The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-03
OLD INAUGURAL DAY.
How Mankato Observed Its Centennial
Anniversary.
The Services at the Baptist churol

The Services at the Baptist Church.
The number of flags flying about the
city Tuesday would have apprised
any who were not otherwise informed
that the day marked some special time
for the display of patriotism. Though
no general observance of the day locally
had been anticipated, many of the bust
ness houses and factories were closed,
and coed number of citizens gave up
the day to quiet celebration of the i'm.
portant centennial. Country people
were rather scarce in town, and the
streets presented deserted appearance
most of the day. Many flags were float
ing to the breeze. The school children
were free, and had happy day of it.
THE UNION SERVICES.
The principal event of the dav WAS the
union services at the Baptist church, in
which the various religious societies of
the city joined. The church was hand
somelv decorated by flags and bunting,
placed about the pulpit and adjacent
walls. Banks of flowers stood on each
side of the pulpit. Seats were reserved
for Wilkin post, which marched in in n
body just before the service began. The
building was well filed, not seat re-
manning unoccupied, and many persons
being obliged to stand. The service be-
gan at 10 a. M, with PRAYER by Rev.
Stevenson. Rev. Hudson read a portion
of the Episcopal service. This portion
of the service was reproduction Of u
portion of the Washington inauguration
services, and were very interesting in
that connection. Rev. Whitney as
sisted.
Rev. l. l.. Cory preached the sermon,
which was generally pronounced one OF
the best the. has been heard IN the city
for many dag. lie held the closest at
tention of the audience for an hour. His
words were full of vigor and wisdom,
and breathed patriotism in every SEN
tence. He spoke of the great growth OF
the republic during the past hundred
years, and referred in words OF praise to
the great leaders who have distinguished
themselves in times of danger, and
saved the country from ruin. But
another day of peril is almost at hand,
he said. 1t can be seen in the conflict
of Organized labor with capital, in the
ever recurring liquor problem, in the
race problem, which is on the verge OF
breaking out again. This is not the
sounding of a needless alarm, but it is a
warning which must be needed sooner
or later. In this connection the church
has duty to perform. Christianity is
more than keeping pace with the growth
of population, as shown by the great in
crease in membership of the various
churches. The Christian power and
idea is steadily advancing. The nation
owes debt of gratitude to the Christian
churches for their efforts in spreading
the means of obtaining higher educa-
| tion and for the spirlt of noble devoted
ness 1t exhibits in its work in the estab.
lishment of charitable institutions, as il
the spirit of Christ was embodied in the
work. This nation was planted by God
for purpose grandly- divine. 1t is d
Christian republic, a mighty nation
among nations, and its mission is to solve
the great socialistic problems of the day
God gave us the land to teach the world
some of the noblest of Christian propo
sitIons, and by example to spread teach
| ings of the GOSPEL.