The Mankato free press., 1904-10-07

ed with them. 1t would be well to teach
the young people not to indulge in these
amusements in the wrong way. Then
no harm could come from them.
This address was the last response on
the program, and it must have left the
most vivid impression. No one arose to
answer any of the arguments that were
presented by the doctor, and the only
number that interviewed between this
speech and the final adjournment was
the singing in concert of the well
known hymn, ''Blest be the Tie That
Binds"
The literary session was conducted
by President Cooper of the Mankato nor
NAL, as POSTMASTER. Immediately after
the assemblage had partaken of the
splendid repast served by the ladies of
the Baptist church, President Cooper
called the meeting to order, and made a
few well chosen Introductory remarks.
The Sunday school, he said, is the nurs
cry of the church. Sometimes the
teachers and superintendent are dis
couraged in the work because their ideals
are so high. The failure to live up to
these ideals often makes the workers a
little blue. The teachers certainly have
reason to take courage, when they real
ize what the Sunday school is doing for
the church. 1t is really feeding the
church. The Sunday school exists for
the double purpose of teaching the Bible
truths to the child and of developing
within the child the religious life.
The toastmaster made a sensational
charge against Rev. Geo. H. Davis, ac
cusing him of no less an offense than
an attempt at bribery. Nevertheless,
the toastmaster's virtue was such that
the temptation rolled off and he was
proof against it. Accordingly, he an
nounced DIR. Geo. H. Davis, who would
respond to the toast, Nehemiah, the
Patriot"
DIR. Davis confessed that he offered to
pay for the toastmaster's supper if the
latter would only forget to call upon
him. The subject of nehemiah, the
Patriot" was given for the occasion,
probably because every patriot ought to
be thoroughly interested in Sunday
school work.
DIR. Davis recounted the history of the
life of that eminent Jewish statesman,
who, though entrusted with high honOrs
in the court of the Persian king, never
forgot the welfare of his people, whom
he finally started OH career of renew
ed prosperity. The story of his rebuild
ing of the walls of Jerusalem, in spite
of the attack of fierce bandits, is never
dying inspiration to the Christian man
or woman. Every Christian in elevat-
| ing his own character and helping 9TH
ers to do the same, must fight the forces
of sin. 1t is labor of construction and
contention, ust as was that of Nehemiah
in rebuilding the walls. st. Paul says
that we are the temple of God We must
build up ourselves as living stones to
enter into the building of God himself.
The male quartette, consisting of w.
r. Williams, first tenor; Carroll Fran
cher, second tenor; l. n. Griffith, first
bass; and Evan Hughes, second bass;
sang the beautiful hymn, ASHAMED of
Jesus"
Setting the Sunday School to Work."
was the toast responded to by Rev. Z.
ID. Parsons, pastor of the st. Clair branch
of the Mankato Congregational church.
Rev. Parsons was not one of those who
manifest reluctance to speak, when call
ed upon. On the contrary he expressed
his great sympathy for those people,
who cannot speak, when they would like
to. Some time ago he was in NIinneap-
oils, when he noticed a group of young
men, standing on corner, waving their
hands wildly, making all kinds of strange
GESTURES, twisting their faces into the
most curious expressions, and not utter
ing sound. Some stranger asked whe
ther that was crowd of lunatics. "Oh,
no." some one replied; ''that is only the
| football team of the deaf and dumb
institute, giving the YELL"
| The speaker was believer in the
Sunday school pupils doing more than
the mere studying of lessons. He believ-
ed in getting away from the old fashion
ed ideas on the subject. The Sunday
school should reach out into the life of
the surrounding community. The work
ers must be taught to enjoy the mis-
sionary work. Each little Sunday school
child should be made one of the mission
aries. There are many ways effecting
this. Sunshine clubs, literary societies,
reading rooms and other such institu-
tions established within the Sunday
school are very effective instruments
in making the Sunday school a real
missionary force in the community,
where it is located.
A beautiful solo, LEAD, Kindly Light"
was sung by Miss Clara Gerlich, ac-
companied at the organ by Mrs. May
Brett Taylor.