The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-28

LETTER FROM THAT FIELD BY
MYRON COOLEY.
North Dakotans Listened to 740 Ser
mons by Congregational Workers the
Past Quarter-More Churches Be-
came Self Supporting-Rev. L. M.
Waterman of Minneapolis at Bittin-
eau.

nv M Nhe n'a ooo1ev telling of energetic
work and growth of Congregational
church interests in North Dakota. OF
the Congregational church in that held,
Mr. Cooley says in part:
There were twenty workers in the
North Dakota field, under the dlrec-
ton Of the convention, "a during the guar IT,
ter ending Oct. l.. These missionary
pastors and general work ers labored
ESQ weeks, preaching 74o sermons
They attended 469 prayer meetings,
made 2,4s1 religious visits, and bap-
tized twenty-six persons. These are
some of the results in figures, but far
larger results have come in enlarged
vision and reaching out after definite
blessings from the living God, and as
suming larger responsibility in bur-
den bearing and seeking the lost.
Among the encouraging things on the
convention field is the fact Of churches
doing more for themselves financially.
Churches which have asked aid for the
same amount year after year have vol
unfairly asked for less this year. Best
of all, three Of the American churches
have become self-supporting from Oct.
1. At the time the convention met in
July the jamestown church announced
that it would be self-supporting
Later the Glendale church said it
would ask no aid of the convention
this year. Two weeks ago the general
missionary received the following
minute and unanimous action of the
First church at Lisbon: "Inasmuch
as there is a crying need for greater
effort to be put forth by North Dakota
Baptists in the way Of new and ag.
aefa
and as for goodly number Of years
this church has received aid from the
American Baptist Home Missionary
society thru our state convention, be il
resolved, that with faith in Christ anc
gratiture for the aid SO generously anc
patiently extended us, it is the feeling
Of the members of this church that fur
Their aid should be declined.' Pastor
Breasted had just received his commits
sion from the Home Mission society fo1
another year, but wrote asking that i
be cancelled The mere fact that some
of the churches are awahng to en-
dicative of a quickening Of the spirit
ual life.
The winds were blowing free across
the prairies Oct. 8, but all was joy ant
good cheer in the house Of worshipa O.
the Richland church at Paramount, a
Rev. M. B. Crichett of the church an,
friends met to celebrate the twenty
fifth anniversary Of the organization O
the church. The auditorium was dec
Grated with flowers and fruits Of tn
field. On the rear wall TASTEFUL,
grouped around the charter of tn
church, which bore the stamp Of terri
torial days, were photographs of tn
pioneers in the organizing of tn
church, together with the original let
tiers Of the eight men and women VIII
were the constituent members of tn
church. The forenoon service wa
given over to song, rollcall and rea6
ing letters from former pastors an
members. At the afternoon servic.
Professor W. T. Williams of Wheaton
Mimi, who has been twice pastor Q
the church, gave historical addres
that was of great interest. This wa
followed by "reminiscences from som
who had been conversant with tn
church history from the beginnin.
Brief addresses were also given by til
general missionary and Rev. Ola
Enget. At the evening service the1