The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-12
SYSTEMATIC BENEvOLENCE.

tai HOtel-SpeeCh " INtNs DEs CAIners ON
Great Britaln-The Christian Moral
Science Association.
II will be recollected that a month ago a
public breakfast was given ia the Continental
Hotel at the instance OF the Rev. DIR. Gather,
who explained in full the objects of the Syste-
matte Benehcence Society, an organization
which is the outgrowth of the Christian Moral
Science Association. DR.. Gather is the secretary
of the latter body, which is in successful opera
tion in England, and his purpose In coming to
this country was to explain to the clergy of the
United States the extreme Importance OF an orga
nzation such is proposed, and which, in the
opinion of the reverend advocate is most prac-
teal in its bearing, and when in operation will
be productive of the best results.
This morning in the Continental second
breakfast was given. DR.. Gather at o'clock
met about one hundred and fifty of our princi-
pal Protestant clergymen in parlor q. The
company we're taken to the breakfast hall, in
the ladies' ordinary, and after grace sat down
to O substantial meal.
The invitation which brought the distinguished
company together reads as follows:-
ANGLICAN AND INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MORAL
SCIENCE ASSOCIATION: SYSTEMATIC BEEEFICENCE
SECTION.
DEAR SR:-At the request OF several members OF
the association, 1t is proposed to hold second pub
lie breakfast, in the Continental Hotel, at S45
O'Clock, on Wednesday morning, April 12 proximo.
Rev. Dr. Gather, General Secretary OF the British
and Foreign Systematic Benehcence Society, Will
briefly explain the principles and progress OF sys-
tematc and proportonate giving In Great Britain
whole question will be invited. William q. Moor
head, Esq., has again kindly consented to preside
Your presence and operation are hereby earnestly
929 Clinton street, before p. NJ. on Monday.
Yours, afTectionately,
Gray, B. Grifith, d. d, Edward Hawes, D. D., NJ.
A. Dew Howe, D. D., Thomas A: Jaggar, Herrick
D. d., G. H. Payne, D. d. G.. A. Peltz, Matthew
Simpson, D. D., j; Wheaton Smith, D. D., A.. A.
andar M j Jay ~ Cooke wa@ q rc%e San 16SX 9Onn
Evans, Daniel M. Fox, Iames Grant James Hun
ter, James Long, John Mines, William q. Moor
Tasker, John Wanamaker. James A. Wright.
When the report had been concluded Rev. E.
NJ. Levy returned thanks and the assemblage
rose and sang standing an appropriate hymn
Rev. DR.. Newton then read extracts from St..
Pauls Epistle to the Corinthians, and DIR. Will
Its offered prayer
William G. Moorhead, ESQ.,. who presided on
the occasion, then announced in brief the OBJ
jects of calling the assemblage together aud
said that DIR. Gather during his brief stay in this
country, has been eminently successful in
prosecuting the scheme of systematic benef-
cence, subject which is vast in its influence for
good to the Christian Church.
Mr.. Moorhead then introduced DR.. Gather,
who, in commencing his remarks, spoke of tue
success which has followed the public break
fasts which have been given in the different
cities of our country. He said that the rapidity
with which the scheme has come into favor is
somewhat surprising, but he did not expect a
universal belief Immediately. The matter re-
quires time. 1t takes generation for an oak
TO grow; mushroom springs up in an hour.
Seven years ago the society was started in Eng
land, and at present branch societies are in
operation in the other principal countries of
kurope.
The speaker then went on to describe what
led him, twenty years ago, to think of the
scheme of which he was to speak to-day. 1t
was during the famine in Ireland. and the ques-
ton forced itself upon the mind how much a
Christian should keep for himself of this world 8
goods and how much he should give to God.
All that we possess belongs to God. We hold it
in trust; we owe Him all, and to Him belongs
a part. l am not bound to give where l do not
owe, but am bound to bestow where 1 owe.
That is the position assumed in the principles
of the sOciety-the simple principle that by our
very nature we are indebted for lifes gifts to
the Almighty, and that percentage of the total
of what we possess belongs to Him.
One-tenth cf our effects seems to be the pro-
portion which should be given for the further
ance of Gods work. The speaker then spoke of
the establishment of the Christian Moral Science
Association as being the climacteric of all socie-
ties; the latest and most approved feature of this
enlightened age. 1t is immoral to be covetous,
and this thought should be prime feature in
the inculcation of an advanced moral science.
The speaker had implicit faith in the sure
arrival of that day when will be universally
acknowledged the duty of the moral RESPONSE
bilty of money. man that gives one-fourth
is better Christian and better business man
than one who gives only what he cannot avoid
giving.
The speaker then denominated science and
the Gospel as the greatest forces of the age.
On one hand we have scientific men striking al
the Scriptures, and on the other we have others
who are endeavoring to harmonize matters
The science which they seek to teach is the
knowledge of the method of working out the
perfectability OF the human race under tae con-
ditions of the fall. Surely God has some plan
by which He means to bring about this consum
nation. The establshers of this association
think they see and understand the plan, and
they seek to put in the possession of the Church
the ideas which God has given phrase to in the
Bible.
There is more light in the Bible than has yet
come out, and it is by this instrument we must
| seek to obtain that by which we are to work for
the world. The speaker then went on to dis.
claim against the prevalent belief in uniformity
| He thought that it was calculated to drive a
man out of his senses. Variety is the great Law
of nature; as unity is the delight of the Intellect
so is variety the delight of the senses-not q
| variety which is the same as confusion but a
variety that is the visible and different manifes
| tations of the same thing.
| The Methodist Church, of which the speaker
is a member, is not the Christian Church, but
| only q part OF 1t. 1t is one of the different
| forms of the whole Christian Church. 1t is oae
| of the branches of the great Church the Pres
| byterian is another, the Baptist another, etc
| These different manifestations are perfectly
natural and necessary besides.
| DIR. Gather quoted letter, in which Max
Muller, the celebrated philologist, endorsed the
purposes of the association. The speaker said
| that the worth of this endorsement will be ap-
| preciated, when it is recollected that NJ Muller
| Is probably the greatest scholar perhaps living
He has more influence with the cultured
classes OF England in this department of theo
| logical thought than perhaps any other scholar
| of Rritain and DIR. Gather regardad the lattal