The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-28
Mr.. CRAY WARNS.
Says Kansas Is Being Over
Swallowed by COmmercialism.
Not Enough Attention to Spirit
ual Achievements.
ANOTHER HAWTHORNE.
Kansas Should Take Pride in
Producing One.
Address at Interesting Harvest
Home Celebration.
ANOTHER HAWTHORNE.

With grateful prayer and hymns of
thanksgiving the congregation of the
First Congregational church celebrated
the festival of the harvest home Sun
day evening. Ripe fruit and products Of
abe field and vine with clusters of golden
rod entwined with autumn leaves were
the symbols of the harvest time which
decked the pulpit Departing from the
usual form of evening service of the
church there was given a programme Of
selected music. addresses and responsive
reading appropriate to the occasion.
In a brief but very pithy address AL
len d. Gray entered a protest against
the spirit of commercialism that is
growing among Kansans as well as with
the people of the country in general, to
the exclusion of the desire for higher
mental and spiritual development. Mr..
GRAY had been given the subject, Kan
sas Resources" After a brief exposi-
ton of the natural and acquired wealth.
of the state he said:
These millions of bushels of produce
of Kansas fields ought to mean to US not
only the actual value which they repre-
sent but we should consider them as
opportunities advantages, through Wnlcn
me may attain to still better things.
Kansas should take more pride in the
production of another Hawthorne tnan
in the mighty output of her wheat fields.
1t is the tendency of our present days
of unbounded prosperity to let the pos
session of our increasing wealth over
shadow in importance the cultivation of
our higher mental and moral natures.
The harvest home programme began
with the singing of the hymn, HOW
Firm a Foundation" by the congrega-
ton. Following this the order included
the reading of the Thirty-fourth psalm
and a prayer by the pastor. Rev. f. l..
Hayes and the singing of America" by
the congregation. Mrs. Mary Sheriff.
Smith gave a very interesting, although
cursory, review of the early settlement
of Kansas. She dwelt particularly upon
the devotion OF the pioneer ministry
and its active influence uDon the deVel-
opment of Kansas ideals. A generous
tribute was paid TO the energy of Rev.
Amos Bodwel founder of the First
Congregational church of Topeka, who
went about his missions equipped 10
fight or pray as immediate occasion
might demand.
The famous poem, THE Kansas Emil
grant" by Whittier. was recited by Miss
Eva Golbrecht. A short responsive ser
vice followed its presentation. In the solo
and chorus, of the Battle Hymn Of the
Republic" Mrs. John Kleinhans took
the leading parts, supported by the other
three members of the church choir. An
other well presented recitation. LIES
Mirror" was given by Miss Ruth Walk
er.
DR.. Hayes spoke for a few moments
with reference to the important work
being conducted in the western mis-
sionary field of this state. 1t is the
purpose of the Kansas Congregational
Missionary society to add an active re-
ligious element to the life of the small.
but growing western Kansas towns and
settIements 1t is to this work that last
evenings contribution of money is to be
devoted.
The choir again led in the singing of
God Bless Our Home Forever" the
closing hymn. DR.. Norman Plass, presi-
dent Of Washburn college, pronounced
the benediction.