The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-12-21
OBLIGATORY SERVICES.
Rev. D. d. MacLaurin's Eloquent Ad-
dress. Over $4,000 Raised.
Other Exercises.

other EXERCISES.
The new Baptist church was crowded
to the doors Sunday forenoon by the
catory services. The aisles were filed
with chairs and III this way nearly
everyone was accommodated. The pull
PIT platform was hedged in with bloom
ing plants. The services were opened
in the usual manner, after which Rev.
Whitney introduced Rev. ID. ID. Mac
Laurin, of Minneapolis, who preached
the dedication sermon AS pulpit
orator Mr.. MacLaurin has few equals in
the west and he did full justice to him
self Yesterday. 1t was one OF the finest
sermons ever delivered in the city. Mr..
MacLaurin took the twelfth verse, 18th
chapter of st. John as his text, and
''The greatest work possible to man" as
his theme. The main idea sought to be
brought out was that the moral works of
man are greater than the miracles per-
formed by Christ First among the
moral works is the work of reformation.
1t is nonsense To talk of the supernatur-
al when We know so little of the natural.
Mans work is upon the spirit and is
infinitely more lasting than miracles,
which were merely wrought upon unre-
sistng matter. The work of retorma-
ton is good unmIXed, while the miracles
of the old Testament We're u curse to a
great many people. Thus the flood de-
stroyed many, the destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah was attended by evil to
thousands, the miracle of the Red sea
was injurious To certain nations. The
convestion OF souls is ever-enduring-
not so with miracles. If miracle pro-
vlded food for multitude one day,
these people were hungry the next and
the miracle must be repeated. The
work of reformation is a good ever-en-
larging in IT'S intiuence. A miracle, on
the other hand, can affect but a COM
paratively few. A boy taken from the
streets and converted will extend an in
fuence over millions III the generations
to come. The speaker compared this
influence to the constantly enlarging
circle of wayelets that spread out on a
clear surface of water when a pebble is
thrown in. A higher energy is required
to secure reformation of souls than to
accomplish miracle, which is only an
expression of Gods wish registered on
unreslsting matter. A man can cry
eyes" or no." and God with all the
pressure of the universe cannot make
him say yves" against his will. Mans
natural deprayity Is great stumbling
block to his reformation.
The second great point is faith in
Christ, which willquahiy any man to ac-
complish moral good. In the first place,
faith in the atonement for SIN is neceS-
sary. Then faith in Christ as a great
moral commander is required. Christ was
always victorious and never victim,
not even when crucifed. Every Christ.
ian worker should obey the commands
of "the still, small voice." which is the
voice of the commander, and he will win
III ten cases where he now wins once.
Faith in the ascension OF Christ in
Heaven makes the work surely success
full. In doing moral work you have God
working through you. In your work IN
building this church here in Mankato
you have done the greatest possible
work. In eloquent language Mr.. Mae
Laurin characterized the work of the
Sunday school teacher as one of the
MODEST. He closed by eulogIZing Mr..
Whitney, saying that the latter is loved
by the whole denomination and is
especially valued as being among the
truest ministers. He said that it was
grand thing for the city to have him
here.
WI. wv. " . 4hCdt ICiO LILO tCBoll 40
treasurer, showing that $13,0S5.24 had
been expended on the church structure,
fur .iture, ETC., while the amount raised
to offset this was $l0,S5S.52, including
about s., 900 pledged but not yet paid.
This left balance of 81, 22672 to be
raised. A free will subscription to meet
this deficiency was then taken up and
the amount was practically raised among
those present. A black board was pro-
vided with figures representing sums
from S. up to 500. subscriptions were
begun at the highest number and as they
were offered the corresponding figure
was rubbed off. This was kept up until
the black board WIS nearly clean. The
meeting was a. protracted one, lasting
until nearly two o'clock.
The following were among the sub
scrlbers: VIM. NJ. Bushnell, st. Paul,
Geo. NJ. Palmer, Ladies' Society, Mrs.
Mansfield. j. B. Craig, and the Sunday
school, each 500; Geo. w. Mead, Mrs.
Durkee, w. o. Ford, H. B. Perrin, f.
P. Cook. w. F. Fisher, Miss Cole and
the Y. p e. F., each $50; G. G. Burt,
Miss Jennie Jones, Mrs. Esther NJ. Hall,
Miss Maude Fowler, G. +. Blake, A
Friend, C. j. Mead, w. f. Jewson, Mrs.
NJ. Gates, f Soaring, W. H. Palmer, G.
Ill. Hlggs, X. l.. Lind, - LathrOp, Jesse
Welch, H. F Shaw, w. L. Bradshaw, f.
G. Thayer, r. ID. Boutwell,D A. Thayer,
Mrs. De Rosia, each $25. The remainder
was made up by large number of $40
and 30 subscriptions.
AFTERNOON AND EVENING SERVICES.
The afternoon service consisted of a
sermon by Rev. ID. ID. MacLaurin, on
Making Business of Religion" Mr..
w. M. Bushnell, of ST. Paul, followed
and spoke upon "The Layman's Work
in the Church." Rev. j. 4 Hoffit and
Hon. Geo. A. Pillsbury, of Minneapolis,
were both absent on account of sickness.
On Sunday evening Rev. g. l.. Nor
rill presented an eloquent sermon on
the theme, 'Lav Hold of Eternal Life"
He showed in common sense arguments
that man is in danger of eternal death,
and in order to enjoy the blessings of
blessed immortality he must be
changed. He must have life. This life
can be had only in church. On Christ
man must believe. In this sermon Mr..
Morrill, appeared to the best advantage,
and r,ade an impression which will not
soon be forgotten.
There were fully 600 people in the
church. Another subscription was