Baxter Springs news., 1919-01-03
THE METHOD|STS
ENJOY BIC DAY
Informal Opening Of the Fine
New Church Drew a Large
Crowd of People to
New Edifce
BY J. w. Kaltenbach

The program that had been planned
and previously announced IN the
Daily Citizen, by the Methodists fol
opening the church basement, or, as
Rev. John Garretson chose to call it
the slower Temple" was carried out
in full with q large attendance and
splendid demonstration Of the spirit
of church fellowship. The day broke
clear and keen with just enough frost
in the air to make one step lively. Mr.,
R. M. Gilman with his corps Of teach
ers assembled at the library rooms as
q parting farewell to the building that
had been their church and Sunday
School home since the destruction Of
the old church building one year age
by fire.
With Mr.. Ed Hyatt as captain the
youngsters and adults we're formed
into line and marched down Military
Avenue and into their new home at
the corner of Thirteenth street and
East avenue.
Mr.. John Polster, as president Of
the Trustees, presented the church To
the Sunday School and to the people
of the city who seek place Of wor-
ship. Mr.. Polster's talk was followed
by several others representing the
Sunday School departments. As this
part of the program filled most Of the
morning the morning church services
were cut short except an anthem by
the choir; and by the way, if you
have not heard this choir which is un-
der the leadership of Mrs. L. L. Car
din, you have missed q real, musical
treat.
Music may not be the essential
thing to a small town church but it
has a real place in creating the spirit
in which men worship. Many strang-
ers were in the large crowds through
out the day, indicating that there is a
warm welcome for an institution like
the M. E. people have erected here.
At three o'clock DR.. Geyer, Of the
First Methodist Church at Joplin,
talked to the men and boys only. DR..
Guyer is a strong platform speaker
and with his dramatic poise recalls
the figure of the great Methodist
Bishop, DR.. Quail. Incidentally both
men claim Baker University as their
Alma Mater; DR.. Guyer had a real
message from the sixth chapter Of
Isaiah and those who were present
will long remember the call that he
made for more wholesome, cleaner ev-
cry day life. He called for recOnse-
cratiOns and practically every man in
the house went forward and gave his
hand.
At the evening service, which was
1niOn service Of the various city de-
nominations, almost every seat in the
,oom was filed. After congregational
singing and several special numbers
~ the choir, including a solo by Mr..
long, Rev. 0rton introduced Rev.
Tohn Pearce of the Baptist church who
poke on the topic Of Church union"
pointing out the things necessary to
70 done before the churches Of Am
irica could be amalgamated. Rev.
'earce is a scholar with q real vision
'ut created Q good bit Of mirth posing
IS o champion Of q union Of American
hurcheS in the position Of . Baptist.
Dr.. John GarTetsOn then followed in
mssteFful presentation Of the needs
{ o great institution like they were
breaking In" but warned them to
vatch out-that he was "still on the
oB at the little church round the
nFner.
Services win be held in the base
lent until such time IS the main
OOr and auditorium is completed;
ont hesitate to come for fear Of cold
ooFs or drafts; the big furnace is on
ae Job, supplemented with two large
umey FIRE places. II you are
ranger In town and have no choice
Iherwise or have no church affilia-
Ons ct al we invite you to Join with
}, we propose to make this church
Y all Baxter people 10 call their own.
ldeed Il belongs to the town. It's
od's house and yOp are twice vel