The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-10-30

Splendid warrant was there for the
fervent Thanksgiving which charac-
terized the closing meeting Of the Mis-
soula Methodists last night The
beautiful new church home of their
society was theirs, indeed Every
penny which was necessary to COM
plete the payment for the building and
Its furnishing had been raised. The
Methodists entered upon the occupa-
tion Of their new home without the
burden Of debt hanging over them
unhampered by the incubus of money
owed, they assume the enlarged pos
sibilities afforded by the handsome
building and their opportunity for
greater benefit to the community is
enhanced this much.
Yesterday was day long to be re-
membered. 1t was IA day pregnant
with Significance to the Methodist
society but, more than that fg'Mght
with "A deeper meaning for the city of
Missoula. The Methodists have shown
their neighbors what can be accom-
plished by earnest, united endeavor;
they have demonstrated the force Of,
the pull-together. Yesterday morn
ing there remained an Indebtedness OF
more than $4,000 upon the building.
which was dedicated in the afternoon.
When the evening service closed, last
night, there had been pledged more
than $4,000. 1t was a remarkable
splendid accomplish
ment.
The fervent eloquence Of DR. Thomas
corwin Tiff, the inspiring call of DIR.
W. w. VanOrsdel. the convincing
logic of DR.. c. L. Bovard, the earnest
example of DR. Jacob Mills-all these
had worked upon large audiences all
day and the response was magnificent.
The scenes at the meetings yesterday
will never be forgotten by those who
Witnessed them. Nobody who was
present at the new church yesterday
Will question the declaration which
was made last night by DR.. Iliff, that
the day was the most important in the
history of Missoula. The day had set
q pace.
A Perfect Day.
Under perfect conditions the dedi-
cation day of the new church dawned
yesterday morning. There were clear
skies overhead; there was bright sun
shine all around; there was inspiration
In the bracing atmosphere; there was
encouragement In every condition.
The weather man had done his part
and had made good the prediction OF
the pioneer preacher who, the day be-
fore. had forecasted "an old-time Mon.
tana day" for the dedication.
There was !. fine attendance at each
of the three principal services of the
day; there was enthusiasm responsive
to the eloquenee of the speakers who
pleaded for "a church free of debt and
who dedicated the beautiful structure
to the worship Of God: there was hap
piness all day, which deepened into
glad rejoicing al the night service and
which found expression In the eloquent
prayer of dedication delivered by DR..
lift and In the joyous singing of dear
old Brother Van," both veterans in
the service and both early pastors OF
the MissouIa church.
Eminent Guests.
There had come to Missoula to par
ticipate In the services of the day,
many friends of the church from many
parts OF the state. Besides Dr., Tiff
and DR.. Van Orsdel. there was DR..
Jacob Mills, the former presiding elder,
whose deep interest and personal gem
erosity had made possible, very largely,
the building OF the church. There
was Edward Laird Mills, his son and
the present presiding elder of the dis
trict which his father in former years
G. L. Boyard, earnest worker In Mon
tana Methodism and eloquent preacher.
There were pastors Of neighboring
Methodist churches, and there We're the
pastors of the other churches of the
city--different In denomination, but
happy in the sentiment of fellowship
which prevaded the occasion. There
We're laymen from Stevensville, from
Hamilton and from other Montana
towns. 1t was a notable gathering and
1t Is an incident of more than ordinary
interest that the last 500 which took
the subscription total over the mark
fixed was made by one of these visitors
from out Of the city.
Fsrvsnt Words.
There was splendid fervor through
out the three meetings; the raising Of
money enough to make possible the
conservation Of the church--free OF
debt--was but an incident in the day.
There was sincere thanksgiving for
blessings received and there was ear
nest promise OF devotion to the cause
to which the new building was dedi-
Gated. There was glorious music;