The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-10
FIRST M. &. Church Celebrates.

The banquet given Friday night at
che First Methodist church to cele~
arate the raising Of its total indebt-
eNtness was an event in some respects
GntGue in the history of the church
aud one that will mover be Forgotten
ny those present.
Fully $50 guests sat down to an
elegant repast furnished by the
Ladies Aid society. The EpworCh
saeague had charge of the dining
cunm. which was crowded to its full.
capacity, and we'll they performed
4heir part. A spirit of gladness and
enthusiasm was present throughout
W. A. Upham was the toastmaster'
No a few we'll chosen words he gave
one keynote Of the occasion. 1t was;
First Church. free from debt, ready
Tor her larger mission" and the
spirit in which this could be worked
out vas the spirit of the angel song
stu ringing in our hearts from the
Christmas tide. Then with felicitous
characterization and side-splitiing
anecdotes he introduced every speak
er. Rev. +. c. Dewey, speaking as
church "neighbor" congratulated
FIRST church on it's achievement and
pleaded for closer cooperation.
n. r. Fertig, in spicy address in
nana!f of our New Members said
he had found his association with the
church one of the greatest religious
Inspirations OF his life, and specially
boosted for the Galilean Bible class
IT which he is president.
Miss Mable Ferry in a sparkling
address on THE Church as Seen
Frcxn the Choir Loft" said it was the
a5rst speech she had ever made; that
aer public work had nearly all been
done through her bow" but she
'praceeded to thrust few"pins' where
ali teIt they were needed by pastor
and congregation. At the conclu-
aian Of her remarks the choir, watch
was seated on the platform, gave
choir yell that might make college
rootcrs green with envy.
y. VI. Christian, who has given this
church over a quarter century OF
service. conspicuous for faithfulness
and efficiency, spoke forcibly and feel
Kngly of the church in its relation to
the, religious and civic life Of the
community, and especially of her
long list of pastors who have given
heroic service to church and city.
Miss Ethel Smoyer's address on
Gzas literary gem. In language
Heautiful in its diction, and vibrant
With devotional fervor, she placed
che new blocks in the temple wall
side by side with the weatherbeaten
ones, grown venerable through SER
VICE And these blocks are permeat-
s,F with love, faith, hope, loyalty, and
are the prophecy Of bright future
Tor The church.
Mrs. Minnie White was at her best
IN her address on Our Women.
With characteristic skill she traced
2he history of the women of the
church, some of whom are mothers
ia Israeli while others have joined
the shining company of the re-
deemed in heaven. Some had beon
officers or faithful workers in the
ladies Aid Society, others in the wo-
naaus missionary societies, and some
Ssr, service unobserved by the eyes OF
meu. They have made. possible the
cAurch, of today.
C. w Jennings, chairman of the
a0iafrtTng committee by whom the
canvass to raise the church debt was
successfully made, and to whom much
srHdJt is due for the achievement,
s:naSs briefly on "How we did it." He
said we did it by hearty cooperation
and self-sacrifice.
~. II Blood spoke in a straight
forward way of Oar Future Needs
We need to enlarge our vision Of our
ahsrcn's duties md opportunities.
Tais, viii require greater libera!itv
IN sur giving, but the results achiev-
SD will justify the sacrifice.
Tue closing address was made by
Eev.- A. b. Leonard, D. d., district
superintendent. lie congratulated
tire. church on it's achievement and
pr0phesied for it a splendid future.
TITS address abounded in wit ond
swmor, and telling quotations from
has favorite roems.
Tie music of the evening was ex-
S4ptionally pleasing and appropriate
There was one selection by the choir
a suet by the Misses Lillian and Es-
1uer Vogel, violin solo by Geo.
sbeld OF Lansing, and a solo by Orrin
Jennings. Several encores were re-
szn0nded to.
The new year opens auspiciously
fni- the church A new zeal and con-
!ses.ration for the work of the Master
xrg spparent on every hand.
Impure blood runs you down-makes