The Dickinson press., 1917-11-24
SERVICES ! IN
CELEBR
ANNIVERSARY r
CONGREGATIONALISTS HELD
THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY
SERVICES LAST SUNDAY
Former Pastors Send Words of
Cheer and Hope for the Future
of the Dickinson Church

the Congregational church was held
last Sunday and an excellent program
was rendered. At the morning serv-
ice, talks were made by Rev. E. H.
Stickney of Fargo sand John Orchard
of Dickinson. Rev. J. G. Duling de-
lvered the anniversary sermon at the
vesper service and Dewey Wiley con-
Quoted the Epworth League meeting.
Rev. A. E. Prior of New England de-
livered the sermon at the \evangelistic,
service. The Congregational church
was officially organized in 1886 under
the pastorate of Rev. C. A. Mack.
One Of the features Of the service
was the reading of letters from form
er, pastors of the church who were un-
able to attend the anniversary cele-
bration. Rev. C. Y. Smell, who was
the guiding spirit in building the
church in 1888, submitted prayer for
the future prosperity of the church
and expressed the hope that he would
be Remembered to all, including H. L.
Dickinson, Mrs. Dickinson and M. l..
Ayers: Rev. A. Mack, who organ
lied the churS in 1886, wrote line
Of cheer. II pr@ :hed in Dickinson
between September, 1886 and August,
1887, to congregations varying from 9
to !" wrote Mr.. Mack. "Mr. Sim
mons, the state superintendent of
Congregational Home Missions, came
to Dickinson and in the court house
organized a church with few people
whose names had solicited. l have
watched the growth of the Dickinson
church with much interest and feel
thankful that I had any little part in
it's early history" Rev. D. E. Todd
was the first man to preach in this
section. He antedated the church by
a few years. A graduate of the Yale
Divinity school in 1882, Rev. Todd
was sent to Glendive and began
preaching/in the neighboring COM
munities. His nearest neighbor pas
tor was at Billings. He rode freight
trains between Dickinson and Clad
stone doing his pilgrimages. He liked
Dickinson worshippers, most Of whom
were young people and good singers,
wrote Rev. Todd. He tells Of the first
wedding at Gladstone at which he Off
ficiated. That same evening he was
billed for a preaching at Dickinson
and the railroad boys carried him over
on hand car.
Rev. A. c, Hacke, who served as
pastor of the local church Tor six
years, sent a word of greeting. He is
glad to hear of the good work now
being done here and the bright pros
poets for the future. Mr.. Hacke con-
veyed Mrs. Hacke's greetings to the
membership and the former pastor
wished to be remembered to the Boy
Scouts. tsSome members of that first
troop are now on their way overseas"
he wrote. Rev. u. G. Rich served
here from 1887 to 1911. Mr.. Ricn
wrote of the old days and its pleas
ant associations. He remarked Of the
kindness and loyalty Of Dickinson
people, the hospitable and cordial resi-
dents of Belfeld, the sincere welcome
he received from the good people OF
Medora. "Sentinel Butte always did
me good" he writes. "Beach was a
section house, coal dock and water
station" he continued. "Once found
a couple in Wibaux with a North Dar
kota license and no disposition TO
wait. We scurried to the Beach Sec
tion house, warmed up and then went
to near the end of the state line and
there did due honor to the majesty OF
the law" He breathes blessing for
Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Chappell of
Wibaux.
Rev. Rominger, who served for four
years here, under whose regime the
church enlarged considerably, worded
a letter Of cheerfulness to the pastor
and those assembled. "Your good re-
port has gone out among the church
es," he wrote, "and may your con-
tinued growth and prosperity be q
benediction to the town and the state.
/ am with you in spirit and memory
on your festive day."
The beginning of the extension
work of the Slope Congregational
churches was during the pastorate or
Rev. John Orchard from 1925, who
opened up the work from Dickinson
to Wibaux.
Mr.. Orchard had 10 thousand square
miles as his territory and the vision
Of thousands that should follow has
held these points as strong church
centers ever since.
Mr.. Orchard related some Of his
pioneer experiences as the shooting
up" at Wibaux then Mingusville
that of a Cowboy supper at the Dick
inson church, Of a bullet in the di-
ploma sent through the church
window as "a reminder to his predeces-
5or Of live wires = within the city, of
hunting trips when lost. and divine
guidance directed the body Of hunters
home through the medium Of prayer,
of funerals behind ranch houses for
want Of q cemetery, etc.
The church will never forget the
splendid services rendered by Dr.. and
Mrs. H.. "a. Davis in the musical life
of the church in the early days, and
through the enthusiasm Of these
people the present pipe organ was
placed in the Cong egational church
In 1894. 5lss
Dr.. 3. Il. Stickney Of Fargo, who
for 35 years has watched the interest
sof Christian growth Of the entire
state, was delighted participation,
and becaues Of his faithful long over
sight Of North Dakota the Congrega-
tional church has .286 churches today.
Mr.. Siclneys expressed his unbound
aed5 enthusiasm in the Dickinson people
and in their self denial through these
thirty years, and his faith and de-
light in the continued growth, was
voiced in several suggestions for an
enlarged work and q new edifce.