The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1909-12-03
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION
Hon. b. Heckert one of the Speak
ers. Rev. Stansell Elected Pres.

ers. Rev StanselI Elected Pres.
The ministerial association of Van
Buren, county held its semi-annual meet
ing at South Haven on Monday, Novem-
ber 30 THIS proved to be one of the
best. il not the best, meetings in the
history of the association. Paw Paw
was we'll represented. Revs. NJ Grigsby
and q Gilbert Stansell were the minis
teriai delegation and Judge Heckert the
lay delegate. And the Judge felt at
home among the men of the cloth. He
might have passed for a bishop.
The morning program consisted OF an
automobile ride covering the length and
breadth OF South Haven. Four big cars
kindly loaned by South Haven citizens
were filled by the preachers. At l:30
the program of big talk and inspira-
ton began. The president, Rev w.
III. Walker, gave a short opening address
followed by an address on The Power,
of Christion Song" 10y Rev. r. Tench of
Bangor. Mr.. Tench handled his subject
in a mastery manner. Rev r. +.
Lilley of Hartford gave a strong address
on Successful T. ,ange,ism" This
speech vas full of good things.
The business meeting was held at
p m, aud Paw Paw was hOnored by the
election of Rev. Stansell as president for
the ensuing year.
The afternoon program closed with
round table talk; subject, "My Best
Thought" All the ministers partici
pated in this exercise At o'clock the
ministers and guests we're invited 10 the
dining room of the Congregational
church, where delightful banquet was
served. Father Williams of the Catholic
church sat down TO eat with the breth-
rem. On his right hand sat Methodist
preacher, on his left Disciple minister,
across the table a Presbyterian parson
and at the end of the table Congrega-
tional clergyman and a Baptist elder.
And they all seemed to know what to
do with the chicken pie; they certainly
were equal to the OCCASION
After supper came the toasts Brother
GrIgsbv led off with fish story and it
was big one. At 1880 the big meeting
in the interest of local option was held
in the Congregational church A large
representative audience gathered to
hear the addresses. Judge b. r. Heckert
former resident of South Haven, was
the drawing card ard he proved more
than equal to the occasion. He delivered
strong speech, the gist of which was
delivered on Sunday night in our own
city. He gave the history of the TEN
perance movement. He also gave the
! temperance people and the preachers a
| few warm words OF advice. He declared
/ that he always had been on the temper.
ance side, but that be had been defeated
by the temperance people because they
thought he was a booze fighter, but they
were mistaken.
Hon. l.. u. Stewart of Battle Creek
ex prosecutor of Calhoun county, gave
! the second address. He proved and
showed how successful local option was
in Battle Greek and answered some oi
the false statements of the Battle Creek
Moon, whose publisher, Mr.. Stewart
declared owned some of the shacks
which had formerly been rented at high
rentals by the saloon people, and through
local option the publisher of the Moon
had been deprived of his high rent
Hence local option was running him in a
financial way. But the business men of
Battle Creek were heartily in favor OF
local option, so stated Mr.. Stewart.
Supt. Bauer of Traverse City, repre-
sentative of the anti saloon league, was
the last speaker. He gave a short ten.
perance speech which was enjoyed by
all. The people Of South Haven have
no intention of admitting the saloon
into their borders. This was evidenced
hy the enthusiasm displayed at this
evenings session.
The next meeting of the association
will be held in Paw Paw in May. The
ministers of the county are banded to.
gesner for the defense of Van Bureu ~
county against the saloon.