Omaha daily bee., 1916-09-30
MIDDLE WEST BEST
PLACE OF ALL TO LIVE
Bishop Stuntz of Methodist
Church Lauds It as Center
of Religious Life.
HOME OF PURITAN IDEALS

Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas are
closer to heaven than any other spot
on the globe-,and I've covered the
greater part of it-meaning the globe
said Bishop Homer c. Stuntz, when
he arose to address an audience that
overAowed the First Methodist church
to bid him welcome to his four-year
task OF presiding over 1900 pastor
ates in Iowa and Nebraska during
the coming year.
Think it over. The middle west
has furnished more leaders for the
cause of Christianity than any other
locality. Is the Christian religion of
the United States centered in New
York; No That state is sagging
with unassimilated immigrants.
World Heade' This Way.
During the years have been i'll
the foreign field / have been told by
men close in touch with the situation
that it is a question of not more than
one year when T5,000.000 people will
be crowded out Of Asia, 45,000,000
out of India and 275,000,000 out Of
Africa. There are but two logical
places for them to go, North and
South America. 1t will be but few
years until Omaha's 22S,000 will be
increased to 100000. That's why
have come to join you to help solve
the problems.
"Only few people have come to
realize the wealth and fertility Of
the middle west. The Mississippi and
Missouri valleys offer opportunities
unsurpassed along religious as well
as investment lines. When ] crossed
the Missouri in the early '70's in the
attempt to practice law shot, jack
rabbits to keep body and soul to-
gether. little foresaw the advance
ment.
Puritan Ideals Here.
To-day the ideals OF the Puritans
are not conferred around Boston.
They are congregated about Omaha
the push and energy that has made
western people prosperous. Men Of
the middle west are the men who
have throttled the drink traffic, and
it will be only a few months until
we make Nebraska as dry as the
Sahara. And that old desert is some
dry because I've crossed it and |
know. The leadership of the moral
world today ha' come from the Mis-
souri, and Mississippi valleys"
Chimney Corner Waiting.
"Come right in and sit down in
the chimney corner of our hearts"
was the closing remark of DR., J. F.
Poucher of Trinity church. the re-
turned chaplain of the Nebraska
troops on the Mexican border.
Lincoln and Omaha Methodists
have forgotten their rivalry and on
behalf of St. Paul's church of Lin
coin and the entire Nebraska dele
CATION bid you welcor,e," said the
Rev. T. w. Jeffrey of Lincoln. The
splendid city by the Missouri has ac-
complished results. Your achieve
ments are our achievements" DR..
Jeffrey, we'll known as an Indiana
chautauqua lecturer added spicy re-
marks regarding his experience with
the Hoosier COW, the Indiana hoe
and the team of Cleveland bays"
that brought applause.
A. F. Stryker, traffic manager of
the Union Stock Yards, welcomed
the bishop on behalf of the laymen
of the churches of Omaha.
District Superintendent Ulysses
Grant Brown of Omaha was the pre-
siding officer.
Bishop Stuntz will have charge of
1900 pastors in the Iowa and Ne
braska field. His headquarters will
besin Omaha.
Bishop Stuntz will address Com
mercial club members at noon today.