Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-06
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.

THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
He Talks TO the Immense Audience at the
Old Log College Celebration.
At the old Log college celebration on The old
Tennent farm. 20 miles from Philadelphia, yes
terday after the address Of Rev. DIR. Patterson
on Log college evangelists, !" Rev. DR.. Murray,
dean of Princeton college, delivered an address,
in place of Rev. DR.. Patten, president Of the
college, who was unable to be present on &C.
count of the death of his son. Then Rev.
Richard McIlwaine, DID,, LID, president Of
Hampton-Sydney college, Virginia, read d
paper on Influence Of the Log college in the
south" after which President Harrison was in
troduced to the vast audience, which arose en-
masse and repeatedly cheered the President az
he came to the front Of the platform. Mr..
Harrison, when The applause ceased 90 he could
be heard, spoke as follows:
PRESIDENT HARRIsoN's ADDRESS.
Ny Friends: have had illustrated here today
one Of the conspicuous traits of the Presbyterian
church. Nothing. assure you, short of q robust
embodiment of the doctrine Of the perseverance,
OF the saints. in the person OF our distinguished
have overcome the diniculties which seemed to be
In the way OF my meeting you today. have had
also Illustrated. l regret to say, another trait,
world more than once, and very much to my dis
comfort, alod which thought would be absent
here. And must trace IL, suppose, to the same
1 never at any time promised to make an sd-
dress mere To-Day n 1aSesa snoea
those direful consequences which come to the
President of the United States, and which have
Murrsy, there Is none more embarrassing than
this constant habit Of being associated upon the
platform or at the banquet table with gentlemen
who have manuscripts In their pockets.
lLaughterl
IL Il altogether unfair and expected here in
this great meeting of my Presbyterian brethren
more hospitable treatment. (Applause.l And yet
] have pleasure in being here, for every impulse
Of honora BILE pride which stirs your hearts moves
mine. am glad to stand here at the source Of a
great movement had seen the Mississippi river
pouring out its great torrent into the gulf and
opening a way inland for the enormous commerce.
and was glad TO stand, a few years ago, where
Gallatin, jefferson and Madison started the Mis-
souri, on its great course to the And so real
lie that here on this spct about which in this i'm
mediate neighborhoOd, there are gathered so
tory in war, but one OF those great impulses born
Of God, and that will do His work until the world
shall cease to move tApplause.l
i stand dumb before the thought of what the
great day will reveal as the fruit of this modest
but pous and courageous effort here in the insti-
tuition Of the lay college-the wholesome front of
faith Only the eye of God can follow those tender
ana unperceptible hlaments of mental influence
that touch our lives II il could be revealed to US
from remote sections Of our country would be able
to trace the silver thread by which they had been
original and multiplying influences of the efforts
that were begun here:
Its pleasant to believe that that which is hid
den to our eyes viii some day be known, and that
will be able better to realize that these men
wrought for God and for mankind. do not want
unduly to exalt the Presbyterian church and vet
/ think the historians who have been untouched
by the Partially OF membership and who have
been writing It's story will say that it has been
Ho.f 10 mai rnIf rhQ
ness To God and liberty. lApplause.l
II some have supposed that il was not a pro-
gressive chuch that its creed was hard let US not
forget that there are times in the development of
affairs. both secular and spiritual when the rock
must be opposed by the sword of error. Let US
not forget that We have been progressive toward
the truth, and not in that modeIn sense that rec
ognizes no progress unless 1t is free from the land
marks Of revealed truth. Steadfast is our char
acteristic our enemies have called 1t obstinacy.
Even that word characteristic has its occasions
and its services We are today as a church IN
the most affectionate fellowship with all who re-
we're the great doctrines of the Christian faith ana
practice them. Applause
The great period of polemical and acrimonious
ecclesiastical discussion had its day an its uses
IL We are now come into day when essentials |
have been magnihed and non-essentials have |
been set 10 their proper subor mate place let US
rejoice for occasion of reunited effort of those
who would lift up mankind, and while still loving
the church, the banner that esignates the regi- |
ment to which we belong. let US rejoice tor the |
light that has been she.
If il carries faults with IL, 80 did our regiment
In the great strife. Under one common banner
are those who receive the Scriptures as Gods |
win and claim and give fair liberty Of interpre-
tation.
Let me most kindly thank you for this most cor
dial an brotherly greeting Let me wish that
this day may close under auspices as pleasant as
IL has opened Let all carry away from this &C.
casion instructive lessons, which you have heard
from the manuscripts, that shall be full Of
brotherly cheer.
At the close of the Presidents address there
was a scene of wild excitement for ave minutes
men and women cheering and waving handker-
chiefs, and in other ways demonstrating their
approval of the chief executives sentiments
After the singing OF the hymn Nearer Ny God
to Thee" the morning exercises closed
The President and his party were given a
lunch in a special tent. and then the President,
Mrs. Harrison and Rev. Mr.. Scott were driven
to Mr.. Wanamaker's residence at Jenkintown,
where Mrs. Harrison will remain until Mon
day, when she will go direct to Deer Park.
In the afternoon addresses were delivered by
Rev. DIR. Erskine on ''Presbyterians in the
Cumberland valley" Gov. Beaver on ''The
Log college and its founders" Postmaster Gen
eral Wanamaker and President Knox of Lafa-
yette college. Several who were unable to be
present sent letters of regret. The celebration
ended at O'Clock with the pronunciation of
the benediction by Rev. j. W. Scott, the vener-
able father of Mrs. Harrison
ADINNER AT JENKINrowN.
When the President reached Postmaster
General Wsnamaker's country residence at
Jsnkintovn he was covered with dust and ia
tigue by the excitement of the day. In the
evening a few friends sat down to dinner with
him, the party being the guests Of Mr.. Wanna
maker. Among those present were VIM. Wal
ter Phelps, Geo. W. Childs, Col Elliot F.
Shepard, Gov. Beaver. Thos. Dolan and sew
eral others. The President remained over
night there and left Philadelphia at Ills to-
day for Washington.