Church Review Historical Edition/Vol. 4/No. 1

Church Review Historical Edition/Vol. 4/No. 1/pg. 42

Page 42<br><br>tember of the same year he entered the Central Ohio conference on trial and served on the Celina circuit until August, 1894; reserving his conference relations, he was transferred to the Utah work, since which time he has been stationed at Mt. Pleasant, Utah.<br><br> Moroni Church and School.<br><br> In about the year 1886, through the influence of Rev. P. A. H. Franklin, of the M. E. Church, Mr. N. L. Eliason bought and gave the present church site to the Woman's Home Missionary Society. Through the advice of Dr. Iliff, the widow of Rev. Dr. Gurley, who had some money to spend in a good cause, gave $500 for the erection of a mission church in this place. By September, 1886, the building was completed and ready for school. At a public dedication on the occasion of the opening of this building, Dr. Iliff extended a welcome to all-Mormon, apostate, Jew or Gentile-to send their children to the school. This cordial offer was so generally accepted by many who had been greatly prejudiced against Methodism that the teacher, Miss Emily Anderson, had an enrollment of thirty-seven. In 1887, 1888, and 1889 Miss Mary Iverson was the teacher, enrolling an average of thirty-nine each year. Miss Marie Jensen (now Mrs. E. E. Mork) succeeded to this work in 1890 and remained two years, enrolling forty-two on an average. For the next two years Miss Tenie Winter taught, averaging forty-one. Then came Miss Lizzie Evans for two years, doing excellent work, and is now replaced by Miss Clara E. Holt, who opened with twenty-two, but finds that number increasing weekly. Children's meetings are held every Wednesday, and the Sunday school has an average of thirty-seven, while the congregations average about fifty. This belongs to the Mount Pleasant circuit, of which Mr. McCoard is pastor. The outlook for Moroni is very hopeful. Miss Holt and her mother are making their Christian influence felt and some are already inquiring "What must I do to be saved?" <br><br>MANTI PRESBYTERIAN.<br><br> Manti was first visited in the interest of Christian missions in April, 1875, by the Rev. Duncan J. McMillan. In September, 1877, Mr. Joseph S. McMillan and wife opened a mission school under the auspices of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, and occasional religious services were held. The first Christian sermon was a funeral discourse delivered in the Council House March 4, 1878, by the Rev D. J. McMillan; a deep religious interest resulted. On Saturday evening, April 20, 1878, Rev. R. G. McNiece preached in Fox's hall. On Sunday morning Rev. D. J. McMillan preached, after which the Presbyterian church of Manti was organized, ten persons uniting on profession and two by certificate. Ole Nelson, Rasmus Miller and Theodore E. Friese were elected ruling elders. They were duly ordained and installed July 21, 1878, Rev. Sheldon Jackson assisting. On June 17, 1883, Frederick W. Blohm also became a ruling elder, and on November 12, 1893, Andrew Nelson was ordained and installed. John F. Braithwaite was ordained and installed as deacon March 6, 1892. Under Presbytery, for the Board of Home Missions, Rev. George W. Martin, a graduate of the Ohio University and of Union Seminary, New York, became the stated supply of the church in [PHOTO: G. W. MARTIN.] September, 1879, and continued in that relation until April 27, 1893, when he was installed as pastor. The total membership of the church has been forty-nine; the roll now numbers twenty-five. <br><br>Various Phases of Church Work.<br><br> Public worship is held on Sunday evening with an average attendance recently of thirty. The Sunday school, superintended by Mr. George R. Braithwaite, enrolls some sixty pupils with an average of forty. Wednesday evening prayer meeting is attended by an average of twenty, and is led by members in turn. Teachers' meeting is held at the pastor's home on Friday evening, with an attendance of from ten to fifteen. The Woman's Missionary Society, the Mothers' Meeting, the W. C. T. U., a Loyal Temperance Legion, and a local Bible Society are also doing good work. <br><br>The Day School.<br><br> This feature of mission work deserves extended notice. How many pupils have been connected with the school, at least for a brief period, in the past eighteen years! The annual enrollment has been from seventy-five to 125. Some have been brought to Christ in a sound conversion, and are engaged in Christian work. Others are carrying enough truth to save them when it is vitalized by the Holy Spirit's mighty working. Still others are in the inquiring attitude. Some have gone into public school work as teachers. One is county superintendent; another a city principal. Many are married and are rearing families. "Who but God can see and know all that has been accomplished by the consecrated mission teachers?" Those employed in Manti were as follows: For 1877 and 1878, Mrs. J. S. McMillan. For 1879, Miss E. W. Alexander and Mrs. McMillan. For 1880, Miss F. Galbraith and Miss C. A. Farrand. For 1881, Miss F. Galbraith and Miss L. E. Leonard. For 1888, Miss F. O. Quillen and Miss Viola Wynne. For 1889-1891, Miss F. O. Quillen and Miss M. B. Barrett. For 1892, Misses L. A. Wiles, Emily McCarty and Effie Williams. For 1893, Miss L. A. Wiles and Miss Effie Williams. For 1894, Miss L. A. Wiles and Miss Louise Holsclaw. For 1895, Miss L. A. Wiles. <br><br>Building.<br><br> The church and school building is of oolite, out of the same quarry as the Manti temple, and is 30x55 feet, Gothic style. The corner-stone was laid April 22, 1881; the building was dedicated November 13, 1881, clear of debt, Christian women of Buffalo Presbytery and the Board of Church Erection assisting.<br><br> THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL, EPHRAIM.<br><br> Christian work began in Ephraim through visits of Rev. D. J. McMillan in the spring of 1875. Service was held in the South ward schoolhouse. Later in the fall of 1879 Gospel meetings were begun in C. A. Larson's hall by Rev. F. Franson and Mr. Frederickson. Great interest developed, despite earnest opposition, and a number of persons "took a stand." In order to put matters into permanent shape Rev. Franson, who affiliated with the "Free Christian Church," not then able to sustain missions in Utah, advised the people to go to the Presbyterian church. Accordingly Rev. D. J. McMillan, assisted by G. W. Martin, held meetings Saturday night and Sabbath morning, February 1, 1880, in Larson's hall. At 2 o'clock p. m. the Lord's supper was administered, and in the evening the Presbyterian Church of Ephraim was organized by Rev. D. J. McMillan, Rev. Franson assisting. Rev. G. W. Martin was asked to take charge of the church services. That was begun February 22, 1880, since which time the Ephraim church has been a part of the Manti field. Only one elder was ordained and he ceased to act within a year. The total membership of the church had been twenty-four. There are at present twelve members.<br><br> Sunday School.<br><br> This was opened in the fall of 1877, and has been continued to the present. The enrollment is about thirty. The superintendent is James L. Jensen, who is also a deacon in the church. There is a Y. P. S. C. E., which was organized in 1894, which now has a membership of about twelve. This society maintained a free reading room for the young people of the town last winter. <br><br>Mission Day School.<br><br> This was opened by Mr. J. S. McMillan in September, 1877; in October it came into the hands of Miss Maria Fishback, who continued in charge until November, 1879, when, on account of diphtheria in Ephraim, Miss F. was transferred to the Mount Pleasant school. Miss Fishback kept school in the earth-covered house formerly occupied by George Quinn; the same property was bought for the Presbytery in 1881 and on the same spot the church now stands. In September, 1880, Miss S. Carrie Rea of Washburn, Ill., took charge of