Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-14


made. He thought the followers OF
Christ should seek to minimize their
differences in order to evangelize the
world, and that the day had gone by
when the Apostolic Church could afford
TO refuse this cooperation with other
Christian bodies in the work OF the Mas
ter. He referred to tho labors OF the
Young Mems Christian Association, and
declared they should give it their SYM
pathy and assistance, adding that no
other church was so well equipped for
rescue work as the Episcopal Church.
VISIT AHB IMPORTANT WORK.
Rev. A. Mackay Smith, d. D.. OF
New York, the second writer, thought
the work OF entirely too vast proportions
to be successfully undertaken by any
one body. United Christian effort ls
needed. The committee having charge
of the work have found that no general
of the most simple plan was OBJ
tanned. The result Of the appeals was
the receipt OF but twenty favorable re-
plies from 800 pastors. He thought the
clergy do not comprehend the power
that confronts them and do not take
readily to the rough work against III
fidelity. "We SEEM" no said. "to
think more of our parish than the perish
ing world"
In speaking of country-work the writer
made the statement that in New England
there is decline of Christian life and
the same condition has set in in the mid
die States. he said that churches should
not be built to create n demand, and
held that the Salvation Army is the only
organization that has gone down to the
dregs of humanity and made itself felt.
SOME EARNEST ADDRESSES.
Rev. Edward 8. Lines, OF New Haven,
Conn, was the first Of tho speakers, and
he referred to the necessity for the work
and the manner in which il was restrict
ed by denominational differences. The
principal portion of his discourse was
upon the good work that has been done
by certain parishes in tho Church.
Rev. George r. Van De Water ID. d.,
Of New York. said he wanted TO look at
this work with other Christian bodies
not only for New York but other cities,
and denied that thay had any right to re-
fuse TO cooperate il called upon. Rev.
G.. W. Dumbell and Rev. r. A. Edwards
were the only volunteer speakers.
The session closed with the singing Of
q hvmn and benediction by the Bishop.
Holy Communion prior TO the meeting
was celebrated in the Church Of the
Epiphany, and later morning prayer was
said in the same place.
THE EVENING MEETING.
There was a singular diversity Of views
expressed at the evening session on the
existence and continuance of these sim
gular industrial and commercial opera
tons commonly known az "trusts. "
This was the subject of discussion and
while but few arguments of striking
originality were offered, the views ex-
pressed we're clear and practical deduc-
tons, based not only on precedent but
on present indications. There was a
good attendance with many ladies pres
ent.
The first writer on tho topic was Rev.
David II. Greer, -. D., of New York,
who is best known from the fact Of his
being pastor of the church attended by
the Vanderbilt family. He is a sharp.
incisiye speaker, and presented his argu-
ments with n force and emphasis that in
spired confidence in his hearers. He
began by declaring that there is no pres
ent economic subject which has provoked
such discussion and heat as this one Of
trusts, and touching lightly upon the
fact that popular judgment condemned
them, he said there WAS no statute law
on their regulation which was operative.
MISCONCEPTIONS BECTFIED.
"To refer to this state Of affairs" he
said, "as the result OF greed and avarice
is advancing an old and feeble argu-
ment. Why should these qualities in
this day manifest themselves rather than
fifty years ago? Some have found them
the result of high protective tariff, but
this is only one small argument. Else
how would trusts exist in countries
where there ia no protection ? AS pro-
lection did not start them, free trade
cannot eradicate them.
"Instead of meeting this formidable
question with cheap denunciation,
should we not view il with moro patience
and cheerfulness Possibly new COM
mercial era is approaching. Competition
has a beneficial force, but beneficial
force used in excess becomes an evil.
The principle of competition has proven
itself to be good, but it may be carried
too far. The relations OF trade are the
assumption OF equal benefit to producer
and consumer. Has not competition
become so excessive q force as to
threaten this double result? In many
instances competition has ceased to be q
force, but simply productive of waste. "
This "waste DR.. Greer referred to
as not only in a physical but in a moral
sense. He illustrated this by describing
the ferceness of business rivalry which
compelled adulteration and sundry other
means Of falsely increasing values, and
which when INDUCED in by one man
forced all those in the same business to
follow suit in order to continue.
at is not strange" he continued,
"that the principle of competition should
give way to the formation OF trusts.
Combination of capital does not Of neces-
sity mean monopoly. Monopoly is asso-
ciated in the public mind with raising Of
prices and this becomes odious. But
this is not always so. Instead 1T may
lower prices. When capital is combined
on large scale it not only saves the
ruinous waste Of competition. but by
buying extensively gets material cheaper.
In addition they may get all the latest
improvements known in the manufacture
of articles and various other natural
benefits"
TRUSTS POWERS LIMITED.
DR.. Greer denied that trus. could
force prices to tremendous figure.
Such a process would defeat itself. They
can't afford to charge more than rea-
sonable profit, for if the earnings were
of such enormous dimensions there
would be plenty Of capital ready to In
- onpn,attt,~o l.,