The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-10
SOUTH DAKOTA
BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

80
$50,
BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
Interesting Facts Taken From the Report
:. of Rev. Dr.. ShanafeIt.
HURON, S. D.-Rev. r.. M. Shanafelt,
D. D., Of this city, secretary Of the ex-
ecutive committee Of the Baptist state
convention and superintendent of Baptist
missions in South Dakota, is sending out
his annual report, In which he gives an
interesting bit Of history concerning the
Baptist denomination and the work it is.
doing.
The first Baptist church organized in
Dakota territory was at Yankton In May,
1864, Indian hostilities scattered the few
people in the two or three little settle
ments along the Missouri river, and the
first organization passed out Of existence.
A later organization was effected at Yank-
ton, Feb. 3, 1867. The church at Yer
million was organized year later, Feb.
16, 1858. The church at Yankton having
become extinct, the one at Vermillion Is
the oldest of existing organizations, and
may properly be regarded as 1.-THE mother
of us all.' "
On June s. 1872, two important events
took place at Vermillion. One of these
was the dedication of the first Baptist
church building in Dakota territory, In
whose tower was hung the first Protestant
church bell ever brought into the terri
tory. The other was the organization OF
the South Dakota Baptist association, con-
sisting Of all the pastors and delegates
from all the Baptist churches, only, nine
in number. The constitution adopted was
broad and comprehensive. Though a lit
tie band, in new country, the organ1za-
ton put itself on record as favoring heart
lily all Of the benevolent objects Of the
denomination, and pledging to them ac-
tive sympathy and financial support. In
that day Of small things the need Of lay
ing the foundation for Christian educa-.
ton was carefully considered, and a COM
mittee was appointed to devise plan for
establishing an institution Of learning. The
seed was planted which. ripened q dec
ade later in Sioux Falls college. The as
ISOLATION was from it's beginning mis-
sionary society, and in 1877 1t was de-
cided, as an association, to aid at least
one church each wear to build house OF
worship.
The first churches were limited to the
settlements in the valley Of the Missouri,
but they increased In number until the
association included the churches organ
lied in the northern part OF the state Inc
South Dakota Baptist convention dates It's
beginning to the preliminary organization
June 30 and July 1-3, 1881, in Bakers new
barn, located on what are now the Chau-
tauqua grounds, on the shore OF Lake
Madison.
During the year one new church was or
ganized at Hill City, in the Hills. Three
new houses of worship have been dedl-
Gated, at Elk Point. Wagner and manson
Germany The church at Hill City mas
purchased the Presbyterian property there.
A chapel almost completed. at keystone,
is used by the church, but it has not YET
been dedicated. The aggregate value OF
this new church property Is over $l5,ooo.
Three parsonages have been built or pur-
chased, valued at $780, Several churcnes
have enlarged or otherwise improved tneit
homes. Nine pastors have changed their
fields of labor within the state, seven
teen have come into the state and nine
have gone to labor in other states. Inc
church at Pierre and the scandinavian
church at Dell Rapids have reached wnat
should be the desired goal OF all cnurcnes
self support. ,,,,
nronerty In the state Is $237,770. mere
has been contributed for benevolence $lo.-
731 81: local improvements, $12,O3534, ana
far current expenses, $37,377.24. Total lot
aynenses. $40. ABS Total for benevolence
and expenses, $60,244.1. In all these
items there is q decided gain over laS'
year." OF the amount given LOT peheTo VOL
than s1,53 per member; for expenses, g
traction less than 1913 member, ana
for all objects the average has been a ~.
tie more than $S.41 a member. Iotai oi
persons received into membership oy> uap
tism Omission fields>. 124; by letter. 4ov,
total on fields aided 1856; Sunday scnoo 1 >
under care Of missi. .ries, 4S; total mem
harshin 2,915: total amount raised py
Iehurches during the year, $685. totai
raised by Sunday schools, S3,475.2l; churc1l
EXPENSES during lie year, $49, 422os. -
Mrs Mary Farr, Of Pierre, inspector, p
the w. r, c. Department OF Soutn haT
Dota. inspected Fitzpatrick corps NO. Z;
She made all interesting ADDRESS anu
hieh,v complimented fitzpatrick Corps LOT
+he efriciencv and perfection of its work.
She reports corps in cities visited by her
az in the very best condition ana ooine
splendid work. Much attention Is peHts
given to patriotic instruction IN the pup
| lie schools and a marked lnIeiesS 10
manifested in this particular prancn -ol
study, Patriotic holidays and particuiaris =
Memorial Dial have more genera a"o
careful observance than heretofore
nEAnwoop, S. D.-Charles H. Baron
| O saloonkeeper of Preston mas peeh o.
rested on the charge Of violating the elec:
ton laws in selling Intoxicating liquors ~,
during the hours the polls were open. Inc
| oo,.,,ioin int was filed by w. o. Morrison ano
| BARON has been bound over to the grano
iurv,-The directors Of the Black Hills
| Mining Mems association have organized
bv the election of the following officers
| Harris Franklin, Deadwood, presldent
| George M. Nix, Lead, first vice president
| s. w. Russell, Deadwood. second Vict
president; j. E. Pitcher, Custer, third Vict
president; w. S. Elder. Deadwood, sec
| retarv and treasurer.-The Elkhorn rail
road company is building large stone res
| ervoir a. short distance west OF the Fort
land station, in the Bald Mountain region
for the benefit Of its narrow guage locon1o
| tiyes on the ore run.
! SIOUX FALLS, S. D.-Judge Jones has
l made a decision Of importance In case
| which was the .outgrowth of the scavengel
| tax law, passed by the last legislature. Al
| the scaverger' tax sale the authorities Of
| Minnehaha county bought in for the coun.
| ty some property, paying the face value
| there being no bidders for the tracts COW
cred by the delinquent taxes. o. s. Pen.
1 dar purchased one of the tracts, paying
| the county 80 per cent of the face OF the
| taxes. In his decision, Judge Jones holds
that the county has no right to sell take:
| to a third person for less than their face
value. He refused the mandamus, which
makes it incumbent upon the county t.
redeem the property in question from
Pendar. e..
/ CENTRAL CITY, S. D.-Particular
have lust been obtained of the academia
shooting and killing of Louis Sherwin o
/ Central City along Iron creek. Sherwil
was out with Ira Mealey. In the afternoon