The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-10-15
EVANGELICAL CONVENTION ENDS.
instructive Papers Read by Number
of minister's.
Close of a Very Successful Three
Days Conference.

The Young Peoples meeting at the
Evangelical church was a very en-
thusiastic one. The singing of the
church choir deserves special men
tion. The speakers Of the evening
were at their best. Rev. H. Planti-
kow, of Blue Earth City, spoke on the
"Youthful'Power of our Church." He
said the power Of youth rules the
world. In this power Of youth lies
the hopesand future of church and
state. This youthful power must be
stirred up, disciplined, and applied.
Rev. Mr.. Gagstetter, of Wells, spoke
on Character Building" He men
toned as means of character building
the discipline and influences of home
and of schools. The Bible, he said, is
the most important factor in the for
nation of true character.
Rev. J.s Graeben, of Sherburne, ad
dressed'the meeting on the Import
ance of High Ideals" Life without
an idealtis failure. Lofty ideals and
the aspiration to attain them is the
fruit of useful life.
"Why Should Children be Bap-
tized?" was the subject of very good
paper by. Rev. E. H. Bollenbarh, of
Luverne.
Rev. L.sPasser, of Sleepy Eye, dis
coursed, upon the theme, "How
can we Win and Keep the
Young People of Our Church," "Does
the Daily Walk and Life Of Our Mem
bers Justify the Doctrines OF Our
church," was the subject of an inter-
esting essay by Rev. w. LEM, of Lee
Sueur. 'sThe Mission of the Church
in Regard to Social Problems" was
expounded by Rev. H. Plantikow, of
Blue Earth!City. Our age, said the
speaker, lis a social and practical
one. The questions of the time are
social questions. All social questions
are religious questions. The church
has to a great extent neglected her
social mission. The reconstruction
of societyiaccording to the principles
of the teachings of Christ is the mis-
sion of the church. The church
should disseminate and inculcate the
principles of christian brotherhood.
The preachers should be the apostles
of this brotherhood and the leaders OF
the people. A sad aspect Of the labor
problem is the selfish and often an
archistic leaders. Again, the church
should .inculcate the principles of JUS
tice and individual responsibility.
The church should constitute the
moral consciousness Of society. With
wisdom and pure motives the church
should regulate and control public
opinion in all matters Of social reform.
Rev. A. Pair, by his pointed essay
on "Our Quarterly Meetings." intro
duced very heated discussion.
"The Successful Preacher" was the
subject of spirited paper by Rev. w.
Ynedes, of Amboy.
''The Preachers Library" was the
subject of an interesting paper by
Rev. f. Fl. Draeger, of.Marshall. The
preacher should have good library
1t should be the preachers pride,
"The Reforms of Our Time, What
Have They Achieved?" was the theme
of strong paper by Bev. 1. Isker, of
this city. The speaker mentioned
the dangers and chief evils of our
time to be anarchistic and commun-
istic socialism, saloons, mammonism,
Sunday dissertation. bad literature,
the enrichment of capital and the
empoverishment of the poor, trusts
and the superficial divorce laws.
Among the chief reform movements
the speaker mentioned education,
schools, public libraries, the different
reform organizations as the w. G. T.
u, the Christian Citizenship League
and others. Above all the church of
God should take the lead in all re-
form movements.
Interesting theological themes were
ably treated by Rev. G. w. Wolthan-
sen, of Worthington, and Rev. L.
Iwig, of Wells. .
The last paper was read by Bev. j.
Kienholz, of Olivia, having as his
theme, sis the End of the World
Near at Hand?" Rev. Kienholz is one
of the ablest theologians of the Min
nesota conference. He spoke as the
wise speak who can discern
the signs Of the time. He
gave a clear exposition OF
the scriptural signs that will precede
and accompany the final consumma
tion of all things. The anti Christ
and the millennium were dwelt upon
The speaker depicted the end as
yet afar off. The discussion was
fine winding up this
most successful ministerial gathering
Rev. FIiedes, of Amboy, will
preach tonight the closing service Of
the convention.