A Big Week in Pella's History

THE GENERAL SYNOD OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA MEETS IN PELLA

For the first time in its entire history, the General Synod met in the
West. Pella was the fortunate town to be chosen for this signal honor.
The following partial account of the proceedings is taken from the Pella
Booster of June 14, 1922. We regret that the restricted scope of this
edition does not permit a full account of this notable event.

Last Wednesday evening Pella was on tip toe of expectancy. The train
bearing the delegates from New York City to Pella was scheduled to
arrive at 10 o'clock. Preparations had been made to look after these
incoming visitors and the region of the Rock Island depot was alive with
an eager, longing throng of people waiting to welcome the weary worn
travelers. The place was lined' up with autos ready to begin a long
procession which ended when the last of the delegates was hurried away
to the place assigned by the committee on entertainment.

The train for some unknown reason failed to reach Pella on time,
although there was only a slight delay of 30 minutes experienced at
Chicago, Rock Island, Ill., was reached in good season but the train
slowed up from there and reached Pella about one hour and forty-five
minutes late.

The plan of transportation of delegates worked so smoothly that in a
very short time all of the visitors were taken off to the homes opened
for their entertainment and the train also left in a remarkably short
time for Des Moines.

After traveling about forty hours continuously the delegates were ready
to retire and rest under the favorable conditions realized at length. As
the Synod was not to convene until afternoon, many availed themselves of
the opportunity of resting later than usual in the morning.

The Convening of Synod

The one hundred and sixteenth session of the General Synod of the
Reformed church in America opened on Thursday, June 8th, at 2:30 p. m.,
with President Mac Kenzie in the chair. The President called the meeting
to order and offered prayer.

The organization was effected by the Stated Clerk calling the roll of
delegates and the President declaring a quorum present to transact
business.

Mayor H. J. Vander Berg then addressed the Synod in his executive
capacity and welcomed the visitors to the city.

Prof. F. M. Frush, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, then spoke in
behalf of that body fitting words of appreciation and pleasure afforded
the city in having these representatives of the Reformed church meet in
Pella for their annual meeting.

Dr. M. J. Hoffman of Central college followed in his accustomed and
happy vein.

President Mac Kenzie announced the first business of the Synod was the
election of a President. According to custom the nominations were by
ballot and after the ballots were reported, Dr. Oltmans of Tokyo, Japan,
had the largest vote, with many others in the list.

On motion, Dr. Oltmans was elected by acclamation, a thing that has
seldom been done in the Reformed church.

Dr. Oltmans was then escorted to the platform and introduced as the next
President of the Synod, to take office at the opening of the next
session.