The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1906-09-20

habit into which most OF us have fall
en- Of putting of the collection Of
these monies until the end of the
year.
Education.-The question made OBJ
fligatory at the Fourth Quarterly Con-
ference When and by whom was the
sermon on education preached,
brought forth some genuine surprises.
Out Of twenty-six pastors. ten report
1T has not been preached In look
ing over my record find that these
ten men represent Twenty-Five congre-
cations from whom the great facts
concerning this department of our
church work have been withheld THIS
past year. This ought not to be. Our
youth demand more consideration
than this and no pastor, who desires
to live in the memory and life of the
young men and women of his congre-
cation. can afford such an open disre-
gard Of our church's command. How
much this has affected our collection
for Iowa Wesleyan, and how much it
will affect our already too small at
tendance, have no means of know
ing. But that it does not tend to In
crease either the collection nor fill
our university halls with young men
and women is most apparent.
Building and Improvement.--Wit
the dedication of our church at Monte
yuma in January, the largest building
enterprise of the kind was consum-
mated. In it we have most beauti-
full structure and complete in all OF
it's appointments. 1t stands as a
monument to the faith, prayers and
sacrifice of the pastor and memDer-
ship of that quiet little city. The
cost in round numbers is $4,000,
most of which is already paid and the
balance we'll secured. This church in
which we meet today, Grinnell, has
undergone extensive repairs at cost
of almost $4,000, practically all of
which has been provided for. At
Brooklyn LOO has been expended in
placing a new furnace, relaying the
floors, frescoing, etc, all Of which has
been paid. Delta has beautified their
church and parsonage and added
greatly to the comfort Of the parson-
age at cost of $500, all of which has
been paid. Reasoner circuit has paid
out over $500 for Improvements.
These are perhaps the largest sums
but the aggregate will be close to
| $4,000 during the year.
Debts Paid.-A few churches have
finally paid off their indebtedness
that in some instances have been hard
| to handle. Oskaloosa finally pays her
debt of $4,000, Cedar debt of $2S7.
This leaves an Indebtedness only at
Rose Hill, Spring Valley church and
at What Cheer, the total being $42O.
Ministerial Support. - Nothing has
given me more concern this year than
the support of the men and theiI
| families who have been bringing
things to pass in Oskaloosa district
regret that we cannot show an in
crease in the amount of support
pledged, but am hopeful that when
the final reports are all in to be able
to show an increase in the receipts
The last year book shows deficit Of
/ 5000 on pastor support, exclusive Of
presiding elder and bishops, and this
because of the tardy methods of Off
cial boards. For between the time
the filing of the report and the open
ing of the work this year this amount
was reduced to $315-a sum entirely
too large and entirely uncalled for
The salaries pledged this year aggre
gate $20,S50, or an average of $801.94
That there is dollar of this unpait
is a sad commentary upon the poo
methods, or perhaps no methods, o.
all or some quarterly conferences ant
the failure in part of some men tt
measure up to the requirements o.
ministerial efficiency. If every church
!, could be led to adopt the 'Disciplinar!
Plan" and push that, l am confiden
that there need be no deficiency II
!, Oskaloosa district.
Periodicals.-The circulation of oul
church papers will appear practically
the same as last year, entirely too
small. l am fearful, however, that un
less better business methods are uset
in the offices, that the circulation viii
! grow much less. Many of the pas
tors have had much trouble this yea
with their lists of subscribers because
of reasons entirely without their pow
err to amend. l trust that the repre-
sentative of the book concern will b'
able to straighten this out for the
:, sake of all concerned.
! District conference. Two distrlc
conferences were held this year, thu
J. first at Oskaloosa in November and
the second at Delta in June. Boti
were profitable seasons to the distric
representatives and at Delta especial
ly, of great value to the local church
Conventions.-The Wonnan's For
eign Missionary society and Woman''
Home Missionary society have eaci
! held profitable conventions this year
The former at Newton and the latte
at Montezuma. The Epworth leagues
|. held a good convention at Brooklyn