Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-24

Grand Master Hathaway.
|. The address of Governor Dixon. in
full. follows:
deem it privilege, as a personal
TREND. to speak briefly concerning
him whose memory we honor this day
Permanent Imprint Upon State.
In calling the roll of the men of
Montana whose life work and influ-
ence have left permanent imprint
upon the state. / pause at the name
or William w. Van Orsdel. In life. we
hardly recognized him under that cog
nomen. To all of us he was far
better known as ''Brother Van" As
Brother Van / now recall him to your
memory. A gentle. kindly. CHEEKY
faced minister of the gospel of Jesus
Christ who spent As years of his life
in doing good to his fellowmen in every
nook and corner of this, his adopted
state. His mortal remains lie yonder
IN Forestvale. marked by the rough
bouiders taken from the mountains he
loved so well. His memory is en-
shrlned in the hearts of thousands of
his fellow citizens. rich and poor. white
and colored, Methodist and Catholic,
Jew and Gentle.
This m9rning we dedicate this
building to his memory and for use in
the causes that probably laid nearest
his heart.
Came From Pioneer Stock.
Brother Van came from good, pio-
neer American stock His grandfather.
Isaac born in Holland. settled in east
ern Pennsylvania in 1776 His mater
nal grandfather was a soldier in the
revolution and rose to the rank of
colonel In the Continental army.
Born on a farm within gunshot of
the Gettysburg battlefield. as a boy
OF 10, he wandered over that scene of
carnage the day following the retreat
OF Lees broken legions across the po-
tomac, while his older brothers were
serving the cause of the union in
PENNSYLVANIA regiments. That Novem-
Der he stood among the multitudes on
Cemetery Ridge and listened to the i'm
mortal words of Abraham Lincoln as
he read his Gettysburg speech in dedi-
cation of the national cemetery.
In June, 1872, he stepped from the
gang plank of Missouri river steamer
at Fort Benton, young man of "a
eager to preach the gospel of the Naz-
arene among the scattered mining
camps and stage stations and isolated
ranch settlements within the territory
of Montana
Told Story of His Master.
There were three other Methodist
riders within the territory at
the time. He rode horseback. Travelled
by stage coach and carried his message
everywhere, anywhere to those who
would listen. Sometimes in a crude
church building in the larger settle
ments. more often in private houses.
in saloons and gambling
houses, he told the story of his Master,
Himself kindly to degree and with
a heart overflowing with love for his
fellowman. he was received with recip-
rocal kindness by those among whom
he labored.
Brother Van he was called by
saint and sinner alike. They all re-
ceived him gladly. I doubt whether
even Peter Cartwright or Lorenzo Dow
ever recorded wider or richer experi
ence as circuit riders in the pioneer
lays of Methodism than did Brother
Van in his half century of work in
Montana. He lived to see Montana
change from territorial wilderness. |
largely inhabited by wild beasts and |
savages. to sovereign state with all !
he habilaments of modern civilization |
Lived to See Church Grow.
He lived to see his own church |
organization take first place among the |
church organizations Of tbis
state. he reached and passed the allot-
"a three score years and ten and rcst-
ID from his labors in the full strenptb
II mis- mental powers, respected and he
owed by all his fellowmen, to whom be
lad given the full measure of an nm
eltlsh and devoted life. He died with
10 mentai reservations in his own soul
IS to fuller better life beyond
=, Dur1ng his later years he had been
llied with enthusiastic desire to see
ere established an institution for rho
are and education of children. who III
cclaant of birth or the lack of this
'orids wealth or the loss of parents
'ouid not otherwise receive such edu-
alton and training.
NO man can be inspired by more
ooie sentiments. In season and out,
e spurred ms fellow churchmen and
rlends on to the work and sacrifices
1volved in the consummation Of h;s
wn high hopes.
|
ork and lf-sacrjfices of his co-labor-
RS IN the cause, the institution largely
ives its existence to Brother Van.
Gave Life Savings. l.
AT his death he gave his entire rife
avings to the carrying on of this in
Litution.
This building is now being erected
Y the contributions of his friends in
lrtherance of the good cause and is
, be known as Brother Vans Mem
rial;' l can conceive of no more
orthy or enduring monument. |,
With the influence for good that S
i'll during the cmoing decades radiatc S
ON this center, the long years of SER
ce to humanity given by him will be +,
repaid and justified. Is
I'm Brother Vans life we have a S
of the truth that,
No life can be pure in its purpose s
nd strong in its strife, q
nd all life not be purer and stronger c
thereby" d,