Word and Way from Kansas City, Missouri • 6

THE WORD AND WAY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1906. SIGNS OF THE TIMES. MT. VERNON CHURCH. The Word and Way is pleased to present to its readers pictures of the recently enlarged and improved meeting house of the Mt.

Vernon church, and of Rev. Solomon Riggs, its pastor. This is among the oldest and for many years was one of the most prosperous and influential churches in Andrew county. It is situated three miles northeast of Savannah, the county seat. It has given some of its most worthful members to the Savannah church.

The church was organized in August, 1859. Because of conditions in the church growing out of the war of the states, it was agreed in September 1870, to disband and reorganize, which agreement was carried out. Revs. J. H.

Best and Lewis Allen Reform Sentiment Effective. Senator Brackett of the New York Legislature recently introduced a resolution requesting Senator Chauncy M. Depew to resign his seat in the United States Senate, on account of his connection with insurance graft, as brought to light by recent insurance investigations. Although the resolution has been withdrawn for the tLne being, it is tne avoweu purpose of Senator Brackett later in the present session to introduce -i again, and it is believed it will be passed by the Legislature. While Mr.

Depew may net heed the voice of his constituents thus expressed, he certainly will be shorn of his power and prestige in Congress and with the people. Last week John A. McCall resigned as president of the New York Life Insurance Company and Alexander E. Orr was immediately elected to the position. McCall's salary was and Orr's is to be $50,000.

This Is the last of the three great companiesthe Equitable, uie Mutual and the New York whose principal officers have been ousted or forced to resign, as a result of the recent insurance investigations. It is estimated that more than a half million dollars annually will be saved to the policy holders on the salaries of these officers alone. roll shows the present membership to be 155. Many of these are living beyond reach of the church. The church has three excellent Christian gentlemen and fine business men for deacons: J.

M. Landers, R. A. Coffer and T. A.

Reece. J. M. White, a godly and useful young man, is Sunday school superintendent. J.

J. Holt, in whose model and hospitable country home the writer was pleasantly entertained recently, has been the faithful and painstaking clerk of the church for a quarter of a century. It wa3 from the old records and by his help that the foregoing brief but interesting sketch was gleaned. The church has maintained twice-a-month preaching for the last twenty-five years. While it is doing well I am sure it could do very much better.

It is easily within the ability of the church to build a pastor's home on a five or ten acre tract, somewhere near the church, and keep a good man on the field all the time. During the history of the church there have been many conversions in meetings held by the church. Out of its converts and increase the church has supplied to surrounding churches many valuable members. The present house was built in 1831 and has just recently been enlarged, refitted and refurnished at a cost, of S1.G00. Sunday, November 19, it was the privilege of the writer to meet with these fine people and preach the sermon at tlie dedication of their splendid house.

It had been planned to make the dedication service the beginning of a series of special meetings. After ten days the effort had to be abandoned for the time. There were many hindrances. The corn had been blown to the ground and much of it was ungathered. The farmers were working early and late and strenuously to get it out of the field before snow fall.

There was serious sickness in the community. There were three I a', fx REFLECTIONS. By ZEB If you would be useful and happy in1 Hjirn adopt the sundial's motto: "I record nothing but hours of sunshine." Bitter memories drop into oblivion remember only the days of rich experience. your hope bright and meet all difficulties with a cheerful face your hope is anchored within the vail. right thoughts, pray foften the Spirit will guide you.

Don't be all the time telling your troubles to your already over-loaded brother. Lay your burdens on the Great Burden Bearer. Your Heavenly Father has bought you. You owe Him the best life it is possible for you to live. He has made your debt payable to.

humanity live that life among men. Encourage the weak and let the strong encourage you. God would have you be a courageous soldier, with a heart o'erflowing with encouraging words. Know yourself trust in God and heaven securely. God will keep you and your trust in heaven will inspire you.

Get busy, keep busy and you will grow in usefulness. You will get help if you are about your Father's business. Visit those less fortunate than yourself this will develop the sympathetic side of your nature. There are many blessings and many places for the Christian with a big chord of sympathy in his heart. I knew a man who visited an aged sister who was blind, in her home, and talked to her about Jesus and when he saw the tears of gratitude (for he was the first Christian who had visited in that home for some time) flow from her sightless eyes, God blessed his soul.

Another time a very weak Christian visited an aged brother who had been deprived of his hearing and when he made known his mission to the old man who was sick unto death, his heart was made to rejoice, for the sick man, with the light of heaven upon his face, said: "It's all for the best." Live religion has two feet and walks on the ground ministering to men. Christ is an all sufficient Savior. Don't lose faith in the atoning power of his blood. He saved you preach the gospel. Let your life preach it.

It is the power of God unto salvation. Place yourself on God's altar for service. Train your mind, soul and body so that the Spirit will have the best there is in you to lead into the conflict. Open your heart and let the Savior in. He will bless you and make you a blessing.

Aopt the motto printed over the chapel at William Jewell College by our dear brother, Professor Rider: "Trust in God, and Work." Be clay in' the Great Potter's hand. He will make you a fit vessel for the Master's use." Springfield, Mo. PASTOR SOLOMON RIGGS. were the officiating clergymen in the first organization. There were seven charter members: Jonathan Townsend and wife, Jesse Townsend and wife, A.

J. Pettyjohn and wife, and Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott. Only two of these are new living: Jonathan Townsend and his sister, Mrs. Elliott.

War Cloud in Europe. Only a few months have passed since the Russo-Japanese War was brought to an end and the world has been at peace with itself. Now come rumors of an impending conflict between France and Germany. It waS thought the dispute over Morocco was settled finally last spring, but a recent dispatch frcm London, says: "The Moroccoan situation has suddenly thrust itself to the front in a way that has alarmed Europe more than any international complication within a generation." It is stated on good authority that England is pledged to the support of France in case of war. It is evident that Emperor William is not as much of a diplomatist as war lord.

He has repeatedly met with political defeats and foiled ambitions and disapointments. Germany's army is the largest and best in the world and its navy is one of the best. France's navy is second only, in number and efficiency of vessels, to that of England and its army is one one of the largest and best in the world. The causa of the trouble between france and Germany is that France wants complete control of Morocco and Germany opposes it, demanding an opportunity for German colonists. MT.

VERNON CHURCH HOUSE, NEAR SAVANNAH, Ma Russian Revolution. The stiuation in Russia has taken on the proportions of the revolution. It is, however, doubtful whether the people will be linaliy victorious when the conflict ended. The main motive of the revolutionists seems to be opposition to all law and order. Up to tne present time the uprising of the people has been unsuccessful.

The government, though weak and unstable, has been able to mow ii- i i-ir Via thmia. heavy, rains and a cold snap. Streams were up, the roads were muddy and the nights were dark. But notwithstanding these things there were some pleasant and profitable services. There is no finer community in the state.

The people are well-to-do, well-meaning, well-behaved, Intelligent, liberal, hospitable, honest, honorable. I have a bid in to return for another meeting when conditions are more favorable. I count myself happy to have had this opportunity to know brother Riggs at close range and be associated with him in the work. We had delightful fellowship. He is a good, true, lovable R.

K. M. Pastors. During the eleven years, from organization, there were two pastors Rev. J.

H. Best and Rev. Norris, the former serving ten years and the latter one. J. H.

Best was called to the pastorate of the reorganized church and served eight consecutive years. Rev. J. S. F.

Wood was called In August, 1878, and served to November, 1880. Rev. B. F. Rice took charge November, 1880, and resigned February, 1888.

He was succeeded immediately by Rev. J. B. Kearby, who served to February ,1902. The present pastor, S.

Riggs, succeeded brother Kearby, taking up the work February 15, 1902. The membership uOWn me insuirecuumoLo uj u.w andsi and virtually, for the time being at least, to crush all active opposition. Yet the fires are only smouldering for the while. The rebels and strikers need a real leader, and to" put their standards on higher ground political i i Then MAYFIELD SANITARIUM. Brother W.

H. Ackley gave a very intersting talk on "Faithfulness." A goodly number were present and many helpful testimonies were given, one. of which was given by a youn lady who was converted here. Just week ago, Dr. Tyzzer sang a swrtit gospel solo at tho close of this Now Year service.

liberty ana nuumu nwcvwin. they will have the sympathy of tho civilized world, and not until then..