Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-12-02
AN EVENT OF
MUCH INTEREST
Corner Stone Of the New M. e. Church
Laid Saturday Afternoon With
Impressive Ceremonies.
HISTORY OF THE OLD CHURCH
Details Of Its Founding and Growth
Told by speakers-Touchins Ad.
dress by Rev. Van orsdel.

Impressive services marked the cor
neT stone laying of the new Metho.
dist Episcopal church last Saturday
afternoon. By the time appointed,
$3.50 o'clock, the old church was
crowded with those who wished to
hear the services, which preceded the
ceremony at the foundation of the
new church.
After two beautiful songs by the
choir, Rev. w. A. Winters read the
history of the NJ. E. church in Lewis
town. The brief but intensely inter-
esting sketch was written by Mrs.
]. w. Luton and was listened to with
the strictest attention by all present.
From a copy of this paper, which vas
kindly furnished by Rev. Winters, the
following facts were obtained:
The NJ. Z. church in Lewistown was
organized in May, 1886, by Rev. w.
w. Van Orsdel. While the new
church building was being erected,
services were held in the school
house. The first members of the
church were Willim Hall and wife.
Mrs. A. ID. Harmon and two daughters,
Laura and Frances, and Charles Rich
ards. Part of the money for the
house of worship was raised by SUBJ
scription and the rest was borrowed.
At the date of building this was the
only church house within a radius of
100 miles. When partly finished, 1t
was used for the first time on the &C.
casion of the funeral of Thomas ].
Leard. The building was opened for
public service in October. 1886. In
February, 1887, Rev. ]. II. Smith was
sent to assist Rev. Van Orsdel, and
on July 18th of the same year, Annie
Constance Luton, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. j. W. Luton, a baptized by
Rev. Van Orsdel, she being the first
person TO receive the rite of baptism
in the new church.
A communion set was given TO
the church by the following named
young people, Mrs. +. Z. Carr doing
the soliciting: William H. Leard,
Charles Leard, Frank E. Smith, 9th.
clio Ellis. Joseph Harmon, Maggie
Barger, William H. Kelly, Halsey r.
Watson, Frank Z. Wright, Edmund
Wright, Thomas J. Vivian, Mr.. by.
sart, Louis Boyingdon, William Ben.
nett and Mason Gudgell. In the sum
mer of 1891, the Presbyterian church
was organized In the NJ. Z. church,
Rev. George Edwards being called to
be their pastor. The first marriage
solemnized in the church was that of
p. w. Watkins and Miss ]. Hoseman.
Rev. Edwards officiating, ii being the
occasion of the Presbyterian chill
dren's day. In 1892, Rev. j. w. Ben
nett, with Rev. Allen Rogers assist.
ing, was in charge. Mr.. Bennett was
called away from this church to be
presiding elder of the Bozeman dis
trict. He was succeeded by Rev.
Wadsworth. In 1893, Rev. n. s..
Hawk was sent and in the fall of that
year the parsonage was built. In
May, 1895, the North Montana confer
ence was held here, Bishop Joyce pre-
siding. Rev. Joel Vigus followed Mr..
Hawk. He remained five years, being
succeeded by Rev. j. Z. Williams. He
remained until February, the church
being without a pastor until May,
when Rev. w. A. Winters came here
from the Central Ohio conference.
Following the reading of this paper
came another song, after which Rev.
Winters introduced Judge E. X. Chea-
die. The judges speech, which con
sumed about forty-five minutes, was
ia mastery production, high in moral
tone, faultless in diction and deliver
ed with the ease for which the speak.
er is noted. A lack of space prevents
the publishing of the entire address.
but the following thoughts picked out
at random. give an idea of the gener-
al excellence of the speech:
My friends: hardly need to say
that feel honored by being asked TO
address you on this occasion. The
laying of the corner stone of the new
Methodist Episcopal church of this
town is an event of more than private
interest. 1t has an interest for every
citizen OF this community. 1t is more
than a private affair; it is a thing
which concerns all of us, whether we
are members of the Methodist con.
gregation and church, or not-wheth.
er we are members Of any congrega-
ton or church, o. not. II is q thing
which concerns the welfare of our
community; and in all such things
all good citizens necessarily feel an
interest. .
want to try to tell you why | think
that the Influence OF the church in any
community is a matter of the highest
importance. We lose sight OF the
good influences that upDuild and en-
tighten and maintain civilization. AS
| said a few moments ago, they are
so common that we do not think
about them. Just as we do not think
about the air that we breathe or the
light that we enjoy. If they were to
be withdrawn. We should speedily