The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-05-08

from lDuTSudV 3 DalIy.
/ Rev. Thomas Ross Paden was duly
and formally installed last evening as
pastor of the \ NFirst Presbyterian
church, under tile most favorable cir
cumstances The services were of deep
interest to the large congregation that
had gathered. The musical numbers
were all excellently rendered, the
choir consisting of Mrs. j. Nj. Ed
wards. Mrs. H. A. Patterson. DR.. E.
wv. Benham and John r. Thomas
with Miss Elsa Jache as organist.
After the doxology. Rev. Lucius +,
Badger, who presided as moderator
pronounced an invocation, and the
hymn. GLORIOUS Things of Thee Are
Spoken" was sung. Rev. Mr.. Cham
bers of Rcdwing led in the reading of
the Scriptures, and the anthem, Gloria
EXcelsis," was sung Rev. Augustus
HI. Carver of Luverne offered prayer
and the hymn, ''Oh, Spirit of the Liv-
ing Cod" was sung.
Thorough Preparation Necessary.
Rev. A. b. Marshall, d. d., pastor
of the First Presbyterian church OF
Minneapolis, preached the sermon. His
style was conversational and very
pleasing, and he held the closest at
tention of his hearers. He took as his
text. Second Kings, 3rd chapter, 10th
verse: snake the valley full of
ditches."I God favors his people, but
bad people who associate with good
people often profit by the blessings
that are showered upon Gods people.
The latter must make special prepara-
tions if they expect special blessings.
Active church work is necessary to
get members. The efficiency of prayer
was mentioned.
The sermon was largely descrip-
ton of the campaign of the three
kings against Moab, when they feared
that their object would fail because
there was no water in the land, owing
to Il drought. King Jehosaphat called
upon prophet for advice. and the
latter advised that bitches be dug in
the valley, in which case there would
be water and Israel would have de-
acisive victory over Moab. The bitches
were dug, and water filed them from
the springy soil. The. Moabites, mis-
taking the suns red reflection in the
water streaks, thought that the kings
had fought among themselves and COW
cred the ground with gore, and rushed
to get the plumber, but were met by
the allied armies and overwhelmed.
The getting of water and saving of
the campaign just when the Moabites
looked for an easy victory was due
to special preparation. and in like
manner the churches today must make
special preparation if they expects to
gain any victories. They cannot sit
still and expect to accomplish much.
. ''The Lord Is My Shepherd" was
the subject of a very nicely rendered
duet The formal installation was then
had, conducted by the moderator, who
first made statement as required by
pastor and people was then made by
the answering of questions, and finally
the constitution of the pastoral rela
tion was announced
Charge to the Pastor.
The charge to the pastor was de-
livered by Rev. r. n. Adams, ID. d..
of Minneapolis. superintendent of
home missions for the northwest. 1t
was a highly interesting address, and
contained the advice of an aged pas
tor, who has gained by experience a
nowlcdge of the conditions that SUR
round the pastoral work of the young
er members of the ministry.
Dr. Adams said that the best thing
that he could wish for Rev.. Paden
from the beginning to the close of his
pastoral relation was continuation
of the earnest spirit shown by the
congregation during the sermon just
heard. He welcomed Rev. Paden back
to Minnesota, where he had begun his
ministry and for many years had con-
tinued it, the last years in Mankato
presbytery as home missionary.
Good taste had been shown by the
congregation in taking man who
had served long apprenticeship in
the home mission field and had saved
people. This latter is the great thing
in the ministry.
"You have thoroughly proved that
you have the spirit of the mission;
ary," said the speaker, addressing Rev.
Paden. 81 welcome you especially to
Mankato presbytery because it was
here that you decided that it was
best that man should not be alone,
although you decided this a little
tardy. I extend an equal welcome to
your helpmeet back to MankatO and
Minnesota. and hope you will never
leave it again.
{ "rhe relationship formed tonight
next to, the family relation. is the
nearest and dearest in humanity, and
1 hope that this bond will become
strengthened. This relation involves
much mutual responsibility and recip-
rocal duties. The people will expect
you to preach good sermons. and you
have been long enough in the minis
try to know that these do not come
out of the ground or grow on trees or
come out of your heart and mind
when the occasion requires. You will
have to study. You will preach some
good sermons, some better ones and
some best ones.
Preach Only Scriptural Truth.
"All of your duties are embraced
in three titles, which you have a right
to wear as the authorized ambassador
of Jesus Christ. First, you will be a
preacher There is scriptural truth.
You are not to make sermons out of
science or human philosophy or sociol-
ooy or the development theory, as