Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-07-22
Another Alma Denomination
Doing Fine Work For
Community
PRESBYTERIAN CHI URIC H
Mission Work Emphasized BY Pastor
w. H. Mason And Congregation
Has Been Started

The First Presbyterian church Of
this city is enjoying a wholesome and
steady growth. Every one who passes
along West Superior street is delight
ed with the splendid building that
houses this congregation. Every year
since 1901, when the first service was
held in this structure, has seen a larg-
er membership and more aggressive
work being carried on by the devoted
company of people who constitute the
congregation. The church Sabbath
School, Mr.. Frank McConkey, Super
intendent, is manned by an exception
ally able and faithful body of teach
ers. During the last three years many
Of the classes have been thoroughly
organized and in each case the classes
have shown a remarkable growth. The
Sabbath School now has the largest
enrolment and average attendance in
all its history Two years ago the
popular play ground with its swings,
teeter boards and lawn tennis court
was added to the church equipment.
The opportunity for wholesome enjoy
ment which this play ground affords
to the young people of Alma is no
small contribution to our community
life. Two years ago a branch Sabbath
school was organized on The Heights
in the east end Of the city and this
school with an enrolment Of 20 has
been vigorously maintained without
interruption thus bringing Sabbath
School privileges to the very door of
many because of distance from the
churches of the city found it difficult
to be in regular attendance upon the
previously organized Sabbath Schools.
Much Of the prosperity of this lusty
child of the church is due to the un-
firing devotion of its superintendent
Prof. +. n. Notestein. The church is
earnestly cooperating with the other
churches and civic organizations of AL
ma, in seeking to keep Alma, model
city. Because of its large college con-
stituency the church wields an infiu-
ence and occupies a place of vantage
far wider than is possible to most
churches located in towns the size of
Alma. From all over Michigan, there
come each year host of young people
under the influence of the church, and
whose lives are in the making for lead
ership in the church and the kingdom.
In addition to its local work the church
is enthusiastically pressing out in SER
vice in the fields of Home and Foreign
Mission Endeavor. This year it has
taken the support of V. X. Besh-
getoor, home missionary whose field
centered at Engodine, Michigan, COW
ers a circuit Of a hundred miles. The
accompanying cut of Mr.. Beshgetoor,
shows him just starting on a tour of
his pioneer field. Thus the Presbyter-
ian church of Alma, is multiplying its
usefulness on the frontier of the king
dom. The church has also assumed
the support of a Foreign Mission par
ish at Using Tau, China, under the
charge of Rev. Ernest Scott, that
splendid son of Alma, whose work has
proven such vital factor in the rapid
ly changing life of the orient Since
April lst, 1915. 141 have been receiv-
ed into the membership of the church.
And the wholesomeness of this growth
is proven in the fact that the congre-
cations gifts for local expenses show
a 30 per cent increase over previous
years and its benevolent gifts show an
increase of 54 per cent. Our active
Ladies Aid Society, an exceptionally
enthusiastic Woman's Missionary So
ciety and healthy Y. P. S. C. E. faith.
fully conserve the life of the church ir
their several fields. No account of the
church would be complete without
J mention being made of its music. Prof
, j. t. Ewing's services at the organ
; have been notable through many years
He has brought to this service talen
and devotion of the very highest order
Under the wise direction of very eff
, cient music committee, a splendic
J chorus choir, mems chorus and lad
les chorus conspire together to suppl,
: every service of the church with tn,
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