The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-09-24
BAPTIST CHURCH MAKING GREAT
STRIDES IN THE WEST.
INTERESTING REPORT is MADE
General Missionary Clark Addresses
the Great Falls Convention
at Considerable
Length.
(Special to Inter Mountdin.)

OF Montana. which was begun here to-
day. the following report Of General
Missionary L. G. Clark was presented
and caused much favorable comment:
My Dear Fellow Workers for the Mas
ter, in the Young Strong State OF Mon
tana: l count myself happy to report
as your general missionary at this, the
first meeting of your association in the
new century.
AS the century just past will ever be
memorable because is was so full OF
Gods goodness to His people all over
the world, so the year that has gone our
last associational meeting is noteworthy
for us, in that our Heavenly Father has
shown us great kindness and bestowed
his loving favor upon much of our work.
1t is safe to say that the Baptist cause
in Montana was never stronger or in
a more hopeful condition. than it is to-
day.
We feel profoundly grateful to the
Lord that the morning of the twentieth
century finds the Baptist denomination
in Montana at least we'll established,
awake and with its face turned toward
the light. The past may not have been
all we wish it might have been, but the
if we viii. make a peerless future for
those into whose hands must soon be
given the work which we love SO much,
and have met to consider once more in
our annual meeting.
.During the year ending August 81. 1901,
we have had, relatively speaking, a
stronu, force Of able consecrated minis
ters, assisted by many equally faith
full laymen, doing earnest and honest
work for God all over the state. in the
name of our Master and our denomin-
alton.
In addition to the work done by the
missionary colporter and the general
missionary, there has been devoted to
the state the earnest work of sixteen
(6) pastors for the whole or a part
Of the year. These brethren have given
pastoral oversight to nineteen 19)
churches besides a number Of missions
and out stations where they have
prea ched from time to time.
Not to speak of the excellent work done
by the pastors at Helena and Butte
the reports which the missionary pas
tors have sent to the state board each
quarter indicate that almost without an
exception, the churches have made gra-
tifying progress in every department of
their work. This advancement in the
work is indicated more fully in the let
tiers from the various churches.
Among the many facts of the years
history deserving special mention, we
would call attention to the following:
First-The Strengthening Of the word
in the Bitter Root valley. We all re-
member with satisfaction the delightful
associational meeting which we enjoyed
at Stevensville last year. This meeting
seems to have been followed by year
of spiritual and material progress on
the part Of our churches in that beau
tiful valley. God has evidently set his
seal of approval upon the labors of Pas
tor w. r. Hickman and his fellow
workers. Our brother Rev. B. F. Cooper
OF Darby, deserves much credit for his
loyalty and devotion to the cause in
that remote part of 9e valley. Brother
Cruger did considerable work in this
section of the state during the past Win
ter.
Second-The improvements in the
house of worship at Missoula, in con-
nection with the usual steady and s.b-
s.antial work on that important field,
marks the year as one of noteworthy
progress.
Third-At Dillon not only has there
been most gratifying work done in the
way of payment of debts and improve
nent Of property, but there has also
been a larger number Of additions to
the church than for some years.
Fourth-The work at Bpzeman has
advanced until it has come to be in the
best condition without doubt, it has ever
been in its history. We confidently hope
that under the present wise and de-
voted leadership this church will soon
be able not only to care for itself, but
also do an increasingly large work for
the state.
Fifth-The extension of our work in the
Gallatin valley has been very encour-
aging.
For many years Rev. w. NJ. Lewis has
done heroic and historic Christian work
for the Baptist cause in this great val
ley. And recently he has been greatly
encouraged by seeing two new churches
organized, and by having his brother.
Rev. T. L. Lewis come to the valley
to take charge of these new churches
and thus assist in taking this impor-
tant part of the state for Christ.
SlXth--Rev. VIM. Remington has not
only held on at Billings, but, in the face
OF great difficulty, he has also led that
young church forward in its work, until
1t has membership and property that
makes it's prosperity and permanency
practically assured
Seventh-The coming OF Rev. F. A.
Agar to Great Falls at a time when the
door seemed to be opening for the
strengthening and enlargement of our
cause, has in the providence of God,
made possible the prosperity which we
witness with SO much satisfaction here
today.
And moreover, the staying of Brother
c. G. Scott with the Swedish church of
this place. is no less a real blessing The
splendid work which this church has
continued 10 do is evidence of the wisest