Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

ard."you."good,"eluding visitors from other congregations. We welcomed Rev. Dr. JuliusKempf and Mrs. Kempf and Mr. andMrs. Dodds. And it was a joy to seeagain those out-of-bounds members whotravel over a hundred miles twice ayear to observe the Sacrament in theirown church. Mrs. Wm. Foster and hersister, Miss Edna Claypoole, who camefrom Atlantic City, N. J. We missed theRobert Wilson's and Miss Helen Euwerof Ocean City, N. J., who were traveling in the West during October. Wewere glad that so many members of theUnited Congregation joined us in theclosingservice on Sabbath evening.Miss Isabel Crawford, superintendentof the Sabbath School, gave some interesting news of our missionaries and theirproblems in Kentucky, just before thespecial offering for that work was takenon October 23.It has become an annual custom tohave reminiscences of White Lake Campon Rally Daywhen all who have attended camp give their impressions, recitememorized scripture or retell Bible stories heard there. Rally Day was also"promotion day" for some of the boysand girls of the Primary department.Their new teacher is Mrs. Walter McClay.The Halloween Party, sponsored bythe Sabbath School was held on Friday evening, October 28. Just abouteveryone was on hand for the funbutit took some guessing before anyoneknew who really was who!Mrs. Carl Keefauver still remains onour special prayer list; while hospitalized for a broken hip, she also contactedpneumonia.Mrs. Thomas McClay,as congregational representative, has been makingthe annual solicitation for membershipdues for "Our Home" in Pittsburgh.OAKDALEKenneth Hood was inducted into theArmy, September 20. His address is:Pvt. Kenneth Hood, U.S. 55-510-599,Fox Company, 63rd Infantry Regt., FortOrd, California.Members of the congregation workedseveral days at the parsonage lookingforward to the coming of our new pastor. On October 18 a "work day" washeld at the church to clean the auditorium, S. S. rooms and basement.Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Smith arrived heresafely on October 21 and Mr. Smithpreached for us the following Sabbath.The congregation rejoices in their coming and is so thankful to have a pastor.The semi-annual congregational meeting was held October 21. Robert Piperwas retained as our congregationalchairman and Charles Auld elected secretary.November 23, 1955The joint meeting of the Illinois Presbytery and Presbyterial was held atOakdale, October 25 and 26. Rev. E. G.Russell, Miss Esther Latimer and Mr.Thomas Lynn represented Chicago andRev. and Mrs. Roy Blackwood and newlittle daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. ArthurMoore came from Bloomington, Ind. OldBethel's and Sparta's nearness to Oakdale permitted a number from there tobe present. On Tuesday evening Rev.Blackwood preached the retiring moderator's sermon and Dr. Alvin Smith waschosen the new moderator. Dr. Smith'sinstallation followed and the large audience went forward to extend the handof fellowship and wish the Smiths wellin their new field of labor. The followingday Rev. Herbert Hayes spoke and thePresbyterial elected Miss Esther Latimer to succeed Mrs. Floyd Finlay aspresident.Miss Rose Blair of Denver, Colorado,has been visiting in the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J.Ren Piper.Dr. W. O. Ferguson's Bible Class,comprised of young married couples andyoung people, enjoyed a hay ride andweiner roast recently. Mrs. Fergusonand Dr. and Mrs. Smith were specialguests.The Juniors have held two parties inthe past few months : one at the home ofMrs. Harold Auld, our Junior leader,and a Halloween party at the home ofPhil Carson.Dr. Smith preached a short, but veryinteresting and helpful, children's sermon, November 6 and has promised thechildren to continue this practice thefirst Sabbath in each month. The children and adults are looking forward tothis.Mr. and Mrs. Finlay Torrens and family of Three Rivers, Wisconsin, visitedhere recently with relatives.Mrs. Jane Carson has gone to Orlando,Florida, to visit her niece and nephew,Mr. and Mrs. Reid Terry and family.The congregation held a reception inhonor of Dr. and Mrs. Smith, Friday,November 11. A program consisting ofspeeches of welcome, verses and singingby the Junior Society, and several musical numbers was followed by a responsefrom both Dr. and Mrs. Smith. Refreshments were served in the church basement.THE WHOLE UNITED STATESL. L. FarisAt Revere Beach, we were sitting under a pavilion looking at the AtlanticOcean. Next to me was a couple talkingabout a man who was a "no-good drunkHOWThey were very much disgustedwith him. I had a bag of miscellaneousChristian literature to give away, mostof which I tossed in open windows ofparked cars. I hunted for somethingappropriate to give to them. I selected"Power,"dated June 5, 1949, with thestory, "Bulldog Simpson." Handing it tothem I explained that it was about aman who was saved, the Lord helpedhim so he did not drink. They spoke ofBilly Sunday and said it was strangethat he and Billy Graham should havethe same first name. They spoke friendly about both of the evangelists.But when I remarked that the Prohibition Amendment was a good law,they became cross and argued that conditions were much worse, and that nearly every house was a drinking place during prohibition. I said statistics provethere was more money in the banks andconditions were better."Statistics!"they said angrily,andargued louder in favor of repeal of Prohibition."Atleast,"I ventured, "you couldwalk down the street without anyonebumping into"Well," she said, "in my town ofMedford you don't see anything likethat! No!The policeman would pickhim up that quick. Our town is a goodclean place. We don't even allow thestuff to be sold. We don't have any saloons in Medford."(Have learned since that Medford hasa few package stores.)"That soundsher heartily, and added,I complimented"I wish thewhole United States was just like that."The anger of the two strangers fromMedford melted into thoughtfulness.TO READ THE BD3LEI supposed I knew my BibleReading piecemeal, hit or miss.Now a bit of John or Matthew,Now a snatch of Genesis;Certain chapters of Isaiah,Certain Psalms, the Twenty-third,Twelfth of Romans, first of ProverbsYes, I thought I knew the Word.But I found that thorough readingWas a different thing to do.And the way was unfamiliarWhen I read the Bible through.You, who like to play at Bible,Dip and dabble, here and there,Just before you kneel, aweary,And yawn through a hurried prayer,You who treat the Crown of WritingsAs you treat no other bookJust a paragraph disjointed,Just a crude, impatient lookTry a worthier proceedure,Try a broad and steady view;You will kneel in very rapture,When you read the Bible through!Amos R. Wells.351