The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-01-26


pleased with the treatment accorded
them. Pastor Russell's address to the
Chinese in their fine City Hall Auditorf.
um was both helpful and encouraging
He declared that he came as follow
er Of Jesus and friend to all human
ity. He directed special attention to
the words of st. Paul, applicable to
humanity in general and at the pres.
ent time specially to the Chinese;
THE whole creation groaneth and
trayaileth in pain together until now
waiting for the manifestation Of the
sons Of God" (Romans viii, 22) Chi
mas war experiences in recent years
have been severe trials, particularly to
a people Of their temperament-peace-
preferring. gentle, courteous to each
other and to foreigners. 49,.
Pastor Russell feared for them ter.
rible experiences with anarchy; but
they will have it merely in advance of
other peoples-to all Of whom it Is
coming as a result of discomfort, In.
spired by greatly increased knowledge,
combined with selhshness. The hope
for all Is in Messiah's Kingdom, now
near at hand. Those who most quick.
~ learn faith in God and justice and
mercy toward others will soonest
share the coming blessings. Some of
US. already share those coming bless
ings By the exercise Of faith in the
glorious promises Of the Bible. The
Pastor had been. told that their courte-
BY Of manner arose. not from love and
sympathy, but from law and custom
centuries old. He could not Judge. the
heart, but had sincerely wished that
some Of the favored race Of so-called
Christendom possessed in larger, de-
gree some Of the admirable traits of
the Chinese. their respectful demeanor.
quiet courtesy, their civility and en-
eTgy. ., :.
II shall not be my mission, he said,
to urge you to become identified with
any sects or parties Of Christendom.
nor TO recommend to you any of their
creeds. Nevertheless. in all Of those
cfeeds there is more OF less Of the most
wonderful truth which ever came to
the ears Of humanity. but. alas! in a
darker period it became so mixed with
human tradition as to be today dishon-
oring to God. offensive to the intelli-
gence Of many. and thus an offense to
those who still accept those creeds.
can readily see reasons why you have
not been more Influenced by Chris
tianity. You felt that you had as
good or better than has been offered
you. Very properly your heads and
hearts refused adherence and worship
TO Que whom you were told had fore
ordained Whatever comes to pass. had
foreordained the eternal torment of
your ancestors and of all mankind ex.
cept mere favored few. 1t is to your
credit that you were not attracted by
such a message, nor driven by such a
fear. rt,
The God of All Grace.
may never again have the opportu-
nifty Of addressing you; let ME there
fore tell Won now Of another Chris.
tianity of which probably you have
never before heard. from the same BIZ
BILE used by the missionaries here and
confessed by US all to be Gods Mes
sage, but at present a very different
Message from that which my brethren
confess. call them brethren" be-
cause assume that they are sincere in
their presentations. / once held SINH.
lar views 4 once preached also the
damnation and eternal torture Of all
who do not accept Jesus in the present
life and become His footstep followers.
] should be sympathetic toward them,
and am. Nevertheless, this must not
hinder me from using this opportunity
TO. make known to you the clearer light
that now shines upon Gods Word.
find that the darkness Of error which
beciouded my eyes of understanding
came from the creeds and that the BIZ
bic most beautifully and most simply
presents God of all Grace, a Father
of Mercies, from whom cometh every
good and every perfect gift. and with
whom there is no yariableness, neither
shadow Of turning. Games !, ~ l
Aof' aioib nIs SAdiHtldtIou VI ouI Ie'
ltgious books that the Bible alone pre-.
SCENTS this God of kindness. compassion
and sympathy. All other gods are full
of pride. anger, hatred, malice, and all
need appeasemept to avert their fury.
The God Of the Bible. the true God
OF Christianity. Is Loving. All-Kind.
Eyer-Merciful. and tells us so. 1t is q
great faliacy which declares that He