The Mankato free press., 1915-11-05
Reception Given Rev. and Mrs. w. r
keesey at Fairfield.

Hecepttcn GIVEN Kew. and MRS. w. X.
keesey at Fairfield.
Fairfield Daily Journal: The base
ment of the First Methodist church
was filled to its capacity last evening
when about 500 members of the
church, and CONGREGATION were pres
ent' TO welcome the new pastor OF the
church. Rev. W.. r. Keesey and his
family. Bright colored autumn leaves
were used prettily in decorations and
at the close of the program sixteen
young ladies of the church presided
over four punch bowls and light re-
freshments served in the primary
room adjoining. The occasion was
commented upon as one OF the most
thoroughly enjoyable and the welcome
most cordial r'.
&C. h. Ward had charge of the pro-
gram which followed the reception
and his ability as the witty director
OF an evenings program was never
more marked than last night.
s. A. Power, financial secretary Of
the church. welcomed the new pas
tor and his family. ON behalf of the
official board. He, alluded TO the fact
that the church always has been Icy
nj to its pastors and that tho recent
change came solely as result of DR.
Lathrop's desire to ba on the coast.
The church had not sent for Rev.
Reesey. but that did not indicate that
his welcome was not of the most cor
dial nature. In humorous vein he in
formed the new pastor that I'm addi-
tion to the preaching, each of the L.
100 members would expect pastoral
call once week throughout the year
and that his entire family shall work
unremittingly for the congregation
and see that no ono Is displeased with
anything about the church. ~.
William Phipps. president of the
Epworth league, in most cordial
and humorous nature spoke I'm behalf
of the young people Of the church.
saying that the young people of the
pastors were needed in the league
where the welcome would be most
hearty. .f - T.
In brief remarks J. III. Stuckey. su-
perintendent of the Sunday school.
expressed the cordial feeling of that
organization.
Mrs. NJ. Chilcott. representing the
women of the church In the Aid So
ciety. the Home and Foreign Mis-
sionary societies. the w. c. T. ". and
the various other activities. made evil
dent the sincerity OF her broad wei
come She was pleased that the
pastors family came from a northern
state where the women are noted for
their activity in all worthy enter
prises. - ~. 80
Rev. w. w. BarkIey. pastor. of the
English Lutheran church and presi-
dent OF the ministerial association,
was called upon and in very happily
chosen remarks reminded Rev. Kee-
sey that while he came to the largest
church i'm Fairfield. half Of the peo-
pie were without church connection.
Betterment of the community as a
whole is the ideal OF the Ministerial
association and Rev. Keesey's coun-
sci and assistance are desired.
Mrs. Keesey was called upon. and
in few remarks expressed her ap-
probation of the cordial reception
and pledged her best endeavors to
the work of the church.
Rev. Keesey responded In pleasing
manner to the welcome OF the church
and Ministerial association. He said
that he anticipated an easy years
work here because he had so many to
help him. His former, church num-
bered 44s members, while here IL Is
over 1.100. This should make the
work more than twice as easy. He
said the transfer was not Of shis ar
but that the welcome was so
cordial he had already embibed the
Fairfield spirit.
!. During the evening musical num-