The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-10-20
THE NJ. /. CELEBRATION
Sixty Years Of Church Work in the
City of Oskaloosa.

The celebration of the sixtieth an
niversary of Methodism in oskaloosa
was continued from the opening ser,
vices of last Thursday evening over
the Sabbath day. Three special ser.
vices were held, and three great con
gregations we're gathered together, -
three of the best congregations that
the church has ever held. Sunday
was a beautiful day and every one
who could possibly get out, attended
the services, 1t was the largest rep
resentation of the actual church mem.
bership gathered together since the
dedication
Rev. G. r.. Stafford, of Bloomfield,
ex-president of Wesleyan university
and one of the early ministers of the
Simpson M. e. church, was the speak,
er of the morning. Rev. Somerville
in introducing the gentleman stated
that it would be interesting to know
how many members were present in
the house who had been members of
the charge during Rev. Stafford's pas
torate. He requested such members
present to rise, and thirty-six were
counted.
Rev. Stafford delivered a very able
sermon, of which the theme was the
conversion of st. Paul and Christian
experience. 1t was well received.
The service was marked by the ex.
cellence of the music, and the, zest
with which the hymns were sung. A
solo from the Messiah by Miss Ware
was the feature of the mornings mu-
steal program.
Al remarkable thank offering was
taken up. The amount will be some
thing over 100000 and will go to the
Ladies' Aid Society.
Afternoon.
The afternoon was devoted to a
love feast that was thoroughly enjoy
ed by every one attending. Rev. J.
B. Hardy, one of the oldest of the for
mer pastors of the local church, and
VINO is today probably the Oldest man
in the conference, and the last Of the
pioneer ministers, was the leader of
the meeting. The gentleman is past
eighty years of age and has long since
passed the period Of active service,
but the privilege of again being with
his old flock and in the church that
had known so much Of his earlier eff.
fort, was more than ne could resist
ON hn Fol 90 -, -
and lead one of the best meetings of
the day. His presence was greatly
enjoyed by the large congregation
present.
Rev. e. H. Warning had been al con-
siderable labor in gathering lot of
historical data in connection with the
organization, the progress and the
life of the church, together with
sketches of its pastors and many OF
the members and the workers Of the
old day The gentleman worked
these facts into a very interesting
historical story which he gave to the
meeting. Rev. Hardy, in leading the
love feast, and Rev. Waring occupied
the time of the afternoon.
Evening.
For third time great congrega-
ton was present at the church for the
concluding meeting Of the celebra-
ton. This program was more in the
form of the regular service.
Rev. Walter P. Stoddard, now of
Centerville, VINO watched and worked
with the Oskaloosa Methodists in the
days past and who gave much excel.
lent service during his residence
here, delivered the sermon of the
evening. The theme was @The Ideal
Life" and it was presented in the
gentleman's clear and forceful way,
to the pleasure and the enlighten.
ment of the entire congregation.
The special music for the services
was by Frank Henness, Maude Rob-
ertson, Claude Lafferty and Mrs Da-
vies.
The celebration as whole was one
of the most remarkable ever held by
the local Methodist organization and
is regarded as very successful. The
entire membership seemed to respond
in manner that was most gratifying
and the greatest good to the organ
ization will result. Rev. Somerville
and those who assisted him in the
planning and the carrying out of the
details are to be congratulated upon
the excellence of the work that they
have accomplished