The Press., 1894-08-02
Letter From North Dakota.
Cooperstown. N. D.. July, 1894.

is not ballasted, but when it is it will be one of the finest lines in the state. Its track is one of the finest, the steel rails being of the largest in use. Its passenger trains are well made up, and run with the greatest ease, so that it is a pleasure to ride on them. The freight traffic is rather light, especially the local, and the same may be said of the passenger. This ap- plies to this state, and, presume, it may be true out side in the newer sections of country, where settlements are few and small ..s=
 During the past few weeks it has fallen to me to do some work at several points on this road, and 8 short account of the same may be of interest to many of those read this correspondence.
 I was asked to visit Kensal and Vim bledon and hold services at both points. Kensal found to be a small town with but few buildings and conveniences, but 8 good class of people. The settlement around about is small. The people are from many different parts of the world, but here, as through the state, Canada is we'll represented. Service was held in the station house, which like all we have seen along this Soo Line, are built to accom- modate, in the second story, family. Sunday school and preaching services are held in the waiting room. Here the agent and his wife, young people, are devoted Christians and help materially in the ser vice. While I was there freight train came in, just at the close of the service, and left an organ costing about thirty three dollars, which the people had bought for church purposes.
 The Congregationalists were working this point, and have, since July 13, or ganized a church of nine members, with about as many more to come in on an early day. This grows out of Sunday school work of recent origin. The aim is to unite the Christian element into one organization as far as possible, and the Congregational polity seems to be about as efficient for that as any other indeed, experience shows that it is ahead of all others.
 From Kensal 1 was to go to Wimble- don, about eighteen miles, on the train from the northwest, for an evening ser vice; but the train was many hours late. This was happening about every day be- cause of washouts and other difficulties, fo # in +oin Ia1 to take me down part way, to Courtnay, on a hand car. With little difficulty a crew was had and we started out. The run of nine miles was made in thirty eight minutes in safety. Once, after this, Twas taken over the line in the same way; but the crew, on the return trip, were thrown from the track and somewhat bruised.
 At Courtnay the waiting room is fixed up quite pleasantly for religious services Sunday school and preaching. In place of an organ there is a fine piano, which the wife of the agent plays. These two, while not church members or protesting Christians, are wide awake and very help ful in church work. In the waiting room there is little stand for the sale of sta tionery, cigars and toilet articles; and the post office is kept here also by the agent. Religious work here is carried on by the Presbyterians, who have young man from Princeton, N. J., for the sum- mer.
 At this point I was met by carriage and taken on to the next station, where I held an evening service in the waiting room of the depot. The room was we'll seated, as in the other places, and the audience over-tilled the seats. Here 8 cheap organ, with a boy at it, leads the singing. Here, too, the agent and his wife, young people, are interested Christians. The work here, as at Kensal, is under the special care of w. R. Whidden, formerly merchant of Cooperstown, and mem- bel of the Baptist church, but now under license to preach by the Congregational ists, and working part of the time as an evangelist for them and the rest of the time independently. Sunday school work J a church of five members was organized by the Congregationalists. A leading man in the new organization was brought to a decided stand for Christ and clear re- ligious experience, by hearing sermon on "A Personal God" by the writer.
 This town is larger than either of the others along the line here for many miles, but 1t, too, is small. There will soon be other than the waiting room of the depot for preaching place. All these little stations have religious work carried on in them by one denomination or another. In every place are good, intelligent people. All is new and forming. This is the day of small things. Growth is sure. Faith full work is being done, and a great state is in process of building. Wise, master builders are in demand The work is done economically. It is needed. No com munity is able to tax itself for the de- mands of the hour. The people are here to get homes, and, with few exceptions, have nothing but the yielding of the soil to rely on. Good crops give daily living, and help pay for land and machinery. Bad crops forecast hard times.
 It speaks we'll for the Soo Line that it has so many station houses open for re- ligious services, and so fine class of agents, and their little families, interested actively in the work. These rooms are all free, and the people appreciate the favor. It is good thing all around.
 -..s O. P. CHAMPLIN.
 A we'll known physician who has per- formed several operations for the removal of the vermiform appendix said recently