The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-03-14
How the Rivalry Here Is Viewed
From the Pulpit.
SERMON BY REV. MR.. BRINE
Survival of the Fittest-The Kind of
Men Who viii Win - Not a Radi-
cal Discourse.

At Central Union Church last even
ing Mr.. Birnie preached on Race
Rivalry" He said in part:
There is a struggle going on here in
Honolulu, but that is not strange nor
unique. The same has been true else
where at different periods of history
is true in other countries now The
difference is that here we have the
conflict in miniature-anyone's vision
is equal to the close range at which we
may study the question here.
AS we look We ask ourselves what
type will win? Christians believe in
the survival of the fittest; but listen to
the Bibles answer to the question
what is fit?
The minister found the reply in the
text. 1t is clear that the divine plan
expects all, tos become partakers of
the divine nature, and Peter gives the
rule for the self culture. 1t is develop
ment, and that implies effort on the
mans part.
First the fit man must have faith,
and ability to trust-faith in God, his
power and love; faith in himself as
servant of God, and faith in his fell
low men, The materialist cannot sur
yive, he lacks the first foundation stone
on which to build. Then from the faith
must develop manliness, excellence and
integrity, the moral qualities-all that
the old English word virtue stood for.
Virtue grows into knowledge The fit
man cannot be an enthusiastic dream
er, a superficial we'll wisher. He must.
be intelligent, observe facts, study the
question and then live up to his con-
clusions; and to his knowledge add
temperance, or self-control. The con-
troll which builds up homes and
strengthens all social life must never
be spasmodic, it is steady and strong.
So the apostle says: add to your tenn
perance, patience" Do not be excit-
able nor irritable with yourselves or
others. Have calm confidence that right
will win, and steady confidence for bat
Ting with obstacles. These traits east
ly develop godiiness. God in the man
shows in his word and life. Then he
will easily require the common BROTH
erhood of all and readily give of him
self and his substance for the help of
Gods children.-"love of the brethren"
the book calls it.
Faith, virtue, knowledge, temper
ance, patience, godliness and love Of
others? What is that but a description
of character? Not national characteris-
teristics, not intellectual keenness, not
financial ability, not race distinctions,
not the possible attainment of all. Each
one has the opportunity of sharing the
divine nature.
He who develops these qualities, he
who has the stamp of the divine char
acter in his life will be fit to survive
and to him shall the earth be given.
AS with the individual so with the race.
Not white skin, nor brown; not Anglo
Saxon nor Celestial, not the nation
that knows God shall survive
For God is in heaven and all will
be we'll in earth,
And God is here and will abide in his
own"
4 There was very large congregation
at Central Union Church last evening.
All the seating space in the main au-
ditorium was occupied and there were
a few people in the gallery. Quite
number of those who came expected
that the pastor was to give some
what sensational sermon by dealing in
local matters with radical swing.
At the end of the sermon Rev. Mr..
Birnie was spoken to, concerning a
publication purporting to be an inter-
view with him and intimating that his
sermon was to be on lines quite out OF
the ordinary This interview was men
toned yesterday at the meeting of
the American Union Central Commit
tee. Rev. Mr. Birnie said he did not
know until he read the evening paper
that he had been interviewed and he
proposes today to request a correction.
He says the interview" was wholly
unauthorized and was published with