Miss Egbert have found great favor with the congregation and have been the cause of securing about sixty-five additions to the church and in a general rejuvenation of £he old membership. Rev. Putman made eloquent pleas to cause men and women and boys and girls to / come into the church and it is believed that many others will come into the church later who had their first inspiration under his appeals. 4 Tonight a special service will be held in the church at 7:30 o’clock, and it is hoped to have all the church members present to greet and Welcome the new members.