Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-09-05
BY c.. CLEMENT.
Forthe Kenosha Telegraph.
SKETCHES OF MTNNESOTA.-InteIIec tu.
al and Moral aspects.

o'dll1 as Nle pdIeHLS may De themselves, theS
would not have their children entirely uneduca
ted. Much as the scoffer may despise the chris
tan religion, he would not have his children with
out its influence. Wicked as he may be himself
he would prefer not to live in wicked neigh
borhood. Hence the School House, the Church
ana the christian teacher, add value to property
rendering its possession more secure, and its
enjoyment more rational.
Society in Minnesota is yet in its forming state
and time only will develope its future character.
We may, however, judge something of the fu-
ture tree from the appearance of the tender twig
-cnd we may Judge something of the future
character of the Minnesotiav.s from the charac-
ter of the present Inhabitants and from the efforts
which they make for the improvement of society
Just as sure as causes will produce effects, Just
so sure will the character of the future inhabit-
ants of a new country be affected by influences
which are exerted upon the first settlers. Look
at the state Of society now in various towns OF
New York and New England; and by it you may
Judge something of the character of those who
first settled those towns, although they might
have been settled 80 or 100 years since.
But we did not design so long an introduction.
SO far as efforts for education are concerned
the citizens of Minnesota have displayed laud-
able zeal, which has already produced fruit
Scarcely had the name of the new territory be-
come familiar, ere some noble spirited young la
dies, under the patronage of the National Board
Of popular Education,' were on the ground i'm
parting instruction. Long will they be remem-
bercd for their se!t-denying labors, and long will
their influence be felt.
The provisions for the school fund of Minneso-
ia are among the most liberal in the Union
Two sections in each township Qhe 10th and
36th,) are devoted TO this purpose, instead Of one
as in most of the states of the north west Al
ready University is in contempaton,a and hand
some sum subscribed for the erection of build
ngs.
| The moral and religious aspects Of Minneso-
ia are full of interest. The darkest spots which
we have noticed on its disc, are the numerous
! grog shops and billiard saloons, which, in the
principle villages, present themselves along the
streets in such rapid succession as to induce the
belief that drinking and gaming are some Of the
principle industrial occupations, among which
the inhabitants are distributed. But these foul
plague-spots (the usual Accomplishments of the
settlement OF a new country will in time be d.
,ninished, and the industry and sobricly of older
places will characterize these villages.
The number of ministers in Minnesota is rel
Itirely large probably larger than in any other
part of the Union While the population of
Washington and Ramsey counties is but about
6 900, there are not far from 20 ministers oca-
ted in them or one to each 800 inhabitants. We
90 not say that this is absolutely too large num-
Der, for we believe that clergyman may find
enough to do among 800, and that leaving out of
view the interests Of men in another world, the
Iabors of no other class of citizens are as valua-
ble to communities as those of the right kind of
christian ministers What we wish to say, is,
that compared with other portions of our country
the sacred profession is over stocked in Slime
sofa. The fact is that Minnesota is much larger
away from home than it is when you get there
Clercymen of different denominations have flock
Ell thither expecting to find wide field for their
labors when in truth nearly all is yet Indian land
except narrow strip between the two rivers,
and much of this strip is still unsettled.
Oar views on this subject correspond with
those of one of the oldest and most influential
clcrgymen in the territory, who remarked TO Us
that when he went to St Paul he expected to be
alone for several years, but that already three or
. four others his own denomination were within
few miles of him.
But although Minnesoais better supplied with
ministers than most parts -four country, none Of
them are idle, and most Of them are exerting an
influence which will tell tor veal upon the fu-
turc destiny of the inhabitants of the territory
There are four churches connected with the
Presbyterian or Congregational denominations
here, besides those al missionary stations, viz ::
one at St. Fau one at 81. Anthony, one at Sill
water and one at Cottage Grove, all of which
are supplied with Pastors. Rev. f. ID. Ncill
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in St. Paul
has been laborng there almost from the first set
Element Of the place as an American village
Raised among the eneryating tendencies of a city
life, and bred to the profession of law, he is new
erthelesS showing himself capable of graphing
with the stern realities of frontier lite, and IS
building up church which will hereafter bless
! the world.
| The Methodist churches in Minnesota are en-
( braced in the Wisconsin Conference. A Pre-
siding Elders district. called the Minnesota dis
trict, has been formed embracing the Territory
and portion of western Wisconsin. The eff
cient and popular Presiding Elder Of this district
/. Rev c. Hobart, whom many of your readers
know Let me give you specimen Of the man.
His district last year embraced Sank Co, Wis,
and duty called him thither to attend quarterly
meeting. 1t being over, he started on foot, thro'
wilderness, for Prairie Ia Cross, and was out
five days, crossing streams, climbing bluffs
camping out nights, risking the attacks OF wild
beasts, and getting lost before he reaches his
destination. Such are the ministers needed in
I the north west
OF Baptist churches. there are three in Mime
sOta-One at each of the VILLAGES of ST Paul ST