The Princeton union. [volume], July 26, 1906, Page 2, Image 2

About The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976

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tion of worshipers from Sabbath to
Sabbath what he sees in the faces of
his people and he will tell you that he
finds there most everything except that
one thing which makes men anddestined
women look as though they were pre
paring to move among the amazing
and marching sanctities of God. Be
loved, pause a moment, "the place
whereon thou standest is holy
ground." When we approach God in
that spirit of reverence and devotion
which Moses manifested when God
spoke to him from the burning bush
such a deep impression will be made
on our own lives that we shall not halt
to ask concerning the manner of our
going. We shall be so enthused that
v\e shall go straightway and our ap
peal to every man will not be in'vain.
We are losing something from our
worship and in consequence we are too
often impotent when we should be
strong. I would that we might be
possessed, as our fathers were, by
that spirit of worship and reverence
which is the gateway into realms of
grace and light. This near approach
to God is not a relic of a prehistoric
nor medieval age. It is not a relic
of pagan superstition and darkness,
[t is the dynamic of the Christian re
ligion, and failing to possess it we
shall have no more power to influence
the lives of men than the lone rain
drop has to turn the factory wheel.
I like that picture of reverence which
Robert Knowles draws in his "St.
Cuthbert's." Men and women leave
the sanctuary with a look upon their
faces which only those can wear who
have met and talked with God. Such
men go out into the world to do and
dare in the Master's cause and they
always accomplish something in His
name. Such men leave their impress
on other lives because they have not
an impoverished conception of God.
And what shall be our message to
these classes that are alien to the
church'-' The spirit of heroism has
not died out of the hearts of men.
Even though it smoulders so low it
cannot be seen it is still there. A
spark of the divine is in every breast.
It is the church's business to fan that
spark till it flames and burns with a
fervid heat. Let us, then, not make
ouis a weak appeal. Challenge men
on the ground of heroism. We are
commissioned to lead you forth into a
new land, but it is to be a land of
strife where you aie to meet and con
quer the moral Hittite and the spirit
ual Jebusite. We do not lead you to
realms where you may lay your head
on your pillow at night secure in the
thought that there are no more battles
to fight. The church's challenge is
not alone. "Ho, everyone that is
athirst, come!" but there's is also the
challenge to heroism, "Come, all ye
who desire to give." "Ho, ye who be
lies it is more blessed to give than to
receive, come." I have never known
of any man who ever amounted to
much without making sacrifices. "If
any man will come after me let him
take up his cross and follow me," so
said the Master, and that must be the
true one of any appeal that strikes
down deep into the hearts of man.
"Men, I have not called you to
pleasure," said Garibaldi, "If you
go with me, you will not have an easy
time, I cannot promise you wealth or
comfort. No, I will call you to war,
to long marches, to hunger and wear
iness, to discomforts a thousand fold,
to fighting, and even to death. Will
you come with me on these terms for
our county's sake?" That is the
spirit in which the church must make
her appeal to men. When we as a
church come so close to God that ob
truding thoughts of business and
pleasure are shut out from our minds
in these moments of worship, the
divine voice of authority will come to
us so clearly that we shall be impelled
to leave all on the altar, and go into
the world and challenge men to hero
ism.
We want iron in our blood. We
want more of aggressiveness in our re
ligion. I thoroughly believe in the
church militant. We have a message
to deliver, a mission to fulfill. Is
there any reason why we should lie
meekly down and surrender while the
arch fiend of man's soul rides tri
umphant over our prostrate forms?
So long as we fight His fight the Godchurch
of battles is with us. We must not be
content to simply hold our own, we
must push the fight. Instead of ask
ing, as some men do, whether the
church is needed any longer, I would
propound the question, when has the
church been more needed? This is an
age when problems are crowding thick
and fast upon us. There is need that
the church bear calm witness to those
facts and principles on which the
hopes of humanity depend.
Above all, we need an unswerving
iaith to believe that the gospel of
Jesus Christ is able to save to the ut
termost that out of this struggle and
strife the one king who will be victori
ous is Jesus that the one throne that
will stand then all the eons of eternity
is the throne of Christ.
There is but one way to cure the ills
of men. Slowly but surely, all those
who boldly went forth to cure the ills
of men in other ways are coming back
to the cross, seeing in it, and in it
alone, the "Healing for the hurt of
my people." If we have lost our
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faith, even to a small degree, let us in
these moments of self examination
take a fresh grip on the eternal
verities, for surely our church is still
to be the instrument in God's
hand to make our fellow men see,North
"what is the height and depth, and
length and breadth of the love of
God."
We need a supreme faith. This com
munity must be saved for the sake of
those who long for the better days of
the kingdom for the sake of those
who believe that here the Lord is
working out the supreme problem of
the welfare of coming generations: for
the sake of those who come here hun
gry for the ideals which a true church
should exalt.
I make my appeal to you that you
permit not our work to lag or halt,
because I believe we have something
to bequeath to this people. This com
munity is not done with us, we are not
done with it. Our forebears helped
to found this church. We will try to
direct its more effective work. The
pioneers of '56 laid the corner stone.
but we will raise the structure story
on story and hope and pray that ours
may be such an effective work that
the kingdom cf our Christ shall speed
ily be ushered in in mighty power.
We cannot prove a failure if we are
true to the past, faithful to the present
and alert for the future.
I am convinced that it is possible
for us to make undreamt of additions
to the energy and impact of our
church's strength, but to do it we
must walk along the paths of sacri
ficial grace. When the power of our
church becomes sacrificial, where she
bears in her body the "marks of our
Lord Jesus," you may be assured
that the people will come together,
and the church will move among the
alienated classes with a fascinating
constraint. Deep down in the hearts
of men there are loving chords of kin
ship ready to thrill and to respond to
the royal note. But we shall fail dis
mally in our attempts to bring har
mony unless we enter into the experi
ence and suffering of Christ and be
come clothed with "the power of His
resurrection." May it be our blessed
lot to exhibit to this people the spec
tacle of a church thoroughly "alive
unto God a church quickened in
moral perception, compassionate and,
daring, presenting at all times in the
name of Jesus the only remedy that
has proved effective for tbp "healing
of the nation."
Sunday evening's services began
with a song of praise, which was fol
lowed by the reading of a poem writ
ten by Mrs. O. C. Tarbox, Oneonta,
New York, and received by the Dor
cas society. A letter of greeting to
members of the church from Dr. Tar
box was then read to the congrega
tion. The letter is hereunder repro
duced:
Oneonta, N. Y., July 14, 1906.
To the Members of the First Congre
gational Church and Society,
Princeton, Minnesota.
Greeting: Your kind invitation to
be present at the celebration of the
fiftieth anniversary of the church
has been received by me and I thank
you for the same. Nothing would
give me greater pleasure, but unfor
tunately the distance is too great, and
my time too limited. Nothing, I re
peat, would give me greater pleasure
than to meet you all once more, and
to grasp the hand of friendship, and
to call up past days and events when
I as one of you.
The Congregational church of
Princeton has had a checkered his
tory of ups and downs, of bright and
cloudy days, but I feel sure that its
future is bright and promising. It
has done a good work in the past, and
it will do more successful work in the
future. God has been with the church
all these years, and will further bless
you if you are faithful to His word
and His promises. Pardon me if I
speak from a personal standpoint in
this letter, for, as my friend Mr. Rines
used to say, I am in a reminiscent
mood" tonight, and the memory calls
up many persons and events connected
with the church in years past and
gone.
I first became acquainted with Prince
ton people, and the Congregational
in particular, in the summer of
1880, 26 years ago this month. Fresh
from college, I drove in from Elk
River one day, with my father,
hitched my horse in front of H. B.
Covvles' old store on Main street, and
went in to apply for the village
school. H. B. Cowles, R. M. Neely
and Chas. Keith then composed the
school board. On coming out of the
store, about the first thing that at
tracted my attention was a large
church across the street,large, I
say, in proportion to the buildings
of the village, and located on the
most important business street. "That
looks good," I thought, and speaks
well for the place. There was a circus
in town that daythe first circus in
the history of the town, and I can
recall the large attendance of out-of
town people, many Indians included,
all in holiday attire to witness the
sights! Such was my introduction to
Princeton, and in the fall, when I com
menced my school work, I first at
tended the Congregational church, as
aurally I would, boarding with that
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old stand-by and pillar of the church,
Mrs. Martha Hatch. Rev. David
Henderson was the pastor, and I
early made his acquaintance, and
shared his companionship in the old
Star hotel, where he boarded.
Samuel Ross I never knew person
ally, but I saw him once when an in
valid. He died soon after. Some of
the prominent members in those days
were Mrs. Samuel Ross ("Aunt
Margaret" so called) of sainted
memory, Mrs. Olive R. Barker, Mrs.
Martha Hatch, May Hatch. Mrs.
Martha Rines, Mrs. Eliza Page, and
Grandma Dimmick. No male resi
dent members in those days can I
remember. The Paynes I never knew,
having moved away before my ar
rival.
It was hard work in those daj to
keep the fire at the altar burning, the
Sunday school and church attendance
was irregular and not to be depended
on, and interest flagged on many an
occasion. Christian workers were
few, and for the most part of the
female sex, to whom the experience of
building fires in the church, and ring
ing the bell was not wholly unknown.
In one respect, however, this church
shone with a bright and resplendent
light, i. e. in its pulpit talent. Lo
cated in somewhat of a rough, lumber
ing town, it was a missionary church,
and for years was aided by the Home
Missionary Society of Minnesota. In
this way men of more than average
ability were sent to Princeton. Rev.
John Morley, state superintendent,
was always a great friend of the
Princeton church. What shall I say
of the labors of these faithful men?
Time will not suffice to speak of all,
and to others I leave that task. Be it
mine only to mention a few names
and their work.
PRINCETON UNION: THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1906.
David Henderson was my friend,
and probably no man, with the excep
tion of my father, has had the in
fluence over my life that he had, by
his discourses and Christian example.
A graduate of the university of Edin
burg, he came to Princetonafter suc
cessful pastorates in Gainesville, N.
Y., East Saginaw, Mich., and other
places. He was a great preacher, and
could have filled city pulpits had he
cared for city life. One of the great
est lovers of nature, he was one of the
deepest thinkers I have ever met, and
could write and preach most beautiful,
scholarly sermons that won him
thethe
praise of all. He went among the sick
carrying comfort and joy to all,
oftentimes bearing in his hands food
and medicines to those in dire need.
Well do I remember when diphtheria
broke out in Blue Hill, in the
Gal-those
braith neighborhood, and this Good
Samaritan walked on several occa
sions the entire distance, in the coldest
winter weather, carrying fooa and
medicines in his hands to the hungry
and the sick. In those days, if there
was one thing that Princeotn people
feared a little more than anything else
on earth, it was a case of diphtheria,
for we had no antitoxin to combat the
enemy successfully. On many an oc
casion like this he evinced practical
Christianity. At his death in 1895 I
came into possession of his "barrel"
of sermons, and as fast as my means
have allowed, it has been my pleasure
to have them printed and scattered
broadcast in the world. Many of you
have received, from time to time,
copies of these sermons, and they
have been published in different re
ligious papers, notably at Council
Bluffs, Iowa, and Melrose, Maryland,
generally with the statement that Mr.
Henderson was formerly pastor of
the first Congregational Church of
Princeton, Minnesota. I speak of
this, for you may receive inquiries
about him from those who read his
sermons. Many such letters have al
ready been received by me. I am
rejoiced that our present pastor, bear
ing the same name, is proving himself
a worthy successor. Another pastor
whom I remember well, was Rev.
Gerald Stanley Lee, who was or
dained by this church.
Rev. Twing, now president of West
ern Reserve university, in Ohio,
preached the ordination sermon. His
pastorate, while not a long one, was
successful, and he has since developed
great talent as a critic, author and
lecturer, and is very well known in
the east. He was married a few years
ago to Jennette Barbour, an authoress
of note, who has written several popu
lar novels under the name of "Jen
nette Lee," and who is now professor
of English literature in Smith college.
I mention this for the information of
those of you who formerly listened to
him. Another worthy, successful pas
tor was Rev. W. J. Warner, who came
to us from New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Through his initiative and sturdy
efforts the church built the parson
age and the C. E. society was organ
ized. A revival blessed his efforts
and quitei a number of earnest workers
were added to the church. We could
not keep this Christian worker long,
and he soon resigned to pursue his
studies in Chicago Theological sem
inary, eventually settling as pastor of
the Grace Street Congregational
church of that city.
Rev. M. A. Stevens of Minneapolis
next became acting pastor of the
church for about one year, and his
strong sermons were only equalled by
his excellent counsel and fatherly ad
vice. How we did all enjoy his rich
baritone voice as he aided in singing.
Rev. J. M. Hulbert was our next
pastor, of whom we delight to speak.
A ripe scholar, and of a deep spiritual
nature, he stimulated the church by
his preaching and his Christian walk
in life. He, too, was ordained by the
church his uncle from Ohio preached
the ordination sermon and Rev. Geo.
Wells of Plymouth church gave the
charge. It was with deep regret that
we accepted his resignation, leaving
us for larger fields of usefulness.
Time and space does not permit me
to speak of all the faithful pastors,
among whom were Revs. C. D. Moore,
David Donavan, C. H. Moxie and
others. The church became self sup
porting under the pastorate of Rev.
C. D. Moore, and thereafter cut loose
from the Home Missionary society.
Also, during Mr. Moore's pastorate,
the church adopted the manual for its
guidance, and the present church
hymnal was introduced. As I look
back over the past years, I think we
made a mistake in letting our pastors
go without extra efforts in their be
half. It was always so. Just as we
would be prospering, and the church
interests looking up, some other
church would want our pastor, or he
would get discouraged over lack of
results or seeming half-hearted sup
port and would resign. No church
has suffered more, too, by the loss of
members by removals from town. So
many removals, and so many changes.
I venture to say that if one-half only
of the former active, working mem
bers of the church, were now residing
in Princeton, it would be one of the
very strongest churches of our denom
ination in the state, and it would be
so easy to carry on the work. But do
not be discouraged. It is God's way.
Let the ranks be closed up, and each
try to do a little more than formerly,
if possible, and push the work.
God will bless you still more sig
nally.
I wish I was with you. I rather
think you can imagine where I would
be found working, and I love to think
that all those years when I was a
member I was not wholly unfaithful
to the interests of the church. Mis
takes there were, but they were of the
head and not of the heart.
As I think of the past history of
church a few facts stand promin
ently forth.
First. It is a fact that but for the
Dorcas society the church could not
have kept its doors open. God bless
the Dorcas society, and especially
members whose names do not
appear as members of the church.
Without the earnest labors, self
denial and strenuous exertions of the
ladies of the parish, the funds would
not have been forthcoming for pas
tor's salary, payment of taxes, debt
on parsonage, repairs on church,
church furnishings, etc., etc. I re
peat it, God bless the ladies of the
church and society, and hasten the
time when those without the fold may
be led by the Great Shepherd of the
church into His kingdom.
Second. It was the wisest kind of
an action when the church building
was removed to its present central
location. Always remember that the
credit for the same is due, largely, to
the untiring efforts of Mrs. Mary
Rines, who first thought out the plan,
and who engineered the whole thing.
It looked like an insuperable under
taking to move the building so far,
and also to buy the three church lots
for $1,000 cash. But, tho' small in
stature, she was a veritable dynamo
in action, and a tower of strength to
the faint hearted.
Move it we did, before the streets
were strung with wires for lights and
'phones, and now you are to be con
gratulated on having the best possible
location in town.
Third. The little trees now growing
about the church property I have the
honor of furnishing. Mr. Clark
kindly set them out for me. I love to
think that they will be growing years
after you and I have passed over
yonder, affording delightful shade
and cool rest to the worshipper and to
the weary.
Fourth. The church has fulfilled
another great mission for good in
past years. Until Jesmer's opera
house was built, it was the larg
est building for public purposes in
town, and many a lecture, Memorial
Day service, or funeral has been held
within its walls.
In that way it contributed very
materially to the happiness and pros
perity of Princeton,a fact that
should not be lost sight of by the good
citizens of the village. The exercises
of the first graduating class of the
high school were held in this church.
I well remember the night. Tennie
Cravens, Sarah J. Orr and Lizzie
Sadley composed the class. Prof.
Simpson presided. Hon. D. L. Kiehle
delivered the address and C. H. Rines
presented the diplomas. Six "im-
ported" musicians from the city, in
dress suits, furnished the music, and
altogether it was a big success. As
Wm. Cordiner said, "we gave them a
good send off, even if the music did
cost the district $50!"
May I offer a suggestion? It has
always been my desire and hope to
some day see a room built on the
north end of the churcha room 28 or
30 feet long and the full width of the
church, with a door opening on
Central avenue, and connected with
the main audience room by folding
doors at right of the desk. A room
which the infant class of the Sunday
school could occupy, and in which
prayer meetings, C. E. society, busi
ness meetings, Dorcas fairs, etc.,
could be held without heating and
lighting the large room. Such a
room could be built and equipped for
from $300 to $400 and would very
materially advance the spiritual
welfare of the church. Think it over,
and when you get ready to do it,
(which I hope will be soon) you may
put me down for $25 to head the list.
This letter has already passed the
limit that I intended, and I will close
with these words. I have read how
that in the north of England the fisher
lads before departing on their peril
ous voyages to the North Sea were
wont, of old, to gather at the wharf,
and with knees bended and heads
uncovered, to receive the simple bene
diction of the village pastor.
And this is the "Fisherman's Bene
diction." "The Lord bless thee, and
keep thee, give thee favorable
breexes, a prosperous voyage, a safe
haven and a stout heart for the
storms." "Sail on, and trust the compass in thy breast
Trust the drviner heavens that around thee
bend,
And steering lor the port of perfect rest,
Trust most of all in thine Eternal Friend
Wishing you grace, mercy and peace,
I am, Yours sincerely,
O. C. TARBOX.
Many other letters had been re
ceived by the pastor and these will be
read to the congregation next Sunday.
Rev. S. V. S. Fisher of Minneapo
lis delivered the evening sermon and
selected for his subject "The Keynote
for the Church of the Twentieth Cen-
A General Banking Busi
ness Transacted.
Loans Made
Security.
on Approved
Does a
Gener^-Banking
W. P. CHASE,
rianager.
Collecting and Farm and
Insurance. Village Loans.
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M. S. RUTHERFORD E. L. MCMILLAN
W Make
A Specialty
Farm Loansof
tury." Rev. Fisher is a powerful,
scholarly orator, and from beginning
to end of his impressive discourse the
congregation was held in wrapt at
tention.
The evening service was greatly en
hanced by the rendition of a vocal
solo, "Just for a Day, "by Mrs. H.
C. Cooney.
Benediction was pronounced by
Rev. J. S. Staples of Geneva, Ne
braska, chaplain of the Nebraska
state G. A. R. and a veteran minister
of the gospel.
The church expresses its sincere
thanks to all those who kindly as
sisted in this celebration, and es
pecially to the Methodist brethren,
who suspended services in their church
in order to participate in the jubilee
exercises.
Peterson & Nelson
Can set your buggy tires cold while
you are waiting without taking the
wheels off from the buggy or the
bolts out of the wheels.
Atl kinds of Custom Work
First National Bank
of Princeton, Minnesota.
Paid up Capital, $30,000
Interest Paid on Time De
posits.
Foreign and Domestic Ex
change
S. S. PETTERSON, President.
T. H. CALEY, Vice Pres.
J. F. PETTERSON, Cashier.
BANE OF PRINCETON.
J. J. SKAHEN, Cashier and Manager.
M. S. RUTHERFORD a CO.
Odd Fellows Building,
Princeton, Minn.
Caley Lumber Company,
(Successors to Foley Bean Lumber Co.)
Dealers in
White Pine Lumber,
Lath and Shingles.
Also Sash, Doors, Mouldings and a Com*
plete Stock of Building Material.
25"
Business
PRINCETON.
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