Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-08-06
SUNDAY SCHOOL EXCURSION.

The rdllr0aQ excursion TO MADISON
last week in the interest of the Prim-
tive Methodist and Trinity Episcopal
Sunday schools was decided success,
both in numbers, profit and pleasure,
comfort, speed and safety. The train
was run in two sections, and only
stopped at railroad grade crossings, for
water and for orders. Darlington was
the only station from which passengers
were received and the run was made
to GAINESVILLE 81 miles, in two hours
and quarter; the average running
time being forty miles per hour. The
G., NJ. and st. T.. management deserve
the thanks not only Of the schools
directly interested, but of the people
Of Mineral Point and Darlington, for
making it possible for them to have
such a trip, with such speed and COM
fort, and 50 little cost. Besides this, the
excursionists had from ~ a. m. to 6:3O
p. m. for their enjoyment in and about
Madison. At this time, in many ways
Madison is ut its best. The program
at the Assembly grounds last Thurs
day, the day of the excursion, was
especially attractive. 1t included two
splendid lectures, and concert by the
Iowa state band. We wish we had
space to give an outline of these two
lectures. Prof. Sprague's, at 1913
a. m, is worthy Of more than pass
ing notice; and the lecture Of Hon.
George K. Vending, at ,. p. m, was
unique, inasmuch as it held the close
attention of some three thousand
people for nearly two hours, on the
subject, "The Man of Galilee" This
is something in this age, when the
average and popular audience popular
~ demands, jokes llashes Of wit
before it bestows its favors or prom
Uses its presence. 1t is said that the
age lacks dignity Of character, and
with all our boosted education there is
little or no appreciation of any lecture
that is not sandWched with Jokes, and
that the more cloWnish and superficial
Il man is, the more popular Wend-
ling's lecture, and its reception at
Madison, to large extent proves
this to be Il libel on the average
hearcr, and on this age. When three
thousand people listen patiently, and
eagerly, to one who speaks SO pro-
foundry, SO sWeetly and beautifully
about the Man Of Gallee, and who
speaks without the clap trap of some
popular lecturers, this is splendid
tribute to the man, to the age, and to
people. 1t shows that the average
American citizen is not low in his
taste, and he has dignity and moral
instincts, and that when the right
man comes along like Vending, who
can carry him to moral heights, he
is more than willing to be carried, and
he likes him all the more for the effort.
We are glad to know that Vending is
to be in next lecture course here, and
we are sure large audience awaits
him, and that it will prove, as the
reception of other good lecturers here
has proven, that the average Mineral
Pointer loves something better than
negro minstrel style.
The eXcursionsts all felt that it is
IA line thing for brethren to dwell to-
gcthtr in unity. Such unity is not
only blessed thing, but it makes
such railroad excursions possibility;
and how much this means; all who
We're numbered with the eXcursionists
will testify, that they are unionists in
heart and soul, and when necessary in
act. They think more of their agree
ments than their disgreements. and in
this age such unity is an object les
son of Christian charity and good
will