Evening star., 1898-10-14
DELEGATE TEMPLES THEME.
"The Churchman and the Future''
Discussed Last ExeninE.


Discussed Last Evening.
Mr.. Edward Lowe Temple, delegate to
the general convention of the P E. Church,
NOW in session in Washington, from the
diocese of Vermont. and author of THE
Church in the Prayer Book" delivered an
address last evening on THE Churchman
and the Future at the Church of the In
carnation, corner of n and 18th streets
northwest. A very large audience was
present The speaker was introduced by
Bishop Starkey of New Jersey
In part, Mr.. Temple said
Looking around him upon the conditions
of society in America at the opening of the
twentieth century, the thoughtful church
man, amid much that appeals to his pride
and hope, sees some things to discourage
and more to perpiex him. The foundations,
laborioUsly laid by the fathers of the re-
public, are being severely tested, and ap-
prehension is not always absent from the
outlook. The simply ordered, straightfor-
ward round of life in 1916 has given place
to a very Babel of frenzied activities
wherein the element of quiet, reflective
leisure has come to be largely eliminated.
Our dangers are real enough, and, in
deed palpabiy in evidence. Let US refer
particularly to certain public evils, which,
for a time unsuspected, have developed.
with unexamDled rapidity during a few
decades. What has become of our Sun
day? From the unnatural severity of
Puritan sabbath to the leisure of it's conti-
mental opposite, the wheel has come full
circle 1t used to be called the laborers
rest, the saints delight"
The speaker here enumerated as among
the evils to be summed the Sunday news
paper. the Sunday bicycle-"abusc of an
honest blessing to the physical frame
many public amusements, including cont-i-
buttons of the stage-'unhealthy cxhibi-
tions that constantly levy their contribu-
tions upon the young'-the suggestive
posters that are haunted upon the bill
boards of every town. and the Infamous
literature to correspond, which is purveyed
at every news stand for the corruption of
unguarded youth. finding their fit culnina-
ton in debauching of the public con-
science and in the hidecus evils of Gt
Torce.' Continuing, the speaker said:
Greater and more undist"fbed activity
is granted to individual greed and the in
satiate clutch Of business IS fatal to the
longing for an anpler ether, diviner air.
Competition rather than cooperation, too
thoughtlessiy called the life of trade, has
grown into veritabIe devil fish, whose
tentacles easily strangle Great combina
tons are fast usurDiIg the place of honest
rivalry, and these. again, are being alb
sorbed by huge, overgrown trusts, that die
tate the very terms Of existence to vast
asgregations of human beings, in absolute
and contemptuous oblivion of thc academic
law of supply and demand.
There are those who think that porular
government is on trial for its life. l think
not, otherwise than hopefully, since the
democratic idea steadily gains ground the
world over. even where. outside of Eng
land, there was little dream a century ago
beyond the divine right of kings
our republic has reached a new stage
of development, however, and is confronted
with new issues. Il has survived the per-
lis that attended its launching among the
nations of the earth. 1t has Durged itself
of the canke~ of human slavery and
strained armed rebellion Is it now power
full enough to bride its own lawless ele-
menIs" VIII the good ship weather the
storm of Ioitical corruption and economic
distress: Pouring oil on troubled waters,
viii it ride out in safety the wild waves of
social discomfort? And will it be given to
discern the beacon lights of duty that seem
to point Il new and untried pathway for US
across the globe?
Surely, yes, if the lodestar of revelation
and the celestial chart aoOstolically given
be followed. May urge the following up
on CT urchmen, at least as Indispensable
notes of such a campaign for reunion as
challenges the enlistment of US all %
Unity among ourselves: t2) the evangeizing
spirit; 80 generosity toward others; (D
prayer and the sacraments."