The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-04-23
WESTERN MAINE BAPTIsrs.
The Social Unions Discussion OF
National PerIIs and Resources.

The April meeting of the Western Maine
Baptist Social Union was held last evsnIng
at the rooms of the Young Mems Christian
Association, Hon. George F. Emery. presi-
dent Of the Union, in the chair. There was
large attendance and the exercises were of
very great interest. The hour from six to
seven o'clock was devoted to social inter
course. Then followed the collation.. fur
nished by Perkins. admirably served and IL
every way satisfactory.
After excellent music by the Schubert quar-
tette. Rev. b. L. Whitman was introduced ans
addressed the Union on National PERIL
and Resources" In considering the peril!
with which as a people we are threatened
he referred first to those that are external.
There are perils arising from immigration.
There are now 100000 persons Of foreign
birth in the United States. Yet our dan ger
does not come from the number OF these for
eigners. not from the character Of these for
eigners except In part. But there Is bad
element, men who are incapable of appre-
eiating our institutions. men from a lower
stratum than formerly, a dangerous body Of
malcontents furnishing poor materials for
citizenship. So we have anarchy and social
ism. This element prostitutes citizenship,
Increases economic disturbances, empha-
sizes hurtful social customs, and c0mplieates
the moral problem.
A second peril from without Is ultramon-
tanism. The attempt has already been made
to Introduce the influences Of a foreign re-
ligious power. The peril Is upon US. We
must not be intolerant A man has a right
to his religion. But there Is a sphere into
which no foreign power has a right to in
trude. In matters Of domestic interest a
man Is an American and nothing else. Let
a man be Papist in his religion II he will.
But let him be done once for all with the
heresy that an American citizen can be a
Papist In politics.
There are also internal perils. Some Of
these threaten the family as the social vice,
divorce, and infanticide. Then there Is the
peril OF the saloon, a peril economically,
politically and morally. Still a third peril
threatening from within is the result of dis.
proportionote massing Of men In the city.
The city Is the meeting place Of the multi
tude. The evil as we'll as the good are there,
The massing Of vicious character intenslfes
evil which threatens both morals and gov
ernment.
But there are resources to set over against
these perils. First Of all there are Christian
ideas. Then we have a family life, and
while men count the home sacred there is
hope for the nation. We have also noble
educational system. Moral fibre is develC ped
In our schools.
We have also material resources. One
sixth Of the wealth Of the whole world
IS here. With these resources what future
Is before us.
There has been gain of better methods in
using these resources. There Is a greater
appreciation Of the worth Of man for whom
theses resources are employed. Organiza-
tlon Is more complete, and there Is a clearer
conception OF our aim: We are learning to
unite our powers for the advancement of the
kingdom Of God.
Rev. l.. Ii. Hallock of Waterville, was in
troduced as one not a stranger in our city.
He spoke Of the interest with which he had
listened to the address Of the evening, and
emphasized some of the points that had been
made, especially with reference to the re-
sources we possess to meet the periis that
threaten our country.
Hon. Moses Giddings Of Bangor, said our
hearts have been stirred by the truths thai
have been so eloquently set forth. There
are dangers and there are hopes. There Is a
lower class, without education and neglected.
Ihen there Is an educated class. Be-
tween these there is the great middle class
The hope of our country is with this class
as right influences, especially from the pull
pit and the press, are brought to bear upon
those who comprise it.
Rev. g. S. Chase of Springyale expressed
his Interest In the truths that had been pre-
sented. We recognize the existence of hese
perils, he said, but there are vast resources
with which to meet them. Let us use them
resolutely, believing that God reigns, and
that the victory is His. Truth Is greater than
error. God Is stronger than evil.
Major I'll. s. Melcher referred to the en-
couraging features Of the problem that had
been presented. We have seen our country
rescued from the perils of slavery. 1t Is a
matter for rejoicing that there is strong
loyal sentiment among the people, and that
mighty forces are working for the victory Of
the right.
Judge Bonney said he was an optImist Of
the most glowing kind. The world Is grow
Ing better. Virtue and righteousness pre-
vail to greater degree than in earlier times.
We do well to consider the perils that threat
en- us, but we should also consider the re-
sources when we have to meet them.
Mrs. George 5. Rowell of the Advertiser,
closed the speaking Of the evening. There
has been advancement, he said, even on
the part Of the press.