Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-04-15
UNION FAST-DAY SERVICE.
sour COuntry's Dangers" the Theme.
Addresses by Revs. Day, sprHgue and
Parry.


Parry.
Union Fast day services, with "Our
country's dangers and how to meet them"
as the theme, were held at the town hall
at 1880 this morning The services were
arranged by Rev. A. II. Webb of the Meth
odist church, but in his absence at the an
nual conference the service was led by
Rev. Mr.. Parry The hymn "Great God
of Nations now to Thee" was sung in
opening, and this was followed by res
ponsve reading. Prayer was then offered
by Rev. Mr. Sprague, and a quartet, led by
c. L. Westgate. gave selection
Rev. {. O. Day, whose theme was "In-
temperance said: A twofold reason ex-
lists why we should consider this question
the general reason of benevOlence, and the
special reason that our state is getting TO
be unduly notorious as case of degenera-
ton. This is "A tremendous question, in
creasing in proportion the world over; re-
ceiving less direct attention today than ten
years ago. As temperance workers we
have failed to measure the depth and com
peXity of the problem We rely far too
much on superficial restraints, and far too
little on moral and spiritual agencies. We
fall into narrow and denunciatOry views
and miss the deep moral laws of obedience
to which the moral evolution of the race
alone can bee secured. We need to change
the order, build character from the base
by strong and thUrough-going methods in
men, homes, schools, churches, with pa
tienoe. and content to trust the deeper
forces of God and human nature.
Rev. Mr. Sprague, speaking upon elm
migration. showed how rapid and cheap
transportation in recent years has so dis
proportionately increased the tide of i'm
migration that the national safety is in
danger and some kind of restriction is de
manded. The question is not one of there
being room enough or food enough for all
who come, but OF protecting and presery-
ing our form OF government, its laws. and
its institutions. over a hundredth part of
our present population came to us in 1891
At this rate it will not take long to for
eignize IA majority of our people. Our
special peril from immigration lies in the
ease and rapidity with which the worst of
the newcomers are made voters The
conditions of entrance to our country
/ should be moral rather than financial the
good character and industrious habits Of
/ those who come to us should be observed
/ and moral conditions should govern the
entrance into citizenship. National safety
is above every consideration of hospitality
Our first duty is to hold fast our priceless
heritage, and to provide for our own before
carrying our indiscriminate hospitality and
selt-contdent philanthropy 10 a point
which endangeTs our very existence as a
nation. The call to restrict immigration
springs from the deepest patriotism, devo-
ton to American institutions, desire To
help humanity and loyalty to the spirit OF
Christian teaching.
Rev. Mr.. Parry, whose subject was mis-
used wealth, spoke of the fabulous in
crease OF wealth in this country. whose
luXurieS and splendors rival those of the old
Roman Commonwealth. and TO the growth
OF which there seems to be no end. The
question is. will this state OF things en-
durc. or will our country only repeat the
history of the past Buckley, the philoso-
pher, tells us that humanity is simply
marching and COMMUNICATING. that there
is an undertaking uniformity in the past
history of nations, and that the lesson
taught by the ages is expressed in words
that follow each other in this order--in-
dustry, wealth. corruption. decay. ruin.
The question Tor us to consider is, whether
there is danger that our material wealth
will be followed 10y corruption and ruin.
No reason can be urged. based on history
or experience, for the perpetuity OF our
nation unless we have within us those con
serving forces which the nations of the
past did not possess. They became rich
and powerful but were without moral or
spiritual power 1t argues misuse OF
wealth when We see vast fortunes accumu-
lating, but with a background of hunger
bitten, bare-backed poverty, debasing pas
sion and revolving vice. The real danger
il hot u, all
terial achievements as the end, the sub
stance of things, and not merely the means
to an end When the wealth OF our
coantry shall be used for the leading forth
OF the forces that are folded up in the soul
OF our people, used for the ameloration of
the condition of the needy, and for the de
velopment of the nobest type of man
hood, used TO bring into exercise those vast
moral and spiritual forces on which our ma
tional life is dependent. our wealth will
find its proper uses; and as it shall aid in
the fultlment of our national mission il
will bring the world nearer TO that glad
time.
When the night will be filled with music
And the cares that infest the day
Will fold their tents like the Arabs
Aud as silently steal away.
Rev Mr. Phalen, whose assigned theme
was Socialism was prevented by a dis
abling attack of lumbago from taking part
in the exercises.
The service closed with hymn and the
benediction. The audience present num-
bered about $50
A collection in aid of the Russian suf-
ferers, amounting TO $50, was taken up.
The sum of 1852 has been previously con
tributed from Brattleboro, making SIP in
all