The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-05-25
Magnificent Reception Mas
rendered Req. K. Il. Jensen
Wife of Pastor Also Participated In Brilliant
Community Event; Gifts Presented
x9Ezs... To Departing Couple -.

citizens. than did Rev. Ralph A. Jen-
sen. pastor of the First Baptist
church of this city. last night, in
goodbye reception rendered him at
Mankato Armory. not alone by the
people of his own congregation, but
this entire community. Every phase
Of the reception was carried out IN
the most elaborate manner. II was
representative gathering. A hitting
testimonial to deserving gentle.
man and his wife. The stage had
been richly carpeted with rugs, and
adorned with ported plants donated
by the Windmiller company, the Neil
Nielsen company and the Mankato
Floral company Mankato Elks band
under. the leadership of Charles
Schwanenberg. furnished some in
strumental music of high class quail
ity. The Kiwanis quartet pleased
the audience by its splendid singing.
The members consisted of the fol-
lowing well known vocalists. DR..
Hiram j. Lloyd, II. Harmer, Glenn
Shoemaker and Al Kircher. The
blending OF voices was very pleas
ing, and the singers, who were ac-
companied by Mrs. H. Harmer, were
required to respond to several en-
cores on each appearance on the
stage. 49,.
One OF the individual features Of
the evening which proved to be i'm
mensely pleasing was the solo work
BY Glenn Shoemaker, the baritone
singer. who by special request fav-
ored the audience with a group of
songs. He was repeatedly encored
and graciously responded. Mr.. Shoe
maker was accompanied on the piano
by Mrs. II. Harmer.
C.. X. Mayer Opens Function.
. The meeting was presided over by
Charles X. Mayer, president of Man
kato Civic and Commerce associa-
ton, who introduced the speakers
of the evening after the following
short. we'll worded Introductory re-
marks:
Ladies and Gentlemen: We are
met to do honor TO a gentleman who
has been a resident OF Mankato for
the past several years and has won
the esteem and respect of its citi-
gems to that high degree that war
rants this public testimonial. Rev.
Ralph A. Jensen, pastor of the
First Baptist church Of this city, has
not only shown himself to be a
: Christian gentleman, true disciple
of God, a preacher and orator of
ability. a pastor devoted TO hisgpeo-
pie, and a man among men. but has
made his influence Tor good felt in
every activity that has been pro-
NOTED for the upbuilding and bet
terment of this community. 70.
THAT he is loved by his fellow
citizens is demonstrated by this
magnificent gathering. While we
sincerely regret his departure from
us, we wish him Godspeed and a
large measure of success in his new
and wider field of service. Also, We,
who are assembled here, have but
words of commentator for Mrs.
Jensen, VINO has been a valuable
aid in the work which Mr.. Jensen
has performed in church and civic
life in this city.
Because of the number OF organi
cations with which Rev. Jensen is
affiliated il was decided by the com
mittee in charge to have three
speakers at this reception-one rep
resenting the Civic and Commerce
Association and the general public,
another the lodges, clubs and board
of education and third speaker for
the churches
Spoke For General Public.
Charles R. Butler, representing
the Mankato Civic and Commerce
association and the general public
was the first speaker of the evening.
His speech follows: .s--- .
We. who have known Ralph Jen
sen In the kiwanis club, in the Civ;
io and Commerce association and
IN his other activities in the com :
munity realize that here is a man
among many: and as ] have gone
about with him TO kiwanis gather
tnEs in the different cities of the
state and watched him win audience
afte. audience with his eloauence
and the charm of his personality.
have been told time and again, You
won't be able to keep, him in Man
kato"
But while, we tacitly admitted
was destined for bigger things and
greater activities in his chosen work
than Mankato could offer him. yet
now that we are confronted by the
cold fact that he is about to leave
US, our thought is like the Oft
quoted Inscription on the western
ers tombstone, that we expected 1t.
but not go soon.
in the four years and more that
Ralph Jensen has lived here. he
has taken an active part in the life
OF the community, and has taken
unto himself more than his share
Of ifs work and its responsibilities.
I have heard him say repeatedly,
that In his church work II has been
hts aim 10 make the community the
end and the church. the means-that
the church Is here not TO build u
church out OF Mankato, but to do
lie share to build up Mankato out OF
the lie OF the church. -
I'm the Civic and Commerce asso-
citation, he has always been ready TO
do his part He had charge OF the
forr. committee In 1922. which un
der his guidance held three success
ful meetings. And he has, been an
active and valued member Of the
board OF directors since his election
IN May. 1922
he was appointed ITO the school
board in April, 1921, to I'LL the un
expired term OF DR.. w. A. Beach
when the latter was made mayor
Elected TO succeed himself in Jult
OF that year. he has served actively
on the board ever since, his princi
psi efforts being given TO the com
mittee on schools and text books
probably better known as the
hteechers' committee"
y Was Always Busy. =.
at seems TO me that every tim G
have telephoned Ralph -Jensen's
house. TO get IN touch with him. his
wife has hold me, "He has Just
s6ns down to the ~ The boys al
gone Y. NJ c. A. can tell you nov