The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-23
appropriate Ceremonies Take
Place Last Sunday.
Large Attendance and Much
Interest is Manifested.
Song and Praise Service; Chill
dren Assist Greatly.
From Thursdays Daily.

III III INC Hiotoi. Vi 1nC 'ooiehi 'Ni'i
Sabbath school, when It's fiftieth ami
yersary was celebrated by some very
BETTING and enthusiastic exercises.
The morning of the Sabbath day was
set apart for the old scholars service
esting group of visitors and partici-
pants. The evening was appropriated by
sion with service of song, entitled
Natures Paradise" Both services
were attended by an enormous crowd OF
friends and patrons which rendered the
snug little country church altogether
able welcome.
Naturally fifty years has wrought re-
markable alterations. in the appearance
and standing of the organization-yet it
has many endearing associations and
and difficulties both of temporal and
spiritual nature.
This SCHOOLS history is unique and
fattering to degree. 1t has not only
become venerable in its existence but
though but small, having only about
eighty five or ninety ever on it's roll of
membership, And while there are yet
very promising members there has also
gone from it many who have helped and
blessed their fellows throughout the
whole land
Among those better known are Law
yers Thomas, Evan and Albert Hughes,
sons of Henry Hughes of Mankato; also
Probate Judge William f. Hughes of
Mankato a nd Byron, his brother, of
Wells; and also the late deceased
Senator Thomas L. Bowen, all members
of Salem Sabbath school,
Eight known members /of the first
Sabbath school were invited, four of
them being able to be present. Mrs. Eli
zabeth Jones, Cambria, and Mrs. Will
lam R. Lewis of Lake Crystal being
present at its first session fifty years
ago.
Humphrey Roberts of Mankato ana
Henry Roberts of Lake Crystal who
joined the school soon after its incep
ton as very small boys, were also pres
ent and all these pioneer members gave
dear, as well as wholesome air to the
proceedings.
Henry Hughes and David L. Harris,
former active members OF the school,
were invited specially as previous work
ers, the former being local preacher
and a superintendent for years.
The services of the day were opened
at ten with. voluntary upon the or
gan by Miss Hannah Harris with vio-
lin obligato by Professor Roberts of
Lake Crystal, after which an interest
ing program was provided under the
guidance of Rev. Thomas L. Griffith,
pastor of the Salem church. Beginning
with the congregational hymn, scrip
ture recitation from the 10 psalm was
spoken by Master Henry and Miss
Esther Bowen. The Rev. VIM. C. Row
lands of the G.. M. churches of Bethel
and Horeb, who mad kindly given up his
morning service to attend these, offered
prayer. Miss Mary Price spoke
Welsh piece entitled, 81 Love the Sab
bath School Very Sweetly." The Horeb
&c. NJ choir sang an anthem, "Thou
Wilt Keep Him." very effectively under
the leadership of Mr.. Price.
Humphrey Roberts gave the first ad-
dress as one of the first scholars, in
which he outlined the surroundings and
circumstances of the first sessions of
the school. 1t was both quaint and in
teresting to be carried away back in
mind to the log hut with a bark roof
where the school had its beginning and
where it was nursed into existence
midst struggles and poverty. 1t was
here Mr.. Roberts said he received his
first religious impressions which have
been the blessing, as well as, the whole
some limitations of his career through
out life, who is also total abstainer
from all intoxicating drinks upon an in
violated pledge taken when ten years
old
The next speaker, Henry Hughes, who
knew the school soon after its rise and
did much for its progress during sub
sequent years, spoke of the operations
and activities of the school during the
formative existence of the school up to
the time he retired to Mankato some
fifteen years ago, being previously sup
erintendent for many years. His re-
marks were instructive and opportune.
David [. Harris, also now of Manka.