Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1914 — FLOURISHING SUNDAY SCHOOL AT NEWLAND [ARTICLE]

FLOURISHING SUNDAY SCHOOL AT NEWLAND

County Secretary Visits “New Gary” and Finds a Splendid Class of People There.

Several weeks ago the editor of The Republican wrote an interesting article on the material prosperity of Newland, the Gary of Jasper county. As a representative of the Jasper County Sunday School association, I visited the community to learn what provision was being made for the moral prosperity of our new citizens. My visit was a very gratifying one, indeed, for in no small community in the county have I found a more intelligent, capable and nice appearing crowd of people, nor have I elsewhere received a more kindly welcome. Going out on Saturday evening in the automobile bus that is now making trips each day between Rensselaer and Newland, I was very pleasantly entertained at the home of Mr. and. Mrs. Spate, in one of the new houses which have been hastily built to accommodate the rapidly increasing population. All the living quarters in the town are crowded and numbers of people are living in tents, but they are contented and hopeful as can be. If there was any discouragement ! failed to see it, though the heavy rains had compelled some to move, and probably some fields were destroyed. They were very few and their owners could find plenty of work during the year working for their neighbors, and there is no doubt that when the work of lowering the river is co’mpleted the water will leave that region more rapidly than is possible now. Most of the people whom I met were persons who have lived in cities and from ill health or being tired of the strenuousness of the city have come to this new community, and I think if we were all better acquainted we would each be benefited. The people settling there are a ertdit to our county and we should help them in every way possible to feel at home, and that we are anxious that they should succeed in their business ventures in our county. They are improving a large scope of land in the county that has heretofore been seemingly useless and are building up a fine community wherq before there was nothing, and -they deserve the help and encouragement of all the rest of the county. I found a flourishing Sunday School of nearly eighty and rapidly growing, and which is even now presenting the problem of larger quarters. This Sunday School is fortunate in having a very capable superintendent, Mr. McKeller, formerly of Indianapolis, and a number of capable helpers, which makes it possible to conduct all the lines of work necessary in a well regulated Sunday School. A church building is much needed and it is to be hoped that the churches in the county will help these new citizens in their efforts to provide and maintain a high moral atmosphere that other desirable citizens may be induced to come and make Jasper county their home. Lacking adequate railroad facilities as yet, engaging in a new occupation, and being strangers in a new community they need our help and encouragement. So let us help them as much as they are helping us. There is a broadminded spirit in the community religiously and they would Appreciate religious services conducted by the ministers of any denomination who would serve them, and every denomination in the county should feel an interest in helping secure a Church building in this new town.—Mrs. Jno. L Gwin, Sec. Jasper C. S. S. Association.

The American Express office has been fitted up by the installation of new steel railing and other office fixtures, which gives a privacy to the office business not formerly enjoyed.