The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-07-03
REV. EDWARD SMITH SUBMITS
STATEMENT TO CONFERENCE.
MANY IMPROVEMENTS
Remarkable Growth and Flourishing
Condition Of First Methodist Church
aratifylns-Want Present Pastor
Returned Next Year.

pastor OF the First Methodist church
Of this city, which was submitted at
the fourth quarterly conference or
business meeting Of the church held
Tuesday night is Of interest in that it
shows the remarkable growth the
church has enjoyed during the past 10
months.
Rev. u. II. Nickel presiding elder Of
the local church is in the city from
Bozeman and attended the confer
ense. He is very much pleased with
the church work in Billings and be-
lieves that all of the reports show en-
couraging work.
The annual conference OF the
church will meet in. Miles City August
20. Bishop w. r. Mcdowell, Ill. d.
will preside. The meeting Tuesday
night instructed Rev. Nickel to re
quest the bishop to return the pres
ent pastor to Billings charge next
year with prospect Of increased sal
EE'ZE f29-rG L mHds. ETEFEH EFFH
airy.
The Report.
Following is Rev. Smiths report:
5'Just 10 months ago / came to the
pastorate Of our church In Billings.
The people have co-operated heartily
and the work has been pleasant. In
all 81 names have been added to the
church. Quite a few Of these are
scattered in country places about Bill
ings. Thirty marriage calls have come
to the pastor all Of which he has re-
sponded with one exception in which
he was prevented by other duties.
Twenty-eight funeral calls have come
and been responded to with one ex-
ception IN which an, acceptable sub
stitute was sent In the person Of
Brother August Pabst.
Seventeen baptisms have been per-
formed. Seven we're adults and 10.
children. -Four circular letters Of in
formation andIappeal for benevolences
have been sent out. Charitable and
benevolent contributions Of the charge.
will over reach $1,000 aside from sal
aries and building improvements
which aggregate more than another
$500. Special days as Christmas,
New Year, Easter and Children's day
have been observed with great sue
cess.
Work on the Bench.
Work has been taken up on, Bill
ings bench where a good Sunday
school and congregation gather. Our
local preachers have greatly helped in
this work. Extensive parsonage and
church Improvements have been made
at about $500 expense.
"The pastor gave assistance in. re-
viyal at Red Lodge and Pine Greek.
The Sunday school and Epworth
league have made encouraging prog
resi- as reports from these organize
tions will show. The Ladies' Aid has
always has proven itself indispensable,
having raised and disbursed over $500.
"A deaconess in the person Of Miss
Letta Adams has come to give her
consecrated labors to the field. Her
report will make it's own appeal. The
whole church is harmonious and
hopeful.
"Other needed improvements and
aggressive work is planned. The fu-
ture outlook is bright.
Miss Adams the deaconess report
ed the following. Number Of parish
and sick calls ISL; collected for help
OF the needy $4.75; clothing in quite
9 quantity has been donated and dis
bursed among the needy. Comforts
tor a homeless infant provided and
some effort made, not without encour-
agement, to provide a home for the
little one. Assistance has been ren.
dered in the social and religious meet
ings Of the church."