Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-12-02

foundations which religion gives were
withdrawn from civilization. ii is
hard to understand the fullness of the
evil result that would follow. Relig-
ion binds man to man; il teaches man
to treat his brother as himself; 1t
teaches all the higher principles
which permeate and uphold the civil
l~ization Of our time.
The Almighty never appears to be
in a hurry in accomplishing anything
that lies within His benefcent de-
signs toward us, and this fact should
teach us patience; it should also
teach us to cherish and hold fast the
good things which we have. Ciyiliz-
ed society, the life OF our commun-
ity, or any similar one, could not ex-
list for a day nor an hour were it not
for the existence of the principles
which religion teaches us, there could
be no such a thing as a civilized or.
der, as the cohesion of society, If men
were entirely influenced by selfish
considerations.
He is a very unenterprising man
who has not at least one remedy for
the ills of society. The socialist Of
fers his idea, the anarchist has his
idea; other people of various beliefs
all have their ideas about what
should be done in order to re-
generate and a v society. But |
want to tell you, my friends, that the
remedy is very much simpler than we
imagine; in fact. all these great con-
Germs, whether of our W lives or OF
the communities in which We live, or
of the nation of which we form a
part, are. when reduced to their low
est terms. very simple. If mankind
as a whole not only accepted but also
practiced the teachings Of Jesus
Christ. as embodied in the Golden
Rule and in His other teachings. all
the difficulties that We labor under
would vanish like the morning mists
before the rising sun, so simple would
be the solution of all these difficult
problems that the American people
are wrestling with, and will be oblig-
ed to wrestle with more nightly be-
fore they are finally solved. Mans
inhumanity to man." which is a chief
source of human discomfort, depres-
sion and dissatisfaction, would be
banished in a moment by the candid
acceptance and the honorable prac-
tice of the precepts Of u Master. '
=
| urge upon you all that We liber-
ally support and maintain and uphold
the men who work among us and for
us; the men who give up their lives
for the welfare of others; the men
who devote their entire efforts to the
propagation of those principles and
ideas which we believe are the saliva.
ton of mankind. And any sign-such
as the erection of this beautiful new
church-of an increased interest in
the religious life in the community,
is of interest to all of us, because we
know that all, we and others, may be
made better by it; we know our COM
munity will be made better. IL Is
most gratifying to us all that the
Methodist congregation of this place
is strong enough to build the church
which is now going up on yonder cor
ner. And | trust and believe, and we
all hope. | know, that that church
may be a center of influence in this
community which shall result in up
lifting it, in making it and keeping 1t
good. | have no doubt 1t will be the
case. And because the whole COM
munity will be thus affected, /, for
one. feel grateful. and we should all
feel grateful.
| cannot close without expressing
nv appreciation of the services OF
our worthy pastor, Mr.. Winters, and
without acknowledging the tribute OF
affection that we all owe to Brother
Van Orsdel-"Brother Van" as he is
called throughout the entire state OF
Montana. He has given all his life
to the spread of the gospel and the
uplifting of mankind in this state, and
when the history of this state is writ
ten, his name will occupy a proud po-
sition in its pages.
| thank you for your attention.
After Judge Cheadle had concluded
John p. Barnes. on behalf OF the OIL
GERS of the church, made a brief but
interesting talk in which he recited
some more of the early history of the
| Methodist Episcopal church and the
reasons which actuated the move
ment towards the erection of the new
building.
The speech making was brought to
a close by Rev. Van Orsdel, the man
who, seventeen years ago, founded
the church in Lewistown. He, too,
delved into the history chest of the
| church and brought forth facts hith-
erto unrelated concerning the early
| struggles of the Methodist people. In
mentioning the old church, which will
soon be given up for the new home
of the congregation, with a voice VI
brating with emotion. he S aid:
There isn't a piece in this building
but which is wonderfully sacred to me
and to many others here" At anoth-
err time he gave the following inter.
esting information: Il doubt If there
was ever a church which has served
as many purposes as this one. 1t has
been used for a public school build
ing, high school building, district
court room. the meeting place of the
Presbyterian church and of almost
every other denomination in the city"
But" continued the speaker, that
is what IL was built for and | am glad
it has been SO used"
In conclusion Brother Van, as he is
so familiarly known, said: After a
little time the new church will be
brought to completion. God grant
that every class of society in Lew
istown will be there as brother to
brother. as heart responds to heart"
At the conclusion Of Rev. Van Ors.
del's talk the crowd proceeded to the
location of the new building, where
the corner stone was laid with i'm
pressiye ceremonies.
When completed the new church
| will have cost not less than $4,000
and will be the most elegant place of