The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-30
Reception TO the PresbyteEianS
of the District.
REV. DR.. HAMLIN'S ADDRESS
His Ihurchmca, He Says, Are Moved
mt the Barbaric Cruelty of the
Land of the Inquisition and Pity
for the Oppressed-Our Navy Is
Reudy.

Masonic Temple last night Dy Jhe TTea-
byterian Alliance to the Presbyterians
of the District was the occasion OF an
outburst of patriotism such as has
seldom been seen at d similar gathering
| in this city. 1t was the first reception
the alliance has ever held,
Notwithstanding the inclement weather
more than 600 persons participated In
the event Most of the leading Presby-
terian devines and many of the laymen
and officers of the different churches
were present. DR.. T. De Witt Talmage
was unable to attend on account of
slight indispositon.
The hall was decorated in an elaborate
manner.
The program was begun with the sing
ing of the "Star-Spangled Banner by
five Willard Hotel boys. Patriotic music
was furnished by Haley's Band.
Paymaster General Stewart. in speak
ing on Our Navy. said, in part:
"Our Navy, if need be. is ready to
speak for itself. 1t may be well to say
that what the Navy will do can be best
judged by what it has done in the past.
II know not what lies before us-peace
or war. In whatever circumstances the
Navy of the nation finds itself. it may
confidently be relied upon to carry the
flag with dignity, and defend it with
honor.
Dr. Hamlin. in responding to the sub
ject "Our Country" said:
presbyterian history is patriotism
And logically so. Our distinctive doc
trines of divine sovereignty trains Us to
obedience TO rightful authority. Our
form Of church government fits us TO be
peculiarly intelligent and cordial citizens
of a republic. Alike in church and state,
we want government of, by and for the
people.
; we are not the sort of patriots that
. shout ourselves hoarse without knowing
what we are shouting about. We love
our country because ii is our father
1 land we are proud of it chiefly because
it is large rich and powerful, but be-
cause it is free. enlightened and just
because from It's earliest days 1t has been
an asylum for the oppressed OF all lands !;
because of its schools, churches and col
Ieges; because of the quick and for the
most part sincere assimilation of our for
eign-born population; the intense subsi-
, | dence of partisanshp and Sectionallsm in
the presence of any real emergency; the
magnificent bravery of our soldiers and
| sailors; the ardent desire on the one
|
national righteousness and honor.
I'VE feel called upon TO do our share
10 put the principles of the gospel in the
| national life. When we hear the cry of
5 | pain and woe that comes from the OPP
| pressed and desolated coast we remem-
ber the good Samaritans ministry of
love and hear our Lord say Go and do
likewise
when we look across the sea We are
: moved with horror at the barbaric cruelty
of the land of the inquisitiou and with
pity for the people held in the super
= stition of medieval darkness.
= Though we recognize that the hour
| may come when the oppressor must be
t smtten hip and thigh in order that the
oppressed may go free. we shrink from
. raising the mailed hand and patiently
wait to be certain that God wills 1t. II
he wills that we be his sword for punish
| ment we leave the vengeance to him and
I smite the tvrant in the same spirit ii
D which we feed the starving or bury the
4 dead so cruelty slain in the darkness OF
j unsuspecting sleep.
{ Rev DR. Hamln said that he was
S proud of the fact that Presbyterian
= churches were made recruiting stations
= and that Presbyterian congregations
moved solidly to the front for the cause
. of liberty and good government.
, 81 desire peace in my church and peac'
$ in my country-peace even if / have Il
. fight for it. Stagnation isn't peace op
. preston isn't peace; death isn't peace
. Chains are worse than bayonets, ant
? there comes a time when blood mus
= flow The President and his adviser
$ have stood with wondrous poise in tn
e present crisis; they have waited, aud
;. am afraid longer than | would have. Th
:. manly, conservative. common voice o
:. the people is now spreading. If war mus
d come as a last resort, after patience AM
: peace have had perfect work. then W
n will accept the arbitrament Of war
d Peace has victories. War has victorie
and the victories of war is enduring
e peace. founded on principle. The da,
d will come when the birds will build thei
l. nests in the mouths of the cannon. bu
$ that day will be after this century,
n Addresses were also made by Rev. Di
e Byron Sunderland, co-pastor with Dr
Talmage. at the First Presbyterian
d Church, DR.. Thomas Chalmers Eastor
e pastor of the Eastern Presby terial
o Church: Rev DR.. Luccock, and othe
e wel-known pastors.
e Mr.. Il. II. Warner presided. The recep
= ton was followed by dinner