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History -- Ladd Bible Class
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The Ladd Class Reaches its Twenty-fifth Anniversary
The twenty-fifth anniversary of any Sunday School class is worthy of note, but when it is the anniversary of an adult class under the guidance if one teacher for twenty-three of the twenty-five years, it is especially worthy of mention.
A quarter of a century ago fifteen men and women meeting in the balcony of the old First Church, Elgin, Ill., asked Dr. J. T. Ladd to be their teacher. From this beginning the Ladd class, as it became to be known to the Sunday School world, grew to a membership of three hundred men and women, and had become a strong and influential factor in the community.
During the twenty-five years of its existence there have been only eight presidents. Membership has changed quite rapidly. Several of the early members have moved to other states or cities. One hundred and twenty four are on the list of the deceased. Only two years ago, the leader and teacher passed away. That the class, devoted to his ideals and that the cause for which it was organized, has carried on with characteristic loyalty under the direction of Mr. W. C. Tonkin, who became the teacher soon after Dr. Ladd's death.
Many former members and friends throughout the country returned or sent greetings to the program and memorial service held on the anniversary date, June 5, of this year. Dr. Charles Carpenter of Morgan Park and Dr. Gilbert Stansell of Waukegan were in the program. Other pastors sent congratulations. Close to two hundred gathered for the banquet and program. A service was held at Dr. Ladd's grave as a memorial for him and other deceased members. Dr. J. Hastie Odgers, pastor of the church, was in charge of this very simple but impressive service.
The entire afternoon and evening given were to the recognition of the quarter century milestone of this great class was a great consideration to the church and Sunday School. Though many have had an active part in its history, yet to no one more is credit due than to the one for whom the class was named. On the evening of the celebration it was decided that some permanent memorial to Dr. Ladd should be placed in the First Methodist Church, and a committee was appointed to carry out this resolution.
Northwestern Christian Advocate
09 July 1931
p. (21) 697
Transcribed by B. Greene, June 2004
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