The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-15


Met hodism in Wichita From April 81
to26 All Former Ministers aud Presid
fnr HI ders Have Been Invited Wei
as the Members-what the Committee.
Have home to Entertain Their Old
Friends on This Occasion.
The celeb ration of Methodism in
Wichita, VIII begin at the First NJ E.
church on Tuesday, April q, and be
continued over Sunday, April 26.
This will be the s5wenty-fifth anniver-
sary and all the former pastors
of the church and presiding elders have
been invited to he present upon this oc-
casion which is expected TO be the
greatest gathering>of old members whlc
has ever occurred 1t viii take the
nature of a church reunion and invita-
ton has been sent TO the old members
TO come and participate in the reunion.
Aside from this the other three
Methodist churches, which have sprung
from the parent organiza zion in this
city will take part and full history
of the organization and growth Of the
st. Paul, Emporia avenue and Dodge
avenue churches " III be given.
The committee are having printed as
beautiful souvenirs in book form, pro
gram. which will be distributed at
each Of the Methodist churches next
Sunday morning.
This will be the quarter cen tenniaI
of Methodism in Wichita, and the first
pastor. Rev. Hahn who was on the
will
Is said to be only two Of the members
OF the church in 1871 who are now hv-
Ing in Wfchita-Mrs. J. p Allen and
Mrs. Treat.
The first minister at Wichita, after
1t became a station was Rev. J. +. Ness
". under whose administration the
first church was built upon the lOca-
ton Of the present church, in 1872. He
is still resident of the city and will be
present on this occasion.
Among the former ministers and pre-
siding elders who have signiied their
intention Of being present the following
names are recalled: Revs. Hahn,
Messy. Rice, Hannah. Kelley, Buckner,
Kirby, Hodgson, Phillips, Botkin, Saw
in, MartinGale and Colt
There will also be many others here
who will meet again on the grounds
which have become historical in Kan
sas on account Of the victories, trials,
trials and tribulationS through which
the organization has passed, it nav
ing been burned to the ground during
q heated time in the city, but Phoenix
like, the edifice has risen from its ashes
until today it is probably one Of the
finest church edifces in the state. and
boasts not only of the largest mem
bership, but has the largest Sunday
school west of the Mississippi river.
When a body like this moves and
undertakes anything 1t is certain OF
success and the coming event Will I'M
doubtedly be one which will never be
forgotten by those who attend. 1t will
gather within the walls of the church
scores from the east, west, south and
north. It will be a Homecoming TO
many and friends will meet friends
and sing again the praise of Him to
whom all glory is due.
On Tuesday evening Professor Ed
gar Krizer, one of the greatest pipe
organists in the world will have charge
of a great concert to be given and the
valley will be made ITO ring with this
great song service which will be led
by the professor.
On Wednesday afternoon will occur
y
and in the evening viii be the recep-
ton
On Thursday will be "reminiscences of
former pastors and at night win bt,
the lecture of DR.. Berry, EDITOR of the
Epworth Herald,who has the name of
being one Of the greatest lecturers in
the world. His subject can not he
given at this time, but it Will be we'll
worth coming many miles to hear.
On Friday Will be other "reminiscences
and ia the evening will be a regular old
fashioned Methodist love feast. and
this occasion viii be one Of the great
est, it is hoped. of the entire reunion.
The program for Saturday has not
been announced but when all these
Metnodists get together there viii be no
time TO be lost and those who attend
will be we'll repaid.
The pastor and committee extend a
cordial invitation to all to come and
join with them in celebrating the in
PRODUCTION Of Methodism in Wichita
Rev. John Kirby of California, a for
mer minister Of the First church. will
preach the anniversary sermon and in
the afternoon the Sunday school will
hold anniversary services after which
at night the regular preaching service
wTill be held
Rev. Don s. Colt is giving his atten-
ton 70 the anniversary arrangements
and he said yesterday that they had de-
Termined to charge an admittance fee
OF 20 cents or two for So cents to the
organ recital and 10 the lecture of DR..
Berry. He said the church did not
desire TO make any money out Of the
occasion but they were TO a good deal
or expense 10 bring some of the people
here who would take part in the exer-
c1ses and the admittance would be nut
low with the expectation of raising
partly enough money 10 pay their ex-
penses. All the other services viii be
free.
There are many Of the older settlers
who VIII consider il a great treat To
meet these former pastors and elders
or the FRS, II. y. church who helned 70
make Wichita'S history. 1t viii doubt
less be just what the Methodist people
expect one of the most pleasant and
profitable meetings ever held in Wich-
ga.
There has never been an event in the
history of the First church thar was
looked forward 10 with 50 much interest
and good Methodist brother said To-
cay that the idea of holding this quar-
ter centennial was conceived in -hA
mind Of that faithful christian woman.
Mrs r. p. Murdoch and thar She had
written 10 all Of the former minister's
OF the First church and obtained their
sanction to the project before Il was
setermlned 70 undertake it
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