The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-01-01

Mrs. Luke Murtha OF Blue Earth,
Miss Nora Sullivan OF Mankato, and
Miss Abbie Buckley of Fargo. NJ d.,
are guests at the home of ID. o.,
Sullivan near Stewartville.
ID. M. Jones. local manager of the
Bach Piano company, will 20 TO
Cambria on Friday of this week,
where he will act as judge I'm the
annual singing contest OF the three
Welsh churches. The program will
include chorus numbers, quartets,
trios, and solos. and the affair is
always very largely attended and
popular with the people In that Sec
ton for many miles around.
from Mondays Daily.
Sunday services in the churches
were marked by the lingering OF
the Christmas spirit. and many OF the
songs and sermons were identified by
Christmas thoughts. The holiday dec
orations were in evidence every.
where, and the services were very
largely attended.
At the Presbyterian church the
morning service began at 1880. The
altar was beautiful with its Christ
mas decorations of poinsettias,
against background of white, and
Christmas tree stood at each side
Of the pulpit. The wall and balcony
rail were festooned with foliage, and
over the pipe organ was a large star
OF electric lights.
Devotionals were led by Rev. Ross
T. Paden. the pastor, after which
Christmas anthem was sung by
the church choir. Miss Cornelia
Mansfield, Miss Barnes, Frank Blyler
and ID. NJ. Jones. During the services
solos we're rendered by Miss Mans
field and Mr.. Blyler, to the great
pleasure of their audience.
Rev. Paden took his text from
the twenty-third chapter of the Book
of Samuel, the third and fourth
verses, dealing with the advance OF
David against the Philistines. He
explained that this was the text
chosen by the great preacher John
Robinson, and the thoughts ii en-.
bodied were the beginning of the
Pilgrim church, advancing the cause
of complete civil and religious liberty
for the people. Rev. Paden urged that
all should strive for the best things
and should not allow the desire for
pleasure to conquer them when great
things were at hand. needing to
be done. We are all called for a
noble service. and We should hope
and strive for the best. He spoke
of the hope for international peace,
which many people regard as fu.
tile dream, and explained how the
seemingly impossible was being &C
complished every day by scientists.
who were conquering the material
world all around us. and cited mod.
ern inventions I'm proof OF this fact.
Divine love is gift to all. and Rev.
Paden closed by urging everyone to
use their greatest efforts for the
conquering of the evils and aiding
In the work for humanity, instead
Of forgetting the vital things of life
In the pursuit of pleasure.
Vesper services were held at 4:3O,
when the pastor spoke eloquently
upon, Our White Gifts" Special
music was rendered by Mrs. Clara
Edwards, and trio composed OF
Miss Barnes, Miss Mansfield, and
Mrs. Edwards. There were no serv.
ices in the evening
The Sunday school of the Swedish
Lutheran church held their Christ.
mas program last evening under
the direction of Superintendent O.
Monsoon OF the Swedish department
and Miss Esther Rud of the English
departments. The program consist
ed OF songs, recitations. piano and
violin solos. Rev. o. J. Arthur de.
livered an address on The Import.
ance OF Christian Conservation. n
At the conclusion of the program
presents OF fruit and candy were
distributed. The Sunday school has
been very prosperous during the
past year. Last January an Eng.
lish Sunday school was organized.
The Norwegian Lutheran Trinity
church, corner of Van Brunt and
Carol streets, held their Christmas
program last evening. the affair
being largely attended. A pleasing
program of recitations and songs
was given by the children, and beau
tiful Christmas music was rendered
by the church choir. A Christmas
tree. loaded with gifts added to the
decorations, which were pretty and
bright In holiday effects. and gifts
were distributed at the close of the
program. Rev. Moss, The pastor.
gave an interesting talk TO the chill.
dren, explaining the Christmas season
to them In manner that held their
undivided interest.
Services at the Christian church
last evening were largely attended,
and special holiday music was rend.