South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-21
METHODIST MEMORIAL
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
Third Year of ChurCh's Dedica-
ton Observation-Disclosures First
in BeneVOlenCe of State
Or. Edwards breaches.

Sunday marked the third anniver-
sary OF the dedication Of the Methodist
Memorial church which was presented
TO the trustees Of the church by the
children OF the late Adolphus and
Sarah Eberhart as memorial 10 the
parents, who had been lifelong Meth
odists. Appropriate services. mark
ing the event were held in the fore
noon when the pastor. Rev. Or. Loren
NJ. Edwards. preached an excellent
sermon his theme being. Anniversary
Ideals for the Church" At the outset
he spoke on the relationship of min
lister and congregation. and traced
the growth Of the church and Of
MethOdism in Mishawaka since il had
first worshiped in the old building for
a period of forty years.
lie, the speaker, had thought that
if the membership of the church ever
reached one thousand, ne would be
entirely satisfied He had thought
that three years ago because the fig
ures were three hundred on that side
OF the thousand mark. In these three
years conspicuous changes have taken
place; more than 700 people had unit
ed with the church: these have been
children and adults. former MethOdists
moving into the community and men,
bers Of thirteen other denominations.
Three hundred and fifty-seNen had re-
ceived the sacrament Of baptism at the
memorial font. besides 19 baptized
elsewhere.
The Sunday school had doubled in
attendance. the mid-,veek service had
grown fifteen to twenty fold, the va
rious organizations of the church had
grown. the Sunday school had been
fully organized and standardized, the
church had risen from fifth position in
the conference in giving TO the dis
culinary benevolences 10 first, not
only in the conference, but in the
state.
1t had broadened its ministries with
the addition Of a missionary pastor. a
parish visitor and a visiting nurse. In
short IL had become a new type of
church in three years time. The
one word for this anniversary day,
said the speaker "is not achievement,
and certainly not glory but the one
word most fitting for today is Christ.
His figure, now glorified must Occu-
pv the foreground. His spirit must
fill all our hearts, His love must be
the constraining motive for our toll.
II Christ is TO have the preemtnenCe
in our lives that must mean not mere
Is an epOChal experience with which
10 begin the Christian life but a con-
slant attitude OF Difference to Him.
What will that men2 Perhaps many
things but emphatically two things.
First. an unfailing spirit of reverence
for God and for holy things. 1t is a
common. though distressing ohser-
walton. that the age is grossly irrever
ent. sacred things are Grated with con-
tempt. sacred religions are laughed to
scorn. Second, this attitude of defer
ence to Christ would direct our entire
contact with others; il would guide rs
in business. il would decide our soci-
ETY.. il wow determine our recreauons
il would furnish the norm for every
transaction"
In conclusion DR.. Edwards referred
TO the church as a real brotherhood,
its privileges. its tasks, its response
bilities to be shared by all in pro-
portion 20 their powers and abilities.
And this will be true i'm any church
in which Jesus Christ is given the
pre-eminenCe."