Charlevoix county herald., 1917-02-23
Will Be Helpful
to Our City
Loose Evaneelistic Party as Seen
By Rev. Sidebotham.

Saturday and Sunday Feb. 3 and 4,
| visited Allegan to learn what / could
of the work of the Loose Evangelistic
Party, which comes to East Jordan on
March 25th. What found there may
be of interest to others, and take this
means of informing all who care to
read this letter.
The Party is composed Of five men,
bers, DR.. and Mrs. Loose, Prof. Willgus
Mr.. F. A. Clark and the Rev. H. G.
Bowden. DR.. Loose is the preacher
and has general supervision Of the
work. He is speaker of fine presence
ard convincing logic. His appeals are
directed not primarially to the feelings
as much as to the reasoning faculties.
He is kindly, courteous and thorough
gentleman. | am satisfied that when
the people of East Jordan have become
acquainted with him, they will find that
he is a man with a strong message, and
one whose preaching will prove beni-
ficial to our community.
Mrs. Loose has charge OF all the
Woman's Work. In Allegan she has
won the confidence of the women of
the community, women OF all classes.
She is Southerner OF the best type of
the south. A woman OF education, re-
and of the family. II may
be interesting to learn that her sister
is the wife OF President Wilson's bro
ther. This fact l did not learn from
Mrs. Loose herself.
Prof. Willgus has charge of the music
of the meetings, and he is singer and
leader far beyond the average. In
Allegan he had a choir of nearly 100
voices, and when | heard them sing
they showed the result OF good leading
Mr.. Willgus most wonderful work in
Allegan is perhaps among the people
OF the High School. Nearly every
student of the high school has been
won to Christ in these meetings. In
connection with Mr.. Clark who has
charge of the Young Peoples work,
Mr.. Willgus has been able to do a work
that there is no way to value.
MIR. Clark, the pianist, is a new MEM
Der with the Loose Party, and it ap-
pears to me has added great strength.
His work at the piano was excellent,
and it was largely thru his playing that
Prof Willgus was able to accomplish SO
much with the choir.
Mr.. Bowden was sick at home when
visited Allegan, and so of him cannot
write as fully. He has charge of the
organization and Mems Work. But
many people spoke very highly of the
energy and push with which he enter
ed into the Campaign. They all agreed
that he was live wire.
The results of the meetings were
good. About 500 people signed cards
declaring their intention to live for
Christ. About 400 more of the Church
Members signed cards declaring their
intention to re-consecrate themselves
to the Master. The Pastor OF the M. E.
Church told me he expected to have
double the membership in his church.
The pastor of the Presbyterian Church
says that work has been helpful far be-
yond his expectations. The opinion Of
newspaper man may be interesting.
Mr.. Reed, editor of the Allegan Gazette
who is not himself church member,
told me that beyond all question the
Campaign had been the means Of great
moral Improvement in the lives OF man
people. He himself is one OF the most
faithful members OF the choir.
These facts make me believe that the
Loose Party will be Of great help to
East Jordan.
Sincerely,
REV. r. s. SIDEBOTHAM.