Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-10-25
SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD
The Seventeenth Anniversary OF the
Founding of the NJ. E. Church
Duly Observed.
Appropriate Sermons and Addresses
Delivered by Revs. Bull, Ryan
and Palmetto.
An Interesting Historical Meeting
is Held in the Church in
the Afternoon.
Anniversary Services.

Anniversary Services.
The seventeenth anniversary Of the
founding of the Methodist church in
Bismarck, was fttlngly observed Mon
day. The services began at 1890 o'clock
in the morning, with brief devotion SER
vices of song and prayer, led by Rev. S.
E. Ryan, presiding elder of the district.
The building was crowded to the
fullest capacity with members of the
local church, both old and new, who
came offer up Thanksgiving fori it's steady
growth since organization. Numerous
Of the old timers, who have watched the
gradual growth of the church since it's
foundation, we're present to participate
in the exercises, which we're OF such a
nature as to be pleasing indeed. There
was a general rejoicing, in which all in
terested in the welfare of the church
participated.
Revs. Bull, Palmetto and Ryan, all
old pastors of the Methodist church in
this city, arrived from the east Saturday
morning. Rev. Bull was appointed pas
tor of the Bismarck charge in October,
1879. He remained three years, as long
as any Methodist preacher was at that
time permitted to remain IN one place.
DR.. J. Walker jackson who IN those
early days was chaplain at Fort Lincoln
in a recent private letter says: We
called him Col. Bull in those days. A
man better adapted for such work 1
never met with before or SINCE" The
old church record shows that sixty were
added to the membership and fifty joined
IN probation during his pastorate, and
the church building was erected and
enclosed for worship.
Rev. Palmetto was appointed to Bis
marck in October, 1883. During his stay
the church was completed, but at the
end of the first year, while.planning great
things for the future, he was unexpected
" appointed presiding elder of the
Grand Forks district.
Rev. Rayan came to this city as pastor
in October, 1890, and is we'll known as a
faithful and earnest worker.
At II o'clock, Rev. j. M. Bull, one Of
the first pastors of the church, began
his sermon to the assembled congrega-
ton. 1t was his intention, originally, he
said, to deliver an historical sermon, but
he could not trust his feelings. The
memories of the old times, and the Incl.
dents of the early days in the church,
were too affecting to permit the carry.
ing out of his original plan. So he de-
livered a gospel sermon, from Romans l.
16, his theme the power of the gospel,
as the word of God. 1t was an earnest
and thoughtful discourse, and was list
ened to by bis hearers with the closest
Of attention and interest.
At the closing of his sermon, Reverend
Bull spoke of the early struggles of the
church, and said that at that time a
debt of $1,000 had been contracted with
the board of church extension. This
was past due, but an arrangement had
been made whereby the payment was
postponed, if one installment of $500
was paid January l, next. He asked
that this amount be raised, ard the soil.
citations of himself, Rows. Ryan and
Palmetto resulted in the raising of $341
at the close Of the service, in contr,bu
tions from those assembled. At the
evening service, this was decreased to
s4O8.5O and it is proposed to increase
this amount to $500 before the first pay
ment is due.
Perhaps the most interesting portion
Of the exercises, was the historical meet,
ing, which began at three o'clock in the
afternoon. The history Of the organl-
zation and official board was given in a
paper presented aud read by Harvey
Harris. The church was first organized
in October 1873, with Rev. G. W. Bar
nett as pastor. There were thirteen
members received by him, and they wor.
shipped in the city hall on Fourth street
These were Catherine Bogue, T. A. Bar
clay, Matte Barnett, Althea Burt, Sarah
Branthers, Seba w. Cressey, Hulda
Draper, Jacob Heberllng, Margaret
(Aunty) Harris, Mrs. J. w. Jackson,
Marshal Lamb Margaret Lamb and &. T
Westfall. OF these members, ten have
been moved by letter to other churches.
two have died, Althea Burt and Aunty
Harris, and one remains in Bismarck
Mrs. Catherine Bogue, who, it was to be
regretted, was ill and unable to attend
the services. Another one of the frs
flock was present, Mrs. T. A. Barclay
who now resides in Mandan.
Bishop Peck visited Bismarck the first
year the church war organized, and with
1ifHou1tv mo1o NOV for h;o QSO ,ourl.