The scout-missionary is still keen about first churches, and we accompany him on a visit to a little town near Fort Benton. We go to the schoolhouse. We are early; so we will play janitor. The bell is to be rung. The songbooks are to be distributed. Brother Van doesnot preach this time, but his influence is felt all through the service. He stands in the closing moments and urges upon the people a new loyalty to Jesus Christ and a new loyalty to the church as the center of their common life. All who will so pledge are asked to come and take him by the hand, and every man, woman, and child in the little group comes forward. Among them are three soldiers, guards in the uncertain days of war of the big bridge which swings over the Teton River at the outskirts of the town.
One of Brother Van’s churches is in process of building in this town. You may smile at its dimensions. It has one main room and a basement which is to be cut up into smaller social rooms.
“Well, Brother Van, when is it to be finished?” he is asked.
“Don’t know, Sister!”
“Why not finish it right away?”
“I’d love to, but not one cent of debt is to be placed on this or on any other church I have anything to do with.”
“But, can these few people build this church?”
“They can and will, with the help of the Board of Home Missions.”
“Ah, if people only knew the need of home missions, we would not have to see these churches which we try to put in the new centers struggle and languish as they do,” he adds.
“Why try to have a church so soon, then?”