The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-04
SATISFACTORY SHOWING.


4 sR<tAaA WI VI tf1
Deer Lodge, Oct. 2.-Of the numer-
Gus reports submitted before the session
of the Presbyterian synod Of Montana
during its deliberations In the past two
days none aroused SO much interest
or created as much satisfaction as the
Narrative of Religion of the Synod OF
Montana" by the Rev. Edwin NJ. FL
lis Of Helena which was read in open
session Saturday evening by the Rev.
Mr.. Mclean of Bozeman. following be
ing a digest Of the paper:
The Presbyterial narratives. while
encouraging In several respects, do not
AFFORD the ground for elaborate rejoice
ing. We had hoped to find a larger in
chease in church membership and pray
er meeting attendance. In considering
the general state of religion in detail
we will notice first the congregational
services.
There are 1855 church members.
which includes an incresase of 1913. OF
this increase about 100 are all in one
church, leaving but q net increase OF
80 for all the other 36 churches-less
than an average Of three for each
church. This has cost the home board
and the churches of the synod more
than $4,000, besides the time n labor
of a whole year. Should not this fact
arouse us TO a more faithful and pray
erful service for our Master? In order
to do the Lords work something Is
needed besides money m men. With
out the presence and power Of the Holy
Spirit 10000 men n millions of mon
ey will accomplish less for the Master
than one man blessed with the spirit
Of God. The well equipped and mighty
army Of the Midianites was no match
for the sword of the Lord and of
Gideon you know. Is there not a les
son in this for us?
Several churches have been vacant
during the whole or part of the year.
and a few others have had only from
n to two services per month
Two of the Presbyteries report an
encouraging attendance on church ser
vices by the children and young people.
One church-a Holland church, of
course-reports that all the children Of
the congregation. including the babies.
attend the services. This beautiful fact
may be accounted for. perhaps. by the
fact hat the Hollanders have not yet
become SO Americanized n civilized
as to leave their children at home. 1t
is to be hoped that they never will.
"One p~resbytery reports that the av-
erage prayer meeting attendance Is 10
or IL; another 10 to 40; and the third %.
Connected with our churches direct
ly and as missions there are 36 Sab
bath schools, with a membership of
3, 1874. The catechism is not taught in
the ~presbytery of Great Falls. In the
presbytery it is taught in two
or three school occasionally and three
schools of the Butte presbytery also
IL. This part of the work Is sure |
ly neglected and we should bestir
selves in the matter. h power of
our church in the past has largely been
due to the careful teaching of the short
er catechism and should not be ne
now.
The Westminster lessons are used
generally through the synod with few
Teachers meetings are few and some
ire combined with the prayer meetings.
About 81 schools have libraries.
THE usual difficulties to in
sabbath schools as enumerated are the
ack of competent teachers and officers.
dissertation. floating popula-
ion. dancing, saloons, inconsistent
church members, and in one locality
diseases hindered the work
for several months. On the
hand we are glad to note that
n most cases the teachers have beer
aithful. membership has increased
md numerous additions TO the church
rom Sabbath schools are reported.
The work among the young is by
ar the most encouraging feature of
he synod's outlook for the future.
"Of societies there are none especial
Y for men. but the faithful mothers in
srael are to be congratulated for their
and their work. All told
here are some IS church societies in
he synod. including home and foreign
Missionary societies. ladies' aid, Chris
e~ndeavor, kings daughters, will
ng workers bands, with one literary
Most of the societies, II not all, are
nder supervision of the session.
Great Falls p~resbytery reports it's
condition as at a low ebb; no /,
pecial interest at present. though
here was a special effort in the Great .
'alls church about a year ago., when :
70 united with hat church. .
Helena presbytery reports a steady :
nd quiet growth. II not unusual in =
crest and large accessions.'
Butte presbytery reports a steady
nd healthy growth with some special
lterest In the Grantsdale church. All Z
he churches of this presbytery. except a
ne, have made some increase in men, v
ership during the year. v
The difficulties in the way of spir- {
ual growth and church work are the 4
ones: Sabbath dissertation. in
Inference, worldliness both in and out
the church, self Righteousness and
de extending territories, necessitat- 1
q much trave in order to reach con- \
legations n parishioners.
The presbyteries of Great Falls and
have given nearly all their
opportunity to contribute
all the boards. In the Butte pres
,tery only three churches gave such
1t is gratifying to note {
at an increased number of sessions ]
e simply affording opportunity TO n
to contribute to the en- >
re work of the church. n
Sabbath schools are doing well {
the Sabbath school board, but as yet I
IT many are doing anything for the a
her boards Of the church. a
Many of the young peoples societies
e loyalty taking their places with
at the financial wheels of
Iurch enterprises. =
The women's societies are doing their a
cd work as usual, but on the whole :
ere seems to be no systematic plan 4
giving. -
Provision for h poor of the church =