LIFE OF REV. L. B. STATELER.
at Stevensville, and by means of special appeals, made
chiefly through the columns of the St. Louis Christian
Advocate, for assistance in completing these houses,
there was quite an interest awakened throughout the
older Conferences in behalf of Montana and in the
subject of Church extension generally.
  A number of preachers were willing to come to our
assistance; but the Board of Missions still refused to
increase its appropriations to the work, and hence but
little assurance could be given of a support, though
the preachers on the ground were willing to divide the
last dollar with them.
  Dr. Wilson stated to the brethren that the Board of
Missions had decided upon strengthening its work
along a line extending westward from Kansas City
through Southern Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizo-
na to Southern California, and that larger appropria-
tions had been made to those fields. They seemed to
think that Montana, Washington, and Oregon were
too far out of the way for successful occupancy, and
hence this broad field was virtually left out, the forces
on hand being barely able to hold their ground and
unable to do aggressive work. Of course the preach-
ers here believed this to be a mistaken policy, but their
faith remained unshaken, while they returned to their
fields determined to work and wait for time and events
to justify their course.
  The district was again divided, Mr. Stateler taking
the eastern end, called Bozeman District, and R. S.
Clark remaining in charge of the western portion,
known as Helena District.
  The venerable Bishop Kavanaugh, of Louisville,
273