Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 219, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1917 — Year Has Been Prosperous For the Methodists. [ARTICLE]

Year Has Been Prosperous For the Methodists.

Valparaiso, Ind., Sept. 80.—-The Northwest Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church tonight observed its Sunday school anniversary with a rally, presided over by Dr. H. A. Gobin, vice-president of DePauw University. The chief address was delivered by Dr. Edgar Blake, of Chicago. Brief talks were given by Sunday school workers and there was an especially prepared music program arranged by Rev. Dr. Thomas Williams, pastor of the local Methodist church, by a chorus of 200 under the direction of Prof. O. E. Weaver, head of the yocal department of Valparaiso University. The Rev. Thomas J. Bassett, of Hammond, was in charge of the services, which marked the conference love feast and opened the program. The Rev. Frank H. Hargrave, of Medaryville, presided at the afternoon session, which featured a special address by Dr. Knudson, of Boston, whose topic was “The Faith of Our Fathers.” He spoke of those who look upon the idea of universal peace as a utopian dream, who believe in militarism in the extremest form< then there are those other extremists who think that war under all circumstances is wrong; then those who think all national differences should be settled by arbitration. Every methodist church in the county outside Valparaiso and in many of the adjoining cities cancelled its Sunday service in order that its members might come and participate in the big closing meetings of the conference. Bishop Nicholson today placed on exhibition reports from every department of church work. Some showed that certain departments had overcome difficulties. A summary showed another year marked with success. The Methodist churches and their finances increased all along the line. Bishop Nicholson said: “A year of remarkably success and strength has been shown, and I am looking forward for even greater results to be shown when we gather in conference at Lafayette in 1918.”