The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-16
TOO MANY FINE HOUSES
Bishop Vincent Tells the Young
People That Character
Is Never Well Developed Sur
rounded BY Luxury.
The Bishop Says He Doesn't Pity
Poor People, Because Children
Raised in Poverty Make the
Best Men and Women.

''I am a member of the Holy Catholic
church, said Bishop John H. Vincent
of the Methodist Episcopal church, as
he stepped h fore the audience assem-
bled to hear him at the Cumberland
Presbyterian church last night; and
then he paused for few moments and
looking through his gold trimmed glasses
at the array of faces before he added,
that recognizes all denominations and
respects all opinions OF faith
The bishops audience expected the
addition, for the bishop does not look
exactly like a Catholic priest. They also
thought it was a very good expression
for a Methodist bishop to use in open
ing his address in a Presbyterian
church, and smiled. The bishop at
once felt as much at home as if he had
been in a pulpit of his own church.
And because he was a Methodist
bishop speaking in Presbyterian
church, Bishop Vincent felt it an Op-
portunity to express his liberal views
on the question of differences in relig-
iOuS faith.
He was invited to make an address to
young people at the church last night
as the closing feature of the conven-
ton OF the Young Peoples Societies of
the Kansas City Presbytery of the
United Presbyterian church, but he
prefaced his remarks to this portion of
his audience by a short talk along the
line of liberal Christianity.
1T is a good thing for US to have
freedom in our religious faith" said he,
and be able to respect each other in
this freedom. 1t is good for Us to min
gle with each other and know each 9TH
er's opinions. [ believe in division, for
in division there is discussion, and
without discussion what use can there
be in studying truth?
1T is perfectly legitimate for us to
have different opinions 1t is a good
thing for US to find out these different
points and be honest with ourselves.
49,
it of Christian charity, of Christian for
bearance, and the will to give every
man right to his opinion, no matter
how widely it may differ from our own.
We want to respect each others indi-
viduahty.
IF 1 were going on a journey and
had the chance to choose between a
Methodist and a Baptist as a travelling
companion would choose the Baptist
Why? Simply because I am not
Baptist, and because when we get to
the end Of the journey he would know
more than when he started-about the
MethOdistS-and I would know more
than when started about the Baptlsts.
We could part both with a better idea
of each others religion and with IN
creased respect for each other oplh-
ions.
Il think the smallest type of a Chris
tan is the Christian who does not re-
jOice over the success of any other ue-
nomination but his own. fe1olce at
the success of all denominations. be
cause if a man is not far enough along
for one church-the Methodist, for IN
stance-when ne joins another he is at
Bishop Vincent then turned his at
tention especially to the youthful por-
ton of the audience, and delivered a
brief advisory address. He said:
Il am so glad that there are not more
fine homes, and not more wealthy par
ents. who bring their children up in
luxury and Indulgence, ready to graft
fy their slightest wish Such conditions
l regard as perilous to youth. Stabili-
ty of character is promoted by the very
harshest conditions of life the very con-
ditions that we protest so strongly
against. The quality of character that
Will make the greatest use OF wealth is
the quality of character that will make
the most out of poverty
L don't pity poor people. pity peo-
pie that are hung and people that
are in distress. but some of the happiest
and nobIest peoplt have known in my
pastoral career were people who lived
in poverty all their lives. The condi-
lions of life that tend to the develop