Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-21
COLUMBUS AND RELIGION,
The Relations Of the Great Discoverer %
Christianity.

threat DtBcOVeT0f
Christianity.
THE SERVICES TODAY AT THE NEW YORK AVENUE
CHURCH uNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE WASH
INaroN PREsBYrERY-MR. Q. r. sPorFoRp's
SCHOLARLY ADDRESS.
The celebration Of Discovery day at the New
York Avenue Church this morning was at
tended by a large and representative gath
ering. As the service was held BY
direction of the presbytery Of WASH
ington city the members Of that
denomination were naturally interested
and the various churches were well repre-
sented. The pastors of the churches were
present, and altogether the audience was rather
a remarkable one. The large auditorium of
the church was well filed when the committee
appointed by the presbytery and the speakers
feted in on the pulpit The committee in charge
was composed Of Rev. DIR. Bartlett, Rev. DR..
Sunderland and Judge William Strong Rev.
DR.. Bartlett presided and after singing
by the congregation, led by the precentor,
Prof. Paul A selection from the Scriptures was
read by Rev. DR.. Sunderland, who offered
prayer. In words that were beautifully chosen
and with pathos of voice that was most affect
ing he implored the Divine sympathy for the
family in the White House.
REV. Oh. cHEsrERs ADDRESS.
The first speaker introduced by Rev. Dr.
Bartlett was Rev. DIR. Chester, who, in a short
but weil-con ceived address, spoke Of the
discovery Of Columbus in relation to the spread
of Christianity. He said that God in his provi-
dence, had arranged the time for
this discovery. 1t was not a century too early
nor a century too late If Columbus had gone
on his voyage a century earlier the results of his
work would have been impaired by the ignor-
ance and superstition Of the dark ages
half heather and half
Christian religion would have been trans-
planted to the new world. But at the period
Spain Of distinguished pietv, while the
discoverer looked upon himself as an
ambassador of Christ The speaker
referred to the Significance of the name of the
discoverer, Christopher meaning Christ bearer
and Columbus the dove. There were three
made the time of the discovery of the new
world particularly favorable. namely the
discovery OF printing, which placed the Bible
in the hands Of the people. the reformation and
the revival of learning. At that time
God put into the mind of CO.
lumbus the idea of finding the new world.
He put into his hands the key, which, however,
was designed to turn but one ward in the lock.
Columbus was simply discoverer, not
u colonizer. He then contrasted the
mission of the Anglo-Saxon race as
colonizers of the new world with that of the
Latin race, and Illustrated the theme by refer
ring to the two paintings. the Landing of Co.
lumbus and the landing of the pilgrims. In the
former he said the pricststands prominent while
in the latter is the open Bible. In conclusion
the speaker emphasized the truth that the
spirit of Columbus could be initiated by the
church Of today in the work of spreading the
gospel
MR.. A. r. SPOFFORD.
The next speaker. Mr.. A. r. Spofford, the
librarian Of Congress, was introduced BY DIR.
Bartlett with few graceful words.
in which tribute was paid to the
knowledge OF books which Mr.. Spofford
possesses in such an eminent degree Mr..
Spofords address was OF course an interesting
and scholarly treatment Of the subject
He spoke Of the biographers Of Column
bus and also detailed the various estimates
that have been held of his character and his
work, closing with just and eloquent picture
OF Columbus as he appeared, and fifty esti-
mating the value of his enthusiasm.
DIR. HAMLIN's ADDRESS.
The pastor OF the Church Of the Covenant,
Rev. DR.. Hamlin, was the next speaker and
gave in q brief space interesting account
Of Columbus as a religious He showed
how the work Of Columbus was related
to the development Of Christianity. Columbus,
the speaker said. was intensely religious
man. Not perhaps in the sense Of that term as
stitious and believed in vows and penances.
His religion did not make him o moralist
He kept a false log in his first
voyage to deceive the sailors; he Was under
strict In the relations Of domestic life and over
strict in securing all the titles possible. He
a man Of his age, and the country
and age that established the inquisi-
ton can hardly accuse Columbus Of
superstition or immortality. But these defects
were only spots On the sun. They cannot OBJ
man Of resolution. undaunted by adversely
and disappointment, and persisting in
spite Of all and finally accomplishing
what his age believed could not be accom-
plished. The speaker said that Columbus was
supported through the trials Of life by religion.
God had given him special mission to ex-
tend the kingdom of Christ. Reference was
made to the fact which the speaker said had
been so little noted, namely, that Columbus
was earnestly in favor OF starting another
crusade for the rescue of the holy
money to this purpose and left in his will pro-
vision for this pious object. 1t was no dis
credit to Columbus that he did not ,foresee the
influence Of his great discovery. II
was not until more than a CEN
fury later that its meaning was
In this country has beer realized the condition
Of land without a bishop and a
state without king. In conclusion the
speaker dwelt upon the value of freedom
Of thought and freedom of religious
opinion and said that here in this country,
where there is no ambition on the part of the
state for conquest. a torch is held up for both
continents
A poem appropriate to the occasion was read
by Mr.. W. A. Croffut and then the audience
was dismissed.
THE SCOTTISH RITE MASONS.
The Su preme Council to Meet in st. Louis
In 1894.