read from an old copy of the M. E. HOW TO SOLVE A CROSS-WORD |} PTET : * : . . . bg a SITES SER RS, discipline, printed and in use in 1792, Wha fhe. sussect letters & « laeed ; white pare o m : tndieated en Stieee The ett eek word “Bellefonte, Pa., April 22, 1927. ESS THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,—BELLEFONTE. Paper read by Mrs. Charles Harrison at a “Memory Meeting” of the aid society last week. The word Methodist comes from the word method, whish means der: regular, exact, and systemauc. I Lh and his brother Charles, students at Oxford college, England, were so exact and systematic In everything they did, so regular in their habits and conduct, that they so attracted and excited their college chums that they called them Method- ists. And Episcopal—was and is the es- tablished church of England—Thus the Methodist Episcopal. The Wesleys were converted but had no thought of establishing a church of their own, but they did not believe in the ritual form of worship. They believed in conversions, and in knowing that your sins are forgiven. They were forbidden to preach in the church of England. Petty persecu- tions then compelled them to organize and have a church of their own, and through their out-door preaching they were converted, and through their con- versions the M. E. church was organ- ized in England in 1738. Just thirty years later a M. E. so- ciety was formed in New York, and within the half century the never dy- ing hymns of Charles and John Wes- ley rang up from the foothills of the Allegheny mountains. ol In 1787 there were in the United States sixty chapels and 132 preach- ers. In this same year, 1787, the first Methodist Episcopal society in Central Pennsylvania was formed at Curtin’s works by Philip Antes, a pious, earn- est, self-sacrificing pioneer, who mov- ed his family from Maryland in two canoes, lashed together, up the canal. As soon as he had a roof on his cab- in the mill was built and services were held there until 1806. The first Meth- odist Episcopal church in Centre coun- ty was built at Curtin’s works. In the territory now Patton town- ship the first settlers were members of the Methodist society. They also came from Maryland: fireside and al- tar were daily established with then, and Methodistism has prevailed since the pioneer era as the popular creed in Halfmoon valley. Peter Gray Sr., came into that val- ley from Hagerstown in 1788. For the first few years the people attend- ed worship at Warricrs Mark, some twelve miles distant, but as soon as Mr. Gray’s cabin was under roof it be- came a stopping place for the circuit preacher and worship was held once a month, sometimes oftener in his house for nearly thirty years. At Mr. Gray’s cabin the preacher, coming in the evening, would stay all night, con- tent with a bundle of straw for a bed on the floor: not because his host slighted him in accommodations, but because it was the best he had; a bun- dle of straw and a blanket composed what could be afforded. Sometimes the preacher would arrive in the mid- dle of a harvest day, and thereupon the boys were sent to announce serv- ices and to summon the faithful. It is said the harvest fields were speed- ily forsaken for the house of worship, where they spent several hours in prayer and testimony. The pioneer of Methodism in Fergu- son township was Capt. Geo. Meek and his decendants and their endur- ing moment is Meek’s M. E. church and Meek’s school house, which will carry the name of these life-long Methedists down to the latest gener- ation. Now our own M. E. church, of Bellefonte, was organized in 1817 with only seven members. James McGee, a blacksmith, moved to Bellefonte from Curtin’s works, and the first class was formed in his house of which he was the leader. The first church was built on Jail hill. It was commenced in 1820 and completed in two years. The trustees went to the woods, cut trees, made logs, and had them sawed into lumber. A. M. Ward one of the trustees, went to Pittsburgh, solicited and secured the glass and paint used in glazing and painting the building, and also secur- ed the two ten plate stoves, which were used for heating the building. In 1853, with one hundred members, the second church was built, which was a large frame building and was built on the same site where the first one stood, and services were held there until 1876. And now with great plea- sure we can call upon one of the old- est and most active of our church workers today, and who has been a worker in the grand old church she loves so well for fifty-seven years. I now call on Miss Ida M. Greene, who will tell us something about the Ladies Aid society in 1871. During the time the church was still on “the hill.” The Ladies of the church held a fair in the court house, out of the proceeds of which nearly eleven hundred dollars were given to the trustees of that old church on the hill, which sum in all probability was the final payment on the cost of that building. Dissatisfied with the church on “the hill” in 1875, with two-hun- dred members, the present church was built on the ground that was formerly the old parsonage, which had come in- to the exclusive possession of the con- gregation through its share be- fore. The old church on “the hill” pas sold in 1881 for one thousand dol- ars. In two years the new church was built and nigh paid for, which is a great testimony of the liberality and fidelity of the church membership. In 1884 the parsonage on Linn street was built. In 1887 one hundred years after the first M. E. society was held at Curtin’s works in 1787, the centenary of the M. E. church in Centre county was held. Also the first Central Penn- sylvania conference celebration. It was a day not to be forgotten. Rev. George Leidy, the presiding elder the rules and regulations by which the itinerant ministry of one hun years ago was governed; and the sal- aries of the preachers were fixed at that time at sixty dollars a year. Even at that price they were obliged to travel on horse back miles of moun- tainous country. The corner-stones of the church are education, salvation, benevolence and temperance, and Christ is the foundation stone under- lying all. Many prominent men par- ticipated in this pleasing service. James A. Beaver, who was then Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania, John G. Love Sr., Wilbur F. Reeder, Hon. Samuel Linn and others gave splendid ad- dresses. : Governor Beaver made the opening address at the laymen’s meeting. He spoke of the effect of the first sermon preached by Philip Antes at Curtin’s works one hundred years ago. That very sermon has influenced the course of the life of every generation since and all of Centre county is reaping the benefit today. The Hon. Mr. Linn gave the histori- cal address and to Mr. Linn we are indebted for much accurate research of the early history of our church. The decorating of the church for this celebration was done by the Ladies Aid society and the church was the scene of beauty and art. In the center of the pulpit was a large oil painting of Niagara Falls, owned by Ex. Governor Hastings; overhanging was a canopy of spruce and plants, and a rookery of stones and moss be- low. Above the oil painting was a hanging basket. On the right, in gilt letters, was 1787, and on the left 1887. In 1917 a celebration of the cen- tennial of the Methodist Episcopal in Bellefonte was held with an in- tensive campaign for the promotion of the Sunday school and Evangelism. A social reception was given by the Ladies Aid society which was an oc- casion of lively interest and deepest pleasure for the large audience. Rev. Yocum gave the historical address. In 1901-1902 the church and parson- age were greatly remodeled with the expenditure of a large sum of money. The elegant wainscoting of hard wood, the beautiful pews, the altar and chairs, electric light, and a general re- furnishing of auditorium and lecture room, gave good and lasting beauty to the church. The beautiful pipe organ was pre- sented through soliciting and the gift of friends by Mrs. Daniel Hastings. The carpets and the velvet cushions around the altar were the gift of the Ladies Aid society, which worked hard to help pay the church debt. The car- pet cost eight hundred dollars. They also bought one thousand dollars worth of bonds at the time. Three times our church has royally entertained the Central Pennsylvania conference. Our church is also con- sidered a missionary church, from the fact that Methodism in Bellefonte took its rise at the very time the mission- ary society cf American Methodism was organized. Many, many thousands of dollars have come from the hands and purses of the Bellefonte Methodists in regu- lar and special contributions for this great cause. In 1923 the dwelling back of the church was bought for a parsonage for nine thousand dollars, the ladies aid helping make the first payment. The dwelling was remodeled and the Ladies Aid had it painted and papered throughout, and later on had it beauti- fully refurnished. The growth of this grand old church has been steady through all these vears of its history, starting with only seven members. The Ladies Aid society has always done a great work with willing hands and loving heart, have given a help- ing hand in every way they could. Too much praise cannot be said of them and their work. Sewing, quilt- ing, entertaining, serving dinners and suppers, and having socials and ba- Zaars. The many benefactions of this so- ciety, the many times the trustees and stewards have been helped; the many comforts provided for the parsonage, all these and other good works of mercy and charity, if not recorded here, are surely recorded on High. Now, those of this society and other lady members of this church who have passed to the Great Beyond, and who are in memoriam, are the names Miss Ida has already mentioned, of the old society of the church on the hill, and of the deceased members. IN MEMORIAM FLOWERS ARE PLACED ON TABLE BY THE PRESIDENT. In their memory we place these flowers on the table. Their faces are absent tonight from us, but their work goes on. Let us pay tribute to their memory by rising and standing a moment in silent prayer. And now it remains for us, who tarry, and for those who shall succeed us, to de our part as they did their part, and to win our crowns as they won theirs, Mrs. Charles Harrison Treasurer of the Ladies Aid soceity. ——————— fp ————————— Increase of Quota, The rush of applicants for permis- sion to attend this year’s encamp- ment and the general enthusiasm dis- played by the public has prompted Major General Douglas MacArthur, commanding the Third Corps Area, to obtain an increase in the original quota of 4,300. The total increase authorized is 540. Fort Eustis, Vir- ginia, will take 240; Fort Howard, Maryland will be increased by 50 and Fort Washington, Maryland will train 100 more for Basic and Infantry courses. Fort Monroe, Virginia will take 50 more for Coast Artillery and Fort Hoyle, Maryland 100 more for Field Artillery, including basic and advanced courses. The War Depart- ment is greatly impressed with the activities of last year’s candidates in interesting their friends, and with the recognition by parents that these young men (most of them between the ages of 17 and 24) return home from these camps greatly improved in courtesy, health and discipline. by a mumber, which Thus ‘No. 1 ander the ‘column all the under vefers te the defisition listed below the pussle. headed “horizontal” defines a word whieh will white spaces up to the first black square to the right, and a number defines a word which will fill the white squares to the mext r “vertical” black ome Below. Neo letters go in the black spaces. All words used are die- {lomary words, except proper names. Abbreviatioms, slang, initials, techmieal terms and obsolete forms ave indicated in the definitions. CROSS-WORD PUZZLE No. 1. Be sure- Every day we see how fortunes are lost. | A bequest of a large amount in cash, orin |} cash or in securities to one unaccustomed to handling funds, is a serious risk. The waste is not due to extravagance alone. Appeals of all kinds, glowing prospects of big prof- || its, lack of particular knowledge, will often |} dissipate large fortunes. A trust fund will avoid this, and pro- vide a sure and permanent income. We will welcome your inquiries about this important matter. The First National Bank BELLEFONTE hs ~. wd O Cael ®, * @ 00, / * The store-room where Lyon & 0, % Co. have been located for the last J % 50 years must be emptied. @ 3 3 % The Entire Stock Will Go on Sale 0, dn. : 3 5 Friday, April 22, 9 A, M. 3 & %s* J 1 00500,09, 9, 0 / at prices never before heard of in » o % this community. Z 0 @ 4 NOTHING RESERVED 7 00 9,90,99, LC 0 S Hh 0 & Everything to be sold regard- + 3 less of cost. kA & 4 This store---the oldest in Centre & 4 county--has always been known for 3 4 its wonderful merchandise and & % money-saving values. Our final J & sale will be no exception. & @, %° ‘ All prices below cost. All merchandise must be sold as the & o 20edee! room will be for rent June 1st. 6%, J Lyon & Co. Lyon & Co. ES 20.6%6% 6% 5% 6% 2 0.6% 06% %0s% 2% 0 4% 20% 2000 Qe nde indo ioile dle de dein de indole de de dead do dled] 9, doidedloddnd 00.0, 0. 0. 0 0 0 0 9, PO 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Oo 6 6 * @, * 9, o 90%