Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-09-05
GERMAN METHODIST CONFER
ENcE AT LYoNA CHURCH
Representatives from -Four States ana
a Territory Meet in 4 Grove Near
Woodbin Early German hstho'
dists-The Presiding Bishop.

WAU0D = A@N .
Among the earliest settlements in
this part Of Kansas was that on Lyons
creek in the southern part Of Dlckin'
son county. 1t was in 1857 that a
small party Of German smigrant''
who had "trekked" with their OK
teams from Wisconsin, camPed IN
the shade Of the picturesque woods
along Lyons creek, and decided to
make that spot the battle-ground in
their struggle for existence. Struggle
it was, too, for the first few years OF
pioneering. But these men had dedi'
Gated to the new country all their
Teu.onic energy, frugality and in
tegrity, aud the well'developed,
highly improved farms, separated
less than liie-span from raw prairie,
shows how we'll they have wrought
Among those who came in 1907
were the Staatz's, Kenderick's, Oester'
erich's and Fencher's; and in 1859 the
Ksndt's, Bells, Weber's, Gugler's and
Rubin's. These men have lived in
the community ever since and their
names have become closely inter-
twined with the history Of the county.
Religious services were held almost
from the beginning, and in 1859 q
society was organized. Up to 1860
they had no Westinghouse, holding
their services iu winter in the cabins
and in the summer in the groves,
Goods first temples" In that year
log mesting-house was erected
This finally gave way to frame
structure, which was used until lS7l'
when the present commodious stone
ediaoe was completed. The original
log structure still stands and the now
almost useless pile Of logs occupies a
large place in the affections OF the
old settlers.
The society has membership
Of over two hundred and is one OF the
strongest churches in the Western
German conference. Rev. Bruins is
the present pastor.
WESTERN GERMAN CONFERENCE.
The Western German conference
takes in eastern Colorado, all OF Kan
sas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, and
western Missouri. There are over
100 ministers and about 1000 COM
municsnts within the bounds OF the
conference. They are an organic
part Of American Methodism. the only
difference being in the language used.
The annual session Of the confer
ence was, in recognition OF the
strength Of this church, held at
Lyona, beginning August q and end
ing August rs. Bishop Walden pre-
sided.
The conference work began on We'd
nesdsy with examination Of the young
preachers. That evening The confer
ence sermon was preached by Rev.
Adam Jungmeyer. Thursday morn
ing came communion service and the
opening OF the conference proper
The conference sessions we're held in
the church and the preaching and
similar services in the grove. The
English language was used in the
business sessions.
The annual missionary sermon was
preached. Thursday evening BY Rev.
John Lauer. OF late years the Ger
man Methodists have developed in
tense interest in missionary work,
and they do their part in providing
and supporting the "Herslds Of the
Cross"
After routine work on Thursday
the bishop lectured in the evening on
"Airica and Its Evangelization." On
Friday, after a meeting in the after
noon in the interest Of the superan-
nusted preachers, the bishop lectured
on "China.n We would like to sum-
msrizs these lectures Of the bishop,
but spare iorbids. Suffice 1t to say
that he treats these subjects after the
manner Of a statesmsn-keenly
logical, with marvellous breadth Of
view and power in driving home bis
conclusions.
Saturday afternoon a meeting in
the interest Of the 0rphsnage work
was addressed BY Rev. N. Knehans,
Rev. ]. G. Hildsnstein and Prof. Ad.