The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-04
GROVER TALKS.
The President Presides at a
Religious Gathering.
Home Mission Movement of the
Presbyterians.
PRAISES THE CAUSE.
Refers Strongly to the Evils of
Gambling Houses.
A General Reference to the Ar
menian Troubles.

New YORK, March 4.-One of tho
most important meetings held in re-
cent years in favor of the home mis-
sion movement of the Presbyterian
church was that which took place in
Carnegie music hall last night. The
Importance of the occasion was en-
phasized by the appearance as presid
ing officer of the meeting of President
Cleveland. When the cheering had
subsidized Mr.. Cleveland said in part:
mo one charged with the duties
and responsibilities which necessarily
weigh upon your chief executive can
fail to appreciate the Importance of
religious teachings and Christian en-
deavor in the newly settled portion of
cur vast domain. It is there where
hot and stubborn warfare between
the forces of good and evil is con-
stantly invited. In these days the
vanguard of occupation in a new
and criminal element. Gam bling
houses and dramshops are frequently
among the first establishments in a
new community. It must also be
confessed that removal from old
homes and association to new and
more primitive homes has a tendency
among honest and respectable settlers
~ oLAO0ACL SC1uR1CS anu OACSO III
difference to Christianizing and ele-
waiting agencies.
''Those conditions, if unchecked and
uncorrected, fix upon the new COM
munity by their growth and expan-
sion a chara cter and disposition which,
while dangerous to peace and order in
the early stages of settlement, develop
into badly regulated municipalities,
corrupt and unsafe territories and I'M
desira BILE states. These are se@ious
considerations in a country where the
people, good or bad, are it's rulers, be-
cause the conditions to which I have
referred, would certainly menace with
q circle constantly charging, the
safety and welfare of the entire body
polite, if we could not hope that
churches and religious teachings
would from the first be on the ground
to oppose the evil influences that are
apt to pervade the beginning of organ
lied communities.
''These churches and this religious
teachings were never more needed
than now on our distant frontiers,
where the process of forming new
States is going on so rapidly and
where newcomers, who are to be the
citizens of new States, are so rapidly
gathering together.
''Our hearts have recently been pro-
foundly stirred by the dangers that
threaten the devoted men and women
who have gone from among Us to
preach and teach Christianity in a for
eign land. Our sympathy with them
ana those with whom they labor and
suffer is made more painful because
the arm of complete relief has not
thus far been able to reach them Our
missionary impulse should be large
enough and strong enough for both
While we will not turn away from
them nor allow discoura cement to de-
stroy activity In their behalf, let US
not forget the missionary in our own
land who needs our aid, to whom we
owe duty, and who can be reached.
The President was followed by DR..
Talmage, Booker T. Washington and
other speakers.