The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-08-19

METHODIST CHURCH SOUTH.
of the Recent Conference
at Willow Creek.

The Montana Conference Of the NJ. f.
Church south commenced its eighth annual
session at Willow Creek in Gallatin county,
on the 9th and adjourned on the 10th OF
August, Bishop r. K. Hargrave presiding
and f. j. Stanley, secretary.
Ministers present: Revs. Staller, Stanley.
Whitford, Spain (W. W., Spain (J. l.. NJ,
Lee, Hall, Smithey and Sanford.
Among the laymen We're f. q. Brooke,
A. Il. Clarke, John A. Smith. G. L. Duke,
J. w. kemper Enoch Wilson and many
Others. There was large attendance
from various towns and villages OF the Ter
ritory, quite a number of families going in
wagons and camping on the ground in an
old fashioned camp meeting style.
Rev. DR.. Ditzler, the eminent divine now
visiting our Territory, and just from Boze
man and the Gallatin valley, where he had
made SO many friends, was present and
preached some very able and eloquent ad
dresses,
The business was gone through with very
tremendously, and the reports of the
ii schers showed gratifying increase in
| . st Ely S'ss:ia siti> OF church work.
S CHURCH srArIrTIcs.
There are over 800 members. s churches,
II Sunday schools with 375 scholars.
There is a great lack OF men to supply the
Heeuy Aoiuo opcniHS up III ouI HeW anu IaaP-
idly growing country. Some OF the charges
are doubled up and others left without
pastors for the present, but it is believed
that there will be quite an increase in the
ministerial force and in the appropriation
from the home church the next year. 1t is
believed that the ministers Of this denom-
ination have performed more hard service
for the remuneration, finacially, than any
other class of men in Montana They are
in earnest, are persevering in their efforts
and are determined to succeed.
This conference was held near the spot of
ground where Rev. Mr.. Stateler organized
the first society OF the church in Montana,
in log cabin, a private dwelling, in the
winter OF 1S64-5. 1t WAS one of the first
protestant societies, if not the first, organ
lied in Montana.
The conference meeting was one OF great
profit intellectually, socially and relisiously,
and was one OF those occasions the re-
memberance of which will linger in the
mind for years to come.
L. B. Stateler was elected Ministerial
Delegate and E. j. Stanley alternate to the
General Conference which meets at Rich
mond Virginia, next May. +. G. Brooke
of WHITEHALL was elected lay delegate and
A. &. Clarke, of Helena, alternate.
VISITING BROTHERS.
Revs. George Comfort, w. w. VanOrsdel
OF the NJ. Il. Church (North) visited the con
ference. They were not sent as fraturnal
delegates but took pleasure in giving ex-,
preston to sentiments OF Christian fra
ternity and regard. They were cordially
received by the body, and their utterances
to in the same fraternal and
Christian spirit by members OF the confer
ence who hoped that the two branches Of
the same great family might labor in
harmony side by side in our vast Territory
where there is room for all true followers
of our common Master. The brethren filled
the pulpits cordially rendered them to the
delight OF the congregations present.
The services in memory OF the lamented
and talented young minister who died in
Butte City last winter SO soon after reach
ing our Territory were very solemn and i'm
pressivs. An eloquent tribute to his men,
ory was read by Rev. Whitford, and re-
marks were made by Revs. Stateler, Stan
ley, Van Orsdel and j. H. kemper, Esq
BOARD MEETINGS.
The anniversary meeting OF the various
boards OF the conference were q decided sue
cess. About $195 was raised for missions,
$50 for church extension. and $12O Tor the
Woman's Parsonage Extension Society.
The latter is new organization, OF which
Mrs. A. H. Barnett of Butte is president,
Mrs. John b. Taylor, Helena, vce-presi-
dent; Mrs. A. V. Clarke, Helena, treasurer;
Miss Lulu Brooke, Whitehall correspond
ing secretary, and Mrs. J. s. Robertson.
Stevensville, recording secretary. The oh
ject OF the society is to assist in building
parsonages throughout the Territory.
The religious services were largely at
tended and were very impressive. Quite u
number OF persons presented themselves
ut the altar on Sunday night in token of
their determination to better lives. The
sacramental services especially were very
solemn, as the preachers gathered around
the table to partake of the sacred e1nblcms
together just before receivingtherappo
ments and dispensing to their newufelds OF
labor. Many eyes were suffusel with tears.
THE APPOINTMENTS.
On Monday night, in the presence OF a
large audience, the bishop read the follow
ing appointments for the ensuing year:
Helena district, L. B. Stateler, presiding
elder Helena and Fairview to be supplied;
Bozeman station, w. w. Spain; Bozeman
circuit. William Hall; Butte and Anaconda,
j. B. Whitford-one to be supplied; Stevens
vile, Z. j. Stanley--T. w. Flowers, SUPER
numerary; Townsend and Radersburg
E. l.. Lee; Boulder and WHITEHALL l.. Z.
Smithey; Willow Creek. J. l.. w. Spain.