The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-16
HOW IS THE FOUNOAT|ON2 2.
Words of Wisdom From the Lius
of Rev. w. w. Van Orsdel.
SPOKEN MANY YEARS AGO
He Is One of the Best-Known Clergymen
in the State, and There Is Not a
Nook of 1t He Does Not
Know by Heart.

Rev. w. W. Van Orsdel, presiding
elder of the M. E. church, is in the
city on his regular quarterly visit.
There is something about Brother
Van," as he is Familiarity referred to-
which seems to have a wonderful eff
feet upon his friends. When he comes
to town feeling of confidence and
good cheer takes hold of the people,
Brother Van doesn't pose as a healer,
however, or anything else nonsensical;
he simply stands for all that is good,
honorable, Christian-lke and noble
His residence Of almost 80 years in
Montana has proved him to be one of
the best liked ministers of the gospel
that ever came to the state. He is
acquainted in every part of the state
not hamlet that has not been ia
Vored with a visit from him, not a FAM
lily OF half dozen years residence
here that does not know the man. He
IS thoroughly Montanan. His expe-
rlences IN this state have been many
ana varied. 1t has not been an unbro-
ken path of fragrant roses, yellow
legged chickens and feather beds for
Brother Van since he first came to
Montana in the early seventies. He
the same as men in other walks of
lie. When he came to Montana
churches were few and very far apart
and the same is true of the settlers.
There were churches in Helena, and
here Mr.. Van Orsdel conducted a re-
Vlval meeting. He used to make reg
ular visits to little log church in
Prickly Pear valley about 10 miles
from Helena. Good old men and wo-
men with their children and grand
children used to go to that church,
dlstant from many of the settlers
houses from four to IA miles They
would travel in OK teams, on horse
back and afoot. big congregation
always greeted the revivalist, in win
ter as well as in summer. The furni-
lure IN the log house served for school
ana church purposes alike. Night SER
wees were held in the mellow light
afforded by half a dozen home made
candles set in bronze candlesticks
winch cost the school teacher $3.50
apiece These were brought out only
on great OCCASIONS, such as spelling
PEGS and the visits of Brother Van In
those days the larger part of the con-
sfegauon was composed of young peo-
pie, sons and daughters of the sturdy
settlers. To these the revivaiist often
addressed his remarks in the main.
On one occasion he said:
Il want to say to the growing gen
Grafton that there is a great task for
II to perform right here in this terri
tory The young men and women I
see before me will not always have
thelr fathers and mothers to lean on.
Some day they will find themselves
standing alone in big, hard world
with none but themselves to depend
upon. | say to you: Take every adj
vantage offered you by your thought
fui, Christian parests. Don't overlook
one single opportunity to gain valua-
bic knowledge. Heed the words spok-
en- to have by your parents. They are
to-day your only associates, your
guardian angels. Remember, some
day you will be thrown in other COM
pany, among associates about whom
you know little. Their customs and
manners may differ widely from those
OF your associates of to-day. There
is inherent in all beings a desire to ac-
qulre something new, something out
of the ordinary things seen in every
day home life Weigh well. 7 warn
you, the words of advice breathed in
your ears by your mothers and faith
ers. You are now learning the words
OF love which will always ring in your
ears, wherever your lot may in flu
ture be cast In after years, when you
listen to words spoken by others, don't
in your eagerness to grasp something
ton to muff1e the sound of the clear
ringing words of parental love- DO
right. my child, do unto others as YOU
would have Others do unto you
The task that you must perform
is the plotting of this great common
wealth after your parents have de-
parted this life. To you will the world
look for the proper conduct of affairs
of state. Let your daily toll about the
ranch be lesson to you. Learn to
conduct affairs of home and govern
mental affairs of state will be an easy
undertaking. Home is the foundation
of a. great governments. monarchial
or republican. The child life is depicted
upon mans character by his conduct
in mature years. Make your child life.
my young friends, a shining period in
your careers"
The reverend gentleman yesterday
morning addressed a large congrega-
ton at the Mountain View church,
Next week he will preside at the quar-