Salem

(1899-1930)   

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 19, 1898 page 733

Salem. Oct. 29 elders Seibert and Dickey met with us and assisted in the organization of the above-named church, locates about twelve miles east of Cando, N. D. Salem church consists of a full corps of officers and about sixty lay-members. Bro. Andrew Neher was chosen elder. He is ably assisted by brethren Wash. Strong and Charles Boyd, ministering brethren in second degree. We also have four deacons, a clerk and a treasurer. – Will Shively, Nov. 4.

The Gospel Messenger Feb. 21, 1903 page 126

 Origin of the Salem, N. Dak., Church

  Salem church is located fifteen miles northeast of Cando and thirty-five miles north of Devil’s Lake. Previous to our organization we were in the Enterprise church, twenty miles west of us.

  In 1895 a few members settled here. The bountiful crop of that year drew more members and new settlers into our vicinity, but there were no ministers or preaching points nearer than Cando.  In the spring of 1897 Bro. D. A. Hufford, a minister from Indiana, located on a homestead and immediately became the “Frontier Preacher.”  Meetings were called for and head each Sunday in house and “dugouts’ wherever the opportunity presented itself. Early in the summer of 1897 we organized a Sunday school. Which was held in an old granary, but it was filled each Sunday with earnest, attentive listeners.  Our increasing numbers soon demanded a schoolhouse which was built during the summer, and we moved our appointments into it.  So anxious were the people to hear the Word that many seated themselves on the floor, as we moved into the schoolhouse before it was finished or the seats put in.

  One young man’s heart was touched by hearing the plain Gospel delivered in its primitive purity, and by seeing the simple lives and the love manifested by those who possessed this strange doctrine. He decided to unite with the church and one bright Sunday he was baptized. On the banks of the water stood a strange audience, some laughing, pointing the finger of scorn, while tears in profusion were seen tricking down the cheeks of others. Bro. Martin Beeghley performed the rite.  To many it was the first scene of the kind, or even heard of.  But, strange to relate, many of that number who were that day spectators are now members.

  In the meantime Bro. Andrew Neher, an elder, moved into our midst; also several deacons.  We requested a division of territory and an organization, which was granted, and on Oct. 29, 1989, Bro. Dickey, of Ohio, and Bro. Seibert, of Cando, organized us into what is now the Salem church.  at that time we had Bro. Neher elder in charge, Bro. Hufford minister in second degree, three deacons and  a splendid working body of about forty-five plain, consistent laymembers.

   Our membership soon increased to such a number though baptism and members moving in that the school house was too small. As a result we now have a place of worship thirty by fifty feet, with a basement under the entire building eight feet high. At present we have a membership of about 160, seven ministers and seven deacons. Bro. Neher is still in charge. We have District Meeting next spring. We have an evergreen Sunday school, ably conducted by Sister Mary Miller. We just closed our Bible normal which was conducted by J. M. Myers. The meeting was very instructive, but the attendance was small on account of extreme cold weather.

  We do not boastingly allude to our membership. While it is edifying to note the progress we have made, the prosperity we have enjoyed, we are also painfully aware of the fact that with increased numbers we have increased responsibilities and trails. And we are not without our troubles.                                                                                           J. Will Shivley.

Newville, N. Dak., Feb. 4.   

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 19, 1921 page 721

Salem church enjoyed an all-day meeting Oct. 29. It was the writer’s privilege to preach in the forenoon. In the afternoon Bro. J. D. Kesler, of the Cando church, was with us, being sent by the elders of the District to ordain the writer to the eldership.  It was decided to close the home for the winter. Three letters were granted. – A. B. Hollinger, Newville, N. Dak., Nov. 7.