Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-16
EAST OF TIE ROCKIES.
General Assembly Of the Presbyterians
at Saratoga.
A PENNSYLVANIA NINE HORROR.
Three Boys Killed BY a Gazing
Bank Castaway Wins the
Brooklyn Handicap.
EAST OF TIE ROCKIES.
A PENNSYLVANIA NINE HORROR.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE REcoKD-uNoN.l
PREsBYTERIANs.
The General Assembly Holding Its Con
yention In Saratoga,

The General Assembly Holding It's Con-
yention In Saratoga.
SARATOGA, May 15th.-The Presbyterian
General Assembly convened this morning.
The annual sermon was preached by the
retiring Moderator, Rev. DR.. William C.
Roberts. 1t was decided to hold two busi-
ness sessions daily. The roll was called
then and an adjournment agreed upon un-
til afternoon.
President Roberts, of Lake Forrest Hill
nois University, the retiring Moderator,
delivered an address on The Privileges
and Consequent Obligations of the Church.
Fathers and Brethren The beloved
church which you and have the honor to
represent is undergoing severe ordeal.
Her real and imaginary faiiipgs are dill
gently paraded in our secular as well as
religious journals. Outsiders who know
but little of her doctrines or polity are be.
ginning to wonder how a church with
standards so harsh and loveless could rise
to power and influence in community.
Not few of our ministers and members
are asking whether or not she really pos.
sesses all the powers and possibilities we
have been in the habit of claiming for her.
l avail myself of this opportunity to con-
slider these and similar questions vital to
her present standing and future growth.
The text Is recorded in Luke xii, 48: Unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall
much be required
In this passage are set forth two or
three ethical principles of great importance.
First, that all men are endowed with DOW
ers and possibilities TO fulfill the end of
their being. They are not endowed in the
same manne; or in equal measure. Some
are born to greatness, whilst others acquire
it; a few see light in Christian lands, whilst
multitudes are born in heathen darkness.
To one is committed ten talents, to an
other five, and to another one. The
spheres in which they move differ in ex-
tent and character. Some are wide and
conspicuous, others narrow and obscure; a
few afford every opportunity for the deyel-
opment OF human powers, whilst consid.
cradle number tend to stunt and DESTROY
them.
THE second principle is that mems re-
sponsihilities are commensurate with the
gifts bestowed and the opportunities
afforded. Unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall much be required. ,
Those intrusted with ten talents and
afforded favorable opportunities have
greater responsibilities than those who
have been granted one talent and unfavor-
able surroundings. The millions born in
heathen darkness are not held responsible
for the privileges of those who have been
reared under the light of the gospel The
few who have inherited rich and valued
gifts are under greater obligations than the
many who have had to toll for all they
possess.
"Ths third principle is that all are re-
sponsible alikefo the use they make of the
favors received. The man to whom is
given one talent is under the same obiiga-
ton to increase it as the one who has received
ten talents to increase his larger gifts. The
beathen are not responsible for the light
and privileges of the gospel. but they are
responsible for the light of Nature, and the
teachings of their own conscience.
Let US look for that kind of progress in
the church which shall unfold into blos-
som that shall mature into ripened fruit
for past that shall give rise to present
and for a present that shall merge into q
glorious future. Let us look for the princi-
pies OF Christianity to so permeate our sys-
tenn of government that it shall ere long
cause our national life to correspond with
our best laws; for society to be such as to
do away with the conflict now waging be-
tween labor and capital, and for the whole
church to be lifted up to that position
where there shall be but one body, one
spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord
one faith, one baptism, one God and Father
OF all, and through all and in US ALL"