The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1913-05-08

'uosuqor d s SIM 10 eou9sqe qua
Rev. VIM. Ewing, Rev. Fritz L. Trel-
stad, Rev. E. M. Atwood and M. H.
Kiff.
At the time of calling the first
convention, as there were but few
schools in the county, it was thought
best to invite in the Methodist and
Baptist schools of Page, as they had
not yet affiliated with the Cass Coun-
ty Association. These schools appre-
ciated the invitation and for several
years sent delegates, contributed to
both county and state work, and took
part in the program, until the Cass
County Association, insisted on their
joining the home county association.
The Ellsbury Congregational school
| situated just cross the Steele county
line in Barnes county, was an active
member of this association, for the
full period of it's existence.
When the railroad was extended
from Hope to Aneta, and the church
es in that city were established and
Sharon was made a part of their re-
spective charges, the Methodist and
Presbyterian schools of Aneta joined
our association and the ANIMAL county
convention of 1905, was held in that
city. These schools affiliated with
the Nelson county association, when
solicited SO to do by it's representa-
tives.
From the very first convention
held, it was always easy to secure
those who would take part in the
program, either by address, music, or
to furnish entertainment and not to
the knowledge of your historian, was
there a lack OF hearty cooperation on
the part of any, to make each con-
vention a success in it's entirety. In
fact, everything was so harmonious
there was or is nothing special to
refer to as being such, except per-
haps as between two individuals, who
we're always present, especially in
their early years, and the occurrences
are not referred to with a spirit OF
criticism, only as a passing event,
with a final commentator of the par-
Elephants.
The presiding officer is in a posi-
ton to see many things, and at and
Oh some OF the occasions referred to,
the boy, who was the younger OF the
Two, would persistently pull his Sis
ter's hair, and even when the mother
! might place herself between them, as
a peace Offering, by stealth there
were occasional repetitions OF this
teasing propensity manifested.
But what OF the participants in
this matter of specific reference, at
the present? Grown up to success
full WOmanhoOd and manhood. The
one, the excellent wife OF a business
;, man in a northern city, while the
boy, is a successful business man in
a western city, who has taken to him
self one Of the finest young ladies
which ! have ever known to be his
wife. This illustration is given with
a view OF showing the lasting effect
and influence which the Steele Coun-
~ Sunday School conventions may
have had upon these young people,
as we'll as those of more mature
years.
In the earlier Years of the asso-
citation, when the constituent people
were laying the pioneer foundation
II their homes, it vas the policy of
tie executive committee, not to make
100 great appeals for financial aid,
and when the limit Of the estimated
budget was raised, all solicitation
leased. But through all these years,
he schools and individuals were al
Ways ready to go beyond the amount
asked, consequently, when the west
ern part of the state was opened I'D,
With and by new settlers, thereby in
cleaSlng the demand upon the state
association, the county pledge limit
was continually raised. Througt
nearly all the years of it's existence
It's pledge has led the counties of the
state, in propOrtionate contribution
per capita of enrolment. In fact il
respect to the condition of it's worl
and its contributions, early in it
history, and through all these year
from it's infancy, the Steele Count,
association has been referred to a
5 the model rural county Of the state
yet in later years, with the extension
OF the railway to the northward
t such local conditions ceased to pre-
vail.
On one occasion the state conyeu
ton held at Grand Forks. was al
tempting to raise by pledge the nee
essary money with which to NEE