The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-01-19

N. Mint, J. @. Jonas, O. l.. Ober, and
J. Gelsonan, of Pipestone County.
visited here last Thursday, examining
our magnificent court house. They
were very much pleased with it in
every way and only regretted that
their county could not boast of one
it's equal, and they probably never
will as they did not think their coun
ty would build one as large,
"Character is Destiny"
-EmmersOn.
EDITOR ADVANCED
am indebted to Jas: Baird, presi-
dent of the Mobiles counts S. S. A.,
ISOLATION, for some interesting figures
taken from the report of the canvass
made November 18th, 1898. Posi-
bly, these figures may be of some in
terst besides those living in tho
neighborhood to which they refer.
Few men among US show more
self-sacri6cing spirit than does Mr..
Baird. He is untiring, in his effort
to further every good cause; and this
not only without one cent of compen-
sation, but often at a little cost to
himself. Who can say how much
the world is indebted to just such
modest workers, men who labor
quietly and unselfishly in the neigh
borhood where they live, exerting an
influence which falls as silently as
the dew, and which is just as re-
freshing. Such men are, indeed, the
salt of the earth. Without them
much that is best in human nature
would perish.
The population of Ransom, as
shown by the canvass, is 446. Of
these, 24O-or little more than one
half-are over Fl years of age; l45
from 4 to Fl, and 81 under 4 years.
The number who attend church is
given at 265-about sixty per cent.
not a bad showing for country
township; yet not what we might
like to see it for it shows that forty
per cent. of our people attend
church but seldom, if at all. We
should remember, however, that
some are distant from church, and,
again, there are mothers who find it
hard to attend except occasionally,
It would be we'll if all our people
could be induced to attend church
whenever practicable. Its influence
would be for good, and for good only.
One can hardly fail to notice the diff
erence between church, going com.
munity and one that is not. The con-
trast is apparent on every hand; in the
farms; in the homes; in the dress and
department. We need one day in
seven, not only as day of rest for
the body, but that the thoughts for a
time may be directed into new chan
nels., Our highest interest requires
that part of our time should. be
given to thinking about other things
than raising grain and fattening
hogs. If our thoughts are given
solely to earning for the wants of the
body. we sink toward mere animal
ism, aud the spirit within US Ian
cuisines and dies. To give portion
of our time to the consideration of
matters mere especially intellectual
and spiritual, cannot but be elevat-
ing and purifyin 8.
The number of church member is
given at 184-about Al per cent-and
those attending Sunday school at IA
about 81 per cent. The showing, as
I said, is very fair, though we could
wish that it were still better.
There are 81 families in Ransom,
and their church preferences, given
by families. are as follows: Baptist 8,
Catholic "A; Congregational 8; Dis.
cipiles 8; Episco paleans I; Lutheran
50; Methodist q; Presbyterian 5;
Reformed 4; Advent /; No prefor-
lence 8.
Orr Scandinaven people are mostly
Lutherans, as are also some Of our.
German people. The remainder Of
the Germans are Catholics. They
are an industrious thrifty people,
and very many Of them are on the
road TO . comfortable independents.
Lutherans and Catholics, both, count
| all members Of the family a. church