Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1898-09-09

The Northwest Indiana Conference,
this year, has, for the first time assem-
bled in the city of plymouth. More
than twenty live years ago the confer.
ence adjourned to meet in this city. but
for some reason the session was not
held at this place. Plymouth has been
the field of hard and meritOriOus labor
for a number whose hands are now
pulls. less, and by number who are
now in the active service and will be
kindly greeted ss former pastors. Rev.
T. s. Stringer of pleasant memory died
i'm q western state. Rev. 5. 7. Cooper,
a former presiding elder, has long since
gone to rest. Rev. George M. Boyd.
once a presiding elder of this district,
now sleeps in neighbOring city Wal
paraiso). Rev. w. r. Mikels, still in the
front rank, will doubtless remember
some very burdensome days when as 8
pastor he saw the foundation laid and
the walls of this grand church building
raised.
The NJ E. church has had continu-
Gus existence here since 1897. Forty
pastors have served the charge. The
present church structure is two story
substantial brick edifice erected thirty
years ago at q cost of about $4,000.
1t has an admirable location right in
the center of the city. The member
ship is about three hundred. The Sun
day school is larger than the church
membership, indicating field for en-
largement. The Epworth League chap
ter is No. 20, one of the Oxford leagues
that changed to an Epworth at the very
origin of the Epworth league. The
league is an element of this church's
strength. The Ladies aid society and
the auxiliary of the w. F. NJ. 5. are the
channels of power. The church was
burdened for over twenty years with
distressing debt which was Cancelled
nine years ago. A comfortable par
sOnage purchased eight years ago has
been repaired and furnished with elec-
trio lights, is admirably located and
makes very pleasant home for small
family. During the past five or six
years constant improvements have been
made to the church property, chief of
which are stone side walks and steps,
new entrance to the auditorium, steel
new carpet, new heating apparatus, and
q multitude of smaller additions en-
coursging to all who love the Lords
house.
The present pastor, Rev. l.. 5. Smith,
is closing his fourth year, is well &C.
qusinted throughout the city and gives
assurance that the people of all the
churches Join to give our conference q
hearty welcome.
1t is not probable there will be as
many changes this year as last, but
there will be Q sufficient number to
move to keep up remembrance of the
fact that the ministry of Methodism is
itineraDt but whatever be the orderings
of the conference the loyalty of the
preachers will be beyond all question.
They will go where they may be sent
with the expectation to do their "level
best"
The preachers have the city. Every
thing is theirs for q week. The houses
of the good citizens of Plymouth have
been thrown open to them. If they
don't see what they want all they need
to do is to ask for it.
All the chickens within q radius of
five miles have been slaughtered for the
qualification of over two hundred itin-
Grants.
These preachers come together as is
their usual custom for the purpose of
trsnsscting business pertaining to the
conference and to receive their assign
ments for the coming year.
There are venerables, middle-aged
and ambitious young men In the body,
and as they mingle together renewing
their acquaintanceships, it would ap-
pear to the onlooker that there lie q time
at least in the life of the preacher when
his cross is easy to bear.
One thing particularly noticeable 81
this gathering il the encouragement
which tho church gives to its worthy