Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1896-06-26
Annual Conference.

i Annual Conference.
The annual conference OF the Nor
wegian Baptist churches held here
opened auspiciously. The first duty
devolving upon the brethren was ito
pay the last respects to the wife Of Ell
ling Johnson, deceased. Funeral oc-
cured Saturday afternoon, Rev. E. P.
johnson assisted by Revs. j. B.
Sundt and H. A. Sather, of Fargo
and Grand Forks respectively, ofiiciat-
ing. Revs. T o Wold, L Anderson
and T T Hoy paid merited tribute to
the memory of departed. Body was
Inferred at Westley's cemetery.
Saturday evening was occupied
with a meeting of the Mission Society.
This auxiliary of the conference
proves to be in good condition. The
object for which it exist. that of secur-
ing regular annual contributions to
the treasury, being very satisfactorily
realized.
On Sunday eight services were held
or participated in by the pastors and
delegates. At 1880 o'clock the entire
company met and celebrated the Lords
Supper at the home OF Filing johnson.
A good spirit prevailed in the meeting.
AT the close OF the evening service, at
which Rev. ]. B. Sundt, of Fargo,
delivered the annual sermon, Gilbert
Anderson, a young man from Hills
boro, was baptized by Rev. q. P.
Johnson.
Rev. Sundt's sermon was character
istic. His text, chosen from Rom.
l4:7-S, ''For none of us liveth to him
self, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the
Lord: and whether we die, We die unto
the Lord; whether we live therefor, or
die. we are the Lord's.' contains a
statement of our social relations and
our relation to the Lord. This theme
was very earnestly and ably unfolded
and applied to christian life and
work.
Monday forenoon was devoted to
organization of the conference. Rev.
J. B. Sundt was chosen Moderator,
Rev. I. F. How Secretary. The after
noon session compriZed earnest and
helpful discussion of the following
themes: ''Quench not the Spirit" for
by His fire you are enlightened,
warmed, purified and strengthened.
You may queneh His fire by unbelief,
works of the law, care of this world,
deceitfulness of riches, lust of other
things. etc. Fan His flame by faith
and obedience. By Rev. 7. O. Wold,
ITO contend earnestly for. the faith
that was once delivered to the saints:"
i. e. a living confidence in Christ as
High Priest, in Atonement, as Prophet
in the Power of the Spirit, as King
whom we owe full .allegience as law
giver and ruler; contended for by con-
secrated love, intellect and effort.
by Rev. H. A. Sather.
''The Preachers Equipment" re-
generation, enduement of Spirit, in
tellectual culture etc. Rev. l. J Ander-
son. ''The Church, !" composed Of re-
generate and baptized believers,
differed by pastors and deacons,
walking in love and in unity OF spirit,
advancing the Kingdom OF Christ. BY
Rev, J B Sundt.
| Rev. H A Sather preached in the
evening. He exhorted to remember
Christ as seen in nature and in reveia-
ton.
1 Tuesday. The preachers attitude
towards political and social questions
should be that of an intelligent citi-
zen of his country and of the Kingdom
of God: as a sympathizer, as a critic.
as co-worker toward the reign OF
j, righteousness and peace. BY Rev.
E P Johnson. Mutual Helpfulness
in Christian work by conservation OF
means etc., ETC., by Rev. t II How.
followed by a lengthy and lively dis
cussion of systematic benevolence in
which laymen and ministers took part.
Education, its function and value
for the ministry and the church at
large was presented at the opening of
the afternoon session by Rev. L o
Void. Then Dea. Stoke emphasized
the necessity of, and the method by
which children might best be instructed
in godliness.
The report of Rev T o Wold, mis-
sionery of the conference, included
that 800 sermons had been preached,
235 prayer meetings. 900 religious
visits, 26 baptized during eleven
months work. There are 10 Norwegian
Baptist churches in North Dakota
with total membership of 268. Eight
ordained ministers are working with
these people and have baptized S5 con-
verts during the year.
The conference WIS we'll attended.
Twelve delegates and nearly as many
visitors from abroad together with the