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THE STRATFORD MIRRG - ae -- Vol. 8 STRATFORD, MAR. 13, 1931 No. 41> Large Congregations Hear Rev. Dr. John MacNeil The seventy second birthday of On- tario Street Baptist Church was fit- tingly celebrated on Sunday. last, with special music by the choir and special services. The congregation was fortunate in securing for the oc- casion, the services of Rev. Dr. John MacNeil, Principal of the Faculty of Theology at McMaster University, and President of the Baptist World Alliance. Dr. MacNeil spoke at both services on Sunday, and on Monday night, delivered an address on "Eu- rope's Challenge to Christianity." The history of the congregation of the present Ontario Street Baptist Church dates from 1859, although the first church building, which was lo- cated at the corner of Front and Al- bert Streets, was not ready until 1861. The first pastor of the congre- gation here was Rev. R. McClelland. At a later date, the church was sit- uated on Ontario Street where the Silverwood's plant now stands, and in 1889, the new church was opened on the present site. Many able pastors have ministered to the local congregation since its organization. Included in their num- ber are Rev. D. A. McGregor, from 1881 to 1886, when Dr. McGregor left to accept a professorship at McMast- er University, and Rev. W. J. McKay, from 1892 to 1904. Rev. McKay went t oToronto to take charge of the "Canadian Baptist' and the book room in Toronto. Rev. H. W. Stewart, the present pastor, has conducted a_ successful ministry since February of 1929. Passenger Traffic and Freight Show Increase What's good for the C. N. R. is good for Stratford. For that reason Stratford citizens will rejoice at the announcement of Superintendent W. E. Weegar last week, that the vol- ume of freight and passenger traffic over the local division had increased appreciably during the past month. It is also interesting to note that Mr. Weegar states that the volume of traffic passing over the lines today is heavier than that of a year ago now. It is possible that the increase in freight traffic over this and other di- visions heralds the approach of better times. Increased business for the railroads will be reflected in many other lines of work. The in- crease in passenger service may be due to a large extent, to the revised train schedule which provides better service for the traveling public. Go forth into the busy world and love it, interest yourself in its life, mingle kindly with its joys and _ sor- rows, try what you can do for men rather than what you can make them do for you, and you will know what it is to have men yours, better than if you were their king or master. Local Happenings In Brief Not since before the war, has he sold |- Now that Spring is definitely here, according to the butterflies and the robins, we can get out the old snow shovel again a ng dig a road for the coal man to put in another ton of coal, * Some ¢ynic has suggested, by the way, that those birds which were seen in the city were not robins at all, but snow birds. * * *~_ * * There are stories of Family Com- pacts and more Compacts in the his- tory books which they hand out in the schools, but the greatest Com- pact of modern ages is the Ontario Pro, League. * * * . A report from St. Marys says that a number of fans from that town who attended the Chatham-Stratford semi- _ final game here, found nails or other sharp missles driven into the tires of their car when they were leaving for home. They blamed supporters of the Indians who had mistaken their car for Chatham cars, * * ak While we don't pretend to know anything about the incident, our best guess would be that the "missles" were screw nails which had been picked up in the vicinity of the town hall in the Stone Town after the Mayor had or- dered the plumbers off the job while they were engaged in installing show- er baths for the knights of the road. ae * * First the Stratford Lions Club, and then the management of the team, are hosts to the Midgets at chicken din-_ ners where the players are encouraged to eat to their heart's content. When another year rolls around, how does the management expect those same players to listen to the essentials of | hard training as laid down by some} of them and now fill them full of chicken, jelly and what not? * * * This week, a pair of rubbers were responsible for calling the Stratford Fire Department out on the double. A short time ago it was roast meat. When such homely little articles begin to make a claim for publicity, would it be out of the way for a hot water bottle to cause the next run? * * * Who says thirteen number? The local Commission' receives a bill which it calls the "thirteenth power bill', and yet, it is expected that the contents of that "bill" will mean about $17,000 to the city. Send on the 13th bills if that's what they're sg asa 42 * is an unlucky Public Utilities A' Rochester, Minn. physician has declared that four hours sleep is en- ough for any person, and that for 58 years he has not taken any more. Our suggestion is that he missed his call- ing. He should have been a newspaper- man, | re { | meat so cheaply, one meat merchant has declared. Né wonder if that will eliminate the famous trio of -- boiled meat today, hash tomorrow and soup the next day. * * A dilapidated white shirt has be- | come famous in the city, simply be- 'cause it found its way to the top of the, flag pole in Lakeside Park near the toboggan slide. Some one has sug- gested that it is a monument to the many shirts which were lost in a certain toboggan slide in October a year ago. ** @ "Crowd of 2,000 sees basketball.game between Stratford and Battle Creek," | reads headline. From that, one would be almost led to believe that the game spoken of took place in- Battle Creek. tet The Ladies' Auxiliary of the I. A. of M., Victory Lodge 120, held their meeting in the Fraternal Hall, Tues- day evening. Mr. H. Rhodes, presi- dent of Stratford Trade & Labor Council, gave a splendid address. The Auxiliary plan to put on a play in the City Hall, April 16th and 17th made table for himself, and a hand--- called the "Hoodoo," under the lead-, ership of Mrs. Olin Brown. Refresh- | ments were served at the close of the meeting. * *+ * "Laying on the hickory" has long been a term used in sport. Now, do not be surprised if it finds its way in- to the reperts of meetings of the Stratford Board of Education. The reason, of course, would be the intro- duction of that new gavel by Chair- man A, W. Davis. * There is no more pitiful sight than a cowboy on foot, or'a hockey player without his skates. The latter species is particularly useless in snow, ac- cording to Manager Bob Jones of the Nationals. Bob Jones knows, because when his stalwarts landed in a drift on the return from "Oshawa on Satur- day night, they absolutely refused to push the cars on the remaining short distance to Stratford; and took refuge in the hotel at Baden. Stratford Boy Promoted To Responsible Position J. H. Wyatt, W. Petterson and the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. are to be congratulated on the appoint- ments which have been made in the Kroehler interests. Stratford citizens and the trade ine general will con- gratulate Mr. Wyé t and Mr. Petter- son on their pr \otions, while the Kroehler company can be congrat- ulated on having two faithful and efficient employees to fill the respon- sible positions. In the case of Mr. Wyatt, he and his family will be wel- x comed back as citizens of Stratford. IMPRESSIVE DEDICATION NEW MASON TEMPLE Never before, in the history of Free x Masonry in Stratford, have so many -- Grand Lodge members been in the | city at the same time, as were assem- -- : bled here for the dedication of the new Masonic Hall, according to some of the older Masons of the city. From 3 many centres of the province they 65 came, to be on hand and rejoice with Bs Stratford Masons in realizing a dream which formed in the minds of Masons -- here years ago and has finally been | realized through the zeal of the mem- -- bers and officers of the local lodges. The lodge room was filled to capa- -- city for the 'impressive dedication ser- -- vice which began about six o'clock. The lodge meeting was opened by -- Frank P. Gibbs, Master of Tecumseh -- Lodge, but upon the entry of the Grand Master and his retinue of Grand Lodge Officers, bearing the = symbols of the Craft, the meeting was -- taken in charge by the Grand Master. | Following the dedication services, W. Bro. Victor Mannell, Master of Stratford Lodge took charge of the © meeting, and the Grand Master was presented with a beautiful Stratford-_ : 'some work box for Mrs. Dargavel. siete? Approximately 350 were in attend~-- ance at the banquet which followed in _ the banquet hall. The dinner was pro- ~ vided by the Ladies Aid of St. An--- drew's Church. During the banquet, the Masonic Choir provided exelent * music, and the Masonic Choir and _ Masonic Quartette, under the direction of Peter Wilson took up the musical duties where the orchestra left off, : providing excellent musical entertain- -- ment during the course of the Severe: : ing. While the Grand Master, R. B. Dar- gavel, of Toronto, was the chief speak- er, many others prominent in Masonry -- in the jurisdiction, and locally were -- on the toast list. Included in this num- ber were: the Grand Secretary, W. M. Logan, of Hamilton; T. C. Wardley, of Elora; W. S. Herrington, K.C., Deputy © Bes Geand Master of Napanee; T: L. Pryde -- District Deputy Grand Master of | South Huron District; John A. -Row- land, K.C., of Toronto, Past Grand ee Master, J. Bernie Smith, of London; -- F, P. Gibbs of Tecumseh "Lodge, IieWi Mannell, of Stratford Lodge and John Stevenson. 4 THINK IT OVER ' If we: all Knew how slight is the -- difference in effort required to pro- duce high - grade and low - grade -- f service there would be mightly little low - grade service. e ee rd Indifferent service is usually t result of an indifferent habit mind. A business house can be no ter than the individuals in it. a business organized by Pp 4, ive individuals succeeds, while 'an indifferent individual and an indiffer- ent business flounder in the 'sea ad de CoE atc 5 THE BEST IN TALKING PICTURES FRIDAY and SATURDAY Joe E. Brown -- Winnie Lightner "Sit Tight" ONE of them would PAN IC et : MONDAY -- TUESDAY > 2 ana rc sheaisee