It is nearly three years since we
came to know each other. During that time we have had together many joys and also many things that cannot be called joys. We have
had to work hard, but maybe, after all, that has been good for us. For the most part, the members and friends have been loyal to the core, and for this the Pastor and his family express their appreciation. It means a great deal to any Pastor to have the backing of good men and women.
It is not in any spirit of boasting that we record that during the three years we have been working together, there have been received into the Church, two hundred and fifty people. Our baptismal services have been seasons of blessings, and over one hundred and fifty have been baptized during the three years.
The first year together we were greatly handicapped because our work had to be carried on down at the High School. But through patience, through everlastingly keeping at our work, through constantly keeping before us our great task, we have marched to points of progress undreamed of by even the most optimistic. The Pastor and his family hope the Church will continue to grow. That whoever may be the Pastor of the future, he will be able to look on his work here with a great deal of pardonable pride because the members and friends are determined that God's
Cause shall not fail.
During that first year, there were over two hundred meetings held in the Parsonage. We remember some of
those meetings as we write this message. How often the
cloud of despondency hung over our heads, but God saw us through, and if the Pastor has one message to emphasize more than another, it is to have great confidence in God. The Church is different from every other organization. It is not only a human institution - it is divine. Undergirding its life, there is the promise of Divine Power. Somehow or other we have come to believe that the power to make every Church succeed is here if we will only use it. Friends, in our home life, in our Church life, let us make use of the
promised power.
We make no apologies for our pulpit work. We have done our best. If at times you were strengthened and helped, then God be praised. If at times the truth struck home, and you felt just a little grieved at the Preacher, well, praise God for that. If at times you have not agreed, bear in mind, we have never asked your agreement on everything. Pastor and people may differ in many little things.
We have not kept a complete record of calls made. The strenuous building campaign, the gymnasium work left time and strength only for those places where we were really needed. In homes of sickness and distress we have felt God very near. We shall never forget some of these experiences. Whatever may be our differences, let us think charitably of each other and may our lives ever testify to the genuiness
of our Christian life.
J. J. HITCHENS.
For the Historical data of the Rock Falls Methodist Episcopal Church from its origin in 1868-69 down to 1906, we are indebted to Rev. Charles A. Gage, who
with great care and patience gathered many facts of interest.
The Rock Falls Church was organized as a Class during the Winter of the year 1868-69. The Rev. J. H. Alling, who was Pastor of what was then known as Second Church, Sterling, Illinois, with the aid of other brethren, conducted revival services on this side of the Rock River, which resulted in the formation of the new society. Before the close of the calendar year of 1869 a Church was built which cost a little over $4,000, the Rev. John A. Stayt being the first appointed Preacher. In 1872 a Parsonage was completed at the cost of $1,100.
It is impossible to mention the names of all those who had a share in the pioneer work of Methodism in this community. They have gone on, but being dead they yet speak to us and we of this day are deeply indebted to those sturdy men and women of the past. There has gone out from the Rock Falls Church five Ministers, one Professor and one who was Treasurer of the Western Methodist Book Concern. Out of the five Ministers one is a Bishop and one was District Superintendent of the Chicago Western District for six years.
In 1882 an addition was built to the Church. Between 1888 and 1891 the Church was completely remodelled. In 1904 a new Parsonage was built. Many revivals have characterized the career of this Church and in the bringing in of new members it has been one of the most successful in the Rock River Conference. The following have been Ministers on this Charge:
1870, John A. Stayt;
1872-74, Thomas Chipperfield;
1874, Lewis E. Curts;
1875, Cornelius R. Ford;
1876 to 1879, Amos H. Miller;
1879, M. H. Triggs;
1880, W. A. Cross;
1881 to 1882, J. C. Stoughton;
1882 to 1885, again Amos H. Miller;
1885 to 1888, C. A. Bunker;
1888 to 1891, M. M. Bales;
1891 to 1893, George H. Wells;
1893 to 1898, Frank H. Gardner;
1898 to 1901, W. H. Pierce;
1901 to 1903, John H. Dingle;
1903 to 1906, Charles Gage;
1906 to 1908, F. W. Nazarene;
1908 to 1911, ]. F. Clancey;
1911 to 1914, James Potter;
1914 to 1916, Lewis B. Lott;
1916 to 1922, Alfred Simester;
1922-J. J. Hitchens.
Thus in the fifty-three years of Rock Falls Methodism there have been twenty-one Pastors. During this time over ten thousand people have joined the Church. People converted at its altar have gone to all parts of the country and many have joined the Church Triumphant.
And now we come to a bit of recent history. During the pastorate of Alfred Simester (January, 1921), the Church burned to the ground. Many hearts ached to see the passing of this old landmark and spiritual home of thousands. But no sooner did this fire occur than the Pastor and officials planned a Church, modern in every detail. A subscription list was started and enough subscribed to justify the building committee beginning operations. The cornerstone was laid in October, 1922. The Rock River Conference that year met at Princeton, and when the appointments were read, J.J. Hitchens became Pastor at Rock Falls. Building work continued and in September, 1923, one of the finest Churches ever built in a city of the size of Rock Falls was dedicated. The building committee, backed by loyal people, worked right nobly and every member today is justly proud of the enterprise. Rock Falls Methodist Church with its great plant has a great program with a great purpose. The years to come will unfold achievements even greater than those of the past.
If a Preacher succeeds, he is worth all the Church pays him; if he doesn't, he isn't worth anything to that particular Church.
Our Church building and equipment cost in the neighborhood of eighty thousand dollars. We hope to be able to report by the 6th of September that this amount has been paid off down to twenty-five thousand dollars. The Church has adopted a slogan that every dollar of the indebtedness must be paid by 1930. If you are in arrears with your Building Fund pledge, you'll hearten the committee by making arrangements to meet this sacred obligation.
Our World Service and Benevolent program is not so good as it might be, but in the last five years, in spite of the tremendous burden, this Church has paid out for world wide work about fifteen thousand dollars.
Our Current Expense budget is nigh eight thousand dollars a year. In the main our members and friends do well. Of course, there are a few slackers, but they are getting fewer every year. The average American Christian doesn't want anyone else to be carrying his burden.
What is Money? It is a token or payment for services rendered -- a medium of exchange, a part of yourself. When you give money to the work of God's Kingdom, you subscribe yourself, and put money into that work in a very special way. When your envelope is carried to the front on the offering plate, just think that part of yourself is going up there. Money offers the opportunity for people to give of themselves to the great work of God's Kingdom.
Our Church has been paying its bills on time. That is much better than giving the impression that when the Church contracts a debt, it means a long time before the creditor gets his money. See that your envelopes come in on time and God's Cause will be honored.
If you cut down, then you favor a curtailing of the work here.
If you give the same, you mean you wish no progress.
If you give just a little more, you mean you stand for going ahead.
But after all, whether we give little or much, it is the spirit that counts.
God knows our hearts. He knows whether we are doing our best.
Make the year 1925-1926 the best year ever.
HOURS OF WORSHIP-CHURCH CALENDAR
Week Days
Gymnasium open every day for games and recreation. Regular schedule, nine months in the year. Basket Ball, Volley Ball and Indoor Base Ball game schedule is being now arranged for the Winter of 1925-1926. Dramas and Pageants will feature largely the program during the Winter.
Now is the time for every Society and Organization to be working out their schedule.
Boys and girls will be under proper supervision in the "gym." There is no place so worthy of the parents' cooperation.
Thursday night will be known as Church Night. Presumably a similar plan will be carried out as in previous years. Thousands of people enjoyed the Community Nights last year.
The Ladies' Aid Society meets the second and fourth
Friday of every month.
The Women's Social Auxiliary meets the first and third
Wednesday of every month.
The W. F. M. S. meets the first Friday in every month. The W. H. M. S. meets the third Friday in every month. The King's Heralds meet the first Saturday in every
month.
All meetings of Classes and Societies in the Church
must be arranged for so as to a void conflict.
We have one of the best Churches, so let us all help
and teach others to keep it clean.
See that lights and water are turned off.
If you use the Organ, make sure you switch off the
motor.
Presidents of the Epworth League, Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and Ladies' Aid Society.
In all matters with the exception of the Building Fund, the Trustees and Stewards will act as a unit.
F. I. Barrus, Carl Morse, J. Cantlin, A. E. Deem, Aaron Gaulrapp, H. Bassett, H. Dyer
J. Cantlin, A. E. Deem, H. Dyer
H. Bassett, Miss B. Seneff, Mrs. J. . McNeil, Harold Gaulrapp
F. H. Bennett (Ch'rman), Mrs. John Rhyne, L. A. Wheelock, Mrs. A. L. Coe
Pres. of Trustees, Pres. of Lad. Soc. Aux.
Pres. of Official Board, Pres. of Lad. Aid Soc.
Mrs. A.E. Deem, William Limond, Mrs. C. Gettle (Pres.), Pearl Chapin, Mrs. Aaron Gaulrapp
Ed. Freeman -- Recording Steward
John McNeil -- District Steward
Henry Olds -- Reserve Steward
Mrs. L. A. Wheelock -- Communion Steward
F. H. Bennett -- Auditor
J. Cantlin -- Church Records
F.I. Barrus -- Church Records
L.A. Wheelock -- Church Records
New Church Year begins October 4th.
Official Board will meet for regular meeting the first Monday night in every month with the exception of July and August. The Official Board is open to suggestions from any member or friend of the Church.
The Rock Falls Methodist Sunday School was organized in 1871 from the old Union Sunday School, which met from 1865 to 1870 in a brick school house on the Dixon Road. At the present time our Sunday School is a vital force in the community. The Superintendents are as follows:
J. Cantlin -- General Superintendent
The enrollment is well over five hundred. There are one hundred aud fifty babies on the Cradle Roll. The Sunday School is graded and all the work is carried on in an efficient manner.
Henry Olds -- Adult
Mrs. L. A. Wheelock -- Senior
John McNeil -- Junior
Mrs. John McNeil -- Primary
Mrs. J. Cantlin -- Cradle Roll
The local Chapter was organized in 1889. It was reorganized in 1904. Miss Fern Yeager is the President for 1925-1926.
Its lines of work touch many a saddened spot to relieve it. The local organization is well organized.
This organization has put the world in its heart. It is touching the ends of the earth. The local work is well in hand and great interest is constantly maintained.
This is a Junior Missionary Society under the leadership of Mrs. Carl Morse. It is a training school in world vision.
This Society has had a very remarkable history in our Church. It has helped the Church out of a trying experience. Its record during this present building campaign is one of which we are all proud.
This Society was organized in 1903, and while it was organized primarily as a social order, it has assumed in all of its career great financial obligations. It is one of the reliable forces of the Church, and in every movement has come forward willing to do its share.
In addition to these regular Church organizations, we have a number of class organizations, which have done right nobly all along the line, but particularly during this new building campaign. Everyone of these organized classes has a record of achievements which merits the praise of the entire officiary of the Church.
The Directory would be incomplete without paying our highest compliments to the Choir. In no Church will you find a more faithful group. Long live our Choir!
