Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1896 — Valparaiso District Ministerial Association. [ARTICLE]

Valparaiso District Ministerial Association.

The Annual meeting jvas held in Trinity M, E. Church last week. A large majority of the pastors of the district were in attendance. Several were accompanied by their wives; several, poor fellows! had no wives to accompany them. t ,» The first session, Tuesday night, was opened with religious services by the Rev. J. L- Smith, of Valparaiso, one of the founders of Indiana Methodism. The local church was represente 1 by County Superintendent Warren, who made a fine address, bidding the members of the Association weicome to the Methodist homes of Rensselaer. The .welcome address was responded to by the Rev. Dr. J. H. Wilson, P. E., in his characteristic and interesting way. The audience Was further delightfully entertained by the Rev. Allen Lewis, pastor of the Valparaiso church, a delegate to the recent General Conference at Cleveland, who gave his personal impressions and views of the chief council of the church, its personnel and its proceedings. The morning hour, Wednesday, was devoted to religious services and preliminary business, The rest of the day was occupied with the reading and discussion of papers, in accordance with a previously arranged programme. The first paper presented, “Before and After the Rivival,” by the Rev. W. R. Mikels, of Remington, did not provoke much discussion, but stirred up a pretty good sized lovefeast, which was far better. A well written paper by the Rev. A. J. Waller assailed the subject of “Church Benevolences.” The “Sabbath Question,” also, was attacked with a sharp pen by the Rev. W. F. Switzer. (Mr. Switzer was absent, but had forwarded his paper.) Even so trite a subject as Baptism did not escape attention. The day closed with an elaborate dissertation on “The Status of the Temperance Question in Indiana,” by the Rev. A. P. DeLong. The church was filled at 7:30 P. M. when the Hon. Mark L. DeMotte, of Valparaiso, who had been announced to lecture on “The Methodist Itinerant,” was introduced by Dr. Wilson. The lecture was unique, interesting and instructive, of the man and the occasion. Following the lecture came the banquet, provided for by the courtesy of the Presiding Elder, Dr. Wilson, at the home of and Mrs. C. C. Starr. The city orchestra discoursed excellent music, duly punctuating the witty speeches that enlivened the evening. With noon of night the banquet closed, and the District meeting of 1896 became a pleasant memory.

A Committee consisting of J. B, Ross, E. P. Bennet, and Allen Lewis reported at the closing session of the Association the following Resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, as also a motion that they be offered the city papers for publication:— “1. That we return to the pastor of Trinity M. E. Church and the good people ot Rensselaer our sincere thanks for the kind hospitality with they have received us into their homes and for their interested attendance at the meetings of our Association.” f‘2. That we greatly appreciate the patient services of our Secretary and of our Treasurer.” “3. That we thank the Salvation Army for their considerate invitation to use their tent for our services; that we regret our inability to accept their invitation; and that we bid them God speed in their work of evangelization .” “4. That we record our especial pleasure in, and our high appreciation of, the generous hospitality of our esteemed Presiding Elder and his estimable wife.” “5. That we most heartily thank Col. M. L. DeMotte for his kindness in favoring the Association with his presence and especially for the most excellent lecture given us this evening.” “6* That we regret the detention of Brothers Mathews and Switzer by reason of sickness in their families; that we extend to them our sympathy and the assurance of our prayers for their comfort and the speedy recovery of the afflicted.” Note.—The officers of the Association are: Rev. Dr. J. H. Wilson, President; Rev. W. E. McKenzie, Hebron, Secretary; Rev. T. J. Reder, Monon, Treasurer. Rho Delta. Good new five room house, tor sale or rent. Apply to Jas. H. Chapman. Light Spring Wagon, for sale cheap, or will trade for wood. J. Q. Alter.