The Oskaloosa herald., 1910-09-08

ANNUAL SESSION
Iowa Conference of Methodist Epis-
copaI Church at Pella.
ONE OF THE FOUR DISTRICTS
Bishop Luther B. Wilson, o. D., L. L.
D., of Philadelphia, is Presiding
History of the Church at Pei
la-Take Examinations.
(By Rev. w. A. Longnecker.)

|
enth annual session of the Iowa con
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
church convened in this city. thin
morning, with Bishop Luther B. Will
son, d. D., l.. L. D., of Philadelphia
Pa, presiding.
The conference comprises practical
ly eighteen counties in southeastern
Iowa and is divided into four districts
which are under the supervision OF
the following four men as district sup
erintendents: G. L. Stafford, Oska,
loosa district; ]. A. Boatman, Musca
tine district; j. NJ. McClelland, Bur.
lington, district, and H. N. Smith
Ottumwa district.
In these four districts are 1873 pas.
toral charges, with 1874 parsonages,
valued at $685., 100000, and 800 church
buildings, with valuation of $1,313,-
| $4,000. These churches have a mem
hership of 34,576, while 30,210 are en-
rolled in the Sunday schools. 1874 Ep-
worth League chapters have a mem
bership of SITS and the forty Junior
League chapters 1888 members. Last
year these churches contributed $685.
654.00 for benevolences.
From Warnings History of the Iowa
Conference we take the following re-
garding our church at Pella: "A 81
ciety was formed there in 1855 by Rev.
Joseph Brooks, p. E., with Rev. H. G.
Clark as pastor. at was connected
with what was called Mahaska Cir
cult. G. T. Clark, w. F. Boston, r. H.
Hamilton, j. f. Woodside, Horace
Strickland and John Greenwood sign
ed the articles of incorporation. In
1856 a lot was bought IN the soath
part of town and frame church, Box
40, erected. In 1862, while Benjamin
Holland was pastor, the society
having become affected by political
strife and discharged by the debt on
the church building, sold the property
to the Baptists. An effort to reorgan-
iZe the society was made in 1864 I'M
der Rev. E. r. Frost, but he remain
ed only about six months, his place
being supplied by A. Freeman. In
1865 Rev. |. o. Kemble was sent to
Pella, and remained three years.
Under him a second church was built
in the west part of town, which was
occupied Jan. l, 1866, though not COM
pleted till the next June The next
year this chuch proved to be too small
and was sold. A new structure, 35x
30 feet, with basement and class
rooms was built. This left a debt
which the society was unable to pay,
so in 1870 this property was sold to
| the Dutch Reformed. The brethren
addressed themselves the same year
to the putting up of a fourth church
in the town, which was dedicated by
Rev. L. B. Dennis, P. E. In 1871 the
building was seriously injured by a
storm, but was repaired. Since that
time it has been greatly improved"
The valuation of the church now is
$500, and of the parsonage, $4,000
The membership numbers almost 200
and there are 268 enrolled in all de,
partments of the S. S. The church
pays a salary of 100000 and the
rental value of the parsonage is fixed
at $4,000. The present pastor, Geo
f. Monkman, with his brother, Jesse
did evangelistic work for several
years, but both joined the conference
! in 1904. Pastor Monkman is now
closing his fourth year with the Pells
| church.
On Tuesday preceding the opening
| session the younger men of the con
ference met for the purpose of taking
written examinations in a prescribed
course of study covering four years
This work is under the supervision
of twenty men appointed by the Bish
op for a period of four years. Young
men applying for admission to the
conference are also present to take
entrance examinations. When two
years of this course of study has been
completed. their pastoral and pulpit
work having proven satisfactory, the
men are admitted to full membership
in the conference and ordained dea
cons. On the completion Of the full
course, they are ordained Elders and
are then eligible for any office in the
church.
Last year at conference number Of
! laymen from the various churches
came together and effected an organi
cation called, The Iowa Conferences
I.aymens' Association, and the follow
ing officers were elected for one year
/ President. ]. NJ. Beck. Centeryille'
secretary, L. H. Morgan. Burlington
treasurer. c. y. Ward, Fairfield; vice
presidents, R. @. Popham. MaFengo
! A. w. Shearer. Winfield, John Moler
Montezuma. J wormbouds, Ottpmwa
David Lodwick. Mystic Each pastors
! charge shcsld be represented ~ iss'
delegates. The sessiops efe to b
a a