Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-02-18
MORAL FORCES.
METHODIST AND PREsBYTERIAN
PROGRESS IN NORTH MONTANA.
Gratifying Testimony Regarding Religious
Sentiment at Great FaI1s--A Moral
and Law-Abiding City Where
Church bound.

Episcopal church held in Northern Mon
tana was in the summer of 1872, by Rev.
w. w. Van Orsdel at Fort Benton, who
came to this country, prompted only by
his ardent desire to bring the influence of
the gospel to the then far off frontier. He
came at his own expense and landed at
Fort Benton, coming from Pennsylvania.
He walked through the plains skirting
the Missouri river, preaching, visiting
and scattering the seed OF the gospel,
by his ardent spirit, some of which has
borne, and still bears golden fruit in the
hearts and homes of the few scattered
settlers of that time. Continuously from
that time on he has devoted his life and
labor to the development of the church
in all parts of Montana, and is now one
of the pastors of the circuit embracing
Benton, Great Falls and vicinity.
Rev. Hugh Duncan, now deceased, was
appointed a teacher at the Blackfoot
agency in 1875, and made occasional visits
to Sun River. Rev. w. G. Shipper, P. E.,
also visited, in his district work, Sun
River and Fort Benton in 1S74-75, and
taking up a collection for the church de-
posted part of the money with W. &.
Conrad, who purchased with it four lots
on which the Methodist parsonage at
Fort Benton now stands.
A CONFERENCE WITH INDIANS.
In 1876 the writer, who succeeded Mr..
Shipper as presiding elder, accompanied
by Rev. Clark Wright of Helena, now of
New York, visited the work of Northern
Montana, preaching at Sun River and
travelling eighty mules to visit the Black
foot agency on Badger creek. An inter
view with the chiefs was held on Dupuyer
creek. in reference to educational n
church work, lasting all night. That was
in November, and the mercury was
twenty degrees below zero. We had
travelled about twenty-five miles and the
Indian chiefs about fifty miles through
the severe cold of that day. The Indians
were eloquent takers, and through an in
terpreter entertained US all night. We
felt amply repaid Notwithstanding he
cold and exposure Of the trip. In 1878
the writer preached at Fort Benton. Be
ing in May, and the day of the arrival of
the first steamboat of that season, we held
u services in the cabin of the boat, which
was filled with an intelligent audience
from Fort Benton and its vicinity. Rev.
j. J. Garvin. D. D., became presiding
elder and made occasional visits during
1S79-SO. Rev. NJ. J. Hall was the first
regular pastor of the sun River circuit,
who preached at Sun River, Chestnut and
Augusta regularly from 1880 to 1882, and
occasionally visited Fort Benton. Rev. w.
j. Hunter succeeded him and was followed
by the now popular pastor Rev. H.. Little,
who for nearly three years has SO accept
ably filled the appointments at u River,
Chestnut, Smith River, Augusta and
Choteau.
Rev. Jacob Mills was the first regular
pastor of Fort Benton and vicinity. lie
received his appointment in 1852. Assisted
by the writer, who was then superintend-
ent of Montana missions, he organized the
society at Benton and obtained subscrlp-
lions for the Sun River church. He
built the parsonage at Fort benton ana
he church at Sun River, and by his in
dustry, energy and, ability, and giving
largely of his own means, LAID grand
foundations throughout all this region for
others to build upon. He is nowthe pre-
siding elder Of the district. and still re-
tains the deepest interest in the work.
THE FIRST SERMON HERE.
Rev. MI. Mills preached the first Pro
testant sermon delivered in Great Falls
and organized a church in Highwood. He
travelled extensively in all parts of this
region, and preached at Belt and Sand
Coulee as we'll as at Sun River and Chest
nut. Rev. Joel Vigus succeeded Mr..
Mills in the pastorate, and for two years
preached at Fort Benton and surrounding
country and at Great Falls, to large con-
gregations.
Upon the organization of the Montana
conference in 1887, Rev. w. w. Van Ors-
del and the writer were assigned to Fort
Benton, Great Falls and the surrounding
country. and during the past six months
nave been pushing work as vigorously as
possible. A revival service, the first ever
held in the vicinity of Cashiers on Belt,
lasted for two weeks in November, and
resulted in an organization OF 16 mem
bers. At Fort Benton and Highwcod
there are good congregations and a hope
full outlook.
THE SITE
The townsite company of Great Falls
have kindly donated two valuable lots In
a central LEGALITY, on condition that we
build a church thereon. As 0 as pos
sibIe we expect to erect a church build
ing to meet the demands of our work
here. I have beer gratifed to witness IN
SO new a city so many refined and intel:
lectual people interested in the moral
development of the community and the
upbuilding of the church. In view OF
the enterprise and public spirit OF our
business men, | feel that not only will
there be established here a great metrop-
oils, rivaling even the largest and most
prosperous Of our cities of the northwest
but.schools and churches commensurate
with the needs of such a marvelously
growing community, will be erected and
maintained. / feel honored in being
associated from a church point OF view
in the development of Great Falls with
the liberal and enterprising men who are