Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-08-01
BUILDING CHURCHES.
IOttumMa Review.


ties Of Ot:umwa is having serious
financial troubles In yesterdays Re-
view appeared notice of sheriff's sale
OF the property known as the Davis
Street Christian church There is
claim resting against the Christian"
people of South Ottumwa that must
be met and every citizen in Ottumwa
should deeply regret that this state OF
affairs has become SO disturbing that
unless the payment Of debt is made
the property will go under the ham
mer.''
One of the handsomest churches In
this city is the omparatively new edi-
fee referred TO in this court action
They have a number Of very earnest;
faithful. enterprising families in the
membership. They have an uncom-
monty strong pastor in Rev. ". o. LiT-
ingstone and now that regular services
are being held and interest is perhaps
more intensified OF recent months than
ever before it would seem that faith 10
do and TO win over hesrresent diff
culties might be reasonably and spirit
ualIy anticipated.
| II is always a peculiarly regrettable
thing that the church does find its
1 way into legal controversies. 1t is
usually about the last property value
! that finds the way to the legal extrem-
tiles Of debt. but it does happen now
and then in many communities and
South Ottumrva CITES the instance at
this time.
| Ottumwa has twenty-five churches.
| Is the number too great? While II
would seem that inasn-uch as we are
/ all on the way. or should be, to the
same future paradise, sciil the mind OF
man Is curious III its workings and the
result is we have perhaps twice over
too many religious societies. each diff
fering from anot.aer il- form rather
! than in substance OF it's worshiplui
idea
We might be mistaken but it is our
recalled opinion that the christian
church pulpits of Ottum have sound
ed the sentiment frequently and with
marked zeal that the world was com
ing to believe In the consolidation OF
all the churches. in grand union or
ganization. that the christian churcn
was the fastest growing OF all others
and some day would become the great
central church wherin all would wor-
ship. We believe that Evangelist Lock
hart has said as much in the FIST
Christian church OF this city during
special meetings. A, least We can say
this sentiment has been expressed a.
this particular church. And yet tne
number OF Ottumwa religious beiefs
seem to multiply and churches are stu
being built and the world seems u
want to narrow down or broaden gu.
a. YOU may prefer it. and the cs"Fr'
treasurer is still reporting lack o.
funds and the pews of all the churcne'
are scantily filled and we seem 70 d.
moved .cwerd the less sacred tnihss
the clubs. the dance. the motor dfi'e
the shrine o. society and frivoifties IN
Vulnerable that more or less ahhc
present day existence.
ANCIENT But HONORABLE DAYS
IWateroo Reporter.]
The Marshaltown Ttmes-Repuoncai
in a good editorial calls attention u
the passing Of the fireman's tourna
ment. In the opening paragraph
says:
1T used 10 be an important gamer
ing-the fireman's tournament. In Tn
old days Of volunteer 1iremen when TN
Hecla and the vesuvius and Voican'
and other hose companies wed as =
which should throw the first water I'M
fireman business was something 70 III
a boys heart with emulation. 1t wa
something for grown people to cnee
over and bet their money on. Hun
the old days when q hundred nos
teams came roaring into town wnel
the tournament was to be heio theA
was something doing
Yes. and il was clean and heaith'
. doings. 1t took the whole year 10 BE
:, ready and there was always some
thing for the idle boy and young hsl
, to do. While in training for the races
smoking, drinking and other v1ceS ha
, to be cut out. The tournament In sue
. respect was good from the moral sloe
\ 1t was good from the pflys;cs! neus
] weak and frail youngsters with nono'
e. chests grew to strong manhood.
Il From a show side 1t was Sooo enVe1
tafnment and a benefit to the iocs
n community because little OF the re
. receipts went to outside n1anaSefS
k promoters. 1t was In these early 0Ay
u AN event ever ahead 81 hasebau De
. cause the actors were local peopA'
e who were in the sport for glory n
t not for gain.
waterloo was strictly in Il IN %
a tournament game. First with the Re