The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-09
One to Rise Must Have Faith
In Own Powers.
March Of Many People Is Like
Merry-Go-Round.
Always Return TO the Place
Where They Started.
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
Sweeter strains of sacred music, vo-
cal and instrumental, are seldom if ever
heard by the people here, than those
that accompanied the annual service for
the normal graduating class at the Pres
byterian church last evening. Mrs.
Taylor opened with an organ volun-
tary, while the seventyfive graduates,
almost entirely ladies, moved in even
files to the seats that had been reserv-
ed for them. Owing to the intensely
hot weather, the remainder of the
church was not so we'll filled as usual,
though the attendance was good.
Rev, j. NJ Brown, pastor of the
Methodist church, invoked divine bless
ing, and then President Cooper an
nounced the singing by the choir and
congregation of the well known hymn,
"While Thee ] Seek, Protecting Power"
This was followed with a reading
from the psalter led by President
Cooper, and then the choir chanted the
Gloria" and later 30 Be Joyful in the
Lord" This choir was composed of
sixteen of the best voices that could be
found in the community The names
are generally familiar: Mrs. Schmitt
Mrs. Meagher Miss Knowlton, Miss
Dot Do
Miss Colyer, Miss Paulsen, Mr.. G. E.
Brett, Mr.. Crandall, Mr.. Ed Brett, Mr..
W. I. Thomas, Mr.. j. R. Thomas, Mr..
Arthur H. Jones, Mr. Rodman and Mr.
Hughes.
Rev. Brown gave scripture reading
selected from the eleventh chapter of
the book of Hebrews, the main thought
being the power of faith. In this read
ing one could see the main thought of
the sermon of the evening, which was to
be delivered by Rev. w. H. Jordan of
Minneapolis.
Prayer was led by Rev. E. L. Heer-
nance, pastor of the Congregational
church, and the response was beauti-
fully sung by the choir. Mr.. Arthur A.
Jones followed with an inspiring solo,
"Tne Lord Is My Light"
The speaker of the evening, Rev. W.
H. Jordan of Minneapolis, was introduc
ed by President Cooper. DIR. Jordan
preached on "The Force That Wins"
demonstrating that this force is faith,
faith in ones own powers and faith in
God. He cited numerous instances of
history wherein men have achieved great
things through faith in their own pow
ers. They have measured and ascer-
tanned the real scope of these powers
and have acted according to their find
ings. This faith in ones own powers is
not cOnceit. The conceited person does
not carefully estimate his powers, but
recklessly overestimates them. The
great mass of people, however, sad to
ideals. Great is the multitude of those
who content themselves with low aims
Here and there we find one measuring
his strength for higher endeavor. AS
an illustration of low and high ideals
the speaker told of an incident of an
American tourist being shown some mil
ilary relics by a guide in England The
guide picked up a small cannon and dis
played it as token of British achieve
ment, captured from the Americans on
Bunker Hill. "All right" the Ameri
can dryly observed, 'you keep the can
non, but we've got the hill"
The onward march of many people
resembles merry go Ground. They come
back to the place whence they started
Their daily routine almost to little
else. They go no higher. How much
better it would be if they would strive
to higher manhood and womanhood.
Addressing in particular the gradual
ing class, which rose in response, DR.
Jordan impressed upon them the fact
that in training the young, they will be
moldiag the destinies of the nation
The class is now as new vessel, living
at anchor, ready to sail. As yet it has
little influence on the trend of events
in the world at large. But it is soon
to be steamed up to active service and
to sail forth and play it's part in the
movements of the commercial world. He
hoped that the class members would
feel that faith in their own powers and
in God that is essential to all sue
cess.
The choir now sang the anthem-re
cessional, with baritone solo by Mr.
Jones. Rev. George w. Davis, pastor Of
the Presbyterian church, led in prayer
ind then the congregation sang thu
hymn, "The Son of God Goes Forth t.
War; The benediction by DIR. Jordan
and the postlude concluded the evening"
services, which were considered among