The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-01-05

CIV
GEa2l2E kg22GslJ Of our finest Audi.
49,. forums, the Y. NJ.
c. A., and a large attendance. In his
audience Of English residents were
many japanese. Very earnest atten'
ton was given him. We report one of
his addresses from the text, Choose
We this day whom re will serve Josh
VA xiv, 15). He said <'~ ~.
l am deeply impressed with the great
progress which your nation has made,
which Is manifest on every hand. But
alas! ! fear that here, as in civilized
lands. some Of the progress is injuri-
Gus. The Japanese and every other
people need faith ballast. 1t is nee
essary TO strength of character and a
permanent civilization. Without it, in
little while the whole world will be
swept into anarchy. Indeed foresee
that awful condition approaching rap
jdly--in Europe, in America aud here
in Japan. -:-.-. -.
Lan,ents the Lack Of Faith Ballast.
The basis Of. anarchy is a lack of
faith ballast; and alasl our wonderful
schools, with their fine equipments, are
tho real cause of the condition which
is approaching. In Europe and Amer
lea this infdelity is; CLOSED over with
the name Of Higher Criticism, but here
Isee that you more candidly label it
Agnosticism and Atheism. II appall'
ed me to find that the progress. Of
your scholars from Shintoisnl, COnfu-
ciauism and Buddhism has not been
toward Christianity. but toward total
unbelief. I hare been handed report
from three Of your schools which has
made me heartsiek. Out Of a total OF
100 Students professed Christianity,
Il the religion Of your fathers, 60 de.
clared themselves Atheists, 2S2 regis
tered as Agnostics and 46 were so be-
wildered as to be non-cOmmittal.
Alas, my friends, even your proven
bial politeness, gentleness. kindness of
character and willingness to die for
your Emperor cannot exist long under
the influence of such n lack of faith
ballast. And what your scholars of
today believe will surely reflect in your
masses shortly. And I am bound in
candOr to admit that Il very similar
condition of things prevails through
out Europe and America. The outlook
is Ominous indeed ~ ~
Whatever we may be, the closing of
one year and the opening of another
furnishes favorable opportunity for
retrospection as we'll as for good reSo-
buttons. | trust that my audience
agrees with me in this. The greatest
power in the universe is the power of
The will, and we are all learning how
important matter it is that our own
wills and the wills of our fellow-crea-
lures be rightly directed. 1t is in liue
with this thought that the Wise man
declared that greater is a man that
ruleth his own spirit than he who con-
guers a city" and, "As man willeth
III his heart, so is he," proverbs XVI,
81; xiii, - 49,. " ~
War and Rapins Not Noble Objects.
OF old Alexander the Great wilied
TO be the coaGaeror of the world, and
at. cost of wealth and streams Of
blood he accomplished wonders. We
are gradually learning, however. that
war and rapine are not sufficiently no.
bic objects for the human ambition
and Will. Instead, the bright minds
OF the world are turning toward the
conquering of the earth. Highways
are cast up, rails are laid, trains are
run, mountains are pierced, rivers are
spanned with bridges, and the human
will is using steam and electrical pow.
er In every direction in g. marvellous
manner. I am not emphasizing these
well known facts 80 common to our
observation, but calling attention TO
the Uill behind all these results, with.
cut which they would not be attained,
And what Is thus noted in the
achievements Of the world reminds us
that we each and all have wills,
which should be rightly directed and
forcefully exercised in all of our per.
sonal affairs, our lives. our ambitions
our family and social attainments. A
wfll-less man is good-for- taught.
How important, then, it is that oil Of
our wills should DO wisely, rightly di.
rected, that our lives may be made as
successful and useful as possible. for
the glory OF our Creator and for the
welfare OF our fellows, as well as for
our own sakes. suggest to you
therefore, in harmony with our text
that we choose this day. our course
for the coming year. yea, for life, and
finding that we have chosen wisely