The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-05-04
A MASTERLY EFFORT
Was the Address of Rev. E. n. Harvey
at the Baptist Church, Sunday.

The address given by Rev. h. II. Har-
vey at the First Baptist church Sunday
morning was mastery effort and was
enjoyed by large number OF interested
listeners. Mr.. Harvey, in opening his
address, spoke in substance as follows in
passing on to his address proper;
The entire circle of the Pacific is vol
canic and subject to earthquakes. The
American coast pays the price for its
scenic and climatic advantage. Michi-
gan has a more rigorous climate and less
luxuriance Of nature, but the solid base
of rock beneath our state compensates
for lack of favors the CALIFORNIA; afford.
Another suggestion from the recent
earthquake is timely and of value. Just
now, when public confidence is shaken
by dishonesty in high places, the specta-
Gle of nation wide sympathy for suffer
ing is reassuring. Such prompt and
lavish response to the call of misfortune
restores our confidence in American
manhood.
He then announced his theme as sug-
gested to him by the fall OF San Fran
cisco.
No event in all the story of the golden
state possesses quite the significance OF
the founding of Indian missions by the
Franciscan Fathers.
Attention being drawn to that west
ern world by such an overwhelming ca
lamjty, the whole coast line comes into
retrospective view. The mission OF
Sloat and Stockton, OF Kearney and Ere
mont; even the discovery of gold did not
compare with the work of the Spanish
Fathers. The hero of this achievement
was Junipero Sierra, Spanish monk OF
the Franciscan order who came to the
coast of California about the middle of
the 18th century. With an unconquer
able ambition he entered upon the work
to which he was commissioned, and, be-
ginng at San Diego, located his mission
stations at intervals all the way to the
golden gate, stretch Of 700 miles This
was Serra's immense "seaboard parish" +,
and eventually numbered in its federated
communities about $4,000 christianized
Indians. The mission consummated was
the most remarkable instance OF Indian
civilization recorded in the annals OF our
continent" AS Mr.. Harvey put it, "a
wide Arcadian scene, pastoral epic
worthy the pen of an Addison or Gold
smith"
The speaker emphasized the policy of
Father Sierra in blending religious in
struction with the useful arts OF civil
cation. More than 80 occupations we're
common to these Indian communities.
Among other callings, in which they
we're adopts, we're those of music, paint
ing and even oratory.
By their thrift and industry great
wealth was accumulated; 100000 cattle
grazed on the mission pastures, together
with 10000 horses and numerous other
domestic animals. Vast quantities OF
grain and fruit we're produced annually
on the mission farms
With the advent of Mexican rule al
this empire of faith and works vanished
away and only the shattered structures
of their worship remain as reminders oil
the past ITO those old mission walls
the nesting blooms and LEAKAGE cling as
beauty's coronation of sleep and death
But the story of those days will live, and
the sequel of that heroism and faith has
been wrought into the very ground work
of our republic.
The description of San Gabriel valley
and it historic church was fine piece o
word painting, in which allusion was
made to Helen Hunt Jackson and hel
MASTERPIECES Ramona"
The discourse was fittingly closed with
the death scene of the sainted Father
Sierra at San Carlos his home mission.
After an hour of silent worship a
the chapel altar he returned to his friar'
cell where he received the sacrament o
extreme unction.
Toward morning of that last night o
life he arose, and lettering to the doc
gazed out for the last time upon the ia
miliar world about him. Uplifting hi
eyes to the stars he seemed rapt in hol
reverie. Then bowling his head in peace
full resignation withdrew to his cot, an
the mystery of death came over him lik
the silent charm of alumber"