Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-04-18
HOLY week SERVICES
OPEN AUSP|C|0USLY
Initial Meeting Of Series at Congre-
gational Church Rev. Ba-
Der Speaks.

The special meetings scheduled
through Holy Week at the Congre-
gational church began auspiciously
last night. Notwithstanding the.
counter attraction at the armory OPP
era house, fair audience gathered
for the first service. AS announced,
the sermon was preached by Rev. E.
R. Baber, pastor Of the United Breth-
ern church. Rev. G. V. Pence Offer
ed prayer, and Mrs. 0. j. Henderson
sang devotional solo. The service
was in charge of the pastor OF the
church. ...s \, y
Mr.. Baber preached a very strong
sermon which produced a helpful
and devotional atmosphere. The sub
ject was "The Authority of Jesus"
and the sermon was based on the
story of Jesus displeasure with the
leafy but fruitless fig tree as told IN
the gospel account Of his last week.
Jesus comes looking for fruit in all
our modern institutions, the speaker
said, and the question was: VIII the
Master be pleased with what he finds
on the various trees o. our modern
life.
Modern society. the secular press,
institutions of education, current
politics, the home and the church
were the trees Mr.. Baber examined
last night in search Of the fruit the
Master might commend. The an
alysis of these institutions was keen,
logical and conclusive, and in a quiet
but forceful manner the preacher
drove home truths calculated to
deepen and quicken the spiritual
life. The preachers remarks on the
unacceptable bondage of modern So
ciety were much appreciated, and he
had some strong things to say about
the yellow press as we'll as not a lit
tie sincere COMMUNICATION for the way
the press of our time is clearing it
self of Objectionable advertisements.
There was a strong plea for religious
education in higher institutions OF
learning.
Rev. Baber's analysis of modern
home life and the contrast between
it and the Christians home in which
he had the good fortune to have
been brought up, was a classic IN its
lime. The speakers point here was
illuminated from a page in the ex-
perience of the late Henry Wallace
Of Des Moines. Mr.. Baber closed his
sermon with plea for the church,
desiring it to bring forth abundantly
the kind of fruit that would most
surely win the approval OF the Mas
ter.
Mr.. Baber is a pleasant speaker.
His manner is quiet, forceful and eff
fectiye. He appeals to reason, and
he knows how to play on the deep
religious emotion in normal folk At
times his words are eloquent. His
thought is strong and eloquent al
ways. The United Brethren people
are to be congratulated on their news
minister. His visit to the Congre-
gational pulpit was much appreciate
ed and will be pleasantly remember
ed.
The sermon tonight will be
preached by Rev. C. H. Kamphoef-
ner, pastor of the Methodist church,
and the subject will be '"rhe Christ
Conferred Life Service commences
at 1880. The object of this series of
meetings is the deepening and quick
ening of the spiritual life in a man
ner that will bring others into the
kingdom. The meeting last night
had fine spiritual atmosphere, and
the prospect is that the meetings will
increase in grace and power. They
are not merely for Congregational
lists. All who desire to follow the
footsteps of the Master through the
incidents of his last week in the flesh |
will find these Holy Week services
helpful, and will also find very
hearty welcome. All who read these
are invited to attend the
service tonight.
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