Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-23
Secretary's Report.

The report or the secretary, Miss Emma
Gillespie Of Beatrice, showed 7O1 societies
OF record in this state. 14,92S active men,
bers, 4,602 associate members; total, 1880
members. This is gain over last year Of
eighty-seven societies, 761 active members.
ninety-seven associate members, total gain
Of s5S members during the year. The secre-
tary expressed herself as pleased with the
years work, congratulated the societies
upon the growth, which is perceptible in
many ways. This is due to a splendid corps
Of district secretaries, who have done so
much with the societies in their districts.
At the close of the morning session the
delegates assembled in front OF the church
building and a photograph was taken Of
| them.
At the afternoon session the song service
was conducted by Rev. W. B. Leonard of
Cozad. Following this Immediately came
the address by Rev. J. W. Wilson of Omaha
on Social Christianity" Mr.. Wilson spoke
to this effect: Man is a social being. 1t
was not good for man to live alone, so fami
lies were formed and human society. Chris
tianity is addressed not to man as an in
dividual. but to man as a member of So
| ciety. 1t is old testament and IL Is new
| testament. The present day social problems
are intemperance and social iniquity the
| race problem, the wage problem, monopolles,
! labor organizations, divorce and educational
matters, insane asylum problem, hospitals
and politics.
| THE breach Is widening. We do not get
to the laboring man. There is chasm be-
tween us. The farmer, carpenter and brick
| mason feel ostracized. without friends and
| looked down upon. The socialist works with
| them. and anarchy and confusion await us.
Tn IHrap y,I ,,.s.t .l..-
! lem. Anarchy and confusion overthrow the
| government and revolution and destruction
| confront us.
The principle in all these problems is
the spirit of the world. The spirit Of selfish
rivalry prevails You might say tie prin-
| ciple controlling the advance of mSn is the
survival of the strongest. 1t is might makes
right
SeIfshness the Rule.
"Sefsh aggrandizement is the ruling pas
sion. the principle OF thoroughly worldly
ungodly people. 1t has been leavened by
Christianity a little, but today it is the
great principle. Christ's principle is first
love; second, service; third, sacrifice; will
ing to yield help, bend down and carry tbs
burden.
"The purpose of social Christianity Is MOI
socialist in the sense of communism. II
| recognizes the right TO property, not that
every man can be a railroad president
banker or cashier or lecturer. 1t says the
conditions will be made such that mar
or woman will be happy in life and home
Every man cannot rise to the highest posi-.
tion. He is not fitted by nature. 1t is moi
Gods intention evidently, and history shows
that he does not succeed. Christianity will
make them happy and contented. though
they cannot rise to the highest.
christianity means, first, simple justic
and fair play, labor should get fair wages
the employees should get fair treatment
second, to secure benevolence, treat mel
kindly, look upon women with compassion
consider all mankind as brothers, conside
the worth Of the human soul. Chrstianit
educates the conscience. Thou shalt Low
thy neghbor as myself"
At 2:30 p. m. the various committees 0
the societies held conferences upon the diff
, ferent departments Of Christian Endeavo
, work. At S45 the denomination rallies wer
held at the various churches.
The church was crowded to standing roor
in the evening. Salem G.. Pattison OF Hast
irgs delivered an address upon THE HON
Life and Its Influence" DR.. Albert 'Buxto
Of Fairbury gave an address on America
New Duties and Rev. f. VanDyke Wigh
! Of Hastings spoke upon Christian Citizen
ship in the Pulpit" The services close
with the entire congregation singin
5 America"
At the meeting OF the executive committe