The record-union., 1895-05-24

of narrowness and bigotry blinded each
to the virtues of his religious neighbors,
and permitted each To see naught but
truth in his own creed, naught but error
in the oreeds of others.
The very fact of these many different
denominations uniting hereifor one grand
purpose, uniting in this society for COM
mon religious good, is proof that you real
ize God has given no race, no people. no
reilglous sect monopoly OF the truth;
that in "our Fathers house are many
mansions; that He loves all His children
equally we'll; that all faiths have some
thing in them that is great, something
that is good, something that is true, aud
that we cannot, therefore, advance our
own faith unless we modestly and
humbly acknowledge that other and dli-
fering faiths likewise have a share of the
truth.
Your act in thus uniting for a common
good is proof you realize that God cares
more for souls than for dogma; more tor
deed than for creed. You seemingly be-
lieve with Arch bishop Feehan that IN o
matter how we may differ in faith there
is one thing common 10 Us all, and tnat Is
common humanity" There is one plat
form on which we may all stand-the
platform of unselfishness, OF benevolence,
OF love for our fellowmen.
The old rabbis taught that 1.-The right
eous shall enter the gate OF the Lord; that
the good and the just among all men
shall stand before God" 1t is hopeful
sign TO see orthodox denominations COM
ing together in this spirit; it bespeaks
great possibilities in the direction OF
broadened sympathies and enlarged re-
llglous views. 1t remains, however, Tor
the youth which is enrolled in this great
and powerful society-a society with a
~ fN<ak- l,1r
quarter, scattered all over the globe-to
carry out the tolerant religious spirit in
fused into it by its founders. 1t is for the
youth now enlisted under it's banner TO
preach the doctrine universally accepted
by all religious beliefs-the doctrine OF
the fatherhood of God-and TO prove by
their daily lives their belief in that other
great and glorious doctrine-the doctrine
Of the universal brotherhood of man.
The late John Richard Green, in a let
ter to Dean Stanley, said: 'In religion it
was not so much creed that you taught
me as fairness. l used to think, as left
your lecture room, of how many different
faiths and persons you had spoken, and
how you had revealed and taught me to
love the good that was in them all"
Mav we express the hope that as the
influence of this society grows and
spreads, it will continue TO seek out the
good in others and TO teach how much
Gods children-all of them-have in
common.
In the words of the great Nazarene,
"May you let your light so shine before
men that they may see your goods works
and glorify your Father which is in
heaven"
May your deliberations while in our
midst be guided by wisdom and by
gentleness. May our CITY, where you are
most sincerely welcome-by its hospital
ity, by the interest it will manifest in
your deliberations, prove worthy OF the
distinction shown il in being chosen as
your meeting place. May the uplifting
and purifying influence of body such
as yours leave "a lasting impression for
good upon the people of our beloved city;
and may the spirit of enthusiasm which
this convention is likely to arouse within
your hearts aud minus, send you forth
with still holier and Ioftier aims, with
still more liberal and generous religious
views, with still higher hopes and as
pirations, with still broader love for your
fellowmen and for humanity.
REV. II. II. HoYI's ADDRESS.
Rev. II. II. Hoyt then welcomed the
delegates on behalf Of the pastors and
churches Of the city.
He said that he believed it was just like
our Heavenly Father to give us good
times; TO bring these friends here; to
give US loftier hopes; to give us higher
aims; TO unite the churches. They were
here TO work to the motto which was dis
played at the back of the stand-"Cali-
fornia for Christ"
In these days, when material things
unite to draw men away from God, there
are three things to be considered. The
first was conscience, compelling man to
cease to be a law unto himself. As the
world turns round, obedient to the laws
OF the universe, bringing the seasons in
their proper order and everything in
harmony, so conscience makes all our
affairs 60 on rightly. Here we are in a
land of sunshine and flowers; OF bloom
and life. There are, however, many
things yet to be achieved in it by man, to
be wrought out by labor, and many re-
sources to be developed. In order to do
this, conscience must be the cornerstone
of The State. If it is asked why the State
is not better populated and developed
the answer must be, I'VE Want More
are before the State if conscience is in
the hearts of her children. What can
they not achieve?
The Society of Christian Endeavor
stands for the organized conscience of the
State of California. Conscience puts iron
in the blood, strength in the limbs and
nerve in the body, and leads us on to
greater possibilities. 1t keeps men at a
cause that is destined to triumph. He
was glad to see that the Society OF Chris
tian Endeavor was brainy enough and
wise and strong enough to stretch out its
hand and require its members to take a
pledge. 1t lifts a man up; it sets him
free to take a pledge. The churches were
glad TO welcome the organized conscience
OF the State in this assem- bly,.
He who prays fights. England is still
strong on account of Cromwell's sword
and bayonets. If they were tempted to
be discouraged they should remember
that greater is He that is with them than
their enemy, and that they go to victory
under the white banner of their leader.
He was glad TO welcome them-not only
as an organized conscience, but as an
organized prayer-the clear consciences
and pure principles Of the young girls
OF California. Thee rusades did little for
Europe until the enthusiasm OF Peter the
Hermit fired the enthusiasm of Europe
and organized it to attain common OBJ
ject. The fires did not die down till they
had brought about the Renaissance and
the Reformation. The Christian En-
deavor is the great movement that will
lead the world to the feet OF Jesus-Uo the
cross of Christ. He welcomed them for
the churches of Sacramento, because,
while he knew they had their local and
personal Royalties, they had wider 10y
atty Tor Christ-for Him who shall reign
as their King.
DIR. KELLY's RESPONSE.
DR.. Kelly said that the words of hearty
welcome to which they had listened
might almost be deemed superfuous. in
view of the preparations made by the
Reception Committee for their comfort
and pleasure. He thought faith had in
duced the committee 10 provide all these
seats and extend these walls. He was
glad 10 know that something was ex-
pected OF the society.
It might not be out of place to give the
citizens an idea of what the society was
Mr. Weinsloclz had stated their nI,ln hars