Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-09-06
The visit Of the Rev. Fl. A. Miner,

prouC 10 members OF the COnSreSa-
tlonal church. He preached in the
morning with much JUNCTION and
power. He received into the member
ship of the church on letters of
dismission, Rev. John Rowland and
wife, and Mrs. L. A. Cornish late of
Mansion. The number at communion
was very large, and the whole service
was strongly calculated to inspire faith
and hope in the believing heart.
Mr.. Miner also gave a lively and
profitable address to the Sabbath
school, on the importance of being
faithful to God. He sought to awaken
the interest of the young people in
Missionary Sunday school work. as it
is proposed to have a Sunday school
Missionary in connection with the
Cong. church in this state. A brilliant
and patriotic lecture was given by Mr..
Miner in the evening which enlisted
the rapt attention Of the audience for
an hour, on sour american Field J;
and a0hat 0e can do for It," The
extent, material resources, and rapid
growth of population, first passed
under review In extent it was COM
pared with the old Roman Empire.
1t was shown that the states and
territories west of the Mississippi, are
more than a match for this great
empire of the old world, to say
nothing of Alaska, which alone, is
over one third in extent of territory.
Great Britain was taken as n earur-
ing surface, which made our country
look large. In material resources,
soil, mineral, timber and other sources
of wealth, showed our country to be
far IN advance Of any other. In
population, it was shown that before
the bloom is off the cheeks of our
children. 10O,000,00O will be here.
And then the growth of the wealth
of the people was simply marvellous !;
$500, 100000 being the net gain upon
the products of the soil last year
Kansas alone giving over $8,000,000.
Now what of this amazing growth of
population and wealth ? Are we
marching on to glory!
The illiteracy and immortality of
New Mexico, Utah and other portions
of our country, were glanced at,
especially the frontier towns, as in
dictated by the names they get !; as
Whisky Gulch," "Poker Flat,
''Fiddletown,' "Seven up Ravine"
&c. Socialism, communism, intemper-
ance, and other evils were spoken of,
and the question raised, Ho.C are ne
to SAGE the millions here, and the
hundreds Of thousands coming to as
euery gear And here the speaker
set before us the gospel of Jesus
Christ as the remedy, the only hope
of our country and that no0 is the
time to bring it to bear upon the
people. "The crucial hour of the
Republic" is at hand. In view of
this, the American Home Missionary
Society at their late anniversary re-
solved to raise an emergency fund of
100000 in addition to the $500, 900
which is expected to be raised by
regular contributions from the
churches. 1t is proposed in this state
to raise at least $4,000 more than
last year or, $40, 900 in all for the
work in the state. To do this will
not require over two cents per week
from the membership of the
200 Congregational churches in the
state. if each will do his and her
duty. The lecture closed with an
earnest appeal to the people, which
was fastened upon the mind by the
story of Francis Zavier's devotion to
his work.
To save our country from the rebels
hand price had to be paid-to save
our country from moral corruption
and vice price must be paid. Our
Pilgrim fathers paid it to found the
Republic. Shall we their children
pay it to continue the work of the
fathers, and make the land thoroughly
christian The lecture as a whole
was most impressive and instructive.
This uoe Mr. Miners fret annaar