The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-04

T CANNOT explain why it is nee
i essary for me to be here except
for the reason found in studying a
certain parable of the Masters by
which we learn it was customary
when a man made a feast to send
out his invitations long time ahead
to inform them when the event was
to come off. And when everything
was ready, then he sent out messen-
gers to tell them it was time for the
guests to come. Now, some time ago
we're sent out invitations saying cer-
tain event was to come off in Jersey
City. My message is to tell you
every thing is ready and to come right
away. 'Come, for all things are
ready;" that is, pretty nearly ready.
They will be in couple of weeks.
And this I think must be the capac-
ity in which | am called to act.
We sincerely hope it is not neces-
sary to deal with excuses on the part
of any of you that you are preparing
to make, why you should not come on
to Jersey City. You remember in
the parable of the feast, many would
not come. One had bought yoke
of oxen and had to prove them. Now
if there is anyone here who has
bought yoke of oxen, let him un-
derstand it is very bad weather to
prove oxen. 1t is hot and it is going
to be hotter. There is danger in the
field for you and the oxen, and you
had better put the oxen in cold stor-
age, leave everything and come to
Jersey City. And if there is anybody
who is going to marry a wife don't let
that be an excuse. Bless your soull
/ married a couple two days before l
came to "Boston '95" and when l got
here l found that couple. They had
made it part of their wedding tour.
Ccpne with ycur newly married wife
and see how we'll we treat young mar
ried people. We will make it right
pleasant for you. Then there was
another man who bought piece of
land and had to go and view it. He
made that his excuse. Now if any of
you have gone into real estate, don't
lose the chance to come on and see
how real estate is in New York. So
don't let your real estate lie idle here,
but come on to Jersey City and per-
haps you will be able to improve it.
Just see how all these excuses vanish
into air. You are federally involved
in this invitation because by your
representatives you have invited
yourselves there.
| want you to come and see the
newer New York. The New York of
Col. Waring. If you have not seen
Col. Warnings angels going round and
cleaning up, come and see them.
The reform there in New York is tre-
mendous. 1t has driven all the old
"soakers" over to Jersey City, and
the result has been that Jersey City
has retaliated and driven them back
and stands guard with gattling guns
to ward off their approach. There is
great moral toning up all round.
Come on and see it. If you have not
been to New York since it began to
change into an educational center,
and seen where Columbia College
has planted itself, come on and see
it. If you have not seen New York
since it has come to the days of its
magnificent buildings, come and see
it.
Now if anybody asks what relation
New York has to Jersey City, l will
try to explain. 1t was only today
young lady asked "Where is Jersey
City anyway How do you get to it
from New York;" There is conun-
drum that asks, "What relation is
the threshold to the door mat?" and
the answer is, "But step-farther."
That is the relation of Jersey City to
New York. You step on to ferry
boat and go little farther and you
are in Jersey City. Jersey City is to
New York on the west, what Brook
lyn is on the east, and those great
cities built by the people who labor
and toll in New York City are the
strength of New York.
l am not going to tell you what all
the committees are doing. If you
read the Onward as you ought to,
you will find out all about it. Brother
Vail wrote me a letter when l came
here stating the particulars of differ
ent attractions to be found, and nam
ing the excursions to come when the
Convention was over. One of the
things upon which special stress was
laid was the fact that there was a
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