The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-10-08
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Rev. and Mrs. w. r.. Kelsey, and
Rev. and Mrs. G. A. Cahoon. OF the
Centenary Meth holds Episcopal
church. were guests OF honor last
evening at q reception I'm the Chris
tian Endeavor room at the church, the
affair being of double import, In that
IL was a formal farewell to Rev. and
Mrs. Keesey, who had served In the
pastorate for the past three years,
and q formal welcoming for Rev. and
Mrs. Cahoon. who will now take up
their duties here. Autumn flowers
and foliage formed a pretty scheme OF
decorations. and a large attendance
of the congregation members was pres
ent. In the receiving line were Rev.
and Mrs. F. A. Cone, Rev. and Mrs.
w. r. Keesey. Mrs. Keesey, ST.. Rev.
and Mrs. G. A. Cahoon, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Fl. ]. Kuhn. Rev. Cone, presiding
elder of the church, delivered an ap-
propriate and touching address on
,t'Goodbye," expressing the great
sorrow of the congregation at the de-
parture of Rev. and Mrs. Keesey, Who
were going forth to work i'm new
vineyard, and the gladness of the
congregation that their places were
| to be taken by such worthy success
ors. Rev. Cone said that he did not
like the word goodbye" and that
the man who invented II ought to be
given a penitentiary sentence.
Walking down to where the former
pastor and his wife were seated Rev.
| Cone addressed them directly, telling
them that after three years faithful
service in the community II gave the
congregation great pain to have them
leave. This point i'm his talk was in
terrupted by sobs from different
corners of the room. and many had
tears in their eyes, showing their
sincere sorrow at the departure OF
the pastor and his wife, whom they
had come to revere so highly. Mr..
Cone went on to say that II was the
hope of all that when i'm their new
home the thoughts which came to
Rev. and Mrs. Keesey of the past
would be pleasant, and the future
joyous.
I'VE trust that much success will
attend you" said Rev. Cone In clos
ing. I'VE hope that you will have
an abundant harvest in your new
field of labor, and that the blessing
OF the Master will attend you is the
wish of all your friends" Rev. Cone
then formally shook hands In fare
well with Rev. and Mrs. Keesey. after
which he called for q handkerchief
salute from the assembled company,
which was given three times.
Rev. Keesey i'm reply said that he
hardly knew what to say to such q
warm tribute as had come to himeslf
and wife through Brother Cone, and
that they would not say goodbye.
but, like the parting German and his
friend who wished to say something
especially nice to each other that
would signify until we meet again,
and who said Our reservoirs" they
would say "au revoir." Rev. Keesey
which tinged his parting speech with
whimsical humor, which brought
smiles to many sad faces.
81 think you will forgive me-" he
said, IF state that while sat here
listening TO the beautiful tribute
from Brother Cone felt much like q
man who has to sit up in his coffin
! and listen to his own obituary.
have Just returned from trip TO thai
strange country to which we are Il
go and | found II a goodly land flow
ing with milk and honey. We are
now passing through an experience
. that Is rather unique. l am accus-
, toned to the fact OF moving from one
, part of Minnesota to another. bu
: throughout the state we general.
meet a few friends whom we know
r and the change is not 50 marked Blu
now we are to go out of the state In.
, TO q strange country, and did no
: expect to see anyone I knew. Blu
j, the world is very small. AS we wer,
: driving up the street the good church
a member who was with me said, Her,
Icomes ia man | want you to meet
land introduced me to an old neighbo
9 of ours from Owatonna. whereve
lyou go there is one Friend who goe
p with you all the way, and that Frien,
e is going with us into our new home
q He goes with us all until we need n
8 Friend here ON earth, and then Hi
" message Is, In my Fathers hous
: are many mansions. | go to pre-
|, pare a place for you. -. Where
e am there may yon be. Also trus
Il that everyone of us will be gathere
: into that home where there will b
: no separation, and where friendshi
g win never break up"
h Enthusiastic applause evidenced tn
IS appreciation OF the departing pas
tors address, and Mrs. Keesey wa
Il called upon for few words. Mrs
% Keesw iauehingiy denied the powe
e to make speech, but gracefully ex
- pressed her appreciation for the Low
H. an( kifdpfee tt1atAisAl been shown M
= dufins 81 residence in this city an
4 1taled hist II she met as many goo
T