The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1888-07-24
A VOICE FROM THE PULPIT.

Rev. Il. y. Hall, pastor of the Congre-
gational church, said, toward the
close of his remarks, his subject and
text being the parable of the talents:
God gives to men opportunities ac-
cording to their abilities, and ability
is largely dependent upon training
and the use men make of themselves.
I do not deny that men come into
this world with aptitudes and ca
pacities. believe in natural genius;
but / believe a great deal more in the
genius of application and industry.
Each mans particular ability" de-
pends very largely upon his applica-
ton. God gives to men opportunities
according to such abilities. Men are
usually measured at what they are
worth, I know that there are people
who grieve over unappreciated worth,
and their sad lamentations are heard
in the land; but generally speaking
they are those who do not seize upon
opportunity. If men would seize
upon every opportunity for useful
ness, though small and insufficient,
they would soon hear the commenda-
ton, well done good and faithful
servant, thou hast been faithful over
| few things; I will make thee ruler
over many. Promotion generally re-
wards faithfulness. 1t is infinitely bet
| ter to wear out than to rust out, aud yet
more people rust out than wear out.
There are just lots of people in this
world whose talent is wrapped in a
napkin, or buried in the ground;
there as many as several such in
Astoria. In relation to the material
prosperity of this city of wonderful
resources and splendid commercial
prospects, they have had their talent
buried in the ground; 10 these many
years, and it has not borne them much
interest. No, the talent itself has
been eaten up by the rust of taxes,
and they are land poor and likely to
be so. Why, in the sentiment of the
parable, have they not placed it in
the hands of those who would use it,
rather than to SO let it be eaten up
| by the rust of taxes and disuse.
With reference to our commercial
advantages, great as they are, towns
of less advantages and fewer re-
sources are taking what this city
might have had. Railroad lines are
cutting off trade from us and convey
| ing to Tacoma, Seattle and other
towns that have enterprise and in
dustry, and soon that trade will be-
come so established as to preclude
the possibility of its coming here.
After all it is not so much a question
of real estate. Not only have talents
been buried in the ground but they
have been wrapped in the napkin of
selfishness as well by our tradesmen.
Every tradesman is so intent upon
making a little for himself that he
displays no interest in the general
welfare whatever. There seems to be
no concert of action; no union for
general prosperity in the town at all,
and it is growing duller, and duller
as fish become fewer and fewer l
do not know but that our real estate
holders would gladly unload if they
could see that it was needful to the
city to do so. In fact, I know that
some of them are ready and anxious
to do so when they may. There is
no envy. God bless you my
friends, I do not look. upon your
property with enviousy eyes, and /
would gladly see you, everyone pros
porous and happy; but it will be said
of Astoria with all her wonderful ad-
vantages, as of the man in the parable,
evil and cowardly city, take from her
her opportunities and give them TO
more enterprising towns; for to
every one that hath shall be given
and he shall be made to abound;
and from him that hath not shall be
taken even what he seemeth to have.
1 do not want that to happen to our
city for I love her interests; but just
that thing is happening, and because
of our evil things, and of cowardice
on our part. To every one that hath
shall be given and he shall be made
to abound. New enterprises flow
where enterprise is till they abound.
It is a law of social development as
true in the growth of towns as in
morals or individual life, and the re-
verse is just as true; "from q city
without enterprise shall be taken all
her opportunities and given to the
places that abound in enterprise
Now, don't be angry with me, my
friends, for speaking plainly, an
speaking without bitterness, and il
the love of our common municipality
True I have no property here, an6
for that reason you will know that ]
can not be actuated by selfish
motives. There is not one whose
welfare I do not desire, and it is thi:
ldesire that makes me speak so plainly