Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 239, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1913 — Report of the Gillam Home-Coming Association. [ARTICLE]

Report of the Gillam Home-Coming Association.

The Gillam. Home-Coming Association held its second annual meeting at the old Independence church Sept 24 to 28, 1913. The first service was held Wednesday evening, Sept. 24, at 7:30 o’clock. Rev. Thomas Mason, D. D., of Siloam Springs, Ark., filled the pulpit. The subject of his discourse was the word “Mystery,” as found in the 51st verse of the 15th chapter of Ist Corinthians. Thursday was visiting day with many of the home-comers. Thursday evening at 7:30 o’clock the Rev. T. M. Guild, of Peru, Ind., preached an excellent sermon from the text found in the latter part of the 14th verse of the 3rd chapter of Exodus. Friday .was Reminiscence Day. The weather not being so favorable the attendance was not so large as last year, yet the old church, which seats more than three hundred people, was well filled. Rev. Frank Campbell, of University Place, Neb., a former Gillamite, occupied the pulpit in the forenoon and briefly reviewed his boyhood days spent in Old Gillam. It was indeed a touching scene as the reverend gentleman stood there with streaming eyes and recalled the days of his youth, when his father, the Rev. Wm. Campbell, also the Guild, preached the Old Gospel of Christ from the same sacred stand, and when so many of the sainted fathers and mothers, who were eager listeners, occupied the pews, and how the sacred walls of the old church echoed the shouts of “Glory” from the lips of these sainted ones, now silently sleeping in the old churchyard nearby. The good brother was almost overcome with sacred memories and tears eame to every eye in the audience. Brief talks were made by Rev. T. M. Guild, Rev. John Sebring, a former pastor of this place, and Rev. D. H. Guild. Basket dinner followed, which was indeed a bountiful repast. After dinner the song service was led by Rev. D. H. Guild, with prayer by Rev. Thomas Mason. Rev. T. M. Guild then continued the reminiscences and gave an excellent talk, followed by Rev. Mason, Rev. Frank Campbell, Pres. J. R. Guild, Attorney E. 0. Rathfon and others, telling of the good deeds as well as the jokes played on each other, bringing fun and merriment to the attentive audience. At 7:30 in the evening Rev. Frank Campbell preached a powerful sermon from the text found In the 3rd verse of the 3rd chapter of the book of Amos. This was an admonishment to parents as well as to Christian people in general. Saturday was Amusement Day. The forenoon was spent in visiting and social conversation. The afternoon session was opened with congregational singing and prayer by A. J. Rathfon. Pres. J. R. Guild then made a short talk and introduced the speaker, Attorney E. O. Rathfon. After the address short talks were made by former Gillamites, all voicing the same sentiment that they were glad to be present and that the Home Coming was simply grand. The audience was then dismissed and all went to the school grounds neaby and watched a very interesting game of basketball played by the Medaryville high school boys and the Regulars of the same place. At 7:30 in the evening Rev. Thomas Mason delivered a masterful sermon, taking for his text the first clause in the 9th verse of the 13th chapter of Ist Corinthians.

Sunday was a great day. Regardless of the cloudy day the attendance was large, there being five or six hundred people present. The first session was the Sunday School hour. The lesson, being a review of all the lessons for the quarter, was dramatized; the story of each lesson being told by pupils from the different classes with brief comments by the superintendent. This was quite a success. Rev. Campbell preached a masterful sermon from the text found in the first part of the 10th verse of the 17th chapter of St John. Basket dinner followed. After dinned the devotional service was led by Rev. Campbell Dr. Mason then filled the pulpit taking as a text the “Providence of God.” At the close of this service an oldfashioned class meeting was held, led by Rev. John Sebring. At 7:30 in the evening Rev. Campbell again preached to an attentive audience. His text being in Mark, 10th chapter, 51st verse. This service closed the series of meetings. The program as previously arranged could not be carried out in full as several of those on duty could not be present. Among them were Judge C. W. Hanley, who came Sunday afternoon, Mrs. Mell Medicus, Mrs. Taura Fischer, Banker C. P M Mitchell and Hom. G. W. Faris, all former Gillamites. It is needless to comment on any of the work as all was of the highest type, both spiritually and intellectually.

The election of officers restilted in the retention of all the old officers. The financial claims were all met, as our good people always respond liberally to the call for money. A vote of thanks was tendered our Worthy andl efficient township trustee, John Selmer, for the splendid work done on the cemetery. This work is to be commended and Is greatly appreciated by the public in* general. The time set tor the

next Home-Coming is the last week in August, 1914. It is hoped that many of our far away Gillam friends may plan to be with us and help to make our next meeting a greater success, if that be possible. Those attending from a distance were: Rev. Thomas Mason, Siloam Springs, Ark.; Rev. Frank Campbell, University Place, Neb.; Rev. D. H. Guild and wife, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Rev. T. M. Guild, Peru, Ind.; Attorney E. O. Rathfon and wife, Sduth Chicago, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Campbell, Hammond, Ind.; Mrs. Thomas Knotts, Gary, Ind.; J. M. Faris, Peru, Ind.; Guy Faris, Gary, Ind.; Miss Isa Lovett, New Augusta, Ind.; Mrs. Alpheus Downey, Lafayette, Ind.; Miss Fay Pogue, Lafayette, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Comer, Roann, Ind.; Mrs. Harriett Comer, Kewanna, Ind;. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pullins, Kouts, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Harve Robinson, Monticello, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Emory Elliott, Winamac, Ind.; Mr. and Mm. Alfred Hardesty, Valparaiso, Ind.; Frazier Antrim, Hebron, Ind.; There were many representatives from the. neighboring towns of Wheatfield, Dunnvllla Tefft, DeMotte, Pleasant Grdve, McCoysburg, Rensselaer, Francesville and Medaryville. Thus closed the second annual Gillam Home Coming, which was pronounced by all to be a great success - . . J. R. GUILD, President. LIZZIE B. FARIB, * Secretary-Treasurer.