USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Memorial volume and history of St. Mark's parish, Minneapolis, Minn. > Part 2
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In August, 1898, the Rev. George Herbert Thomas was called to be assistant minister, and served the Parish most acceptably until called to the Rectorship of All Saints Church in this City.
To the great regret of the congregation, in the sum-
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Saint Mark's Parish
mer of 1899, the Rev. Mr. Nichols received a call from Holy Trinity Church, New York, which he felt con- strained to accept, terminating his Rectorship on July 17th. Thereupon the Vestry extended a call to the Rev. Thomas MacLean, of Trinity Church, Bay City, Michigan, who accepted and entered upon the Rector- ship on December 17th, 1899. He held the position until Easter Monday, April 13th, 1903.
For several years the Parish had the benefit of the services of Miss Pauline Weidensee, a trained deacon- ess, who resigned Sept. 1st, 1905, to accept a mission- ary appointment under the Bishop of Porto Rico.
In the fall of 1902, the financial condition of the Par- ish was such that it was decided to increase the mortgage on the block to $17,500, which was accordingly done.
During the summer of 1903, after mature delibera- tion, it was decided to ask the Rt. Rev. Samuel Cook, Edsall, D. D., Bishop of the diocese, to become Rector of the Parish, make the Church his Pro-Cathedral and appoint two Vicars to prosecute the work. The Bishop accepted the offer, and, with the concurrence of the Vestry, appointed the Rev. Charles Edgar Haupt, Archdeacon of the Diocese, and the Rev. George Heathcote Hills, of Atlanta, Georgia, as Vicars. They took charge of the Parish on the first of September, and, with the Bishop, were formally instituted on September 6th, 1903.
During the year 1904, the Church was handsomely redecorated, the system of electric lighting altered, two large electroliers inserted, a beautiful chapel formed of the former vestry, a new sacristy built, extensive alterations and improvements made in the Parish House, the approach relaid and the entire Church re- carpeted ; the cost being about $4,200.
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In spite of the prosperous condition of the Parish, it was found increasingly difficult to maintain the rev- enue, and to induce persons coming to Minneapolis to make St. Marks their Church home. The constant removals creating vacancies which could not be filled, owing to the distance from the residence districts of the city. These conditions led the members of the Vestry to look toward the future of St. Marks with anxiety. In the latter part of 1906, so many offers were made for the property on Sixth Street that the Parish was called together to consider the advisability of placing it on the market. To many of the members of St. Marks, not conversant with the difficulties of the situation, the thought of demolishing the dear old Church seemed little short of sacrilege; when, how- ever, the conditions were fully understood, consent was given at a Parish meeting held on Wednesday, January 2, 1907. A condition precedent having been attached, that, from the proceeds of the sale, a suit- able sum should be set apart for the erection and main- tenance of a down town chapel and institutional plant. The vestry having received an offer of $275,000 and having secured the consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, a sale was consummated, at that price, with Mr. J. E. Andrus, of New York, in April, 1907. At a subsequent Parish meeting the Committee on Sites submitted maps and diagrams showing no less than seven possible locations for the new Church, After a long and full discussion, by an overwhelming majority the meeting decided upon the location at Hennepin Avenue and Oak Grove Street, and author- ized the Committee to purchase the same for the sum of $55,000 of Mrs. H. T. Welles.
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Saint Mark's Parish
Owing to the circumstances arising out of the sale. and relocation of St. Marks, in the interest of har- mony and equality among all the Parishes of the city, the Bishop thought best to resign the Rectorship of the Parish on January 29th, 1907. Thereupon the Rev. C. Edgar Haupt and the Rev. G. Heathcote Hills were elected Associate Rectors.
After mature deliberation the sum of $50,000 was set apart in accordance with the resolution of the Parish, for the erection and maintenance of the down-town chapel and institutional plant; Mr. E. H. Hewitt was engaged as architect, and active steps taken in ma- turing plans for the new Church. At first it was pro- posed to erect the church with a basement for the various parish activities, leaving the Parish House for some succeeding generation to build, but the cost of a basement properly fitted up for such purposes, proved to be so great, and the disadvantages so serious, that it was decided to proceed with the erection of the Parish House with all dispatch in the hope that it might be completed by the time the old Church must be vacated, and might be available for services until such time as the new Church might be ready for occu- pancy.
On Wednesday, August 14th, 1907, the plans for the Parish House having been adopted and a contract for the concrete piling having been let to G. W. Oakes & Co., Bishop Edsall, Mr. W. S. Dwinnell, Mr. George H. Christian, Mr. J. B. Robinson, Mr. Hector Baxter, Mr. E. H. Hewitt and the Rev. Mr. Haupt, assembled on the site to break the ground, dedicate the enterprise, and witness the driving of the first pile. Standing in front of the pile-driver, with the workmen gathered
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around, the Rev. Mr. Haupt conducted a short relig- ious service and the Bishop pronounced the benedic- tion. The contract for the superstructure was awarded to Messrs. Pike and Cook on February 14, 1908, and work resumed early in April.
As it was found impossible to complete the Parish House by May 10th, the date of the delivery of the Sixth Street property to Mr. Andrus, the purchaser, a contract was made with the Handicraft Guild for the use of their hall at 89 South Tenth Street until the end of August. Immediately after Easter, therefore, on April 20, 1908, the work of demolishing the old church began. The pews and furnishings were stored at 112 Western Avenue and the lumber and materials taken to Eleventh Street and Western Avenue to be used in the construction of the Institutional building proposed to be erected. During the month of July the old Church was torn down to make room for the erec- tion of a business block. The corner-stone was un- covered in the presence of Mr. Llewlyn Christian, Mr. C. M. Harrington, Mr. V. H. Van Slyke, Mr. O. W. Miller and Mr. Geo. E. Higgins, and delivered to the Vestry on Tuesday, July 21st, and is to be built into the new church. The sealed box was placed in a safe deposit vault in the custody of Mr. V. H. Van Slyke.
On Sunday, September 27th, the Parish House being sufficiently completed to allow of the use of the audito- rium, the building was dedicated to its uses in a special service by the Rt. Rev. S. C. Edsall, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, assisted by the associate rectors. A corporate communion of workers was held at nine o'clock, at which thirty-nine received. The Sunday School session was held at 9:45 a. m., with an attendance of 132. A souvenir
4
RT. REV. ELISHA SMITH THOMAS, D. D. RECTOR 1870-1875
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Saint Mark's Parish
picture of the new Parish House was presented to every child present at this service. At eleven o'clock the morn- ing service was held with an attendance that taxed the building. No evening service was held until the first Sunday in October.
Satisfactory bids having been received for the con- struction of the Church it was decided early in August to proceed with the contract for the foundation which was let to Messrs. Pike & Cook, for the sum of $8,500. On Monday, August 17th, the building was measured and stakes set, and the ground was broken on Thursday, Au- gust 20. It is planned to lay the cornerstone on Sunday, November 15, at three o'clock.
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Mecrology and Memorials
Looking back from the present into the past, through the vista of forty years, many honorable names stand out in the history of the Parish. First in order of time must be placed the names of the REV. DAVID BUELKNICKERBACKER and JOHN C. RENO, to whom the beginnings of the work were due.
The vestry assembled on April 14, 1902, to pass resolu- tions of regret and sympathy on the occasion of the death of Mr. Reno.
The first Senior Warden of the Parish was MR. WM. T. LEE, a man of exemplary life and great generosity. Though one of the largest contributors to the building of the church he was not permitted to see its completion. He died in August, 1870.
To no one man does the Parish owe so much as to the late HENRY T. WELLES, a man so modest and retiring that he left no memorial of himself, but preferred that his works should speak for him. The Parish will but do jus- tice to his memory and honor itself in naming the new Parish House for him. He died March 5, 1898.
The original incorporators of the Parish, mentioned on another page, have all passed away, with the exception of Mr. C. M. Hardenburgh, living at Lake Minnetonka, Mr. Jas. L. Spink, living at Big Lake, and Mr. James Muri- son, living with his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Outram, the treasurer of the Parish.
At the opening service of the church on Christmas day, 1870, the altar, which has been used ever since, was pre- sented by the mother of Mrs. James L. Spink, Mrs. Elisha Eldred, of Milwaukee, Wis. The Reredos was given by
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Saint Mark's Parish
Mrs. W. P. Westfall and Mrs. H. T. Welles. The lectern Bible and service books were presented by Mrs. Spink's sister, Miss Sarah E. Eldred, of Milwaukee, Wis. The Bible was illuminated by hand by Mr. T. A. Murphy, who also presented the credence table. The altar, Bishop's chair and sedilia were designed and the carving superin- tended by the Rev. Mr. Bradley and made by Mr. P. T. Winnen. They were paid for in part by the Ladies' Aid Society, who furnished the carpet and hassocks. The pulpit was made by the same man and from the same wood, supplied by some of the unused seats, about the year 1893.
In addition to his large subscription to the building of the church, a private communion set was presented to the "Rector of St. Mark's," by the Rev. E. G. Gear. The cross which for so many years adorned the altar of St. Mark's was the gift of Sister Christina (Sarah Hallett Bovey), of the Sisterhood of the Holy Nativity. During a visit to her relatives in Minneapolis, Sister Christina gave an address in St. Mark's Guild Room, and it was after this visit that she presented the cross, she having been confirmed in St. Mark's Church by Bishop Whipple. She died greatly beloved by the members of her order, at the age of 36 years, a martyr to the cause.
Upon the death of Mrs. Wm. T. Lee five thousand dol- lars were left to the Parish, forming what has since been known as the Mary C. Lee Fund, the income of which was directed to be administered by the Rector of the Parish for the benefit of needy women and children, and has proved a most valuable supplement to the communion alms in the hands of the clergy. The fund was received in November, 1882, and is still intact, though a large portion of it has yielded no income for years through the default of one of the mortgagors. The revenue is about $20 a month.
.
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Memorial Volume
The font, though not a memorial in name, stands as a witness to the devotion of a poor widow, a woman sculp- tress, Mrs. M. H. Peasley, who went to Chicago, selected the marble and made the font herself, charging only for her expenses.
The carved woodwork over the organ door by the font was made from the design of Mr. Harry Robinson and presented by the Ladies' Aid Society.
The brass lectern was presented by the young people of the church about the year 1893.
In April, 1896, the St. Hilda's Guild presented the two brass standard lights with which the sanctuary is illumin- ated.
Of the altar furnishings one set of fair linen was pre- sented by Miss White, and one set by Mrs. W. B. Folds, who purchased it and had it embroidered while she was in England.
The memorial silver now in use in the celebration of the Holy Communion was procured during the rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Nichols. One of the chalices was presented by Mrs. John Bigelow, in memory of Mr. Wells Gardiner, one of the incorporators of the Parish. The Flagon is a memorial to Lavinia Jackson Neiler, presented by her children, April 22nd, 1893. The Credence Patten is a memorial to Emma V. A. Lockwood; and the Baptismal Shell was given in loving remembrance of Carleton H. Corse, born July 12, 1892, died January 24, 1894.
A very handsome cabinet for the fair linen and altar hangings, made of antique oak in Gothic design, with drawers of red cedar, was presented by Mrs. H. T. Welles.
The Altar Desk was given as a thank-offering in 1903, by G. Heathcote Hills.
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Saint Mark's Parish
In 1904, Mrs. Hovey C. Clark presented the altar and furnishings for the chapel, and Mrs. H. T. Welles gave the chapel chairs. The very handsome altar cross and vases, the work of Geissler & Company, were given in 1906 as a memorial to Henrietta Welles, by her mother, Mrs. Henry T. Welles. They were used for the first time on Easter Day, 1906.
The processional cross was presented by Mr. Charles M. Harrington, junior warden, and was carried for the first time on the first Sunday after Easter, 1907.
There are ten memorial windows in the church, the most important of which are in the transepts. On the north side is a very handsome La Farge window, representing the Madonna San Sisto and bearing the inscription "In Memoriam Marian Reno Darrah, born July 28, 1817; died August 8, 1869." On either side of this window is a smaller one in very beautiful glass, with a medallion of a child head in each. One bears no inscription and the other reads "In Memoriam Mary Linton, born January 29, 1867, died July 26, 1867."
In the south transept, where the rays of the sun bring out all their brilliancy, are the Christian, Case and Snider windows. The former representing the Christ as the Light of the world and bearing the inscription, "In loving mem- ory of Mary Ellen Hall, wife of J. A. Christian." The Case window is inscribed with the words, "In loving mem- ory of Miriam Case, born January 3, 1878, died November 1, 1887." The Snider window bears the words "In affec- tionate remembrance of Robert Samuel Snider, born Feb- ruary 19, 1882, died April 15, 1883." In the north isle is the Spink window, inscribed "In memoriam Alice Spink, died 1864. James Herbert Spink, died July 18, 1867." In the north transept is the Lee window, with the inscrip-
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Memorial Volume
tion, "In memoriam Wm. T. Lee, First Senior Warden of this church. Died August 28, 1870. Thou good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things." Next to the Lee window is the Collins window, inscribed "In memori- am Eliza Collins, died August 8, 1869." In the entrance of the chapel is a fine piece of glass of conventional de- sign bearing the inscription "In memoriam Edward Brad- ford Barnes, 1866-1895. I will give you rest."
Though not among the original incorporators of the Parish Mr. R. B. LANGDON soon identified himself with its affairs and was an active and faithful vestryman from October, 1870, to the date of his death, July 24, 1895. The large brass alms basin was presented by Mrs. Lang- don.
In November, 1879, MR. CHARLES WALKE, vestryman and treasurer of the Parish at the time, was called to his rest to the deep regret of his associates.
In January, 1885, the vestry was called together to ex- press its sense of loss and regret over the death of MR. VOLNEY S. IREYS, for many years a vestryman and valued counsellor of the Parish.
It is obviously impracticable to give a complete list of the members of the Parish who, through all these years have fought the good fight and do now rest from their labors, but mention must be made of HIRAM C. TRUES- DALE; MRS. GERTRUDE (DARRAGH) LINTON; ELIZA D. CHRISTIAN; THOMAS SIDNEY OUTRAM, for many years the treasurer of the Parish ; and MRS. SARAH ANN WIL- KINSON. During the past year we have been called upon to mourn the departure of JOHN CHARLTON, JOHN DUN- HAM and FREDERICK PAINE, for many years a vestryman and lay reader, secretary of the standing committee and a most devout and faithful communicant.
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Saint Mark's Parish
USHERS.
Mr. Clarence H. Childs is chairman of the ushering committee, being assisted by Mr. Howard S. Abbott, Mr. Hector Baxter and Mr. V. H. Van Slyke, of the vestry- men, and also by Mr. Wm. H. Keller, Mr. G. S. Pearce, Mr. Roy Shippam, Mr. George Lindsey McKewin and Mr. Fred Robinson, the latter serving in the evening and on special occasions.
The position of an usher is not always an agreeable one, for persons are sometimes not as considerate of each other as they should be and a late comer is sometimes disposed to blame the usher if his or her pew is occupied. Although pews are assigned in St. Mark's, to enable families to sit together, and for convenience, yet they are not rented and owned by their holders, and persons who are not in their seats when the service begins may very properly be considered absent for that service and their seats vacated.
The ushers give their services gratuitously and are en- titled to the utmost consideration. They will always be happy to rectify any mistake that may unwittingly occur, when politely requested to do so. Attendance in the House of God is an act of worship, courtesy and considera- tion are due to our fellow worshippers, and this we bespeak from all to all.
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Financial System
St. Mark's church is supported chiefly by the weekly pledges of its members. Since the day when St. Paul wrote his famous admonition to the Corinthians, no better plan for the support of the church has been devised. Some exceptions are made in the case of those who prefer to make a subscription and pay it each quarter. As a means of indicating what the pledges should be the finance com- mittee prepared a plan of the church showing the sittings and the amount each should return in order to cover the necessary expenses of maintenance. No one is denied a seat who is unable to pledge the full amount asked for the sit- ting, but it serves as an indication of the necessity for an adequate pledge. Persons are assigned seats with some reference therefore to the pledge they are able to make. When a pledge is received by the treasurer it is immediate- ly numbered and the person making it receives a package of envelopes bearing that number and dated for each Sun- day in the year, from April 1 to March 31. If any person misses a Sunday in attendance the amount of the pledge should be put in the envelope, sealed and brought the next Sunday. If a number of Sundays intervene, the treasurer prefers that the full amount in arrears be put in the en- velope of the date to which payment is made and the past due envelopes destroyed. As there are a number of objects for which the Diocesan Council has designated special of- fering there will be found envelopes of a different color, properly numbered and dated for these special objects. These envelopes should not be used for the payment of the pledges for Parish support, but serve as monitors to recall these special offerings in their order and should contain the
₹
SAINT MARKS CHURCH SIXTH STREET BETWEEN HENNEPIN AND NICOLLET AVENUES ERECTED 1870 TORN DOWN 1908
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Saint Mark's Parish
amount each person desires to contribute to the object named. No pledge is too small if it worthily represents the devotion of the subscriber. In determining what the pledge should be, neither the necessities of the Parish nor the pledge of one's neighbor should be the determining factor. The question is simply "How much owest thou unto thy Lord?" It is a matter of proportion. Our duty to our God precedes our duty to our neighbor, and our pledge for the support of the church should bear a due proportion to our income. The law of tithe has never been repealed and is the minimum for persons in moderate circumstances ; persons in affluence should use a larger ratio. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now here- with, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT-EASTER, 1908. ST. MARK'S CHURCH. Receipts for Year Ending March 31, 1908.
Current pledges
$ 6.678.66
Old pledges
402.72
Plate offerings
780.81
Special subscriptions
55.00
Communion alms
232.67
Late offering for circle fund.
9.50
Kindergarten and Deaconess.
420.00
Choir outing fund.
94.46
Late Easter offerings
43.45
Loan St. Mark's building
2,550.00
Rents
116.00
Lighting of Parish House
18.40
Miscellaneous receipts
1,715.33
Total receipts
$ 13,117.00
Cash on hand April 1, 1907.
1,392.71
$ 14,509.71 $ 14,509.71
Disbursements.
Church expenses, current year :
Salaries of Rectors ..
$ 4,800.00
One-half Treasurer's salary.
200.00
Salary of Deaconess
290.00
Music
1,885.70
One-half wages of Janitor
255.00
Lighting
461.78
Fuel
571.67
Repairs
279.74
Telephones
104.00
Printing
155.53
Miscellaneous, including supplies,
care of organ, postage, laundering vestments, etc.
381.52
Total disbursements
$ 9,469.53
Cash on hand March 31, 1908.
139.02
Total
$
9,608.55
$ 9,608.55
84.59
Insurance, interest and taxes
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Saint Mark's Parish
Payment for special purposes:
Breck school
$ 44.00
Seabury Divinity school 34.15
Building, church
7.85
Sheltering Arms
122.17
St. Barnabas hospital
33.05
General missions
591.00
Aged and infirm clergy fund.
143.15
Church home for aged
27.72
Diocesan treasurer
887.50
Bills payable
1,000.00
Missionary thank offering
233.50
Lake Benton burned church 20.37
Special subscriptions
23.00
Circle fund and Kindergarten.
862.00
Church Extension Society ..
532.25
Special fund, Bishops and Rectors
including communion alms
339.45
Total special payments.
$
4,901.16
$
4,901.16
Total
$ 14,509.71
CHURCH BALANCE SHEET.
Assets.
Cash on hand. $ 139.02
Unpaid pledges
. 390.00
Balance due bills receivable.
102.80
Total assets $ 631.82 $ 631.82
Liabilities.
St. Mark's building loan
$
3,150.00
Total liabilities $ 3,150.00 $ 3,150.00
ST. MARK'S BUILDING. Receipts.
Rents $ 6,830.00
Interest on deposits
16.22
Total receipts $ 6,846.22
Cash on hand April 1, 1907
34.98
Total
$ 6,881.20 $ 6,881.20
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Memorial Volume
Disbursements.
Loan to St. Mark's church $ 2,550.00
One-half Treasurer's salary
200.00
One-half Janitor's wages
255.00
Repairs
250.70
Insurance, interest and taxes.
1,837.49
Lighting
17,87
Incidentals
187.05
Fuel
437.16
Total disbursements $ 5,735.27
Cash on hand March 31, 1908
1,145.93
Total
$ 6,881.20 $ 6,881.20
BUILDING BALANCE SHEET.
Assets.
Due from St. Mark's church $ 3,150.00
Unpaid rent
256.67
Cash on hand.
1,145.93
Total assets $ 4,552.60 $ 4,552.60
Liabilities.
Mortgage indebtedness
$ 10,500.00
Total liabilities $ 10,500.00 $ 10,500.00 The large amount of cash on hand in the church treasury, viz., $1,392.71, at the close of last fiscal year is explained by the fact that Easter Sunday, 1907, occurred on March 31, 1907, and the Easter offering taken on that day had not yet been disbursed.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
THE CHURCH WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN,
H. S. Abbott, Chairman Finance Committee. Dated at Minneapolis, Minn., April 1st, 1908.
TRUST FUNDS.
The condition of the several Trust Funds of the Parish, for the year ending April 1st, 1908, is as follows:
Organ Trust Fund.
To amount of trust, no interest credited
.$
2.00
1
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Saint Mark's Parish
Tower Trust Fund.
1907-
April 1. To amount of trust, per annual report, 1907 $ 65.91 To interest accumulated since
last report 3.72
$ 69.63
1908-
April 1. By amount in Farmers' & Me- chanics Svgs. Bank. $ 18.03 By B. F. Raymond's first mort- gage 51.60
$ 69.63
Endowment Trust Fund.
1907-
April 1. To amount of trust per annual report, 1907 .. $1,359.01 To interest accumulated during year 77,25
$1,436.26
1908-
April 1. By amount in Farmers' & Me- chanics' Svgs. Bank $ 350.86 By B. F. Raymond's first mort- gage 1,085.40
$1,436.26
Mary Lee Trust Fund.
The dwelling, 2829 Columbus Ave., representing $1,500 of this fund, continues to be rented at $20.00 per month. The income is paid to the clergy for charity work. The Jackson mortgage, representing the balance of this fund, or $3,500.00, has been settled this day by an understanding with Mr. A. B. Jackson, by which he deeds the land to the Parish and the Parish cancels the debt.
Respectfully submitted,
HECTOR BAXTER, Chairman Trust Funds Committee.
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Memorial Volume
The Sunday School
The condition of religious education in America is exceedingly unsatisfactory. The Public Schools have been thoroughly secularized, and there is very little systematic religious instruction even in Christian homes. Practically the only agency for the religious instruction of the children, apart from Church boarding schools, is the Sunday School. Its importance cannot be over emphasized, and its efficiency should be in- creased in every possible way.
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