Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-28
GIVE THE CAUsE OF RELIGION I
GRANGE.

GIVE THE CAUSE OF RELIGION i
GRANGE.
The supposed object of the so-called Lake
Park Association is to conduct evangelical
work. 1t is calculated that if great mnlti-
tudes are drawn together to listen to eloquent
exhortations from the most eminent preach
ers in the land, much good will follow. It
is even assumed that many can be turned
from the evils of their ways and induced to
lead better and purer lives if they can be at
tracted to these monster gatherings.
II we are correctly informed as to the OBJ
iects of the association, we trust we will not
be deemed irreyerent in urging that some
regard be had for the cause of Christ in Sc
Letting the location for the association. His
wishes and interests ought to have
little consideration. AS at pres
ont conducted, the contest is entirely
worldly, and instead of considering how
many souls can be led to repentance, the
whole question is one of hard cash. How
much money will be contributed to build q
hotel, store, pavilion, lay out walks,
beautify the grounds, etc. How much of a
speculation can be made out of the land
donated, etc. These seem to be the govern
ing motives of the locating committee, while
on the part of those seeking the location the
sole question is, how many ducats will it
bring to St. Paul, or Minneapolis, or Still
water, or Excelsior, or White Bear, or Lake
City, etc. On neither hand do we hear any
thing about the cause of religion, which in
cidentally OF accidentally the Park Associa-
ton is supposed to serve.
We would respectfully suggest to the To-
eating committee that in their deliberations
they give a little weight to the cause OF
Christ. If they do that, there can be NO
question as to location, for White Bear lake
will be unanimously selected. Even Dr.
Keith will favor that location, if he allows
his religious nature to overcome his narrow
local prejudices. Excelsior is out in the
wilderness, SO to speak. It is accessible at
present by a six mile trip across Lake Min
netonka on a small and dangerous steam
boat. There will be some advantage in that,
it is true, as there will be several ex-
plosions during the season, and be-
sides those killed and drowned in
that manner, scores of others will lose
their lives by attempting to reach the Park
in sail or row boats. This will enable the
clergymen at the Park to urge survivors to
repent and be saved, IN view of the great
uncertainty of life, and funeral services
every day or two will add greatly to the
solemnity of the occasion. From that stand
point Excelsior will offer superior adyant-
ages, for even if Washburn builds a spur
track to that point, as is proposed, it will
still be necessary to use the hazardous steam
and sail boats, if there is any gathering
whatever. Washburn being Universalist,
and therefore not fully realizing the import
ance of being prepared for the hereafter, is
not likely to expend $4,000 in helping others
to secure a future state, and hence
his six mile spur track is not
likely to have any existence save on paper.
In which case the services at the Park Gf To-
Gated at Excelsior) will simply be series of
funerals of victims drowned or blown up in
attempting to secure salvation. The Indian
mounds in Gideon's bay will be duly eclpsed
by the mounds which will be necessary to
cover the remains of the pilgrims bearing
the strange device, ''Excelsior''
At White Bear there are, practically, three
railroads centering. Where one person
would 60 to Excelsior, fifty would 90 tc
White Bear. It is equi- distant from the
three leading cities in the State ard in the
center of a population which, more than any
other in the Northwest, needs missionary
labor. If the cause of Christianity
is to be subserved, White Bea1
should be selected beyond all question. Sin
mrs can there be congregated by the thou.
nd to seek salvation, where only scores
would risk the inconvenience and perils Of
visiting Excelsior. If Excelsior offered one