Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-09-29
ADDRESS BY WI. CARPENTER

new O1hs DCPl' III, 1oI D.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN
Time was when the handling of any
matters supposed to be the subjects Of mon
opoly by religious institutions, in a meeting
for secular purpcses, would hare excited the
molly horror OF the sanctified few who claimed
TO be tie only legitimate door keepers in the
house of the Lorl, and been received with
ridicule, if not derison, BIZ the unwashed
or unregenerate many. Closters and tenn
pies were the repositories OF religion; aud
PROBABLY that was the safest manner of
keeping the kind CT religion then in regcn-
cy. The advent of Christianity dethroned
one class of exclusionists, to be succeeded
by another Of even sterner mold. under the
cuise of chosen defenders Of the " faith once
delivered 10 the saints"
It is at lest beginning to be appreciated
that there is no monopoly in this matter at
all. To this idea of the universally of this
provision for mankind is due the possibility
even. of a voluntary organization composed
of Representatives of Divers and conflicting
interests.
For long centuries after the dawn of the
era whose consammation is 10 be peace and
good will on earth. this thought was work
ing deep down below the ken of superficial
observers. This generation is the witness
Al ~
Like the year of bloom of .he century plant
this age is NANTES ting the results of the
working of the occult forces at the founda-
ton of its life.
Providential events are the orderly pro-
progress of grand underlyng.law.- there
is no game Of chance in the working of the
"Great First Cause."-al is order there
This Association is one Of The necessities of
Christian civilization. Que cum itd sint.
and since our objects are the furtherance of
the principles of peace. which is the corner
stone OF prosperity, it is fitting that each
and all should be reverently thankfal to the
Author of all Benefcence for the sunshine of
His providence upon our lives and fortunes,
and seek His aid in all our laud able under
takings, and ask His prote .tion from engag-
ing in any other Railway men are not
conspicuous, generally, at sanctimonious
parades, nor great bragoarts over their
stock of grace, if they have any. We gen.
e-ally follow the injunction of the Master
in one respect at least, -prayng in secret,
if at all and therein our heads are level,
because the classes which made great
show in their devotional exercises met with
mild rebuke from &C Him who spake ss
never man spake" In fact, they were the
only ones who received scathing denun-
citation at His hands; He had kindly words
for the erring ii all other ways. There is
think we'll of ourselves, as men are not gener
ally rated above their own estimate. save
by internal revenue assessors. Speaking
from general knowledge of the situation.
the writer has no hesitancy in saying that
the railway men of this day are not below
par in respect for, or practice of the real
Christian virtues Doubtless all of US
like the average Of mankind-might, ad-
vantageously 10 ourselves and the world,
cultivate more intimate correspondence
with that place where moth and rust do
not corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through and st ea
In TIE fraternal spirit inspired by such
thoughts, and the good fellowship of a COM
rade in this grand cosmopolitan service,
your humble servant appears before you to
"speak his piece" in obedience to the behes,
of our respected President and in pursuance
OF happily iDaugurated custom having
reference to the aesthetics of our profession
g But how the subject theme may gang.
Let time and chance determine
Perhaps 1t may turn out sang,
Perhaps turn out sermon"
Possibly your criticism will find neither
rhyme nor reason IN what I have to say
However that may be. toward the matter OF
the manner OF the author, am sure OF your
kindly indulgence toward him in person.
1t may be fairly taken for granted tina,
you are not hankering after a dissertation
on matters pertaining to the dry details Of
ROUTINE duties, but prefer, rather, something
which has rest stipulated for in its premises
or wrought out in its consideration, some.
thing to lift US from the bedrock on which
our daily life grinds its daily grist; some.
thing to stimulate higher range of thoupb1
than can find room in our brain n the dns
aud heat of work-day life.
In the first paper read before you, yor
were treated to an able and salutary disser
tation upon that branch of the passenge
service embraced in the design aud scope o
this institution-upon the Importance o
good faith in observing he rates we make