The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-12-24
GIVES ONE-THIRD
CENTURY GROWTH
rsTcRy or First BAPTIST
CHURCH, or MITCHELL,
REVIEWED.

The history of the First Baptist
;hnrch Of Mitchell, for its third of a
century existence in the city, was an
interesting feature as read by Deacon
Benjamin r. Morse at the thirty
third anniversary celebration at the
lcurch last Sunday. Mr.. Morse's ac-
count follows:
1.-THE First Baptist church Of Nit
tchell, South Dakota, was organized
In November, 1891, 33 years ago
siast month. During the life of the
church thirteen pastors have served
the church including the present one,
Rev. Robert Lincoln Kelley, the av-
ssrage length of pastorates being
about two years and five months,
Rev. Edgar Burton was the tenth
pastor. The term of his passionate
commenced November 10, 1865, and
closed September s, 1907, .continu-
ting one year and ten months. His
pastorate is marked by considerable
activity along spiritual and material
lines. lie held a series OF special
|evangelistic meetings, doing the
preaching himself. During his term
|26 persons were added to the church
and q commodious parsonage was
built.
"Rcv. Edward M Jefeers vas the
eleventh pastor. He commenced his
|labors ais pastor November 10, 1907,
and closed the same January ], 1911,
staying three years and two months.
During his pastorate the. church held
|two evangelistic meetings; in the
first the pastorfwas helped by Evan
|geltst Conant of Minneapolis, and
lin the second one he was assisted by
Evangelist G. w. Thompson of Wa
la. The church advanced
surely and steadily along all lines
and attained healthy growth. rs
iperspns were received into the church
during his passionate. The church
acceplc4 hts resignation
and passed resolutions Of confidence
and esteem for him as asfaithful and
devoted pastor.
Rev. Benjamin IF. Tilley, the
twelfth pastor, commenced his pas
torate on March i, 1911, and closed
March !, 19a4s His irst introduc-
ton to Mitchell and the baptist
church was ON January LIST, 1911,
E(Sundayl during the ~severest biz
gard sof that winter. GEMS he
came unannounced as there WAS nc
one to meet him Mt the station. In
the morning he found his Way to the
Baptist church at the hour OF morn
Ing worship. Here he found few
Hof the faithful ones who had brayed
the storm and had met for morning
worship. He preached tosthis hand
full pf brethren who were captiyated
Gby his message. This visit resulted
In a call to the pastorate. In March
sof that year the churches of Mitchell
united In ~ union evangelistic cam
paign.
1.-THE Baptist church being withou'
pastor and Bro. Tlley being 81
1.-THE field, he represented the Baptisl
Church In that meeting and at its
close baptized several persons who
sought membership In the Baptist
CHURCH. He then returned to White
hall. ILL, to close UP his pastorate
with that churchsQn June 4, he hay
ing accepted tho call OF the church
came with his family and commenced
thesFeaIswork of the pastorate. From
that time ON the year. was marked
BY great activity along spiritual lines
The aeld was divided into four dis
tricts to thoroughly canvass and re
port BY this means the pastor learn
ed Of the spiritual condition of the
field and Its needs. This was con.
tinued throughout the summer.
His sermons from the first at
ytracted the public and his congrega
tions On the Sabbath began to in
{wn~cocn s,nti1t hn+or1{oun 40 roon