The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-06-14
CORNERSTONE EXERCISES

Adey H4drReQ the Epoch II the Build
ing of the New Methodist
Church Building.
In order that the construction of
the new Methodist church building
might form a part of the commence
ment exercises OF Dakota Wesleyan
University, Pastor 81. S. Wilkinson
arranged for the exercises of tie lay
ing Of the cornerstone of the new
building to be held Sunday after
noon. 1t was evident four or five
days before tnat the cornerstone
would not be in readiness for the
day, but it was decided to go ahead
with the exercises nevertheless.
The services were held at the
church site, Third Avenue and
Rowley street, Sunday afternoon at
3 o'clock. Had the afternoon not
been so threatening Of rain the
crowd would have been an immense
one, and as it was a great many took
a chance against the rain, which
seemed iminenl, but the clouds held
off after the close of the exercises,
when the moisture commenced to
descend.
Plank seats were provided on the
floor OF the auditorium part OF the
church and made a comfortable place
for the people to sit.
Many CT the church ..dignitaries
we're present, Including all the pre-
siding elders of the conference with
the exception OF DR.. Graham, of
| WATERFOWL. Pastor Wilkinson had
charge of the program that had been
arranged, which vas begun by the
singing Of a hymn, and the reading
Of the cornerstone service. Miss Lee
sang a beautiful solo and her voice
sounded rich and sweet in the open
air.
There were numerous speakers in
connection with the exercises, and
they all paid a rich tribute to the
energetic Methodism of Mitchell in
connection with the construction of
the lev chruch and the enlargement
Of the institution on the south hill
Dakota Wesleyan. Presiding Elder
Hager, of the Huron, district, spoke
in a reminiscent mood, reviewing
the church history. He organized the
first Methodist church in Mitchell in
the fall of 1881, having come here
two years previous, holding his first
two services in the Presbyterian and
congregational churches. The pres
ent church was dedicated in 1883 by
CHAPLAIN McCabe. Mr.. Hager said
that the church material at that
time was composed Of the Kratz's,
the Morrow's, the Moyer's, the
Blanchard's, the Winsor's, and
others who stood by the first organi-
cation nobly. He referred to the
clean moral condition of the church
from that day to this. and that the
church laws have been lived up to
religiously by the church member
ship. MIR. Hager rejoiced greatly
over the erection of the new church,
and believed it to be a fine monu-
ment to the Methodism Of Mitchell.
Rev. DR.. L. Fl. Young.nan was
the first man to inform the Metho-
dist that they needed a new church
to accom- modate their growing con-
gregation, and when he made the
assertion they looked at him with
some surprise, but in the course OF
his remarks he again emphasized the
fact and he said that he was glad
indeed to see this structure rearing
its walls for n larger and more COM
modious home, the broadness of
whose walls were in harmony with
the church relations. DR.. Young
man was the former pastor Of the
church.
Presiding Elder Jenkins, OF Sioux
Falls. Presiding Elder Hopkins, OF
Aberdeen, and Presiding Elder Dob
JUL, VI MIUCIlCIl, LuduC
addresses that were strongly har-
monious with the occasion, each of
whom brought some important point
with the growth CT the local church
and Metllodism in particular.
President Thomas Nicholson spoke
Interestingly on "Ibe Relations of
This Church and That College,
The president said he would like to
have it understood most thoroughly
that there was no line between the
college and the %city-that he desired
above all things to have that
unanimity Of feeling between them
which would be for the better adj
vancement OF both. He spoke Of the
great privilege that Mitchell had in
bringing the young men and women
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