Page 196 - Cornelius Hedges Story

183 The Cornelius Hedges Story

The values of property declined enormously and it was nearly
unsalable at any price. Our hopes of getting a railroad, so often
deferred and defeated, almost culminated in despair. Our church
building was a bond of union and strength at the time when so many
other conditions seemed adverse.

Rev. J. D. Hewitt came to us in March, 1877. I find an entry of
March 30th of that year that I went to Bozeman to Presbytery with
Revs. Hewitt and Russel. Wednesday, April 25th, a church meeting
elected trustees and Thomas Smiley as deacon, who was ordained
the following Sunday.

On Sunday, May 6th, I find mention of an excellent sermon
by Mr. Hewitt and much religious interest manifested. Meetings
were held every evening the following week and union services
on Sunday, May 13th. The Sunday following Rev. M. L. Cook
of Missoula preached at our church and on June 3rd communion
was held and seven united with the church. June 8th there was a
Presbyterian concert. Sunday, June 24th, it was noted that Mr. Hewitt
had returned and preached, and a Sunday School concert was held in
the evening. At the services on Sunday, September 2nd, communion
was held and four united with the church. Sunday, October 7th, the
Presbytery was in session here and at the evening service Messrs.
Richards, Cook and Russel spoke on Sunday School work.

Sunday, October 13, 1878, it was noted in my diary that the seats
in the church were supplied with new cushions — getting luxurious.

My diary mentions the fact that on Tuesday, April 8th, there was
a debate in the church on the respective merits of the pulpit and the
bar, on which occasion Col. Sanders presided, and the congregation
decided on the merits of the debate in favor of the bar.”