The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-26
A PLEASANT REUNION.
Ehirty-eighth Anniversary of the
Y. NJ. C. A.
Bishop FOvler's Interesting Discourse-He
Discusses the Problems of the TWEEN
tieth Century.

The caTacity of Odd Fellows Hall was
taxed 10 its utmost yesterday afternoon on
the occasion OF the celebration of the thirty
eighth anniversary of the San Francisco
Young Mems Christian Association. Every
seat on floor and gallery was occupied and
many remained standing throughout the
meeting On The platform were George W.
Gibbs, the President of the association, who
occupied the chair; Rev. Bishop c. II. Fow-
Ter, ID, Secretary II. J. Mccoy. Rev. A.
{. Hirst, ID, the officers of the associa-
ton, and about fifty elergymen from differ
ent denominations.
In opening the proceedings, President
Gibbs invited the congregation to rise and
unite in singing the hymn, Bringing in the
NheayeS," after which Rev. DIR. Hirst,
President Of the University of the Pacific,
invoked the divine blessing upon the meet
ing ana tie work of the association. A
male quartet, comprising j. f. Jones, first
tenor; j. j. Morris, second tenor; Eugene
y. Cutting, first bass, and Charles l..
Parent, second bass. then sang the anthem,
The Army OF the Cross" after which
Secretary Mccoy presented a brief resume
Of the work of the past year, indicating the
results Of the work and outlining the pros
poets for the future.
According to Mr.. Mccoy, the year 1890
has been one of the most prosperous in the
history of the organization, and 1891 opens
with good prospects. 1t is hoped during the
year to establish a branch for street-cnr
employees. 4 gentleman has promised to
erect building for this purpose near the
corner OF Fell and Baker streets and give it
to the association free of rent for five years,
provided $1,000 can be procured TO furnish
tile building.
BISHOP FowLER's ADDRESS.
After the offertOry The male quartet sang
another anthem, Praise His Holy Name"
and then Bishop Fowler delivered the ami
.SerSary address.
The speaker had selected as his subject,
Problems of the Twentieth Century" and,
in opening has theme, said that the next
century comes with gifts. opportunities and
achievements which make 1t tower far
above all centuries preceding it. In the
nineteenth century the greatest Thought has
been that of evolution, not in its defOrmed
type, but IN Its theiStc form, having the
divine impulse TO elevate aud direct il.
Judged by physical and social conditions
the year 1900 was marked by men of lower
type than those Of the present day. The
physical conditions ninety years ago We're
appalling. PestilenCe was prevalent, wages
were low and hve-eighths of the products
Of labor went 10 the taX-gatherer. All the
and war Is the golden opportunity for crime.
These wars left people stern, cruel and
malignant. Shocking intemperance, pro-
family and ObScenity were common every
Were. The world was irrelig0uS ana i'm
moral humanity has swept on from those
darkest days TO the light and liberty of the
- present age, and ignorance and super stitiOn
lave disappeared before the deyelOpm eut Of
the human mind.
Tie last thirty-five years have witnessed
e.
monarchy IN Europe. To-day constitu-
tlunGl power Is universal Every nation IN
LEustenaom has made progress in educa-
ton. civilization and refinement and we sit
down daily TO mental feaStS such as were
never IN tie past set before scholars. The
century mas witnessed a wealth of inyen-
u7uS tie earth bound round with an iron
band, and nations brought side by side
Through the agency OF telegraph wires. We
Fan hardly realize that we have emerged
tom tie darkness Of a past age to the light,
progress and knowledge of this generation.
LOOKING FORWARD.
We start out into the twentieth century
with environments and responsibilities such
- IS were never before youchsafed to man.
bl-Utry has been Griyen out before the deCa-
.ogue. Il is said that the bloodhound an
u"Guc"S Its advent into the world by snap
ping al its mother, whom, when its eyes are
opened it f1ndleS and careSses. So science,
at us birth. snaps and snaTlS at the Bible,
which II atterwaTd follows with loving
service. Here is the book of God, like a
snip ireighted with Immortality, carving
upon lis pages the treasures OF past wis
uUAn, coming 10 TIE WnarVeS OF our souls and
dIsCLarIng into our bOsoms the peace and
JOY Of this lie aud the hope of that life to
come. About once in a hundred wears people
70 down, knock of the barnacles and md
lie vessels seaWUTthy aud "a swift as ever.
. Size can navigate any sea and pass through
. the Widest storm without fear.
:. III nrst problem OF the coming century is
that between labor and capital. Ii IS hard
question. and comes with Interrogation
poutS strewu upon the sky of the future.
his problem is right in the pathway Of the
twentieth century, and We can't get round
=: H. II must be solved before We 20 forward.
Ehe Only nope on human basis for the
Oppressed Is the man on horseback-that
means that somebody in the early dawn Of
the age VIII appear and indicate the remedy.
OTHER PROBLEMS.
=. Another problem is that Of childhood.
which Is also full OF Interrogation points,
- although full Of beauty, too. The church,
Sunday chool and kindergarten are useful,
Lut they come too late. Somebody must
,betutify and cleanse the springs Of life
California should produce sous and daugh-
ters il this Golden West who will be the
pride ri the whole EARTH
StIll another problem to be considered is
the care If our bodies. 1t matters more
how We live than what we profess. The
demand IN religion IS for applied theology.
Tie salvation If cities is Il burning queS-
tlQn Of the hour-a new problem, but ore
81 that cannot be delayed. There are regl-
. -.Inents Of young men in this city, wedged
i away from former restraints, and fenced of
by immoral practices. Here is the work of
the \. II. c. A, planted by divine right
- MANY young man Is living on a narrow
ledge of morality, with only slight over
sight from a few isolated churches. The
. association steps in and gives a chance for
lie here and life hereafter
The testing Of title to see whether God or
D. the devil Is 10 own this world is another
- problem. We are living in an age OF indl-
.. Nldudlsm. The church possesses every
thing but money to win the fight, and al
ready men great in their fortune and simple
IN their faith are cOnSecrating their means
TO God.
In concluding Bishop Fowler said he
wished TO pruphesy that before the end of
the twentieth century this city and all
others VIII be given to God and to his
. Christ, for our God is marching on.
At the conclusion of the Bishops address
the congregation sang the doxology, after
which Rev. DR.. Hirst pronounced the ben
ediction and the celebration of the anniver-
sary was ended.