The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-28
THE oNGREGATIoNALIsTs
The Growth Of the Church In Montana Yet
in Its Infancy.

The Growth Of the Church in Montana Yet
in Its Infancy.
Rev. W.. 8. Bell, superintendent of the
Congregational denomination, In a letter to
the Northwestern Congrsgationaliat, con-
tributes some interesting facts concerning
the church in this state. Congregational
ism in Montana, though yet in it's infancy,
is slowly gaining strength. The four
churches Of . year and \ half ago have
gained other four" Still another will
soon follow, but for lack Of funds q cry
from a rapidly developing n onuIonlsss
must maet with no response. Tbs First
church at Helena is just closing its
first year Of sslf-support. The bur
den assumed in q time Of financial
depression was Z heavy ore, but right
bravsly has it been borne. and at the same
the benevolent contributions. That Pastor
Kelsey has solved tho problem of q sue
cessful prayer nesting, not even a stranger
stopping in for q single evening could
doubt, while those who attend regularly
look forward to the mid-week meeting as a
series of Sunday morning Sermon on the
gospel Of Matthew, now being delivered by
the pastor, shows careful preparation, and
cannot fail to result in q more intelligent
conception Of the purpose and contents of
the book. With q successful ladies' mis-
sionary society and a growing Y. 2. 8. G. E.
this church has much for which to be
thankful.
At Livingston, the gatewa0 to the
National park, the Congregational church
is making advances all along tho line, AZ
increased interest in the prayer meetings
and Christian Endsavor sooisty, and the
formation Of . ladies' missionary society
~La- A,,k %h> uNoI v,nop ~ykfCh oil nyAa .ro
fixed il ss%lf-support. Tho last application
for aid asks for $500 less than the previous
year, and the church 10 determined that
another application shall not be made.
Pastor Fowler Ia doing efficient work and
his labors are highly appreciated.
Few Rocky mountain churches have the
privilege Of listening to ssrmona more full
Of thought than those which Pastor How
ell Ia giving at Butte. His sermons IN the
lii OF Christ have been regularly reported
in the daily papers. Butte is NO easy fsld,
and our cause has suffered much from mis-
management in the past, but a better day
ia dawning. Here, too, a ladies' missionary
church activities.
Billings has suffered much from remov-
ais, but the outlook for the future IL more
promising. Two Sunday schools, recent
~ organized in adjacent districts. are like
~ to prove important feeders.
LIE lOuI new ClQIOuoS nIo nl ~ AuROA"
tant points aud add greatly to the strength
OF our work. Red Lodge ID rejoicing in the
coming Of Rev. ". H. Watson, m earnest
and devoted worker, who has Just closed a
long and successful passionate ut Valley
Springs, 3. y. Rsv. g. II. s~sarles. who has
supplied during the summer. takes a fold
in North Dakota, but hopes ere long to
Join the Montana ranks again. Great
Falls 10 feeling the need OF = church home,
aud IT is hoped this may be secured during
the coming season.
Rev. o. G. Clark, who did such noble
service in Red Lodge, ia now at Missouln,
the most important city Of westsra Mon
tana. A location has been secured in the
most desirable portion Of tho town, and q
neat chapel and parsonage erected. This
will IN time be one OF tbs most influential
folds. These advances call for gratitude,
but they have been made none too Aoon
end IL for a fow years more the Home Mis-.
sionary society can stand by uH, we will nc
longer be the weakest in the sisterhood o1
denomination in Montana.