The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-04-17
A WONDERFUL GROWTH
Methodism Has Made Great strideI
in the Past Four Months Shown
in Quarterly Report.

in Quarterly Report.
Methodism has been up and doing
in Mitchell IN the past three months,
and the success has been so remark
able that it is worthy OF publicity.
At the quarterly meeting held this
week DIR. Fl. S. Wilkinson, pastor
OF the church, made his report,
, which we give in detail, for we know
that it will be interesting to the
greater part Of our readers:
The quarter just closing has~been
a memorable n in the history of
the Mitchell charge. The great
event has been the completion and
dedication of the new chuIch build
ing which for more than a year has
26. 1908, the splendid editice was
dedicated.
For more than d year Mr.. Joseph
w. Powell of Buffalo New York,
had been under promise to assist IN
the dedication and forward move
menl of the churcn in connection
lllerewith. About the middle of
December his work began with
correspondence, as to organization
and work. The church was diviued
into eighteen committees for definite
work. These committees visited and
located the entire constituency of
the chuich with a view to securing
attendance at prayer meeting. in
terest in a brotherhood, babies for
membership on the cradle roll,
members OF the Ladies Aid society,
and of the Epworth Leagues. For
the i've weeks preceding dedication
these committees worked hard aud
some Of them with great efficiency.
When Mr.. Powell arrived on tile
IN line working condition. AS a
result of this work the Junior League
was reorganized with so members
and las los: the Epworth
League was so stimulated to molk
that 1T now las over 100 members;
the Ladies Aid Society was re-organ-
ized and increased 10 300 members;
a cradle roll of 212 babies was secured
aud a Wesley brotherhood was
organized.
just before dedication Mr.. Powell
came upon the ground in person
lie held y meeting with the official
board on THURSDAY night, a monster
uleeting Of ladies in the city hall on
Friday afternoon, and a preliminary
meeting OF the entire membership on
Saturday night. On SUNDAY, January
20, the services we're in his charge
all day, aud unner his a2peals tine
entire amount Of Indebtedness vas
provided for. even Cnolgn That in
uehtedness was about S3l ,0OO. The
evening service, at which the Broth
erhood was or.anizeu, will long be
Y me YNNrnhIo In fl,n roSploL ~ tl,o.~
who witnessed the spectacle of
nearly 300 men in long line encir-
cling the great church, standing
hand IN hand and singing ''Blest be
the Tie that binds" The next nom.
ing the official board met and
expressed their ~armest. appreciation
uf tue services of MIR. POWELL AID
e gra.itud. tu God for what adj
been accomplished.
| The numerical changes Of the
quarter have teen as follows: Fifty.
three have been received into the
church by letter; eighteen from pro-
baton into full membership and one
hundred t%hirty-tive on probation and
fourteen from confession of faith.
Three have died; and II has with
drawn. The total membership Of the
CHURCH this 18Th day of April, 1905,
IS $50 ana p~rObat1Oners
Tw%enly-three children and adults
have been baptiszed. Benevolent
offerings for the quarte, are ee67 to
Dakota Wesleyan University, s2l6 was
raised FOR the expenses OF the revival
meetings conducted by the Evangelist
: Hugh E. Smith, OF Los Angeles,
California, under whose two weeks
Of splendid work 1856 people we're
added to the church.
The pastor wishes to record here
bis gratitude to God for the success
full outcome Of the church enterprise.
1t is two years since 1t was under
taken and the quarterly conference
authorized the taking Of sab.crip-
lions, and the preliminary negotia-
tions for plans. MIR. G w. Kramer
Of New York City was secured as
architect n i'll this we are sure
no mistake was made. The site
upon which the church stanos was
secured in the spring OF 1906. and
i'm the fall OF that year the first
excavation was made and the founna-
tion mgun, r. X. llatsos, being
The contractor for the mason work
to the grade line. In the spring OF
1907 the contract fer the superstruc-