The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-09


Probably no more interesting and i'm
portant sessions of any body, religious
or otherwise. have ever been held in
this city than are now in progress in
the Epworth League convention at
Elm Park church. There are hundreds
of delegates and clergymen present,
with many earnest workers, and such
interest in happy, healthy, true relig-
ious life as they evince is refreshing
in these times of worldlness and friv-
olity
number of brilliant speakers are
in attendance and tie brain and ener-
gy of the Wyoming conference are rep
resented among the eager listeners or
participants.
Last nights service was an inspira-
tion to the Cr5a at audience. The music.
with Mr.. Pennington at the organ,
was excellent Seldom has such con-
gregational singing been heard in that
odiitce as rang out in the hymns Rich
ard Thomas, who was announced to
sing in duet with Mr. Wooler being
abs mt. the latter sang beautiful
solo.
The altar was clabOrately decorated
under the direction of James Shepherd.
president of the J. L. Price chapter of
Elm Park church and through the
Kindness Of Florists Clark and Palmer.
Mr.. Shepherd and his active committee
were busy all the afternoon and even
ing in the lecture room and together
with G. Fred Whittemore. looked after
! the welfare of the many guests. There
| is very large representation of Cler-
! gymen present Among the prominent
members Of the Wyoming conference
| are; Rev. \. j. Van Cleft, d. D.. Of
| BinghamtOn, n. Y. Presiding Elder
| Thorpe, of the Honesdal, district, and
! Rev II. NJ Crydenwfse
PRESIDENT RACES REMARKS.
President Rev John II. Race. of the
| board of control Of the League, pre-
| sided at the conclusion of the prelim-
| mary service. He spoke earnestly of
| the value of the convention and the
| cOnseCrated effort it would inspire He
| believed tn" members would consider
| it the best time in their lives. He then
| stated an announcement of the board
| OF control 10 the effect that owing to
| the absence of Rev. l.. G. MurdOCk
| Rev. G. Il. Henry was suggested as
| secretary with Rev. w. l.. Linaberry
| as reporter for the EpwOrth Herald,
| Rev. William Frisby to represent the
| Christian Advocate, and Rev. j. B.
| CuStard to take charge of the Epworth
| League supplies in the league rooms.
| THESE nominations We're confirmed
| y communication signed by the sec
| rotary. Mrs. Nellie Lowry, was read
| from the Young Women's Christian as
| sociation extending an invitation to
| the young women visitors at the con-
| VcntiOn to make use of the rooms on
| Washington avenue.
Rev. w. |. Haven, d. D., of Brook
| line, Mass, was then introduced by
| Mr.. Race with the sentiment that it
| was Cminently fitting the head Of the
| department of spiritual work in the
| general cabinet Of the League, should
! open the convention. DR.. Haven is a
! man Of most pleasing personality, bear
| ing the impress in his fine face of the
| nobility Of character and the culture
! worthy of the son Of the great Bishop
! G. ID. Haven. His address was nota-
! Bile in many respects, sparkling with
! original thought,lofty in sentiment and
! filled with a vital beauty of aim, truly
an inspiration to the listeners.
VISION AND SERVICES.
His subject was "Vision and Ser
vice" and while the ideas were rich in
! pertinent illustration and elegance of
diction they We're strongly practical
| and appealed 70 all
In beginning he spoke of the quad
| ruple periods of life. childhood, youth,
| maturity and old age, and referred
! particularly to youth as having certain
| characteristics, one Of which is growth.
1t is impossible to tell what is to come;
what height will be reached, what
altitude of mind or social powers,
Everything is uncertain. Another
| characteristic is Elasticity, the suscep-
tibility to the moulding and shaping
| process.
This may be disputed by some who
| will declare and with reason that if
there is one time in the world when
| opinion is set when there is no possi-
bility of changing plans and when all
! the ideas are correct it is in youth. 1t
is at this period when perfect confid-
enCe in ability to teach and train
other paople is assured.
In our day, the mysteries of Isaiah's
! prophecies, the relation of Moses to
the Pentateuch is understood and de-
scribed by the young man and wo-
| man i'm your home with the same con-
fdence in their own infallible opinions
| with which they arbitrate the matter
of furniture and the arrangement of
the house. 1t is a time of extreme puff
up-ed-ness to be sure, but still there is
no period when life is so sensitive to
outside influence. The youth who will
scom and bluster over a criticism i'm
| .rrl.l h;s
home and think over it and brood over
| il in silence, The young man and
young woman in your congregation feel
the touch Of your manner and your
life. They need encouragement in self
training. Whether or not one has the
opportunity Of school or city life, moth
ing can made that soul but the soul it.
self.
NOT ALWAYS HELPS.
Sometimes the things we think are
the greatest helps are really the least
1t is often the very profusion of books
and culture that hindcrs The young
man in the country with his many
| difficulties TO face, with almost impos-
sible obstacles in the way Of his edu-
cation viii often accomplish more
with the handful of his fathers books
than the one with a home full of read
ing and he may have a better oppor-
| tunity than the other.
Simon Cameron once said that there
was one thing which he mad, and
lacking which, was an obstacle in the
way of his son Don, and that was
| poverty. Whatever you are in this
world will come through your own
making of yourself Millions of money
will not then hinder you for you can
rise above these things because Won