Religious influence is as strong today as it ever was. and continues its effective role in combating sickness”so far as mental suggestion can give comfort and affect physical condition” Dr. William J. Mayo of Rochester told an audience of 3.000 persons who participated in the dedication of the new $300,000 Bethesda hospital in St. Paul. The chief of the world.famous Mayo Clinic gave unstinted praise to the broadening scope of church work, discarding as “loose talk” the mutterings about the decadence of religion The throng. gathered on the hospital grounds at Capitol boulevard Viola streets. also heard Dr. Mayo’s tribute to the Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. which built the hospital through its board of Christian charities.
Others participating in the ceremonies were Gov. Floyd B. Olson. Mayor William Mahoney. St. Paul: former Mayor Gerhard H. Bundlie, Dr. E. V. Gotz, president or the Ramsey County Medical society; Dr. Halbert R. Dunn. director or University hospital: Rev. E. E. Ryden, St. Paul president of the conference’s board cf Christian service. and Rev. P. A. Mattson, Minneapolis. president of the Minnesota conference of the synod. who. with 20 other pastors conducted the formal dedication. Keys were presented to Dr. O W. Holcomb. St. Paul. chairman of the hospital executive committee,by Thomas F. Ellerbe, St. Paul architect
Minneapolis Star- October 3rd, 1932