Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1920-12-08
LOCAL CHURCH FULLY
FREED FROM DEBT
AT RECEPTION TO NEW PASTOR
AND FAMILY THE BAPTIST
CHURCH BURNS THE MORT
GAGE AGAINST THE CHURCH
PROPERTY.

Last evening at the Ashland pap
tist church occurred events which
will make the date, November 80
1920, one long to be remembered BY
the members OF that church. The
occasion was a reception to the new
pastor, Rev. Walter l.. Evans and
family, who have recently come from
Austin, Texas. Added interest in
the affair was created by the an
councement on last Sunday that an
additional feature of the program OF
the evening would be the burning
OF the mortgage on the church prop
erty.
A hearty welcome to the pastor
and his family was extended by O.
+. Carson on behalf of the church.
He spoke in a most pleasing manner
and his words carried the conviction
OF being a genuine, sincere expression
OF Joy that the church again has a
pastor, and that he is Rev. Walter L.
Evans. Rev. C. A. Edwards spoke
on behalf of the other Ashland min
listers, and his remarks were full OF
expressed good fellowship and broth
erly feeling, and added much to the
spirit of the occasion. The pastor
of the Baptist church at Medford,
e. r. Leach, was present, and spoke
in behalf of the other Baptist
churches in Oregon. His greeting
was genuine, and wholesome as well,
for he offered some good advice to
both pastor and people. Mr.. Evans
responded in most pleasing man
ner. He stated that he and his fam
lily were glad to be in Ashland and
were much pleased with their sur
roundings, and voiced his determi-
nation to put forth his best efforts
for the success of the work in this
field.
II. o. Butterfield then gave a
brief but interesting history OF the
church from the time it was inCnr-
porated in 1884. but dwelling more
particularly upon the building OF
the present edifice which was erect
ed in 1911. II was necessary to bor.
row $4,000 in order to complete the
building. and mortgage was placed
upon the property for that amount,
and 1t was this mortgage that was
then displayed by the chairman as
doomed to an early destruction.
Calling upon the church to vote its
approval by applause, the chairman
as proper ones to hold the
the names OF Mrs. Julia
F. Morris, who has taken deep in
terest in getting the debt paid, and
the president of the Ladies' Aid Soc
iety. Mrs. H. o. Bntterfield. The
choice was enthusiasticall seconded
by applause, and the ladies came
forward and held the document aloft
AS one most entitled to the priv
ledge OF setting the match to the
paper, the name of II. p. Holmes was
suggested and received instant
hearty applause. Mr.. Holmes then
,ame forward and after expressing
he pleasure it gave him to do so.
'ouched the match to the mortgage
md II was reduced to ashes while
he audience spontaneously stood
md sang Praise God From Whom
All blessings Flow"
After the program the ladies Of
he church served refreshments which
'Sic 'Oiy mucll cHJoN'u' 'obVihOi I
With brief social time in the base
nent.
Special musical numbers rendered
Turing the evening were vocal solo
" Miss Mabel Ray and number by
male quartet.
The people of the church are GER
ainly to be congratulated upon the
uccessful conclusion of the cam
aign to free the church from debt.
hat a great feeling of relief exists
mong the members was plainly
videnced by the smiles and good
nmor that we're so evident on all
ides last evening, and the predic-
ION is being freely made that the
hurch will now enter upon a new