Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-02-02
MISS WILLIAMS IS
PASTOR OF Church
Called By Friends to This
City From PastOrate In
{ Far North Country

Miss Ethel Williams, of 1776 Fair
grounds road, holds rather unique po
sition in the city, that of pastor in Sa
lem of the Church of God. She breaches
|. at the regular services Sundays ano
has charge of the regular Wednesday
evening prayer meetings. Having been
in charge of the Church of God al
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for several
years, she came here last October at
the urgent call of friends, as the church
here had no regular pastor. Since that
time she has been actively engaged in
the work, although the church at Saska-
toon is awaiting her return.
Miss Williams first became interest
ed in the Church Of God about II years
ago, while living near Grand Valley,
Ontario. Frequently at meetings held,
when no regular pastor was present, she
felt called upon to speak, feeling that
she had message to deliver. Continu-
ing in the work of the church, she felt
more the responsibility of helping 9TH
er people and as the call to preach be-
came stronger, she was ordained at
Grand Valley and took up her first
charge at DashwOod, Ontario. Here she
was in charge of the church for two
years, later being placed in charge of
the Church of God at Dundalk, and
Welland, Ontario.
Two years was passed as assistant
pastor at Edmonston, Alberta, in a
church that had members and congre-
cation of several hundred. Her next
charge was at Saskatoon, Saskatche-
wan, where she remained for two years,
as active pastor of church with an
attendance of more than 100.
Not only for the benefit of her health
but from the calls of friends and the
feeling that her work was in this field,
Miss Williams came to Salem, and since
then has had active charge of the
church and its work.
"The term Church of God" said
Miss Williams, "is taken from the
Bible. We have no discipline, no creed.
We take the Bible as it is and believe
that if ali Christians could get togeth-
er, regardless of creed, they would ex-
ert a greater force and influence in the
world. The Church of God is trying to
gather together His people, like in the
early DAYS of the church.
The Church of God. in its organiza-
tion, comes direct from the people
Those with message, may preach. The
church believes in immersion after con-
version. Anyone having been saved
NAV become member of the church.
The services Of the church are much
the same as others. The pastor is main
tanned through free will offerings, with
no stated salary. The teachings of the
church come direct from the Bible, be-
heving that unity among Christians
would accomplish more for the good of
people than a diversity of creeds.
The Church of God, of which Miss
Williams is pastor, was built about
four years ago at 1776 Fairgrounds
road, and at present the average at
tendance is close to so.
Although the church at Saskatoon is
awaiting her return, Miss Williams saws
that her future depends upon what she
regards as her duty and if she remains
here, it will be from the fact that 81
is called to this work. Miss Williams
lives with her mother in q cosy little
home near the church.
In explaining the belief of the mem.
bers of the Church of God, Miss Will.
liams said: "We believe to be saved
and really given up to serve the Lord.
brings such joy and blessing, that the
heart is fully satisfied and there is a
power there to enable you to do right
in every circumstance.