The record-union., 1897-10-01
CITY BETTERMENTS.
"A MEETING OF MINISTERS AND
BUSINESS MEN.
They Discuss at the Banquet Table
Some Propositions Of Public
Concern.

NtAANcAiiS dlICCllhS publAN AAOA S-iS @-AANa
general betterment of the community.
Last night was the date set for the first
OF meetings to get business men and
preachers into closer touch, as DR..
Banks, the Chairman, expressed 1t.
The gathering was held in the as
sembly room Of the Young Mems Chris
tan Association and there number OF
ladies had spread a bountiful table, over
Which they presided. When the COM
pany assembled it was found that a
number Of those invited had been un-
able to come. Some had gone out Of the
city on business, some were sick, and
some had prior engagements they could
not break. But letters of regret and
sympathy We're received and words of
encouragement sent by others for the
purpose of the gathering. After the
good things Of the table had been dis
cussed by the twenty-three citizens
present the order of the evening began.
Rev. DR.. Banks, presiding, said that
the purpose of the meeting had long
been considered. namely, to effect a
bond Of union between the pulpit and
the business men. Both had been
reaching out in their own directions, but
Somewhat apart, while the press stands,
as it were, between, aiding both He be-
lieved California to be on the eve of a
new era, hopeful and uplookinG, and
now is the time to look to our home con-
ditions.
The idea of the occasion related to the
relations Of the morals of the city to the
pulpit and to the business circles. It
was to consider a few of many matters
looking in that direction, with the Min
isterial Union. known as listeners, that
the meeting had been called. After the
regular expression by chosen speakers,
1T was desired to have an omen and full
debate. He hoped all expression would
be free of any regard for the ideas of
The ministers and that the expressions
would be independent and regardless of
the beliefs of the cloth. To this end
three gentlemen had been chosen to
speak on three subjects to introduce
Them.
DIR. Charles Van Norden, President of
the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Children, was the first speaker, his sub
ject relating to community morals. He
regretted the great prevalence of vice
exposed to him by the work of his So
ciety, but he was not going to say that
Sacramento was the wickedest city.
There are plenty of cities worse than
Sacramento.
Say what you please of it, said he,
there are many good things here, many
good men and women, many good deeds
and much Of sound morals in this beau
Hiful city. The highest and most lasting
prosperity, he believed, is based on
sound morals. Ethics must be applied.
An great advance comes from the appli-
cation of scientific truth to the common
needs of life. The preachers preach
that vice is very vicious, and sin very
sinful; but that goes for nothing un-
less it is applied. Truth is not always
applied.
There are Gods poor, and the devils
poor, and poor devils in every city. We
can't do much for the second class; we
can do much for the other two by sys-
tematizing our charities.
He described a charity districting and
cooperative system in an Eastern city,
where cases of distress were
reported to district Superintendents,
and thus led up to direct investigation
and practical and wisely applied aid.
The great object of wise charity is
to help the needy to help themselves.
Some such a districting system the
children's society is about to attempt
here, that order may be brought out of
chaos and charity be systematized.
Then as to raiding on vice. That is
great question. His society is limited to
vice visited upon children. The protec-
lion the society gives is far in excess
of the punishment it inf1icts. It's work
safeguards maidenhood and helpless
childhood far more than most people
suppose.
He referred to this simply to show the
value of applied ethics. He had once
been a minister, but if he had life to
dive over again he would devote less
slime to doctrinal preaching and more
to applied ethics and practical philan-
4hropy.
Miss Ida Clinch then sang an eff
fective solo. DR.. Banks read a warm
approving letter from Frank Miller with
regrets for his absence.
L. T. Hatfield responded to the
sentiment zone days rest in seven-its
advantages and needs" He referred to
the injunction of Holy Writ to honor
and keep the Sabbath day. It is a di-
vine Injunction and ought to be suffi-
cient. If the Maker found occasion to
rest, how much more essential it is for
finite beings.
AS a physiological necessity it has
abeen demonstrated Tt is in proof that
those who have respected the day have
been blest in consciousness and mate
rial things.
To enjoy most we need time for ret
rospection, and they who dedicate the
Sabbath day to rest and retrospection
feel that they are greatly helped
thereby.
The law Of the State gives to every
one a day Of rest. but the law is not
observed. That law does not name the
day. and it is hence ineffective. The
fact that but a small percentage of the
people of Sacramento indulge in secular
affairs and conduct business on Sun
day testifies to their Unborn reverence
for the day. Sentiment surrounding
q day goes far to make its teaching ef-
fective. It is the sentiment surround
ding the Fourth of July that gives it
greatest value and secures its observ-
ance. If business men would not give
countenance to events irreverent to
the Sabbath day, it would be more OBJ
served, and the community would be
the more benefited and present its invi-
tation the more to the people of the
East
He believed prosperity built upon
seven days labor is not permanent: its
failure viii sooner or later be made evil
dent Sunday picnics are not restful;
they are wearying, and hence are not
helpful He who rests on Sunday and
puts away all worldly cares comes to
his duty of Monday vastly refreshed
and equipped for the new weeks work