The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1906-11-06
Continued from Page Nine.)

You ought to have heard the way in
which the Doxology was then sung.
The following letter. addressed to
Rev Tergin, was then read by Rev.
Yergin, and ask your special atten-
tion to 1t in view of subsequent events
that have recently come to pass
u heartily congratulate you and
Fargo, especially on your triumph in
getting a new church building, Nsuch
as I hear yours is. How should
love to be with you on the occasion of
dedication. Mrs B- and
never had, and never expect to have,
stronger attachments than we had in
Fargo Five of the happiest years of
our lives were spent there and there
es no other place on earth so much
like home to us. When our bodies
are laid to their final rest hope they
may be put under the green sod of
Fasgos quiet graveyard. Remember
us tenderly to our old time friends.
Yours cordially,
r. A. Beard
Friends, when you recall that this
letter was written fifteen years ago,
you will appreciate that DIR. Beard
was consistent when he said, recent
", Il came back to Fargo because
wanted to come"
Money for building this church
came i'm large part from the New Eng
land states. A liberal contributions,
however, came from St. Michaels
Episcopal church in Charleston, S. c.,
through the efforts of Deacon Kin
near, in recognition of Mr.. Kinnear's
successful effort to restore to that
historic church. after the close OF the
war, a splendid and ancient chine Of
bells.
This church. as 1T then stood COM
pleted, in February 1892 was un-
doubleday the best church edifice in
North Dakota. During the first ten
years 246 persons had united with the
church, 1O1 being on confession OF
faith. OF the total received 119 had
been dismissed by letter, ten had died.
In the fall of 1892 Rev. r. A. Beard
became president of Fargo college,
and he and three members of his
family united with this church. Sub
sequentIy Mr. r. o. Smith, father of
Mrs. Beard was made deacon
On the afternoon of June Z, 1898 al
most the entire business part of Far
go was burned together with many
4
not few who were communicates of
this church, and the result was the
financial affairs of the church became
embarrassed, and the effects of the
fire in this way were not overcome for
years.
On Feb. 10, 1896 Rev. Yergin ten
dered his resignation. The church
declined to accept it, but his health
considered and he preached for us the
last time as our pastor on July 20,
1895, on which occasion three per-
sons united with the church. Mr. Yer
gin said in his letter-''for the most
part these have been years of unusual
calamities fallen upon the church with
peculiar force" / am glad to record
that the members stood firm through
il ALL nevertheless.
Suitable resolutions were adopted
by the church in recognition of his
work
Rev Yergin's predecessor was Rev.
r. A. Beard, of Brainerd, Mimi. that
being his first pastorate. Shortly
before he came here his home in
Brainerd was burned together with all
his manuscript sermons, so we had
The satisfaction of knowing that his
sermons delivered here We're compos-
ed especially for us. He first preach
ed i'm Fargo on Dec. 8, 1882, and he
was the first to fill the pulpit in our
recently completed chapel. The seats
Ware chairs, the floor uncarpeted, but
1t was better place In which to wor-
ship than we had been having in the |
old courthouse. What are left of the |
old seats are now in the lecture room
vonder and are regarded by the old |
timers almost as sacred relics
Now began one Of the most delight |
full relationships that ever existed be- |
tween pastor and people. Our new
pastor was very soon in the thick OF |
the work. An orchestra was organ
lied to lead the music In the Sunday |
school. Rev. r.. A. Beard with his flute.
Wardwell Ames, Chas. Bliss and r. O. /
Stewart with their violins. Mr.. Matcy
with his cello Seth G. Wright with
his cornet, Geo. ID. Ellis at. the organ |
and r. W. Pearson with his voice, |
made music fit for the gods to listen
to-
on oct 80. 81, council formally |
installed Rev. Beard as our pastor. DIR.
Dana, Of st. Paul being moderator
Through Mr.. l. G. Gaylord friends
ia the Broadway Tabernacle, N. r.
presented US with a silver communion
service, and Geo S. Barnes, OF this |
city, presented us with a pulpit sofa. |
Everybody seemed to want to helpl
along the work iii some way.
IA typical instance. that well illus
trates the generous spirit that gcner-
ally prevailed during those happy
days, was The following: Mai w. II. |
I3ail happening to meet Rev Beard onl
the street said to hiIn-.it looks to me
as Ii your church needed re- painting,l /
does 1t not ~ Mr. Beard had to adj /
init that II did Wen, said thel
major, .llave II painted to suit yourg
taste and tell EN- to send the bill to |
me DO you wonder that MF.d
Beard likes Fargo people, Ief
Mr.. Beard was sought for when any
public demonstration was held hav
Ing for its object the well being Of /
society. 1T mattered not IL II We're re-
Mgions, social or political, the ques-
ton being an ethical one. needing right |
y. ~