The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-15
THE HELENA DISTRICT.
The Annual Report of Presiding Elder
Van OrsdeII.

that IL was with great reluCtanCy mat
l took up the work OF my predecessor,
Brother c.. c. Stull. who had served the
district -four years and Billings charge
since last conference until May. when.
upon the declaration Of war with Spain,
he was appointed chaplain Of the 1st
Montana regiment Of volunteers, n Is
with them now upon the West Pacific
ocean destined for the Philippine ISL
ands. May God wonderfully bless him
and u brave soldier boys who have
gone forth to help the oppressed cast
of the tyrannical yoke of spain. There
has been some sickness among the
brethren. and one OF them. William
Han, who was appointed to Thompson
Falls at our last conference and in
January was transferred and appointed
TO Payette, Idaho, where on the 9TH of
June ne fell at his post covered with
glory. He was a good man and Il now
reaping the reward of his labors. May
God abundantly bless his wife and IA
therless children. The committee on
memoirs will speak of him more fully.
This district covers an area OF over So
600 square miles, taking in not only
some of the older towns. but also some
OF the newer parts OF the state. The
work has necessitated a large amount
or travel inasmuch as we have had to
go into every part OF the field. the new
q AtElbuS tL TINS NOFk becomes Niftu-
ally the last OF the new West. In the
midst Of a spirit Of worldliness and in
difference some great victories have
been gained. n bright trophies won
Tor the Masters use; our brethren who
are engaged In this difficult but very
important work, aided by their wiz
families. have he~rolcally performed
their labor of love, and we are sure
God has approved and smiled upon
their efforts. We will now give a sum-
mary Of the work by charges.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS w. T.. custer.
pastor. This beautiful church in which
we are gathered and the parsonage ad-
Jacent, which were completed about the
close of last conference year. viii show
of the work which he. the
church, and friends cooperating with
him, by the blessing OF God. have ac-
complished. Revival meetings have
been held and there has been an in
crease OF AZ per cent. I'm church MEM
bership. There are seven Sabbath
on this charge, six OF these ad-
Jacent to Anaconda. where preaching
are regularly held by an ehl-
Gent corps OF local preachers and ex-
horters; regular services have been held
In the county jail. also under the SUI
pervision OF this church. There has
been a spiritual uplift on all lines of
Christian work.
o and Elliston-Brother J. III.
pastor. This Is a new and pure
ly missionary charge. At Blackfoot
City a house has been donated and is
being fitted up for our church services.
Revival meetings nave been held and
the work Is encouraging. Brother Smith
and his wife a V lone excellent serv-
We have two Sabbath schools on
this charge.
Rnfta rftx, M,rntog. W.. ND
Il. Il. Lounsbury. pastor. Has been
abundant in labors. The parsonage
last year ha been COM
pleted. 1t Is a gem OF beauty and con-
1t cost s2.650. Following the
revival meetings quite a number united
with the church. making an increase
OF 25. There has been a forward move
ment in every department OF the work.
the rear a mission was started
Silver Bow park. lots were donated
and "A church built costing $3.50, includ-
furnishing. A Sabbath school has
been organized and is doing very sat
isfactory work. Brother Lounsbury,
with this church. the local preachers OF
seconded by all our churches of
the city. has rendered efficient aid In
this enterprise.
Trinity-Brother G. III. Feese, pastor.
to this very important charge
- hA' a eE'A 0oaAl conference. lie
was heartily received and has done
most valiant service. Revivals have
been held and a number added to the
church. About 500 has been paid on
Indebtedness. This church has been
most Jealous on all lines OF Christian
work: especially is this true of the class
meetings. The Sabbath school. one II
the largest in the state. Is very eff
Mt. Bethel, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ]. T.
NJ. stephens, pastor. has been jealous
IN good works. In January ii was
FOUND necessary for him to
MS VIE East on account OF his wlfe's
health, a surgical operation was sue
cessfully performed, she has been slow
~ recovering and we trust ere long will
be restored to health. His necessitated
absence somewhat interfered with the
And yet. by the blessing OF God
the work has moved forward. The peo-
pie have shown their loyalty TO the
work In so generously assisting our
orother and sister in their time of need.
South Butte M Observation-Disclosures
John Hosking. Great advances have
been made on his growing charge:
there have been a number OF accessions
the church. At South Butte a very
annoying debt OF years standing
to $3.50 has been paid. be-
1850 W III AAAEAoN AlAFhAE on N0E
evening of Aug. l a jubilee service was
held in which a humble OF ministers
and laymen took part; the cancelled
mortgages were burned amid great re-
Too much credit cannot be
given to Brother Hosking. the members
and friends who have co-operated to-
to bring about these good re
At Meaderville the congrega-
tions. Sabbath school and Epworth
continue 10 increase. so that the
church building win have 10 be en-
In the neal future in order to
accommodate the congregations. Three
hundred ollar has been expended on
improvements. The enterprising pastor
Of this charge has made out a quarterly
plan. thus utilizing Systematically a
OF local preachers. who have
d ~ . ID work
Columbia F~alls-Brother f. L. GIL
more. pastor. came TO this charge az
beginning OF the year from Indiana
and has shown great energy in devel-
oping the work. At Columbia Falls
church has been nlasfara1 NJ n cost