Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-06-05
REV. MAGIN breaches his
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Continued, from page -
| Wells, Mimi, and superintendent Of
the state high school at Heron Lake,
Mimi, during the years 1866, 1896
SO and 1898-1900 respectively. He
had, however, felt that this work was
merely preparation for greater
calling and accordingly, on the 4th Of
June, 1900, he was licensed to preach
by the Heron Lake quarterly confer
ence. AS testimonial of the high
esteem in which he was held by the
people of Heron Lake, Mr.. Magin
was given beautiful gold watch up
on his retirement from school work.
He commenced his work in the
ministry by assisting at Lamberton,
Mimi, and in the fall of 1900 he en-
tered the Boston university theology
cal school. He at once attained high
rank among the students and distin-
guished himself in an evangelistic
campaign conducted in the churches
of some of the larger New England
cities. In May, 1908, after a tour of
Europe and some work in the North
Dakota conference, he was assigned
to the charge at Mandan.
To the average man the task as
signed would have seemed extremely
difficult and discouraging. Mr.. Ma
gin was the only Methodist Episco-
pal pastor within the empire embrac-.
Ell in Morton county. The church
building was remote from the center
of population and the congregation
staggering under heavy financial bur-
dens. But difficulties did not dis
courage him; instead, they called
into play the best elements of his
personality. Within a few months
the church building was moved into
the heart of the city, all it's obliga.
tons paid and what the leading pa.
per of the city characterized as "the
impossible" had been accomplished
young preacher.
In 1904 Mr.. Magin was transferred
to the pastorate of McCabe Metho.
dist church of Bismarck. Here we're
opportunities for service, but here
were also difficulties. He found
church building valued at $4,000 and
a congregation numbering about sc
people, one-third of whom were non.
residents. But with untiring energy
and burning zeal, he took up the
work before him and seldom have
unself1sh labors received more fit.
ting and generous reward. Undaunt.
ed by the obstacles in the way, he
saw only the great need of a new
structure whose beauty would be
alike an honor to those whose labor
and sacrifice would make it's erection
possible and an inspiration to the flu.
ture generations of Methodist work
ers in the capital city. The opposi-
ton of conservative, but we'll mean
ing men fled before his convincing en-
thusiasm and those who at first op-
posed him soon became his most
jealous supporters. He will tonight
preach his farewell sermon in build
ing valued at $4,000, most of which
amount has been either pledged or
paid. His congregation now numbers
some 230 members, of whom perhaps
80 or 40 are non-residents. During
his passionate he has received 225 peo-
pie into the church, baptized over 100
children and married 225 couples.
He found delapidated structure and
a disorganized congregation; he
leaves a building of which alike the
citizens of Bismarck and the Metho-
dists of North Dakota arc Justly
proud, and church all of whose de-
partments are in q fourishing condi-
ton. He has at all times been a
great force in the religious life of
the community and his work has at
tracted state wide attention. He was
for two years chaplain of the state
penitentiary and was in 1907 unani-
mously elected chaplain of the house
of representatives.
1t is impossible for those who know
Mr.. Magin best to repress all feelings
of regret over his departure. With a
character as spotless as the falling
snow; a sincerity no fortuitous cir
cumstance could affect; universal
sympathy that sheds it's radiance
alike upon the great and the lowly,
he has won an enduring 1Ace in the
affections of his people. Always a
man Of principles and not of expedi-
ents, a preacher not merely of plati-
tudes, but Of life's most practical
truths, his departure is a distinct
loss to the community and the state.
The cordial reception for him on
Friday evening gave some indication
of the public feeling. He leaves with
the hearty wishes of host of friends
for future happiness and prosperity.
DR.. CULVER VISITS CITY
DR.. w. B. Culver was an arrival
in the city Friday night. He recently
moved to Mckenzie, N. D., coming
from ColQWater. Mich. He has de.