The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-05-19
BAPT|STS DISCUSS THE
TOPICS OF THE CHURCH


sion of the Minnesota Valley Bap-
fist association was most suspicious
despite the oppressive weather. One
gentleman who has attended many
of these meetings said that it was
the largest first nights attendance
for the association that he had seen.
After stirring musical service
led by H. r. HarmerH of Mankato,
Rev. Samuel VanTassel, the modera-
tor, called the gathering to order. Mr..
VanTassel was reelected moderator
and DR.. Saxon of Worthington was
reelected clerk.
Rev. l.. E. Viets of Minneapolis
spoke upon the theme: THE MObil
izing of our Forces" The paper con-
sidered two great movements of mod
ern days among men. The first is the
Laymen's Missionary Movement.
Great numbers of men have been in
terested in the world wide mission
airy activity; contributions have in
creased, domestic gifts have been en-.
larged, the whole field of Christian
energy has felt the touch of power
The other movement has meant
the doing of mems work by men in
the churches. Men are waking up
to the Mans Job" in religion.
A duet was sung by Miss Lois
Yeaple and r. w. Hobbs.
The Annual Sermon.
The annual sermon was preached
by the moderator, Rev S. VanTassel.
He used as his text Acts 1926. His
theme was THE Wonderful God. He
said in part: "This is a wonderful
chapter There is a wonderful mir
acle, followed by a wonderful SER
mon with wonderful results, five
thousand men being converted. The
text is perhaps the most wonderful
part of the chapter for it tells of
five wonderful things concerning
God
First The wonderful power of
God. The raising of Jesus from the
dead is the evidence of this. The
same power God has today to help
in trouble, to waken dead churches
and to arouse dead hearts.
SeCOHu. lie WOuuoTlul
ness of God. God keeps his prom
Uses. Our faithfulness accounts for
our failure to realize upon his faith
fulness
Third. The wonderful grace of
God. This is marvellous after the
shameful treatment of God on our
part He comes after such meanness
from us, to bless us.
Fourth. The wonderful goodness
of God This is manifested by his
taking away our sin.
Fifth. The wonderful love of
God. Though the word love is not
found in this verse, yet it deserves
to be set alongside John 3:16, for it
has all the elements of divine love-"
The Wednesday morning session
was opened by the devotional SER
vice.
This was followed by the roll call
of churches, the reading of the let
ters and the transaction of routine
business. New pastors were intro
duced and one of their number re-
sponded
Paper BY Rev. Sorenson.
paper written by Rev. A. Soren-
son of Lincoln was read by Rev. H.
A. Stoughton. 1t was an interesting
treatment of the question: What
Social Service Can the Rural Church
Render to It's Community?" This
elected a good discussion from the
floor.
Rev E. r. Pope spoke concerning
the state mission work. Rev. F. E.
Iams delivered a most helpful ad-
dress upon How to Interest Our
Churches in Missions"
Delegates are enrolled from
Kasota, Lake Crystal, Garden City,
Blue Earth, Truman, Vernon Center,
Luverne, Sleepy Eye. Coon Lake,
Linconl, Window, Worthington, Win
nebago, Nashville, Bricelyn and st.
James. More delegates and visitors
are expected today. The program
tonight consists of the doctrinal SER
mon by Rev. H. Erickson of Lake
Crystal and an address by Rev.
Frank Peterson, d. D., of Minneapo-
lis. Mr.. Harry lVerSOn OF MankatO
will give cello solo at the evening
session. Thursdays program consists
of the Sunday school conference in
the morning with addresses by Mrs.
Edwin Boutwell, of Kasota, Rev. H.
A. Stoughton of Window and Rev.
W. E. Risinger of st. Paul. In the
afternoon there will be addresses by
Rev. E. H. Rasmussen of Kasson, and
Rev. R. w. Robbs of Mankato.
The evening session has as speak
er Rev. E. V. Pierce of Minneapolis.
The young people are especially in
vited to this service. The public is
welcome to any of the sessions. They
are all free.
May Have Been Suicide.