A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas, Part 10

Author: Sweet, William Henry, 1853-1919
Publication date: c1920
Publisher: Salina, KS : Kansas Wesleyan university
Number of Pages: 572


USA > Kansas > A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas > Part 10


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38


Seventy-five members and ten probationers were present. The Committee on Rules reported and the report was adopted. J. W. Berry welcomed the Con- ference, to which the Bishop responded. A column was ordered to be added to the statistical tables for


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the debt of the college. H. H. Bowen was appointed to preach the Conference Missionary Sermon. H. J. Lorenz was appointed alternate, W. H. Neil of the Illinois Conference, J. F. Dennis of the Kansas, J. W. Snapp of the S. Kansas, and F. C. Johnson of the St. Louis Conference were received by transfer. A. W. Dorsey, J. H. Craven, R. J. Myers, W. W. Herrington, B. F. Davis, G. Johnson, L. C. Hicks and W. A. Arm- strong were admitted on trial. T. J. Nixson, J. A. Green, J. T. Wilkes, W. H. Holland were ordained Deacons. L. M. Alexander, H. Fleisher, B. D. Brooks, R. S. Ruthledge, L. A. Mckeever, C. M. Snyder, A. J. Morton, J. B. Gilmore and H. W. Wolfe were ordained Elders. F. N. Willis was transferred to the U. Iowa Conference, G. H. Christenbury to Holston, C. W. Talmadge to Kansas, L. W. Kemp to S. W. Kansas, W. D. Schermerhorn to S. India, W. M. Sedore was retired.


Total benevolences were $15,761. Claims on Con- ference fund, $4,000. Paid on this, $2,957.


The 25th session of the Conference met in Norton, March 13, 1907. L. B. Wilson was the Bishop in charge. Secretary Brown and his several assistants were re-elected.


Eighty members and nine probationers were pres- ent. T. J. H. Taggart was elected Treasurer. Drafts were ordered on the Chartered Fund and the Book Concern for $22 and $1,029 respectively. E. M. Ran- dall, Secretary of the Epworth League, and F. H. Sheets, Assistant Secretary of the Foreign Mission- ary Society, addressed the Conference. The Lord's Supper was administered at the opening of the second day. C. M. Boswell, of the Home Missions Society, and M. S. Hughes, representing education, Freedmens' Aid and Sunday Schools, were introduced. J. L. Mc- Laughlin of Omaha, Nebraska, representing the Book Concern, addressed the Conference. F. L. Hart spoke


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on Church Insurance. At the request of the Bishop, C. B. Spencer addressed the Conference, in the inter- est of San Francisco Methodism.


A collection amounting to $120 was taken to pur- chase a horse for the use of the Kansas City Training School. Transfers were announced as follows:


Oscar Gessell from Nebraska, J. R. Thomas, Cen- tral Tenn., E. Turrentine from St. Louis, W. A. Van Gundy from S. W. Kansas, W. J. Ward from Wiscon- sin, J. A. Arnett and P. Evans from S. Kansas.


L. E. Cook, C. C. Jordan, L. E. Laybourne, J. A. Planty, C. E. Tinker, W. R. Pierce, W. C. Harris and M. R. Starbuck were admitted on trial.


W. C. Henslee, O. A. Darnell and W. H. Hampton were ordained Deacons, I. L. McKean, W. A. Pierce, J. J. Mickey, W. S. Harper, J. A. Templin, J. N. See and O. Gessell were ordained Elders.


B. F. Davis was transferred to Kansas, W. H. Hol- land to Missouri, A. A. Newman to Holston, A. C. F. Schmidt to Kansas, R. H. McDade to Philadelphia, J. S. Davis to W. Nebraska, J. A. Arnett to Oklahoma, J. M. Eldredge to Colorado. George Nulton has died. A. B. Conwell and I. McDowell were retired.


Total benevolence, $20,194. $3,348 disbursed to retired men.


Bishop Warren was in charge of the 26th session of the Conference held in Salina in 1908. It met at 8:30 o'clock, March 25th. S. A. Chappell conducted the devotional service, after which the Bishop read a scripture lesson and announced hymn 560, and then proceeded to administer the Sacrament with the as- sistance of the cabinet. L. A. McKeever was elected secretary on the nomination of B. T. Stauber, H. H. Bowen, H. O. Holter and C. W. Stevens were assist- ants and R. E. Dunham was Statistical Secretary. T. J. H. Taggart, Treasurer.


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A resolution welcoming Bishop Warren to our Con- ference for the third time was passed. C. W. Wy- nant, W. J. Meredith and J. L. King were delegates to General Conference, F. D. Baker and W. L. Cannon reserves. C. G. Morrison, G. W. Stober and C. E. Jewell were the lay delegates, and W. L. Nesmith, W. W. Walker and L. J. Willetts were reserves.


The Laymen's Association organized and adopted a Constitution to be known as the Laymen's Asso- ciation of the Northwest Kansas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. T. Roach was elect- ed president.


There were received by transfer: W. T. Cummius from Idaho, W. T. Carter, New England ; J. B. Carder, Oklahoma; S. A. Chappell, N. W. Nebraska; J. K. Hunter, S. Illinois ; L. E. Rockwell, S. California; J. H. Kuhn and J. A. Kipple, Kansas; A. N. Smith, Colo- rado; L. Steere, N. Indiana; A. W. James, W. Ne- braska; E. C. Rath, C. W. Moorman, C. M. Corrie, H. P. Basquin and A. W. Dick were received on trial. H. W. Dorsey and J. R. Thompson were ordained Deacons. A. L. Semans, T. J. Nixson, J. A. Green, J. T. Wilkes were ordained Elders.


W. W. Herrington was transferred to the Kansas Conference, J. A. Shular to the S. Kansas, W. A. Phillippe to Illinois, G. M. Burnett to W. Nebraska, S. B. Wardrip to Kentucky, W. W. Hurlbut to Cali- fornia, C. C. Woods to S. California, J. B. Carder to Kansas.


The total benevolences were $21,934. The claims on the Conference fund was $4,000. Paid on the same, $3,724.


Bishop E. H. Hughes presided over the 27th ses- sion of Conference at Belleville, March 25, 1909. The session was opened in the usual manner. Mr. J. C. Dale made an address of welcome to which the Bishop responded.


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HISTORY OF METHODISM


The first assistant secretary of the last Conference, H. H. Bowen, called the roll to which seventy-nine members and twelve probationers responded.


Dr. S. O. Benton, of the New England Southern Con- ference representing the Foreign Missions, J. W. Van Cleve of the Illinois Conference, representing the Board of Conference Claimants, J. F. St. Clair of the Des Moines Conference, representing Bethany Hospi- tal, and R. P. Smith, President of the Kansas Wesleyan University were introduced.


H. H. Bowen was elected secretary, W. E. Scott, C. W. Stevens and E. V. Allen were assistants, R. E. Dunham, statistical secretary, N. S. Raegle, treasurer. On the motion of W. H. Sweet, Dr. R. P. Smith of the Montana Conference, was invited to transfer to this Conference.


Drafts were drawn on the Book Concern and Char- tered Fund for $1,147 and $22 respectively.


A resolution was passed endorsing the movement to raise the $300,000 for the African Jubilee Fund and pledging the co-operation of the Conference. A reso- lution was passed approving the action of the last General Conference in its endorsement of the Inter- denominational Laymen's Missionary Movement, and requesting District Superintendent to have represen- tative laymen appointed in each charge, to serve on the District Laymen's Committee. A committee was appointed to ascertain whether the Conference is properly incorporated.


The following were received by transfer: R. P. Smith from Montana, A. D. Rice, Nebraska; G. W. Martin, Oklahoma; C. Baker, St. Louis; S. Barber, Austin ; B. F. Thomas, S. Kansas ; E. F. Sitterly, S. W. Kansas; J. Morton, Miller, Idaho; D. S. Alexander, St. Louis ; J. O. Borton, S. Kansas; C. W. Talmadge, Kansas, C. W. Muir, Missouri, and C. A. Fisher, S. Illinois Conference. J. H. Summer was re-admitted.


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M. E. Davis was received on credentials from the Friend's church. G. Johnson, J. A. Plantz, C. E. Tinker, L. E. Cook and M. R. Starbuck were ordained Deacons.


O. A. Darnell and E. F. Sitterly were ordained Elders. W. M. Dews was transferred to the Puget Sound Conference. W. T. Cummins to the St. Louis, R. S. Rutledge and R. J. Myers to the Southwest Kan- sas, T. J. H. Taggart to the Okl., L. A. Mckeever to the S. Kansas, W. C. Brayman to the Nevada, F. P. Raby to Oklahoma, W. C. Harris to N. W. Indiana.


J. C. Helmick, F. N. Cox, G. W. Hood and J. A. Bull retired. A collection was taken for the benefit of J. C. Helmick amounting to $505. The total Bene- volent collections were $26,617. Claims on Confer- ence Fund, $4,000. Received on these, $3,947.


The next, 28th session, met at Plainville, over which W. F. McDowell presided. It was opened as usual with the Sacrament administered by the Bishop and cabinet.


Bowen was re-elected secretary. Scott, Stevens and E. V. Allen were the assistant secretaries. G. L. Rarick was statistical secretary and N. S. Ragel was treasurer.


Rev. L. W. Mickey of Plainville made the welcome address, to which the Bishop made response. Attree Smith and F. R. Harding were transferred from the Detroit Conference, C. R. Wade from Missouri, H. P. Randall and G. T. Renner from the S. W. Kansas, J. F. Johnson, J. M. Newton, F. W. Stafford and E. L. Hutchins from the Kansas, G. C. Fort from N. W. Iowa, and J. B. Sites from N. W. Indiana. V. V. Whit- sitt, W. F. Hoyt, C. Kolsky, O. M. Freeman, F. L. Courter, F. G. Medley were received on trial. E. C. Rath, Clair Moorman, H. P. Basquin, A. W. Dick, C. A. Fisher, C. N. Reed, J. H. Craven and W. E. Caldwell were ordained Deacons. W. C. Henslee and R. R| Hard-


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ing were ordained Elders. Clark Baker was transferred to Missouri Conference. W. T. Carter to Maine, H. O. Holter and A. C. Koser to Kansas, C. M. C. Thompson to Oklahoma, W. A. Armstrong to California, C. W Moorman to S. Illinois, D. S. Alexander to Kansas, C. W. Muir to Nebraska, W. H. Hampton to Oregon. J. C. Helmick, C. W. Wynant, G. H. Woodward and H. Dalton had died. R. E. Dunham withdrew from the ministry and membership of the church. W. S. Harper withdrew from the ministry. Total benevolent collections were $28,140. Claims on Conference fund, $4,000. Paid, $4,429. B. O. Peterson, representing Foreign Missions. W. C. Barclay representing Sun- day Schools. J. A. Motter representing Bethany Hos- pital. T. J. Ream, Superintendent of Topeka District and representing the Home for the Aged to be located at Topeka, were introduced. L. O. Housel, W. H. Neil, and M. J. Munford were appointed to confer with Dr. Ream. W. J. Meredith reported his work as Sunday school missionary.


A. N. See and Reuben Bisbee were retired, and W. C. Littell was made effective. Miss Ella Watson, rep- resenting the W. F. M. S .; Miss Eva Rigg, represent- ing the Kansas City National Training School. and S. H. Kirkbride, representing the American Bible So- ciety, were introduced and represented these several interests.


The twenty-ninth Conference, of 1911, was pleas- antly entertained at Hays, and the reports made at the close show that all the work of the church had been faithfully cared for, and successfully performed. Dr. A. B. Leonard, secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, was present and assisted with the Sacra- ment. This was his last visit to the Conference and was enjoyed, as all his previous visits had been.


C. W. Stevens was elected secretary, and was con- tinued in the office three years. G. L. Rarick was


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chosen Statistical Secretary, and N. S. Ragle treasurer. J. T. McFarland, editor of the Sunday school publica- tions; Clarence T. Wilson, of the Church Temperance Society ; Thomas Nicholson, Secretary of the Board of Education; H. F. Ralls, president of Iliff School of Theology, and S. C. Bronson of Garrett Biblical Insti- tute, were introduced. Devotionals were conducted the second day by Dr. J. F. Harimon.


Drafts were ordered on the Book Concern for $1,568, and the Chartered fund for $25. The deaths of WV. A. Matson and J. T. Wilkes were announced. W. D. Schermerhorn of Hyderabad, India, was introduced. J. A. Motter, superintendent of Bethany Hospital; J. F. Harmon, representing the Book Committee, and M. C. B. Mason of the Freedmens Aid Society addressed the Conference.


T. W. Roach, president of the Laymen's Associa- tion, addressed the Conference. G. W. Martin offered a resolution in reference to Methodist students in state institutions. D. C. Beltz of Alabama Conference; W. K. Stahnaker, St. John's River; C. A. Sullivan, R. M. Brown, N. Jones and G. R. Hall of Southern Illinois; W. L. Fry, C. B. Allen and W. W. Hurlbut of Cali- fornia; J. E. Wilson, Northwestern Indiana; E. Brid- well and W. W. Hendrickson of St. Louis; J. V. Wat- son, Oklahoma, and O. M. Misel of Eastern Ohio were received by transfer. B. F. Rhodes was readmitted. M. D. Ross, C. E. Hall, R. E. Morgan, W. B. Read. N. W. Clark, A. C. Henslee, L. C. Cutler and F. Lathrop were admitted on trial. J. E. M. Chambers, J. R. Creamer, G. C. Casselman, A. L. Carlton, L. H. Grif- fin, F. Lathrope, O. M. Freedman and C. C. Jordan were ordained Deacons. F. L. Templin was trans- ferred to the Southwestern Kansas Conference, C. B. Allen to California, F. C. Johnson to Colorado, and D. Onstott to Kentucky. A. H. Shelton was located. H. P. Randall and P. Evans were located at their own


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request. B. F. Rhodes' parchments were restored and he was granted the retired relation. J. T. Bates, be- cause of membership in an Illinois Conference and of service as a supply, was reinstated and was retired. W. L. Cannon and J. F. Clark were granted the retired relation.


The aggregate of the benevolent collections was $21,176. The claims on the Conference fund were $5,039, which sum was disbursed and approved by the Conference. Collections were taken at Conference and reported by the secretary as follows:


For Tithing Evangelist $20


For Temperance Society 40


For Evangelistic Services 67


For Janitor 14


For Bros. Muxlow, Brown and Gruver 282


For Conference Claimants 59


For W. H. M. S. 26


Total $508


J. L. Nuelson presided at the thirtieth session of the Conference, held at Salina, March 20, 1912.


The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was adminis- tered by the Bishop and district superintendents, L. O. Housel and W. J. Meredith, and the pastor, G. C. Fort. after which the Bishop addressed the Conference. G. L. Rarick was re-elected statistical secretary, and N. S. Ragle treasurer. T. C. Iliff of the Colorado Con- ference, J. W. Summerville and H. C. Jennings of the Book Concern were introduced. The session of the first day adjourned with the benediction by C. B. Spence. An assessment of twenty-five cents for each hundred dollars salary for the publishing of the min- utes was voted on each pastor.


A committee was appointed to equalize the carfare of pastors attending the Conference. Dr. R. J. Cook, book editor, was introduced. I M. F. Loomis. R. P. Smithe and J. W. Snapp were chosen delegates to the


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General Conference. U. S. Brown and J. W. Bates were reserve delegates. W. A. Matson, Harry Gray and C. Eberhardt were the Lay delegates; C. G. Mor- rison, M. A. Alexander and J. C. Ellis were the re- serves. H. J. Lorenz, D. H. Stafford and M. E. Pear- son were chosen trustees of Bethany Hospital. G. Johnson, J. W. Bates and C. E. Rarick were elected trustees of the Home for the Aged. L. L. Brannon, of the Arkansas Conference; J. D. Harris, Central Tennessee; A. S. Hale, Cincinnati; C. E. Wood and F. C. Brown, Southern Illinois; A. H. Christensen, Wisconsin; J. A. Westerman, Missouri; C. M. Brown, Oklahoma; W. H. Smith, Northwestern Iowa, and F. C. Johnson, of the Colorado Conference, were received by transfer. L. Monro, P. R. Harbold, D. O. Gunckle, F. L. Munson, C. J. Semans, W. W. Strite, W. Glazier, R. F. Pruitt, C. H. J. King, W. C. Green, A. Bryans, C. R. Flowers, Thomas Muxlow, J. E. Brown and H. R. Golden were admitted on trial. K. M. Freeman, W. E. Caldwell, L. C. Cutter and A. Bryans were or- dained Deacons. H. P. Basquin, C. A. Tinker, G. John- son, L. E. Cook, E. Bridwell and A. W. Dick were ordained Elders. J. D. Harris was transferred to the Arkansas Conference ; R. N. Jones and M. J. Mumford, Southern Illinois; J. H. Summer, Southern Kansas ; W. H. Dresh, Cincinnati; J. H. Craven, Northern Ne- braska; C. C. Jordan, Northern Indiana; J. V. Wat- son, Colorado; J. B. Gilmor, E. V. Allen and G. W. Stafford, Kansas; H. H. Bowen, St. John's River ; J. J. Mickey, Oregon; B. F. Thomas, Northwestern Iowa, and W. H. Neil, to Iowa Conference. S. L. Semans and H. P. Mann had died. J. M. Sexton was located. W. K. Stalnaker was permitted to withdraw under complaints. F. N. Cox was granted the retired rela- tion.


The trustees of the Kansas Wesleyan University were authorized to sign a note of $25,000 for the en-


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dowment of the university, said note to draw four per cent interest and to run for twenty-five years. All moneys coming in for the educational collection over six thousand dollars is to be applied to the payment of the principal of the note.


J. C. Rupenthal was elected chairman of the Lay Conference, and C. F. McAdams secretary.


The Lay Conference instructed its delegates to op- pose any change in the discipline on the amusement question. They requested that provision be made for Lay representation in the annual Conference, and com- mitted themselves to the Harvard plan of Conference entertainment.


The thirty-first session of the Conference met in Goodland, March 26, 1913. Bishop F. M. Bristol, who was to have charge, was delayed in reaching the seat of Conference, and on motion of Morton Miller, W. H. Sweet was elected chairman.


Evangelist C. F. Barret conducted devotional serv- ice, and the Conference organized by electing C. W. Stevens secretary, G. L. Rarick statistician, and E. C. Rath treasurer. P. J. Maveety was introduced and spoke in the interest of the Freedmen Aid Society.


At 10:20 the Bishop took the chair and, with the assistance of the district superintendents, adminis- tered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.


Drafts were drawn on the Chartered fund for $30, on the Book Concern for $2,070, and on the Board of Conference Claimants for $150. Drs. Cissel and Kim- ball of the Kansas Conference were introduced. U. S. Brown's term on the Ellsworth District having ex- pired, he was presented a gold watch. M. F. Loomis received a Bible from the Colby District. His term had not expired.


The district superintendents were instructed to secure the appointment of a committee on church his-


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tory in each Quarterly Conference, and to insist that historical data be gathered from each charge. W. L. Fry and J. A. Templin were appointed directors in the Historical Society. G. R. Hall was appointed to preach the missionary sermon, and D. B. Magee alternate.


The Preachers' Aid Society was requested to re- vise their charter and constitution, so their trustees might hold an endowment fund of bequests and dona- tions, the net interest of which is to be paid annually to the Conference Board of Stewards for distribution to Conference claimants.


The following transfers were announced: A. G. Bennett, from Nebraska; T. M. Brimlow, Indiana; G. A. Gibson, Colorado; T. E. Hoon, Illinois; C. W. Ivey, M. B. VanLeer and G. Waggoner, Southern Illinois; M. L. Wickman, Oklahoma; F. L. Provan, Eastern Maine. Thomans Muxlow was received on credentials from the M. E. Church South. G. Winters, F. B. Cun- ningham, J. C. Dussair, L. C. Cobb, F. L. Farley and W. H. Zook were admitted on trial.


C. E. Hall and F. L. Courter were ordained Dea- cons.


J. E. M. Chambers, G. C. Casselman, T. E. Hoon, E. C. Rath and C. M. Reed were ordained Elders.


Samuel Barber, H. P. Basquin and J. R. Creamer were transferred to the Kansas Conference; F. C. Brown, R. M. Brown, J. H. Sutton and A. Bryans, to the Southern Kansas; C. M. Corie. and F. C. Lathrope, to Illinois; G. C. Fort, to New York; E. P. R. Har- bold and E. Turrentine, Missouri; F. R. Harding, Northwestern Wisconsin, and D. C. Betz, to Alabama. G. H. Cheney, J. A. Bull and J. E. Brown had died.


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The Preachers' Aid Society reported assets:


Mortgage Loans $3,546.00


Personal Notes net due. 5,137.00


Personal Notes due 878.00


Cash in Bank Permanent Fund 233.00


Total


$9,794.00


BENEFICIARY FUN !.


Cash Interest $ 73.83


Interest due on notes. 449.97


Interest due on mortgages


212.97


Total


$ 736.77


Members who have given notes


65


Members paid in full 46


Total membership 111


The Total Disciplinary Benevolence $29,944.00


Claims on Conference Funds 7,270.00


The Laymen's Association recommended that as soon as practicable laymen be given a place in the business sessions of the annual Conference. They also suggested that more attention be given to the reading of the discipline from the pulpit, and that Chapter 9, pertaining to Sunday Schools, be read by the superin- tendent or some one appointed by him twice a year.


The thirty-second session. Mankato was the seat of the Conference of 1914. W. O. Shepard was the presiding Bishop. The session was opened with the Sacrament as usual, but instead of proceeding to the organization at once, a memorial service was con- ducted by Attree Smith, who had been appointed chair- man of the Committee on Memoirs a year before.


Memoirs were read of Rev. G. A. Gibson, B. F. Rhodes, Isiah McDowell, J. T. Shackelford, Mrs. L. V. Morton, Mrs. Mattie O. Borton and Miss Mary B. Wiles, a child of six years. After the reading of the obituaries an address was delivered by W. H. Sweet. He said in part :


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IN NORTHWEST KANSAS


"Those in whose memory we linger a short time were men chosen of God; for in the Christian min- istry, as in the Jewish priesthood, no man taketh this honor to himself. but such as are called of God, as was Aaron. Then, too, they were men who sought the guidance of God. They realized, as every one so called must, that the task assigned them is too great to be performed by mere human endeavor. They well knew that only divine wisdom was sufficient to guide, and only omnipotent power was able to uphold them. So it may be safely affirmed that these were men chosen of God and led by Him. It is, therefore, em- inently proper that we tarry a moment at the opening of our session to do honor to our brothers who have fallen."


Several things characterize the minister's task that can not be affirmed of any other vocation or calling. First, he has a part in the greatest work ever projected in this world. Great things have been undertaken by men, and great tasks have been performed by them, but all that has been done is purerile as compared with the task to which the strong son of God calls His fol- lowers.


Second, it is the privilege of the preacher to be the follower of the greatest leader who ever called man to service. In the past, men have prided themselves in having been under the command of great generals. There are those now living who rejoice in the fact that they marched with Sherman, or Sheridan, or Grant. But those who enter this service march at the com- mand of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.


Third, it is the preacher's privilege to be the bearer of a message that gladdens all hearts that receive it, and brings blessings to all to whom it is carried.


Mr. Darwin thought the Patagonians were so low in the scale of being that they could never be civilized;


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HISTORY OF METHODISM


but brave souls opened a mission among them, and Bishop McCabe used to say, "That the next time the great scientist touched at Patagonia, they were sing- ing 'All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name,' and the great scientist was so impressed with the improve- ment they had made that he was frank enough to acknowledge his mistake. It is said that he became a contributor to Foreign Missions.


Fourth, it is the preacher's privilege to bear a mes- sage that not only gladdens the hearts of men, but also intensifies the joy of angels; for the Master de- clared: "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."


Again God's messenger has assurance of a reward that can not fail. Here men fail to receive benefit, many times, because of conditions and circumstances entirely beyond their control; but God's promise to His workmen is, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Notwithstanding all these incentives, there is yet much to discourage the preacher. One of these discouragements is the meager compensation he receives for his services as compared with the salaries paid in the business world. Another is the small recognition given a minister by many people. Still another, and perhaps the greatest, discouragement is the apparent fruitlessness of the most earnest effort. The Master felt this most bit- terly when He wept over the doomed city. Because of the discouragements, some have turned aside to other vocations, and some of you may be tempted to do the same thing. Before you do, let me remind you that the seven or eight hundred dollars that you re- ceive is not your only compensation. It is eight hun- dred and a part in the greatest work God has under- taken; eight hundred and the leadership of the Son of God. The Lord of Hosts, eight hundred, and the


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privilege of being the bearer of a message that glad- dens all hearts; eight hundred and a service that kin- dles new joy among the angels of God; eight hundred and a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give you in that day." You may turn aside, and by so doing increase your worldly goods, may get a finer home, and have more luxuries for your family, and possibly escape much criticism ; but think of what you will miss; your place in the great work, your hold of the hand of the Great Leader, your privilege of proclaiming the joyful message, and the assurance of the rich reward. Oh, my brothers, shall we not be faithful to our task, and assure our- selves of the great reward ?"




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