Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1897 — Free Will Baptists [ARTICLE]

Free Will Baptists

Still Hold Possession of Rensselaer, With Their State AssociationThe meetings of the Indiana Free Will Baptist Association continued to increase in interest and in magnitude of attendance. THURSDAY AFTERNOON. The exercises of Thursday afternoon concluded the Ministers’ and Laymen’s Conference. A most notable feature of the afternoon as well as of the entire meetings, was the sermon by Dr. Sally, of Hillsdale College, and one of the great men of the church. His subject was “Relation of the Church to the Social and Political Reforms.”

Rev. J. C. Musgrove, of the Rosebud M. P. church, spoke on the subject “The Pastor's Evangelistic Power and its Developement.” This was followed by an interesting discussion of the same subject, led by Rev. Morgan of Brookston Missionary Baptist church, Dr. H. M. Ford, of Hills dale, and others. The subject of “How can the churches be made more fruitful?” was generally discussed. Rev. S. H. Dull, Ormas, Ind. treated the subject, “The necessity of Personal Purity in Christian Workers.” The singing of Prof. G. E. Myers is a very attractive feature of all the meetings.

THURSDAY EVENING? Thursday evening was the beginning of the Association, proper. An Address of Welcome to the visiting brethren was given by Rev. D. A. Tucker, of Rensselaer arid Vaughn churches. He was responded to. by Rev. T. J. Mawhofter, of Wawaka, Ind. Rev. H. M. Ford, of Hillsdale, Mich., and general secretary of the entire denomination, preached a powerful sermon on the subject, “The Great Commission,” from 28th mathew, last verse. Roll call and appointment of committees completed the evening’s session. There was a very large congregation at the evening session.

FRIDAY MORNING. This morning’s meetirfg was the principal business session of the Association. The program included song and praise service, roll, reading constitution and bylaws, reading minutes; unfinished business; reports of quarterly meetings, reports of corresponding messenger, and delegates, and miscellaneous. At 11 o’clock there was a sermon by Rev. C. H. Meyers, state agent of Hillsdale,‘Mich. The exercisies of Friday afternoon of the general routine business of the Association, and at 4 o’clock the business meeting of the Advocates of Christian Fidelity, which is the young people’s society of the F. W. Baptist demonination. FRIDAY EVENING. Friday evening was the program of the A. C. F. society. The song r ’ • service was lead by Prof. Meyers, and Dr. Sally made the opening prayer. Clinton Thornton, of Vaughn church, gave the address of welcome to the young people, and it

was a .very fine effort It was re--sponded to by Rev. H. A. Huey. Miss Iva Alter, of Parr, sang a* beautiful solo, after which H. SMyers, of Hillsdale, spoke on the subject, “Our Young People, anImportant Factor in the Church.”" “Methods to win the Young: Men,” was treated by Dr. Sally, inr his usual able and eloquent manner“Our Duty as Young People to> the Twentieth Century” was thesubject of an address by Rev. C. H, Myers, of Hillsdale, Mich. THIS FORENOON. This forenoon the Associations program was continued. Besides the reading of minutes, reports of committees. &c., the election of officers was held. At 10 o’clockRev. H. M.Ford, of Hillsdale, made an'address on the State of the Denomination, Its Plans and our Duty. At 10:30 Dr. Sally delivered a sermon. The Women’s Missionary Society will have a program thisevening. Dr. Sall} 7 will preach at the (fhurch Sunday morning, and im the evening Rev. H. M. Ford.