The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-10-13
/ .BAPTISTSt MEET
Mayor Currier Welcomes Them
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to Mankato.
The sAnnuaI Convention of the Minnesota
o Baptists Is Now Well Under
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The state convention of the Baptists
of Minnesota opened at the First Bap.
list church last evening. Although
the weather was unfayorable, about
every seat in the large room was taken,
many citizens, dropping in to listen TO
the program prepared for the first ses'
sion.
Rev. S. D. Works presided, in the
absence of President Emerson, VINO
had not yet arrived. Several musical
selections were rendered. ~-4
Mayor Currier welcomed the visitors
to the city, which he said was pros
porous and enterprising He said that
he anticipated no extra labor for the
police force on aecountlof this conxens
tion,i as had abaen the case at recent
event held in this city, 2, This was his
first opportunity to talk to the minis lln
tiers, and he was going to take advan-
ctage of it. It is prevalent idea that
the Christian religion is losing its hold
on society, but he firmly believed that
there never has been time during the
last 1, 900 years when the fundamental
truths of the Christian religion have so
permeated society as they do today
There never was time when high per-
sonal character. was more esteemed
than it is now. Mckinley and Bryan
are so popular because of the purity OF
their private lives. The teachings OF
the new testament are being put to-
practical use in the establishment of
hospitals, etc.
1t is q sad fact said Mr.. Currier,
that American cities are way behind
European cities in the matter of NUM-
~cipal reform. This is due to the apathy
of the Christian people. The average
church member does not care to dabble
in politics, but leaves it to the other
fellow. There is some excuse for man
to vote his party ticket in state and
national elections, but in municipal
campaigns party should cut no figure
and the best man should be voted for.
There will be no real reform in cities
until party lines are drawn aside and
integrity and uprightness of character
are made the necessary requisites. h
In Mankato there are twenty five
saloons and twenty seven churches 1t
costs $4,000 a year to support the
churches which are intended to make
people better. Is it good policy to pay
out that amount to the churches and
allow the saloons to exist in equal mum.
bers, side by side, to drag down and
destroy? Mr.. Gurrier said that he did
not think it was good policy.
& Mr.. Curriar said that it is an oppor'
tune time for the convention to meet,
as there is plenty Of water. He hoped
that the delegates would find that the
time and money spentin coming here
would prove to be q good Investment.
DR. W. .DaWleyt3of Minneapolis, re.
lsponded on behalf of the convention,
in the absence Of the president He
said that the delegates liked to come
where they We're assured of SO cordial a
welcome. In regard to the mayors
reference to the police, he would say
that the rogues and scoundrels are in
the twin cities, ready to take care of
the Mankato people there today. Dr..
Dawley said that the convention repre-
sents the church that believes if people
don't go to church to take, the church
to them. !. He hoped that when the
delegates go agaY they will leave an in
Auence that will leave Mankato even
better city The church should make
for civic righteousness. Referring to
the mayors remarks about the rain,
DR.. Dswley said that the Baptists like
water, but they believe neither in
sprinkling nor pouring. He thanked
the,mayor and citizens for the cordial
way in which the delegates had been
RECEIVED.
/Dr. Hubert, dean of the divinity
school of the university of Chicago, was
introduced and gave discourse on
1.-The Kingdom of God" which was lis.
tened to with the closest attention.