The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-08-26
N. E. CONFERENCE
Rev, cookingham Returned Wed
nesday and Gives an Account
of his Trip.

bertson and vicinity would like to have an
account of my trip to Conference may be
permitted to say few things Of interest.
Leaving Culbertson on the early morning
train we reached Mondak just in time to
take the stage overland to Glendive. A
feast was the scenery that greeted our eyes
along the beautiful Yellowstone River,
through gorgeous valley which may well
be called the garden spot of Montana.
II Adam and Eve had anything more in
Eden it was surely Paradise. To one
who is in love with nature and has heart
that throbs in unison with the beautiful in
creation. this valley is truly thrilling pic
ture. Rich fields Of waving grain spread a
panArama of golden harvest before the
view which IS not excelled in any part Of
the United States today.
Our journey to Sidney was by team. and
from thence by automobile modern con-
venience providing well for the comfort Of
passengers and improving greatly upon
the old time rockaway Of thirty years ago.
| From Glepdive to Roundup the trip was
by train and by night. and uneventful. Ar
riving in Roundup the preacher was greet
ed by the pastor Of the local church. Rev.
Haynes. a very estimable brother who es-
corted us to the Johnson hotel where ac-
Communications had been provided and re.
markably good by the way.
| Roundup is remarkable little city and
has Justly been named the Miracle OF the
| Musselshell. situated in beautiful valley
on the Musselshell river. Only two years
old, yet il is a precocious child and tre-
mendous for its age. A town Of such pro.
portions. with several fine hotels. banks.
churches. schools. splendid stores. hospi-
tai, water works and electric lights. is sure
ly a marvel of development. and the cler
gymen. about sixty in number, found
large hospitality. kindly attention. and
complete entertainment.
The Conference took up its work with
our superb Bishop Mcintyre presiding
The Bishop is an adept in parliamentary
law and the proceedings we're smoothly ad
, vanced He is also one Of the most elo-
quent and powerful preachers of the Cos
pei In America today. His humor and pa
thos are contagious.
} Rev. w. w. Van Orsdell. the pioneer
preacher of Montana. now district superin
tendent of Great Falls. was a notable char
acter on the conference floor had heart
of DIR. Van Orsdel. or Bro. Van, as he il
tracks in my work here but never met hin
before. My meeting with him was there
fore pleasure. Bro. Van Orsdel send'
I his love to all his friends in this part oi
state whom he has met and known il
years past. He came to this state in 1872
making the trip up the Missouri In an oil
J steamboat named "Far West. landing a
Fort Benton. then trading post with on
l ly few mud covered shacks. From thi
point he started forth to preach the Cos
J pei OF his Lord and Master. and ,hrougl
} hardships, tolls and dangers. has gone NJ
/ and down, forth and back. through tn
1 state proclaiming the glad tidings of saliva
} tion wherever he found people to listen
! and by his untiring efforts has wrough
1 nightly for the Kingdom Of God. Lon
4 may he flourish.
The Conference has deemed it wise
! return me to the culbertson charge for an
I other year. The kindly sympathy and in
= terest of the people here has won for ther
a place in my heart. / am glad to be her
). for another year as an Ambassador of tn
Cross. to preach my Masters Gospel an
: be helpful friend to all. In the house {
, Joy to rejoice with you. in times Of sorro'
to weep with you. and desire that the pee
pie of this community will become NOR
Methodist Episcopal church.
We have some problems on our hand
I the preacher cannot solve them alone. Th
. need OF aggressive church work in Gu
. ber,son is great. and there is plenty I
room without crowding other denomin;
, tons. Until there is room for all the PEE
Il ple in our churchas. there is no need th
4 anyone should raise the cry Of too mar
= churches" | do not solicit members fro
D other churches. but do plead and urge a
4 not in other churches to get right wi
God. and believe the Methodist churs
. furnishes the opportunity to the utmost.
O 1t is my hearts desire and prayer tn
x this town shall ge, nearer to God. tn
D more of our people shall have an opportu
ity to hear the gospel. and to this end ,
need new church building that shall
= an ornament and credit to flourishing al
. prosperous city like Culbertson. a chur
y edifice that will have a portion set asi
= especially for the young people of this col
= munity. in which library with readi
. room. and if possible gymnasium. may
= installed. making an attractive place
social gatherings and entertainment for I