Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-12
The DuqueSne Theater Packed by
Hearers Of Rev. Thomas BeeCher.
TWO MORE CHURCHES DEDICATED.
Young David McAlliSter Speaks on the
Personality of Christ.
OTHER PULPIT TOPICS OF YESTERDAY

The Duquesne Theater was all too small
last evening for the congregation composed
of the delegates and their friends who as
sembled to hear Rev. DR.. T. X. Beeeher's
address before the annual congress of the
National Prison Association. The plat
form was occupied by ex-President Hayes,
NJ. T. Rounds, Captain Gardner Trefts,
Captain Patterson, Warden Wright, Henry
Warner, Rev. John LMilligan, and several
ladies'
Rev. DR. Izer, after the usual service, said
that it was with much pleasure that the
congregation of Christ Church gave up its
accustomed seats TO the members of the
Prison Congress. He would not attempt TO
elaborate on The occasion, bat would simply
acknowledge in the work of the Prison
Association a good. while not performed
through the Church, vet with if, and the
direction of the greater glory of God. The
services would now be those of the associa-
tioa, conducted by Rev. DIR. ATilligan.
After singing by the choir, Or. NTilligan
introduced Rev. DR.. Beecher, a brother of
the late Henry Ward Beecher. DR.. Beech
er's address was delivered in an earnest and
eloquent strain, and partook more of the
nature Of a philosophical inquiry into the
general relations of society than an address
bearing on any particular phase of the soci-
ological question. After paying tribute
10 DR. LYMAN Abbott, he said he had been
asked to speak there that evening. Well,
he was there, he said, and the audience had
his full sympathy. He said his desire was
to make plea for prison reforms. In do
ing SO Dr. Beecher based his remarks main
Iy on the severity and goodness of God,
and drew from the Scriptures in illustration
Of his points.
THREAD OF TIE SPEAKERS REMARKS.
Dr. Beecher, in the course of a two-hour
address, pursued his theme in a rather er-
ratio way. and constantly left the thread of
his argument. if such it could be called, to
follow out a train of thought suggested by
the moment. At one point be said
We are living in a time when sociolog1c
thought is il the air; when it is more active
than in previOUs times. You cannot find
anyone agreeing as to the character of So
Cictv. ItyOu ask Il Democrat what kind Of
Il fellOV q Republican Is YOU will learn that
the one is right and the other wrong. If
q g}itteTlng archaBgcl were to come down
from heaven. half OF society would question
his credentials and the other half wouldn't
have ANYTHING to do with him.
referring to criminals. DIR. Beecher asked |
jf they thought criminal was proper OBJ |
iect for their love. The criminals of Penn /
sylvania were not all prisoners. They could |
count the convicted prisoners, but who IS to |
make "A census Of the criminals that are |
abroad? Conviction of man proves moth |
ing as 10 his character. 1t only proves that |
he has been caUght. When a criminal Is
caught by the police he Is put through all |
the machinery of Justice, and justice always |
miscarries when there is plenty Of. /
don't know what to say. Loungers must
is he a thief in the sight of God?
] want you TO think a little Of that. 1t seems
to me that character is less common than is
supposed. BOYS and men can be compared
only to sheep: they are easily led. In every
community there are leaders, and it will
always be so. There are the DEVILS leaders,
and the Sons leaders.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEADERSHIP.
Leadership brings with it responsibilities, |
and it is fearful thing for the man with |
power who wrongfully misuses it. And |
ministers rs well as lavmen should remeul-
Der this Very fearful is the responsibility
resting on those who tamper with the men
! refer to the members of the congress here,
whose years OF training have qualified |
them for their work You submit your
sons and daughters. and if not |
YOURS then someone else to the care of these |
men. and if you let those men be turned out |
for any reason OF politics, Welt tnen, GOD |
helm Won, You don't change your views at /
every election and you should not change |
the men who have charge of your criminals. |
Buttvess then rather than pull them down. |
And a word to the wardens themselves |
Don't think of the laws: think of the good |
ness and serenity of God Don't divide the |
work with the chaplain and bargain with |
him TO do the praying while you do the |
nOgging.
DR.. Beecher concluded his address with |
an eloquent peroration and PRAYER, ex- |
hibiting much emotion toward the end. He |
was listened to throughout with much at |
teutiOn. |
TIE CIIAPLAINS AT THE PENITENTIARY. |
The chaplains Of the association and sew |
eral wardenS went TO the penitentiary dur |
ing the afternoon, under the guidance of |
Warden Wright and Rev. DIR. Milligan. |
Services were held and an addre was made |
by Rev. Louis Zinlhan, of Baltimore This |
was the first time the chaplains got together |
This morning at $50 o'clock the Wardens |
will hold a preliminary meeting; at 7:30 |
O'Clock will hold a regular session. At . |
o'clock the NIayfiowcr will leave the foot of |
Wood street for trip down the river to
Riverside Penirentiary. Luncheon will be
served on board. Warden Wright will have
the prison Illuminated, if there is opportun-
itv The evening session of the association /
viii be held in the lecture hall of the Car
negie Hall, as announced.