Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-04-30
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Thea and Now In Oar National His
tory.
SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES.

requesting the people Of the State to
join in commemorative services APP
propriate to the anniversary of
Washington as first president of the
United States, the several eongrega.
lions met together at s o'clock this
morning in their several places of
worship, to thank a heavenly Father
for his goodness to us in the past,
and to invoke his blessing upon us
as people the time to come. At
the Presbyterian church, the Rev.
Robt. II. Williams chose for his sub
ject, the words "Then and Now in
Our National History" After re-
ferring to Gods goodness and care
of this people as a nation and
country heDsaid :
At the time of Washington's inaugura.
ton, we had no capital. The Constitu
tion had been adopted only little while
before. We had no army, except few
soldiers, for the army of the revolution
had been disbanded, and those who came
as our allies across the seas had returned
to their houses.
We were without navy Our popula-
ton consisted of only about A million
people. The States numbered -, and
the centre of population was on the mari-
dian passing through Washington city
Our cities we're few and small, the popu-
lation of the largest being not more than
$4,000. Our churches were few. The
Presbyterian congregations numbered
only AIT. The Methodist Episcopal
Church was just beginning its wonderful
career. There ware no railroads, and
only few vessels Of any kind. Coal was
not used TO any extent. Printing presses.
and books, and newspapers were few In
number. Gas and electricity did not
light our houses or streets at that time
Telegraphs and telephones. aud many
other things that we think indispensable,
were not la use.
Look at our country centuary ago,
and see how destitute ii was of the very
things that we think we could not de
without to-day. But look at II at the
present time. We have capital which
may be regarded Ia many respects as the
finest city in the world. It's public build
ings are many. and have cost great sums
of money. We have an army of DC, 900
soldiers, which may be increased to ten
times that number in few days. We
have q we'll organized navy consistingsof
more than $4,000 persons. We have
population of So million. or more thon 10
times as many as We had century age.
The centre Of population to-day is net far
from the Miss ssippi River. We have
almost as many beyond, or west of that
river as we have east of II. Oar States
number to-day AZ. The Churches of cur
land number 10000. We have about
10000 miles of railway which cost about
8 billions OF dollars. Printing presses are
numerous: Books are abundant Even
our smallest cities have one or more daily
newspapers. Oil superseded the tallow
candle. Gas superseded oil, and the gas
must now give place to the electric lights.
So great are the products Of our mines,
and our factories and lands that we have
everything we need for our comfort and
prosperity, and much 10 send to others.
While the country 100 years ago was des
titute of many things we have 10 day. 1t
had many things which have dropped out
of the list Of our possessions. They had
lotteries. and the stocks, and piliories.
and whipping posts and slavery In that
day. We are right glad that these do
not exist to-day. The greatest men of
our land looked upon these as evils.
No man can look upon the changes Of
the last century, and not feel that the
progress we have made is great This
progress we feel Is due TO the care God
has had oyer us through all these years
When we think that this land has been
the refuge of the discontinued aud turbu-
lent Of every country In the world. we
feel that our growth and our peace have
been most remarkable.
The Roman felt that 1t was the mission
of his country to bring the world into
political unity. We have had q mission
not unlike il. For without invading the
territory of other countries, other coun-
tries have sent their people here in great
numbers, until we can almost say that
the world Is here, and they have been
associated with us, and assimilated to
our institutions. and are Ia every respect
parts Of us.
We have had many periIs as nation,
aud yet, in some remarkable manner,
they have vanished before they brought
the harm that was feared. So great Is
our territory that we do not average more,
even now. than 20 persons 10 the square
mile. We invite people Of every nation
to find a home among as, and put the
ballot into the hands OF all after q few
years residence. While taking this leak
at the past and at the present, we cannot
close without brief glance at the future.
What shall IL be is a question that natur-
ally arises.
Wendell Philips said onlya few years
ago No thoughtful man can feel sure
that one flag will rule this belt Of the
continent ffty years hence"
Gladstone says: 81 am proud Of Amer
lea because of her physical capacity ~
am afraid Of America for the same rea.
son.
Macauley said, that when the popuIa
ton Of the q. s. should reach two hun
dFed TO the square mile, the experiment
Of self government would fail, Il not Sc.
FORE
These are the surmises and views Of
able men, and while they may suggest
difficulties and troubles II the future, yet,
trusting ID the God who has led rs hith.
erto, We may hope for future o. bright
as Il has been * anY time IN the mast.