The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-04-15
.MFTHODISTS
IN CONFERENCE
Continued from page l

Il WildU Ills -Wilc USilS uliu w w III OiiC
pulpit, though on the other hand he
must not reject criticism, as it is Of
ten beneficial.
Rev. w. H. Farrell of Wadena led
the discussion which followed. Mr..
Farrell is consummate actor and Tor
ten minutes took off the mannerisms
of many pulpit orators in manner
that convulsed his hearers.
The afternoon session opened with
devotional exercises led by DIR. Cleave-
land, who read the story of the prodi-
gal son, giving it life and meaning
not ordinarily given by the average
reader. DIR. Cleaveland gave this
reading upon special invitation extern
ded by the conference at the morning
session. -.
Following this came symposium
on sermon building consisting of four
papers. Rev. r. G. Green of Akeley
took the topic Selection of Texts.
The text, he claimed, should be select
ed with the greatest care. Let the
sermon grow out of the text. If the
congregation forgets the sermon, let
the text remain in their minds. The
text should be short; suited to the
varying conditions. Sometimes an
ethical sermon is demanded, again
doctrinal, etc. The bible should be the
guide and the chief source of know
ledge to the preacher. The preacher
should select his text with prayer and
avoid misfts.
| "Choice of Illustration" was handl-
ed by Rev. J. G. Jewell of Little Falls.
Mr.. Jewell emphasized the Importance
of illustration and named nature, ex-
perience etc. as suitable sources of
illustrations. Lives of missionaries
also are good sources. The best illus
tration is the one which brings out
seriously the truth the preacher wish
es to impress. The preacher must
adapt his illustrations to the needs of
his congregation.
In the absence of Rev. J. H. Den
niston of Bemidji, Rev. L. H. Koch
of Melrose spoke on Selection of Ser
monic MATERIAL. Mr.. Koch held that
the preacher should give expression to
and make use of the common stock of
material on the topic handled. He
should give the people something to
think about. He should stir men on
the great topics of the gospel and
cause them to think. He emphasized
the Importance of adaptation to the
needs in hand, when selecting mater
ial. The minister should live in a
spiritual atmosphere: if he does he
will get the right kind of maberial.
''The Length of Sermons was ably
handled by Rev. J. II. Keppel of Ogil-
vie, a bright little Irishman vino has
spent many years in, the pulpit and
who made the hit of the afternoon.
The sermon, he said, should be long
enough to reach from the text to the
heart. The essential essence of SER
mon is not ethics but to persuade.
There is difference between being
| ieterested in a sermon and being in
terested in asoul. "As soon as we
have said the right thing, then it is
time to STOP" averred the speaker in
closing.
Discussion followed during which
remarks were made by DR.. J. A. Du-
Bois and Rev. T. F. Oadams of ST.
Cloud. DR.. Dubois thought there is
too great tendency to count results
by numbers; many men have lived
and preached whose labors were not
largely evident until after they had
died. He believed a man should speak
straight from the shoulder his earnest
convictions.
Adjournment followed. after which
the delegates and visitors had a group
picture taken.
A number of invited guests took
supper in the lecture room served by
the ladies of the church.
| An incident of the afternoon session,
was the adoption of resolution pro-
testing against the recent passage of
bill legalizing Sunday base ball and
calling upon the governor to veto it.
DR.. Andrew Gillies, who was on the
| program for a lecture on Jean VAL
jean" Wednesday evening, was detain-
ed by sickness, so the missionary pro-
gram scheduled for tonight was sub
stituted. Three addresses were de-
livered as follows: "The Why of
Missions" Rev. Chas. Fox Davis of
Brainerd: What Modiethsrh is Doing
for Home and Foreign Missions"
Rev. w. III. Farrell, Wadena: "How
to Create Enthusiasm i'm Missions"
Rev. J. III. Keppel, Ogilvie. Mr.. DAY.
is said the 'Why" of missions had
it's origin i'm Christ's command to
$50 into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature. Mr..
Farrell gave facts and figures and
told the touching story of a cultured
young WON an who sacrificed her life
in Africa for the heathen. Mr.. KEEP
pei laid great stress upon conservation
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