The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-07-18
ARE FREE FROM DEBT
Sunday Was Great Day For oska-
loosa Methodists


The Methodist denomination in Os-
kaloosa IL entirely out of debt and its
three churches are rejoicing over the
great result of Sundays rally services.
Many were the faithful ones VINO re,
sponded to the cali for help and lift
ed the burden of debt from the shout
ders of their institutions. Altogether
sum of practically $4,000 was raised
by members of the denomination in
the one day and surely all have reason
to give thanks for the flourishilg con-
dition which all three churche" are
enjoying.
The greatest service ever enjoyed
in local Methodism was the re-opening
of the Central NJ E. church Sunday,
after the building had been newly freS-
coed and carpeted and re-fltted
throughout, making it as attractive a
church as could be found IN the state
of Iowa. Not only were the hearts
of the congregation opened, but their
pocketbooks as well, and with a hun
dred helpers or more the expense OF
renovating tn, building, amounting to
$4,000, was all provided for. Geo.
Ramsay started the flow Of mercury
n the thermometer which had been
erected and with the 800 start 1t
slowly climbed to it, midway mark
with sums over $25. but from then
on all were given a cnance to lift and
with gifts Of all sizes the index
climbed until, amid the enthusiastic
thanksgivings of the earnest members
of the congregation, the goal was
reached and the church twas declared
out Of '1ebt.
The pastor, Rev. J. w. Someryille,
spoke in words of the highest COM
mendation of the work of the three
contractors who had taken charge of
the improvements and awarded much
praise to Mrs. Fannie E. Stull, w, H.
Shaw and r. A. Kent, the committee
in charge of the work, whom, ne ex-
planned, mad worked for nothing and
boarded themselves"
DR.. j. C. Willets the presiding elder
of the Oskaloosa district, conducted
the services of the day and preached
two excellent sermons. Taking his
text from the eleventh and twelfth
verses of Its Pet. 2, in the morning he
spoke on the Divine Expectation of
the Human Life" He emphasized
the thought that the salvation of the
world from sin is the Divine purpose
and idea ald that the Lord intends to
bring this world back to himself, but
in doing so will use the aid of Chris
tian men.
Continuing with his text he said
that conversation is a true index of
character upon the conduct of our
lives as marked by the conversation of
our lips. AS three guides to molly
conversation he said that it should be
truthful, kind and necessary.
A large chorus choir under the d.
rection of Mrs. Della B. Davies led
the singing and Roy Kemble gave a
beautiful rendering of Chas. Barn
houses THE Lord Is My Shepherd"
In the evening Rev. Willets also
spoke and took his text from Gen. 49,:
49,. His theme was the development
of character as the great purpose of
the gospel
A. M. E. Church Is Made Happy.
Three rally services were held in the
African Methodist Episcopal church,
led by their pastor, Rev. T. b. Stovall,
Sunday. The crying need of the or
ganization has been for some means
of meeting their debt of 800, and all
was cleared away at the afternoon
service when Rev. Somerville Of the
Central NJ. E. church preached. $S5.S7
in cold cash was placed on the table
as the audience marched around and
gave their free will offering. Within
a few minutes pledges and notes gave
security for the remainder, making a
total of $102.S7, and second rejoicing
wa7 held by a Methodist flock.
The Union Service.
The special service at the Methodist
church detracted some from the at
tendance at the union evening church
service, but a good meeting was en-
joyed. Mrs. H. o. Davis of the Chris
tian church led the singing and rem
dered a pleasing and effective vocal
solo. Rev. Petri of the First Reform
ed church delivered the sermon on the
supreme Importance of the spiritual
over the carnal. He took for mis- text
Math. "A: Man shall not live by
bread alone" The sermon was inter,
estflg and helpful.
Union Young Peoples Meeting.
President OF the Local Union Merrill
Coffin led the union meeting of the
young people of the city at the Chris,
tia1 church Sunday evening. which
was we'll attended. The subject for
the evening was Prayer" ald Rev.
r. w. Hughes gave short but help
full address Oh that important subject
He chose for his text, Ps. 1896.
JUMPED FROM BRIDGE.