Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1889-02-13
CHURCH PROGRESS.
ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
- CHURCH.


Yesterday was busy one in the Pres
byterian church Of this city. In the after
noon session was held and the condi-
ton of the church was discussed. 1t was
decided to give formal call to the Rev.
John Reid to continue as pastor of the
church. a. -e-
In the evening congregational meet
ing was held, at which most of the trus.
tees were present. The proceedings
were opened with prayer and hymn. Mr..
Reid read the minutes of the seasonal
meeting, which reported the church to be
making steady progress. The services
were we'll attended and the Sunday school
is flourishing. The membership of the
church has increased A manse has been
provided for the pastor. The finances Of
the church are in good order and it is
practically free from any burdens result
ing from Indebtedness. Mr.. Jensen, who
presided, called in the regular order of
business for the secretary's report. DR..
IOlAO4 uAoA 1Cttu UuS lO4lUWluks
The task allotted to me tonight is a
very pleasant one as 1t is record of
steady, unbroken progress towards pros
perity during the past term. On the I'd of
last July, when the present board Of
trustees were elected, they found things
in rather an unsatisfactory condition;
now, however, the affairs Of this church
are on solid, permanent basis. There
was then no manse for our pastor, no lot
secured whereon to build one. Besides
that, our pastors salary was in arrears
and there was a considerable debt on the
church. Tonight we are happy to be in
a position to inform the congregation
that all this has been changed. The
congregation has commodiOus manse
and also an absolute title to the lot where
on it stands, the Townsite company hav-
ing generously given us free gift of the
lot as soon as we erected the manse No
doubt there is loan by the board of
church erection fund Of the Presbyterian
church, which will have to be paid, but
we have ample time in which to do so
without taxing ourselves TO any great
extent. The exact amounts paid out and
received in connection with the erection
Of the manse will be told you later on in
the treasurer's report. The trustees take
this opportunity Of publicly thanking all
the friends in town and elsewhere who
SO kindly donated money, material or
work and thus enabled the church to
build a manse SO essential to PASTORS
comfort. The other main object before
the present board of trustees when they
took office, was the reduction of the gem
eral church debt, which amounted to
over $640, and also OF the arrears Of salary
amounting to over $40. This object has
also been successfully accomplished,
thanks chiefly to the untiring efforts of
our pastor and of Mrs. Reid, who inter
ested friends in the East in the work
going on here. In this connection,
special mention must be made Of the as
sistance rendered by Mrs. Crosby Brown
of New York, Mrs. Tracy of the First
National bank Of Great Falls, the Young
Ladies' Aid association Of Great Falls,
presided over by Mrs j. P. Lewis and
the Westminster Presbyterian church Of
Minneapolis. The last named church
promised, last fall, If the debt was re-
duced to $150by the end of January, to
donate that amount. By special efforts
we succeeded and the Westminster
church fulfilled Its engagement, so now
we as a congregation not only stand free
Of debt, but have little sum on hand to
erect a bell and attend to needed repairs.
The attendance in the church has
steadily improved. The efficiency and
attractiveness Of the church services have
been greatly enhanced by efforts of the
ladies and gentlemen composing our ac-
complished choir. Time fails me doing
more than abiding to the numerous uni
formly successful festivals and services Of
ann ~ niu IN aid IF thn oh bo
prospect before us is bright, the town is
growing and why should not the church
grow also?
Mr.. Beachly, the treasurer, gave a
summary of the receipts and expenditures
for each month. He also stated the CON
dition Of the manse account
Mr.. Reid withdrew and the meeting
proceeded to consider the call which had
been addressed to him by the elders, to
continue rs pastor. The call referred to
his services and qualifications in compli-
mentary terms. On motion Of Mr.. Bruce,
the matter was referred to the trustees,
who are empowered to complete arrange
ments with Mr.. Reid.
Mr.. Tracy Of the First National Bank
was elected trustee to fill vacancy.
DR.. Gordon referred to the aid which
the young people and ladies had rendered
in putting the church on sound financial
basis. He moved that the bell and belfry
be provided in accordance with an i'm
piled promise made to the young folks.
Tho rn0tion 1uao M rrio6 i7+fi
On motion of Mr.. Stanton, thanks were
accorded the secretary, DR.. Gordon
Hearty thanks were also voted Mr.. Beach
", the treasurer, who had kept the ac-
counts in good order and had rendered
much service to the church generally by
his zeal in keeping the officersup to their
duties. Thanks were likewise voted to
the TOWNSHIP company for the lot it had
given as a site for the manse. The con-
gregation then sung hymn, for,which
Mrs Tracy played with her customary
skill the harmonium accompaniment.
After prayer the congregation dispersed,
we'll pleased with the harmony which
reigned throughout the meeting and the
bright prospects Of the church.
How Doctors Conquer Death.
Doctor Walter K. Hammond says
After long experience have come to the
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